Florida

Florida Colleges and Universities

Florida has approximately 16 public and private colleges and universities, as well as educational institutions like research, service centers and for-profit colleges and universities like the University of Phoenix, Full Sail University, Florida Metropolitan University and Kaplan University.  Distance learning and online college courses are offered at most of the state’s postsecondary schools.  Standard and honors or advanced courses are also taught at the postsecondary schools.  Accelerated degree programs exist at some of the schools so students can complete their degree coursework in shorter than average time spans.

Florida’s college and university library systems hold several millions of microfilm, electronic journals, databases, collections and texts, including e-books, that students can access while on campus or at home.

Accredited colleges and universities in Florida attract students of various ages and from diverse backgrounds.  Some of the more popular or widely known postsecondary schools in Florida include the:

• University of Florida (one of America’s top five largest postsecondary schools)
• Florida State University
• University of South Florida
• Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
• University of Central Florida
• Florida International University
• University of West Florida
• University of North Florida
• Bethune-Cookman College
• Florida Institute of Technology
• Rasmussen College
• Stetson University
• Florida Southern College
• University of Miami

About Florida and Higher Education

Florida, nicknamed the “Sunshine State,” is one of the states in America that doesn’t charge its residents income tax, a factor that brings many retirees from other parts of the country to the state during their latter years.  Admitted to the statehood on March 3, 1845, Florida is the 27^th state; it relies on industries such as tourism, agriculture, machinery, information technology, healthcare and manufacturing to keep its economy strong.  It’s bordered by states like Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi.  Furthermore and although Miami is one of the state’s major cities that attract millions of tourists each year, the capital city of Florida is Tallahassee.

Undergraduate and graduate degrees offered by Florida schools that complement the state’s major industries (e.g. tourism, agriculture, manufacturing) include:

• Associate of Arts in Accounting
• Associate of Arts in Advertising
• Associate of Arts in Finance
• Bachelor of Science in Accounting
• Bachelor of Science in Biology
• Bachelor of Science in Entomology and Nematology
• Bachelor of Arts in Marketing
• Bachelor of Arts in Communications
• Master of Science in Botany
• Master of Science in Business Administration
• Master of Science in Environmental Engineering
• Doctorate of Science in Engineering
• Doctorate of Science in Chemical Engineering

College and University Students Finding Work in Florida

Because Florida is home to major college and professional sporting teams like the Bethune-Cookman College Wildcats, Florida Atlantic University Owls, Miami Dolphins, Miami University Hurricanes, Orlando Magic, Miami Heat, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Rays, Jacksonville University Dolphins and the University of Central Florida Knights, college and university students majoring in subjects like marketing, communications, journalism, advertising, sports medicine and physical fitness may get employed by top college and professional sports teams located in the state.

Other major employers in Florida include Walt Disney, Universal Studios, Anheiser-Busch, Bank of Tampa, area hospitals and secondary schools, Harris Corporation, Health Management Associates, JM Family Enterprises, Mears Transportation, Ryder, Tropicana Products, United States Sugar Corporation, Wackenhut Corporation and Wellcraft.  Getting undergraduate and graduate degrees in subjects like shipping logistics, hospitality management, information technology, healthcare management, business management, business administration, law, finance and accounting may help college students enrolled in postsecondary schools in Florida to receive a rounded and balanced education that may help them to land jobs with one or more of the state’s top employers.  Industries graduating college students may gain employment in are financial services, fishing (one of the state’s largest and most profitable industries), hospitality (e.g. hotels, motels, cruises) and entertainment.