Florida
Gulf Coast
University opened in the
fall of 1997 and is the newest member of the State University System of
Florida. The school is
located near Fort Myers, Florida and
helps to serve the growing population of southwest Florida.
Originally, the plan was for the university to be more of a
commuter school that specialized in online learning.
However, Florida
Gulf Coast
University soon developed
into a more traditional school that integrated web-based learning much
like other colleges and universities.
The university started modest, with around 2,000 undergraduates,
and remains one of the smaller Florida
state universities, but its student population has continued to grow at
higher rates than most higher learning institutions in
Florida.
Established on the verge of the 21st century, Florida Gulf Coast
University infuses the strengths of the traditional public university
with innovation and learning-centered spirit, its chief aim being to
fulfill the academic, cultural, social, and career expectations of its
constituents.
Outstanding faculty uphold challenging academic standards and balance
research, scholarly activities, and service expectations with their
central responsibilities of teaching and mentoring. Through these
efforts, the faculty and University transform students’ lives and the
southwest Florida region.
Florida Gulf Coast University continuously pursues academic
excellence, practices and promotes environmental sustainability,
embraces diversity, nurtures community partnerships, values public
service, encourages civic responsibility, cultivates habits of lifelong
learning, and keeps the advancement of knowledge and pursuit of truth as
noble ideals at the heart of the university’s purpose.
Student success is at the center of all University endeavors. The
University is dedicated to the highest quality education that develops
the whole person for success in life and work. Learner needs, rather
than institutional preferences, determine priorities for academic
planning, policies, and programs. Acceleration methods and assessment of
prior and current learning are used to reduce time to degree. Quality
teaching is demanded, recognized, and rewarded.
Florida Gulf Coast University contains six colleges:
College
of Arts and Science, College of Health Professions,
College
of Professional Studies, College of Education,
the U.A. Whitaker School
of Engineering, and the Lutgert College of Business.
The College of Arts
and Sciences offers Bachelor’s degrees areas that include environmental
science, music (at the Bower School of Music), chemistry, biology and
biotechnology, chemistry, mathematics, sociology, anthropology, marine
science, English, Spanish, art, theatre, history, psychology,
communication, and philosophy.
Along with its various undergraduate degrees offered, the
college
of Education offers
several Master’s degrees that include focuses in curriculum, leadership,
special education, and counseling.
