NWFSC Board Approves Potential New Bachelor's Programs
2/24/2012
The Board of Trustees of Northwest Florida State College has approved the first step toward the potential addition of two new bachelor's degree programs at the college. At the Board's February 21, 2012 meeting, trustees approved a college staff request to submit proposals to the Florida Department of Education (DOE) for a bachelor's degree program in Early Childhood Education, with an emphasis on ages birth to five, and a bachelor's degree in Supervision and Management with areas of emphasis in public safety management, healthcare management and supervision.
In April 2003 the Florida State Board of Education initially authorized the college to develop baccalaureate degree programs. Accreditation by Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools as a level II baccalaureate degree granting institution followed in 2004. Since that time, NWFSC has implemented a Bachelor of Applied Science in Project Management, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and Bachelor's of Science programs in Elementary Education, Middle Grades Math Education, and Middle Grades Science Education and has graduated more than 400 students with bachelor's degrees.
According to NWFSC president Dr. Ty Handy, the college anticipates sending a letter of intent for the two new baccalaureate degrees to DOE by the end of the month. "Once that letter is received, an established process of review begins and the minimum is about six months until we might obtain approval to begin offering a program," said Handy, who noted to trustees that he had already been in contact with UWF president Dr. Judy Bense about NWFSC's proposed programs. "We are not duplicating degrees that are already readily accessible, but rather proposing workforce-oriented baccalaureate programs that provide a career ladder for current Associate of Science or certificate programs," said Handy.
In other action, trustees also approved a retirement resolution honoring the 22 years of service of Mickey Englett, the college's Dean of Students and Athletic Director. The resolution recognized Englett's distinguished career and named Englett as a life-long Emeritus Director of Athletics/Dean of Students at the college. Englett retires from the college April 30.
At the business meeting trustees also approved: a college and Collegiate High School calendar for 2012-13 and other items related to the operation of the college and Collegiate High School. ##