Campus Life

University of West Florida to expand online offerings

The University of West Florida today announced that it will be bringing three additional high-demand nursing and education programs—Registered Nurse-to-Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN), Master of Education with a specialization in curriculum and instruction (M.Ed., Curriculum and Instruction), and Doctor of Education with a specialization in curriculum and instruction (Ed.D, Curriculum and Instruction)—online in the coming months.

“The University of West Florida is committed to planning and investing strategically to enhance student access and educational attainment, building on existing strengths, and developing distinctive academic and research programs and services that respond to identified regional and state needs,” said UWF Provost Martha Saunders.  “By making these degree programs in the high-demand fields of nursing and education available online, we are doing just that.”

UWF’s RN-BSN program, which will be available online next month, prepares students to become clinical generalists who are leaders, managers, and life-long learners who integrate research findings into their nursing practice.  Graduates are prepared to plan healthcare for individuals, families, and groups.  To learn more or apply, click here.

Its master’s and doctoral programs in education with a specialization in curriculum and instruction, meanwhile, are designed to develop master teachers who will be prepared for instructional and leadership roles in primary, elementary, middle, or secondary education.  They are slated to launch in the spring of 2014.

Due to the critical shortage of such professionals in the state of Florida, the master’s program is TEACH-Grant-eligible.

Both programs are offered through UWF’s School of Education, which is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.  To learn more or apply, click here.

UWF has chosen Academic Partnerships (AP), one of the largest representatives of public universities’ online learning in the United States and around the world, to help convert these programs into an online format, recruit students, and support student retention efforts.

As it has with UWF’s master’s degree in education with a specialization in educational leadership it already represents, AP will work closely with faculty to ensure that the new online degree programs maintain the highest educational standards.  The company will also use its integrated marketing and branding strategies to extend the reach of UWF, increasing the enrollment of highly qualified students.