Business & Economy

Complete Florida welcomes USF and Miami Dade College to statewide education partnership

Online learning and personal coaches help Floridians finish college and earn a degree

The University of West Florida Innovation Institute announced today that the University of South Florida and Miami Dade College will join the statewide Complete Florida initiative to enroll and graduate Floridians who started college but never earned a degree.

“We are proud to welcome the University of South Florida and Miami Dade College to Complete Florida,” said Dr. Pam Northrup, CEO of UWF Innovation Institute. “USF and Miami Dade College are both committed to student success, which is the central organizing principle of Complete Florida. We want students to graduate with a degree that helps them get a better job with a higher income and greater economic security.”

Complete Florida offers more than 90 online degree and certificate programs at colleges and universities across the state. USF will offer five Bachelor of General Studies degrees. Miami Dade College will offer five bachelor’s degrees, eight associate degrees and five certificates.

USF’s Bachelor of General Studies is a customized, interdisciplinary degree that provides students with options to choose an appropriate academic program that fits their educational and professional goals. The BGS major provides mid-career students with the opportunity to integrate completion of the bachelor’s degree into their established lifestyle.

“Creating a better life for our students is our biggest priority,” said Dr. Judy Genshaft, CEO of the USF System and president of USF. “With Complete Florida, we will be able to help adults come back to college and earn their degree.”

Miami Dade College’s online bachelor degree programs allow students to take advantage of flexible and convenient courses that are available anytime. After completion, students are immediately ready to enter the workforce. These programs are a great option for students who have earned associate degrees.

Associate degree programs offer a pathway to upper-division universities, preparing students to further their education as juniors at four-year institutions or for immediate employment. Graduates are guaranteed enrollment in Florida’s state universities.

“Success is our biggest priority,” said Dr. Eduardo J. Padron, president of Miami Dade College. “With Complete Florida, we will be able to help adults make a better life for themselves and their families by providing an opportunity for them to gain the skills they need to succeed in a competitive marketplace.”

For more information about Complete Florida, visit completeflorida.org.