Eastern Florida to Offer Seven New Bachelor Degree Programs in August

Seven new Bachelor Degree programs in the fast-growing career fields of business, health care and computer information technologies will be offered to Eastern Florida State College students starting in August.

College officials made the announcement Tuesday following final approval of the programs from the State Board of Education in Tallahassee.

Applications for the new programs will be accepted starting April 1 through July 21. Classes begin Aug. 18.

In all, Eastern Florida now has nine Bachelor Degree specializations available to Brevard County and East-Central Florida students.

Two other programs — Bachelor Degrees in General Business Management and Health Care Management — were launched in August 2013 and are highly popular.

The seven new programs are a major step forward for Eastern Florida as it continues increasing four-year degrees for students in workforce fields where job growth is strong, and getting stronger.

The programs were created after working closely with local and regional businesses and industry leaders to determine areas where they need skilled employees.

College President Dr. Jim Richey said the programs are tailored for working adults who have already earned their Associate Degree and want to advance their careers.

They are also perfect for Eastern Florida students studying for their two-year degrees who can now stay at the college for their baccalaureate degrees, and high school graduates as well, he said.

The programs will be offered in flexible formats including day and night classes and online.

“Our new degrees have been designed to get students into today’s best career fields and give them an excellent opportunity for employment upon graduation in areas with strong job growth,” said Richey.

“They are very affordable, costing less than comparable degrees at other area universities, and allow students to stay close to their Brevard homes. We’re excited about the programs and know students, local businesses and the entire community will be too.”

The new four-year degree specializations leading to a Bachelor of Applied Science degree are:
•    Business: Sales and Marketing Management, Public Safety Management
•    Health Care: Advanced Allied Health, Biomedical Sciences
•    Computer Information Technologies: Program Development/Software Development, Computer Project Management, Networking Systems

The average four-year tuition for the new degrees will be $13,800.

Some students will be eligible for $10,000 tuition over four years if they meet certain criteria, including being a Brevard resident, a first-time college student and maintaining a 3.0 GPA in all completed college coursework.

In business, the new degrees can lead to jobs such as sales and marketing manager, market research analysts, advertising and promotions manager, and communications manager, and in public safety to positions as operations manager and police and firefighter supervisor.

In health care, the new degrees can result in jobs including biomedical engineer, molecular and research biologist, pharmaceutical research, nursing home administrator and counselor, geriatric program developer, clinical and health care administration, and public health programs.

In computer information technologies, the new degrees can result in jobs such as networking and computer systems administrator, computer network architects, and software developers for applications and systems.

All the college’s Bachelor Degrees align with Associate Degrees that EFSC offers in business, health sciences and nursing, technology and public safety, creating a seamless transition for students from two-year programs into four-year programs.

In sum, the college has launched 20 new Bachelor Degree, Associate Degree and Certificate programs in the past two years tied to workforce development.

The college will be holding open houses at its four campuses in April where advisors will be on hand to answer questions about the college’s Bachelor and Associate Degrees and help with the application and financial aid process.

The schedule is as follows:
•    Tuesday, April 8, 5-7 p.m., Titusville Campus, Building 3, Community Dining Room
•    Wednesday, April 9, 5-7 p.m., Melbourne Campus, Building 7, Room 114
•    Tuesday, April 15, 5-7 p.m., Cocoa Campus, Building 4, Simpkins Fine Arts Center
•    Wednesday, April 16, 5-7 p.m., Palm Bay Campus, Building 1, Room 107G

For more information, go to easternflorida.edu.