EFSC Fall Term Begins with More in Bachelor's Programs

The fall term at Eastern Florida State College begins next week with more students seeking Bachelor's Degrees and construction starting on a new Health Sciences building.

This is the second year the college is offering Bachelor Degree tracks in Business, Health Care and Computer Information Technologies and the degrees continue to grow in popularity.

About 875 students are enrolled in the Bachelor’s programs, citing high-quality instructors, affordable tuition and close proximity to their homes as reasons for enrolling.

They’re part of the 16,000 students expected to study on the college’s Titusville, Cocoa, Palm Bay and Melbourne campuses and online during the term that begins Aug. 17.

Among them is Andrew Knight, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Biomedical Sciences.

“I live five minutes from campus which allows more time for studying and family responsibilities instead of commuting,” said Knight, an Air Force veteran.

“Smaller class sizes, accessible professors and knowledgeable staff at the Math Lab were invaluable in helping me complete my Associate’s Degree and are a main reason for continuing my education at Eastern Florida.”

Another student is Kevin Fuda who is coming back to Eastern Florida after a five-year break to earn his Associate’s Degree.

He’s taking online classes that will allow him to continue working full-time.

“I attended for one year then left to work as a car salesman,” said Fuda. “Then I realized that I needed a college degree to better my career. After graduating with my Associate’s Degree, I plan to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in business to become a stock broker.”

Students returning to class on the Melbourne campus will be greeted by the start of construction on a new Health Sciences Institute near the main entrance on Wickham Road.

The 60,000-square-foot facility will house 12 new and existing programs and contain specialized labs to train healthcare professionals in a wide range of fields.

The institute is the next big step in a $75 million plan to expand the Melbourne campus with six new academic buildings and make it a vital center for higher education and workforce development well into the 21st century.

The first new facility, a Public Safety Institute that includes law enforcement and corrections academies, opened in January 2015.

The Health Sciences Institute is scheduled for completion is January 2017.

Other new structures to rise in coming years include a Technology Building, Business Building, Hospitality Management Building and Student Union.

Eastern Florida's Student Services offices on all four campuses will offer extended hours on Friday, August 14 from 8 to 5 p.m. to facilitate last-minute preparations for Monday's start of the 16-week-long full term. Campus Bookstores are also open that day as well as Sat., Aug. 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Classes can be added through August 20 for the full term and enrollment is still open for shorter fall terms that begin Sept. 14 and Oct. 12.

Prospective students who need help completing an application or registering for courses can attend a special "Titan Up Those Loose Ends" workshop on August 25 from 5 - 7 p.m. on the Melbourne Campus, Building 2, Room 204 or Sept. 29 from 5 - 7 p.m. on the Cocoa Campus, Building 12, Room 131.

Welcome Back Luau events to connect students with services, clubs and other activities have been scheduled on all four campuses. Cocoa's event is in the Quad area on Aug. 25; Melbourne's is Aug. 26 at the campus pavilion; Titusville's luau is Sept. 1 in the pavilion there; and Palm Bay's is Sept. 2 in the Bldg. 2 patio. All events are from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Among those welcoming students back to campus is Florida Gov. Rick Scott who released a letter for new Eastern Florida College students.