Popular Bachelor Degrees, New Construction Mark EFSC Fall Term

Students returning to Eastern Florida State College this month will find Bachelor’s Degree programs more popular than ever and construction of a new Student Union on the Melbourne campus set to begin.

They will also benefit from the sixth straight year with no tuition increase and more classes online that will allow them to tailor studies to their needs.

About 16,000 students are expected to take courses during the Fall Term that starts Aug. 14 on the Titusville, Cocoa, Melbourne and Palm Bay campuses and through eLearning online.

Among them will be a record 1,900 students enrolled this academic year in 16 Bachelor’s Degree tracks in Business, Health Care and Computer Technologies that are providing graduates with skills for in-demand jobs.

The college is also making major strides in online education, increasing its offerings with 10 Bachelor’s tracks, five Associate’s Degrees and nearly 240 courses available totally online.

“The Bachelor’s programs and online classes are a superb way to prepare for today’s job market where companies are looking for talented employees,” said college President Dr. Jim Richey.

“That makes Eastern Florida the perfect fit for students who can conveniently mesh classes on campus and online, giving them the ability to put together a schedule that works with their busy lives.”

Eastern Florida’s growth in new degrees and online programs was among the contributing factors in the Florida Board of Education recently awarding EFSC a prestigious Gold Rating for its performance.

Highly affordable tuition — EFSC ranks 18th nationally in lowest tuition among all public colleges and universities — also played a role because it’s key to helping students stay enrolled and graduate on time.

Eastern Florida is one of only seven state colleges in the 28-member Florida College System to earn the Gold Rating distinction this year.

Meanwhile, the expansion of the college’s Melbourne campus keeps rolling forward with the start of construction this fall on a new Student Union.

The building will be the centerpiece of student activity with a variety of services, including student government, clubs and activities, computer and study rooms and a food court.

The college is also planning to build its first ever Student Housing complex on the Melbourne campus. Construction is targeted to begin in the first half of 2018.

The on-campus housing will make it easier for students to conduct their studies while also enjoy the college’s rich collegiate experience.

Those projects follow the building of two other major new facilities — a Public Safety Institute and Health Sciences Institute — on the Melbourne campus.

Welcome Back events are planned for EFSC faculty, staff and students, with the first event Thursday, August 10 to update faculty and staff on college-wide initiatives during a 10 a.m. gathering at the King Center on the Melbourne Campus. That's proceeded by a faculty and staff breakfast from 8 to 9 a.m. in the Melbourne Campus Gym.

During the first few weeks of Fall Term, students will find a variety of special events designed to highlight student resources, including daily edible treats during Welcome Week celebrations Aug. 14-17; a Campus Kickstart event on each campus the week of Aug. 21; and Club Rush events the week of Aug. 28 as a way to connect with student clubs and volunteer opportunities. Get full details on student welcome events at easternflorida.edu/go/welcome