Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida Gulf Coast University is a dynamic and diverse institution with a reputation for attracting entrepreneurs and trail blazers.
As it commences its 13th year of operation, the University has a diverse student body of more than 11,000. Those students come from 46 states and the District of Columbia as well as 88 other countries. As of fall 2009, they may choose from 52 undergraduate programs and 32 graduate programs, including a doctorate in physical therapy.
FGCU offers an exceptional education at an affordable price. The University recruits and retains students with the potential to succeed in a challenging academic environment and aims to fulfill the academic, social and career expectations of those students. Entering high school students have an average SAT score of 1,036 and a grade point average of 3.3.
With more than 1,100 faculty and staff, FGCU features small classes and personalized attention for students. The University ranks among the world's most technologically advanced campuses, providing state-of-the-art buildings and equipment to support educational programs.
Five colleges offer 84 degree programs in Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Health Professions and Professional Studies. The most popular majors include accounting, biology, business, communication, criminal forensics, criminal justice, elementary education, environmental science, resort and hospitality management, marketing and psychology. Other in-demand degree programs include biotechnology, computer information systems and engineering. On the masters level, the most popular programs include business administration, educational leadership, public administration and social work. To date, FGCU has awarded one or more degrees to more than 10,000 graduates.
A well-rounded University experience does not consist solely of academics.
Service learning plays a vital role in an FGCU education, with students providing more than 112,600 hours of service to hundreds of community organizations and projects between July 2007 and June 2008.
FGCU is situated on 760 lush acres in the heart of coastal Southwest Florida, where the climate is mild, the air is clean and the sunshine is abundant. The University has carefully preserved its natural setting, providing a living laboratory and a campus rich in wooded trails and tranquil lakes. It's also convenient to shopping, restaurants, movie theaters and sporting events, all of which can be found within a couple of miles of the campus. Downtown Fort Myers and Naples as well as the shimmering beaches of the Gulf of Mexico are within a 30-minute drive.
On-campus activities abound as well, with 14 NCAA Division I athletic teams, more than 125 student clubs, organizations, fraternities and sororities.
The 2,800 students who live on campus enjoy a variety of housing choices, including lakefront apartment-style residences that are furnished and come complete with full-sized kitchens, living rooms and high-speed Internet access. Amenities include a swimming pool, lake water sports, barbecue areas, beach volleyball and laundry facilities that are programmed to alert students when cycles are complete. This fall, freshmen will have two brand new halls, with a mix of single rooms and suites. Residents of both of these halls take part in the First Year Residence Experience, a program that helps students transition to University life.
The campus includes 71 buildings with three more under construction along with a 2 megawatt solar energy field that, when completed this fall, should supply about 15 percent of the University's energy needs. Construction is scheduled to start on a performing arts center this summer and there are plans to expand the Student Union and build additional academic facilities.
Research and sponsored programs have grown steadily, with awards totaling $13.7 million in 2007-2008. Faculty conducts a broad array of research, affording students many opportunities to take part. To date, that research has resulted in applications for seven patents.
The FGCU Foundation has raised more than $200 million, with funds going toward buildings, programs and scholarships.
Roughly 10,000 people participate in the University's Renaissance Academy lifelong-learning courses conducted at 19 sites in the five-county service area. FGCU also offers a variety of for-credit and continuing education courses at centers in Cape Coral, Naples and Charlotte County.
FGCU students graduate well prepared to succeed not only in their chosen careers but also as valuable members of society.
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