University of West Florida

In 1955, the Florida Legislature authorized the State Board of Education to locate a state university in Escambia County. Following a feasibility study which demonstrated the need for an institution of higher education in Northwest Florida, funds were allocated for the development of the University of West Florida. UWF became the sixth state university of the State University System of Florida, which today consists of eleven institutions of higher learning.

In addition to the 1,600 acre main campus, UWF serves students east of Santa Rosa County at UWF Emerald Coast locations in Fort Walton Beach, Eglin Air Force Base, Hurlburt Field and shared facilities at regional community colleges. And, UWF owns waterfront beach property on Santa Rosa Island that is available for recreational, academic and research pursuits. In downtown Pensacola, the university manages 24 historic properties, which are being transformed into a living laboratory for students interested in history, archaeology and tourism.

The University of West Florida is a State University located in Pensacola, FL. Its modest student population size of about 10,500 (roughly 1800 students live on campus) gives it a private school atmosphere. That atmosphere is especially enhanced by UWF’s impressive 1600 acre campus scenery of hills and woodlands that settle along the Escambia River north of Pensacola. Twice-daily tours are even given at the campus. The school mascot is an Argonaut, taken from the Greek myth of Jason and the Argonauts’ quest for the Golden Fleece. The university opened its doors in 1967 and now offers 49 different undergraduate degrees, 25 master’s degrees, a pair of specialist degrees and a doctorate in education.

Three colleges are maintained at the University of West Florida: a College of Arts and Sciences, a Professional Studies College, and a Business school. West Florida’s Business College offers undergraduate degrees in areas of economics, marketing, accounting, general business, management, and management information systems. Graduate degrees at the business school include one in business administration and another in accountancy. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the university gives students a chance to earn an Associate of Arts degree, Bachelor of Arts degree, Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, Bachelor of Science degree, Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Areas of study that students may major or minor in can be found here: http://uwf.edu/cas/undergraduate/ Master’s degrees offered at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at West Florida can be found here: http://uwf.edu/cas/graduate/. The Professional Studies College at the University of West Florida has degrees in areas of technology, health, education, social work, criminal justice and law, leadership, and administration.

The Archaeology Institute of the University of West Florida gives students the opportunity to explore local areas with a wealth of potential artifacts, including historic shipwrecks and previous settlements of European settlers. In another strong research area for the university, the Center for Environmental Diagnostics and Bioremediation is noted for its work on the state of natural resources in northwestern Florida. For more vocational and technical areas of study, West Florida contains a small business center and an economic development program that study and assist with the impact and development of economic interests for government and businesses. The university also partners with local hospitals through its recently implemented Bachelor’s of Nursing degree program, which helps in the effort to remedy the shortage of nurses in the health industry. There is also a degree program at West Florida that focuses on tourism and recreation, as well as a program that offers degrees in technology for workers trying to improve their skills.