Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

at EDUCO - University of West Florida USA

The Legal Studies Program provides students with a broad understanding of basic principles of law and the role and function of the legal system.  While no specific major is prescribed for admission to law school, many pre-law students elect to major in Legal Studies.  The Legal Studies Program, in addition to preparing students for law-related careers, provides a foundation for law school or other graduate education. All of the full-time Legal Studies faculty are attorneys who are graduates of ABA-Approved law schools and are available for law school advising.  Legal Studies students are encouraged to work closely with Legal Studies Advisors in planning their programs. Satisfactory completion of program requirements leads to the degree of Bachelor of Arts with a major in Legal Studies.

The B.S. in Software Design & Development (SDD) degree program integrates fundamental concepts in software design and development with concepts in modern programming languages, database systems, software engineering principles, and mobile and net-centric application development. The focus of this program is on the development of high quality software that meets client needs.

The Bachelor of General Studies degree program provides interdisciplinary study across academic disciplines and professional fields. It is designed for nontraditional students whose age, residence, academic interests, or career objectives require a more individualized university degree. The Bachelor of General Studies degree program is designed to:

• Meet the University of West Florida’s mission to provide students with access to high-quality, relevant, and affordable undergraduate learning experiences, and therefore better serve the general educational needs of region;
• Provide students an opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree while maintaining family, military, and/or employment obligations;
• Offer a degree option including studies in several disciplinary areas;
• Give students the option to complete courses at the Pensacola campus, Emerald Coast campus, and/or online; and
• Provide students an opportunity to build upon the associate of arts degrees offered by other institutions.

The Exercise Science major is designed for students interested in pursuing a career in the fitness industry, cardiac rehabilitation, clinically-related health fields, and graduate school. The program has specific courses (APK 4125 Exercise Testing and Prescription, APK 4114C Physiological Basis of Strength Development) that prepare students for certifications such as the ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist (ACSM EP-C) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists (NSCA CSCS). The course work precedes a capstone course that allows students to receive valuable work experience just prior to graduating. The University of West Florida’s undergraduate degree program in Exercise Science is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and addresses the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) needed to pass the ACSM Exercise Physiologist-Certified exam. The curriculum is endorsed by the NSCA for meeting their recommended educational guidelines.

The Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) program prepares graduates to work with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organisations within medical and behavioral health settings, with a special focus on military populations. The Master of Social Work program at UWF develops advanced practitioners who can demonstrate clinical and critical thinking skills necessary to assist clients in a broad range of dilemmas and settings.

The Construction Management program provides students with foundational experiences and knowledge in both the commercial and residential construction sectors. The program’s focus on teaching ensures that students become proficient in the skills they will need to compete in a competitive job market.  Students will study a variety of construction methods and techniques, planning and layout, site preparation, building materials, building codes, and construction safety. Students will also learn about contracting, scheduling and business management. Coursework provides students with applied learning and field experiences in face-to-face and online learning environments.

The purpose of the program is to prepare students for careers in federal, state, county, and local criminal justice agencies, including management and administration; careers in public or private criminal justice research and analysis; teaching positions at community and state colleges; and/or continued education at the doctoral level.

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) has two options: an internship option (Option 1) and an area research paper option (Option 2). Each option requires a minimum of 33 credit hours, including 24 credit hours of criminal justice coursework. The internship option (Option 1) requires 15 credit hours of required coursework, a 3-credit hour internship, plus an additional 6 credit hours minimum of criminal justice electives and 9 credit hours of criminal justice or noncriminal justice electives. The area paper option (Option 2) requires 15 credit hours of required coursework, a 3-credit hour area paper, plus an additional 6 credit hours minimum of criminal justice electives and 9 credit hours of criminal justice or noncriminal justice electives.

The Department of Computer Science offers several graduate programs that provide instruction on a variety of modern topics in data analytics, software engineering, parallel and distributed computing, and cybersecurity giving graduates the edge to be highly competitive in today's IT job market.

With one of the most affordable tuition plans in Florida and state-of-the-art facilities, our Computer Science Master's program offers cutting-edge curricula and learning environments, with professionally-oriented, hands-on study material.

The department annually awards several scholarships, fellowships, and out-of-state tuition waivers to new and returning students. The department also has limited opportunities for teaching/research assistantships for new and returning students. Please see the departmental website for additional information.

Become a leader in the fields of exercise science and sports coaching with a master's degree from UWF. Guide your athletes, students, and clients to achieve their athletic or performance goals.

Why Study Movement Sciences & Health at UWF?

In our master's programs, you will begin to understand the ways in which exercise is not only tied to improved fitness and athletic performance but also to physical and psychological health.

The M.S. in Movement Sciences & Health offers two specializations: Exercise Science, and Physical Education and Sports Performance.

The perfect combination of classroom instruction and hands-on experience will prepare you to succeed in the workplace. Additionally, you will build a professional network that provides mentoring related to career options within your profession, potential employment opportunities, and furthering your graduate education.

What You Will Learn

You will be guided through the curriculum by faculty who are dedicated to your individualized learning. They will get to know you and work closely with you to achieve your professional goals.

The program is based heavily on hands-on experiences where you will have the opportunity to utilize a variety of state-of-the-art laboratories, research tools and equipment.

In the Exercise Science specialization, you are prepared to successfully acquire nationally recognized certification from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) as a Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist.

In the Physical Education and Sports Performance specialization, you will learn how to lead individuals in various physical activity settings, including education, sports, fitness, wellness and health. You will examine, evaluate and apply research on skill development and learning in physical education, coaching and physical activity.

The M.S. in Data Science (M.S.D.S) offers students who hold bachelor’s degrees in mathematics, statistics, computer science, engineering, business, health or related fields an opportunity to broaden their knowledge in the field of data science. Data Science is an interdisciplinary field consisting of mathematics, statistics, computer programming, data management, machine learning, and visualization.  Data scientists are trained to capture, maintain, process, and analyze data from large and complex data. Students in the M.S.D.S. program will learn to extract and communicate meaningful information from data sets and become capable of communicating their findings in a way that positively affects decisions in business, healthcare, industry, government, and the defense industry. Graduates with the ability to understand and use big data are already being employed by institutions and industries including government, healthcare, scientific research facilities, and colleges and universities. Students who graduate with the M.S.D.S. will be able to manipulate, manage, and interpret data suitable to the employer's needs. The M.S.D.S. program is designed for students seeking careers in science, industry, or government; or for students who plan to pursue doctoral studies.