Bachelor of General Studies

at EDUCO - University of West Florida USA

The B.S. in Computer Science (CS) degree program emphasizes analytical thinking and problem solving involving scientific applications. The degree includes the theoretical foundations of computer science in the study of algorithms, data structures, computer architecture, programming languages, and net-centric computing. Concentration areas include intelligent systems, software engineering, and cybersecurity.

Join a vibrant community of scholars and creative writers who are passionate about the study of literature and writing in its many forms in the Master of Arts in English program at UWF. Graduates of the master’s program in English are highly successful scholars, writers, publishers, educators and professionals who possess valuable critical thinking and communication skills.

Why Study English at UWF?

By studying literature and writing, you will develop the creativity, the communication skills, the critical thinking and the collaborative spirit that drives success in the 21st century. The close study of the written word provides skills that are valued in every professional field.

The graduate program is designed around active student learning through a rigorous program to strengthen your analytical and communication skills to succeed as a scholar, writer, publisher, educator and professional.

The program offers an opportunity to work closely with faculty mentors and to pursue individual research interests within two specializations - creative writing or literature.

What You Will Learn

By engaging the written word at a deep level, you expand your analytical and writing skills in order to develop as a scholar and a writer, enhancing the skills that are valued in many professions.

The program will provide you with opportunities to benefit from study with active scholars and successful creative writers, community-based internships, hands-on teaching experience in the UWF Writing Lab, small classes, visiting lectures by notable scholars and writers and participant-centered workshops.

You will be able to demonstrate knowledge of literary theory, British literature, American literature, poetry and rhetoric and practice writing and workshopping fiction, non-fiction, creative non-fiction and creative writing. Hone your teaching skills by teaching composition courses through our writing program.

Courses in the program cover both canonical and non-canonical works of fiction and nonfiction. You will receive broad exposure to texts from a range of historical periods and cultures. The program offers a thesis and a non-thesis track.

This interdisciplinary program offers a B.S. degree in Environmental Science. Students learn to analyze physical and socioeconomic environments and to reach decisions concerning environmental use and protection. The major allows students to obtain an interdisciplinary background suitable for environmental monitoring and planning. Graduates are prepared for entry- and middle-level positions in governmental agencies in such areas as regional planning and resource management; for positions in industry and the private sector; or to pursue graduate degrees in urban/regional planning, resource management, coastal studies, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and the geosciences.

Two specializations are available under this B.S. program: Environmental Management and Natural Science. According to the departmental Academic Learning Compact, assessment of Student Learning Outcomes includes:

• A written exit exam during a student’s last semester of residency.
• A portfolio of the two best student projects.

The M.A. in International Affairs prepares students to confront the challenges of an increasingly globalized world.  The program is well-suited for students considering or presently pursuing a military or national security career, as well as those interested in international public service or policy work.  The curriculum emphasizes international politics, including relations between countries, trade and diplomatic negotiations between countries, foreign policy, strategy, security, intelligence, and military conflict.  Several courses emphasize policy-making and decision-making processes, institutions, national and regional politics, culture, and diplomatic relations.  The program consists of 33 semester hours plus successful completion of a comprehensive examination or a thesis. All new students should be advised by the departmental advisor.  In addition to the university requirement that students maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, students must also make a 3.0 or higher GPA in five of their six core courses.

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 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 BS in Information Technology provides a firm foundation of coursework, including programming principles, database concepts, end-user support, security, networks and operating systems.  The program emphasizes applied skills, including internship, co-op, research, and capstone experiences that will prepare graduates to enter the Information Technology workforce.

Information Technology Program Educational Objectives

Graduates of the UWF B.S. in Information Technology degree program will be known for their accomplishments in the early stages of their careers and they should:

• Develop information technology solutions to important problems either individually or through interdisciplinary teams within a global and societal context.
• Professionally and ethically, engage in technical or business activity through information technology abilities, communication skills, and knowledge.
• Engage in continuing professional growth through post-graduate education, continuing education, or professional activity.

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 B.S. in Cybersecurity prepares graduates to be leaders in the protection of data assets and analysis of potential threats to system and networks. The curriculum focuses on the techniques, policies, operational procedures, and technologies that secure and defend the availability, integrity, authentication, confidentiality, and non-repudiation of information and information systems, in local as well as more broadly based domains. The major helps prepare students for careers as information systems security professionals, senior system managers, and system administrators responsible for information systems and the security of those systems.

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A.) degree with a major in General Business prepares students for the world of business, which increasingly demands that business graduates have cross functional abilities. The General Business major builds abilities across multiple business disciplines, including Management, Marketing, and Finance/Economics, thus providing broad abilities in the context of managing modern businesses. The orientation of the major is towards effective management of resources, adoption of market orientation, and understanding of financial and/or economic implications of management decisions.