Master of Arts in Strategic Communication and Leadership

at EDUCO - University of West Florida USA

Advanced training in communication is more vital than ever as our society is reshaped by access to information, technological advancement and increases in global interaction. Graduate students in the Strategic Communication & Leadership program will gain skills needed to excel in the career of their choice, from health care and business to nonprofit foundations and education, and more.

Why Study Strategic Communication & Leadership 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 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 College of Business at the University of West Florida is accredited by AACSB International, the highest level of accreditation available to a college or school of business.  As such, the College believes that it is in the student's best interest to take all junior/senior level BSBA Core, Major, and Major-related courses at UWF.  These courses are typically taught by academically or professionally qualified faculty members as defined in the College's policy on faculty qualifications.

Undergraduate transfer credit for degree programs in the College of Business is awarded consistent with specifications in the UWF Catalog  and the requirements of Florida's Common Numbering System.

Normally, the College of Business will not accept transfer credits as equivalent to UWF 3000/4000 level business-related courses from institutions not accredited by AACSB International.

Students should seek guidance from their College of Business academic advisors on these matters.

The B.F.A. is a professional art degree program that provides a more intensive course of study than the traditional B.A. in Art, with a specialization in Studio Art. The degree prepares students for entry into the professional art world and/or graduate school. In the B.F.A. program, students can concentrate in a number of studio areas, including Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking, Photography, and Ceramics, as well as New and Mixed Media. There are separate specialization programs for B.F.A. students studying Art, Digital Art and Graphic Design.

Teachers change lives. UWF's elementary education program will prepare you to become a skilled teacher with detailed coursework and supervised experiences in grade school classrooms. In addition, you will develop your awareness and understanding of diverse cultures and people.

Why Study Elementary Education at UWF?

• This competitive major prepares you for the ever-changing world of elementary education. Graduates are eligible for professional certification from the State of Florida to teach kindergarten through sixth grade. 
• Unlike many other elementary education degrees, our program includes endorsements in both reading and English speakers of other languages, known as ESOL.
• We will prepare you to teach reading, writing, science, mathematics, social studies, critical-thinking skills and problem-solving to elementary school students.
• We are accredited by the State of Florida and the Council for the Accreditation for Educator Preparation.

What You Will Learn

• Our immersive curriculum will prepare you for real-world experiences.
• The degree includes 64 semester hours of coursework in general and subject-specific methods and strategies with a focus on engaging elementary students in meaningful learning experiences.
• Through engaging hands-on field experiences in local elementary schools, you will learn to work with children of varying needs and have a positive impact on their lives. You will learn to engage students in inquiry, facilitate learning, develop curriculum and collect, analyze and interpret data to inform your instruction.
• We offer numerous scholarships and a limited number of yearlong paid internships for high-achieving students in high-need Escambia County schools. These internships fulfill the student teaching requirement.

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.

The University of West Florida is one of only a few institutions in the United States which offers a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology. The program is provided through the Department of Biology. The curriculum includes a series of seven core courses fundamental to all areas of biology. Elective courses emphasize theoretical and practical aspects of aquatic/marine biology. Wetlands and estuarine marshes of the main campus, as well as the nearby Santa Rosa Island campus and the Gulf of Mexico, provide living specimens for study and serve as laboratories supporting elective courses. Graduates may seek careers in marine biology, fisheries management, aquaculture, pollution biology, and marine toxicology, and find employment in local, state, and federal departments of environmental regulation and education, as well as the private sector. Graduates are also well prepared to pursue advanced degrees. Prospective students need to be aware that some biology lab courses involve the use of live animals; students may wish to seek details from course instructors before enrolling.

The B.S.B.A. in Business Economics is for students interested in economics as it applies to business and government organizations. The program provides students with a comprehensive view of the area of economics in business, allowing them to apply a set of analytical tools to understand the interrelations between the economy and the business environment under different market conditions.

Economics majors develop technical and analytical skills needed for policy oriented decisions in local and global markets, often based on analysis of fundamental resource allocations issues. Economists work in a broad range of areas that include in-depth inquiries, including the following: business strategy (Should we expand into a new market?); societal policies (What is the best way to fight environmental pollution?); and global issues (What rules should govern trade among nations?). Further inquires are conducted into how trade is affected by the elimination of tariffs and quotas. Students in the B.S.B.A. in Economics actively participate in small projects, such as data analysis and forecasting, intended to provide them with hands-on experience in managerial decision making. Specific topics include healthcare, crime, finance, production, international trade, labor, taxation, politics, the environment, pricing strategies, regulation and deregulation, data analysis and forecasting, and many others.

Many Economics graduates choose to attend graduate school, thereby enhancing their career opportunities. A major in Economics provides outstanding preparation for the M.B.A. degree, and an Economics degree is regarded as an excellent background to study Law or to pursue a Master’s in Economics.

Economics students may choose from the following specializations: Comprehensive Economics and Global Economics.

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 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.