Mar 19, 2024  
2018-2019 Florida Tech Catalog 
    
2018-2019 Florida Tech Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Department of Extended Studies


Associate Provost Mary S. Bonhomme, Ph.D., Head

Degree Programs

Note: Requires special enrollment status; see http://es.fit.edu.

Acquisition and Contract Management, M.S.  
Commercial Enterprise in Space, M.S.  
Healthcare Management, M.S.  
Human Resources Management, M.S.  
Logistics Management, B.S.  
Logistics Management, M.S.  
Logistics Management - Humanitarian and Disaster Relief Logistics, M.S.  
Management, M.S.  
Management - Acquisition and Contract Management, M.S.  
Management - Human Resources Management, M.S.  
Management - Information Systems, M.S.  
Management - Logistics Management, M.S.  
Management - Transportation Management, M.S.  
Master of Public Administration, M.P.A.  
Project Management, M.S.  
Project Management - Information Systems, M.S.  
Project Management - Operations Research, M.S.  
Quality Management, M.S.  
Space Systems, M.S.  
Space Systems Management, M.S.  
Supply Chain Management, M.S.  
Systems Management, M.S.  
Systems Management - Information Systems, M.S.  
Systems Management - Operations Research, M.S.  
Technology Management, M.S.  

Graduate Certificate Programs

Acquisition and Contract Management Graduate Certificate  
Business Management Graduate Certificate  


John C. Barranti, Ed.D., Director, Administration

Professor

Mary S. Bonhomme, Ph.D., University Professor e-Education.

Associate Professors

Darrell N. Burrell, D.H.Ed., Site Director, Fort Lee, healthcare management, leadership coaching, human resources, marketing, management.

Najy Daher, Ph.D., Site Director, Lake Nona and Orlando, management.

Vernon Gordon, Ph.D., aeronautical engineering.

Edward Haberek Jr., Ph.D., Site Director, Aberdeen, management.

Jennifer Long, Ph.D., aerospace and mechanical engineering.

David Mutschler, Ph.D., computer sciences.

Anene L. Nnolim, DMIT, PMP, Site Director, Spaceport, enterprise technology management, information security management, project management, business systems architectures, business process management, organizational behavior.

Robert R. Schaller Sr., Ph.D., Site Director, Patuxent, public policy, community development, program management.

Denise V. Siegfeldt, Ph.D., Site Director, Hampton Roads, management, organizational development, public administration.

Assistant Professors

John C. Barranti, Ed.D., organizational behavior and development, human resources management, interpersonal relations.

Paul Battaglia, Ph.D., management.

Jeffrey D. Cerny, D.P.A.; Site Director, Eglin.

Scott Clary, Ph.D., operations research.

Kenneth J. Hanko, J.D., Site Director, Northeast, at-will employment in the public sector, employment litigation.

Harry L. Hobbs, Ph.D., Site Director, Redstone/Huntsville, management.

Donald Platt, Ph.D., space systems.

Penny Vassar, Ph.D., Site Director, National Capital Region, St. Petersburg and Virtual Site, educational leadership, management.

Senior Lecturer

Jeffrey Mitchell, M.S., space systems programs.

Professors Emeriti

Norman W. Chlosta, M.P.A.; David E. Clapp, Ph.D.; John F. Clark, Ph.D.; Gerald F. Goldberg, Ph.D.; A.L. Holt, Ph.D.; F. Robert Searle, D.B.A.; K.C. Zieg Jr., Ph.D.

Off Campus Sites

Aberdeen, MD 
Eglin Air Force Base, FL  
Fort Dix, NJ  
Fort Lee, VA  
Hampton Roads, VA 
Lakehurst, NJ 
Lake Nona, FL
Melbourne, FL  
Merritt Island, FL
National Capital Region, VA 
Orlando, FL 
Picatinny, NJ 
Redstone/Huntsville, AL 
Rockledge, FL  
St. Petersburg, FL 
Southern Maryland, MD 
Spaceport, FL 
Virtual Site

Mission Statement

Extended Studies is an integral academic unit of Florida Tech that delivers education programs in response to evolving societal needs to elevate the knowledge capacity of a global society.

Its purpose is to serve the public good through enhancing diversity and knowledge to adult learners in the global workforce for all branches of foreign and military services, local and federal governments, business and industry.

Overview

Degrees offered off-campus through extended studies provide a number of specialized master’s degrees in addition to master’s degrees offered through other colleges at the university. Extended studies students may also take courses online through the Virtual Site.

Extended Studies began in August 1972 as “Off-Campus Programs,” when 42 students enrolled in a master’s degree program in electrical engineering at the Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, Maryland. From that modest beginning, the graduate programs have grown substantially with students enrolled in over 30 degree programs. Extended studies programs that benefit employees of industry were added in 1976 when in-plant courses started with several firms and the municipal government in St. Petersburg, Florida, and with Martin Marietta Aerospace in Orlando, Florida.

Florida Tech’s extended studies and distance learning programs are conducted in a very traditional manner with admission and graduation standards the same as those required on campus. Curricula and course content are tailored to meet the needs of the students and their employers, while maintaining the highest possible academic quality and integrity. Class times and locations are selected for the convenience of the students. Since the 1972 beginning, over 17,000 Florida Tech master’s degrees have been conferred on off-campus candidates representing the military services, federal and local government employees and a wide variety of businesses and industries.

Florida Tech is certified to operate at off-campus sites in Virginia by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Florida Tech programs at the Aberdeen and Southern Maryland sites are approved by the Maryland State Higher Education Commission.

Policies and Information

In general, all academic policies and requirements are applicable to extended studies students. Exceptions and additional information are available online at http://es.fit.edu.

Purpose

Florida Tech’s extended studies and virtual site programs are tailored to meet the educational needs of local residents, employees of industry and business, active duty military personnel and their families and U.S. government civilian employees in management and engineering. Enrollment in some programs in certain locations must be restricted to specified categories of individuals because of state requirements, laws pertaining to veterans benefits or local conditions.

Degree Programs

Courses are open to those seeking a degree, as well as those wishing to take selected subjects for professional development. Degree requirements can be met by a combination of Florida Tech courses, transfer credits from other accredited institutions and transfer credits from certain military schools for those courses designated by Florida Tech. Information on the specific military courses accepted is available from the site director.

Off-Campus Sites

Aberdeen, Maryland

Director 
Edward Haberek Jr., Ph.D.

Florida Tech’s site in Harford County, Maryland, provides graduate students at Aberdeen Proving Ground and in the surrounding area opportunities for continuing their education to maintain their professional and technical competence, and to enhance their career development and progression. Florida Tech programs are available to all who meet admission requirements of the university. Classes meet one night per week for three hours beginning at 5 p.m.

Aberdeen offers students the choice of 11 different management specialties. They range from an M.B.A. generalist to a master’s-level specialist in contract management.

Students also have access to the APG Education Center Computer Laboratory, and to computer systems in the site director’s office. Classrooms are equipped with instructional audiovisual equipment. Also, the Aberdeen site is equipped with state-of-the-art telecommunications and data processing equipment, which allows for speedy registration, and improves communications between professor and student.

Several of the available programs and courses are particularly applicable to Department of Defense military and civilian personnel working at APG. For example, the Aberdeen site offers systems management with a concentration in operations research for the employee desiring to enhance his/her applied mathematics abilities, and offers a Master of Science in Acquisition and Contract Management for the career-oriented acquisition specialist.

Credit for specific DoD courses (up to a maximum of 12 semester hours) can be applied toward applicable Florida Tech degrees.

Master’s degree programs offered in addition to those listed in this section include the M.B.A., engineering management (see College of Engineering and Sciences, Department of Mechanical and Civil Engineering  and operations research (Department of Mathematical Sciences ).

Florida Tech programs at Aberdeen are approved by the Maryland State Higher Education Commission, and may be additionally approved by Maryland State Approval Authority for payment of veterans education benefits.

Additional information and site location may be found at www.fit.edu/aberdeen/.

Eglin Air Force Base, Florida

Director 
Jeffrey Cerny, Ph.D.

The Eglin site serves the U.S. Army 7th Special Forces Group and other military and civilians at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, providing opportunities for students to continue their education by earning bachelor and master degrees. The site was established in 2013.

Students at Florida Tech Eglin will be more than just users of technology, they will learn how to develop and shape technology, becoming leaders in their field. The Eglin site offers the Master of Science in Technology Management and the Bachelor of Science in Logistics Management. The site offers evening online and on-site classes. Students may take classes online at other Florida Tech sites that accommodate different schedules and professional demands. Courses are taught by expert faculty with experience in their field. 

Students seeking admission must meet the admissions criteria discussed in the Academic Overview  section of this catalog. Transfer credit may be granted from regionally accredited colleges and some military schools and training.

Students may access the main Florida Tech library (Evans Library, Melbourne, Florida) via lib.fit.edu. The library provides access to the catalog of books, government publications and periodicals owned by the library as well as access to databases, full-text documents and Internet sites. Florida Tech students have access to computers in the Eglin Integrated Learning Center. The center provides a full-time librarian on site, reference resources, 011-line resources, bibliographies and interlibrary loan, among others. Library support is also available from the Okaloosa County Public Library Cooperative with seven different locations throughout the county. 

Florida Tech Eglin programs have been approved by the Florida State Approving Agency for payment of veteran’ s education benefits to qualified students.

Additional information and site location may be found at http://www.fit.edu/eglin

Fort Dix, New Jersey

Director
Kenneth J. Hanko, J.D..

The Army Education Center at ASA Fort Dix serves active and retired military and their families, and civilians on the Fort Dix Army post. The site offers the M.B.A., the Master of Science in Management/Acquisition and Contract Management and the bachelor’s degree program in logistics management.

Additional information and site location may be found at www.fit.edu/fortdix/.

Fort Lee, Virginia

Director
Darrell N. Burrell, D.H.Ed.

The U.S. Army Logistics Management College (ALMC) was established in October 1954 with the mission to conduct the Army Supply Management Course at Fort Lee, Virginia. The college has since grown to the Army Logistics University (ALU), an institution with multiple missions covering all military logistics functions. Florida Tech conducts evening graduate-level courses in facilities of the ALU at Fort Lee. These programs are available to active-duty military and their family members, U.S. government employees, and logistics and procurement professionals who meet admission requirements of the university. The course offerings at Fort Lee may be adjusted to provide maximum responsiveness to the needs of the participants.

Part-Time Students

Florida Tech provides an opportunity for the continuing education of Fort Lee personnel who wish to maintain their professional and technical competence and/or enhance their development and career progression. The typical part-time student can complete graduate degree requirements in two years at the normal load of two courses per academic session. This time may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted from other civilian institutions or designated military schools. Part-time students must complete all degree requirements within a period not to exceed seven years.

Florida Tech is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Transfer credit acceptance is subject to the policies for individual universities and Florida Tech cannot assure credits earned will be accepted for any specific degree program at other universities. Commonwealth of Virginia student complaints not resolved within the established complaint procedures at Florida Tech may be elevated to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia for further review: 814-225-2600; www.schev.edu.

Additional information and site location may be found at www.fit.edu/fortlee/.

Hampton Roads, Virginia

Director
Denise Siegfeldt, Ph.D.

Florida Tech maintains an off-campus site at Fort Eustis to serve the Hampton Roads, Virginia, region. The office is located in the Herb Bateman Army Education Center. The local Florida Tech program originally operated under a military waiver from the Commonwealth of Virginia, with courses limited to the military and Department of Defense civilian employees. In 1991, Florida Tech’s graduate program received state approval to extend its services to dependents and members of the general public. Today the student body is a richly diverse group from each of the military installations in the area, NASA Langley Research Center, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Lockheed Martin, Science Applications International Corporation, Pfizer, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and a variety of technological corporations and general businesses on both sides of Hampton Roads.

Graduate courses in the master’s degree programs and undergraduate course offerings in the B.S. in Logistics Management are taught by highly experienced faculty recruited from business and industry. Florida Tech conducts undergraduate and graduate programs under a Memorandum of Understanding, with courses offered at Fort Eustis. Florida Tech students study real-life applications of business and technical subjects under the expert instruction and dedication of faculty, who are leaders in the local business and education community, as part of the university’s tradition of excellence.

The Florida Tech site is located at Fort Eustis, which lies between Newport News and Williamsburg, Virginia. The site director serves as a full time site director and faculty member. A senior resident administrator manages administrative functions at Fort Eustis with assistance from a senior administrative secretary.

Part-Time Students

Florida Tech provides an opportunity for the continuing education of Fort Eustis personnel who wish to maintain their professional and technical competence and/or enhance their development and career progression. The typical part-time student can complete graduate degree requirements in two years at the normal load of two courses per semester. This time may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted from civilian institutions or designated military schools. Part-time students must complete all degree requirements within a period not to exceed seven years.

Master’s degree programs offered in addition to those listed in this section include the M.B.A. engineering management and computer information systems (see College of Engineering and Science Department of Mechanical and Civil Engineering  and Department of Computer Engineering and Sciences ).

Florida Tech is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Transfer credit acceptance is subject to the policies for individual universities and Florida Tech cannot assure credits earned will be accepted for any specific degree program at other universities. Commonwealth of Virginia student complaints not resolved within the established complaint procedures at Florida Tech may be elevated to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia for further review: 804-225-2600; www.schev.edu.

Additional information and site location may be found at www.fit.edu/hampton-roads/.

Lakehurst, New Jersey

Director
K.J. Hanko, J.D.

The Lakehurst site offers master’s degrees in acquisition and contract management and business administration.

Additional information and site locations may be found at www.fit.edu/lakehurst/.

Lake Nona, Florida

Director
Najy Daher, Ph.D.

The Lake Nona site serves the Orlando/Kissimmee region at the Lake Nona campus of Valencia College. The site offers the bachelor of science in logistics management.

Additional information and site locations mat be found at www.fit.edu/lakenona.

Melbourne, Florida

Director 
Anene L. Nnolim, DMIT, PMP

The Master of Public Administration program is offered at the City of Melbourne Police Departmenl location in Melbourne, Florida. The program is offered in a cohort format to members of the Melbourne Police and Fire Departments, and officers from neighboring police and fire departments who qualify for admission to graduate study at Florida Tech. Other specialized master’s degree programs are offered at the Nathan M. Bisk College of Business  building (formerly Babcock Oaks) north of the main campus in Melbourne.

Additional information may be found at www.fit.edu/mgc/.

Merritt Island, Florida

Director
Anene L. Nnolim, DMIT, PMP

The Master of Public Administration is offered at the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Headquarters in Merritt Island, Florida. The program is offered in a cohort format to members of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office who qualify for admission to graduate study at Florida Tech.

National Capital Region, Virginia

Director
Penny Vassar, Ph.D.

Florida Tech, located in northern Virginia, conducts an evening graduate-level professional development program in the greater Washington, D.C., area. The program is available to all qualified applicants who meet the requirements of the university.

The program is administered by the National Capital Region (NCR) site, which is centrally located in Quantico, Virginia. NCR operates an administrative office and classroom on the U.S. Marine Corps base in Quantico.

The NCR off-campus program provides the opportunity for interested individuals to continue their education to increase professional and technical competence, and thereby enhance career development and progression.

Florida Tech is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Transfer credit acceptance is subject to the policies for individual universities and Florida Tech cannot assure credits earned will be accepted for any specific degree program at other universities. Commonwealth of Virginia student complaints not resolved within the established complaint procedures at Florida Tech may be elevated to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia for further review: 804-225-2600; www.schev.edu.

Additional information and site location may be found at www.fit.edu/ncr/.

Orlando, Florida

Director
Najy Daher, Ph.D.

In today’s competitive business environment, a graduate degree and its related business and technical skills may make the critical difference in competing for a new position, promotion or career. Each course of study is designed to meet the career goals of the individual, allowing for both diversification and specialization consistent with student needs.

The graduate programs build on existing talents and skills while providing the professional development and academic credentials necessary for advancement in a present career, a successful change in career, or launching a new career.

Florida Tech conducts evening, graduate-level programs for students in the Orlando area with classes regularly scheduled on-site in Baldwin Park and at Lockheed Martin Electronics and Missiles Group facilities.

Students may also take courses at other Florida Tech sites as well as by distance learning, creating a wide variety as well as accommodating professional travel.

The program provides the working person the opportunity to earn a graduate degree in two years or less. However, students may complete the degree program at their own pace. Each course meets one evening a week. Transfer credits earned through certain military courses and at other universities may shorten the time required.

The active learning environment provides an extensive exchange of ideas and viewpoints among representatives of education, industry and U.S. government military and civilians. All instructors are working professionals with extensive hands-on experience in the discipline they teach.

Library facilities for the students are provided by agreement at the University of Central Florida and through online access or interlibrary loan with the main campus library in Melbourne, Florida.

Program approval has been awarded by the Florida State Approving Agency for payment of veteran’s education benefits to qualified students.

Master’s degree programs offered in addition to those listed in this section include the M.B.A., computer information systems, computer science, electrical engineering and engineering management (see College of Engineering and Science ). International students are allowed to attend the Orlando site.

Additional information and site location may be found at www.fit.edu/orlando/.

Picatinny, New Jersey

Director
Kenneth J. Hanko, J.D.

Picatinny Arsenal is located in New Jersey’s Morris County approximately 35 miles west of New York City. Although it was established as an Army installation in 1880, the Arsenal’s colorful history goes back to Revolutionary days, to General George Washington and the Continental Army.

Picatinny is the home of the U.S. Army Armament Research and Development Engineering Center (ARDEC). The mission of ARDEC primarily involves the development and improvement of U.S. military weapon systems and ammunition.

Under agreement with the commander, ARDEC, Florida Tech provides graduate programs to U.S. government military personnel, their dependents, veterans, civilian employees of the installation, contractor personnel, dependents of the foregoing and such other persons as may have access to Picatinny Arsenal under the installation access policy and who meet admission requirements of the university. This agreement has been ongoing since 1978 when Florida Tech’s graduate program began at Picatinny.

Florida Tech is dedicated to continuing its participation in the Picatinny community by providing educational programs of distinction in management and technology. Toward this end, Florida Tech’s master’s degrees listed herein are designed to achieve the following:

  1. Increase management skills among military and civilian personnel involved in planning, directing and controlling the various projects and programs assigned.

  2. Provide the latest knowledge in management, contract management and program management to maintain a strong technological base and promote improved weaponry.

  3. Provide the latest managerial problem-solving techniques in a variety of areas to effectively support United States armed forces.

The curriculum and prerequisites for each degree offered at this site can be found in this catalog.

Personnel interested in seeking admission to one of these graduate programs or in some other program offered by Florida Tech are encouraged to discuss their career plans and goals with the site director at Picatinny.

Only selected master of science degree programs have been approved for payment of veterans benefits to qualified students at the Picatinny Arsenal. Consult the site director for programs currently approved for payment of veterans benefits at teaching locations in New Jersey.

Master’s degree programs offered in addition to those listed in this section include the M.B.A. and engineering management (see College of Engineering and Science Department of Mechanical and Civil Engineering .

Additional information and site location may be found at www.fit.edu/picatinny/.

Redstone/Huntsville, Alabama

Director
Harry L. Hobbs, D.B.A.

Since 1976, the Florida Tech site located on Redstone Arsenal has consistently provided continuing graduate education of personnel in the greater Huntsville area to maintain and enhance their professional and technical competencies and to complement their professional development and career progressions. The site offers both graduate degree and professional development programs. Classes are offered evenings to provide working professionals the opportunity to earn a graduate degree or certificate without career interruption. Distance-learning courses are available and are offered for those who cannot attend live classes.

While the programs are open to all who meet the admission requirements of the university, traditionally the Redstone/Huntsville site has served several government commands and agencies and many national and local firms (i.e., governmental contractors) having their facilities in the Huntsville area. Representative major governmental agencies served include:

  • U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal

  • U.S. Army Materiel Command

  • U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center

  • U.S. Army Garrison - Redstone

  • U.S. Army Logistics Support Activity

  • U.S. Army Ordnance Munitions and Electronics Maintenance School

  • U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command

  • U.S. Army SMDC Advanced Technology Center

  • U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

  • U.S. Army Missile Defense Agency

  • Redstone Technical Test Center

  • Aviation Technical Test Center

  • Missiles and Space Intelligence Center (Defense Intelligence Agency)

  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), George C. Marshall Space Flight Center

Because of the moderate size of the student body, class size is relatively small and consequently, students at Florida Tech are treated as individuals, not merely as numbers. Each incoming student is assigned a graduate advisor to assist the student in formulating a specialized graduate program plan designed to meet the individual needs of that student.

Each graduate degree program may be completed in two years or less. However, the student may elect to complete the degree program at their own pace. Most students usually enroll for one course per semester, but may enroll for two or more courses when their schedules permit.

Instructors at the Huntsville site are working professionals with direct, relevant, hands-on experience in the disciplines in which they teach.

Home Page

The site maintains a website at www.fit.edu/huntsville/  where the latest information regarding course offerings and class schedules can be found.

Veterans Benefits

The Alabama State Approving Agency has approved Florida Tech programs for veterans education benefits.

Complaint Policy for Students Receiving VA education Benefits

Any complaint against the school should be routed through the VA GI Bill Feedback System by going to http://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/Feedback.asp. The VA will then follow up through the appropriate chanels to investigate the complaint and resolve it satisfactorily.

Library Facilities

Students may access the main Florida Tech library (Evans Library, Melbourne, Florida) online at lib.fit.edu. The library provides access to the catalog of books, government publications and periodicals owned by the library, as well as access to databases, full-text documents and Internet sites.

Redstone Scientific Information Center (RSIC)

The RSIC is a joint, cooperative venture between the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command and the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, NASA facility. The library, which is located in 50,000 square feet in Building 4484, has more than 1,500,000 documents, books and bound journals of which 200,000 books and 70,000 periodicals are available to support Florida Tech course offerings. RSIC is the largest technical library in the Southeast.

University of Alabama Huntsville Library (UAH)

The UAH library contains more than 250,000 volumes of monographs and journals and more than 210,000 items, such as microfiche, federal documents, maps, technical reports, sound recordings and other multimedia offerings. The library has open access stacks and is staffed by experienced, professional librarians. Florida Tech students may use all facilities and, by paying a modest annual fee, are granted withdrawal privileges.

Huntsville-Madison County Public Library

The main public library is located at 915 Monroe Street in downtown Huntsville. There are three branches of this library located in the north, south and west sections of the county. The main library holdings include more than 250,000 volumes and a special business reference section. It is open to all residents of Huntsville and Madison Counties.

All of the above libraries have periodicals and newspapers such as Fortune, Forbes, Business Week, The Wall Street Journal and Barron’s, along with many technical magazines and other publications. Also available to Florida Tech students are reader printers for microfiche/microfilm, videotapes, strips and other audiovisual and/or multimedia equipment.

Master’s degree programs offered in addition to those listed in this section include the D.B.A. and M.B.A., computer information systems and engineering management.

Additional information and site location may be found at www.fit.edu/huntsville/.

Rockledge, Florida

Director
Anene L. Nnolim, DMIT, PMP

The Master of Public Administration is offered at the Brevard County Fire and Rescue Headquarters in Rockledge, Florida. The program is offered in a cohort format to members of the Rockledge Fire and Rescue, and neighboring police and fire departments who qualify for admission to graduate study at Florida Tech. 

St. Petersburg, Florida

Director
Penny Vassar, Ph.D.

The St. Petersburg site serves residents of the St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay, Florida, areas at the campus of St. Petersburg College. The site offers the bachelors’ degree in logistics management.

Southern Maryland, Maryland

Director
Robert R. Schaller Sr., Ph.D.

The original Patuxent site of Florida Tech near the Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River provided graduate education in the southern Maryland area since 1972. Patuxent site programs and operations were moved to the SMHEC in California, Maryland, in March 2018.

All programs are designed to allow working professionals an opportunity to maintain professional and technical competence while earning a graduate degree without career interruption. Each course meets one evening per week to accommodate the full-time working professional. Classes are taught in traditional classroom format with some distance learning classes. Programs may be completed in two years (or less) or at the student’s own pace, and a choice of elective courses is available in most programs.

The degree programs offered at the SMHEC site have been approved for payment of veterans benefits to qualified students under authority of Subchapter 1775, Chapter 36, Title 38, United States Code, Veterans Benefits.

Master’s degree programs offered in addition to those listed in this section include the M.B.A., aerospace engineering, computer information systems, computer science, electrical engineering, engineering management and mechanical engineering (see College of Engineering and Science ). Additional information and site location may be found at www.fit.edu/smhec/.

Spaceport, Florida

Director
Anene L. Nnolim, DMIT, PMP

Since 1981, the Spaceport site has provided individuals with opportunity to conveniently pursue their graduate education without career interruption and improve their professional and technical competence to enhance their career development. Degree programs at Spaceport are open to all qualified applicants who meet the requirements of the university. The site is located in the Center for Space Education next to the visitor complex at Kennedy Space Center.

Our graduate degree programs are broadly based to assist students with their career and professional development. Master’s degree programs offered at Spaceport include acquisition and contract management, commercial enterprise in space, computer information systems, logistics management, project management, public administration, space systems, space systems management, supply chain management and the M.B.A. Degree programs may be completed in two years (or less) or at the student’s own pace and there are various choices of electives in most programs.

Classes are offered in the classroom as well as online through the Virtual Site, providing students with the flexibility they need to plan for their career and professional development. Because of the site’s proximity to the main campus, Spaceport students may take a limited number of classes on the main campus, in addition to having access to Evans Library there. The library can be accessed through lib.fit.edu.

Additional information and site location may be found at www.fit.edu/spaceport/.

Virtual Site

Director
Penelope Vassar, Ph.D.

The purpose of the Virtual Site is to extend the educational opportunity to pursue graduate studies to individuals and groups who are unable to access traditional resident-based graduate programs.

The Virtual Site offers complete master’s degree programs in a total distance learning online environment. There is no requirement for U.S. residency.

Graduate credit certificate programs are also available online.

Admission is open to all individuals who possess an undergraduate degree from a university or college that is regionally accredited in the United States. Individuals who possess a degree from other than a U.S. college or university may be admitted subject to conditions for international student enrollments.

Admission criteria are discussed in the Academic Overview  section of this catalog.

Individuals who do not meet the stated requirements for regular admission may petition to take graduate courses for credit as a continuing education applicant.

Additional information may be found at www.fit.edu/virtual/.

Library Facilities

Students may access the main Florida Tech library (Evans Library) via lib.fit.edu. The library provides access to the catalog of books, government publications and periodicals owned by the library as well as access to databases, full-text documents and Internet sites.

Office hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (EST), office phone 888-225-2239, fax 866-363-0001, or email vgc@fit.edu.

Master’s degree programs offered in addition to those listed in this section include computer information systems (see College of Engineering and Computing Department of Computer Engineering and Sciences ) and operations research (see College of Science Department of Mathematical Sciences ).

Graduate Certificate Programs

Individuals seeking admission for purposes of attaining a graduate certificate, but not degree seeking, will be evaluated for admission using the same procedures as outlined for continuing education for credit students, with the written approval of the head of the academic site offering the program. Applicants must submit the requisite application for continuing education (Code: 0102), with fee payment made, and be certified by the approving official as being capable of performing to graduate course standards. Specific admission criteria include the following:

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university.

An undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5 is generally sufficient for admission for a graduate certificate program. An undergraduate GPA less than 2.5 will require the applicant provide special documentation including letters of reference, résumé, post-baccalaureate credits, certificates of training, etc., to be admitted by exception for a graduate certificate program.

Completion Requirements

A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 will be required for certificate award. Students will be allowed to attempt seven courses to meet the GPA requirement. If the minimum GPA is not met after seven courses, and the student would like to continue, he/she may appeal to the dean. Additionally, a non-credit learning assessment portfolio must be successfully completed.

Transfer Credit

A possible three semester hours of transfer credit will be allowed and is consistent with current university policy regarding transfer credit. The transfer course must be from a regionally accredited university or an approved military equivalent and must have an earned grade of B or better.

Programs

Bachelor’s Degree Programs

Graduate Certificate Programs

Graduate Degree Programs