Organization
Florida Institute of Technology is an accredited, coeducational, independently controlled and supported university. It is committed to the pursuit of excellence in teaching and research in the sciences, engineering, high-tech fields, business, psychology, liberal arts, aviation and related disciplines, as well as providing the challenges that motivate students to reach their full academic and professional potential. Today, 8,900 students are enrolled in programs on and off campus, and online. More than 5,000 students attend class on the Melbourne campus and more than 1,100 at Florida Tech’s off-campus sites, while over 2,500 students are enrolled in online programs. Florida Tech offers more than 250 degree programs in science, engineering, aviation, business, education, humanities, psychology and communication. Included are doctoral degrees offered in 26 disciplines and 90 degree programs at the master’s level.
Because of the moderate size of the student body and the university’s dedicated faculty and staff, a student at Florida Tech is recognized as an individual. Acting as individuals or as members of student organizations, students are encouraged to express their opinions on ways in which academic programs and student life might be made better for all. An active student government and student court play a meaningful part in matters affecting student life.
Many students enrolled in graduate programs, as well as undergraduates, take part in sponsored research programs and make significant contributions to project results. Florida Tech houses a number of research institutes and centers that, in collaboration with academic departments, aid in the students’ training.
The university is organized into four academic units: the College of Aeronautics, Nathan M. Bisk College of Business, College of Engineering and Science, and College of Psychology and Liberal Arts.
The College of Aeronautics offers bachelor of science degrees in aeronautical science, aviation administration (off-site), aviation management, aviation meteorology, and human factors and safety, each with flight and nonflight options, and the bachelor of arts in aviation management (online). The college offers the Master of Science in Aviation (M.S.A.) in airport development and management and applied aviation safety on the Melbourne campus, and the M.S.A. in aviation management and aviation safety online. There are two master of science programs offered by the college: aviation human factors and human factors in aeronautics (online). The college offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Aviation Sciences in one of twelve aviation-related specializations, and the online Doctor of Aviation (Av.D.) for professionals in the aviation industry.
The Nathan M. Bisk College of Business offers online associate degrees in accounting, business administration, healthcare management, management and marketing. Bachelor’s degrees on the Melbourne campus are offered in business administration (variety of specialized areas), business and environmental studies and information systems. Bachelor of Arts degrees are offered online in accounting and in business administration (variety of specialized areas). The master of business administration is offered on campus, at off-campus sites and online in a variety of specialized areas. The master of science in information technology is offered online in the areas of cybersecurity and database administration. The college also offers the Doctor of Business Administration.
The College of Engineering and Science includes six research-intensive departments: aerospace, physics and space sciences; biomedical and chemical engineering and sciences; computer engineering and sciences; mechanical and civil engineering; mathematical sciences; and ocean engineering and marine sciences. The college is also home to the Harris Institute for Assured Information and the Human-Centered Design Institute. Recognized programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels include aerospace engineering, applied mathematics, astrobiology, astronomy and astrophysics, biochemistry, biological oceanography, biological sciences, biomathematics, biomedical engineering, biomedical science, chemical engineering, chemical oceanography, chemistry, civil engineering, coastal zone management, computer engineering, computer information systems, computer science, conservation technology, earth remote sensing, education and interdisciplinary studies, electrical engineering, engineering management, environmental resource management, environmental science, flight test engineering, genomics and molecular genetics, geological oceanography, information assurance and cybersecurity, mathematical sciences, mechanical engineering, meteorology, ocean engineering, operations research, physical oceanography, planetary science, sustainability studies, software engineering, space sciences and systems engineering. All degrees offer leading-edge training and opportunities to participate in world-class research programs.
The College of Psychology and Liberal Arts includes the School of Arts and Communication, the School of Behavior Analysis, the School of Psychology and the military science program (Army ROTC). The college offers bachelor’s degrees in applied behavior analysis, forensic psychology, humanities, multiplatform journalism, psychology and strategic communication. Master’s degrees are offered in applied behavior analysis, global strategic communication, industrial/organizational psychology and organizational behavior management, and an online master’s degree in organizational leadership. Doctoral degrees are offered in behavior analysis, clinical psychology and industrial/organizational psychology. In addition to the programs offered on campus, the college offers associate degrees in applied psychology, liberal arts and criminal justice and bachelor’s degrees in applied psychology and criminal justice through Florida Tech Online, and the master of arts degree in professional behavior analysis in a combination of online and on-site study and practice.
Launched in Fall 2019, the Honors College at Florida Tech provides high-achieving students the opportunity to enroll in interdisciplinary seminars, to advance study in their disciplines, work with faculty on research projects, and participate in social and cultural activities that foster a global mindset, civic engagement, and professional and personal development.
Evans Library is a vital part of campus life providing comfortable, engaging spaces and innovative services for students, as well as online access to an extensive array of library resources. The virtual library, accessible at lib.fit.edu, is always available to the campus community whether students are studying in a residence hall, a distance learning site or anywhere with internet access.
The library is home to the Digital Scholarship Laboratory (DSL) and the Applied Computing Center (ACC), the largest computer lab on campus. The DSL is designed with innovation in mind, offering collaborative workspaces for students to design, build and create projects. The library has a technology lending program to provide students access to devices such as Oculus Go, laptops, iPads, video cameras and gimbals.
Evans Library subscribes to more than 125 cross-disciplinary databases and over one million e-books to provide the most current scholarly and scientific research. Student research including theses and dissertations are available online through the library’s open-access scholarship repository.
Florida Tech Online is the partnership between Florida Tech and Bisk, whose mission is to prepare adult students, wherever they may be, for rewarding and productive professional careers in a work environment that is increasingly global in scope, driven by rapidly changing technology and focused on quality. In pursuit of this mission, Florida Tech Online seeks to provide students with the finest possible education using the most appropriate delivery technology. Florida Tech Online offers an education reflective of current best practices and taught by instructors who are fully qualified academically and by the virtue of professional practice. The partnership provides nontraditional students with invaluable online access to quality education.
Through the partnership, Florida Tech brings the classroom to the student with instructor-led, interactive programs that offer the same high-quality programs online that are offered to on-campus students. Associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees can be earned anytime, anywhere. The superior interactive delivery allows easy work-life balance with the ability to schedule classes around a busy lifestyle. No actual classroom attendance is ever required in order to receive the same degree as on-campus students, with the option to participate in the Melbourne campus commencement exercises.
Accreditation and Memberships
Florida Institute of Technology is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, education specialist and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Florida Institute of Technology. The commission requests they are contacted only if there is evidence that appears to support an institution’s significant noncompliance with a requirement or standard.
The university is approved by the Office of Education of the U.S. Department of Education.
The university is a member of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida, the American Council on Education, the College Entrance Examination Board and the American Society for Engineering Education.
The undergraduate aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, ocean engineering and software engineering programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org. The undergraduate computer science program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.
The aeronautical science and aviation management programs are accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI).
The Doctor of Psychology, Clinical Specialization, is accredited by the Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (750 First Street NE, Washington, D.C., 20002-4212; phone 202-336-5979; email apaacred@apa.org; www.apa.org/ed/accreditation). The graduate programs in applied behavior analysis are accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI).
The Nathan M. Bisk College of Business is an accredited member of the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). A list of accredited business programs can be found at http://cob.fit.edu/accreditation.php. The master of business administration-project management degree program is also accredited by the Project Management Institute Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC).
Florida Institute of Technology is certified to operate at off-campus sites in Virginia by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Florida Institute of Technology programs at the Maryland site are approved by the Maryland State Higher Education Commission.
Florida Institute of Technology is approved to offer online education in the State of Kansas by the Kansas Board of Regents.
Florida Institute of Technology is registered with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education pursuant to sections 136A.61 to 136A.71. Registration is not an endorsement of the institution. Credits earned at the institution may not transfer to all other institutions.
Operation and Control
Florida Tech was granted a charter as a nonprofit corporation by the State of Florida in December 1958. The corporate charter established the school as an independent institution of higher learning with academic programs leading to undergraduate and graduate degrees. The charter ensures the university will be coeducational in character and admission will be open to all qualified applicants regardless of race, gender, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation or protected veteran status. Under the corporate charter, control of the university is vested in a self-perpetuating board of trustees. Members of the board are selected based on outstanding ability, integrity and personal interest in the development and preservation of the university.
The university is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Florida Tech provides access to higher education for persons with disabilities through the Office of Disability Services. Individuals are encouraged to contact the office at 321-674-8285 to obtain information about requesting accommodation and services.
Campus Environment
Florida Tech’s campus is located in Melbourne on Florida’s Space Coast. The area offers a delightful year-round subtropical climate and inviting ocean beaches. The campus is within an hour’s drive from the entertainment areas in Central Florida and is part of the Florida High Tech Corridor.
The university’s location gives it a unique place in the academic world. Corporations whose scientists and engineers are making tomorrow’s technological breakthroughs for the U.S. space program surround the Kennedy Space Center. The space center’s proximity allows for easy interaction between space center personnel and the university community. Moreover, the growing number of innovative high-tech businesses and industries in the Melbourne area help to make Florida’s business environment one of the most promising and exciting in the nation and helps university professors to stay abreast of the latest challenges and developments in the scientific, technical and business worlds. With both the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean nearby, students in the oceanography, aquaculture, environmental science and marine biology programs have ready access to the beaches and waters for a variety of field experiments and research projects. Overall, Florida Tech’s location is ideal for keeping pace with developments in science, technology and business.
Facilities
The Botanical Garden is a lush Florida forest of palm, water oak and tropical vegetation on campus. Visitors can enjoy leisurely walks on the pathways through this garden. One path, the Dent Smith Trail, is named in honor of the man who founded the Palm Society and contributed significantly to the university’s palm collection. More than 200 species of palm, some quite rare, are found on the campus.
The Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust provided Florida Tech with $1.5 million to fund the operations center for FIT Aviation, to both house its flight training programs and to run its training facility. Located at Melbourne International Airport, the Emil Buehler Center for Aviation Training and Research includes a 50-seat multipurpose/training room, a lobby with displays to showcase Florida Tech’s aviation achievements, student lounge with airfield viewing, instructors lounge, briefing rooms, weather/flight planning room and general operation offices.
The Nathan M. Bisk College of Business building is located north of the campus on Babcock Street, and houses offices for business faculty and administrators, and a Student Resource Center.
The Center for Aeronautics and Innovation (CAI) features multipurpose conference space with lobby displays to showcase aeronautics at FIT and the Florida Tech Research Park. The center houses the main office for FIT Aviation including the EASA and Air Carrier Training programs, various simulator high bays, and training rooms and classrooms. Offices for the Florida Tech Research Park, external relations and economic development are also located in this building to facilitate outreach to businesses and the community and to promote colocation for high-tech companies. CAI also houses the home office for the NCAA Sunshine State Conference.
The seven-story Frederick C. Crawford Building provides space for modern laboratories, classrooms and faculty offices for the mathematical sciences and the School of Arts and Communication. Also in the Crawford Building are the offices of the vice president for research and assistant vice president for institutional compliance.
Florida Tech merged with the former Brevard Art Museum through a $1 million gift from the Foosaner Foundation to form the Foosaner Art Museum at 1463 Highland Avenue in the Eau Gallie Arts District in Melbourne, Florida. The museum complex encompasses over 28,000 square feet and includes the Art Museum with galleries, a gift shop, collections storage and administrative offices; the Harris Community Auditorium, used for lectures, demonstrations, meetings and performances; the Renee Foosaner Education Center, composed of painting, drawing and pottery studios; and the Frits van Eeden Gallery.
The Foosaner Art Museum seeks to stimulate thought, inspire creativity and enrich the community by offering diverse, high-quality visual arts exhibitions and educational programs, and by augmenting, preserving, and presenting its world-class permanent collection. Admission is free for Florida Tech students, faculty and staff.
The Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts is dedicated to furthering the understanding of cultural and creative achievements in the textile and fiber arts through public exhibitions and educational programs.
The center’s growing permanent collection includes more than 1,200 objects. Highlighting the collection are traditional handmade textiles, embroidery, garments and related accessories from Africa, Japan, India and Central Asia; European and North American embroidery and samplers from the 17th through 20th centuries; and contemporary wearable art and fiber arts. The two-story center features 3,000 square feet of exhibition space.
The Ruth Funk Center preserves and displays an international collection of textiles through rotating public exhibitions and educational programs including free lectures and events for the campus community, work-study and volunteer opportunities for students and free admission for the general public.
The 500-seat W. Lansing Gleason Performing Arts Center is designed for stage plays, musical productions, scientific displays, lectures, seminars, camps and conferences. It is equipped with a complete control booth for professional stage facilities, lighting and sound. The facility is equipped with both C- and KU-band, and digital satellite downlink services that can be incorporated into productions and viewed on a large screen. Situated in the central portion of the campus, the center is a cultural asset to the university and surrounding community.
A $5 million gift from Community Foundation of Brevard and Harris Corporation funded the Harris Institute for Assured Information housed in the 29,000-sq.-ft. Harris Center for Science and Engineering.
The Harris Student Design Center is a result of a $1 million gift from the Community Foundation of Brevard and Harris Corporation. The 11,500-sq.-ft. structure serves the College of Engineering and Science students completing capstone design projects.
The Edwin Link Building accommodates the biomedical engineering, ocean engineering and construction management programs.
The F.W. Olin Engineering Complex houses several areas of the College of Engineering and Science, including chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical and computer engineering, engineering systems, mechanical engineering and aerospace engineering. This three-story facility includes 26 specialized research and teaching laboratories and the 145-seat Lynn Edward Weaver Auditorium.
The F.W. Olin Life Sciences Building is the home of the biological sciences programs. This two-story facility contains eight teaching laboratories and 12 research laboratories designed with flex-space for customizing the areas to meet the needs of specific activities.
The F.W. Olin Physical Sciences Center houses chemistry, physics and space sciences; a high-bay research area; an observatory dome; and a rooftop deck area that can accommodate up to 15 additional telescopes. An 0.8-m telescope, the largest research telescope in the state of Florida, was installed in the observatory dome in November 2007.
The F.W. Olin Sports Complex provides state-of-the-art baseball and softball fields, a soccer field, and an intramural field for all students. The 12,600-sq.-ft. Anthony J. Catanese Varsity Training Center is located in the F.W. Olin Sports Complex. It is home to the football coaching staff offices and includes a large meeting room, locker room, laundry and equipment facilities, athletics training room and a weight training room.
The Panther Aquatic Center is located between the Clemente Center and the Panther Dining Hall. The 32,000-sq.-ft. facility features a competition pool and a recreation pool. The competition pool includes nine 25-yard lanes complete with one- and three-meter diving boards. The depth ranges from 5.5 to 13 feet. The recreation pool varies in depth from three to six feet and includes three 25-yard lanes, stair entry and wading benches. Both pools are equipped with geothermal heating and cooling systems. Varsity locker rooms and a public changing room are located on-site. Covered seating is available adjacent to the competition pool.
The Scott Center for Autism Treatment is dedicated to providing the highest quality treatment, training and applied research to enhance the functioning and improve the quality of life of children with autism and related disabilities in Central Florida. The center provides empirically supported behavioral and allied health care diagnoses, assessments and treatments for children and their families; intensive training and supervision in treatment for autism and related disabilities to students enrolled in the Florida Tech behavior analysis graduate programs and to other professionals and paraprofessionals who will be working with this population; and an ongoing program of research directed toward improving clinical and behavioral outcomes for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and developing technological treatments and teaching aides for this population. Community Psychological Services on the second floor provides psychological evaluations and treatment.
The Shephard Building is the home of the education and interdisciplinary studies programs in sustainability, general science (nondegree), interdisciplinary science and athletics coaching.
George M. Skurla Hall houses the College of Aeronautics. It is a modern two-story building that includes faculty offices, classrooms, laboratories in air traffic control, advanced systems and computers, and a 125-seat auditorium. The flight training department is located nearby at the Emil Buehler Center for Aviation Training and Research.
University residence halls provide a variety of accommodations including single-sex and coed halls, with community, private or shared bathrooms. All residence hall rooms and apartments are equipped with two Ethernet connections to the university’s fiber-optic network. Southgate Village Apartments offer studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments for upper-division students. Located on the edge of the Botanical Garden, Columbia Village offers fully furnished four-bedroom suites with efficiency kitchens. The Columbia Village commons building features a meeting room, laundry facilities, resident assistant office and a resident director’s apartment. Harris Village Suites offer one-, two- and four-bedroom apartments with full kitchens, and laundry and recreation areas. Priority for all housing is given to undergraduate students. Mary Star of the Sea–Newman Hall is an all faith-based residence hall with apartment-style living for 146 students. The furnished one-, two- or four-bedroom apartments encourage students to grow in their faith while pursuing academic excellence. Panther Bay Apartments feature five-bedroom apartments with private bathrooms, fully appointed kitchens, living and dining areas, and a laundry room. The complex also features a clubhouse with meeting space, a computer lab, swimming pool, and basketball and volleyball courts.
Services
The Academic Support Center (ASC) provides peer tutoring services and writing assistance for Florida Tech students. Tutors assist with a wide range of subjects and courses offered at the university. The ASC also provides examination proctoring for students eligible for services through the Office of Disability Services or through an arrangement with the Dean of Students.
Additionally, the ASC partners with the chemistry department to offer supplemental instruction (SI), which provides reinforced key general chemistry concepts facilitated by trained tutors and graduate student assistants in a group setting. SI leaders attend the same lectures as students enrolled in the courses. The review sessions are offered twice a week for General Chemistry 1 and 2 (CHM 1101, CHM 1102). All mathematics tutoring is offered through the Math Advancement Center (MAC).
The All Faiths Center is located on the southern end of campus. It houses the Protestant Campus Ministry and the Catholic Campus Ministry. These ministries offer free dinners, daily Mass, Bible studies, community service, social activities, retreats and pastoral care.
The Applied Computing Center on the third floor of Evans Library features 57 Windows®-based Lenovo ThinkCentre M83 i7 computers (16GB RAM, DVD RW drives; Windows 10) and 12 Macintosh® OS computers that host more than 50 software programs for students such as PTC Creo, JMP Pro®, R, AutoCAD®, MATLAB®, ANSYS®, and many more. The lab provides an integrated computing environment with work-table space for both collaborative and individual work, and technology-equipped study rooms for group projects.
The Campus Services Office provides services related to student housing, residence life, meal plan administration, ID card services, residence hall electronic door access, student health insurance enrollment, and domestic and international student health insurance waivers.
Florida Tech’s campus dining service is committed to providing the campus community with quality food and services in a clean, comfortable and friendly atmosphere. Services include traditional all-you-can-eat and á la carte locations, catered affairs, pizza delivery and grocery services. All locations accept the meal plan, cash, checks and major credit cards. For more information, visit www.fit.edu/food. Campus dining locations are:
Black Kats Café: The late-night coffee house, lounge and game room is located adjacent to the Rathskeller and is open daily until 1:00 a.m.
Center Court: Located in the Clemente Center on the south side of campus, Center Court offers freshly made smoothies along with grab-and-go sandwiches and salads for lunch and dinner, Monday through Friday. Center Court serves a special concessions menu for varsity sports events.
Library Café: Located on the first floor of the Evans Library, the café offers students a destination for a quick break between classes or while studying in the building. The café serves freshly brewed hot and iced coffee, beverages and pastries, sandwiches, muffins, snacks and fruit.
Panther Dining Hall: An “all you care to eat” residential dining facility open seven days per week. It features international dishes, salads, home-style entrées, pasta, deli and grill, comfort food stations with display cooking, beverages and homemade desserts.
Panther Grocery: Next to Panther Dining Hall and overlooking the Panther Aquatic Center is a full-service grocery store featuring fresh and frozen meats, produce and entrees, a large selection of canned and dry foods and personal care items, and locally produced coffees, teas, olive oils, granola and soaps. The grocery offers patio dining with made-to-order items from the grill and deli.
Rathskeller: Provides late-night dining in a social atmosphere. The “Rat” also houses a convenience store. It is located on the ground floor of Evans Hall and is open seven days per week for lunch and late-night activities with pool tables and televisions.
SUB Café & Deli: Located in the Denius Student Center building in the center of campus, the SUB is open Monday through Friday for breakfast and lunch, and offers a restaurant-style specials menu along with a grill, deli, gourmet coffee and desserts.
The Office of Career Management Services personnel assist students in obtaining employment while they are enrolled at the university through the Office of Student Employment (OSE), and professional, career-oriented, permanent employment upon graduation. Assistance in résumé writing, interviewing techniques and career counseling is available. An updated Career Resources Library is also available for student use. Current job listings are posted in prominent areas throughout the campus, in major academic units and on the career management services website. As part of career services, a résumé referral program is available for all students registered with this office. Relevant workshops are presented throughout the year.
Career management services maintain an interview schedule throughout the academic year. Students must be registered with the office for on-campus interviews with recruiters from companies seeking employees with specific academic backgrounds. Career management services annually presents two career fairs that highlight professionals, agencies, corporations and services from throughout the United States.
Summer internships are also listed by the Office of Career Management Services, and assistance is provided for local, national and international searches of internship listings and information on employers. Credit for internships can be arranged through the cooperative education program.
The cooperative education program at Florida Tech is designed to prepare students for professional careers through productive work experiences in fields related to their academic or career goals. It provides progressive experiences in integrating theory and practice. The co-op goals are to provide curriculum-related employment opportunities for students before their graduation; to provide a program containing structured work experience that will be beneficial to students in terms of both their personal and professional growth; and to assist employers in the recruitment process. Co-op is a partnership among students, educational institutions and employers.
The cooperative education program is open to all majors. Two co-op plans are offered to students, as well as the engineering Protrack co-op program for engineering majors (see College of Engineering and Science ). The conventional plan integrates alternating periods of full-time paid work experience with full-time academic study. The parallel plan incorporates part-time paid work experience simultaneously with a part-time academic course load. In addition, students can receive credit for approved one-term experiences or back-to-back work terms.
Students participating in the university’s cooperative education program (CWE 1001 Cooperative Education 1 , CWE 2001 Cooperative Education 2 , CWE 3001 Cooperative Education 3 and CWE 4001 Cooperative Education 4 ) receive free elective credits. College of Engineering and Science students can use CWE 3003 Engineering Cooperative Education for a maximum of three credit hours of technical elective. All participating students are classified as full-time students when working full time.
The availability of co-op employment opportunities varies considerably from field to field. For further co-op information, contact the assistant director in the Office of Career Management Services.
The Federal Work-Study (FWS) program is a federally funded program providing students with part-time, on-campus employment. Only students who receive financial aid are eligible for this program. Work-study awards are made by the Office of Financial Aid based on need and dependent on available funds, so it is highly recommended that a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) be submitted early. Students receiving FWS employment report to the Office of Student Employment at the beginning of each academic year. There are a variety of work-study job opportunities (see “Scholarships and Financial Aid” under Financial Overview ).
The FWS Community Service program exists within the Federal Work-Study program. It provides off-campus part-time jobs to eligible students in nonprofit community organizations. Available positions vary each semester and may be major-related or clerical.
The Florida Work Experience Program (FWEP) is a state-funded program open to FWS students who are Florida residents. FWEP provides degree-related experience as well as income for the student.
The College Roll program provides on-campus employment for currently enrolled students. Positions are temporary part-time jobs and are not based on student need.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) promotes the best possible academic, vocational and emotional health for Florida Tech students by providing a variety of professional mental health and wellness services to assist students with overall health in order to successfully reach personal, academic and career goals. All services are offered on the Melbourne campus at the corner of University Boulevard and Country Club Road, adjacent to Holzer Health Center. Additional information about CAPS services and other resources are available at www.fit.edu/counseling-and-psychological-services.
The First and Second Year Experience (FSYE) office assists new students on the Melbourne campus in their transition to the university by providing advising and coordinating programs throughout the freshman and sophomore years. The office coordinates orientation events on campus and the two student success courses (FYE 1000 University Experience and FYE 1005 Strategies for Success ).
FSYE advisors advise full-time, main-campus students who enter the university with less than 60 credit hours. Students who enter with 0-29 credit hours work with an FSYE advisor for four consecutive semesters. Students who enter with 30-59 credit hours work with an FSYE advisor for two consecutive semesters. Students work with the same advisor during their time with FSYE and then transition to a faculty advisor for the remainder of their undergraduate careers.
The Digital Scholarship Laboratory (dsl.lib.fit) provides innovative technology and an interdisciplinary collaborative space open to the campus community 97 hours per week. Part of the Evans Library, the DSL has software for 3D design and rendering, data analysis and visualization (including GIS), media editing, a large video display wall, virtual reality, and 3D printing.
Holzer Health Center is operated by Premier Urgent Care, a private medical provider. All full-time and part-time students may use this facility and receive free office visits and consultations. Students may use their university student health insurance or third-party insurance (in accordance with their health insurance policy provisions) along with personal funds to pay for any additional services provided by Premier. Students are required to present their Florida Tech Student ID cards to be seen at the health center.
The health center provides medical services covering a wide range of health care needs including routine illness, minor injuries, and referrals for radiology and diagnostic services, and works to protect the student body from the spread of communicable diseases. Appointments may be made with any of their health care providers at no charge (sports and internal medicine physicians, nurse practitioners, dieticians). Appointments for chiropractic or psychiatric services will be charged to insurance. The health center will assist the student with referrals to local specialists for care of chronic illness and when other medical conditions necessitate such treatment.
All students must provide a completed vaccination report, verified by the signature of the student’s health care provider, including proof of the required immunizations, whether or not they plan to use the health center. Exemptions to the immunization policy shall apply only if a student submits a written statement signed by their church, hall, temple or spiritual leader that the administration of immunizing agents conflicts with their religious tenets or practices; or a licensed physician, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant submits written certification that the student should be exempt from the required immunization based on valid clinical reasoning or evidence, and describing the need for an exemption. The letter must state if it is a lifelong exemption or dictate when the student would no longer require a medical exemption from immunization. All medical exemptions will be reviewed by the university’s medical director.
To protect the student and community, if an outbreak of a communicable infection should occur on campus, the student agrees to remain off campus for the duration of the outbreak and for 30 days after the last case is diagnosed.
The Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) is dedicated to advancing Florida Tech’s focus on student success and quality educational experiences by representing the needs and interests of its international community and providing a wide range of services and programs for international students, faculty, scholars, staff and their dependents.
ISSS provides advising and interpretation of U.S. government regulations; serves as liaison with the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, sponsoring agencies, community cultural organizations and foreign embassies; provides orientation and informational programs, and promotes intercultural exchange programs between international students and the university community. (See “Admission Guidelines” for international students in the General Academic Information (all students) section)
ISSS has a close working relationship with numerous international student cultural organizations on campus that assist with welcoming new students and fostering cross-cultural appreciation. ISSS also works with Florida Tech departments to facilitate the hiring of international faculty and staff, process H-1B employment visas, and advise on permanent residence sponsorship policy.
It is mandatory that all students who are in F1 or J1 non-immigrant status (without legal permanent residence) check in with their immigration documents at the Office of International Student and Scholar Services on their arrival. New vocational flight students in M1 status should check in at FIT Aviation.
The Math Achievement Center provides personalized help in mathematics at all levels for Florida Tech’s main campus students. The center is open Monday through Friday and is located in the academic quad near the president’s office. See www.fit.edu/mac for schedules and to make appointments.
The Military Science program has coordinators available to assist any qualified student to achieve a Senior Army ROTC scholarship. More information about the Florida Tech military science program can be found under the College of Psychology and Liberal Arts .
The Office of Military Affairs for Melbourne campus students is located in Harris Commons and has a coordinator available to assist veterans and their dependents with both university and VA-related matters. Florida Tech Online students should contact the military veterans affairs coordinator at 321-674-8204 or by email to OL-va@fit.edu, and off-site Education Center students, the site director at their location.
Study-Abroad
Several study-abroad opportunities are available to students at Florida Tech through the Office of Study Abroad. Some of these diverse programs are discipline-specific and target either undergraduate or graduate students. Consult the Florida Tech website for an overview of available international programs.
A short-term summer program is also available for students interested in studying at Oxford University in the United Kingdom. The Florida Tech Oxford Study Abroad Program offers numerous core curriculum courses and is open to all student levels and majors. Students earn six to eight credit hours while studying at Oxford University. Reduced tuition and financial aid are available. Additional information about studying abroad is available from the Office of Study Abroad.
Education Centers
Aberdeen, Maryland
Florida Tech’s education center 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 the admission requirements of the university. Classes meet one night per week for three hours beginning at 5 p.m.
Students 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 the Department of Defense military and civilian personnel working at APG. For example, the Aberdeen site offers the 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.
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 location may be found at www.fit.edu/aberdeen/.
Eglin Air Force Base, Florida
The Eglin education center 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’s and master’s degrees. The center 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 center offers evening online and on-site classes. Students may take classes online to 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 under Graduate Academic Information . 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 loans, 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 location may be found at www.fit.edu/eglin.
Fort Dix, New Jersey
The Army Education Center at ASA Fort Dix serves active and retired military and their families, and civilians on the Fort Dix Army post.
Additional information and location may be found at www.fit.edu/fortdix/.
Fort Lee, Virginia
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
Florida Tech maintains an education center 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 are taught by highly experienced faculty recruited from business and industry. Florida Tech conducts 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.
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.
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
The Lakehurst education center provides the opportunity for interested individuals to continue their education to increase professional and technical competence, and thereby enhance career development and progression.
Additional information and locations may be found at www.fit.edu/lakehurst/.
Lake Nona, Florida
The Lake Nona education center serves the Orlando/Kissimmee region at the Lake Nona campus of Valencia College.
Additional information and locations mat be found at www.fit.edu/lakenona.
National Capital Region, Virginia
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) education center, 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 location may be found at www.fit.edu/ncr/.
Orlando, Florida
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 education centers as well as online.
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.
Additional information and location may be found at www.fit.edu/orlando/.
Picatinny, New Jersey
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 are designed to achieve the following:
- Increase management skills among military and civilian personnel involved in planning, directing and controlling the various projects and programs assigned.
- Provide the latest knowledge in management, contract management and program management to maintain a strong technological base and promote improved weaponry.
- Provide the latest managerial problem-solving techniques in a variety of areas to effectively support the United States armed forces.
Only selected master of science degree programs have been approved for payment of veterans benefits to qualified students at the Picatinny Arsenal. Consult the center for programs currently approved for payment of veterans benefits at teaching locations in New Jersey.
Additional information and location may be found at www.fit.edu/picatinny/.
Redstone/Huntsville, Alabama
Since 1976, the Florida Tech education center 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. Classes are offered evenings to provide working professionals with 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 center 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 Redstone/Huntsville center are working professionals with direct, relevant, hands-on experience in the disciplines in which they teach.
Home Page
The center 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 www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/Feedback.asp. The VA will then follow up through the appropriate channels 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 1.5 million 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.
Additional information and site location may be found at www.fit.edu/huntsville/.
Southern Maryland, Maryland
The original Patuxent education center 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 site 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 site have been approved for payment of veterans benefits to qualified students under the authority of Subchapter 1775, Chapter 36, Title 38, United States Code, Veterans Benefits.
Additional information and site location may be found at www.fit.edu/smhec/.
Spaceport, Florida
Since 1981, the Spaceport education center has provided individuals with an 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.
Graduate degree programs at Spaceport are broadly based to assist students with their career and professional development. 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, providing students with the flexibility they need to plan for their career and professional development. Because of the center’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 location may be found at www.fit.edu/spaceport/.
Virtual Center
The purpose of the Virtual Education Center 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 center 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 under Graduate Academic Information .
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.
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