Online Colleges in Florida 2021

The University of West Florida first opened in 1967 and now offers students access to more than 90 programs. UWF offers six online bachelor's degrees, including programs in community education, maritime studies, and instructional design and technology. Bachelor's degrees at UWF require 120 credits, and most of these programs allow students to complete 60 credits of upper-level courses online. Out-of-state online learners may qualify for tuition discounts.

UWF delivers most online coursework asynchronously. Though most programs run entirely online, some onsite requirements, such as clinical work, may be required. Programs start in the fall, spring, and summer, and learners can complete their degrees within two years. For admission, applicants often need up to 60 undergraduate credits with a minimum GPA of 2.5.

Founded in 1947, Florida Gateway College now serves more than 5,000 students and offers programs in eight fields. FGC offers online certificates, online associate degrees, and three online bachelor's degrees in early childhood education, nursing, and water resources management.

FGC delivers most online coursework asynchronously, though most programs feature clinical requirements that students must attend clinical sites to complete. For admission, applicants need a high school or GED diploma. They may also need to submit ACT or SAT scores or complete a placement test. Some programs require applicants to meet other requirements, like an associate degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5 or licensure. Out-of-state online learners pay a reduced tuition compared to on-campus learners.

Founded in 1889, Saint Leo University is the oldest Catholic university in the state. Saint Leo offers approximately 150 programs, including 25 online bachelor's degrees in fields like software engineering, religion, and human resource management. Most online programs at Saint Leo require 120 credits.

All of Saint Leo's online courses are asynchronous. Saint Leo offers six online start dates per year, and each online course lasts eight weeks. Depending on the program, some on-campus or onsite clinical requirements may be required. For admission, applicants need a high school or GED diploma. Some applicants may need to submit ACT or SAT scores or have a specific number of undergraduate credits.

Florida State University was founded in 1851 and is the oldest continuous site of higher education in the Sunshine State. FSU's distance learners can now access five online bachelor's degrees in criminology, computer science, and public safety and security.

FSU's online programs offer both synchronous and asynchronous learning. While most programs require 120 credits, students may need to complete lower-level credits prior to declaring their major. For admission, applicants need a high school or GED diploma, plus ACT or SAT scores. Some applicants need an associate degree with a minimum GPA of 2.0. To graduate, students may need to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.

Founded in 1968, Palm Beach Atlantic University serves more than 3,500 students in over 50 majors. To improve access and better accommodate its students, PBA expanded its programs to include online learning. Students can access five online bachelor's degrees, including programs in ministry, community psychology, and Christian studies. Learners can complete most of each degree entirely online, but some programs may feature onsite requirements like a practicum.

PBA delivers online coursework both synchronously and asynchronously in eight-week sessions. Most programs require 120 credits, and students can enroll in the spring or fall. For admission, most applicants need a high school or GED diploma. Some prospective students may need to submit ACT or SAT scores. Transfer applicants must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.0.

Founded in 1958, St. Johns River State College has offered bachelor's degrees to its students since 2011. SJR State then began to offer online programs at various levels, including two online bachelor's degrees in organizational management and nursing. While these degrees require 120 credits in total, learners can earn 30-60 credits online at SJR State.

SJR State's online classes often combine asynchronous and synchronous delivery. Programs start in the fall and spring, and students can typically graduate within two years. Nursing students must attend on-campus courses to complete their capstone. Furthermore, clinicals and practicums may require onsite visits, though distance learners can usually complete those locally. For admission, applicants need an associate degree with a minimum GPA of 2.0. Nursing applicants also need a valid nursing license.

Since its founding in 1940, Barry University has opened several campuses and learning locations throughout Florida. Barry also introduced online learning to make its programs more convenient and accessible. At Barry, learners can pursue 20 online degrees, including online bachelor's degrees in emergency management, health services administration, and public administration. Transfer students can graduate within one year.

Barry delivers most online coursework asynchronously. Distance learners can choose from six annual start dates, and courses usually last seven weeks each. For admission, applicants need a high school or GED diploma, plus two years of work experience. Transfer applicants can receive up to 90 transfer credits, including credits for experiential learning, testing, and licensure and certification.

Offering just one degree when it opened in 1966, South Florida State College now offers more than 15 degrees, plus several certificates. SFSC introduced online learning to make its programs more accessible. SFSC students can pursue an online bachelor's degree in supervision and management. The program allows learners to build on previous undergraduate coursework and complete their degree in two years, taking courses in the spring and fall in consecutive years.

The online bachelor's degree requires 120 credits, though most incoming students have at least 60 transfer credits. The program delivers coursework both synchronously and asynchronously throughout eight-week sessions. For admission, applicants need an associate degree with a minimum GPA of 2.0. Transfer applicants with more undergraduate credits may receive additional transfer credit.

Founded in 1961, Saint Thomas University serves nearly 4,000 students. To better serve working professionals, STU offers more than 10 online degrees, including an online bachelor's degree in nursing. During the 30-credit RN-to-BSN, learners complete courses in healthcare system issues, leadership, and information, along with clinical requirements. Students usually complete clinical components in person at a local site.

Students in the program must complete 120 credits, with 60 credits available online. STU delivers online coursework asynchronously throughout accelerated eight-week sessions. Students choose from six annual start dates and can graduate within one year. For admission, applicants need a valid nursing license and a minimum GPA of 2.5. All online learners pay the same tuition rate regardless of where they live.

Established in 1960, Eastern Florida State College serves more than 20,000 learners annually across four campuses and online. EFSC offers four online bachelor's degrees, including programs in applied health sciences, organizational management, and computer information systems technology. While most courses take place online, some courses may require campus visits.

Online programs at EFSC allow learners to build on their previous undergraduate study and complete a bachelor's program in less than two years. Online programs usually offer three start dates and run through eight-week or 12-week sessions. Admission requirements vary by program. Most programs require an associate degree, for which students receive 60 credits.

Founded in 1965, Florida State College at Jacksonville now serves more than 50,000 students annually across four locations and online. FSCJ offers more than 15 online degrees, including nine online bachelor's degrees in fields like financial services, logistics, and public safety management. All bachelor's degrees require 120 credits, but FSCJ typically only offers upper-level and major courses online.

FSCJ delivers most online coursework asynchronously. The college's online programs offer three start dates a year. Some programs offer both part-time study and accelerated pathways that allow students to graduate in 20 months. Some courses, such as clinicals, require onsite attendance. For admission, most applicants need an associate degree or at least 60 undergraduate credits. To graduate, learners typically must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

Established in 1957, the College of Central Florida offers online students access to 10 certificates, five associate degrees, and an online bachelor's degree in nursing. The online RN-to-BSN program requires 120 credits, though students earn most of these credits through transfer credits and prerequisites. The 39-credit core program builds on prior education and experience and helps nurses advance their careers.

Programs start in the fall, spring, and summer, and the program includes both synchronous and asynchronous courses. For admission, applicants need an associate degree in nursing, along with a valid nursing license. Once accepted, online students enjoy access to academic support services and a variety of student organizations.

Founded in 1957, Gulf Coast State College was the first public two-year college in the state. GCSC offers a variety of online certificates, associate degrees, and four online bachelor's degrees in information technology, nursing, health services administration, and entrepreneurship. Each of these degrees combines online courses with on-campus learning.

GCSC's online bachelor's degrees each require 120 credits. All applicants need an associate degree for admission, which covers approximately 60 of the required credits. Transfer applicants may receive additional transfer credits, and nursing students receive credit for their mandatory licensure. GCSC provides six start dates per year. Learners can graduate in three semesters. Capstone and clinical components usually require on-campus attendance.

In 1960, Miami Dade College opened its doors to 1,400 students. Since then, the school has grown to enroll more than 90,000 students annually. MDC offers five online bachelor's degrees in fields like information systems technology, public safety management, and supply chain management. Each degree requires 120 credits. MDC offers upper-level courses online.

MDC delivers online coursework asynchronously throughout accelerated eight-week sessions. Most learners take two courses at time and can complete required courses in two years. For admission, most applicants need an associate degree with a minimum GPA of 2.0. Some programs feature additional requirements, such as a higher GPA or a professional licensure. Certain program components, particularly clinicals and practicums, require onsite attendance.

Johnson University Florida offers 25 online programs, including certificates, graduate degrees, and five online bachelor's degrees. At Johnson University, online students can pursue bachelor's degrees in intercultural studies, ministry leadership, and business administration.

Most of the university's online degrees require 120 credits, with 30-40 credits dedicated to the major. The university delivers most online coursework asynchronously throughout eight-week sessions in three semesters. Some online courses last seven weeks. For admission, applicants typically need a high school diploma or a GED, plus ACT or SAT scores.