Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science (STEM)

at EDUCO - University of West Florida USA

The Maritime Studies Program is designed to familiarize students with the dynamic cultural and natural resources of the maritime environment. Students gain the necessary knowledge and expertise to enable them to participate and contribute to our growing understanding and management of the maritime environment.

Maritime Studies prepares students for careers in the diverse and exciting maritime world. This degree provides a broad understanding of the diversified field by integrating maritime themes, transferable skills, and a knowledge base to enter a variety of maritime-related careers. The maritime industry is a major global employer with thousands of opportunities in many areas. The marine environment covers 71% of the earth and continued technology advancement has increased pressure on its resources. Understanding and managing maritime resources is becoming increasingly important, requiring a wide range of theoretical knowledge and practical skills that this Maritime Studies degree will provide.

The hallmark of the Maritime Studies Program is its flexibility because it allows students to tailor their degree program to their individual interests. It requires only a few specific core courses to provide an overview of the main areas in Maritime Studies. Students complete their degree programs with elective courses from a wide range of disciplines such as Anthropology/Archaeology, Marine Biology, Environmental Studies, History, Art History, Literature, Law, Political Science, and Leisure Studies.

Academic study is only part of the essential training needed for students of Maritime Studies. They also must have a structured field experience in which methods of sampling, recording, and other practical aspects of professional work in the field environment are learned.

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

The B.A. in Psychology enables students to study human behavior. An understanding of psychological processes entails understanding the multiple influences created by the biological characteristics of the organism, the effects of learning and experience, social and cultural dynamics, and developmental change. As a scientific discipline, the study of psychology requires competence in research methodology and critical thinking. Psychology is also an applied discipline, with applications in behavioral and physical health, business, education, and law, among others. Students completing a major in psychology will be prepared to pursue a wide range of careers at the bachelor's level or to pursue advanced training in psychology or other professional schools (such as medicine and law). Students will attain a high-quality liberal arts degree focused on knowledge in the discipline of psychology, integrity in the application of that knowledge, effective project management, and excellent critical thinking and communication skills.

UWF's Interdisciplinary Humanities programs promote excellence in education, personal growth, civic awareness and unique learning experiences by offering cutting-edge curricula relevant to the needs of employers. Designed for students desiring exposure to issues that transcend a single discipline, interdisciplinary studies offer students the opportunity to raise questions, create new knowledge, and solve problems in ways that are not possible in a singular disciplinary context. In the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies specialization, students critically and creatively explore the significance of gender in all areas of life, examining the social formation of human identities, practices, and institutions. This specialization requires the completion of an approved minor or double major and participation in the university’s annual Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Conference. The combination of this interdisciplinary specialization with a related minor or double major prepares students for a wide array of careers in community relations, law, criminal justice, politics, business, communications, counseling, social work, and teaching and provides students with an enhanced understanding of how gender operates in these professional environments. The Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies program also offers a host of co-curricular events and activities that help students to cultivate their professional skills and put theory into practice. Beyond the annual Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Conference, the students host art exhibitions, poetry open mic nights and community reading groups and publish a national feminist student journal.

The B.S.B.A. in Finance prepares students for professional careers in areas such as corporate financial management, financial institutions management, investments, and financial planning. The program also provides the foundation to pursue the designations of Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or Certified Financial Planner (CFP).

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

Why Study Elementary Education at UWF?

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

What You Will Learn

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

The B.M. in Music is designed to prepare students for careers in the field of music. Permission to major or minor in music is granted by the department and an audition is required.

The M.A. program is designed for students interested in acquiring a broad view of political science or who wish to specialize in international relations. The program consists of 33 semester hours plus successful completion of a comprehensive examination or a thesis. All new students should be advised by the departmental advisor.

The purpose of the program is to prepare students for careers in federal, state, county, and local criminal justice agencies, including management and administration; careers in public or private criminal justice research and analysis; teaching positions at community and state colleges; and/or continued education at the doctoral level.

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) has two options: an internship option (Option 1) and an area research paper option (Option 2). Each option requires a minimum of 33 credit hours, including 24 credit hours of criminal justice coursework. The internship option (Option 1) requires 15 credit hours of required coursework, a 3-credit hour internship, plus an additional 6 credit hours minimum of criminal justice electives and 9 credit hours of criminal justice or noncriminal justice electives. The area paper option (Option 2) requires 15 credit hours of required coursework, a 3-credit hour area paper, plus an additional 6 credit hours minimum of criminal justice electives and 9 credit hours of criminal justice or noncriminal justice electives.

Effective communication is vital to the success of any organization. The Department of Communication empowers students to creatively manage professional communication challenges. Graduates learn to speak effectively, write clearly, communicate persuasively, solve problems, lead, and practice professional ethics. The program for majors in the Department of Communication consists of 39 credit hours.

Department students have been recognized in a resolution by the State of Florida House of Representatives, won the State Advertising Championship seven times, won more than 100 ADDY Awards for Creative Excellence, won a National Forensic Association Championship, received numerous accolades from the Southeast Journalism Conference, and been recognized with the Florida Public Relations Association's Golden Image Award multiple times. The Department of Communication provides students opportunities to extend their classroom education with hands-on skill-building through internships and involvement with The Voyager, UWF Forensics, and a multitude of community engagement opportunities.