Southwest Florida College

Highlights

• Advanced standing credit opportunities can shorten programs
• Lifetime career placement services for graduates
• Online studies an option for some programs
• Some degree programs can be completed in 18 months
• Diploma programs can be finished in one year
• Academic Success Center offers free tutoring
• Accreditation received by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools

About the School

Established in 1974, Southwest Florida College, a private school, offers career-oriented bachelor's and associate degree and diploma programs in allied health, early childhood education, computer aided design and drafting, legal/criminal justice, business and information technology. Some of the programs are available online. Students may achieve advanced standing credit through standardized testing, credit for life experience and challenge exams. Advanced standing credit can go up to over half of the total program length.

Academic Programs

The college offers a variety of career-focused program areas that are organized as follows:

• Allied Health – Designed to ready students for careers in medical billing and coding, surgical technician, medical assisting, massage therapy, and more.
• Criminal Justice/Legal Studies – Coursework covers a spectrum of topics such as corrections, paralegal, law enforcement, terrorism, private security, and investigations.
• Graphic Design – Covers digital design skills and techniques to ready students for working on the design of a variety of publication types and for creating many different types of graphical deliverables, such as logos or sign systems.
• Information Technology – Study tracks can include web design and development, programming, and network technology and management.
• Education – Studies include elementary education and early childhood education.
• Business – Programs include those for accounting technology, marketing, and management.
• Interior Design – Readies students for work in interior decorating and design jobs.
• Computer Aided Drafting – Teaches students the production of technical drawings using CAD software as well as fundamental skills for traditional drafting.

Several of Southwest Florida College's specific programs for the above areas include:

• Interior Design – Offers a broad understanding of interior design for residential and commercial settings. Courses are provided in computer aided drafting, 3D modeling, sustainable design, space planning and other topics.
• Elementary Education – Offers a comprehensive review of the growth and development of young children, how children learn and creating curriculums. The roles of the teachers, the school community and the family are also included. The program provides one full-term of student teaching.
• Computers – The curriculums offer theoretical and practical learning. According to the school, the computer labs offer up-to-date technological advancements.
• Surgical Technician – Provides a strong foundation in the academic and clinical aspects of surgical technology. Students are required to participate in a surgical technician externship.
• Medical Assisting – Enrollees are taught the administrative and clinical attributes of healthcare settings. Medical theory and terminology are also part of the program. The school's clinical laboratory classes offer practical training.
• Massage Therapy Program – Provides training in therapeutic massage, anatomy and physiology, deep tissue massage, hydrotherapy and massage theory.

Learning Options

• Quarter terms last 11 weeks
• Mini terms take five weeks to complete
• The programs offer day, evening and weekend classes

Faculty

The teachers have the appropriate academic credentials and practical experience.

Student Life

The school typically has about 1700 students and over half are women. Southwest Florida College offers career advising and lifetime career placement services for graduates. Also, qualified students may participate in the Federal Work-Study program.

Admissions and Financial Aid

Applicants are required to have a high school diploma or a GED certificate and have a personal interview. Concerning school costs, Southwest Florida College offers a variety of Federal aid programs and scholarship programs. The Veteran's Benefits and Assistance program is also available.