1,035 students officially receive their degrees in two ceremonies to handle ever-growing crowds
TAMPA, Fla., May 9, 2012 — Florida Institute of Technology awarded associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees to 1,035 candidates this spring. Two commencement ceremonies were held on campus at the Charles and Ruth Clemente Center in Melbourne, Fla., May 5. The undergraduate ceremony for those earning associate's and bachelor's degrees was at 9:30 a.m., with the graduate ceremony for master's and doctoral degrees at 2 p.m.
The spring commencement was divided into two ceremonies because there was not enough room to comfortably accommodate the growing numbers of graduates in one ceremony. The 481 undergraduate students and 554 graduate students include students earning degrees through the Melbourne campus; students who completed degree requirements through the university's Extended Studies Division which has 10 sites throughout the United States and a virtual campus; and students earning degrees through 100% online programs.
Florida Tech's online graduates represent the face of non-traditional students — working parents, military service members, and those looking for personal and professional advancement. The University's Office of the President hosted a special graduation reception on May 4 for the online students.
"We are seeing more students than ever make the decision to earn their degree online," said Brian Ehrlich, Assistant Vice President, Director of Online Learning for Florida Tech. "Online learning gives students the ability to earn their degree without having to put their career or lives on hold. Many students who enroll in our degree programs are working professionals or military service members who want to gain knowledge and credentials to advance their careers and compete in today's competitive job market."
Florida Tech's dynamic video-based e-learning platform is powered by University Alliance. Providing an enhanced learning experience featuring instructor-led, streaming video lectures that can be accessed conveniently at home, at work or on a smartphone, earning a degree is now more accessible than ever.
For more information about Florida Tech's online degree programs, visit www.floridatechonline.com, or call toll-free 855-300-1469.
About Florida Tech
Florida Tech is a regionally accredited university that is world-renowned for its distinguished faculty, comprehensive curriculum and unyielding innovation. Florida Tech is ranked a Tier 1 Best National University and recognized within the Top Online Education honor roll by U.S. News & World Report. It is also rated by the Fiske Guide to Colleges and named in Barron's Best Buys in College Education. Founded in 1958, Florida Tech has more than 50,000 alumni. Its main campus is located on 130 subtropical acres in Melbourne, Florida, on the state's famous Space Coast.
About University Alliance
The University Alliance (UA) facilitates the promotion and online delivery of associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees as well as professional certificate programs from the nation's leading traditional universities and institutions. Powered by UA's technology and support services, its university partners have surpassed 450,000 online enrollments – making UA the largest facilitator of e-learning in the country. University partners include Villanova University, the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business, Florida Institute of Technology, Michigan State University, the University of San Francisco, The University of Vermont, The University of Scranton, Jacksonville University, Dominican University, and New England College.
Contact Information:
Sandy Levine, VP of Marketing Services
Bisk Education/University Alliance Online
9417 Princess Palm Avenue, Tampa, FL 33619
813-621-6200, ext. 328
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