Florida Memorial University

Building upon the traditions of our past and harnessing the richness of the present, Florida Memorial University prepares our students, through innovation, collaboration and creativity, to assume leadership roles in a highly competitive, technology-driven, and increasingly global marketplace.

The mission of Florida Memorial University is to instill in our students the values of leadership, character, and service to enhance their lives and the lives of others on our campus, in our community, and in the world through a transformational, liberal arts education.

Florida Memorial’s history and traditions reach back to 1879. Our legacy of determination and accomplishment has made us the only historically black university in southern Florida. We are a culturally diverse institution, transforming lives and helping to create a future for people from many races, ethnicities, countries, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds. Members of the Board of Trustees, administration, faculty, staff, students, and alumni take every opportunity possible to express pride in the institution.

At Florida Memorial University, students have a wealth of opportunity to pursue their lifelong career goals. The university offers 41 undergraduate degree programs and 4 master’s programs. The university offers degree programs that embody a coherent course of study that is compatible with our mission through “instilling in students the importance of becoming global citizens through life-long learning, leadership, character, and service which will enhance their lives and the lives of others.” As part of our mission, quality programming is offered to support the recognition that “education contributes to the quality of life and expects that students will leave its community of scholars and traditions pre¬pared to participate fully in a global society.” All degree programs focus on graduating students who are well prepared in their discipline to enter a competitive job market where they will make knowledgeable contributions to their fields of study.

Florida Memorial University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs, the National Association of Schools of Music, and the Council on Social Work Education.

Florida Memorial University provides financial assistance to students who need help in meeting their educational expenses. Over 90% of the students attending Florida Memorial receive some form of financial assistance. Most of our financial aid is awarded on the basis of demonstrated need. Financial assistance is provided in the form of federal programs-grants, loans and work-study. In addition we offer state programs and institutional scholarships.

At Florida Memorial University, students have a wealth of opportunity to pursue their lifelong career goals. The university offers 28 undergraduate degree programs and 3 master’s programs. With this comprehensive selection of majors and numerous extracurricular activities to hone their skills in academics, leadership and public service, a college experience at Florida Memorial University results in highly sought-after graduates and solid world citizens.

Florida Memorial University offers degree programs that embody a coherent course of study that is compatible with our mission through “instilling in students the importance of becoming global citizens through life-long learning, leadership, character, and service which will enhance their lives and the lives of others.” As part of our mission, quality programming is offered to support the recognition that “education contributes to the quality of life and expects that students will leave its community of scholars and traditions pre¬pared to participate fully in a global society.” All degree programs focus on graduating students who are well prepared in their discipline to enter a competitive job market where they will make knowledgeable contributions to their fields of study.

Florida Memorial University is an Associate Member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), offering the Bachelor of Arts in Music.Florida Memorial University is accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) offering the Bachelor of Science in Accounting, the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, the Bachelor of Science in Finance, the Bachelor of Science in Marketing, and the Master of Business Administration.

The School of Education offers the following undergraduate teacher preparation programs that are approved by the Florida Department of Education (DOE): the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education/Exceptional Student Education K-12/ESOL with Reading Endorsement, the Bachelor of Science in Secondary Biology, Bachelor of Science in Secondary English/ESOL with Reading Endorsement, the Bachelor of Science in Secondary Mathematics, and the Bachelor of Science in Secondary Social Studies.

Florida Memorial University is a private, coeducational, and Baptist-affiliated institution that has the distinction of being one of the oldest academic centers in the state, and the only Historically Black University in South Florida.

In 1879, members of the Bethlehem Baptist Association founded the school, then called Florida Baptist Institute, in Live Oak to create “a College of instruction for our ministers and children.” The Reverend J. L. A. Fish was its first president. Despite a promising start, racial tensions soon cast a shadow over the Institute. In April 1892, after unknown persons fired shots into one of the school’s buildings, then-President Rev. Matthew Gilbert and other staff members fled Live Oak for Jacksonville, where he founded the Florida Baptist Academy in the basement of Bethel Baptist Church. They began holding classes in May 1892, with Sarah Ann Blocker as the main instructor. The school in Live Oak, however, continued to operate even after this splintering.