Broward Community College: Responsive to Changes in Community and Technology

Founded in 1959, Broward Community College, a publicly funded college, began functioning with an enrolment of 701 students. From this humble beginning, the college has experienced a solid growth in facilities, number of students and quality of programs. Currently, it has six campuses.

The maximum program length is 2 to 4 years and the highest degree awarded is the Associate's degree. Broward Community College is a Minority Serving Institution as defined by the Office of Civil Rights.

As one amongst the twenty-eight community colleges in the Florida system, the college is designed to be a community-based institution that offers a comprehensive range of programs responsive to changes in community and technology.

As the first public higher institution in the county, it functions as the principal provider of undergraduate higher education for the residents of Broward County. The college offers students the opportunity to study for a semester in offshore countries including Spain, England and Israel.

Accreditation

Broward Community College is nationally accredited. Accreditation is by an agency recognized by the US Department of Education.

The School is accredited regionally by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCC) to award Associate degrees. The College is authorized by the Florida Department of Education.

The College also enjoys specialized accreditations in Nursing (ADNUR), Dental Assisting (DA) and Medical Laboratory Technician Education.

Distance Learning

Broward Community College has participated in and sponsored the A-HEC Internet-supported Learning Study and Leadership and Innovation Program.

By contributing to the overall ISL research initiative, it has made a significant commitment to providing online learning of the highest quality, and has contributed to the sharing of best practices amongst the higher education community.

While 95% of the courses in the school are offered face to face, 5% of the courses are imparted as distance learning courses (online or partially online). Out of 5% distance learning courses, 4% of the courses are taught online and 1% is taught as blended (offline and online).

Two public higher education systems in Florida, the State University System and the Community College System have developed an agreement for library reciprocal borrowing, as part of a distance learning initiative.

All of the Community Colleges, which include Broward Community College and State University System Institutions, have signed the borrowing agreement as of February 9, 1999.

A wide variety of degrees, certificate programs and continuing education courses are offered through distance learning mode. Online courses are offered over the normal term period as well as over the summer.

BCC has hundreds of courses leading to Associates In Arts, Associates In Applied Science, Associates In Science, Certificates, Advanced Certificates, Advanced Technical Diplomas and continuing education suited to the needs of a large community of distance learners, opening doors to a brighter future.