Education

Higher Education

Cumberland County has three institutions of higher learning: Fayetteville State University, Methodist University and Fayetteville Technical Community College.

Source: http://discoverfayetteville.com/education/highered.shtml

FAYETTEVILLE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE

FTCC is the third largest community college in North Carolina. It was established in 1961 as the Fayetteville Area Industrial Education Center. The name changed to Fayetteville Technical Community College in 1988. FTCC is committed to providing businesses and industries with quality, customized, affordable training and education for their employees. In support of businesses and industry, the College offers a variety of in-plant training services. One program of particular interest is the New and Expanding Industry Training Program sponsored by the State of North Carolina.

The Curriculum Programs have over 112 Associate Degrees, Diplomas, and Certificates that are designed to meet the needs of students, business, and industry.

Degree programs offered are:

Associate's: Accounting, Architectural Engineering, Automotive Body Repair, Banking and Financial Support Services, Business Administration, Business Systems Analysis, Business Systems Networking, Cabinet Maker, Carpenter, Child Care Services Manager, Civil Engineering, Cosmetologist, Dental Assistant, Electrician, Emergency Medical Technology, Executive Assistant, Funeral Services, General Retailing Operations, Graphic Design, Health & Medical Laboratory, Law Enforcement, Liberal Arts& Sciences, Machine Shop Assistant, Mechanical Engineering, Nursing, Paralegal Assistant, Parks Recreation and Leisure Studies, Pharmacy Technician, Physical Therapy Assistant, Public Administration, Real Estate, Surveying and others.

The FTCC campus continues to grow. A Virtual College Center is under construction on campus, and a horticultural technology building is under way at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden. Online education is increasing. In spring 2004, 6,742 students took more than 7,000 online courses. 94% of graduates who were available for employment were employed within four months of graduation. 97.6% of employers were satisfied with the performance of FTCC graduates.

Enrollment: 10,141 in the college-credit programs; 28,000 were served last year through other programs.

Information: (910) 678-8209 or www.faytechcc.edu

The list of degrees offered at FTCC can be accessed through the following link: www.faytechcc.edu/FTCCCatalog/

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FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY

Fayetteville State University is a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina and the second-oldest public institution of higher education in the state. Founded in 1867 as the Howard School for the education of African Americans, today FSU serves a growing student body of over 5,300 and ranks among the nation's most diverse campus communities.

The university boasts a faculty-to-student ratio of 1-to-20 and the FSU faculty puts teaching first. Students are guaranteed personal attention from their professors and benefit from innovative programs like the national award-winning Freshman Year Initiative, which helps freshmen make the transition from high school to university life. One measure of Fayetteville State's student-centered focus is the university's high scores on the National Survey of Student Engagement.

FSU consistently ranks among the nation's top producers of African American baccalaureate and master's graduates. The university ranks particularly high in North Carolina and the country in producing African American and other minority graduates in disciplines like Mathematics, Psychology, Computer Science, Education, Social Sciences, and History. The university offers 40 undergraduate, 20 master's and one doctoral degree program (in Educational Leadership). The major areas of study are arts and sciences, business, economics, sociology, criminal justice, and education. The top three undergraduate degrees awarded in 2003-2004 school year were Business Administration (122), Criminal Justice (93), and Sociology (72). The top three graduate programs were Master of Education (30), Master of School Administration (25) and Master of Business Administration (11). Out of 778 graduates 689 received bachelor's, 82- master's and 7 doctor's degree.

Degree programs offered for:

Bachelor's: Accounting, Biology, Business Administration, Chemistry, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Education, Geography, History, Mathematics, Managerial Economics, Music Education, Nursing, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Spanish, Speech and Theatre, School Administration, Visual Arts and others.

Master's: Biology, Business Administration, Education (English, History, Political Science, Elementary, Reading, Middle Grades), History, Mathematics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, School Administration, Secondary Education, Special Education and others.

Doctor's: Educational Leadership.

Current enrollment: 5,309. Enrollment is projected to grow to 6,000 by 2008.

Information: (910) 672-1474 or www.uncfsu.edu.

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METHODIST UNIVERSITY

Methodist College was chartered November 1, 1956 as a senior, coeducational liberal arts college. It was established as a joint venture by the citizens of Fayetteville/Cumberland County and the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. The college opened to students in the fall of 1960.

In March 1986 Methodist College established the Charles M. Reeves School of Business to honor a Sanford, North Carolina businessman, trustee, and benefactor. The Reeves School of Business established a concentration in Professional Golf Management in 1987 (one of the few in the nation) and a similar program in Professional Tennis Management the following year. In fall 2004, Methodist added a second master's program, a master of business administration with a concentration in leisure studies. The 2005 enrollment was 2,349 students.

In February 2004, the Elisabeth and David R. Nimocks Jr. family pledged $1 million to Methodist College to help build a $3.5 million campus fitness and intramural center.

On November 1, 2006, Dr. Hendricks announced that by a unanimous vote of the trustees, the College would change its name to Methodist University.

Associate's and bachelor's degrees are offered in more than 50 majors, master's degrees are offered in two fields:

Associate's and Bachelor's: Accounting, Applied Exercise Science, Art, Athletic Training, Biology, Business Administration, Chemistry, Computer Information Technology, Computer Science, Elementary Education, English, Financial Economics, French, Global Studies, History, Justice Studies, Marketing, Mass Communication, Mathematics, Middle Grades Education, Music, Music Education, Occupational Environmental Management, Organizational Communication & Leadership, Physical Education, Political Science, Psychology, Religion, Science, Social Studies, Social Work, Sociology, Spanish, Special Education, Strength and Conditioning, Theatre, Writing .

Master's: Physician Assistant Studies, and Business Administration.

Academic minors are also offered for many of the major fields, but there are also a handful of programs exclusively available as minors. Some of them are: Accounting, Art, Biology, Business Administration, Chemistry, Coaching, Computer Science, English, Financial Economics, French, German, Gerontology, History, Justice Studies, Leadership Studies, Marketing, Mass Communications, Mathematics, Real Estate and others.

Information: (910) 630-7000 or www.methodist.edu