SACS-COC Fifth-Year Interim Report
Part II. Institutional Summary Form Prepared for Commission Reviews
Educational Programs
1. Level of offerings
_X_ Diploma or certificate program(s) requiring less than one year beyond Grade 12
___ Diploma or certificate program(s) of at least two but fewer than four years of work beyond Grade 12
_X_ Associate degree program(s) requiring a minimum of 60 semester hours or the equivalent designed for transfer to a baccalaureate institution
_X_ Associate degree program(s) requiring a minimum of 60 semester hours or the equivalent not designed for transfer
_X_ Four or five-year baccalaureate degree program(s) requiring a minimum of 120 semester hours or the equivalent
___ Professional degree program(s)
___ Master's degree program(s)
___ Work beyond the master's level but not at the doctoral level (such as Specialist in Education)
___ Doctoral degree program(s)
___ Other (Specify)
2. Types of Undergraduate Programs
_X_ Occupational certificate or diploma program(s)
_X_ Occupational degree program(s)
_X_ Two-year programs designed for transfer to a baccalaureate institution
_X_ Liberal Arts and General
_X_ Teacher Preparatory
___ Professional
___ Other (Specify)
Governance Control
Check the appropriate governance control for the institution:
___ Private (check one)
___ Independent, not-for-profit
Name of corporation OR
Name of religious affiliation and control: ___
___ Independent, for-profit *
If publicly traded, name of parent company: ___
_X_ Public state * (check one)
___ Not part of a state system, institution has own independent board
___ Part of a state system, system board serves as governing board
_X_ Part of a state system, system board is super governing board, local governing board has delegated authority
___ Part of a state system, institution has own independent board
Institutional Information for Reviewers
1. History and Characteristics
St. Petersburg College (SPC) has been existence since 1927, opening as Florida's first two-year institution of higher learning serving Pinellas County under the name St. Petersburg Junior College (SPJC). SPJC was chartered by the State of Florida in 1928; graduated its first class in 1929; located to its own first campus at Mirror Lake in 1931; and was initially accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1931. In 1948 it converted from private, non-profit to public status, and in 2001 it was renamed St. Petersburg College when it was authorized by the Florida Legislature, the College District Board of Trustees, and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to offer baccalaureate programs under a 2 + 2 model. SPC employs an open-door admission policy with some entry requirements for specialized programs. SPC is governed by a five member Board of Trustees appointed by the Governor of the State of Florida. SPC is compared to 27 other colleges in the Florida College System for peer comparisons.
SPC enrolls more than 65,000 students (credit and non-credit) students annually, primarily from the College's geographic service area of Pinellas County, Florida. For the fall semester 2013, 35% were seeking the associate in arts program, 14% were seeking a baccalaureate program, and 33% were seeking an associate in science or workforce program. The college serves a broad range of ages with 54% falling under the age of 25 years. Women are in the majority with 59%. Seventy-one percent of students list their ethnicity as "White," while the second largest group of 13% is Black/African American.
Dr. William D. Law, Jr. began his service as SPC's sixth president in June 2010. In 2013, the Board of Trustees (BOT) revised the College mission statement to read: Promote student success and enrich our communities through education, career development, and self-discovery. The BOT also adopted 13 value statements related to: Student Focus, Academic Excellence, Outstanding Service, Diversity, Ethics, Culture of Inquiry, Partnerships, Transparency, Leadership & Empowerment, Global Citizenship, Innovation, Mutual Respect, and Professional Development.
2. List of Degrees
St. Petersburg College is approved as a "Level II" institution by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. It is classified as a "Baccalaureate/Associate's College" by the Carnegie Commission for the Advancement of Teaching. It offers associate in arts (AA) , associate in science (AS), bachelor in science (BS), and bachelor in applied science degrees (BAS), as well as certificates and diplomas. Listed below are those offered in the 2012-13 academic reporting year (fall 2012, spring 2013, and summer 2013):
College/Dept |
Degree |
Program |
Graduates |
Natural Sciences Department |
|
||
|
AS |
Environmental Science Technology |
15 |
BS |
Biology |
28 |
|
Engineering and Building Arts Department |
|
||
|
AS |
Architectural Design and Construction Technology |
12 |
AS |
Drafting and Design Technology |
7 |
|
CT |
Building Construction Technology |
12 |
|
CT |
Drafting Technology |
2 |
|
AS |
Aviation Maintenance Management Technology |
5 |
|
AS |
Engineering Technology |
17 |
|
CT |
Engineering Technology Support |
10 |
|
CT |
Lean-Six Sigma Green Belt |
28 |
|
CT |
Six Sigma Black Belt |
20 |
|
CT |
Computer-Aided Design & Drafting |
4 |
|
CT |
Medical Quality Systems |
4 |
|
CT |
Rapid Prototyping and Design |
4 |
|
College of Computer Information & Technology |
|
||
|
AS |
Computer Networking |
24 |
AS |
Computer/Web Programming and Analysis |
17 |
|
AS |
Technology Management |
9 |
|
AS |
Informational Technology (IT) Security |
19 |
|
AS |
Web Site Design & Management |
14 |
|
CT |
Cisco Certified Network Associate |
7 |
|
CT |
Computer Support |
9 |
|
CT |
Computer/Web Programming Specialist |
5 |
|
CT |
Informational Technology (IT) Security |
12 |
|
CT |
Linux System Administrator |
4 |
|
CT |
Web Designer |
10 |
|
CT |
C# |
3 |
|
CT |
C++ |
|
|
CT |
Java |
2 |
|
CT |
MS IT Professional Server: Administrator |
6 |
|
CT |
Mobile Device |
|
|
CT |
Open Source |
1 |
|
CT |
Visual Basic.NET |
2 |
|
BAS |
Technology Management |
72 |
|
College of Business |
|
||
|
AS |
Business Administration |
31 |
AS |
Insurance Services |
|
|
AS |
Financial Services - Banking |
1 |
|
AS |
Industrial Management Technology |
1 |
|
CT |
Accounting Applications |
20 |
|
CT |
Business Administration |
9 |
|
CT |
Entrepreneurship |
6 |
|
CT |
International Business |
|
|
CT |
Management / Leadership |
11 |
|
CT |
Marketing |
5 |
|
BS |
Business Administration |
64 |
|
BAS |
International Business |
32 |
|
BAS |
Management & Org Leadership |
113 |
|
CT |
Project Management |
6 |
|
BAS |
Sustainability Management |
36 |
|
College of Public Safety Administration |
|
||
|
AS |
Criminal Justice Technology |
23 |
|
CT |
Computer Related Crime Investigations |
11 |
|
CT |
Gang Investigations |
|
|
CT |
Homeland Security |
7 |
|
AS |
Crime Scene Technology |
28 |
|
CT |
Crime Scene Technology |
25 |
|
AS |
Digital Forensics and Computer Investigations |
2 |
|
AS |
Emergency Administration & Management |
8 |
|
CT |
Emergency Administration & Management |
1 |
|
AS |
Fire Science Technology |
29 |
|
CT |
Fire Inspector I |
4 |
|
CT |
Fire Inspector II |
|
|
CT |
Fire Investigator I |
1 |
|
CT |
Fire Officer I |
3 |
|
CT |
Fire Officer II |
|
|
BAS |
Public Safety Administration |
85 |
|
CT |
Gangs Enforcement Mgmt |
|
Fine Arts/Humanities Department |
|
||
|
AS |
Digital Arts: Media & Interactive Web Design |
15 |
CT |
Digital Graphics |
3 |
|
CT |
Digital Media Technology Interactive Web Design |
|
|
CT |
Digital Media Technology Production |
1 |
|
CT |
Digital Media Video Production |
4 |
|
CT |
Video Game Foundations |
2 |
|
AS |
Photography |
3 |
|
AS |
Music Industry & Recording Arts |
22 |
|
CT |
Avid Certified Pro Tool Operator |
|
|
College of Education |
|
||
|
AS |
Early Childhood Education |
8 |
|
BS |
Biology 6-12 |
3 |
|
BS |
Middle Grades Science 5-9 |
1 |
|
CT |
Educator Preparation Institute w/all Post Bacc Certs |
27 |
|
BS |
Educational Studies |
27 |
|
BS |
Prekindergarte/Primary Ed w/ ESOL & Reading |
|
|
BS |
Elementary K-6 w/ ESOL & Reading |
79 |
|
BS |
Exceptional Student K-12 w/ ESOL & Reading |
46 |
|
BS |
Middle Grades Math 5-9 |
7 |
|
BS |
Math 6-12 |
3 |
Hospitality & Tourism Department |
|
|
|
|
AS |
Hospitality & Tourism Management |
11 |
CT |
Food & Beverage Management |
5 |
|
CT |
Rooms Division Management |
6 |
|
CT |
Food & Beverage Specialist |
14 |
|
CT |
Rooms Division Operation |
12 |
|
CT |
Rooms Division Specialist |
12 |
|
College of Policy and Legal Studies |
|
||
|
AS |
Paralegal Studies |
28 |
BAS |
Paralegal |
38 |
|
CT |
Paralegal |
37 |
|
BS |
Public Policy & Admin |
15 |
|
College of Nursing |
|
||
|
AS |
Nursing (R.N.) |
343 |
BS |
Nursing RN |
267 |
|
ATC |
Critical Care |
14 |
|
ATC |
Emergency Care |
8 |
|
ATC |
Sepsis Awareness & Education |
1 |
|
Communications Department |
|
||
|
AS |
Sign Language Interpretation |
6 |
School of Veterinary Technology |
|
||
|
AS |
Veterinary Technology |
|
CT |
Veterinary Management |
3 |
|
BAS |
Veterinary Technology |
22 |
|
CT |
Veterinary Technology |
4 |
|
College of Health Sciences |
|
||
|
AS |
Dental Hygiene |
30 |
BAS |
Dental Hygiene |
53 |
|
BAS |
Health Services Admin |
137 |
|
BAS |
Orthotics & Prosthetics |
18 |
|
Health Sciences Department |
|||
|
AS |
Emergency Medical Services |
11 |
CT |
Paramedic |
16 |
|
ATD |
Emergency Medical Technician |
77 |
|
AS |
Funeral Services |
18 |
|
ATC |
Funeral Arts |
7 |
|
AS |
Health Information Management |
30 |
|
AS |
Healthcare Informatics |
12 |
|
CT |
Healthcare Informatics |
53 |
|
CT |
Medical Coder |
23 |
|
AS |
Human Services-Social Services (combined) |
11 |
|
AS |
Human Services - Alcohol/Substance Abuse |
17 |
|
CT |
Addiction Studies |
3 |
|
CT |
Youth Development Professional |
1 |
|
ATD |
Maternal and Child Health |
1 |
|
AS |
Physical Therapist Assistant |
21 |
|
AS |
Radiography |
18 |
|
AS |
Respiratory Care |
17 |
|
Associate of ARTS |
|
||
|
AA |
General |
3076 |
Programs on Teach Out with Graduates |
|||
|
AS |
Accounting Technology |
5 |
AS |
Medical Laboratory Technology |
16 |
|
AS |
Parks and Leisure Services |
3 |
|
AS |
Video Game Foundation |
1 |
|
BAS |
Banking |
4 |
|
BS |
Business Tech Ed |
1 |
|
BS |
Technology Ed |
2 |
|
ATD |
Assoc Addiction Professional |
1 |
|
ATD |
Youth Development Prof |
1 |
|
Total Graduates by Degree Type |
|||
AA |
3076 |
||
AS |
995 |
||
BAS |
610 |
||
BS |
543 |
||
CT |
510 |
||
ATD |
80 |
||
TOTAL |
5814 |
3. Off-Site Locations and Distance and Correspondence Education
Off-Site Locations
All St. Petersburg College locations allow for student enrollment in course work that leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate. These locations span Pinellas County from north to south and west to east. Specialized academic programs that are offered only at particular sites in a traditional, face-to-face manner (50% or more credit hours), are listed below each site:
Tarpon Springs (USA, Tarpon Springs, FL)
- BS Elementary K-6 w/ESOL & Reading
- BS Middle Grades Math 5-9
- BS Middle Grades Science 5-9
Clearwater (USA, Clearwater, FL)
- AS Architectural Design/Const Tech
- AS Drafting and Design Technology
- CT Building Construction Technology
- CT Drafting Technology
- AS Engineering Technology
- CT Engineering Technology Support
- CT Lean-Six Sigma Green Belt
- CT Computer-Aided Design & Drafting
- CT Medical Quality Systems
- CT Rapid Prototyping and Design
EpiCenter (USA, Clearwater, FL)
Veterinary Technology Center (USA, Largo, FL)
Seminole (USA, Seminole, FL)
Health Education Center (USA, Pinellas Park, FL)
- AS Dental Hygiene
- AS Radiography
- AS Physical Therapist Assistant
St. Petersburg Gibbs (USA, St. Petersburg, FL)
- BS Elementary K-6 w/ESOL & Reading
- BS Middle Grades Math 5-9
- BS Middle Grades Science 5-9
- AS Photography
Downtown/Midtown (USA, St. Petersburg, FL)
Allstate Center (USA, St. Petersburg, FL)
Distance and Correspondence Education
Program modality is categorized into three areas: traditional face-to-face (lecture), fully online only, and student choice (where courses and course sections can be offered as either online, lecture, or "blended" within or across specific semesters). The duality of course modality offerings makes categorization of academic programs dependent upon the semesters being looked at. An updated list of available programming is available for students on the College website, listed under the Academics tab.
For the following programs, at least 50% or more of the credit hours are delivered through distance education using asynchronous online technology:
Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.)
- Dental Hygiene
- Health Services Administration
- International Business
- Management and Organizational Leadership
- Public Safety Administration
- Sustainability Management
- Technology Development and Management
- Veterinary Technology
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
- Business Administration
- Nursing
Associate in Arts (A.A.)
Associate in Science (A.S.)
- Business Administration
- Crime Scene Technology
- Criminal Justice Technology
- Digital Forensics and Computer Investigations
- Emergency Administration and Management
- Fire Science
- Health Information Management
- Healthcare Informatics
- Veterinary Technology
Certificates
- Accounting Applications
- Autism Endorsement
- Business Administration
- C#
- C++
- Computer Related Crime Investigations
- Crime Scene Technology
- Critical Care Advanced Technical Certificate
- Emergency Administration and Management
- Emergency Care Advanced Technical Certificate
- Entrepreneurship
- Fire Inspector I
- Fire Inspector II
- Fire Investigator I
- Fire Officer I
- Fire Officer II
- Funeral Arts
- Healthcare Informatics
- Homeland Security
- Information Technology (IT) Security
- International Business
- Java
- Linux System Administrator
- Management/Leadership
- Marketing
- Medical Coder
- Mobile Device
- Open Source
- Project Management
- Sepsis Awareness and Education Advanced Technical Certificate
- Teacher Certification Reinstatement
- Veterinary Hospital Management
- Visual Basic.NET
- Web Designer
4. Accreditation
There are twenty-seven active programs at St. Petersburg College (SPC) that are currently accredited or approved by federally recognized accrediting agencies. Each agency is recognized by one or more of the following bodies: U.S. Department of Education (USDE), Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), and the Association for Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA). To date, each program has been granted full accreditation or approval status. No negative action has been taken against SPC for any accreditation or approval that the institution holds, and there have been no instances where an accrediting agency has terminated the accreditation of an SPC program as a result of non-compliance.
Two programs at SPC have voluntarily withdrawn their “fully accredited” status with a federally recognized accrediting agency - Nursing, BS and Medical Laboratory Technology, AS. The baccalaureate nursing program received full accreditation from the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) in 2004, which was recognized through 2009. In 2006, the program opted to apply for accreditation with the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and was granted full accreditation through 2011 and decided not to renew accreditation with NLNAC. The Nursing, BS program has continued its accreditation with CCNE and was most recently granted full accreditation in 2011 through 2021. The Medical Laboratory Technology AS program was closed effective Spring 2013. A letter to this effect was submitted to SACS in 2012 and approved by SACS-COC in 2013. A letter was submitted to NAACLS in April 2013. Individual teach out plans have been made for all students currently enrolled within the program.
The table below lists all federally recognized agencies that currently accredit or approve programs at the institution. Each accrediting agency is mapped to the program and degree levels it accredits or approves and the date of the last review. This information is publicly accessible via SPC's Accreditation webpage.
Accrediting Agency |
Accredited Programs |
Most Recent Review |
American Bar Association (ABA)1* |
Paralegal (A.S., B.A.S., Post-Baccalaureate Certificate) |
2012 |
American Board of Funeral Service Education1 |
Funeral Services (A.S.) |
2008 |
American Dental Association – Commission on Dental Accreditation1 |
Dental Hygiene (A.S.) |
2012 |
American Physical Therapy Association – Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education1, 2 |
Physical Therapist Assistant (A.S.) |
2007 |
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) – Committee on Veterinary Education and Activities1, 2 |
Veterinary Technology (A.S., B.A.S., Lower Division Certificate, and Post-Baccalaureate Certificate) |
2011 |
Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)3 |
Health Information Management (A.S.) |
2004 |
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care3 |
Respiratory Care (A.S.) |
2008 |
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)1 |
Nursing (B.S.) |
2011 |
Committee of Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)2 EMS – Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Profession Orthotics and Prosthetics – National commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education |
Emergency Medical Services (A.S.) |
2010 |
Orthotics and Prosthetics (B.A.S.) ** |
2009 |
|
Paramedic (Certificate) |
2010 |
|
Florida Department of Education – Bureau of Educator Recruitment, Development and Retention1 |
(Teacher certification, 7 BS and 1 post-bacc) |
2010 |
Florida Department of Health – Bureau of Emergency Medical Services1 |
Emergency Medical Technician (Certificate) |
2011 |
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)1, 2 |
Radiography (A.S.) |
2010 |
National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC)1, 2 |
Nursing (A.S.) |
2012 |
1 Recognized by
U.S. Dept. of Education (USDE)
2 Recognized by Council
for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
3 Association for Specialized and Professional Accreditors
(ASPA)
*The American Bar Association (ABA) "approves" programs but does not "accredit" them.
**The Orthotics & Prosthetics program was given a one-year extension from 2012 to 2013 causing the time between re-approval to be four years, rather than three. The extension is due to revision of the curriculum in preparation for recent mandates requiring a master's degree to work as an Orthotist / Prosthetist.
5. Relationship to the U.S. Department of Education
There have been no limitations, suspensions, or termination of student financial aid or other financial aid programs by the U.S. Department of Education during the previous three years. St. Petersburg College is not on reimbursement, nor any other exceptional status in regard to federal or state financial aid.