JACKSONVILLE, Fla. and DALLAS (Feb. 25, 2014) – The University of North Florida (UNF) today announced that it will make three of its high-demand degree programs—Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics (MS, Nutrition and Dietetics) and Master of Education in Special Education with a focus on Autism (MEd, Special Education)—available online this spring. Additionally, the University plans to offer an online RN-BSN degree in the near future. Applications for the degree programs are currently being accepted.

“Our programs cultivate students’ advanced knowledge and skills in their chosen fields, encourage proficiency with research and other forms of scholarship and are relevant to our students and to the communities we serve,” said UNF President John Delaney. “I’m delighted that these degree programs will now be available to even more students through this innovative initiative born of our ongoing commitment to promote excellence and relevance for the benefit of our students, University and community.”

UNF has selected Academic Partnerships (AP), one of the world’s largest representatives of online learning, to help convert its programs into an online format, recruit students and support student retention efforts. AP will work closely with University faculty to ensure that the online programs maintain the highest educational standards. The company will also use its integrated marketing and branding strategies to extend the University’s reach, increasing the enrollment of highly qualified students.

The University’s DNP program is designed as a post-graduate degree program for those who already possess a Master of Science in Nursing and specialty certification, and objectives for the program are based on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing essentials for Doctoral Education for Advanced Practice. The MS, Nutrition and Dietetics degree program is designed for students who wish to emphasize the application of advanced nutrition knowledge in clinical or community based health programs.

The MEd, Special Education program with a focus on autism is designed to meet the needs of professionals who serve children with autism in a school setting or in a cognate area of administration. Individuals may apply to the Florida Department of Education for the autism endorsement after completing the courses in the autism concentration area of the program of study.

Due to the critical shortage of such professionals in the state of Florida, the program is TEACH-Grant eligible. Students who are interested in applying for the TEACH-Grant should indicate this on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid and complete an entrance interview online.

Additionally, the University plans to offer a RN-BSN degree in the near future.

The MEd in Special Education with a focus in Autism will launch in May, while the other online degree programs are scheduled to begin this fall. For more information or to apply, visit http://onlinedegree.unf.edu.

UNF is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, a regionally accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

About University of North Florida

The University of North Florida, a nationally ranked university located on an environmentally beautiful campus, offers students who are dedicated to enriching the lives of others the opportunity to build their own futures through a well-rounded education. UNF has an average enrollment of more than 16,000 students and offers five colleges of distinction: the Coggin College of Business, the Brooks College of Health, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Computing, Engineering and Construction and the College of Education and Human Services.

About Academic Partnerships

Academic Partnerships (AP) assists universities in converting their traditional degree programs and certificates into an online format, recruits qualified students, and supports enrolled students through graduation.  Serving public and private not-for-profit universities in the United States and top international institutions, AP is guided by the principle that the opportunities presented through distance learning make higher education more accessible and achievable for students in the United States and around the world.  The company was founded by social entrepreneur Randy Best, an 18-year veteran of developing innovative learning solutions to improve education.  For more information, please visit www.academicpartnerships.com.