Colleges and Universities
Higher education is a time to challenge and an opportunity to create, innovate and explore. Okaloosa County’s higher educational partners all subscribe to these tenets while proudly offering programs closely aligned with the high demand professions of tomorrow.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is the world’s pre-eminent university for aviation and aerospace education. In addition to online classes, the university has several satellite campuses in Okaloosa County. These campuses offer associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees, as well as undergraduate certifications such as Aviation Maintenance Technology Part 65.
Florida A&M University—College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences
In 2012, Florida A&M University established the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Crestview, Florida. The Crestview Instructional Center has students from P1 through P4 years. Students in Crestview are linked via synchronous distance-learning technology and receive didactic instruction simultaneously with Tallahassee students in real time. Although students enrolled in Crestview do not attend classes in Tallahassee, they still have the benefits of tutoring, advising, and other amenities afforded by a student who attends the main campus.
Northwest Florida State College
Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC) is a public institution and serves approximately 17,000 students annually at six full-time campuses. Bachelor's programs currently include a B.A.S. degree program in Project and Acquisitions Management. Northwest Florida State College has programs to prepare students for employment or provide additional training for persons previously or currently employed in the manufacturing, electronics, aerospace, or other related industries. NWFSC can provide customized training for businesses and industry.
The college launched its Applied Welding Technologies program during fall semester 2013 to meet the demand for high-skill, high-wage jobs in Northwest Florida. Welding students have the opportunity to earn nationally recognized NCCER certification. Other nationally recognized certifications during the six-course program include Shielded Metal Arc Welder, Gas Metal Arc (MIG) Welder, Flux Core Arc Welder, Gas Tungsten Arc (TIG) Welder and Pipe Welder. Each certificate level provides proof of skill level in various forms of welding, cutting, base metal preparation, welding inspection, safety and metallurgy. In addition to a certificate, the Applied Welding Technologies program also provides a pathway to an Associate of Science (AS) degree in Engineering Technology.
The Engineering Technology AS degree at Northwest Florida College offers a planned sequence of instruction tailored specifically for four specializations: Mechanical Design and Fabrication, Digital Design and Modeling Advanced Technology, and Digital Manufacturing.
NWFSC College’s ET Degree supports a broad range of high tech manufacturing and high tech industry sectors including aviation and aerospace, electronics, metal fabrication, automated production and precision machinery. Additional programs at NWFSC include CAD, graphics, 3-D printing, machining, and electronics.
In 2016, NWFSC was named one of the nation’s top 150 community colleges by the Aspen Institute.
Northwest Florida State College Aviation Center of Excellence (ACE)
Northwest Florida State College’s 27,000 SF state-of-the-art Aviation Center of Excellence (ACE) opened in September 2021 at the HSU Innovation Institute North in Crestview. The beneficiary of a $7.2 million grant from Triumph Gulf Coast, this FAA certified program is poised to set students up for success in the aerospace industry, with programs offered in Professional Pilot Technology, Airframe and Powerplant as well as Unmanned Vehicle Systems Operations. Over the next 10 years, the program anticipates at least 307 students will earn 1,255 FAA industry-recognized certificates, with 184 to be certified in airframe and powerplant mechanics and 123 to gain professional pilot certificates, providing an expanded talent pool that will bolster Northwest Florida’s economy.
UWF on the Emerald Coast
UWF on the Emerald Coast is a joint University of West Florida and Northwest Florida State College campus located in Fort Walton Beach. The University of West Florida on the Emerald Coast accepts students who may have had to put their dream of achieving a bachelor's on hold because of family obligations or circumstance.
The Emerald Coast faculty take a hands-on, concierge approach to teaching. With 11 undergraduate degree programs and over 70 online and in-person at the Pensacola campus.
UF Research & Engineering Education Facility – REEF
The University of Florida Research and Education Engineering Facility (REEF) is an extension of the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering. The REEF is tasked with establishing and growing partnerships with the private, academic, and public sectors in Northwest Florida, with a focus on growing the region’s innovation economy.
Established by UF in 1969 as the Eglin Graduate Center, and in its present facility since 1995, the REEF has offered courses and curricula that lead to Masters and Doctorate degree programs in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering and Industrial Systems Engineering. With the expansion of services supporting K-12 Outreach, Industry Engagement and additional workforce development programs, the REEF will build upon a strong tradition of support for the regional economy.
Located adjacent to Eglin Air Force Base in Shalimar, Florida, the REEF supports the greater community and responds to Air Force research needs.
Okaloosa Technical College
Okaloosa Technical College offers quality high school, career dual enrolled, and adult career and technical education programs featuring state of the art training facilities and professional, industry-certified instructors.
