³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ

The ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ Graduate School reached its highest enrollment in history this fall with 2,831 students enrolled, up 6% since last fall. 

Growth was driven by strong demand across several high-impact areas, including business, computing, healthcare, sciences and preparation. The MBA program, now the University’s largest graduate program, increased 37% in enrollment this fall as professionals continue to seek high-quality, flexible, affordable graduate education that helps advance their leadership careers. ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ ranks No. 1 among Florida’s state universities for placing master’s in business graduates into Florida jobs. 

Graduate enrollment at ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ has increased 29% since Fall 2023, significantly outpacing relatively flat graduate enrollment trends among public four-year institutions in Florida and nationally. Doctoral programs are growing with 543 doctoral students enrolled, up 8% from last year. 

Key graduate enrollment highlights include:  

• Strong demand continued across business programs, including the MBA, logistics and business analytics. 
• Healthcare-related programs saw significant growth, particularly in physical therapy, nursing leadership and health administration.  
• Computing enrollment continued to expand, including graduate and doctoral programs supporting the region's technology workforce. 
• Education programs experienced substantial growth, while arts and sciences programs maintained strong enrollment across several disciplines. 

“Reaching the highest graduate enrollment in our history is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the demand for ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ’s innovative and affordable graduate programs,” said ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ Interim President Angela Garcia Falconetti. “³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ continues to build on more than five decades of graduate education serving the next generation of leaders in Northeast Florida and beyond.” 

Graduate education has anchored the ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ experience since the university opened in 1972. Over the past five decades, the University’s graduate offerings have evolved from a handful of master’s degrees to a comprehensive portfolio of programs. 

Today, ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ offers eight doctoral programs, 48 master’s programs, 36 graduate certificates, 32 accelerated undergraduate to graduate pathways and 14 graduate microcertificates, with four new master’s and two new doctoral programs currently in development. 

“From master’s and doctoral programs to accelerated pathways and emerging degrees, ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ is creating opportunities for students to expand their career potential and grow as leaders,” said Dr. Michele Moore, dean of the Graduate School. “This record enrollment reflects our commitment to preparing innovators and problem solvers who will shape the future of our region and leave a lasting impact.” 

Several programs are driving this year’s growth: 

Coggin College of Business 

³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ’s Master of Business Administration combines quality, affordability, flexibility and strong career outcomes for working professionals seeking to advance their professional roles. Enrollment grew 37% from last year to 317 total students, making it ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ’s largest graduate program. The MBA is offered through two flexible paths, Flex MBA (on campus, live online or self-paced) and Online MBA (self-paced), both with full faculty and campus access. 

“The 37% growth in our MBA program demonstrates that professionals are looking for graduate education that delivers immediate value in the workplace,” said Dr. Gary Giamartino, interim dean of the Coggin College of Business. “Every day, our students are leading teams, solving business challenges and creating economic impact throughout the region. Their leadership, advancement and contributions to Northeast Florida are powered by ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ.”   

In addition, demand continues to grow in logistics and supply chain management (up 45%) and business analytics (128 students), both programs preparing graduates for leadership roles in data-driven industries.  

Brooks College of Health 

Healthcare-related graduate programs continued to see strong demand, with enrollment increasing 60% in the Doctor of Health Administration program and 31% in clinical mental health counseling. 

Several healthcare programs rank among ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ's largest graduate offerings, including the Doctor of Nursing Practice (240 students), Master of Health Administration (145 students), Doctor of Physical Therapy (106 students), and Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics (87 students). Together, these programs are preparing healthcare leaders and practitioners to meet growing workforce needs across Northeast Florida and beyond. 

College of Computing, Engineering and Construction 

As Northeast Florida's technology sector continues to expand, demand for computing and engineering graduate programs remains strong. 

With 117 students enrolled, the Master of Science in Computer and Information Sciences ranks among ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ's largest graduate programs, preparing graduates for careers in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science and information systems. In addition, the growing Ph.D. in Computing supports advanced research and development careers, while construction management and civil engineering prepare students to innovate, design and build solutions that support industry and critical infrastructure. 

Silverfield College of Education and Human Services 

Education graduate programs experienced significant growth this fall, led by strong gains within the curriculum and instruction master's program, including advanced secondary education, which more than doubled enrollment, and early childhood education, now one of ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ's highest enrolled graduate programs (123 students).  

Additional growth came from MAT Elementary Education (90%), instructional technology (40%), and counselor education (28%). Together, these programs are preparing teachers, school leaders, counselors and instructional professionals to meet workforce needs across Northeast Florida and the state. 

College of Arts and Sciences 

Arts and Sciences programs continued to see strong demand, with enrollment increasing in biology (28%), communication (17%), and psychological sciences (16%). 

The Master of Social Work, one of ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ's largest graduate programs with 87 students enrolled, prepares graduates for clinical and community-based careers. Other graduate programs across the college help students pursue careers in science, biotechnology, environmental management, strategic communication, criminal justice, and psychological research. 

The ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ Graduate School’s record enrollment reflects growing demand for graduate programs that help students advance their careers while meeting the workforce needs of Northeast Florida and beyond. ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ continues to develop new master’s and doctoral programs to expand access to affordable and flexible education in high-demand fields.