History and/or Overview
Saint Leo University was founded in 1889 is rooted in seeking balanced growth within mind, body and spirit – a 1500 year old Benedictrine tradition. It offers a practical model for life and one recognizing the dignity, value and gifts of all people.
Saint Leo University was the first Catholic college in Florida and opened on September 14, 1890 as Saint Leo College with 32 students enrolled. These students studied a combination of liberal arts and commercial courses leading to a Master of Accounts degree. It was accredited in 1921 by the Southern Educational Association. The school underwent several name changes and finally settled on Saint Leo College Preparatory School in 1929. Although the name remained until 1964, the school transitioned to a full college in 1959 and graduated its first class of four year bachelor’s degree students in 1967, comprised of 51 men and 13 women. And in November of that year the college was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. By the 1970s the college had begun to build its military history by responding to requests by the armed services to offer degree programs on military bases. Today, Saint Leo University is one of the largest providers of higher education to military personnel in the U.S. Graduate degree programs were offered in 1996; and in 1999 Saint Leo College became Saint Leo University.
SLU has been providing online education to its students through Saint Leo University Online since the 1990s and is committed to creating the same quality of education and rigorous academic standards for worldwide online students as it provides to its traditional Florida campus students. In the words of its President, Arthur F. Kirk, Jr., the University is open to students of all faith traditions and those of good character who share the institution’s core values. This University is committed to students who read deeply, think critically and write clearly. The institution prides itself in being innovative in how it prepares students to be leaders in business, criminal justice and other special areas of study.
Today Saint Leo University offers more than 40 degree programs offered to over 15,000 students, including its main campus in Tampa, Florida, military bases and community colleges in seven states and through its Center for Online Learning, which has 17 continuing education centers around the world.
Traditional Campus Location
Tampa, Florida
Funding Source or Type
SLU is a private university.
Accreditation
Saint Leo University is regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, which has headquarters in Decatur, GA and is one of six regional accreditors in the U.S. This accreditation means its programs meet the qualities delineated by the U.S. Department of Education. SLU and SLU Online only recognize transfer credits from other regionally accredited degree-granting institutions, which are listed in the American Council on Education’s Accredited Institutions of Postsecondary Education. This University is also an Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity employer.
Internal Colleges and Schools
School of Arts & Sciences
Donald R. Tapia School of Business
School of Education & Social Services
Degree Programs
Saint Leo University offers the following degree programs, tabulated by schools:
School of Arts & Sciences
|
Bachelor’s of Science |
Master’s |
| Biology with Minor in Education | Master of Arts in Theology** |
| Environmental Science | |
|
Bachelor’s of Arts |
|
|
English |
|
| History w. Education Minor | |
| International Studies | |
| Mathematics | |
| Medical Technology | |
| Political Science | |
| Psychology | |
| Religion | |
| Sociology | |
|
Other Minors* |
|
|
Anthropology |
* Also referred to as “specializations” or “minor specializations” (This terminology varies from one institution to another.)
** This doctoral degree is offered at the University Campus, Savannah Center and the Chesapeake Dominion Boulevard Office. The degree is designed to educate and prepare candidates for lay ministers and the Permanent Deaconate to exercise pastoral leadership and service in the Roman Catholic Church.
Donald R. Tapia School of Business
|
Bachelor’s of Science* |
Master’s |
| Accounting | MBA (available in weekend and online programs) |
| Computer Information Systems |
Graduate Certificate Programs |
| Computer Science | Accounting |
| Health Care Management (online/centers only) | Health Care Mgt. |
|
Bachelor’s of Arts |
Human Resource Mgt. |
|
Business Administration |
Information Security Mgt. |
| Communication Mgt. | Marketing |
| Human Resources Mgt. (online centers only) |
|
| International Hospitality & Tourism Mgt. | |
| Management (Mgt.) | |
| Marketing | |
| Sport Business |
* A Bachelor’s of Applied Science is also offered at the centers only.
School of Education & Social Services
|
Bachelor’s of Arts |
Master’s of Science |
| Criminal Justice* | Criminal Justice |
| Elementary Education | Critical Incident Mgt. |
|
Middle Grades Education |
Instructional Design |
| Human Services |
Master’s** |
|
Bachelor’s Degree |
Education |
| Social Work | Social Work |
* A Bachelor’s of Applied Science in Criminal Justice is also offered.
** There also is a Graduate Education Program offering the specialist in education degree with a concentration in school leadership or higher education leadership.
Additionally, a Secondary Educational Minor and a Florida Coaching Endorsement is offered.
Professional and personal achievement may also be attained at Saint Leo University Online through the following online degree programs:
|
Associate’s |
Bachelor’s |
Master’s |
| Business Administration |
Bachelor’s Programs: |
MBA |
| Criminal Justice | Accounting | MBA Accounting |
| Liberal Arts | Business Administration – Accounting | MBA Healthcare Mgt. |
| Business Administration – Management | MBA Human Resource Mgt. | |
| Business Administration – Marketing | MBA Information Security Mgt. | |
| Computer Information Systems | MBA Marketing | |
| Criminal Justice | MBA Sport Business | |
| Criminal Justice – Criminalistics | MS Criminal Justice | |
| Criminal Justice – Homeland Security | MS Criminal Justice – Critical Incident Mgt. | |
| Health Care Management | MS Criminal Justice – Forensic Science | |
| Human Resources Management | MS Critical Incident Mgt. | |
| International Hospitality & Tourism Management | MS Instructional Design | |
| Liberal Studies | Social Work – Advanced Clinical Practice | |
| Psychology | MEd – Instructional Leadership | |
| Sociology | MEd – Educational Leadership | |
| MEd – Exceptional Student Education |
MBA is a Master’s in Business Administration
MS is a Master’s of Science
MEd is a Master’s of Education
Additionally, Saint Leo University Online provides graduate certificates in:
- Accounting
- Criminal Justice Management
- Health Care Management
- Information Security Management
- Instructional Design
- Marketing
Military Students and Veterans
Saint Leo University is America’s sixth largest and one of the most committed providers of higher education to U.S. military personnel. SLU is among the most military-friendly institutions of higher education in the U.S. by G.I. Jobs and Military Advanced Education magazines. Saint Leo University partners with the following:
GoArmyEd
eArmyU
Navy College Program Distance Learning Partnership (NCPDLP)
Navy College Program for Afloat College Education (NCPACE)
The Air Force Academic Institution (AI) Portal
Air University Associate to Baccalaureate Cooperative Program
The Marine Corps Lifelong Learning Program’s Academic Explorer (AeX)
SLU also is a member of the National Association of Institutions for Military Education Services (NAIMES) and the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
To make your online education affordable, SLU provides students with an online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov, which must be completed after January 1st of each year. SLU will provides students with a Web interface where they can accept, decline, reduce or view their financial aid status. Students are automatically considered for federal grants, which do not have to be repaid. Also, federal loans are available through the FAFSA application; these do not have to be repaid until after graduation.
Financial aid may also be available to purchase textbooks when the financial aid award for the term exceeds tuition charges and you receive a voucher number from MBS Books, sent by SLU email.
In addition, Saint Leo University helps and encourages students to seek outside scholarship funding, base on academic and professional achievements and other appropriate criteria for attaining such scholarships as the Bailey Family Foundation Scholarship, the Minorities in Government Finance Scholarship, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and others.
Awards Received
Saint Leo University received the 2012 Best Colleges award from U.S. News and World Report for south regional universities.
Enroll Now!
If Saint Leo University sounds good to you, consider enrolling, or signing up for a few online courses! With little interference with your present routine at home or at work, you can make progress toward your own degree in higher education, such as an associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s degree.
All comments about this Saint Leo University article are most welcome and encouraged. This is a continuing series of articles on reviewing and selecting the best online colleges. Do visit again soon!
