Private, Historically Black Baptist Education at FMU
Florida Memorial University appears in our ranking of the 50 Most Technologically Advanced Small Colleges.
Ranked the U.S. News & World Report’s 40th best HBCU, Florida Memorial University is a premier coed, Christian UNCF member in Miami Gardens that grants 28 bachelor’s and three master’s degrees, including six distance options, at a 14:1 learner-faculty ratio. For example, the BS in Aviation Management follows a 122-credit, ABAI-accredited curriculum with Cessna Pilot Center training, American Airlines internships, trips to Moton Field, and Alpha Eta Rho membership. Chaired by Dr. Rose Mary Stiffin, the 122-credit BA in Radiochemistry lets undergrads conduct Moorland-Spingarn Research Center projects, join Science Club, and present at the Annual FLIRT Symposium.
Online via Blackboard, the School of Education delivers a 36-credit MS in Reading led by Dr. Yvonne Campbell in only 12 months with eight-week hybrid courses like Emergent Literacy and Children’s Literature for certified educators to earn the K-12 Florida ESOL Endorsement. The BA in Communications shapes a 122-credit, four-year Department of Humanities sequence with opportunities to publish The Lion’s Tale, intern at WPLG Local 10, and engage in the Center for Creative Leadership. Other Florida Memorial degrees include the BA in Music, BA in Criminal Justice, BS in Information Systems, BS in Psychology, MS in Exceptional Student Education, and MBA in Accounting.
About Florida Memorial University
Florida Memorial University originated in 1879 when Rev. Fish opened the Florida Baptist Institute east of Tallahassee in Live Oak for the Bethlehem Baptist Association. In April 1892, Rev. Matthew Gilbert renamed it the Florida Baptist Academy. In 1896, J. Rosamond Johnson famously composed “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” while teaching at Florida Baptist. On September 24, 1918, it became the Florida Normal & Industrial Institute based on Booker T. Washington’s teaching model. The next year, it relocated to the 400-acre Hansen Plantation in Saint Augustine near the Castillo de San Marcos. In 1965, President Royal W. Puryear purchased its present Miami-Dade County location by Opa Locka Airport. In Fall 1968, the historically Black school was named Florida Memorial College. Given university status in 2004, Florida Memorial celebrated alumnus Barrington Irving’s history-making flight around the world in 2007.
Endowed for $9.76 million, Florida Memorial University now educates 1,800 Fighting Lions from 14 countries online or at the 48-acre Miami Gardens campus with 40+ clubs like Lambda Beta Chi and Women in Aviation for 88 percent job placement. In 2017, HBCU Digest nominated Florida Memorial for the Historically Black College/University of the Year Award. In 2010, FMU won the Star Chapter Award from the Public Relations Student Society of America. Florida Memorial University was named a 2018 NAIA Scholar Team Award finalist too. The U.S. News & World Report picked FMU as the South’s 20th best college. On Niche, FMU boasts America’s 122nd best Greek life, 343rd most liberal academics, and 587th most campus diversity. Diverse Issues in Higher Education crowned Florida Memorial the ninth best university for Black teachers. College Factual also declared FMU the 69th most popular aviation school.
Florida Memorial University Accreditation Details
On January 24, 2013, the South Florida Times reported that Florida Memorial University was successfully reaffirmed by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Board of Trustees for Level III accreditation through 2022-23 under its 14th president, Dr. Jaffus Hardrick, who earned an NAAHP Haitian-American Leadership Award. Located 659 miles up Interstate 75 in Decatur, this lauded 11-state Lower Atlantic Region accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Education Department and Florida Department of Education. Florida Memorial University also lists the following current accreditations:
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
- Council on Social Work Education Office of Accreditation
- Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
- National Association of Schools of Music
- Aviation Accreditation Board International
Florida Memorial University Application Requirements
Getting into Florida Memorial University is classified “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s since only 2,061 of the 5,286 Fall 2017 applicants were selected for 39 percent acceptance. First-year Fighting Lions must verify the completion of a secondary or GED diploma. The suggested high school course distribution includes four English units, three Math units, and three Science units. Automatic admission is available for freshmen ranking in their classes’ top 20 percent. Minimum cumulative GPAs of 2.4 are necessary. Undergrads must present at least 860 SAT or 18 ACT composite scores. Transfers can carry over up to 90 credits graded “C” or greater. Non-native English speakers must exceed the 500 written, 173 computer, or 60 internet TOEFL mark. The School of Business seeks MBA cohorts with accredited bachelor’s GPAs above 2.5. Multiplying one’s GPA by 200 and adding the GMAT score must equal 900 or higher. Online MS in Reading or Exceptional Student Education entrants are held to 3.0 GPAs and passing Praxis scores.
Florida Memorial University has a freshman deadline of April 1st for Early Decision. Other students have rolling admission through August 1st for Fall and December 1st for Spring starts. Accordingly, complete the FMU Application online or download a paper copy for $25 ($50 if graduate). Forward official transcripts to 15800 NW 42nd Avenue in Miami Gardens, FL 33054. For testing results, select SAT/TOEFL code 5217 or ACT code 0730. Additional program materials might include the one-page personal essay, 1-3 recommendation letters, experience résumé, immigration form, class rank, mid-year grades report, teacher certification, and health history form. Please pose further questions to (305) 626-3600 or [email protected].
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2019-20, Florida Memorial University billed full-time undergrads $6,288 each semester or $12,576 annually. Studying part-time incurs $524 per credit. Summer Session courses are $250 per credit. Bachelor’s students pay the $1,830 general fee each term. Residing at the Miami Gardens campus’ dorms like Robinson Hall adds $1,730 to $2,720 for term housing. Semester 19-meal plans for Albert & Sadie Smith Dining Hall are $1,815 extra. Late registration fees are $250 per course. FMU budgets $2,500 for books/supplies and $4,000 for personal expenses. Annual undergrad attendance equals about $29,812 on-site and $22,936 if commuting. Graduate programs charge flat-rate tuition of $694 per credit or $2,082 by course.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Financial Aid Office in Student Services Center Room 159 connects 88 percent of full-time FMU Fighting Lions to median assistance of $10,514 for $11.84 million combined. Institutional funds include the Eunice Walker Johnson Scholarship, Athalie Range Scholarship, Alfred Washington Scholarship, Batchelor Foundation Scholarship, Breanna Hutchings Scholarship, Estelle Taylor Scholarship, Greene & Greene Scholarship, Josephine Streater Threatt Scholarship, Norma Williams Scholarship, Ryder Systems Scholarship, Schoninger Family Scholarship, and Trinity Missionary Baptist Church Scholarship. The President’s Scholarship gifts up to $5,000 yearly for outstanding freshmen with minimum 3.5 GPAs. The United Negro College Fund helps HBCU students with programs like the Ford Motor Company Scholarship, UPS Corporate Scholarship, and Davis Women in STEM Scholarship. Filing FAFSA applications coded 001486 by January 15th improves Federal Pell Grant, Teach Grant, SEOG Grant, and Work-Study Award chances. The Mary McLeod Bethune Scholars Program also helps Florida residents at HBCUs with at least “B” averages.
Explore the three accredited schools conferring 31 Christian degrees placed 82nd by Washington Monthly at the Florida Memorial University website.