<p>The University of Florida's colleges of education and nursing are considering plans to end their undergraduate programs, eliminating bachelor's degrees currently sought by about 1,200 students.</p>
<p>UF officials said the colleges are currently weighing the pros and cons of the idea as part of the budget-cutting process, but that current students would be unaffected by any changes. Education professors and students are already raising questions about the idea.</p>
<p>A student has started a Facebook page called "Save Undergraduate Education at UF" and faculty members sent a letter of opposition Monday to administrators.</p>
<p>^ I personally think UF is making the right decision here. This whole "we are a land-grant institution and therefore must be mediocre" is a lame argument in my opinion. (UF is also a space-grant & sea-grant institution as well. We also have been a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities since 1985).</p>
<p>The College of Education & College of Nursing should really focus on their graduate programs. Let the other State Universities and expanded Community Colleges provide undegraduate education in Nursing & Education. This Flagship University must focus on excellence, and this is especially true in bad economic times.</p>
<p>Wow I am really glad that I just read this post. I can't believe that they are most likely cutting UF's undergrad nursing program! I applied as a transfer student to the program for next fall and now I'm wondering if I should even bother? Does anybody have anymore information on the ordeal? </p>
<p>You would think that with Nursing being one of the most demanded professions in today's society that there would be a need for the program.</p>
<p>Showed this to a friend of mine whose daughter really wanted a smaller school than UF. She's just not comfortable with a school that large, and she loved UNF in Jacksonville. Strong BS/RN program, which is what she wants and, definitely, a much smaller school. She's so glad she made the decision she did. :)</p>
<p>If the administration in fact get's rid of the Undergraduate program in nursing, it will take a few years to phase it out. But the resources will still be around to fund the faculty, graduate programs, etc..</p>
<p>If anything Nursing at the University of Florida will get stronger in the years to come.</p>
<p>Agree. This may also translate into higher "rankings" in the future, since at least USNews methodology favors schools with strong graduate programs at the expense of top undergraduate universities.</p>