{{Short description|Technical college in Florida, United States}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox university |name = Florida Technical College |type = Private for-profit college |established = 1982 |parent = Northbridge University |president = James Michael Burkett |students = 2,700 |city = Orlando |state = Florida |country = United States |campus = 6 campuses in Florida: Orlando, Kissimmee, Deland, Lakeland, Cutler Bay, Pembroke Pines |website = {{URL|https://www.ftccollege.edu}} |logo = FTC version 3.png }}
'''Florida Technical College''' is a private for-profit college with multiple campuses in Florida. It was established in 1982 and is part of Northbridge University. FTC offers associate and bachelor's degrees as well as diploma programs on seven campuses: Cutler Bay, DeLand, Orlando, Kissimmee, Pembroke Pines, Lakeland, and Tampa.
== History == Florida Technical College was founded in 1982 to provide post-secondary degrees.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web|date=1 February 2018|title=Florida for-profit college chain to pay $600,000 over false financial aid claims|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/654584309/|access-date=2021-11-05|website=Newspapers.com|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":32">{{Cite web|date=29 July 1994|title=A local college with a unique approach to education|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/232903107/|access-date=2021-11-05|website=Newspapers.com|language=en}}</ref> The Orlando main campus opened in 1982 and offered an approach to education that had students take one class at a time.<ref name=":32" /> Two years later, FTC opened a campus in Jacksonville.<ref name=":42">{{Cite web|date=15 October 1987|title=Move prepares college for future, new beginning|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/337361113/|access-date=2021-11-17|website=Newspapers.com|language=en}}</ref> In 1987, the Tampa campus moved to a larger location east Tampa.<ref name=":42" /> FTC's Lakeland campus opened in 1990, and the DeLand campus in 1997. Classes began in Kissimmee in April 2011,<ref>{{Cite web|date=31 March 2011|title=Florida Technical College opens Kissimmee campus|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2011/03/31/florida-tech-opens-kissimmee-campus.html|access-date=2021-11-05|website=www.bizjournals.com}}</ref> the Pembroke Pines campus opened in November 2011, and the Cutler Bay campus opened for classes January 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|date=28 August 2014|title=Southland Mall to add career college|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/647241375/|access-date=2021-11-05|website=Newspapers.com|language=en}}</ref>
In 2016, a former administrative assistant filed a lawsuit under the False Claims Act against the school, alleging that the school had enrolled students who didn't have a high school diploma or GED to increase the school's enrollment numbers, resulting in additional federal financial aid funds.<ref name=":02"/> FTC cooperated with the investigation and settled the case in February 2018, agreeing to pay $600,000 and stating that the admissions staff and managers involved in the situation were no longer employed at the school.<ref name=":02"/>
In February 2018, Florida Technical College became an academic unit of the National University College, now known as Northbridge University.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-02-06|title=FTC is an Academic unit of National University College|url=https://www.ftccollege.edu/news/national-university-college-merger/|access-date=2021-11-17|website=Florida Technical College|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Rivera-Lyles|first=Jeannette|date=2018-04-10|title=Florida Technical College Continues its Expansion Plan|url=https://communitynewspapers.com/cutler-bay/florida-technical-college-continues-its-expansion-plan/|access-date=2021-11-17|website=Miami's Community News|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Beatty|first=Robert|title=FTC Cutler Bay Expands its Offerings with Three New Programs in High Demand Industries|url=http://www.sfltimes.com/business/54997|access-date=2021-11-17|website=South Florida Times|language=en-US}}</ref> As an academic unit of National University College, FTC became accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, its parent organization's accreditor.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-06-20|title=Florida Technical College: Largest Graduation Class Since Inception|url=https://www.centralfloridalifestyle.com/orlando-local-stories/history-in-the-making-florida-technical-college-celebrates-largest-graduation-class-since-its-inception/|access-date=2021-11-05|website=Central Florida Lifestyle|language=en-US}}</ref> NUC was formerly accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). However, the United States Secretary of Education terminated ACICS' accrediting status,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Termination of the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools as an ED Recognized Accrediting Agency {{!}} U.S. Department of Education |url=https://www.ed.gov/acics |access-date=2023-09-20 |website=www.ed.gov}}</ref> so NUC found another accreditor.
In June 2020, Orlando Magic named FTC the official technical college of the team.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Parry|first=Roy|title=Magic, Florida Technical College team up to help Project Life feed Central Florida|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/coronavirus/os-ne-coronavirus-orlando-magic-notebook-20200611-diiqlmzewnbahloaexqdfiuhp4-story.html|access-date=2021-11-05|website=orlandosentinel.com}}</ref> In October, the Miami Dolphins named the college the official culinary school of the team.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Florida Technical College Partners With Miami Dolphins for Community|url=https://www.nbcmiami.com/entertainment/6-in-the-mix/florida-technical-college-partners-with-miami-dolphins-for-community/2312586/|access-date=2021-11-05|website=NBC 6 South Florida|language=en-US}}</ref> Both teams partner with the school to engage in community outreach.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />
In 2020, FTC was named The Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges 2020 Institution of the Year.<ref>{{Cite web|title=1,000 meals for families From Florida Technical College and Miami Dolphins|url=https://www.sfltimes.com/news/local/1000-meals-for-families-from-florida-technical-college-and-miami-dolphins|access-date=2021-11-17|website=South Florida Times|language=en-US}}</ref>
== See also == * Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{official website|http://www.ftccollege.edu/}}
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Category:Colleges accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools Category:Universities and colleges established in 1982 Category:Universities and colleges in Lakeland, Florida Category:Universities and colleges in Orlando, Florida Category:1982 establishments in Florida Category:Private universities and colleges in Florida
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