First Three to Graduate from Online Partnership

MELBOURNE, FLA. — Florida Institute of Technology announces that three students are the first graduates of the Master of Science in Systems Management
(concentration in information systems) online degree program. The M.S. program, which began in 2004, is a partnership between Florida Tech and University
Alliance, a leader in online education.
The graduates are Michael Bower of Pensacola, Fla.; Gregory Navarro of Mesa, Ariz., and Ernest Barclay of Norcross Ga.
Bower is a software developer who aspires to become a Marine Corps officer. He believes that his new degree will distinguish him.
“I was unaware of the fierce competition and needed something to make my application stand out. I felt that completing a graduate degree would do just
that,” he said.
Seeking an educational alternative that was not full-time, Bower added, “I probably wouldn’t have finished graduate school this early in life had it not
been for the online format. Reputation was my main draw to Florida Tech. I’ve known about Florida Tech since I was in high school and wanted to attend even
then.”
Because the Web-based education is available 24/7, students can obtain their degree anytime, anywhere, with no campus attendance required. The program
utilizes convenient online, interactive tools including streaming video lectures, an asynchronous bulletin board. Virtual office hours allow students
real-time collaboration with faculty as well as networking with fellow students across the country and throughout the world.
The MS/SM program is designed to help both technical information systems (IS) professionals and professionals from other fields gain expertise in the
management of information systems.
Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., University Alliance has more than 300,000 enrollments. The company provides degrees and certificate programs through
exclusive long-term alliances with leading accredited universities, such as Florida Tech. Others include University of Notre Dame, Villanova University,
Tulane University, Saint Leo University, Regis University, Jacksonville University, the University of South Florida and Nova Southeastern University.
For more information, contact Brian Ehrlich at (321) 422-5137, or at behrlich@fit.edu.