Southwest Florida College

Southwest Florida College is a private senior college founded in 1974 under the name of Lehigh School of Business. International College Foundation, Inc. purchased the school in 1995. Southwest Florida College received junior college accreditation in 1997 and senior college status in 2005. Southwest Florida College has campuses in Tampa, Ft. Myers, Port Charlotte, and Estero. The college has day, evening, and weekend classes.

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The Florida Department of Education, Commission for Independent Education has authorized Southwest Florida College to confer Bachelor of Science and Associate of Science Degrees and Diplomas. The college is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, which is recognized by the United States Department of Education.

Successful completion of the Early Childhood Care and Management Diploma program enables students to receive a Florida Child Care Professional Credential. Florida state law requires this credential in licensed childcare centers with a student/care provider ratio of 20:1.

The Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, available only at the Ft. Myers campus, is a four-year program. The program includes curriculum design, classroom management, assessments, and diversity. The student also participates as a student teacher for one term. Graduates are eligible to write the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) certification examination for Florida.

Students who possess an Associate of Science Degree are eligible to attend the Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education. Curriculum focuses on lesson and curriculum development, instruction and assessment strategies, exceptional children, health and safety, language development, and social studies for children in preschool to Grade 3. Students are qualified to undertake ESOL certification.

The Early Childhood Education Associate Degree program prepares students for employment with children up to the age of eight. Students study early childhood growth and development, curriculum development, classroom instruction and strategies, diversity, and the role of family in a child's life.