BACK TO EDUCATION INTRO   |  TOP OF PAGE

Florida College
119 N. Glen Arven Ave.
Temple Terrace, FL 33617
tel: 813-988-5131
website: www.flcoll.edu

enrollment: 475
tuition: $260 - $370/per credit hour

Florida College is a coeducational liberal arts junior college with Bible in the curriculum. The school offers associate in the arts (AA) and BA degrees in Biblical Studies.


Florida Metropolitan Univ. (FMU)
Tampa College-Hillsborough (main campus)
3319 W. Hillsborough Ave.
Tampa, FL 33614
tel: 813-879-6000
tel: 888-741-4271
website: www.fmu.edu


Tampa College-Brandon
3924 Coconut Palm Dr.
Tampa, FL 33619
tel: 813-621-0041
tel: 888-741-4271

enrollment: 8,000
tuition: $2,350/per semester

FMU has nine campuses throughout the state of Florida, focusing on business studies, with programs in everything from accounting to criminal justice to medical assistance. Degrees offered are associate in science (AS), BS, and MBA.


Hillsborough Community College (HCC)
4001 Tampa Bay Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33614
tel: 813-253-7001
website: www.hcc.cc.fl.us

enrollment: 40,000
tuition: $46.62 - $217.10/per credit hour

HCC has five campuses with accredited, university-parallel career and community programs. AA and AS degrees are offered.


ITT Technical Institute
4809 Memorial Hwy.
Tampa, FL 33634
tel: 813-885-2244
website: www.itt-tech.edu

ITT specializes in computer training and offers AS and BS degrees.


Keller Graduate School of Management
3030 N. Rocky Point Drive, Ste. 100
Tampa, FL 33607
tel: 813-288-8994
website: www.keller.edu

enrollment: 120
tuition: $315 - $345/per credit hour

With three locations in Florida and other locations across the country, Keller Graduate School of Management offers six master's degree programs -- Business Administration (MBA), Accounting and Financial Management (MAFM), Human Resource Management (MHRM), Information Systems Management (MISM),Project Management (MPM) and Telecommunications Management (MTM).


National-Louis University
4950 W. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 300
Tampa, FL 33609
tel: 813-286-8087
website: www3.nl.edu

enrollment: 500
tuition: $130 - $558/per credit hour

National-Louis has 10 facilities around the nation, including one in Tampa. Students are often already employed full-time, and many are older than the traditional student age. Classroom sites are selected to fit the needs of working students. Studies include applied and behavioral sciences and management, and BA, BS, MA, and M.Ed. degrees are offered.


Nova Southeastern University
9503 Princess Palm Ave.
Tampa, FL 33619
tel: 813-740-2774
website: www.nova.edu

This year, Nova Southeastern University enters its 36th year of existence from a position of strength as the largest independent university in Florida, with over 58,000 alumni and 17,000 students enrolled in programs at the main campus, throughout Florida, and in 22 states and seven foreign countries.


Remington College
2410 E. Busch Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33612
tel: 813-935-5700
website: www.remingtoncollege.edu/tampa/

enrollment: 852

Remington offers associates and bachelor's degrees through intensive training programs designed to equip students with high-quality, in-demand skills needed in technical industries.


University of South Florida (USF)
4202 E. Fowler Ave.
Tampa, FL 33620
tel: 813-974-2011
website: www.usf.edu

enrollment: 36,000
tuition: $78.03 - $564.03/ per credit hour

Economic education will be more of a focus in the future at USF, due to a $100,000 grant from Coca-Cola to establish a global economic teacher education program at Stavros Center for Free Enterprise and Economic Education. The school is equally proud of its well-established, comprehensive array of academic programs in areas such as accounting, management information systems, medicine, and education. USF offers a full range of programs through its colleges of business, education, engineering, fine arts, humanities, medicine, public health, science, and social sciences.

USF's St. Petersburg campus is nationally noted for its marine science and journalism programs. An annual National Science Foundation survey ranks USF in the nation's top 100 research universities, with records showing that the university attracted $130 million in research funding in 1997. Businesses in the region, including many of the area's leading technology firms, have benefited from the university's pioneering activities.


University of Phoenix
100 Tampa Oaks Blvd., #200
Temple Terrace, FL 33637
tel: 813-626-7911
website: www.phoenix.edu

Specifically designed for working professionals, the University of Phoenix provides a valuable, real-world education in the most convenient and efficient way possible. Bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees are available, as well as professional certificate programs in several areas, including: Business, Administration, Accounting, Management, Technology Management, Information Systems, Education, Counseling and Nursing.


University of Tampa (UT)
401 W. Kennedy Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33606
tel: 813-253-3333
website: www.utampa.edu

enrollment: 3,500
tuition: $356/per credit hour

Its silver minarets represent a piece of the area's past, but UT's story is about the future. UT is recognized as a quality private college where 95 percent of the faculty holds the highest degrees available in their fields. The more than 60 areas of study include business, liberal arts, and professional programs. UT offers AA, BS, BA, MBA, and MSN degrees.


Webster University
One Lakeland Square, Ste. 200
4120 US Hwy 98 N.
Lakeland, FL 33809
tel: 863-858-9100
website: www.webster.edu/lakeland/

Webster University is a not-for-profit, global university with each campus oriented to the community which it serves. Founded in 1915, the school has 18 campuses in the U.S. and seven international campuses. It is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Institution of Higher Education.

BACK TO EDUCATION INTRO   |  TOP OF PAGE

Eckerd College
4200 54th Ave. S.
St. Petersburg, FL 33711
tel: 727-867-1166
website: www.eckerd.edu

enrollment: 1,600
tuition: $11,269/per semester

Eckerd College is a private, coeducational liberal arts and sciences college. Students can earn bachelor's degrees in 35 majors, including strong interdisciplinary majors in environmental science, marine science, international business, and international relations and global affairs.


Florida Metropolitan Univ. (FMU)
Tampa College-Pinellas
2471 McMullen Booth Rd., Suite. 200
Clearwater, FL 33759
tel: 727-725-2688
tel: 888-741-4271
website: www.fmu.edu

FMU focuses on business studies, with programs in everything from accounting to criminal justice to medical assistance. The school offers AS, BS, and MBA degrees.


St. Petersburg College (SPC)
6605 Fifth Ave. N.
St. Petersburg, FL 33710
tel: 727-341-3600
website: www.spjc.cc.fl.us

enrollment: 65,000

tuition: $58.24 - $217.10/ per credit hour

A recent U.S. Department of Education report ranks SPC second nationally in associate's degrees awarded in nursing, third nationally in AA degrees awarded, and fourth nationally in total associate's degrees awarded. Additional SPC campuses are located in Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and Tarpon Springs. Students may pursue AA and AS degrees, Bachelor's and Graduate Degrees.


Stetson University - College of Law
1401 61st St. S.
St. Petersburg, FL 33707
tel: 727-562-7800
website: www.law.stetson.edu

enrollment: 650
tuition: $10,582/ per semester

Ranked number one in trial and appellate advocacy by U.S. News & World Report for three consecutive years, Stetson is proud of its reputation as a "lawyer's law school." The college emphasizes practical courtroom training, and its students routinely win mock trial competitions. Juris doctor degrees are offered.

BACK TO EDUCATION INTRO   |  TOP OF PAGE

Pasco-Hernando Community College
10230 Ridge Rd.
New Port Richey, FL 34654
tel: 727-847-2727
website: www.pasco-hernandocc.com

tuition: $52.02 - $192.67/ per credit hour

This public community college with state university parallel programs and several campuses offers AA and AS degrees, credit, and technical certificates. Extension courses are offered on campus by USF.


Saint Leo University
33701 Hwy. 52
St. Leo, FL 33574
tel: 352-588-8200
tel: 800-334-5532
website: www.saintleo.edu

One of the largest and most innovatiive Catholic universities in the United States. Enrollment includes 1,000 undergraduate students at the scenic campus minutes north of Tampa, and 11,000 students at its 13 extension campuses across the Southeast. Saint Leo is the sixth largest provider of education to the military, and the third largest provider of online education in the country.

BACK TO EDUCATION INTRO   |  TOP OF PAGE

Career Path Training Corp.
5411 W. Tyson Ave.
Tampa, FL 33611
tel: 813-831-4490
website: www.careerpathtraining.com

Dale Carnegie Training
1408 N. Westshore Blvd., Suite 912
Tampa, FL 33607
tel: 813-288-8778
website: www.tampabay.dalecarnegie.com
Interpersonal communications, sales, and management training programs.

Erwin Technical Center
2010 E. Hillsborough Ave.
Tampa, FL 33610-8255
tel: 813-231-1815
website: www.erwintech.org

Fred D. Learey Technical Center
5410 N. 20th Street
Tampa, FL 33610
tel: 813-231-1907
website: www.learey.org

Hodges Seminars International
P.O. Box 89033
Tampa, FL 33689
tel: 813-641-0816
website: www.billhodges.com

Global Language Center
531 Main Street, Suite K
Safety Harbor, FL 34695
tel: 727-669-5050
website: www.glcinternational.com
Language and cross-cultural training in Spanish, French, Portugese, English, Italian and German.

Inroads/Tampa Bay Area, Inc.
1111 N. Westshore Blvd., Suite 607
Tampa, FL 33607
tel: 813-289-6991
website: www.inroads.org
Career consulting for professionals in minority groups.

Ken Blanchard Companies
10916 Gillete
Temple Terrace, FL 33617
tel: 813-985-9055
website: www.blanchardtraining.com

MacDonald Training Center
5420 W. Cypress St.
Tampa, FL 33607
tel: 813-870-1300
Training programs for mentally disabled adults, employment services, and senior services.

Paradigm Learning
2701 N. Rocky Point Ave., Suite 400
Tampa, FL 33607
tel: 813-287-9330
website: www.paradigmlearning.com

Suncoast Center for Natural Health
4910 Cypress Street
Tampa, FL 33607
tel: 813-287-1099
website: www.naturalhealers.com

Tampa Marine Institute
2015 Guy N. Verger Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33605
tel: 813-248-5091
Marine science programs for juvenile offenders, and an alternative school.

BACK TO EDUCATION INTRO   |  TOP OF PAGE

Humanities Center School of Massage
4045 Park Blvd.
Pinellas Park, FL 33781
tel: 727-541-5200
Training programs for massage therapy.

National Aviation Academy
5770 Roosevelt Blvd., Suite 105
Clearwater, FL 33760
tel: 727-531-8727
tel: 800-659-2080
website: www.naa.edu
Aviation mechanics training.

Segal Institute
18850 U.S. Hwy. 19 N., Bldg. 5
Clearwater, FL 33764
tel: 727-535-0680
Computers, paralegal, court reporting, health insurance billing and code, medical transcription, and office professional studies.

BACK TO EDUCATION INTRO   |  TOP OF PAGE

Download the History of Tampa in PDF format.

Historical Time Line: Notable Events

Pre-1500s
Calusa Indians roam the bay area and name the site of the future city "sticks of fire," because of the many lightning storms. According to other accounts, "sticks of fire" referred to the availability of driftwood-cum-firewood in the area. Another native tribe, the Timucuas, built wooden stockades to thwart the more aggressive Calusas.

1528
Spanish explorer Panfilo de Narvaez maps the region and names it La Bahia de Espiritu Santo - The Bay of the Holy Spirit.

1539
Hernando DeSoto rescues the last survivor of Narvaez's ill-fated expedition in the area and signs a peace treaty with local Native Americans at the site of what is now the University of Tampa.

1600s
After the local tribes are deemed too fierce to conquer or convert, Europeans largely ignore the area.

1700s
Farmers and escaped slaves settle in the area. The Timucuas vanish, killed off by diseases brought by the Europeans.


BACK TO HISTORY INTRO   |  TOP OF PAGE

1823
Colonel George Mercer Brooke receives orders to establish a military outpost at Tampa Bay. The city grows up around the fort, today the site of the Fort Brooke Parking Garage

1828
Alabama businessman William G. Saunders establishes a general store in the area, which is recognized for little more than its military activity.

1834
Hillsborough County is established.

1835
The government builds the original Fort Harrison at what is now downtown Clearwater. It is not a defensive fort, but a place where soldiers fighting in the Seminole Wars can rest.

1842
The Armed Occupation Act gives 160 acres to families settling in Pinellas County. Among the pioneers are James Stevens (known as the father of Clearwater) and James P. McMullen.

1855
Tampa's citizens vote to incorporate. The city's population is approximately 800.

1861
Tampa municipal government is suspended at the outbreak of the Civil War, and confederate troops remain in Tampa until Union gunboats shell the rebels into surrendering.

1865
The Civil War ends with Tampa under Union occupation. Science fiction writer Jules Verne writes From the Earth to the Moon, with "Tampa Town" as the setting of a rocket launch.

1884
Henry Plant, a northern tycoon who bought up southern land and railroads during reconstruction, brings a railroad to Tampa, spurring an economic boom.

1886
Ybor City is founded by Vincente Martinez Ybor. Also, the cigar industry begins in Tampa, which will become known as the Cigar Capital of the World.

1888
St. Petersburg becomes an incorporated city.

1895
The Tampa Morning Tribune, now simply the Tampa Tribune, begins publishing.

1896
Vincente Martinez Ybor, credited with making Tampa a cigar-manufacturing center, dies.

1897
Henry Plant constructs the Belleview Biltmore Hotel, which is currently the largest occupied wooden structure in the world.

1898
Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders come to Tampa. Troops camp here before heading to Cuba during the Spanish-American War.

1899
Tampa Electric Company is founded to provide power for electric trolley cars.


BACK TO HISTORY INTRO   |  TOP OF PAGE

1901
Cigar workers stage their first strike in Tampa.

1904
Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla "invades" Tampa, starting an annual tradition that lasts to this day. The celebration is named after Jose Gaspar, a pirate who may have plied the Gulf of Mexico in the Spanish colonial days.

1908
Tampa's worst fire destroys 17 blocks in Ybor City.

1912
The Florida legislature approves Pinellas County's plan to split from Hillsborough.

1914
The world's first scheduled airline service begins when Tony Jannus flies from St. Petersburg to Tampa.

1915
Clearwater incorporates as a city. Tampa City Hall opens with the ringing of its tower clock, named Hortense.

1918
The USS Tampa sinks off the English coast, and 24 sailors from Tampa die - possibly the largest loss to a single U.S. community during World War I. Locally, Spanish flu kills 283.

1922
Captain Dale Mabry, local World War I hero, dies in a civilian plane crash along with 33 others. Today, Dale Mabry Highway bears his name.

1924
D.P. Davis, dredging Hillsborough Bay to create man-made islands, sells $1.68 million worth of lots for his Davis Islands development in one day. Also, Gandy Bridge links St. Petersburg to Tampa.

1927
Florida's first two-year college, St. Petersburg Junior College, opens its doors.

1928
Tamiami Trail connects Tampa to Miami.

1934
Davis Causeway, now known as Courtney Campbell Causeway, links Tampa to Clearwater.

1938
The Works Progress Administration brings $1 million worth of improvements to Bayshore Boulevard, including its famous balustrades along the world's longest continuous sidewalk.

1939
Work begins on the airfield now known as MacDill Air Force Base.

1945
Eastern and National airlines move to Drew Field, which changes its name to Tampa International Airport.

1947
A horse racing track, later called Tampa Bay Downs, opens in Oldsmar.

1959
Busch Gardens and Anheuser-Busch Brewery open in Tampa.

1960
Young African-Americans stage a sit-in to spur integration of public facilities. Also, the Howard Frankland Bridge opens, creating another connection between Tampa and St. Petersburg.

1967
Tampa Stadium opens with the University of Tennessee beating the University of Tampa, 38-0.

1971
The new Tampa International Airport opens. Since then, the $80 million facility has been perennially rated number one by the Airline Passenger Association.

1976
The NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers play their first game, losing to Houston, 20-0.

1979
First lady Rosalynn Carter helps dedicate the Tampa Museum of Art. Also, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers win their first division title.

1982
The Tampa Times, an afternoon daily, folds and merges with the Tampa Tribune.

1984
Tampa hosts Super Bowl XVIII as the Los Angeles Raiders trounce the Washington Redskins, 38-9.

1987
The Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center opens downtown.

1990
The $140 million Tampa Convention Center opens downtown. The Tampa Bay area gets an NHL team, the Tampa Bay Lightning.

1991
MacDill Air Force Base, home of U.S. Central Command under General Norman Schwartzkopf, plays a key role in the Persian Gulf War.

1993
The Lightning team picks downtown Tampa as the site for a new, $110 million hockey arena.

1996
Hillsborough County voters pass a sales tax to fund education, road construction, police and fire department services, and recreation projects, and to help pay for a new stadium for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the new University of South Florida (USF) football team.

1997
USF launches its football program.

1998
The new Tampa Bay Devil Rays throw their first pitch in St. Petersburg's Tropicana Field, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers kick off the season in their new home, Raymond James Stadium.

1999
Construction continues on the $300 million Garrison Seaport Center between the Florida Aquarium and the Port of Tampa, with plans for shops, theaters, and a cruise ship terminal.

2000
Major parts of the city - Centro Ybor and Harbour Island - complete large-scale construction projects to improve the area. Marriott Convention Hotel opens.

BACK TO HISTORY INTRO   |  TOP OF PAGE

Tampa Bay Life: Live
Tampa Bay Life: Leisure

TOP OF PAGE