2016 Fact Book

N ova Southeastern University (NSU) is a private, not-for-profit, accredited, coeducational university Carnegie-classified as both “high research activity” and “community engaged” university. It was founded in 1964 as Nova University of Advanced Technology. In 1974, the board of trustees changed the university’s name to Nova University. In 1994, Nova University merged with Southeastern University of the Health Sciences to form Nova Southeastern University. Using 2014 fall-term enrollment as a measure, Nova Southeastern University is the largest private, nonprofit institution of higher education in Florida and the 15th largest nationally. However, NSU is the 10th largest four-year, not-for-profit, private Carnegie research university in the United States. The university awards associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, doctoral, and first-professional degrees in a wide range of fields, including the humanities, biological and environmental science, business, counseling, computer and information sciences, conflict resolution, education, family therapy, medicine, dentistry, various health professions, law, marine sciences, performing and visual arts, psychology, and other social sciences. Nova Southeastern University has the only college of optometry in Florida, and one of only two colleges of pharmacy in South Florida. The institution also enjoys an excellent reputation for its programs for families offered through the Mailman Segal Center for Human Development and the NSU University School. These include innovative parenting, preschool, primary, and secondary education programs, and programs across the life span for people with autism. The university’s programs are administered through colleges that offer courses at the Fort Lauderdale campuses as well as at locations throughout Florida, across the nation, and in 11 countries. Despite the geographic diversity of sites where classes are offered, Nova Southeastern University is a major provider of educational programs for Florida residents. Approximately 90 percent of the student body attends classes in Florida. Eighty-eight percent of all students enrolled attend classes in the tricounty area (i.e., Miami- Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties). Through its undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs, NSU educated approximately 21,000 Florida students in calendar year 2014. With an annual budget in excess of $570 million, Nova Southeastern University also has a significant economic impact on the surrounding community. A recent NSU study revealed that the university and its students and employees contributed approximately $2.6 billion to the Florida economy during fiscal year 2011. UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES The university library system is composed of the Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center; the Health Professions Division Library; the Law Center Library; the Oceanography Library; and the NSU University School Media Center. The 325,000-square- foot Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center is a joint-use facility with the Broward County Board of County Commissioners. It serves students and faculty and staff members of NSU, as well as residents of Broward County. The five-story structure contains electronic classrooms, group-study rooms, a large collaborative study room, a cafe, and service desks with staff trained and ready to serve library users. A large, spacious atrium houses educational art pieces. The reference desk is located on the second floor, clearly visible to students. It is enhanced by the NSU Glass Garden , created by glass artist Dale Chihuly for the Sherman Library. The 500-seat Rose and Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center enriches university curricular support and the improvement of the quality of life in South Florida. Overall, the university’s libraries house more than 1 million items. Interlibrary agreements provide broad access to a wide range of materials. UNIVERSITY FACILITIES The university offers degree programs and continuing education opportunities on four campuses in the Miami- Fort Lauderdale metropolitan statistical area (MSA). 2 Institutional Description