Florida International University Review

Florida International University Overview

Florida International University, which was founded in 1965, is the youngest member of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's oldest academic honors society. It is also Florida's fourth-largest university and the country's 15th-largest university overall.

The university offers over 280 undergraduate majors and several graduate programs covering diverse areas such as architecture, law, medicine and business administration. In Fall of 2009, the total enrollment of Florida International University numbered over 40,000 students, over 30,000 of whom were undergraduates. Over half of the institution's estimated 1,500 faculty members are tenured.

Admissions and Enrollment Overview

For a university of its size, Florida International University has high admissions standards. In Fall of 2008, the incoming freshman class had average SAT scores of 1161 and an average 3.8 high school GPA. Between 2005 and 2008, the admission rate dropped from 47% to 33%, and the university becamethe top college choice for South Florida high school valedictorians.

Prospective students are required to submit standardized test scores, high school or GED transcripts and proof of completion of a college preparatory program. The university receives over 16,000 applications each year, and students may apply online.

Campus Learning Environment and Facilities

Florida International University resides on two campuses. The main campus, located in Miami, is named Modesto Maidique, while the secondary campus is in Biscayne Bay.

The Modesto Maidique campus spans 344 acres and is located in Miami's University Park neighborhood. The campus was completed in 1965 and houses nearly all of the school's administrative offices and academic departments. Also residing on the campus are the Frost Art Museum, Wertheim Performing Arts Center and International Hurricane Research Center.

The Biscayne Bay campus, which was opened in 1977, resides on 200 acres in North Miami. Because of its proximity to natural resources and the Oleta River State Park, the campus is home to the university's marine biology program. Additionally, the campus houses the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, which the Florida Board of Regents named as a 'Program of Distinction'.

There are also satellite campuses in Asia and Europe, which allow for numerous overseas study opportunities.

Colleges and Schools at Florida International University

• College of Architecture and the Arts
• College of Arts and Sciences
• College of Law
• College of Business Administration
• College of Education
• College of Nursing and Health Sciences
• College of Engineering and Computing
• Honors College
• Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
• Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work
• School of Journalism and Mass Communication
• School of Hospitality and Tourism Management

School Contact Information

• Address: 11200 S.W. 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199
• Phone Number: (305) 348-2000