College Crunch

Established in 1866, just after the end of the Civil War, Edward Waters College was originally intended to provide education to freed slaves. The original name was Brown Theological Institute, but after several subsequent name changes, the current title was finally settled on. It is the oldest private college in the state of Florida, and today, EWC remains a private institution that is affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Its 90-acre campus, located in Jacksonville, Florida, serves some 800 students (as of 2007) and the student to faculty ratio is 15:1.

Edward Waters College is a liberal arts school with academic programs centered on a few areas of study. Three different forms of degrees are offered, all of them at the bachelor’s level: bachelor’s of arts, science and business administration. Majors with various concentrations are offered in biology, communications, mathematics, music, political science, religion and psychology, philosophy and sociology. Seven professional programs are available to students in four areas of education, business administration, computer information systems and organizational management.

Edward Waters College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education. SACS provides accreditation to institutions within an eleven-state area, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. Some accreditation is also extended to parts of Latin America. (SACSCOC, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033 – (404) 679-4500 – Fax: (404)679-4558).