Higher Horizons
Where professionals get their start
Career changers, first-time undergraduates and those continuing their education find that the Treasure Coast has a wealth of colleges and universities from which to choose.
Florida State University College of Medicine
The Florida State University College of Medicine uses a community-based approach to medical education, seeking to produce more physicians who will choose to practice in areas and specialties where they are needed the most.
Rather than operate its own teaching hospital, as most medical schools do, the College of Medicine partners with affiliates throughout Florida. Third- and fourth-year students complete required and elective clinical rotations in area hospitals, clinics and doctors’ offices, gaining a broad understanding of a community’s health-care needs.
FORTIS Institute
Fortis Institute provides postsecondary career education to both traditional and nontraditional students through a variety of diploma and degree programs that assist adult students in enhancing their career opportunities and improving problem-solving abilities. Fortis Institute strives to develop within its students the desire for lifelong and continued education. The staff at Fortis Institute believes that they make an important contribution to the economic growth and social will-being of the area. Fortis Institutes educates its students to help meet the economic needs of their community in entry-level positions.
The educational process is a change-oriented approach to education that provides the community with graduates who possess the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in existing and emerging career occupations. Fortis Institute in Port St. Lucie offers the following programs: Associate of Nursing, Practical Nursing, Medical Assisting, Medical Assisting with Basic X-ray, Medical Billing and Coding, Dental Assisting and Heating Ventilation Air conditioning and Refrigeration.
Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Located in Fort Pierce, the Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute is one of the nation’s leading research centers.
The Institute’s nearly 200 ocean scientists, staff and students propel innovation in marine science and engineering; conservation of coral reefs, studies of marine mammals and fisheries; marine drug recovery; estuarine and coastal ecology and observation; ocean dynamics and modeling; and aquaculture and marine science education. The efforts of the institute provide solutions and improve the quality of life for coastal areas.
Indian River State College
Indian River State College (IRSC) is the region’s comprehensive educational provider, state-designated career and technical center, and cultural hub with a reputation for quality inspiring over 30,000 people to enroll in classes each year.
IRSC has a statewide and national reputation for excellence. Offering over 100 programs leading to Bachelor’s Degrees, Associate Degrees, Technical Certificates and Applied Technology Diplomas, IRSC is dedicated to the success of each student, and continues a 58-year tradition to advance the educational, cultural, career training, workforce, and economic development of its community.
Combining quality and affordability, IRSC is a three-time finalist for the Aspen Prize for Excellence out of more than 1,000 colleges nationwide and repeatedly ranked as the 3rd Most Affordable College in the country by the U.S. Department of Education.
IRSC also serves as a cultural hub with the IRSC Performing and Visual Arts Program offering a variety of outstanding of shows; the Hallstrom Planetarium recreating the heavens and hosting informative lectures; and the Fielden Institute for Lifelong Learning presenting courses for men and women age 50 and older.
Keiser University
Keiser University at Port St. Lucie is a vibrant career-focused educational institution that continues to grow as it meets the needs of the surrounding area. This campus provides hands-on practical collaborative learning with the Keiser “students first” philosophy. Some of its most popular degree programs include Nursing (associate through doctoral levels), Biomedical/Biotechnology, Dietetics and Nutrition, Criminal Justice and Information Technology.
With the move to the current location at SW Discovery Way near Tradition Parkway, the Port St. Lucie campus expanded to 78,000 square feet offering 29 classrooms and 17 laboratories including allied health, natural sciences, sports medicine and fitness and computer as well as a dietetics & nutrition laboratory. It also features a comfortable student lounge with an outdoor area, a student services information and career center, a large auditorium with theater-style seating, plenty of parking and security.
Co-founded in 1977 by Dr. Arthur Keiser, Chancellor, Keiser University is a regionally accredited, private, nonprofit university serving nearly 20,000 students offering 100 degrees at the doctoral through associate level on 20 Florida campuses, online and internationally, employing 3,800 staff and faculty.
University of Florida Indian River Research and Education Center
The University of Florida Indian River Research and Education Center is one of only 14 IFAS research and education centers. Known for its internationally recognized research, extension programs and research for graduate students, the center also provides regional leadership to agriculturalists with research and extension programs.
Research areas include water and nutrient management for citrus and flatwoods soils; epidemiology and control of leaf and fruit diseases of citrus; evaluation of citrus and vegetable cultivars in the state; utilization of soil amendments; micro-irrigation of horticultural crops in humid regions; leadership in citrus, vegetable and water management state extension programs on the east coast of Florida; economic production of agricultural products; post-harvest handling and packing of agricultural products; as well as biological control of invasive plants and aquaculture.