SCF Signature Programs

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) is pleased to offer an array of Signature Programs in its mission to boldly engage students and the community to be the region’s first choice for innovative, responsive and quality education. These programs are designed to meet the changing educational needs of our students and employers to enrich the community where we live, play and work. 

Academic Partnerships

State College of Florida has partnered with IMG Academy to offer IMG postgraduates from high school the opportunity to take college coursework while attending IMG Academy.

SCF provides high quality coursework that aligns with the state frameworks and student learning outcomes. SCF participates in common course numbering system through the Florida Department of Education. Students should be familiar with the SCF academic calendar and its dates/deadlines. SCF holds its accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

IMG Academy covers the cost of tuition and administrative fees and students cover the cost of textbooks, EZ Access and supplies. Students admitted through the partnership will receive a welcome email from SCF to proceed with next steps towards registration. There are several instructional modalities to include: in-person, online & Go-Live. Also, students may select from 16-week classes (encouraged), 12 week classes or 8 week classes.

Accelerated Dual Enrollment Program

The State College of Florida along with Manatee and Sarasota County Public Schools along with Lemon Bay High School with Charlotte County Public Schools have teamed up to offer an Accelerated Dual Enrollment Program. This program is open to students in public high schools within Sarasota and Manatee County Schools.  The Accelerated Dual Enrollment Program allows qualified juniors to gain college credit and high school credit by attending SCF full time. These students are provided additional coaching support and resources to successfully navigate college. In addition, these students will continue full time at SCF as seniors and are on track to graduate with their high school diploma and potentially an AA degree from SCF. 

Dedicated Education Unit at Manatee Memorial Hospital

In January 2019, Manatee Memorial Hospital announced the first Dedicated Education Unit for nursing students in our area on their Medical/Surgical floor. State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota is collaborating with the hospital on the first group of nursing students. 

Manatee Memorial Hospital’s Dedicated Education Unit (DEU) will provide a welcoming culture and consistent environment that allows nursing students to learn with comfort and familiarity alongside our staff. This will foster better scaffold skills and more easily connect theory to practice. The nursing students will be assigned to the DEU for the entirety of their clinical experience. Those that successfully complete the DEU clinical pathway will have an opportunity to be employed at Manatee Memorial Hospital. They will also become clinical mentors for the next group. This approach is used in many parts of the country with much success

Honors Program

State College of Florida offers unique options for students to engage in honors coursework. We encourage students to challenge themselves through experiencing honors coursework, capstones, and seminars. \Students will stretch their minds through critical thinking, research, rhetoric, and cultural literacy.

The Honors Program provides:

• Coursework that counts toward your associate degree and transfers to four-year institutions.
• Honors designation on coursework on your official SCF transcript.
• Honors cords for graduation.
• Hands-on experience in meaningful service-learning.
• Opportunity to perform undergraduate research with faculty.
• Colloquium and capstone events

The College Reach-Out Program (CROP)

The College Reach-Out Program (CROP) at State College of Florida (SCF) provides comprehensive personal and academic support to students in grades 6–12. Our mission is to empower students to pursue excellence, successfully graduate from high school, and make a confident transition into higher education. CROP is a grant-funded program through the Florida Department of Education, with additional support and resources provided by SCF. Together, these partnerships ensure students are prepared, equipped, and positioned to thrive academically and personally.

CROP is designed for students who demonstrate motivation and potential and who would benefit from structured college-readiness support, including:

• Middle and high school students
• First-generation and underrepresented students
• Families seeking guidance through the college planning and admissions process