Learn About The Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
(1) The use of the designation “college” or “university” in combination with any series of letters, numbers, or words is restricted in this state to colleges or universities as defined in s. 1005.02 that offer degrees as defined in s. 1005.02 and fall into at least one of the following categories:
(a) A Florida public college.
(b) A Florida or out-of-state college that has been in active operation and using the designation “college” or “university” since April 1, 1970.
(c) A college for which the commission has issued a license pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
(d) A college that is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Education, eligible to participate in the William L. Boyd, IV, Effective Access to Student Education Grant Program and that is a nonprofit independent college or university located and chartered in this state and accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to grant baccalaureate degrees.
(e) A college that meets the description of either s. 1005.06(1)(e) or (f).
(2) If a college is approved under subsection (1) to use the designation “college” or “university,” a branch or extension of that college may use the name of the parent college, but shall include an indication of the location of the branch or extension.
(3) Any entity offering postsecondary educational courses or programs of study in Florida, whether or not college credit is awarded, shall be subject to the provisions of this section.
(4) An entity shall not use the designation “college” or “university” in its name in Florida without approval by the commission, unless the commission determines that its name is clearly and accurately descriptive of the services provided by the entity and is not one that may mislead the public.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Florida Statutes Title XLVIII. K-20 Education Code § 1005.03. Designation “college” or “university” - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/fl/title-xlviii-k20-education-code/fl-st-sect-1005-03/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)