Since opening its doors more than 80 years ago, Palm Beach State College has been an integral player in the remarkable growth and prosperity of Palm Beach County. Our graduates – community and business leaders for generations – have impacted every industry and continue to do so today.
Founded in 1933 as Florida’s first public community college, Palm Beach State has grown from three classrooms and 41 local students to five campuses and 49,000 students from more than 158 countries. One of the top producers of associate degree graduates in the U.S., PBSC also offers baccalaureate degrees, professional certificates, career training, and corporate and continuing education.
Through the years, Palm Beach State College has expanded its mission, programs and reach to become the largest institution of higher education in Palm Beach County and the fourth largest (based on FTE) of the 28 colleges in the Florida College System. Each year, more Palm Beach County high school graduates choose PBSC than any other institution. Students enroll at campus locations in Lake Worth, Boca Raton, Palm Beach Gardens, Belle Glade and Loxahatchee Groves, as well as take courses online.
A Capable, Prepared Workforce
Palm Beach State offers education pathways as diverse as its students. The College’s close working relationship with local business partners has ensured that the mix of programs reflects current trends and workforce demands.
- The Associate in Arts degree attracts the largest share of enrollment. This “transfer degree” equals the first two years of a bachelor’s degree, and many A.A. students take advantage of Florida’s popular 2+2 guarantee of admission to a state university. High-achieving A.A. degree students have the option to enroll in PBSC’s Dr. Floyd F. Koch Honors College, which offers challenging opportunities to excel and learn.
- With a choice of more than 130 programs of study, Palm Beach State is also the county’s leading educator of skilled professionals. Career program options span fields such as health care, computer science, business, biotechnology, creative arts and communications, child care, human services, teacher education, environmental science, landscape management, a wide variety of skilled trades, engineering, industrial technology and public safety. Students may choose to earn either a certificate or Associate in Science degree, preparing them for a competitive job market or the next level of their education.
- Bachelor’s degree programs comprise one of the fastest-growing areas of the College. Currently PBSC offers the Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision & Management, the B.A.S. in Information Management and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. These programs are designed for students who have completed associate degrees and now wish to equip themselves for advancement or leadership in their field.
A College for the Community
Palm Beach State College enriches every corner of the county through its commitment to quality and attention to community needs. PBSC offers:
- Outstanding Faculty: Students learn from experienced faculty with industry credentials, including doctoral scientists, researchers and published experts.
- Current Curriculum: Innovative instruction focuses on new technologies, global challenges and local concerns. Graduates are prepared for the next step in their education or to hit the ground running in a new career.
- Real-World Connections: Students benefit from the College’s partnerships with local employers. More than 400 professionals participate in PBSC business partnership councils for their field. Through this involvement, students reap valuable internship and networking opportunities.
- Affordable Tuition: Palm Beach State is one of the most affordable public colleges in Florida and the nation. PBSC’s low tuition, along with financial aid and scholarships, makes college possible for students of all income levels.
- Inspired Learning Environments: Committed to sustainable planning, design and construction, Palm Beach State’s built environment has been recognized for its energy-saving innovations, smart use of learning technologies, and authentic replication of workplace settings.
- Caring Atmosphere: With an average class size of 24, PBSC students benefit from ongoing one-on-one attention. Plus, support services range from academic advising and career centers to tutoring, counseling and help for students with special needs.
- Cultural Hubs: Renowned music, dance and theatre companies as well as visual and performing artists appear year-round at PBSC’s theatres and galleries, which have drawn large public audiences for decades. Students also perform and show their work in these venues.
- Rich Campus Life: Palm Beach State gives students choices for meaningful activities beyond the classroom with more than 75 clubs and organizations, competitive athletics, student government, and initiatives like the First-Year Experience, which helps new students acclimate to college life.
Learning Options for All
- Adult learners come to the College for job training, skill enhancement and professional certification or relicensure. Short-term noncredit courses, workshops and seminars are offered in a wide variety of disciplines by PBSC’s Corporate & Continuing Education division. CCE also works with businesses to deliver customized solutions for employee training.
Palm Beach State College was established to serve the educational needs of local residents striving to overcome the economic challenges of the Great Depression. Today it is an economic engine, pumping $1.1 billion into the Palm Beach County economy each year, according to a 2013 study by Economic Modeling Specialists International.
At Palm Beach State College, student success is our first priority. While embracing change and new challenges, the College remains focused on providing Palm Beach County with that crucial “open door” to education and the rewards that come with it
Technology Programs
- BAS Information Management-Database Administration
- BAS Information Management-Project Management
- BAS Information Management-Security and Network Assurance
- Cert Computer Information Security
- Cert Computer Information Security
- Cert Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician (CCENT)
- Cert Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Routing and Switching
- Cert Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Security
- AS Computer Programming
- AS Internet Services Technology
- AS Networking Administrator
- AS Engineering Technology – Advanced Technology
- AS Engineering Technology – Alternative Energy Systems
- AS Engineering Technology – Electronics
