The Florida Senate

246.121  Designation "college" or "university".--

(1)  The use of the title "college" or "university" in combination with any series of letters, numbers, or words is restricted in this state to colleges as defined in s. 246.021 which offer degrees as defined in s. 246.021 and fall into at least one of the following categories:

(a)  A Florida college, public or nonpublic, accredited by:

1.  The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools;

2.  The Accrediting Commission for Independent Colleges and Schools of the Career College Association at the junior or senior college of business level;

3.  The American Association of Bible Colleges; or

4.  An agency recognized by the United States Department of Education to accredit professional degree programs above the baccalaureate level.

(b)  A Florida or out-of-state college which has been in active operation and using the name since April 1, 1970.

(c)  Colleges chartered in this state the credits or degrees of which are accepted for credit by at least three colleges that are fully accredited by a member of the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation, which were exempt prior to July 1, 1982, and which enroll no students who receive any state or federal financial aid for education.

(2)  A college for which the board has issued a license or a certificate of exemption may use the title "college" or "university" in combination with any series of letters, numbers, or words if the college meets the standards set by rule for use of the title "college" or "university," and if the college has received approval by the board to use such title.

(3)  If such a college is approved under subsection (2) 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.

(4)  Any entity offering educational courses or programs of study beyond the elementary school level in Florida, whether or not college credit is awarded, shall be subject to the provisions of this section.

(5)  An entity shall not use the term "college" or "university" in its name in Florida without approval by the board, unless the board 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.

History.--s. 12, ch. 71-128; s. 3, ch. 76-168; s. 1, ch. 77-457; ss. 2, 3, ch. 81-318; ss. 16, 23, 24, ch. 82-203; s. 1, ch. 87-48; s. 14, ch. 89-344; ss. 12, 19, 20, ch. 92-321; s. 21, ch. 94-310.