Why Valencia FAQ
The Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree fulfills the first two years of a bachelor’s degree and guarantees admission into a Florida state university. Within the A.A. degree there is a general studies program, 30 Transfer Plans and 12 pre-major options.
The Associate in Science (A.S.) and Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees prepare you to enter directly into the workforce with an average salary of $43,000. There are over 30 A.S. programs and three A.A.S. programs, as well as more than 60 non-degree technical certificate programs.
Valencia also offers Bachelor Degrees. to learn more about them, VISIT THIS LINK.
Yes. Valencia is currently offering two bachelor's degree programs: B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology and B.S. in Radiologic and Imaging Sciences. For more information on our Bachelor Degrees, VISIT THIS LINK.
We are accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or SACS, the recognized, regional accrediting body of 11 southern states and in Latin America. Accreditation by SACS indicates that Valencia courses have met regional and national guidelines as it relates to transferability. Valencia credit courses will transfer to other SACS-accredited colleges and universities such as UCF and UF.
Valencia makes every effort to ensure that our campuses are safe and crime-free. Our safety and security measures include:
- Constant patrolling by college security and local law enforcement agencies.
- Student Escort Teams: A nightly campus walking escort service operating under the direction of the college Security Department. Escort members are currently enrolled Valencia students. All members are equipped with a picture I.D. and radio communications, which are monitored by campus security. Escort services are offered between 6-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
- "Blue Light" non-dial outdoor emergency telephones: Located at strategic points on campus, these phones are easily identified by their columns topped with blue lights. When the red button is pushed the callers is in immediate contact with the campus Security Department. In addition to providing voice contact with security, the dispatcher is also able to pinpoint the caller's location. These phones are for emergency use only.
- Valencia Alert: To receive emergency notifications via text or email log into Atlas and click on Emergency Alerts in the My Atlas tab.
If you are an international student you must purchase health insurance. Please contact International Student Services for more information.
All other students can explore their health insurance options by visiting www.floridahealthinsurance.com/florida-student-insurance.htm or http://www.insuranceforstudents.com/.
Valencia has designated student parking areas on all of our campuses. You can obtain your free parking decal by applying for it through Atlas after you’ve been accepted to Valencia. Parking decals give you the privilege to park on campus, but do not guarantee that you’ll get a space. It’s recommended that you arrive to campus early to allow time to find a parking spot.
Dining services are available on all Valencia campuses. With affordable menus by Twisted Grill and Little Bean coffee shops, students have a full array of breakfast, lunch and dinner options to choose from.
Yes! Opportunities include Student Government Association, Valencia Volunteers, intramural sports teams, the Student Leader Program, and more than 60 student groups, clubs and organizations.
Valencia does not compete in collegiate level sports. However, we do offer intramural sports programs.
Valencia has several computer labs on each of our campuses.
Valencia's campuses are wireless. We offer Wi-Fi connections to students free of cost.
Valencia is a commuter school and therefore does not offer student housing. However, there are plenty of housing options around any of our campuses.
The following Valencia services are free to all students:
The Office for Students with Disabilities has locations on every Valencia campus. They provide services such as admissions help, classroom accommodations, academic advising, career planning and more on a case-by-case basis.
More than 70,000 students attended Valencia last year. Approximately 56% of our students are female and 44% male.
As of fall 2010 the following was the make up of our student body:
- 38.3% Caucasian
- 29.7% Hispanic
- 16.7 % African American
- 10.3% Other
- 5% Asian/Pacific Islander
Valencia is continually working to improve conditions for all students to learn and succeed. Some of our latest initiatives have included hiring successful students to serve as peer mentors in foundational courses, linking different disciplines (such as math and English) by having professors connect their coursework, and requiring a student life skills course for students needing remedial coursework.
Valencia’s graduation rate is triple the average of comparable two-year institutions in the U.S. Over the last 10 years, our overall four-year graduation rate for college-ready students has improved from 35.9% to 42.8%.
The graduation rate for Hispanic student has increased, exceeding the rate of Caucasian students, reversing a gap of 4.2% between Hispanics and Caucasian students to .9% higher for Hispanic students.
African-American graduation rates have risen in recent years. The four-year graduation rate for college-ready African-American students has risen from 15.4% to 33.8% in the last decade. Meanwhile, the gap between graduation rates for college-ready African-Americans and Caucasians has narrowed from 22.5% to 9.7%.
Valencia was recognized as the best community college in the nation as the winner of the 2012 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.
Valencia ranks first among the nation's two-year institutions (1,200) for the total number of associate's degrees awarded. (We are fourth for all colleges, including four-year schools.) Valencia ranks second in the number of degrees awarded to Hispanics. (It is designated a “Hispanic Serving” institution with more than 27 percent of enrollment being Hispanic.) The college ranks third in the number of associate degrees awarded to African Americans.
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