State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota

Established in 1957, State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) is the area’s first and largest public college. With campuses in Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, and Venice—plus a robust online program—SCF serves 11,000 college-credit students each year, while an additional 14,000 participants take professional development and personal enrichment courses annually. Since 1959, more than 50,000 students have earned a degree from SCF. SCF is a forward-thinking college committed to meeting the region’s educational and workforce needs. While continuing to offer highly respected associate degrees that open doors to university transfer and career paths, SCF has also expanded its mission to include workforce-focused bachelor’s degrees. Through the Corporate and Community Development Division, SCF delivers year-round, noncredit training in workforce skills, small business growth, professional development, personal enrichment, and driving safety—delivered through workshops, seminars, online courses, and customized on-site programs for area employers. Broadening the educational journey, SCF launched a collegiate charter school in fall 2010, giving students the opportunity to earn their high school diploma and an Associate in Arts degree at the same time. SCF is proud to hold memberships in the Association of Florida Colleges, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the American Association of Community Colleges, and the Florida Association of Colleges and Universities.