Northwest Florida State College has received approval from the Florida State Board of Education to offer four new engineering transfer degrees that create direct pathways into bachelor’s degree programs at the University of West Florida.

• The four Specialized Associate in Arts Transfer, or SAAT, programs cover civil engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering. The State Board approved them during its July 22 meeting in Orlando.

Under the pathways, students can complete the associate-degree portion of their education at NWFSC’s Niceville campus and then move to UWF to finish their bachelor’s degree at the joint NWFSC-UWF campus in Fort Walton Beach.

“A student can start here, stay here and build a successful future here,” NWFSC President Mel Ponder said. “Students will be able to start their engineering degree at Northwest Florida State College, continue to the University of West Florida and complete a high-quality bachelor’s degree close to home. By working together, NWFSC and UWF are removing barriers, expanding access and building a stronger pipeline of engineers prepared to support our region’s military installations, growing aerospace and defense industry, expanding technology economy, and everyday needs in other industries such as infrastructure and manufacturing.”

UWF President Manny Diaz Jr. said the partnership reflects what higher education should do by creating opportunities that meet students where they are and prepare them for where they want to go.

• “Together, UWF and Northwest Florida State College are expanding access to engineering education while strengthening the workforce that will drive innovation and economic growth across Northwest Florida,” Diaz said. “Students can begin their academic journey at NWFSC and then complete a UWF engineering degree without leaving the community they call home.”

The SAAT degree allows state colleges such as NWFSC to offer targeted lower-division coursework beyond the traditional 60-credit Associate in Arts degree. By covering required mathematics, science and engineering prerequisites before transfer, the pathway is intended to prepare students for upper-division study. Those additional credits qualify for financial aid, which the college said creates a more affordable and streamlined transition into university programs.

“This is exactly the kind of partnership that strengthens both our College and the communities we serve,” said Rhea Goff, chair of the NWFSC District Board of Trustees. “Students should not have to leave Northwest Florida to pursue an engineering education or prepare for careers in industries that are vital to our region. These new pathways give local students an affordable and accessible starting point while helping employers develop the highly skilled workforce they need.”

The college said the pathways will support the region’s need for engineers in high-demand fields tied to aerospace, defense, construction, infrastructure, manufacturing, technology and advanced industry.

Additional information on program enrollment, advising, course sequencing and anticipated start dates will be announced as implementation plans are finalized. More on engineering programs at the college is available at NWFSC.edu/engineering.