In 1994, Saint Leo University began offering four-year degree programs on the campus of
Santa Fe College (SFC). The win-win educational partnership benefits students at both institutions as they gain from the blend of class and degree opportunities from both schools.
The Santa Fe College Office/Center is a strategic partnership between Saint Leo University and Santa Fe College. This partnership gives Saint Leo and its student’s access to 20 classroom(s) and 1 library facility. This location also provides students access to 2 computer lab(s). Additionally, all students attending Saint Leo University may access library services online through Saint Leo University’s online
electronic library.
The Magnolia Parke Gainesville Education Center is an extension of the Santa Fe Office and Saint Leo University’s main campus in Florida. This Center offers education to the surrounding communities. Students attending this location have access to nine classrooms including two 21st century classrooms, added to facilitate the educational awareness and use of technology by faculty and students, and one computer lab that are operated by Saint Leo University. Additionally, these students have access to Santa Fe College’s library just a few miles away from this location and additional library services through Saint Leo’s online
electronic library.
Saint Leo University is a Catholic, coeducational liberal arts university offering programs leading to the associate's and baccalaureate degrees and the Master of Business Administration, Master of Education and Master of Criminal Justice degrees. Chartered on June 4, 1889, Saint Leo originated when the Florida legislature authorized the Order of St. Benedict of Florida to "have and possess the right and power of conferring the usual academic and other degrees granted by any college in this State."
As the first Catholic college in Florida, Saint Leo opened its doors with the dedication of its main building on September 14, 1890. In this pioneer year, Saint Leo enrolled 32 students for classes. These students engaged in the study of the basic curriculum, which included a mix of liberal arts and commercial courses leading to the Master of Accounts degree. In addition to the basic curriculum, the College periodically went through a military phase with uniforms, and required drilling to instill discipline and order. On June 20, 1893, Saint Leo conferred the Master of Accounts degree on its first graduating class of five students.
In 1920, the College was phased out as the faculty decided to focus on becoming what one longtime Benedictine called "a serious English-style prep school." A year later, in 1921, Saint Leo became accredited by the Southern Educational Association. After several name changes, the institution settled on Saint Leo College Preparatory School in 1929. It lasted until 1964.
Reaching for a larger mission, Saint Leo opened again as a college in 1959. During this time, Saint Leo received a great deal of assistance from the Benedictine sisters at Holy Name Monastery, its neighboring community. Operating first on the associate's level, the College moved quickly to a four-year program and conferred its first bachelor's degree on April 23, 1967, on 51 men and 13 women. It was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools on November 29, 1967, retroactive to include the charter bachelor of arts class.
In 1969, the College was reorganized when the Order of Saint Benedict of Florida transferred title and control to an independent board of trustees. Shortly after this reconstruction, Saint Leo began to broaden its purpose, which echoed its military history. In 1973, the College responded to requests from the armed services to offer degree programs on military bases. Now, Saint Leo University is one of the largest providers of higher education to military-related personnel in the United States.
In December 1994, the college was granted Membership at Level III to offer the Master of Business Administration. Membership was granted retroactive to January 1, 1994. On August 24, 1999, Saint Leo's growth was once again validated with its ascension to university status.
Saint Leo University now has a total enrollment of more than 13,000 with 3,000 on its main campus, more than 7,000 on military bases and community colleges located in seven states, and 3,000 enrolled in the university’s Center for Online Learning.