Professional Licensure or Certification Degree Programs

A professional licensure program is an academic program that is designed, marketed and/or advertised to meet the educational requirements for a specific license or certification and is required for employment in an occupation.

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) academic programs are designed to prepare students to apply for applicable licensure or certification in Florida. The educational requirements for a license or certification in another state may vary.

This resource is intended to help students, applicants, and prospects better understand the connection that many FAU programs have to state-regulated professional licensure or certification. While specific requirements can and often do vary by state, typically, requirements include earning a degree or other educational credential in the field from an institution and program that meet certain eligibility requirements in that state (e.g., accredited status). Separate from educational requirements, state licensure boards may require applicants to complete professional examinations, background checks, years of professional experience, jurisprudence exams, etc. If you are planning to pursue professional licensure or certification in a state other than Florida, Florida Atlantic University is unable to determine whether the program meets all the requirement in the state you plan on working in. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you contact the appropriate licensing entity in that state to seek information and guidance regarding licensure or certification requirements before beginning an academic program.

The FAU programs listed below provide preparation for practicing in fields in which state-regulated professional licensure or certification may be available. If your career plans include pursuing licensure or certification, it is important to become educated on the credentialing requirements of the state in which you hope to practice. This page was created as a starting point to help connect you to this information.

FAU programs that require a license or a certificate to practice in that field upon degree completion.

College of Arts and Letters

Architecture

FAU School of Architecture B. Arch degree is a National Architectural Accreditation Board (NAAB) Certified Degree Program. The NAAB accredited degree allows students to create a National Council of Architectural Registration Board (NCARB) Record, thus making them eligible to fulfill the Architects Experience Program (AXP) Credits (an internship), take the Architects Registration Exam (ARE), and seek licensure in various US states and territories, including Canada. The internship, exam, and initial state licensure through NCARB is the only current means of obtaining licensure in the United States, though with the degree students are not required to seek licensure to practice architecture as long as they work under the supervision of a firm or individuals who are licensed.

College of Business

Bachelor of Science Accounting

Master of Accounting

This degree fulfills the educational requirements to sit for the CPA examination in the state of Florida and many of the states that have adopted the AICPA’s 150 credit-hour requirement. Students are encouraged to check with the state board of accountancy in the state in which they plan to practice regarding specific course requirements.

College of Education

Undergraduate Programs

  • Elementary Education
  • Special Education
  • Secondary Education

Master Degree Programs

  • Counselor Education (K-12)
  • Educational Leadership (K-12)
  • Reading (K-12)
  • Speech Pathology and Audiology
  • Elementary Plus Certification
  • Secondary Education Plus Certification

The program curriculum for all programs listed above is accepted for certification in 46 states; however, New Mexico, New York, South Dakota, and Wisconsin are not members of the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC). An individual from one of our programs may be eligible for certification/licensure in these states, however, this determination will be made the Department of Education- Division of Certification in each state.

For additional information reach out to State Educator Licensure or Certification Agencies or contact the following departments:

Undergraduate Program Contacts

Master Degree Program Contacts

Contact information for state’s Teacher Education information

College of Engineering and Computer Science

All Programs

  • Civil Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Geomatics Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Computer Science

All engineering programs are ABET accredited which along with the passage of two tests and four years of experience will permit successful graduates to achieve licensure in all 50 states.

College of Medicine

Florida Atlantic University’s Schmidt College of Medicine is fully accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) and fulfills the educational requirements for the MD degree and to pursue both the training license (TRN) for residency and ultimately the medical license (ME) in all 50 states. To receive the training license and be eligible for residency in any state, students must successfully complete medical school and pass the United States Medical Licensing Examinations (USMLE Step 1 and USMLE Step 2). To receive the medical license and be a licensed physician in any state, residents must complete a specialty-specific residency program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and pass the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE Step 3).

College of Nursing

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Masters of Science in Nursing

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing and the Master’s of Science in Nursing programs at the Florida Atlantic University are accredited by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education. The RN-BSN track is post-licensure and does not lead to any type of licensure in the state of Florida.

Each state and territory have different requirements for professional licensure and certification. Requirements may include professional examinations, continuing education, background checks, fingerprinting requirements, etc. The state board will evaluate each application prior to making a recommendation for professional licensure and certification. Students who wish to pursue professional licensure or certification in a state or territory other than Florida are strongly encouraged to contact the appropriate licensing agency to seek information and additional guidance.

Contact information for state’s Board of Nursing

College of Science

Bachelor of Science Chemistry

This chemistry program is certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS) and therefore the degree is recognized in all 50 states

  • Professional Science Master in Medical Physics
  • Graduate Certificate in Medical Physics for PhD holders

A certificate program is a program of didactic coursework offered by a CAMPEP (Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs, Inc)-accredited graduate or residency program, intended to enable individuals with a doctoral degree in physics or a related discipline to meet the didactic requirements needed to enter a CAMPEP-accredited residency program.

College of Social Work and Criminal Justice

Bachelor of Social Work

Master of Social Work

The Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work programs at the Florida Atlantic University are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Each state and territory have different requirements for professional licensure and certification. Requirements may include professional examinations, continuing education, background checks, fingerprinting requirements, etc. The state board will evaluate each application prior to making a recommendation for professional licensure and certification. Our students in the Master of Social work program meet the requirements for licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Florida. Students who wish to pursue professional licensure or certification in a state or territory other than Florida are strongly encouraged to contact the appropriate licensing agency to seek information and additional guidance.

Contact information for state’s Social Work Boards