Have you been an athletic student right from high school, consistently engaged with sports contests, events, and preferences? Do you want to keep up your passion while procuring a degree at one of the colleges in Florida? Then you have quite settled on the most ideal choices of all time.
Indeed, you can be a student-athlete, get engaged with your #1 game and still circle back to your academics. NAIA schools in Florida are determined to serve students from different backgrounds and offer them a chance for advanced education that they might not have approached in any case.
What Is NAIA?
NAIA stands for National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. It was established in 1937, and it is currently one of the biggest university athletic associations in the United States.
It is a university college association for universities and colleges in North America that manages student-athletes in the US and offers up to $800 million in grants every year.
The NAIA is an association that works for certain schools to help student-athletes as well as offer them chances to show their sports skills while earning a college education. On account of NAIA, is available in about 250 universities in the United States and there are also NAIA schools in Florida.
Students who apply for one of the NAIA schools in Florida as student-athletes will have expanded shots even after graduation.
They can either choose to continue to play or enter the labor force with their certificate. The NAIA association sponsors and conducts 14 sports and 28 annual championships
You can apply for any of the NAIA schools in Florida or anywhere in the US if you play the following sports offered in the Male, Female, and COED categories.
- Baseball
- Bowling
- Competitive cheer
- Competitive dance
- Cross country
- Football
- Lacrosse
- Golf
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming and diving
- Tennis
- Indoor and outdoor track
- Volleyball
- Wrestling
How To Get Into NAIA Schools in Florida
There are certain prerequisites that you must satisfy to get accepted into any of the NAIA colleges in Florida.
- You must have a good track record of playing one of the sports listed above.
- You are expected to have completed high school with good grades.
- Meet at least two out of three entry-level academic conditions below:
-Test score: minimum score of 18 on the ACT or 860 on the SAT (Math section and Critical Section only).
-On a scale of 4.0 have a minimum overall high school GPA of 2.0.
-On a Class rank you are expected to top at least 50% of the high school graduating class.
- You must be making good progress towards a bachelor’s degree
- You may only compete during your first 10 semesters/15 quarters and only during four seasons.
- You must meet transfer eligibility requirements (If You Can Apply).
- You must complete the NAIA official eligibility certificate and NAIA certificate of clearance to compete.
To learn more and apply, click here.
The List of NAIA Schools in Florida
- Ave Maria University
- Florida College
- Florida National University
- Keiser University
- Florida Memorial University
- St Thomas University
- Southeastern University
- Warner University
- Webber International University
Ave Maria University
Ave Maria University was founded in 2003 and became the first among the new catholic universities in 1963. Ave Maria University is known as one of the NAIA schools in Florida.
The University has well-equipped sports facilities, equipment and fields where all sporting activities and training take place.
Here are the types of sports they play.
Ave Maria University NAIA In Florida:
MEN
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Football
- Golf
- Soccer
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Track and Field (Indoor)
- Track and Field (Outdoor)
- Ultimate Frisbee
WOMEN
- Basketball
- Beach Volleyball
- Cross Country
- Dance
- Golf
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Track and Field (Outdoor)
- Track and Field (Indoor)
Florida College
Florida College is known as one of the best colleges in Florida US. This college is known to prepare students for better services to humanity, through quality higher education, and a unique environment.
Florida College is one of the top NAIA schools in Florida and recognized as the 2nd best NAIA school in Florida. Florida College has varieties of opportunities for students to develop social skills and cultural knowledge necessary for competent citizenship and ethical caring.
Sports for Men and Women
- Basketball (Men)
- Cross Country (Both)
- Soccer (Both)
- Outdoor Track and Field (Both)
- Golf (Both)
- Volleyball (Women)
- Cheerleading (Women).
The Florida College Athletic Association’s mission is to encourage student-athletes and strengthen the athletic program through generous financial donations and support at athletic events.
Florida National University
Florida National University is a private university located in Miami. It was founded in 1940 as an all-men’s college and was originally called St. Thomas University. The name was changed to Florida National University in 2003.
Florida National University (FNU) is one of the member schools of this organization -NAIA. The university’s athletes compete in various sports such as football, basketball, track and field, and soccer.
The mission of the Florida National University Athletic Department is to ;
-Assist within an athletic structure that promotes the development of a well-rounded education through structured sport and competition.
-Also, to develop life skills of discipline, integrity, leadership, philanthropy and social responsibility.
-To elevate ethnic and cultural diversity within the athletic programs.
-To assure equitable opportunity for all staff and student-athletes.
-To make the athletic program a durable source of pride for the student population, student-athletes, alumni, university, and community of FNU.
Florida National University NAIA
WOMEN
- Women Softball
- Women’s Basketball
- Women’s Cross Country
- Women’s Soccer
- Women’s Tennis
- Women Track And Field
- Women’s Volleyball
- Women’s Volleyball
MEN
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Track and Field.
Keiser University
Keiser University is a regionally accredited private career university that provides educational programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels for a diverse student body in traditional, nontraditional and online delivery formats.
The main campus is located in Fort Lauderdale, with campuses located throughout the State of Florida and internationally. Through quality teaching, learning, and research, the university is committed to providing students with opportunities to develop the knowledge, understanding, and skills necessary for successful employment.
- Committed to a “students first” philosophy, Keiser University prepares graduates for careers in business, criminal justice, health care, technology, hospitality, education and career-focused general studies.
Inherent in the Mission is service to the community. This service includes community partnerships, involvement with various constituencies and various continuing education programs.
MEN’S SPORTS
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Football
- Swimming
- Wrestling
- Golf
- Indoor T&F
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Tennis
WOMEN’S SPORT
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Flag Football
- Golf
- Indoor T&F
- Lacrosse
- Outdoor T&F
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Volleyball
Florida Memorial University
Florida Memorial University is an NAIA member institution located in Miami, Florida. FMU offers a wide range of programs including business administration, accounting, and management information systems.
The school offers associate’s degrees in additional areas including culinary arts, sports management, and advertising.
The school was founded in 1990 and offers bachelor’s degrees in education, humanities, social sciences, business administration, and health sciences.
Florida Memorial University NAIA
MEN’S SPORTS
- Football
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Track and Field
DEVELOPMENTAL SPORTS
- DEV Baseball
- DEV Basketball
WOMEN’S SPORTS
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Volleyball
- Flag Football
- Beach Volleyball
- Softball
- Track and Field
CO-ED SPORTS
- Competitive Cheer
St Thomas University
St. Thomas University is one of the most well-known NAIA schools in Florida. With a student body of over 6,000 students, St. Thomas has been ranked as one of the top 400 universities in the world by Times Higher Education and U.S News & World Report.
St. Thomas’ athletic teams compete as members of the Sunshine State Conference (SSC), which also includes schools like Palm Beach Atlantic University, Lynn University, and Rollins College.
St. Thomas University’s athletic teams are called the Lightning, and they compete in 3 different sports: football, soccer, and volleyball.
St Thomas University NAIA In Florida
MEN’S SPORTS
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Soccer
- Track
- Rugby
- Volleyball
WOMEN’S SPORTS
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Hockey
- Rugby
- Track
- Soccer
- Volleyball
They also offer other Classes and Programs.
Southeastern University
Southeastern University is an NAIA school in Florida. It was founded in 2003 and has since grown to become one of the largest university systems in the state.
MEN’S SPORTS
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Football
- Golf
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Track a Field
- Wrestling
- JC Baseball
CO-ED SPORTS
- Cheer
Women SPORTS
- Beach volleyball
- Softball
- Volleyball
- Golf
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Cross Country
- Basketball
Warner University
Founded as Warner Southern College in 1968, the institution became known as Warner University in 2008. Warner bustles now with nearly 1200 students from over 30 states and 20 countries, all dedicated to learning in a vibrant Christian community. Warner University is an NAIA school located in Central Florida.
Warner University offers Associate’s degree programs in Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Culinary Arts, Education, Health Careers, and Public Safety Management.
Sports For Men
- Basketball
- Clay Target Team
- Cross Country
- Football
- Soccer
- Softball
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
Sports For Women
- Basketball
- Beach Volleyball
- Clay Target Team
- Comp Cheer and Dance
- Cross Country
- Flag Football
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Track and Field volleyball
Developmental Teams
- Baseball (Male)
- Basketball (Men and Women)
- Softball (Women)
Webber International University
Webber International University is a private, not-for-profit educational institution located in Jupiter, Florida. It was founded in 1978 and offers four-years college education in business and computer science, as well as master’s degrees in business administration and information technology.
The NAIA has approved Webber International University as an NAIA school in Florida.
Webber University is located on a 110-acre campus on the beautiful shores of Crooked Lake, Babson Park in Florida and hosts students from more than 48 different countries.
It is one of only seven schools recognized by ‘U.S. News & World Report as America’s Best Colleges for a business specialty. ‘The Princeton Review’ lists it as a Best Southeastern College and ‘GI Jobs’ rates it as an America’s Most Military Friendly College.”
Webber International University NAIA Florida
MEN’S SPORTS
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Beach Volleyball
- Bowling
- Cross-country
- Football
- Golf
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
WOMEN’S SPORTS
- Beach Volleyball
- Cheerleading
- Flag Football
- Softball
- Soccer
- Lacrosse
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
- Basketball
- Bowling
- Cross Country
DEVELOPMENTAL SPORTS
- Baseball
- Softball
- Volleyball
- Basketball (Male)
Is NAIA better than D2?
NAIA programs are very practical compared to NCAA D3 schools, and high-level NAIA programs match the ability found at mid/high-level NCAA D2 schools.
At times competitors will choose a top 25 NAIA program over a lower positioned D2 program because the opposition level is very comparative. Source.
What is an NAIA Division 1 school?
The NAIA is a smaller association than the NCAA, with a little more than 60,000 students.
It incorporates two divisions (Division I and II) and Division I in the NAIA is somewhat comparable to Division II in the NCAA. Find out more.
Can NAIA give full-ride scholarships?
Not many NAIA schools will offer full-ride scholarships to competitors, yet partial grants are more normal.
To get funding and to play in a group, you should be signed up for no less than 12 credit hours. Find out more.
How much money do NAIA scholarships give?
Unlike NCAA schools, more than 90% of NAIA schools offer athletic scholarships.
On average, individual competitors get $7,000, or 10-20% of their expense participation, in monetary aid. Find out more.
Conclusion:
NAIA presents a potential chance to high school graduates in Florida as they can easily apply to one of these universities and seek after two professions simultaneously – sports and degrees of their choice – while on a scholarship to subsidize their schooling.
The NAIA is an astounding method for securing your opportunity and finding out about sports. For students keen on playing at a more elevated level, the NAIA is a decent spot to begin.
Furthermore, being a student-athlete looking for the most suitable NAIA school in Florida, you know firsthand how difficult it is to combine sports and academic advancement.
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If you have any desire to play for your school’s group and be essential for a local area that supports your group and gives you the assets you want to succeed, it’s likewise an incredible spot to be. You can play any of these sports listed in these universities while studying for a degree program of your choice.