Florida Campus Closure

Announcement of JUFL Campus Closure

Johnson University acquired Florida Christian College in 2013. At that time, Florida Christian College had lost its accreditation and faced significant financial hardship. Johnson University’s trustees and leadership team believed Johnson could not only intervene in the immediate issues, but in the longer term could create a Florida campus that reached a more diverse student body, impacted a state with a significant number of Christian churches, and equipped more students for lives of ministry and service. This leadership team saw the creation of Johnson University Florida as aligned with the institutional mission of Johnson University.

Since 2013, Johnson University Florida has graduated more than 300 students to date. More than a third of them have graduated from our ministry programs, and others have gone on to meaningful work in business, counseling, education, nonprofit leadership, and other strategic vocations. We assembled an excellent faculty who implemented high-quality, relevant academic programs reflecting both Christian ministries and strategic vocations. We significantly improved facilities, including the new cafeteria and café, the soccer field, and the renovation of the Chapman Center gymnasium/auditorium. Many existing supporters of Florida Christian College rallied to our efforts and we made numerous new friends who are faithful in their prayer and financial support.

However, we continued to face challenges in enrollment at the Florida campus. Each academic year saw declining or disappointing results, which led to increasing operating deficits. In February 2021, Johnson’s Board of Trustees endorsed a “turnaround plan” that included four benchmarks to serve as barometers of the health of the campus and eight actions designed to impact the four benchmarks. The benchmarks were increasing student enrollment, improving student retention, decreasing the budget deficit on the Florida campus, and increasing gift income to the campus. Strategies implemented to affect these benchmarks included hiring a campus minister with additional responsibility for keeping students engaged and enrolled until graduation; the development of a reading lab and the hiring of new staff in the Academic Support Center; the addition of new sports including softball, baseball, and women’s soccer; and seeking funding for a center for multicultural ministry to be housed at JUFL.

Despite strong efforts from the Johnson University Florida faculty and staff, we have been unsuccessful in increasing enrollment significantly and the campus has not made sufficient progress toward its benchmarks. Therefore, today we are announcing the closure of Johnson University Florida, effective June 30, 2024.

The campus will remain open and classes will continue through the upcoming academic year. The University is working individually with each student, each staff person, and each faculty member to help them with their next steps in education or employment.

This decision was not made lightly. Some among our constituency might wonder why we did not make the decision earlier, before more money was invested in the campus. Others may question why we could not wait longer to make this decision, since so many students and colleagues we love are hurt by it. The answer to both groups is the same: our Board of Trustees was committed to resourcing and supporting the Johnson University Florida campus if it was on a path toward sustainability, and was reluctant to close the campus until they knew for sure it was no longer financially sustainable. Although many people have worked very hard to increase enrollment and lower the budget deficit on the campus, the Board decided the campus was not financially sustainable. Once this decision was made, stewardship of our resources and care for the Florida students and staff demanded that we act quickly to announce the closure of the campus.

We are grateful for the generosity of so many churches and individuals who have supported the mission of the school since its inception in 1976. The heart and soul of that mission will continue through Johnson’s efforts to educate Florida students who share a commitment to the Great Commission and a desire to extend God’s kingdom among all nations.

We are grieving with the campus community in Florida. This is a difficult time and we face challenging months ahead as we seek to support them, honor the history of this campus, and finish well. We will do everything we can to make it easier and to celebrate their good work. We appreciate your prayers as we move forward.

FAQs
Johnson University transfer information
Transfer options at other institutions

Frequently Asked Questions

Johnson has been financially stable for many years and is surrounded by people who have deep commitments to good stewardship. Sizable financial investments have been made in the Florida campus starting at the time of the acquisition, including constructing The Commons and funding the annual operating deficits over the past ten years. We have been unable to make progress at reducing the amount required to fund those deficits to sustain the campus.

We must remain diligent with managing our resources including monitoring the Tennessee campus’s annual operating budget. We continue to strive to keep a pulse on enrollment, gifts, and potential areas of spending reductions and eliminations.
The financial assets of the JUFL campus will be transferred to the Tennessee campus to help offset the initial campus investment and annual operating deficits.

In most situations, existing endowed funds will be transferred to Johnson University Tennessee where they will continue to provide scholarship opportunities for students in accordance with the provisions of the fund when it was established. When possible, those who established and/or continue to donate to these funds will be contacted to discuss the process more fully.

In addition, we hope to establish two new scholarship funds. Both would provide direct support to students from the state of Florida who enroll at Johnson University.

The first fund would be general scholarship aid that is distributed as it is received and would benefit full-time, four-year undergraduate students in any academic program. The amount of the scholarship awarded is yet to be determined. At this point, this fund would be called the Florida Legacy Fund.

The second fund would be an endowed scholarship to benefit full-time, four-year undergraduate students enrolled in ministry programs. The amount of scholarship awarded would be determined by the amount of principal in the fund and the percentage to be paid out each year (currently 4.5%). At this point, this fund would be called the Florida Christian Ministries Fund.

We hope these new funds will honor the legacy of the men and women who founded and guided the college and will continue encouraging and equipping faithful kingdom workers from the state of Florida.
Over the next few days, we will be meeting with each faculty member and staff person to discuss next steps. Some of our colleagues will be asked to stay on as staff or faculty at the Tennessee campus; others will not. Staff not being retained for the Tennessee campus will receive severance pay based on years of service. Faculty will be paid per their current contracts through the end of the academic year.
Of course we hope many currently enrolled students will choose to stay at JUFL for the coming academic year. For those who do and who wish to transfer to our Tennessee campus to complete their degree after this year, we are offering a “last-dollar” tuition program which will cover the cost of their tuition after grants and scholarships are applied. For those who complete this academic year at JUFL and wish to finish their degree online, we are offering a 50% tuition discount. All of the programs currently offered on our Florida campus are available on the Tennessee campus, and all but two (and one concentration in Business Administration) are available 100% online.

We have also developed transfer options with Florida College, Palm Beach Atlantic University, Southeastern University, Trinity College of Florida, and Warner University. We are communicating this information to students, including what majors each school offers and how students can transfer their credits to each institution if they choose to. Our staff will be working with any student who needs help with this process or has questions about their options.
Anyone following higher education, especially private Christian higher education, knows this is a difficult time. There are fewer students considering college, and many of those who do are enrolling at community colleges or public colleges and universities. Johnson University has been blessed by decades of wise leadership, sound investment strategy, and careful use of resources. So the short answer is no. However, we are committed to only spending a small percentage of our restricted funds (also sometimes called an endowment) so that money can continue to bless future generations of students. These funds are what allow us to keep our tuition as affordable as possible and to provide the education and experiences that make Johnson a special place. So while we are financially stable, we are also being very careful to “live below our means” and limit our spending. We’re grateful to the generous donors who support our scholarship funds, general funds, and capital campaigns, and to the many alumni and friends who encourage their young people to consider Johnson. It takes all of us working together to build enrollment and remain financially healthy.

Johnson University transfer information

If you complete this academic year at JUFL and wish to transfer to the Tennessee campus to complete your degree after this year, we are offering a “last-dollar” tuition program which will cover the cost of your tuition after grants and scholarships are applied. Click here for undergraduate programs in Tennessee.

If you complete this academic year at JUFL and wish to finish your degree online, we are offering a 50% tuition discount. All of the programs currently offered on our Florida campus are available on the Tennessee campus, and all but two (and one concentration in Business Administration) are available 100% online. Click here for online undergraduate programs.

Transfer options

We have developed transfer agreements with five institutions in Florida. The chart below notes the degree programs offered at JUFL and the equivalent or similar program at other institutions. Check the individual school websites or contact their admissions offices for more details. The JUFL staff is glad to help you explore your options so you can make the decision that’s right for you.

JUFL Bachelor’s Degree Program	Florida College	Palm Beach Atlantic University	Southeastern University	Trinity College of Florida	Warner University
Applied Linguistics (B.A.)			Historical & Literary Studies Creative Writing (BFA)
Bible & Theology Major	Biblical Studies (B.A.)	Christian Studies (B.A.) Biblical & Theological Studies (B.A.) Biblical and Theological Studies Minor	Ministerial Leadership: Biblical Studies	Theology (B.A.)	Bible, Theology & Ministry (B.A.)
Business Administration (B.S.)	Business Administration (B.S.)		Business Studies Business Administration	Business Organizational Leadership: Leadership (B.A.)	Business Administration: Management (B.S.)
Business Administration: Entrepreneurship (B.S.)			Business Studies Business Administration Entrepreneurship Minor	Business Organizational Leadership: Leadership (B.A.)	Business Administration: Management or Marketing (B.S.)
Business Administration: Sports Management (B.S.)	Business Administration: Sport Management (B.S.)		Sport Management Business Studies Business Administration Sport Management Minor	Business Organization Leadership: Sports Leadership (B.A.)	Sport Management (B.S.)
Elementary Education (K-6) with Endorsement in ESL & Reading (B.S.)	Elementary Education (K-6) with ESOL & Reading (B.S.)	Elementary Education K-6/ESOL/Reading (B.S.)	Elementary Education	Elementary Education (B.A.)	Elementary Education (B.S.)
Intercultural Studies (B.S.)		Intercultural Studies (B.A.) Intercultural Studies Minor	Ministerial Leadership: Missional Leadership	Ministry: Intercultural Studies (B.A.)
Interdisciplinary Studies (A.A.)		Interdisciplinary Studies	Multidisciplinary Studies	General Studies (A.A.)
Ministry Leadership: Children & Family Ministry (B.A.)		Ministry Leadership Studies: Children’s Ministries (B.A.)	Ministerial Leadership: Family Ministries	Ministry: Youth Ministry (B.A.)
Ministry Leadership: Preaching & Church Leadership (B.A.)		Ministry Leadership Studies: Pastoral Ministries (B.A.)	Ministerial Leadership: Christian Ministry Ministerial Leadership: Pastoral Care & Counseling	Ministry: Pastoral Ministry (B.A.)	Bible, Theology & Ministry (B.A.)
Ministry Leadership: Preaching & Student Ministry (B.A.)		Ministry Leadership Studies: Student Ministries (B.A.) Student Ministries Minor	Ministerial Leadership: Christian Ministry Ministerial Leadership: Pastoral Care & Counseling	Ministry: Youth Ministry (B.A.)	Bible, Theology & Ministry (B.A.)
Ministry Leadership (B.A.)		Ministry Leadership Studies (B.A.) Ministry Leadership Studies: Pastoral Ministries (B.A.)	Ministerial Leadership: Christian Ministry	Ministry: Pastoral Ministry (B.A.)	Bible, Theology & Ministry (B.A.)
Missions (B.A.)			Ministerial Leadership: Missional Leadership	Ministry: Intercultural Studies (B.A.)
Organizational Psychology (B.S.)	Organizational Communication (B.A.) Psychology (B.A.)		Psychology (B.S.)	Psychology (B.A.)	Psychology (B.A.)
Pastoral Care and Counseling (B.S.)			Ministerial Leadership: Pastoral Care & Counseling	Psychology (B.A.)
Psychology (B.A.)	Psychology (B.A.)		Psychology (B.S.)	Psychology (B.A.)	Psychology (B.A.)
Sport & Fitness Leadership (B.S.)		Human Performance and Sport (B.S.)	Sport Management Business Studies Business Administration Sport Management Minor		Exercise and Sport Leadership (B.S.)
Sport & Fitness Leadership: Fitness Science (B.S.)	Kinesiology: Exercise Science (B.S.)	Athletic Training (B.S.) Exercise Science (B.S.) Exercise Science Minor	Sport Management Business Studies Business Administration Sport Management Minor		Exercise Science (B.S.)
Sport & Fitness Leadership: Sport Administration (B.S.)			Sport Management Business Studies Business Administration Sport Management Minor		Sport Management (B.S.)
Visual Media Production & Design (BFA)	Communication: Mass Media (B.A.)	Communication (B.A.) with Graphic Arts Minor Graphic Arts-Graphic Design (BFA) Graphic Arts-Graphic Design (B.A.) Graphic Arts-Graphic Design Minor	Communication: Digital Design & Production Graphic Design Film Production & Storytelling (BFS, online only)		Communication (B.A.)
Worship Leadership (B.M.)	Music (B.A.)	Music: Worship Leadership (B.Mus)	Worship Studies Music Worship Studies or Worship Ministries Minors	Ministry: Worship and Creative Arts (B.A.)	Worship Ministry (B.A.)