JaxUSA Partnership School Profiles

Keiser University

Keiser University is a private, not-for-profit, regionally accredited university and a proud member of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF). For more than 17 years, the University has been a trusted partner in advancing the educational and workforce priorities of Northeast Florida, working closely with JAXUSA Partnership, the JAX Chamber and leading employers to meet regional talent needs.

Located in Southpoint, the Jacksonville campus offers over 55 degree programs at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels, spanning fields such as health care, criminal justice, business, information technology, cybersecurity, logistics and allied health. Programs are offered in on-ground, hybrid and online formats, providing flexibility for both traditional students and working professionals.

Keiser University maintains close collaboration with local industry leaders to ensure programs align with the region’s targeted industries, including health care, logistics, information technology, cybersecurity and advanced manufacturing. Through biannual partner and advisory board meetings each April and November, the University gathers insights on workforce trends, employer expectations and curriculum innovation to ensure graduates are prepared to make an immediate impact.

Internships, externships and clinical rotations are built into every program, offering students immersive, hands-on experience that enhances their professional readiness and strengthens employer partnerships across the region.

Deeply committed to serving military service members, veterans and their families, Keiser University fosters pathways for career advancement and lifelong learning. As one of Florida’s largest private universities, Keiser employs more than 3,800 professionals statewide and contributes over $6 billion annually in economic impact—reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of education, workforce development, and economic growth in Northeast Florida.

Success in Northeast Florida

Keiser University understands the importance of providing education for students in areas that Northeast Florida is seeing the most growth. To help with this, the university has worked with JAXUSA Partnership and the JAX Chamber to assist with programs in the region’s target industries. Keiser also has meetings with their partners bi-annually to discuss industry updates and the trends employers are seeing to get input on the university’s curriculum from leaders in the business community.

Keiser offers programs that align with all six of Northeast Florida’s target industries. In Advanced Manufacturing, Keiser offers a Bachelor of Science in Applied Engineering. For Life Sciences, they offer multiple associate, bachelor and graduate level degrees. These degrees spread from hands-on clinical education to sports science. In 2026, Keiser University is also expanding simulation-based learning for community partners through the MILO Range Simulator, an immersive, scenario-based training platform traditionally used in law enforcement, public safety and increasingly applied to healthcare workforce safety. Using de-escalation and crisis-response scenarios, the system supports decision-making, communication and de-escalation skills in realistic, high-stress environments.

In Technology Services, Keiser offers an Associate, Bachelor and Master of Science Information Technology. They also offer a Master of Science in Financial Technology (Fintech). Keiser University is growing their Technology Services scene in 2026. The university will be launching a new cyber simulation lab that will specialize in cybersecurity awareness, community training events and live simulations early next year.

For Corporate Operations, Keiser has many courses that align with the industry, including marketing, communications, accounting and business administration. The university also partners with Jacksonville companies that offer on-property degree programs. Keiser also has a podcast in this field that features professionals from different parts of the world.

Lastly, Keiser boasts their Transportation and Logistics scene. Students can pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a concentration in Transportation and Logistics. Students in this program often take part in traveling abroad while in school and get job offers before graduation. The university also has a Student Propeller Club Port of Jacksonville.

Keiser University recognizes Artificial Intelligence (AI) as an important factor to a student’s education. The university has included AI in the curriculum of all of their programs. The university was also one of the first to include this form of technology and adopt these practices into their courses. In 2026, the university plans to expand their AI focused degrees and offer, an Associate and Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence.

Student, Alumni & Faculty Stories

Keiser University Jacksonville is proud to recognize several outstanding faculty members who exemplify the University’s mission of service, academic excellence and community engagement across Northeast Florida’s targeted industries.

  • Dr. Jeremy Smith: Dr. Smith, a founding contributor to Keiser University’s Transportation and Logistics concentration within the Business Administration program, brings decades of industry leadership and international experience to the classroom. Under his guidance, the program has expanded student engagement through partnerships with regional employers, internships, and professional associations, including the Propeller Club – Port of Jacksonville and the Transportation Club of Jacksonville. Dr. Smith serves on the boards of both the USO of Florida and the Propeller Club of Jacksonville, strengthening industry and community connections. In October 2025, he accompanied a select group of students to the International Propeller Club Convention in Lyon, France, where they represented KU Jacksonville alongside industry leaders from around the world. The trip offered global exposure to sessions on international trade, maritime cybersecurity, decarbonization, and AI-driven supply-chain innovation, transforming classroom learning into experiential leadership.
  • Professor Lida Francoeur-Brown, MSN, RN: Professor Francoeur-Brown leads the Jacksonville School of Nursing’s international service-learning initiative, partnering with International Service Learning (ISL) to provide global clinical experiences in underserved communities. Through this collaboration, nursing students gain real-world exposure to global health practices, public health education, and community wellness initiatives while applying their skills in rural and developing areas. This experiential learning opportunity supports Keiser’s commitment to addressing Florida’s critical nursing shortage by fostering culturally competent, globally aware healthcare professionals.

Together, faculty like Dr. Smith and Professor Francoeur-Brown exemplify Keiser University’s deep commitment to preparing students for leadership in Transportation & Logistics and Health & Life Sciences, two of Northeast Florida’s most vital target industries.

Many of Keiser’s students have been featured on EarnUp.org, the website of JAXUSA’s talent development initiative.

Specialized Programs

Keiser University offers multiple unique and specialized programs that differentiates it from the other schools in Northeast Florida.

The university offers an Esports program that had grown tremendously and features almost 40 student athletes that compete at both national and state levels. Some of their wins include first place at the Eastern College Athletic Conference Spring Showdown in the spring of 2025 and first place in Valorant and League of Legends at the Battle for Florida Tournament in October of the same year. Keiser University is also offering scholarships for some of their leading esports athletes. In the health industry, Keiser continues to strengthen their programs in Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA), Radiologic Technology and Nursing. To address the needs in the rehabilitation workforce, the university launched a new Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program in 2025.

Keiser University is committed to their adult learners. Majority of the schools programs are in a four-week format, which allows flexibility in the student’s life. In addition to adult learners, Keiser is also dedicated to their veteran students as well as active-duty military and their families. The university offers different services, scholarship opportunities and credit for military training. Lastly, to bridge the gap between postsecondary education and high school students, Keiser has a Community Relations Coordinator that visits schools throughout the region.

The Keiser University Impact

Due to their diverse program offerings and dedication to the community, Keiser will continue to be an innovative and accessible university in the Jacksonville region.