Today, NSU is the nation’s sixth largest, not-for-profit, independent university, with more than 28,000 students and 103,000 alumni; a sprawling, 300-acre Fort Lauderdale-Davie campus; and a presence in nine countries around the world. Through five decades of explosive growth, our reputation for academic excellence and innovation continues to flourish.

In 1964, what was then called Nova University was chartered as a graduate institution in the physical and social sciences. Over time, Nova added programs in law, education, business, psychology, computer science, and oceanography, and, in 1972, introduced its first off-campus course of study, in education. Soon, Nova became nationally recognized for its innovative distance learning programs. Today, field-based programs are located throughout Florida, in 23 states, and at selected international sites.

While Nova University continued to expand its educational reach, Southeastern University of the Health Sciences also was on an expansion course. Southeastern was created by osteopathic physicians committed to establishing a College of Osteopathic Medicine in the Southeast. As a result, Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine, as it was first known, opened in 1981.

During the 10-year span that followed (1987–1997), Southeastern added colleges of Pharmacy, Optometry, Allied Health, Medical Sciences, and Dental Medicine. In 1994, Nova University merged with Southeastern University of Health Sciences to form Nova Southeastern University.

So what exactly is NSU? We’re a small, nurturing, private, undergraduate college. We’re an exciting, multifaceted university. We’re young and agile, fearless and forward thinking. And we’re traditional. NSU doesn’t fit easily within a standardized niche, because neither do you.