In , it merged with the Cookman Institute of Jacksonville, Florida , founded in , and became a co-ed high school. By the school had become a junior college. In , a four-year degree program was developed in liberal arts and teacher training. The school became a four-year college in when the Florida Department of Education approved a four-year baccalaureate program in Liberal Arts and Teacher Education.
The name was changed to Bethune—Cookman College. In , two years later, the first group of graduates received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education. The college was accredited in by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In , Bethune-Cookman College was admitted to candidacy status by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to offer a master's degree in science education.
During this period, it joined the United Negro College Fund. Since , campus improvements have included the construction of the Center for Civic Engagement, the L. Gale Lemerand School of Nursing, the creation of the Alexis Pugh and Eugene Zimmerman Scholarship houses, and the provision of a university-owned house as an alumni center.
The incident led to security measures at commencement, including a bag search. The university was placed on probation by its regional accreditor , the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, in the summer of The accreditor cited failings in multiple areas, including integrity, governing board characteristics, financial resources, financial responsibility, and control of finances.
The nursing program had been placed on probation by its accreditor a few months earlier, related to academic issues. Bethune—Cookman University offers 39 bachelor's degrees and six master's degrees through one of the following schools and colleges: [ 24 ] During the period from to , the number of major fields of study increased from 12 to As of , U.
