Florida State University preserves, expands, and disseminates knowledge in the sciences, technology, arts, humanities, and professions, while embracing a philosophy of learning strongly rooted in the traditions of the liberal arts. The university is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, creative endeavors, and service. The university strives to instill the strength, skill, and character essential for lifelong learning, personal responsibility, and sustained achievement within a community that fosters free inquiry and embraces diversity.
Florida State offers leading undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. Many units have programs that consistently rank among the nation’s top twenty-five public universities, including those in Physics, Chemistry, Statistics, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Meteorology, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Criminology, Information, Creative Writing, Public Policy, Business and Law.
Florida State University's arts programs—dance, film, music and theatre—rank among the finest in the world.
The university is home to the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, funded by the National Science Foundation. Other research centers, such as the Center for Advanced Power Systems, are supported by the U.S. Departments of Defense and Energy. The NHMFL and CAPS, among other labs, place Florida State University at the cutting edge of research and its application to industry.
