Full Sail University was founded by Jon Phelps in Dayton, Ohio, in 1979.[11] Its curriculum was centered on recording arts and offered courses in audio engineering.[12] It relocated to Orlando, Florida, in 1980 and added new courses to its core recording arts program. In 1989, Full Sail moved to its current location at Winter Park, Florida;[12] the following year, it was accredited to grant specialized associate degrees.[13]
Full Sail Studios Arch
Enrollment doubled between 1989 and 1991 at a time of increased interest in film and media studies.[14] The university had financial difficulties in 1992 and its growth slowed.[15] Between 1995 and 1999, it began offering associate degrees in computer animation, digital media, game design and development, and show production and touring; these were later expanded into full bachelor's degree programs.[13]
In 2005, the school offered its first bachelor's degree program, a Bachelor of Science degree in entertainment business.[16] In 2007, the first master's degree program—also in the entertainment industry—was offered.[17] Online degree programs began in 2007, the first of which was an online adaptation of the existing Entertainment Business Master of Science.[17]
The additions of the master's degree programs, among other factors, led to the school being recognized as a university by the state of Florida. In 2008 it changed its name from Full Sail Real World Education to Full Sail University after attaining university status from the Florida Department of Education's Commission for Independent Education.[18] The campus expanded with the addition of a 1,780-foot (540-meter)-long backlot with 18 city facades designed to replicate the sets used in production of Hollywood films and television shows, which later expanded to 2,078 feet (633 m).[18]
As the university grew between 2006 and 2011, the curriculum and degree programs were broadened,[19] adding programs such as a Bachelor of Science in sports marketing and media,[20] and a Master of Science degree in game design.[21]
In 2012 WWE began filming episodes of its internet television show WWE NXT at Full Sail University.[22][23][24] In June 2015, the school began hosting the WWE Tough Enough series.[25][26][27] As part of the partnership between Full Sail and WWE, students have the opportunity to produce WWE NXT tapings, during which merchandise and tickets sales contribute to a scholarship fund for students enrolled at the university.[28][29] As of January 2018, the partnership had resulted in $385,000 in scholarships.[30][31][32] In September 2019, WWE and Full Sail University announced the expansion of their partnership as USA Network is set to host the promotion's NXT television series live from Full Sail University on a weekly basis beginning September 18, 2019.[33][34] In 2020, it was announced that WWE NXT would stop taping at Full Sail University due to several reasons, the primary one being that students are no longer there to help with production given the COVID-19 pandemic response at the campus.[35]
In 2015, the university announced a partnership with Wargaming and unveiled a user experience lab for conducting research projects.[36][37][38]
Full Sail University's Dan Patrick School of Sportscasting was established in 2017, with a new sportscasting degree program and instruction provided by sportscaster, radio personality, and actor Dan Patrick, among other industry leaders.[39][40][41]
