The Federal Institute of São Paulo, or in full: Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of São Paulo is an institution that offers high education and professional education by having a pluricurricular form. It is a multicampi institution, specializing in offering professional and technological education in different areas of knowledge. It was known previously as Federal Center of Technological Education of São Paulo. IFSP is one of the five Federal Colleges in São Paulo, the other ones being ITA, UFSCar, UNIFESP and UFABC.
The IFSP is a public and federal institution directly vinculated to the Ministry of Education of Brazil. Its follows the tradition of public schools being the strongest in Brazil, and as well, São Paulo. The history of IFSP is marked, on its different phases, by the great quality of public education, professional formation offered to the international and the Brazilian market. The history begins with the creation of the Escola de Aprendizes e Artífices , created in 1909, had its education focused on the formation of workmen and foremen. The EAA evolved, between 1960 and 1990, into Escola Técnica Federal de São Paulo ; forming medium level technicians, initially to the areas of Mechanics and Edifications, and after Electrotechnics, Electronics, Telecommunications, Data Processing and Industrial Informatics. In 1987 the School opened its second campus, located in the city ofCubatão, São Paulo state coast, and, in 1996, its third campus, located in Sertãozinho, in the interior of the state. In this period, there was a high public acceptance of ETEFSP driven by its excellence in professional preparation of its students. The institution became respected and appreciated by the professional market. In the year 2000, ETESP was transformed into Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica , there was a remodel and expansion of the institution's offerings related to education. More career options, campus and structural and technological improvements. In 2005 was created the Campus of Guarulhos, 2006 Campus Caraguatatuba and Campus São João da Boa Vista, 2007 Campus Salto and Campus Bragança Paulista and in 2008 Campus São Carlos and Campus São Roque. Another campi was created at many cities, and there is expectation for more expansion in future. In the year 2008 CEFET became the Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de São Paulo. Today, the institute has more than 7.000 students. IFSP offers the following levels of education currently:
Undergraduate courses - Bachelor's degrees, Technological High Education and Teachers Formation Courses
IFSP has the objective of forming ethical citizens and professionals and of being an institution involved with the society. Its actions point toward the development of new technologies, cultural and social investments and the formation of critical citizens. The students abilities are improved and testes through the courses, helping them to develop the "know-how", and values concerning to all the areas.
The first and second degrees are called Mestrado Profissionalizante, and are master's degree focusing direct application and work on research environment.
In Brazil, a Specialization is a graduate degree that can be attended before a master's degree. The People who have a Specialization degree don't receive a title as people who attended Master's and PhD's degree.
