University College

Credit Area

Distance Learning Courses

Distance learning courses, coordinated through the University College, include courses via videoconferencing, correspondence, and online.

Videoconferencing Courses

Videoconferencing courses send the instructor’s “live” lectures at MTSU to students at remote sites. Sites include Franklin and Columbia State Community College. The videoconferencing classrooms are equipped with TV monitors and microphones so that students and instructors can interact. The instructor will visit the remote sites during the semester to assure that each student will have an opportunity to meet him/her in person. The instructor is also available during office hours at MTSU by phone, e-mail, or in person.

Correspondence Courses

Correspondence courses involve individual, independent instruction of a student by an instructor on a one-to-one basis. Typically, this entails home study as well as the exchange of materials and evaluations. Interaction and feedback between correspondence course faculty and students take the forms of written assignments, testing, evaluations, guidance, and assistance via such media as telephone, fax, e-mail, and other electronic technologies. More information may be obtained via e-mail at distance@mtsu.edu or by calling (615) 898-5332.

Online Courses

Online courses, including Hybrid courses, are accessed over the Internet through MTSU’s course management system. Only students with strong experience on the Internet should register for an online course. Students are required to have access to a computer and the Internet. Synchronous online classes meet online through MTSU’s course management system at the time/days of week specified in RaiderNet. A reliable computer with, at minimum, a DSL Internet (broadband) connection is needed to successfully access this course. Hardware requirements include headphones, earbuds speakers, and may include a microphone and/or Web cam. During the class, students can hear and/or see the professor and communication with the professor may take place through a microphone or text chat window. Students may be required to attend an orientation, mid-term, or final exam on campus. Additional information may be obtained by visiting www.mtsu.edu/online.

More information is available by calling (615) 898-5611.

Evening School

The University College serves students attending MTSU at night by assisting with registration, accepting payment of fees/fines for the Business Office, providing catalogs, making IDs, issuing parking permits, and offering other services to students outside regular daytime business hours. More information is available by contacting the Evening School Office, (615) 904-8391, or at www.mtsu.edu/learn.

Off-campus Program

Credit courses are regularly scheduled at several off-campus locations in middle Tennessee, including Smyrna, Franklin, Shelbyville, and Columbia State Community College. Efforts are made to service any special requests for off-campus credit courses by business and industry, school systems, and agencies. For more information, call (615) 898-2121 or visit www.mtsu.edu/learn.

Summer School

The University College directs the summer school, which includes a substantial number of credit courses.

Regents Online Degree Program (RODP)

Middle Tennessee State University and each of the colleges and universities in the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) system are working cooperatively to allow students to earn college degrees entirely online. The joint program is called the Regents Online Degree Program (RODP). Students are able to complete all degree requirements without traveling to campus.

Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.): This degree is offered through RODP and is an interdisciplinary graduate degree program designed for working adults who wish to pursue graduate professional studies. This 33-hour disciplinary degree program offers concentrations in Strategic Leadership and Training and Development. For information about courses and degree requirements, contact University College at (615) 898-5611 or visit www.mtsu.edu/graduate/programs/prst_td.php.

Master of Education with a Major in Advanced Studies in Teaching and Learning (M.Ed.): This RODP master’s degree program in education is designed to provide advanced professional preparation in the area of reading and language arts for practicing teachers. Admission is limited to fully licensed teachers who are currently teaching in classrooms. For information about courses and degree requirements, contact the Department of Elementary and Special Education or the College of Graduate Studies .

Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.): This RODP degree offers concentrations in Nursing Education, Nursing Administration, Nursing Informatics, and Advanced Practice: Family Nurse Practitioner. Registered nurses with bachelor’s degrees in areas other than nursing may complete a bridge program in order to be eligible for admission to the M.S.N. For more information on graduate nursing programs, contact the School of Nursing .

MTSU Online/Hybrid Degrees:

In addition to online and off-campus degree programs, a number of departments offer graduate students the opportunity to complete portions of their degrees online or in other distance learning formats. The following programs are available:

Master of Education with a Major in Administration and Supervision (M.Ed.): Coursework for this degree can be completed in a traditional campus setting, through online courses, or with a cohort group located in various community settings throughout the middle Tennessee region. Students interested in any of these options should contact the Womack Family Department of Educational Leadership or the College of Graduate Studies .

Master of Education with a Major in Administration and Supervision and a Concentration in Library Science (M.Ed.): The focus of this program is school librarianship. Graduates are eligible to apply for licensure as public school librarians in the state of Tennessee. This program requires 33 credits of online coursework with a Saturday experience on the main campus. Please contact Ms. Kathy Boudreau at (615) 898-2804.

Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in English as a Second Language (ESL) Add-On Licensure Program. Currently this 30-hour program combines 27 hours of online classes and a 3-hour class with some campus meetings (SPSE 6820 ). This program is pending approval to be offered fully online. Please contact Dr. Dorothy Craig for more information.

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) The 36-hour hybrid M.B.A. program combines online classes with a limited number of on-campus evening or weekend classes. Not all M.B.A. electives will be available oynline, and those that are offered may not be available each semester. BUAD 6980 may require two on-campus meetings. A maximum of three prerequisite courses may be required prior to starting the M.B.A. The graduate advisor for the M.B.A. degree is Dr. Troy Festervand (Troy.Festervand@mtsu.edu). Graduate Business Studies can be reached at (615) 898-2964.

*This course is under development for delivery in an online format.

Master of Business Education (M.B.E.): This program combines 33 hours of online and hybrid courses and requires a total of 20 hours of face-to-face meetings to allow for demonstrations and presentation of teaching techniques and methods. For more information contact Jaye Kiblinger at (615) 898-2902.

Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Culture, Cognition, and the Learning Process: Currently this 30-hour program combines 27 hours of online classes and a 3-hour class with some campus meetings (SPSE 7730 ). This program is pending approval to be offered fully online. Please contact Dr. Barbara N. Young at (615) 898-2209.

Professional Development

The mission of the Professional Development department is to provide specialized continuing education programs to those interested in developing their professional expertise. This department does this through a variety of offerings and additional services to the University and the community.

Online/On-Demand

Professional Development provides hundreds of online or on-demand courses covering a wide range of topics and issues. Courses covering topics as diverse as test preparation, software mastery, professional development, and personal enrichment are available. The extensive list of courses grows continuously and can be found on the online Professional Development catalog at www.mtsu.edu/universitycollege/training.

Regents Online Continuing Education (ROCE)

Professional Development also manages the Regents Online Continuing Education program, which consists of professional development and workforce training programs offered through a consortium of Tennessee Board of Regents colleges, universities, and technology centers. ROCE offers an extensive nontraditional continuing education program for adults 18 or older regardless of educational background. Continuing education courses are designed to meet the demanding schedules of the workforce and provide training for industry-related certified programs. Through short-term training, ROCE offers courses designed to upgrade skills and improve organizations, industries, and economic performance and to provide personal enrichment courses for persons who wish to obtain knowledge and learn new skills. All training is available online. ROCE program costs vary by course; fees are nonrefundable once the program starts. Course information and availability can be viewed at www.rodp.org/continuing-education.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

This office manages a state-certified program designed to meet the educational requirements of individuals who seek to become licensed Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT). The 213-hour course provides training for emergency care and stabilization to the critically ill and injured. Emphasis is placed on care at the scene and during transportation to a medical facility, IV maintenance, EOA, and epinephrine modules. In-depth study is done on patient assessment and shock physiology with fluid, intravenous therapy, and D50W administration as the focus. Actual experiences are provided and clinical and lab times are required in addition to class time. Information regarding this program may be found online at www.mtsu.edu/universitycollege/training/emt.

Continuing Education Units

Professional Development also certifies, monitors, and tracks the issuance of continuing education units, continuing professional education units, and continuing legal education units for the University and various professional groups and organizations.

More Information

More information can be obtained by contacting the College of Continuing Education and Distance Learning (615) 898-2177. Additional information may be obtained by visiting www.mtsu.edu/universitycollege.

Programs

Nursing, Advanced Practice: Family Nurse Practitioner, M.S.N. (RODP)

Nursing, Nursing Administration, M.S.N. (RODP)

Nursing, Nursing Education, M.S.N. (RODP)

Nursing, Nursing Informatics, M.S.N. (RODP)

Professional Studies, Strategic Leadership Concentration, M.P.S.

Professional Studies, Training and Development Concentration, M.P.S.