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/learn/mps/index.shtml.

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/Hyrbid 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 distancelearning 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 online, 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 (fester@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

A World of Opportunities

The mission of the Professional Development (PD) division is to provide test preparation and certificate programs as well as specialized continuing education programs to those interested in developing their professional expertise.

The college’s PD initiative promotes and provides diverse opportunities that enhance the professional and personal lives of middle Tennessee residents. Diverse educational opportunities, quality programs, and dedicated services provide access to the vast and valuable resources of the University, the region, and beyond.

Business and Industry

PD serves the business community by providing training opportunities to enhance professional development, certification, and business performance. MTSU faculty members as well as outside experts provide up-to-date, relevant programs in skills training through organizations such as Achieve Global, the American Society for Quality, Project Management Institute, the Association for Operations Management (APICS), the American Payroll Association, and the Society of Human Resource Management and in areas such as real estate, Lean, Six Sigma, OSHA, Spanish for business, and Tennessee business tax.

Government and Education

The government and education area works with all branches of government and establishes programs to enhance the professional development of K–12 educators. Available are programs such as ACT Preparation, LSAT Preparation, Conversational Spanish I and II, Survival Spanish for Business, Survival Spanish for Law Enforcement, and Sign Language. Professional development is also offered in conjunction with the Tennessee Government Finance Officers Association.

Health Care

This area offers valuable continuing education for professionals and unique training opportunities for those interested in the health care field. Programs include Emergency Medical Technician, test preparation for the Allied Health field, CPR, Continuing Education for Health Care Professionals, Nursing CEUs, and Spanish for Health Care Professionals.

On-Demand/Online

MTSU offers hundreds of on-demand and online courses. These courses cover a wide range of topics and are generally more affordable for those who don’t require college credit. They cover topics including computer applications, languages, finance, entrepreneurship, nonprofit management, and health care.

Technology

Training programs are available in technology areas and applications such as HTML, ASP, CGI, FrontPage, Dreamweaver, MOS certification, and much more.

Workforce Development and Corporate Training

PD offers customized, on-site training to business, industry, and government based on specific organizational needs. Professional development certification programs, seminars, workshops, and short courses that focus on timely and leading-edge topics are presented on and off campus. Those benefiting from such programs include human resource managers, engineers, lawyers, accountants, emergency medical technicians, government officers, payroll administrators, and physician groups. Inquiries should be directed to PD at (615) 898-2462.

More information can be obtained by contacting the University College, (615) 898-2177. Additional information may be  obtained by visiting www.mtsu.edu/learn.

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.