College of Public Service

Educating Leaders & Scholars Who Serve

College of Public Service Degrees C.A.R.E.S Faculty & Staff

About the College

The College of Public Service is dedicated to educating leaders and scholars who are committed to making a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond. Through accessible, affordable, and flexible programs offered both in the heart of downtown Nashville and online, students gain the knowledge, skills, and practical experience needed to excel in careers in social work, public administration, urban studies, professional studies, and other fields dedicated to serving the public good.

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Faculty

Location

Strategically situated in the heart of downtown Nashville or via a number of fully online programs, our College makes a career in public service accessible for you.

Affordable

The College offers a myriad of affordable courses in social work, public administration, urban studies, and professional studies, so you can achieve your dream of a career in public service.

UndergraduateDegree Programs

The Department of Social Work and Urban Studies offers programs that prepare students to lead, serve, and create positive change in their communities. Through degrees and minors in Urban Studies, Social Work, and Nonprofit Management and Leadership, students develop the knowledge and skills needed for careers in community development, public service, and the nonprofit sector. Emphasizing social and economic justice, cultural competence, and lifelong learning, these programs provide a strong foundation for professional practice, graduate study, and meaningful civic engagement.

Urban Studies: B.S.

Interdisciplinary major grounded in the social sciences prepares students for community-oriented professions, graduate school and active engagement in public service.

Nonprofit Management and Leadership: Minor

Ideal for students with a commitment to the community and the desire to apply knowledge gained in their major to future employment in the nonprofit sector.

Social Work : B.S.S.W

The Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) degree prepares students for professional social work practice, leadership, and service in an urban setting. The program promotes social and economic justice, the application of cultural competence, scholarly inquiry, and lifelong learning.

Urban Leadership: Certificate

Professional Management Academy (PMA) Receive a Certificate in Urban Leadership (18 credit hours, 6 courses) The certificate in Urban Leadership is a six-course program covering critical leadership skills to participate effectively in political processes on behalf of communities. This certificate is offered in partnership with State of Tennessee agencies on a cohort basis (not open to all).

NOTE: This certificate is also designed to integrate smoothly with the Professional Management Academy (PMA).

URBS 2010 Introduction to Urban Studies

URBS 3000 Community Leadership/Public Service

URBS 3030 Urban Policies & Issues

URBS 3601 Urban Administration

URBS 4450 Non-Profit Management

URBS 4700 Amer Govt Inst And Governance

GraduateCertificate Programs

Offered by the Department of Public Administration:

Certificates may be pursued on their own or, with department approval, in conjunction with a degree.

Contact: Department Chair mstreams@tnstate.edu

Local Government Management

a six-course program that prepares students for successful careers in local government management. (Department of Public Administration) 100% ONLINE. Admission deadlines April 1 (Summer); July 1 (Fall); November 1 (Spring)

Public Administration Executive Leadership

a six-course program covering critical leadership skills relevant to the public sector. This certificate may be pursued by individual students or it can also be offered by special arrangements for agency personnel on a cohort basis. Contact Dr. Rodney Stanley for more information on agency cohorts. (Department of Public Administration). NOTE: This certificate is also designed to integrate smoothly with the M.P.S. degree (Masters in Professional Studies or the MPA – see above). 100% ONLINE. Admission deadlines April 1 (Summer); July 1 (Fall); November 1 (Spring)

Public Policy

a six-course program to build analytical expertise that makes a difference in the policy arena. (Department of Public Administration) 100% ONLINE. Admission deadlines April 1 (Summer); July 1 (Fall); November 1 (Spring)

GraduateDegree Programs

Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration

A rigorous research-based degree that prepares you for faculty positions and leadership roles in public and nonprofit organizations. 100% ONLINE.Upcoming annual application deadline: completed applications must be received by March 1 for Fall admission consideration. Late applications to this program cannot be considered for the listed semester; they will be included in the next year’s round of admissions decisions. Please note program capacity is limited and meeting minimum admission criteria described in the Graduate Catalog does not guarantee a place.

Contact: Department Chair mstreams@tnstate.edu

Master of Public Administration

The key professional degree enabling you to work in fast-growing public and nonprofit sectors, our program is offered fully online helping you earn a degree while employed. TSU’s MPA degree is the only NASPAA-accredited program in Middle Tennessee. 100% ONLINE Admission deadlines April 1 (Summer); July 1 (Fall); November 1 (Spring)

Contact: Department Chair mstreams@tnstate.edu

Master of Professional Studies

A Masters degree program, offered by TSU through the TN eCampus . 100% ONLINE. Admission deadlines April 1 (Summer); July 1 (Fall); November 1 (Spring). Concentrations available are:

Strategic Leadership,
Human Resource Management, or

Contact: Department Chair mstreams@tnstate.edu

Master of Social Work

This program is designed for the working professional with on-campus courses offered in the evening and the remaining classes offered online. Individuals who have a Bachelor of Social Work degree and a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 are eligible for advanced standing.

Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration

Contact: Department Chair mstreams@tnstate.edu

Master of Public Administration

Contact: Department Chair mstreams@tnstate.edu

Master of Professional Studies

A Masters degree program, offered by TSU through the TN eCampus . 100% ONLINE. Admission deadlines April 1 (Summer); July 1 (Fall); November 1 (Spring). Concentrations available are:

Strategic Leadership,
Human Resource Management, or

Contact: Department Chair mstreams@tnstate.edu

Master of Social Work

Affiliates and Accrediting Organizations

CSWE

Accredits the MTC MSW (Mid-Tennessee Collaborative Master of Social Work) program.

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NASPAA

Our MPA degree is the only NASPAA-accredited program in Middle Tennessee.

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Pi Alpha Alpha

Pi Alpha Alpha is the national Honor Society for graduates who excel in public administration studies (MPA, PhD ).

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Upsilon Sigma Honors Society

An international and multidisciplinary honor society that recognizes and encourages excellence in urban studies and related fields.

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