We are delighted that you are considering studying at Tennessee State University: the major public, comprehensive urban university of Nashville and Middle Tennessee.
Tennessee State University
Statement of Mission
Tennessee State University, an 1890 land grant institution, is a major state-supported, urban and comprehensive university governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents. This unique combination of characteristics_land grant, urban, and comprehensive_differentiates the University from all others in the state and distinctively shapes its instructional, research and public service programs. In carrying out its diverse mission, the University serves the City of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, the State, the nation, and the international community.
As an 1890 land grant institution, Tennessee State University provides instructional programs, state-wide cooperative extension services, cooperative agricultural research, and food and agricultural programs of an international dimension.
As a comprehensive institution, Tennessee State University provides programming in agriculture, allied health, arts and sciences, business, education, engineering and technology, home economics, human services, nursing, and public administration.
The institution is broadly comprehensive at the baccalaureate and master's levels. While doctoral programs are focused in education and public administration, future doctoral programs will continue to address the needs of an urban population.
As a major urban institution, located in the capital city, Tennessee State University provides both degree and non-degree programs (day, evening, weekend, and at off-campus sites) that are appropriate and accessible to a working urban population. To address the needs in health care throughout Middle Tennessee, Tennessee State University offers a limited number of associate degree programs in nursing and allied health. To address the needs in government, business, and industry, the University seeks to embody distinct excellence by providing the state's most comprehensive programming in public administration, through the doctoral level, as well as in business administration and engineering, through the master's level; in these areas the University emulates those institutions in other capital cities that have traditionally served as primary resources to state and local governments and provided resources to the private sector.
The University supports an athletics program which reflects a commitment to students' overall development; the University also promotes positive and life-long learning, scholarly inquiry, and a commitment to the service to others. It serves a diverse population of students: traditional, non-traditional, commuter, residential, undergraduate, graduate, and non-degree, full-time, and part-time. In doing so, it seeks to develop the talents of its students including those with special academic talents as well as those who have educational, cultural, environmental, or socio-economic constraints. The University is committed to providing educational opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to age, sex, color, race, religion, national origin, disability, or other non-merit reason.
The University's objectives mirror these general and specific purposes. They also reflect the University's priorities. Tennessee State University projects itself to the students, faculty, alumni, and to the citizens of the State through the motto: "Think, Work, Serve."
GOALS OF THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES AND RESEARCH
(1) To maintain high standards of instruction in graduate education, continuing education, and in the curricula and fields of specialization through which degree programs are offered;
(2) To foster the continuation of faculty and student involvement in research which advances knowledge in the areas concerned;
(3) To continue expanding its role as a public servant and leader of the citizens of the State by disseminating knowledge and providing a broad variety of educational and technical services;
(4) To provide advanced degree programs and services especially tailored to the need and convenience of graduate students of all ages, including working adults of the corporate and industrial communities in the mid-state area; and,
(5) To provide an atmosphere that will enhance the emotional, educational, cultural, social, and recreational growth of the total University community.
ADMINISTRATION OF GRADUATE PROGRAMS
The Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Research is the administrative officer for all graduate programs and is responsible to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
The Graduate Council is the advisory body for the Graduate School. Its members are Graduate Faculty elected by the Graduate Faculty in departments or units offering graduate degrees, the Director of the Library, and the Graduate Dean, who is the chairperson.
The graduate coordinator for each department is the general advisor for students in the department. The graduate coordinator is responsible for evaluating the credentials under which the student is admitted to that program, designating, when necessary, the courses the student should take to remove deficiencies, rejecting applicants on the basis of unacceptable credentials, and notifying the Graduate School of departmental decisions.
When Schools/Colleges/Institutes instead of Departments offer degrees, e.g., the Master of Engineering degree in the School of Engineering and Technology, Master of Business Administration degree in the School of Business, and the Master of Public Administration in the Institute of Government, the Dean or Director appoints a coordinator to serve as general advisor for all students. While the Major Advisor supervises the student's program, it is the primary responsibility of the student to know and observe all pertinent regulations in order to meet all of the requirements for the degree sought.
ACCREDITING AGENCIES
Institutional: Tennessee State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097; Telephone number 404-679-4501) to award the Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctor's degrees.
Program: The Master's in Public Administration degree program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration.
Program: The Master's of Business Administration is accredited by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB-International Association for Management Education).
Program: Master's and Doctoral programs in education are accredited by the National Association for the Accreditation of Teacher Education.
Program: The Master's in Nursing degree program is accredited by the National League for Nursing.
Program: The Master's in Speech and Hearing Sciences is accredited by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association.
Program: The Master of Education in Family and Consumer Sciences is accredited by the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.
INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Tennessee State University is a member in good standing of the following associations:
American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.
National Association for Business Teacher Education.
Ohio Valley Conference.
American Association of State Colleges and Universities.
American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB-International
Association for Management Education).
National Council for Accreditation.
National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO).
American Council on Education.
Council of Historically Black Graduate Schools.
American Association of Home Economics Administrators.
1890 Council of Home Economics Administrators
National University Extension Association.
Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce.
Council of 1890 Presidents.
The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education.
Council of Graduate Schools.
National Conference of Christians and Jews, Inc.
National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges.
Tennessee College Association.
National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics.
National Association of Schools of Music.
National Collegiate Athletic Association.
Council for Adult and Experiential Learning.
Tennessee Association of Colleges for Teacher Education.
Tennessee College English Association.
Southern Business Administration Association.