About the School of Graduate Studies and Research

Welcome to the School of Graduate Studies & Research

Hello, we are pleased that you have visited the website of the School of Graduate Studies & Research at Tennessee State University. Whether you are a future student, current student, faculty, alumnus, or a visitor, we hope that you will find this site informative and valuable.

Tennessee State University is committed to students' overall development by promoting life-long learning, and scholarly inquiry. Our outstanding faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, flexible class schedules, accredited programs, convenient locations, affordable costs and many other advantages provide both traditional and non-traditional students with an excellent educational experience.

The School of Graduate Studies & Research currently offers seven doctoral programs, twenty-two master's degrees, and six graduate certificate programs which span the fields of agriculture, criminal justice, business, and education to engineering, health sciences, public administration, and nursing.

Graduate education at Tennessee State University is designed to offer students the experience of advanced study and research in their fields of specialization.

After you browse through this website, please feel free to contact us at 615-963-5901 or gradschool@tnstate.edu if you have any questions.

Goals of the School of Graduate Studies & Research

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;
To foster the continuation of faculty and student involvement in research which advances knowledge in the areas concerned;
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;
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,
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 Appeals Committee of the Graduate Council reviews petitions and appeals submitted by students and faculty concerning admissions, retention and suspension of students.

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 Engineering, Technology and Computer Science, 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.

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School of Graduate Studies & Research