Comprehensive Guide to Degree Programs at Middle Tennessee State University

Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) offers a wide array of degree programs across various disciplines and levels, catering to a diverse range of academic and professional aspirations. From certificate programs to doctoral degrees, MTSU provides accessible and innovative educational opportunities. This article explores some of the notable programs and unique features of MTSU that make it a prominent institution in Tennessee and beyond.

A Legacy of Growth and Adaptation

Founded in 1911 as Middle Tennessee State Normal School, MTSU has evolved significantly over the years. Initially established to train teachers, the institution transitioned to a four-year teachers' college in 1925 and subsequently became Middle Tennessee State College in 1943. In 1965, it achieved university status, expanding its curricular offerings and programs to meet the evolving needs of the region.

Milestones in MTSU's Evolution

1936: Introduction of the Bachelor of Arts program.
1951: Establishment of the Graduate School.
1970: Addition of the Doctor of Arts program.
1974: Introduction of the Specialist in Education program.
1991: Transformation of the university's six schools into colleges.
1998: Establishment of the Honors College, the first in the state.
2002: Redesignation of three D.A. programs to Doctor of Philosophy programs.

Commitment to Student Success

Despite being one of the fastest-growing graduate schools in Tennessee, MTSU remains deeply committed to student success. The university focuses on creating pathways where passion and affordability intersect, enabling students to advance their futures. MTSU continues to expand its graduate school programs, offering online, hybrid, and on-campus options to address industry and community needs in the region.

Nationally Recognized Programs

MTSU is home to several nationally recognized programs that attract students from across the country. These programs stand out for their quality, innovation, and impact on their respective fields.

Industrial/Organizational Psychology

MTSU's Industrial/Organizational (I-O) Psychology master’s program has been ranked as the best in the nation by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP). This program focuses on the psychology of the workplace and employee behaviors, teaching students how to apply evidence-based practices to organizational challenges.

I-O Psychology covers various career specialties, including:

Recruitment and selection of employees
Training
Job analysis
Compensation
Performance measurement and talent development
Leadership
Work attitudes
Occupational health
Organizational development

MTSU is one of only a few universities nationwide to offer a bachelor’s degree in I-O Psychology.

Master of Library Science (M.L.S.)

MTSU ranks among the top universities nationally for the affordability of its online Master of Library Science (M.L.S.) program, according to College Choice. This program prepares students for careers in library and information science, offering a comprehensive curriculum and flexible online learning options.

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)

MTSU’s Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree offers customization options and can be completed online or on campus in as little as 12 months. The M.B.A. program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in leadership and management roles.

Accounting Programs

The Accounting Department at MTSU offers both the Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) in Accounting and the Master in Accountancy (M.Acc.) degrees. The Jones College of Business has seen significant enrollment growth in its Accounting program by moving much of the coursework online. New curriculum options include anti-money laundering coursework, addressing real-world needs in the financial sector.

Actuarial Science

MTSU is the only university in Tennessee that offers actuarial science coursework for both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Actuaries are essential for businesses that need to manage financial risk, and MTSU's program prepares students for this high-earning career. In 2024, MTSU was recognized as a Society of Actuaries Center of Actuarial Excellence, placing it among the top schools globally. The program also holds Gold Level Recognition from the Casualty Actuarial Society.

Animation

MTSU’s Animation program is ranked among the top in Tennessee by Animation Career Review (ACR). ACR also ranks MTSU among the Top 25 Animation B.S. programs. The program is housed in the College of Media and Entertainment, alongside other established programs like Recording Industry and Video and Film Production.

Data Science

MTSU’s Data Science Institute develops public and private collaborations and provides real-world study opportunities for students. Data science has emerged as a valuable strategy in corporate circles, with companies increasingly seeking professionals who can analyze data to make better business decisions.

Cybersecurity Management

Launched recently, the Cybersecurity Management degree prepares graduates for positions such as security analysts and information security managers. The degree covers areas including cloud computing, digital forensics, infrastructure design and management, database design, and systems analysis and design-all from a cybersecurity perspective.

Education

MTSU remains the top producer of teachers in the greater Nashville area, continuing its legacy as a teacher training college. Graduates of MTSU’s undergraduate and graduate licensure programs are highly sought after by school districts, with a placement rate nearing 100%. MTSU also excels in education research, particularly through its Tennessee Center for the Study and Treatment of Dyslexia. The College of Education (COE) offers a broad array of nationally accredited undergraduate and graduate programs designed to prepare educators, leaders, counselors, librarians, and professionals to make a lasting impact. Many programs offer flexible options-including in-person, online, and hybrid formats-you can choose the path that best fits your goals and lifestyle. Programs include Human Development and Family Science, B.S., Teaching, Elementary Education Concentration, M.A.T., Teaching, English as a Second Language Concentration, M.A.T., Administration and Supervision, Leadership in Teaching Data Literacy Concentration, Ed.

Read also: Affording Chaminade Middle School

Journalism and Strategic Media

The MTSU School of Journalism and Strategic Media offers diverse opportunities for students seeking careers in media. The Center for Innovation in Media brings together the University’s two campus radio stations, WMOT and WMTS, and the school news outlet, Sidelines, along with TV broadcasting facilities used by the Middle Tennessee student news team. The school offers an Investigative Journalism concentration.

Marketing

MTSU offers a Marketing degree with a concentration in Professional Selling, providing students with access to the Center for Professional Selling and the Mel Adams State Farm Agent Professional Sales Lab. This program equips students with the skills needed for high earning potential, travel opportunities, career advancement, and helping people and businesses.

Nutrition and Food Science

MTSU’s Nutrition and Food Science program addresses the critical need for qualified dietitians and nutritionists who can promote public health. The program has the potential to impact public health significantly, especially given the high rates of obesity and related health issues.

Public Writing and Rhetoric

One of MTSU’s innovative new majors, Public Writing and Rhetoric, is an interdisciplinary undergraduate program. It is built around a core set of classes meant to introduce students to a wide range of writing strategies, writing contexts, and genres that they might use for personal and public purposes, as well as in professional contexts. Graduates become dynamic, rhetorically adaptable writers prepared to navigate a wide range of audiences, genres, and platforms.

Integrated Studies

MTSU’s degree completion program offers a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Studies, allowing students to graduate sooner by applying accumulated course credits to a flexible, custom-designed degree program. This program is an excellent option for students seeking a broad-based educational experience or adult learners with college-level learning derived from work experience.

Aerospace

The Department of Aerospace offers an Aerospace Bachelor of Science degree with six concentrations: Aviation Management, Aerospace Technology, Flight Dispatch, Maintenance Management, Professional Pilot, and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). An Aeronautical Science master's degree is also available. Each concentration has been accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International, and the aerospace program as a whole has been accredited since 1992. The Department of Aerospace has a working agreement with the single-runway Murfreesboro Municipal Airport to provide classes on-site. The aerospace program's training fleet is made up of Diamond DA40 single-engine aircraft featuring glass cockpits, with an assortment of other single- and multi-engine aircraft available.

Unique Features and Resources

MTSU offers a variety of unique features and resources that enhance the student experience and support academic success.

High-Tech Graduates

MTSU’s graduates commonly find employment at leading tech companies such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Meta. The university’s emphasis on data science, cybersecurity, and other tech-related fields prepares students for success in the rapidly evolving technology industry.

Science and Technology Focus

The College of Basic and Applied Sciences prepares students for problem-solving, critical thinking, data analysis, and advanced mathematics. These skills are crucial for science careers and are also translatable to the business world. Mathematicians and physicists commonly enter the financial sector, and physics majors frequently become engineers.

Communication Skills

The Communication major at MTSU builds valuable assets that can lead to rewarding career opportunities. The ability to communicate effectively is one of the skills most highly sought by employers. The Communication major takes a generalist approach, with concentrations available in Culture and Social Influence or in Organizational Communication.

Campus Media

MTSU has several mass media outlets, reflecting its emphasis on mass communication. Sidelines is the campus's editorially independent, student-run news source, with daily content online and special print editions three times per semester. Off Center is an online-only publication sponsored by the Margaret H. Ordubadian University Writing Center. Collage: A Journal of Creative Expression is the Honors College's semesterly magazine for student-submitted literary and artistic creative works. MT10 (formerly known as MTTV), a student-run TV station, is carried locally by Comcast.

Athletic Achievements

Middle Tennessee's athletic teams, known as the Blue Raiders, compete in Conference USA of the NCAA's Division I in the Football Bowl Subdivision. The most prominent athletic facilities on the campus are Johnny "Red" Floyd football stadium, Murphy Center basketball arena, Reese Smith Jr. baseball field, and Alumni Memorial Gym volleyball court. MTSU has won two national championships: golf in 1965, and men's doubles tennis in 2007. The Blue Raider football team has participated in thirteen bowl games with a 5-8 bowl record.

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