[008] MTSU, NSCC TO BECOME PARTNERS IN DUAL-ADMISSION PROGRAM

July 1, 2009
CONTACT: Tom Tozer, 615-898-2929

MTSU, NSCC TO BECOME PARTNERS IN DUAL-ADMISSION PROGRAM

MURFREESBORO—Any partnership between education institutions that benefits students and makes it easier to obtain a four-year degree would appear to be a winning ticket for the state of Tennessee, its workforce and economic health. The newly formed Dual Admission Program between Middle Tennessee State University and Nashville State Community College is that ticket to attaining a bachelor’s degree for thousands of Tennesseans.
Imagine earning an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science or Associate of Science in Teaching degree from NSCC, then being guaranteed acceptance to MTSU to complete the work and walk across the platform on graduation day to receive your diploma.
“MTSU takes pride in developing and supporting programs and services that demonstrate our commitment to helping students achieve their academic and personal goals,” said MTSU president Sidney A. McPhee. “This partnership is a huge step in helping students simplify the process of transitioning to a four-year institution and is consistent with our Academic Master Plan and its focus on pursuing partnerships with other institutions to increase access to educational opportunities and degree attainment among the citizens of this region.”
“The program is another attempt to bring higher education to more of our citizens,” Dr. Van Allen, NSCC president, echoed. “It will give students the most economical path from a high school diploma to a college degree. The program will be well received by our students.”
Freshmen orientation for NSCC began July 1. A formal signing of the agreement will take place Wednesday, July 29, at NSCC.
To apply for dual admission, a student must plan on pursuing a bachelor’s degree, meet the admission criteria for NSCC, have 29 or fewer college-level semester hours and a cumulative GPA of 2.0. A student also must complete all required high school courses to qualify for transfer to MTSU.
Additionally, in order to transfer to MTSU, a student must have earned an A.A., A.S. or A.S.T. degree. Once enrolled in the dual-admission program, a student must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
The dual-admission program is another step toward fulfilling one of MTSU’s major goals—to become even more student-centered. After meeting certain requirements, NSCC students will be guaranteed acceptance to MTSU, and at the outset, they will be able to map out their college career path. Students will save money by being able to enroll in a community college their first two years at lower tuition and fees. They will get to know MTSU academic advisers and staff even before they come to the university because they will receive advising from both institutions concurrently. Students ending their tenure at NSCC will be able to register at MTSU during a priority time period.
“I plan on transferring to MTSU after I receive my associate of arts degree, and this will make the process so much easier,” said William Wheeler, NSCC student.