[52] MTSU Offers "Guaranteed Pathways' for Community College Students in 27 Majors

Contact: Andrew Oppmann, 615-898-7800; Tom Tozer, 615-898-2919

Aug. 22, 2011

MTSU offers ‘guaranteed pathways’ for community college students in 27 majors
New program allows seamless transfer of up to 60 credit hours between colleges, MTSU starting this fall

(MURFREESBORO) – Community college students who want to complete a bachelor’s degree at Middle Tennessee State University now have a guarantee that their credits will transfer to MTSU, if they choose one of 27 different majors offering transfer pathways.

The offerings are part of the Tennessee Transfer Pathways program, a statewide collaboration announced Monday between the Tennessee Board of Regents and the University of Tennessee systems to allow for timely and cost-effective transitions from a two- to four-year degree. These pathways are effective for the fall 2011 semester.

Under the program, a student entering a community college in Tennessee now can select designated MTSU majors with accompanying transfer pathways, complete required courses, earn an associate’s degree and transition seamlessly as a junior to MTSU.

If followed exactly, all earned credit hours will apply toward a bachelor’s degree in the same discipline, and the student will be guaranteed admission to MTSU.

“This program highlights the successful collaboration among all of our universities and community colleges,” said TBR Chancellor John Morgan. “It helps students achieve their goals and complete their degrees, but it also helps them do it in a more efficient and less expensive way, without sacrificing the quality of our academic programs.”

MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee noted that it aligns with the University’s other efforts to enhance student retention and graduation levels, including substantial enhancements to advising and a new electronic academic alert system, both launching this fall.

“We take pride in being the No. 1 producer of university graduates in the Middle Tennessee area and believe these pathways will be yet another way to help our students succeed,” McPhee said.

Schools participating in the statewide transfer pathways program include TBR’s 13 community colleges and six universities and UT’s three undergraduate campuses in Chattanooga, Knoxville and Martin. The statewide program lists options for 50 different majors, but not all schools have the demand or resources needed to offer all pathways. A complete list is available at www.tntransferpathway.org.

The 27 pathways offered by MTSU as part of the program are: Accounting; Agriculture- Agriculture Business; Agriculture- Animal Science; Agriculture- Plant and Soil Science; Art (Studio); Biology; Business Administration; Chemistry; Computer Science; Criminal Justice; Economics; English; Exercise Science; Foreign Language; Geography; History; Information Systems; Mass Communication; Mathematics; Physics; Political Science; Pre-Nursing; Psychology; Social Work; Sociology; Speech Communication; and Theatre Arts.

More information on MTSU’s pathways is available at http://www.tntransferpathway.org/campuses/middle-tennessee-state-university.

Each pathway outlines approximately 41 general education credit hours and 19 hours of prerequisites necessary for transfer. To ensure transfer, pathways must be followed exactly, and substitutions will not be accepted. Students who change pathways or majors are not guaranteed that all courses will apply.

“The implementation of the transfer pathways is a giant step forward in creating a seamless process for earning a college degree for the citizens of Tennessee,” said TBR Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Paula Short. “We will be tracking the progress of our students and will work to constantly improve the process so that students receive the maximum benefit.”

Outreach efforts are planned to ensure ongoing communication with current and prospective students, high school guidance counselors, parents and community members.

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Founded in 1911, Middle Tennessee State University is a Tennessee Board of Regents institution located in Murfreesboro and is the state’s largest public undergraduate institution. In September 2011, MTSU will celebrate its 100th year anniversary with special events and activities throughout the year—kicked off by a Blue-Tie Centennial Gala on Friday, Sept. 9.