3500 John A. Merritt Blvd
Nashville, TN 37209
615-963-5052
888-463-6878
2006-2007 COSTS:
Tuition (instate):
$4,300
Tuition(non-resident):
$7,400 (semester)
Fees, books, misc.:
$1,800
Tennessee State University
Nashville, Tennessee
College Description
Tennessee State University (TSU), founded in 1912, is a multiracial, urban, land-grant university that fulfills its mission of providing education, research, and public service for residents of central Tennessee through myriad academic, cultural, research, service, and professional activities. Students can pursue degrees during the day or in evening courses. The Center for Extended Education and Public Service offers a wide variety of off-campus credit programs, contract credit classes with local employers, noncredit courses, and seminars to serve the expanding educational needs of local business and the professional community. The University also offers graduate programs and is dedicated to providing all students with a strong academic background. The Graduate School offers programs leading to the master's, Educational Specialist, and doctoral degrees. (Information on graduate programs is available from Graduate Admissions at the address given at the end of this description.) It is hoped that students will take full advantage of the University's offerings, use the experiences to serve themselves and society, and continue the institution's tradition of excellence.
The 9,100 students (7,256 undergraduates) currently enrolled at Tennessee State University come from a variety of cultural backgrounds and geographical areas.
Special student services are offered through such resources as a counseling center, reading center, health service center, and career placement center. Tennessee State University is in the midst of a $112-million capital improvement project. The capital project includes seven new buildings and a completely landscaped campus with courtyards, plazas, and a state-of-the-art utility tunnel. The three-story campus center houses student services facilities, including offices for student organizations, admissions and records, and financial aid, and a bookstore and additional recreational facilities.
Location and Community
Nashville is the state capital and the second-largest city in Tennessee. More than 600,000 people live in this thriving center of government, business, industry, and education. Known internationally as “Music City USA,” it is the hub of the nation's country music industry. The entertainment and cultural scene does not stop there, however. A performing arts center offers an active schedule of Broadway plays, community theater, films, and performances by professional dance troupes, the Nashville Symphony, and a variety of vocal and instrumental musicians. Nashville also has three professional sports teams. Night spots and restaurants cater to a variety of cultural and ethnic tastes. Nashville's 6,000 acres of public parks and recreational facilities allow for the pursuit of many sports and leisure activities. As the city's only public four-year institution, Tennessee State University occupies an important place in Nashville. Its Main Campus is located in a residential area of the city, providing students with the atmosphere of a neighborly community. The Avon Williams Campus is located in the heart of downtown Nashville, within walking distance of the capitol and the central business district. TSU students and graduates are involved in a wide variety of academic and employment activities throughout the city.
Academic Life
Tennessee State University operates on a semester calendar and conducts two sessions during the summer. A minimum of 130 credit hours and a 2.0 or higher cumulative GPA are required for graduation. Individual departments may have additional requirements. An honors program, independent study, cooperative education, teacher certification, and the Air Force ROTC program are available. Early admission and advanced standing are offered to qualified students, and credit is given for satisfactory scores on the College-Level Examination Program tests.
Tennessee State University has a 338-member full-time faculty and a part-time faculty of 154, some of whom teach at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Eighty percent of the faculty members hold doctoral degrees. The student-faculty ratio is 17:1. Some faculty members, particularly in the areas of agriculture, biological sciences, history, and psychology, are actively involved in research. Faculty members serve as advisers for students majoring in their discipline, and some also serve as advisers for student organizations.
The University honors program is designed to provide the challenge and opportunity for the academically superior student to achieve academic excellence. Honors courses require a higher level of achievement than those in the regular curriculum and are restricted to students in the honors program and to those with a B average who are recommended by an adviser or a teacher. Other courses from the regular curriculum may be taken for honors credit.
So that students can receive the practical training necessary for some professions, Tennessee State University has affiliations with several public and private institutions and agencies. The opportunities include a joint-degree program in allied health with Meharry Medical College, clinical training for nursing students through contractual arrangements with local hospitals, student teaching programs with the Metropolitan-Davidson County Public Schools, and field training programs with government agencies for students in social welfare and criminal justice. Students who participate in these programs earn credit toward their degree. The College of Arts and Sciences offers a dual degree in chemistry and pharmacy with Howard University and a dual degree in biology and medicine with Meharry Medical College, as well as co-op and internship experiences.
Majors Offered:
The College of Arts and Sciences offers majors in Africana studies, art, biological sciences, chemistry, criminal justice, English, foreign languages (French and Spanish), history, mathematics, music, physics, political science, social work, sociology, and speech communications and theater. The College also offers an interdisciplinary degree with concentrations in the humanities, the sciences, and the social sciences. Teacher certification in art, biological sciences, chemistry, elementary education, English, foreign languages, history, mathematics, music, political science, and speech communications and theater is also available. The College awards Bachelor of Science degrees.
The College of Business offers majors in accounting, business administration, business information systems, and economics and finance and grants the Bachelor of Business Administration degree.
The College of Education certifies students in elementary, special, and secondary education and awards the Bachelor of Science degree to students majoring in health, physical education, recreation, and psychology.
The College of Engineering, Technology, and Computer Sciences offers Bachelor of Science degree programs in aeronautical and industrial technology, architectural engineering, civil engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering.
The College of Health Sciences offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in dental hygiene and a Bachelor of Science degree to students who major in cardiorespiratory therapy, dental hygiene, health information management, health-care administration and planning, medical technology, occupational therapy, or speech pathology and audiology. The School of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences offers undergraduate programs leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural sciences, early childhood education, and family and consumer sciences. The Department of Agricultural Sciences offers a bachelor's degree in agricultural sciences with options in agricultural education, agricultural statistics, agronomy, animal science and pre–veterinary medicine, food technology, ornamental horticulture, and resource economics. The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences offers bachelor's degrees in early childhood education and family and consumer sciences, with options in child development and family relationships, clothing and textiles, design, fashion merchandising, foods and nutrition, and food service management. The School of Nursing grants the two-year Associate of Science and four-year Bachelor of Science degrees in nursing.
Campus Life
Although there are seven dormitories (four for women, three for men), a large percentage of students live off campus. Easily accessible public transportation facilitates the commute to either campus. Extracurricular activities include Greek fraternities and sororities, academic societies, drama and dance groups, a concert choir, and marching, jazz, and concert bands.
Facilities and Resources
Tennessee State University has two campuses, the Main Campus and the Avon Williams Campus. The Main Campus, located on 450 acres, consists of sixty-five buildings, farmlands, and pastures. The Tennessee State University libraries house 463,621 volumes, 1,446 current periodical subscriptions, 78,185 bound periodicals, 816,934 microfiche, and 14,748 microfilm reels. A CD-ROM LAN serves both libraries with eleven CD databases; additional CD-ROM databases and Dialog services are also available. The Avon Williams Campus is housed in a large, modern building containing a library, a cafeteria, and ample meeting rooms. Parking facilities are adjacent to the building. A full curriculum is offered at this campus during evening hours.
A Learning Resource Center provides multimedia support for both campuses. Students pursuing programs in agriculture, engineering, biological sciences, chemistry, physics, dental hygiene, and nursing have access to fully equipped laboratories. Students also have access to advanced computer equipment and software.
Sports / Varsity Athletics
The University has competitive intercollegiate athletic programs in football as well as men's and women's basketball, cross-country, golf, softball, track, tennis, and volleyball. Intramural sports are also offered. An athletic and convocation complex seats 10,000 for basketball games and assemblies; it also contains a 220-yard indoor track, dance studios, racquetball courts, and a 35-meter swimming pool. The football team won the Ohio Valley Conference Championships two consecutive years, in 1998 and 1999. In addition, the women's track team won the Ohio Valley Conference Championship in 2001-–02 and 2002-–03.
Expenses
Costs fall into four areas—maintenance, tuition, room and board, and special fees. In 2004-–05, the maintenance fee for in-state students was $1676 (12 hours). Board plans range from $370 to $905 per semester, and room rental costs range from $830 to $1880 per semester. The average total cost for a full-time, in-state undergraduate is $2019 per semester ($3818 per year). Out-of-state undergraduates pay tuition of $6263 per semester (including maintenance and special fees) in addition to room and board. Out-of-state students pay an average tuition of $12,526 per year. Average expenses for books, supplies, and personal items are $900 per semester ($1800 per year) for most students.
Financial Aid / Scholarships
The University has a strong commitment to assist students seeking financial aid. The types of aid available include grants, scholarships, loans, and employment. The University participates in the Federal Pell Grant, FSEOG, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Stafford Student Loan, Federal PLUS loan, Federal Work-Study, and Tennessee Student Assistance Grant programs. Presidential Scholarships, Academic Work Scholarships, University Scholarships, Departmental Scholarships, and several private scholarship programs are also available. Approximately 80 percent of freshmen receive some type of financial assistance. Students who have a high school GPA of 3.0 or above (on a 4.0 scale) and an ACT score of 21 or above may apply for scholarships.
Prospective students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid by April 1 in order to be considered for financial aid. Students are also required to submit a processed Student Aid Report to the Financial Aid Office. All students are urged to start filing for financial aid January 1 to receive the maximum eligibility. All files must be complete by April 1 each year.
Admission Requirements / Application
In-state residents must pass the High School Proficiency Exam and have a high school GPA of 2.25 or better, an ACT score of at least 19, or a minimum SAT I score of 900. Out-of-state residents must have a GPA of 2.5 or better, an ACT score of at least 19, or an SAT I score of at least 900. In addition, students must pass fourteen State Board of Regents high school unit requirements. Scores on the TOEFL are required of international students.
Transfer applicants must submit a transcript from every college attended and must present a minimum grade point average of 2.0. Transfer students usually receive credit for grades of 2.0 and higher in Tennessee State University-equivalent courses taken at approved institutions. At least 30 hours must be completed in residence at Tennessee State University. Applications should be received by August 1; the fee is $15.
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