Go Blue Raiders
Middle Tennessee State University and Columbia State Community College administrators formally agreed Nov. 16 to help ease the transfer of Columbia State nursing students who want to upgrade their associate’s degrees to an MTSU bachelor’s degree. Nursing and academic officials at both schools praised the agreement and how it also involves Maury Regional Medical Center in Columbia. For more details, visit mtsunews.com/mtsu-cscc-sign-nursing-pact.
Middle Tennessee State University and Columbia State Community College administrators formally agreed Nov. 16 to help ease the transfer of Columbia State nursing students who want to upgrade their associate’s degrees to an MTSU bachelor’s degree.
The document, signed by MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee and Columbia State President Janet F. Smith, provides specific advisement for Columbia State students who intend to transfer to MTSU and encourages academic and administrative coordination between the institutions.
“This will help students and provide a critical need,” McPhee said. “The Tennessee Board of Regents wants to increase the number of graduates in critical areas, and this program will help take out the hassle, allowing for an easier transition. This pact with Columbia State is a true win-win for the students and faculty at both of our institutions.”
“The signing of this innovative articulation agreement is a first and has occurred because of institutions joining together, partnering, to find the best way for associate-degree RNs to obtain their Bachelor of Science in Nursing,” Smith said.
“It is an example of the commitment of MTSU and Columbia State to be a team in providing educational access for our citizens, workforce responsiveness for our agencies and industries and a stimulus for achievement of the higher education goals of our state.”
Nursing and academic officials at both schools praised the agreement and how it also involves Maury Regional Medical Center in Columbia.
“There are so many of their graduates who wish to obtain their BSN and this agreement will provide for seamless progression from the associate degree to the BSN,” said Dr. Karen Ward, interim director for the MTSU School of Nursing, which has one of the leading programs in the Southeast.
“We also are happy to have Maury Regional involved, thus assisting with clinical placement opportunities and, perhaps, additional faculty that will be needed. It’s a win-win-win-win situation: for the students, for CSCC, for Maury Regional and for MTSU.”
Deborah Lumpkins, vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer for Maury Regional, attended the signing, as did four students from the MTSU nursing program.
Barbara Blum, director of the Columbia State nursing program, called the agreement “a significant milestone” that helps students at both schools because it presents opportunity for career advancement as well as promoting excellence in patient care.”
Dr. Kae Fleming, dean of the Health Sciences Division at Columbia State, said her college’s nursing program is a “centerpiece of the educational experiences available for students.”
She added that the registered nursing associate’s degree is “workforce-ready” and performs a critical role in meeting the care excellence expectations of patients and the medical community.
“Many associate degree RNs have obtaining a BS degree as a personal goal, and the RN to BSN agreement between Columbia State and Middle Tennessee State, with Maury Regional Health Systems collaborating to provide advanced level nursing clinical experiences, offers a path to achieve this educational dream at in-state tuition rates with no commute,” Fleming said.
She said the Bachelor of Science in Nursing will be earned via a blend of courses at Columbia State, which has the community-college benefits of lower tuition, smaller class sizes and personal attention, followed by online classes through MTSU.
“On-ground sessions will be incorporated throughout the enrollment to maintain a sense of community and deliver support services,” Fleming said.
“Degree advancement opens doors for career advancement for nurses. Additionally, many acute-care providers have established goals for increasing the number of BSN-level nurses providing bedside care in response to the Institute of Medicine initiatives outlined in ‘The Future of Medicine: Nursing Education.’
“This articulation allows nurses in the service area to pursue lifelong learning, a habit directly aligned with the college’s mission.”
MTSU senior Connie Gellinger, a nontraditional nursing student who commutes from Thompson’s Station, called it a “fabulous” partnership.
“This is great,” Gellinger said. “It will allow for seamless transition from the associate degree into the bachelor’s program. The benefit is (being able to take) online courses, which is more flexible. You can still work and maintain a family life while you pursue advancement in your nursing career.”
Today’s agreement includes a “Program of Study” with the MTSU RN-to-BSN course requirements and outlines courses that must be taken at CSCC for transfer to MTSU. Also provided is a listing of the MTSU upper-division nursing courses that students must complete to earn the Bachelor of Science degree in nursing through MTSU.
The agreement will be reviewed, amended, updated and/or expanded by mutual consent by representatives of each institution.
— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)
MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee and Bruce Blanding, president of Jackson State Community College, signed agreements Oct. 25 that create dual admissions, concurrent enrollment and reverse transfer options between the two institutions. It is the second such signing by MTSU during this year’s “True Blue Tour,” a six-city admissions caravan throughout the state. For more details, visit mtsunews.com/mtsu-jscc-sign-agreement.
JACKSON, Tenn. — The presidents of MTSU and Jackson State Community College signed agreements today that will ease the transition for students seeking to transfer from the West Tennessee college to the university in Murfreesboro.
The measures authorized by MTSU’s Dr. Sidney A. McPhee and Jackson State’s Dr. Bruce Blanding create dual admissions, concurrent enrollment and reverse transfer options between the institutions.
The signing took place in Jackson, the last stop of MTSU’s “True Blue Tour,” a six-city admissions caravan of deans, administrators and counselors. MTSU inked a similar agreement with Roane State Community College during the tour’s stop in Knoxville on Sept. 26. You can watch a brief video from the signing ceremony below.
“This agreement forges even closer ties between MTSU and Jackson State,” McPhee said. “We have made such pacts a priority at MTSU, as we are the No. 1 destination of transfer students in Tennessee. This agreement helps ensure a smooth transition for students between our institutions.”
“All of us at JSCC are excited to partner with Middle Tennessee State University on this dual admission agreement,” Blanding said. “By formalizing and clarifying this process, we are clearing the path for students wishing to continue their higher education as a Blue Raider.”
The dual admission program allows eligible Jackson State students to get MTSU advising, registration priority and admission while still attending the community college.
The concurrent enrollment aspect of the new agreement allows students to enroll for classes at both institutions simultaneously and get financial aid for the total number of credits if needed. Officials said that change will help students whose majors require lower-division courses not available at the community-college level, such as nutrition, interior design and Concrete Industry Management.
The reverse transfer portion of the plan gives former Jackson State students who transferred to MTSU before receiving an associate’s degree to transfer their MTSU course work back to the community college, eventually allowing them to get a Jackson State diploma.
Students must meet certain criteria to be eligible for the new partnership with Jackson State, including meeting admissions standards for MTSU.
MTSU, the state’s largest undergraduate university and the largest and oldest institution in the Tennessee Board of Regents system, also has established dual-admission programs with Roane State, Nashville State, Chattanooga State, Dyersburg State and Motlow State community colleges.
Jackson State, also a TBR institution, provides accessible learning opportunities and services to a 14-county area. In addition to its main campus in Jackson, the school has full-service centers located in Humboldt, Lexington, and Savannah.
Dr. Sidney A. McPhee, MTSU president, and Dr. Gary Goff, president of Roane State Community College, signed agreements on Sept. 26 to ease the transition for students seeking to transfer from the college to the university in Murfreesboro. The agreements cover dual admissions, concurrent enrollment and reverse transfer options. For more details, visit mtsunews.com/mtsu-rscc-sign-pact.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The presidents of MTSU and Roane State Community College signed agreements Sept. 26 that will ease the transition for students seeking to transfer from the community college to the university in Murfreesboro.
MTSU’s Dr. Sidney A. McPhee and Roane State’s Dr. Gary Goff authorized three agreements that create dual admissions, concurrent enrollment and reverse transfer options between the college and the university. The signing took place at the Knoxville Museum of Art during MTSU’s “True Blue Tour,” a six-city admissions caravan of deans, administrators and counselors.
“We welcome this opportunity to strengthen our already strong ties with Roane State,” McPhee said. “MTSU is the No. 1 destination of transfer students in Tennessee, and this agreement makes it even easier for Roane State students to attend our university.”
“Roane State is excited to sign these three agreements with MTSU. The agreements will provide greater opportunities for our students,” Goff said. “We are proud to partner with Middle Tennessee State University.”
(You can watch a brief video from the event below.)
The dual admission program allows eligible Roane State students to get MTSU advising, registration priority and admission while still attending the community college.
The concurrent enrollment aspect of the new agreement allows students to enroll in classes at both institutions simultaneously and get financial aid for the total number of credits if needed. Officials said that change will help students whose majors require lower-division courses not available at the community-college level, such as nutrition, interior design and Concrete Industry Management.
The reverse transfer portion of the plan gives former Roane State students who transferred to MTSU before receiving an associate’s degree to transfer their MTSU course work back to the community college, eventually allowing them to get a Roane State diploma.
Students must meet certain criteria to be eligible for the new partnership with Roane State, including meeting admissions standards for MTSU.
MTSU, the state’s largest undergraduate university and the largest and oldest institution in the Tennessee Board of Regents system, also has established dual-admission programs with Nashville State, Chattanooga State, Dyersburg State and Motlow State community colleges.
Roane State is a two-year TBR college that provides transfer curricula, career-preparation programs and continuing education. Founded in 1971, the college has campuses in Crossville, Harriman, Huntsville, Jamestown, Knoxville, LaFollette, Lenoir City, Oak Ridge and Wartburg.
The presidents of MTSU and Nashville State Community College signed an agreement March 14 to make it easier for students to earn degrees from both institutions.
MTSU’s Dr. Sidney A. McPhee and Nashville State’s Dr. George Van Allen officially authorized a Concurrent Enrollment and Reverse Transfer Agreement to ease the processes between the two Tennessee Board of Regents institutions and encourage students’ academic success.
Nashville State hosted the signing of the agreement, which expands on the already-established Dual Admission Program between the two institutions. The new agreement provides advising, registration priority and admission to MTSU while the student is still at NSCC.
“This builds on our dual admissions agreement,” McPhee said. “We’ll be working with students, easing the transition and eliminating a lot of the hassle. This will give them priority registration, which is a highly valued perk, and access to all student support services.
“This agreement goes a long way in achieving those goals and making a better life for those in our community.”
“The agreement is novel because it is focused solely on enhancing student achievement and on upward educational mobility,” Van Allen said. “It is also the most comprehensive agreement affecting students that I have read in my nearly 40 years in higher education. I believe it will serve as a model for other institutions for some time to come.”
Nashville State’s plans to open a satellite campus in Antioch also play a part in the new pact.
“When we open the campus in Antioch, it will be in close proximity to MTSU,” Van Allen said, “and this agreement will impact those students.”
MTSU President Sidney McPhee, left, and Nashville State Community College President George Van Allen prepare to sign a new agreement on March 14 that will make it easier for students to earn degrees from both institutions. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)
Dr. Kim Estep, vice president for academic affairs and student services at Nashville State, was among the higher-education officials attending the ceremony.
“Nashville State is delighted to provide these additional opportunities for students to experience a seamless transition between NSCC and MTSU,” she said. “MTSU has been a great partner with NSCC, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration.”
Nancy Eisenbrandt, chief operating officer for the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, took note of the positive impact the agreement will have on the future workforce for Nashville and middle Tennessee.
“The collaboration between these two institutions is a very, very important initiative,” Eisenbrandt said after the ceremony.
MTSU also has established dual-admission programs with Chattanooga State, Dyersburg State and Motlow State community colleges.
The “concurrent enrollment” aspect of the new agreement allows students to enroll in classes at both institutions simultaneously and get financial aid for the total number of credits if needed. That also should help community-college students in selected majors to enroll in other required lower-division courses that are currently offered only at MTSU, such as nutrition, interior design and Concrete Industry Management.
The “reverse transfer” portion of the plan gives former NSCC students who enrolled at MTSU without receiving an associate’s degree from NSCC the opportunity to transfer their MTSU credits back to NSCC and receive a two-year diploma.
Students must meet certain criteria to be eligible for the new partnership with NSCC, including meeting admissions standards for MTSU.
– Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)
Motlow State Community College Students react to a new Dual Admission Program with MTSU that provides a smooth transition from an associate’s degree to a bachelor’s degree. To learn more about the program, read the article at mtsunews.com/mtsu-motlow-ink-agreement/.
MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee, left, and Dyersburg State President Karen A. Bowyer sign the paperwork for a new enrollment agreement during a special ceremony Nov. 10 in Jackson, Tenn. (MTSU photo by Randy Weiler)
JACKSON, Tenn.—The presidents of Middle Tennessee State University and Dyersburg State Community College signed an agreement Nov. 10 that provides a framework for programs to enhance the educational experience of students attending both schools.
The agreement, signed by MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee and Dyersburg State President Karen A. Bowyer, includes dual admissions, concurrent enrollment, reverse transfer, consortium agreements and cooperative advising for students.
McPhee and Bowyer signed the agreement in Jackson prior to one of MTSU’s West Tennessee open-house events for prospective students.
“We deeply value this opportunity to strengthen our close relationship with Dyersburg State and believe this agreement affords tremendous opportunities for the students we both serve,” McPhee said.
“We are proud that MTSU is the No. 1 destination of transfer students in Tennessee and pleased this agreement will make it easier for Dyersburg State students to attend our university.”
Bowyer said Dyersburg State Community College is “delighted to have the opportunity to sign a dual agreement with MTSU.”
“In the past, DSCC students have easily transferred to MTSU,” she said. “This agreement will ensure that now students are better informed about college-completion requirements every step of the way, from their first days at DSCC to their arrival at MTSU as a full-fledged college junior.”
More than 50 Dyersburg State students have transferred to MTSU in the last two years.
Dual admission offers a structured, guaranteed pathway to help Dyersburg State students progress from an associate’s degree program directly to a bachelor’s degree program at MTSU. Students must meet specific eligibility requirements to apply for dual admission and to participate in concurrent enrollment.
The new agreement allows joint admissions and opportunities for concurrent class enrollment at both institutions. It also will enable students to receive financial aid based on combined enrollment.
Dyersburg State students also will receive an MTSU ID, email address and access to the University’s RaiderNet/PipelineMT system, where they will be able to obtain their MTSU information online.
Officials from both schools said the goal is to eliminate barriers for students in attaining their educational goals, as well as to improve academic programs and student success and retention.
The reverse-transfer aspect of the agreement allows DSCC students who transfer to MTSU before receiving an associate’s degree to transfer their MTSU course work back to the community college, eventually allowing them to get a Dyersburg State Community College diploma.
“The reverse-transfer element of this agreement, the first of its kind among agreements we have signed, is particularly exciting,” McPhee said. “It gives Dyersburg State students several options to earn degrees from both institutions.”
– Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)
The presidents of MTSU and Motlow State Community College signed an agreement Nov. 2 to help students who earn a two-year associate’s degree to apply those credits toward a four-year bachelor’s degree. For more details on the new program, visit mtsunews.com/mtsu-motlow-ink-agreement.
