TULLAHOMA, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University is partnering with Motlow State Community College to host a “Finish Your Degree” Q&A event Thursday, Feb. 6. at the D.W. Wilson Community Center in Tullahoma.

The come-and-go event will run from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the center, located at 501 N. Collins St.

Working adults and professionals will learn how they can finish their degree faster at MTSU and get that missing piece for their resumé.

Degree coordinators, academic advisors, and admissions counselors from MTSU will talk with attendees one-on-one to answer questions about transferring prior credits, choosing a degree program, getting admitted to MTSU, and enrolling in courses to get started. Representatives from Motlow State will also be on hand to talk about transferring credits from there to MTSU and finishing a bachelor’s degree.

“Our adult students are excited about this opportunity to finish their bachelor’s degree faster with the programs offered by MTSU,” said Allison Barton, director of adult initiatives at Motlow State. “We’re so excited to partner with Middle Tennessee State on this event and more things in the future for our students.”

An MTSU University College staffer answers questions at a Finish Your Degree Q-and-A event for prospective students in late October at the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The college will hold a similar event Feb. 6 at the D.W. Wilson Community Center in Tullahoma. It is free and open to the public. (MTSU file photo by James Cessna)

MTSU has many flexible degree options that are specifically designed for working adults with busy schedules. The degrees can be completed online at the student’s preferred pace, and they can even get college credit for what they already know.

Using what’s called Prior Learning Assessment, working adults may be able to earn college credit for learning acquired from work and training. In the PLA course, students create a detailed portfolio of their professional competencies, training and certifications, and other experiential learning. Students can potentially earn up to two years of college credit from their prior learning.

“Using Prior Learning Assessment is a huge advantage for our adult students,” said Dr. Peggy Carpenter, assistant dean of MTSU’s University College, which administers the largest Adult Degree Completion Program in the state. “We help adults use learning they’ve acquired through their career and turn that into college credit so they can finish their degree faster.”

In addition to the Feb. 6 event, MTSU is bringing a portion of the Applied Leadership Program to Tullahoma as well through a partnership with Motlow State. The program, one of several designed with working adults in mind, combines online coursework and on-ground classroom sessions for students to earn leadership certificates on their journey to graduation.

In May, the first accelerated class of that program will be offered by MTSU faculty at Motlow State’s Moore County campus. For more information, visit the Applied Leadership webpage or call 615-494-7714. Spots for that class are limited.

Refreshments will be provided at the Finish Your Degree event. For more information, call 615-898-5236 or visit MTSU Online on Facebook.

— Hunter Patterson (Hunter.Patterson@mtsu.edu)