Those looking to pursue an advanced higher education degree — and, in turn, boost their careers — can discover the necessary steps at an upcoming graduate school fair at Middle Tennessee State University.

Hosted by the College of Graduate Studies, the annual MTSU Grad Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday, Sept. 30, on the first floor of the MTSU Student Union.

Organizers say the fair is the perfect opportunity for MTSU students, employees, alumni and members of the local community to meet with faculty and staff from the university’s academic departments to discuss graduate study opportunities.

Staff from MTSU’s Office of Financial Aid will be on hand to answer questions, along with representatives from the Alumni Relations Office, the Development Office and Phillips Bookstore.

“The MTSU College of Graduate Studies is an emerging leader in graduate education in Tennessee,” said Dr. Michael Allen, vice provost for research and dean of the College of Graduate Studies.

Dr. Michael Allen

“We have the Grad Fair annually to make potential graduate students aware of the full spectrum of graduate programs that MTSU offers.”

Allen noted that recently released fall 2013 data showed an increase in enrollment within the university’s doctoral programs: 304 students are pursuing doctoral degrees this year as compared to 279 last year, an increase of 25 more students and 9 percent in just one year.

Among  MTSU’s newly developed doctoral programs is the Doctor of Education in Assessment, Learning and School Improvement, targeting educators aspiring to move into administration.

Allen also touted a number of new master’s level programs, some of which offer online, night and weekend courses for those who need flexibility in order to pursue an advanced degree.

New graduate programs at MTSU include:

• The master’s in professional science , which combines business and science in healthcare informatics, biotechnology, biostatistics, engineering management, actuarial sciences and geosciences concentrations.
• The master’s in management, which targets students seeking promotions in nonprofit management, organizational leadership or supply chain management.
• The master’s in international affairs, developed to aid in careers in government, international and foreign policy organizations, multinational businesses and development organizations dealing with issues such as risk analysis, poverty alleviation, the environment, human rights, homeland security and the military.

Off-campus visitors to the Sept. 30 Grad Fair can find a printable campus map at http://tinyurl.com/MTSUParkingMap13-14. Temporary parking passes can be obtained at the Office of Parking and Transportation Services off East Main Street.

For more information about the MTSU College of Graduate Studies, call 615-898-2840, email graduate@mtsu.edu or visit www.mtsu.edu/graduate.

— Jimmy Hart (jimmy.hart@mtsu.edu)