As the local job market improves and the region continues to attract good-paying jobs, MTSU hopes its new master’s degree in management will become increasingly attractive to those workforce professionals seeking a boost up the career ladder.

From left, Dr. David Urban, dean of the Jones College of Business, Dan Morrell, director of the Master of Science in Management program, and Dr. Jill Austin, chair of the Management and Marketing Department, talk to graduate student Samantha Montagno during the recent kickoff reception for the M.S. in Management program held at the Business and Aerospace Building. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

Launched in the fall, the Master of Science in Management program through the Jones College of Business requires a student to successfully complete 33 credit hours as well as complete a research project in partnership with an organization or nonprofit.

Courses are offered at night, on weekends and online, options that university officials feel will provide the necessary flexibility for those established professionals who have extra demands on their time.

The program offers three concentrations: not-for-profit management, supply chain management and organizational leadership. Applications are being accepted for upcoming terms and can be found at http://www.mtsu.edu/graduate/programs/mgmt.php.

“We are very pleased with the enrollment this first year of the program,” said Jill Austin, chair of the Management and Marketing Department. “We have high quality professionals who are taking courses in all three of our concentrations. The faculty are looking forward to providing quality learning opportunities for students.

The concentrations were developed after the university researched the area’s workforce needs.

One of the program’s goals is to help nonprofit managers, particularly those who may not have a strong business-oriented background, think more strategically as their organizations grow. Students will be able to take six hours of courses in specific areas related to their career interests.

By doing the research project, students can tie program components together and apply their new skills directly to their current professional roles by tackling an organizational issue while receiving the support and advice of faculty, according to Dan Morrell, director of the new degree program.

A limited number of assistantships will be awarded on a competitive basis each semester, with most covering the cost of tuition and most fees as well as providing a monthly stipend. The assistantships can be renewed up to two years.

For more information, contact Morrell at 615-494-7758, Dan.Morrell@mtsu.edu or Austin at 615-898-2736 or Jill.Austin@mtsu.edu. Or visit http://www.mtsu.edu/graduate/programs/mgmt.php.

— Jimmy Hart (jimmy.hart@mtsu.edu)