ANTIOCH — Some students attending Nashville State Community College’s satellite campus in southeast Davidson County can now turn their associate degree into a bachelor’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University — without the commute.

MTSU and Nashville State announced a transfer agreement today that will allow NSCC students with associate degrees in criminal justice-related majors to earn an MTSU bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration or liberal studies.

Beginning this fall, MTSU professors will teach the classes at Nashville State’s satellite campus at The Crossings, the area now home to the community college’s branch campus and a variety of retail stores.

School officials made the announcement at the campus during a morning meeting of Crossings Nashville Action Partnership, or CNAP, a local community group focused on enhancing the area.

Dr. Mike Boyle, dean of MTSU’s University College, announces the university’s transfer agreement today with Nashville State Community College’s southeast satellite campus. The agreement allows some NSCC students the ability to turn an associate degree into an MTSU bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration or liberal studies. (MTSU photos by News and Media Relations)

MTSU officials said offering the criminal justice program at the NSCC satellite campus helps students and prospective students in the nearby community by providing more convenient and affordable access to an advanced degree within a popular program.

Dr. Mike Boyle, dean of MTSU’s University College, said the partnership is a strategic decision in line with the university’s efforts to increase the number of college graduates in the state of Tennessee — in this case graduates ready to enter a career within law enforcement and the burgeoning area of homeland security.

“Along with courses leading to the degree, University College will also help provide those services that will make transition from NSCC to MTSU easier and quicker,” Boyle said.

“MTSU is excited not only to partner with NSCC, who has for years been a good partner in other areas, but also to be invited to offer courses and services in this beautiful new facility.

Nashville State, one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the state, hopes the new program will add to the 1,000-plus students already attending classes at the southeast campus. The Tennessee Board of Regents approved the new partnership with MTSU.

“We are delighted to partner with MTSU in this program at our beautiful new campus in southeast Nashville,” said Kim Estep, vice president of academic affairs at Nashville State.

Kim Estep, vice president of academic affairs for Nashville State Community College, discusses a transfer agreement for criminal justice-related majors between MTSU and Nashville State’s southeast Davidson satellite campus.

“MTSU has consistently been among the top two transfer destinations for our students for many years. This partnership will provide even more convenience for students who want to move from the associate to the baccalaureate degree quickly and easily.

“This is the beginning of great new educational opportunities for students in East Nashville and up and down the I-24 corridor.”

Under the agreement:

• An NSCC student with an associate degree in police science — police administration or crime scene investigation — can earn a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from MTSU with a concentration in organizational management. The student would need to complete an additional 68 to 71 credit hours to earn a bachelor’s degree.
• An NSCC student with an associate degree in criminal justice administration can earn a bachelor’s degree in that same major with a concentration in either law enforcement or homeland security. NSCC students would need to complete an additional 60 credit hours and must have a minimum C or 2.0 GPA to transfer into MTSU’s program.

Nashville State and MTSU will host an open house from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 27, at the NSCC southeast campus to provide prospective students with more information about the new program and other offerings. Advisers will be on to help start the application process for those who are interested.

The new agreement deepens the cooperation between the two institutions and follows last spring’s announcement that expanded a previously established dual admission program to facilitate transfers. That agreement added advising, registration priority and admission to MTSU while a student still attends NSCC.

For more information and help, NSCC students may contact:

• MTSU’s Department of Criminal Justice at 615-898-2630.
• Cathy Delametter via email at Cathy.Delametter@mtsu.edu or by phone at 615-494-8952.
• the University College at 615-494-7714.
• http://www.mtsu.edu/how-to-apply/transfer-students/transfer-pathways.php.

— Jimmy Hart (jimmy.hart@mtsu.edu)