MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved Wednesday, Dec. 4, the addition of three master’s degree programs.

Trustees approved a recommendation by the Academic Affairs, Student Life, and Athletics Committee to add Master of Science degrees in Biomedical Sciences in the College of Basic and Applied Sciences; Digital Media in the College of Media and Entertainment; and Legal Studies.

“These are three new master’s programs that we think are very relevant to the needs of students today that will not only be easy for them to work into their schedules but will lead to better employment opportunities,” said University Provost Mark Byrnes.

The university announced Nov. 19 its intentions to create the legal studies master’s degree in partnership with Nashville School of Law. The degree will be offered primarily through the Jennings A. Jones College of Business with initial core work taught by faculty from the Nashville School of Law.

Once all university approvals are secured, the degree proposals will go to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission for a vote. Final approval will be considered by MTSU’s accreditor, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, or SACSCOC, in early- to mid-2025. 

Trustees also approved a recommendation by the Finance and Personnel Committee for partial market salary increases for faculty and staff, based on 2020-21 market data, effective Jan. 1, 2025.

Employees on the payroll as of Dec. 31 with salaries below the market target will receive 65% of the calculated adjustment.

— Andrew Oppmann (Andrew.Oppmann@mtsu.edu)