Tennessee Technological University was originally envisioned as a church-supported college in 1909 under the name of the University of Dixie. In 1912, the school opened its doors to few students and little funding, making it difficult to maintain its status. By 1915, the school had been bought by the local governments of Cookeville and Putnam counties, and Tennessee Tech reopened its doors in 2016 under the name of Tennessee Polytechnic Institute. In 1965, the school gained university status. Today, Tennessee Tech offers 40 undergraduate programs and 20 graduate programs spanning six disciplines.
Over the past 15 years, Tennessee Tech has ranked among the top public schools in the country according to U.S. News and World Report. It's also been one of the top regional universities in the South every year since 2012. U.S. News and World Report also ranks the school's online MBA as one of the best of its kind in the nation for 2016. Tennessee Tech has also earned praise from publications such as The Princeton Review, G.I. Jobs Magazine, Payscale.com and Victory Media. In 2015, Social Mobility Index also rated Tennessee Tech as the number one school in the state for stimulating economic mobility.
More than 10,000 students attend Tennessee Tech each year, and the student-to-faculty ratio is just 19:1. The school boasts 13 NCAA Division I teams, numerous student organizations, and a library with over 367,000 books and e-books. Students here enjoy easy access to three of the state's largest cities as the school is centrally located in Cookeville. According to the school's website, the area has one of the most ecologically diverse climates in the country.
Tennessee Technological University Accreditation Details
Tennessee Tech holds institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The school also maintains program accreditation through 12 distinct accrediting agencies, including the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business – International, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, among others.
Tennessee Technological University Application Requirements
At Tennessee Technological University, application and admissions criteria vary based on enrollment status. Freshmen under the age of 21 need a 2.50 GPA, acceptable scores on the COMPASS exam and proof of completion of college preparatory courses taken during high school. These are the general admissions standards. Certain programs may require higher GPAs or additional testing. For instance, the nursing program requires a 3.00 GPA and a composite score of 20 on the ACT. Students can apply directly on the university's admissions website, and processing takes between four and six weeks.
Graduate students apply through the College of Graduate Studies. There's a nonrefundable fee of $35, and applications are submitted online. In addition to the completed application, students will need to submit three letters of recommendation, all official transcripts from previous schools, a student health form and official scores from tests depending on the program. Students who are pursuing an MBA only need to submit one letter of recommendation. Those who wish to apply should visit the school's graduate page for more information on acceptable test scores.
Tuition and Financial Aid
How much a student pays for tuition and fees at Tennessee Tech depends on enrollment status, residency and program. In-state and out-of-state undergraduates pay $8,353 per academic year for tuition, but non-resident students are charged an additional out-of-state fee of $15,432 per semester. Graduate students pay various fees on top of the base tuition rate, which is $511 per credit hour for in-state students and $706 per credit hour for non-residents. Fees include a debt service fee, general access fee and facilities fees. The school's bursar office offers a complete breakdown on its website.
Nearly two-thirds of students at Tennessee Tech receive some type of financial aid. Students who need monetary assistance can apply for scholarships, grants, work-study opportunities or loans. Graduate students also have the option to apply for assistanceships. Scholarships for undergraduate freshmen include:
- University Academic Service Scholarship
- Admissions Academic Scholarship
- Vice Presidents' Scholarship
- TTU Alumni Legacy Scholarship (in-state and out-of-state)
- Soaring Eagle Scholarship
- Golden Eagle Excellence Scholarship
- Leadership Scholarship
Those who need financial assistance should contact the financial aid website for detailed guidelines and application requirements. In addition, students should submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA by the appropriate deadline.
Online Degrees Available
Tennessee Technological University offers 25 online degree programs through a system called TN eCampus, which services several universities and community colleges throughout the state of Tennessee. Programs include a Bachelor of Professional Studies with a concentration in health administration, a Master of Business with a concentration in international business and a Master of Science in Nursing, RN to MSN program.
Tennessee Tech offers several online programs in professional studies, among them the Bachelor of Professional Studies in Health Administration. The program is designed to prepare students for careers in health care administration, which includes managing hospitals and overseeing large organizations. This degree requires 120 credit hours, and courses cover topics such as organizational theory and behavior, social statistics, and problems and issues in international health.
The MBA with a concentration in international business prepares students to pursue diverse careers around the globe. Courses within the general MBA framework are intentionally broad so that students learn managerial concepts that they can apply to specific situations after graduation. MBA students must complete a total of 30 credit hours, 21 of which are mandatory common courses. The remaining credit hours come from electives, which cover subjects such as multinational finance, international management and international experience.
For the RN to MSN program, students complete 36 to 46 credit hours depending on their chosen concentration. Classes are held online, and clinical work is arranged where students live whenever possible. There are 12 credits of required courses, which include healthcare research, nursing leadership and management, trends and issues in nursing and healthcare, and community health nursing. Students can also choose from one of three concentrations: family nurse practitioner, nursing education or nursing administration.
Top 10 Best Online Master's in Nursing (MSN) Degree Program
In addition to the programs listed above, the school offers five bachelor's degree programs, 14 graduate programs, three nursing post-master's certificates and three teaching endorsements. For those who need the flexibility of online higher education, there are plenty of options available through Tennessee Technological University.