2017- 2019 - Tennessee State University

1 2017 - 2019 Graduate Catalog TABLE OF CONTENTS Scope of Catalog .. 3 Purpose of Catalog .. 3 Welcome to Graduate Study .. 3 Tennessee State University : Vision, Mission, Core Values and Mission Statement .. 4 The School of Graduate Studies and Research: Goals .. 5 Administration of Graduate Programs .. 5 Accrediting Agencies .. 6 Institutional Memberships .. 7 .. 9 GENERAL INFORMATION History of the University .. 14 Degrees Awarded .. 15 Special Fees .. 18 Fee Payment .. 18 Financial 18 Persons over 60 Years of Age and Totally Disabled Persons 19 Refund Policy .. 19 Appeal Procedures for Fees and Refunds .. 19 Residency Classification .. 19 Financial 19 Walter Davis Scholarship Award .. 20 Student Affairs .. 20 Graduate Student Organizations .. 22 Access to Educational Records .. 23 ADMISSIONS, REGULATIONS, POLICIES Admission to Graduate Studies .. 26 Application Deadlines .. 26 General Admission Requirements to Graduate Studies.

2 26 Doctoral Degree Applicants .. 27 Specialist in Education .. 27 Master s Degree Applicants .. 27 Non-Degree Admission .. 28 Degree Program Admission Requirements .. 29 Procedures for Admission .. 31 Procedures for Readmission .. 31 Admission of International Students .. 31 Transient Graduate Students .. 31 Advanced Graduate Admission for Undergraduates .. 31 Auditing a Course .. 32 Institutes, Workshops, and Special Programs .. 32 Transfer Credit .. 32 Class Loads .. 32 Second Master s Degree .. 32 Withdrawal from Classes and/or the University .. 32 ACADEMIC STANDARDS Grading System .. 32 Grade Appeal .. 33 I Grade Exception .. 33 Repeating a Course .. 33 Retention .. 33 Probation and Suspension .. 33 Time in Residence .. 33 Time Limitations for Completing Degree Requirements .. 34 Extension of Time Limitation .. 34 Appeal/Petition Process .. 34 Application for Graduation .. 34 Human Subjects .. 34 Academic Integrity Statement.

3 34 REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATE PROGRAMS Certificate Programs .. 35 Master s Degrees .. 36 Candidacy and Program of Study .. 36 Master of Arts in Education .. 36 Master of Business Administration .. 36 Master of Science in Computer, Information, and Systems Engineering (CISE) .. 37 Master of Criminal Justice .. 37 Master of Education .. 37 Master of Engineering .. 37 Master of Occupational Therapy .. 37 Master of Professional Studies .. 37 Master of Public Administration .. 37 Master of Public Health .. 37 Master of Science .. 37 Master of Engineering .. 37 Master of Science in Nursing .. 38 Master of Social Work .. 38 Professional Sciences Master s .. 38 Comprehensive Examinations .. 38 Thesis .. 39 Educational Specialist Degree .. 39 Doctoral Degrees .. 39 Doctor of Education .. 39 Doctor of Philosophy .. 39 Doctor of Physical Therapy .. 40 Dissertations .. 40 PROGRAMS OF STUDY College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences.

4 42 Agricultural Sciences ( ) .. 42 Professional Science Master s ( ) .. 44 Certificate: Applied Geospatial Information Systems .. 45 College of Business .. 52 Business Administration ( ) .. 52 College of Education .. 59 Teacher Education and Student Services .. 59 Doctoral Degrees .. 60 Educational 62 Psychology .. 71 Teaching and Learning .. 81 College of Engineering .. 92 Computer & Information Systems Engineering ( ) .. 92 Computer, Information & Systems Engineering ( ) .. 94 Computer Science ( ).. 95 Engineering ( ) .. 98 College of Health Sciences .. 111 Human Performance & Sport Sciences .. 111 Nursing ( ) .. 114 Certificate: Nursing .. 119 Occupational Therapy ( ) .. 122 Physical Therapy ( ) .. 126 Public Health ( ) .. 133 Speech & Hearing Science ( ) .. 137 College of Liberal Arts .. 142 Criminal Justice ( ) .. 142 History, Geography, Political Science, and African Studies .. 144 College of Life and Physical Sciences.

5 147 Biological Sciences ( ) .. 147 Biology ( ) .. 147 Chemistry ( ) .. 151 College of Public Service .. 155 Public Administration ( ) .. 155 Public Administration ( ) .. 158 Professional Studies ( ) .. 159 Certificate: Public Policy .. 162 Certificate: Healthcare Administration and Planning .. 162 Certificate: Public Administration Executive Leadership . 164 Certificate: Non-Profit Management .. 163 Social Work ( ) .. 167 AWC Center for Extended Education and Public Service .. 170 Research and Sponsored Programs .. 172 Center of Excellence Information Systems Engineering and Management .. 173 Center of Excellence for Learning Sciences .. 174 Center for Service-Learning and Civic Engagement .. 176 Index .. 178 Tennessee State University THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES 2017 - 2019 CATALOG NON-DISCRIMINATION & AFFIRMATIVE ACTION STATEMENT Tennessee State University is an EO/AA employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected class with respect to employment programs or activities.

6 Tennessee State University is committed to providing the highest quality of employment, education, research, and service. In support of this commitment, the University seeks to ensure that all educational and employment programs are administered in a non-discriminatory manner. The University s non-discrimination and anti-harassment policy is applicable to faculty, staff, applicants for employment, students and applicants for educational programs and other activities. This policy is fundamental to the effective functioning of the University as an institution of teaching, scholarship and public service. The University has also developed an affirmative action plan to guide in working toward the creation and maintenance of a diverse environment in which students and employees are encouraged to think, work and serve. The affirmative action plan is designed to aid in University compliance with all applicable federal laws and regulations.

7 For more information regarding these policies, please contact the Office of Equity and Inclusion ( OEI ) at the phone number or address below. TITLE VI OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance. Examples of the types of discrimination prohibited by Title VI include racial harassment, school segregation, and denial of language services to students who are limited in their English. To file an employment discrimination/harassment complaint or a Title VI discrimination/harassment complaint, please contact: Stephanie Roth, Director of Equity and Inclusion 3500 John Merritt Blvd. Ned McWherter Administration Bldg., Ste. 260 Nashville, Tennessee 37209 615- 963-7435 (Office) 615-963-7463 (Fax) TITLE IX NOTIFICATION GENDER DISCRIMINATION, SEXUAL HARASSMENT, SEXUAL ASSAULT, STALKING & DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.

8 Examples of the types of discrimination that are prohibited under Title IX include sexual harassment, sexual assault/sexual violence, discrimination based on pregnancy and the failure to provide equal opportunity in athletics. Complaints of violations under Title IX may be directed to TSU s Title IX Coordinator: Stephanie Roth, Director (Title IX Coordinator) Rita Williams-Seay, Asst. Director (Deputy Coordinator) Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action Office 3500 John Merritt Blvd. Ned McWherter Administration Bldg., Ste. 260 Nashville, Tennessee 37209 615- 963-7435 (Office) 615-963-7463 (fax) For complaints involving student on student sexual harassment, sexual assault/violence, stalking or domestic/dating violence: Erica Gilmore (Deputy Coordinator) Assistant Dean of Students Office of Student Conduct and Judicial Affairs Floyd-Payne Campus Center, Ste. 103 615- 963-2156 For complaints of gender equity in athletics: Valencia Jordan (Deputy Coordinator) Associate Athletic Director/Senior Women s Administrator Gentry Complex, Room 318 3500 John Merritt Blvd.

9 Nashville, Tennessee 37209 615-963-5754 Reports of sexual assault/violence may also be reported to: Tennessee State University Police Department 3500 John Merritt Blvd. Queen Washington Bldg., 2nd Floor Nashville, Tennessee 37209 615-963-5171 (non-emergency)/ 911 (emergency) Services are also available in the TSU Counseling Center for individuals seeking assistance with personal decision making, intra/interpersonal relationships, social relations, and crisis issues. The Counseling Center may be contacted at the address or phone number below: Main Campus Student Success Center/LRC, Ste. 114 615-963-5611 or If you want to learn more about your rights, or if you believe that a school, district, college or University is violating Federal law, you may contact the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, at 800-421-3481 or File a Complaint Students or prospective students who wish to file a complaint related to accreditation or regarding violations of State law not resolved at the institution may submit a Student Complaint Form to the Tennessee Board of Regents at 1415 Murfreesboro Road, Suite 340, Nashville Tennessee 37217, or by going on line and filing out the form electronically at: Under Tennessee s open records law, all or parts of complaints will generally be available for review upon request from a member of the public.

10 Complaints regarding accreditation can also be made by contacting the Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, 1866 South Lane, Decatur Georgia 3033 ( ). Complaints of fraud, waste or abuse may be made by email at or by calling the Tennessee Comptroller s Hotline for Fraud, Waste and Abuse at 1-800-232-5454. The TSU GRADUATE CATALOG is published biennially by Tennessee State University 3500 John A. Merritt Blvd. Nashville, Tennessee 37209-1561 TSU Web Site: Graduate School E-Mail: Graduate School Web Site: Graduate School Phone: 615-963-7371 Graduate School FAX: (615) 963-7219 Graduate School Mailing Address: Tennessee State University Avon Williams Campus, Suite B 400 330 10th Avenue North Nashville, TN 37203 Publication Number: TSU-18-0041(A)-1a-18000 3 SCOPE OF CATALOG The provisions of this Catalog do not constitute a contract between a student at TSU and the University .