In 1911, Middle Tennessee Normal School opened with a two-year training program for teachers. The school was created after passage of the General Education Bill of 1909 which pushed for improvement in public education in the State of Tennessee. Middle Tennessee was one of three normal schools established in the state with the central location being assigned to Murfreesboro.
In 1925, four-year degree programs were added to the school and, in 1943, it was designated as a state college, opening the way for expanded curriculum. The Graduate School was added in 1951 and the name of the school was changed to Middle Tennessee State University in 1965.
The school is situated in the geographic center of the state. It is the oldest and largest institution in the Tennessee Board of Regents system with enrollment of about 23,000 students. It is the number on producer of graduates for the Greater Nashville County. The school offers more than 140 undergraduate and 100 graduate programs. The school is the second-largest producer of graduates in the state and the top producer of adult and low-income graduates in Tennessee.
Middle Tennessee State University is one of just 108 colleges and universities recognized by the Chronical of Higher Education for producing Fulbright Scholars in 2012-2013, putting it on the same level as Duke, Harvard and Yale. No other Tennessee institution made the list. For the past three years, the school has been named a military-friendly institution by G.I. Jobs Magazine.
Middle Tennessee State University Accreditation Details
Middle Tennessee State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of College and Schools Commission on Colleges. In addition, various programs are accredited by the following agencies:
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International
- Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
- Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology/ Computing Accreditation Commission
- Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology/ Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission
- Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
- American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance
- American Anthropological Association
- American Chemical Society
- American Council on Education
- Aviation Accreditation Board International
- Aviation Technician Education Council
- Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
- Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Council for Accreditation of Counseling to Related Educational Programs
- Council for Interior Design Accreditation
- Council on Social Work Education
- National Association of Schools of Art and Design
- National Association of Schools of Music
- National Athletic Trainers’ Association
- National Commission for Health Education Credentialing
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
Middle Tennessee State University Application Requirements
First time freshmen who have no college credits must have a 3.0 GPA or higher or must have a minimum composite ACT score of 22. Students with a GPA of 2.7 plus an ACT score of 19 may also be considered for admission. Students must complete an application and pay an application fee. Students must submit official ACT or SAT scores as well as official transcripts.
An undergraduate applicant who has earned 24 or more credits from a college or university must have a 2.00 or higher cumulative grade point average to transfer to Middle Tennessee State. Students with less than 24 credit hours must meet freshman admission standards. Students should send official transcripts from high school and all colleges or universities attended. Students who graduated from high school before 1989 do not have to send high school transcripts.
Graduate students must have earned a bachelor’s degree if seeking a master’s level program or a master’s degree if seeking a doctorate level program. Students must have a GPA of 2.75 or higher in undergraduate studies. Some programs may require official test scores for admission as well.
Middle Tennessee State University Tuition & Financial Aid
Undergraduate tuition for in-state students at Middle Tennessee State University is $260 per credit hour and for out-of-state students it is $937 per credit hour. Graduate students pay $420 per credit hour if they are residents of Tennessee while non-residents pay $1,163 per credit hour. The rates for online tuition are the same as on-campus courses. Financial aid is available in the form of grants, loans, federal work-study and scholarships. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to qualify for any financial aid award.
Middle Tennessee State University
Online Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Psychology is the study of behavior and mental processes. It is a science that seeks to answer questions about thoughts, feelings, chemistry, biology and many other matters that effect mental well-being. The Bachelor of Science in Psychology program is designed for students who are interested in a liberal arts education with a focus on psychology. Students learn in courses that include arts, sciences, humanities and pre-professional subjects that are chosen for their own specific career goals. It is a 38-hour program that consists of 24 credit hours of coursework and 12 hours of electives. Students must earn a grade of C- or better in all core required coursework. Students may also choose the Pre-Graduate Psychology program which is designed to prepare students who wish to pursue a graduate level degree. Students may also choose to minor in Psychology, Lifespan Development, Mental Health Services, Industrial/Organizational and Neuroscience as well.
A Bachelor of Science in Psychology prepares students for a wide variety of careers including advertising, job analyst, occupational analyst, reporter, group home coordinator and many other careers in a wide range of industries. Graduates have found positions in such prestigious companies as Discovery Communications, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Square D Company and the Tennessee Supreme Court.
The Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Middle Tennessee State University is available online making it easier for working professionals to further their higher education. Many adult learners have difficulty attending traditional classes due to work, family and social obligations. Online programs allow them the flexibility to further their education which can allow them to either advance in their current career or to move into a new career with the opportunity for better advancement.