East Tennessee State University: A Comprehensive Guide to Degree Programs

East Tennessee State University (ETSU), a public research university located in Johnson City, Tennessee, offers a wide array of academic programs for undergraduate and graduate students. Founded in 1911 as East Tennessee State Normal School, ETSU has evolved into a comprehensive university classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities - High research activity". This article provides an overview of the degree programs available at ETSU, student life, admission requirements, and other important information for prospective students.

Academic Programs and Offerings

ETSU provides a diverse range of academic programs, accommodating various interests and career aspirations. Degrees offered include:

Certificate
Bachelor's
Post-bachelor's certificate
Master's
Post-master's certificate
Doctorate - professional practice
Doctorate - research/scholarship

Combined-degree programs are also available, such as the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and Pharmacy (D).

Undergraduate Programs

East Tennessee State University offers 112 programs for undergraduate students, who make up 82% of the student body. Bachelor's degrees are offered in a variety of fields within the various academic colleges. Degrees at the bachelor’s level can be received in such areas as allied health, biology, computer and information science, dental hygiene, engineering, history, management, music, nursing, physics, and special education. Traditional fields of study are well-represented. Minors are available in more specialized areas, such as Appalachian Studies, leadership, Japanese, and urban & regional studies.

Some of the undergraduate majors offered at ETSU include:

Read also: Affording ECU

Allied Health, B.S.
Anthropology, B.A.
Applied Science, B.A.S.
Art, B.A.
Biology, B.S.
Biomedical Health Sciences, B.S.
Biomedical Sciences, B.S.
Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music Studies, B.A.
Chemistry, B.S.
Communication Studies, B.A., B.S.
Computing, B.S.
Digital Media, B.S.
Early Childhood Development, B.S.
Economics, B.B.A.
Engineering Technology, B.S.
English, B.A.
Environmental Health, B.S.E.H.
Finance, B.B.A.
Geosciences, B.S.
History, B.A., B.S.
Human Services, B.S.
Information Systems, B.S.
Interdisciplinary Studies, B.S.
Management, B.B.A.
Marketing, B.B.A.
Mathematics, B.S.
Mechatronics Engineering, B.S.
Microbiology, B.S.
Music, B.A., B.M.
Nutrition, B.S.
Philosophy, B.A., B.S.
Psychology, B.A., B.S.
Public Health, B.S.
Social Work, B.S.W.
Sport and Recreation Management, B.S.
Supply Chain Management, B.B.A.
Surveying and Mapping Science, B.S.
Theatre, B.A.
World Languages, B.A.

Five bachelor degree programs are offered online, as are more than 90 courses.

Graduate Programs

ETSU offers graduate programs in a large number of programs in 7 academic colleges. These include master’s level programs in art and design, English, mathematics, social work, business administration, clinical nutrition, liberal studies, counseling, education (in many areas), biomedical science, nursing, and public health.

Doctoral degrees are offered in several fields, including biochemistry, microbiology, nursing, and classroom leadership. The Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree is offered through the College of Education in the following areas: school system leadership and teacher leadership.

Some of the graduate programs offered at ETSU include:

Accountancy, M.Acc.
Appalachian Studies, M.A.
Biology, M.S.
Biomedical Sciences, Ph.D.
Business Administration, M.B.A.
Computer Science, M.S.
Counseling, M.A.
Early Childhood Education, M.A.
Educational Leadership, Ed.D., Ed.S., M.Ed.
Engineering Technology, M.S.
Geosciences, M.S.
Global Sport Leadership, Ed.D.
Individual, Family, and Community Sciences, M.S.
Information Systems, M.S.
Interdisciplinary Studies, M.A.L.S.
Music, M.M.
Nursing, D.N.P., M.S.N., Post-D.N.P.
Professional Studies, M.P.S.
Psychology, M.A./Ph.D.
Public Administration, M.P.A.
Public Health, Dr.P.H., M.P.H.
School Librarianship, M.Ed.
Sociology, M.A.
Special Education, M.Ed.
Sport Physiology and Performance, Ph.D.
Sport Science and Coach Education, M.S.
Sport and Recreation Management, M.S.
Teacher Education, M.A.T.

Unique Programs

ETSU distinguishes itself with unique programs such as the advanced degree in reading and storytelling, blending education with theater, communications, folklore, history, and linguistics. The Bluegrass and Country Music Program prepares students for experiences in the business of music.

Admission Requirements

Undergraduate Admission

East Tennessee State University has an open undergraduate admissions deadline. The application fee is $15. Applications can be submitted on-line. As part of their application, students should submit high school transcripts and ACT or SAT test scores.

Students should have completed high school courses as follows: 4 units of English, 3 units of mathematics, 3 units of history and social studies, 2 units of science, 1 unit of a foreign language, and one unit of visual or performing arts.

Students must generally meet the following minimum requirements: high school GPA of 2.3 or ACT score of 19 (or SAT equivalent).

East Tennessee State requires students complete a core curriculum of college preparatory courses prior to admission. This required curriculum includes four years of English, two years each of algebra, natural sciences, and foreign language, and one year each of geometry, social studies, United States history, and visual or performing arts.

Read also: Pirates Football Roster

Applicants under the age of 21 must submit test scores from either the ACT or the SAT exam. Applicants must have a minimum high school grade point average of 2.3 or a minimum ACT score of 19.

Students who lack the appropriate preparatory curriculum may be admitted based on test scores or grade point average. These conditional admission parameters are available for students who post an ACT score of 21 or more, or for students who post an ACT score of 19 or 20 and have a high school grade point average of 2.5 or higher. Students who are admitted as an exception must eliminate any high school curriculum deficiencies during the first 60 semester hours at ETSU. Alternative admission is a possibility for students who do not meet any of the above requirements, however such positions are limited.

Graduate Admission

Students applying to the graduate programs at East Tennessee State University should consult the individual department and/or school to which they are applying for specific program requirements. Applications can be submitted on-line, and the application fee is $25. General requirements include a bachelor’s degree; most programs also require GRE scores and an additional for and/or vita. The graduate application deadline is June 1 for the fall semester, but some programs have earlier deadlines.

Financial Aid and Tuition

Tuition at East Tennessee State University was $2,253.50 per semester for the 2005-2006 academic year for in-state, undergraduate students attending full-time.

Financial aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans. Student employment is also possible. Students who seek financial aid will need to fill out the Federal Student Financial Aid Form, available on-line. Graduate students may also receive financial aid in the form of teaching or research assistantships, including a stipend and a waiver of some or all of the tuition and other fees. Graduate students should consult with their individual department about what sort of assistantships or fellowships are available and about the details of the application process.

ETSU awards approximately $13 million in financial aid every year. The average aid package-consisting of grants, loans, scholarships, or a combination of these-is $18,777. Students entering with an ACT score of 28 or an SAT score of 1240 and a grade point average of 3.5 receive a guaranteed Academic Performance Scholarship of $3,000 annually for a maximum of 8 semesters. ETSU also offers dozens of departmental scholarships, which do not require the standard University application, but rather require students to contact the respective departments directly. There are nearly 20 general scholarships that students may also qualify for.

Student Life

Student life at East Tennessee State University includes opportunities in a diverse range of activities and organizations. Students can write for the twice weekly student newspaper, participate in radio and television broadcasting, or take part in physical recreation at the Center for Physical Activity. Nearly one quarter of all students live on the ETSU campus. One perk of the residence halls is that every room is equipped with high-speed network access. There are over 170 student organizations on campus, including 27 honor societies and a number of social fraternities and sororities. Available recreation includes swimming, weight lifting, basketball and racquetball facilities, and various intramural sports.

The student-faculty ratio at East Tennessee State University is 16:1, and the school has 60.5% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 73%.

Athletics

East Tennessee State University is an NCAA Division I School. Teams compete in the Southern Conference. Current men's sports at ETSU are football, baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis and track and field. Women's sports are basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field and volleyball. The Mini-Dome on the campus of ETSU houses the intercollegiate athletics offices. The largest building on the ETSU campus, it hosts several indoor track and field meets, and was once the home field for the university's football program.

Athletic facilities at East Tennessee State University include a baseball stadium, Cardinal Park or Howard Johnson Field, which is also home to a minor league team affiliated with the major league St. Louis Cardinals. The East Tennessee State University Buccaneers compete in NCAA and the Atlantic Sun Conference. Men’s sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, tennis, and track & field. Women’s sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field, and volleyball. ETSU recently invested in an impressive new golf facility. The Warren-Greene Golf Center Golf Center provides 14 acres of practice facilities for ETSTU men’s and women’s golf teams, including two tee areas, four bunkers, six target greens, and two bent-grass greens. There is an accompanying, two-story building that contains offices, conference rooms, and the Hal Morrison Hall of Fame. There are also locker rooms, hitting bays, and lounges. Howard Johnson Field (also known as Cardinal Park), is home to the Buccaneers’ baseball team and was built in 1923. It has been home to the Johnson City Cardinals, a rookie league team for the St. Louis Cardinals MLB club. Johnson Field was remodeled for the first time in 1994, including a new press box, dressing rooms, concessions, and spectator seating.

Campus and Location

East Tennessee State University is located in Johnson City, Tennessee. The surrounding environment is rural and mountainous, though other cities are located nearby. There are many streams and areas for hiking, kayaking, and other outdoor activities. Near-by attractions include many museums and historical sites, state and national parks, golf courses, and live music. Johnson City, located on the far eastern border of Tennessee, has a population of more than 55,000. Founded in 1856, Johnson City grew rapidly in the late 20th century. During the 20s the town acquired the moniker of “Little Chicago” due to its ties to bootlegging.

tags: #east #tennessee #state #university #degrees #programs