School of Continuing Studies and Academic Outreach

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Box 70353
Johnson City, TN 37614
Phone:423-439-8300
Fax: 423-439-8355
Web address: https://www.etsu.edu/academicaffairs/scs/default.php

The goal of the School of Continuing Studies and Academic Outreach is to encourage the pursuit of lifelong learning by delivering higher education to meet the needs of a complex and highly technological society and an increasingly non-traditional student population. In addition to six degree programs designed to meet the needs of non-traditional students, the School also contains the Office of Professional Development, Off-campus Cohort Programs, Transfer Articulation, Professional Development, The Office of Summer and Winter Sessions, ETSU at Kingsport, and ETSU at Sevierville.

Degree Programs

The School of Continuing Studies and Academic Outreach offers four undergraduate degrees, two master’s degrees and one graduate certificate designed to meet the needs of adult and non-traditional students.

The Bachelor of Applied Science:  The Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) provides a fast and convenient means for students with Associate of Applied Science degrees in technical fields to earn a four-year bachelor’s degree.  Earning the B.A.S. degree will provide graduates with the academic training required to increase their chances for promotion to supervisory positions.  The degree will also open doors for graduates applying for positions that require that applicants have a bachelor’s degree.

The Bachelor of General Studies:  The Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.) is an interdisciplinary degree that facilitates either timely application to a graduate program or immediate opportunities for professional advancement.  The degree’s most popular benefit is the relative ease with which students can apply previously earned college credits to the program.  The program’s flexibility also greatly benefits working adults: not only can they choose courses according to their schedule, but they can select the exact courses they need to fulfill either professional or personal goals.

The Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies:  The Bachelor of science in Interdisciplinary Studies (B.S.I.S.) provides students with a well-rounded, liberal studies education.  It allows students to complete two areas of concentration, where students may choose either a minor or 12 credits of related coursework appropriate to their educational or professional goals.  The program provides the opportunity for students to integrate personal and professional growth through an exploration of perspectives, philosophies, and experiences in a variety of disciplines.

The Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies:  The Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies (B.S.P.S.) is an interdisciplinary degree that refines student skills and abilities in a broad range of professions.  Students complete a professional core and then choose to concentrate in one of two areas:

Organizational Leadership Concentration: provides students with the opportunity to learn and develop management and communication skills.  Students in the program acquire the skills necessary to move ahead into management positions, possibly in their current workplace.  The degree especially benefits those in human relations, marketing, business communication or other management areas.

Information Technology Concentration:   Provides students with specialized knowledge of management information systems.  The program qualifies graduates to work in most information systems departments in business, industry, or government.

Master of Professional Studies:  The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) program is designed for working adults who wish to pursue graduate professional studies that combine two or more disciplines.  The program allows for the development of professionally oriented programs that respond to the dynamic needs of students working in or preparing for rapidly changing professional environments and expectations.  In this program of interdisciplinary graduate studies, students make connections between various professional fields and traditional social science disciplines.Students may choose to concentration in either Strategic Leadership or Training & Development.

Master of Arts in Liberal Studies:  The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) is a flexible, interdisciplinary graduate program that offers students from a variety of backgrounds the opportunity to study across the boundaries of academic disciplines in order to create knowledge from multiple perspectives. Firmly grounded in the values of liberal education, it allows students to design an individualized program of study that enables them to develop complex, nuanced understanding of human society and culture.  Students may self-design a program of study in consultation with the MALS director or a student may choose to pursue a concentration in Archival Studies, Gender & Diversity Studies, or Regional & Community Studies.

Graduate Certificate in Archival Studies:  The Graduate Certificate in Archival Studies is an 18 credit program designed for individuals who need, or want, archival training, but for whom the full degree program is not a necessity. Employees of a museum, historic site, or business may benefit from the certificate, as may history students who desire to complement their undergraduate or graduate degree. Individuals who must organize church or family records will also benefit from the certificate program. The Graduate Certificate in Archival Studies can be completed entirely online or can be completed through a combination of on-campus and online courses

Cohort Programs

For students who live or work a distance from the University, cohort programs are often established at off-campus locations. This enables busy, working adults to further their education in spite of other demands on their time.  Very often  off-campus cohorts arise out of a need identified in the community (for example, a school system who needs more special education teachers).  For more information about cohort programs, visit the website: www.etsu.edu/cohorts

Transfer Articulation

The Office of Transfer Articulation works to develop partnerships with community colleges in Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina to ensure seamless transfer from a 2-year associate’s degree to the 4-year baccalaureate degree.  The office currently maintains curriculum agreements with more than 20 community college for more than 40 degree programs.

Office of Summer and Winter Sessions

Summer and Winter Sessions offers hundreds of courses that provide exciting opportunities for ETSU students to accelerate their degree programs.  Winter Session, the smaller session of the two, is entirely online, allowing students to complete an additional course immediately following fall semester and decrease time to graduation.

Office of Professional Development

The goal of the Office of Professional Development is to provide quality non-credit continuing education and professional development programs; conferencing, seminars, workshop services; and life-long learning opportunities designed to meet the specific needs of learners of all ages that include, but are not limited to, industry, health care, academic and professional organizations, and P-16 education. Professional Development seeks to enhance ETSU credit and academic programs whenever possible. This office also offers CEU, TNA, and APA certification to qualifying programs. Internet programs are also available.

ETSU at Kingsport

ETSU at Kingsport, with locations at Allendale and downtown Kingsport, provides courses and degree programs in one of the region’s major population centers.  A full-service center, Kingsport staff provide advising and assistance with processes such as admission, registration, financial aid, fee payment, ordering books, and obtaining student ID cards.  ETSU at Kingsport has computer labs, traditional and television classrooms, and other specialized facilities.  Kingsport staff can connect students with a rich array of online and traditional library services and materials, tutoring, and other student support services.

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