Tusculum University understands the needs of working adults who are interested in pursuing the concentrated educational enrichment represented by a graduate degree, but who must also continue to meet personal and professional commitments.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Tusculum University offers graduate degrees in:

1. Master of Arts in Education Concentrations in:
   • Curriculum and Instruction (online)
   • Special Education Interventionist K-8 and Comprehensive K-12 (hybrid)
2. Master of Arts in Teaching (Initial Certification)
3. Master of Business Administration
4. Master of Arts in Sports Administration
5. Master of Arts in Organizational Training & Performance Management
6. Master of Science in Nursing
   • Family Nurse Practitioner

Classes are taught by Tusculum University faculty with academic and practical backgrounds in their respective disciplines. A maximum time limit of five years will be allowed for the completion of the program. Students who leave the program for any reason and re-enroll must meet all requirements in effect at the time of re-enrollment.

GENERAL OBJECTIVES

1. To provide the essential graduate level experience students need to enhance their professional careers.
2. To enable the graduate to utilize interpersonal, group and negotiating skills to work successfully with others in an organi- zational or academic context.
3. To provide the graduate with the ability to recognize and solve problems through ethical decision making.
4. To enhance the ability of graduates to exercise and model the qualities of civic virtue necessary for effective citizenship in local, national and global communities.

The curricula should be completed in the order recommended by Tusculum University which reserves the right to modify the curricula as necessary.

GRADUATE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES

Requirements for admission to graduate programs are established by the Graduate Committee. They include previous academic records, performance on recognized examinations, work experience and an acceptable written explanation of desire to enter the program. Tusculum seeks students who are mature and highly motivated and are able to contribute to the collaborative learning environment. A maximum time limit of five years will be allowed for the completion of a degree program.

COMMON ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

All applicants to graduate programs shall satisfy these common admission requirements:

1. Hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
2. Possess a minimum G.P.A. as defined by each program and satisfy the admissions requirements that are specific to each program. See individual program descriptions for other admissions requirements.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Each of the following items must be completed for review by the Enrollment staff for an admission decision.

1. Complete and submit a Tusculum University application. A copy is available from the University website or may be obtained from an Enrollment Representative.
2. Request an official transcript from each institution attended be sent directly to Tusculum University Office of Enrollment Management, P.O. Box 5051, Greeneville, TN 37743.
3. Submit a resume that reflects professional experience in accordance with the requirements of each program.
4. Complete any program-specific application procedure.
5. Applicants for whom English is a second language must furnish a score of 540-543 (paper), 207 (computer-based), 76 (Internet based) or greater on the TOEFL examination taken within the last five years.
6. Phone or in-person interviews may be considered as part of the Admissions process.

PROVISIONAL AND CONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE

Please refer to each individual major for requirements for provisional and/or conditional acceptance.

TRANSFER CREDIT

Each course in the graduate sequence is designed to provide prerequisite knowledge for those which follow. As such, it is expected all students enrolled in the program will complete courses in the prescribed order.  However, where students bring in course work that is deemed to be the equivalent in content and graduate-level rigor, demonstrate comparable learning out- comes as the course it replaces and be offered at a regionally accredited institution of higher education or other appropriate institution as recommended by the American Council of Education (ACE), the Dean with the review of the program faculty may approve up to two courses to transfer into a master’s degree program, and in unusual circumstances the Dean may approve additional coursework.

CLASSIFICATION OF STUDENTS

The criteria used to determine enrollment status for graduate students is as follows:

Full time: 9 or more credit hours

Half time: 4.5 – 8.5 credit hours

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Attendance will be taken through census date. Only classes that a student has confirmed attendance through census will be used to determine enrollment status for financial aid purposes. If a student has not attended a class at census, the student will be administratively withdrawn from the course and will not receive any federal or state aid for the course.

RETENTION STANDARDS

Academic Probation

Students must maintain the cumulative G.P.A. of 3.00; grad uate students are placed on academic probation if their G.P.A. falls below 3.00.  Academic probation also occurs when a student receives a grade of “C+” or below for any required courses. A grade of “C+” or below places the student on academic probation for the remainder of the program.

Academic Suspension

Two grades of “I” result in the suspension of the student from classes until one of the incomplete grades has been satisfactorily removed. A student who receives a combination of a grade of “C+” or below and an “I” on an academic record will be suspended from classes for a period of six months. Any student receiving a second grade of “C+” or below or a single grade of “D,” “F” or “NR” will also be academically suspended. All suspensions will take place at the end of the semester in which the offense occurs. A student who is notified of an impending suspension may, after consultation with the Financial Aid Office, elect to officially withdraw from the College prior to the end of that semester; however, the suspension will be officially dated at the end of the semester in which the offense occurs and the six months’ waiting period begins then. To be readmitted after the waiting period, a student must submit a written request to the Graduate Committee explaining academic deficiencies and reasons why the student should be considered for readmission.

Graduate students placed on academic suspension from Tusculum University must meet the specified terms and conditions of that status prior to seeking re-admittance to the College.

Academic Dismissal

Any student subject to academic suspension the second time is subject to academic dismissal. Dismissal is ordinarily a final revocation of eligibility to return to Tusculum University. Students found guilty of plagiarism and falsification of documents and/or who fail to adhere to Tusculum University’s behavior policies are subject to academic dismissal. Students who wish to appeal their dismissal must do so in writing within thirty days of notification. The decision of the Graduate Committee is final.

ADDING AND DROPPING COURSES

Students are required to contact their professional advisor each time they drop or add a course. This allows the advisor time to review the degree requirements and advise the student accordingly.

When adding a course, students must complete and sign the Drop/Add Form and submit the required payment for the course. Students must register for courses at least seven days prior to the starting date of the course. Students are responsible for obtaining the course syllabus from the TC Web (Please refer to the “Tuition and Fees” section located in the front of the catalog for adjustment in charges).

A student may drop a course before the last night of the class and still receive a grade of “W.” If a drop form is not received prior to the last night of the course, a grade of “F” will be as- signed. When dropping a course, students may incur financial responsibility.

WITHDRAWAL

A student who must withdraw from any graduate program must complete the University withdrawal procedure by notifying two individuals. First, a student must notify the faculty advisor or program chair/coordinator via email of the intent to withdraw identifying the last course the student intends to complete. Second, the student must notify a representative of the GPS academic advising staff at their cohort site and complete a College withdrawal form. The form may be obtained via telephone or email request from a member of the academic advising staff, and may be faxed to the student and returned in person or by fax. Official withdrawal is effective upon the University’s receipt of the written request to withdraw and upon approval by appropriate administrative offices. Failure to complete the withdrawal procedure before the first night of the course will result in a charge for the course and a grade of “F” or “NR.” Students are advised to retain a copy of the returned email response from their faculty coordinator/chair, the completed withdrawal form and the fax receipt for their records. For reporting purposes, the last day of academic activity will be determined by the University.

ACADEMIC YEAR

The academic year at Tusculum University includes a fall and a spring semester and several accelerated terms offered during the summer. Fall semester begins in August and ends in December. Spring semester begins in January and ends in May. The summer session includes several accelerated terms which commence after the conclusion of the spring semester and end before the beginning of the new academic year.

COURSE LEVELS

All courses at Tusculum University are identified by numbers composed of three digits with the first number designating the level  of  instruction.  Graduate  division  courses  designed  for post-baccalaureate students are numbered about 500.

ADVANCED COMPETENCIES

Graduate programs focus on these Advanced Competencies: Critical Thinking, Synthesis of Information, Problem-Solving, Ethical  Decision  Making  and  Data Analysis  and  Interpretation. Individual graduate programs evaluate student attainment of these competencies throughout the curriculum and through some major graduate projects.

GRADUATE RESEARCH REQUIREMENT

All graduate students participate in the development of methods of inquiry and reflective judgment as planned in their respective curriculums. Curriculum engages students in the study and application of methods of problem identification; the collection, analysis and interpretation of data, and recommendation of problem resolutions relative to their professional disciplines. This  practice  strengthens  the  development  of  the Advanced Competencies identified by the University for graduate students. Examples of these graduate studies include original empirical research, study of and resolution of an organizational performance gap or completion of an applied action research project. Graduate research can also provide a conduit for service learning in that students complete their project to contribute valuable information or problem resolution to an organization or professional interest. See individual Master of Arts program descriptions and curriculums for inclusion of research instruction and practice.

GRADING PROCEDURES

Coursework is evaluated in the following terms:

1. In Progress. An “IP” grade may be given in a course where a major project or extended research is required and work on that project cannot be completed by the end of the regular grad- ing period. If the project requires more time, the student may petition in writing to the Dean of the School for an additional semester extension (request must be received by the Dean of the School prior to the end of the original semester and be supported by the faculty member). The student must again register for the class within the next semester in order to receive credit. All “IP” grades not made up within the prescribed time automatically convert to the grade of “F.”
For information about grade change policy and grade appeals, please see those sections beginning on page 41 of the Tusculum University Catalog.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

All students for Master of Arts degrees and the Master of Business Administration degree shall complete these requirements:

1. Completion of the required curriculum with a minimum grade point average of 3.0; only one grade of “C” permitted.
2. Successful completion and acceptance of program-specific requirements.
3. Participation in all outcomes assessment as required by each program.
4. Payment of all tuition and fees.

A student may request a letter of completion when all work is completed and all graduation requirements to include academic and financial obligations to the College are met and approved.

Students who lack no more than six credit hours may appeal to the Graduate Committee to participate in the commencement ceremony. Students must provide a plan for satisfying the miss- ing requirement during the semester following the commencement ceremony. All requests must be submitted to the Registrar no later than 30 days prior to commencement.

All graduates are encouraged to participate in the commencement exercises of the University.

DEGREES WITH DISTINCTION

Graduate students who complete the program with a 4.0 G.P.A. wear a gold tassel and gold cord at commencement to indicate that they have achieved High Honors. Graduate students who complete the program with a 3.90-3.99 G.P.A. wear a gold cord at commencement to indicate that they have achieved Honors.

For information about Student Services, Student Leave of Absence, Military Deployment Policy, Academic Misconduct Procedures, Transcripts, Service-Learning, Advising, Repeating Courses, Academic Time, Academic Year, Grade Changes, Administrative Appeals and Student Records/Right to Privacy regulations, please see sections beginning on page 240 of the Tusculum University Catalog. This information is also available within the Academic Policies section.