History and Characteristics:
The mission of Nashville State Technical Community College is “to provide comprehensive educational programs and partnerships, exemplary services, an accessible, progressive learning environment, and responsible leadership to improve the quality of life for the communities it serves.”
In 1963, the Tennessee legislature authorized a statewide system of technical institutes and area vocational-technical schools. Since 1984, Nashville State has been governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR), with the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) as coordinating body for both the TBR and the University of Tennessee systems. Nashville State Technical Institute existed as a technical institute, offering only the A.A.S. degree, until 2002 when the mission of the college was expanded to that of comprehensive community college and A.A. and A.S. degrees were added to the curriculum. The college is open admission to any high school graduate or equivalent.
Nashville State’s main campus facilities include 239,000 square feet of space. The College serves a seven-county area that includes Cheatham, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery, Stewart, and most of Metropolitan Nashville-Davidson County.
Nashville State opened in 1970 with 398 students. By fall of 2006, enrollment had grown to 7,246 headcount and 4,105 full-time equivalent students. The addition of transfer degrees in fall 2002 resulted in significant growth in general education courses. The fall 2006 student body was 59% female, 54% aged 25 years or older, 61% Caucasian and 27% African-American. Seventy-two of students were degree-seeking, with 52% of those seeking an A.A.S. degree and 48% seeking a transfer degree. Sixty-four percent were part-time students.
List of Degrees and Technical Certificates Offered:
See attached lists of A.A.S. degrees, technical certificates, and A.A./A.S. Areas of Emphasis.
Locations and Distance Education:
Off-Campus Sites: Nashville State has three in-state centers in addition to the main campus.
The Don Sundquist Center in Cookeville offers general education courses that apply toward all degrees. In fall 2006, Cookeville enrolled 315 FTE students, 7.7% of total college enrollment. Cookeville students can obtain at least 50% of the credits required for the A.A. and A.S. degrees; A.A.S. degrees in Business Management, Computer Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, General Technology, Office Administration, Police Science, and Social Services; and technical certificates in Computer Aided Drafting, Industrial Electrical Maintenance, Entrepreneurship, Industrial Automation, and Web Page Authoring.
The Humphreys County Center in Waverly offers general education courses that apply to all degrees. In fall 2006 Humphreys County enrolled 192 FTE students, 4.7% of total college enrollment. Waverly students can obtain at 50% of credits toward the A.A. and A.S. degrees and A.A.S. degrees in Process Control Technology, Business Management, and General Technology.
The Southeast Center in Nashville opened in fall 2005. In fall 2006, enrollment was 80 FTE, 1.9% of total college enrollment. English as a Second Language accounted for Seventy-five percent of fall 2006 enrollment at the Southeast Center. Students cannot earn 50% of any degree or certificate at the Southeast site.
At Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee, the college offers Early Childhood Education courses, where students can obtain 50% of their Early Childhood Technical Certificate, but not of a degree. Five sections were offered in both fall and spring semesters at APSU.
During the 2006-2007 years, courses have or are being offered at the following additional high school dual enrollment sites within the Nashville State service area. These courses can apply toward a Nashville State degree, but in no case constitute anywhere near 50% of the courses required for a degree.
- Antioch High School: one Leadership class
- Clarksville High School: two sections of English Composition and one Theater
- Harpeth High School: two sections of English Composition
- Houston County High School: two sections of English, one History, one Biology
- Maplewood High School: one Leadership class
- Pleasant View High School: two psychology classes
- Rossview High School: one intermediate algebra class
- Sycamore High School: three college math classes
Distance Education:
Nashville State offered 130 classes through web-based and hybrid delivery during fall 2006. Enrollment in these courses was 516 FTE, or 12.5% of total college enrollment. These courses are developed and delivered by Nashville State faculty. They are approved and undergo quality review by the NSOnline faculty committee in addition to the normal process for course approval. Students can complete the A.A., A.S., Business Management A.A.S., Office Administration A.A.S., Computer Accounting A.A.S. degrees and the Culinary, Early Childhood Education, Entrepreneurship, and Web Page Authoring certificates either primarily or completely online.
Nashville State students also enroll in the Regents Online Degree Program (RODP), a collaborative program through which all 19 TBR colleges and universities deliver courses and programs. NSCC RODP enrollment in fall 2006 was 69 FTE, 1.7% of total enrollment. Students can earn the entire A.A. in General Studies, an A.S. in General Studies or Paraprofessional, and A.A.S. degrees in Professional Studies with concentrations in Information Technology and Early Childhood Education through RODP.
Accreditation:
Nashville State Technical Community College is regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, located at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 (phone 404-679-4501).
The Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) accredits the Business Management, Computer Accounting, and Office Administration A.A.S. programs. These programs were last reviewed in 2001.
The Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredits the Architectural, Civil, and Construction Engineering Technology and the Electrical Engineering Technology A.A.S. degree programs. These programs earned reaccreditation in 2006.
The Accreditation Council of Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) accredits the Occupational Therapy Assistant program and received 10 year reaccreditation in 2006.
The Committee on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) has granted accreditation to the Surgical Technology (2004) and Surgical Assisting (2005) programs.
The A.A.S. degree in Culinary Arts is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the American Culinary Federation Foundation. Initial accreditation was granted in 2006.
The Early Childhood Education A.A.S. program will submit a self-study for initial accreditation through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) in spring 2007. NAEYC just began offering accreditation for associate degree programs in 2005.
There have been no negative actions taken or sanctions applied on Nashville State programs by any of these accrediting agencies.
Relationship to the U.S. Department of Education
There have been no limitations, suspensions, or terminations by the U.S. Department of Education during the past three years. Nor is there any reimbursement of any other exceptional status in regard to federal or state financial aid.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
