Each undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree (whether in the Environmental & Sustainability Studies major, the Interdisciplinary Studies major, or the Professional Studies major) offered through the College of Interdisciplinary Studies requires 41 credit hours of general education courses (English composition, Literature, Oral Communications, American History, Social and Behavioral Science, Humanities, Mathematics, and Natural Science) and 45 credit hours of upper division courses (3000- 4000 level) with at least 12 credit hours at the 4000 level. The remaining hours, 34 credit hours, of any level elective credit to total the requirement of 120 credit hours. Transfer students may transfer up to 60 credit hours from a 2-year community college. At least 60 credit hours must be completed at a 4-year school and at least 30 hours completed at TTU. Students must meet the Undergraduate Degree Requirements at Tennessee Tech University.
The College of Interdisciplinary Studies provides a framework for supporting innovative boundary-crossing inquiry among students and faculty. To this end, the College of Interdisciplinary Studies supports the efforts of existing cross-disciplinary programs, and envisions new programs and opportunities for research, scholarship, and service.
Department of Communication
Professor Wilson, Chairperson; Professors Kash, Witcher; Associate Professors Christen, Ding; Assistant Professor Burch; Senior Instructor Metz; Lecturers Mestayer, Zuraikat
Communication
With concentrations in Journalism and Communication Studies, the Communication major produces graduates who understand the powerful role of communication in all aspects of society. The Journalism curriculum prepares students for a variety of employment opportunities in the mass communication and media professions, primarily in the mass media and public relations as well as corporate communication. The program stresses practical experience. The student newspaper, yearbook, magazine, radio station, television studio, podcast studio as well as the regional PBS-affiliate television station are integrated with class work, and students are encouraged to participate in the internship or co-op program. The concentration in Communication Studies fosters the understanding of the process and practice of communication among individuals, groups, organizations, and cultures. Emphasis is on effective and ethical communication skills for success in virtually all kinds of situations. Students may participate in speech and debate team activities. Upon graduation they are ready to begin careers in business, government, law, education, politics, social and human services, international relations and negotiations, or further study on the graduate level.
Bachelor of Science
Non-Degree
Other Programs
School of Environmental Studies
Dr. Steve Sharp, Interim Director; Associate Professor, Boles; Professor Hajdik, Mattingly
The School of Environmental Studies (SOES) fosters in students the desire to lead purposeful professional lives through the application of scientific principles to environmental issues within the social, political, and economic framework of our society https://www.tntech.edu/cis/ses/index.ph.
Environmental and Sustainability Studies Undergraduate Program
The Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Sustainability Studies (ESS) in the School of Environmental Studies offers a broad range of cutting-edge degree options in the environmental sciences. The program, which is 120 credit hours, prepares students for meaningful careers dedicated to the study, preservation and future of our environment.
- The Environmental Science concentration allows students their choice of three study options: Environmental Biology, Environmental Chemistry or Natural Resources. This opportunity teaches students the symbiotic nature of a variety of disciplines and allows them to explore and investigate environmental problems on their own and then present their findings to a diverse audience (https://www.tntech.edu/cis/ses/ess/esses/index.php).
- The Society, Culture and Communication concentration allows students to explore how cultural values and beliefs influence the way people use the environment. Students study how organizations address environmental problems and how complex concepts regarding those issues are communicated. In this concentration, students can choose a program of study in communications and media, social science and policy, or leadership and environmental management (https://www.tntech.edu/cis/ses/ess/essscc/index.php).
- The Environmental Technology concentration teaches students to use GIS tools (geographic information systems) in making informed environmental decisions and in modeling environmental processes. Students also explore conventional water treatment methods (https://www.tntech.edu/cis/ses/ess/esset/index.php).
Professional Science Master’s with a Concentration in Environmental Informatics (PSM-EI)
The 33-hour PSM-EI degree offers students an interdisciplinary curriculum that combines business and science in a unique learning experience that allows students to look at environmental data in a new way and from a business standpoint (https://www.tntech.edu/cis/ses/psm/index.php ).
Environmental Sciences Ph.D. (EVS) Program with a concentration in agriculture, biology, chemistry, geosciences, and integrated research
The School of Environmental Studies offers an interdisciplinary Ph.D. program that will help
students reach their career goals in the extensive fields of environmental science. Our Ph.D. program endeavors to be more than a traditional “academic” program. The interdisciplinary faculty work with graduate students to develop the critical thinking skills necessary to solve real-world problems (https://www.tntech.edu/cis/ses/evsphd/index.php).
Bachelor of Science
- •
Environmental and Sustainability Studies, Environmental Science Concentration, Biology Option, B.S.
- •
Environmental and Sustainability Studies, Environmental Science Concentration, Chemistry Option B.S.
- •
Environmental and Sustainability Studies, Environmental Science Concentration, Natural Resources Option, B.S.
- •
Environmental and Sustainability Studies, Environmental Technology Concentration, B.S.
- •
Environmental and Sustainability Studies, Society, Culture and Communication Concentration, B.S.
Other Programs
School of Interdisciplinary Studies
Dr. Steven Frye, Director/Associate Professor; Lecturer Bull; Instructor Wingo; Lecturer Hawkins
The School of Interdisciplinary Studies is committed to providing university students with a flexible, personalized major that allows each student the opportunity to pursue his or her individual interests. The goal is for students to think creatively, integrate knowledge and skills from a variety of disciplines, and build critical thinking skills.
A major in Interdisciplinary Studies brings together two emphasis areas into an integrated and personalized program of study. Emphasis areas are chosen from the variety of content areas offered at TTU. Students can customize a course of study that reflects a cross-disciplinary perspective. Examples include (but not limited to): Business and Health Science, Biology and Chemistry, Religious Studies and History, Event Planning and Business, Art and Psychology, Workplace Leadership and Human Behavior, Environmental Management and Art, Waste Resources and Soil, Wildlife and Fisheries and Criminal Justice, Informatics and Psychology, the degree options are vast. In their last semester each I.S. major completes a culminating project where the two emphasis areas are brought together in an extensive research thesis or real-world project. This capstone experience offers the opportunity to draw from and integrate the knowledge gained in both emphasis areas.
What can you do with a major in Interdisciplinary Studies? The most appropriate answer to that question may be “what can’t you do with a major in Interdisciplinary Studies?” The flexibility to pursue individual interest areas allows students the opportunity to fine-tune their education to match the knowledge and skill-set needed in a variety of fields.
Bachelor of Science
Certificate
Non-Degree
Other Programs
School of Professional Studies
Dr. Vicki Dieffenderfer, Director
The Professional Studies Program is committed to serving and providing traditional and non-traditional students with an intellectually engaging and effective undergraduate and graduate educational experience utilizing technology through on-ground, hybrid, and online delivery systems as they enhance their knowledge, analytical abilities, critical thinking, and communication skills for upward mobility in their professional field.
Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS)
The Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies, (120 credit hours) prepares students for management and leadership positions in the fields of Information Technology, Organizational Leadership, International Organizational Leadership, or Health Administration.
Please note that each concentration consists of 21 hours of core requirements and 18 hours directly related to your chosen concentration.
Master of Professional Studies (MPS)
The 30-hour MPS degree specializations provide you with an opportunity to advance in your chosen career path as it encompasses business, technology, and human development strategies while teaching leadership skills and capabilities, stimulating curiosity, and creating an adaptive background necessary for shaping the direction and future of organizations. The MPS program has six concentrations areas:
- Strategic Leadership prepares you to lead and adapt in today’s rapidly changing professional environment. https://www.tntech.edu/cis/sps/masters/strategic.php
- Human Resources Leadership prepares you to expand your career opportunities in key management roles in the field of human resources. https://www.tntech.edu/cis/sps/masters/humanresource.php
- Training & Development prepares you to manage, deliver, and assess on-site training programs. https://www.tntech.edu/cis/sps/masters/training.php
- Healthcare Administration prepares you for a rewarding and challenging career dedicated to the vital role of enhancing the quality of care, reducing health care costs and addressing health care issues. https://www.tntech.edu/cis/sps/masters/healthcare.php
- TESOL can give you the skills and credentials needed to either teach English abroad or to teach second language adult learners in the U.S. (This program is NOT for those planning to teach ESL in public schools within the U.S.) https://www.tntech.edu/cis/sps/masters/tesol.php
- Public Safety can help you secure a career in homeland security, emergency management, law enforcement, corrections, military, federal agencies and more. https://www.tntech.edu/cis/sps/masters/publicsafety.php
- Corporate Communication prepares you to take a leading role in the improvement and facilitation of an organization’s communication channels, whether that is through designing and implementing initiatives aimed at improving employee engagement, team building, and leadership training or by coordinating teams from different departments across the organization to complete projects.
- Media and Strategic Communication prepares you for a leadership role in planning communication strategy, designing messages, and developing media content to help inform the public and build relationships between organizations and a variety of audiences, both inside and outside the organization.
Please note that each program consists of 9 hours of core requirements, 18 hours directly related to your chosen concentration, and a 3-hour culminating project.
Student Success Center
Jeannie Smith, Director/Advisor
Advisors: Lisa Brown, Ashlee Kiser
Mission statement: To provide students, especially non-traditional students, quality advisement and serve as a gateway to the University. The Student Success Center will act as a student’s liaison to the University, answering their questions and acting as a representative on the student’s behalf for the College of Interdisciplinary Studies.
The Student Success Center is the initial point of contact for students who are majoring in an undergraduate program offered through the College of Interdisciplinary Studies. The SSC offers one-on-one advisement to discuss career goals and explore program options in order to develop a plan of study. The SSC provides information on registration as well as the general education requirements and the academic regulations to complete a Bachelor of Science degree at Tennessee Tech University.
Each undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree offered through the College of Interdisciplinary Studies requires 41 credit hours of general education courses (English composition, Literature, Oral Communications, American History, Social and Behavioral Science, Humanities, Mathematics, and Natural Science) and 45 credit hours of upper division courses (3000-4000 level) with at least 12 credit hours at the 4000 level. The remaining hours, 34 credit hours, of any level elective credit to total the requirement of 120 credit hours. Transfer students may transfer up to 60 credit hours from a 2-year community college. At least 60 credit hours must completed at a 4-year school and at least 30 hours completed at TTU. Students must meet the Undergraduate Degree Requirements at Tennessee Tech University.
