Academics
Tennessee State University adheres to its motto, “Excellence is our habit,” not just through its commitment to providing quality education but also through its dedication to funding and supporting student research. TSU is known as the highest ranked public research institution in middle Tennessee and has also been designated as an R2 (a doctoral institution with high research activity) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions. Students frequently engage in cutting-edge studies that lead to real-world solutions that can be applied in the fields of health sciences, biotechnology, business, and more. A great deal of this research occurs in the university’s College of Health Sciences, which remains one of the largest in the nation and offers degrees such as a master’s in Physical Therapy. During courses and upon graduation, students in Health Sciences can take advantage of Nashville’s thriving health care community, with exceptional clinical placement opportunities in private hospitals that contract with the university. The school of Engineering and Technology is another hallmark for TSU, with state-of-the-art learning facilities and beneficial partnerships with the likes of NASA, Raytheon, and General Motors that provide further learning opportunities. Agriculture, business, education, liberal arts, and public service are other areas of study at TSU, with 77 total majors offered in traditional classroom settings or online; the university also offers an Air Force ROTC curriculum. TSU is also part of the national teaching initiative HBCU C2, which focuses on coding and creative experiences for students and faculty using Apple’s Swift programming platform. And it’s not just a one-sided use of code; a TSU history professor is currently working with Apple to create an app that showcases lesser-known figures in the Civil Rights movement that hail from Tennessee.
Career
Tennessee State University has two locations—the 500-acre main campus in a residential neighborhood along the Cumberland River, and the downtown Avon Williams campus conveniently located near Nashville’s business and government district. Nashville offers a range of activities for TSU students, including myriad arts and cultural opportunities and experiences. And, since Nashville is also considered Music City U.S.A., students can listen to all genres nightly from the Grand Ole Opry to Ryman Auditorium. Those musically inclined on campus can participate in choral and instrumental ensembles, dance troupes, and the renowned marching band, TSU Aristocrat of Bands. For those looking for athletic opportunities, the TSU Tigers are part of the esteemed NCAA Division I with winning teams in men’s basketball, football, golf, tennis, and track and field. Women’s teams include basketball, softball, tennis, golf, volleyball, and track and field. The campus also has a comprehensive Wellness Center with a swimming pool, workout facilities, and instructor-led classes in Zumba and aerobics. Overall, TSU has more than 100 student organizations and clubs, including a thriving Greek Life community, The Sophisticated Ladies marching band dance line, the Allure Modeling Troupe, debate and speech teams, and the award-winning Meter student newspaper.
Culture
According to Payscale.com, TSU graduates earn on average $66,000 annually, with nursing, physical therapy, and information technology students earning the most. The university has a long list of notable alumni, including media mogul Oprah Winfrey; Black Aviation Hall of Famer, Kansas senator, and Civil Rights activist U.L. “Rip” Gooch; and Leonard Jordan, acting chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. With its ideal location in Nashville, many TSU graduates have found employment with local leaders like Nissan, State Farm, Dell Computers, and Tyson Foods, among others.
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