Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Academic Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
APSU committee approves two certificate closures, four new graduate programs and two tenure appointments
Summary
The Austin Peay State University Academic Affairs Committee approved ending two certificate programs, authorized development of four graduate programs and granted tenure upon appointment for two incoming faculty leaders during its April 11, 2025 meeting.
The Austin Peay State University Board of Trustees Academic Affairs Committee on April 11 approved termination of two certificate programs, authorized four new graduate programs and granted tenure upon appointment to two incoming academic leaders.
The actions affect academic offerings and staffing at Austin Peay State University and include steps aimed at aligning programs with student demand and regional workforce needs. Committee members voted unanimously on each item after brief presentations from university academic leaders.
Maria Cronley, provost and vice president for academic affairs, told trustees the university routinely reviews programs to align offerings with student and labor-market demand. "We at Austin Peay are consistently reviewing our program offerings, trying to ensure that we're aligning with student and workforce demands," Cronley said, explaining why the committee was considering program terminations and new degrees.
The committee approved termination of the executive graduate certificate in health care administration. Cronley said the certificate was introduced before the university's master's in health care administration began to grow and "never had significant enrollment," with students preferring the full graduate degree. The motion to terminate the certificate was moved, seconded and approved.
Trustees also approved ending the undergraduate certificate in TESOL (teaching English to speakers of other languages). A presenter said the graduate counterpart attracts many students while the undergraduate certificate "has seen little enrollment in recent years," and that TESOL training remains available to undergraduates through minors and upper-division electives.
The committee approved development of four new graduate programs. Trustees voted to authorize a Master of Education in TESOL, a Master of Athletic Training, a Master of Science in Environmental Science and a Master of Education (TESOL concentration to stand up as its own degree). Presenters said most required courses and faculty are already in place for the TESOL and environmental science proposals.
On the Master of Athletic Training, a presenter said the program would enroll an inaugural cohort in fall 2027 if approved and noted letters of support from local high schools, APSU athletics, Fort Campbell and the Tennessee Orthopedic Alliance. A feasibility study by Hanover Research designated the program as high-growth and recommended APSU is well positioned regionally to attract students. A committee speaker said the anticipated cohort size is about 10 students per year, and the university will seek accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training and Education (referred to in the meeting as CATE) before clinical placements and certification pathways begin.
For the Master of Science in Environmental Science, presenters described the proposal as an interdisciplinary program drawing from three colleges and existing coursework. The university expects to begin enrolling students in fall 2026, with an initial cohort of more than 10 students.
The committee also approved tenure upon appointment for Mitchell Cordova, incoming provost and vice president for academic affairs, effective July 1, 2025, and for Philip Mongan, incoming chair of the Department of Social Work, effective Aug. 1, 2025. University staff said both candidates "meet the criteria for tenure in their academic department and rank" and that offering tenure upon appointment is a common practice at APSU for incoming academic administrators who previously earned tenure elsewhere.
Other routine business included approval of the committee minutes from the April 11, 2025 meeting. All motions cited in the meeting were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote with no recorded dissents.
The committee frequently noted that some program launches are contingent on external approvals, notably program accreditation and Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) review. Several presenters said no new permanent faculty would be required immediately for the TESOL and environmental programs because most courses and instructors already exist, while the athletic training program will require a program director search and later additional faculty as it grows.
The meeting adjourned after the committee completed the agenda.
