Vice provost presents MTSU annual academic program actions: new cybersecurity degree, concentrations and digital badges

Vice Provost Amy Aldridge presented the university’s annual academic program actions for calendar year 2024, outlining new degree and certificate additions, program reorganizations and the growth of digital credentialing.

Key curricular changes: Aldridge said MTSU added a new Bachelor of Science in cybersecurity management and a graduate certificate in concrete and industry management in 2024. The university also elevated two former concentrations into full degrees — an MS in cybersecurity management and a BS in advertising and public relations — and introduced 33 new undergraduate and graduate concentrations. Aldridge reported MTSU’s academic program inventory now lists 99 bachelor’s degrees, 53 graduate degrees and 12 certificates; including concentrations, she said the catalog offers about 350 distinct degrees/concentrations/certificates from which students can choose.

Digital badging and credentials: The provost’s office has implemented digital badging to offer stackable credentials for workforce relevance. Registrar Tyler Henson and a campus committee have added about 20 badges (undergraduate and graduate), Aldridge said; the university uses Parchment, the vendor that also issues transcripts, to certify and deliver badges. The registrar’s office has awarded 672 digital badges (excluding Dean’s List); including Dean’s List badges, Aldridge said the total is 18,757 badges to date and a potential near 20,000 badges for the campus footprint.

Enrollment and program health: Trustees asked about enrollment in the new BS in cybersecurity management; Aldridge reported that the program has 94 students enrolled after about a year and a half. She said the program is doing well and that several program approvals require additional levels of review beyond campus — including the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and, where applicable, SACSCOC (the regional accreditor).

Quantum computing and research partnerships: Trustees discussed quantum computing work in MTSU’s physics department, including a recent on-campus presentation that involved a visit by a representative from Oak Ridge National Laboratory and a meeting with Congressman Fleischman. Aldridge and other trustees said MTSU is pursuing public and private support for the work; Aldridge referenced a recent $5.5 million grant that supports university and K–12 workforce efforts and said a $25 million state request submitted earlier did not make the governor’s budget; she and others said they plan further advocacy with the legislature.

Other topics: Trustees asked about capacity in nursing (Aldridge said nursing programs are full and that the university has commissioned market reports from Hanover-related research to examine capacity and options). Aldridge also noted program terminations and low-productivity reviews occur as part of regular program management.

What trustees asked for: Trustees encouraged marketing and outreach for quantum and high-profile research, requested follow-up reports on programs on annual low-productivity lists, and asked for continued updates on badge and credential offerings. Aldridge said staff will bring additional reports and that chairs and deans meet annually with the provost’s office to review program productivity.