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MTSU committee approves fully online MS in Project Management, seeks THEC review
Summary
Trustees approved a proposal for a 30-credit, fully online Master of Science in Project Management and directed staff to seek Tennessee Higher Education Commission approval for a fall 2025 start.
The Academic Affairs Committee approved a new 30-credit Master of Science in Project Management that the university plans to deliver fully online and to seek approval from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission for a proposed fall 2025 start.
Amy Aldridge presented the proposal and introduced Dr. Richard Tarpy of the Jones College of Business, who led curricular development. Aldridge said the program is interdisciplinary, drawing on faculty from three colleges and six academic disciplines. "This master's degree is 30 credit hours and fully online, allowing students to take at least 6 hours a semester to complete in less than 2 years," Aldridge said.
The presentation said the program is designed to prepare graduates to pursue Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and to provide stackable credentials including digital badges. Aldridge cited industry data presented in the packet that anticipate national labor demand for project managers to grow substantially through 2027 and said the program would be the state's first graduate degree specifically in project management.
Costs are expected to be low because the curriculum repackages existing course offerings and leverages current faculty expertise; Aldridge said initial additional costs are primarily for Project Management Institute (PMI) accreditation and necessary software licenses. The packet includes cumulative enrollment projections and a financial outlook that the provost's office described as favorable.
Trustees asked whether the curriculum would include Six Sigma training; Tarpy said Six Sigma remains used in industry but is distinct from PMI project management certification and is taught in other units such as supply chain. Trustees also asked about potential coordination with aerospace programs; Aldridge said the university has not yet integrated the aerospace program into project management offerings but that future collaboration is possible.
Chair Wright called the question after discussion and the committee approved the program; Aldridge said the provost's office will seek THEC approval in July.
