College Programs

COLLEGE PROGRAMS

The programs, curricula, and fees as set forth in this catalog are subject to change at any time at the discretion of Volunteer State Community College or the Tennessee Board of Regents. Because of the possibility of change or undetected error, important points of fact and interpretation should be confirmed by the appropriate college official.

General Areas of Study
Of a necessity, the nature of the programs of study offered in a community college must be diverse. In order to meet that diversity of needs, community college curricula and organizational structures are also varied and flexible. Volunteer State Community College offers a number of general areas of study to meet the different needs of its students and a flexible organizational framework to provide specific opportunities for all students and adults who deserve to benefit from the educational programs offered by the College. 

The educational programs in the transfer education curricula are designed to meet the needs of students who plan to transfer their work and continue toward a baccalaureate degree at a four-year college or university. The transfer education division includes basic curricula in the areas of business, humanities, mathematics and science, social science, and education. Students, who desire these curricula, are in general, those who desire to transfer to a senior institution to complete their major or who simply want an associate degree in a liberal arts area.

Volunteer State places emphasis on its career education programs which prepare students who graduate or receive certificates to enter directly into their chosen field of work. The occupational or technical programs in the career education curricula may transfer to a senior institution but are primarily designed to prepare students for employment.

A variety of educational programs are designed for those residents near the campus, mainly adults, who desire to take courses for credit toward the completion of a degree, or who desire to take non-credit courses for personal improvement, for vocational advancement, or for cultural enhancement. Continuing education curricula (including evening programs and community service programs) supply an answer to this need, exemplifying one of the more recent manifestations of the changing patterns of American education. Provision is made in the evening for adults who need additional formal education, for community service programs, and for day students who, for one reason or another, cannot take necessary courses during the day. The evening instruction is an integral part of the institution’s educational program and constitutes an inducement for the entire community to profit from its offerings.

Volunteer State also offers a variety of certificate programs. These programs, many designed for adults working in the field of study, vary in length (but normally run nine months) and in the number of hours required. These programs, which are designed to give the student minimum essential core subjects necessary to enter upon a business or industrial career, offer college credit. Courses may be applied later toward a two-year career education program.

Elements of most of the College’s degree programs are available in the evening instructional program on and off campus. The availability of entire degree programs is dependent on a number of factors including campus site, access to faculty, funding, and student demand. Periodic review of College priorities and student demand for programs is practiced to insure that instructional goals are met for evening students.

Divisions of Instruction
For administrative purposes, the credit instructional program at Volunteer State is organized into six divisions. The courses and programs of each of the divisions follow:

Division of Allied Health
Dental Assistant; Diagnostic Medical Sonography; Emergency Medical Technology (EMT-Basic, EMT-Paramedic); Fire Science Technology; Health Information Technology; Medical Laboratory Technology; Ophthalmic Technician; Physical Therapist Assistant; Radiologic Technology; Respiratory Care Technology; and Sleep Diagnostics Technology.

Division of Business
Accounting; Aviation; Business; Banking; General Technology; Hotel & Restaurant Management; Computer Information Systems; Logistics & Supply Chain Management; Management; Marketing; Medical Practice Management; Office Management Technology; Paralegal; and Real Estate. 
 

Developmental Studies
Learning Strategies; NewSkills; Basic and Developmental Mathematics offered through Division of Mathematics and Science; Basic and Developmental Reading and Writing offered through the Division of Humanities.

Division of Humanities
Art; Communication; English; English for Speakers of Other Languages; French; Humanities; Music; Philosophy; Recording Industry Management; Spanish; Theater; and Developmental Writing and Reading.

Division of Mathematics and Science
Agriculture; Astronomy; Biology; Biotechnology; Chemistry;  Environmental Science; Geology; Industrial Technology; Mathematics; Physics; Physical Science; Pre-Dental Hygiene; Pre-Engineering; Pre-Medical Professional; Pre-Nursing; and Developmental Math and Basic Math.

Division of Social Science and Education
Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Economics; Education; Geography; Health; History; Homeland Security; Human Services; Physical Education and Recreation; Physical Education and Sports Medicine; Political Science; Psychology; Social Science; Sociology; and Teaching

Developmental Studies
At Volunteer State Community College, the program in Developmental Studies is designed to serve students who need to improve their basic skills before entering college-level curriculum. Students come to Volunteer State from a variety of backgrounds and circumstances: some students come directly from high school; some transfer from other colleges; others have not been in school for many years. The purpose of the program is to assist students with needs in reading, writing, math or study skills to achieve a level of academic competence that will enable them to work successfully in college-level courses. Developmental classes are smaller and instruction is individualized, so that there is more contact between student and instructor. In addition, tutoring and counseling are provided. The NewSkills Center offers flexible delivery Developmental Studies courses which allow students to “work-at-their-own-pace.”  Some students move more quickly through them than others. The focus of NewSkills is on student success.

Students are placed in the various developmental courses using the available assessment information: ACT sub-scores for students under age 21, placement test results for students over age 21, challenge test results, academic transcripts, and classroom testing. Placement is highly individualized and the formula for placing students, since it uses many measures, is sometimes complex. The student’s advisor will assist the student in understanding the course of study required. Once placed, enrollment in developmental courses is mandatory. Questions regarding placement can be addressed in the NewSkills Center.

The Language Center
The Language Center provides one-to-one writing assistance for all VSCC students for composition classes, writing across the curriculum and ESOL studies. The Language Center also provides computer-based instruction for foreign language studies (French and Spanish) and ESOL studies. The Center is staffed by instructors and qualified tutors who are ready to answer students’ questions on writing assignments. The Language Center offers its services for free to all currently enrolled students of VSCC on a walk-in basis only. The Center does not offer testing or accept appointments for tutoring. The Center is an additional classroom resource that helps the students to identify and correct problems in writing. Writing assistants provide current information and guidance relating to all parts of the writing process, ranging from organization and focus to grammar and revisions.

The Honors Program
The Honors Program offers high academic achievers opportunities to interact with other students with similar academic standards, small classes to ensure individualized attention, a strong academic program, priority registration, and an enhanced academic record.

Students new to Volunteer State need an ACT composite score of 24 or higher, a high school GPA of 3.5 or a place in the top ten percent of the graduating class, and two letters of recommendation from high school teachers. Students already enrolled in the College need a GPA of 3.5 or above and recommendations from two faculty members.

Scholarships are available for new and currently enrolled students. The recipient must commit to 15 hours of Honors courses earned over a four semester period, maintain a 3.5 semester GPA, complete the honors leadership course, and attend Honors Program meetings.

Honors course selection is updated and not limited to the courses listed above. Honors courses are listed in the schedule and are designated by a 029 section number. Honor students may receive Honors credit in some non-Honors courses by contract with instructors. In addition, superior students not officially admitted to the Honors Program may enroll in Honors courses with instructor recommendation.

To receive recognition at graduation students must have completed 15 hours of Honors courses, including the leadership course. Those students are presented with a certificate of program completion and an Honors medallion. Interested students should contact the Program Coordinator.

Transfer Education Programs
The transfer education curricula are designed to meet the minimum requirements for transfer to most senior institutions. Most college programs are structured so that the student will secure a broad education during their first two years of study and will later specialize in their particular field of interest. Required courses of study have been developed at Volunteer State which seek to provide this base in the areas of communications, engineering, humanities, social sciences, biological and physical science, mathematics, and physical education. Electives within these areas are also provided to meet the individual student’s needs and interests.

A student registered for 12 or more semester hours must follow a specific two year program in order to graduate with an associate degree. In general, a minimum of 44 semester hours is required in liberal art areas; however, the students should note individual variations in the respective courses. Students who have a specific Associate of Arts or Associate of Science program in mind will note that major area subjects are included so that transfer to a senior institution involves that continuation of an existing program rather than the introduction of completely new subjects. Students who do not have a major curriculum objective should take one of the general programs. These programs permit students to explore various fields of interest without being committed to a definite major. At the same time the broad base of studies permits transfer with junior status to most institutions.

These transfer education programs may require alteration to meet specific needs of students and for transfer to specific schools. It is the obligation of the student to check the requirements of the school he/she is planning to attend in order to ascertain transferability of courses and special requirements. The student’s program should vary from the suggested programs only with the consent of their adviser.

Students who seek to transfer to a senior institution should familiarize themselves with the requirements of that institution and should plan their program accordingly. Under normal circumstances, the student should be able to transfer to the senior institution with junior status after completing two years of credit work at Volunteer State.

Evening Instructional Programs
The evening instructional program at Volunteer State is designed primarily to meet the needs and interests of the working adult. Traditional day students may choose to enroll in an evening course to resolve a day schedule conflict or to satisfy a personal need or interest.

Evening courses are scheduled in a sequence to ensure that students may complete several of the university parallel Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees as well as many of the options for the Associate of Applied Science degree and Technical Certificates. The general education core of courses, courses recommended in the Curriculum Guides, and the required major core courses are offered during the evening hours to complete the following programs of study:

Associate of Arts/Science
Business & Commerce
Business Education
Elementary Education
Liberal Arts
Paralegal Studies
Pre-Nursing
Psychology
Secondary Education
Social Science & Education
University Studies

Associate of Applied Science
General Business Administration
Accounting
Banking
Computer Info Systems Technology
Hotel and Restaurant Management
Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Management
Marketing
Medical Practice Management
Office Management Technology
General Technology
General
Industrial Technology
Paralegal Studies

Technical Certificates
Emergency Medical Technician-Basic
Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Office Management Technology

To accelerate degree completion, students may also enroll in classes offered on the weekend, through Distance Learning (College @ Home Video Tape Telecourses, CD-ROM courses, and Internet Web-Based courses), or at off-campus locations. Hybrid courses are available at several locations. For information about degrees available at the College’s two off-campus, degree-granting Centers, Livingston and McGavock, see the section on Off Campus.

Off Campus
Degree-Granting Off-Campus Centers, McGavock and Livingston
The college offers the opportunity to complete degree programs at its two degree-granting Centers, McGavock and Livingston. A full range of support services is provided at the Centers. Students interested in pursuing degrees other than those offered at the two centers may be required to complete some coursework on the main campus.

The McGavock Center, located at McGavock High School in Nashville, provides the opportunity for students to complete the Associate of Science (University Studies Curriculum Guide and the Business and Commerce Curriculum Guide) and the Associate of Applied Science (General Business Administration, Management Concentration). In addition to the courses required for these degrees, the College offers college preparatory courses for students who may need to enhance basic skills in reading, writing, or mathematics. Classes are offered during the late afternoon and evening hours.
Volunteer State Community College at Livingston, located in Overton County, provides all of the coursework for completion of the Associate of Science (University Studies Curriculum Guide) and the Associate of Applied Science (General Technology, General Concentration). College preparatory courses are also available to assist students in need of basic skills enhancement. Classes are offered during the day and evening hours.

Off-Campus Teaching Sites
The goal of the extended services or outreach program is to provide credit courses at multiple sites, on multiple schedules, and through various delivery systems to enhance access to higher education opportunities throughout the service region.

Volunteer State seeks to provide quality educational experiences to its students at approximately thirty off-campus teaching sites, affording them the opportunity to continue their education during the day and/or evening hours at locations convenient to their home or workplace. The College appreciates the cooperative working arrangements with various local school and civic officials in providing the facilities, assistance, and input into the offerings each term. Courses at off-campus teaching sites are staffed by qualified instructors from the academic divisions of the College and are of equal quality to those taught on the main campus. Students may enroll in one or more courses to earn credit toward a college degree and/or to pursue personal and professional goals.

Off-Campus teaching sites include: 

• Macon County High School, Lafayette
• Springfield High School, Springfield
• Wilson Central High School, Lebanon

Special career classes are offered at other higher education institutions and public facilities through cooperative agreements.

Courses and locations are listed in the Schedule of classes each semester.

Division of Continuing Education & Economic Development
In addition to the academic divisions offering college credit instruction, the Division of Continuing Education and Economic Development facilitates lifelong learning by providing relevant, quality non-credit learning opportunities for a diverse and evolving population. Programs and services are designed to foster community and economic development, to strengthen partnerships, and to satisfy a broad range of personal, professional, and workforce development needs of the local community and area business and industry. The division is organized into four departments: personal enrichment, workforce development, small business development, and healthcare training. Each department regularly offers a wide range of noncredit general interest courses (on ground and online) as well as business and industry-specific workforce development courses.

Non-Credit Programs
Non-credit continuing education programs draw upon expertise from College resources, corporate resources, community resources, and technological resources to provide quality adult learning opportunities to meet the needs and interests of a diverse population. Classes are selected for personal or professional enrichment rather than for college credit and are offered in a variety of modes (on campus, off-campus, and online) for the convenience and flexibility of the adult learner.

Special short courses, workshops or seminars may be developed and offered upon the request of a group of individuals or organization. All instruction, designed for the general public or customized for the specific needs of a particular group, is geared toward assisting adults in achieving their educational goals.

Upon successful completion of a non-credit course or workshop, the College awards the Continuing education unit (CEU) and maintains a record (transcript) of each student’s accomplishments. The CEU is a nationally recognized, uniform unit of measurement awarded at the rate of one CEU for each ten contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction.

Business and Industry Training Institute
The Business and Industry Institute provides workforce training opportunities in support of the economic development of the College’s service region. Short courses and workshops are designed to improve workplace knowledge and skills for the enhancement of careers and lifelong learning. Whether your business is manufacturing, logistics and distribution, health care, or retail services, these workshops can help you attain your organizational goals. The Institute offers regularly scheduled relevant general classes for individuals as well as customized training for area businesses and industries. Workforce development categories include: APICS, ASQ review, automotive management systems, business development, computer training, customer service, effective supervision, environmental management, food safety management, health &safety management, home inspection, human resource skills, languages, leadership skills, lean manufacturing, management development, persuasive speaking & presentation skills, quality management, quality workforce skills, and six sigma Training programs are available on campus, on-site, and online and may carry CEU credit or college credit.

Contract Training: The Business and Industry Training Institute provides the option of contract training tailored to meet the specific organizational needs of area business and industry. The Institute’s comprehensive services include customized curriculum design, assessment, course delivery and evaluation, and record keeping. In addition to offering basic, open enrollment training programs on our campus each semester, we offer customized programs at your site or ours to meet the specific needs of your business culture, number of employees, schedule, learning styles, and priorities.

American Management Association Certificates
The Division of Continuing Education and Economic Development offers the following online AMA Certificate Programs:

Certificate in General Management
Certificate in Human Resource Management
Certificate for The Administrative Assistant’s Certificate
Certificate in Strategic Leadership
Certificate in Business Communications Management
Certificate in Customer Satisfaction Management
Certificate in Finance and Accounting Management
Certificate in Manufacturing Management
Certificate in Quality Improvement Management
Certificate in Sales and Marketing Management
Certificate in Success Skills in the Workplace

These nationally recognized programs provide participants with the opportunity to select areas in which they wish to develop skills, receive recognition for their accomplishments, and provide evidence of professional development to advance in their career. Curriculum guides and requirements are available on the Continuing Education website. Certificate programs are available online.

Students who have earned the American Management Association Certificate in Management or in General Management may apply that certification toward six hours of elective credit to earn the Associate of Applied Science, General Business Administration Option, Management Concentration. A copy of the American Management Association Certificate must be submitted as documentation. Prior to receiving these six hours of elective credit, students must successfully complete fifteen hours of credit coursework at Volunteer State.

The Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC)
The Tennessee Small Business Development Center is a FREE and confidential one-on-one counseling service for existing and start-up small businesses. Whether the counseling is in the area of marketing, operations, management, or any other business service, the TSBDC provides guidance every step of the way – by appointment please. In addition to the counseling services, the TSBDC offers training seminars on a wide variety of topics for small business owners, assistance with various funding proposals (including SBA loans), and referral to professional services and agencies.

Health Sciences Center of Emphasis
The Health Sciences Center of Emphasis (COE) provides educational and skills training opportunities to healthcare providers to support the economic development of the College’s service area. Courses are designed to meet requirements for certification and licensure or to enhance one’s knowledge base and critical thinking. The COE offers regularly scheduled general core courses (BLS, PALS, ACLS) as well as specifically designed courses for an individual’s area of expertise. Training programs are available on campus, on-site, and online. Most courses carry CEU credit.

Contract Training: The Health Sciences Center of Emphasis provides the option of contract training tailored to meet specific organizational needs. The COE’s services include customized curriculum design, assessment, course instruction, evaluation, and record keeping.

Regents Online Continuing Education Program (ROCE)
Volunteer State offers the Tennessee Board of Regents Online Continuing Education Program (ROCE), a non-credit program designed to upgrade skills, improve organizations, industries, economic performance, and provide enrichment courses for persons who wish to acquire new skills or improve upon existing skills all available fully online. ROCE offers an extensive Continuing Education program in a non-traditional method for adults 18 years of age or older regardless of their educational background. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are awarded for certification and/or recertification to maintain credentials in a specified field of study/work. These online courses are designed to increase access to workforce training and to accommodate the demanding schedule of the workforce.

Other Special Programs

Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps Program
Students may participate in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) at Detachment 790 on the campus of Tennessee State University. AFROTC provides pre-commissioning training to college students (male and female) who desire to serve as officers in the U. S. Air Force (USAF).

High School students may also apply for the AFROTC College Scholarship Program online at www.AFROTC.com. The application deadline is typically December 1 of your senior year. Detailed eligibility requirements are available on the AFROTC.com website.

As AFROTC cadets, the majority of students will earn scholarships that may cover all, or a significant portion of tuition costs. In addition, cadets earn a monthly stipend of up to $400 and up to $510 per academic year to pay for textbooks.

Cadets are required to attend AFROTC classes in uniform one day per week. One summer, typically between the sophomore and junior year, cadets must attend a four-week military training session. The combination of USAF military education, training, and college-level curriculum gives cadets a broad-based knowledge of management, leadership, and technical skills.
The minimum eligibility requirements are as follows: U. S. citizen, thirty years old or younger on 31 December of the year you graduate (exception - prior enlisted), meet USAF weight standards, pass a physical fitness test, have a 2.5+ cumulative college GPA, and pass the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (a USAF-unique academic aptitude test).

Although the USAF will accept students from any accredited academic major, there is a critical need for engineers (all disciplines) and meteorologists. Upon graduation, cadets will earn USAF commissions, as Second Lieutenants, and must serve a minimum of four years on active duty.

For more information, visit www.AFROTC.com or telephone the DET 790 Unit Admissions Officer at 615-963-5931. Also visit the DET 790 website at www.tnstate.edu/rotc.

Distance Learning
Volunteer State’s Distance Learning program offers non-traditional instruction delivery to assist students who are prevented from attending traditional classes by work, family or other commitments and responsibilities or who prefer learning via technology.

Most of the general education core and selected major courses may be completed through videotape telecourses, Web courses, and Hybrid (Blended) courses. Students can complete most degree requirements by combining distance learning, weekend, and traditional courses while maintaining work schedules and family responsibilities. Additionally, several degrees may be completed via distance courses through a combination of VSCC videotape telecourses, on-line, hybrid, and Regents on-line degree courses.
Distance Learning activities include “College @ Home”:

Videotape/DVD Telecourses
Internet Courses,
Hybrid (25% in class + 75% online)
Regents Online Degree Courses and
Interactive Television Classes between the main campus and other sites.

The Volunteer State Community College Web site (www.volstate.edu) has detailed listings on each semester’s Distance Learning offerings with information on college admission and enrollment.

College @ Home
Volunteer State offers a number of Video courses on DVD and/or VHS videocassettes providing convenient opportunities for College and Continuing Education credit.

These courses can be completed mainly at home with a maximum of five on-campus class sessions. DVDs or VHS videotapes, a detailed course syllabus and personal contact with instructors guide students through the course content. This type of independent course offers an option for students with unique academic needs. Each student should consult his/her academic advisor, instructors, and College @ Home personnel to determine which courses best meet the student’s needs.

Most courses are offered each semester. Most classes meet with instructors at the beginning of each semester. Additional required or optional class meetings with instructors may be scheduled. For further information, contact the College @ Home Hotline 230-3409. Complete listings of College @ Home videotape telecourses for each semester are contained on Vol State’s Web site.

Online Courses
A large selection of Volunteer State courses are also offered online (over the Internet). Students with Internet access and Web browser software can take classes using the Web. Students who do not have Internet access may use the facilities on campus. Consult the Vol State Web site (www.volstate.edu) for a current listing of the Internet classes available each semester.

Hybrid (Blended) Courses
Hybrid courses allow students to experience rich face to face and online educational experiences. Using creative scheduling, hybrid courses meet every other week for one 85 minute session and allow students to complete other course activities online.

Students can complete up to 12 credit hours by attending classes one night per week, plus participating in online assignments, discussions, presentations, and content reading both online and in text books. Thus, 2 courses per night, one night per week and a 12 hour load can be achieved each semester.

Tennessee Regents Online Degree Courses
Volunteer State Community offers the TBR Regents “On-Line” degree, a program to increase higher education access for adult Tennesseans, especially those with some college experience. It maximizes effective use of technology to deliver college level instruction and provide student access to web-based courses and degree programs.

The Regent’s On-Line Degree builds on collaboration of course work completed at TBR institutions. It is aimed at adults who have earned college credits and want to complete an Associate or Bachelor degree.

All courses are ‘fully’ on-line. Advising, student support and other forms of student assistance are available on-line; students and faculty have technical support 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Volunteer State offers the following RODP degrees:

• Associate of Applied Science in Professional Studies Concentration: Information Technology
• Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education
• Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology
• Associate of Applied Science in Web Technology
• Web Page Authoring Technical Certificate
• Associate of Arts in General Studies (*University Parallel)
• Associate of Science in General Studies (*University Parallel)
• Updated: Associate of Science in General Studies: Elective Concentration for: Teacher Aides/Paraprofessionals Preparation (*University Parallel)

(Designed for teacher aides interested in completing their AS online. Elective courses customized to address the course credentialing of paraprofessionals for the “No Child Left Behind” requirements)

Through on-line delivery students may study and complete course work at any time, and from any place. Courses are delivered on the internet. Students apply to VSCC for the on-line degree exactly as they do for any other program. VSCC will evaluate any transfer course work. Courses are available in traditional and fast-track format.

Web Based degree programs build on existing courses at TBR two and four year institutions. Students may complete an associate degree designed for transfer to a university, an associate of applied science degree in professional studies. All 13 TBR two-year colleges award associate degrees.

On-Line Associate Degrees earned at VSCC will transfer to TBR universities and credit will be accepted for Regent’s On-Line Bachelors Degrees in General Studies and Professional studies. The Bachelor Degrees may be completed through the six TBR universities.

For additional information on the Regent’s On-Line Degree at Volunteer State Community College, call the Distance Education Office. You can also find out more about the Regent’s On-Line Degree at the following web site: www.tn.regentsdegree.org

Currently offered RODP courses are found at http://www.tn.regentsdegrees.org/degrees/course_listings.htm

Interactive Video Classes and Video Conferencing
The College operates two main campus and one Livingston Center video conference rooms. Classes are scheduled each semester which allow students in Livingston, Gallatin, and other selected sites to meet together with a single instructor through connected video classrooms.

Interactive conferencing can also be accomplished from Livingston and/or the main campus to ten EXCEED Fiber Network sites in Overton, Pickett, Clay, Jackson, Fentress, and Putnam counties.

Video Conference meetings for education, business, and industry are also available virtually worldwide to any other site which is technically supported for connection.

Weekend College
With many students facing challenging daily schedules during the week, both at home and at work, Weekend College courses provide an attractive alternative. Courses range from full fifteen-week classes of two-three hours (depending on hours of credit) on Saturday mornings to concentrated five-week courses usually involving three hours on Friday nights and 8:30 - 4:30 on Saturdays.

Enrollment in Weekend College classes along with evening and College @ Home classes is an excellent means of accelerating completion of the associate degree. College support services are available on Saturday to complement the student’s program of study.

Community Service Programs
The community service program of the College includes a wide range of activities involving cooperative efforts between College personnel and the community. Included among the activities are campus and cultural events, consulting and advisory services, campus participation in civic organizations and community-based efforts, conferences and institutes, facility utilization, and other specialized services available through individual units of the College. Community service is an integral component of the overall operation of the institution, with all administrative units sharing in the responsibility of service.

Certificate Programs
For the student who wants to specialize in a certain field of study without taking all of the courses required for the associate degree, the College offers technical certificate programs as part of the continuing education concept. These programs allow the student to benefit from the most important aspects of the degree program of their chosen area without meeting all degree requirements. Upon successful completion of a prescribed program in his/her area, the student is awarded a certificate. Certificates are offered by Volunteer State Community College to indicate a satisfactory level of achievement in selected programs that require less than two years of full-time study.

Vol State offers a variety of certificate programs. These programs vary in the number of hours required. For detailed information on specific programs, refer to the section on Programs of Study (Certificate Programs). The general requirements for awarding a certificate are:

• A minimum quality point average of 2.0 in courses presented to meet the requirements for the certificate.
• A total of six (6) semester hours of transfer work may be applied to a Certificate. All other course requirements must be completed in residence at Vol State.
• Enrollment in courses required for the technical certificate at the time an application for the certificate is made or permission from the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Continuing Education Institutional Certificate Programs
The Division of Continuing Education and Economic Development offers a wide array of non-credit institutional certificate programs designed to meet the needs of the workforce. Upon successful completion of the program, students are awarded a Certificate of Completion. Certificate categories include business, management, and professional development, healthcare and fitness, hospitality and gaming, IT and software development, media and design, and skilled trades and industrial training. Instruction is provided on ground and online. For a complete list of Certificate Programs, contact the Division of Continuing Education.

Traditional Classroom Certificate Programs
APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional
APICS Certified in Production in Production and Inventory Management
Six Sigma Yellow Belt
Six Sigma Green Belt
Six Sigma Transactional Black Belt
Six Sigma Black Belt
Design for Six Sigma (DFSS)
In-Plant Certificate Programs
Certificate in Effective Supervision
Certificate in Effective Management
Certificate in Effective Leadership
Certificate in Effective Human Resource Management
Online Certificate Programs
Administrative Dental Assistant
Administrative Medical Specialist with Medical Billing and Coding
Administrative Professional with Microsoft Certified Application Specialist Training
Administrative Professional with Microsoft Office Specialist
Advanced Coding for the Physician’s Office
Advanced Hospital Coding and CCS Prep
Advanced Personal Fitness Trainer
Alternative Dispute Resolution Certificate
AutoCAD 2007
AutoCAD 2009
Bookkeeping with Quickbooks
Business Marketing Design
Certified Bookkeeper
Certified Global Business Professional
Certified National Pharmaceutical Representative
Chartered Tax Professional
Chemical Plant Operations
Cisco® CCENT™ Authorized Certification Training
Cisco® CCNA™ Certification Training
CompTIA™ A+ Certification Training
CompTIA™ Linux+/LPI Level One Certification Training
CompTIA™ Network+/Server+ Certification Training
CompTIA™ Security+ Certification Training
CORE Mediation Certificate
eBusiness Certificate
Emergency Management Training
Entrepreneurship: Start-Up and Business Owner Management
Fitness Business Management
Forensic Computer Examiner
Freight Broker/Agent Training
Help Desk Analysis: Tier 1 Support Specialist
HIPAA Compliance
HVAC Technician
ICD-10 Medical Coding: Preparation and Instruction for Implementation
Interior Design
Leadership and Legacy: Seven Steps to Leading High Achieving Teams
Lean Mastery
Management for IT Professionals
Medical Billing and Coding
Medical Terminology
Medical Transcription
Microsoft Access 2007
Microsoft Certified Application Specialist Training (MCAS)
Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST)
Microsoft Certified System Administrator 2003 (MCSA)
Microsoft Certified System Engineer 2003 (MCSE)
Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: SQL Server 2005 (MCTS)
Microsoft Excel 2007
Microsoft Office Specialist 2003 (MOS)
Microsoft Outlook 2007
Microsoft PowerPoint 2007
Microsoft Vista Business
Microsoft Word 2007
Modern Automotive Service Technician
Multimedia Design Certificate
.NET Training
Non-Profit Management
Payroll Practice and Management
Personal Financial Planning
Personal Fitness Trainer
Personal Training and Group Exercise Training for Older Adults
Pharmacy Technician
Project Management
Purchasing and Supply Chain Management
Records Management Certificate
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) on the Web™
Search Engine Marketing
Technical Writing
Travel Agent Training
Veterinary Assistant
Video Game Art
Video Game Design and Development
Web Database Developer
Webmaster
Website Design
Women’s Exercise Training and Wellness

Professional Advancement Opportunities
Courses are available in select professions for individuals to develop the skills required to attain entry-level positions. Education and training are also provided for career sustainment and skills upgrade. Specific lists of credit and non-credit offerings may be obtained through the appropriate academic division. Professional advancement opportunities include:

Allied Health Division - College Credit Courses
Coding/Reimbursement

Business Division - College Credit Courses
Accounting
Hotel & Restaurant Management
Rooms Division Management
Food and Beverage Management
Marketing and Sales Management
Accounting and Financial Management
Computer Specialist (leading to Microsoft Office User Specialist Certification and A+ Certification)

Business and Industry Institute - Non-Credit Courses
American Management Association
Automotive Management - ISO/TS 16949
Business Development
Computer Training
Continuous Improvement
Critical Incident Stress Management
Effective Supervision
Emergency Management Services
Environmental Management - ISO 14001
Food Safety Management - ISO 22000
Hazardous Materials - 40 FCR
Home Inspection
Human Resource Skills
Languages
Leadership Skills
Lean Manufacturing
Management Development
Marketing and Internet Advertising
Process Management
Project Management
Quality Management - ISO 9001
Quality Workforce Skills
Safety Management
Six Sigma
Entrepreneur/Small Business Workshops

Health Sciences Center of Emphasis - Non-Credit Courses
Dental Assisting
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Emergency Medical Services
Fire Science Technology
Health Information Technology
Medical Laboratory Technology
Nursing
Ophthalmic Medical Technology
Physical Therapy
Radiologic Technology
Respiratory Care Technology
Sleep Diagnostics Technology