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College Programs & General Areas of Study
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. Volunteer State Community College offers a number of general areas of study to meet the needs of its students through flexible course offerings.
Educational programs are designed to meet the needs of students who plan to transfer their work and continue toward a baccalaureate degree, to prepare students who graduate or receive certificates to enter directly into their chosen field of work, or for students to complete non-credit courses for personal improvement, for employment advancement, or for cultural enhancement. All students pursuing a degree must follow a specific course of study as outlined in the program guide. Students who seek to transfer to a senior institution should familiarize themselves with the requirements of that institution and should plan their program accordingly.
Division of Instruction
For administrative purposes, the credit instructional program at Volunteer State Community College is organized into the following five divisions:
Division of Business and Technology
The Business and Technology Division at Volunteer State Community College offers career credit courses leading to industry-recognized certifications, technical certificates and Associate in Applied Science degrees. The Business and Technology Division also offers university parallel programs in the areas of Business Administration, Accounting, and Information Systems.
Division of Health Sciences
The John B. Wallace Health Sciences Division offers degree and certificate programs which are designed to prepare students for a career in specific health care occupations. The programs range from one semester to two academic years (6 to 24 months) in length.
Division of Humanities
The Humanities Division offers programs designed to provide the foundation students need to succeed at four-year colleges or universities. A radio station, newspaper, recording studio, TV studio, and literary journals are available for students to voice their creativity. The division also offers many visual and performing arts programs where students can develop their talents.
Division of Mathematics and Science
The Division of Mathematics and Science offers innovative programs to prepare students for further pursuit of careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and health care related fields. The division also offers degree and certificate programs designed to prepare students for careers in the animal care and environmental technology industries. Division resources include communal learning environments and well-equipped science laboratory facilities. Students may enhance their experience with a variety of service-learning and research-based opportunities.
Division of Social Science and Education
The Social Science and Education Division offers degree and certificate programs for both entry into the workforce and for transfer to a four-year college or university. These programs provide students opportunities to learn the innermost concepts of the mind to creations of civilizations, our historical past and its relevance to today, from the workings of government, law, and commerce to education and health.
Other Academic Support
Learning Support
At Volunteer State Community College, Learning Support is designed to serve students who need to improve their reading, writing, and mathematics skills before entering college-level curriculum. Learning Support classes are individualized, so that there is more contact between student and instructor. In addition, tutoring and counseling are provided. The Learning Commons offers flexible delivery of Learning Support courses which allow students to “work-at-their-own-pace.” Some students move more quickly through them than others. The focus of Learning Commons is on student success.
The Language Center
The Language Center provides one-on-one writing assistance for all VSCC students. 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 about writing assignments. The Language Center offers its services for free to all currently enrolled students of VSCC on a walk-in basis only. Language Center assistance is also available online. 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 Learning Commons
The Learning Commons encompasses the College’s credit and non-credit alternative learning support and basic skills instructional program. Within the Learning Commons, computer-based and one-on-one instruction in learning support and basic skills reading, writing, and math is provided to help students upgrade basic skills for college-level courses. The Learning Commons accommodates learning support credit courses and supports learning support Reading, Writing, and Math faculty. The Learning Commons staff provides:
- Assessment of current academic skill levels
- Individualized, self-paced instruction
- Counseling and advising to help determine academic needs and goals
- Flexible hours to accommodate work and family schedules
Students may come to the Learning Commons at any time during the semester. Learning Commons staff members are available to meet the basic skills needs of the community at-large. Middle and high school students may enroll in Continuing Education courses in the Learning Commons during the summer to enrich their basic skills. High school students may enroll in Continuing Education courses at the Learning Commons anytime for ACT/SAT preparation and for basic skills instruction for high school competency exams. For further information, contact a member of the Learning Commons staff.
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 Community College 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 courses are listed in the schedule and are designated by a 029 section number. Honors students may receive Honors credit in some non-Honors courses by contract with instructors. In addition, 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.
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.
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.
Off Campus Sites
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. Students interested in pursuing degrees other than those offered at the two centers may be required to complete some coursework on the main campus or online.
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 ( Business - Management Concentration). In addition to the courses required for these degrees, the College offers Learning Support courses for reading, writing, and 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). The College offers Learning Support courses in reading, writing and mathematics. Classes are offered during the day and evening hours.
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
Cookeville Higher Education Campus
Highland Crest, Springfield
Macon County High School, Lafayette
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.
Dual Enrollment
Beech HS, Sumner County
Clay County HS, Clay County
Cookeville HS, Putnam County
East Robertson HS, Robertson County
Gallatin HS, Sumner County
Gordonsville HS, Smith County
Greenbrier HS, Robertson County
Hendersonville HS, Sumner County
Hunters Lane HS, Davidson County
Jackson County HS, Jackson County
Jo Byrns HS, Robertson County
Livingston Academy, Overton County
Lebanon HS, Wilson County
Macon County HS, Macon County
McGavock HS, Davidson County
Merrol Hyde HS, Sumner County
Monterey HS, Putnam County
Mount Juliet HS, Wilson County
Pickett County HS, Pickett County
Portland HS, Sumner County
Red Boilings Springs HS, Macon County
Smith County HS, Smith County
Springfield HS, Robertson County
Station Camp HS, Sumner County
Trousdale HS, Trousdale County
Upperman HS, Putnam County
Watertown HS, Wilson County
Westmoreland HS, Sumner County
WH Heritage HS, Robertson County
WH High School, Sumner County
Whites Creek HS, Davidson County
Wilson Central, Davidson County
Christian Community HS, Robertson County
Donelson Christian Academy, Davidson County
Mount Juliet Christian Academy, Wilson County
Highland Academy, Sumner County
Tennessee School for the Blind, Davidson County
Distributed Education
VSCC’s Distributed Education 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 as Online courses using our course management system or Hybrid (blended) courses which require a combination of online and on-ground participation.
Additionally, several degrees may be completed via distance courses.
Distributed Education Activities:
Online Courses
Hybrid (approximately 25% in class + 75% online)
Regents Online Degree Courses (RODP)
Interactive Television Courses (ITV between the main campus and other sites)
The Volunteer State Community College Web site (www.volstate.edu) has detailed listings on each semester’s Distributed Education offerings with information on college admission and enrollment.
Online Courses
A large selection of Volunteer State courses are also offered online. Students who do not have Internet access may use the facilities on campus. Consult the VSCC web site (www.volstate.edu) for a current listing of online/hybrid classes available each semester.
Hybrid (Blended) Courses
Hybrid courses allow students to experience rich face to face and online educational experiences. Hybrid classes meet with the instructor at a designated date and time and also include a significant portion of online work. Hybrid meetings are required for successful completion of the course.
Regents Online Degree Program
VSCC offers the TBR Regents Online Degree Program (RODP), a program to increase higher education access for 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.
Volunteer State Community College offers the following degrees through RODP:
Associate of Applied Science in Professional Studies Concentration: Information Technology
Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education
Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology
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. (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)
All courses are ‘fully’ online, and students may study and complete course work anywhere with reliable internet access and at any time. Although RODP courses offer students great flexibility in completing their coursework during the time of day or night which is convenient for them, students should also be aware that RODP courses will still have established due dates and deadlines. Advising, student support and other forms of student assistance are also available online. Although all RODP coursework is completed online, many RODP courses require that mid-term exams and final exams be proctored in a Testing Center, and students may select from any of the TBR Testing Centers across the state.
Students who wish to take Regents Online courses for college credit must apply for admission to VSCC, and VSCC will also evaluate any transfer course work. Courses are available in traditional and fast-track format. RODP courses also have an additional per-credit-hour fee on top of VSCC course fees.
Online Associate Degrees earned at VSCC will transfer to TBR universities, and credit will be accepted for Regents Online Bachelors Degrees in General Studies and Professional Studies. The Bachelors Degrees may be completed through the six TBR universities.
For additional information on RODP courses and degrees at VSCC, call the Advising Center or visit the RODP website: http://rodp.org.
Interactive Video Classes and Video Conferencing
Classes are scheduled each semester which allow students in Livingston, Gallatin, Highland Crest, and other selected sites to meet together with a single instructor through connected video classrooms.
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