College Programs

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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.

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.

Vol 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 institutions educational program and constitutes an inducement for the entire community to profit from its offerings.

Vol 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 Colleges 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 Vol 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 Medical 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; Engineering; Environmental Science; Geology; Industrial Technology; Mathematics; Physics; Physical Science; Pre- Dental Hygiene, Pre-Medical Professional; Pre-Nursing; and Developmental Math and Basic Math.

Division of Social Science and 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 Vol 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 students 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 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 courses are offered in fall and spring semesters as follows:

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.

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 his first two years of study and will later specialize in his particular field of interest. Required courses of study have been developed at Vol 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 students 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 students program should vary from the suggested programs only with the consent of his 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 Vol State.

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:

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. In addition, Hybrid courses are available at the main campus and at the Livingston Center. For information about degrees available at the Colleges two off-campus, degree-granting Centers, Livingston and McGavock, see the section on 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.

The Livingston Center, 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:

• Cohn Adult Learning Center, Nashville
• Greenbrier High School, Greenbrier
• Hunters Lane High School, Nashville
• Macon County High School, Lafayette
• Springfield High School, Springfield
• Madison Church of Christ, Madison
• 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.

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 States 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 semesters Distance Learning offerings with information on college admission and enrollment.

Selected Volunteer State courses are also offered online over the Internet.  Students with Internet access and Web browser software can take classes using the Web.  For students who do not have Internet access, it is available at an educational discount price or students may use the facilities on campus.

Courses currently available:

Consult the Vol State Web site (www.volstate.edu) for a current listing of the Internet classes available each semester.

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.

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 Regents 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 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 (16 week) 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 will award associate degrees.

On-Line Associate Degrees earned at VSCC will transfer to TBR universities and credit will be accepted for Regents 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 Regents On-Line Degree at Volunteer State Community College, call the Distance Education Office.  You can also find out more about the Regents On-Line Degree at the following web site: www.tn.regentsdegrees.org

Courses currently available:

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. 

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 his chosen area without meeting all degree requirements.
Upon successful completion of a prescribed program in his 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:

1. A minimum quality point average of 2.0 in courses presented to meet the requirements for the certificate.
2. 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.
3. 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.

Short-term courses and programs 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

• Advanced Practitioner in Respiratory Care
• Computerized Tomography
• Coding/Reimbursement
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Mammography
• Medical Transcription

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

On-Line Training Center
And More!

Health Sciences Center of Emphasis

• Dental Assisting
• Emergency Medical Services
• Fire Science Technology
• Health Information Technology
• Physical Therapy
• Radiography
• Respiratory Therapy