Business Climate

Higher Education

Excellent Access to Higher Education

A host of universities, colleges and technology centers with more than 84,000 students offer a variety of four-year, two-year and one-year programs that are within easy reach of Rutherford County.

School City/County Enrollment Fall ‘05

Middle Tennessee State University

www.mtsu.edu

Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) in Murfreesboro, founded in 1911, is a Tennessee Board of Regent institution and the largest public university in the state. The university recently embarked on an aggressive expansion program, which included a new library, Greek Row project, Horticulture center, recreation center addition, new art and science facilities, Nursing school addition and the first Honors College in Tennessee.

Located on a 466-acre campus, the university has 109 permanent buildings (3.8 million square feet of space) and is one mile from the geographic center of Tennessee.

MTSU enrolls approximately 23,000 students annually in:

• Basic and applied sciences
• Business
• Education and behavioral science
• Liberal arts
• Mass communication
• Continuing education and distance learning
• Graduate studies
• University honors

The university offers more than 140 programs including Master’s degrees in nine areas. The university also has nationally and internationally recognized programs in aerospace, business, mass communication and the recording industry.

MTSU has developed the nation’s only four-year program of study and a degree in Concrete Industry Management.

Some examples of MTSU programs:

MTSU Bureau of Business and Economic Research Center

The Bureau of Business and Economic Research Center (BERC) conducts research and provides information to support the College of Business faculty and students as well as the business community. The BERC works with government and private organizations on research projects that make university and faculty resources available to the community.

MTSU Training and Professional Development Center (TPDC)

The TPDC offers human resource services for business, industry and government including customized on-site training, needs assessments and specialized workforce analyses. Current programs include teambuilding, customer service, leadership, supervision, and written and personal communication.

Robert E. and Georgiana Russell Chair of Manufacturing Excellence

Services through the Chair of Manufacturing Excellence include faculty assistance on-site at a plant or manufacturing facility; technical support for laboratory use or testing; engineering help with Tennessee registered engineering faculty; or student assistance through classes, internships or cooperative education programs.

MTSU Small Business Development Center

The Small Business Development Center’s (SBDC) services include business planning, financial analysis, patent and trademark, business structure, business taxation and regulatory information. The SBDC is located at the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce building at 501 Memorial Blvd. in Murfreesboro.

MTSU Tennessee Center for Labor-Management Relations

The Tennessee Center for Labor-Management Relations provides a broad range of labor-management education courses, conferences, institutes and research. The center regularly offers one-day seminars and six regional labor institutes annually.

Continuing Studies and Public Service

This program is divided into two main areas—credit and non-credit. The credit area coordinates distance learning, off-campus courses, summer school and evening classes. The non-credit area caters to professionals interested in updating skills and groups or organizations desiring some type of educational experience.

Motlow State Community College

www.mscc.edu

Motlow State Community College, with an enrollment of approximately 4,000 students, features three full-service campuses and 13 community teaching sites. The college serves an 11-county area.

Motlow is governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents and features a broad curriculum including:

• Nursing
• Technology
• Banking
• Finance
• Business computer applications
• Business management
• Real estate
• Electronics
• Computer Integrated Manufacturing Center

Motlow also teaches interactive video and Internet classes to students around the region.

Tennessee Technology Center

www.murfreesboro.tec.tn.us

The Tennessee Technology Center at Murfreesboro is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Council of Occupational Education. The Center provides occupational and technical training to citizens, business and industries of Rutherford County and the surrounding area.

Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, program instructors stay up-to-date through Occupational Advisory Committees that keep them current on equipment and techniques in use in industry.

A Tennessee Board of Regents institution, Tennessee Technology Center operates on a year-round schedule, with day and evening classes in:

• Health services
• Industrial electrical maintenance technology
• Business systems technology
• Computer operations technology
• Computer-aided design
• Fire service
• Automotive
• Machine tool technology
• Job training and safety
• Air conditioning/refrigeration
• Technology foundations

The Center also provides GED testing and a variety of services to industry, including needs assessment, customized training (onsite, special classes, evening classes) and specialized teachers.

Draughons Junior College

www.draughons.edu

Draughons Junior College is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) to award diplomas and academic associate degrees.

Draughons Junior College offers courses in:

• Accounting
• Bookkeeping
• Business Administration Technology
• Business Management
• Criminal Justice
• Dental Assisting
• Internet Web Design
• Medical Assisting
• Network Support Administration
• Paralegal Studies
• Pharmacy Technology