Frequently Asked Questions

Admissions  Registration  Graduate Assistantships  Candidacy  Internships  Miscellaneous


Admission

How do I apply for the MSPS program?

Admission to the Master of Science in Professional Science (MSPS) program is a two-step process. Prospective students must first apply to the MTSU College of Graduate Studies and select the "Professional Science" degree program. Please be sure to follow the admission procedures and additional procedures for international students, if applicable.

The following must be submitted to the MTSU College of Graduate Studies (Box 42, Murfreesboro, TN 37132):

  1. Application for admission.
  2. Application fee.
  3. Official transcripts certifying coursework from each college or university attended. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. The minimum GPA for unconditional admission is 2.75 at the undergraduate level and 3.00 at the graduate level.
  4. Official GRE Scores submitted from ETS. They must be current (within the past five years). A combined GRE score of 900 (under the testing scale prior to August 2011) or a combined score or 286 with a Verbal of 138 and Quantitative of 148 (under the new scale), is expected for unconditional admission to MSPS (Actuarial Science, Biostatistics, Biotechnology, Engineering Management, and Geosciences only – Healthcare Informatics does not require the GRE). Miller Analogies Test (MAT) and other tests are not accepted.
  5. Three letters of recommendation, submitted directly to MTSU College of Graduate Studies, Box 42, Murfreesboro, TN 37132, electronically to askgrad@mtsu.edu or by fax to 615-904-8020. The College of Graduate Studies provides a recommendation form you may send to your evaluators.

How can I check the status of my application?

You can check your application status. You will need the login ID and pin that you created when you began the process. Contact the College of Graduate Studies for assistance with questions about applying to the program at 615-898-2840.

What requirements do you have for the various MSPS concentrations?

  • Actuarial Sciences and Biostatistics
    • candidates are expected to have completed undergraduate courses in both linear algebra and multivariate calculus with grades of C or better.
  • Biotechnology
    • candidates must have a Bachelor's degree in either Biology, Chemistry, or another with coursework in organic chemistry and three courses related to biotechnology, including genetics.
  • Engineering Management
    • candidates must have an undergraduate degree in engineering, science, technology, or a related area.
  • Geosciences
    • candidates must have an undergraduate degree in geosciences or a related area (e.g. chemistry, biology, computer science, anthropology, engineering, etc.) and basic competency in word processing, email, library retrieval systems, presentation graphics, spreadsheets, and databases.
  • Healthcare Informatics
    • candidates must have 1) an undergraduate or graduate degree in a relevant field including the health sciences, information technology, allied health professions, business, or statistics and 2) a commitment to developing the necessary analytic and program management skills and expertise required of today's health informatics professional. Candidates should possess intermediate proficiency with multiple computer programs, including but not limited to word processing, data management/presentation, and statistical analysis packages commonly used in business and healthcare industries.

What happens after my application is fully submitted?

Once complete, the admission materials of students accepted into the College of Graduate Studies are routed to and reviewed by MSPS admission coordinators for a final admission decision. Applicants are notified by the College of Graduate Studies regarding the admission decision.

Where can I find the deadlines for admission applications?

Our deadlines are the same as those of the College Graduate Studies. The due dates for admission materials vary depending on status as a domestic or international student and the first semester of attendance. For full admission to the program, all required items must be received in ample time to be reviewed by the College of Graduate Studies and MSPS. More details can be found on the College of Graduate Studies site.

If my GRE score does not meet the minimum standard, can I still be admitted to the MS-PS program?

For unconditional admission to MSPS, our concentrations in Actuarial Sciences, Biostatistics, Biotechnology, Engineering Management and Geosciences concentrations require a candidate's GRE results (within the past five years) to total:

  • either a combined score of 900 (under the old GRE testing scale prior to August 2011)
  • or a combined score of 286, with a Verbal of 138 and Quantitative of 148 (under the new GRE scale)

However, if your score is slightly below, you may still be admitted to the program with a conditional status based on other factors. This is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Talk to the MS-PS coordinator for your program before deciding to retake the test.

Does the Healthcare Informatics concentration require a GRE score?

No. The Healthcare Informatics concentration does not have a GRE requirement.

Can I take either the MAT or the GMAT instead of the GRE?

No. Miller Analogies Test (MAT), the GMAT and other tests are not accepted.

I took my GRE years ago. Is it still acceptable?

GRE scores are only retrievable for five years.

I applied last semester but did not attend. What do I need to do?

You will need to re-apply. You will not have to pay the application fee again; simply fill out the application and submit it so that your name will be updated into the system.

NOTE: Current Students who have been admitted but did not take any classes during the previous semester (Spring or Fall only) should go on PipelineMT and fill out a re-admission application. A re-admission application is free of charge. 


Registration Issues

I have been purged from my classes. What do I do?

You will be purged from your classes if you have not paid your tuition by the fee payment deadline. Make sure you are aware of the date fees are to be paid when you register for your classes. In most cases, you may register again a few days later; however, there may be a late fee charged if you are past the last day of registration.

I am having trouble registering for classes. Who do I contact?

You are urged to communicate at least once a semester with your concentration coordinator for curriculum advising, problem solving and degree planning. This prevents many scheduling problems. However it is normal to encounter registration restrictions on classes in either your concentration core or business core. When asking for registration help, provide the course number (ex: STAT 5140), CRN number (5-digit number associated with the course listing in PipelineMT) and type of error message you receive when attempting to register (ex: Restricted by Program). Depending on the course, please contact the appropriate MSPS individual for assistance as recommended:

Link to MSPS Contacts

Concentration Classes - For courses specific to your field of study, contact your concentration coordinator.

Business Core Classes - For business core courses, this varies. Contact the individual as instructed below.

  • ACTG 6100, Accounting & Legal Issues for Managers (Elizabeth Lamb, MSPS Executive Aide)
  • ACSI 5140, Mathematical Foundations of Actuarial Science  - Actuarial Sciences students only (Dr. Don Hong, Actuarial Science Coordinator)
  • BCEN 6820, Managerial Communication (Elizabeth Lamb, MSPS Executive Aide)
  • BCEN 6910, Internship Program (After reviewing the internship program guidelines, contact Dr. Vince Smith, Business Core Coordinator)
  • MGMT 6740, Leadership and Motivation (Elizabeth Lamb, MSPS Executive Aide)
  • STAT 5140, Probabilistic and Statistical Reasoning - all but Actuarial Science students (Elizabeth Lamb, MSPS Executive Aide)

How many hours of coursework are required for the degree?

Each concentration requires 36 hours of coursework toward the degree. Prior to the completion of 24 credit hours each student's degree plan must be approved by advisor and filed with the College of Graduate Studies.


Graduate Assistantships (GA's) and other funding

Are there any assistantships available to students applying to the MS-PS program?

In the MSPS program, there are occasionally full and part-time graduate assistantships available. These cover full, or half, of the cost of tuition in return for working in a variety of positions on campus through the College of Basic and Applied Science, the College of Liberal Arts, or College of Behavioral and Health Sciences for 20 hours (if full-time) or 10 hours (if part-time) per
week. Out-of-state residents also receive a waiver of out-of-state fees.

Are there other assistantships available on campus?

Yes. Other departments offers graduate assistantships. You may also submit an application through these non-academic
MTSU departments: Accounts Payable, Business Office, Campus Recreation, Center for Health and Human Services, Dyslexic Studies, Information Technology Division, Instructional Technology Support Center, Learning Teaching and Innovative Technology Center, News & Media Relations Office, Office of Compliance, Office of Development, and University Studies. Current contact information for these departments is available here.

How can I be considered for a GA position?

A GA must be enrolled in and fully admitted to a graduate degree program, which means he or she has completed all graduate admissions procedures and has been approved unconditionally. After obtaining a GA position, you must maintain a 3.00 GPA.

Are any scholarships available?

The College of Graduate Studies offers a limited number of scholarships and you may wish to submit an application. There are
several scholarships for graduate students available through the MTSU College of Graduate Studies.

Is there a fellowship program?

The College of Graduate Studies administers the Access and Diversity Fellowship program. To be eligible, the student must be

awarded a graduate assistantship and must be in a group that is under-represented in graduate education in general or groups who are under-represented in a particular discipline (e.g., women in computer science). Contact Graduate Studies for more information about the Access and Diversity Fellowship at 615-898-2840.

What will it cost to be a student?

This depends on several factors but this link can help you create a budget. Learn about MTSU's tuition, fees and other costs. Also, select the "MTSU cost of attendance" link on the left side of the page to estimate other expenses.


Advancement to Candidacy

When should I fill out a candidacy form?

The Advancement to Candidacy Form should be filled out prior to the completion of 24 credit hours. In order to fill it out completely, you must list all courses taken and those that you are planning to take to complete your degree. This form must be signed by your coordinator before it is taken to the College of Graduate Studies.


Internships

Will I have to write a thesis to obtain an MS-PS degree?

No, the internship takes the place of writing a thesis. You will be obtaining "real world"; working experience instead of writing the thesis.

Can the internship be completed at any point during my graduate career?

No, the internship takes the place of writing a thesis. You will be obtaining "real world"; working experience instead of writing the thesis.

Who will secure the internship?

Ideally, you will have in mind a place in which you would like to pursue an internship; however, your coordinator will also have some placement possibilities to share with you. The internship location and projects must be approved by your coordinator. Review the internship program guidelines.

Will the internship be a paid position?

Ideally, the internship will be a paid position, but that is entirely up to the employer.

May I complete an internship at the place I am now employed?

You may complete your internship at the place you are now employed if it is approved by your coordinator and employer. There will have to be additional duties or projects assigned to your existing position, or an entirely different position within the same company.


Miscellaneous

May I repeat a course?

A graduate student may repeat graduate courses in which a grade lower than B- was earned. A maximum of two courses, not to exceed eight credits combined, may be repeated for a grade chance. Refer to the Academic Regulations section of the graduate catalog for full details.

How many hours is considered full time for a graduate student?

  • Full time: 9 graduate hours
  • Three-quarter time: 7 graduate hours
  • One-half time: 5 graduate hours
  • Full time for a GA is 6 credit hours

If I need to withdraw from the MS-PS program, what do I need to do?

  1. Write a letter to the College of Graduate Studies addressing the reason(s) as to why you are withdrawing. This is to be documented in your student file.

  2. Withdraw on pipeline. If it is after the date to withdraw with a "W";, you will also have to contact Becky Garrett in the Withdraw office at 898-2808.

  3. When you return to MTSU, all that is required is to fill out the application form again to be reinstated in the system. You will not need to pay the fees again.

May I transfer hours taken at another college?

Coursework transferred or accepted for credit toward a graduate degree must represent graduate coursework relevant to the degree, with course content and level of instruction resulting in student competencies. The transfer credit requires the recommendation of the graduate advisor and approval of the dean of the College of Graduate Studies.

 

MSPS Logo
PSM Logo
 
 
 
Dr. Saeed Foroudastan
Dr. Saeed Foroudastan, Ph.D.
Associate Dean, CBAS
Director, MSPS
SCI 1026
For more information on our program, please make an appointment with Suzanne Hicks.

 Suzanne Hicks

Suzanne Hicks
MSPS Graduate Coordinator
Internships and Recruitment
SCI 1013
615-904-8581
Suzanne.Hicks@mtsu.edu

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Bethany Lawson
Bethany Lawson
MSPS Executive Assistant
MSPS Graduate Assistantships 
SCI 1024
615-494-7618
Bethany.Lawson@mtsu.edu