East Tennessee State University

East Tennessee State University Summary

The 2005 move of the Bucaneers from the Southern Conference was an indirect result of ETSU President Stanton’s decision to drop the ETSU NCAA Division I FCS football program after the 2003 season, with Stanton following the 1999 ETSU Athletic Task Force recommendations for cutting the cutting the ETSU football program that was posting close to $1 million in financial losses for ETSU each year between 1999-2003. ETSU President Stanton announced on December 22, 2006 that the ETSU administration is now supporting the return of the ETSU NCAA Division I FCS football program to the university, after accepting the recent ETSU Football Task Force report calling for increased student athletic fees to both restore the ETSU football program and additional funding for equivalent female athletic programs in order to meet U.S. federal Title IX gender equity requirements. Dr. Stanton has also stated that ETSU generates approximately $500,000 of revenue from every $25 student athletic fees collected each semester at ETSU (i.e.: a conservative estimate of student fees fully funding ETSU football at the $5 million dollar level would amount to an additional $250 in ETSU student athleic fees each year). During the last year of the ETSU football program in 2003, ETSU was only able to raise $127,000 (of the minimum $1.5 million needed) in private contributions toward the operating costs that will associated with the ETSU football program (excluding approximately $15 million dollars for a new 10,000 seat stadium).

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East Tennessee State University History

East Tennessee State University was founded in 1911 as a normal school and received university status in 1963. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Its primary focus is regional, with an emphasis on serving the people and the area of Northeast Tennessee. It is classed as a Doctoral Research University—Intensive by the Carnegie Institute.

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East Tennessee State University Academics

East Tennessee State University has academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level. There are 10 colleges and schools: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business and Technology, the College of Education, the College of Medicine, the College of Nursing, the College of Pharmacy, the College of Public and Allied Health, the Honors College, the School of Continuing Studies, and the School of Graduate Studies.

Bachelor’s degrees are offered in a variety of fields within the various academic colleges. Degrees at the bachelor’s level can be received in such areas as allied health, biology, computer and information science, dental hygiene, engineering, history, management, music, nursing, physics, and special education. Traditional fields of study are well-represented. Minors are available in more specialized areas, such as Appalachian Studies, leadership, Japanese, and urban & regional studies. Pre-professional programs are offered in law, engineering, veterinary medicine, and many areas of health and medicine.

Graduate programs are offered in a large number of programs in 7 academic colleges. These include master’s level programs in art and design, English, mathematics, social work, business administration, clinical nutrition, liberal studies, counseling, education (in many areas), biomedical science, nursing, and public health. Doctoral degrees are offered in several fields, including biochemistry, microbiology, nursing, and classroom leadership. The Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree is offered through the College of Education in the following areas: school system leadership and teacher leadership. The Quillen College of Medicine is a fully accredited medical school, and a College of Pharmacy will open in 2006.

ETSU offers 112 programs for undergraduate students, who make up 82% of the student body. Five bachelor degree programs are offered online, as are more than 90 courses. Of the 670 full-time faculty, nearly 80% hold the terminal degree in their field. The great majority of undergraduate courses have less than 25 students. ETSU is classified as a Doctoral/Research University—Intensive, by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, a classification that indicates ETSU’s emphasis on research for both faculty and students alike. One area of specialty and excellence is the health science program, including primary care and rural health.

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East Tennessee State University Unique Programs

East Tennessee State University has an undergraduate Honors Program. Students who seek admission to the Honors Program need to meet the following requirements to apply: ACT of 39 or SAT of 1280, GPA of 3.5, and evidence of community and leadership activities. Only 20 students are admitted per year. Once admitted to the Honors Program, students will participate in a year-long interdisciplinary program and in designated Honors courses, and will complete a senior thesis. The Honors College also administers an Arts Scholars program, which admits 25 students a year into an interdisciplinary program for artistically talented students.

Distance learning programs are offered in some undergraduate and graduate programs, and students can also take courses at branch campuses.

Some of the other unique opportunities available at East Tennessee State University include a community based learning program in several areas, where students work outside the classroom in internships or other community partnerships.

ETSU offers the only advanced degree in reading and storytelling. This unique degree program blends education with theater, communications, folklore, history, and linguistics. Summer classes are led by leading figures in storytelling. Students have the opportunity to hone their skills at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee, the most reputable storytelling even in the country. ETSU also houses a storytelling library with over 40,000 stories for students to access.

The Bluegrass and Country Music Program, part of the Center for Appalachian Studies and Services and the music department, builds on the popularity of country music and its bluegrass roots to prepare students for experiences in the business of music. Areas of study include vocal harmony, performance skills, and songwriting.

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East Tennessee State University Financial Aid

Tuition at East Tennessee State University is $2,253.50 per semester for the 2005-2006 academic year for in-state, undergraduate students attending full-time. Students applying from out of state and graduate students have higher costs.

Financial aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans. Student employment is also possible. Students who seek financial aid will need to fill out the Federal Student Financial Aid Form, available on-line. Students with disabilities may be eligible for funds through the Vocational Rehabilitation program of the state of Tennessee.

Graduate students may also receive financial aid in the form of teaching or research assistantships, including a stipend and a waiver of some or all of the tuition and other fees. Graduate students should consult with their individual department about what sort of assistantships or fellowships are available and about the details of the application process. Some scholarships specifically for graduate students are available in biology, chemistry, city management, and nursing.

ETSU awards approximately $13 million in financial aid every year. The average aid package—consisting of grants, loans, scholarships, or a combination of these—is $18,777. Students entering with an ACT score of 28 or an SAT score of 1240 and a grade point average of 3.5 receive a guaranteed Academic Performance Scholarship of $3,000 annually for a maximum of 8 semesters. ETSU also offers dozens of departmental scholarships, which do not require the standard University application, but rather require students to contact the respective departments directly. There are nearly 20 general scholarships that students may also qualify for. For those students who do not qualify for scholarship funding, there are loans and grants available that the financial aid office can help acquire.

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East Tennessee State University Students

Student life at East Tennessee State University includes opportunities in a diverse range of activities and organizations. Students can write for the twice weekly student newspaper, participate in radio and television broadcasting, or take part in physical recreation at the Center for Physical Activity. There are many musical performances on campus, an art museum and an art gallery, and a theater program.

Nearly one quarter of all students live on the ETSU campus. One perk of the residence halls is that every room is equipped with high-speed network access. There are over 170 student organizations on campus, including 27 honor societies and a number of social fraternities and sororities. Available recreation includes swimming, weight lifting, basketball and racquetball facilities, and various intramural sports. ETSU also offers the Outdoor Adventure, which gets students involved in the numerous outdoor recreational sports nearby.

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East Tennessee State University Local Community

East Tennessee State University is located in Johnson City, Tennessee. The surrounding environment is rural and mountainous, though other cities are located nearby. There are many streams and areas for hiking, kayaking, and other outdoor activities. Near-by attractions include many museums and historical sites, state and national parks, golf courses, and live music. The area is home to a number of festivals, including a storytelling festival.

Johnson City, located on the far eastern border of Tennessee, has a population of more than 55,000. Founded in 1856, Johnson City grew rapidly in the late 20th century. During the 20s the town acquired the moniker of “Little Chicago” due to its ties to bootlegging. In fact, it is rumored that Al Capone kept a luxury apartment nearby.

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