< Adult Degree Completion Overview

Adult Degree Completion FAQs

Our most commonly asked questions are listed below. Please contact our ADCP Director with any other questions you might have.

Q: What degree programs are available?
A: You may choose any of the following Bachelor degree programs offered by University College.

• B.S. in Professional Studies (multiple concentrations)
• B.S. in Liberal Studies
• Bachelor of University Studies

There are numerous areas of study within these degree programs that can be customized to your interests. Your ADCP advisor will help you select the program that best fits your needs.

Q: I have some college credit already. Can that be used toward my degree?
A: Yes. Typically, courses taken from community colleges may count toward MTSU's General Education requirements. Other courses may count toward elective requirements or, in some cases, toward the major or area of emphasis requirements. Your ADCP advisor can help sort those out.

Q: What is Prior Learning Assessment?
A: We recognize that college level learning often takes place outside of the traditional university environment. This program provides a nationally recognized method of allowing college credit for learning that you may have obtained through work, seminars, training programs, military education programs, and certification programs. It is not credit for time on the job - it is an accredited system to measure what you have learned through prior experience and assigning college level credit to that learning.

Q: How does Prior Learning Assessment work?
A: College level credit can be obtained from several areas, including:

• Credit from commercial business college or technical schools
• Challenge or CLEP exams
• Work related learning, seminars, training programs, and certifications
• Prior learning identified and evaluated during the portfolio creation process (PRST 3010)

To receive academic credit for learning achieved outside the traditional university environment, you will enroll in the Prior Learning Assessment class (PRST 3010). During that class you will go through a formalized process to identify and quantify your potentially available credit. You will prepare a formal portfolio which details, documents and justifies that prior learning.

Q: Will everything I've done or every class I've taken apply?
A: No. Not every class, job function, or learning experience provides college level learning - but some do. During the Prior Learning Assessment class (PRST 3010) students go through a formalized process to identify and quantify their potentially available credit. Each student will prepare a formal portfolio which details and justifies his or her prior learning. Once the college level learning has been identified, a student will be able to better "map" the courses needed to "fill in the gaps" and complete his or her degree program quickly. Contact our Director of Prior Learning Assessment for more details.

Q: Who is your typical student?
A: Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds and experience levels. Many are parents with full-time careers in progress. Many have returned to college to change their career paths, to become more valuable to their employers, and, more importantly, to fulfill a previously unattained goal in their lives. Typically, the average student is 25 years old (or older) and has been in the work place at least 5 years. Most have some college credit.

Q: How much does the program cost?
A: The standard MTSU fees and tuition apply. Being a state institution the overall cost of education is typically much lower than for profit or private institutions. The fees may be reviewed here.

Q: How many hours of college do I need to get started?
A: Though many of our students have college experience already, you do not have to have had any college credit to be accepted into the ADCP program! Unlike many programs that require a specified number of credit hours, the MTSU Adult Degree Completion Program is designed to start where you are. You will need to complete English 1010 and 1020 before participating in the Prior Learning Assessment class.

Q: What do I do next?
A: Your next step is to fill out the contact form and press submit. Then, gather copies of your transcripts (they can be unofficial to begin the process) from all institutions of higher education you have attended in the past.

Having these things ready will help you to get the most from your initial interview.They will also provide a head start if you decide to enroll in the Prior Learning Assessment class.

Also, be sure and make a list of any questions you might have. We will call you as quickly as we can! We are excited that you are interested in finishing your degree and will help you navigate through the admissions process and stand beside you through the entire program. We look forward to hearing from you!

Q.: I'd like to know what other online or hybrid options are out there.
A: If you are interested in information about MTSU's hybrid Bachelor of Business Administration in Office Management program, call 615.898.2764.

If you are interested in the online B.S. in Psychology, you may get information here.

If you are interested in receiving a Teaching, or Nursing degree, you may call:

Education - 615.898.2874
Nursing - 615.898.2437

Q: What do I do next?
A: Your next step is to fill out the contact form and press submit. Then, gather copies of your transcripts (they can be unofficial to begin the process) from all institutions of higher education you have attended in the past.

Having these things ready will help you to get the most from your initial interview. They will also provide a head start if you decide to enroll in the Prior Learning Assessment class.

Also, be sure and make a list of any questions you might have. We will call you as quickly as we can! We are excited that you are interested in finishing your degree and will help you navigate through the admissions process and stand beside you through the entire program. We look forward to hearing from you!

Q: I filled out the ADCP Form. Does that mean I'm admitted to MTSU?
A: When you decide to attend MTSU, apply for admission at www.mtsu.edu/admissn. Please note that admission to MTSU and the Adult Degree Completion Program Evaluation are two separate processes. You must be admitted to the University before you can register for any classes. Once you've applied you can check your admission status at admmail@mtsu.edu.

Q.: I'm interested in finding out about possible financial aid. Where do I go?
A: For financial aid information go to www.mtsu.edu/financialaid or call 898.2830.

Q.: I've got more questions. Is there someone I can talk to?
A: We're here to help. You can reach us at 615-494-7714.

Contact Us
For more information about our Adult Degree Completion Program please call our office at 615-494-7714 or fill out our contact form and we'll call you. We want to do everything we can to help you get to a degree as quickly as possible.