Standards Showcase – Section 9: Educational Program Structure & Content

Educational programs (a) embody a coherent course of study, (b) are compatible with the stated mission and goals of the institution, and (c) are based upon fields of study appropriate to higher education. (Program content)

Core Requirement
U.S. Department of Education Requirement

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How does MTSU demonstrate compliance with this standard?

MTSU’s educational programs provide coherent courses of study that are compatible with the institution’s mission and goals and based on fields of study appropriate to higher education. These requirements are evaluated for all new and modified programs during the curriculum development or modification process, which includes an extensive multi-level internal review. Qualified faculty prepare the curriculum proposals and supporting documentation, which are then evaluated and approved by the academic department curriculum committee, department chair, college curriculum committee, dean, institutional curriculum committee (True Blue Core Committee, Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, or Graduate Council), and dean of the College of Graduate Studies (graduate proposals only), followed by the Vice Provost for Academic Programs, Provost, and if required, University President and Board of Trustees.

All programs meet minimum credit-hour requirements and follow THEC guidelines for course-level numbering, which signal increasing academic complexity. To ensure transparency and consistency, program requirements, such as course descriptions and prerequisites, are published in the undergraduate and graduate catalogs and on the degree program webpage. Students and academic advisors may also use these resources to identify admission, progression, and graduation criteria.

Before receiving approval from university leadership, the Board of Trustees, and THEC, new academic programs must demonstrate compatibility with MTSU’s mission and with fields of study appropriate to higher education. Mission alignment and overall quality of existing programs are reviewed through THEC’s Quality Assurance Funding process and discipline‑specific accreditation reviews. These policies and internal and external review processes apply to all programs, regardless of delivery method or location.

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What questions might the On-Site Review Committee ask during their visit to confirm MTSU’s compliance with this standard?

• Are all programs consistent with the institution’s mission and goals?
• If there are highly unusual or unique programs at the institution, how did you determine that these programs are in a field of study appropriate to higher education?
• Are there policies and procedures in place that help ensure program appropriateness and program coherence (e.g., definitions of a major, prerequisite expectations for majors, oversight via curriculum committees)?
• Can the institution demonstrate that degree programs reflect coherence in sequencing, increasing complexity, and linkages between and among program components?

The institution offers one or more degree programs based on at least 60 semester credit hours or the equivalent at the associate level; at least 120 semester credit hours or the equivalent at the baccalaureate level; or at least 30 semester credit hours or the equivalent at the post-baccalaureate, graduate, or professional level. The institution provides an explanation of equivalencies when using units other than semester credit hours. The institution provides an appropriate justification for all degree programs and combined degree programs that include fewer than the required number of semester credit hours or its equivalent unit. (Program length)

Core Requirement
U.S. Department of Education Requirement

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How does MTSU demonstrate compliance with this standard?

MTSU offers multiple baccalaureate, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees. The university does not offer associate or professional degrees and does not use units other than semester credit hours.

At the undergraduate level, all baccalaureate degrees require a minimum of 120 credit hours, with some programs requiring more hours due to accreditation or professional licensure requirements. Select programs offer an accelerated Bachelor-to-Master (ABM) pathway that allows academically qualified students to apply limited graduate coursework toward both degrees while maintaining minimum credit-hour standards for each.  All graduate programs meet minimum program length requirements: master’s degrees require at least 30 credit hours, and specialist degrees require at least 30 hours beyond the master’s. Doctoral programs require a minimum of 60 credit hours, with at least two-thirds of coursework at the 7000 level.

MTSU’s credit hour policy follows federal and SACSOC definitions to ensure consistency across all courses and programs, regardless of delivery method or location. Faculty and department chairs are responsible for ensuring that student learning outcomes and credit-hour requirements are met. Policy permits zero credit hour courses in limited situations when appropriate for student success and to meet accreditation or licensure requirements. 

Qualified faculty lead the development and approval of all curricula using the Modern Campus Curriculum system. Each proposal undergoes a multi‑level review from department, college, and institutional curriculum committees to ensure compliance with program-length requirements mandated in university, SACSCOC, and THEC policies. External reviews and specialized accreditations further confirm that program curricula and credit hours meet disciplinary best practices and licensure standards.

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What questions might the On-Site Review Committee ask during their visit to confirm MTSU’s compliance with this standard?

• If using the semester credit hour as the common measure of course completion, does each degree program meet this standard? If not, is there an appropriate justification?
• What are the institution’s policies and procedures related to the establishment of new programs and do they include reference to minimum length for programs at each level?
• If an academic unit other than semester hours is used, what is the unit equivalency to semester credit hours and how does the institution make this determination?
• Are there some programs at the institution that do not rely on the semester credit hour even if most programs do (e.g., medical schools, direct assessment competency-based programs, hybrid programs)?
• How does the institution determine appropriate program length in the case of combination programs and dual degree programs?
• How is program length established and monitored?
• How does the institution justify degrees that include fewer than the required number of hours?

The institution requires a general education component at the undergraduate level that

(a) is based on a coherent rationale

(b) is a substantial component of each undergraduate degree program. For degree completion in associate programs, the component constitutes a minimum of 15 semester hours or the equivalent; for baccalaureate programs, a minimum of 30 semester hours or the equivalent

(c) ensures breadth of knowledge. These credit hours include at least one course from each of the following areas: humanities/fine arts, social/behavioral sciences, and natural science/mathematics. These courses do not narrowly focus on those skills, techniques, and procedures specific to a particular occupation or profession. (General education requirements)

Core Requirement
U.S. Department of Education Requirement

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How does MTSU demonstrate compliance with this standard?

MTSU implemented the True Blue Core (TBC) in Fall 2024. The Core directly supports the University’s mission and goals and is intentionally aligned with Standard 9.3 of The Principles of Accreditation. The redesigned curriculum preserves traditional liberal arts foundations while adding innovative Explorations courses that support both disciplinary knowledge and broader ways of thinking. The TBC mission statement provides a coherent rationale for the general education curriculum:

With an emphasis on critical thinking, problem solving, information literacy, and effective communication, the Core is the foundation for academic, professional, and personal success as well as informed civic engagement and lifelong learning. The True Blue Core prepares students to participate and adapt in a dynamic and diverse world.

The 41-credit-hour TBC comprises one-third of every undergraduate degree and exceeds the SACSCOC minimum general education requirement. The curriculum is required for all students, regardless of major, delivery method, or location.

Students develop breadth of knowledge through courses across multiple Foundational Skills and Knowledge Domains, which are further divided into Discovery and Explorations. These subcategories include coursework in Social and Behavioral Sciences, Natural Sciences, Fine Arts and Humanities, and History. In order for a course to be added to the True Blue Core, it must be approved through the curriculum review process to ensure alignment with category outcomes, contribution to breadth of learning, and suitability for general education. Courses must be recertified every six years to maintain alignment with the TBC mission and standards. Students receive consistent guidance about TBC requirements through catalogs, advising, Degree Works, and dedicated websites. Transfer policies ensure that completed Tennessee associate degrees and approved general education blocks apply seamlessly toward TBC requirements, maintaining continuity and transferability for all students.

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What questions might the On-Site Review Committee ask during their visit to confirm MTSU’s compliance with this standard?

• Does the institution have a formal guideline or policy that establishes a rationale for its general education requirements?
• How does the institution ensure that the student’s breadth of knowledge acquired through the general education component of the degree program is sufficient and appropriate to its mission?
• What measures does the institution use to ensure that general education represents a substantial component of the undergraduate degree program?
• What process is used to ensure that courses students may take to fulfill general requirements support the goals of the general education component of the degree program?
• What criteria does the institution use to ensure that the desired general education outcomes meet college-level standards?
• Even if there is some variation in general education requirements across some majors, do all undergraduate degree programs include at least one course from the three required areas of study, as well as the requisite total hours?
• Does the institution designate in its publications those general education courses that are considered pure humanities/fine arts in accord with the interpretation above? How has the institution validated that the courses that the institution designates are in accord with the standard?
• Are printed materials describing general education requirements clear as to how a student can meet the requirements?
• How does the institution ensure that all students follow the pathway for selecting general education courses as described in its publications?
• How does the general education program apply to transfer students, distance and correspondence education programs, or competency-based programs?