Tusculum University and Walters State Community College Press Release
Students who have completed an associate degree at Walters State Community College will be able to seamlessly transfer to Tusculum University through a new agreement between the two higher education institutions.
Tusculum and Walters State leaders inked the agreement during a signing ceremony Wednesday, Aug. 7, in the university’s state-of-the-art Meen Center.
Helping students progress smoothly toward a bachelor’s degree, Tusculum and Walters State are ensuring that students will have minimal additional general education coursework to complete once they transition to the university. The two institutions will also embed specific advisement for Walters State students who intend to transfer to Tusculum. In addition, they will implement academic and administrative coordination in multiple academic programs.
One program that will particularly assist students in the agreement is business. Those who hold an Associate of Applied Science degree in business or accounting from Walters State will be able to then pursue a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Tusculum. This is particularly noteworthy because the BSBA is not available from many four-year higher education institutions. The Walters State program is accredited with the Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs.
“Partnering with Walters State on this student-focused agreement will greatly benefit those who want to further their education with a bachelor’s degree,” said Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president. “Students will receive an excellent foundation in subjects at Walters State that will be supplemented with an outstanding upperclassman experience at Tusculum. That will prepare them to be career-ready professionals. We are grateful to Walters State for teaming with us to strengthen the pathway for students to earn their four-year degree.”
Working together, the two higher education institutions have created multiple avenues for students to achieve their associate degree at Walters State and then earn their bachelor’s degree at Tusculum.
“This agreement increases the opportunities available for our students,” said Dr. Tony Miksa, president of Walters State. “Walters State students have always been welcomed at Tusculum, and this agreement makes the transition easier. On behalf of Walters State, thank you to Dr. Hummel and his administration for their willingness to work together to make the transfer process seamless for our students.”
The agreement provides for an option in which students are admitted to both institutions at the same time, completing their general education classes and earning associate degrees before enrolling at Tusculum. This will result in a higher transfer rate for Walters State, which will, in turn, lead to increased baccalaureate attainment. The university will have a qualified and identified source of students that requires minimal recruitment effort when they are ready to pursue their bachelor’s degree.
Another benefit of dual admission is that students will become familiar with Tusculum staff and academic advisors at an earlier stage, making the transfer process even easier. Plus, these students will receive academic advising from both institutions, including assistance from Tusculum before they are enrolled at the university.
Students who obtain their Associate of Arts, Associate of Fine Arts and Associate of Science degrees will be eligible to pursue a wide array of bachelor’s degrees offered in the art and design, communication, English, history, political science, criminal justice, biology, chemistry, environmental science, computer science, mathematics and psychology programs. The only additional general education requirements after arriving at Tusculum will be one course each in religion and civic studies.
The story is the same for students who earn an Associate of Science in Teaching degree from Walters State and are seeking a bachelor’s degree in one of the many teacher education tracks at Tusculum. Tusculum offers 60 academic programs, including majors, minors and certificates, in liberal arts and pre-professional programs. In 2023, Bible Keeper, a Christian website, named Tusculum No. 1 in its list of the “20 Best Christian Colleges in Tennessee to Unleash Excellence in Education.” Students can participate in robust research activities on campus, including examining potential new medications to fight cancer. Many Pioneers have also received stipends through the Appalachian College Association to perform research in the summer.
The university focuses on civic engagement and active and experiential learning in a caring Christian environment. One of the ways the university brings these mission elements to life is through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Students and community volunteers prepare free income tax returns for qualifying individuals at three sites in East Tennessee. In 2024, this collaborative program of Tusculum’s College of Business produced a record 1,017 returns.
Tusculum also assists students with a host of support services, particularly for those who would be the first in their families to earn a bachelor’s degree.
“This agreement is exciting and forward-thinking and supports students every step of the way as they work toward their bachelor’s degree,” said Dr. David Cook, Tusculum’s provost and vice president of academic affairs. “We look forward to serving students from Walters State and providing them with mentoring and a one-on-one connection from our expert faculty and dedicated staff that will produce an outstanding academic experience. Once they have completed their bachelor’s degree, Tusculum can help them take their studies further with our strong master’s degrees.”
Dr. Brock Fisher, vice president of academic affairs at Walters State, said this agreement is in line with one of the college’s focus areas.
“One of Walters State’s strategic plan focus areas is to collaborate with other educational institutions to promote access, completion and transfer,” Dr. Fisher said. “And this articulation agreement does just that. It will create a more seamless path for Walters State graduates to continue their education and earn a bachelor’s degree at Tusculum. Our academic mission is to provide our students with the critical thinking skills and knowledge to continue their academic success at four-year universities such as Tusculum.”
Walters State Community College offers 150 majors, including unique programs in culinary arts, law enforcement, nursing, teaching engineering technology and other fields. The college awarded 1,436 degrees and certifications during the 2023-24 academic year. The college was named the top community college in Tennessee for 2022 and 2023. Many students attend tuition-free through Tennessee Promise, Tennessee Reconnect, the Tennessee Hope lottery scholarship and the many Walters State Foundation scholarships awarded each year.
Additional information about Tusculum is available at www.tusculum.edu and additional information about Walters State is available at www.ws.edu.
