The University of Tennessee at Martin is also known as UTM and UT Martin. It is one of the main campuses of the University of Tennessee system. Until the year 2011, it was the only public university in West Tennessee outside of the capital Memphis. Because of its isolated location, most of the undergraduate degree programs are related to specific fields like education and agriculture. Students are limited to seventeen undergraduate degrees, but there are over 100 concentrations available. However, the schools of nursing and business are becoming quite popular. The University of Tennessee at Martin is one of the top candidate providers for the University of Tennessee’s Health Science Center in Memphis. Almost 100 percent of nursing graduates pass their NCLEX-RN exam the first-time. The graduate school is limited to five education degrees in 17 specializations.
The University of Tennessee at Martin only has five colleges. These include the Colleges of Business and Global Affairs, Humanities and Fine Arts, Agriculture and Applied Sciences, Engineering and Natural Sciences and Education, Health, and Behavioral Sciences. The university maintains a large experimental farm for agricultural students. They operate various satellite campuses throughout West Tennessee. They can be found in the cities of Paris, Ripley, Parsons, Selmer, Jackson and Somerville, Tennessee. The University of Tennessee at Martin has a very strong ROTC program. Every year, hundreds of students gain real-world experience in clinical, internship and educational placements in schools, businesses, hospitals and government offices. The student population of 6,700 contains over 94 percent undergraduates. The freshman and sophomore year retention rate is approximately 75 percent. Over 86 percent of classes have fewer than 30 students.
The University of Tennessee – Martin Accreditation Details
The University of Tennessee at Martin is accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Nursing degrees are approved through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing organization.
The University of Tennessee – Martin Application Requirements
The University of Tennessee at Martin has a standard application process that slightly varies for each College. For example, students who apply to the Clinical Nursing Program must submit the results of their Kaplan Nursing exam, which can be taken at the local Office of Testing Services. These applicants must submit a personal statement between 250 to 500 words that answers specific questions. Applicants must explain why they have selected nursing as their major, what qualities they possess that will help them succeed and how they overcome challenges to achieve goals. Transfer students must have completed at least 12 hours of college-level courses with a 2.0 GPA to be accepted. Applicants with less than 12 hours of college-level courses may be considered based on their high school GPA and ACT/SAT scores.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The University of Tennessee at Martin strives to help students overcome their limited financial backgrounds. They help students understand the available financial options to help pay for college and make it affordable. In-state students who live on campus will pay $4,659 for tuition every semester. They will pay $1,300 for housing, $625 for books and supplies, $622 for transportation and $1,250 for miscellaneous personal expenses. Students who attend regional centers and pursue online degrees may qualify for loans, grants and scholarships. All students must complete an annual Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
New freshmen may qualify for four-year merit scholarships. These include the Dean, Advance, Achieve, Excellence and Chancellor scholarships. The University of Tennessee at Martin has reduced out-of-state tuition rates by over 50 percent to offer affordable educations to a wider range of students. Out-of-state students may qualify for unique scholarship opportunities. The basic out-of-state scholarship is $5,000 every year. These students must have a 22 ACT score and a 3.0 high school GPA. In order to quality, they must be a full-time student who lives in university housing and purchases on-campus meal plans each semester.
Recommended Nursing Degrees
The University of Tennessee at Martin offers West Tennessee’s citizens the only four-year degree in nursing outside of the Memphis area. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The first year is limited to general education classes, so clinical nursing classes begin in the sophomore year. Applicants must satisfy the entrance requirements of both the university and the department of nursing. After successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Exam to become a professional registered nurse. The RN-BSN Option is available for current registered nurses with an associate degree or diploma. This degree is offered online and at the Ripley centers.
The University of Tennessee at Martin’s nursing program usually has around 13 full-time faculty and 400 students. The nursing degree programs teach students how to use communication, critical thinking and problem solving skills to effectively assist clients and maintain optimal health levels. Nursing students are expected to have a genuine interest in helping others, the ability to apply interdisciplinary knowledge and the stamina to meet the fast-paced demands of the health care system. Students learn about medical research, patient care, office administration and case management in hospital, clinical community, educational and industrial settings. Bachelor of Science students take 70 semester hours of nursing courses and 52 semester hours of non-medical courses and electives. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program has the full approval of the Tennessee Board of Nursing.
Nursing degree students may take a rich variety of medical related classes. These include coursework in leadership, pharmacology, health assessments, nursing concepts and evidence-based research. Students may take electives in family health, maternal child, community health, mental health and chronic health care nursing. For example, pharmacology classes examine the users, actions, side effects and classifications of major drug groups. Students learn about client teaching, nursing responsibilities and safe drug administration. A class in nursing basics will cover the concepts and theories of professional nursing practices. Students will learn about planning, implementing and evaluating health care activities and operations. They will understand ethical concerns, historical aspects and communication techniques.
The University of Tennessee at Martin produces graduates through high-quality academics, hands-on experiences and student-focused opportunities. Around 2,500 students are involved in over 150 clubs and student organizations. Almost 80 percent of alumni continue to reside in Tennessee after graduating.
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