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RESEARCH
As a publicly supported institution of higher learning, we take our role to serve the state of Tennessee very seriously, which includes preparing undergraduate and graduate students to enter the workforce well educated and skilled.
However, this role also involves conducting research and creative activities that produce knowledge, information, data, technologies, know-how, and other outcomes that are disseminated from MTSU to the whole state to help improve the economy, services, and quality of life for all Tennesseans.
In March 2022, we celebrated our advancement to an R2–high research activity doctoral university designation in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. This elite status places us among a select group of only 3% of institutions nationwide to earn the R2 designation. The MTSU Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) is building the foundation to expand the research enterprise at MTSU, including supporting wider participation and increased dollar amounts in grants brought to the University. These activities continue to provide our students with ever-expanding opportunities to participate in research projects, and many of these projects impact our community in significant ways.
MTSU doubled its proposals for National Science Foundation funding July 1–Dec. 31, 2022, with more than $10 million in proposed projects thus far in fiscal year 2023 (over the first six months in fiscal year 2022).
External funding proposals increased by approximately 39% in the current fiscal year as compared with the first two quarters of last fiscal year.
The ORSP is currently managing a grant portfolio of just over $59 million in external funding for fiscal year 2023.
Much of our research output emanates from our Graduate Studies program and faculty-student collaborations.
Highlights of our Graduate Studies efforts in 2022 included the launch of our Physician Assistant Studies master’s program, which included an inaugural cohort of 30 diverse students (19 of whom are from Tennessee) who aim to serve rural communities where high-quality health care is not currently available. Their impact on the Midstate region and beyond will be significant. The program—the first public PA program in middle Tennessee—is unique in the state, offering the lowest tuition, an innovative curriculum, and a commitment to admitting 30% of its students from diverse backgrounds.
MTSU also launched an M.S. in Data Science. The success of our Data Science graduate certificate program led us to offer a master’s program in this important field that is in high demand across the state. Students who have already received certificates may take the remaining courses to obtain their M.S. degrees. (A Ph.D. in Computational and Data Science is also available.)
The University also created a stand-alone M.S. in Supply Chain Management at a time when supply chain disruptions, product shortages, and delivery delays continue making headlines.
