Tech’s Interdisciplinary Studies 2+2 program gives adults in Tennessee more educational opportunities

Tech's 2+2 program was developed in partnership with local community colleges to meet the needs of adult, traditional and non-traditional students who are not able to relocate to the Tennessee Tech’s main campus to earn their bachelor’s degree.

COOKEVILLE – Traditional and non-traditional students around Tennessee can earn a Bachelor’s of Science degree in interdisciplinary studies through Tennessee Tech’s 2+2 program.

The program was developed in partnership with local community colleges to meet the needs of adult, traditional and non-traditional students who are not able to relocate to the Tennessee Tech’s main campus to earn their bachelor’s degree.

“Our 2+2 programs represent our partnerships with area community colleges. What that lets students do is finish their degrees close to home,” said College of Interdisciplinary Studies Dean, Mike Gotcher. “They can finish their associate degree, say at Roane State in Oak Ridge, and then we will offer a Tennessee Tech degree in Oak Ridge, where they can take Tennessee Tech courses and keep their job and stay close to their family. They do not have to come to the Cookeville campus to finish their degree.”

Tech offers interdisciplinary courses at six satellite locations such as Roane State in Oak Ridge and Scott County, Motlow State in McMinnville and Tullahoma, Columbia State in Lawrenceburg and the Cookeville Higher Education Campus. The College of Education also has 2+2 programs at Pellissippi State in Knoxville and Chattanooga State in Chattanooga.

“We are really excited about our association with Columbia State Community College. We really see great things in that Lawrenceburg area. We are working with their campus and hoping to make a real impact,” said Gotcher. “What is happening in Lawrenceburg is if they want to continue their bachelor’s degree, they are going into Alabama to get that. We want them to stay in Tennessee.”

With programs in middle, southern and east Tennessee, Gotcher says they are looking to expand Tech’s partnerships to serve more students around the state.

“We want to identify student needs and we want to identify what the community college excels at to see if there is a program we can take there so students can finish that associate’s degree and move on into a bachelor’s degree,” said Gotcher. “We are trying to meet the need that a community has and that industry has. Finishing that degree may be closer than they think.”

The program is adult-friendly. Courses are offered at night and in five-week terms. For more information about Tech’s Interdisciplinary Studies 2+2 program, go to https://www.tntech.edu/cis/sis/2plus2.php or call (931) 372-6238.

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