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Master of Science in Professional Science

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If you would like to apply to one of our MSPS programs, we are here to help! Contact askgrad@mtsu.edu if you have any questions regarding the process.  

Application Process

  1. Apply for admission with MTSU Graduate Studies.
  2. Pay the application fee.  
  3. Submit official transcripts certifying coursework from each college or university attended. Applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. The minimum GPA for unconditional admission is 2.75 at the undergraduate level and 3.00 at the graduate level.
  4. Submit official GRE Scores submitted from ETS. GRE scores must be current (within the past 5 years). A combined score of 286 with a Verbal of 138 and Quantitative of 148 (under the new scale), is expected for unconditional admission to MSPS (Actuarial Science, Biostatistics, Biotechnology, Engineering Management, Fermentation Science, and Geosciences only – Healthcare Informatics does not require the GRE). Miller Analogies Test (MAT) and other tests are not accepted.
  5. Submit 3 letters of recommendation The College of Graduate Studies provides a recommendation form you may send to your evaluators.

Priority Dates for MSPS Application Submission

  • Fall Semester – June 1 of the same year
  • Spring Semester – October 1 of the previous year
  • Summer Semester – March 1 of the same year (Only for students already in the United States)

NOTE: A completed file contains ALL materials required for admission. Applications may take up to 1 month to process.

Domestic Applications

Applications will continue to be accepted after the priority dates and will be processed in the order in which they are received. Applicants are encouraged to have all credentials on file well in advance of the desired term of entry.

International Applicants

Important Information concerning priority application submission: International applicants are encouraged to complete their application as early as possible. The priority dates provide time for the additional governmental processing of immigration documents and issuance of visas. Application materials submitted after the priority dates will processed for admission consideration in the order in which they are received.

If you wish to be considered for a GA Position, please apply as early as possible in order to allow ample time for routing of your applications.

What are the entry requirements for MSPS concentrations?

  • Actuarial Sciences and Biostatistics
    • candidates are expected to have completed undergraduate courses in both linear algebra and multivariate calculus with grades of C or better.
  • Biotechnology
    • candidates must have an undergraduate degree in either Biology, Chemistry, or another with coursework in organic chemistry and three courses related to biotechnology, including genetics.
  • Engineering Management
    • candidates must have an undergraduate degree in engineering, science, technology, or a related area.
  • Fermentation Science
    • candidates must have an undergraduate degree in a relevant field such as agriculture, biology, brewing science, chemistry, food science, or microbiology. 
  • Geosciences
    • candidates must have an undergraduate degree in geosciences or a related area (e.g. chemistry, biology, computer science, anthropology, engineering, etc.) and basic competency in word processing, email, library retrieval systems, presentation graphics, spreadsheets, and databases.  NOTE:  we STRONGLY recommend that only students with a Geology degree pursue the Geosciences track (contact Dr. Clay Harris for additional information).  Students with other backgrounds are encouraged to pursue the GIS or Environmental Geosciences tracks.  
  • Healthcare Informatics
    • candidates must have 1) an undergraduate or graduate degree in a relevant field including the health sciences, information technology, allied health professions, business, or statistics and 2) a commitment to developing the necessary analytic and program management skills and expertise required of today’s health informatics professional. Candidates should possess intermediate proficiency with multiple computer programs, including but not limited to word processing, data management/presentation, and statistical analysis packages commonly used in business and healthcare industries.

What happens after my application is fully submitted?

Once complete, the admission materials of students accepted into the College of Graduate Studies are routed to and reviewed by MSPS admission coordinators for a final admission decision. Applicants are notified by the College of Graduate Studies regarding the admission decision.

What happens after I’ve been accepted?

You will receive instructions on how to proceed after you’ve been accepted to an MSPS program.  

NOTE:  You should confer with your program’s coordinator to decide which courses to register for in your first semester.  In the middle of your first semester, you will meet with your program’s coordinator to create and submit a degree plan.  Degree plans DO NOT have to be submitted before you can register for your first semester courses or to be admitted to the program.  Your degree plan should only be submitted after meeting with your program coordinator.  

How can I check the status of my application?

You can check your application status here. You will need the login ID and pin that you created when you began the process. Contact the College of Graduate Studies for assistance with questions about applying to the program at 615-898-2840.

If my GRE score does not meet the minimum standard, can I still be admitted to the MS-PS program?

For unconditional admission to MSPS, our Actuarial SciencesBiostatistics, BiotechnologyEngineering ManagementFermentation Science, and Geosciences concentrations require a candidate’s GRE results (within the past five years) to total:

  • either a combined score of 900 (under the old GRE testing scale prior to August 2011)
  • or a combined score of 286, with a Verbal of 138 and a Quantitative of 148 (under the new GRE scale)

However, if your score is slightly below, you may still be admitted to the program with a conditional status based on other factors. This is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. 

Does the Healthcare Informatics concentration require a GRE score?

No. The Healthcare Informatics concentration does not have a GRE requirement.

I applied last semester but did not attend. What do I need to do?

You will need to re-apply. You will not have to pay the application fee again; simply fill out the application and submit it so that your name will be updated into the system.

NOTE: Current Students who have been admitted but did not take any classes during the previous semester (Spring or Fall only) should go on PipelineMT and fill out a re-admission application. A re-admission application is free of charge. 



Dr. Saeed Foroudastan, Ph.D.
Associate Dean, CBAS
Director, MSPS
SCI 1026

For more information on our program, please make an appointment with Suzanne Hicks.


Contact Us

Suzanne Hicks
MSPS Graduate Coordinator
Internships and Recruitment
SCI 1013
615-904-8581
Suzanne.Hicks

Bethany Lawson
MSPS Executive Assistant
MSPS Graduate Assistantships 
SCI 1024
615-494-7618
Bethany.Lawson@mtsu.edu 

msps.mtsu.edu


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