School of Graduate Studies and Research

The Tennessee General Assembly authorized the state Board of Education to establish graduate studies leading to the master’s degree in several fields at Tennessee State University (then called Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial (A & I) State College) in 1941. Today, the School of Graduate Studies and Research offers seven doctoral degrees, 24 master’s degrees, one educational specialist degree and six graduate certificate programs.

• In fiscal year 2011-2012, the School of Graduate Studies and Research, in collaboration with various units on campus, awarded more than 300 graduate assistantships to qualified graduate students totaling approximately $3 million.

• In collaboration with the TSU Foundation, the School of Graduate Studies and Research in the past two years awarded the Walter S. Davis Scholarships to several first-time high achieving graduate students (with minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.75). The Walter Davis Scholarship Fund was established in memory of Dr. Walter S. Davis, president of Tennessee State University (1943-1968).

• Each spring semester, the School of Graduate Studies and Research recognizes excellence in graduate student research by awarding the Helen Barrett Award to one TSU graduate student. The 2012 winner and recipient of the Helen Barrett Award was Victor L. Roland II, a master’s student in engineering. In recognition of his work, Roland received a prize of $200 and certificate signed by the University’s president and graduate dean. As the winner of the Helen Barrett Award, Rowland showcased his research at the annual poster presentation organized by the Tennessee Conference of Graduate Schools at the Legislative Plaza in downtown Nashville on April 4, 2012.

Dr. Mengistu Hailu, a 2011 graduate of Tennessee State University, has been appointed director of the Institute of Pedagogical Sciences of Mekelle University, Ethiopia. Dr. Hailu is tasked with moving the institute forward by developing a new College of Education. The institute currently offers undergraduate and graduate programs in the field of Educational Planning and Management; a post graduate diploma in teaching (a program that certifies high school teachers); and a higher diploma program that certifies university lecturers.