Lincoln Memorial University and Chattanooga State Community College announced Wednesday a collaboration that, pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, will bring more higher education options to individuals living in Chattanooga and surrounding counties.
Officials from both institutions were on hand at ChSCC on Wednesday for the official signing of the partnership agreement. Through the collaboration, LMU will offer graduate-level teacher education tailored for professional educators. The agreement calls for ChSCC to provide classroom space. Additionally, LMU will provide an academic scholarship to qualified full-time faculty or staff of Chattanooga State who enroll in the LMU programs.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for two quality mission-driven institutions to collaborate and expand student access for students seeking graduate education programs,” said Dr. Michael Clyburn, dean of the LMU Carter and Moyers School of Education. "From the earliest moment of partnership discussion we have recognized that the schools shared a kindred spirit and common aspirations for the region. The faculty and staff at ChSCC could not be more kind, gracious, and welcoming. For LMU personnel, working with their counterparts at ChSCC was like joining a family. We are delighted that the partnership has been conceived and launched.”
LMU’s Cater and Moyers School of Education intends to offer two of its most successful and popular programs, the Master of Education (MEd) and Educational Specialist (EdS) degree programs. Designed specifically for working educators to enhance their skills and increase earning potential, the programs will be offered at night and on weekends. LMU has offered the degrees since 1986.
The MEd program is a 33 credit hour program which provides opportunities for students to develop new skills, update knowledge and engage in professional development. LMU will offer to MEd majors at Chattanooga State - curriculum and instruction and educational administration and supervision (leadership licensure).
The EdS program is a 30 semester hour program designed to extend and expand the student's level of professional competence beyond that attained through the master's level program, to bring the student up to date on matters relevant to the field of specialization, to enable the student to read and understand research in the field of specialization, to apply relevant research findings to professional activities, to stimulate the student to assume a leadership role in the specialty, and to prepare the student in that role. It is also available in two majors - curriculum and instruction and educational administration and supervision.
LMU was founded in 1897 as a living memorial to President Abraham Lincoln, with a mission to serve the underserved of the region. The University is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in liberal arts and professional studies. LMU’s 1,000-acre main campus is located in Harrogate, Tenn., near the Kentucky border in Claiborne County. The University also offers classes and programs at nine other Extended Learning Sites throughout the region. Once classes begin, Chattanooga State site will mark the 10th extended learning site. As an independent, private liberal arts learning community, LMU provides millions of dollars of financial aid to students each year. Additionally generous alumni and friends provide the University with the means to distribute over $400,000 in institutional aid every year.