Photo Caption: Trevecca MHR student Dana Salters (right), who will be enrolling in the new Trevecca Master's Programs at Columbia State's Columbia Campus in February of 2011, studies with classmate Lynn King (left). "This program is very customized to the working professional. It's good for anyone who just wants to advance either as a person or professionally," said Salters.

MSM & MBA Programs Available in Columbia

Starting February 1, 2011, Trevecca Nazarene University will be offering Master of Science in Management (MSM) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) Programs on the campus of Columbia State Community College. Classes will be taught by Trevecca's graduate faculty members.

"This unique partnership makes it a great time to pursue your Master's Degree," said Darla Sansom, coordinator of student services for Trevecca.

"We are pleased to announce our expanded partnership with Trevecca Nazarene University," said Marilia Gerges, University Center Director at Columbia State. "It is a perfect example of how Columbia State partners with private and state higher education institutions to make master's degrees accessible to the community Columbia State serves. Other Columbia State partnerships include programs a B.S. in Elementary Education with MTSU, a B.A. in Management and Human Relations with Trevecca University (in Franklin and Columbia, TN), and an M.S. in Teaching Math with MTSU." MTSU brings several other Master's degrees to all five Columbia State campuses.

One of the members of the current Management and Human Relations (MHR) Bachelor's Program at Trevecca via Columbia State's Columbia Campus will partake in launching the new MSM (Master's of Science in Management)/MBA (Master's in Business Administration) programs on February 1, 2011.

"Trevecca is going to bring the master's programs to Columbia State on February 1, 2011, so all of the classes I'm currently taking in management and human relations will qualify me," said Dana Salters, Women's Services Coordinator at Maury Regional Medical Center. "This program is very customized to the working professional. It's good for anyone who just wants to advance either as a person or professionally."

A Radiologic Technologist by trade, Salters is a 20-year veteran of Maury Regional Medical Center and currently manages the Women's Center. "I graduated in 1988 from Columbia State with a degree in Radiologic Technology. That degree has done me well. I've very proud of it, but I just decided I needed to do more."

"Deciding to go back to school was very personal for me," continued Salters. "I had wanted a bachelor's degree for a number of years and I wanted to grow personally and become a better manager and leader in my position. I also wanted to advance into future opportunities should they arise. It's been very challenging at times to make it all fit together, but I can already tell that I've become a better manager. I'm a better person, I'm a better communicator. It's helped me in every aspect of my life."

When asked what advice she would give to other working adults looking to pursue bachelor's or master's degrees, Salters replied "I would say just do it. It's very natural to be afraid coming back (to school). It was 20 years for me. Trevecca makes it easy. They customize the program for the adult learner and make it as easy as possible. So my advice would be truly seek out what you want to do. Do your homework and choose the best program for your needs."

The MSM (Master's of Science in Management) will take 18 months and the MBA (Master's in Business Administration) will take 24 months. Classes in the graduate program will meet one night a week on Tuesdays from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Highlights of the Columbia-based MBA and MSM programs include a 12-course, a lock-step track for the MSM, plus three additional courses to obtain the MBA in 24 months. The curriculum is up-to-date and admission requires no pre-requisite coursework. For more information, please visit http://www.trevecca.edu/mba.columbia or contact Darla Sansom at 615-336-9693.

Columbia State is a two-year college, serving a nine-county area in southern Middle Tennessee with locations in Columbia, Franklin, Lawrenceburg, Lewisburg, and Clifton. As Tennessee's first community college, Columbia State is committed to increasing access and enhancing diversity at all five campuses. Columbia State is a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, the sixth largest education system in the nation. For more information, please visit www.columbiastate.edu.