FTC News Center

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) and Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) has partnered to expand individual opportunities for earning course credit and certifications through TDEC’s Fleming Training Center in Murfreesboro, online and at other statewide locations.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the water supply and sanitation sector are expected to experience an employment growth rate of 45 percent in coming years due to regulations, infrastructure growth, security, and customer demands.

This is a comprehensive plan that provides degree paths for both traditional-age students preparing to enter the workforce for the first time and for adult learners who are already in the water and wastewater industries.

Under this partnership agreement, MTSU will grant college credit for Tennessee Water and Wastewater Operators Certifications, and help operators wanting to complete a bachelors degree with:

• A degree completion program utilizing previous college work
• College credit for prior learning including some Fleming Training Center courses.
• College credit for military experience (learning)
• College credit for professional certifications

Under the agreement, MTSU will also provide:

• Individual academic advising for students.
• A free, one-hour “first course” that will help adult students make the transition back to school.
• A scholarship amount equal to the tuition for the final course or $1,000 (whichever is less), for students who maintain consecutive term degree progress (five courses a year regardless of the term) and maintain a “C” average GPA.

For traditional college students wishing to enter the water and wastewater field, MTSU will also begin offering a bachelor's degree in water resources technology in their Department of Environmental Sustainability and Technology. This first of its kind degree program was created through a collaboration between Fleming Training Center and MTSU faculty and staff to meet the demand that municipalities, utilities, and industry in Tennessee have for individuals with Water and Wastewater Facility operation skills.

Students and operators interested in one of these programs should contact:

MTSU Contact

Peggy A. Carpenter, Ed.D
Assistant Dean | Academic Outreach
Middle Tennessee State University | University College
1301 E. Main Street, Box 54,  Murfreesboro, TN  37132
Office: 615.904.8092 | FAX: 615.896.7925
www.mtsu.edu/uc

Fleming Training Center has entered into a first of its kind partnership with Columbia Southern University to enhance opportunities of Tennessee Water and Wastewater Operators to further their education. Columbia Southern University has reviewed all of the Fleming Training Center’s courses and will grant college credit for several of them at no additional charge!

The list of FTC courses operators can get credit for at Columbia Southern University is located here. Once they have been completed at FTC, these courses can be applied for credit at either the Associates’ or Bachelors’ degree level and can be combined with other transfer credit.

CSU is a fully-accredited online university with programs in a wide variety of fields including Environmental Management and Occupational Safety and Health among others.

For more information please contact:

Christie R. Ball • Partnership Liaison
Columbia Southern University • Corporate Outreach
Phone: 251-923-4239 x 1330 • Fax: 251.981.3815
21982 University Lane • Orange Beach, AL 36561

Christie.Ball@columbiasouthern.edu

www.columbiasouthern.edu