University of Tennessee at Martin

The University of Tennessee at Martin was initially opened in 1900 by the Tennessee Baptist Convention as the Hall-Moody Institute for teacher training. Three decades later, Governor Austin Peay approved its acquisition as UT Junior College. In 1961, UT-Martin made history as the system's first promoter of racial desegregation. Endowed for $27.2 million, the public, co-educational institution now welcomes over 7,400 diverse students. Its main 250-acre rural campus in Weakley County features a large experimental farm. Courses are also delivered in Jackson, Parsons, Ripley, Somerville, and online. UTM's distinguished alumni includes Ed Jones, the former Commissioner of Agriculture of Tennessee.

According to the U.S. News, UT-Martin is the South's 47th best university, 29th most veteran-friendly school, and 16th top public college. In particular, the University of Tennessee at Martin offers America's 36th best online MBA program. On Niche, UTM stood out as the 128th "Most Conservative College" nationwide. The Washington Monthly recognized UT-Martin as the 17th best bang for the buck in the Southeast. The Tennessee Higher Education Commission picked UTM as one of six colleges for its Veteran Reconnect Program. The University of Tennessee at Martin also landed in The Princeton Review's "Best 296 Business Schools."

University of Tennessee at Martin Accreditation Details

Without sanctions, the University of Tennessee at Martin is accredited at Level III by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) until 2023. This regional agency is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The College of Agriculture & Applied Sciences holds accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Agricultural engineering courses are approved by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). The MBA also aligns with the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) standards.

University of Tennessee at Martin Application Requirements

Getting accepted into UTM's B.S. in Agriculture can be difficult with the "selective" acceptance rate of 70 percent. First-year freshmen must graduate high school, earn the GED, or finish a HiSet diploma. Curriculum prerequisites include four units of English, four units of math, and three units of natural/physical science. Regular admission requires a cumulative secondary GPA of 2.7 or higher. Undergrads should also score at least 21 on the ACT or 980 on the SAT, excluding writing. Transfers from other regionally accredited colleges must have tackled 12+ post-secondary credits with a 2.0 GPA or better.

The Graduate Studies Division only accepts UTM applicants who've finished at least 120 semester or 190 quarter credits for a bachelor's degree. Unconditional admission will require a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in the last two years. Online students pursuing the M.S. in Agriculture & Natural Resources must obtain a minimum composite GRE score of 750. Prospective MBA students take the GMAT exam for an acceptable score of 450 or higher. Earning at least a 3.5 on the Analytical Writing section is essential to avoid remedial courses. Studying online also necessitates a computer with DSL or better and Microsoft Office.

The University of Tennessee at Martin invites students to "Fly With Us" by making an account to submit the online application. Admission occurs on a rolling basis, but materials must arrive before August 1st for Fall enrollment. All applications must include:

• The non-refundable $30 fee
• Official academic transcripts
• Standardized testing reports
• Resume of work/volunteer experience
• At least two recommendation letters

Tuition and Financial Aid

Full-time undergraduates from Tennessee studying on UT-Martin's campus pay $8,326 each year. Non-residents are charged $22,270 annually for full-time, in-person undergraduate enrollment. Online bachelor's courses follow a different schedule though. Online tuition costs $336 (in-state) and $364 (out-of-state) per credit hour. Studying full-time online would cost undergraduates roughly $4,032 each semester. On average, graduate students from Tennessee are billed $8,254 yearly. Non-residents must afford master's tuition at $22,198 each year. However, online M.S. and MBA courses are priced at $534 (in-state) and $582 (out-of-state) per credit.

The NCES reports that 98 percent of UTM Skyhawks obtain assistance. Financial aid packages are worth $7,799 on average. Online students still qualify for institutional awards, such as the Achieve Scholarship, Harold Conner Scholarship, Girl Scout Gold Award, Elam Transfer Scholarship, and Beatrice/Buford Irwin Ag Scholarship. Enrolling at least half-time makes needy students eligible for the Federal Pell Grant and FSEOG Grant. Fellow Tennesseans could obtain the TSAG Grant, Helping Heroes Grant, or Hope Access Scholarship. Federal Work-Study (FWS) is available for 10 to 15 hours weekly for nearby residents. Future agriculturists could also carefully borrow Stafford, Perkins, and Grad PLUS loans. Those who plan to educate may benefit from the Tennessee Math and Science Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program.

Online Degree(s) Available

Through Blackboard, the University of Tennessee at Martin currently confers six bachelor's and nine master's degrees online for greater flexibility. Online students conveniently log-in asynchronously to view the same curriculum taught by credentialed, full-time faculty. Thanks to UTM's student-faculty ratio of 16:1, professors are accessible for meaningful interaction through email and discussion boards. Students with a passion for farming should consider the:

B.S. in Agriculture

UTM's B.S. in Agriculture is a four-year, online program for students to learn the components of producing, processing, and transporting food and fibers. Online learners customize their 120-credit curriculum by selecting a concentration in Agribusiness or Farm and Ranch Management. The program sharpens students' ability to make sound technical decisions about agricultural products with courses like biofuels, animal science, soil management, and crop science. Hands-on learning can be attained in the Ned McWherter Agricultural Complex on-campus.

M.S. in Agriculture & Natural Resources

Post-baccalaureate scholars may pursue the M.S. in Agriculture & Natural Resources online from UT-Martin to expand their leadership capacity for managing farming operations. The 36-credit program offers three concentrations: Agribusiness & Risk Management, Natural Resources Systems Management, or System Science in Agriculture. Required 700-level courses delve into agricultural marketing, project management, strategic planning, and biorenewable resources. The final semester is devoted to a written exam and master's thesis.

Related Resource: Top 20 Most Affordable Online Master's in Agriculture Business/Agribusiness

Hybrid MBA with Agricultural Option

Tennessee, Kentucky, and Missouri residents may pursue the Hybrid MBA, which integrates online learning with five visits to Martin each semester. The AACSB-accredited, broad-based business degree offers an Agricultural Option to prepare professionals for senior-level positions in the agriculture industry. The 41-credit curriculum features courses in accounting, business law, managerial economics, finance, organizational theory, and agricultural trade. Before graduating from the University of Tennessee at Martin, students complete a capstone strategic management project.