KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and the University of Tennessee Southern have met the pre-approval criteria for focused baccalaureate degrees in corrections and related criminal justice fields, paving the way for both institutions to develop formal proposals for the new academic programs. If approved by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) and the UT Board of Trustees, the programs would create additional pathways for professionals to earn a bachelor’s degree while addressing workforce needs across Tennessee.
The proposed degrees build on the UT System’s efforts to expand educational options that help students and professionals reach their career goals with fewer barriers. Focused baccalaureate degrees require a minimum of 90 credit hours, compared with the traditional 120-credit-hour bachelor’s degree, giving students another option to complete a degree in less time while maintaining academic quality and rigor.
“Student success is at the heart of everything we do, and that means being willing to think differently about how we deliver education,” said UT System President Randy Boyd. “We want to expand access and find innovative ways to help more Tennesseans earn a high-quality UT degree in less time, at a lower cost and with the skills they need to succeed in the workforce. By recognizing the knowledge and experience students already bring to the table, we can open more doors to educational opportunities and help students achieve their goals.”
UT Chattanooga is developing proposals for focused baccalaureate degrees in police science and corrections science through its Department of Criminal Justice in the College of Arts and Sciences. If approved, the programs would serve law enforcement and corrections professionals who have completed the appropriate professional academy training.
UT Southern is developing a proposal for a focused baccalaureate degree in corrections and institutional leadership. If approved, the program would combine corrections education with leadership development to prepare graduates for roles in local detention facilities, correctional institutions, probation and parole.
The proposed degrees support the UT System’s Be One UT 2025–2030 Strategic Plan, which calls for expanding access to education, helping more students graduate without debt and broadening the range of degrees and credentials UT offers to meet workforce needs.
