We have two semesters in which students can begin with MSP Fall and Spring.

Fall Term: July 15

Spring  Term: Dec 5

There are three payment plans. The plan selected is arranged with Student Services in the Office of Financial Aid located in Memorial Hall at the time of registration.

Classes are held synchronously on Zoom, except the required in person meeting each semester which is held on campus. The faculty may reserve space on campus for additional in person class sessions (Saturday only).

Currently, any Cumberland University MSP student may access the university’s information technology system through the Cumberland site at www.cumberland.edu. Through the site, a graduate student may check grades as well as other institutional data information, communicate with the on-campus professor and classmates through email and list servers, access the EBSCO Host academic research and other online databases. Students are encouraged to have access to an appropriate personal computer.

A student  I.D. card will be prepared for each MSP student early in the inaugural enrollment term. This document allows the student to use the Cumberland Vise University Library facility in order to obtain reference and other needed research services, to use the University computer laboratories, and to gain admission to campus events.

Yes. A large number of national honor/recognition societies have chapters on the Cumberland University campus. Membership in many of these groups is open to both undergraduate and graduate students. Previously, students enrolled in this graduate program have been inducted into the Omicron Delta Kappa National Honor Society (Leadership and Service), and Pi Gamma Mu National Honor Society (Social Sciences). Criteria for affiliation are distributed by the various organizations.

Extreme adverse weather conditions, such as ice and/or snow, may require Cumberland University to close. Every attempt will be made to notify area radio and television stations as soon as classes are cancelled, and students are encouraged to register for the institutional text message inclement weather notification system. Students are expected to exercise discretion regarding personal safety whether the University is open or closed.

Yes. Students enrolled in this degree program will have full-use of the services of the Doris and Harry Vise University Library that is located on the Cumberland campus in Lebanon, Tennessee.  A specific librarian has been asked to serve as a reference liaison for this particular graduate group.

Services include a bibliographic instructional overview geared toward informing the student of the library’s resources, an orientation providing a basic understanding of the organization of the Vise University Library, and the discussion of an annotated bibliography describing resources related to public service.

Institutional holdings are augmented through participation in interlibrary loan programs, allowing students to borrow materials from other libraries around the world. On-campus Internet access is also available in the Vise Library building.

Additionally, MSP students will need to use the resources of the following institutions: the Metropolitan Nashville-Davidson County Public Library System (specifically the Nashville Research Room), located on Church Street in downtown Nashville, the Tennessee State Library and Archives located on Capitol Hill, and the Nashville-Davidson County Archives located in Green Hills. Each of these research centers has an excellent reference area staffed with public service librarians, and at the Tennessee State Library and Archives and the Nashville-Davidson County Archives specific individuals have been designed to assist MSP students.  Many Cumberland University graduate students have found these resources valuable in securing information for assigned research projects.

No. The (MSP) degree program is designed to be a “lock-step” experience (students take the exact same courses and progress together as a group). No previously completed graduate course work will be accepted in this program.

No.

Continuing students will be registered during Priority Registration each semester. New students will be registered upon admission into the program. Payment of tuition and fees may be done in person or online.

Yes. Students enrolled in the MSP degree program will have a required orientation, information, and overview session prior to the beginning of the term of enrollment.

Yes. An admitted MSP student qualifies for a special graduate scholarship. The University provides these awards based on the enrollee having received a baccalaureate degree and the perceived potential for success in both this academic program and in the current/future employment arena. Individual scholarship students are encouraged to seek additional funding and/or reimbursement from their employing agencies. A per month payment plan and/or a student loan program will be made available on tuition balances due after all scholarship monies have been applied to a student account. The University accepts both personal checks and MasterCard/Visa/Discover/American Express in addition to cash for the payment of tuition and fees. Employees of the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services may be eligible to receive additional tuition assistance.  Specific information is available through the Department.

Yes. A no-interest budget plan (“FACTS”) is available for students.  A $35.00 per semester or a $50.00 annual enrollment fee is charged.  In order to participate, a student must complete an “Automatic Tuition Payment Agreement” which authorizes their bank to deduct tuition charges from a checking and/or savings account on specific dates during the semester.  This plan may also be used with a valid MasterCard/Visa/Discover/American Express credit card.  Students considering the “FACTS” payment plan should read the current information and apply for the plan through the University website.

Required textbooks and supplies will be available for purchase in the CUShop located on-campus in the Mitchell Student Center or you can order online at https://cumberland.textbooktech.com.