FAQs

Q. Who is my freshman academic advisor?

A: All freshmen are assigned an advisor in the Office of Student Success. Email Dr. Julian Pirtle at jpirtle5@tnstate.eduto identify your advisor

 

Q: In which building can I find my first-year advisor?

A: Clement Hall | 9am - 4pm

 

Q: Who is my advisor for my sophomore year?

A: Students are advised by a faculty advisor when they earn 30 or more credit hours.

 

Q: How do I know my classification?

A: Your classification is determined by the number of credit hours you have EARNED.

    • 0-29 Earned Hours = Freshman
    • 30-59 Earned Hours = Sophomore
    • 60-89 Earned Hours = Junior
    • 90+ Earned Hours = Senior

 

Q: Where can I find information about transferring general education courses for transfer students?

A: https://www.tnstate.edu/admissions/transfer.aspx

 

Q: What are general education courses?

A: General Education includes both the lower-division General Education curriculum – comprising courses in Oral and Written Communication, Mathematics, the Arts and Humanities, History, the Social and Behavioral Sciences, and the Natural Sciences – and the reinforcement and application of General Education in major and elective courses.

The goal of General Education is to ensure that graduates of all baccalaureate degree programs achieve college-level competency in communication, inquiry and reasoning, and broad knowledge of the human and natural world.

  • RANGE OF COURSES

Students take a range of courses in the following areas:

  • Communications (9 hours)
  • Humanities and/or Fine Arts (9 hours)
  • Natural Sciences (8 hours)
  • History (6 hours)
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)
  • Mathematics (3 hours)

 

Q: When I register, what does CRN mean?

A: CRN stands for course registration numbers

 

Q: Who is my Success Coach in the College of Education, and how do I schedule an appointment with them?

A: The offices of the Academic Success Coaches in the College of Education are in GRACIE-OTL Lab which is in Clay Hall Room 212.

     The contact information for the Academic Success Coaches:

  1. Dr. Debbie Hayes

Coaching for Psychology Majors

Phone: 615-963-6915

Email: dhayes36@tnstate.edu

Schedule an appointment

  1. Dr. Susan Githua

Coaching for Psychology Majors

Phone: 615-963-6921

Email: sgithua@tnstate.edu

Schedule an appointment

  1. Ms. Nakayla Walker

Coaching for Elementary Education 

Phone: 615-963-6892

Email: nwalke11@tnstate.edu

Schedule an appointment

 

Q: Who is the Lab Director and how can they be contacted?

A: Dr. Rhonda Stewart, Email: rstewart@tnstate.edu, Phone: (615) 963-6897.

 

Q: What is the main purpose of the GRACIE-OTL lab?

A: To provide career aspirations, counseling support, praxis core preparation/vouchers, and professional preparation for educators, principals and our graduate school population.

 

Q: How can I get a Praxis Core voucher?

A: After preparation, you can receive a voucher for your first Praxis attempt by meeting with the Program Coordinator.

 

Q: What happens if I don't pass the Praxis Core on my first attempt?

A: You must submit your previous scores to Dr. Hayes and schedule a meeting via the website for personalized tutorial sessions before your second attempt.

 

Q: What are the passing scores for Praxis Core exams?

A: Reading: 156, Writing: 162, and Mathematics: 150.

 

Q: What resources are available for Praxis exam preparation?

A: The lab offers Mometrix resources, personalized tutorial sessions, and links to various study resources including Khan Academy and other free exam practice sites.

 

Q: What is the PTS program?

A: Personalized Tutorial Sessions, a program designed to tutor and provide students insights on understanding test scores and preparing for Praxis examinations.

 

Q: How many times per week should I study for the Praxis exam?

A: It is recommended to dedicate 30-45 minutes, 3-4 times per week.

 

Q: What are the operating hours of GRACIE-OTL lab?

A: The hours of operation for the lab are 8:00 am-8:00 pm. The Academic Success Coaches may be reached from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm and Graduate Assistants from 4:30 pm-8:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

 

Q: If I want to participate in work-study or look for an internship, where should I go? Is there a specific location on campus? Do you offer services like mock interviews or resume critiques?

A: GRACIE-OTL lab frequently posts jobs, Graduate Assistantships, work study, and internship opportunities on the College of Education digital signs on all floors in the hallways. Check the website https://www.tnstate.edu/gracie-otl/Education%20Scholarships%202025.pdf      for educational scholarships opportunities. We also offer mock interviews and resume critiques. Please make an appointment with your Academic Success Coach for more information.

    Visit the Career Development Center or check their website https://www.tnstate.edu/careers/ for jobs, scholarships, internships, and resume resources.

 

Q: Who manages major-level course transfers?

A: For all your major course registration and transfers please contact your faculty advisor.

 

Q: What is DegreeWorks?

A: DegreeWorks is a web-based degree audit and academic planning tool that provides you with an overview of what courses and credit hours remain, and how each your coursework applies to a degree program, in accordance with the Tennessee State University catalog.

For more information see https://online.fliphtml5.com/nxogq/shjk/#p=3

 

Q: I received an error while I was registering and I was not able to register. What does this error mean and how is it resolved?

A: Please click HERE to see the Common Registration Errors and how to resolve them.

 

Q: I have a hold on my account preventing me from registering. How can I find out what hold I have and who can I see to lift the hold?

To view holds:

  1. Log into MyTSU
  2. From the main page, click Banner Services.
  3. From the Main Menu, click Student.
  4. From the Student Menu, click Student Records.

From the Student Records Menu, click View Holds

Types of Holds:

  1. Parking Holds- if a parking ticket prevents registration, visit the  parking portal to pay or appeal citations
  1. Freshmen Advisement (A6) holds are lifted by your academic advisor when you complete pre-registration requirements in the fall. It ensures you are advised before self-registering for the second term. If you do not complete pre-registration advising, your hold will be lifted after you are advised.
  2. Immunization holds are lifted by Student Health Services when shot records are received. Advisors can't register you for the first term until the hold is clear.
  3. Admissions (A1 or A4) holds are lifted by the Admissions Office when requirements like final high school transcripts are received. 
  4. Bursar (B1) holds are lifted by the Bursar's Office due to balances and fees.

 

Q: What other resources are available for students?

 

Q: What can I do with my major?

A: Please click HERE to see the major profiles with information on common career paths and job search resources.