Tennessee Temple is a Christian liberal arts college and seminary in Chattanooga. Staff File Photo.WHAT MAKES US SPECIALAt a time when college tuition costs are on the rise, Chattanooga is home to many private and public colleges that are known to offer affordable degree programs. The area is also home to several well-known Christian private colleges representing an array of denominations.
There are abundant opportunities in the Tennessee Valley for higher education at more than a dozen colleges and universities. Students can earn anything from associate and bachelor's degrees, to technical certificates and master's and doctoral degrees.
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS
Chattanooga State Community College serves more than 11,000 students. Located on Amnicola Highway, the college offers associate degrees, technical certificates and 50 career programs in nursing and allied health, business, construction and human services, among others. Among its programs are Tech Prep, offering possible free credit in skills courses, and Middle College for high school students to adjust to college curriculum. The college curriculum strongly focuses on linking academic and professional teaching with current industry and business trends. 423-697-4404; www.chattanoogastate.edu.
Cleveland State Community College, in Cleveland, Tenn., enrolls 3,610 students. The average student age is 28, and 86 percent of the faculty hold master's or doctoral degrees. With 40 possible areas of study, the college offers day and evening classes as well as online and video courses. Satellite sites are in Athens and Vonore. 800-604-2722; www.clevelandstate cc.edu.
Dalton State College in Dalton, Ga., a unit of the University of Georgia, offers 14 bachelor's degree programs, including early education, marketing systems and technology management. The college offers more than 90 associate degrees and certificate programs as well as adult literacy programs and continuing education. More than 5,700 students attend Dalton State. 800-829-4436, 706-272-4436; www.daltonstate.edu.
Northwestern Technical College, in Rock Spring, Ga., emphasizes professional skills to provide students with jobs after graduation. With day and evening classes available, students can choose from 93 programs with courses offered on the main campus or other sites in North Georgia. Northwestern offers degrees in accounting, social work and medical assistance. 706-764-3510 or 800- 735-5726; www.nwtcollege.org.
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga offers bachelor's, master's, postgraduate and doctoral programs to more than 10,000 students. The colleges of the university offer degrees in liberal arts, business administration, engineering and computer science, nursing and premedical studies. The university also is a strong recruiter of students from the greater Chattanooga area and from Memphis. 423-425-4111 or 423-425-4363; www.utc.edu.
Staff File Photo by John Rawlston
Christy Price, a professor of psychology at Dalton State College, received national recognition for her innovative teaching and classroom approaches.PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS
Bethel University is a private Christian university, based in McKenzie, Tenn., affiliated with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. It has a campus in Chattanooga at 735 Broad St. and offers undergraduate and graduate programs in liberal arts, business, education and nursing. 423-756-1110; www.bethelu.edu.
Bryan College is a Christian liberal arts college founded in Dayton, Tenn., in 1930. With more than 725 students from 40 states and six countries, Bryan provides studies in the natural sciences, Christian thought and athletic training. Bryan has 40 areas of study as well as 40 student clubs and organizations. 423-755-2041; www.bryan.edu.
Chattanooga College, 3805 Brainerd Road, was established in 1968 and prepares students for medical, dental and technical careers. Students in the dental assistant program learn dental terminology, microbiology and other professional topics, as well as English, business math and computer courses, according to the college Web site. 624-0077; www. chattanoogacollege.edu.
Covenant College, in Lookout Mountain, Ga., is a Christian institution operated by the Presbyterian Church in America. More than 1,000 students are enrolled at Covenant. The most popular major areas of study include English, history and psychology. The college also provides preprofessional programs in medicine and a nursing and ministry program. 706-820-1560; www.covenant.edu.
Lee University, in Cleveland, Tenn., is a Christian university sponsored by the Church of God. The liberal arts school was founded to train those entering the ministry but later developed programs for those seeking vocational skills. With more than 4,000 students enrolled, Lee University has become one of the largest Christian colleges in Tennessee. 423-614-8000 or 800-533-9930; www.leeuniversity.edu.
Richmont Graduate University, 1815 McCallie Ave. in Chattanooga, provides master's level training in professional counseling and marriage and family therapy, integrating clinical training with a biblical foundation. As an extension of the graduate education programs, Richmont offers a network of Christian counseling centers. 423- 266-4574; www.richmont.edu.
Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, Tenn., is a college of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Southern offers more than 50 baccalaureate programs and 20 associate degree programs. Major areas of study include health, business management and music performance. More than 2,300 students study on the 1,000-acre campus. Online courses also are offered. 800-768-8437; www.southern.edu.
Temple Baptist Seminary is a graduate school of theology sharing a campus with Tennessee Temple University. The seminary offers advanced preparation for biblical leadership in preaching, evangelism, missionary work and education. Temple also offers master's degrees and doctorates. 423-493-4221; www.templebaptist seminary.edu.
Tennessee Temple University, 1815 Union Ave. in Chattanooga, is a ministry of Highland Park Baptist Church. The Christian liberal arts college offers associate and bachelor's degrees in Bible studies as well as business administration, computer science and sign language. Now, 925 students are enrolled in the college and seminary. 800-553-4050; www.tntemple.edu.
Tennessee Wesleyan College is a four-year liberal arts institution in Athens, Tenn. The 150-year-old college is affiliated with the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church. The college offers more than 25 programs of study with more than 800 students enrolled. Among its academic programs are liberal arts and sciences, professional and preprofessional programs and continuing-education programs and evening classes available in Athens and Knoxville. 800-PICK-TWC; www.twcnet.edu.
University of Phoenix Chattanooga, 1208 Pointe Centre Drive, offers degrees in business administration, criminal justice and more. The master of business administration degree program provides instruction in health care management, technology management and more, according to the college Web site. Programs also are available online. 499-2500; www.phoenix.edu.
The University of the South is a private, four-year institution in Sewanee, Tenn. Commonly known as Sewanee, the college occupies 10,000 acres owned by 28 dioceses of the Episcopal church. It offers 36 majors, preprofessional programs and master's degree and doctoral programs through the School of Theology. The College of Arts and Sciences has 1,467 students, with biology, chemistry and English among the most popular majors. 931-598-1000; www.sewanee.edu.