Middle Tennessee State University

Middle Tennessee State University is a public research university located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Established in 1911, it began as a teacher training institution and has grown into one of the largest public universities in the state. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs across disciplines including business, education, liberal arts, media, aerospace, and the sciences. MTSU is particularly known for its programs in recording industry, aerospace, and concrete industry management. Serving a diverse student population, Middle Tennessee State University attracts students seeking a comprehensive public university experience in a suburban setting within the Nashville metropolitan area.

Middle Tennessee State University was founded in 1911 as Middle Tennessee State Normal School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, with a primary mission of training teachers for the state’s public schools. The institution opened on September 11, 1911, under the leadership of its first president, Robert Lee Jones, offering a two-year program in teacher education. In 1925, it became Middle Tennessee State Teachers College and expanded to a four-year degree-granting institution. Continued growth after World War II led to broader academic offerings and increased enrollment. In 1965, the institution was renamed Middle Tennessee State University to reflect its expanded role beyond teacher preparation. Over the following decades, Middle Tennessee State University developed graduate programs, research initiatives, and specialized fields such as aerospace and the recording industry, evolving into a comprehensive public university serving central Tennessee and the greater Nashville region.