School of Business and Professional Studies Provides Students with Options and Opportunities

Home to more than 39 programs, the School of Business and Professional Studies at Nashville State provides students with wide-ranging options to earn a certificate or degree in an interesting career field.

“We can get you in the right area and the right field and pair you with the right industry mentor to help you get your foot in the door after you graduate,” Dr. Christie Ferguson, dean of the School of Business and Professional Studies, said.

Ferguson is in her first year as dean. Moving into the interim position after serving as director of paralegal studies, a role she continues to serve in. Ferguson says one of her goals is helping students navigate the professional world and find their best role.

“I love meeting with students and sitting down with them and asking what it is that you really want to do in the future and how can we get you there,” said Dr. Ferguson.

“It’s helping them learn all of the different areas and advising students on what’s best for their particular interests and goals. And then we can get them on the right pathway.”

A small overview of the choices for students includes associate degrees in subjects like Accounting, Business, or Education typically taking students two years to complete. These degree-based programs set up students to transfer to a four-year bachelor’s program or go straight into the workforce.

The school also provides students with the opportunity to gain a technical certificate in subjects like Culinary Arts, Logistics, or Hotel Management, preparing students to be workforce-ready in a shorter amount of time. These are merely a snapshot of all opportunities housed in the school of business.

“My goal is to promote and position our college as the go-to place for any business or professional development,” Ferguson said. “We make our communities and corporations run.”

In addition to the myriads of choices of study, the School of Business and Professional Development works to cultivate partnerships in the community, creating a direct link for students and future employers.

“We are trying to create new grow your own opportunities and building new transfer pathways. And we’re working with companies and partnerships to create all kinds of new opportunities for students,” Ferguson said.  

“We have some great partnerships.”

A few of those partnerships include a business degree transfer pathway to Belmont University so students with an A.S. in Business Administration can seamlessly transfer to Belmont to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration. Or a partnership between Nashville State, Austin Peay University, and the Clarks-Montgomery County School System that allows students an accelerated path to becoming a teacher.

Helping students navigate all of the choices and options for their academic and professional goals are the faculty and staff of the School of Business and Professional Studies.

“Our faculty do a great job advising students as to which option is best for them,” Ferguson said. “We can help build a bridge between all the options.”

“I love our faculty and love working with them. They truly put their hearts into it, and they do it because they love it. Whatever support they need I want to give it to them.”

For the students and graduates of the program, Ferguson says she hopes they take away a sense of pride and accomplishment from their time at Nashville State.

“Our students and graduates can walk in the door, be prepared, and go to work immediately or to a university and use those skills they’ve learned,” Ferguson said.

“And I hope that they have a sense of pride in what they have accomplished.”

For those interested in a career in business or the professional world, Ferguson says the best thing is to speak with the staff and faculty to see what options might be best.

“If you don’t know what’s in the school of business come see us. We have so much you might not even be aware of and all the paths that might be open to you, so come see us.”