College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies

Academic Leadership

Ozlem Kilic, Vice Provost and Founding Dean

Katie Cahill, Assistant Dean of Student Success and Workforce Pathways

Eric Lukosi, Assistant Dean of Curriculum Strategic Initiatives

Natalie Stepanov, Director of Advising

Elis Vllasi, Director of Academic Operations

 

College Website

https://cecs.utk.edu/

Contact Email

cecsinfo@utk.edu

 

CECS is a student-centric and industry-driven college that will launch and oversee multidisciplinary courses, programs, and degrees for both undergraduate and graduate students to address the rapidly emerging talent gap in the workforce in response to the emergence of impactful technologies that impact the way we live and work.

• The college meets the increasing need for students to customize their academic journey and align their education with cutting-edge careers. Leveraging strong industry and community partnerships, CECS will help students learn relevant workforce skills, and gain hands-on experiences through opportunities such as internships, interdisciplinary research, collaborative team projects, and community engagement for course credit.
• CECS will engage and partner with the entire campus to offer new courses, minors, certificates, and majors that bring together faculty from multiple disciplines and students from all backgrounds.

 

Admissions

Students who meet standard UTK admission criteria are eligible for admission into the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies.  

uTrack

Universal Tracking (uTrack) is an academic monitoring system designed to help students stay on track for timely graduation. In order to remain on track, students must complete the minimum requirements for each tracking semester, known as milestones. Milestones include successful completion of specified courses and/or attainment of a minimum GPA. uTrack requirements only affect full-time, degree-seeking students.

Policy on Optional Secondary Major or Dual Degree 

At CECS, we encourage students to explore transdisciplinary opportunities that align with their interests and career goals. Adding a secondary major or second degree program can broaden knowledge, strengthen skills sets, and make students more competitive in the job market. 

1. Eligibility and Application 

• Students enrolled in a CECS primary major may add a secondary major in the College of Arts & Sciences or other colleges that allow secondary majors. 

• Students enrolled in a Haslam College of Business major may add an optional secondary major in the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies.  

• Students may pursue two degrees concurrently. Admission to competitive programs, such as those in the Haslam College of Business or the Tickle College of Engineering, requires formal application and acceptance. 

• Students must declare their intent to pursue a second major or second degree with their academic advisor. 

2. Degree Requirements 

Second Major 

• CECS majors who pursue a secondary major in the College of Arts and Sciences must complete all CECS degree requirements in addition to the requirements for the second major. Secondary majors in the College of Arts and Sciences are exempt from completing Arts and Sciences Foundations, Perspectives, and Connections requirements; only the major-specific requirements apply. 

• A minimum of 18 distinct credit hours must separate the CECS primary major from the secondary major in the College of Arts & Sciences. 

• Students in the Haslam College of Business may pursue an optional secondary major in CECS and must follow all degree requirements for the Haslam College of Business. CECS secondary majors must complete all CECS major core courses and may fulfill all or partial requirements for their Transdisciplinary Options (TOPS) with their primary degree requirements. 

Dual Degree 

• Students must meet all requirements for both degrees. 

• Students must complete at least 30 additional semester hours beyond the total required for the first bachelor’s degree. 

• Students are required to complete only one set of Volunteer Core requirements. 

• Dual Degree majors in CECS may fulfill all or partial requirements for their Transdisciplinary Options (TOPS) with their dual degree requirements. 

3. Advising and Academic Planning 

• Pursuing a secondary major or dual degree may extend time to graduation. Students are strongly encouraged to consult advisors in both colleges to develop a comprehensive academic plan. 

4. Transcript and Graduation 

• Optional second majors will be recorded on the student’s transcript. 

• Optional dual degrees will be issued on two separate transcripts. 

• All majors and degrees must be declared at the time of application for graduation. 

Advising

The College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies offers academic program planning and related services to students enrolled in a CECS major, minor, or certificate program.  The advising staff is prepared to address student concerns and answer questions regarding academic planning, progression through programs, course petitions, uTrack milestones, and support student success by connecting students with other campus support services when necessary.  The advising office is in Suite 106 in the Claxton Education Building.

Programs

Undergrad (Major)

• •  Applied Artificial Intelligence Major, BS in Applied Artificial Intelligence
• •  Applied Cybersecurity Major, BS in Applied Cybersecurity
• •  Data Science Major, BS in Data Science
• •  Innovative Transdisciplinary Studies Major, BS in Innovative Transdisciplinary Studies

Undergrad (Minor)

• •  Applied Artificial Intelligence Minor
• •  Applied Computing Minor
• •  Applied Cybersecurity Minor
• •  Bioinformatics Minor
• •  Data Science Minor
• •  Human-Intelligent Systems Interaction Minor
• •  Nuclear Deterrence Minor
• •  Sport Analytics Minor

Concentration

• •  Applied Artificial Intelligence Major, BS in Applied Artificial Intelligence - Applied Computing Concentration
• •  Applied Artificial Intelligence Major, BS in Applied Artificial Intelligence - Leadership Studies Concentration
• •  Applied Artificial Intelligence Major, BS in Applied Artificial Intelligence - Technical Communication Concentration
• •  Data Science Major, BS in Data Science - Applied Computing Concentration
• •  Data Science Major, BS in Data Science - Bioinformatics Concentration
• •  Data Science Major, BS in Data Science - Leadership Studies Concentration
• •  Data Science Major, BS in Data Science - Sport Analytics Concentration
• •  Data Science Major, BS in Data Science - Technical Communication Concentration
• •  Innovative Transdisciplinary Studies Major, BS in Innovative Transdisciplinary Studies - Applied Computing Concentration
• •  Innovative Transdisciplinary Studies Major, BS in Innovative Transdisciplinary Studies - Human-Intelligent Systems Interaction Concentration
• •  Innovative Transdisciplinary Studies Major, BS in Innovative Transdisciplinary Studies - Leadership Studies Concentration
• •  Innovative Transdisciplinary Studies Major, BS in Innovative Transdisciplinary Studies - Technical Communication Concentration

Undergraduate Certificate

• •  Applied Artificial Intelligence Certificate
• •  Applied Computing Certificate
• •  Applied Cybersecurity Certificate
• •  Artificial Intelligence and Medicine Certificate
• •  Artificial Intelligence Integration in Music Certificate
• •  Bioinformatics Certificate
• •  Data Science and Medicine Certificate
• •  Data Science Certificate
• •  Game Craft Certificate
• •  Human-Intelligent Systems Interaction Certificate
• •  Literacy on Emerging Topics Certificate
• •  Nuclear Deterrence Certificate
• •  Professional Advancement Through Hands-On Learning Certificate
• •  Sport Analytics Certificate
• •  Sustainable Development Certificate

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