South College partnerships provide tuition assistance for local educators

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 12, 2026

South College has developed partnerships with local school systems to provide tuition benefits for educators seeking advancement through higher education. New partnerships have been established with McMinn County, Meigs County, Polk County and Metro Nashville school systems that offer grants for educators to pursue Competency-Based Education (CBE) programs at South College.

These new partnerships add to the higher education institution’s longstanding relationships with other school systems in Anderson, Blount, Cumberland and Loudon counties.

The community partnerships provide tuition assistance for educators within those school systems, offering a $1,000 grant for each six-month instruction period. CBE programs allow working professionals to progress at their own pace by demonstrating mastery of course content. Students can pursue programs including master’s, doctoral and post-doctoral certificates through flexible online courses.

“We’re excited to partner with local school systems to provide financial assistance to local teachers so that they can pursue advanced degrees while balancing work and personal commitments,” said Dr. Michael Patrick, South College CBE president. “The programs allow students to study on their own time but still have the mentoring and the support of faculty, staff and advisors.”

CBE programs in the education field include Educational Specialist (EdS), Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, Doctor of Education (EdD), and post-doctoral certificates in Adult Learning and Development, Educational Leadership, Higher Education Leadership, Educational Psychology, Instructional Design and Technology, Organizational Leadership and Teaching and Learning.

However, educators can pursue other fields, if desired, including Business and Technology, Ministry, Criminal Justice, Nursing and more.

South College CBE programs have been growing rapidly since the launch in October 2021, cresting more than 2,000 enrolled students by the end of 2025.

“It has been gratifying to watch the programs flourish, which is really a testament to the way the curriculum and model have been conceived so that they are based on mastery and delivered on a student’s terms without sacrificing rigor or quality instruction,” Patrick said.

Students in South College’s CBE programs enroll in a six-month subscription-based model with no set due dates and the convenience of online learning. The CBE model also provides an interactive online environment that allows students to engage with faculty and foster collaboration.

For more information and to apply, visit south.edu/cbe.

About South College

South College serves more than 20,000 students and is proud of its more than 20,000 graduates. The institution offers academic programs at multiple levels, including professional certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist and doctoral degree programs via campuses in Knoxville and Nashville, Tennessee; Asheville, North Carolina; Atlanta and Marietta, Georgia; Indianapolis, Indiana; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Dallas, Texas; and Orlando, Florida, as well as Online. South College focuses on ensuring high standards and quality educational offerings, maintaining multiple authorizations and accreditations.

South College’s programs span diverse fields such as business, criminal justice, education, dental hygiene/assisting, diagnostic medical sonography, nursing, occupational therapy, paralegal studies, physical therapy, radiography, respiratory therapy, physician assistant studies, pharmacy and surgical technology. The institution is dedicated to preparing students with the skills and knowledge needed for the professional opportunities ahead of them. For more information, visit south.edu.