What is a Tennessee College of Applied Technology?

A Tennessee College of Applied Technology is an institution which serves people in a specific geographical area within the state of Tennessee consisting of two or more counties that offers technical/occupational education. Tennessee has 24 Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology. 23 of them (all except Chattanooga) are freestanding institutions. Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology are the state's premier providers of workforce development in the state of Tennessee. The 24 Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology and their employees provide state-of-the-art technical training for workers to obtain the technical skills and professional training necessary for advancement in today's competitive job market. Through their workforce development mission, the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology help businesses and industries satisfy their need for a well-trained, skilled workforce. Under the governance of the Tennessee Board of Regents, the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology offer certificate and diploma programs in more than 50 distinct occupational fields as well as customized training for business and industry.

Statewide Mission

The Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology serve as the premier suppliers of workforce development throughout the State of Tennessee. The Colleges fulfill their mission by:

• Providing competency-based training through superior quality, traditional and distance learning instruction methods that qualify completers for employment and job advancement;
• Contributing to the economic and community development of the communities served by training and retraining employed workers;
• Ensuring that programs and services are economical and accessible to all residents of Tennessee; and
• Building relationships of trust with community, business, and industry leaders to supply highly skilled workers in areas of need.

TCAT Purpose

The purpose of Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology curricula is to provide instruction whereby individuals may be trained or retrained for employment, and to upgrade skills and knowledge of employed workers. Each program offered will assist the student in acquiring the skills, knowledge, understanding, and attitudes which contribute to proficiency and competency in his or her chosen field.

The Colleges fulfill this purpose by providing training through:

1. Full-Time Preparatory programs are designed to prepare persons for employment in specific or closely related occupations. The length of programs can vary depending upon the requirements of the occupation.
2. Part-Time Preparatory programs are designed to prepare persons for employment in specific or closely related occupations. Length of training ranges depending upon the entrance requirements of the occupation. Part-time is classified as any hours less than 30 per week.
3. Supplemental programs are designed to assist employed workers to improve or upgrade skills and increase technical knowledge necessary for present employment or to acquire new skills and knowledge for a higher level of employment. The content of the courses is determined by the specific needs of the members of the class. Time and frequency of meetings are arranged according to the convenience of the group for which the class is organized.
4. Special Industry programs are offered to business and industry upon their request. These classes can be conducted in the College or place of employment of the class members. Specialized and intensified courses to meet specific requirements of industry may be offered when the need arises.

The Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) system consists of 37 institutions. TBR's 13 Community Colleges and 24 Colleges of Applied Technology offer classes in almost all of Tennessee's 95 counties. The activities of the Tennessee Board of Regents System are coordinated with the Tennessee Higher Education System to achieve unity in the programs of higher education in Tennessee.

Tennessee Board of Regents Senior Staff & Board Members

Tennessee Board of Regents Senior Staff

Flora W. Tydings, Chancellor

Mike Batson, Chief Audit Executive

Russ Deaton, Executive Vice Chancellor for Policy and Strategy 

Alisha Fox, Vice Chancellor of Business and Finance

Troy Grant, Vice Chancellor for Strategic Enrollment Management

Brian Lapps, General Counsel

Heidi Leming, Vice Chancellor for Student Success and Strategic Partnerships

Rick Locker, Communications Director

Kimberly McCormick, Executive Vice Chancellor for External Affairs

Mariah Perry, Board Secretary

Jothany Reed, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Tennessee Board of Regents Board Members

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology is an accredited higher education institution. An annual report of the school's progress is made each year for continuing accreditation, and every six years, the accreditation must be substantiated by another self-study and team visit. Tennessee College of Applied Technology is accredited by:

Below are the programs that require additional programmatic accreditation or agency oversight.

For more information on the institution's governance, accreditation, or approvals, visit the Office of the President.

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology Jackson, located at 2468 Technology Center Drive in Jackson, Tennessee, was originally named the Jackson State Area Vocational-Technical School. This college is one of a statewide system of technical colleges made possible by legislation enacted by the 1963 session of the Tennessee General Assembly. The intent of the legislation was to make vocational education accessible and within commuting distance of every citizen of Tennessee. Classes began on the Jackson campus in September of 1965 with course offerings in Auto Mechanics, Auto Body Repair, Machine Shop, Civil Technology, Electronics, and Refrigeration. The first students graduated in 1966.

The Tennessee Department of Vocational Education governed the system until 1983 when House Bill 697 and Senate Bill 746 transferred control to the Tennessee Board of Regents. In 1994, the Tennessee General Assembly passed legislation changing the names of the state area vocational-technical schools to the Tennessee Technology Centers. Our institution's name became the Tennessee Technology Center at Jackson. This name change was enacted to better reflect the institutions’ mission.

The Whiteville Extension Campus (formerly Tennessee College of Applied Technology Whiteville) opened in April 1976 for full-time preparatory classes in drafting, office occupations, refrigeration, auto mechanics, and general building trades. By November 1977, practical nursing, welding, and food services programs were added. This campus became a branch campus of TCAT Jackson on September 1, 2021, and it was reclassified to an extension campus in December of 2023.

In 1995, the college assumed stewardship of the vacated Henderson County Vocational Center, located in Lexington Tennessee. After approximately 18 months of preparation work, the Tennessee Technology Center at Jackson, Lexington Extension Campus was opened. This facility, administered by the main campus in Jackson, offers full-time diploma, supplemental, and Special Industry Training to residents and employers. Current programs include Machine Tool Technology, Welding, Administrative Office Technology, Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Electricity, Practical Nursing, Computer Information Systems, and Computer Information Technology.

In 2004, the college entered a partnership with Jackson State Community College (JSCC) to offer a Machine Tool program on their campus. This was brought about due to a duplication of programs with the machine tool program on the JSCC campus and the Tool and Die program on the Tennessee College of Applied Technology Jackson campus. Tennessee College of Applied Technology Jackson purchased all the machining equipment on the JSCC campus and relocated the Tool and Die program to that location. Thus, the McWherter Instructional Service Center was initiated.

The Brownsville/Haywood County Extension Campus (formerly an extension campus of TCAT Whiteville) opened in September 2006, for full-time preparatory classes in machine tool technology and practical nursing. The first practical nursing class graduated in 2007. Since 2007, a program in health information management has been added. This campus became an extension campus of TCAT Jackson on September 1, 2021.

The City of Humboldt realized a need to offer more post-secondary educational opportunities in their area in 2007. From this need came the renovation of an empty elementary school into the Humboldt Higher Education Center. Currently, four institutions of higher education are involved with the center. Tennessee College of Applied Technology Jackson currently offers a Practical Nursing program and a Pipefitting & Plumbing Technology program at the Humboldt Higher Education Instructional Service Center.

In 2013, the Tennessee General Assembly passed legislation changing the names of the Tennessee Technology Centers to the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology. At the present time, there are twenty-seven (24) colleges of applied technology located throughout the state. The Tennessee Board of Regents also governs all community colleges within the state of Tennessee. The Tennessee Higher Education Commission coordinates both the Tennessee Board of Regents and the University of Tennessee system.

On September 1, 2016, Tennessee College of Applied Technology Jackson began offering a Practical Nursing program at the Henderson/Chester County Instructional Service Center. This program relocated from the University of Tennessee at Martin – Parsons Campus when the lease expired on August 30, 2016.

In January 2019, the Chancellor of the Tennessee Board of Regents notified the Tennessee Higher Education Commission of the intent to merge TCAT Whiteville to become a branch campus of TCAT Jackson. A merger application was filed with the Council on Occupational Education (COE) in April 2019. COE granted initial approval of the merger in June 2019. COE’s merger process required TCAT Jackson to reaffirm its accreditation via a self-study and team visit in 2020. The Commission of the Council on Occupational Education met and granted final approval of the merger on June 10, 2021.

Currently, the college has twenty-two (22) full-time programs with certificate and diploma levels in each program. Students may be enrolled in these programs on a part-time basis if they are unable to attend full-time.

Current Educational Programs by Campus

The training offered at TCAT Jackson is designed to meet the needs of our external customer, the employer, and our internal customer, the student. To accomplish this goal, the school has designed curricula that will train students to enter a career field, make a career change, or acquire the skills necessary for promotion.

In addition to the 22 full-time programs offered by the college, Special Industry Training is offered to meet the demands of local employers for short-term custom-designed programs. Such programs result from employer-specific inquiries and/or referrals from state agencies such as Economic and Community Development, West Tennessee Industrial Association, or local Chambers of Commerce. Supplemental evening classes are offered to meet community needs for short-term, timely topic training. While not a diploma track, they do allow the general public, employed technicians, or selected healthcare professionals to expand their knowledge of a chosen field. Areas such as Machining, Computer Operations, Welding, and Industrial Maintenance are offered as the need arises.

TCAT Jackson is one of 24 Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology and 37 total institutions in the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) system that are located across the state, serving the citizens of Tennessee. The TBR and the Board of Trustees of the University of Tennessee System are coordinated by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC). THEC was created by the General Assembly in 1967 to achieve coordination and unity in the programs of public higher education in Tennessee. The TBR system was created by legislation enacted by the 1963 General Assembly of Tennessee, Chapter 229 of House Bill 633. Chapter 181, Senate Bill 746-House Bill 697, of the Public Act of 1983 transferred the governance of the state technical institutes and area vocational-technical schools from the State Board of Education to the Tennessee Board of Regents. The transfer became effective on July 1, 1983. By action of the Tennessee Legislature in 1994, the school name changed from Jackson State Area Vocational Technical School to Tennessee Technology Center at Jackson In 2013, the Legislature unanimously approved changing the name of the state’s technology centers to the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology.

The Tennessee Board of Regents, the governing body for Tennessee College of Applied Technology Jackson, underwent a major shift in 2017 because of the FOCUS Act of 2016 and the appointment of a new Chancellor, Dr. Flora Tydings. The FOCUS Act seeks to ensure the state’s Community Colleges and Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology are organized, supported, and empowered in efforts to increase the percentage of Tennesseans with a postsecondary credential. Largely this involved the development of local governing boards for each of the six universities, thus allowing TBR a greater focus on the 13 Community Colleges and 24 Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology. Additional TBR efforts under the leadership of Dr. Tydings included the retitling of the chief administrative officers of the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology from Director to President; the movement towards all 37 campuses in the TBR system operating with shared services; and, the restructuring of the TBR organization uniting the community and Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology through common offices and services.

Directors and Presidents

This student catalog/handbook has been prepared to provide information about the programs and training opportunities provided by the Tennessee College of Applied Technology for the 2024-2025 academic year. It is designed to serve as a guide for currently enrolled students, parents, educators, employers, and others who are interested in seeking information and/or technology training for gainful employment or to update current skills and related information.

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology provides the opportunity for students to increase their knowledge by providing various programs of instruction by well-qualified faculty. However, the acquisition of knowledge by any student is contingent upon the student's desire to learn and his/her application of appropriate study techniques to any course or program. All students are expected to fulfill his/her commitment to utilize the facilities provided and to make satisfactory progress in his/her preparation for employment. Also, each student will abide by Tennessee College of Applied Technology and Academic Program policies necessary to ensure all training achieves its intended purpose in an efficient and safe manner. Efforts are made to update equipment and course content to provide educational experiences necessary for an era of rapid technological change. The administrative and instructional staff is comprised of skilled and knowledgeable individuals who are competent in their occupational field, as well as proficient instructors. They participate in special in-service training such as state-directed workshops, field trips, and community and university courses to maintain and update their skill sets. Graduates of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology should not be expected to compete with currently employed professionals who have developed skills and on-the-job experience. Usually, the graduates are considered for "entry-level" employment in their respective occupations.

The course offerings and requirements of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology are continually under examination and review. The College reserves the right to make changes as required in course offerings, curricula, academic policies, and other rules and regulations affecting students and will become effective whenever determined necessary as part of that continuous review by the institution. This Student Handbook/Catalog presents the offering and requirements in effect at the time of publication but provides no guarantee that offerings will not be changed or rescinded. Reasonable notice will be given to students regarding any changes in the Student Handbook/Catalog. All updates and/or corrections will be posted in the online version of the Student Handbook/Catalog, which will supersede previous written copies. Changes will govern current, former, and prospective students. This Student Handbook/Catalog is not intended to state contractual terms and does not constitute a contract between the student and the institution.

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology is an AA/EEO institution/employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, age (as applicable), status as a covered veteran, genetic information, and any other category protected by federal or state law or regulation or by Tennessee Board of Regents policy with respect to employment, educational programs and activities sponsored by the College. Procedures for filing complaints of discrimination of any type are found through the links provided below and in the Office of Student Services. Further information can be found at the following links:

• Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment or Sexual Misconduct: Policy 6.01.00.00
• Non-Discrimination Statement
• TCAT Policies and Guidelines

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology Jackson complies with the requirements of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. §1681 et seq. ("Title IX"). Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities, including with respect to admission and employment. Prohibited forms of sex discrimination include sexual harassment; sexual misconduct, including sexual assault, stalking, dating or domestic violence; and discrimination against pregnant/parenting students. Tennessee College of Applied Technology Jackson also prohibits retaliation because an individual filed a complaint of sex discrimination or participated in an investigation related to sex discrimination.

Information about the College's policies and procedures that prohibit sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual misconduct, may be found in the links provided at the top of this sub-section, in the Student and Employee Handbooks, from the Student Services Office, on the TBR website at https://www.tbr.edu and on the TCAT Jackson website at https://www.tcatjackson.edu. Inquiries or complaints concerning Title IX and/or the Title IX regulations may be referred to the College's Title IX coordinator 24/7 in person, by phone, and/or email at:

Tennessee College of Applied Technology Jackson complies with Title IX as the law applies to pregnant/parenting students and is committed to their success. Students may:

• Continue to participate in classes and extracurricular activities even though pregnant and/or 
• Request reasonable accommodations.

Tennessee College of Applied Technology Jackson will work with pregnant students to provide options for continuing in a program of study through excused absences or medical leave. Absences due to pregnancy or childbirth are excused absences when medically necessary. For detailed information or assistance see the Tennessee College of Applied Technology Jackson Title IX Coordinator or the Vice President of Student Services.

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology Jackson complies with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. §2000d et seq. ("Title VI"). Title VI is a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance. As a recipient of federal funding (e.g., Title IV financial aid for students), the Tennessee College of Applied Technology Jackson is required to comply with the non-discrimination provisions of Title VI in its educational and federal grant-funded programs. Title VI is enforced by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) in the U.S. Department of Education. The Title VI regulations define the forms of discrimination covered by statute, including, but not limited to; racial harassment, school segregation, denial of language services to students of non-U.S. nationality who are limited in English language proficiency, and retaliation for filing an OCR complaint or for advocacy for a right protected by Title VI.

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology Jackson will respond promptly and effectively once informed about an allegation of race, color, or national origin-based discrimination or harassment and will take immediate action to eliminate any harassment or discrimination, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects. Upon receipt of a complaint, the Tennessee College of Applied Technology Jackson will promptly investigate to determine what occurred and then take appropriate steps to resolve the situation. Tennessee College of Applied Technology Jackson's procedures for filing complaints of race, color, or national origin discrimination are available from the Title VI Coordinator, in the Student and Employee Handbooks, from the Student Services Office, on the TBR website at https://www.tbr.edu and on the TCAT Jackson website at https://tcatjackson.edu. Inquiries or complaints concerning Title VI may be reported to the College's Title VI coordinator:

Or the Office for Civil Rights:

U.S. Department of Education,
Office for Civil Rights
(800) 421-3481 or ocr@ed.gov
http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/complaintintro.html

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology is committed to providing program access and accommodations for all academically qualified students with disabilities. This commitment is consistent with the College’s obligation under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Qualified students are defined as individuals who, with or without reasonable modifications and accommodations, meet the essential eligibility requirements for the program services and activities offered by the College. A disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities. 

In order to obtain reasonable accommodations in relation to a qualifying disability, a student should contact Student Services prior to enrollment or as the need arises. The college will engage in an interactive process with the student to determine appropriate and reasonable accommodation(s) in relation to the disability and the program. The college will often require documentation of the disability. Documentation is defined as written information from a qualified healthcare professional. A request form for disability assistance is available by contacting Student Services. The form should be submitted to initiate the interactive process. 

Disability Services Contact

Mr. John Hodgson
Disability Service Contact
2468 Technology Center Drive
Jackson, TN 38301
(731) 424-0691
john.hodgson@tcatjackson.edu