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

Brian Lapps, General Counsel

Heidi Leming, Vice Chancellor for Student Success

Rick Locker, Communications Director

Kimberly McCormick, Executive Vice Chancellor for External Affairs

Mariah Perry, Board Secretary

Jothany Reed, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Wendy Thompson, Vice Chancellor for Organizational Effectiveness

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.

Established as a statewide system by the enactment of the Tennessee Legislature during the 1963 General Assembly, Tennessee College of Applied Technology Memphis operates under the direction of the Tennessee Board of Regents.

The first vocational programs opened at the Tech High School in 1963. Later with the addition of more programs, both Tech and Humes High Schools served as sites for post-secondary classes after regular high school hours. In June 1964, these programs, along with other vocational programs, were moved to the 591 Washington campus from which the first class graduated in June 1964. Two additional buildings were utilized-the Law Street Building at Washington and Law streets and the old Board of Education building at 317 Poplar Avenue. Classes operated by the Manpower Development Training Act were taught side by side on campus. The school moved to a 14-acre campus at 620 Mosby Avenue in July 1968. A 42,000-square foot addition, housing 11 new programs and increasing the existing facilities by approximately one-third, was opened in 1977. The main offices of the campus moved to 550 Alabama Avenue in February 1992. The Aviation Campus opened in 1970 on a four-acre site at Memphis International Airport. The new Aviation Campus opened in March 1997. The new 47,647 sq. ft., training facility is located on five acres of land. The Aircraft Mechanics Program was initially certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on October 13, 1969. It was located at the Memphis International Airport in a 26,000-square foot facility on Winchester Road. Due to airport expansion, the school was moved to a temporary location at 4225 Airways Boulevard.

The school has graduated thousands of certified airframe and power plant mechanics who are presently employed in the aviation industry at such places as Federal Express and Northwest Airlink. The Avionics Program was initiated at the Aviation Campus on January 1, 2003. In July 2007, the state granted Tennessee College of Applied Technology Memphis 1.2 million dollars to purchase equipment for the school. Anticipating high demand for post-secondary education in 2010 and 2011, Tennessee College of Applied Technology Memphis acquired approximately four acres of land on the northeast corner of Alabama Avenue to address capacity issues. An Assistant Animal Laboratory Technology program was initiated in March of 2007. It is one of three of its kind in the nation. Tennessee College of Applied Technology Memphis developed a Foundation in 2002 to assist with project funding for the school. Since the inception of the Foundation there have been tremendous strides and the funds today exceed $1.2 million. The college is continuing its effort to increase capacity to address the growing needs of students and the training needs of local businesses and industry. The college recently received 16.9 million dollars in state and private sources to build a new instructional training center in Bartlett, Tennessee. The new facility will house seven programs and enroll up to two hundred additional students annually. The college also received approximately 6 million dollars to renovate existing training space and construct a new building that will hold diesel mechanics, automotive technology, and a welding program. Tennessee College of Applied Technology Memphis also enhances training capacity by working with local high schools to enroll over 600 dual enrollment students at various high schools throughout Shelby County.

In 2013 Tennessee Technology Center Memphis’ name was changed to Tennessee College of Applied Technology Memphis. The college operates under the direction of the Tennessee Board of Regents. The policy and guideline manuals of the Tennessee Board of Regents are the guiding instruments for the operating policies and procedures of the college.

President

Roland Rayner

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 2023-2024 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:

Sexual Discrimination/Harassment/Misconduct: https://policies.tbr.edu/policies/sexual-discriminationharassmentmisconduct 

Non-Discrimination Statement: https://policies.tbr.edu/system-office/system-office-non-discrimination-policy 

TCAT Policies and Guidelines: https://policies.tbr.edu/policies

Title IX prohibits sex discrimination against students and employees of educational institutions. Sexual harassment and sexual misconduct (including sexual assault, stalking, domestic violence, and dating violence) are forms of sex discrimination and are prohibited by Title IX. Tennessee College of Applied Technology Memphis are committed to the elimination of any and all sex discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual misconduct on their campuses and in their education programs and activities. Inquiries or complaints concerning Title IX may be reported to the College’s Title IX coordinator 24/7 in person, by phone, and/or email at: Gwen.Sutton@tcatmemphis.edu

Tennessee College of Applied Technology Memphis 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.

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology Memphis 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 Memphis Title IX Coordinator, or Student Services Coordinator.

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology Memphis 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 Memphis 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 Memphis 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 Memphis will promptly investigate to determine what occurred and then take appropriate steps to resolve the situation. Tennessee College of Applied Technology Memphis'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 Tennessee College of Applied Technology Memphis website at www.tcatmemphis.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

Gwen Sutton
Vice President
Gwen.Sutton@tcatmemphis.edu