Carson-Newman College was founded in 1851 as the Mossy Creek Missionary Baptist Seminary. By 1889, it had evolved into Carson College and merged with the local women's institution, Newman College. Today, Carson-Newman retains its ties to the Baptist faith and is currently a liberal arts college offering over 50 majors in 10 schools. It also has master's degree programs in business, counseling, education and teaching, nursing and theology. The college sponsors a varied study-abroad program and offers opportunities for students to participate in campus ministries and service projects in the local area.
The Morristown campus of Walters State Community College is about 12 miles from Jefferson City. Founded in 1970 as a two-year college, it offers associate degrees in arts, science and applied science, and technical certificates in such areas as culinary arts, information technology, early childhood education, industrial maintenance and medical coding and transcription.
South College, located in Knoxville, was originally founded in 1882 as the Knoxville Business College. Since 1989, it has expanded its courses to include not only business subjects but also legal, medical and elementary education studies. It offers bachelor and associate degrees, a Health Science master's degree in Physician Assistant Studies and a doctor of pharmacy degree. For students who are in their last quarter of studies, the college's Placement Office provides personalized instruction in how to prepare resumes and cover letters and conduct job searches. Students may also participate in a mock job interview.
Knoxville College is a historically black institution. It was founded by the United Presbyterian Church of North America in 1875 for the education of teachers. Today, it is a private, four-year liberal arts college with an emphasis on providing students with real-world work experience as they pursue their studies. With the aim of providing a broad liberal arts education, the college offers a bachelor of science degree with a concentration in a choice of four subjects: Humanities, Business and Computer Sciences, Natural Sciences and Mathematics or Social and Behavioral Sciences. It also offers an associate degree. Its work program, which is mandatory, involves students in internships during each year of study.