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Centers at MTSU

Research and Public Service Centers

The various Middle Tennessee State University academic centers not only enrich the lives of those on campus, the surrounding community, the state and beyond; collectively, their academic, government, and business partnerships bring millions of dollars to fund cutting-edge research and community service offerings.

From helping a student struggling with dyslexia to assisting iconic WSM-AM place its historic radio broadcasting tower on the National Register of Historic Places, the work of MTSU’s diverse group of centers results in far-reaching, positive effects.

Albert Gore Research Center logo

Albert Gore Research Center

The Albert Gore Research Center is a unit of the College of Liberal Arts at Middle Tennessee State University. The center is open to the public with the primary purpose to assist researchers interested in our collections. The center collects, arranges, maintains, and preserves all manner of historical materials about MTSU history, American democracy, equine studies, and life in Middle Tennessee. The center maintains the institutional archive of Middle Tennessee State University.


Business and Economic Research Center logo

Business and Economic Research Center

The Business and Economic Research Center tracks economic activity in middle Tennessee and provides research products to clients in government, the private sector, and not-for-profit organizations.  The center’s publications and presentations help keep the public informed about economic activity in Tennessee.


Center for Chinese Music and Culture

The Center for Chinese Music and Culture (CCMC) at Middle Tennessee State University opened on March 17th, located on the first floor of the Miller Education Center at 503 Bell Street in Murfreesboro. The Center contains a musical instrument gallery, library, archives, and classrooms. The Center’s activities include exhibiting Chinese musical instruments; hosting visiting scholars and artists; presenting concerts, lectures, and workshops; teaching Chinese musical instruments and ensemble performance; and offering outreach school and community programs in the Middle Tennessee region.


Tennessee Council on Economic and Free Enterprise Education Image

Tennessee Council on Economic and Free Enterprise Education

The mission of the Middle Tennessee State University Tennessee Council on Economic and Free Enterprise Education is to develop the K-12 students of Tennessee to have the knowledge, understanding, and skills to make informed economic choices as consumers, workers, and citizens in a global economy.


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Center for Energy Efficiency

The Center grew out of recognition of a need to have an organized approach to implementing energy efficiency activities on campus designed to improve facilities and provide educational opportunities for students and the professional community.  The Center has developed a three point concept to promote energy efficiency and environmental awareness and stewardship:  the 3 C’s are CAMPUS, CLASSROOM, and COMMUNITY.


Center for Environmental Education image

Center for Environmental Education

Our mission is to raise awareness, impart knowledge, teach skills, and to inspire commitment about our environment and its inhabitants, in order that Tennessee citizens will make responsible decisions to conserve and sustain our unique heritage.


Center for Health and Human Services logo

Center for Health and Human Services

The Center for Health and Human Services, under the auspices of the Adams Chair of Excellence in Health Care Services, initiates and strengthens academic programs in health and human services to support workforce development and promote healthy communities. Through collaborative affiliations and partnerships, the Center disseminates research and health-related information, and conducts education and outreach projects designed to improve population health.


Center for Historic Preservation logo

Center for Historic Preservation

Established in 1984, the Center for Historic Preservation was part of a comprehensive statewide education reform program in higher education where the state legislature created specialized research centers to involve and support leading academic programs. The Center’s designation acknowledged the national reputation of Middle Tennessee State University’s Historic Preservation program, established in 1973, and its affiliated Mid-South Humanities Project, a regional heritage education program funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities from 1978-1983. These two programs are the foundation blocks for the Center’s multi-layered contributions to the state, region, and nation for the past 25 years.


Center for Organizational and Human Resource Effectiveness logo

Center for Organizational and Human Resource Effectiveness

The goal at the Center for Organizational and Human Resource Effectiveness (COHRE) is to help organizations meet their human resources and organizational development needs. We draw upon the expertise and experience of MTSU faculty, graduate project associates, and consultants. 


Center for Popular Music logo

Center for Popular Music

The Center for Popular Music (CPM) is a research center devoted to the study and scholarship of popular music in America. The Center maintains an archive of research materials stretching from the early eighteenth century to the present and develops and sponsors programs in vernacular music. Anyone is welcome to use the CPM’s collections and services for research and scholarly pursuits.


Data Science Institute

Data Science Institute 

The Data Science Institute strives to be the leader in knowledge and research in the area of data science and big data concepts. This is accomplished by facilitating interdisciplinary research, industry and government partnerships, and community outreach which puts MTSU at the forefront of data science regionally and nationally in terms of education and research.


Forensic Institute for Research and Education logo

Forensic Institute for Research and Education 

The Forensic Institute for Research and Education (FIRE) brings together faculty and students in several scientific specialties to provide exceptional educational and training opportunities for law enforcement, medical examiners, coroners, attorneys, social workers, and other groups in forensic science and Homeland Security. FIRE also fosters research collaboration and grant development among faculty.


Free Speech Center logo

Free Speech Center

The Free Speech Center is a non-partisan public policy center designed to build public awareness and understanding of the five freedoms of the First Amendment through education, information and engagement. Its website serves more than 5 million visitors a year.


Interdisciplinary Microanalysis and Imaging Center (MIMIC) logo

Interdisciplinary Microanalysis and Imaging Center (MIMIC)

The MTSU Interdisciplinary Microanalysis and Imaging Center (MIMIC) is a core facility for microscopy and other characterization equipment that is centrally located in the Forrest Hall Annex and housed administratively in the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. 


image of people using technology

Learning, Teaching and Innovative Technologies Center

Established in 2004, the Learning, Teaching and Innovative Technologies Center (LT&ITC) began its work as an agent for excellence in teaching and learning at Middle Tennessee State University. The Center unites the resources of academe with those of technology, in effect, modeling the latest advances in teaching and learning methods in the 21st century.


Middle East Center
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Middle East Center

The MTSU Middle East Center, the first of its kind in Tennessee, was established to promote an understanding of the various populations and cultures of the Middle East among the student body as well as in the surrounding community. An enduring, vital component of the university, the Center builds on existing programs such as those in Global Studies, Public History and Historic Preservation, Jewish Studies, Media and Entertainment, and the Business and Economic Research Center.


Political Economy Research Institute logo

Political Economy Research Institute

The mission of the institute is to engage undergraduate and graduate students with faculty in research that will further the understanding of business and economic principles, as well as their impact on regional, national, and international financial conditions and the well-being of society. To advance its mission, the PERI will engage in research and educational programs which uncover the institutions and policies that encourage and enhance human well-being.


dyslexic center

Tennessee Center for the Study and Treatment of Dyslexia

The Center is dedicated to unraveling the puzzle of dyslexia. It is a model for the organization and delivery of professional services to students with dyslexia, to psychologists and teachers who identify and instruct them, and to schools that must orchestrate a broad range of factors that will enable these students to achieve their potential.


Tennessee Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education Center (TSEC)

The Tennessee Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education Center (TSEC) is a research and outreach arm of MTSU, aimed at improving K-20 STEM education both locally and nationally.  TSEC partners with internal and external stakeholders to identify and address critical issues that impact access, equity, innovation, and leadership through collaborative activities, sponsored projects, and dissemination products at professional meetings and in practitioner and research journals.


Tennessee Small Business Development Center logo

Tennessee Small Business Development Center

The Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC), headquartered at MTSU, consists of 14 sub-centers, 7 affiliate offices, and an online service center located at universities and community colleges across the state. The center is a network of professional business consultants providing expert business advice to all types of businesses. It also maintains an international trade center.