Frequently Asked Questions

The MSTCM program is priced as a great value. View cost of attendance and tuition information to learn more.

Special scholarships are not offered for particular groups; however, all MSTCM students are eligible to apply for the David C. Leonard Scholarship.

You may pay by check, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, or company reimbursement.

Yes. Please inquire about current agreements.

Graduate students are eligible to apply for the David C. Leonard Scholarship. Other financial aid sources are not available at this time for the MSTCM program.

We do offer a deferred payment plan to students who are reimbursed by their employers. With this plan you defer payment until the end of the semester.

Generally, no difference exists since rates are based on credit hours.

TCO classes usually range from 7 to 12 students per class.

Students take TCO 685, Project Research, in lieu of preparing a thesis. This collaborative, real-world project serves as the capstone for the MSTCM program and draws on all the student’s knowledge and skills.

Zoom-based voice and video chats are scheduled for 90 minutes one day per week from 8:00 to 9:30 pm Eastern. The time of day may be adjusted to meet work schedules and time zones if a class agrees to the change. Students are also required to participate in asynchronous activities that include a minimum of 60 minutes spent on the following activities:

• Posting original contributions, reading other students’ contributions, and responding to other students’ posts
• Listening to assigned podcasts
• Watching assigned videocasts

In addition to the 150 minutes of direct instruction time each week, students are expected to spend a minimum of 300 additional minutes per week completing reading and writing assignments.

Fall and Spring semester terms are 15 weeks, with a 16th week for exams (final class deliverables due). Summer terms are 10 weeks.

Mercer is on a semester system and offers a Fall, Spring, and Summer term each year. Summer term offerings are very limited; TCO 685 and a TCO 691 special topics elective are currently offered alternate summers. Discuss your plans for scheduling this course with the program director.

All courses currently earn 3 semester hours credit.

Synchronous class meetings are set in the evenings at a time when students can be available. For example, chat sessions with students spanning the globe from India to Georgia usually convene at 8:00 pm Eastern Time.

Yes, a break generally occurs from the second week in December to the first week in January. Additionally, a brief Fall Break and a week-long Spring Break are typically scheduled. You can check the academic calendar.

No. We do invite you to schedule a campus visit if you can. Additionally, we encourage you to come for graduation if possible.

Thus far, our retention rate is about 90%. This is an approximate percentage, since students may discontinue classes for a term or two before re-enrolling. We try to determine during the Admissions process that you have the qualifications as well as the motivation to succeed.

A few have decided to drop out because they did not have the time needed to devote to the program, or it was not a good match with their experience and background. We work with students to develop a realistic course completion plan, and we provide regular feedback and advice. As a result, very few students fail to make satisfactory progress.

The procedures for academic appeals and for resolving all other types of grievances are described in the Mercer University Student Handbook.