College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies
About
Forge Your Own Path
Fostering interdisciplinary innovation and collaboration to prepare students for the future of work.
About CECS
CECS is at the forefront of changing higher education through cross-cutting degree programs, stackable certificates, and experiential learning through internships, capstones, research, and co-ops.
Degree Programs
CECS offers degrees in Applied Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and our Innovative Transdisciplinary Studies.
Certificates
Enhance your degree through stackable certificates in areas such as Applied Artificial Intelligence, Game Craft, and Data Science.
Partnerships
CECS partners with industry to provide students with hands-on experience through internships, co-ops, capstones, and research opportunities.
Cohort Experience
The CECS cohort experience helps students develop interpersonal skills while building relationships and solving real-world problems.
CECS Programs
CECS offers degrees, minors, and certificates, giving students the opportunity to customize their educational journey while developing the skills of the future through real-world experiential learning.
Programs
CECS degrees are innovative, cross-cutting, and customizable with an emphasize on real-world experience. Students forge their own path and develop in-demand skills for careers of the future.
Certificates
CECS certificates allow students to build experience in areas of interest. A certificate can be added to any degree by utilizing electives or stacked to create a custom degree through the Innovative Transdisciplinary Studies degree.
The History of CECS
The College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies was created to address student demand for customizable degree paths and to meet the talent needs of the workforce of the future.
2022
The Charge Is Issued
Vice Provost and CECS Founding Dean Ozlem Kilic was charged with creating CECS in 2022. The Board of Trustees approved the creation of the new college.
July 1, 2023
CECS Launches
The University of Tennessee officially launched the
College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies.
October 31, 2023
ITS Code Approved
UTK Undergraduate Council approves the new subject code, ITS, for Innovative Transdisciplinary Studies.
November 14, 2023
Curriculum Committee Approval
UTK Curriculum Committee approved all submitted CECS degree proposals. Degrees include:
- BS Data Science
- BS Applied Artificial Intelligence
- BS Innovative Transdisciplinary Studies
November 28, 2023
Undergraduate Council Approval
UTK Undergraduate Council approved Data Science, Applied Artificial Intelligence, and Innovative Transdisciplinary Studies BS degree proposals in addition to 46 new courses!
January 27, 2024
CECS Proposals Submitted
The College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies submits official New Academic Program Proposals for BSDS, BSAAI, and BSITS degrees to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC).
March 1, 2024
Board of Trustees Approval
CECS received University of Tennessee Board of Trustees approval for all three proposed degree programs!
- BS Data Science
- BS Applied Artificial Intelligence
- BS Innovative Transdisciplinary Studies
May 16, 2024
THEC Approval
THEC approved all three CECS degree programs!!
May 20, 2024
First CECS Student Advised
Advised first College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies program-enrolled student!
July 1, 2024
CECS One Year Anniversary
CECS celebrated one year by inviting guests into the future space of the CECS Innovation Lab.
The College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies will be the home of an innovation lab featuring AR/VR headsets, quadrupeds and more. Renovations are underway. The lab is expected to open to students in Fall 2024.
Our People
CECS Staff and Faculty are dedicated to being on the forefront of changing higher education and helping students prepare for the workforce of the future.
Careers
The CECS team is dynamic, innovative, and forward-thinking. If you’re interested in joining our team, please see our latest job postings.