East Tennessee State University launches two new programs

In the Fall 2026 semester, East Tennessee State University is launching two new programs: a Master of Science in Environment, Health and Disaster Sciences and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Hospitality and Tourism Management. The new programs have been developed to address the needs of the region’s workforce.

According to an article on East Tennessee State University’s website, university president Dr. Brian Noland is quoted as saying of the new programs, “ETSU is committed to addressing the evolving needs of our communities through the development of new academic programs. These programs have been intentionally designed in direct response to the feedback we receive from our communities, employers and students.”

The Master of Science in Environment, Health and Disaster Sciences program is the first of its kind in Tennessee. The program is available online and on campus and has been designed particularly for the Central Appalachia region and Tennessee in general, as the areas can face weather and geological hazards, resulting in the need for particular public health responses. 

The program has been designed via collaboration between the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Public Health. The interdisciplinary program covers geosciences, environmental health, infectious disease, epidemiology, and disaster sciences. Students will study air and water quality, environmental toxicology, GIS and remote sensing, hazard and climate modeling, and infectious disease dynamics.

The Bachelor of Business Administration in Hospitality and Tourism Management program has evolved out of a concentration in the Management degree into its own fully realized degree program. Enrollment in the concentration grew enough to warrant its own degree program, which will now be offered at the main Johnson City campus and the ETSU Sevierville Center. 

Dr. Kimberly D. McCorkle, who serves as the university’s Provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, said, “Students are looking for degrees that connect directly to real-world impact. Whether addressing environmental and public health challenges or helping drive one of Tennessee’s fastest-growing industries, these programs give students opportunities to build careers that make a difference in the communities they serve.” 

Both new programs have received approval from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. 

For more information about East Tennessee State University, visit the school’s website.