Office of Undergraduate Admissions

BlueSky Tennessee Institute Program

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A Unique Partnership

The BlueSky Tennessee Institute powered by ETSU can help you kickstart your education and career. It’s a groundbreaking partnership between BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee and East Tennessee State University.

Apply to the BlueSky Tennessee
Institute Program!

Request More Information

 

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Accelerated Career Preparation

Earn a degree and secure a career at the same time. In just over two years, you can earn your Bachelor of Science in Computing from East Tennessee State University — and earn a job offer from BlueCross. 
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Study in Chattanooga

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee headquarters in Chattanooga is also your campus, classroom and the place for you to put what you’re learning into practice.
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Supportive Atmosphere

Completing an accelerated degree while participating in hands-on work experience is not easy but is worth the challenge! Students in the BlueSky Tennessee Institute will be surrounded by people to support them academically, personally, and professionally.
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Financial Aid Opportunities

Students admitted to the BlueSky Tennessee Institute will be considered for generous scholarship opportunities on the basis of financial need, academic qualifications, and all materials submitted for the BlueSky Institute application. 
  • Who should apply? 
    • Students who meet minimum academic eligibility requirements to be admitted to East Tennessee State University



    • Students who wish to complete their degree in a cohort-based accelerated format at the BlueCross BlueShield campus in Chattanooga.  
    • Students who want a hands-on, work-based learning program 
    • Students who demonstrate the following characteristics: 
      • Maturity & self-direction 
      • Enthusiasm for the field of computer science 
      • Relationship building skills 
      • Leadership 
      • Perseverance and determination 
    • All students are encouraged to apply but since this program does not have a residential component, applicants should be aware that they must secure their own housing if accepted.

How To Apply

  1. Complete the ETSU application process.
    1. Fill out the ETSU application for admission to the university.  Make sure to select Computing as your major and check the box indicating your interest in BlueSky Institute.
    2. Send all transcripts from High School or previous colleges attended.
    3. ACT/SAT scores are optional for admissions but students are encouraged to submit them for placement purposes. If they are not submitted, students will need to take placement exams once admitted.
      1. Students with a 2.29 high school GPA or below are required to submit ACT or SAT scores.
  2. Complete the BlueSky Tennessee Institute application .
    1. Complete the BlueSky Institute application form.
      1. The BlueSky Institute application does not allow applicants to save incomplete forms with responses to be completed later. The application has three essay questions to complete. To view these questions, please click here.
      2. Additionally, the BlueSky Institute application will require 3 references. Please have permission from your references before completing your application.
    2. If invited, participate in the interview days.
  3. Fill out the FAFSA for the 2021-2022 year (after October 1, 2021). 

Application Deadlines: 

  • Deadline #1 – All application items due on October 15th. 
    • Interviews conducted on in Chattanooga the week of November 8th.
    • Decision notifications by December 15th.
  • Deadline #2 – All application items due by December 15th.
    • Interviews conducted in Chattanooga the week of January 3rd or 10th.
    • Decision notifications by February 15th.
  • If there are still slots available, additional applications will be considered on a rolling basis 
  • Applicants may receive one of three decisions – Admitted, Waitlist, or Denied.

*Please note that you will receive TWO decisions from this process- one from ETSU and one from the BlueSky Institute.  Admittance to ETSU does NOT guarantee participation in the BlueSky Tennessee Institute.

Please contact Charlotte Smith, BlueSky Recruiter, with any questions:

csmith@pefchattanooga.org  |  423-403-5145

 

Scholarship Awarding

Applicants should indicate their interest in BlueSky Institute scholarships on the BlueSky Institute application.  Once students are admitted to BlueSky Institute, admitted to ETSU, and their FAFSA result has been received, students will be considered for generous BlueSky Institute scholarships on the basis of financial need, academic scholarships, and additional application information submitted. 

FAQs

  • I am a current student in the Department of Computing, can I apply to this program?

    Given the cohort-based nature of the program, students who have already begun work on a Computing degree at ETSU may find it problematic to participate in the BlueSky Institute program. Interested students should reach out to the Computing Advisor to discuss their situation. 

  • Will there be housing as a part of this program?

    No – during our pilot phase, BlueSky Institute will not be a residential program; if housing becomes available, students who have indicated an interest will be notified.

  • Where does this program take place?

    All Computing courses are offered through live instruction at the ETSU BlueSky Institute campus housed at the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee headquarters building in Chattanooga, TN. General education courses may be offered as online options.

  • What is the start date of the BlueSky Institute program?

    The first cohort will begin near the end of Summer 2022. Date TBD. The inaugural cohort of BlueSky Institute students will also be required to complete a unique Summer Bridge Program in Chattanooga. This summer bridge program consists of an on-location experience that will prepare BlueSky Institute students for college-level coursework and the transitions that accompany both a college and corporate experience.

  • Which degree would I be getting as a part of this program?

    B.S. in Computing with a concentration in Information Systems.

  • How is this program different from a traditional on-campus program?

    The BlueSky Institute is an accelerated, job-embedded bachelor’s degree experience and differs greatly from the traditional on-campus program.

    • Most notably, the BlueSky Institute program is accelerated, which means that students will complete a traditional 4-year degree program in only 27-months.
    • Additionally, the BlueSky Institute offers an extensive, hands-on internship embedded into the academic program. This internship allows for students to gain valuable experience as they work to satisfy their degree requirements.
    • Students who successfully complete the BlueSky Institute have an opportunity to earn a permanent position within BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.
  • What classes would I take as part of this program? What semesters will I be enrolled?

    Click to see the suggested course sequence for this program. However, the accelerated nature of this program requires careful course planning to ensure students complete on time. Students will work closely with student success staff to assist with schedule planning. Students transferring in college credit earned in high school may have fulfilled some course requirements.

  • Will my dual enrollment, AP, IB, CLEP or previous college credit transfer to BlueSky Institute?

    We know how hard you worked for the credits you have earned. Here are some of the tools you can use to understand how your previous coursework may transfer to ETSU. East Tennessee State University will accept transfer credit of similar course work from accredited institutions.

    Transfer Equivalency tables – contains a listing of institutions by state that ETSU has transferred credit from before.

    AP, IB, CLEP, TN Statewide Dual Credit, and other equivalencies – contains a listing of exams, needed scores, and the credit equivalent at ETSU.

  • Am I guaranteed a job after I complete this program?

    Students can earn a conditional job offer with BlueCross BlueShield Tennessee at the completion of the BlueSky program and our intent is for every BlueSky Institute student to receive a job offer upon graduating from BlueSky.

  • Must I work for BlueCross after I am done with this program?  

    No; our hope is that BlueSky Institute students will want to work for BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee but there is no mandatory work requirement as part of the BlueSky Institute program.

  • Will there be student support services for students as a part of this program? (Counseling Services, Tutoring, Housing, Health Clinic, Workout facilities, tutoring).  

    Students who participate in BlueSky Institute will have access to key resources provided by ETSU for student services. This does not include housing, as the program takes place in Chattanooga. BlueSky Institute will be staffed by a student support manager, whose full-time role is to ensure that students in BlueSky Institute have access to the resources they need.

  • What is the cost of the program? 

    This information will be available soon.

  • What financial aid is available? 

    This information will be available soon.

  • Do I have to apply for the BlueSky Institute Scholarships? 

    Students interested in the BlueSky Institute scholarships should indicate their interest on the BlueSky Institute application form and submit their FAFSA as soon as possible.

  • Can I use the Tennessee Promise for this program? 

    No. This program is an accelerated bachelor’s degree program. The Tennessee Promise can only be used for Associate Degrees or TCAT programs.

  • Can I qualify for the ETSU Promise Plus Program? 

    The ETSU Promise Plus Program is not available to BlueSky Institute students as many of the program requirements cannot be fulfilled in the cohort, accelerated degree model. However, BlueSky Institute students have unique scholarship opportunities as described above.

  • I have questions. Is there someone I can contact for help?

    Please contact Charlotte Smith at
    csmith@pefchattanooga.org or 423-403-5145



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