Public School System

The Benton County Department of Education operates the public school system in Camden and Benton County. The system meets or exceeds the Tennessee state requirements for accredited institutions, and offers regular, special education, and honors degrees.

Five of Benton County's six schools, Camden Elementary, Camden Jr. High, Briarwood, Camden Central High and the Vocational High School are accredited to the standards level of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Benton County has a vocational high school which offers a wide range of programs as well as an adult evening class curriculum.

Colleges and Universities

There are nine colleges and universities within an approximate one-hour drive of
Camden.

Bethel College in McKenzie - an independent, four-year liberal arts college that is an educational ministry of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Bethel offers 17 undergraduate degrees, which includes 12 pre-professional programs. Two Master's and an Adult Degree program are also offered. Bethel students can receive a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor in Organizational Management through the SUCCESS adult program, a Master's in Education, and a Master's in Teaching. Bethel is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

The University of Tennessee at Martin - a primary campus of the University of Tennessee system. UTM's nearly 6,000 students can choose from more than 65 majors.

Baccalaureate degrees are offered in more than eight specialized fields of study. Master's degrees are available in Accounting, Business Administration, Counseling and Teacher Education and Human Environmental Services. Master's degree level courses in Business Administration and Teacher Education are available in Jackson.

Austin Peay University - located in Clarksville, Tennessee, Austin Peay is a four year liberal arts university. Austin Peay offers more than 40 undergraduate majors in five academic colleges: Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Human Services and Nursing and Graduate Studies as well as the School of Technology and Public Management.

Murray State University - Murray State is a four-year university Murray State's 9,141 students benefit from a superb academic program, offering over 70 majors.

Murray State is certified by national and regional accreditation agencies. Excellent classes prepare students for rewarding positions in the job market. The university invites major employers to a campus career day for interviews with soon-to-be graduates. Masters degrees are offered in several fields of study.

Union University - Founded in 1823, Union University is the oldest Southern Baptist College in the country. More than 2,600 students are enrolled at Union, where 46 areas of study focus on arts and sciences, pre-professional programs, business, education, and human studies and nursing. Graduate study is available in both the School of Business Administration and the School of Education and Human Studies, where students may pursue a Master of Business Administration, a Master of Arts in Education or a Master of Education.

An accelerated evening program schedules classes for eight weeks rather than the traditional 15-week semester to better meet the needs of working adults.

Lambuth University - Lambuth, a four-year university serving approximately 1,000 students, was founded in 1843 by the Methodist Church. Students can choose from 38 majors and 12 pre-professional programs from the School of Business and Professional Studies, The School of Visual Arts and Communication, the School of Natural and Applied Sciences, or the School of Humanities.

Lane College - Started by Christian Methodist Episcopal Church officials in 1882, Lane College began as a high school to give African-American students the best in education. The college offers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in 18 majors, such as biology, business administration, chemistry, communications, education, computer science, engineering, mathematics, music, health, history, religion and sociology. Lane College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Jackson State Community College - With about 4,000 students, Jackson State is the largest college in Jackson and the only state-affiliated school in the city.

The curriculum offers career-oriented programs through an Associate of Applied Science degree in agriculture technology, computer information systems, nursing, office administration, physical therapy assistance, and radiology.

Vanderbilt University - Vanderbilt is an independent, privately supported university in Nashville, Tennessee.The University offers undergraduate programs in the liberal arts and sciences, engineering, music, education and human development, as well as a full range of graduate and professional degrees.

Vanderbilt is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

West Tennessee Business College - Founded in 1888, the emphasis at West Tennessee Business College is training students for a diversity of vocations.

The curriculum includes programs in Administrative Assistant, Medical Assistant, Medical Secretary, Accounting Clerk, General Office Clerk and Cosmetologist/Manicurist. The college is accredited as a business school by The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.

Technical Centers

Tennessee Technology Center at Paris - The Tennessee Technology Center at Paris holds membership in and is accredited by the Commission on Occupational Education. The center offers a Practical Nursing Program, Auto Body Repair, Child Care and Guidance, Cosmetology, Farm Equipment Repair, Plumbing/Pipefitting, and Appliance Repair.

Tennessee Technology Center at McKenzie - The Tennessee Technology Center at McKenzie was established in 1965. The Center is fully accredited by the Commission on Occupational Education Institutions. The Tennessee Technology Center at McKenzie offers various vocations. They include Industry Training, Automotive Training, Business Systems Technology, Computer Operations, Drafting/CAD Technology, Welding and Electronics Technology.

Tennessee Technology Center at Jackson - The Technology Center at Jackson offers more than 16 specific fields of study in health care, business assistance and other light and heavy industry occupations. The center works with local industry to provide classes on basic manufacturing skills that will meet their needs. Its tool and die program, for example, is the only such program in the state. Some of the programs taught at the vocational school include basic electronics, industrial electronics, industrial machinery maintenance and repair, drafting, machine shop, plumbing and pipefitting, welding and business system technology.

The Ned R. McWherter Center of Advanced Industrial Technologies - This center was built to answer industry needs for a highly skilled workforce. The Center is located on the campus of Jackson State Community College and is a part of the Engineering and Career Technology Division. Students enrolling in the Advanced Technology program will be able to receive a one-year technical certificate or a two-year associate of applied science degree in Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology, Machine Tool Technology or Graphic Design Technology.