Tennessee Tech will add digital and financial literacy courses to the general education curriculum beginning in Fall 2026.
Tech’s Dr. Holly Anthony said student demand for the classes ranked high on surveys this past spring, which led to the change. Anthony said although many students may not major in those areas, digital and financial skills apply to everyone.
“Embedding the digital and financial literacy pieces in that sort of common component shared by all students ensures that they will have an opportunity to develop those competencies and skills,” Anthony said. “And to be prepared for whatever their careers, whatever their majors, whatever their life trajectories require.”
Though the classes will only be required for new students beginning in 2026, returning students may switch from the current general education track to the new one when it is offered.
Anthony said the digital literacy requirement could be fulfilled by many different courses because of its relevance in all kinds of careers. She said it will span different schools and colleges across campus and be taught by several faculty members.
“We’re trying to make sure students are ready for their career,” Anthony said. “They’re ready for life so they can navigate things like cybersecurity, AI, virtual and augmented reality, and whatever is coming next on the forefront.”
Anthony said the relevance and timeliness of digital education was a factor in adding the requirements. She said every discipline requires unique types of digital literacy.
Anthony said although students may experience financial literacy coursework in high school, teaching it again in college is necessary. Anderson said a college level course makes sense because unlike most high schoolers, college students actually have to manage their own money.
“All of these things that you’re having to take on as an adult that you really didn’t have to think about in your teenage years becomes much more relevant and timely to you,” Anthony said. “So you’re much more invested in the course and in the content, and it’s very applicable to the phase of life that you’re in right now.”
Anthony said she suspects there will be multiple financial literacy options too, but since it is a brand new category, it may take time for the course catalog to be selected. Anthony said different programs will be able to propose coursework in this requirement relevant to their specific degrees.
Anthony said currently enrolled students who have already completed their general education requirement may take these courses too with advisor approval. Anthony said there will be multiple course options to fulfill the requirements for digital and financial literacy.