Tennessee State University, public, coeducational institution in Nashville, Tennessee, part of the State University and Community College System of Tennessee. The school was founded in 1912. The university confers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in a broad range of fields. It offers courses of study in the liberal arts, the arts and sciences, the fine arts, business administration and management, secretarial studies, health services administration, medical technology, education, law, engineering, architectural engineering, transportation technology, computer science, and public administration. Notable alumni include actor and television personality Oprah Winfrey.