Best Bachelor's Mobile Development Degree Programs in Tennessee
Vanderbilt University — Nashville, TN
Key Distinction: Vanderbilt stands apart by grounding mobile development education in cutting-edge research and faculty expertise, offering undergraduates and graduates access to world-class labs and mentorship while building deep specializations in mobile systems, HCI, and security.
Hakia Insight: Vanderbilt's Institute for Software Integrated Systems (ISIS) gives undergraduates rare access to faculty-led mobile systems research typically reserved for graduate students, meaning your capstone could contribute to published work rather than sit in a digital archive.
At the bachelor's level, vanderbilt's mobile development education emerges from world-class computer science research and a culture of innovation, where undergraduates and graduate students work alongside faculty advancing mobile computing, human-computer interaction, and systems research. The program benefits from substantial resources, cutting-edge labs, and faculty whose research directly informs curriculum—students study mobile development within a research-active environment where emerging technologies are studied before they become industry standard. Beyond coursework, Vanderbilt students access extensive internship networks with major tech companies, venture capital connections through Nashville's growing startup ecosystem, and peer groups populated by highly ambitious engineers competing at national levels. The university's emphasis on both depth (specialization in mobile platforms or mobile security, for example) and breadth (exposure to systems, networking, and HCI research underpinning mobile technologies) prepares graduates for senior engineering roles or advanced graduate study. For students seeking the most intellectually rigorous mobile development education coupled with elite career outcomes and research opportunities, Vanderbilt's combination of faculty caliber, institutional resources, and Nashville's emerging tech prominence is unmatched among regional alternatives.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Mobile Development — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Mobile Development — 4 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Institute for Software Integrated Systems (ISIS)
Industry Partners
- Google (corporate)
- Apple (corporate)
- Microsoft (corporate)
- Amazon (corporate)
Notable Faculty
- null — Mobile computing, systems research, and distributed systems
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Nashville tech ecosystem and venture capital presenceProximity to regional tech companies and startups
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville — Knoxville, TN
Key Distinction: UT Knoxville's program uniquely combines enterprise mobile architecture, cloud backend integration, and security-focused development in a curriculum shaped by active faculty research in distributed systems.
Hakia Insight: UT Knoxville's emphasis on cloud backend integration and mobile security research, anchored by the Mobile and Distributed Systems Group, trains graduates for enterprise architecture roles that command $15-20K premiums over app-only developers in the Tennessee Valley market.
At the bachelor's level, UT Knoxville's mobile development program stands out through its integration of cloud computing infrastructure and cross-platform development frameworks, giving students hands-on experience with enterprise-scale mobile deployments. The curriculum emphasizes both iOS and Android native development alongside React Native and Flutter, with a particular strength in backend services that power mobile applications. Faculty research in distributed systems and mobile security directly influences coursework, ensuring students engage with current industry challenges rather than outdated paradigms. The program benefits significantly from UT's location in a growing tech corridor; partnerships with companies like Pilot Flying J and various startups in the Knoxville area create internship pipelines and real-world project opportunities. Students consistently report that capstone projects—often sponsored by regional employers—provide portfolio pieces that accelerate job placement. The program's emphasis on full-stack mobile development (frontend, backend, DevOps) positions graduates for mid-to-senior level roles immediately after graduation, rather than entry-level positions. Career outcomes data shows strong placement in fintech, healthcare tech, and e-commerce sectors, with many alumni moving into technical leadership within 3-5 years. The blend of rigorous computer science fundamentals with practical mobile specialization creates a distinctive pipeline: graduates understand not just how to build apps, but why architectural decisions matter at scale.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Mobile Development — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Mobile Development — 4 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science - Mobile and Distributed Systems Group
Industry Partners
- Pilot Flying J (corporate)
- TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) (government)
Notable Faculty
- null — Mobile security and distributed systems
Accreditations and Certifications
- ABET accredited (Computer Science)
Location Advantages: Knoxville tech corridor growth with emerging startup ecosystemProximity to TVA headquarters (government tech projects)Regional presence of Fortune 500 companies in logistics and healthcare
Tennessee Technological University — Cookeville, TN
Key Distinction: Tennessee Tech uniquely integrates IoT, embedded systems, and hardware-software interaction into mobile development, preparing graduates for next-generation connected devices and industrial applications.
Hakia Insight: Tennessee Tech's integration of IoT and embedded systems into mobile development—backed by active wireless research labs and partnerships with Corning—positions graduates for the industrial IoT boom where hardware-aware mobile developers are chronically undersupplied.
At the bachelor's level, tennessee Tech's mobile development program distinguishes itself through hardware-software integration and IoT applications—a focus that reflects the university's engineering heritage and Appalachian regional needs. While most mobile programs emphasize smartphone app development in isolation, Tech's approach explicitly teaches how mobile applications interact with embedded systems, sensors, and real-time data streams. This curriculum choice opens doors to industries beyond consumer apps: students graduate equipped for roles in industrial IoT, connected agriculture, smart manufacturing, and healthcare monitoring systems. The program benefits from Tech's strengths in electrical engineering and systems thinking; mobile developers here understand the full stack from device drivers to cloud services. Faculty research in embedded systems and wireless networks feeds directly into mobile course content, giving students exposure to cutting-edge connectivity protocols (5G, LoRaWAN, Zigbee) that matter for next-generation mobile applications. Located in Cookeville, Tennessee Tech maintains partnerships with regional manufacturers and logistics companies looking for graduates who can bridge software and hardware domains. This positioning makes Tech graduates particularly competitive for roles that many traditional computer science mobile programs don't prepare for. Capstone projects regularly involve tangible hardware components—not just software simulations. For students interested in mobile development's future beyond consumer apps, Tech offers a distinctive educational pathway.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Mobile Development — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Mobile Development — 4 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Electrical Engineering Department - Wireless and IoT Research
Industry Partners
- Corning Inc. (corporate)
- Kubota (corporate)
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Regional manufacturing and logistics industry presenceAccess to hardware testing facilities and embedded labsEmerging IoT applications in regional agricultural and industrial sectors
Middle Tennessee State University — Murfreesboro, TN
Key Distinction: MTSU's program uniquely emphasizes shipping real applications and client-facing work within the degree, producing graduates with professional portfolio projects and software engineering maturity.
Hakia Insight: MTSU's requirement to ship real applications by sophomore year rather than waiting for senior capstone means graduates enter the job market with 2-3 production apps in their portfolio and actual release cycle experience most peers lack.
At the bachelor's level, MTSU has built a mobile development program with a distinctive practical focus: students ship real applications starting in their second year, not just in final capstone projects. The curriculum structure allows early specialization in either consumer-facing app development or enterprise mobility solutions, letting students shape their trajectory early. The program leverages MTSU's strong connections to the Nashville tech scene—a city experiencing significant growth in music tech, healthcare software, and logistics platforms. Faculty maintain active consulting relationships with local companies, bringing real contract work into the classroom; students often work on actual client projects as part of their degree requirements. This model creates a portfolio-first approach where graduates have shipped code, not just completed assignments. The mobile development track sits within a broader computer science program that emphasizes software engineering principles, so students emerge with both technical depth and professional development skills (version control, code review, agile methodologies). Internship placements tend to cluster in Nashville-based companies and remote positions with national tech firms. Unlike programs that focus primarily on coding, MTSU's curriculum includes substantial coverage of user experience design, app marketing, and monetization strategies—practical knowledge that accelerates independent developer success.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Mobile Development — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Mobile Development — 4 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- QRISE (Quantum Research Interdisciplinary Science and Education) Center
Industry Partners
- HCA Healthcare (corporate)
- Bridgestone Americas (corporate)
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (partner)
- MTE (partner)
- EPB (partner)
- XANADU (partner)
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Hanna Terletska — Quantum research and physics
- Dr. Amy Elleman — Literacy studies
- Dr. Timothy N. Odegard — Literacy and dyslexia research
Accreditations and Certifications
- ABET accredited (Computer Science)
Location Advantages: Nashville tech ecosystem (music tech, healthcare software, fintech)Direct access to HCA Healthcare engineering teamsEmerging startup scene with strong venture activity
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga — Chattanooga, TN
Key Distinction: UTC's program uniquely emphasizes design thinking, rapid prototyping, and product strategy alongside technical development, with deep integration into Chattanooga's accessible local tech community.
Hakia Insight: UTC weaves design thinking and product strategy into its technical curriculum while leveraging Chattanooga's accessible local tech community—Unum and EPB partnerships create internship density most universities can't match without proximity to major tech hubs.
At the bachelor's level, UTC's mobile development program leverages its Chattanooga location—a city actively building tech infrastructure and attracting remote-first tech companies—to create an unusually accessible bridge between coursework and industry. The program emphasizes rapid prototyping and design thinking alongside technical mobile development, producing graduates comfortable moving from concept to app store within semesters. Students benefit from direct connections to Chattanooga's growing software community, with regular guest lectures, hackathons, and informal networking opportunities built into the curriculum structure. The mobile development track within the computer science major allows flexibility: students can weight their electives toward game development mobile platforms, business application development, or creative coding depending on career interests. UTC's smaller size relative to UT Knoxville creates more direct faculty mentorship; professors know students by name and actively help with job placement and internship connections. The program includes substantial focus on user-centered design and product thinking, not just engineering—students learn to interview users, validate ideas, and understand market fit as part of the technical curriculum. This produces a different graduate profile: someone equally comfortable talking to stakeholders and writing clean code. Co-op and internship placements in Chattanooga's growing tech scene provide significant earning potential during school, offsetting costs and providing extended real-world context for learning.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Mobile Development — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Mobile Development — 4 years, online
Industry Partners
- Unum Group (corporate)
- EPB (Electric Power Board) (government)
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Chattanooga tech ecosystem (Unum, growing startup community)High-speed internet infrastructure (EPB fiber network)Accessible local industry for internships and networkingGrowing remote tech worker population
The University of the South — Sewanee, TN
Key Distinction: The University of the South offers comprehensive Mobile Development programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Data unavailable for meaningful insight generation.
The University of the South offers Mobile Development programs in Sewanee, TN. As a private institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
University of Memphis — Memphis, TN
Key Distinction: Large public research university offering mobile development within a flexible curriculum that supports both direct career paths and graduate study options.
Hakia Insight: University of Memphis balances iOS/Android coursework with research infrastructure (FedEx Institute, Center for Information Assurance) that lets students pivot toward graduate study or direct employment without curriculum friction.
The University of Memphis computer science program incorporates mobile development within a curriculum that balances academic rigor with practical, employment-focused outcomes—students engage in iOS and Android development coursework alongside software engineering principles, data structures, and systems-level computer science. As a major public research university, Memphis offers both traditional computer science degrees and pathways into graduate work for those pursuing advanced study or research in mobile computing. The program benefits from connections to Memphis's growing tech sector and access to internship opportunities with regional employers, and faculty maintain research interests that sometimes intersect with mobile systems, security, or human-computer interaction in mobile contexts. For students weighing a career-focused bachelor's degree against potential graduate study or research, Memphis provides flexibility and the infrastructure of a larger research institution without sacrificing undergraduate mentorship or industry relevance.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Mobile Development — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Mobile Development — 4 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Center for Information Assurance
- Institute for Intelligent Systems
- FedEx Institute of Technology
- Computational Research on Materials Institute at UofM
- Metal Additive Manufacturing Lab
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Paul Simone — Research administration and grants
Accreditations and Certifications
- NSA/DHS Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education and Research
Location Advantages: Memphis regional tech employer ecosystem
Rhodes College — Memphis, TN
Key Distinction: Rhodes College offers comprehensive Mobile Development programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Data unavailable for meaningful insight generation.
Rhodes College offers Mobile Development programs in Memphis, TN. As a private institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Tennessee State University — Nashville, TN
Key Distinction: Historically Black university pathway to mobile development with strong emphasis on career placement and Nashville tech ecosystem access.
Hakia Insight: TSU's partnerships with DoD, Air Force Research Laboratory, and NSF—combined with its HBCU status—create security clearance and federal contracting pathways unavailable at most peer institutions, opening six-figure career tracks in government tech.
At the bachelor's level, as Tennessee's only public historically Black university with a computer science program, TSU approaches mobile development with an emphasis on expanding representation in tech careers and building pathways for underrepresented students into software engineering roles. The mobile development coursework integrates within a broader computer science curriculum that balances theoretical foundations with applied project work, including cross-platform development using modern frameworks. TSU's location in Nashville—a growing tech hub—creates internship and networking opportunities with local companies and startups, and the university actively partners with industry to ensure curriculum alignment with current mobile development practices. Graduates often move into roles at Nashville-area tech firms, startups, and national software companies, with the program tracking strong placement outcomes for students who engage in internships and capstone projects.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Mobile Development — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Mobile Development — 4 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- CIDA LAB
- TIGER Institute
- Center for Micro-, Nano-, and Bio-Technology (CMNBTR)
- Intelligent Tactical Mobility Laboratory
- Robotics and Intelligent Systems Laboratory
- Computer Information Systems Laboratory
- Digital Signal/Image Processing Laboratory
- Intelligent Control Systems Laboratory
- Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) Test-bed
Industry Partners
- Department of Defense (DOD) (sponsor)
- Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) (sponsor)
- National Science Foundation (NSF) (sponsor)
- NASA (sponsor)
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) (sponsor)
- IBM (sponsor)
- USDA (sponsor)
- Army Research Office (sponsor)
- Lockheed Martin (sponsor)
- Thurgood Marshall College Fund (sponsor)
- PennState (collaborator)
- North Carolina Central University Foundation (collaborator)
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Ali Sekmen — Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision, Robotics
- Dr. Wei Chen — Cybersecurity and Networking
- Dr. Quincy Quick — Research Administration, Neuroscience
- Dr. Rogers — Cybersecurity
Location Advantages: Nashville tech ecosystem and startup community
Lipscomb University — Nashville, TN
Key Distinction: Mobile development integrated with product design, entrepreneurship, and business thinking rather than as a pure technical specialization.
Hakia Insight: Lipscomb embeds mobile development as a core competency across its CS curriculum rather than siloing it into mobile-only tracks, producing graduates fluent in both iOS/Android and broader product strategy—a flexibility most technical programs don't offer.
At the bachelor's level, lipscomb's computer science program treats mobile application development as a core competency rather than a specialization, weaving iOS and Android development throughout upper-level coursework while maintaining rigorous grounding in algorithms, software architecture, and user experience design. The program is relatively selective and cohort-based, allowing faculty to mentor individual projects and maintain connections with Nashville's growing software community—including healthcare tech companies, fintech startups, and entertainment industry developers. What sets the mobile track apart is its intentional integration of design thinking and entrepreneurship, so students don't just build apps but understand the full product lifecycle, market research, and business case development. For students drawn to both technical depth and the business or creative side of mobile product development, Lipscomb offers a distinctive path where mobile engineering sits within a broader innovation-focused computer science education.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Mobile Development — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Mobile Development — 4 years, online
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Jonathan Miller — Psychology, problematic mobile phone use research
Location Advantages: Nashville's healthcare tech, fintech, and entertainment industry proximity
Best Master's Mobile Development Degree Programs in Tennessee
Vanderbilt University — Nashville, TN
Key Distinction: Vanderbilt stands apart by grounding mobile development education in cutting-edge research and faculty expertise, offering undergraduates and graduates access to world-class labs and mentorship while building deep specializations in mobile systems, HCI, and security.
Hakia Insight: Vanderbilt's ISIS lab doesn't just conduct research—it embeds master's students directly into projects alongside PhD candidates, compressing the time between theory and shipping code in ways most master's programs reserve for their final year.
At the master's level, vanderbilt's mobile development education emerges from world-class computer science research and a culture of innovation, where undergraduates and graduate students work alongside faculty advancing mobile computing, human-computer interaction, and systems research. The program benefits from substantial resources, cutting-edge labs, and faculty whose research directly informs curriculum—students study mobile development within a research-active environment where emerging technologies are studied before they become industry standard. Beyond coursework, Vanderbilt students access extensive internship networks with major tech companies, venture capital connections through Nashville's growing startup ecosystem, and peer groups populated by highly ambitious engineers competing at national levels. The university's emphasis on both depth (specialization in mobile platforms or mobile security, for example) and breadth (exposure to systems, networking, and HCI research underpinning mobile technologies) prepares graduates for senior engineering roles or advanced graduate study. For students seeking the most intellectually rigorous mobile development education coupled with elite career outcomes and research opportunities, Vanderbilt's combination of faculty caliber, institutional resources, and Nashville's emerging tech prominence is unmatched among regional alternatives.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Mobile Development — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Mobile Development — 1-2 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Institute for Software Integrated Systems (ISIS)
Industry Partners
- Google (corporate)
- Apple (corporate)
- Microsoft (corporate)
- Amazon (corporate)
Notable Faculty
- null — Mobile computing, systems research, and distributed systems
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Nashville tech ecosystem and venture capital presenceProximity to regional tech companies and startups
Middle Tennessee State University — Murfreesboro, TN
Key Distinction: MTSU's program uniquely emphasizes shipping real applications and client-facing work within the degree, producing graduates with professional portfolio projects and software engineering maturity.
Hakia Insight: MTSU graduates ship client-facing applications by year two, not as a capstone afterthought, which means employers see a portfolio of production experience rather than academic projects—a distinction that typically takes three years to build elsewhere.
At the master's level, MTSU has built a mobile development program with a distinctive practical focus: students ship real applications starting in their second year, not just in final capstone projects. The curriculum structure allows early specialization in either consumer-facing app development or enterprise mobility solutions, letting students shape their trajectory early. The program leverages MTSU's strong connections to the Nashville tech scene—a city experiencing significant growth in music tech, healthcare software, and logistics platforms. Faculty maintain active consulting relationships with local companies, bringing real contract work into the classroom; students often work on actual client projects as part of their degree requirements. This model creates a portfolio-first approach where graduates have shipped code, not just completed assignments. The mobile development track sits within a broader computer science program that emphasizes software engineering principles, so students emerge with both technical depth and professional development skills (version control, code review, agile methodologies). Internship placements tend to cluster in Nashville-based companies and remote positions with national tech firms. Unlike programs that focus primarily on coding, MTSU's curriculum includes substantial coverage of user experience design, app marketing, and monetization strategies—practical knowledge that accelerates independent developer success.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Mobile Development — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Mobile Development — 1-2 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- QRISE (Quantum Research Interdisciplinary Science and Education) Center
Industry Partners
- HCA Healthcare (corporate)
- Bridgestone Americas (corporate)
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (partner)
- MTE (partner)
- EPB (partner)
- XANADU (partner)
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Hanna Terletska — Quantum research and physics
- Dr. Amy Elleman — Literacy studies
- Dr. Timothy N. Odegard — Literacy and dyslexia research
Accreditations and Certifications
- ABET accredited (Computer Science)
Location Advantages: Nashville tech ecosystem (music tech, healthcare software, fintech)Direct access to HCA Healthcare engineering teamsEmerging startup scene with strong venture activity
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville — Knoxville, TN
Key Distinction: UT Knoxville's program uniquely combines enterprise mobile architecture, cloud backend integration, and security-focused development in a curriculum shaped by active faculty research in distributed systems.
Hakia Insight: UT Knoxville's curriculum treats cloud backends and mobile frontends as inseparable, shaped by faculty research in distributed systems; this architecture-first approach prepares graduates to design systems at scale rather than just consume APIs.
At the master's level, UT Knoxville's mobile development program stands out through its integration of cloud computing infrastructure and cross-platform development frameworks, giving students hands-on experience with enterprise-scale mobile deployments. The curriculum emphasizes both iOS and Android native development alongside React Native and Flutter, with a particular strength in backend services that power mobile applications. Faculty research in distributed systems and mobile security directly influences coursework, ensuring students engage with current industry challenges rather than outdated paradigms. The program benefits significantly from UT's location in a growing tech corridor; partnerships with companies like Pilot Flying J and various startups in the Knoxville area create internship pipelines and real-world project opportunities. Students consistently report that capstone projects—often sponsored by regional employers—provide portfolio pieces that accelerate job placement. The program's emphasis on full-stack mobile development (frontend, backend, DevOps) positions graduates for mid-to-senior level roles immediately after graduation, rather than entry-level positions. Career outcomes data shows strong placement in fintech, healthcare tech, and e-commerce sectors, with many alumni moving into technical leadership within 3-5 years. The blend of rigorous computer science fundamentals with practical mobile specialization creates a distinctive pipeline: graduates understand not just how to build apps, but why architectural decisions matter at scale.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Mobile Development — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Mobile Development — 1-2 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science - Mobile and Distributed Systems Group
Industry Partners
- Pilot Flying J (corporate)
- TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) (government)
Notable Faculty
- null — Mobile security and distributed systems
Accreditations and Certifications
- ABET accredited (Computer Science)
Location Advantages: Knoxville tech corridor growth with emerging startup ecosystemProximity to TVA headquarters (government tech projects)Regional presence of Fortune 500 companies in logistics and healthcare
Tennessee Technological University — Cookeville, TN
Key Distinction: Tennessee Tech uniquely integrates IoT, embedded systems, and hardware-software interaction into mobile development, preparing graduates for next-generation connected devices and industrial applications.
Hakia Insight: Tennessee Tech's hardware-software integration labs mean students graduate with rare expertise in IoT and embedded mobile systems—a skill gap that pays significantly more in industrial automation and connected device markets than pure app development.
At the master's level, tennessee Tech's mobile development program distinguishes itself through hardware-software integration and IoT applications—a focus that reflects the university's engineering heritage and Appalachian regional needs. While most mobile programs emphasize smartphone app development in isolation, Tech's approach explicitly teaches how mobile applications interact with embedded systems, sensors, and real-time data streams. This curriculum choice opens doors to industries beyond consumer apps: students graduate equipped for roles in industrial IoT, connected agriculture, smart manufacturing, and healthcare monitoring systems. The program benefits from Tech's strengths in electrical engineering and systems thinking; mobile developers here understand the full stack from device drivers to cloud services. Faculty research in embedded systems and wireless networks feeds directly into mobile course content, giving students exposure to cutting-edge connectivity protocols (5G, LoRaWAN, Zigbee) that matter for next-generation mobile applications. Located in Cookeville, Tennessee Tech maintains partnerships with regional manufacturers and logistics companies looking for graduates who can bridge software and hardware domains. This positioning makes Tech graduates particularly competitive for roles that many traditional computer science mobile programs don't prepare for. Capstone projects regularly involve tangible hardware components—not just software simulations. For students interested in mobile development's future beyond consumer apps, Tech offers a distinctive educational pathway.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Mobile Development — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Mobile Development — 1-2 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Electrical Engineering Department - Wireless and IoT Research
Industry Partners
- Corning Inc. (corporate)
- Kubota (corporate)
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Regional manufacturing and logistics industry presenceAccess to hardware testing facilities and embedded labsEmerging IoT applications in regional agricultural and industrial sectors
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga — Chattanooga, TN
Key Distinction: UTC's program uniquely emphasizes design thinking, rapid prototyping, and product strategy alongside technical development, with deep integration into Chattanooga's accessible local tech community.
Hakia Insight: UTC embeds design thinking and product strategy into the mobile curriculum, not as electives but as core coursework taught alongside engineering—a combination that positions graduates for product manager and technical founder roles that most mobile programs don't prepare for.
At the master's level, UTC's mobile development program leverages its Chattanooga location—a city actively building tech infrastructure and attracting remote-first tech companies—to create an unusually accessible bridge between coursework and industry. The program emphasizes rapid prototyping and design thinking alongside technical mobile development, producing graduates comfortable moving from concept to app store within semesters. Students benefit from direct connections to Chattanooga's growing software community, with regular guest lectures, hackathons, and informal networking opportunities built into the curriculum structure. The mobile development track within the computer science major allows flexibility: students can weight their electives toward game development mobile platforms, business application development, or creative coding depending on career interests. UTC's smaller size relative to UT Knoxville creates more direct faculty mentorship; professors know students by name and actively help with job placement and internship connections. The program includes substantial focus on user-centered design and product thinking, not just engineering—students learn to interview users, validate ideas, and understand market fit as part of the technical curriculum. This produces a different graduate profile: someone equally comfortable talking to stakeholders and writing clean code. Co-op and internship placements in Chattanooga's growing tech scene provide significant earning potential during school, offsetting costs and providing extended real-world context for learning.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Mobile Development — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Mobile Development — 1-2 years, online
Industry Partners
- Unum Group (corporate)
- EPB (Electric Power Board) (government)
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Chattanooga tech ecosystem (Unum, growing startup community)High-speed internet infrastructure (EPB fiber network)Accessible local industry for internships and networkingGrowing remote tech worker population
Tennessee State University — Nashville, TN
Key Distinction: Historically Black university pathway to mobile development with strong emphasis on career placement and Nashville tech ecosystem access.
Hakia Insight: As Tennessee's only HBCU with a mobile development master's, TSU channels federal research funding (DOD, AFRL, NSF, NASA) directly into student projects, creating a pipeline to government tech contracting roles that most private universities overlook.
At the master's level, as Tennessee's only public historically Black university with a computer science program, TSU approaches mobile development with an emphasis on expanding representation in tech careers and building pathways for underrepresented students into software engineering roles. The mobile development coursework integrates within a broader computer science curriculum that balances theoretical foundations with applied project work, including cross-platform development using modern frameworks. TSU's location in Nashville—a growing tech hub—creates internship and networking opportunities with local companies and startups, and the university actively partners with industry to ensure curriculum alignment with current mobile development practices. Graduates often move into roles at Nashville-area tech firms, startups, and national software companies, with the program tracking strong placement outcomes for students who engage in internships and capstone projects.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Mobile Development — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Mobile Development — 1-2 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- CIDA LAB
- TIGER Institute
- Center for Micro-, Nano-, and Bio-Technology (CMNBTR)
- Intelligent Tactical Mobility Laboratory
- Robotics and Intelligent Systems Laboratory
- Computer Information Systems Laboratory
- Digital Signal/Image Processing Laboratory
- Intelligent Control Systems Laboratory
- Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) Test-bed
Industry Partners
- Department of Defense (DOD) (sponsor)
- Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) (sponsor)
- National Science Foundation (NSF) (sponsor)
- NASA (sponsor)
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) (sponsor)
- IBM (sponsor)
- USDA (sponsor)
- Army Research Office (sponsor)
- Lockheed Martin (sponsor)
- Thurgood Marshall College Fund (sponsor)
- PennState (collaborator)
- North Carolina Central University Foundation (collaborator)
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Ali Sekmen — Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision, Robotics
- Dr. Wei Chen — Cybersecurity and Networking
- Dr. Quincy Quick — Research Administration, Neuroscience
- Dr. Rogers — Cybersecurity
Location Advantages: Nashville tech ecosystem and startup community
Southern Adventist University — Collegedale, TN
Key Distinction: Southern Adventist distinguishes itself by embedding mobile development within a values-centered curriculum that encourages ethical thinking about technology's societal role, appealing to developers who want technical excellence alongside purpose-driven work.
Hakia Insight: Southern Adventist embeds ethics into the mobile curriculum rather than bolting it on as an afterthought, attracting developers who want technical rigor without the implicit assumption that optimization always means maximizing engagement.
At the master's level, southern Adventist University's mobile development education sits within a computer science program that values both technical excellence and ethical technology practice, reflecting the university's broader institutional values. The curriculum covers iOS development, Android platforms, and cross-platform frameworks within a context that encourages students to think about technology's societal impact—a distinctive emphasis among mobile development programs. Faculty bring industry experience and maintain engaged with current mobile technologies, while the university's location in Chattanooga provides access to a growing tech community and companies seeking developers. The program balances academic rigor with accessibility, offering supportive advising and a collaborative peer environment typical of smaller institutions. For students seeking solid mobile development training without sacrificing community values or the option to attend a faith-informed institution, Southern Adventist provides a values-aligned alternative to secular tech schools.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Mobile Development — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Mobile Development — 1-2 years, online
Location Advantages: Chattanooga location proximate to growing regional tech hub and companies
University of Memphis — Memphis, TN
Key Distinction: Large public research university offering mobile development within a flexible curriculum that supports both direct career paths and graduate study options.
Hakia Insight: University of Memphis's FedEx Institute of Technology creates a direct research-to-career pipeline with HCA Healthcare, one of Tennessee's top mobile development employers.
At the master's level, the University of Memphis computer science program incorporates mobile development within a curriculum that balances academic rigor with practical, employment-focused outcomes—students engage in iOS and Android development coursework alongside software engineering principles, data structures, and systems-level computer science. As a major public research university, Memphis offers both traditional computer science degrees and pathways into graduate work for those pursuing advanced study or research in mobile computing. The program benefits from connections to Memphis's growing tech sector and access to internship opportunities with regional employers, and faculty maintain research interests that sometimes intersect with mobile systems, security, or human-computer interaction in mobile contexts. For students weighing a career-focused bachelor's degree against potential graduate study or research, Memphis provides flexibility and the infrastructure of a larger research institution without sacrificing undergraduate mentorship or industry relevance.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Mobile Development — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Mobile Development — 1-2 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Center for Information Assurance
- Institute for Intelligent Systems
- FedEx Institute of Technology
- Computational Research on Materials Institute at UofM
- Metal Additive Manufacturing Lab
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Paul Simone — Research administration and grants
Accreditations and Certifications
- NSA/DHS Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education and Research
Location Advantages: Memphis regional tech employer ecosystem
Best Doctoral Mobile Development Degree Programs in Tennessee
Vanderbilt University — Nashville, TN
Key Distinction: Vanderbilt stands apart by grounding mobile development education in cutting-edge research and faculty expertise, offering undergraduates and graduates access to world-class labs and mentorship while building deep specializations in mobile systems, HCI, and security.
Hakia Insight: Vanderbilt's doctoral program pairs ISIS lab access with the city's venture capital presence, creating unusual pathways where PhD students launch companies alongside publishing—a dual-track rare enough that it changes PhD exit outcomes entirely.
At the doctoral level, vanderbilt's mobile development education emerges from world-class computer science research and a culture of innovation, where undergraduates and graduate students work alongside faculty advancing mobile computing, human-computer interaction, and systems research. The program benefits from substantial resources, cutting-edge labs, and faculty whose research directly informs curriculum—students study mobile development within a research-active environment where emerging technologies are studied before they become industry standard. Beyond coursework, Vanderbilt students access extensive internship networks with major tech companies, venture capital connections through Nashville's growing startup ecosystem, and peer groups populated by highly ambitious engineers competing at national levels. The university's emphasis on both depth (specialization in mobile platforms or mobile security, for example) and breadth (exposure to systems, networking, and HCI research underpinning mobile technologies) prepares graduates for senior engineering roles or advanced graduate study. For students seeking the most intellectually rigorous mobile development education coupled with elite career outcomes and research opportunities, Vanderbilt's combination of faculty caliber, institutional resources, and Nashville's emerging tech prominence is unmatched among regional alternatives.
Programs Offered
- Doctor of Philosophy in Mobile Development — 4-6 years, on-campus
- Doctor of Science in Mobile Development — 4-6 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Institute for Software Integrated Systems (ISIS)
Industry Partners
- Google (corporate)
- Apple (corporate)
- Microsoft (corporate)
- Amazon (corporate)
Notable Faculty
- null — Mobile computing, systems research, and distributed systems
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Nashville tech ecosystem and venture capital presenceProximity to regional tech companies and startups
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville — Knoxville, TN
Key Distinction: UT Knoxville's program uniquely combines enterprise mobile architecture, cloud backend integration, and security-focused development in a curriculum shaped by active faculty research in distributed systems.
Hakia Insight: UT Knoxville's doctoral research in distributed systems and mobile security produces graduates with publication records in infrastructure-level problems, not app-level ones; this positions them for senior research roles at Google, Meta, and Apple rather than individual contributor tracks.
At the doctoral level, UT Knoxville's mobile development program stands out through its integration of cloud computing infrastructure and cross-platform development frameworks, giving students hands-on experience with enterprise-scale mobile deployments. The curriculum emphasizes both iOS and Android native development alongside React Native and Flutter, with a particular strength in backend services that power mobile applications. Faculty research in distributed systems and mobile security directly influences coursework, ensuring students engage with current industry challenges rather than outdated paradigms. The program benefits significantly from UT's location in a growing tech corridor; partnerships with companies like Pilot Flying J and various startups in the Knoxville area create internship pipelines and real-world project opportunities. Students consistently report that capstone projects—often sponsored by regional employers—provide portfolio pieces that accelerate job placement. The program's emphasis on full-stack mobile development (frontend, backend, DevOps) positions graduates for mid-to-senior level roles immediately after graduation, rather than entry-level positions. Career outcomes data shows strong placement in fintech, healthcare tech, and e-commerce sectors, with many alumni moving into technical leadership within 3-5 years. The blend of rigorous computer science fundamentals with practical mobile specialization creates a distinctive pipeline: graduates understand not just how to build apps, but why architectural decisions matter at scale.
Programs Offered
- Doctor of Philosophy in Mobile Development — 4-6 years, on-campus
- Doctor of Science in Mobile Development — 4-6 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science - Mobile and Distributed Systems Group
Industry Partners
- Pilot Flying J (corporate)
- TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) (government)
Notable Faculty
- null — Mobile security and distributed systems
Accreditations and Certifications
- ABET accredited (Computer Science)
Location Advantages: Knoxville tech corridor growth with emerging startup ecosystemProximity to TVA headquarters (government tech projects)Regional presence of Fortune 500 companies in logistics and healthcare
University of Memphis — Memphis, TN
Key Distinction: Large public research university offering mobile development within a flexible curriculum that supports both direct career paths and graduate study options.
Hakia Insight: Memphis's FedEx Institute partnership means doctoral students can propose research that directly solves logistics-scale mobile problems, creating dissertation topics that companies already need solved—a rare alignment that shortens the job search from months to offers during defense.
At the doctoral level, the University of Memphis computer science program incorporates mobile development within a curriculum that balances academic rigor with practical, employment-focused outcomes—students engage in iOS and Android development coursework alongside software engineering principles, data structures, and systems-level computer science. As a major public research university, Memphis offers both traditional computer science degrees and pathways into graduate work for those pursuing advanced study or research in mobile computing. The program benefits from connections to Memphis's growing tech sector and access to internship opportunities with regional employers, and faculty maintain research interests that sometimes intersect with mobile systems, security, or human-computer interaction in mobile contexts. For students weighing a career-focused bachelor's degree against potential graduate study or research, Memphis provides flexibility and the infrastructure of a larger research institution without sacrificing undergraduate mentorship or industry relevance.
Programs Offered
- Doctor of Philosophy in Mobile Development — 4-6 years, on-campus
- Doctor of Science in Mobile Development — 4-6 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Center for Information Assurance
- Institute for Intelligent Systems
- FedEx Institute of Technology
- Computational Research on Materials Institute at UofM
- Metal Additive Manufacturing Lab
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Paul Simone — Research administration and grants
Accreditations and Certifications
- NSA/DHS Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education and Research
Location Advantages: Memphis regional tech employer ecosystem
