Admission Requirements
Admission Policy
The Office of the Graduate School is responsible for the administration of the University graduate admission policy. The decision to admit an applicant to pursue graduate study at MSU is based upon evaluations of both qualitative and quantitative information. An applicant must provide a completed application form, a statement of purpose for graduate study, three letters of recommendation, records of previous academic achievements, and a non-refundable application fee of $60.00 (not required of full-time benefits-eligible MSU employees). Some degree programs may require additional credentials, such as the Graduate Record Examination or another standardized test score. Requirements Quick Reference provides a snapshot of degree programs and corresponding GPA and standardized test requirements. All admission applications and supporting documents become the property of Mississippi State University upon receipt and will not be released.
Standardized test scores required by some degree programs represent only one element considered in the admission decision of an applicant. Scores are never used as the sole criterion, but rather are considered in conjunction with other factors such as the applicant’s purpose for study relative to the opportunities in the proposed field, the number of positions available in the program, prior professional and employment activities, and/or recommendations of the faculty in the proposed field of study, especially regarding the availability of faculty support for research. Consequently, an applicant who meets the required grade point average (GPA) and/or whose standardized scores fall at or above a competitive level is not automatically granted admission. Admission is granted only to those students considered to have the potential to complete the program successfully and with the knowledge that there are sufficient and appropriate resources available to support the needs of the student.
The decision to admit is restricted to the degree program identified in the application, and the student may not enroll in another degree program without formal admission. A student may request consideration for admission to a different program or to a degree level different from the original application at the Office of the Graduate School. However, once a student is admitted to a degree program and enrolls in classes he/she must remain in that program for one semester before admission will be approved to change to another degree program. Such a request will have the status of a new application for admission, subject to the current conditions. Application is usually made to only one graduate program at a time. Admission to more than one degree program requires the approval of the graduate coordinator of each degree program. (See Concurrent [dual] Degrees in this publication.) The decision to admit is valid for one academic year (with departmental approval) for use in making initial enrollment to a given program. After the lapse of one fall or spring semester without enrollment, an admitted applicant must contact the Office of the Graduate School in writing by email (grad@gradapps.msstate.edu) to change the enrollment term. After the lapse of both a fall and spring semester without enrollment, the applicant must submit a new application, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and application fee.
The graduate coordinator of each program has the authority to grant admission to the graduate program, which will be communicated to the Office of the Graduate School after the department receives applications and supporting credentials. Applicants are then notified of the action taken on their application. Only a written notice of admission from the Graduate School to the applicant is valid proof of admission. Admission to MSU for graduate study is open to qualified students regardless of race, creed, color, natural origin, handicap, sex, or veteran status.
Application Fee
A non-refundable $60.00 application fee must accompany each application that is submitted. Effective January 1, 2013, the application fee must be paid in order to submit the application the the Graduate School. Application fees will not be refunded if a submitted application is canceled or an admitted student decides not to enroll. The original application fee will be applied for enrolled students who submit an approved Request to Change Degree Level or Concentration. However, an additional application fee will be required for requested changes in degree program or a change to unclassified status.
To be considered for admission, all supporting materials should be in the Office of the Graduate School according to the following schedule.
| Semester of Application: | Deadline for: Domestic Applicants applying for Degree Programs on Starkville and Meridian Campuses | Deadline for: International Applicants applying for Degree Programs or Unclassified Admission on Starkville and Meridian Campuses | Deadline for: Domestic and International Applicants applying for Distance Degree Programs | Deadline for: All Applicants applying for Distance Unclassified Admission |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | July 1 | May 1 | August 1 | August 16 |
| Spring | November 1 | October 1 | December 1 | January 11 |
| Summer | May 1 | March 1 | N/A | May 19 |
Some departments may have a different deadline. Please refer to the departmental listings in this publication or the department’s Website for degree specific admission deadlines.
Admission Tests
Information about required tests is found in specific degree and program requirements. That information can also be found in the Quick Reference at the end of this publication. See Assessment and Testing Services for MSU-testing information.
Transcripts for Admission
A graduate from another institution seeking admission to graduate study at MSU must provide official transcripts from the college which the applicant is attending or has attended and from which he/she will receive or has received a bachelor’s degree. Transcripts for all work attempted after the bachelor’s, including undergraduate and graduate, must also be provided (per Graduate Council, April 2006; see General Requirements for Admission).