Academic Affairs

International Institute

Interim Associate Vice President and Executive Director: Dr. Jon Rezek 
150 Lloyd Ricks Watson
PO Box 6144
Mississippi State, MS  39762
Telephone: 662-325-0549
Fax: 662-325-4242

More than ever, global economic development, scientific exploration, and security are interconnected.  The International Institute at Mississippi State University fully integrates our land-grant institution’s 130-plus years of leadership, teaching, research, and service into the global arena.  Founded in June 2011, the Institute serves as the hub of the University’s international education, global engagement, and development activities.

The MSU International Institute enriches and expands the academic and cultural experiences of faculty, students, staff, and community through global outreach, research, and academic programs.  The Institute houses academic programs through the Office of Study Abroad, responsible for providing support for faculty and students to study, observe, and understand divergent cultures and traditions internationally, and the English as a Second Language (ESL) Center, home to many international students who are working to improve their English proficiency.  The Institute's international Services Office also provides immigration advisory service for faculty and students, as well as assistance for faculty, staff, and students traveling abroad.

MSU is committed to international partnerships and impact on a global scale.  The MSU International Institute welcomes university-to-university exchanges and collaborations with international counterparts.  The Institute also develops, promotes, and aids faculty and student engagement in international scholarly and research activities by maintaining relationships with sponsoring agencies such as the Fulbright Foundation.

The University’s strengths in capacity-building make it well positioned to address many of the world’s more challenging problems.  MSU faculty and researchers collaborate with counterparts overseas to improve academic and research capabilities, to share knowledge, and to address issues that require a range of technical, scientific, and policy expertise.  The International Institute's research unit aids in promoting the skills and expertise of our faculty and identifying potential interdisciplinary research and outreach activities. 

International Education

ESL Center

Manager:  Alison Stamps
103 Memorial
Mississippi State, MS 39762
Telephone: (662) 325-2648
E-mail: esl@msstate.edu
Website: www.eslc.msstate.edu

The English as a Second Language (ESL) Center provides an intensive language and culture program to support all international students.  The ESL Center is responsible for the administration of the intensive English language courses for those students who score less than 550 on the paper-based Test of English as a Second Language (TOEFL).  Other score equivalents are:

• TOEFL Computer-based Test:  213
• TOEFL Internet-based Test:  79-80
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS):  6.5

Courses

ESL 5110	American Language and Culture I (TOEFL score between 457 and 499 [or equivalent] or consent of instructor. Does not count toward any degree.)	1-18
ESL 5120	American Language and Culture II (ESL 5110 or TOEFL score between 500 and 524 [or equivalent] or consent of instructor. Does not count toward any degree.)	1-18
ESL 5323	Academic Research and Writing (ESL 5120 or TOEFL score above 500 [or equivalent]. Does not count toward any degree.)	3
ESL 5333	Critical Reading (ESL 5120 or TOEFL score above 500 [or equivalent]. Does not count toward any degree.)	3
ESL 5313	Classroom and Communication and Presentation (ESL 5120 or TOEFL score above 525 [or equivalent]. Does not count toward any degree.)	3

Graduate students may enhance their studies with relevant experience through programs offered by the Career Center.  Cooperative education and internships are available.  Cooperative Education requires students to complete two work periods, one of which may be a summer.  Internships are one semester in duration and may occur during any academic period (fall, spring, summer).  Students are encouraged to seek specific information prior to, or immediately upon, enrollment in the graduate program.

These credit-hour programs will be included on a graduate student’s transcript but cannot be used to satisfy course-hour requirements on a graduate student’s program of study.

Cooperative Education Program
335 McCain Engineering Building
Telephone: (662) 325-3823
Website: www.coop.msstate.edu

Associate Director: Angie Chrestman
Box P
Mississippi State, MS  39762
achrestman@career.msstate.edu

Seniors Coordinators:  Lisa Gooden and Edie Irvin

Graduate Courses

CP 8013	First Work Semester (Approval of Cooperative Education Office, acceptance by employing organization, and admission to the University and Graduate School.)	3
CP 8023	Second Work Semester (CP 8013)	3
CP 8033	Third Work Semester (CP 8023)	3
CP 8043	Fourth Work Semester (CP 8033)	3
CP 8053	Fifth Work Semester (CP 8043)	3

For further information contact Angie Chrestman .