Office of the Graduate School

This is an archived copy of the 2014-15 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.msstate.edu.

Lori Bruce, Ph.D., Associate Vice President and Dean of the Graduate School

Karen Coats, Ph.D., Associate Dean

Office: 116 Allen Hall
Telephone: (662) 325-7400
P.O. Box G, Mississippi State, MS 39762-5507

Administration

The Office of the Graduate School (OGS) is dedicated to providing necessary services to graduate students, both prospective and current, and graduate faculty. The mission of the Graduate School is to provide graduate students advanced academic study beyond the baccalaureate; provide graduate students opportunities in which to develop methods of independent and systematic investigation; and provide graduate students and faculty with an environment conducive to learning and scholarly activities. In fulfilling this mission, the Graduate School promotes, enhances, develops, and monitors graduate education at Mississippi State University and provides students with effective, efficient, and courteous assistance in admission, enrollment, academic progress, graduation, and post-graduation services. The OGS is guided by the academic policies recommended by the Graduate Council, the chief oversight body for all graduate programs, and approved by the Provost. For additional information about graduate education at Mississippi State University or the OGS, please visit http://www.grad.msstate.edu/ .

Degrees

Master of Arts
1. The College of Arts and Sciences offers the Master of Arts degree in applied anthropology; English; foreign languages; history; and political science. The College of Business offers the Master of Arts degree in economics.
2. Two plans for the Master of Arts degree are offered, designated as Plan One and Plan Two. Plan One requires a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate credits with at least 24 hours earned as course work and at least six hours earned as thesis/research credits. Plan Two is offered at the option of the department and requires a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate-level course work.
3. A reading knowledge of one foreign language is required of students majoring in English and history (thesis option only).
Master of Science
1. The Master of Science degree is offered by the
  College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in
  *agricultural and extension education (concentrations in leadership; teaching)
  *agricultural life sciences (concentrations in animal physiology; biochemistry; entomology; genetics; plant pathology)
  *agriculture (concentrations in agricultural economics; agronomy; animal nutrition; animal science; engineering technology; horticulture; poultry science; weed science)
  *food science, nutrition and health promotion (concentrations in food science and technology; health promotion; nutrition)
  *horticulture
  * human development and family studies
  College of Arts and Sciences in
  *biological sciences
  *chemistry
  *general biology
  *geoscience (concentrations in applied meteorology, broadcast meteorology; environmental geosciences; geography; geology; geospatial sciences; professional meteorology/climatology; teachers in geosciences)
  *mathematics
  *physics
  *psychology
  *sociology
  *statistics
  College of Education in
  *counselor education (concentrations in clinical mental health; college counseling; rehabilitation; school counseling; student affairs)
  *educational psychology (concentrations in general education psychology; psychometry)
  *elementary education (concentrations in early childhood education; general education; middle level education)
  *kinesiology (concentrations in exercise physiology, sports administration; sports pedagogy)
  *school administration
  *secondary education
  *special education
  *technology
  *workforce educational leadership
  Bagley College of Engineering in
  *aerospace engineering
  *biological engineering
  *biomedical engineering
  *chemical engineering
  *civil engineering
  *computational engineering
  *computer science
  *electrical and computer engineering
  *industrial engineering
  *mechanical engineering
  College of Forest Resources in
  *forest products
  *forestry
  *wildlife and fisheries science
  College of Veterinary Medicine in
  *veterinary medical science
2. Two plans for the Master of Science degree are offered, designated as Plan One and Plan Two. Plan One requires a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate credits with at least 24 hours earned as course work and at least six hours earned as thesis/research credits. Plan Two is offered at the option of the department and requires a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate-level course work.
The Master of Agribusiness Management (M.A.B.M.) is an interdisciplinary program offered by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Business.
The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) with a major in Community College Education is offered by the Leadership and Foundations Department in the College of Education.
The Master of Arts in Teaching-Middle Grades (M.A.T.M.) is an alternate route licensure program for a middle-level teacher offered by the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the College of Education.
The Master of Arts in Teaching - Secondary (M.A.T.S.) is an alternate route licensure program offered by a secondary-level teacher by the department of Curriculum and Instruction in the College of Education.
The Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) is offered with a Business Administration major by the College of Business.
The Master of Business Administration in Project Management is an interdisciplinary program offered by the College of Business and the Bagley College of Engineering.
The Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting is offered by the College of Business and is available on the Meridian campus.
The Master of Engineering (M. Eng.) degree is an interdisciplinary program designed for the professional engineer and offered via distance learning by the Bagley College of Engineering.
The Master of Landscape Architecture (M.L.A.) with a major in landscape architecture and includes areas of emphasis in watershed planning and management; landscape planning and management; and community-based initiatives. It is offered by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
The Master of Professional Accountancy (M.P.A.) is offered through the School of Accountancy. A concentration in Systems is also available.
The Master of Public Policy and Administration (M.P.P.A.) is a graduate professional program requiring a 3-hour internship requirement offered through the College of Arts and Sciences.
The Master of Science in Information Systems (M.S.I.S.) is offered through the College of Business by the Department of Management and Information Systems.
The Master of Science in Instructional Technology (M.S.I.T.) is offered by the Department of Instructional Systems and Workforce Development in the College of Education.
The Master of Taxation (M.TX.) degree is offered by the School of Accountancy.
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.)
The College of Education offers the Educational Specialist degree with a major in education and concentrations in counselor education, elementary education, school administration, school psychology, secondary education, special education, and technology. These programs may be completed only after the student has received the master’s degree from Mississippi State University or another recognized institution. The Educational Specialist degree is designed to broaden leadership training by providing courses in fields and disciplines that are supplementary to the basic study in the major field.
Doctor of Philosophy
The Doctor of Philosophy degree is offered by the:
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in
*agricultural sciences (concentrations in agricultural and extension education; agronomy; animal and dairy science; animal nutrition; engineering technology; horticulture; poultry science; weed science)
*food science, nutrition and health promotion (concentrations in food science and technology; nutrition)
*human development and family studies
*life sciences (concentrations in animal physiology; biochemistry; entomology; genetics; plant pathology)
*molecular biology
College of Arts and Sciences in
*biological sciences
*chemistry
*cognitive science
*earth and atmospheric sciences
*history
*mathematical sciences
*public policy and administration
*sociology
College of Business
*business administration (concentrations in accounting; business information systems; finance; management; marketing)
*graduate applied economics
College of Education in
*college/post-secondary student counseling and personnel services
*community college leadership
*counselor education/student counseling and guidance services
*curriculum and instruction (concentrations in early childhood education; elementary education; special education)
*educational psychology (concentrations in general educational psychology; school psychology)
*elementary, middle and secondary education administration
*instructional systems and workforce development
Bagley College of Engineering in
*biomedical engineering
*computational engineering
*computer science
*electrical engineering
*engineering (concentrations in aerospace; applied physics; biological; chemical; civil; mechanical)
*industrial engineering
College of Forest Resources in
*forest resources (concentrations in forest products; forestry; wildlife and fisheries)
College of Veterinary Medicine in
*environmental toxicology
*veterinary medical sciences

Graduate Courses

Graduate courses are assigned numbers at the 6000-, 7000-, 8000-, and 9000-level.

Bulletin of the Graduate School

Published annually, the Bulletin contains detailed descriptions of the requirements for advanced degrees at Mississippi State University as well as academic policy and procedures administered by the Office of the Graduate School. The Bulletin is available online by visiting http://www.grad.msstate.edu/pdf/bulletin.pdf .