2015-16 Academic Catalog

Definitions

This is an archived copy of the 2015-16 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.msstate.edu.

Academic Degree

Degree is the title to be conferred by the University upon completion of the academic program.  Some degrees include the name of the field of study (Master of Landscape Architecture, Master of Professional Accountancy); others (Master of Arts, Master of Science) do not.

Certificate Programs

A department or similar administrative unit may offer a certificate at the undergraduate, graduate, or combined levels. The certificate indicates that the student took a minimum of 12 hours of courses in an approved certificate area. Certification programs include:

Concentration

At the graduate level, the concentration is a subprogram offered within a graduate major.  Each concentration is approved by the Graduate Council.  The concentration, as well as the degree and program, may appear on the student’s transcript. 

Concurrent (Dual) Degrees

An applicant may apply and be admitted to be in more than one degree program concurrently. This requires prior approval of each department.  If the student is approved to pursue two same-level degrees (master’s or doctoral) concurrently at MSU, no more than 9 hours of coursework from one degree program may be applied toward meeting the requirements for the second degree.  This policy applies only to same-level degrees; master’s program courses cannot be applied to a doctoral program of study, nor can doctoral courses be applied to a master’s program.

Graduate Program (Major)

The graduate program is the student’s major.  Programs offered at Mississippi State University are approved by the Graduate Council and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.  The program name appears with the degree on the student’s transcript.

Honor Code

The MSU Honor Code, effective August 1, 2007, states:  “As a Mississippi State University student, I will conduct myself with honor and integrity at all times.  I will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor will I accept the actions of those who do.”  The complete policy is available at  http://www.honorcode.msstate.edu .

Interdisciplinary Program

An interdisciplinary program is offered through more than one department or college.

Minor

A minor is a current block of coursework derived from a master’s or doctoral degree program or concentration other than the major department program and must be approved for master’s, educational specialist, or doctoral programs as listed in this publication (per Graduate Council, March 2005).  A GPA of 3.00 on the minor coursework is required.  If a minor is chosen, the student’s graduate committee must include a representative from the minor field and the graduate coordinator from the minor field must sign approval of coursework.  The minimum number of credit hours required for a master’s minor is 9.  The minimum number of credit hours required for a doctoral minor is 12. The minor appears on the student’s transcript along with the program name and the degree awarded.  Up to one-third of the required hours toward fulfillment of a minor (9 hours required for minor at the master’s or educational specialist level and 12 hours required at the doctoral level) may be transferred to Mississippi State University.  Hours transferred toward a minor must be current (no more than 8 years old for a master’s or educational specialist degree. For a doctor’s degree, transfer credit can be accepted for courses that are academically relevant to the program at completion of the degree and fall within the time-limit requirements for coursework (per Graduate Council, September 2005 and March 2010).