General Education Requirements
General Education Requirements - Numbers and Course Titles
NOTE: Students must check course descriptions of General Education classes for prerequisites and/or grade requirements.
NOTE: Honors sections may be available in selected courses.
English Composition - Freshman level (6 hours)
| EN 1103 | English Composition I | 3 |
| EN 1113 | English Composition II | 3 |
| EN 1163 | Accelerated Composition I | 3 |
| EN 1173 | Accelerated Composition II | 3 |
Students with ACT English sub-scores of 28 or higher may enroll in EN 1173 Accelerated Composition II. Those students earning a C or higher in EN 1173 will also receive an “S” (credit) in EN 1103 English Composition I. Those students who earn less than a C in EN 1173 must complete the EN 1103/EN 1113 sequence.
Similarly, those students who have been admitted to the Shackouls Honors College and have an ACT-E sub-score of 32 or higher may enroll in Honors EN 1113H, Honors Composition II. After earning a C or higher in Honors EN 1113H , these students will receive an “S” (credit) in EN 1103 English Composition I. Those students who earn less than a C in Honors EN 1113H must complete the EN 1103/EN 1113 sequence.
Mathematics and Statistics (6-9 hours)
Students who place into a course higher than MA 1313 College Algebra on the mathematics Placement test may fulfill the University mathematics requirement with either MA 1713 Calculus I, MA 1613 Calculus for Business and Life Sciences I. Alone, neither MA 1323 Trigonometry nor MA 2113/ST 2113 Introduction to Statistics will satisfy this requirement.
| MA 1313 | College Algebra | 3 |
| MA 1323 | Trigonometry (fulfills second mathematics only with credit for college algebra) | 3 |
| MA 1413 | Structure of the Real Number System (Designed primarily for special and elementary education majors.) | 3 |
| MA 1423 | Problem Solving with Real Numbers (Designed primarily for special and elementary education majors.) | 3 |
| MA 1433 | Informal Geometry and Measurement (Designed primarily for special and elementary education majors.) | 3 |
| MA 1453 | Precalculus with Graphing Calculators | 3 |
| MA 1613 | Calculus for Business and Life Sciences I | 3 |
| MA 1713 | Calculus I | 3 |
| MA 1723 | Calculus II | 3 |
| MA 2733 | Calculus III | 3 |
| MA 2743 | Calculus IV | 3 |
| MA 2113 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| MA 3123 | Introduction to Statistical Inference | 3 |
| ST 2113 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| ST 3123 | Introduction to Statistical Inference | 3 |
| BQA 2113 | Business Statistical Methods I | 3 |
Natural Sciences (6-9 hours)
Students must complete two lab-based science courses. Check course descriptions to determine whether or not a course has a lab component.
| AN 1344 | Introduction to Biological Anthropology 1 | 4 |
| ARC 2713 | Passive Building Systems (no lab) | 3 |
| BIO 1004 | Anatomy and Physiology 1 | 4 |
| BIO 1023 | Plants and Humans 1 | 3 |
| BIO 1123 | Animal Biology 1 | 3 |
| BIO 1134 | Biology I 1 | 4 |
| BIO 1144 | Biology II 1 | 4 |
| BIO 2113 | Plant Biology 1 | 3 |
| BIO 3103 | Genetics I 1 | 3 |
| BIO 3304 | General Microbiology 1 | 4 |
| CH 1043 | Survey of Chemistry I | 3 |
| CH 1053 | Survey of Chemistry II | 3 |
| CH 1051 | Experimental Chemistry (Stand-alone Lab) | 1 |
| CH 1213 | Chemistry I | 3 |
| CH 1211 | Investigations in Chemistry I (Stand-alone Lab) | 1 |
| CH 1223 | Chemistry II | 3 |
| CH 1221 | Investigations in Chemistry II (Stand-alone Lab) | 1 |
| EPP 2213 | Introduction to Insects | 3 |
| FNH 2293 | Individual and Family Nutrition (no lab) | 3 |
| GG 1111 | Earth Sciences I Laboratory | 1 |
| GG 1113 | Survey of Earth Sciences I | 3 |
| GG 1121 | Earth Sciences II Laboratory | 1 |
| GG 1123 | Survey of Earth Sciences II | 3 |
| GNS 3103 | Genetics I 1 | 3 |
| GR 1114 | Elements of Physical Geography | 4 |
| HON 3163 | Honors Seminar in Natural Sciences (no lab) | 3 |
| HS 2293 | Individual and Family Nutrition (no lab) | 3 |
| PH 1013 | Physical Science Survey I | 3 |
| PH 1011 | Physical Science Laboratory I | 1 |
| PH 1023 | Physical Science Survey 2 | 3 |
| PH 1021 | Physical Science Laboratory 2 | 1 |
| PH 1063 | Descriptive Astronomy (no lab) | 3 |
| PH 1113 | General Physics I | 3 |
| PH 1123 | General Physics II | 3 |
| PH 1133 | General Physics III | 3 |
| PH 2213 | Physics I (no lab) | 3 |
| PH 2223 | Physics II | 3 |
| PH 2233 | Physics III | 3 |
| PO 3103 | Genetics I 1 | 3 |
| PSS 1313 | Plant Science 1 | 3 |
| PSS 3301 | Soils Laboratory | 1 |
| PSS 3303 | Soils | 3 |
| 1 | all courses are considered Natural Sciences; the footnote indicates those that are classified as Life Sciences; all other courses are classified as Physical Sciences |
Humanities (at least 6 hours)
| AAS 1063 | Introduction to African American Studies | 3 |
| ARC 2313 | History of Architecture I | 3 |
| ARC 3313 | History of Architecture II | 3 |
| ARC 3323 | History of Architecture III | 3 |
| EN 2203 | Introduction to Literature | 3 |
| EN 2213 | English Literature before 1800 | 3 |
| EN 2223 | English Literature After 1800 | 3 |
| EN 2243 | American Literature Before 1865 | 3 |
| EN 2253 | American Literature After 1865 | 3 |
| EN 2273 | World Literature Before 1600 | 3 |
| EN 2283 | World Literature After 1600 | 3 |
| FL 1113 | Language I 1 | 3 |
| FL 1123 | Language II 1 | 3 |
| FL 2133 | Language III 1 | 3 |
| FL 2143 | Language IV 1 | 3 |
| HI 1063 | Early U.S. History | 3 |
| HI 1073 | Modern U.S. History | 3 |
| HI 1163 | World History Before 1500 | 3 |
| HI 1173 | World History Since 1500 | 3 |
| HI 1213 | Early Western World | 3 |
| HI 1223 | Modern Western World | 3 |
| HI 1313 | East Asian Civilizations to 1300 | 3 |
| HI 1323 | East Asian Civilizations since 1300 | 3 |
| HI 4683 | Europe: The First World War to Hitler | 3 |
| HON 1163 | The Quest Begins | 3 |
| HON 3183 | Honors Seminar in the Humanities | 3 |
| PHI 1103 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
| PHI 1113 | Introduction to Logic | 3 |
| PHI 1123 | Introduction to Ethics | 3 |
| PHI 3023 | History of Western Philosophy I | 3 |
| PHI 3033 | History of Western Philosophy II | 3 |
| PHI 3153 | Aesthetics | 3 |
| REL 1103 | Introduction to Religion | 3 |
| REL 3213 | World Religions I | 3 |
| REL 3223 | World Religions II | 3 |
| 1 | French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Russian, and Spanish |
Fine Arts (3 hours)
| AAS 1103 | African American Music | 3 |
| ARC 1013 | Architectural Appreciation | 3 |
| ART 1013 | Art History I | 3 |
| ART 1023 | Art History II | 3 |
| ART 1113 | Art Appreciation | 3 |
| CO 1503 | Introduction to the Theatre | 3 |
| HON 3173 | Honors Seminar in Fine Arts | 3 |
| ID 3643 | History of Interiors I | 3 |
| LA 1803 | Landscape Architecture Appreciation | 3 |
| MU 1103 | African American Music | 3 |
| MU 1113 | History and Appreciation of Music | 3 |
| MU 1123 | History and Appreciation of American Music | 3 |
| MU 1133 | The History of Rock and Roll | 3 |
| MU 2323 | Music History III | 3 |
| MU 3023 | Survey of Western Music History II | 3 |
| PE 1323 | History and Appreciation of Dance | 3 |
| PSS 2343 | Floral Design | 3 |
| TKI 2413 | History and Appreciation of the Artcrafts | 3 |
Social/Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)
| ADS 1013 | Animal Agriculture & Society: Food for Thought | 3 |
| AEC 2713 | Introduction to Food and Resource Economics | 3 |
| AN 1103 | Introduction to Anthropology | 3 |
| AN 1143 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| AN 1543 | Introduction to Archaeology | 3 |
| AN 2403 | Introduction to the Study of Language | 3 |
| CO 1223 | Introduction to Communication Theory | 3 |
| CO 1403 | Introduction to the Mass Media | 3 |
| EC 1033 | Economics of Social Issues | 3 |
| EC 2113 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| EC 2123 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| EN 2403 | Introduction to the Study of Language | 3 |
| EPY 2513 | Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| EPY 3503 | Principles of Educational Psychology | 3 |
| EPY 3543 | Psychology of Adolescence | 3 |
| FO 4113 | Forest Resource Economics | 3 |
| GR 1123 | Introduction to World Geography | 3 |
| GR 2013 | Cultural Geography | 3 |
| HON 1173 | The West and the Wider World | 3 |
| HON 3143 | Honors Seminar in Social Science | 3 |
| HS 1813 | Individual and Family Development through the Lifespan | 3 |
| PO 1013 | Animal Agriculture & Society: Food for Thought | 3 |
| PS 1113 | American Government | 3 |
| PS 1313 | Introduction to International Relations | 3 |
| PS 1513 | Comparative Government | 3 |
| PSY 1013 | General Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 3073 | Psychology of Interpersonal Relations | 3 |
| SO 1003 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| SO 1103 | Contemporary Social Problems | 3 |
| SO 1203 | Sociology of Families | 3 |
3. General Education Competencies.
Mississippi State University baccalaureate-seeking students should demonstrate the following general education competencies:
- Students will write clearly and effectively
- Students will understand the formal elements of the fine art(s), and develop an awareness of both the values and functions of works within their historical and/or social contexts.
- Students will understand the diverse dimensions of human culture.
- Students will understand and use the basic approaches and applications of mathematics and statistics for analysis and problem solving.
- Students will apply science to natural systems and understand its impact on society.
- Students will understand and appreciate human behavior and social structures, processes, and institutions.
4. General Education Curriculum Assessment.
The General Education Committee (a subcommittee of University Committee on Courses and Curricula) utilizes the following courses to assess the General Education Curriculum student learning outcomes: EN 1103, EN 1113, MA 1313, ST 2113, MA 1713, BIO 1023, BIO 1134, CH 1043, CH 1211, GR 1114, HI 1063, HI 1073, HI 1163, EN 2203, ART 1013, ART 1113, MU 1113, PS 1113, PSY 1013, SO 1003, EC 2113
5. Catalog Terms
Students must meet the graduation requirements stated in the MSU catalog under which they first enrolled or the graduation requirements in a subsequent catalog with approval, providing they graduate within seven years. If a student interrupts his/her enrollment at Mississippi State University for two consecutive years or longer, the graduation requirements stated in the catalog under which the student resumes enrollment apply. Students changing majors or programs must meet the requirements listed in the catalog that is current at the time they make such changes. Students may request fulfilling the requirements outlined in a subsequent catalog after their first enrollment. If this option is selected, then all college and major requirements in the later catalog must be met. The student must complete an approval form to switch to a more current catalog, obtain signatory approval of his/her advisor, and submit it to the office of the appropriate dean for notification of the change. In cases where course work is outdated or requirements have changed, reasonable substitutions may be required.
6. Other Degree Requirements.
College and school announcements specify additional requirements, including professional communication skills (oral, written, and computer), for the bachelor’s degree in the various departments and programs.
7. Second Baccalaureate Degree Requirements.
Students should be advised that when completing a second degree, it will be simpler and easier to complete it concurrently with the first degree. A second degree completed after the awarding of the first degree will require additional hours, probably many more than completing the two degrees concurrently.
If you seek a second degree after the completing of the first degree, requirements for the second degree must be certified by the appropriate dean as having met and must include General Education requirements and 30 hours in courses numbered 3000 or above, in residence beyond requirements for the first. Students and advisors should check with the Registrar’s Office before making a decision about a second degree.
8. Advisement and Registration.
Every student in the University is provided with an academic advisor. A student who has selected a specific major will find the name of the major advisor for that major listed under the name of the department or the major subject in the appropriate college or school section of this catalog. A student who is uncertain of his or her choice of major may register as Undeclared.
Before registering for any semester, each student is responsible for consulting his or her advisor to work out and secure approval for a specific schedule of courses. With the signed schedule, the student then enters his/her schedule in the computer by using the myState System, resolves conflicts, and the student is officially enrolled in each class on the perfected schedule.
A period for schedule planning and registration for the following semester is provided near the end of each regular term; registration for the summer school terms may also be accomplished in the spring registration period. Prospective new students may be advised and registered during Summer Orientation. Late registration is conducted immediately prior to the beginning of classes.
A student who for any reason has been unable to register during these scheduled registration periods may still do so up to the last day for registration and adding courses as listed in the Academic Calendar on the Web but may find the choices of courses and sections limited.
9. Readmission.
Undergraduate students who have previously attended Mississippi State University and who wish to re-enter must apply for readmission online or in the Registrar’s Office and contact his/her advisor to be advised and released for registration . Former students who have attended another college for at least one quarter or semester must be eligible to re-enter that institution, if they desire to return to Mississippi State University. Students who have attended another institution are required to provide the Registrar’s Office official transcripts from all other institutions attended prior to receiving a registration permit.
All readmission students must meet the academic standing guidelines outlined in the Academic Standing section of the Bulletin. If their GPA is less than the required average, they may be readmitted only on the recommendation of their dean and with the approval of the Provost.
Students readmitted with an MSU or cumulative average less than 2.0 will be readmitted on academic probation.
10. Student Course Load.
The normal load for an undergraduate student in a regular semester is 15-19 credit hours. Course load limits at Mississippi State University are noted below.
1. A student on academic probation (AOP 12.15-Academic Probation for Undergraduate Students) should be limited by his or her academic advisor to an enrollment of 16 credit hours (including ensemble and academic support/developmental classes.)
2. Students in good academic standing can take a total of up to 19 credit hours per semester without special permission. Requests to take 20 or 21 credit hours total must be approved at the level of Advisor, Department, and Dean. Requests to take 22 or more credit hours total must be approved at the levels of Advisor, Department, Dean, and Provost.
3. A student in a five week summer session may take one course in addition to the normal maximum load (two courses) if his or her cumulative MSU Grade Point Average is between 3.0 and 4.0 and if he or she secures approval at the levels of Advisor, Department, and Dean.
4. An entering freshman student with low ACT scores or sub-scores is required to take appropriate developmental and/or learning skills courses and should schedule them within the first two semesters of enrollment, and should be limited by his or her academic advisor to an enrollment of 16 credit hours (including ensemble and academic support/developmental classes.)
5. Any exceptions to points 1, 2, 3, and 4 above or special circumstances not covered by points 1, 2, 3, and 4 above would require approval at the levels of Advisor, Department, Dean, and Provost.
Independent study or extension courses will be included in determining the maximum number of hours a student may take on campus, if registration therein overlaps any period of regular enrollment at the University. Such credits earned by either independent study or extension, in excess of the loads specified above must be approved by the student’s dean; these hours will count in certifying a student’s full time or part time enrollment status for financial aid or other purposes.
For purposes of reporting a student as full-time to the Board of Trustees, Veterans Administration, Social Security or other similar agencies, an undergraduate student must be enrolled in at least twelve (12) semester hours and a graduate student must be enrolled in at least nine (9) or more semester hours at the time the report or certification is submitted. This applies to fall and spring semesters only.
- A student’s enrollment status is classified according to the following chart:
Regular Fall-Spring SemesterStudent Enrollment Status Status Undergraduate Graduate Full-time 12 + sem. hrs. 9 + sem. hrs. Half-time 6 to 11 sem. hrs. 5 to 8 sem. hrs. Less than Half-time less than 6 sem. hrs. less than 5 sem.hrs. “Regular” Load 15-19 sem. hrs. 12-15 sem. hrs. - Summer School term
Student Enrollment Status Status Undergraduate Graduate Full-time 6 + sem. hrs. 6 + sem. hrs. Half-time 3 to 5 sem. hrs. 3 to 5 sem. hrs. Less than Half-time less than 3 sem.hrs. less than 3 sem.hrs. “Regular” Load 6 sem. hrs. 6 sem. hrs. - Concurrent enrollment in independent study, off-campus centers and other institutions will be considered as part of a student’s load, and must be approved by his or her dean before it may apply toward meeting degree requirements. All MSU course hours will count in certifying a student’s full time or part time enrollment status for financial aid or other purposes.
11. College/School/Campus Changes.
A student changing from one college, school or campus to another must complete all arrangements for the transfer prior to beginning the new course of study. Before making the change, the student must initiate a change form in the college or school in which the student is currently, or was last, enrolled. Transfer to a new college, school or campus is subject to approval by the new dean.
12. Schedule Changes - Fall and Spring Semesters.
A student has through the fifth class day into the semester to drop a course and through the sixth class day to add a course without being assessed a fee or academic penalty. From the fifth class day through the 30th class day, a student who elects to drop a course must receive the approval of his/her advisor, will be assigned a “W” on his/her academic record, and be assessed a fee. After the 30th class day, a student cannot drop courses except in documented cases of serious illness, extreme hardship, or failure of the instructor to provide significant assessment of his/her performance. A request to drop a course after the 30th class period must be approved by the student’s advisor and academic dean. A student receiving permission to drop will receive a “W” on his/her academic record and be assessed a fee after the last day to drop a course.
Summer Terms.
A student has through the first class day into a 5-week summer term and through the second class day into a 10-week summer term to drop a course without being assessed a fee or an academic penalty. A student may not add a course after the second class day into a 5-week summer session or after the third class day into a 10-week summer session. After the first class day through the 14th class day in a 5-week summer term and the second class day through the 28th class day in a 10-week summer term, a student who elects to drop a course must receive the approval of his/her advisor, will be assigned a “W” on his/her academic record, and be assessed a fee. After the 14th class day into a 5-week summer term and after the 28th class day into a 10-week summer term, a student cannot drop a course except in documented cases of serious illness, extreme hardship, or failure of the instructor to provide significant assessment of his/her performance. A request to drop a course during this period must be approved by the student’s advisor and academic dean. A student receiving permission to drop will receive a “W” on his/her academic record and be assessed a fee.
Shortened Format Classes (Intercessions).
A student has through the first class day to drop a course and through the second class day to add a course without being assessed a fee or an academic penalty. Note: A student may NOT drop his/her last or only remaining class in a semester or part of term. A student who wishes to drop the last class and add a different class or section must complete an add/drop slip. The Registrar’s Office must process this change. To drop a course after the first day through the fifth class day of a term with 10-15 class days, a student must receive approval from his advisor, will be assigned a “W” on the academic record, and will be assessed a fee. For a term with 16-24 class days, students may drop through the ninth day but must receive approval from his advisor and will be assigned a “W” on the academic record and be assessed a fee. After this period, a student cannot drop a course except in documented cases of serious illness, extreme hardship, or failure of the instructor to provide significant assessment of his/her performance. A request to drop a course after this period must be approved by the student’s advisor and academic dean. A student receiving permission to drop will receive a “W” on his/her academic record and be assessed a fee after the last day to drop a course.
Undergraduate/Graduate Policy.
Regardless of these and/or other University policies, a student’s dean may remove a course (or courses) from a student’s schedule at any time during a period of enrollment in case of special circumstances such as accident, illness or scheduling errors. Requests for such changes should be directed to the student’s dean. A student will not be permitted to drop a course after the 30th day of classes because of a heavy course load, a change of major, or the likelihood of poor grades. All requests must be documented in writing.
13. Auditing.
Upon recommendation from the relevant course instructor and subject to approval by the appropriate dean and Registrar, a student may enroll to audit a course. The approval to audit must occur prior to the official enrollment count day (10th class day for spring and fall semesters; third class day for summer school sessions). A student may not change from credit to audit or audit to credit status after the official enrollment count day. An audited course counts as part of a student’s regular load. Students auditing a
class are not required to take tests and/or examinations or to prepare other written assignments. Otherwise, conformity to regular classroom rules including attendance requirements is the same as for students taking the course for credit. At the time the request for audit is approved, the professor will inform the student auditing the class of attendance expectations. Failure to meet any or all of these requirements may result in an auditor being administratively dropped from the class roll. No audited course may be counted as part of the required hours of any degree or program requirement.
14. Pass-Fail Option.
An undergraduate student who has successfully passed fifteen (15) semester hours may elect, with the approval of his or her academic dean, to schedule courses under the pass-fail option. This program is open to undergraduate students only and is limited to a maximum of four (4) courses, no more than two (2) of which may have the same course symbol.
A student may register under the pass-fail option for only one course per semester and must meet the prerequisites for the course or have permission of the instructor teaching it. A change from pass-fail enrollment to enrollment for a regular grade, or vice-versa, must be made by the deadline date for adding courses published in the University calendar.
Courses taken to satisfy General Education requirements may not be scheduled under the pass-fail option, nor may courses that are specified by course title in the curriculum in which a student is currently enrolled. In the event that a student changes majors, credit for any courses passed and required in the new major may be allowed with the approval of the student’s dean. The instructor shall be informed which students are enrolled in his or her course under the pass-fail option, and he or she shall report a regular grade at the time progress grades are submitted and either S for satisfactory or U for unsatisfactory at the end of a term or semester. A grade of A, B, or C will be considered as satisfactory and a grade of I (incomplete) will be allowed. Other than a grade of I, only a grade of S, U, or W will be recorded on a student’s permanent record.
The number of hours passed will be applied toward the hours required for graduation; however, neither a passing nor a failing grade will be considered in the computation of the grade point average.
15. Assessment.
Students may be required to undergo testing for the purpose of assessing institutional effectiveness.
16. ROTC Course Credit Toward Academic Degrees.
All ROTC courses are bona fide University courses. The total number of ROTC hours allowed as elective credit toward a specific degree varies. Most schools and colleges at the University accept six (6) or more hours of ROTC courses offered toward degrees conferred. A student should contact the appropriate college, school, or department to determine allowable ROTC course credit toward a particular degree.
17. Military Credit.
Mississippi State University offers credit for training and experience in the Armed Services for currently enrolled undergraduate students.
Joint Services Transcript for Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard
All veterans and service-members of the Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard who are Active Duty, National Guard or Reserve can order an official transcript through the Joint Services Transcript online system at the following link: https://jst.doded.mil/smart/welcome.do . Official Transcripts should be mailed to: University Registrar’s Office, P.O. Box 5268, Mississippi State, MS 39762. The student’s dean will determine applicable credit toward a degree.
Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) for Air Force
All veterans and service-members of the Air Force who are Active Duty, National Guard or Reserve can order an official transcript through the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) online system at the following link: http://www.airuniversity.af.mil/Barnes/CCAF/Transcripts.aspx . CCAF transcripts are mailed directly to the Office of Admissions, P.O. Box 6305, Mississippi State, MS 39762.