Admission Policies

The Graduate School is responsible for the administration of the University graduate admission policy. Admission to MSU for graduate study is open to qualified students regardless of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, group, or veteran status. Submitting false information in the application will result in cancellation of the application without refund and/or immediate dismissal from the University.

The decision to admit an applicant to pursue graduate study at MSU is based upon evaluations of both qualitative and quantitative information by the applicant's program of interest. At a minimum, an applicant must submit a completed application, a statement of purpose for graduate study, three letters of recommendation, records of previous academic achievements, and a non-refundable application fee (not required of full-time benefits-eligible MSU employees) for a review of the application to occur. Some degree programs may require additional credentials, such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or another standardized test score(s). All admission applications and supporting documents become the property of Mississippi State University upon receipt.

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 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.