College of Professional and Continuing Studies

Susan D. Seal, Dean
susan.seal@msstate.edu

Sean M. Owen, Associate Dean
sean.owen@msstate.edu

Office: 301 Memorial Hall
Telephone: (662) 325-3473
Mailing Address: Box 5247, Mississippi State, MS 39762
Website: https://cpcs.msstate.edu

General Information

The college of Professional and Continuing Studies (PCS) was established in 2023 to serve as the academic home for programs that are applied or practice-based in nature. Degree programs, non-credit programs, and non-credit/for-credit certificates that focus on the application of learning to the workforce are also a part of the College’s offerings through its Center for Distance Education and Center for Continuing Education that are a part of the College.

MISSION

Our mission is to ignite learning and professional growth by providing accessible, innovative, and transformational educational experiences. As a catalyst for change within our university, we are dedicated to being an advocate for the adult learner, an educational partner with industry, and a reliable collaborator with faculty and staff. We are committed to creating an educational culture in which we empower individuals to achieve their career aspirations through lifelong learning and to providing an agile support structure to allow faculty, staff, and industry partners to thrive. 

VISION

Our vision is to be a beacon of excellence and innovation in the field of professional and continuing education. We aspire to lead our university into the future with robust growth in enrollment and graduation rates. We see the College of Professional and Continuing Studies as the key driver in shaping our region's workforce, preparing professionals equipped with relevant skills and competencies to meet industry needs, and thus, fostering regional economic growth.

FACULTY AND LEADERSHIP

The College of Professional and Continuing Studies utilizes a combination of its own departmental faculty, faculty from other Mississippi State University colleges, and qualified practice professionals who serve as adjunct instructors to teach, advise, and mentor students. Faculty and instructors are invited to participate in the college's programs based on their professionalism and commitment to the mission, values, and goals of the organization. Leadership for the College of Professional and Continuing Studies is entrusted to the Dean, Associate Dean, college faculty, and senior staff.

GENERAL UNIVERSITY POLICIES

Students enrolled through the College of Professional and Continuing Studies are subject to Mississippi State University’s general policies, scholastic regulations, and standards as outlined in the University’s Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs. Questions concerning MSU policies or procedures should be directed to the college.

 

Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS)

Major Advisors: Kali Dunlap, Kristi Dearing, and Jaiki Shumpert

The applied baccalaureate degree is specifically intended to serve the needs of adult learners, military, and community college transfers who have completed a technical associate degree program, such as an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) from a SACSCOC accredited community college in the state of Mississippi or comparable regionally-accredited community college. The Bachelor of Applied Science is a flexible pathway design that allows learners to customize their education to advance in their career paths. Building upon the AAS or other technical associate degree program, the BAS degree prepares adult learners, military, and community college transfers to assume leadership roles and make an elevated contribution in the workplace.

The minimum number of hours required in the BAS degree is 120 hours, which may include 60 hours of credit with a 2.0 GPA earned as a part of the AAS degree. No more than 25 percent of the 120 credits may be earned through prior learning assessment and/or competency-based learning. Of the 120 credit hours, 30 shall be completed in residency at Mississippi State University and 30 shall be upper division (3/4000-level) courses. The delivery format of courses for the program may be offered face-to-face or online. In addition, up to 45 hours of approved technical or military credit may be used to fulfill the required elective hours. See advisor for information.

Degree Requirements

English Composition
EN 1103	English Composition I	3
or EN 1104	Expanded English Composition I
EN 1113	English Composition II	3
or EN 1173	Accelerated Composition II
Humanities
See General Education Core		6
Mathematics
See General Education Core		3
Fine Arts
See General Education Core		3
Natural Sciences
See General Education Core. Two labs required.		6
Social Sciences
See General Education Core		6
Oral Communication Requirement
CO 1003	Fundamentals of Public Speaking	3
or CO 1013	Introduction to Communication
Or other approved speech course
Computer Literacy
TECH 1273	Computer Applications	2-3
or BIS 1012	Introduction to Business Information Systems
Or other approved technology course
Extra University Core
See General Education Core or Advisor Approved Upper Level Courses		6
Junior/Senior Writing Requirements
Consult Advisor		3
Major Core Emphasis Areas
Consult Advisor
Upper Level Courses (one, two, or three emphasis areas)		30
Electives
May include approved technical or military credits		45
Total Hours		120