Graduate Studies

GRADUATE PROGRAM AND ADMISSIONS

The Graduate School Interim Dean: Peter Ryan

Comprised of eight colleges, Mississippi State University offers its 3,061 currently enrolled graduate students master’s degrees in 61 programs with 104 concentrations, an educational specialist degree with seven concentrations, doctoral degrees in 35 programs with 68 concentrations, and 14 graduate-certification programs. More information on graduate degree programs may be found at grad. msstate.edu/students/graduate-programs.

Outstanding research is conducted by nationally and internationally renowned faculty, and many research partnerships with industry connect MSU with the global economy. Thus, graduate students at

Mississippi State participate in cutting-edge research with a global impact. For fiscal 2018, the university had research expenditures of $244 million, a level that earned the university a top 100 national ranking by the National Science Foundation for total research and development spending.

Mississippi State is classified by the influential Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as a “Very High Research Activity” doctoral university. This classification represents the highest level of research activity for doctorategranting universities in the country, and MSU is one of only 131 schools to hold the designation.

MSU also holds the Carnegie Community Engagement classification, being recognized for a mission and educational climate that support community engagement. Both undergraduate and graduate students may take advantage of many opportunities for service learning that benefit the campus and community. For more information on service learning, visit the website for the Center for Community-Engaged Learning at https://www.ccel. msstate.edu/.

Graduate Admissions

Admissions decisions are made by each department or program. For information on general university requirements and deadlines for admission, prospective students may telephone 662-325-7400 or visit grad.msstate.edu/students/admissions. Many programs set additional specific requirements and application deadlines which supersede those set by the university. Prospective students should visit the website of the program of interest for more complete information.

Graduate Financial Support

MSU offers graduate students an array of options for financial support. Many are supported by assistantships and fellowships offered through the various academic and administrative departments. Graduate students also may qualify for federal grants, loans or work-study, and Mississippi residents may qualify for state financial aid. Visit sfa.msstate.edu/ for more information about the numerous financial aid opportunities. Graduate students also receive subsidies to assist them in purchasing campus health insurance. Visit health.msstate.edu/ healthcenter/insurance_student.php for information on the Student Injury and Sickness Insurance Plan.