Mississippi State University

What is the history of Mississippi State University?

Mississippi State University (MSU) was founded in 1878 as The Agricultural and Mechanical College of the State of Mississippi. Established by the Mississippi Legislature, the university aimed to provide training in agriculture, horticulture, and mechanical arts, as well as other scientific and classical studies, including military tactics. MSU was created as a land-grant college under the Morrill Act of 1862, which provided federal land to states for the establishment of colleges focused on agriculture and mechanical arts.

The early curriculum of Mississippi State University emphasized agriculture, business and industry, and science. Women students were first enrolled in 1930, and the institution was renamed Mississippi State College in 1932. It became a university in 1958, with the graduate school being founded in 1936 and doctoral degree programs starting in 1951. The School of Forest Resources and the College of Arts and Sciences were opened in the 1950s, while the academic divisions of architecture, veterinary medicine, and accounting were added in the 1970s.

For its first fifty years, Mississippi State University functioned as an all-white and all-male military school, with a few local female students allowed to register prior to 1912. Students were required to wear military uniforms at all times during the academic year. Initially, the school offered only two programs of study, the Agricultural Course and the Mechanical Course, with supporting classes in mathematics, biological and physical sciences, English, and the humanities required for all students. In 1902, a more formalized academic program emerged with the creation of the School of Engineering, School of Agriculture, and Science School, followed by the organization of the School of Business and Industry.

Mississippi State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, masters, specialist, and doctoral degrees. The faculty is drawn from top institutions across the nation and is committed to demonstrating excellence in teaching while producing scholarly books, articles, and conference papers.

In addition to its academic achievements, Mississippi State University is known for its accomplishments in sports. The Bulldogs have won 21 individual national championships, 30 regular season conference championships, and 1 national championship title in their more-than 120-year history.

Mississippi State University has a rich history of conducting extensive research in agriculture on campus and at seventeen branch stations located across the state. The university's focus broadened beyond organized agricultural research in 1949 with the establishment of the Raspet Flight Research Laboratory and the Social Science Research Center.

What are the faculties and departments at Mississippi State University?

Mississippi State University provides a diverse selection of faculties and departments for students to explore. The institution is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to confer baccalaureate, masters, specialist, and doctoral degrees. Among the faculties at Mississippi State University are the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the College of Architecture, Art and Design, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the College of Education, the Bagley College of Engineering, the College of Forest Resources, the College of Veterinary Medicine, and the Shackouls Honors College.

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences features programs in agricultural and extension education, biochemistry, entomology and plant pathology, food science, human sciences, landscape architecture, and plant and soil sciences. In the College of Architecture, Art and Design, students can pursue programs in architecture, art, interior design, and building construction science. The College of Arts and Sciences offers a variety of programs, including biological sciences, chemistry, communication, English, foreign languages, history, mathematics, music, philosophy and religion, physics and astronomy, political science and public administration, psychology, sociology, and anthropology.

For those interested in business, the College of Business provides programs in accountancy, business administration, economics, finance, management, and marketing. The College of Education offers a range of programs in counseling, educational leadership, elementary education, instructional systems and workforce development, kinesiology, secondary education, and special education and clinical services.

What is the location of Mississippi State University?

Mississippi State University is situated in the southern region of the United States, specifically in the city of Mississippi State. The institution's address is 75 B.S. Hood Drive, with a ZIP code of 39762. The university is easily accessible through highways 82, 12, and 25, making it convenient for prospective students to reach the campus.

The city of Starkville, adjacent to the main campus, is located 25 miles west of Columbus and 120 miles northeast of Jackson. This strategic location offers students the opportunity to explore nearby cities and attractions during their time at Mississippi State University.

What is the mission and vision of Mississippi State University?

Mississippi State University, a public land-grant institution, aims to provide access and opportunity to a diverse population of students from within the state, as well as from other states and countries. The University's mission revolves around offering excellent programs in teaching, research, and service. With a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs, Mississippi State University covers various fields such as architecture, fine arts, business, education, humanities, social and behavioral sciences, and veterinary medicine. The institution is dedicated to instilling values of diversity, citizenship, leadership, and service among its students and alumni.

The vision of Mississippi State University is to become a leading public research university with global awareness and involvement. The University strives to be accessible and responsive to the various constituencies it serves and fully integrated with the intellectual, social, and economic development of the state. Its overarching goal is to consistently rank among America's top public universities. To achieve this, Mississippi State University has set strategic goals that encompass fostering teaching and learning, promoting research and creativity, enhancing outreach and engagement, and strengthening the University's infrastructure and resources. Core values of the University include access and opportunity, excellence and innovation, communication, collaboration, community engagement, integrity, and accountability.

Mississippi State University plays a significant role in the state's economic development through targeted research and the transfer of ideas and technology to the public. This is supported by faculty and staff relationships with industry, community organizations, and government entities. The University strategically extends its resources and expertise throughout the state for the benefit of Mississippi's citizens, offering access for working and place-bound adult learners through its Meridian Campus, Extension, and distance learning programs. Mississippi State University encourages diverse and global perspectives within its community, enabling them to address social and economic issues. The University's greatest asset is its people, and the attainment of all other goals is dependent on their success.

What is the accreditation of Mississippi State University?

Mississippi State University holds accreditation from several prominent organizations, ensuring the quality of education provided to its students. The College of Business, including the Richard C. Adkerson School of Accountancy, is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), the world's largest business education network. This prestigious accreditation demonstrates the high standards upheld by the university in its business programs.

In addition to the AACSB International accreditation, Mississippi State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, masters, specialist, and doctoral degrees. This regional accreditation is essential for students seeking financial aid, transferring credits, and pursuing further education.

The College of Education at Mississippi State University has earned accreditation on national, regional, and state levels, reflecting its commitment to excellence in teacher preparation. The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) has accredited the university through 2029, providing assurance to prospective students of the quality of the education programs offered.

Furthermore, the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Foundations' School Psychology program at Mississippi State University is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). This accreditation signifies that the program meets the rigorous standards set by the APA, ensuring that students receive a comprehensive and high-quality education in the field of school psychology.