Mississippi State University: An Overview of MyState

Mississippi State University (MSU), a comprehensive, doctoral degree-granting, land-grant university, offers a diverse and supportive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Located in Starkville, Mississippi, MSU is committed to providing an innovative, hands-on learning experience that prepares students for success in a rapidly changing world.

A Welcoming and Diverse Community

MSU fosters a positive, diverse, open-minded, and exciting environment where everyone is welcome. The university believes that a university should be a place where students, faculty and staff can thrive, grow together and understand emerging challenges. MSU is another home for many students, filled with supportive and welcoming people who rally behind them.

Academic Opportunities

MSU offers over 100 majors for bachelor's degrees across a wide range of academic units:

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences: Includes the School of Human Sciences.
College of Architecture, Art, and Design: Includes the School of Architecture.
College of Arts and Sciences
College of Business: Includes the Richard C. Adkerson School of Accountancy.
James Worth Bagley College of Engineering: Includes the Swalm School of Chemical Engineering, the Richard A. Rula School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and the Michael W. Hall School of Mechanical Engineering.
College of Forest Resources
College of Veterinary Medicine
College of Education
Graduate School
Judy and Bobby Shackouls Honors College
College of Professional and Continuing Studies
College of Integrative Studies
School of Nursing
School of Health Professions

In addition to its main campus, MSU operates off-campus instructional sites in Meridian, and Jackson County, Miss. The School of Architecture's fifth-year program is in downtown Jackson, Miss.

Online Learning with MS State Online

For students seeking a flexible and convenient way to earn a degree, MS State Online offers the same rigor as on-campus courses, but with the added convenience of studying from anywhere, anytime. MS State Online is dedicated to supporting educational journey and honoring service. With a wide variety of programs and dedicated faculty, MS State Online is committed to helping students achieve their academic and professional goals.

MS State Online understands that academic and professional aspirations are unique. That's why they offer flexible online degree programs designed to help students achieve their goals on their own terms. Expert faculty work closely with the center to develop interactive and rigorous courses that deliver the same academic quality as traditional classroom-based courses. In addition, they provide a comprehensive range of student support services, including academic advising, tutoring, technical support, and career services to ensure students have everything they need to succeed.

MS State Online strives to enhance access to educational resources and empower individuals in accomplishing their academic and professional goals without the hassle of out-of-state fees by providing affordable tuition. MS State Online welcomes transfer students by providing a smooth credit transfer process.

Research and Extension

MSU is a leading research institution with a strong commitment to serving the state of Mississippi. Four regional research and extension centers representing both the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES) and the Mississippi State University Extension Service are located in different parts of the state. MAFES conducts research at 16 off-campus sites throughout the state. The Mississippi State University Extension Service offers programs and services in all 82 counties of Mississippi.

A variety of diverse centers and institutes perform specialized teaching, research or service activities. Among these are:

Alliance for System Safety of UAS Through Research Excellence (ASSURE)
Center for Cyber Innovation
Institute for Market Studies
Institute for Systems Engineering Research (ISER)
Institute for Computational Research in Engineering and Science (ICRES)
Center for Safety and Health
High Performance Computing Collaboratory
Mississippi State Chemical Lab (MSCL)
National Strategic Planning and Analysis Research Center (nSPARC)
Research and Curriculum Unit
Institute for Imaging and Analytical Technologies
Carl Small Town Center
Gulf Coast Community Design Studio
Biological and Physical Sciences Research Institute
Center for Computational Sciences
Cobb Institute of Archaeology
Institute for the Humanities
Stennis Institute of Government and Community Development
Center for Family Enterprise Research
Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach
Center for Retail and Cotton Product Development
Center for Educational Partnerships
Early Childhood Institute
Mississippi Writing/Thinking Institute
National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision
T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability

Student Resources and Support

MSU provides a wide range of resources and support services to help students succeed academically and personally.

Read also: Ole Miss: A Comprehensive Overview

Online Scholarship System

Mississippi State University’s Online Scholarship System is available for students seeking financial assistance. Students can log in using their NetID and NetPassword to access the General Scholarship Application. The scholarship applications for the 2026-27 academic year open on October 1, 2025. The priority general scholarship application submission date for entering freshmen is December 1.

Students can browse additional opportunities and automatch scholarships. The “Deadline” column indicates the deadline to complete the application to receive consideration.

ITS Services

MSU ITS provides the following services for students:

Wireless internet access: Available in most indoor and outdoor spaces through the MSU eduroam network.
Canvas: MSU's learning management (online course) system, providing students access to online course content (documents, videos, lectures, assignments, etc.).
Microsoft Office Suite: Students can download and use the Microsoft Office suite of products on up to five personal computers.
OneDrive: Microsoft's cloud storage system. MSU students have 250 gigabytes of OneDrive cloud storage space available.
Microsoft Office Online: A collection of web-based apps available to create, collaborate, and edit files using your web browser.
Microsoft Teams: Allows users to chat and collaborate with other users via instant message, audio/video calls and online meetings.
Site-licensed software: ITS provides MSU site-licensed software for students.
Multi-factor authentication (Duo): Provides an extra security measure when accessing MSU services.

Mobile Apps

To enhance the campus experience, Mississippi State University recommends the following mobile apps to students:

myState Mobile
DUO Mobile
Canvas Student
Microsoft Office Suite
EverBridge

Campus Enhancements

Mississippi State has completed or initiated capital improvements totaling more than $1.2 billion since 2009.

Read also: Best Colleges in MS

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.

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