Mar 18, 2024  
2019-2020 Graduate Bulletin 
    
2019-2020 Graduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

The Graduate School


Dean’s Office

Karen S. Coats, Ph.D., Dean of the Graduate School
Tracy Barnhill, M.Ed., Director of Operations 
Desira Bailey, Administrative Assistant
118 College Drive, #5024
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-5024
(601) 266-4369, fax (601) 266-5138
Email:
graduateschool@usm.edu
www.usm.edu/graduate-school

The University of Southern Mississippi holds the classification Carnegie R1 Research Institution, and graduate education is central our R1 standing.  Graduate students perform innovate research, contributing to the generation and dissemination of knowledge. The Graduate School, originally established in 1947, strives to advance graduate education by promoting the highest standards of academic quality and integrity, providing opportunities for professional development for graduate students, and by serving the needs of graduate students, faculty, and programs.

Graduate School Admissions (U.S. citizens)

Elisabeth McBride, M.S., Associate Director of Graduate Admissions
Lindsey Garrity, B.A., Coordinator of Professional Development/Admissions Specialist
Julie Beckham, B.S., Graduate Admissions Specialist
The University of Southern Mississippi
118 College Drive #5024
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-5024
(601) 266-5137; fax (601) 266-5138

All U.S. citizens applying to graduate programs offered on all USM campuses must apply online at the Graduate School website (http://www.usm.edu/graduate-school) and submit transcripts from all universities attended, test scores, immunization records, and other program required materials online to Graduate School Admissions. Students applying to more than one degree program must submit separate applications to each program and pay separate application fees. Students can enroll in only one program, unless enrolled in an approved dual degree program.

Graduate School Admissions (Non-U.S. citizens/International)

Office of International Admissions
Suzanne Omran, Director of International Student and Scholar Services
Elizabeth Shoemake, Associate Director
The University of Southern Mississippi
118 College Drive #5135
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-5151
USA (601) 266-4841; fax (601) 266-4898
email:
isss@usm.edu

All Non-U.S citizens/International applicants applying to graduate programs offered on all Southern Miss campuses should apply online (www.usm.edu/graduate-school) and submit transcripts from all universities attended, test scores, and all other materials to International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS). Students applying to more than one degree program must submit separate applications to each program and pay separate application fees. Students can enroll in only one program unless enrolled in an approved dual degree program. International Admissions processes all international applications, evaluates foreign academic credentials, and issues the appropriate immigration documents for non-immigrant foreign students.

Graduate Degree Requirement Processing, Auditing, and Tracking

Sue Fayard, B.S., Degree Auditor
Michael Howell, M.A., Degree Auditor
The University of Southern Mississippi
118 College Drive #5024
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-5024
(601) 266-4369; fax (601) 266-5138
Email:
graduateschool@usm.edu
 

Degree auditors assist graduate students with recording and monitoring degree progress and performing preliminary and final degree audits

Final Approval of Dissertations, Theses, and Doctoral Projects

Michaela Donohue, M.A., Graduate Communications and Documents Specialist
The University of Southern Mississippi
118 College Drive #5024
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-5024
(601) 266-4372; fax (601) 266-5138
Email: documentspecialist@usm.edu

 

The Communications and Documents Specialist manages the processing of theses, dissertations, and doctoral projects from initial committee appointment to the final review and submission of the documents.

Graduate Assistantships

Shelby Flores, Coordinator of Business and Accounting Processes
The University of Southern Mississippi
118 College Drive #5024
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-5024
(601) 266-4369; fax (601) 266-5138
Email:
Shelby.Flores@usm.edu
 

The accountant manages graduate assistant stipend and tuition waiver budgets and serves as a liaison with colleges regarding graduate assistant allocations, assignment forms, and offer letters.

Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program

Kimbaya Brown, Director
The University of Southern Mississippi
118 College Drive #5024
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-5024
(601) 266-4369; fax (601) 266-5138
Email:
Kimbaya.Brown@usm.edu
 

The McNair Scholars Program at USM fosters the success of first generation/low income and students underrepresented in graduate school. The purpose of the program is to provide instruction, professional development, and research opportunities that allow students in these demographic groups to transition seamlessly from undergraduate to graduate programs.

Graduate Council

Graduate Council recommends policies pertaining to graduate education at USM. It includes elected faculty members from the degree-granting colleges. Permanent ex officio members are the President of USM, the Dean of Libraries, and the Dean of the Graduate School. The council elects a chair from its regular members. The University Registrar serves as recording secretary of the council. The council’s meeting dates, members, bylaws, and the “Index to Graduate Council Decisions” are available at www.usm.edu/graduate-school.

The responsibilities of the Graduate Council include:

  • Review and approval of graduate faculty.

  • Approval of course and curriculum changes.

  • Approval of new graduate programs submitted through college curriculum committees.

  • Development of policies relevant to graduate education.

Graduate Student Senate

Graduate Student Senate
The University of Southern Mississippi
118 College Drive #5024
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-5024
(601) 266-4369

The Graduate Student Senate consists of two voting members from each school. The Graduate Student Senate advises the Dean of the Graduate School on issues affecting graduate students. The responsibilities of GSS include:

  • Representing graduate students on Graduate Council.
  • Organizing the annual research symposium.
  • Assisting the Graduate School with special projects benefiting graduate students.
  • Participating in community service activities.
  • Graduate School recruiting.  

See www.usm.edu/graduate-school/graduate-student-senate

Degree Programs Offered*

The degrees offered, their majors, and emphasis areas are listed below. For specific Degree Progress Report (DPR), go to http://www.usm.edu/graduate-school.  Check this website for current offerings.

*Please note that degree offerings may change due to current program reviews. Those listed in this Bulletin are those granted as of the 2019-2020 academic year and are subject to change.

University of Southern Mississippi

College of Arts and Sciences

Center for Science and Mathematics Education

Master of Science

Doctor of Philosophy

School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences

Master of Science

Doctor of Philosophy

School of Communication

Master of Arts

Master of Science

Doctor of Philosophy

School of Computing Sciences and Computer Engineering

Master of Science

Doctor of Philosophy

School of Construction and Design

School of Criminal Justice, Forensic Science and Security

Master of Science

Certificate

School of Humanities

Master of Arts

Master of Science

Doctor of Philosophy

Certificate

School of Interdisciplinary Studies and Professional Development

Master of Science

Doctor of Philosophy

Graduate Minor

Certificate

School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Master of Science

Doctor of Philosophy

School of Music

Master of Music

Master of Music Education

Doctor of Musical Arts

School of Ocean Science and Engineering

Master of Science

Doctor of Philosophy

School of Performing and Visual Arts

Master of Fine Arts

School of Polymer Science and Engineering

Master of Science

Doctor of Philosophy

School of Social Science and Global Studies

Master of Arts

Master of Arts in the Teaching of Languages

Doctor of Philosophy

Certificate

College of Business and Economic Development

School of Accountancy

Master of Professional Accountancy

School of Finance

Master of Science

Certificate

School of Management

Master of Business Administration

Certificate

School of Marketing

Master of Science

Certificate

College of Education and Human Sciences

School of Child and Family Sciences

Master of Education

Master of Science

School of Education

Master of Arts in Teaching

Master of Education

Master of Science

Specialist in Education

Doctor of Education

Doctor of Philosophy

Graduate Minor

Certificate

School of Kinesiology and Nutrition

Master of Science

School of Library and Information Science

Master of Library and Information Science

Certificate

School of Psychology

Master of Arts

Master of Science

Doctor of Philosophy

School of Social Work

Master of Social Work

College of Nursing and Health Professions

School of Health Professions

Master of Public Health

School of Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice

Master of Science in Nursing

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Doctor of Philosophy

Certificate

School of Speech and Hearing Sciences

Master of Science

Doctor of Audiology

University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast

College of Arts and Sciences

College of Business and Economic Development

College of Education and Human Sciences

College of Nursing and Health Professions