The University of Southern Mississippi
Mission
The University of Southern Mississippi engages students at all levels in the exploration and creation of knowledge. Our hallmark is a fully engaged lifelong learning approach integrating inspired teaching, collaborative research, creative activity, and service to society. Southern Miss produces graduates who are ready for life; ready to succeed professionally and as responsible citizens in a pluralistic society.
Vision
The University of Southern Mississippi is distinctive among national research universities in adding value to our students’ experience, uniquely preparing them to be ready for life.
Values
The mission of the institution is supported by the following values:
- Research and instructional excellence focused on student success at all teaching sites and through campus-based and distance education.
- Student engagement that fosters personal growth, professional development, and a lifelong commitment to growth and learning.
- An inclusive community that embraces the diversity of people and ideas.
- Institutional governance that respects academic freedom and faculty inclusion.
- A campus culture characterized by warmth and mutually supportive connections among students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
- An approach to academics, research, and personal conduct based on integrity and civility.
- An evolving curriculum that fosters lifelong curiosity and critical thinking, and prepares our graduates to be Ready for Life.
- Community participation that promotes social responsibility, citizenship, and economic development.
Institutional Strategic Goals
- Increase total enrollment for undergraduate and graduate students through improved recruitment, retention, persistence, progression, and student success.
- Cultivate an academic culture of curricular innovation and a positive teaching-learning environment.
- Strengthen research productivity and innovation by enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration and creative activity, improving research infrastructure, and increasing community engagement aimed at addressing critical societal issues and driving economic development.
- Enhance administrative efficiency to improve productivity throughout the institution by optimizing business processes and personnel deployment.
- Engage the University’s diverse community of alumni and friends in personalized, integrated, and coordinated ways to foster dynamic relationships, extend our reach, and enhance lifelong connections in support of the institution’s strategic priorities.
SACSCOC Accreditation
The University of Southern Mississippi is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award bachelor’s, master’s, specialist’s, and doctoral degrees. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of The University of Southern Mississippi may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Routine inquiries about the institution, such as admission requirements, financial aid, educational programs, etc. should be addressed directly to The University of Southern Mississippi and not the SACSCOC Office.
The accreditation of all campuses related to The University of Southern Mississippi is dependent on the continued accreditation of the parent campus. All campus sites, regardless of location or mode of delivery, are incorporated in the institution’s self-assessment and its determination of compliance with the standards.
SACSCOC accredits the institution as a whole and not specific degrees or programs.
Program Accreditation
Below are the names and links of program-level accrediting agencies:
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