Special to The Star



MERIDIAN – Have you always wanted to get a graduate degree, but keep putting off taking classes? Have you just finished community college and wish you could complete your degree close to home? Do you need to upgrade your skills or even prepare for an entirely new career path?

The summer semester is about to kick off at Mississippi State University-Meridian Campus, and opportunities abound for anyone wishing to remain competitive in an ever-changing global marketplace.

Final walk-in registration for the summer semesters will be Wednesday, May 28, and Thursday, May 29. Classes will begin on Monday, June 2, for the first five-week summer term and the 10-week summer term. The second five-week summer term begins Monday, July 7.

“Each year, hundreds of residents from Mississippi and Alabama take courses at MSU-Meridian,” said Linda Butler, who directs public relations and marketing for the campus. “We are a nationally accredited and highly respected institution that provides students with a quality education without them having to put their lives on hold.”

Last fall, close to 800 students were enrolled in day and evening classes at MSU-Meridian with more than half of those being residents of Lauderdale County. The remaining students commuted from more than 30 counties across Mississippi and west Alabama.

Summertime is when a lot of individuals “test the waters” by taking a course or two to get acclimated to the college routine, Butler said. For others, such as teachers, summer is a convenient time to work on advanced degrees or special certifications, she added.

While some other colleges are making a move to four-day-a-week schedules to assist students with the rising costs of fuel and other expenses, MSU-Meridian has traditionally offered shorter week schedules, Butler noted.

“Mississippi State-Meridian was established in 1972 to serve the needs of adult students who are balancing work, family and community commitments. Therefore, four-night-a-week schedules have been in place at the campus for years as cost-savings and convenience measures for our students," she added.

And, as the student population is becoming more balanced between nontraditional and younger, traditional college-age students, the number of day courses at the campus is also increasing.

“A growing number of students are opting for day classes, especially the traditional college-age students who either cannot afford the rising costs of going off to live on a residential campus or who simply are electing to stay home and attend MSU-Meridian,” Butler said. “Many are finding that they can schedule part-time employment around their class schedules and some even use their lunch break as a chance to consume a little more knowledge.”

While interested in convenience and cost-savings, Butler said today’s savvy career-minded college students are not, however, willing to sacrifice quality.

“That’s why it is especially rewarding to find that our students (no matter the age) are becoming some of our best recruiters,” said Butler. “These satisfied customers are spreading the word about what a great value they’re getting by earning a quality education from an internationally respected university in an environment that fits their lifestyle . . . close to home on the Meridian Campus of Mississippi State University.”

After completing an equivalent of freshman and sophomore years at a community/junior college or other institution of higher learning, qualified students can enroll at MSU-Meridian for junior, senior and graduate courses toward fulfillment of bachelor’s, master’s, and specialist degrees. Arts and Sciences (broadcast communication, general liberal arts, interdisciplinary studies, psychology, and social work); Division of Business and Industry (accounting, business administration, information systems, management, marketing, resort and convention, and master of business administration in several formats); and Division of Education (elementary, secondary, counselor education, school administration, and master of arts in teaching).

Anyone with questions regarding summer enrollment may contact MSU-Meridian at (601) 484-0100 or toll free in MS at 1-800-824-5288. Or, visit the web site at www.msstate.edu/meridian.



This article was submitted by MSU-Meridian.