Meridian, MS

The powerful presence of Mississippi State University in Meridian positively influences the culture, economic and educational climate of East Mississippi.

With its parent residential campus of more than 18,000 students located some 90 miles north, there is a strong campus and community relationship between Mississippi State University and the East Mississippi area. MSU students, faculty, and staff live, work and contribute to the economy of the region. MSU faculty and a business services consultant assist existing and potential business owners through research, seminars and counseling, and MSU student interns gain on-the-job experience while providing a valuable service to area businesses, schools, healthcare facilities and social service agencies.

MSU-Meridian was established in 1972 to afford adult learners the ability to attain educational goals while maintaining important roles in their families, jobs and communities throughout East Mississippi and West Alabama. However, as word spread about its excellent reputation for quality academic programs, friendly atmosphere, convenient location, affordability, flexible scheduling and course delivery and low student-to-teacher ratio, the student population has expanded to now flavor the educational experience with diversity in age, race, gender, ethnicity and life experiences.

A non-residential campus, Mississippi State-Meridian provides site-based credit and non-credit course work for commuter students, as well as classes through distance learning. After completing required course work at a community college or other institution of higher learning, Mississippi State-Meridian’s junior, senior and graduate-level courses enable students to complete requirements for bachelor’s, master’s and specialist degrees, or to enroll in specific classes for professional or personal growth. Currently, degree opportunities are offered through three academic divisions: Arts and Sciences, Business, and Education.

Undergraduate degrees available include broadcast communication; general liberal arts; history; interdisciplinary studies; psychology; social work; business administration with concentrations in accounting, business administration, healthcare administration information systems, management, marketing, resort and convention, and technology management; elementary education; and secondary education with concentrations in English and social studies.

At the graduate level, degree programs range from business to education.

Most students who transfer to Mississippi State University-Meridian begin their education at Meridian Community College (located across the street from MSU-Meridian) and other community colleges in the region.

MCC Supports Higher Education
The best things in life are free, but that usually doesn’t include higher education. Meridian’s a different story, though, thanks to the Meridian Community College Foundation.

By underwriting the cost of four semesters of study at MCC, the foundation puts a degree within the grasp of every graduate of a Meridian or Lauderdale County high school, as well as those who live in the area and are home-schooled. To qualify, students must take a full roster of classes and maintain a 2.0 GPA.

MCC offers 36 programs covering everything from hotel and restaurant management to electronics, and also offers studies in the fast-growing areas of practical nursing, medical lab technician and other health-care related fields of study.