University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Academics and Admissions

Academics

The University of Southern Mississippi, or Southern Miss, was established in 1910 and is comprised of a main campus situated in Hattiesburg as well as numerous satellite campuses: Keesler Air Force Base, Gulf Park Campus in Mississippi’s Long Beach, Jackson County, Pontlevoy in France, Stennis Space Center, J.L. Scott Aquarium and Gulf Coast Research Lab.

This school offers bachelor’s degrees through its 5 degree-granting colleges, which is a total of 142 unique undergraduate plans.

A little bit of history links this school’s academic diversity: they offer almost 20 education or teaching degree/licensure, this way, the university is staying totally true to its origin in 1910 as an institute for teacher training.

Prospective students can explore their future at here by simply browsing through the school’s extensive list of bachelor’s degree programs at their website. This way, they can get more information on the various programs offered at the school.

Accreditation

This university is very proud of its academic practice of excellence. Prospective students should know that accreditations by national and regional agencies authenticate Southern Miss’ quality and commitment to teaching only excellence.

Accreditation shows that an institute has an objective that is suitable to higher learning and also has the resources, services and programs to achieve and maintain that objective. In general, accreditation improves academic quality nationwide by making sure that schools meet the standards that are set up by the community/governing body of higher education.

USM is dedicated to maintaining their tradition of quality enhancement and integrity – these principles are the foundations of the institution’s operations of education, learning, research and public service.

This institution is accredited by over 25 accrediting agencies.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Information Summary

Ranks 7th in Mississippi and 826th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	82.6
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$24,048
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	25 / 1110
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	17 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	72% / 38%
Enrollment Total (all students)	14,509

Admissions

Full admission will be granted to the following applicants:

All applicants who completed the CPC (College Preparatory Curriculum) and scored at least a 3.2 high school Grade Point Average on the CPC and presented SAT or ACT (composite) score.

All applicants who completed the CPC and scored a 2.5 high school Grade Point Average on the CPC or presented class rank documentation, ranking in the top 50 percent. Applicants will also be required to present a score of 16 or higher on the ACT or an SAT combined score of 760.

All applicants who completed the CPC and scored at least a 2.0 high school Grade Point Average on the CPC and scored 18 or higher on the ACT or an SAT combined score of 860.

Applicants who satisfy the National Collegiate Athletic Association standards for “student-athletes who are eligible under the Division I guidelines."

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Financial Aid

Paying for a college education can is an expensive business for a lot of people – some student’s college fund is not even enough to cover their textbook expenses!. Thankfully, financial aid programs will help lighten the burden of paying for a college education; but like all good things, one will need to be eligible to receive financial aid.

There are several opportunities provided where students can seek financial aid. Every student in general is eligible for some sort of financial aid and Southern Miss encourages every student to take advantage of FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

Types of Financial Aid Offered

Grants:TEACH Grant (Teacher Education Assistance for College & Higher Education Grant), Federal Pell Grant and FSEOG (Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity).

Campus-Based Financial Aid(limited funding): Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program and Federal Perkins Loan.

Stafford Loans (Direct Loans): Subsidized Stafford Loan, Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, Federal Direct PLUS Loans (Parent Loans) and Grad Plus (PLUS Loans for Graduate Students).

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 3610th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Mississippi.

Students

On-campus housing is offered and there are fourteen (14) residence halls and approximately 5,000 students reside on campus all through the academic year.

Southern Miss’ Freshmen Quad Residence Halls are:

Wilber Hall – a conventional residence hall that houses female freshmen

Roberts Hall – a conventional residence hall that houses male freshmen

Bolton Hall – a conventional residence hall that houses upper class women

Pulley Hall –a conventional residence hall that female freshmen

Jones Hall – a conventional residence hall that houses male freshmen

Triad Complex Residence Housing are:

Hickman Hall – a conventional residence hall that houses female freshmen students and offices for Southern Miss’ Housing and Residence Life

Mississippi Hall – suite-styled residence hall that houses female residents with a certain Grade Point Average

Hattiesburg Hall – suite-styled residence hall that houses male residents with a certain Grade Point Average

Southern Miss Upper-Class Residence Halls are:

McCarty Hall – super suite-styled residence hall that houses upper-class males

Hillcrest Hall – suite-styled residence hall that houses upper-class females

Special housing is also offered. Students should contact the office of the Housing and Residence Life for further details.

Student Activities

At almost 300, student clubs and organizations appeal to a variety of interests and are grouped under the following categories: The Arts, Greek Life, Business, Honors Societies, Education & Psychology, Games & Athletics, Community Service, Residence Halls, Graduate Studies, the Military, Liberal Arts, Science & Technology, Health & Human Science and Religious Life.

The largest organizations (simply based on the number of members) include: African American Student Organization, The Legacy Student Alumni, Student Government Association, Baptist Student Union and University Activities Council.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

The athletics team, “The Golden Eagles” have stood out in every area of athletics. The university has won national titles two times in the game of football and have won titles in track and field once. The Golden Eagles’ baseball team are a two-time Conference USA champions and have also received invitations to NCAA tournaments and an invitation to the College World Series. Southern Miss’ basketball team have also won the NIT tournament once as well.

Initially known as “Mississippi Southerners”, they became known as the “Golden Eagles” in 1971. The student body selected the institution’s colors – black & gold – soon after the institution was founded. Through the years, even though customs, names, mascots and even the school grounds itself have undergone changes, the school colors have remained the same.

Alumni

A lot of famous people have graduated from here. Here is a list of just a few of them:

Jennifer Adcock – 2002 Miss Mississippi, 2005 Miss Mississippi-USA, Top Ten of Miss United States

Cat Cora – Celebrity Chef

Sally-Ann Roberts – WWL-TV Anchorwoman

Clymer Wright – Fort Bend Reporter’s Editor

Natalie Allen – Weather Channel’s “Forecast Earth” host

Chuck Scarborough = award winning anchorman and author

Scott Walker – WDSU-TV anchorman

Ed Hinton – famous sportswriter

Kathleen Koch – CNN correspondent

Shawn Nelson – NFL tight end for Buffalo Bills

Maxie Lambright – Louisiana Tech’s former football head coach

Louis Lipps – Pittsburgh Steelers

Terry Wells – NFL Running Back for Green Bay Packers & Houston Oilers

Additional School Information

This university has a “Study Abroad” course which is known to be particularly extensive. The program is offered by the institution via the Center for International Education, which is located on campus. This school is constantly being rated among of the best institutions in the country for the high number of its students who study overseas every year. University of Southern Mississippi is especially known for its British Studies course; this program frequently sends two hundred or more students every summer so that they can live and learn in the city of London.

The polymer science research center is located here; it is home to renowned and possibly the best fine arts courses in the United States’ southern-eastern part. This is the only institute in Mississippi state and among the very few institutions in the United States to be accredited in all 4 fine arts prominent areas – music, dance, art and theatre.

This school’s Wind Ensemble is regarded as one of the country’s best, along with the Southern Miss Symphony Orchestra. The Southern Miss symphony orchestra has had the pleasure and honor of performing with famous figures in the entertainment industry such as Ray Charles, James Galway, Joshua Bell, Yo-Yo Ma, Doc Severinsen, Itzhak Perlm and tenor Placido Domingo.

In the past few years alone, the university’s top choir “The Southern Chorale” has come into prominence both nationwide and internationally. The University’s Pride of Mississippi Marching Band has had the honor of performing at several prominent events, including President Jimmy Carter’s inauguration.

University of Southern Mississippi