About
University of Southern Mississippi
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.
Cost of Attendance
USM Tuition and Fees
At Southern Miss, a full time tuition cost varies from in-state and out-of-state status. In-state tuition costs $5197 while out-of-state tuition costs $6197. USM provides quality education at an affordable price. Additional fees are not apart of tuition and can affect the overall cost of attendance. However USM provides a funding guide that helps students manage their tuition and fees.
Admission Requirements
At USM, full admission is given to students who meet one of the following requirements
Option 1
Have completed high school graduation requirements and the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) or have completed equivalent requirements as determined by the University; have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 grading scale as reported by the high school or as calculated by the University using an IHL-approved unweighted cumulative GPA calculator, and no ACT or SAT is required.
Option 2
Have completed high school graduation requirements and the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) or have completed equivalent requirements as determined by the University; have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 as reported by the high school or as calculated by the University using an IHL-approved unweighted cumulative GPA calculator or a class rank in the top 50%, and have an ACT composite score of 16 or higher.
Option 3
Have completed high school graduation requirements and the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) or have completed equivalent requirements as determined by the University; have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 as reported by the high school or as calculated by the University using an IHL-approved unweighted cumulative GPA calculator; and have an ACT composite score of 18 or higher.
Option 4
Any student who does not meet the above requirements may be granted full admission by satisfying the NCAA Division I standards for student athletes who are “full qualifiers” or “academic redshirts.”
Financial Aid
From federal financial aid to scholarships, USM offers resources to aspiring students for financial support. To view a full list of scholarships, click the button.
The National Merit Scholarship Program is an annual academic competition among high school students for recognition and college undergraduate scholarships that began in 1955. The program is conducted by National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®), a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance. United States high school students enter the National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which serves as an initial screen of over 1.3 million entrants each year, and by meeting published program entry and participation requirements. For more information click the heading.
Created by the Mississippi Legislature, this program is designed to provide tuition assistance to qualified students whose financial need, as demonstrated by federal student aid eligibility, will not be met with gift aid from other sources. The program provides full tuition to qualified students for up to four years. For more information, click the heading.
Completing the FAFSA will enable students to become eligible for federal aid. Federal aid can come in the form of Pell and other grants or a loan. Grant and loan information is available on the FAFSA website as well as Southern Miss’ website. Click the heading to learn more.
These awards are designated for high school seniors fully admitted to the University of Southern Mississippi and enroll during the fall semester immediately after high school graduation without attending any other college. Full a full breakdown of scholarships, click the heading.
Situated in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, Delta State offers top-notch programs in business, nursing, sciences, arts, education and much more. To explore all programs, click the heading above. These are some notable programs:
For over 100 years, Southern Miss has led the state in producing exceptional elementary and special education teachers. School districts across the state compete to employ our graduates. The demand is particularly strong for graduates of our residency and apprenticeship pathways. Our Teacher Assistant Program offers a fully online pathway to degree completion. Join us and become part of this long tradition of preparing qualified, confident educators. Join us and Make a Difference! Click the heading to learn more.
The degree in media and entertainment arts prepares students to enter the multibillion-dollar media and entertainment arts industries. The program features a set of core courses in media production and industry essentials shared by three majors: MEA Management, geared for students interested in the business side of entertainment; Video Arts, for students desiring the commercial and visual side of entertainment, and Sound & Recording, for students interested in music and live productions. Click the heading to learn more.
ARCH@USM provides an innovative education that prepares graduates to be responsible and viable professionals. With this degree, your imagination is your limitation.
The mission of ARCH@USM is to prepare students for successful careers in the design and construction industry and also to prepare students for advanced study in professional Master of Architecture programs. ARCH@USM focuses on creative, business, technical, and communication skills necessary for a successful career in architecture. Click the heading to learn more.
The Computer Engineering curriculum deals with all aspects of designing, building and programming computer systems. Computer Engineering combines fundamentals of computer science and electrical engineering in one major, as it introduces students to both hardware and software of computer systems.
Our faculty members are engaged in research projects in various areas of focus, including cybersecurity, cyber-physical systems, robotics, embedded systems, reconfigurable computing, and computer vision. Our students are prepared for industry positions and entry into graduate study and research. Click the heading to learn more.
Student Life
Leadership and Student Involvement creates a premiere student life experience by providing valuable opportunities for students to foster engagement, growth and belonging. To look at all the organizations USM has to offer, click below.
National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH)
The mission of NRHH is to unite campus leaders who dedicate themselves to recognizing and serving inclusive communities. NRHH provides recognition to students living in the residence halls who have been of outstanding service and who have provided important leadership in the advancement of the residence hall system. NRHH also provides recognition to professional staff who assist with the growth of the residence hall and campus community.
Student Health Coalition (SHC)
The Student Health Coalition is a medical student run interest group at UMMC School of Medicine that has several branches at different undergraduate institutions, like USM. The group is focused on providing free blood pressure, blood glucose, and BMI screenings throughout the state of Mississippi at community events, housing authorities, places of worship, and work-places. We also provide health education and nutritional information with our Dollar Store Cookbook, a collection of health-conscious recipes entirely sourced from the Dollar General that has been approved by registered dieticians.
Afro-American Student Organization (AASO)
The Afro-American Student Organization at The University of Southern Mississippi promotes academic, social, and cultural wellness for all students who attend the University. The organization proposes to provide academic, social, and cultural activities for students who are concerned with African American interest, both on campus and in the community. These activities shall include such things as social functions, campus orientation for new students, and assistance for members to promote scholarship and group discussions on topics of mutual interest and to promote better race relations within the University and in the community.
Traditions
Delta State University is home to a diverse history and culture. Here are some of the most popular traditions:
Our present mascot, the Golden Eagles, was chosen as the athletic teams’ name, and the new mascot was Seymour, an individual in a Golden Eagle costume. Several students usually share the responsibility of portraying Seymour. Golden Eagles was chosen over Raiders, War Lords, Timber Wolves and Southerners.
Seymour’s full name is Seymour d’Campus. The name was inspired by the 1984 World’s Fair mascot, Seymour d’Fair, who was played by former Southern Miss mascot Jeff Davis ’83.
The Pride Of Mississippi Marching Band
Since its founding in 1920 as a 20-piece brass ensemble, The Pride of Mississippi has evolved into an impressive and highly respected marching band. Having marched for such events as the FDR Inaugural Parade, the Chicago World’s Fair, the Senior Bowl Classic football games, the Blue and Gray game, and professional football games, The Pride was one of the most televised marching bands in the South during the 1970s and ’80s.
History of Black and Gold
Black and gold have been Southern Miss’ colors since the beginning, thanks to Florence Burrow Pope who, with her husband Moran, was in the school’s first class in 1912. In an oral history recorded by former University President William D. McCain in 1965, Mrs. Pope told of being the senior class sponsor at Carson School during the 1910-11 school year when her classmates were arguing about selection of the class colors. “On a trip home, I saw great masses of Black-Eyed Susans in the pine forests. I decided to encourage my senior class to gather Black-Eyed Susans to spell out the name of the class on sheets to be displayed during exercises on Class Day. I then suggested black and gold as class colors, and my suggestion was adopted.
Student Testimonials
Hear from students who have attended Delta State University
Through opportunities such as Rise Creative and Creative Collective, I have been able to gain leadership experience, work with real clients in the community, and be mentored in ways that I could not have been anywhere else. USM graphic design professors facilitate an extremely hands-on, energetic, collaborative environment to learn amongst your peers and solve problems. Experiences in the classroom have taught me that art is about so much more than creating things that “look cool.”…
Melanie Appel
Class of 2018
My Coach helped grow and develop skills I never thought I could achieve, but with her help and motivation I have a much better outlook on college than I did at the beginning of the semester.”
A Success Coach Student
Class Unknown
The SAS staff has surely enlightened my path here at USM! Although my journey does end here, I will never forget all of the soaring accommodations I was offered to guarantee my full academic success in ways that work best for me. Thank you SAS! Forever indebted to my heart!
Anonymus Student
Class of Unknown