College of Education (COE) - Recruitment, Retention, and Advising Coordinator and Academic Coordinator
The COE’s Recruitment, Retention, and Advising Coordinator and Academic Coordinator collaborate with departmental advisors, faculty, and staff in MSU’s COE, The Learning Center, The Career Center, community colleges, and P-12 schools. The coordinators meet with students interested in pursuing a major in the COE. The coordinators provide students with appropriate information regarding academic policies, curriculum requirements, admission and orientation to teacher education, campus services, and other necessary resources to assist students with degree completion. The coordinators collaborate with The Career Center to assist students and provide opportunities to attend resume writing sessions and mock interview sessions to help them prepare for internships and employment. During their final semester, students participate in an Education Career Fair sponsored by The Career Center.
In addition to the coordinators, the COE departmental advisors meet with students to discuss programs of study. After students enroll at MSU, departmental advisors meet with students each semester to assist them with course registration, program of study requirements, and questions.
As an aid to retention in teacher education, the coordinators also monitor students’ academic progress for teacher education students placed on academic probation (Probation I, Probation II, and Dismissal). After the completion of 60 hours, teacher education students (enrolled, admitted, or transfer) whose overall GPAs fall below 2.50 are placed on academic probation (Probation I). The Academic Coordinator schedules meetings throughout the semester with students on probation to help them work towards improving their GPA. Teacher education students who do not achieve the acceptable overall GPA of 2.50 after one semester of probation are granted one additional semester of continued probation (Probation II). Teacher education probationary students are dismissed from teacher education if their overall GPAs have not improved to 2.50 or higher after two semesters of continued probation (Dismissal). Students dismissed from teacher education are encouraged to change to a non-teaching major in the College of Education or to a major in another college that does not require an overall GPA of 2.50. While on probation, students cannot take any restricted professional education courses. Probationary students’ academic progress is reported and analyzed at the end of each semester. The students are notified and required to schedule an initial meeting with the academic coordinator before the next semester begins. The Academic Coordinator and the student discuss academic progress and develop a plan to improve their overall GPAs.
In accordance with section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, Mississippi State University reasonably accommodates students who demonstrate, through appropriate documentation, a qualified disability. The Disability Resource Center (DRC) is the designated unit on campus where students with disabilities identify themselves when requesting academic accommodations. Disabilities may include but are not limited to, conditions related to mental health, chronic health, attention, learning, autism, brain injury, vision, hearing, mobility, speech, or intellectual disabilities. In the case of short- term disabilities (e.g., broken arm), students and instructors can often work to minimize barriers.
Student Counseling Services prepares students for life by providing a variety of services and programs that are consistent and in agreement with the goals of the strategic plan for the Institution and the Division of Student Affairs. Services include short-term individual counseling, group counseling, couples counseling, crisis intervention, referral services, as well as consultation for faculty and staff, family and friends of Mississippi State students. Additionally, the Counseling Center provides educational programming and events throughout the year to help students focus on their mental health. All counseling services are confidential and free of charge for eligible students. The Counseling Center provides brief or short term therapy for a variety of presenting problems. Concerns that require ongoing or long-term treatment may be best served through a referral to an outside community provider. Our primary goal is to provide students with the services, support, and skills needed to grow, develop, learn, and thrive while at Mississippi State University.
MSU-Meridian students are eligible to receive free, confidential counseling at any location of Weems Community Mental Health Center, including outpatient mental health therapy (individual, marriage and family counseling) and medication evaluation and monitoring. Weems’ mission is to provide a full range of professional, appropriate mental health and substance abuse services to all residents of Region Ten of the Mississippi Mental Health System and to educate the public about mental health and substance abuse issues and treatment, thereby enhancing the well-being of individuals and the overall health of this region.
The Mississippi State University Writing Center dedicates itself to helping all MSU students develop as writers and critical thinkers. Thus, the mission of Mississippi State's Writing Center is simple: our goal is to support the writing that is happening on campus. MSU Writing Center is available online and in person to writers who want to think about, talk about, and work on their writing and the ideas that they want that writing to communicate.
The Learning Center supports Mississippi State University students in improving academic performance and enhancing lifelong learning skills. The Learning Center offers diverse services to graduate and undergraduate students, which include academically enhanced university credit courses, support programs, workshops, seminars, tutoring services, academic coaching, and state-of-the-art technology labs. Open to all university entities, these services promote academic excellence.
The Career Center empowers individuals to develop skills that will enhance career readiness and lifelong career management. The center conducts Education Career Fairs and Interview days to offer an opportunity for School Districts and Organizations to provide information and interview graduating student teachers and current graduate students each fall and spring semester.
MSU-Information Technology Services
The Information Technology Services provides students with numerous resources as noted on the following link: Popular Resources for Students/Student Guide Additionally, the ITS Service Desk is available by phone or email to answer questions and respond to issues regarding MSU’s information technology environment and the services provided by ITS.
The Mississippi State University Libraries strive to provide exceptional resources, services, and facilities to MSU faculty, staff, and students, and the broader community throughout the state of Mississippi and the Southeast. Recognizing that Mississippi State University is a comprehensive research and land grant university, the MSU libraries develop its collections, services, and facilities to meet the growing needs of its constituencies. The MaxxSouth Digital Media Center is located in the University Library and is home to a makerspace that offers collaborative work areas and tools meant to fuel creativity and innovation. The CAVS (Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems) Mixed Reality Studio located in the Mitchell Memorial Library’s MaxxSouth Digital Media Center provides students with the ability to build their own virtual reality and augmented reality experiences.
MSU-Meridian Phil Hardin Libraries
The Phil Hardin Libraries at MSU-Meridian’s College Park and Riley Campuses support the reading, research, and information needs of the faculty, staff, and students in Meridian. They also provide access to printed and electronic materials, reference assistance, library research help, as well as consultations and library instruction. The Phil Hardin Libraries offer teaching/computer labs, a small conference room, printing and photocopying capabilities, and staff on hand to assist with library and information needs.
Holmes Cultural Diversity Center
Any student who interacts with the center considers it to be a “home away from home.” Through its many programs and services, the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center strives to 1) Encourage, through sensitivity training and programming, the development of a climate in which all cultures, especially minority and international students, are appreciated as valued members of the campus community, 2) Increase minority and international student enrollment and retention at Mississippi State by assisting the university’s student recruitment and retention efforts, 3) Encourage and assist minority and international students with their academic, career aspirations, and social adjustments to college life, and 4) Promote the positive image that all cultures contribute to university life to make the college experience a productive and successful endeavor for all students.
The process of receiving financial aid is a unified effort between the student and the Department of Financial Aid. MSU is concerned for its students’ financial circumstances while pursuing an education. The Office will make the best effort to assist students towards the most prudent plan.
The Center for Distance Education, in addition to serving as MSU’s online campus, offers resources to students who may need to complete courses online. Among these are guides to using online tools like Canvas and Honorlock, and videos on using WebEx, as well as offering assistance to students experiencing technical difficulties.