Frequently Asked Questions

When are applications due?

Application deadlines are posted via this link.

How do I get an assistantship? If you wish to be considered for a Graduate Assistantship, please indicate this in the cover letter that is part of your application to the College of Business.   There are a limited number of positions available; therefore competition for assistantships is high.

What do I do when I am ready to graduate? Students preparing to graduate must submit an application for graduation the term before their final semester. The deadlines for graduation applications are posted by the Graduate School. Contact your program advisor for more information.

What is the "continuous enrollment requirement?" The Graduate School at Southern Miss requires that students be registered for at least one credit hour each Fall and Spring semester until their degree is complete, including the semester of graduation. Any student who does not enroll during a Fall or Spring semester will need to pay a fee to the Graduate School and obtain permission to be re-admitted into the program. Students who complete their course work but delay applying for graduation until a later term will need to enroll in an additional course the semester of graduation.

How much does it cost? The tuition rate for graduate level courses (both in-state and out-of -state) is posted by the Graduate School.

What is the minimum GMAT score that I need? Our graduate programs are competitive and comparative, therefore there is no minimum GMAT score. Each applicant is evaluated on their entire application package--GPA, work experience, etc.--and compared with other applicants.

What is the minimum GPA that I need for admission? For regular admission into the Graduate School, students must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 for the last two years of undergraduate study.

How many graduate credit hours can I transfer from another college? A maximum of 6 hours of graduate transfer credits may be counted toward MBA or MPA degree requirements.  The credits must be from a fully-recognized and accredited graduate program, reflect a grade of B or better, cannot be a pass/fail course, and must be deemed applicable to the applicant’s graduate program.  Credits older than six years cannot be accepted, and the course work may not have counted toward another graduate degree.  Applicants who wish to transfer 6 hours cannot count non-degree courses taken at the University of Southern Mississippi toward their graduate degree.