Prospective Student,

Thank you for your interest in our Master's, Embedded Specialist or Flex-Doc programs. Founded nearly 100 years ago as a teacher's college, the University of Southern Mississippi continues its tradition of excellence by providing innovative course delivery systems to educational professionals. Working in conjunction with Gulf Coast superintendents, students, alumni, university administrators and faculty, we have sought to identify the needs of future students here at Southern Miss. While the results of this endeavor are still in development, we are pleased with the overwhelming response educators have expressed to date.

The Master's program is offered as a 34 Hour cohort and begins each summer. During a compressed schedule, students may earn twelve (12) semester hours during Block I, sixteen (16) hours during Block II (the fall and spring), and twelve hours during Block III the following summer. Thus, a student can earn a Master's Degree in educational administration in one year.

The "Flex-Doc" program in educational administration includes an embedded specialist's degree leading to the doctoral program. This "Flex-Doc" program offers an attractive Saturday format for teachers and administrators who find it difficult to attend weekday classes. Two "Flex-Doc" courses are offered each semester, along with an online course. Potentially, a student could earn 9 credit hours each semester this way. A "Flex-Doc" course requires 5 Saturday class meetings and a 10-hour component to be determined by the professor. In addition, graduate students may freely choose between a weekday course and / or a Saturday course. During the summer months only our traditional weekday classes will be offered.

Our graduates enjoy positions of leadership in elementary and secondary schools across the state. Many instructors from institutions of higher learning are turning to Southern Miss for their terminal degrees. We are committed to innovative but integrity-laden delivery systems that meet the increasingly complex schedules of today's professional educators.

Our program offerings also include degrees options in school counseling. Please know we look forward to meeting you personally, answering your questions, and assisting you in the realization of your goals. Call our office, or email me at the address below, to make an appointment.

Gaylynn Parker, Ph.D.
Interim Chair
Educational Leadership and Research