The International Development (IDV) Doctoral (Ph.D.) Program accepts applications for both fall and spring admission. The deadline for the fall semester is May 15 of that year and the deadline for the spring semester is the October 15 of the previous year.  Decisions on acceptance and non-acceptance are based on the applicant’s completed application file.
Note that the University's Graduate Bulletin requires candidates for admission into doctoral programs to present a graduate-level grade point average of not less than 3.25 on a 4.00 scale. We cannot admit students whose GPA falls below this requirement.

Admissions are competitive.

A completed application must include each of the following items. Note that some items come to the IDV Program while others go to Graduate Studies.

1. Graduate School Application Completed http://www.usm.edu/graduatestudies/index.php
There is also a fee that must be paid as part of a graduate application.

2. GRE or GMAT scores sent directly to Graduate Studies (see address below). These are the scores from Educational Testing Service (ETS)(www.ets.org).

3. Letters of Recommendation, at least two from professors who know your work and the final one from a professor or professional who knows your work (sent directly to Dr. David Butler -see address below). Each letter of recommendation should be accompanied by a completed graduate recommendation form that can be found at http://www.usm.edu/graduatestudies/appDoc/LETTER%20OF%20REC.pdf.

4. Current resume/Curriculum Vitae sent directly to Dr. David Butler (see address below or by email).

5. Research Statement of 1500-2000 words explaining your research interests, how your interests fit within the program's research teams and faculty-sent directly to Dr. David Butler (see address below or by email).

6. Research Paper (sent directly to Dr. David Butler - see address below or by email).

7. Undergraduate Transcript sent to Graduate Studies (see address below)

8. Masters Transcript sent to Graduate Studies (see address below).

Office of Graduate Studies
The University of Southern Mississippi
118 College Drive #5024
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001

Dr. David Butler
The University of Southern Mississippi
International Development Doctoral Program
118 College Drive #5108
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
david.butler@usm.edu

Students interested in applying for a graduate assistantship should contact Dr. David Butler directly by e-mail or telephone (601.266.4735).

Students interested in financial aid should consult the following website http://www.usm.edu/financialaid/