Skip navigation

Undergraduate Admissions

Admissions Requirements

Transfer Requirements    Other Routes    Honors Requirements    Credit by Exam    International Requirements

Freshman Admission Requirements

Students planning to enter the university as freshmen must complete the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) listed below and submit a composite ACT, superscore ACT (calculated by ACT), or combined SAT (verbal/quantitative) score. Please note that the writing components of the ACT and SAT are not used in evaluation for admission.

For more information about freshman admission requirements, click the links below to expand the sections and get complete details.  

Units No. of units required Description
English 4 All must require substantial communication skills (i.e., reading, writing, listening, and speaking). Compensatory Reading and Writing may not be included.
Mathematics 4 Algebra I or its equivalent and Math higher than Algebra I (2 units)
Sciences 3 Biology I or its equivalent and Science higher than Biology I (2 units)
Social Studies 3 1/2 Units must include integrated courses of social sciences and humanities promoting civic competence
Arts 1 Includes any one Carnegie unit (or two ½ units) of visual and performing arts course(s) meeting the requirements for high school graduation
Advanced Electives 2

Option I: Foreign Language I and Foreign Language II; Option 2: Foreign Language I and Advanced World Geography; Option 3: (1) Any combination of an advanced level course above the required Carnegie units as noted in the Mississippi Department of Education Secondary Course Manual and/or any Advanced Placement (AP), Academic or Career and Technical Dual Credit (DC), International Baccalaureate (IB) or Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) course. (2) Completion of any two-year Career and Technical course may count as one unit. Example: completion of both Health Sciences I & II will count as an advanced elective.

Technology 1 A course that emphasizes the use of technology as a productivity tool. Instruction should include utilizing various forms of technology to create, collaborate, organize, and publish information. The application of technology as a productivity tool, rather than specific hardware and/or software packages should be the focus of the course.

 

  • Pre-High School Units: Courses taken prior to high school will be accepted for admission provided the course earns Carnegie credit and the content is the same as the high school course.
  • Substitutions: Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses can be substituted for each requirement in the College Preparatory Curriculum.
  • Course Acceptance: A course may not be used to satisfy more than one requirement.

Full admission will be granted to the following:

  1. All students completing the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) with a minimum of a 2.0 high school GPA on the CPC, as well as a score of 18 or higher on the ACT (composite or superscore) or equivalent SAT score based on the testing concordance in place at the time of the testing date.
  2. All students completing the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) with a minimum of a 2.5 high school GPA on the CPC or a class rank in the top 50 percent, as well as a score of 16 or higher on the ACT (composite or superscore) or equivalent SAT score based on the testing concordance in place at the time of the testing date. (Click here and view Table A2.)
  3. All students completing the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) with a minimum of a 3.2 high school GPA on the CPC. (Please note that students offered admission without an ACT or SAT score cannot be considered for freshman scholarships. Click here and view Table A2.)
  4. Students who satisfy the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) standards for student-athletes who are full qualifiers under Division I guidelines

*Based on any SAT taken before March 2016

The University of Southern Mississippi accepts scores from both the old SAT (any SAT taken before March 2016) and the newly redesigned SAT. If you have taken the SAT after March 1, 2016, use College Board’s SAT Score Converter to compare your SAT scores to old SAT scores.

Strong Freshman applicants will present a 2.5 minimum GPA in core academic subjects. Freshman applicants must complete a required core curriculum of courses during their secondary school education to be admitted to the university. The basic core requirements are:

4 units of English
3 units of mathematics
3 units of sciences
3 units of social studies
2 units of advanced electives
1/2 unit of computer applications

It is understood that most foreign education systems do not follow the same core curriculum as taught in U.S. high schools. Therefore, each applicant will be evaluated on criteria particular to the educational system of the country in which they completed their studies.

Admission with Deficiencies

Applicants who fail to meet full admission standards as listed above may, as a result of a review, be admitted for the summer or fall semester. The review shall involve a consideration of high school performance, ACT/SAT scores, placement testing, and special interests and skills, as well as other non-cognitive factors.

As a result of the review, students who indicate inadequate readiness in English, reading or mathematics may be required to participate in counseling and testing, which will be held on campus prior to the beginning of the summer session. Applicants who successfully complete the counseling and testing program may be admitted to the university, with the requirement that they participate in the Year-Long Academic Support Program.

Students who are not successful in completing the counseling and testing program may be admitted with the requirements that they enroll in the Summer Developmental Program.

The Summer Developmental Program is an intensive nine-week program developed to prepare students for success during their first year of college studies. The program concentrates on those high school subject areas (writing, reading, mathematics) that are crucial to success in first-year college curricula. To be eligible to enroll in the program, students must first go through an on-campus interview, which includes taking a diagnostic test called the Accuplacer.

Students who successfully complete the Summer Developmental Program will be allowed to continue in the fall term with mandatory participation in the Year-Long Academic Support Program during their freshman year. Students who do not successfully complete the Summer Developmental Program will be counseled to explore other post-secondary opportunities, including those offered by community colleges.

The cost for the program is full-semester tuition plus the required study materials. A student may apply for financial aid to assist in paying for the program by filling out a FASFA application; a grant is also available through the State of Mississippi.

The Year-Long Academic Support Program is designed to help students navigate through their first year of college studies with a positive experience and complete it with great success.

The program offers individualized one-on-one advisement and counseling sessions with a specified staff member in the Division of Undergraduate Studies. The student will be required to meet with the staff member throughout their first year of college prior enrolling for each upcoming semester.  

Transfer Admissions Requirements

A transfer applicant can be admitted to Southern Miss through several different routes.  Please note that admission to some academic programs may require students to meet additional requirements.

Students must have either an associate degree intended for transfer from a regionally accredited institution or have completed the 30 semester hours of designated coursework outlined below with a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average for admission.

  • 6 semester hours of English Composition (English Composition I and II)
  • 3 semester hours of mathematics (college algebra, quantitative reasoning, or higher mathematics)
  • 6 semester hours of natural science (courses must be laboratory-based, with the lecture courses accompanied by the respective lab course)
  • 9 semester hours of humanities and fine arts (common examples of acceptable coursework are history, philosophy, religion, world literature, art, music)
  • 6 semester hours of social or behavioral sciences (common examples of acceptable coursework are anthropology, geography, sociology, psychology, social work)

Students must meet freshman admission requirements and have earned a minimum 2.0 cumulative college grade point average for admission.

Please note that transfer students admitted through this route must submit transcripts from all colleges/universities attended after high school and that transfer credits will be applied toward their degree at Southern Miss. 

An applicant who is at least 21 years old and does not meet any other admission requirements may apply for admission as a non-degree-seeking student, which is commonly referred to as the conditional status.  Students seeking admission through this route must have a minimum cumulative college grade point average of 2.0.

Students with this status may enroll in no more than 12 semester hours and must earn a minimum 2.0 grade point average during the first 12 hours of enrollment at the university.  Once these requirements are satisfactorily met, all restrictions are lifted and the student is considered degree-seeking.  Students admitted on this status may experience financial aid restrictions, including Pell Grant ineligibility. Once conditional status requirements are satisfied, all financial aid restrictions will be lifted.

Transfer applicants must complete a required core curriculum of courses during their previous college or university studies to be admitted to the university. The basic core requirements are

6 semester hours of English composition
3 semester hours of college algebra or higher mathematics
6 semester hours of science (must be laboratory-based)
9 semester hours of transferable electives

If you have not completed the curriculum requirements for transfer admission, you must also submit an official high school transcript showing the date of graduation.  It may also be necessary for you to submit an ACT or SAT score.  Each application will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants who have previously attended a college or university in the United States or abroad should apply as a transfer student. Transfer applicants should submit the following:

  • $40 application fee
  • Official copy of TOEFL or IELTS score from examining board
  • Official high school transcript (or exam certificate) which indicates the date of graduation or completion of studies
  • Official transcript(s) from all previous colleges or universities attended

Transfer Credit Resource

(MATT) Mississippi Articulation and Transfer Tool

The Mississippi Articulation and Transfer Tool (MATT) enables students to compare current community college courses against equivalent courses at Southern Miss and learn how those courses meet degree requirements for a specific major. View the Transfer Guide.

Other Routes to Admission

Applicants without a diploma from a regionally accredited high school; Home School Students; International Students

Applicants who have completed high school from a school that does not hold regional accreditation must submit the following:

  • Transcripts reflecting academic performance or a secondary school leaving form
  • ACT or SAT scores

Home schooled applicants must submit the following:

  • Home-school transcripts or portfolio summarizing home school education
  • ACT or SAT scores 

Domestic applicants who have not completed high school must submit the following:

  • Qualifying scores on a state approved high school equivalency examination
  • Transcripts reflecting academic performance or a secondary school leaving form
  • ACT or SAT scores

International applications who have completed an international or foreign high school may be admitted in another admissions category or must submit one of the following:

  • Transcripts reflecting academic performance or a secondary school leaving form or
  • ACT or SAT scores

 

Honors College Admissions

Admission to the Honors College is separate. Students who seek admission to the Honors College must also apply for undergraduate admission.

Click on the links below to expand the sections and get complete details. 

Application Deadline: Jan. 15

Through course offerings and extra-curricular programming, the Honors College Foundations curriculum nurtures the habits of minds, spirit of curiosity, and sense of civic engagement that are at the heart of the Honors College mission. The curriculum is developmental, cultivating in students the intellectual skills and resources they will need as they advance to the mature achievement of the Honors thesis. The Honors College offers an enriched and challenging educational experience for students who exemplify such ideals as intellectual curiosity, creativity, openness to new ideas, passion for learning, and drive. 

The application is available to any student with a 24+ ACT (1160 SAT) and 3.5+ GPA*; students who do not meet these benchmarks but who believe that the Honors College is right for them should reach out to our Coordinator of Recruitment for more information. 

*Standardized test scores earned through December will be considered for both Honors admission and Achievement Award eligibility. SAT scores are converted to the equivalent ACT score based on the testing concordance in place at the time of the testing date. For core GPA calculation, grades earned in college preparatory curriculum (CPC) coursework are computed on a four-point scale; thus, weighted grades earned in AP, advanced or honors classes are not calculated into core GPA. 

Application Deadline: July 1

The Honors College offers an enriched and challenging educational experience for high-achieving, highly engaged students. As a junior and senior in the Keystone curriculum, you have the exciting opportunity to chart your own course through the design and completion of an original research project -- the senior Honors Thesis. 

To be eligible for admission, students entering in the fall must have a minimum GPA of 3.4 on at least 45 completed college credit hours and must have completed at least three full-time semesters of college. To complete the Honors Keystone curriculum students must have at least four semesters remaining before graduation. Applications are read holistically, with special attention to writing skills and the extent to which the student embodies such Honors College values as intellectual curiosity, creativity, openness to new ideas, and drive. 

Credit by Examination (AP, CLEP, IB, CIE)

The University of Southern Mississippi will allow students to earn credit by examination through Advanced Placement (AP) testing, the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), International Baccalaureate (IB) examination, or the Cambridge Assessment International Education (CIE) program.

Submit your AP, CLEP, IB, or CIE scores to Admissions for credit evaluation:

Mail | 118 College Drive, #5166, Hattiesburg, MS 39406
Fax | 601.266.5148 

Advanced Placement Program (AP) 

For AP scores earned 2018-forward: An Advanced Placement (AP) score of 3 will earn three (3) semester hours of credit. Students scoring a 4-5 on an AP exam typically are awarded six (6) semester hours of credit, unless denoted. Different policies exist for AP scores earned 2017 and prior; please contact the Office of Admissions for additional information.

Listed below are the Advanced Placement (AP) examinations accepted by the university and the Southern Miss credits to be awarded.

AP Examinations

Southern Miss Course Equivalent

Credit

**AP Research

IDS 101

3

**AP Seminar

IDS 101

3

**Art, 2-D Design

ART 111

3

**Art, 3-D Design

ART 112

3

Art, Drawing

ART 101, 102

3/6

**Art, History

ART 130

3

Biology

BSC 110, 110L; 111, 111L

4/8

Chemistry

CHE 106, 106L; 107, 107L

4/8

Chinese Language or Culture

CHI 101, CHI 102

3/6

***Computer Science, A

CSC 101, 101L

4

**Computer Science, Principles

CSC Elective

3

**Economics, Macro

ECO 201

3

**Economics, Micro

ECO 202

3

English Language

ENG 101, 102

3/6

**English Literature

ENG 203

3

**Environmental Science

BSC Elective

3

French Language or Literature

FRE 101, 102

3/6

**Geography, Human

GHY 101

3

German

GER 101, 102

3/6

**Gov't. & Politics U.S.

PS 101

3

**Gov't. & Politics Comparative

PS Elective

3

History, American or U.S.

HIS 201, 202

3/6

History, European

HIS 101, 102

3/6

**History, World

HIS 101

3

Italian Language or Culture

ITA 101, ITA 102

3/6

Japanese Language or Culture

JPN 101, JPN 101

3/6

Latin

LAT 101, 102

3/6

Math, Calculus, AB or BC

MAT 167, 168

3/6

*Music Theory

MUS 101, 101L

3

***Physics 1

PHY 111, 111L,

4

***Physics 2

PHY 112, 112L,

4

***Physics C: Mechanics

PHY 201, 201L

4

***Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism

PHY 202, 202L

4

**Psychology

PSY 110

3

**Statistics

MAT 115

3

Spanish Language or Literature

SPA 101, 102

3/6

  • *Credit will be given if student passes placement test. An audition is required.
  • **Scores of 3-5 will receive three (3) hours' credit.
  • ***Scores of 3-5 will receive four (4) hours' credit.


College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

The University of Southern Mississippi will allow credit by examination to those students who have participated in the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and have achieved a level acceptable to the university. A student of any age who has not earned college-level credit in the subject area in which he or she seeks credit can take a CLEP subject-area examination for advanced placement and college credit. CLEP credit cannot be used to remove an F grade. Credit will be awarded for a scaled score of 50 or above. The essay is required for all English examinations. CLEP examinations in English can, with required scores, be substituted for ENG 101. The appropriate department at Southern Miss will have final determination in the amount of credit to be awarded, based on the essay. Under this program, students are restricted to a maximum of 30 semester hours, with not more than eight hours or two courses in one subject-matter area.* It is understood that the 30-hour total includes all credit earned by examination. The Office of Admissions will be charged with the responsibility of determining a student's eligibility to earn credit through these examinations. Credit appearing on another institution's transcript will be accepted as transfer credit only if it meets the above cited standards.

For CLEP scores earned prior to June 2001, the following policies apply for the General Examination of the College Level Examination Program (CLEP):

·        Credit for the General Examination will be restricted to students who have been out of high school for at least three years.

·         A student who has earned more than 30 semester hours of college credit may not earn additional credit through the use of the General Examination.

·        Credit will be awarded for each area in which the student receives a scale score of 500 or above.

·        All English General Examinations taken between January 1978 and April 1986 require a score of 610 for credit. It will be the responsibility of the Office of Admissions to determine a person's eligibility to receive credit.

*Credit for all foreign languages will vary within a range score of 40-80 and may allow up to 12 semester hours credit.

Below is a list of CLEP subject-area examinations that Southern Miss will consider:

Subject Area Examination

Southern Miss Course Equivalent

Semester Hours

American Government

PS 101

3

*History of the United States I and/or II

HIS 201, 202

3/6

Biology

BSC 110, 110L

4

Introductory Business Law

BA 200

3

Calculus

MAT 167

3

Chemistry

CHE 106, 106L; CHE 107, 107L

8

College Algebra

MAT 101

3

*College Composition

ENG 101

3

**World Languages

All languages

3-12

Information Systems

CSC 100

3

Principles of  Macroeconomics

ECO 201

3

Principles of Microeconomics

ECO 202

3

Introductory Sociology

SOC 101

3

Pre-Calculus

MAT 103

3

Western Civilization I and/or II

HIS 101, 102

3/6

 

*The essay is required for all English examinations. CLEP examinations in English can be, with required scores, substituted for ENG 101. The Department of English cannot accept CLEP examinations as substitutes for ENG 102. The appropriate academic department at Southern Miss will have final determination in the amount of credit to be awarded, based on the essay.

**Credit for all foreign languages will vary within a range score of 40-80 and may allow up to 12 semester hours’ credit.


International Baccalaureate (IB)

Student receiving an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma may receive up to thirty (30) semester hours of credit for scores of 4 or better on both higher-level and standard-level examinations. Specific policies are determined by the academic unit for which the credit is awarded.

IB Exam
Exam Score of 4
Exam Score of 5-7
Advanced Math MAT 167 MAT 167/MAT 168
English A1 ENG 101 ENG 101/ENG 102
History of Europe HIS 101 HIS 101/HIS 102
History of Americas HIS 201 HIS 201/HIS 202
History HIS 101 HIS 101/HIS 102
Spanish B SPA 101 SPA 101/SPA 102
Psychology PSY 110 PSY 110
French FRE 101 FRE 101/FRE 102
German GER 101 GER 101/GER 102

 

Cambridge Assessment International Education (CIE)

Students who participate in the Cambridge Assessment International Education program may be granted credit for A-level or AS-level curricula exams. The minimum score accepted is an E, awarding credit as follows:

A-Level Examinations Southern Miss Course Equivalent Credit
English Language (9093) ENG 101 and ENG 102

6

English Literature (9695) ENG 203 3
Art & Design (9479) ART 111 3
Music (9483) MUS 165 3
Computer Science (9608/9618) CSC 101 3
Thinking Skills PHI 151 3
Economics (9708) ECO 201 and ECO 202 6
Psychology  PSY 110 3
Sociology (9699) SOC 101 3
History (9389/9489) HIS 204 and HIS 102 6
Biology (9700) BSC 110 & L and BSC 111 & L 8
Chemistry (9701) CHE 106 & L and CHE 107 & L 8
Environmental Management (8291) GHY 104 & L and GHY 105 & L 8
Physics (9702) PHY 111 & L and PHY 112 & L 8
Marine Science MAR 151 & L 4
Mathematics (9709) MAT 115 and MAT 320 6
Chinese Language (9715) CHI 101 3
French Language (9716) FRE 101 3
German Language (9717) GER 101 3
Spanish Language (9719) SPA 101 3
AS-Level Examinations Southern Miss Course Equivalent Credit
English Language (9093) ENG 101 3
English Literature (9695) ENG 203 3
Language and Literature  ENG 101 3
Art & Design (9479) ART 111 3
Music (9483) MUS 165 3
Media Studies (9607) MCJ Elective 3
Digital Media and Design (9481) MCJ Elective  3
Computer Science (9608/9618) CSC 101 3
Thinking Skills PHI 151 3
Global Perspectives (9239) GS Elective 3
Geography (9696) GHY Elective 3
Economics (9708) ECO 201 3
Psychology  PSY 110 3
Sociology (9699) SOC 101 3
History (9389/9489) HIS 204 3
Biology (9700) BSC 110 & L 4
Chemistry (9701) CHE 106 & L 4
Environmental Management (8291) GHY 104 & L 4
Physics (9702) PHY 111 & L 4
Marine Science  MAR 151 & L 4
Mathematics (9709) P1 and P2 MAT 103 and MAT 167 6
Mathematics - Further (9231) MAT Elective 3
Chinese Language (8681) CHI 101 3
French language (8682) FRE 101 3
German Language (8683) GER 101 3
Japanese Language (8281) JPN 101 3
Spanish Language (8685) SPA 101 3

 

 

Full Disclosure of Admissions Policies

For a full list of all policies related to admission to the University, please click here

Contact Us

Office of Admissions

Kennard-Washington Hall map

Hattiesburg

Campus Map

Email
admissions@usm.edu

Phone
601.266.5000