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University Of Southern Mississippi

University Of Southern Mississippi

The University of Southern Mississippi, or USM, is a four-year, public university located primarily in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, United States. The university was originally established on March 30, 1910, as the Mississippi Normal College and was a college for training teachers. USM now offers a wide variety of degrees and programs in diverse areas of study. It is organized into the following academic divisions:

  • College of Arts and Letters
  • College of Business
  • College of Education and Psychology
  • College of Health
  • College of Science and Technology

The athletic teams of USM are nicknamed the Golden Eagles. Some of the notable alumni of the university are Jennifer Adcock, Miss Mississippi; Cat Cora, celebrity chef; and Chuck Scarborough, Emmy award-winning anchor at WNBC-TV.

Overview of University Of Southern Mississippi

University Of Southern Mississippi can be found in Hattiesburg, MS (a small city). The school is a public institution. The Doctoral degree is the highest degree at University Of Southern Mississippi.

Areas of Study

The most common majors at the school are in nutrition and exercise therapy.

University Of Southern Mississippi Selectivity

University Of Southern Mississippi does not have an open admissions system. Not everyone who applies is accepted. Only 25% of students scored 435 or lower in 2007 on the verbal SAT test. Math SAT scores at the school centered around 460 to 590, but ranged both higher and lower.

Faculty

A tenure system is one way University Of Southern Mississippi works to keep a high-quality staff.

Student Body

In 2007, 14,592 students were enrolled in the school.

Student Life

University Of Southern Mississippi student athletes compete in Conference USA competitions.

More complete details are provided below.

Contacting University Of Southern Mississippi

University Of Southern Mississippi
118 College Drive # 0001
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
General Phone: (601) 266-1000
http://WWW.USM.EDU

University Of Southern Mississippi Programs and Degrees (2007)

General CategoryDegreesMost Common Majors [see all]
Education And Teaching553elementary school teaching, education, physical education teaching, educational administration, school counseling, music teaching, special ed, curriculum and instruction, ...
Business And Management495business management, accounting, human resources, marketing, finance, MIS, international business, managerial economics, ...
Liberal Arts353English, history, political science, library science, geography, foreign language and literature, sociology, anthropology, ...
Therapy And Counseling197psychology, counseling psychology, clinical social work, communication disorders services
Science194biology, chemistry, marine biology, oceanography, chemistry courses, physics, geology, biological and physical sciences
Nutrition And Exercise Therapy193health and physical education, sports and fitness management, athletic trainer, parks and recreation studies, dietitian, nutrition sciences
Nursing And Emergency Medicine188registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing science
Family And Social Work172social work, family systems, food and nutrition, foodservice management, family and consumer science, family and consumer economics
Media157journalism, communication studies, radio and television, advertising, public relations, communication and journalism
Engineering Technician111architectural engineering tech, industrial tech, engineering technology, computer engineering tech, electronics tech
Medical Support And Technology100audiology and speech pathology, clinical lab tech, health service and sciences
Security And Law Enforcement90criminal justice and safety, forensic science
Computer Science And Engineering85computer and info science, data processing tech, computer support
Medicine50public health
Music41music, music performance, music management
Drama And Performing Arts31drama, dance
Law30legal assistant
Mathematics26mathematics
Construction Trades25apparel and textiles
Hospitality22hotel management, hospitality administration
Art Studies17visual and performing arts
Engineering9plastics engineering
Architecture And Planning7interior architecture
Religion And Philosophy7philosophy, religion
Fine Arts2fine arts

Number of programs and degrees for University Of Southern Mississippi in 2007:

Degree LevelTotal
Awarded
Number of
Programs
Bachelor's degree2,27776
Master's degree71458
Doctor's degree11125
Post-master's certificate533

Student Body

In 2007, University Of Southern Mississippi had a total enrollment of 14,592 students (12,724 full-time equivalent).

Students in the Freshman Class:

GroupPercent
Men38%
Women62%
Full-Time99%
Part-Time1%

Students By Class:

GroupPercent
Undergraduate81%
Graduate19%

Racial Diversity:
RacePercent
White67%
Black26%
Hispanic1%
Asian1%
American Indian0%
Unknown2%
(Foreign Students)2%

Students by Age:

AgePercent
Under 181%
18-1918%
20-2125%
22-2424%
25-2914%
30-346%
35-394%
40-495%
50-642%
65+0%

Incoming (Freshman) Students by Place of Residence:
(From available data sampling)

ResidencePercent
Mississippi72%
Louisiana12%
Alabama8%
Florida2%
Texas1%
(International Students)1%
Georgia1%

University Of Southern Mississippi Graduation, Retention, and Transfers

Retention Rates (2007):

GroupReturning From
Previous Year
Full-Time73 %
Part-Time25 %

University Of Southern Mississippi Room and Board (2007)

University Of Southern Mississippi offers campus housing for 3,400 of its 12,724 (full-time) students.

(Please refer to our profile of Hattiesburg, Mississippi for details about the area surrounding the campus. Also see our list of other Mississippi Colleges).

The school does not offer students a meal plan.

University Of Southern Mississippi Admissions and Selectivity (2007)

Acceptances:

GroupApplicantsAcceptedPercent
Accepted
EnrolledPercent of
Accepted Enrolled
Total4,6522,67858%1,39652%
Men1,8551,02555%53652%
Women2,7931,65159%86052%

Standardized Test Scores:

Test25th Percentile75th Percetile
SAT Verbal435590
SAT Math460590
ACT Verbal1925
ACT Math1723
ACT Composite1924

Application Requirements:

ItemRequirement
GPArequired
Class Rankrequired
High School Recordrequired
College Prep Programrequired
Recommendationsrecommended
Formal Demonstration of Competencenot required
Standardized Tests (SAT and/or ACT)required
Percent of Applicants Submitting SAT3%
Percent of Applicants Submitting ACT97%
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)required
Other Standardized Testsrecommended

University Of Southern Mississippi Expenses and Financial Aid (2007)

Expenses and Financial Aid:

ExpenseAmount
In-state tuition and fees$ 4,914
Out-of-state tuition and fees$ 11,692
Room and board$ 5,040
Room charge$ 3,018
Board (meal plan) charge$ 2,110
Books and supplies$ 1,000
Other expenses$ 3,000

Financial Aid:
University Of Southern Mississippi participates in Federal Title IV financial aid programs. (The school's OPE ID is 244100)

University Of Southern Mississippi Faculty

University Of Southern Mississippi has a tenure system for faculty.

Tenure Status of Faculty (2007):

Full-Time Faculty LevelMenWomen
Tenured18885
Non-tenured, but on tenure track14094
Non-tenured and not on tenure track83127

Salaries for full-time faculty:

Full-Time Faculty (2007):

Full-Time Faculty LevelContract LengthNumber MenAvg Salary MenNumber WomenAvg Salary Women
Professorcalendar year21$102,6216$107,334
Associate professorcalendar year18$87,82010$94,725
Assistant professorcalendar year4$93,1456$85,535
Instructorcalendar year3$61,19912$46,774
Lecturercalendar year1*1*
All faculty totalcalendar year47$92,50335$77,764

*: salaries are not displayed where there are fewer than 3 professors in the category.

Full-Time Faculty (2007):

Full-Time Faculty LevelContract LengthNumber MenAvg Salary MenNumber WomenAvg Salary Women
Professoracademic year106$87,52425$76,913
Associate professoracademic year68$66,46053$62,177
Assistant professoracademic year146$55,610107$53,623
Instructoracademic year41$41,45986$45,547
Lectureracademic year3$52,1800*
All faculty totalacademic year364$65,308271$54,882

*: salaries are not displayed where there are fewer than 3 professors in the category.

University Of Southern Mississippi Athletics

Athletic Conferences:

SportConference
FootballConference USA
BasketballConference USA
BaseballConference USA
TrackConference USA

Students on Athletic Scholarships (2007):

SportMenWomenTotal
Total165110275
Football86086
Track143145
Baseball35035
Basketball131124
All Other Sports176885

University Of Southern Mississippi Degree Programs (2007)

ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING
Interior Architecture

ART STUDIES
Visual and Performing Arts, General

BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT
Accounting
Business Administration and Management, General
Business, Management, Marketing & Related Support Services, Other
Business/Managerial Economics
Finance, General
Human Resources Development
Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General
International Business/Trade/Commerce
Management Information Systems, General
Marketing/Marketing Management, General

COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other
Computer and Information Sciences, General
Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician

CONSTRUCTION TRADES
Apparel and Textiles, General

DRAMA AND PERFORMING ARTS
Dance, General
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General

EDUCATION AND TEACHING
Adult and Continuing Education Administration
Art Teacher Education
Business Teacher Education
Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services
Curriculum and Instruction
Education, General
Education, Other
Education/Teaching Individuals - Hearing Impairments
Educational Leadership and Administration, General
Educational/Instructional Media Design
Elementary Education and Teaching
Foreign Language Teacher Education
Higher Education/Higher Education Administration
Music Teacher Education
Physical Education Teaching and Coaching
Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education
Secondary Education and Teaching
Special Education and Teaching, General
Special Education and Teaching, Other
Technology Teacher Education/Industrial Arts Teacher Education

ENGINEERING
Polymer/Plastics Engineering

ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN
Architectural Engineering Technology/Technician
Computer Engineering Technology/Technician
Electrical/Electronic/Communications Engr Technology/Technician
Engineering Technology, General
Industrial Technology/Technician

FAMILY AND SOCIAL WORK
Family Systems
Family and Consumer Economics and Related Services, Other
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General
Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies, General
Foodservice Systems Administration/Management
Social Work

FINE ARTS
Fine/Studio Arts, General

HOSPITALITY
Hospitality Administration/Management, Other
Hotel/Motel Administration/Management

LAW
Legal Assistant/Paralegal

LIBERAL ARTS
American/United States Studies/Civilization
Anthropology
Development Economics and International Development
English Language and Literature, General
Foreign Languages and Literatures, General
Geography
History, General
International Relations and Affairs
Library Science/Librarianship
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
Political Science and Government, General
Sociology

MATHEMATICS
Mathematics, General

MEDIA
Advertising
Communication Studies/Speech Communication and Rhetoric
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other
Journalism
Public Relations/Image Management
Radio and Television

MEDICAL SUPPORT AND TECHNOLOGY
Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist
Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General

MEDICINE
Public Health, General (MPH, DPH)

MUSIC
Music Management and Merchandising
Music Performance, General
Music, General

NURSING AND EMERGENCY MEDICINE
Nursing Administration (MSN, MS, PhD)
Nursing Science (MS, PhD)
Nursing/Registered Nurse (RN, ASN, BSN, MSN)

NUTRITION AND EXERCISE THERAPY
Athletic Training/Trainer
Dietetics/Dietitian (RD)
Health and Physical Education, General
Nutrition Sciences
Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies
Sport and Fitness Administration/Management

RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY
Philosophy
Religion/Religious Studies

SCIENCE
Biological and Physical Sciences
Biology/Biological Sciences, General
Chemistry, General
Chemistry, Other
Geology/Earth Science, General
Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
Oceanography, Chemical and Physical
Physics, General

SECURITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies
Forensic Science and Technology

THERAPY AND COUNSELING
Clinical/Medical Social Work
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services, Other
Counseling Psychology
Psychology, General

University Of Southern Mississippi Highlights

(Details are provided further down on this page.)

What Sets University Of Southern Mississippi Apart:

CategoryTrophy 
Number of degree programs
(vs. all colleges)
Top 3%University Of Southern Mississippi Number of degree programs
Number of students
(vs. all colleges)
Top 5%University Of Southern Mississippi Number of students
Faculty/student ratio (full-time)
(vs. colleges of similar size)
Top 10%University Of Southern Mississippi Faculty/student ratio (full-time)
Lowest tuition & fees (in-state)
(vs. colleges with similar degree levels)
Top 15%University Of Southern Mississippi Lowest tuition & fees (in-state)
% of degrees in music
(vs. colleges of similar size)
Top 15%University Of Southern Mississippi % of degrees in music
Female % of student body
(vs. colleges of similar size)
Top 15%University Of Southern Mississippi Female % of student body
% of full-time faculty on tenure track
(vs. all colleges)
Top 16%University Of Southern Mississippi % of full-time faculty on tenure track
% students on athletic fin. aid
(vs. colleges of similar size)
Top 16%University Of Southern Mississippi % students on athletic fin. aid
% of degrees in engineering technician
(for colleges of its size and type)
Top 18%University Of Southern Mississippi % of degrees in engineering technician
% of degrees in education and teaching
(vs. colleges of similar size)
Top 19%University Of Southern Mississippi % of degrees in education and teaching
% of degrees in nutrition and exercise therapy
(vs. all colleges)
Top 19%University Of Southern Mississippi % of degrees in nutrition and exercise therapy
Explanation of the Highlights categories

Notable:
Accepts some high school credits
Grants credits for AP courses
Offers distance learning
Offers weekend classes
Career counseling
Career services
Student employment services
On-campus day care
Remedial classes for students
Option to study abroad
Offers part-time study
On-campus library
Offers campus housing
Tenure system for quality teaching
Has ROTC (army, air force)
Offers athletic scholarships
NCAA athletic conference member

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