Mississippi colleges introduce new academic programs to meet demand. Learn what they are

Joshua Williams, Mississippi Clarion Ledger
·4 min read
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Belhaven University in Jackson has several new offerings for the fall of 2023 including cybersecurity.
Belhaven University in Jackson has several new offerings for the fall of 2023 including cybersecurity.

Local universities and colleges in Mississippi are doubling down on a diverse array of programs that offer top degrees, in an effort to meet new demands of students.

University leaders say creating new academic programs in today's ever-changing landscape can open doors for graduates and create stability.

Some of the new offerings in Mississippi include fashion merchandising, game design, analytics, digital marketing and new supply chain management as well as cybersecurity.

Below are the specific academic programs that will soon be offered at different colleges and universities in the state:

Belhaven University

Chief Academic Officer and Provost Dr. Brad Smith said the new academic programs offered at Belhaven University would give students a better playing field to meet their career interests.

"The new major, concentration and minors will allow students to tailor their academic preparation to best meet their career interests," Smith said. "When you layer on Belhaven’s double major, fifth-year-free program, students can present a resume that truly stands out during the job search process."

The university will offer the following new majors beginning in August this year:

  • Fashion merchandising — The presentation of a clothing item or accessory to the right audience at the right time.

  • A concentration in game design for computer science — The process of creating and shaping the mechanics, systems and rules of a game.

  • Data analytics — The process of examining data sets to find trends and draw conclusions about the information they contain.

  • Digital marketing — The promotion of brands to connect with potential customers using the internet and other forms of digital communication.

  • Web design — The design of websites that are displayed on the internet.

  • Cybersecurity systems — The protection of internet-connected systems such as hardware, software and data from cyber threats.

Jackson State University

Associate Professor of Economics Dr. Chali Nondo said that a supply chain management program that will soon be offered at Jackson State University was much needed.

"The supply chain program is designed to prepare graduates for the careers that are currently a rapidly expanding industry," Nondo said. "Graduates will be able to fill those positions after completing the program with the necessary skills needed to … thrive in the industry."

Nondo said JSU has received inquiries from companies such as Walmart and Amazon to partner with students to offer internship opportunities.

"I'd like to see more business and data analytic programs at JSU being that large corporations thrive off business data," Nondo said.

Below are some of the newest offerings at JSU:

  • New supply chain management — Management of the flow of goods, data and finances related to a product or service, from the procurement of raw materials to the delivery of the product at its final destination.

  • Entrepreneurship minor — Designed to develop entrepreneurial skills for business majors interested in entrepreneurial activities in start-ups and corporate organizations.

Hinds Community College

A career tech virtual reality program is still in the processing stages at Hinds Community College but is set to be finished in a few months, according to the public relations director Cathy Hayden.

  • Virtual reality program — The use of computer technology to create simulated environments.

University of Southern Mississippi

USM is offering the following new academic tracks:

  • Sustainability sciences (coastal system dynamics) — A multi-disciplinary science major aimed at addressing the resilience and sustainability of coastal zones as a combination of human and ecological systems.

  • Sustainability studies — Provides students with the cultural, social and scientific understanding of human-nature interaction necessary to achieve meaningful environmental change.

Mississippi University for Women

  • Beginning in the summer of 2023, the nursing RN-to-BSN program will offer a part-time option to allow nurses with an associate’s degree to receive a bachelor’s degree in five semesters through a fully online option. The program will offer a flat-rate tuition of $10,000, which includes online course fees, and capital improvement fees and eliminates out-of-state fees. The application deadline for the part-time option is April 28. The deadline for the full-time option is June 30.

No new programs

Below is a list of Mississippi colleges and universities that are not offering new academic programs at the moment (keep in mind that course offerings are always evolving):

  • The University of Mississippi

  • Mississippi State University

  • Tougaloo College

  • Delta State University

  • Mississippi Valley State University

  • Millsaps College

Alcorn State did not respond to requests for this story.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: New academic programs are being offered at Mississippi universities.