MSU-Meridian reports 27.5 percent enrollment increase for fall
Associate Professor Toby Bates goes over the Mississippi History course syllabus with students on the first day of class for fall 2020 at MSU-Meridian. PHOTO: Lisa Sollie | Public Affairs
Mississippi State University-Meridian is posting its highest enrollment ever, with 834 students for fall 2020. This represents a 27.5 percent increase over fall 2019 enrollment of 713 students. The largest increase in enrollment on the Meridian Campus is seen in the graduate population which accounts for 252 students for fall 2020 compared to 154 graduate students in fall 2019.
“I am thrilled our team reached this important milestone of record enrollment, especially during a global pandemic,” said Terry Dale Cruse, associate vice president and head of campus. “We have worked very hard over the past five years to add programs and enhance our enrollment services, and I am proud of our excellent faculty and staff on their achievement” he added.
The largest increases in enrollment were seen in graduate education programs, specifically, alternate route certification. The university’s Master of Arts in Teaching provides a pathway for individuals already holding a bachelor’s degree to earn teacher certification in their area of specialty.
“Our faculty have long held an excellent reputation of helping adult students reach their educational goals in nontraditional ways,” said Kim Hall, head of the Division of Education at MSU-Meridian. “We were well poised to capitalize on the Department of Education’s temporary test waivers for this program, and we have seen more than 100 students enroll since May.”
MSU-Meridian recently achieved Accreditation-Provisional status for its developing Physician Assistant program from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant. The first cohort of 20 students will start in January.
“Perhaps the greatest component of our success is our people,” Cruse said. “We have a great team of faculty and staff, outstanding educational partners at both the K-12 and community college levels and a highly supportive community.”
MSU-Meridian serves primarily east central Mississippi and west Alabama. Learn more at meridian.msstate.edu.
MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.
Lisa Sollie | Public Affairs
