Master and Specialist Degrees
The University offers over 55 master's and specialist degree programs across its seven Schools or Colleges. If you're interested in advancing your education and your career, then we have the perfect program for you.
Master's and Specialist Degrees
The Master of Accountancy (MAccy) prepares students for a career in Accounting.
The Master of Accountancy/Juris Doctor is offered concurrently in partnership with the School of Law, allowing students to take courses that provide credit for both degrees. To participate in the concurrent degree program, students must be admitted by both the Graduate School and the School of Law.
The Master of Accountancy & Data Analytics (MADA) is one of the first of its kind in the nation and offers specialization in data analytics paired with broad graduate-level accounting education. MADA students are prepared for careers in the data age as they gain hands-on experience in data analytics and cutting-edge technologies.
The Master of Arts in Anthropology prepares students through courses in cultural, biological, and linguistic anthropology, as well as in archaeology, that together provide a solid foundation for careers in anthropology and beyond. Career paths include quantitative anthropology and research design & methodology.
The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Studio Art is a terminal degree that prepares students to teach at the college level and work as a professional artist. Graduates are prepared to excel in creative production, research, education, and service in the visual arts.
The Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) is one of the newest programs in Mississippi and the Southeastern Conference. The MSAT includes a academic and clinical experiences, with a wide range of partners (UM Athletics, area high schools, professional sports teams, hospitals, clinics, physicians offices) so that graduates are well-rounded athletic training professionals.
The Master of Science in Biology includes the following research areas: cellular and molecular biology; conservation and restoration biology; evolution, biodiversity, and systematics research; freshwater, marine, and wetland ecology; microbiology; neurobiology, behavior and physiology; symbioses and species interactions; biology education.
The Master of Science in Chemistry is useful in careers requiring chemistry knowledge applied over a variety of settings such as patent law, government work, national defense, and private industry.
The Master of Education in Counselor Education prepares students to become highly-skilled professionals who provide flexible, consumer-oriented therapy that addresses students’ academic, career, and social/emotional development needs. The two emphasis areas are Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a distinct profession with national standards for education, training and clinical practice. Clinical mental health counselors are highly-skilled professionals who provide flexible, consumer-oriented therapy. They combine traditional psychotherapy with a practical, problem-solving approach that creates a dynamic and efficient path for change and problem resolution.
School Counseling
- School Counseling creates counselors that are certified/licensed educators, making them uniquely qualified to address all students’ academic, career, and social/emotional development needs. Students in this program learn skills such as designing, implementing, and evaluating a comprehensive school counseling program that promotes and enhances student success.
The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing is for advanced poets and fiction writers. Students work closely with distinguished faculty in intimate and intensive workshops, literature, form, and craft courses. Graduates will have a finished, polished manuscript, and many have been published widely.
The Master of Fine Arts in Documentary Expression is offered by the UM Center for the Study of Southern Culture. Graduates will have undertaken coursework in Southern Studies and interdisciplinary fields with advanced training in photography, film, and audio production.
The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Early Childhood Education prepares teachers to develop and engage in appropriate teaching strategies, collaborate to identify and meet the broad range of goals for which schools are responsible today, model and encourage students to lead, problem-solve, and pursue lifelong learning, and respect and serve culturally diverse populations and communities.
The M.A. in Economics prepares students for doctoral studies, teaching positions at community colleges, or careers as professional economists in business or government. The program enhances students' understanding of micro- and macroeconomic theories, sharpens their analytical skills, and provides exposure to current economic research and empirical testing.
There are two degree tracks in Educational Leadership K-12: the Master of Education and the Education (M.Ed.) Specialist (Ed.S.). (For online options, see Online Graduate Degrees.)
Master of Education
The M.Ed. in Educational Leadership (K-12) prepares school leaders for entry-level roles in K-12 leadership, typically assistant principals, instructional support leadership roles, or special program administrators. The program familiarizes students with Mississippi curriculum standards and state laws, in addition to four MDE Common Assessments developed by faculty in leadership programs across the state.
Education Specialist
The Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Educational Leadership enhances excellence in school leadership by encouraging individual growth and application of research-based practice consistent with National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) and Professional Standards for Educational Leadership (PSEL) standards.
The Master of Education in Elementary Education prepares teachers to ddevelop and engage in appropriate teaching strategies; identify and meet the broad range of goals for which schools are responsible today; model and encourage students to lead, problem-solve, and pursue lifelong learning; and respect and serve culturally diverse populations and communities.
(For the M.Ed. online option, see Online Graduate Degrees.)
- Aeroacoustics
- Chemical engineering
- Civil engineering
- Computational hydroscience
- Computer engineering
- Computer science
- Electrical engineering
- Electromagnetics
- Environmental engineering
- Geology
- Geological engineering
- Hydrology
- Mechanical engineering, and
- Materials science and engineering
The Master of Arts (M.A.) in English literature prepares students to pursue a doctoral degree or to teach at the secondary level by giving them an advanced understanding of their subject matter. Graduates are well prepared to pursue professional degrees at selective universities or careers in teaching, higher education administration, business, publishing, the public sector, and the law.
The Master of Science in Environmental Toxicology prepares students to perform research and solve problems related to environmental health issues. Students will dive into the study of how environmental contaminants and stressors impact both human health and environmental quality and engage in cutting-edge research and immersive coursework.
The Master of Science in Exercise Science prepares students by exploring current issues in applying exercise for weight management, cardiopulmonary health, maintaining functional movement across the life span, and enhancing athletic performance. G
raduates can pursue multiple career paths including health and wellness coaches in the community or corporate settings; research scientists studying body and mind optimization; strength and conditioning coaches for major sports teams; clinical exercise scientists in hospitals and clinics; gaining knowledge about human movement before physical (PT) and occupational (OT) therapy school; and obtaining research experience and knowledge of human physiology before medical school.
The Master of Science in Food and Nutrition Services (MSFNS) offers two emphases: Nutrition or Hospitality Management. Students may also consider applying for the Coordinated Program in Dietetics track. The MSFNS prepares students fo careers in established or emerging clinical or industrial settings; doctoral studies in nutrition; food service or hospitality management; post-secondary teaching positions.
The Master of Arts in Higher Education/Student Personnel provides a strong theoretical understanding of systems, laws, and leadership that support student retention, equity, engagement, and success.
Graduates will understand the functions of higher education administration and student affairs, including financial aid, residence life, campus recreation, Greek Life, student programming, student government, institutional fundraising, admissions, career services, and educational law and policy.
The program provides professional preparation through practicum and graduate assistantship opportunities for those seeking full-time enrollment. (For the online option, see Online Graduate Degrees.)
The Master of Arts (M.A.) in History includes research in United States and European history, with additional courses available in Latin American, African, Asian, and Middle Eastern history.
The Master of Science in Industrial Pharmacy prepares students for careers in the pharmaceutical industry. This non-thesis program offers both fundamental and applied knowledge in industrial pharmacy, equipping graduates with the skills to thrive in this fast-paced field, either through the regulatory science or product development and manufacturing tracks.
The Master of Science in Integrated Marketing and Communication (IMC) prepares students to conceive and communicate investable ideas that are unique, compelling and influential. (For the online option, see Online Graduate Degrees.)
There are two degree tracks, the Master of Arts and the Master of Science, each with three areas of emphasis.
Gender Studies
The emphasis in gender studies in interdisciplinary studies provides graduate students the opportunity to complete a tailored program of study that integrates knowledge and scholarship from gender studies and one or more additional discipline(s) traditionally associated with a master's degree.Community Based Research
The emphasis in community based research in interdisciplinary studies provides graduate students the opportunity to complete a tailored program of study that integrates knowledge and scholarship in community based research from two or more disciplines traditionally associated with a master's degree.General option
The master's degree in interdisciplinary studies provides graduate students the opportunity to complete a tailored program of study that integrates knowledge and scholarship from two or more disciplines traditionally associated with a master's degree.The Master of Arts in Journalism prepares students for careers in teaching, management or research.
There are two degree tracks, the Master of Science and the Master of Arts, which prepare students to pursue a doctorate in the field, a career teaching at the high school or community college level, professions or vocations in which mathematics is important, for examples actuarial or statistical work, and supplemental study relevant to other fields.
The University of Mississippi Campus MBA program, ranked in the Top 75 according to Bloomberg Businessweek, is a highly valued program that allows students to earn their MBA in a traditional, classroom setting. (For the online option, see Online Graduate Degrees.)
The Master of Science in Medicinal Chemistry prepares students, through an interdisciplinary pharmaceutical approach, for a career involving the development of new therapeutics for diseases.
The Master of Arts in Modern Languages grants students high-proficiency communicative skills, analytical linguistic expertise, and an extensive cultural knowledge. The M.A. in Modern Languages has emphases available in French, German, Spanish, Linguistics, Applied Linguistics and TESOL, as well as a one-year Graduate Certificate in TESOL.
The Master in Music (M.M.) in Music grants students a high level of specialization in a particular area in music. Students choose from the following emphases:
- Choral conducting
- Collaborative piano
- Ethnomusicology
- Musicology
- Music education
- Music performance in woodwind, brass, string, or percussion instruments, piano, and voice
- Music theory
The Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences prepares students to create safe, effective medications, design dosage form, and transform new chemical entities into pharmaceutical products that can be used by patients.
This broad discipline covers everything from understanding the physical and chemical properties of drug substances to formulating them into various dosage forms, evaluating their performance in lab settings and in patients, and developing efficient manufacturing processes.
The Master of Science in Pharmacognosy, or natural products research, grants students an understanding of disease treatment into the chemistry, origins, and biological functions of small molecules found in nature—whether from plants, animals, fungi, or microbes across diverse environments, from forests to oceans. This area of study dates back to the earliest herbal remedies developed by indigenous cultures, and continues to play a pivotal role in modern science.
The Master of Science in Pharmacology grants students an understanding of how chemical agents, including potential therapeutic candidates, act on biological systems. Studies include a variety of critical topics, including cannabinoids, opioids, hormones, and cellular signaling pathways, which have far-reaching applications in areas like aging, cardiovascular diseases, drug addiction, diabetes, obesity, neurological disorders, and even the effects of pollutants on human health.
The Master of Science in Pharmacy Administration provides knowledge in pharmaceutical marketing and management, and socio-behavioral sciences while engaging in health outcomes research. Graduates will enjoy career prospects in academia, government agencies, the pharmaceutical industry, managed care organizations, and health care consulting.
The Master of Arts in Philosophy provides students with a stepping stone to a variety of programs and careers. By improving students’ ability to read, write, and communicate effectively, this degree can serve as an excellent foundation for legal studies, education, business, or study at a theological school or seminary.
There are two degree tracks, the Master of Science and the Master of Arts, which prepare students to pursue a doctorate in the field, a career teaching at the high school or community college level, professions or vocations in which physics is important.
The Master in Public Health (MPH) prepares students to be public health professionals for roles in health policy, research, education, and administration. Graduates learn to work with diverse populations, and the applied learning experiences ensure readiness to join the workforce to promote health and tackle pressing public health issues. (For the online option, see Online Graduate Degrees.)
The Master of Education in Secondary Education provides students the knowledge, skills, and expertise to become a truly impactful educator in their field. With four emphases from which to choose (English, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science), the program prepares teachers to Develop and engage in appropriate teaching strategies; collaborate to identify and meet the broad range of goals for which schools are responsible today; model nd encourage students to lead, problem-solve, and pursue lifelong learning; and respect and serve culturally diverse populations and communities.
The Master of Social Work (MSW) provides comprehensive training and experiential learning opportunities needed to become a compassionate and competent social work professional dedicated to addressing diverse societal challenges.
The Master of Arts in Sociology provides facility with both qualitative and quantitative methods, as well exposure to a variety of subfields and theoretical perspectives. Topics of study include: culture—food, identity, literature, and youth subcultures; international development; media; demography; social movements; inequalities—race, class, and gender; quantitative methods; and qualitative methods—ethnography, in-depth interviewing, and archival analysis.
The Master of Arts in Southern Studies touches on many facets of Southern history, literature, music, religion, life, and culture. Students also learn documentary methods, such as oral history, photography, and filmmaking.
The Master of Education in Special Education has two specializations, Applied Behavior Analysis and Special Populations. The Applied Behavioral Analysis specialization prepares students to help clients learn new behaviors and reduce problem behaviors associated with various behavioral, developmental, medical, and psychological disorders.
The Special Populations specialization uses intensive coursework to help students understand the connection between theory, research, and practice in the diverse and fast-paced field of special education.
The Master of Science in Sport & Recreation Administration provides students the opportunity to learn and develop sport management competencies to pursue careers in the dynamic and evolving sport industry and other leisure professions.
The Master of Taxation (M.Tax.) prepares students for a career in areas related to taxation.
The Master of Taxation/Juris Doctor is offered concurrently in partnership with the School of Law, allowing students to take courses that provide credit for both degrees. To participate in the concurrent degree program, students must be admitted by both the Graduate School and the School of Law.
The Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree program provides educational development beyond the master's level and qualifies students for an AAA License. Student may choose from three emphases areas:
- Elementary Education
- Secondary Education
- Special Education
The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) via the Mississippi Teacher Corps allows gradates to make a difference in childrens' lives. (For the online option of M.A.T. see see Online Graduate Degrees.)