Graduate Studies

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The Poultry Science Department offers the Master of Science degree in Agriculture with a concentration in Poultry Science and the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Agricultural Sciences with a concentration in Poultry Science. Students interested in the Master of Science degree may choose a thesis or non-thesis option. Students interested in the poultry science graduate degree programs should contact Dr. Kelley Wamsley, graduate coordinator.

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Accelerated Program: Thrive in Five

Highly qualified undergraduates in the Poultry Science Department at Mississippi State University are encouraged to consider applying to the Accelerated Program. This program permits students to earn up to 9 hours of graduate-level coursework during their final year of undergraduate studies. Students take graduate-level courses and earn both undergraduate credit and graduate credit simultaneously. Students must consult with a potential major professor (graduate advisor) to ensure graduate credit could be applied to a program of study for the graduate degree. Application to this program may be made as early as the end of the junior year (i.e., after completion of 90 or more hours of graded undergraduate courses). Students interested in applying to the Accelerated Program should contact the Department's Graduate Coordinator, Dr. Kelley Wamsley, for more details. To find out more about the Accelerated Program visit https://www.msstate.edu/thriveinfive. To get started, complete the Undergraduate Enrollment in Accelerated Program Form.

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Master of Science of Agriculture with Poultry Science Concentration - Thesis

A comprehensive examination is required. The thesis director and graduate committee will determine specific course requirements for the student’s program. Before the end of the first semester of graduate work, the student must establish his or her graduate committee, complete the necessary paperwork, and gain the faculty members’ consent to participate on the committee. Once the student’s research plan has been established, the student is required to present his/her research plan to the faculty in the form of a departmental seminar.

Completion Requirements

Students pursuing a M.S. in Poultry Science are required to participate in a limited teaching capacity, such as a guest lecturer, in one course while working towards the degree. The limited teaching capacity will be determined by the student’s graduate committee when the student’s program of study is established.

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Master of Agriculture with Poultry Science Concentration – Non-Thesis

A comprehensive examination is required. The major professor and graduate committee will determine specific course requirements for the student’s program. Before the end of the first semester of graduate work, the student must establish his/her graduate committee, complete the necessary paperwork and gain the faculty members’ consent to participate on the committee.

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Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Sciences with Poultry Science Concentration

The Ph.D. requires a minimum of three academic years beyond the B.S. degree with the number of hours varying as determined by the student and major professor. A minimum of 20 hours of PO 9000 Dissertation/Research is required in addition to coursework determined by the student and major professor.

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Useful Links

• Graduate School
• Graduate Bulletin