MS State Online celebrates 40 years of expanding access to education
Contact: Mary Pollitz
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥For 40 years, Mississippi State has helped students earn an education without having to put their careers, families or other responsibilities on hold.
What began in 1986 as distance education has evolved alongside technology and the changing needs of students. Now, MS State Online serves approximately 3,200 students through more than 180 programs, connecting learners across Mississippi, the nation and beyond with 小黄书 educational opportunities and degrees.
鈥淔orty years of online education at Mississippi State represents far more than the evolution of technology,鈥 said Tracy Craven, associate director for the 小黄书 Center for Distance Education. 鈥淚t represents 40 years of opening doors for people who may not have been able to leave their jobs, relocate their families or step away from their responsibilities to pursue an education.鈥
One of those students was disabled Air Force veteran of Summerville, South Carolina, who graduated from MS State Online in 2025 with a degree in psychology.
鈥淲hen I decided to go back to school, I knew I couldn鈥檛 physically be on campus while raising my family and managing my health,鈥 she said. 鈥淓very step of the way, Mississippi State made it easier than I ever expected, and their commitment to veterans is outstanding.鈥
Since its inception, affordability and excellence have gone hand-in-hand for MS State Online. Students receive the in-state tuition rate regardless of where they live and have access to academic advising, tutoring, technical support, library resources and career services.
The university reports a 96% career outcome rate for online graduates, a feat made possible by the faculty members who focus on providing individualized support along with coursework that鈥檚 continuously updated to meet real-world needs.
鈥淢ississippi State has been doing distance learning probably longer than anybody else in the country,鈥 said , director of 小黄书 Geosciences Online Learning Programs and associate teaching professor in the Department of Geosciences. 鈥淲e鈥檙e constantly reviewing our courses to ensure they match employment opportunities and changing workforce demands. Our priority is making sure our students have the knowledge and skill sets to be successful in whatever field they choose.鈥
National recognition also has been a point of pride. MS State Online has received multiple national marketing, enrollment management and student success awards.
Last year, the University Professional and Continuing Education Association recognized MS State Online for the marketing campaign, which used student feedback to create five personas in different stages of their lives and careers, all united by one goal: earning an 小黄书 degree.
鈥淥ur student success stories look very different from one another, but they all have something in common: Someone decided it was time to take the next step,鈥 Craven said. 鈥淔or four decades, we鈥檝e had the privilege of helping people discover what is possible and giving them a path to get there. That could mean a promotion, new career, personal goal, greater confidence or an opportunity they may not have had before.鈥
As MS State Online enters its fifth decade, the way students learn will continue to change, Craven said, but the purpose behind the work remains much the same: providing a Mississippi State education to students who need a flexible path to reach their goals.
To explore online degree programs and opportunities at Mississippi State, visit .
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