New Major Maps tool supports prospective, current MSU students with clear info guides to aid decision making, career planning
Contact: Allison Matthews
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State is pointing future and current students to a new university resource to help explore academic programs and select a major.
MSU is introducing Major Maps, a year-by-year roadmap containing information about each undergraduate major at the university. The online tool can help prospective students and their families understand what a major offers and what to expect from each academic pathway toward a bachelor’s degree. The information guide also is useful for career planning as it shows how each major positions graduates for future opportunities.
“Students and families alike are asking thoughtful questions about the value of a degree and how it connects to future opportunities. Major Maps helps answer these questions by presenting clear, consistent information about what students will study, how they can enrich that experience, and where that path can lead after graduation,” said MSU Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw.
“Major Maps is a practical tool that supports students from the moment they begin exploring Mississippi State through graduation and beyond. By helping students better understand their academic options, stay on track in their programs, and connect their degree to future careers, this resource advances key priorities for how we support students at MSU,” he added.
Available at www.majors.msstate.edu, Major Maps supports several MSU goals, including serving as a strong support system to recruit prospective students to the state’s leading university, improve student retention and further increase employability by helping students better articulate the value of each degree. It also supports academic advising, giving students and advisors a shared, easy-to-read reference outlining important curricular milestones, suggested co-curricular experiences and ways students can stay on track academically.
Shelby Tschume, executive director for strategic initiatives in MSU’s Office of the Provost, said not only future and current students, but a broad variety of users will benefit from the streamlined information presented through Major Maps. From parents and family members to advisors, faculty and external partners, the tool offers clarity and consistency.
“This will be extremely helpful to anyone seeking accurate information about MSU majors, and we have designed this tool to feel welcoming, informative and easy to navigate. We want all our students to feel confident about the majors they are choosing and how they can make the most of their time at the university,” Tschume said. She also expressed appreciation for the collaborative effort among faculty, staff and college leaders in bringing the project to fruition.
Major Exploration Workshops co-hosted by the Career Center and the Center for Advising will assist students who are undecided on a major to compare different programs and learn how various options align with their personal interests, skills and career goals.
Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.