New MSU tourism, destination development minor prepares students for success with essential industry skills, experiences
Contact: Carl Smith
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State’s new tourism and destination development minor is equipping students with the essential skills they need to succeed in an industry generating more than $11.5 billion in spending and supporting approximately 130,000 Magnolia State jobs.
Housed in MSU’s College of Integrative Studies and introduced this spring semester, the 15-credit hour minor draws on expertise from across campus to offer a broad understanding of visitor experience design, destination operations and tourism development as they enter Mississippi’s fourth-largest industry.
“This minor provides MSU students opportunities to enhance their program of study by incorporating critical knowledge and skills associated with the tourism industry,” said Jamie Dyer, College of Integrative Studies dean. “Such an approach provides unique applications and pathways for graduates from a range of disciplines, making them more qualified to secure leadership roles in a dynamic and competitive job market.”
Open to all majors, the minor also includes a tourism internship class in which students receive hands-on, entry-level experiences in real-world settings, including visitor centers, hotels and event-planning organizations.
“The tourism and destination development minor prepares students to become highly capable, industry-ready professionals by combining foundational knowledge with immersive learning,” said Program Director Rachael Carter, an Extension specialist with MSU’s Center for Government and Community Development.
“Students gain experience shaping destinations, developing authentic visitor experiences and promoting places in ways that drive engagement and repeat visitation,” she added. “Through internships and applied projects, they build essential skills in leadership, communication and problem-solving—graduating with the experience, confidence and professional portfolio needed to deliver immediate value to employers and communities.”
For more information about the new tourism and destination development minor, visit www.cois.msstate.edu/academics/minors/tourism-destination-development or contact Carter at rdm1@msstate.edu.
Founded in 2025, the College of Integrative studies is MSU’s newest academic unit and home to the university’s Data Science Academic Institute, Gulf Scholars Program, Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Master of Applied Data Science. It is available online at www.cois.msstate.edu.
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