MS State Online celebrates 40 years of expanding access to education
Contact: Mary Pollitz
STARKVILLE, Miss.—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 MSU educational opportunities and degrees.
“Forty years of online education at Mississippi State represents far more than the evolution of technology,” said Tracy Craven, associate director for the MSU Center for Distance Education. “It 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.”
One of those students was disabled Air Force veteran Heather Smith of Summerville, South Carolina, who graduated from MS State Online in 2025 with a degree in psychology.
“When I decided to go back to school, I knew I couldn’t physically be on campus while raising my family and managing my health,” she said. “Every step of the way, Mississippi State made it easier than I ever expected, and their commitment to veterans is outstanding.”
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’s continuously updated to meet real-world needs.
“Mississippi State has been doing distance learning probably longer than anybody else in the country,” said Christa Haney, director of MSU Geosciences Online Learning Programs and associate teaching professor in the Department of Geosciences. “We’re 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.”
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 “From ‘I Am’ to ‘We See You’” 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 MSU degree.
“Our 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,” Craven said. “For four decades, we’ve 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.”
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 www.online.msstate.edu.
Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.