Thrive In Five

Your Dream Career Just Got Closer.

Ambitious students now can aspire even higher at Mississippi State University.

With MSU’s Thrive in Five accelerated degree program, scholars can earn their bachelor’s and master’s degrees concurrently in only five years. And by completing the required course load in less than the typical six years, they’ll enter the workforce and start earning sooner.

Thrive in Five is perfect for several classes of students, including:

Self-motivated high school graduates with advanced placement courses who want to continue a fast pace to the finish line
Highly skilled community college graduates looking for a flexible, fast way to climb the ladder and achieve career goals
Eager college students with some degree coursework in search of the perfect degree program

Getting Started

Undergraduate students who have completed at least 60 hours of coursework and have at least a 3.25 GPA may begin the process of earning their bachelor’s and master’s degrees at an accelerated pace today. Simply contact a program advisor from the list below to ensure the graduate-level courses you choose will count toward the undergraduate degree requirements.

Caya Perry

“My experience in Thrive in Five has been tremendous. This is a great opportunity, and I am glad the offer was extended to the architecture department. My knowledge of landscape architecture has grown over the past couple of years and has become beneficial in my studies and projects. Also, I appreciate the small classes because it allows for a more intimate learning environment.” ~ Caya Perry, Landscape Architecture

Dylan Colucci

“To me, the biggest benefit of the Thrive in Five program is that it makes graduate school an obtainable goal. Graduate school is expensive, and being able to start early at no extra cost is the only reason that I am able to continue my education beyond the undergraduate level.” ~ Dylan Colucci, Anthropology

Anna Bales

“The Thrive in Five program has allowed me to challenge myself academically and has prepared me for jobs, future degrees or professional school. Obtaining my master’s and bachelor’s degrees in biochemistry in only five years will make me a more competitive and confident applicant while equipping me with the critical thinking ability, communication skills and knowledge necessary to pursue my goals.” ~ Anna Bales, Biochemistry

Heston Lollar

“The faculty was top notch the entire way through my Thrive in Five program. They understood I was starting master’s classes as an undergraduate and knew how to meet me in the middle. They were even willing to meet with me one-on-one outside of class to help with the transition.” ~ Heston Lollar, Public Policy and Administration

Programs

Qualified students can earn an undergraduate and graduate degree within five years through the Thrive in Five accelerated degree program at Mississippi State University.

Each degree program is designed to help undergraduate students earn both undergraduate and graduate credit concurrently. Up to 15 graduate credit hours can be applied toward each undergraduate and graduate degree. Requirements may vary depending on the program you choose. Please contact the advisor listed in the program links below to ensure the graduate-level courses you choose will count toward the undergraduate degree requirements.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Agricultural and Extension Education (Leadership)
Dr. Kirk Swortzel
kirk.swortzel@msstate.edu
662-325-7837 

Agribusiness Management
Dr. Matthew Interis
m.interis@msstate.edu
662-325-4787 

Animal and Dairy Science
Dr. Jamie Larson
j.larson@msstate.edu
662-325-0040

Biochemistry
Dr. Krish Krishnan
nk260@msstate.edu
662-325-2978 

Fashion Design and Merchandising
Dr. Charles Freeman
cf617@msstate.edu
662-325-1293 

Human Development and Family Sciences
Dr. Lori Elmore-Staton 
Les456@msstate.edu
662-325-1295

Landscape Architecture
Dr. Cory Gallo
Wcg59@msstate.edu
662-325-3249

Plant and Soil Sciences
Dr. Michael Cox
Msc15@pss.msstate.edu
662-325-2767

Poultry Science
Dr. Kelley Wamsley
k.wamsley@msstate.edu
662-325-3416

College of Arts and Sciences

Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures
Dr. Molly Zuckerman
Mkz12@msstate.edu
662-325-7519

Biological Sciences
Dr. Justin Thornton
thornton@biology.msstate.edu
662-325-8020

History
Dr. Andrew Lang
alang@history.msstate.edu
662-325-3604

Mathematics and Statistics
Dr. Mohammad Sepehrifar
msepehrifar@math.msstate.edu
662-325-7145

Public Policy & Administration
Dr. Mike Potter
mp2146@msstate.edu
662-325-2711

College of Business

Management and Information Systems
Dr. Bob Otondo
rotondo@business.msstate.edu
662-325-1961

College of Education

General Education Psychology
General Psych
Dr. Elaine Wei
ewei@colled.msstate.edu
662-325-3426

Education Psych
Dr. Tawny McCleon
TMcCleon@colled.msstate.edu
662-325-7101

Instructional Systems and Workforce Development
Dr. Chien Yu
cyu@colled.mssstate.edu
662-325-7260

Bagley College of Engineering

Aerospace Engineering
Dr. Adrian Sescu
sescu@ae.msstate.edu
662-325-2911

Biological Engineering
Dr. Steven Elder
selder@abe.msstate.edu
662-325-9107

Biomedical Engineering
Dr. Steven Elder
selder@abe.msstate.edu
662-325-9107

Swalm School of Chemical Engineering
Dr. Dong Meng
Dm2596@msstate.edu
662-325-5928

Computer Science and Engineering
Dr. T. J. Jankun-Kelly
tjk@cse.msstate.edu
662-325-7504

Electrical and Computer Engineering
Dr. Qian (Jenny) Du
Du@ece.msstate.edu
662-325-2035

Industrial and Systems Engineering
Dr. Linkan Bian
bian@ise.msstate.edu
662-325-0570

Master of Engineering
Dr. Kari Babski-Reeves
kari@bagley.msstate.edu
662-325-7624

Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Tonya Stone
stone@me.msstate.edu
662-325-4776

Bagley College of Engineering / College of Business

Industrial and Systems Engineering/Master of Business Administration
Dr. Linkan Bian
bian@ise.msstate.edu
662-325-0570

College of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences

Veterinary Medical Science
Larry Hanson
hanson@cvm.msstate.edu
662-325-1202

College of Forest Resources

Forestry
Dr. Don Grebner
don.grebner@msstate.edu
662-325-0928

Sustainable Bioproducts
Dr. Rubin Shmulsky
rs26@msstate.edu
662-325-2116

Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture
Dr. Kevin Hunt
Kevin.hunt@msstate.edu
662-325-0870

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I consider Thrive in Five? Who can enroll in Thrive in Five? How do I begin my Thrive in Five journey? May I take graduate-level courses while I’m an undergraduate student and count them toward both my undergraduate degree and my graduate degree? Am I assured admission into the MSU Graduate School if I pursue the Thrive in Five path? As a Thrive in Five participant, will I graduate with a bachelor's degree and master's degree at the same time? What if I take graduate courses as an undergrad and then decide I don’t want to continue on into graduate school?

Why should I consider Thrive in Five?

Research shows that employees with a master’s degree earn an average of $689 more per week than workers with only a high school diploma. Over the course of a lifetime, this can make a huge difference in earnings and quality of life. Equipped with two degrees and valuable critical thinking skills, you’ll also be viewed by potential employers as a stronger candidate.

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Who can enroll in Thrive in Five?

Any undergraduate student who has completed at least 60 hours of coursework and has at least a 3.25 GPA can be a part of Thrive in Five. Each accelerated program has an advisor with specific details about the program that is right for you. Visit the Thrive in Five programs page to find the program advisor.

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How do I begin my Thrive in Five journey?

Contact the Thrive in Five program advisor to learn more about the program you want to pursue. Admission criteria may differ between programs and are determined by the departments. Visit the Thrive in Five programs page to find the program advisor.

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May I take graduate-level courses while I’m an undergraduate student and count them toward both my undergraduate degree and my graduate degree?

Yes. In fact, we encourage you to do so. Up to 15 graduate credit hours can be applied toward each undergraduate and graduate degree. Requirements may vary depending on the Thrive in Five program you choose. Please contact the program advisor to ensure the graduate-level courses you choose will count toward the undergraduate degree requirements.

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Am I assured admission into the MSU Graduate School if I pursue the Thrive in Five path?

Each program offered has its own specific requirements for graduate admission, and the advisor for your program can help you with this process. Visit the Thrive in Five programs page to find the advisor for each program.

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As a Thrive in Five participant, will I graduate with a bachelor's degree and master's degree at the same time?

No. You’ll graduate with your bachelor's degree prior to earning your graduate degree.

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What if I take graduate courses as an undergrad and then decide I don’t want to continue on into graduate school?

That’s not a problem. You still will graduate with a bachelor’s degree because any graduate courses you’ve taken while in the Thrive in Five program will also satisfy your undergraduate requirements.

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