Contact: Robbie Ward
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Mississippi State University's Bagley College of Engineering is forming an interstate partnership to enable some students at the University of West Alabama to also earn an MSU engineering degree.
The cooperative effort recently was announced between the institutions in, respectively, Starkville and Livingston. In addition to a bachelor's degree in mathematics, UWA students now may earn a bachelor's in one of the 10 academic majors of MSU's Bagley College.
UWA, a state-supported institution with an enrollment of some 5,000, is located in Livingston, the seat of Sumter County that borders Kemper and Lauderdale counties in Mississippi. Driving distance between the two institutions is some 90 miles.
"This is a great opportunity for us to ensure that all talented students have the opportunity to earn an engineering degree even when they might not have initially thought that door was open to them," said Bagley Dean Sarah Rajala.
The agreement outlines a three-year course of study that allows UWA students to transfer to MSU without fear of nontransferable credit hours or incompatible degree requirements. Participants must satisfy Bagley College admission requirements, obtain a recommendation letter from a designated UWA official and fulfill all course requirements established by the institutions.
"Many of our current and prospective students have the capabilities to pursue an engineering degree, but they may not be aware of the possibilities that lie before them," said UWA President Richard D. Holland. "It is our intention through this program to identify and cultivate these promising students."
MSU offers bachelor of science degrees in the engineering fields of aerospace, biological, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, industrial, mechanical, and software, as well as in computer science.
Robert Green, Bagley's undergraduate coordinator, said the agreement provides another career opportunity for interested students.
"Obtaining these dual degrees gives graduates flexibility and demonstrates their strong background for careers in engineering," Green said.
"With UWA being a liberal arts college, students will have a well-rounded background making them more attractive to employers in a global workplace and in management and leadership positions," he added.
NEW EDITORS/DIRECTORS: For more information, contact Green at 662-325-2267 or green@bagley.msstate.edu.
------------------------
For more information about the University of West Alabama, visit www.uwa.edu.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.