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The Doctor of Philosophy in Instructional Systems and Workforce Development is an individualized degree program that builds on your existing work and educational experience and can be tailored to your unique career goals.

Program highlights:

This program is unique to you. Utilize what you have learned and your experience to develop a Ph.D. program that meets your needs.

What are some potential careers?

Graduates pursue careers as faculty, researchers, administrators, evaluators, directors, high-level managers and consultants.

Who should pursue this degree?

Do you enjoy writing at a professional level? What about researching, teaching and learning? If these are your interests, this is a degree you should consider. Students in this program generally enjoy analyzing complex problems and posing solutions, infusing technology into teaching and learning, presenting new ideas and exploring emerging technologies.

Program Structure

Students are required to complete a program of study with the aid of their advisor. The contents of a student's program of study are documented in the student's DegreeWorks report, which can be accessed in myBanner. Details concerning the DegreeWorks report/program of study are included at the university's course catalog website.

The student and his/her major advisor may use the following forms to design a program of study, that will then be keyed in the student's DegreeWorks report.

A Ph.D. student must complete the degree program within five years after passing written and oral preliminary exams. NO TECH 9000 hours can be taken before passing preliminary exams. To learn more about preliminary exams visit our departmental website.

For the program of study:

  • At least 2/3 of the hours on the graduate program (courses taken after admission to the Ph.D. degree), exclusive of dissertation credit, must be 8000 level or above.
  • No more than 6 semester hours of graduate credit earned in Directed Individual Studies (7000) courses or 6 semester hours of Special Topics (6990, 8990) courses may be included on the student's approved degree program. No more than 9 semester hours of a combination of Directed Individual Studies and Special Topic courses may be included on the student's approved degree program.

Admission Options

A student applying for admission into the Department of Instructional Systems and Workforce Development must submit the complete application packet to the Office of the Graduate School no later than:
May 1 for Summer semester
July 1 for Fall semester
November 1 for Spring semester

Domestic/International Classified Admissions

  1. Submit online application. You will choose Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Instructional Systems and Workforce Development as your Program of Study and Online Education as your campus.
  2. Statement of Purpose
  3. Three letters of recommendation
    • You will be asked to submit three names and three email addresses of individuals you are using as references. Once you click submit, these individuals will be sent an email from MSU, which will provide a link to an online form for completing their recommendations.
  4. TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for international students.
  5. One official transcript showing bachelor’s degree or progress toward degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
  6. One official transcript showing ALL work after bachelor’s degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
    • Electronic transcripts should be sent to: gradapps@grad.msstate.edu Mississippi State University, Graduate School. Only one copy of an electronic transcript is required.
    • Paper Transcripts Address (USPS):
      Mississippi State University
      The Office of the Graduate School
      P.O. Box G
      Mississippi State, MS 39762
    • Physical Street Address (for DHL, Fed Ex, UPS, DHS, etc.):
      Mississippi State University
      The Office of the Graduate School
      175 President Circle
      116 Allen Hall
      Mississippi State, MS 39762
  7. Payment of $60 non-refundable application processing fee for domestic students.
    Payment of $80 non-refundable application processing fee for international students.
  8. Once you are admitted, you will receive an email with complete instructions on registering for classes and contacting your advisor

Attention International Students

Applicants whose native language is not English must submit the results of either the TOEFL or IELTS exam. Prospective students should contact ETS (TOEFL) or IELTS for testing information. The Graduate School maintains a list of countries exempt from English language requirements. Please consult the Graduate Catalog for specific English Language test score requirements.

English Language Test Score Requirements

TOEFL Essentials TOEFL iBT IELTS Admission Eligibility Outcome
9 and above 79 and above 6.5 and above Eligible for admission for any term and a graduate assistantship Considered proficient in English. Applicant is not required to enroll in an ESL course unless his/her academic program requires a higher test score.
8.0-8.5 69-78 6.0-6.4 Eligible for admission for Fall, Spring, or Summer and a graduate assistantship. Scores indicate a need for assistance in English writing, research, and editing skills. Applicant must enroll in EAP 5323 Academic Research and Writing. Student may enroll in up to 6 credit hours in his/her graduate program.
7.0-7.5 61-68 5.5-5.9 Eligible for admission for the Fall & Spring terms only. Not eligible for a graduate assistantship until ESL requirements are met. Applicant is required to enroll in ESL 5120, a 9-hour intensive English course (graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis). The student must complete this course prior to registering for courses in his/her graduate program. The student must then enroll in EAP 5323.
6.0-6.5 54-60 4.6-5.4 Eligible for admission for the Fall term only. Not eligible for a graduate assistantship until ESL requirements are met. Applicant is required to enroll in ESL 5110, an intensive English course (graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis). The student cannot enroll in courses in his/her program until ESL 5110 and ESL 5120 have been successfully completed. The student must then complete ESL 5120 before proceeding to enroll in EAP 5323.
5.5 and below 53 and below 4.5 and below Not eligible for admission to the Graduate School. Applicant can enroll in the English Language Institute on a non-credit basis after which he/she can retake the English-language test in preparation for submitting another application to graduate study at MSU.

Student Resources

Please visit the ISWD Graduate FAQ page to find answers to commonly asked questions.


Contact Information

Photo of Samantha Clardy

Samantha Clardy

Enrollment & Onboarding Coach

  • General Program Questions
  • Assistance with Admissions Process & Requirements
Photo of Anusha Rijal

Anusha Rijal

Retention & Engagement Coach

  • Current Student Inquires
  • Academic & Support Services Assistance
Headshot of dr.vance

Dr. Vance Durrington

Instructional Systems and Workforce Development

  • Graduate Coordinator, Ph.D. Program Coordinator