Doctor of Philosophy in Instructional Systems and Workforce Development

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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 CAPP report, which can be accessed in myBanner. Details concerning the CAPP 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 CAPP 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
Domestic Unclassified Admissions
International Unclassified Admissions

Provisional Admissions
Readmission
Transfer Credit

Domestic/International Classified Admissions

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.
Statement of Purpose
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.
TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for international students.
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.)
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
Payment of $60 non-refundable application processing fee for domestic students.
Payment of $80 non-refundable application processing fee for international students.
Once you are admitted, you will receive an email with complete instructions on registering for classes and contacting your advisor

Domestic Unclassified Admissions

Only NINE (9) hours of course work taken as an "Unclassified Student" can be applied toward a degree program. All Unclassified students should submit a classified application once they have reached the maximum of nine hours. Full admission into the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Instructional Systems and Workforce Development online program will be based upon successful completion of all classified admissions requirements.

If you are applying unclassified, select "Graduate School - Unclassified" as the college.

1. Submit online application
2. 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.)
3. 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
4. Pay $60 non-refundable application processing fee

PLEASE NOTE
In general, students who are not admitted into a degree program are not eligible for student financial aid funds. For more information please visit Student Financial Aid to see if you will be eligible or not while taking courses as an Unclassified graduate student.

International Unclassified Admissions

If you are applying unclassified, select "Graduate School - Unclassified" as the college.

Submit online application
TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for international students.
One copy of academic records showing degree(s) (in native language along with translated copies if appropriate)
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.)
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
Must obtain application approval from the Dean of the Graduate School
Payment of $80 non-refundable application processing fee for international students.

Provisional Admissions

A student who has not fully met the requirements stipulated by the University and the department for admission to graduate study may be granted admission as a degree-seeking graduate student with provisional status. Such student must have as his/her initial objective advancement to regular status. A provisional student must receive a 3.00 GPA on the first nine hours of graduate level courses on the program of study taken at Mississippi State University (transfer hours or unclassified graduate hours will not apply) in order to achieve regular status. If a 3.00 is not attained, the provisional student will be dismissed from graduate study.

Readmission

Once enrolled in graduate study, a student who fails to meet the continuous enrollment requirement must complete an Application for Readmission to register for classes. Continuous enrollment is defined as enrollment in two of three semester terms (Fall, Spring, or Summer) with Fall enrollment required. Students who have not been enrolled for a period of three years or longer and are in good academic standing, are eligible to reapply to through the Lapsed Student Program. Readmission is not guaranteed and must be approved by the Department Head, Academic Dean, and Dean of the Graduate School. Interested students or academic departments should contact the Graduate School for more information.

Transfer Credit

Students may transfer up to twelve (12) hours of graduate level credits from regionally accredited institutions. The decision to grant transfer credit is made by the advisor and the student’s graduate committee. If you wish to transfer credits, contact your advisor. You will need to provide an official transcript showing the courses you wish to transfer.