Mississippi State receives approval for three new degrees

Mississippi State soon will offer new degree programs in wildlife and fisheries, taxation, and architecture that respond to state needs.

Master's degrees in taxation and architecture and a bachelor's degree in wildlife and fisheries will be offered beginning this fall.

The B.S. in wildlife and fisheries is in response to the expectation that state wildlife law enforcement officials soon will be required to earn a degree.

Wildlife law enforcement is one of three concentrations available in the new program, said Dr. Randy Robinette, wildlife and fisheries department head. Also available are concentrations in fisheries science and wildlife science.

The master of taxation degree responds to a state law now requiring 150 semester hours of postsecondary education to sit for the certified public accountant exam. The new advanced degree will allow students to earn graduate hours while gaining professional skills.

The degree will prepare students for the increasing complexity and annual changes in tax law, said Dr. Pierre L. Titard, School of Accountancy director.

A master of science in architecture will offer a specialization in digital design, said architecture Dean John McRae.

Mississippi State's is among the first architecture schools in the country to incorporate laptop computers and virtual reality technology into the undergraduate curriculum. The new research-oriented master's will allow students to explore three-dimensional design using high-performance computing.