Mississippi Delta Community College (MDCC) has partnered with Mississippi State University (MSU) to create seamless transfer pathways for students seeking a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree. The collaboration, known as MDCC2MSU, provides clear academic routes for graduates of MDCC's career-technical programs to continue their education and advance their careers.
The pathways have been developed for several of MDCC's key programs, including Business (Accounting Technology, Administrative Office Technology, Business Management Technology), Computer Networking Technology, Drafting & Design Technology, Electrical Technology, Agriculture (Field Crops Technology and Precision Agriculture Technology), Industrial Maintenance Technology, and Precision Manufacturing and Machining Technology. MSU hosted a presentation about these BAS pathways for MDCC students on Tuesday, November 18, in the Yeates Fine Arts Building on the Moorhead campus.
“We are thrilled to partner with Mississippi State University to provide our students with clear, structured pathways to continue their education and advance their careers,” said MDCC President Dr. Steven Jones. “The MDCC2MSU collaboration reflects our commitment to enhancing educational opportunities in the Delta region, particularly for those pursuing careers in high-demand fields like business, technology, and agriculture. This partnership is not just about offering students more choices; it's about equipping them with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in today’s workforce.”
The structured MDCC2MSU pathway outlines specific courses students will complete. Business students, for example, students will take courses such as Introduction to Business Management, Career Readiness, and QuickBooks at MDCC before transitioning to MSU for upper-division courses like Workplace Communication, Principles of Management, and Information Technology Project Management.
“We are excited to collaborate with Mississippi State University on the MDCC2MSU initiative,” said Dr. Valarie Morgan, Vice President of Instruction and Accreditation/Provost. “At Mississippi Delta Community College, our mission is to provide students with the very best opportunities for success, both during their time at MDCC and beyond. These new pathways ensure that our students can seamlessly continue their education, build on the skills they’ve gained, and pursue long-term career goals without interruption. Partnering with an outstanding institution like MSU allows us to open doors that truly transform lives in the Mississippi Delta.”
To support transfer students, MSU offers several scholarship opportunities, including the Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship, which provides $1,000 to $2,000 per semester, and the Transfer Academic Scholarship, which offers $1,000 per semester for up to five semesters. Students are also encouraged to submit MSU's General Scholarship Application for additional funding consideration.
Dean of Career-Technical and Adult Education Allison Folk highlighted the partnership's impact on career readiness. “MDCC2MSU represents the next step in expanding opportunity for students across the Mississippi Delta,” Folk said. “Our career-technical programs prepare students with hands-on skills that lead directly to employment, and this partnership with Mississippi State University ensures they can continue building on that foundation to earn a bachelor’s degree without losing momentum. We are proud to offer a pathway that strengthens our workforce, supports student achievement, and opens doors to long-term career advancement.”
“We are excited for our students to take full advantage of the many opportunities this partnership provides, and we look forward to seeing them thrive at MSU and beyond,” concluded Dr. Jones.
The MDCC2MSU initiative reinforces MDCC's commitment to creating accessible and transformative educational pathways that meet the workforce needs of the Delta region and beyond.
