T he Graduate School at The University of Southern Mississippi was established in 1947 to recognize the University's growing responsibilities as a center of higher learning and provide an academic environment in which advanced research and free inquiry could develop to the advantage of both the student and the State. In the years since 1947, the University's graduate programs have developed logically on the growing points of strong undergraduate schools and departments to meet the needs for professional competence beyond the academic measure of the baccalaureate degree. I n response to the need to offer graduate programs beyond the boundaries of the Hattiesburg Campus, the Board of Trustees of Institutions of Higher Learning in 1972 authorized the University to grant graduate degrees on the campus at The University of Southern Mississippi, Gulf Coast .
Course work taken at the Hattiesburg and Gulf Park campuses is considered as campus work.
Graduate classes taken as part of International Programming under Hattiesburg registration and accompanied by a USM professor are considered campus work also. T he Graduate School is administered by a dean executing policies determined by the Graduate Council. The present composition of the Graduate Council includes the Dean of the Graduate School and elected members from the College of The Arts, the College of Business Administration, the College of Education and Psychology, the College of Health and Human Sciences, the College of Liberal Arts, and the College of Science and Technology. Permanent ex officio members are the President of the University and the University Librarian. The Council elects a chair from its regular members.