USM reinstates MBA program on main campus

HATTIESBURG — The University of Southern Mississippi plans to restore its masters of business administration program on the Hattiesburg campus for the fall 2013 semester.

The program was shifted from the Hattiesburg campus to the Gulf Coast-only format in fall 2011 as part of budget cuts within the Southern Miss College of Business in 2010.

Dr. Joseph Peyrefitte, interim dean of the College of Business, said that the restored Hattiesburg program would be offered in a part-time format with classes meeting at night in a traditional face-to-face setting. The program will take two years to complete because all of the courses will not be offered every year – instead available on a two-year rotation. Students wishing to complete the program in one year will be required to take some classes in Hattiesburg and some on the Coast.

The College of Business’ Executive Committee (comprised of department chairs and deans) voted to reopen the MBA program in Hattiesburg, noting that there are two distinct MBA markets in Hattiesburg and Long Beach.

The Gulf Coast program will continue in its hybrid format, which features one week of online classes and one week of face-to-face instruction during the semester.