Details on PhD International Development (University of S. Mississippi)

The program has a hybrid format. Lectures and assignments on line and 3 weekends of in person-sessions. Most of the online sessions are just student presentations with no lecture, when there is a lecture, the professor will go off on some random tangent. The in-person sessions are not well structured. There is a comprehensive exam after the coursework, the questions are random, they cover subjects that you did not necessarily see in any of the classes. You are pretty much at the mercy of professors since you don't get any feedback on the comprehensive exam. So, basically if the program coordinator doesn't like you, good luck finishing the program...

 

Comprehensive exams don't necessarily cover the contents of your courses. They typically include a theory and methods questions. At least, that's how mine was.

 

“International Development” studies in Southern Mississippi? How’s the local development there going? Asking for a friend.

 

Hello!
I just stumbled upon your post regarding the Southern Miss International Development PhD program. I’m admitted to the program and was very excited but after reading your I began to be a little worried. Can you please share with me your overall experience especially the student vs Professors/advisors relationship. Also does the program helps with publishing and internship.? And lastly how is the dissertation process?. Do students get enough support from their advisors?.

Thank you.

 

Although I can't provide any specific information about this program, it's not uncommon for program to evolve over the years. We don't know when Kajaam attended. For example, we have a lengthy thread about University of the Cumberlands' IT program that starts out fairly negative (5+ years ago) and goes into quite positive as they retooled the program.

USM seems to be well reviewed in general:

• https://www.graduateprograms.com/schools/university-of-southern-mississippi?page=3
  
• https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-humanities-schools/university-of-southern-mississippi-176372
  
• https://www.gradreports.com/colleges/university-of-southern-mississippi

 

Thank you you for sharing!. I will certainly go over the reviews and see but I had the chance to discuss with curent students and alumni of the program on LinkedIn and most of them have positive experience except very few.