Undergraduate Program in Southern Studies
Southern Studies majors explore what it means to be Southern—past, present, and future—in a complex, global world.
Build Real-World Skills for Any Career with a Major in Southern Studies
Southern Studies is an interdisciplinary program that combines required cultural studies courses on the American and global South with courses from multiple disciplines including history, literature, sociology, anthropology, music, political science, journalism, and documentary studies. Students in the program take introductory classes about how to study the South, numerous advanced courses of their choice in different fields, and senior-level seminars that require final interdisciplinary papers or projects.
Southern Studies majors seek to understand the American South in all of its complexity by investigating challenging topics such as the historical meaning of being a Southerner, what it means to be a Southerner in the 21st century, the relationship of the South to America’s national identity, and the role of the South in an increasingly global world.
Southern Studies majors receive training in research, interpretation, and communication skills that can be custom-fitted for a wide array of occupations. They develop flexibility of mind, work well with a diverse group of people, and exercise the critical thinking skills necessary to survive and thrive in a 21st century environment—all skills highly desired by employers.
The University of Mississippi had the first undergraduate major in Southern Studies, and more than 300 students have completed undergraduate degrees in the program.
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Upcoming SST Courses
For a full list of upcoming Southern Studies courses, as well as courses in other departments that satisfy Southern Studies major/minor requirements, check myOleMiss or download the Courses Available document below.
myOleMiss Courses Available
Undergraduate Program Director
"Whether you're considering majoring in Southern Studies or already are, I'm here to help!"
Xavier Sivels
Instructional Assistant Professor of Southern Studies
Apply to the Southern Studies Program
Beginning in the 2023–2024 academic year, the SST major is considered a “Competitive Academic Program” by the University of Mississippi. Hence, admission to the SST major is by competitive entry only. Competitive applicants will ideally have a high school or college GPA of 3.0 and thoughtful reasons for why they want to major in SST and add to the Center for the Study of Southern Culture’s mission.
The “Competitive Academic Program” application to be a SST major is separate from your acceptance to UM and the application for the Academic Common Market of the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB).
To receive ACM tuition benefits via SST, you must:
- be accepted into the University of Mississippi AND
- be accepted to the the SST major AND
- receive approval for ACM from your home state of residence.
Note: The ACM cannot be used just for a SST minor or double majoring. It can only be used for a SST major toward a B.A. in SST (plus required minor in another discipline).
Here is more information on the ACM application process as related to SST.
Once accepted to UM, transfer students will complete this application. January 10 is the application deadline with enrollment in the major beginning the following fall semester.
Current UM students should complete the application found here, addressing all prompts regarding their interest in the SST major. January 10 is the application deadline with enrollment in the major beginning in the following fall semester.
Qualify for Resident Tuition Rates as a Non-resident Through the ACM
What is the Academic Common Market (ACM)?
Southern Studies is an approved ACM program at the University of Mississippi. This means we offer resident tuition rates for non-resident students.
ACM Process
The application process is quite involved and subject to change depending on the volume of applicants, students retained in the SST undergraduate major, and ACM awards finalized each year.
After admission to the SST program through our special application procedure, we encourage applicants to begin the ACM application process at least three months before beginning SST coursework.
Search here at the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) website to see if:
- Your state of residence is eligible
- The University of Mississippi is an eligible institution
- SST is an eligible program for you
Once accepted to the University of Mississippi, you must complete the “Competitive Academic Program” to SST in my.olemiss.edu. You can access the application once you declare your intention to attend UM and major in SST.
Competitive applicants will ideally have a high school or college GPA of 3.0 and thoughtful reasons for why they want to major in SST and add to the Center for the Study of Southern Culture’s mission
The application process for the SST major depends on your student status:
INCOMING FRESHMEN
Once accepted to UM, the applicant will have access to the online “Competitive Academic Program.” In addition to the general information required from all students, applicants will select the Southern Studies option to address short prompts regarding their interest in the SST major. The deadline for first-year incoming students to apply to the Southern Studies program is January 10 and decisions are announced on or before March 30. Until students receive notification of their acceptance into Southern Studies, they will be designated as Freshman Studies majors.
INCOMING TRANSFER STUDENTS
Once accepted to UM, transfer students will complete this application. January 10 is the application deadline with enrollment in the major beginning the following fall semester.
CURRENT UM STUDENTS
Current UM students should complete the application found here, addressing all prompts regarding their interest in the SST major. January 10 is the application deadline with enrollment in the major beginning in the following fall semester.
If eligible for ACM and accepted to the SST major via the “Special Programs” application, you may now begin your separate, home-state ACM application. Most states require proof of admission to the university and proof of admission to the SST major. That typically includes your UM admissions letter, but one that now details you as a SST major. Once you’re admitted to the SST major, admissions can re-issue this letter stating SST as your major if necessary.
See a sample UM admissions letter with SST now designated as a major below:
If your home state approves your ACM application, it will send an ACM certification to you and to the Provost’s office at UM.
The Provost’s office will double-check your major in the registrar’s system and make sure you are accepted to UM and a declared SST major. Then, the Provost’s office will send an ACM approval letter from UM to you (and a copy to SST).
See a Sample Provost Letter below:
Congrats! Your application is halfway to full approval. Take a breather until summer orientation and registration for Fall 2025, which will be held in May-July 2025.
In May-July 2025, during summer orientation and/or registration for Fall 2025, an orientation advisor or SST’s undergraduate advisor(s) will guide you in booking coursework. If an incoming student, you’ll likely set up an appointment with an orientation advisor to plan your first-term coursework, although SST’s undergraduate advisor(s) may be in the loop. If you don’t meet with an orientation advisor, then you will meet with an undergraduate advisor in SST. Regardless, before orientation and before your advising appointment, there will be an advising block on your account, which will keep you from signing up for courses.
Advising/registration is when ACM really counts. We’ll need to make sure you are a “full time” student booked for at least one SST major-related course each semester, typically SST101 for first-year, first-term students, and other courses in the major for upper-level students. You’ll need to enroll in SST-related coursework in each subsequent term. That satisfies most home states’ and UM’s requirement of “progress toward degree.”
Note: The ACM cannot be used just for a SST minor or double majoring. It can only be used for a SST major toward a B.A. in SST (plus required minor in another discipline).
After conducting a final audit in late July or early August to ensure you’re enrolled in coursework for Fall 2025 that includes a “full time” schedule and SST-related coursework, an SST undergrad advisor will initiate a formal request that Financial Aid approve your ACM discount. You will receive a receipt for this ACM request via your student go.myolemiss email. This request is not final approval, but it will let the Financial Aid office know that you’ve cleared all the various institutional thresholds and they should grant you the ACM discount.
Financial Aid will then approve the request and will let the Bursar know to make the adjustment to your billing. If all the ducks are in a row, you will see the discount applied for the Fall term’s bill when the Bursar sends it out for payment (e.g., typically August 15 for Fall, although discounts can be applied as late as midterm).
- After the discount is applied, it rolls over term-after-term as long as the following conditions are met: enroll “full time,” enroll in SST-related coursework, and keep your overall GPA above 2.5.
- For any course to count toward the major or its requisite minor, it also requires a C or higher for a final grade.
- Also note that Summer and Intersession terms have different definitions of “full time” in terms of hours.
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Accelerated Master’s Degree in Southern Studies
Undergraduate students at UM that are interested in graduate study in Southern Studies can get a head start through the Accelerated Master’s Degree Program. This program requires that students apply in the fall or spring of their junior year (once they've completed 90 credit hours). Admitted students then take graduate-level courses in their senior year, working toward both undergraduate and graduate degrees in an expedited, five-year program.
Accelerated Master's Program -
Accelerated Law Program (3+3)
In a partnership with the UM School of Law, students admitted to the Accelerated Law Program may earn baccalaureate and law degrees in 6 years instead of 7 by using first year law school courses to complete their undergraduate degree. They start law school during their senior year.
Accelerated Law (3+3)
Beyond the Classroom
Center Circle
Center Circle is a student organization within the Center for the Study of Southern Culture. Meeting once a month every semester, Center Circle is an opportunity for Southern Studies majors and minors to connect in an informal setting outside of coursework, and bond over shared interests in Southern Studies and beyond.
Travel Courses
Consider taking a travel course to fulfill courses in the general education, major, minor, or electives. One option includes faculty-led travel courses, which are supported by College of Liberal Arts scholarships.
Featured Course:
Dr. Matt O’Neal teaches The Second World War in the South in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Personalize Your Path
"The wide range of classes allows you to craft a personalized path forward. I had the freedom to design a thesis that was impactful to my future—marine policy, preparing me for graduate school then to lead Senator Wicker’s environmental policy.”
Neal McMillin
B.A. Southern Studies and Economics, minor in Environmental Studies '14; Director of Federal Affairs for Louisiana’s Department of Energy and Natural Resources