A partnership agreement between Mississippi State University and Keesler Air Force Base will afford service-members an opportunity to pursue an accelerated Bachelor of Applied Science degree in weather and environment.
The program, approved by the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning in May, will enable airmen at Keelser to transfer technical training in weather-related fields directly for college credit under the umbrella of MSU’s Department of Geosciences. This will streamline their progress toward a four-year degree.
Per officials, the program is designed to build on the military’s “rigorous meteorological instruction” by integrating applied science coursework and real-world environmental applications.
“This partnership reflects MSU’s longstanding commitment to supporting our nation’s military and enhancing educational access for service members,” said John Rodgers, geosciences professor and department head at MSU. “By aligning the strengths of Keesler’s training programs with MSU’s academic resources, we are creating a meaningful opportunity for airmen to advance both their military and civilian careers.”
Located in Biloxi, Keesler Air Force Base is home to the 81st Training Wing and serves as a key site for technical instruction in the U.S. Air Force, particularly in the meteorology, communications, and electronics fields. The base is recognized nationally for its advanced instruction in weather forecasting and environmental monitoring — skills that directly align with MSU’s newly proposed degree’s objectives.
Earlier this year, MSU continued its longstanding reputation as being annually recognized as one of the nation’s most military-friendly higher learning institutions, as was evidenced by a top-five ranking.
