About CALS

Established in 1878 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of the State of Mississippi, Mississippi State University today continues to excel in its original mission of education, research, and service. The study of agriculture, a founding basis for the institution, was formalized into a college in 1903.

The present-day College of Agriculture and Life Science (CALS) presents a broad array of opportunities for the study of life, encompassing 9 schools and departments. Together, they offer 17 majors and 45 concentrations for undergraduates and 18 majors and 41 concentrations for graduate degrees.

The College boasts a learned, experienced faculty of 230, whose common goal is to provide students with the best education possible.

Many departments house specialized research centers that have attracted large federal grants and corporate funding. The College is also closely associated with the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES) and the Mississippi State University Extension Service, which both share knowledge and solutions with farmers, business people, and government agencies throughout the state and beyond.

By The Numbers