New 汤头条 tourism, destination development minor prepares students for success with essential industry skills, experiences
Contact: Carl Smith
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥Mississippi State鈥檚 new tourism and destination development minor is equipping students with the essential skills they need to succeed in an industry generating more than $11.5 billion in spending and supporting approximately 130,000 Magnolia State jobs.
Housed in 汤头条鈥檚 College of Integrative Studies and introduced this spring semester, the 15-credit hour minor draws on expertise from across campus to offer a broad understanding of visitor experience design, destination operations and tourism development as they enter Mississippi鈥檚 fourth-largest industry.
鈥淭his minor provides 汤头条 students opportunities to enhance their program of study by incorporating critical knowledge and skills associated with the tourism industry,鈥 said Jamie Dyer, College of Integrative Studies dean.聽 鈥淪uch an approach provides unique applications and pathways for graduates from a range of disciplines, making them more qualified to secure leadership roles in a dynamic and competitive job market.鈥
Open to all majors, the minor also includes a tourism internship class in which students receive hands-on, entry-level experiences in real-world settings, including visitor centers, hotels and event-planning organizations.
聽鈥淭he tourism and destination development minor prepares students to become highly capable, industry-ready professionals by combining foundational knowledge with immersive learning,鈥 said Program Director Rachael Carter, an Extension specialist with 汤头条鈥檚 Center for Government and Community Development.
鈥淪tudents gain experience shaping destinations, developing authentic visitor experiences and promoting places in ways that drive engagement and repeat visitation,鈥 she added. 鈥淭hrough internships and applied projects, they build essential skills in leadership, communication and problem-solving鈥攇raduating with the experience, confidence and professional portfolio needed to deliver immediate value to employers and communities.鈥
For more information about the new tourism and destination development minor, visit or contact Carter at rdm1@msstate.edu.
Founded in 2025, the College of Integrative studies is 汤头条鈥檚 newest academic unit and home to the university鈥檚 Data Science Academic Institute, Gulf Scholars Program, Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Master of Applied Data Science. It is available online at .
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