Summer College for High School Students

Available July Only:

At the University of Mississippi, the School of Business is about so much more than getting a job. Our program emphasizes many pathways to achieving success, with ten different majors and an exciting array of ways to customize your experience, whether through our competitive special programs or participation in our various competitions and organizations.

This track within Summer College will offer a variety of experiential learning opportunities to help you navigate your unique path to success and learn how you can plug into our community here at Ole Miss. This will include workshops with the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and UM Career Center as well as visits to special locations on and off campus.

Course Options for Business

• Required. BUS 101. Business for a Better World. In 2017, the United Nations Global Compact produced a call to action to business leaders to tackle social, environmental, and social contract issues with sustainable development goals, with the conclusion that "business leaders need to strike out in new directions to embrace more sustainable and inclusive economic models." This course supports this call to action by exploring the importance of sustainability, opening restrictions to market access, and redeveloping trust between business and society.

Second course - choose one of the below options:

• SOC 101: Introduction to Sociology. Sociology is the scientific study of human social behavior. Students learn to analyze society from new viewpoints and better understand how individuals are shaped by powerful social forces. The course explores how groups create meaning through everyday interaction, how power functions in important social institutions such as the economy politics, education, and the family, how systems of inequality are maintained and resisted, and how social change occurs.
• SPCH 102: Fundamentals of Public Speaking. Fundamentals of organizing, preparing, and delivering speeches in a variety of public forums. This course will prepare students to speak comfortably before audiences, adapting message to context and developing an increased awareness of all aspects of presentation – verbal, physical, and visual.

The Explore the Arts track is meticulously designed to cater to the interests of students who are considering pursuing a degree in various artistic disciplines. The program not only provides a comprehensive introduction to different art forms but also aims to nurture the inherent talents of participants and prepare students for college auditions or applications.

Explore the Arts offers a unique and enriching experience through tailored courses and activities for students with a passion for art, vocal or instrumental performance, theatre arts and film production. This specialized program provides an immersive and dynamic environment for high school students to delve into the world of creativity and expression, offering a glimpse into the diverse fields within the arts.

Application process:

Students must provide the following materials when completing the application:

• Endorsement/ Recommendation letter (must be from public school teacher, private teacher, community member, or professional)
• Sample of work (e.g., monologue, musical selection, photos taken, picture of artwork) 
• Self-recorded and works in progress are acceptable 
• Statement: 100-words describing your submitted work and/or aspirations as an artist 

Dedicated scholarships are available for students in these emphases, particularly for Mississippi residents. Review our scholarship information, or inquire at schs@olemiss.edu for details. 

TRACK EMPHASIS: Theatre Arts 

Have you enjoyed performing in or attending a live theatre performance? This summer experience will deepen your appreciation of theatre and cultivate your performance skills.

Experiential Learning Opportunities:

Tour theatre facilities and learn more about theatre production; engage in key skills workshops such as improv techniques, voice-over techniques, dance workshop, make-up, lighting, etc.; attend several arts activities on and off campus. 

Required Course: 

• Thea 260. Fundamentals of Acting. Develop techniques of acting for the modern stage.  

TRACK EMPHASIS: Film Production

Do you wish for a more critical appreciation of movies, or are you considering a career in the film industry? This basic film production skills course is for students considering a future major in film production.

Experiential Learning Opportunities:

Watch and evaluate several movies; work in a film production complex to learn fundamental techniques of basic film production; interact with entertainment industry professionals; and attend arts activities on and around campus. 

Required Course: 

• Thea 261. Fundamentals of Film Production. Gain fundamental techniques of basic film production including development, production, and post production. 

TRACK EMPHASIS: Music 

Join our music community early, and establish a mentorship relationship with our faculty and students. Top off your experience by engaging with small ensembles in our department. 

Experiential learning opportunities: 

Interact with current UM music students at the Creative Coffee Hour; visit the world-famous Blues Archive; attend concerts and interact with world famous musicians, including Artist in Residence Bruce Levingston; visit STAX Records in Memphis; engage in a sound walk with a musicologist; and attend arts activities on and off campus. 

Required Course:

• Mus 118. Fundamentals of Music Performance. Learn musical techniques, exercises, and literature through private study, ensembles, and master classes. Activities in the course include lessons with experts, informal performances with other musicians, field trips, mock auditions, and a culminating performance. 

TRACK EMPHASIS: Art & Art History

Are you an artist who wishes to increase your skills? Do you enjoy touring museums and viewing art while learning about its context and meaning?

Experiential Learning Opportunities: 

Tour the UM Museum, local galleries, and the Dixon Gallery in Memphis; tour the UM art facilities and visit with students and faculty; visit with local artists; engage in art workshops such as relief printmaking, blacksmithing, paper making, painting, and book binding; attend several arts activities on and off campus. 

Required art studio course:

• Art 111. Two-dimensional Design. Learn traditional drawing techniques and skills with a primary focus on perspective. 

In addition to the student’s main area of focus, students may choose one course from the following to complete their Explore the Arts track:

• LIBA 130- Introduction to the Fine Arts
• MUS 103- Introduction to Music; and
• AH 101- Introduction to Western Art

Available July Session Only

International Students Only. Designed for students looking to improve their academic English speaking and writing abilities. Students will enroll in two Intensive English Program (IEP) courses and will be tested for course placement upon arrival. Instruction in Speaking & Listening, Reading, Writing and Grammar are given at 5 different instruction levels: Beginning, Intermediate, High Intermediate, Advanced, Advanced Plus. All courses incorporate modern technologies that assist in language learning, and students have opportunities to utilize the computer labs in the University’s Language Resource Center.

The Intensive English Program also specializes in the design and implementation of programs to meet the curricular needs of specialized groups. Customized group programs are typically short term, for either one or two summer sessions. A minimum of 10 participants is required.

Available June Only
Come see why UM undergraduates have a much higher than national average acceptance rate into health professional schools.  Students take two courses to provide a solid foundation for the pre-health professions. Learn about various healthcare career options and explore the resources for your success in preparing for acceptance into the professional school of your choice.

Experiential learning opportunities:

Participate in skills clinics such as suture and IV; have a lab experience with our synthetic cadaver used in an advanced anatomy & physiology course; tour the UM School of Nursing in Oxford; interact with representatives from various professional schools; learn about what to expect in shadowing health professionals from current UM students; have a private advising session with our Health Professions Advising Office.

Choose two courses from those listed below:

• CHEM 101: Chemical Concepts. Introduction to the basic concepts and mathematical tools needed to study and understand basic chemistry. Intended for students who have not completed high school chemistry and need additional preparation before undertaking the general chemistry course sequence, Chem 105/106/115/116. Students who have less than a 25 on the math portion of the ACT (SAT 580 or SATR 590) and plan to take chemistry and biology at UM can use a B minimum in Chem 101 for admission to the key introductory courses.
• SOC 101: Introduction to Sociology. Sociology is the scientific study of human social behavior. Students learn to analyze society from new viewpoints and better understand how individuals are shaped by powerful social forces. The course explores how groups create meaning through everyday interaction, how power functions in important social institutions such as the economy politics, education, and the family, how systems of inequality are maintained and resisted, and how social change occurs.
• Mathematics is the foundation of a health professional educational pathway. Choose one of the following in consultation with our academic advisors.
  • Math 115. Statistics.
  • Math 121. College Algebra.

Available June Only:

Learn what it takes to have a successful law school application, learn about legal careers, and explore different options for a college major while earning credit that will count towards the general education foundation and pre-law electives.

All students in this track are strongly encouraged to take PHIL 103, as the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) has logic/analytical reasoning as 3 of 5 sections on the test.

Experiential Learning Opportunities:

Interact with faculty and students in the UM School of Law, meet with our pre-law advisor to explore possible majors/minors for law school preparation, and discover the many career pathways within law.

Highly recommended: PHIL 103. Logic: Critical Thinking. Gain a general introduction to logic as an art of critical thinking. Learn the concepts and practice of formal and informal reasoning, deduction and induction. 

Second course may be chosen from:

• POL 101. Introduction to American Politics. Learn the dynamics of American national government and policies. Understand our political system in several different and important ways: as a set of primary and underlying values; as a series of governing principles; as processes in which forces compete; as separate institutions with powers and limitations; and, as a framework for human behavior and interactions. Refine your analytical and expressive skills. 
• Hst 131: Introduction to US History since 1877. Explore how the nation has responded to repeated social and political confrontations, which are labeled “the challenge of the minority,” however that minority might be defined. These challenges mark periods of social activism wherein the very concept of what it means to be an American has been called into question. 
• Any 200-level English literature, such as ENG 224. American Literature since the Civil War. Overview the trends and literary movements that shaped America as it emerged from the turmoil of the Civil War to become a world power. 

Students taking elective courses may choose from among the below courses, subject to scheduling availability and pre-requisites.

AH 101- Introduction to Western Art. An introductory survey of painting, sculpture, and architecture in the Western world. Available June session only.

BISC 102: Introduction to Human Biology. A survey course intended for nonbiology majors, introducing basic principles and emphasizing the function of the human body, including diseases, cellular process, respiration, muscular system, reproduction, development, immunity, and inheritance.

BISC 103: Inquiry into Life Laboratory.

CHEM 101: Chemical Concepts. Introduction to the basic concepts and mathematical tools needed to study and understand basic chemistry. Intended for students who have not completed high school chemistry and need additional preparation before undertaking the general chemistry course sequence, Chem 105/106/115/116. Students who have less than a 25 on the math portion of the ACT (SAT 580 or SATR 590) and plan to take chemistry and biology at UM can use a B minimum in Chem 101 for admission to the key introductory courses. Available only in June.

ENG 199: Intro to Creative Writing. The class follows a workshop model in which students share their writing (poetry and short stories) with the rest of the class and offer constructive feedback. Available July only.

ENG 224: Survey of American Literature since the Civil War. This course will cover prose, poetry, and drama.

G ST 201: Women, Gender, and Society. This interdisciplinary course draws from such areas as sociology, history, political science, communications and literature. Students will examine women’s identities, roles, and statuses, with an accompanying awareness of how “manhood” is socially constructed in different cultures and historical periods. The class will analyze how markers of one’s identity besides gender, such as race, class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, and ability, includes one’s experiences in culture.

HST 131: Introduction to US History since 1877. This course introduces the major themes and events in the history of the United States from the nation’s emergence from Reconstruction to the present. One theme of the course is exploring how the nation has responded to repeated social and political confrontations, which are labeled “the challenge of the minority,” however that minority might be defined. These challenges are particularly important in our history for they mark periods of social activism wherein the very concept of what it means to be an American has been called into question.

MATH 115: This course will provide students with a basic understanding of the proper statistical techniques used to estimate population parameters. These techniques include ways of setting up a well-defined study, methods for organizing and displaying data, and how to summarize data by using descriptive statistics. In addition, students will learn the basic concepts of probability and probability distributions as well as how to create confidence intervals and complete hypothesis tests. The non- online sections meet twice weekly, with other work completed in a mathematics lab. Prerequisite: Minimum ACT mathematics score of 19 (SAT 450 or SATR 510); or ALEKS PPL score of 30; or the successful completion of DS 099, if required.

MATH 121: College Algebra In this course, students will learn how to solve types of equations such as linear, quadratic, higher-order, rational, radical, exponential, and logarithmic equations. Students will also solve linear, polynomial, and rational inequalities. Other topics include the algebra of functions (including polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions), the graphs of some of these functions, and solving systems of equations in two variables. Prerequisite: Minimum ACT mathematics score of 19 (SAT 450 or SATR 510); or ALEKS PPL score of 46; or the successful completion of DS 099, if required.

MATH 125: Basic Mathematics for Science & Engineering. (Students with a 20-24 on the ACT math subscore or SAT equivalent should take this: A unified freshman course designed especially for those students requiring a review of both algebra and trigonometry before beginning the calculus sequence.

MUS 103: Intro to Music. The study of elementary music elements and basic terminology, with an emphasis on identification of the major music styles in the Western civilization. June session only.

PHIL 103. Logic: Critical Thinking. This course is a general introduction to logic as an art of critical thinking. Students are introduced to the concepts and practice of formal and informal reasoning, deduction and induction.

POL 101: Introduction to American Politics. The primary purpose of this course is to introduce the dynamics of American national government and policies. Students will better understand our political system in several different and important ways: as a set of primary and underlying values; as a series of governing principles; as processes in which forces compete; as separate institutions with powers and limitations; and, as a framework for human behavior and interactions. In addition, this course helps students refine their analytical and expressive skills.

PSY 201: General Psychology Introduction. This course is designed to provide students with an overview of psychology, the scientific study of behavior and experience. The course may include a survey of the following topics within psychology: learning; intelligence; stress and health; individual development, motivation, emotion, motor function, sensory and neural functions, perceiving, social behavior, personality; psychological disorders; and social psychology. The course will also offer an introduction to research methods in psychology.

SOC 101: Introduction to Sociology. Sociology is the scientific study of human social behavior. Students learn to analyze society from new viewpoints and better understand how individuals are shaped by powerful social forces. The course explores how groups create meaning through everyday interaction, how power functions in important social institutions such as the economy politics, education, and the family, how systems of inequality are maintained and resisted, and how social change occurs.

SPCH 102: Fundamentals of Public Speaking. Fundamentals of organizing, preparing, and delivering speeches in a variety of public forums. This course will prepare students to speak comfortably before audiences, adapting message to context and developing an increased awareness of all aspects of presentation – verbal, physical, and visual.