MSU Earns ‘Gold’ From Statewide Agency as Veteran-Friendly
Last Updated March 7, 2023
Michigan State University has been honored with “Gold” status as a veteran-friendly school by a statewide agency.
The designation is the highest awarded by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency in its annual ranking of higher education institutions that offer “veteran-centric services and programs.”
Michigan State University (MSU) provides an array of services to veterans, servicemembers, Reservists and military dependents, including through its Student Veterans Resource Center. The center promotes educational, career and personal advancement for military and veteran students, focusing on the areas of academic achievement, career development, employment, persistence and transition.
MSU met each of the seven criteria established by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency in its Veteran-Friendly School Program:
- Process for identifying student veterans and military-connected students on campus
- Veteran-specific website
- Active student veteran association
- Veteran-specific career services, including resources, advising and/or outcome monitoring
- On-campus veteran coordinator and/or designated staff contact
- System to evaluate and award credit based on military training and experience
- Monitoring and evaluation systems for student-veteran academic retention, transfer and graduation rates
Part of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the state’s Veterans Affairs Agency seeks to remove impediments veterans confront in advancing their education, securing employment or accessing healthcare services, among other areas.
A May 2017 report by the U.S. Congressional Budget Office (CBO) noted that “veterans can face special obstacles associated with their military service” when entering or reentering the civilian workforce. The federal government, along with other public and private agencies, provides employment, training and education assistance to veterans, servicemembers and military families.
“In fiscal year 2016, more than 1 million people took advantage of education programs offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), at a cost to the federal government of about $13 billion,” the CBO reported.
In addition to MSU’s campus-based programs and services, the regionally accredited university’s online graduate degree and certificate programs offer convenience and flexibility for military servicemembers and veterans seeking to advance their education. Coursework is available online 24/7, and military personnel with documented Temporary Duty Assignments may exit and re-enter their programs with no penalties.
“U.S. military veterans, as well as active-duty military servicemembers, comprise nearly a third of the students in our Master of Science in Management, Strategy and Leadership program,” said Assistant Professor Glenn B. Hodges, PhD, of the Department of Management at MSU’s Eli Broad College of Business. “I have had the pleasure of working with numerous current and former military members in my MGT 801 course, Analyzing Your Organization.
“Students with military experience are consistently solid performers and bring a different perspective than non-military students, which is highly value-added,” said Hodges, director of the master’s degree program, which is offered 100% online. “Our students with military experience greatly contribute to the success and unique culture of the MS MSL program, and are highly valued members of our student and graduate communities.”
Active-duty servicemembers, Reservists, Guardsmen, veterans, military spouses, and dependents of deceased or disabled veterans are eligible for a 10% tuition savings on online master’s degree programs offered through the Broad College of Business.
A 15% military tuition savings also is available for online certificate courses.
