June 23, 2025
East Central Community College (ECCC) and Mississippi State University (MSU) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement that provides a seamless pathway for students completing an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts Technology at ECCC to continue their education and earn a Bachelor of Science in Culinology at MSU.
The agreement, effective July 1, 2025, formalizes a transfer partnership between the two institutions designed to expand educational opportunities and meet the growing demand for trained professionals in the culinary and food sciences industries.
"This partnership is another step forward in ECCC’s mission to create clear and attainable pathways for our students to further their education and to enter the workforce," said ECCC President Dr. Brent Gregory. "We are proud to collaborate with Mississippi State University to help students pursue advanced degrees in a high-demand field and prepare them for meaningful careers."
Through the agreement, academic administrators and faculty at both institutions will jointly evaluate course equivalencies and provide students with a detailed course requirement guide. Students who complete the technical requirements of ECCC’s Culinary Arts Technology program will be eligible to transfer directly into the Culinology program at MSU, with many credits already applied toward the bachelor's degree.
In addition to outlining credit transfers, the agreement includes provisions for shared academic advising, marketing of the partnership, and continued access to library and student support services at both institutions. It also emphasizes a shared commitment to maintaining regional accreditation and upholding rigorous academic standards.
Students entering the Culinary Arts Technology program at ECCC are encouraged to speak with their advisor about how this agreement can support their long-term educational and career goals.
For more information about ECCC’s Culinary Arts Technology program, visit www.eccc.edu/culinary-arts-technology. To learn more about the Culinology program at Mississippi State University, visit www.msstate.edu.
