Mississippi students will have access to new degree programs after the state college board approved new degrees at five universities at today's monthly meeting.

Mississippi University for Women will add a master of fine arts in physical theatre, a program which will be offered with the Accademia dell�Arte in Arrezo, Italy. The program will focus on dance, Italian language and other areas.

To help those associated with the Air Force Base in Columbus, MUW will begin offering bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees in interdisciplinary studies. The program will allow students to create academic programs that fit their needs.

Jackson State will begin offering a bachelor of science in earth system science, a program which will focus on geology, oceanography and meteorology.

The school will also offer a master of science degree in sport science; 16 students enrolled in the school�s master of education in health, physical education and recreation programs would change to this major.

Mississippi State will offer a master of arts in interdisciplinary, an online degree to help K-12 teachers complete coursework needed to teach biology, chemistry, geosciences, mathematics and physics. MSU will also begin offering a master of science in general biology, an online course also aimed at K-12 teachers.

The University of Mississippi will add a bachelor of science degree in hospitality management for those wanting to work in the restaurant industry.

The University of Southern Mississippi will offer a bachelor of science in business administration in healthcare marketing.