Gainful Employment

In accordance with federal guidelines, a student receiving Title IV assistance must enroll in an educational program which leads to a degree, such as an associate, bachelor's, graduate, or professional degree.  OR the educational program must prepare the student for "Gainful Employment in a recognized occupation",  which are referred to as "GE Programs", and typically encompasses ‘certificate’ programs which do not culminate into a degree.  GE programs must be identified and reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

MSU offers educational programs which will lead to a degree, as above, and students are eligible to receive Title IV assistance. Additionally, the Teacher Certification program is the only ‘certificate’ program at MSU in which the student may receive Title IV assistance but does not fall under the purview of a GE program since the GE provisions for the Teacher Certification program require that “only teacher certification programs that result in a certificate awarded by a school” are to be considered GE programs; at MSU, the Teacher Certificate is awarded by the State of Texas (not MSU) and, therefore, is not required to be reported to the Department of Education as a GE program.

At MSU, additional certificate programs are offered, however Title IV assistance is currently NOT approved for such programs by the U.S. Department of Education: 

-       Health Care Administration Program

-       Family Nurse Practitioner Program

-       Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program

-       Educational Diagnostician Certification

-       Principal Certification

-       School Counselor

-       Superintendent Certification

Additional information regarding Gainful Employment programs is available by contacting the MSU Provost Office, Hardin Administration Building, Room 114, or call 940:397-4226.