Get Started on Your Certificate Today!

The Broadcast and Operational Meteorology Program (BOMP) is for those who need more meteorological training and wish to take those classes online. The program is designed for individuals working as broadcast meteorologists who need additional formal education in meteorology.

Program highlights:

  • Same faculty as main campus courses
  • Can be completed fully online
  • One-third of television broadcast meteorologists were trained through MSU
  • Established in 1987

While the vast majority of our students are television or radio weathercasters, we do have many others enrolled such as newspaper reporters, educators, military personnel, National Weather Service employees and private sector meteorologists, as well as general hobbyists. While the program is designed to complement weather training received in the military, military meteorological training is not a requirement for the program. This is for anyone seeking to further develop skills in operational, applied meteorology.

Program Structure

The 17 course, 53 credit hour program leads to a Certificate in Broadcast and Operational Meteorology.

  • Provides the education needed for the NWA Seal of Approval.
  • Students must earn a grade of "C" or higher in each course.
  • New students must begin the program in the fall semester.
  • All courses are offered on the semester system.
  • Instructors have advanced degrees and are recognized experts and real-life practitioners in their field.
  • Course materials such as exercises, assignments, study guides, exams, and lectures will be delivered via the Internet using Canvas. Canvas is a software program designed specifically for online learning.

Students seeking AMS, NWS, and/or WMO requirements should make the following adjustments to their program of study to include calculus-based courses:

  • Take GR 4733 Synoptic Meteorology instead of GR 4713 Synoptic Meteorology I
  • Take GR 4823 Dynamic Meteorology instead of GR 4913 Thermodynamic Meteorology
  • Take GR 4963 Mesoscale Meteorology instead of GR 4923 Severe Weather

Additional courses are required to meet AMS, NWS, and/or WMO requirements: Dynamic Meteorology II, Calculus I-III, Differential Equations, 2-Calculus based Physics w/labs, and a Chemistry appropriate for science majors. Of these additional courses, MSU only offers Dynamics II online. Contact the advisor with any questions you may have.

GR 4640 Meteorological Internship is not required for the degree or certificate. For more information read Internship Guidelines.

Certificate Requirements

To earn the Certificate in Broadcast and Operational Meteorology, one must complete the following requirements:

  • Complete the 17 courses in the program with grades of "C" or higher.
  • Attend the BMP/OMP Summer Workshop after completion of all courses.
  • Pass a comprehensive exam with a grade of 80% or higher. The purpose of the comprehensive exam is to ensure that each student earning the certificate has adequate retention of the concepts covered through the program.

Course Rotation

Listed below is the course schedule for the BOMP core courses. The courses are offered only during the semester under which they are listed.

BOMP FIRST YEAR

FALL SPRING SUMMER
GR 1123 - Intro World Geography GR 1133 Weather and Climate (Lecture) and GR 1131 Weather and Climate (Lab) GR 4643 - Physical Climatology
GR 1113 Physical Geography (Lecture) and GR 1111 Physical Geography (Lab) GR 4813 - Natural Hazards  

BOMP SECOND YEAR

FALL SPRING SUMMER
GR 4633 - Statistical Climatology GG 3613 - Water Resources GR 4613 - Applied Climatology
GR 4713 - Synoptic Meteorology I* GR 4753/6753 - Satellite & Radar
Meteorology		 GR 4473 - Numerical Weather
Prediction

BOMP THIRD YEAR

FALL SPRING SUMMER
GR 4623 - Physical Meteorology GR 4443 - Weather Prediction I GR 4453 - Weather Prediction II
GR 4913 - Thermodynamic
Meteorology*		 GR 4923 - Severe Weather* GG 3603 - Intro to Oceanography

Admissions Process

Undergraduate Admissions

Follow the guide below to ensure that you complete all that is necessary for taking courses in the Broadcast and Operational Meteorology Program (BOMP) at Mississippi State University.

  • Fill out the online Application for Admission, and pay an application fee online or by mail.**Please choose Online Education as your campus and Geoscience/Broadcast & Operational Met (BS) as your choice of major.
  • Request official transcripts from EVERY university or school you have previously attended. Your application will not be considered until ALL transcripts are received. Transcripts can be mailed to the Office of Admissions and Scholarships, P O Box 6334, Mississippi State, MS 39762 or electronically submitted (eScripted) to admit@msstate.edu.
  • If you have attended college; please submit the following:
    • Official transcripts from each school attended.
    • ACT or SAT scores may possibly be required; NOT required if you have already earned a bachelor's degree.
    • High school transcript; may possibly be required.
  • If you have never attended college; please submit the following:
    • High school transcript showing graduation date.
    • ACT or SAT scores.

    NOTE: We recommend that you submit your online application and all necessary documentation (transcripts, application fee, etc.) prior to July 1.

  • You will receive an email of acceptance when you are officially admitted to Mississippi State University.
  • Every new student must register for Online@State Orientation. Students must complete orientation to obtain a release to register from your advisor which will allow you to register for classes.
  • Textbooks are available 2 to 3 weeks prior to the start of classes, and can be ordered through Barnes & Noble At MSU.
  • You will be able to access Canvas on the first day of the semester. To access your courses, enter your NetID and NetPassword and click the classroom tab.

Freshman Requirements

To be accepted into the freshman class at MSU, students must satisfactorily complete the course requirements as outlined by the Office of Admissions and Scholarships as stated below:

To be accepted into the freshmen class at Mississippi State University, students must satisfactorily complete the following College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) with an appropriate core grade-point average:

  • English -- 4 units, all requiring substantial communication skills components.
  • Mathematics -- 3 units: Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry. (Algebra I taken in the 8th grade will be accepted for admission provided the course content is the same as the high school course.)
  • Natural Science -- 3 units chosen from Biology, Advanced Biology, Chemistry, Advanced Chemistry, Physical Science, Physics, Advanced Physics, or another science course of comparable rigor. (Two science units must be laboratory-based.)
  • Social Studies -- 3 units, including U.S. History, World History (substantial Geography component), Government (1/2 unit), and Economics (1/2 unit) or Geography (1/2 unit).
  • Advanced Electives -- 2 units chosen from Foreign Language, World Geography, 4th-year laboratory-based Science, and 4th-year Mathematics. One of the units must be Foreign Language or World Geography. (Foreign Language taken in the 8th grade will be accepted for admission provided the course content is the same as the high school course.)
  • Computer -- 1/2 unit: computer as a productivity tool, not as a keyboarding device.
  • Pre-High School Units - Algebra I, or first year Foreign Language, or Mississippi Studies taken prior to high school will be accepted for admission provided the course content is the same as the high school course.

Courses

Year 1

Fall

GR 1113 Physical Geography
Three hours lecture. Systematic study of the elements of the environmental process that form and characterize the earth's natural landscapes.

GR 1111 Physical Geography Laboratory
(May be scheduled without GR 1113). Laboratory exploring the study of the different components of the earth system and their interactions, as well as their locations on Earth.

GR 1123 Intro World Geography
Three hours lecture. A survey of the world's regions, with emphasis upon locational aspects, physical and cultural diversity, and environmental issues.

Spring

GR 1133 Weather and Climate
Three hours lecture. Descriptive study of weather with the objective of gaining appreciation of the variety of atmospheric phenomena. Explanation of daily weather events, their causes and impacts.

GR 1131 Weather and Climate Laboratory for GR 1133
(May be scheduled without GR 1133). Includes the study of atmospheric composition and structure, atmospheric motion and forces, atmospheric moisture, organized weather systems, weather forecasting, and global climate

GR 4813 Natural Hazards
(Prerequisites: GR 1113 or equivalent) Three hours lecture. A survey of natural phenomena in geology, oceanography and astronomy as applied to meteorology. Detailed study of earthquakes, volcanoes, ocean movements, and solar activity.

Summer

GR 4643 Physical Climatology
(Prerequisite: GR 1133) Three hours lecture. An investigation of the physical aspects of Earth's climate, including interactions between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and land surface, and how they are affected by climate variability and change.

Year 2

Fall

GR 4633 Statistical Climatology
(Prerequisites: GR 1133 or GG 1113 or equivalent and MA 1313 or MA 1713) Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. A survey of the types of statistical weather data available. Manipulation of the data on various temporal and spatial scales.

GR 4713 Synoptic Meteorology I
(Prerequisites: GR 1133 or equivalent) Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Fundamental principles behind weather forecasting. Physical processes in the atmosphere, atmospheric circulation systems, air mass analysis, frontogenesis and frontolysis.

Spring

GG 3613 Water Resources
(Prerequisite: GG 1113 or equivalent or consent of instructor) Three hours lecture. Introduction to the location, use, recovery and environmental problems of surface and subsurface waters.

GR 4753 Satellite & Radar Meteorology
(Prerequisites: GR 1133) Three hours lecture. Study of the history, the operations, and the applications of satellites and radar in weather analysis. Theory of meteorological measurements in determinations of atmospheric structure.

Summer

GR 4473 Numerical Weather Prediction
(Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor) This course provides students with an overview of the theory, processes, developments and applications of existing numerical weather prediction platforms.

GR 4613 Applied Climatology
(Prerequisites: GR 1133 or equivalent) Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Problem solving in today's world in topics such as bioclimatology, agricultural climatology and land use climatology.

Year 3

Fall

GR 4623 Physical Meteorology
(Prerequisite: GR 1133) An investigation of cloud physics/precipitation processes and solar/terrestrial radiation, including atmospheric dynamics, atmospheric electricity, optics, and instrumentation.

GR 4913 Thermodynamic Meteorology
(Prerequisite: GR 4723/6723 or equivalent) Three hours lecture. Examination of the meteorological stability within the earth's atmosphere. Focus on analysis of the various stability indices related to predicting severe weather.

Spring

GR 4443 Weather Prediction I
(Prerequisite: GR 1133 or consent of instructor) Three hours video and online. Examination of the complexity of weather forecasting. Emphasis on numerical weather prediction, computer models, and mesoscale analysis.

GR 4923 Severe Weather
(Prerequisites: GR 4913/6913 or equivalent) Three hours lecture. Descriptive study of severe and unusual weather across the earth. Explanation of variations in severe weather in both spatial and temporal scales.

Summer

GG 3603 Intro to Oceanography
(Prerequisite: GG 1113) Three hours lecture. A survey of the basic principles and applications of science to the study of the marine environment.

GR 4453 Weather Prediction II
(Prerequisite: GR 4443 or consent of instructor) Three hours video and online. Continuation of GR 4443. Case studies of weather forecasts. Emphasis on special weather events and places.

Students seeking AMS, NWS, and/or WMO requirements should make the following adjustments to their program of study to include calculus-based courses:

  • Take GR 4733 Synoptic Meteorology instead of GR 4713 Synoptic Meteorology I
  • Take GR 4823 Dynamic Meteorology instead of GR 4913 Thermodynamic Meteorology
  • Take GR 4963 Mesoscale Meteorology instead of GR 4923 Severe Weather

Additional courses are required to meet AMS, NWS, and/or WMO requirements: Dynamic Meteorology II, Calculus I-III, Differential Equations, 2-Calculus based Physics w/labs, and a Chemistry appropriate for science majors. Of these additional courses, MSU only offers Dynamics II online. Contact the advisor with any questions you may have.

See More

Academic Advising

After gaining admission to the university, you must contact one of your advisors to determine the courses that are most appropriate for you to take. Approximately two months prior to the upcoming semester, your advisor will send an email to your MSU email account, making course recommendations based on your program of study.

Mississippi State University uses email as its official means of communication with all MSU students. Please check your MSU email account (NetID@msstate.edu) daily. Information on setting up your MSU email can be found at the link for student services.

Students should contact Yasma Jacobs, Academic Advisor, about advising or if you have not been released to register by the time registration begins.

Yasma Jacobs Headshot

Yasma Jacobs

Geosciences

  • Academic Advisor
Phone: 662-325-3476Fax: 662-325-9423

Professional Requirements and Certificates

Alignment with National and International Standards for Meteorologists

The World Meteorological Organization and the National Weather Service have specific educational requirements for aviation forecasters or meteorologists. Not all weather careers will require the same exact courses, so feel free to discuss your career plans with an advisor before beginning any of our programs.

A degree in meteorology or a related natural science may also be necessary to gain employment in a meteorological career (this will depend on employer). Additional math and science courses will most likely be required for employment. All the BOMP courses can be applied toward our undergraduate degree program in Geosciences, which is considered a related natural science field. Our full BS and MS degree programs (e.g. BOMP or AMP) can be modified or tailored to meet these requirements.

Full Requirements

Internship Guidelines

THIS COURSE IS OPTIONAL

The GR 4640-Meteorological Internship course is NOT required for the degree or certificate. The BOMP offers this course to help students who do NOT have a broadcasting background, but would like to obtain some broadcasting experience.

Internships can be a very valuable part of a student's training. If you would like a career in television weather and have never been on-air, then we would advise you to do an internship.

Internships are developed between you and the Chief Meteorologist at a local station. You will need to select the station where you would like to intern and contact their Chief Meteorologist. You will need to explain to him/her that you are enrolled in the BMP/OMP certificate program at Mississippi State University and that you would like to intern at their station. The exact details (number of hours, job duties, etc.) of the internship are between you and the Chief Meteorologist. However, to receive full credit (3 credit hours), a minimum of 150 hours must be completed during the internship.

There are several guidelines that you will need to follow for your internship:

  • The station will need a letter stating you are receiving college credit for the internship. Email Joy Bailey at joy.bailey@msstate.edu with the supervisor's name, station call letters and complete mailing address.
  • To receive college credit (3 credit hours), you must enroll in GR 4640-Meteorological Internship the semester you intend to do the internship. The internship follows the semester time schedule. For instance, an internship in the fall must begin sometime in August and end around the last of November. You may view the semester time schedule on the Academic Calendar. Also, the current tuition rate applies to this class.
  • At the end of the internship, you must write a paper detailing your experience in the internship.

**Please note: Registration for the Meteorological Internship course is done while registering for other courses in the semester you intend to do the Internship. There is no special application form for the internship.

Paper Requirements are as follows:

Include the number of hours/days a week you were involved. The paper should be submitted at least one week before the last day of classes

Broadcast and Operational Meteorology Program
Attn: Dr. Christa Haney
(E): haney@geosci.msstate.edu
(F): 662.325.1082
  • Include your job duties.
  • Give examples of what you learned.
  • Describe what impact the internship has had (or may have) on your career goals.
  • Include a space on the last page of your paper for comments from the person in-charge of your internship (supervisor).
  • The paper should be 1 1/2 to 2 pages.
  • Your internship supervisor must comment and sign the paper.
  • After the supervisor comments on the paper, he/she must email or fax the paper to our office:

Your grade in the course will be based on your paper (demonstrating what you have learned in the internship) and any comments by the person in-charge of the internship.

If you have any questions, please send an email to the program coordinator, Joy Bailey, joy.bailey@msstate.edu.


Contact Information

Photo of Joy Bailey

Joy Bailey

Online Education

  • Coordinator
662-325-9684
Yasma Jacobs Headshot

Yasma Jacobs

Geosciences

  • Academic Advisor
Phone: 662-325-3476Fax: 662-325-9423
Filler image for contacting the department or college

Department of Geosciences