Degree Programs at Jackson State University
Jackson State University appears in our ranking of the Top 25 Most Affordable Online Business Graduate Degrees.
Jackson State University offers several degree options, some available online which provides flexibility for working adults, designed to prepare individuals for advanced careers.
Students who attend Jackson State University can choose degree programs from five different colleges, each with their own unique degree options. These include:
- College of Business
- College of Education and Human Development
- College of Health Sciences
- College of Liberal Arts
- College of Science, Engineering and Technology
The College of Business offers a Master of Business Administration is available online, providing a flexible format for working adults. The program covers all areas of business and economics from an applications viewpoint, training students in business research, methodology and preparing them for management positions. Courses required may include Human Relations and Organizational Behavior, Financial Accounting, Investments, and Advanced Production & Operations Management.
The Bachelor of Science in Childcare and Family Education through the College of Education is available online. The program is a non-licensure degree program that prepares students to work in the field of early childhood education. Students gain an understanding of the duties of Head Start, childcare centers, teacher’s aides and administrators in childcare facilities. Courses required may include Teaching and Learning Styles of Young Children, Concepts & Structures of Math, Parent, Teacher and Child Interactions as well as Art for Children.
The College of Health Sciences offers the only Ph.D. in Social Work in Mississippi. The program provides knowledge of the history, philosophy, and organization of social work as well as instruction in contemporary issues. Students gain an understanding of social work perspectives and behavioral as well as social science theories in order to analyze and assess how they apply in social work research. Students are also able to synthesize, analyze and evaluate social problems and social welfare policies with an emphasis on populations who are oppressed on a global level. Courses required may include Micro Theory, Macro Theory, Policy and Practice Issues in Family and Children’s Services as well as Qualitative Research Methods. A practicum and comprehensive examination are both required as well.
The Masters in Mass Communication offered through the College of Liberal Arts allows students to work closely with top tenured and tenured-track faculty. The program covers topics like mass media research, mass communication, advanced news reporting, and urban affairs reporting. It is 30 credit hours and students must complete a comprehensive exam as well as a thesis or project. Courses required may include Politics and the Press, Studies in Film Criticism, Media Management, Public Relations Practice and Advertising Campaigns.
The College of Science, Engineering and Technology offers a Bachelor of Science in Technology Emergency Management Technology that focuses on disaster prevention, planning, preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery. Students gain an understanding of the needs and issues, operations management involved in protecting businesses and governments from terrorism. Students gain an understanding of how to avoid risks in order to prevent disaster before it occurs. Courses required may include Principles of Emergency Management, Applications to Emergency Management Technology, Industrial Psychology and Industrial Hygiene. The program is available online.
About Jackson State University
The Natchez Seminary, created under the American Baptist Home Mission Society of New York, opened in 1877. It was initially a private school with the mission to teach freed slaves. In 1882, the school moved to Jackson where Millsaps College stands today and it was renamed Jackson College. In 1902 the Jackson College moved to its present location.
The school had to seek state support in 1934 when the American Baptist Home Mission Society withdrew support. After the state took control, the name of the school changed to Jackson State College. At that time, it had a new mission to educate rural and elementary school teachers. It became Jackson State University in 1974.
Today, there are more than 8,500 students enrolled. US News & World Report ranks Jackson State University in the top 20 historically black colleges and universities and in the top 200 for their engineering doctorate degree.
Jackson State University Accreditation Details
Jackson State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges in Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Accreditation allows students at Jackson State University to apply for and receive federal student aid. In addition, the school undergoes periodic review to confirm it continues to meet the criteria the Commission has determined indicate excellence in education. Programs throughout the University are accredited by the following organizations:
- Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
- Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications
- American Chemical Society
- American Psychological Association
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Council on Rehabilitation Education
- Council on Social Work Education
- Counseling for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
- National Association of Industrial Technology
- National Association of Schools of Art and Design
- National Association of Schools of Music
- National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration
- National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education
Jackson State University Application Requirements
Applicants to the Master of Business Administration program must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university. They must provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Official GRE or GMAT scores are required along with three letters of recommendation and evidence of professional and/or managerial experience.
In order to apply for the Bachelor of Science in Childcare and Family Education who have not earned college credit must submit official high school transcripts as well as ACT or SAT scores. Students must have either a 3.2 or higher GPA, rank in the 50 percentiles of their class or a score of 18 or higher on the ACT. Applicants who have earned college credit after graduation must submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities available. They must be in good standing at the last college or university attended.
Applicants to the Master’s in Mass Communication must have an undergraduate GA of at least 3.0. They must provide two official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended as well as official GRE or GMAT scores. Three letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose are also required.
Applicants to the Bachelor of Science in Technology Emergency Management Technology must provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended as well as official high school transcripts. Official ACT or SAT scores are also required.
Jackson State University Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition for in-state undergraduate students is $432.50 per credit hour and $932.50 for non-residents. Graduate tuition is $547.50 per credit hour for in-state tuition and $1,047.50 per credit hour for non-residents.
Financial aid is available and students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Undergraduate students may be offered grants, scholarships, and loans. Those that attend on campus may be offered work-study programs. Graduate students are offered loans although students may apply for grants and scholarships from outside organizations. Those who attend on campus may be offered fellowships or assistantships.
Jackson State University is the fourth largest state-supported institution in Mississippi. As a Historically Black College, Jackson State University has offered education to a diverse student population since its inception.
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