Jackson State University

Jackson State University History

Jackson State University is located in Jackson, Mississippi. Jackson State University was founded in 1877, becoming a college in 1899, and is a historically black institution. It was granted university status in 1974. The University now awards bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. It is a Carnegie Doctoral/Research-Intensive institution.

Jackson State University is known as “Mississippi’s urban university.” It operates the Mississippi Urban Research Center, which “develops and offers instructional programs, forums, conferences and workshops on urban life.” Although this is not the mission statement of the University, the University’s degree programs are largely in areas which have some bearing on urban life, such as public health, business, education, engineering, and public administration. Some of the liberal arts are represented, but largely the traditional ones such as English, chemistry, political science, and mathematics.

A limited number of courses on both the undergraduate and graduate level are offered on a distance learning basis.

Jackson State was founded in 1877 as Natchez Seminary by the American Baptist Home Society. The State of Mississippi gained control of the college in 1940 in order to train teachers. The University’s current name was adopted in 1979.

Jackson State University Academics

The University is composed of ten different colleges and divisions: the College of Education and Human Development; the College of Business; the College of Public Service; the College of Science, Engineering, and Technical Arts; the College of Liberal Arts; the College of Lifelong Learning; and the Divisions of Graduate Studies, International Studies, and Undergraduate Studies.

There are seven undergraduate schools within the Colleges. Bachelor’s degrees are awarded in the schools of allied health sciences, business, education, engineering, liberal arts, science and technology, and social work. There is also an Honors College. Degrees are not offered in fields pertaining to particular areas of culture (such as African-American studies), wildlife, recreation, agriculture, or other related fields.

Graduate degrees are awarded in allied health, business, education, eleven liberal arts areas (including public policy and administration and urban and regional planning) science and technology, and social work. The school awards doctoral degrees in nine areas. The education specialist (Ed.S.) degree is also awarded.

Jackson State houses the Colleges of Business, Education & Human Development, Liberal Arts, LifeLong Learning, Public Service, and Science, Engineering & Technology. Also available are the Divisions of International Studies, Library & Information Resources, and Undergraduate Studies.

Jackson State University Unique Programs

Jackson State is home to a number of unique centers and institutes, including the English as a Second Language Institute, Center for University Scholars, and the Institute for Educational Renewal.

Jackson State also maintains the Mississippi e-Center, which expounds upon the University’s dedication to Internet technologies and provides a range of services to the State of Mississippi, including distance learning, electronic-based research, and community outreach.

Jackson State University Financial Aid

In-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students were $1920 in 2004-2005. Students applying from out of state and graduate students will have different costs.

Financial aid is available with a combination of grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs.

The Jackson State financial aid office provides an impressive array of services to incoming and existing students, including counseling services for students and parents, consumer information, discrepancy resolution, coordination of aid awards with the Business Office, and workshops on the financial aid process. Jackson State participates in Pell Grants, Stafford Loans, Perkins Loans, and College Work study programs.

Jackson State University Students

The Jackson State University Library offers electronic catalogs and on-line databases, in additional to physical volumes stored on site. In addition to the main library, there is a curriculum center, a health sciences library, and an information services library. The library also maintains the University archives.

Jackson State is home to more than 150 student clubs and organizations. These groups range from the social (Greek and other social groups) to Academic (Honor societies, specific academic interest groups) to religious. There are also various special interest groups, and groups that are only for residents of certain areas of campus. The Student Life office also provides career counseling and placement, health, and personal development services.

Jackson State University Local Community

The campus is 125 acres and located close to downtown Jackson. The town of Jackson is the state capital of Mississippi. Population of the metropolitan area is approximately 425,000.

Mississippi’s capital, Jackson is home to 425,000 people and a bevy of musical, artistic, and historical entertainment. Visitors can play golf, enjoy a blues festival, visit the zoo, or take in a rodeo. Literature buffs can visit the home and garden of famed author Eudora Welty. And science buffs can take in a presentation at the Russell C. Davis Planetarium.

Carnegie Foundation Classification

Research Universities (high research activity)

General Characteristics

Highest offering	Doctoral degree
Calendar System	Semester
Years of college work required	N/A
Variable Tuition

Special Learning Opportunities

Distance Learning
ROTC — Army / Navy / Air Force	— / /
Study Abroad
Weekend College
Teacher Certification