Freshman Admissions Procedures

How to Apply

To apply for freshman admission an applicant must submit the following to Undergraduate Admissions & Recruitment:

  1. Application – A completed application
  2. Transcripts – Prospective students should request that their high school send an official six- or seven-semester transcript to Undergraduate Admissions & Recruitment. Final transcripts are not accepted from students. The following high school course units are required and must be listed on the transcript:

    High School Course Requirements Fall 2021, Spring 2022, Summer 2022

    (College Preparatory Curriculum)

    Subject Carnegie Units Contents & Remarks
    English 4 All must have substantial writing communication skills (i.e. reading, writing, listening, and speaking.) Compensatory Reading and Compensatory Writing may not be included.
    Mathematics 3 Algebra I or its equivalent
    Math higher than Algebra 1 (2 units)
    Science 3 Biology I or its equivalent
    Science higher than Biology 1 (2 units)
    Social Studies 3 U.S. History World History U.S. Government (1/2 unit)
    Economics (1/2 unit)
    Introduction to World Geography (1/2 unit)
    Arts 1 Includes anyone Carnegie unit (or two 1/2 units) of visual and performing arts course(s) meeting the requirements for high school graduation.
    Advanced Electives 2 Option 1: Foreign Language I and Foreign Language II
    Option 2: Foreign Language I and Advanced World Geography
    Option 3: Any combination of English, Mathematics higher than Algebra I, Science higher than Biology I, Advance Elective category, and AP course, any IB course
    Computer Application 1/2 A course that emphasizes the use of technology as a productivity tool. Instruction should include utilizing various forms of technology to create, collaborate, organize and publish information. The application of technology as a productivity tool, rather than specific hardware and/or software packages should be the focus of the course.
    Pre-High School Units Courses taken prior to high school will be accepted for admission provided the course earns Carnegie credit and the content is the same as the high school course.
    Substitutions Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses can be substituted for each requirement in the College Preparatory Curriculum.
    Course Acceptance A course may not be used to satisfy more than one requirement.
    Total 16.5

    High School Course Requirements Beginning with Students Entering in Fall 2022

    (College Preparatory Curriculum)

    Subject Carnegie Units Contents & Remarks
    English 4 Units must have substantial writing communication skills (i.e. reading, writing, listening, and speaking.) Compensatory Reading and Compensatory Writing may not be included.
    Mathematics 4 Algebra I or its equivalent
    Math higher than Algebra 1 (2 units)
    Science 3 Biology I or its equivalent
    Science higher than Biology 1 (2 units)
    Social Studies 3 1/2 Units must include integrated courses of social sciences and humanities promoting civic competence
    Arts 1 Includes anyone Carnegie unit (or two 1/2 units) of visual and performing arts course(s) meeting the requirements for high school graduation.
    Advanced Electives 2 Option 1: Foreign Language I and Foreign Language II
    Option 2: Foreign Language I and one unit from Option 3
    Option 3:
    1. Any combination of advanced electives above the required Carnegie units in: (a) as noted in the Mississippi Department of Education Secondary Course Manual and/or (b) any Advanced Placement (AP), Academic or Career and Technical Dual Credit (DC), International Baccalaureate (IB) or Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) course.
    2. Completion of any two*-year Career and Technical course may count as one unit. Example: completion of both Health Sciences I & II will count as an advanced elective.
    Technology or Computer Science 1 A technology course emphasizes the use of technology as a productivity tool. Instruction should include utilizing various forms of technology to create, collaborate, organize, and publish information. The application of technology as a productivity tool, rather than specific hardware and/or software packages should be the focus of the course.
    A computer science course emphasizes computational thinking to solve problems.
    Courses will involve the study of computers and algorithmic processes, including their principles, their hardware and software designs, their applications, and their impact on society and should include focus on one or more of the following core concepts: computing systems, networks and the internet, data and analysis, algorithms and programming, and impacts of computing. Course equivalent or additional advanced elective may be acceptable for non‐Mississippi residents.
    Pre-High School Units Courses taken prior to high school will be accepted for admission provided the course earns Carnegie credit and the content is the same as the high school course.
    Substitutions Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses can be substituted for each requirement in the College Preparatory Curriculum.
    Course Acceptance A course may not be used to satisfy more than one requirement.
    Total 16.5
  3. Test Scores – Official ACT or SAT scores for all applicants should be sent directly to Undergraduate Admissions & Recruitment from the ACT or SAT headquarters (see addresses listed in this section).

    Jackson State University is waiving the ACT/SAT test requirements for the 2021-2022 academic year. This change is due to ACT and SAT test postponements/cancellations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Student in this category who do not meet the 3.2 CPC GPA requirement will be conditionally admitted to the University, and referred to take the ACCUPLACER Exam.

American College Testing
Program 500 ACT Drive
P.O. Box 168
Iowa City, Iowa 52243-0168
(319) 337-1000 | www.act.org

College Entrance Examination Board
45 Columbus Ave.
New York, NY 10023-6917
(212) 713-8000 | www.CollegeBoard.org

When to Apply

High school students are encouraged to apply for admission and financial aid in January of their senior year. The earlier applications are received, the earlier students will be notified of admission and financial aid decisions. Any first time entering freshman student who meets the admission requirements and submits the necessary application for the fall semester by April 1st will receive early notification of acceptance to Jackson State University.

Students are encouraged to apply on or before:

Semester/Session On or Before
Fall semester July 15th
Spring semester November 15th
First summer session April 15th
Second summer session May 15th

Completed applications, test scores, and transcripts should be received in Undergraduate Admissions & Recruitment at least 30 days prior to the student’s scheduled registration date.