Dr. Rico Chapman, Dean
rico.d.chapman@jsums.edu
liberal.arts@jsums.edu
601-979-7036

Brief Narrative

The College of Liberal Arts (CLA) at Jackson State University promotes and supports significant research, innovative scholarship, and creative expression in the arts, humanities, and social and behavioral sciences. By offering a rich array of undergraduate and select graduate programs, the CLA provides a diverse and engaged student body with an outstanding education founded on nurturing relationships between students and distinguished faculty. Our academic disciplines, programs, interdisciplinary centers, and institutes strive to cultivate skills in research and analysis, written and verbal communication, critical thinking, and visual literacy, as well as encourage a commitment to service to the city of Jackson and the global community.

College Accreditations

Undergraduate academic programs in the College of Liberal Arts are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, the National Association of Schools of Music, and the National Council of Teachers of English/National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. The Master’s in Public Policy and Administration is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Administration. The doctoral program in clinical psychology, accredited by the American Psychological Association, is one of only two doctoral clinical psychology programs accredited at a historically black college/university.

Mission

The mission of the College of Liberal Arts is to nurture the mind and spirit of its graduate and undergraduate students and to develop and refine students’ spoken, written, and analytical skills, their artistic and creative talents, and their knowledge of the humanities and the social and behavioral sciences, and the ways in which technology can be used to advance their capacity to understand world events, successfully compete globally, and contribute to improvements in the human condition.

Purpose and Objectives

The College is committed to

1. providing and sustaining a competent, diverse and resourceful faculty and staff committed to original research, artistic excellence, rigorous teaching, and robust mentorship;
2. emphasizing inspiring and experiential pedagogies that fully engage learners;
3. enhancing the quality of its academic programs;
4. cultivating among its learners the strongest appreciation for knowledge, critical inquiry, and effective oral and written communication skills; and
5. encouraging its learners in their quests for meaningful and productive citizenship.

Further, the College promotes faculty, staff, and student development programs and provides excellent visual and performing arts programs which include exhibits, performances, lectures, and outreach to the community across the city, state, and entire southern region.

Scholarships Offered

The College of Liberal Arts maintains 36 active scholarships in the Foundation. In addition to the scholarships listed below, individual departments offer scholarships and other internal funding to support student research, travel, and study.

https://www.jsums.edu/scholarships/

Resources

The College of Liberal Arts possesses a variety of resources to enhance the educational experiences and development of its students. These resources include but are not limited to JSUTV, WJSU FM, JSU art galleries, the Blue & White Flash newspaper, and numerous student organizations, societies, and groups.

Degree Requirements

The following requirements must be met in order to earn an undergraduate degree in the College of Liberal Arts:

1. Earn a minimum cumulative academic average of 2.00 (“C”) in all courses.
2. Take and pass the PRAXIS (teacher education majors only).

Course Examination

Teaching majors must apply for admission to Teacher Education, after approval by subject advisor, at the end of the sophomore year. Academic requirements are overall grade point average of 2.75 and completion of all required work of the first two years including a grade of “C” or above in all teacher education courses. Students must also pass the Mississippi Educator Licensure Exams Praxis CASE, ACT Test score of 21 or better, or SAT equivalent score.

Centers or Other Programs in College

• Interdisciplinary Alcohol/Drug Studies Center
• Margaret Walker Center
• Richard Wright Center for Writing, Rhetoric, and Research
• Applied Psychological Services Clinic
• Community Health Program

Listing of Academic Departments