College Of Liberal Arts

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.

College of Liberal Arts: The Foundation of Excellence

The College of Liberal Arts (CLA) at Jackson State University promotes and supports significant research, innovative scholarship, and creative expression in the arts, humanities, 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.

Specifically, 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.

Courses offered are described under the department and special unit headings of Art and Theatre, Criminal Justice and Sociology, English, Modern Foreign Languages and Speech Communication, History and Philosophy, Journalism and Media Studies, Military Science, Music, Political Science, Psychology, and Public Policy and Administration. Other special units which enhance and advance curricular offerings in the College are Interdisciplinary Alcohol/Drug Studies Center, Margaret Walker Center, Richard Wright Center for Writing, Rhetoric, and Research, Applied Psychological Services Program and Community Health Program.

Degrees Awarded

The College of Liberal Arts offers the following degrees: (1) Bachelor of Arts, (2) Bachelor of Science, (3) Bachelor of Music, and (4) Bachelor of Music Education, (5) Master of Arts, (6) Master of Arts in Teaching, (7) Master of Science,  (8) Master of Music Education, (9) Master of Public Policy and Administration, and (10) Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology or a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy and Administration.

Disciplinary Accreditation

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.