Admission Requirements
Find the specific admission requirements for your situation. This page routes you to six requirements categories: Freshman, Non-Degree Seeking, Transfer, International, Readmission, and Immunization Record.
Six requirement categories cover every applicant
Jackson State University® maintains specific admission requirements for each type of applicant. This page helps you find the requirements category that applies to your situation — whether you’re a first-time freshman, a transfer student, an international applicant, or returning after a semester away. Immunization Record requirements apply to all students attending on-campus classes.
Severely Stale Policy Notice
The published policy statement on this page reads: “Jackson State University is test optional for the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 academic years.”
⚠ This statement is 4–5 years out of date. Other main JSU admissions pages show “2023-2024 and 2024-2025” (also stale but more recent). This Requirements page — like the Other Students landing page — appears to have missed multiple update cycles. Please contact Undergraduate Admissions at 1-866-843-3578 to confirm current test-optional policy.
Six requirements categories
Choose the category that best describes your situation. Each card links to a dedicated requirements sub-page with the specific admission requirements for that path.
The source page provides no descriptions for any of the six requirements categories — only link titles. Rebuild adds helpful placeholder descriptions in italics so users understand what each sub-page covers. JSU should complete the descriptions on the source page for consistency with other admissions landing pages.
Freshman Admissions
First-time college students — admission requirements including GPA, ACT/SAT scores, and high school coursework.
See Freshman Admissions Requirements Category 2Non-Degree Seeking Students
Adult learners age 21+ taking courses without pursuing a degree program — requirements and credit-hour limits.
See Non-Degree Seeking Students Requirements Category 3Transfer Students
Students transferring from another postsecondary institution — transfer credit policies and requirements.
See Transfer Students Requirements Category 4International Students
Non-US citizens seeking an undergraduate degree — NAFSA transcript evaluation, TOEFL, and financial support requirements.
See International Students Requirements Category 5Readmission
Students returning to JSU after a semester away — academic readmission requirements from the Registrar’s Office.
See Readmission Requirements Category 6Immunization Record
Health screening and MMR immunization requirements for all students born after December 1956.
See Immunization Record RequirementsPriority deadlines
Two schedules — Traditional and JSUOnline
Priority Deadlines
- Fall Semester August 21st
- Spring Semester January 15th
- First Summer Session May 27th
- Second Summer Session June 26th
Priority Deadlines
- Spring – 1st 8 Weeks January 7th
- Spring – 2nd 8 Weeks March 4th
- Summer May 15th
- Fall – 1st 8 Weeks August 20th
- Fall – 2nd 8 Weeks October 11th
Explore all student types
Not sure which student category applies to you? Compare all six main student pathways below.
Freshman
You have never attended a college or university, or you attended a college or university for the first time in the prior summer term.
Student TypeTransfer
You are entering JSU for the first time, but previously attended another postsecondary institution.
Student TypeReadmit
You previously attended JSU, but did not attend during the previous fall or spring semester.
Student TypeInternational
You are a non-US Citizen seeking an undergraduate degree. This excludes students graduating (or transferring) from a college or high school in the US.
Student TypeJSUOnline
You are interested in online degree programs and general education courses which allow students to conveniently earn a quality education and work toward achieving long-term career goals.
Student TypeOther Student Types
Learn about admissions for transient, non-degree seeking, dually enrolled, homeschooled, GED, and post-baccalaureate students.
Support for all students
Common admissions forms
Access commonly-needed admissions forms through the JSU Central etrieve.cloud portal.
Ready to Apply?
Contact JSU Undergraduate Admissions at 1-866-843-3578 or futuretigers@jsums.edu for personalized guidance on your specific admission requirements.
Contact Information
Undergraduate Admissions
P.O. Box 17330
Jackson, MS 39217
Undergraduate Recruitment
1400 John R. Lynch Street
P.O. Box 18389
Jackson, MS 39217