Prospective Students
Undergraduate and graduate programs in Special Education and Social Science Education.
Prospective Students
Our degree in educational, multicultural, and exceptional studies provides students with a strong foundation in education, multiculturalism, and exceptionalities, as well as the communication and interpersonal skills needed to succeed in today’s complex and challenging educational environment. This degree program is an excellent choice for students who are passionate about education and are interested in working with diverse populations of students, particularly those with exceptionalities.
Why Choose Us?
The mission of the Department of Educational, Multicultural, and Exceptional Studies is to provide academic and professional training that leads to licensure in Special Education, Social Studies Education, and alternate route Teacher Education. The department develops candidates who are committed to becoming responsive educational leaders, researchers, and advocates, who embody the content knowledge expertise, pedagogical skills, and professional dispositions to educate diverse populations of students. The Educational, Multicultural, and Exceptional Studies Department includes academic programs that offer undergraduate degrees in Social Science Education (licensure), Social Science with a concentration in Ethnic Studies (non-licensure), Special Education (licensure), and Special Education with a concentration in Disability Studies (non-licensure).
Learning Objectives
The objectives for undergraduate programs in the Department of Educational, Multicultural, and Exceptional Studies are:
- To support teacher candidates as they become responsive educational leaders, researchers, and advocates;
- To provide updated curricula that embodies the content knowledge expertise and pedagogical skills needed for the 21st century classroom educator;
- To foster an intellectual environment that is conducive to developing dispositions that are necessary to educate a diverse population of students.
Admission Criteria & Requirements
Admission Criteria and Other Requirements/Offerings (Undergraduate)
All Social Science Education and Special Education majors enrolled in teacher preparation programs (educator licensure/certification programs) must:
- Complete a two-semester clinical experience for student teaching. This clinical experience will not increase the number of required completion hours (121-124 hours (about 5 days) for graduation.
- Have a grade point average of 2.75 or higher to be admitted to the Center for Teacher Quality–the academic program through which the educator licensure is obtained. For additional information please see the JSU Center for Teacher Quality.
- Complete all Teacher Certification Tests (Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators, Principles of Learning and Teaching, Praxis II-Content Knowledge) to enroll for selected restricted courses. (Refer to the Approved Curriculum Map)
- Not enroll in EDCI 401 and EDCI 402 during the same semester.
- Submit to a criminal background check prior to receiving a clinical internship placement for student teaching. The fee associated with this screening is the responsibility of the teacher candidate.
- Special Education majors have the following additional requirement: Pass a Departmental Undergraduate Comprehensive Examination (Contact Faculty Mentor).
Academic Programs (Undergraduate)
- Bachelor of Science in Education in Social Science Education (Teacher Licensure)
- Bachelor of Science in Education in Social Science Ethnic Studies Concentration (Non-Teacher Licensure)
- Bachelor of Science in Special Education (Licensure)
- Bachelor of Science in Special Education Teaching: Mild/Moderate
- Bachelor of Science in Special Education Non-Teaching: Disability Studies
Admission Criteria and Other Requirements/Offerings (Graduate)
Applicants for the master’s degree must hold an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university, and must be admitted to Jackson State University’s Division of Graduate Studies. Refer to the Graduate Studies website for general admissions requirements and to access the online Admissions Pro Portal: jsums.edu/graduateschool. All applicants for a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree program in Special Education must:
- Create an Admissions Pro Account and submit an application to the Division of Graduate Studies.
- Submit official transcripts from all college and universities attended.
- Submit three letters of recommendation from university faculty or supervisors familiar with your academic or professional work.
Departmental Requirements
Applicants to the Special Education Graduate Program must also submit/complete the following application requirements:
- A letter of application to the M.Ed. Special Education Teaching Program faculty that includes an acceptable personal statement of goals for professional development.
- An “A” teaching certificate. Applicants who do not hold the appropriate credentials or who are not eligible for the appropriate certification must meet with program faculty and sign an acknowledgment of understanding form which confirms that they are aware that completion of the Special Education graduate level coursework will not lead to licensure.
- All required immunizations, specifically, candidate has had two (2) MMRs (Mumps, Measles, Rubella) in his or her lifetime and a Tetanus/Diphtheria immunization within the past two years. For more Information, contact Student Health Services at (601) 979-2260.
- Satisfactory completion of an interview with Special Education faculty. Interviews will be held for Fall admission during Spring Semester and Spring semester interviews will be held during Fall Semesters.
- A 5-10 page academic writing sample that provides evidence of acquired writing competencies.
- A professional portfolio that includes a resume, philosophy of education, samples of lesson/unit plans, et.
Academic Programs (Graduate)
- Master of Science in Education in Special Education – Traditional
- Special Education (Visual Impairment Concentration) – Deep South Synergy TVI Project
- Master of Science in Education in Special Education – Online
- Specialist in Education in Special Education – Traditional
- Specialist in Education in Special Education – Online
- Masters Degree in Secondary Education
- Specialist Degree in Secondary Education
- Master of Arts in Teaching-Elementary Education Concentration (Grades 4-6)
- Master of Arts in Teaching-Secondary Education Concentration
Need additional information?
Scholarships
Looking for a way to pay for your tenure at Jackson State University? Fear not! We are here to help. Browse Scholarships in our Scholarship Portal to see what you qualify for today.
Apply for ScholarshipsDepartment of Educational, Multicultural, and Exceptional Studies
For more information, please contact us at 601-979-6330. We look forward to meeting with you and seeing how our program can help you achieve your goals.
1400 John R, Lynch Street
Jackson, MS 39217-0280