English – Graduate General Information
A major in English or a modern foreign language is the “Swiss army knife” of majors. Excellent communication skills are but one bonus that comes from studying language and literature.
English – Graduate General Information
The graduate program in English is designed
- to prepare students for advanced programs of study in English and related areas,
- to prepare well-qualified teachers of English for secondary schools and junior colleges,
- to provide an in-service program for teachers of English who serve in secondary schools and junior colleges,
- to prepare students for careers in mass media, and
- to prepare for classroom diversity in sociolinguistics of languages.
Graduate program resources
Graduate admissions
Admission is granted jointly by the Division of Graduate Studies and the Department of English, Foreign Languages, and Speech Communication. All of the information contained in the list below must be submitted to the Division of Graduate Studies on or before the application deadline.
Once all of the required information is received by the Division of Graduates Studies, an admission packet will be sent electronically to the Department of English, Foreign Languages, and Speech Communication, which will forward an admission decision to the Division of Graduate Studies.
Application deadlines
| Semester | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall | March 1 |
| Summer | March 15 |
| Spring | October 15 |
Admission criteria
The Department of English, Foreign Languages, and Speech Communication has in place the following criteria for admission to the master’s program in English.
Admission requirements
- An application for admission to Graduate School, which is available online on the Division of Graduate Studies website under Graduate Admissions.
- Official Transcripts: All applicants must submit an official transcript from all regionally accredited colleges and universities attended. Official transcripts can be sent electronically using escript, Parchment or another approved electronic service to gradtranscript@jsums.edu, or by mail to:
The Division of Graduate Studies
Jackson State University
P.O. Box 17095
Jackson, MS 39217 - Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation should be uploaded directly to the online admissions portal.
- Writing Sample: Students must submit via email to the department chair or graduate coordinator an electronic copy of an undergraduate research paper.
- A 3.00 GPA (on a 4.00 Scale) at the undergraduate level or a masters’ degree is required.
- Students with International transcripts: Please visit the International Admissions web page for additional information regarding transcripts.
- Out-of-state and International applicants must submit a $25.00 application fee. Applications will not be processed without payment of the application fee. Payment is made by using a credit/debit card at the time of application. Application payments are processed as part of the application.
- International applicants must submit satisfactory TOEFL or IELTS scores to the Division of Graduate Studies. For more information, see the International Graduate Student page.
- International applicants must also file a Certified Declaration of Financial Support with the university. Please consult our International Programs Office for additional information. See Form I-134, Affidavit of Support (pdf).
Immunization requirement
All students admitted to Jackson State University are required to submit proof of having received two immunization shots for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) in order to complete registration for classes. If an applicant has already been admitted and plans to attend the University as a first-time student (undergraduate, graduate, or transfer), he/she must submit a copy of the required immunization record to the University Health Center prior to registration for courses. Students who have been admitted but do not submit the required immunization verification will be unable to complete registration for classes in the school’s computer enrollment system. Please see further immunization requirements.
All immunization documents can be submitted in one of the following ways:
Fax to: 601-979-9228
Mail to:
Jackson State University Health CenterImmunization Coordinator
P.O. Box 17097
Jackson, MS 39217
In person: Immunization documents may be dropped off at the University Health Center located on Prentiss Street near the Prentiss Street entrance (Flat top one-story building with blue trim around the top, rectangular shape).
About the program
More about us
The department of English, Foreign Languages, & Speech Communication at Jackson State University is a unified, multidisciplinary marketplace of ideas committed to creating a more equitable global society that supports diverse cultural experiences, fosters professionalism, and honest academic integrity and responsibility. It is our goal to foster independent, innovative, and ethical leaders who take initiative to make decisions and solve problems in their communities.
Learn by Doing
The area of English at Jackson State University has established the following major objectives:
- To help students develop the ability to read, think, and write clearly and critically.
- To help students understand and appreciate good writing and literature.
- To help students become aware of the truth, beauty, and wisdom of our culture to the extent that they are able to make value judgments about the society in which they live.
- To prepare students for teaching English and for other careers that require critical thinking, cultural awareness, and clear writing.
- To provide the necessary courses for all students to fulfill state and university requirements.
- To encourage students to engage in creative and scholarly writing.
“Challenging Minds, Changing Lives.”
Apply Your Knowledge
- Students will be able to draw on relevant cultural and historical information to analyze and interpret a literary text.
- Students will be able to demonstrate familiarity with literary traditions pre- and post-1800, including identifying authors, genres, literary movements, and styles.
- Students will be able to analyze underrepresented experiences and cultural diversity, including issues of race, gender, class, sexuality, and ethnicity through the study of ethnic minority or non-Western texts.
- Students will be able to research and write focused, convincing analytical essays in clear, grammatical prose.
- Students will be able to read, write, and speak effectively in at least one foreign language.
Career opportunities
English, Foreign Languages, and Speech majors have a plethora of career options:
- Social Media Manager
- Technical Writer
- Teacher or Private tutor
- Interpreter
- Translator
- Speech Language Pathologist SLP- PR
- Speech Language Pathologist Assistant
- Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Resources
Contact the department
For more information, please contact us at (601) 979-2249. We look forward to meeting with you and seeing how our program can help you achieve your goals.
Location
Dr. Ebony Lumumba, Chair
Department of English, Foreign Languages and Speech Communications
Fourth Floor, Dollye M.E. Robinson Liberal Arts BuildingP.O. Box 17600
Jackson, MS 39217-0300