Admission to graduate study in the Department of Political Science is limited to students who have earned at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in a relevant undergraduate major as part of a bachelor’s degree at an accredited institution or by special permission of the graduate faculty of the Department of Political Science. All applicants are required to take the Graduate Records Examination and supply at least three (3) letters of references from persons qualified to evaluate their undergraduate scholastic performance and their suitability for graduate work in this program.

A relevant major is a program of at least twenty-four (24) semester hours, or thirty-six (36) quarter hours in subjects associated with this degree program. Successful applicants who lack twenty-four (24) semester hours of relevant courses normally will be required to complete certain additional undergraduate courses which will serve to eliminate the background deficiencies discovered at the time of admission. Prospective students must satisfy the requirements for admission to the Graduate School. The Department of Political Science requires the submission of a statement of purpose.

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Jackson State University’s Department of Political Science helps students combine theoretical creativity and empirical research. Among the department’s areas of strength are American politics, comparative politics (particularly African politics), international relations, and public law. The department’s faculty uses diverse analytic perspectives, but their research programs share a common concern for the role of citizenship in government, political processes, and institutions.

International exchanges and travel are available to faculty and students via the Jackson State University Office of International Programs and the Mississippi Consortium for International Development.