Jacksonville State University

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Staff
Updated August 7, 2020

Jacksonville State University appears in our ranking of the 10 Most Affordable Doctorate in Homeland Security Online 2018.

Founded in 1883 and located in Alabama, Jacksonville State University offers 45 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and advanced certificate levels. Nearly 8,600 students are enrolled here, 87 percent of whom are undergraduates. Along with a host of traditional degree programs, the university boasts 35 online programs ranging from certificates to doctoral degrees. Students can take classes from 450 faculty members, most of them full-time, bringing the student-to-faculty ratio to just 18:1. The school also garners global interest, drawing 173 international students representing 61 countries.

Undergraduates make up most of the student population at the school. More than 5,700 students pursue full-time programs at the undergraduate level with an almost even split of men and women enrollees. Women account for a higher percentage of graduate students, representing 66 percent of graduate enrollment.

Per the school president's webpage, Jacksonville State University bases its foundation on "being Transformative, Innovative and Engaged for Success" – a system known as JSU TIES. Known as the "Friendliest Campus in the South," the university seeks to engage modern students in rigorous academic study combined with a home-away-from-home mentality in its campus life.

Sports fans will appreciate the school's commitment to athletics. It's the only school in the country to hold NCAA national titles in football, men's baseball and basketball at the Division I or II level. From athletic clubs and fraternities to special interest groups and honor societies, there's a wide range of on-campus pursuits for students to explore when they're not in the classroom. Off campus, students can take in the sites of Calhoun County, which features a variety of natural attractions, museums, local eateries and historical sites, among other area gems.

Jacksonville State University Accreditation Details

Jacksonville State University holds institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Several of the university's individual colleges, schools and programs also hold accreditation or recognition from various boards and agencies. For instance, the FEMA Higher Education Project recognizes the school as having emergency management programs at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels.

Jacksonville State University Application Requirements

Students who want to apply to Jacksonville State University should follow the appropriate guidelines for their enrollment status and intended program. First-time undergraduates will need to fill out an online application and submit a nonrefundable fee of $35. Applicants are encouraged to create an account with the school to check progress and make sure that everything gets submitted correctly.

The same setup exists for graduate students, who should create an online account and submit all required documents per their department's guidelines. Graduate students also have a $35 nonrefundable application fee. Requirements vary by department, but students may have to submit the following along with their application: a resume, all official transcripts, official GRE test scores, three graduate reference forms and a statement of purpose, which outlines the student's career goals and research interests.

Graduate students may also need to submit additional documentation, such as teaching credentials or background checks, depending on the program to which they're applying. Applicants should consult a member of the department or the department's individual webpage for more information about required application materials.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition varies by program type and enrollment status at Jacksonville State University. In-state undergraduates pay about $324 per credit hour; out-of-state undergraduates pay about $618 per credit hour. These rates assume traditional enrollment. Graduate students and those enrolled online pay different rates. Traditional in-state doctoral candidates pay $371 per credit hour; their out-of-state counterparts pay $742 per credit hour. Online students enrolled in a doctoral program pay about $461 per credit hour.

There may be other fees assessed beyond basic tuition. Athletic fees, activity fees, technology fees and program-specific fees, among other costs, can add to a student's overall expenses. The school offers a cost calculator on its website for estimating the price of attending.

Students at Jacksonville State University have several options for funding their education. Last year, students received more than $80 million in scholarships, grants, campus employment and loans. About 79 percent of students here receive some kind of financial aid.

In addition to standard federal loans available to all students at accredited colleges, scholarships and grants can also make school more affordable for those who don't want to take out loans. Students should check with the Financial Aid office for specific requirements based on major and program type. Those enrolled in emergency management degree programs, for instance, may qualify for one of several scholarships for this degree path, such as the IAEM Scholarship Program, the Silent Key & Commercial Advisory Committee Scholarship, or the John D. Lane Scholarship

Online Degree(s) Available

Students who already hold a master's degree and want to pursue a career in emergency management could consider Jacksonville State University's Doctor of Science in Emergency Management. Offered online, this program prepares students to work within the field of emergency management. This could translate into a federal, state or local government position, or students may find a career in the private sector dealing with national emergencies. Relief organizations and community programs also utilize emergency managers in times of crisis. These professionals handle emergency response, preparedness and relief.

Students have 10 years to complete this online doctoral program, which does include one week-long seminar on campus during each academic year. The PhD in emergency management requires a total of 60 credit hours, 42 of which come from courses. Once students complete the initial 42 credit hours of coursework, they will be required to pass three qualifying exams. Following completion of those exams, students may attain candidacy in the PhD program. The remaining 18 credits must come from a dissertation once students achieve candidacy.

Courses cover three broad subjects: administration and policy, research methods and statistics, and practice areas. There's also a required seminar and electives that students can take to customize their degree focus. Elective courses include Voluntary and Nonprofit Disaster Management, IT Applications for Emergency Management, and Risk Communication, among other topics. Required courses might include Interdisciplinary Disaster Theory and Research, Cost-Benefit Analysis, or Risk-Based Response and Recovery Strategy Development and Operations. These and other courses prepare students to pursue government positions within the field of emergency management. Students hoping to apply for fall admission to this online PhD program from Jacksonville State University should submit the requisite documents by January 31.

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