School of Lifelong Learning
College of Education and Human Development
The Professional Interdisciplinary Studies and University Studies programs offer adult learners flexible pathways to degree completion through fully online, hybrid, and face-to-face instruction. Our programs provide opportunities to engage in relevant coursework and training designed to build 21st century professional competencies such as lifelong learning, research skills, strategic problem solving, teamwork, communication, and habits of leadership.
Elevate Your Education. Advance Your Career.
The School of Lifelong Learning was established by the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning in November 2002 with the expressed purpose of providing access to higher education for nontraditional adult learners. The School of Lifelong Learning (SLL) meets the academic and talent development (professional development) needs of adults 25 years of age and older. The School comprises the following units: The Department of Professional Interdisciplinary Studies, University Studies (Complete 2 Compete), The Center for Professional Development, and the Continuing Education Learning Center. Whether your goal is to enhance your professional skills through completion of an undergraduate degree, prepare for admission to graduate school, position yourself for a promotion or career transition through professional training, or simply reach a personal academic goal, the School of Lifelong Learning is here to help you elevate your learning to the next level.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Professional Interdisciplinary Studies is a flexible, career oriented undergraduate program. This Bachelor of Science degree includes coursework that is designed to meet the unique needs of nontraditional students (25-years old and older) and working adults who seek to enhance their professional skills and gain lifelong learning competencies. The Professional Interdisciplinary Studies degree program allows students to INTEGRATE knowledge and content from at least two different disciplines to craft an individualized degree program that is tailored to the learners’ career or future academic aspirations.
The Professional Interdisciplinary Studies degree program is offered in both a traditional (16-week course) format as well as the fully online (8-week course delivery) format.
Human Resource Development Concentration is a professional concentration area that prepares learners to engage in the work of training and developing the workforce within an organization. Professional Interdisciplinary Studies students have the option of elevating their undergraduate degree program by selecting to complete 27-hours of HRD coursework to earn the Human Resource Development Concentration. Employment opportunities for human resource managers is expected to grow 7% over the next 10-years. The JSU HR concentration is industry driven and includes courses that address issues that are relevant in the 21st century workforce:
- Design, Delivery, and Facilitation of Training
- Conflict Resolution and Negotiation
- Ethical Procedures in the Workforce
- Assessing and Analyzing Training Needs
- Management and Administration of the Training Function
The Human Resource Development Concentration is offered in both a traditional (16-week course) format as well as the fully online (8-week course delivery) format.
Note: C2C program will be discontinued from Fall, 2025
University Studies / Complete 2 Compete (C2C) is a Mississippi statewide program focused on assisting Mississippi adults who have completed some college, but have not earned a degree, to finish the requirements necessary to earn their degrees. The program provides applicants with a road map and the support of a personal C2C Coach/Advisor. They will find the faster pathway to a degree and provide support to help navigate the process.
C2C is designed for an adult learner who:
- has been out of college at least 24 consecutive months (based on last date of attendance),
- has Completed some college-level coursework,
- is at least 21 years of age, and
- has not completed a postsecondary degree.
Adult learners who are interested must meet all of the above requirements and are required to apply on the C2C website. Once a completed application is submitted, applicants will be contacted by a Jackson State University Coach/Advisor within 5-10 working days.
Note: C2C program will be discontinued from Fall, 2025
LEARN BY DOING
Continue Your Educational Journey
The mission of the School of Lifelong Learning is to prepare nontraditional adult learners for employment, promotion, and “lifelong learning” in various career fields. We equip students with the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to pursue graduate study or positions in their chosen profession by providing learners with coursework and learning opportunities which build 21st professional competencies – collaboration/teamwork, leadership, organizational management, critical analysis, problem solving, communication, research-based inquiry and decision making.
The School of Lifelong Learning provides a flexible, transfer-friendly, interdisciplinary program of study that affords students the opportunity to apply previously earned credits to accelerate their time to degree completion and also design a program of study that can be tailored to students’ academic, personal, and professional goals.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Professional Interdisciplinary Studies Program
Students who complete the General Professional Interdisciplinary Studies Concentration are prepared to enter graduate school, apply for entry level positions in their 27-hour professional emphasis area, pursue a career transition or promotion in an existing career. Recent graduates have launched careers and/or pursued graduate studies in:
| Business Administration | Entrepreneurship | Social Media Marketing | Education |
| Counseling | Communications | Non-Profit Organization Program Director | Sports Management |
Human Resource Development Concentration
| Training and Development Specialist | Human Resource Specialist | Leadership Development Program Coordinator | Program Evaluator |
| Performance Consultant (or Coach) | E-Learning Consultant | Individual Development and Career Counselor | HR Program Designer |
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER
The School of Lifelong Learning also provides a robust set of professional development opportunities for educators and administrators, and we service our local community of learners by offering adult basic education services. The Center for Professional Development offers training and professional development through the following non-academic credit programs:
Institute for Educational Renewal (INFER)
Southwest Mississippi Education Consortium (SMEC)
Southwest Mississippi World-Class Teaching Initiative (SMWCTI)
Online Workshops via Ed2Go
https://www.ed2go.com/jsums/about_us.html
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PERSONNEL
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For more information, please contact us at (601) 979-8777. We look forward to meeting with you and seeing how our program can help you achieve your goals.
SCHOOL OF LIFELONG LEARNING