In 1959, the Louisiana Legislature authorized the establishment of LSUA as a two-year commuter college under the governance of the LSU Board of Supervisors. LSUA registered its first students in September of 1960. The first degree program, an Associate in Nursing degree, was initiated in the Division of Nursing in 1964.
The additional academic divisions of Liberal Arts, Business Administration, and Sciences were created in 1967. In 1974, LSUA was accredited by the Commission on 吃瓜直播s of the Southern Association of 吃瓜直播s and Schools (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. This accreditation was reaffirmed in 1984, 1994, and 2004.
Only one associate degree was available at LSUA from 1964 to March 1986, when the Associate of Arts and Associate of Science transfer degrees were approved. Over the next 15 years, several associate degree and certificate programs were added that the university continues to offer including:
From 1976 through Spring 2003, Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical 吃瓜直播 offered the upper-level course work for select bachelor's degree programs on the LSUA campus through a program known as LSU Senior 吃瓜直播. Initially, the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Bachelor of General Studies were offered. The Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education was added in 1982-83.
However, as elementary and secondary teachers continue to adapt to varying learning formats, setups, and evolving technology, having highly trained teachers entering the workforce proves to be more important now than ever.
鈥淥ur teachers have to be prepared to shift to a virtual format at any time now,鈥� said Kim Lord, Assistant Principal at J.I. Barron Elementary School. 鈥淓ducation students coming out of college must be fully equipped to make the transition to the classroom without skipping a beat.鈥�
With nearly half of the teachers at J.I. Barron having roots in the LSUA Department of Education, it is safe to say that LSUA is priming all student teachers for the workforce.
鈥淭here is a reason we have a school full LSUA graduates,鈥� Lord said. 鈥淭he skills that LSUA students come in with are incredible, from writing lesson plans to classroom management, the students are fully prepared. They aren鈥檛 first year teachers; they are like second or third year.鈥�
Lord doesn鈥檛 just speak from an administrator鈥檚 perspective, but as an alumna as well. She graduated from LSUA in 2007 with a degree in elementary education. With a family full of educators, it was only natural for her to follow that career path. Her father is a former high school mathematics teacher, her mother is a retired elementary educator, and her brother has a degree in mathematics-secondary education. Knowing the quality of the education program at LSUA, the Effie native knew that LSUA was the right place to go.
Echoing Kim鈥檚 sentiments are third grade math/science teacher at J.I. Barron and LSUA alumna Randi Willis. The 2011 elementary education graduate from Deville transferred to LSUA because of the close-knit community and personal relationships with professors.
鈥淭he people at LSUA really care about you. Not only did I experience that in my time on the campus, but I have seen it in all of my student teachers,鈥� said Willis. 鈥淚 feel so comfortable having the LSUA students in my classroom. They just get it and know how to operate.鈥�
Willis has overseen numerous student teachers from LSUA during her long-time tenure at J.I. Barron and currently mentors Kinley Deville, a senior elementary education major that will graduate in December. Kinley also began her college career at another institution but decided to transfer to LSUA because she was looking for a more personal educational experience.
鈥淎t my other institution, I had to just figure things out on my own. Since transferring (to LSUA), I have never felt so at-home or even prepared for my career as a teacher,鈥� said Kinley.
Not only does J.I. Barron seek out LSUA graduates, but the sentiment is reciprocated.
鈥淛.I. Barron has strong leadership, and they support the LSUA Department of Education as a longstanding partner school for many years,鈥� said Susan Myrick, Associate Professor of Education at LSUA. 鈥淭heir faculty have shown tremendous support by participating in mentor trainings, providing field experiences for methods students, and including LSUA residents in school team building, professional development, school events, and data meetings. Residents are exposed to a wide array of teaching experiences which enables them to start strong when they begin their careers as teachers.鈥�
Kim Lord exemplifies what opportunities abound on a solid educational foundation. She completed her student teaching at J.I. Barron prior to her graduation in 2007. Upon achieving her degree, she received a full-time position at the school and has worked her way to the top in her 14 years at the school. She has taught third and fourth grade, been a lead teacher, and is now going on her fourth year as an assistant principal.
鈥淲ith LSUA, you aren鈥檛 just a name. I have seen that first-hand as a student and now as an administrator, said Lord. 鈥淭he personal connection and experience is what truly sets LSUA apart.鈥�
On June 5, 2001, following approval by the Louisiana State University Board of Supervisors and the Louisiana Board of Regents, the Louisiana Legislature passed legislation (Senate Bill 853) allowing Louisiana State University at Alexandria to offer baccalaureate degrees. In December 2002, SACSCOC approved a substantive change request from LSUA, thereby accrediting the university to award both associate and baccalaureate degrees.
In Fall 2003, LSUA was reorganized into colleges and departments rather than divisions. The 吃瓜直播 of Arts and Sciences is comprised of the departments of Arts, English and Humanities; Behavioral and Social Sciences; Biological Sciences; and Mathematics and Physical Sciences. The 吃瓜直播 of Professional Studies is comprised of the departments of Allied Health, Business Administration, Education, and Nursing.
LSUA began offering four baccalaureate degrees in Fall 2003: Bachelor of Science in Biology, Bachelor of General Studies, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, and Bachelor of Liberal Studies. Because there were students at LSUA who had completed upper-level course work through LSU Senior 吃瓜直播, LSUA produced its first bachelor's degree graduates in December 2003.
A Bachelor of Science in Psychology, approved by the LSU Board of Supervisors in March 2005, and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, approved by the LSU Board in June 2006, are now offered. In 2008 the university began offering Bachelor of Arts degrees in English, Communication Studies, and History, along with Bachelor of Science degrees in Business Administration, Criminal Justice, and Nursing.
In addition to the Department of Education offering courses that lead to an Associate of Arts in The Care and Development of Young Children and the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, courses are offered for alternative certification in the following areas: Elementary Education, Grades 1-5; Health and Physical Education, Grades K-12; and Secondary Education, Grades 6-12 for the areas of biology, English, history, and mathematics. Students who major in biology, English, history, or mathematics may declare Secondary Education as a minor in these areas of study, earning certification to teach that subject in Grades 6-12. Add-on certifications are available for Early Childhood Education (PK-3) and Special Education in area of existing certification(s).
The Oaks, the university’s first student housing complex, opened in the fall of 2007. The complex, which includes four apartment buildings and a community center.
LSUA hired its first athletic director in January 2007 and began competing in NAIA men’s baseball and women’s fast-pitch softball in Spring 2008. In January 2010, LSUA’s new on-campus baseball-softball complex was unveiled in an opening day dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony. The complex is located on the north side of campus adjacent to the Fitness Center and features seats transferred from the famed Alex Box Stadium on the Baton Rouge campus.
LSUA added five sports in 2014 including men’s and women’s basketball and soccer teams along with women’s tennis. LSUA joined the Red River Athletic Conference in 2014. The RRAC includes Bacone 吃瓜直播 (Okla.), Huston-Tilloston University (Texas), Jarvis Christian 吃瓜直播 (Texas), Langston University (Okla.), LSU-Shreveport, Our Lady of the Lake University (Texas), Paul Quinn 吃瓜直播 (Texas), Texas 吃瓜直播, University of St. Thomas (Texas), University of Texas-Brownsville, University of the Southwest (New Mexico) and Wiley 吃瓜直播 (Texas) in addition to LSUA.
The university’s newest building, Mulder Hall, was opened in August 2011. The building is a 70,000 square-foot facility that provides 18 classrooms, 4 academic department office suites, 52 faculty offices, 2 conference rooms, a computer lab and a writing lab, a painting and drawing studio, a ceramics studio, a photography suite, and a black box theater that seats 175 people.