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.
ALEXANDRIA - A new analysis of data from the University Police of Louisiana State University of Alexandria that aggregates accurate and up-to-date crime data from 2021 finds LSUA is one of the safest communities in the region. LSUA is located in a rural setting about five miles southeast of Alexandria鈥檚 city limits. With an on-campus population of nearly 2,600 on any given day, LSUA operates as a safe, close-knit community with seven full-time police officers on staff. LSUA has been ranked in the top five safest colleges in Louisiana for the past five years, according to Raleigh-based HomeSnacks.com and YourLocalSecurity.com.
National crime statistics used to judge the safety of a city are often based on two factors: the number of violent crimes per 1,000 residents and the number of property crimes per 1,000 residents in a given year. Using the FBI鈥檚 most recent 2019 data, communities across America averaged 3.7 violent crimes per 1,000 residents. On average, the likelihood of begin a victim of violent crime in America was 1 in 270 in 2019. Additionally, the national average for property crimes in 2019 was 21.1 incidents per 1,000 residents. The likelihood of having a property crime committed against you was 1 in 47.
By national standards, LSUA is an incredibly safe community of students, faculty, and staff committed to providing an environment conducive to learning. Utilizing the University Police鈥檚 public records for each month of 2021, the violent crime rate on LSUA鈥檚 campus so far this year is 0.76 per 1,000 residents. The likelihood of being a victim of violent crime is 1 in 1,315. A violent crime rate of 0.76 is 386% lower than the national average and 31% lower than the fifty safest cities in America.
The likelihood of being a victim of property crime at LSUA in 2021 is 1 in 658, with the data evidencing a property crime rate of 1.52 per 1,000. LSUA鈥檚 property crime rate is more than 1,288% lower than the national average and 439% lower than the fifty safest cities as ranked by Safewise.com.
LSUA Police Chief Donald Collins says in a statement, 鈥�As Police Chief of LSUA, the safety and security of all who enter this campus is my focus. It makes me feel good to know students, parents, visitors, and all employed here feel safe and secure in this environment. Our law enforcement officers maintain the highest respect for all who enter campus, and we take ultimate pride in our LSUA community. This campus is our extended home, and home is where we all feel safe. Our main mission is to serve and protect...every day, seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day, all year long.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.