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 - In a significant initiative to foster local talent and address the critical need for healthcare professionals, CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital announced the launch of a Cohort Program in collaboration with Louisiana State University of Alexandria (LSUA). The program aims to empower and assist students pursuing a career in nursing by providing exclusive access, comprehensive training, and financial support throughout their academic journey.
The Cohort Program offers a range of benefits to eligible LSUA Nursing students, including exclusive training sessions, certification preparation, and access to specialized resources. Additionally, Cabrini will cover the tuition and fees for all collegiate courses at LSUA, offering financial assistance of up to $25,000 per student. Most impressively, Cabrini guarantees immediate employment for all cohort members who successfully graduate from the LSUA School of Nursing and pass the licensure exam.
Monte Wilson, CEO of CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital, explained, 鈥淭he nation鈥檚 healthcare worker shortage threatens the viability of our community. CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital is pleased to partner with LSUA to establish strong pipelines of top-quality nursing and allied health students unhindered by the cost of tuition.鈥�
The program will support up to 10 students per semester who have been accepted into the LSUA Nursing program or are entering LSUA Nursing clinicals. Exclusive training opportunities include group NCLEX preparation classes, hands-on clinical practice simulations, specialized boot camps, job shadowing experiences, and early access to scheduling interviews. These tailored resources are designed to equip cohort members with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to excel in their nursing education and transition seamlessly into the healthcare workforce.
Designed explicitly for LSUA students admitted to the School of Nursing who are eligible for the federal Pell Grant, the Cohort Program represents an inclusive and accessible pathway for aspiring nurses from diverse backgrounds. The initial funding package, totaling $1,000,000, underscores Cabrini's commitment to supporting LSUA's efforts to bolster the local healthcare workforce. Looking ahead, Cabrini's leadership aims to expand the funding to ensure the long-term sustainability and success of the program.
"Today marks a pivotal moment for the future of Central Louisiana's nursing workforce, as we join forces with CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital in a partnership bolstered by a $1,000,000 commitment to our nursing students," stated Jeff Langston, LSUA Dean of the 吃瓜直播 of Health and Human Services. "This collaboration is crucial to addressing the shortage in Louisiana鈥檚 nursing workforce, ensuring nursing school becomes a tangible opportunity for many more in our region. Our gratitude extends to Monte Wilson, Dr. Paul Coreil, and our partners at the Cabrini Foundation for their unwavering support and collaboration in tackling this challenge head-on."
The Cabrini Cohort and associated funding support serve as a tangible contribution by St. Frances Cabrini Hospital to LSUA's broader mission of addressing the shortage of healthcare professionals in the region. This collaborative effort, alongside LSUA's drive to develop a state-of-the-art Health Education Campus in downtown Alexandria, reflects LSUA's steadfast commitment to transforming the healthcare landscape and fostering a healthier future for central Louisiana communities.
For more information about LSUA's School of Nursing and its academic programs, visit .
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.