勛圖眻畦

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University History

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 勛圖眻畦s of the Southern Association of 勛圖眻畦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:

  • Associate of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science (1996)
  • Associate of Arts in The Care and Development of Young Children (Spring 2001)
  • Certificate in Pharmacy Technology (Spring 2001)
  • Associate of Science in Radiologic Technology (Fall 2001)

From 1976 through Spring 2003, Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical 勛圖眻畦 offered the upper-level course work for select bachelor's degree programs on the LSUA campus through a program known as LSU Senior 勛圖眻畦. 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.

Enrollment is Exploding as LSUA Sees 33.5% Growth, Now Up to 6,815 Undergrads for Fall 2024!

Sep 16, 2024, 15:15 PM
LSUA proudly announces a historic milestone with total enrollment soaring to an unprecedented 6,815 full-time undergraduate students. This 33.5% increase over last year represents 1,711 new students and marks the largest total enrollment in the university's history.
Louisiana State University of Alexandria (LSUA) proudly announces a historic milestone with total enrollment soaring to an unprecedented 6,815 full-time undergraduate students. This 33.5% increase over last year represents 1,711 new students and marks the largest total enrollment in the university's history, solidifying LSUA's position as the fastest-growing university in Louisiana and one of the fastest-growing in the South.
 
The university welcomes its largest incoming freshman class since becoming a four-year institution in 2001, with 581 first-year studentsa 22.3% increase from the previous year. This surge reflects LSUA's growing reputation for providing high-quality, affordable education that resonates with today's students.
 
Vice Chancellor for Student Engagement Abbey Bain, Ph.D., explained: LSUA continues to experience significant growth, year after year! With the largest freshman class in over 25 years, more students in central Louisiana and across the country are excited to join the Generals family. Most regional universities are experiencing enrollment challenges; for LSUA to increase enrollment by 33% is truly the realization of the hard work our faculty and staff put in every day. It also demonstrates the personalized and vibrant experience our students have that others want to be a part of.
 
Last year, LSUA was ranked as the 11th-largest institution in Louisiana based on undergraduate enrollment. According to currently available data, with this year's significant growth, LSUA has launched up the charts to become the sixth-largest in the state, bucking the nationwide trend toward enrollment declines affecting many institutions across the region.
 
This fall, LSUA has reached 136% of our goal to enroll 5,000 students by 2025. LSUAs overall enrollment growth continues to explode at a record pace, with Fall 2024 enrollment exceeding 6,800 students. This is an annual growth of over 33.5%, said LSUA Chancellor Paul Coreil, Ph.D. This tremendous accomplishment again places LSUA in the highly esteemed position as the fastest-growing 4-year university in Louisiana. Clearly, this underscores the outstanding educational value that LSUA provides to students, not only from our region but also across the state and the nation. Sustaining growth and surpassing our ambitious goal reflects the excellence of our faculty and staff and the unwavering support of the entire Central Louisiana community, who have displayed remarkable dedication to LSUAs regional workforce development objectives critical to growing a strong regional economy."
 
Liezl van der Merwe, a sophomore majoring in criminal justice, noted, As a student at LSUA, I'm thrilled to see our university reach its highest enrollment ever with 6,815 students. The dedication of the professors and faculty as well as the welcoming and supportive environment all contribute to making LSUA a place where students feel valued and inspired. This milestone fills me with excitement for what is to come. Im looking forward to connecting with more students and continuing to thrive in a place where we all support each other and strive for excellence together. I am proud to be a General!

LSUA's expansive online offerings are a significant contributor to its growth. The university now has 3,699 students enrolled in fully online degree programsa staggering 56.7% increase from Fall 2023. These online students represent 54% of the total enrollment, highlighting the flexibility and accessibility that LSUA provides to those balancing education with work, family, and community commitments.
 
Simultaneously, on-campus enrollment continues to flourish, with 3,116 students enrolled locallya 13.4% increase since last fall. This growth reflects the vibrant campus life and the university's dedication to fostering a dynamic and engaging educational environment.
 
Additionally, LSUA's dual enrollment program experienced a substantial 32% increase, offering high school students across the region unique opportunities to earn college credits and advance their academic pursuits while still in high school.
 
LSUA remains dedicated to offering one of the most affordable bachelor's degree programs in Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi. Students recognize not only the value proposition but also the immense benefits of the unique undergraduate-only experience at LSUA. With a focus on in-demand degrees, practical internships, and valuable research opportunities, LSUA graduates are highly sought-after candidates for the region's most competitive careers.
 
LSUA is committed to its mission of providing affordable, accessible, innovative, and high-quality education that transforms lives and strengthens communities.
 

Recent Times

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 勛圖眻畦 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 勛圖眻畦 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 勛圖眻畦, 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 勛圖眻畦 (Okla.), Huston-Tilloston University (Texas), Jarvis Christian 勛圖眻畦 (Texas), Langston University (Okla.), LSU-Shreveport, Our Lady of the Lake University (Texas), Paul Quinn 勛圖眻畦 (Texas), Texas 勛圖眻畦, University of St. Thomas (Texas), University of Texas-Brownsville, University of the Southwest (New Mexico) and Wiley 勛圖眻畦 (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.

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