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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 Թֱs of the Southern Association of Թֱs 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 Թֱ offered the upper-level course work for select bachelor's degree programs on the LSUA campus through a program known as LSU Senior Թֱ. 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.

LSUA’s Central Louisiana Economic Dashboard for September Released

Sep 30, 2024, 10:20 AM
The Louisiana State University of Alexandria Թֱ of Business releases its September 2024 issue of the...
ALEXANDRIA - The Louisiana State University of Alexandria Թֱ of Business releases its September 2024 issue of the Central Louisiana Economic Dashboard.  

“Employment, consumer spending, and housing in Central Louisiana continue to show uncertainty in the economy,” said Randall Dupont, Dean of the LSUA Թֱ of Business. In August, the Alexandria Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) and Natchitoches Parish saw the unemployment rate remain above the state rate. Employment in Alexandria fell 790 in August from the previous month, while Natchitoches Parish added 127 to the employment rolls. On a year-over-year basis, Alexandria was down 1,518 from August 2023, while Natchitoches Parish was up 564. The August unemployment rates for Alexandria and Natchitoches stood at 4.1% and 4.3%, respectively. “The overall employment trends remain promising in light of the national economy, but the slight increase in the unemployment rate and the mixed results in consumer spending remind us to continue supporting our local economy,” Dupont said. 

So far in 2024, consumer spending in six of the 11 central Louisiana jurisdictions reported gains over last year with Alexandria reporting a 6% gain, Rapides 4%, and Pineville 1%. Vehicle sales were down in five of the six jurisdictions reporting with year-to-date declines of 6% to 18%. Only Avoyelles had a slight gain for the year. Online sales in central Louisiana increased 4% in August over July and are up 24% for the year. 

“Competitive mortgage rates and increased housing listings are encouraging developments,” said Dupont, “making homeownership more accessible and driving local economic activity.”
The 30-year fixed mortgage rate stood at 6.09% in mid-September and at 5.15% for the 15-year rate. Active listings for single-family homes are up 6% from a year ago in Alexandria, 18% in Leesville, and 21% in Natchitoches. The average listing price was up 11% in Alexandria and 5% in Natchitoches. In August, homes in Alexandria had a median listing price of $230,000, up 4% from a year ago. Leesville’s median listing price of $214,000 is down 8% from a year ago, while the median listing price of $300,000 in Natchitoches represents a 2% increase.

The Central Louisiana Economic Dashboard is a service of the LSUA Թֱ of Business to help business and community leaders monitor the economic pulse of central Louisiana. To view the September 2024 CENLA Economic Dashboard, click here. į&Բ;&Բ;

Written by Randall Dupont, Ph.D. | LSUA Թֱ of Business
Photo credit - LSUA Strategic Communications

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