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 survey conducted by the Department of Allied Health at Louisiana State University of Alexandria (LSUA) highlighted a critical need for Surgical Technologists and other allied health professionals in central Louisiana. With no local training program available for Surgical Technologists, area healthcare providers face significant challenges in filling these vital roles. The findings underscore the importance of addressing the growing demand for trained professionals to support the region's healthcare system.
In response, LSUA and Louisiana State University Eunice (LSUE) have partnered to bring a Surgical Technology program to central Louisiana. Beginning in January, LSUE will offer the program at LSUA鈥檚 A.C. Buchanan Building in downtown Alexandria. This innovative partnership combines LSUE鈥檚 teaching expertise with LSUA鈥檚 financial support and newly renovated health education facilities to provide students with the training needed to pursue careers in Surgical Technology. Together, the institutions aim to address the workforce shortage and strengthen healthcare services across the region.
LSU Eunice Chancellor Nancee Sorenson, Ph.D., explained, 鈥淥ur system-wide mission is to help educate Louisiana and strengthen our workforce 鈥� regardless of where they are. We are proud to stand together as a unified LSU system to provide solutions for the entire state in our pursuit of improving the lives of all citizens.鈥�
LSUA Chancellor Paul Coreil, Ph.D., commented on the partnership between the two LSU System institutions, 鈥淭he walls have come down between campuses in the LSU System. When any of us identify a need in our community, we are happy to reach out across the state to find ways to find a solution. LSUE has been a willing partner to bring Surgical Technology to central Louisiana. We are grateful for their long-standing support of our community.鈥�
LSUA students interested in pursuing the Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology through LSUE will begin taking prerequisite courses on the LSUA campus. LSUA students will complete the professional/clinical portion of the selected program through LSUE鈥檚 offerings locally in Alexandria made possible by the Health Professions Collaborative Agreement. Graduates will earn a degree from LSUE.
Jeff Langston, LSUA鈥檚 Dean of the 吃瓜直播 of Health and Human Services, said, 鈥淲e are excited to be a part of this partnership with LSUE and The Rapides Foundation, which would not be possible without either of them. Educating and training surgical technologists is important to our healthcare partners, so it is a priority for us. We are proud of the work our healthcare professionals have on everyone in our community and will continue to do our part to support the area's needs."
Kristie Broussard-Leger, LSU Eunice Interim Dean of Business Technology and Health Sciences, noted, 鈥淲e are thrilled to bring this much-needed surgical technology program to central Louisiana. This collaboration allows students to pursue a fulfilling career in healthcare right at home, while addressing a major need for local health care providers. This program represents a significant investment in not only central Louisiana, but the entire state鈥檚 future in the healthcare field.鈥�
For more information, contact the Program Director, Renee Guillory, at kguillor@lsue.edu or visit .
The Alexandria program is funded in part by a Healthcare Occupations Program Grant from The Rapides Foundation. Through its Healthcare Occupations Program Grant, the Foundation seeks to expand or develop healthcare programs to increase the number of graduates in the high-demand occupational fields of nursing, behavioral health and allied health.
Written by Adam Lord
Photo credit - Nathan Parish
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.