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 - LSUA is proud to announce its inclusion in 狈别飞蝉飞别别办鈥檚 prestigious list of 鈥淎merica鈥檚 Top Online Learning Schools 2025.鈥� In the November 15 issue of Newsweek, LSUA received a 4-star rating and was ranked 210th nationally, highlighting its commitment to delivering high-quality online education to students across the country.
Teresa Seymour, LSUA Director of Distance Learning, spoke to the growth of the online cohort stating, 鈥淥ur growth is a tribute to the dedication of faculty and support of administration to provide high quality educational experiences to students. Our partnership with LSU Online is also key to our success. The ranking is terrific to see, but what we are truly proud of is the success of our students. We have 24 online degree programs and some have multiple concentrations. Almost all programs are seeing growth year over year.鈥�
In Fall 2023, LSUA enrolled 2,479 online students. By Fall 2024, that number had surged to 3,870 students鈥攁 remarkable 56% increase in just one year. Online students now make up 54% of LSUA鈥檚 total enrollment, reflecting the university鈥檚 success in offering flexible and accessible degree programs. Strikingly, the number of graduates from fully-online programs has increased 71% over the same time period, with 349 graduating this fall! With 7-week course sessions and the option to take multiple courses each term, LSUA鈥檚 online programs enable students to expedite their education while balancing work, family, and community responsibilities.
鈥淏eing named one of 鈥淎merica鈥檚 Top Online Learning Schools鈥� in 2025 by Newsweek is a tremendous honor that reflects LSUA鈥檚 dedication to meeting the evolving educational needs of today鈥檚 students,鈥� said LSUA Chancellor Paul Coreil. 鈥淎s more working professionals return to school, non-traditional students look to complete degrees, and rural undergrads seek affordable and flexible learning options, LSUA remains committed to delivering Louisiana鈥檚 best-value education through accessible, high-quality online programs that drive personal and professional success. I commend our dedicated faculty, staff, and students for this well-deserved recognition.鈥�
The rankings, developed in collaboration with global data research firm Statista, evaluate the top 250 colleges offering online undergraduate and graduate programs. LSUA joins an elite group of institutions recognized for excellence in online learning, including major public universities and elite private colleges from across the country. This acknowledgment underscores LSUA鈥檚 dedication to providing accessible, flexible, and career-relevant education through its expanding online degree programs.
The methodology included an extensive survey of more than 10,000 U.S. residents who have used online learning platforms for academic degrees, professional development, or personal enrichment. Participants evaluated institutions on criteria including organization, support, price, reputation, success, recommendation, practical relevance, and overall satisfaction. Their reviews, combined with institutional performance indicators, were aggregated into final scores to determine the rankings.
LSUA鈥檚 recognition reaffirms its national reputation as a leader in online and in-person education. With competitive tuition, personalized student support, and in-demand degree programs, LSUA continues to set the standard for online and on-campus learning in Louisiana and beyond.
To see the full list of America鈥檚 Top Online Schools, visit
Written by Adam Lord
Photo credit - Mira Alvarado | LSUA Strategic Communications
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.