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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 ³Ô¹ÏÖ±²¥s of the Southern Association of ³Ô¹ÏÖ±²¥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 ³Ô¹ÏÖ±²¥ offered the upper-level course work for select bachelor's degree programs on the LSUA campus through a program known as LSU Senior ³Ô¹ÏÖ±²¥. 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 and LSU School of Veterinary Medicine Forge New Pathways for Aspiring Rural Veterinarians

May 7, 2024, 15:47 PM
LSUA has announced an exciting new partnership with the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine aimed at advancing expertise in rural and agricultural...

BATON ROUGE - LSUA has announced an exciting new partnership with the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine aimed at advancing expertise in rural and agricultural veterinary practices. This new agreement introduces an early admission pathway for LSUA graduates aiming to specialize in rural, agricultural, or livestock medicine.

The initiative is designed to cultivate a dedicated pipeline of veterinarians through enhanced early educational experiences, aimed particularly at supporting the food animal and production medicine sectors. Up to ten LSUA gradutates per year will have the opportunity to gain early admission to the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, provided they meet the specific eligibility criteria focused on rural and agricultural commitment.

Paul Coreil, Chancellor of LSUA, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “This partnership not only bridges our institutions but also fortifies the future of veterinary medicine in rural settings. We are excited to offer our students such profound opportunities for growth in a profession that is in high demand.â€

Objectives of the Partnership

The program is meticulously designed to cultivate a dedicated group of students deeply interested in rural, agricultural, and livestock medicine. By enhancing student exposure to food animal and production medicine through a comprehensive undergraduate curriculum, the initiative aims to lay a strong educational foundation. Additionally, it establishes a structured, collaborative mentorship program that includes the LSU ³Ô¹ÏÖ±²¥ of Agriculture or Pre-Vet Program, the LSU AgCenter, and the School of Veterinary Medicine. Ultimately, the partnership seeks to nurture future leaders and ambassadors for the LSU ³Ô¹ÏÖ±²¥ of Agriculture, LSUA, and the School of Veterinary Medicine, thereby fostering significant contributions to these fields.

Eligibility and Application Details

Prospective participants must be high school seniors actively involved in FFA or 4-H programs and residents of rural Louisiana. Candidates should demonstrate significant hands-on experience with food animals, veterinary medicine, or production medicine and be interested in pursuing a career in rural animal medicine or food animal production medicine. Additional application requirements and materials will be detailed on the LSUA admissions page.

Nate Sammons, Dean of the LSUA ³Ô¹ÏÖ±²¥ of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, highlighted the partnership's benefits: “Students in 4-H and FFA exemplify the leadership qualities we nurture at LSUA, and their experiences in these programs align perfectly with our commitment to developing the next generation of leaders.â€

Oliver Garden, Dean of the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, noted, “There is a dire shortage of veterinarians in some rural areas in Louisiana, and we want to help solve that problem. One step in that direction is developing these pipeline programs, and we are thrilled that we now have this partnership with LSUA.â€

This exciting development promises to open new horizons for students at LSUA, paving the way towards a fulfilling and impactful career in veterinary medicine. For more information on the program and how to apply, please visit www.lsua.edu.

 

Written by Adam Lord
Photo credit - Nathan Parish

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 ³Ô¹ÏÖ±²¥ 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 ³Ô¹ÏÖ±²¥ 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 ³Ô¹ÏÖ±²¥, 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 ³Ô¹ÏÖ±²¥ (Okla.), Huston-Tilloston University (Texas), Jarvis Christian ³Ô¹ÏÖ±²¥ (Texas), Langston University (Okla.), LSU-Shreveport, Our Lady of the Lake University (Texas), Paul Quinn ³Ô¹ÏÖ±²¥ (Texas), Texas ³Ô¹ÏÖ±²¥, University of St. Thomas (Texas), University of Texas-Brownsville, University of the Southwest (New Mexico) and Wiley ³Ô¹ÏÖ±²¥ (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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