northwestern.stateuniversity.comNorthwestern State University of Louisiana (NSUL, NSU, NSULA) Introduction and History - Natchitoche

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Its main campus is in the city of Natchitoches. Branch campuses are also located in Leesville/Fort Polk and Alexandria, and the NSU nursing campus in in Shreveport. NSU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and offers more than 50 accredited degree programs. The school serves over 9,000 students, both graduate and undergraduate, each year. According to its mission statement, Northwestern State is “a responsive, student-oriented institution that is committed to the creation, dissemination, and acquisition of knowledge through teaching, research, and service.” It is classed as a Master’s College and University I by the Carnegie Institute. Videos Information Summary Ranks 19th in Louisiana and 1099th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list Overall Score ( about ) 79.0 Total Cost On-Campus Attendance $22,672 Admission Success rate N/A ACT / SAT 75%ile scores 24 / 1160 Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty 20 : 1 Retention (full-time / part-time) 71% / 53% Enrollment Total (all students) 11,081 History The institution was founded in 1884 as Louisiana State Normal School with the purpose of training the state’s teachers. It was also the first school in Louisiana to offer degrees in nursing and in business education. It became known as Northwestern State College of Louisiana in 1944 and received its current name in 1970. Gallery Academics The university offers academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Students pursue their studies in the College of Business, the College of Education, the College of Liberal Arts, the College of Nursing, the College of Science and Technology, the College of Electronic & Continuing Education, the Graduate School, the University College, and the Louisiana Scholars’ College. Associate degrees can be earned in business administration, electronics technology, general studies, nursing, office administration, and veterinary technology. Bachelor’s degrees can be earned in areas including anthropology, business administration, history, home economics, journalism, mathematics, nursing, music, education, radiologic technology, social work, and theatre. There are also pre-professional program in agriculture, engineering, forestry, and medical fields. Graduate programs can be earned in education, nursing, English, art, heritage resources, music, and health & human performance. An emphasis is on education; no graduate programs are offered in the physical sciences or technology, any social sciences other than psychology, or in liberal arts other than the ones listed above. There are no doctoral degrees. The Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree is offered through the College of Education in educational leadership & instruction with several different concentrations. Most Popular Fields of Study Unique Programs The Aviation Science Program educates airplane pilots who wish to fly professionally. The program is approved by the FAA and provides courses to obtain certification and ratings for Private Pilot, Commercial Pilot, Instrument Rating, Flight Instructor Airplane, Flight Instructor-Instrument, and Rotor Craft Helicopter to Fixed Wing Transition. Graduates earn the Bachelor of General Studies degree and a concentration in Aviation Science. The JOVE program is a competitive scholarship for students in the College of Science and Technology who major in biology, chemistry, mathematics, or physics. JOVE is supported in part by NASA , and gives students the opportunity to conduct research projects in their respective field. Participating students receive stipend each year and often earn internships at such institutions as Mississippi State University, University of Arkansas, and the University of California Riverside. The Space Science Group at NSU has programs for elementary and secondary school students to learn more about space science as well as basic science. The Louisiana Scholars’ College is the state’s designated undergraduate Honors program in the liberal arts and sciences. Students who seek admission to the Honors Program must meet minimum ACT / SAT score and GPA requirements. Honors students can take seminar-style classes, live in an Honors-designated dorm, and write a senior thesis. Students may also be able to receive scholarships and out-of-state fee waivers. Admissions Undergraduate Admissions Northwestern State University has no stated application deadline, but the priority deadline for scholarships is December 1 for the following fall. Students who are enrolled in high school at the time of application will need to have their official final high school transcripts sent after graduation to the Admissions Office. Prospective undergraduate students must complete the Regents’ High School core curriculum known as TOPS (Tuition Opportunity Program for Students). The curriculum includes four units of English; two units of a foreign language; and one unit each of Algebra I, Algebra II, advanced math (such as geometry or calculus), biology, chemistry, earth science or advanced physical science, American history, world history, civics, fine arts, and a computer science. Upon completion of the TOPS curriculum, students may then qualify for admission to Northwestern provided they require no more than one remedial course and have either a cumulative high school grade point average of 2.00 or better, a minimum ACT score of 20 ( SAT equivalent of 950), or rank in the top half of their high school graduating class. Students who do not meet these admission criteria may be admitted under conditional criteria. Graduate Students Students applying to graduate programs must hold a bachelor’s degree and a 2.5 or higher undergraduate GPA . Applicants should consult the individual department and/or school to which they are applying for full information and requirements. General requirements for the school’s master’s programs include GRE or other appropriate test scores (such as the GMAT ) as well as two letters of recommendation. Other Information Applicants who are re-entering the university, are senior citizens, or who do not plan on graduating may be admitted under other criteria and should contact the university’s admissions office for further information. Requirements may also vary for transfer students and international students. Fee exemptions are often available for people in some special categories (such as senior citizen or fire fighter dependent). Out-of-state tuition waivers are also available for some students who participate in spirit groups, athletics, band, or music. Financial Aid Students who seek financial aid must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid ( FAFSA ) to determine eligibility as...