Northwestern State University Catalog (2017-2018)

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by  Northwestern State University

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Northwestern State University
Telephone: [phone]
Toll Free: 800.327.1903
Academic Colleges/Schools/Departments Telephone: email:
College of Arts and Sciences 318-357-4330 [email protected]
Louisiana Scholars’ College 318-357-4577 [email protected]
School of Biological and Physical Sciences 318-357-5323 [email protected]
Mrs. H. D. Dear, Sr. and Alice Estelle Dear
School of Creative and Performing Arts 318-357-4522 [email protected]
Fine and Graphic Arts 318-357-4522 [email protected]
Music 318-357-4522 [email protected]
New Media, Journalism, and Communication Arts 318-357-5360 [email protected]
Theatre and Dance 318-357-4483 [email protected]
Criminal Justice, History, and Social Sciences 318-357-6967 [email protected]
English, Foreign Languages, and Cultural Studies 318-357-6272 [email protected]
Mathematics 318-357-4308 [email protected]
College of Business and Technology 318-357-5161 [email protected]
School of Business 318-357-5161 [email protected]
Engineering Technology 318-357-6751 [email protected]
College of Nursing and School of Allied Health
College of Nursing 318-677-3100 [email protected]
School of Allied Health 318-677-3020 hicksjnsula.edu
Gallaspy Family College of Education and Human Development 318-357-6288 [email protected]
Health and Human Performance 318-357-5126 [email protected]
Military Science 318-357-5157 [email protected]
Psychology 318-357-6594 [email protected]
Social Work 318-357-5493 [email protected]
Teaching, Leadership and Counseling 318-357-6144 [email protected]
The Graduate School
Graduate School 318-357-5851 [email protected]
Academic Records, Registration, Transcripts, Veterans Affairs
University Registrar’s Office 318-357-6171 [email protected]
318-357-6170 [email protected]
800-807-8849
Admissions
Office of Admissions 318-357-4078 [email protected]
800-767-8115
Business Affairs
Human Resources 318-357-6152 [email protected]
Student Accounting 318-357-6902 [email protected]
Financial Aid 318-357-5961 [email protected]
800-823-3008
Recruiting, Tuition and Fees
Office of University Recruiting 318-357-4503 [email protected]
800-327-1903
Academic Advising Services 318-357-6980 [email protected]
Counseling and Career Services 318-357-5621 [email protected]
Electronic and Continuing Education 318-357-6355 [email protected]
First Year Experience and Leadership Development 318-357-5559 [email protected]
Health Services 318-357-5351 [email protected]
Housing 318-214-5400 [email protected]
Police Department 318-357-5431 [email protected] COVER DESIGN:
Student Activities and Organizations 318-357-5438 [email protected] Beth Mann
Student Affairs, Dean of Students 318-357-5286 [email protected] NSU Publications
Student Online Support/Student Help Desk 318-357-6696 [email protected] Northwestern State University
Student Support Services 318-357-5901 [email protected]
Testing 318-357-5246 [email protected] CONTENT PRODUCTION:
Barbara T. Prescott
All written communications should be directed to the proper University office and should be addressed to: University Registrar’s Office
Northwestern State University Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497-0002
NORTHWESTERN
STATE UNIVERSITY
OF LOUISIANA
A Member of the University of Louisiana System
NATCHITOCHES, LOUISIANA 71497-0002
https://www.nsula.edu
UNIVERSITY
CATALOG
Vol. CII
2017-2018
Published by the University Registrar’s Office of Northwestern State University, University Parkway, Natchitoches, Louisiana 71497-0002.
Entered as periodicals at the post office in Natchitoches, Louisiana 71497-0002, under the Act of July 16, 1904.
This University Catalogpresents the current curricula, educational plans, course offerings, requirements and policies of this University.
The provisions described in this Catalogdo not constitute an offer for a contract which may be accepted by students through registration
and enrollment in the University. The University reserves the right to change any curriculum, plan, course, requirement and policy and
any other provision at any time during the student’s period of study at the University.
2
CONTENTS
Academic Calendar, 2017-2018...............................................................................................................................................................4
Glossary...................................................................................................................................................................................................7
The University..........................................................................................................................................................................................8
Admission to the University..................................................................................................................................................................15
Financial Aid..........................................................................................................................................................................................20
Academic Information...........................................................................................................................................................................23
Academic Regulations...........................................................................................................................................................................28
Student Life/Services.............................................................................................................................................................................40
Electronic and Continuing Education....................................................................................................................................................45
Academic Colleges, Departments, and Curricula
College of Arts and Sciences..........................................................................................................................................................46
Louisiana Scholars’ College...................................................................................................................................................51
School of Biological and Physical Sciences...........................................................................................................................69
Mrs. H. D. Dear, Sr. and Alice Estelle Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts...........................................................74
Fine and Graphic Arts.....................................................................................................................................................75
Music...............................................................................................................................................................................77
New Media, Journalism, and Communication Arts........................................................................................................81
Theatre and Dance...........................................................................................................................................................82
Criminal Justice, History, and Social Sciences.......................................................................................................................83
English, Foreign Languages, and Cultural Studies.................................................................................................................87
Mathematics ...........................................................................................................................................................................90
College of Business and Technology..............................................................................................................................................91
School of Business..................................................................................................................................................................92
Engineering Technology.........................................................................................................................................................96
College of Nursing and School of Allied Health............................................................................................................................99
Gallaspy Family College of Education and Human Development...............................................................................................111
Health and Human Performance...........................................................................................................................................112
Military Science......................................................................................................................................................................14
Psychology............................................................................................................................................................................116
Social Work...........................................................................................................................................................................119
Teaching, Leadership and Counseling..................................................................................................................................120
The Graduate School............................................................................................................................................................................131
Courses of Instruction..........................................................................................................................................................................137
Administration of the University.........................................................................................................................................................238
Faculty..................................................................................................................................................................................................240
Index.....................................................................................................................................................................................................254
3
ACADEMIC CALENDAR 2017-2018
FALL 2017
AUGUST
14....................................Monday.............................................................................................................semester begins/faculty on call
14-20...............................Monday-Sunday......................................................................................regular registration via NSUConnect
TBA...................................................................................................................................................................................faculty institute
16....................................Wednesday...................................................................................advising CENLA/FT. POLK/SHEVEPORT
17-18...............................Thursday-Friday....................................................................................................advising NATCHITOCHES
17....................................Thursday................................................New Student Orientation Meeting (9:00 AM Natchitoches Campus)
19....................................Saturday....................................................................................................residence halls open for all students
20....................................Sunday.....................................................................................................................New Student Convocation
20....................................Sunday..........................................last day to resign from all 16-week and A-term classes with 100% refund
21....................................Monday............................................................first day of classes ALL CAMPUSES (16-week and A-Term)
21-29...............................Monday-Tuesday.................................................................................................late registration (fee applies)
29....................................Tuesday............................final day to register, add courses, or make section changes for 16-week & A-term
29....................................Tuesday........................final day to drop a class and be refunded or have fees adjusted (16-week & A-term)
30....................................Wednesday.................................dropping 16-week and A-term courses with a “W” begins via NSUConnect
SEPTEMBER
4......................................Monday...............................................................................................................................Labor Day Holiday
5......................................Tuesday.......................................................................................final day to appeal a grade from spring 2017
5......................................Tuesday..................................final day to remove “I” grade with approved 60-day waiver from spring 2017
25....................................Monday...................................................................................5-week grades due to be entered by 11:55 p.m.
OCTOBER
1......................................Sunday...........................final day for undergraduate and graduate students to apply for fall 2017 graduation
2-3...................................Monday-Tuesday..............................................................................................................................Fall Break
4......................................Wednesday..............................................................................................................classes resume at 8:00 AM
4......................................Wednesday..................................................................final day for removal of “I” grades from summer 2017
14....................................Saturday....................................................................................................................last day of A-term classes
16....................................Monday.............................................................................................................................B-term classes begin
16....................................Monday........................................................................................midterm grades to be entered by 11:55 p.m.
24....................................Tuesday..............................................final day to register, add courses, or make section changes for B-Term
30....................................Monday...............................final day to resign from all 16-week courses, drop courses with a grade of “W,”
or change from credit to audit (16-week courses)
NOVEMBER
10....................................Friday..............................................................................................................................Veterans Day Holiday
20-25...............................Monday-Saturday...........................................................................................................Thanksgiving Holiday
27....................................Monday.........................................................................................................................classes resume (8 a.m.)
DECEMBER
1......................................Friday....................................................................................................................................last day of classes
4......................................Monday.............................................................................................................................................Study Day
4......................................Monday....................................................................................final day to appeal a grade from summer 2017
4......................................Monday...............................final day to remove “I” grade with approved 60-day waiver from summer 2017
5-11.................................Tuesday-Monday..................................................................................................................final examinations
11....................................Monday...............................................................................candidate grades due to be entered by 12:00 noon
12....................................Tuesday.............................................................................................all grades due to be entered by 4:00 p.m.
12....................................Tuesday................................................................................................................residence halls close at noon
15....................................Friday................................................................................................commencement exercises/semester ends
2017
AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER
S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 1 2
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
27 28 29 30 31 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31
4
ACADEMIC CALENDAR 2017-2018
SPRING 2018
JANUARY
8......................................Monday.............................................................................................................semester begins/faculty on call
8-15.................................Monday-Monday.....................................................................................regular registration via NSUConnect
10....................................Wednesday............................................................................advising CENLA/FORT POLK/SHREVEPORT
11-12...............................Thursday-Friday....................................................................................................advising NATCHITOCHES
11....................................Thursday..................................................new student orientation meeting (9:00 a.m./Natchitoches Campus)
13....................................Saturday....................................................................................................residence halls open for all students
15....................................Monday.................................................................................................................Martin Luther King Holiday
15....................................Monday...........................................................................last day to resign from all classes with 100% refund
16....................................Tuesday.............................................................first day of classes ALL CAMPUSES (16-week and A-term)
16-24...............................Tuesday-Wednesday................................................................late registration via NSUConnect (fee applies)
24....................................Wednesday............................................................final day to register, add courses, or make section changes
24....................................Wednesday....................final day to drop a class and be refunded or have fees adjusted (16-week & A-term)
25....................................Thursday....................................dropping 16-week and A-term courses with a “W” begins via NSUConnect
FEBRUARY
12-13...............................Monday-Tuesday.............................................................................................................Mardi Gras Holidays
14....................................Wednesday...............................................................................................................classes resume at 12 noon
14....................................Wednesday.........................................................................final day for removal of “I” grades from fall 2017
16....................................Friday..................................final day to resign from all A-term courses or drop A-term courses with a grade
of “W” or change from credit to audit (A-term only)
19....................................Monday...................................................................................5-week grades due to be entered by 11:55 p.m.
MARCH
1......................................Thursday...................final day for undergraduate and graduate students to apply for spring 2018 graduation
3......................................Saturday....................................................................................................................last day of A-term classes
5......................................Monday.................................................................................midterm grades due to be entered by 11:55 p.m.
5......................................Monday.............................................................................................................................B-term classes begin
12....................................Monday............final day to resign from all 16-week classes with a grade of “W,” drop courses with a grade
of “W,” or change from credit to audit (16-week only)
13....................................Tuesday...............................................final day to register, add courses, or make section changes for B-term
30-Apr 7.........................Friday-Saturday............................................................................................................................Spring Break
APRIL
9......................................Monday.........................................................................................................................classes resume (8 a.m.)
9......................................Monday...............................final day to resign from all B-term courses or drop B-term courses with a grade
of “W” or change from credit to audit (B-term only)
16....................................Monday............................................................................................final day to appeal a grade from fall 2017
16....................................Monday.......................................final day to remove “I” grade with approved 60-day waiver from fall 2017
17....................................Friday................................................................................................last day of classes (16-week and B-term)
30....................................Monday.............................................................................................................................................Study Day
MAY
1-7...................................Tuesday-Monday..................................................................................................................final examinations
7......................................Monday...............................................................................candidate grades due to be entered by 12:00 noon
8......................................Tuesday.............................................................................................all grades due to be entered by 4:00 p.m.
8......................................Tuesday.............................................................................................................................residence halls close
11....................................Friday................................................................................................commencement exercises/semester ends
2018
JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY
S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5
7 8 9 10 11 12 13 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
28 29 30 31 25 26 27 28 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 29 30 27 28 29 30 31
5
ACADEMIC CALENDAR 2017-2018
SUMMER 2018
MAY
10-11...............................Thursday-Friday..................................................................................................advising for 12-week session
14....................................Monday........................................................................................................................12-week session begins
15....................................Tuesday.........................final day to drop a class and be refunded or have fees adjusted for 12-week session
15....................................Tuesday..................................final day to register, add courses, make schedule changes for 12-week session
16....................................Wednesday.....................................................dropping 12-week classes with a “W” begins via NSUConnect
28....................................Monday.........................................................................................................................Memorial Day Holiday
31-June 1........................Thursday-Friday..........................................................................advising for 8-week and 1st4-week sessions
JUNE
4......................................Monday..................................................................................................8-week and 1st4-week sessions begin
5......................................Tuesday.................................final day to drop a class and be refunded or have fees adjusted for 8-week and
1st4-week sessions
5......................................Tuesday.........................................final day to register, add courses, make schedule changes for 8-week and
1st4-week sessions
6......................................Wednesday............................dropping classes with a grade of “W” begins via NSUConnect for 8-week and
1st4-week sessions
18....................................Monday..........................final day to resign from all courses or drop courses with a grade of “W” or change
from credit to audit for 1st4-week session
28-29...............................Thursday-Friday..............................................................................................advising for 2nd4-week session
29....................................Friday............................................................................................................................1st4-week session ends
JULY
1......................................Sunday.................................final day for undergraduate and graduate to apply for Summer 2018 graduation
2......................................Monday.......................................................all grades for 1st4-week session due to be entered by 11:55 p.m.
2......................................Monday.....................................................................................................................2nd4-week session begins
3......................................Tuesday..............................final day to register, add courses, make schedule changes for 2nd4-week session
3......................................Tuesday....................final day to drop a class and be refunded or have fees adjusted for 2nd4-week sessions
4......................................Wednesday.............................................................................................................Independence Day Holiday
4......................................Wednesday.................dropping classes with a grade of “W” begins via NSUConnect for 2nd4-week session
6......................................Friday.............................................................................final day for removal of “I” grades from spring 2018
9......................................Monday..........................final day to resign from all courses or drop courses with a grade of “W” or change
from credit to audit for 8-week session
9......................................Monday..........................final day to resign from all courses or drop courses with a grade of “W” or change
from credit to audit for 12-week session
16....................................Monday..........................final day to resign from all courses or drop courses with a grade of “W” or change
from credit to audit for 2nd4-week session
27....................................Friday.......................................................................................................8-week and 2nd4-week sessions end
30....................................Monday..................................all grades for 8-week and 2nd4-week sessions due to be entered by 11:55 p.m.
AUGUST
3......................................Friday....................................all grades for 12-week session due to be entered by 12:00 noon/semester ends
3......................................Friday...........................................................................................12-week session ends, residence halls close
The Academic Calendar, with important dates and deadlines, is also published on the University Registrar’s web page
(http://www.nsula.edu/registrar).
2018
MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST
S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
27 28 29 30 31 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30 31
6
GLOSSARY
Academic (Scholastic) load— the totals of semester hours of Graduation Grade Point Average — is calculated by
course work for which a student is registered in a semester or dividing adjusted quality points by adjusted quality hours.
summer session.
Major— that part of a Degree Program which consists of a
Academic Catalog Year— catalogs are in effect beginning specified group of courses in a particular discipline(s) or
with the fall semester and remain in effect for the following field(s). The name of the Major is usually consistent with the
spring and summer semesters. Degree Subject Area. A Major usually consists of 25 percent or
more of total hours required in an undergraduate curriculum.
Adjusted Quality Hours— calculated by subtracting credit
hours for “F” grades and repeated classes from total quality Minor— that part of a Degree Program which consists of a
hours. specified group of courses in a particular discipline(s) or
field(s), consisting usually of 15 percent or more of total hours
Adjusted Quality Points — calculated by subtracting quality
required in an undergraduate curriculum.
points received for repeated classes from total quality points.
Overall Cumulative Grade Point Average — obtained by
Auditor — one who pays fees and registers for a class or
dividing the total number of quality points by the total number
classes as an observer only and receives no credit for it.
of quality hours.
Cancellation— a process where all courses are removed from
Prerequisite — a requirement that must be satisfied, often
a student’s academic record.
registration in another course, before a student can take a
Concentration — an alternative track of courses within a
course.
Major or Option, account for at least 30 percent of the Major
Quality Hours— the credit hour value of the course.
requirements.
Quality Point — a numerical value assigned to each of the
Corequisite — concurrent requirement; usually a course or
letter grades A through F. The grade of A is valued at four
some other condition that must be taken or met at the same
quality points for each semester hour of credit in the course. B
time as another course.
is three points per hour, C is two, and D is one. A grade of F has
Curriculum— an officially approved combination of courses,
a quality point value of zero. These values are used in
satisfactory completion of which may lead to a degree or other
calculating a student’s “grade point average’’ and academic
goal.
standing.
Degree— the title of the award conferred on students upon
Registrar— the University official responsible for compiling
completion of a unified program of study (e.g., Associate of
and keeping secure the official records of each student’s
Science, Bachelor of Arts).
scholastic achievement. The Registrar’s Office is a principal
Degree Designation — each authorized program at public source of information and advisement on matters such as
institutions of higher education is listed in the Board of registration, scheduling, and academic standing.
Regents’ Inventory of Degree and Certificate Programs under
Residence Requirement — a requirement that students
the category “Degree Designation” (e.g., Bachelor of Science,
pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees at NSU must earn
Bachelor of Arts).
a specified number of semester hours in regularly scheduled
Degree Program — grouping of campus-approved courses coursework. For the baccalaureate degree, students must earn
and requirements (e.g., minimum GPA required, at least 25 percent of the semester hours required for the degree
comprehensive examinations, English and Math proficiency) through instruction at NSU.
which, when satisfactorily completed by a student will entitle
Resignation— a student’s voluntary termination of enrollment
him or her to a degree.
in all classes which is carried out in accordance with University
Degree Subject Area — a primary discipline which procedures.
constitutes the focus of a Degree Program. When a student
Scholastic probation— status of a student who is not doing
satisfactorily completes a Degree Program, the student will be
satisfactory work in classes as specified elsewhere in this
entitled to a degree in the appropriate subject area (e.g.,
catalog.
Biology, History, Nursing).
Semester Average— a student’s grade-point average based
Degree Title — the complete label of a Degree Program,
on the total number of quality points earned divided by total
consisting of a Degree Designation (e.g., Associate of Science)
number of quality hours in a given semester.
and the Degree Subject Area (e.g. Criminal Justice).
Semester Grade Point Average — obtained by dividing the
Dismissal— final termination, by proper University authority,
total number of quality points earned for a semester by the
of a student’s enrollment in the University.
number of hours attempted that semester.
Elective— a course required in a curriculum without specific
Semester hour — the numerical value of a course usually
identification; the student “elects’’ the course to be taken. The
based on the number of hours spent in the class per week in a
area in which the elective must be chosen is sometimes
regular session. A credit or semester hour generally represents
specified.
one hour of class work a week.
Good Standing — the status of a student who is eligible to
Suspension — temporary denial to a student, by proper
continue in or return to the University.
University authority, of permission to register for classes at
Graduate Student — a student who has received a NSU.
baccalaureate degree and has been officially admitted to
Transfer student— one who has attended another college or
Graduate Studies.
university prior to entering NSU.
7
THE UNIVERSITY
HISTORY which it was named, Natchitoches was fortified by the French
in 1714 as an outpost of their New World empire facing
Northwestern State University of Louisiana stands on
Spanish Texas to the west. The city today takes pride in its
ground that has been dedicated to learning for well over a
standing as the oldest permanent settlement in the entire
hundred years. Prior to the Civil War a portion of the present
Louisiana Purchase Territory. Although the fires of Civil War
campus was the property of the Bullard family of Natchitoches.
scarred the Cane River Country, Natchitoches escaped
As early as 1856 the Bullard mansion was in use as a convent
relatively unharmed, and many traces of its colonial and
by the Religious Society of the Sacred Heart. The following
antebellum heritage remain.
year a school building was erected at the convent, and in 1884
Now a city of about 25,000, Natchitoches has an excellent
the property was purchased by the town and parish of
system of public schools, numerous churches, a large modern
Natchitoches. Three of the four great white columns that once
hospital, and a progressive municipal government. Situated on
supported the east gable of the Bullard mansion still stand on
the banks of the beautiful Cane River, Chaplin’s, and Sibley
“The Hill” and often serve as the unofficial symbol of the
lakes, and lying in the heart of Louisiana’s lake and forest
University.
country, the city may be described as colorful and unique.
The State Legislature by Act 51 of 1884 created a
The Nursing Education Center at 1800 Line Avenue in
Louisiana State Normal School for the preparation of teachers.
Shreveport is the residential campus for the Department of
A member of the Legislature, Leopold Caspari, offered the
Undergraduate Studies in Nursing and Graduate Studies and
convent site as a campus for the School with the anticipated
Research in Nursing. The Nursing Education Center is
approval of the citizens of Natchitoches. The offer was
composed of institutional facilities including instructional areas
accepted, and from 1885 to 1918 the Normal School offered
and administrative/faculty offices. The College of Nursing and
two years of study for the training of teachers. Baccalaureate
School of Allied Health also provides academic and staff
programs were then inaugurated, and the State Constitution
services to support clinical experiences and degree offerings
adopted in 1921 changed the name of the school to Louisiana
at the NSU campus centers in Alexandria and Leesville.
State Normal College.
The Northwestern State University Center at Fort Polk is
The resources and curricula of “Normal” grew steadily to
on LA Highway 467, approximately midway between
meet the increasingly diverse requirements of Louisiana’s
Leesville and the main gate of Fort Polk. It occupies 160 acres
expanding population. In 1944, the Institution’s excellent
of land deeded to NSU by the United States Army.
service in its broader role was accorded formal recognition in
The Northwestern State University CENLA Campus
Act 326 of the Legislature, which changed its name to
Center serves the central Louisiana area with select degree
Northwestern State College of Louisiana.
programs through the Learning Center for Rapides Parish
Northwestern maintained and strengthened its long
(LCRP). The LCRP, managed by the Louisiana Board of
tradition of leadership in public service and academic endeavor
Regents, is a consortium of postsecondary institutions
and became, in 1954, the first college under the jurisdiction of
partnering to expand educational offerings in the area. The
the Louisiana State Board of Education to offer the Master’s
academic facility is located within the England Industrial
degree. The Educational Specialist degree was first offered in
Airpark & Community in Alexandria and is easily accessible to
1966.
major highways connecting the various parishes of central
On June 18, 1970, Governor John J. McKeithen signed
Louisiana.
the legislative act which brought the old school its greatest
distinction by changing its title to Northwestern State
MISSION
University of Louisiana.
In 1980, the old campus quadrangle where the columns Northwestern State University is a responsive, student-
stand was entered into the National Register of Historic Places oriented institution that is committed to the creation,
under the title “Normal Hill Historic District.” dissemination, and acquisition of knowledge through teaching,
In 1984, Northwestern State University celebrated its research, and service. The University maintains as its highest
Centennial with lectures, concerts, social events, and an priority excellence in teaching in graduate and undergraduate
effective fund-raising effort that established the Centennial programs.
Development Fund. In addition to the main campus in Northwestern State University prepares its students to
Natchitoches, the University maintains full-service campus become productive members of society and promotes
centers in Shreveport, Leesville, and Alexandria and offers economic development and improvements in the quality of life
instruction at eight continuing education sites in the central and of the citizens in its region.
northwest areas of the State.
VISION
LOCATION
Northwestern State University strives for educational
The main University campus covers an area of some 916 quality through excellence in teaching and research, innovative
acres immediately west of Natchitoches, Louisiana. The city use of technology, and exceptional service to students and other
is in the northwestern part of the state about 50 miles northwest constituencies.
of Alexandria and 75 miles southeast of Shreveport, The University seeks to attract and develop outstanding
Louisiana’s third largest city. students and faculty and to provide them with the resources
The campus, encompassing rolling pine hills and rich river needed to promote optimal learning and service. By
bottom land, is one of the most spacious and attractive in the maintaining a student-oriented environment, Northwestern will
South. The natural beauty of the site drew people to it even in offer challenging and rewarding academic experiences
prehistoric times. Long the home of a major Indian tribe for augmented and enriched with opportunities for cultural, social,
8