Northwestern State University Catalog (2020-2021)

2020·10 MB·English

by  Northwestern State University

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]

Engineering Technology 318-357-6751 [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]

College of Nursing and School of Allied Health

College of Nursing 318-677-3100 [email protected]

School of Allied Health 318-677-3020 [email protected]

Gallaspy Family College of Education and Human Development 318-357-6288 [email protected]

School of Education 318-357-6144 [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]
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]

800-807-8849

Veterans Affairs 318-357-6170 [email protected]

800-844-8908

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]

Student Activities and Organizations 318-357-5438 [email protected]

Student Affairs, Dean of Students 318-357-5286 [email protected]

Student Online Support/Student Help Desk 318-357-6696 [email protected]

Student Support Services 318-357-5901 [email protected]

Testing 318-357-5246 [email protected]

All written communications should be directed to the proper University office and should be addressed to: 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. CV

2020-2021

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 Catalog presents the current curricula, educational plans, course offerings, requirements and policies of this University.
The provisions described in this Catalog do 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, 2020-2021 ............................................................................................................................................................. 4

Glossary ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 7

The University ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 8

Admission to the University................................................................................................................................................................. 15

Financial Aid ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 20

Academic Information ......................................................................................................................................................................... 23

Academic Regulations ......................................................................................................................................................................... 29

Student Life/Services ........................................................................................................................................................................... 41

Electronic and Continuing Education .................................................................................................................................................. 46

Academic Colleges, Departments, and Curricula
College of Arts and Sciences ..................................................................................................................................................... 47
Louisiana Scholars’ College ............................................................................................................................................... 51
School of Biological and Physical Sciences ...................................................................................................................... 72
Mrs. H. D. Dear, Sr. and Alice Estelle Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts ........................................................ 77
Fine and Graphic Arts ................................................................................................................................................. 78
Music .......................................................................................................................................................................... 80
New Media, Journalism, and Communication Arts .................................................................................................... 84
Theatre and Dance ...................................................................................................................................................... 85
Criminal Justice, History, and Social Sciences .................................................................................................................. 87
Engineering Technology .................................................................................................................................................... 90
English, Foreign Languages, and Cultural Studies ............................................................................................................ 93
Mathematics ....................................................................................................................................................................... 96
College of Business and Technology ......................................................................................................................................... 97
School of Business ............................................................................................................................................................. 98
College of Nursing and School of Allied Health ..................................................................................................................... 102
Gallaspy Family College of Education and Human Development ........................................................................................... 115
School of Education ......................................................................................................................................................... 116
Health and Human Performance ...................................................................................................................................... 129
Military Science ............................................................................................................................................................... 131
Psychology ....................................................................................................................................................................... 133
Social Work ...................................................................................................................................................................... 136

The Graduate School ........................................................................................................................................................................ 137

Courses of Instruction ...................................................................................................................................................................... 142

Administration of the University ..................................................................................................................................................... 255

Faculty ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 257

Index ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 272

3
ACADEMIC CALENDAR 2020-2021

FALL 2020

AUGUST
10 .................................... Monday ........................................................................................................ semester begins/faculty on call
10-16 ............................... Monday-Sunday ................................................................................. regular registration via NSUConnect
TBA .............................................................................................................................................................................. faculty institute
12 .................................... Wednesday .............................................................................. advising CENLA/FT. POLK/SHEVEPORT
13-14 ............................... Thursday-Friday .............................................................................................. advising NATCHITOCHES
13 .................................... Thursday .......... Freshman Connection for all unregistered new students (9:00 AM Natchitoches Campus)
15 .................................... Saturday ................................................................................................residence halls open for all students
16 .................................... Sunday ................................................................................................................ New Student Convocation
16 .................................... Sunday ...................................... last day to resign from all 16-week and A-term classes with 100% refund
17 .................................... Monday ........................................................first day of classes ALL CAMPUSES (16-week and A-Term)
17-25 ............................... Monday-Tuesday ............................................................................................. late registration (fee applies)
25 .................................... Tuesday ....................... final day to register, add courses, or make section changes for 16-week & A-term
25 .................................... Tuesday .................... final day to drop a class and be refunded or have fees adjusted (16-week & A-term)
26 .................................... Wednesday ............................ dropping 16-week and A-term courses with a “W” begins via NSUConnect

SEPTEMBER
2 ...................................... Wednesday ................................. last day to resign from all 16-week and A-term classes with 50% refund
7 ...................................... Monday .......................................................................................................................... Labor Day Holiday
9 ...................................... Wednesday ............................................................................ final day to appeal a grade from Spring 2020
9 ...................................... Wednesday ........................ final day to remove “I” grade with approved 60-day waiver from Spring 2020
21 .................................... Monday ............................................................................... 5-week grades due to be entered by 11:55 p.m.

OCTOBER
1 ...................................... Thursday ................... final day for undergraduate and graduate students to apply for Fall 2020 graduation
5-6 ................................... Monday-Tuesday .......................................................................................................................... Fall Break
7 ...................................... Wednesday ........................................................... final day for removal of “I” grades from Summer 2020
7 ...................................... Wednesday .........................................................................................................classes resume at 8:00 AM
10 .................................... Saturday ............................................................................................................... last day of A-term classes
12 .................................... Monday ........................................................................................................................ B-term classes begin
12 .................................... Monday .................................................................................... midterm grades to be entered by 11:55 p.m.
19 .................................... 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 only)
20 .................................... Tuesday ......................................... final day to register, add courses, or make section changes for B-Term

NOVEMBER
16 ................................... 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)
20 .................................... Friday ............................................................. deadline for thesis defenses for Graduate School candidates
graduating in the Fall 2020 semester
23-28 ............................... Monday-Saturday ...................................................................................................... Thanksgiving Holiday
30 .................................... Monday .................................................................................................................... classes resume (8 a.m.)

DECEMBER
4 ...................................... Friday ............................................................................................................................... last day of classes
4 ...................................... Friday .......................................................deadline for graduate students to submit all documents required
for graduation in the fall 2020 semester – 12:00 noon
5 ...................................... Saturday .............................................................................. final day to appeal a grade from Summer 2020
5 ...................................... Saturday .......................... final day to remove “I” grade with approved 60-day waiver from Summer 2020
5-10 ................................. Saturday-Thursday .......................................................................................................... final examinations
10 .................................... Thursday ............................................................................candidate grades due to be entered by 5:00 p.m.
14 .................................... Monday ...................................................................................... all grades due to be entered by 12:00 noon
15 .................................... Tuesday ........................................................................................................................ residence halls close
18 .................................... Friday ........................................................................................... commencement exercises/semester ends
4
ACADEMIC CALENDAR 2020-2021

SPRING 2021

JANUARY
4 ...................................... Monday .......................................................................................................... semester begins/faculty on call
4-10 ................................. Monday-Sunday ................................................................................... regular registration via NSUConnect
6 ...................................... Wednesday ........................................................................ advising CENLA/FORT POLK/SHREVEPORT
7-8 ................................... Thursday-Friday ................................................................................................ advising NATCHITOCHES
7 ...................................... Thursday ........... Freshman Connection for all unregistered new students (9:00 a.m./Natchitoches Campus)
9 ...................................... Saturday ................................................................................................. residence halls open for all students
10 .................................... Sunday .......................................................................... last day to resign from all classes with 100% refund
11 .................................... Monday ........................................................... first day of classes ALL CAMPUSES (16-week and A-term)
11-20 ............................... Monday-Wednesday .............................................................. late registration via NSUConnect (fee applies)
18 .................................... Monday .............................................................................................................. Martin Luther King Holiday
20 .................................... Wednesday ................. final day to drop a class and be refunded or have fees adjusted (16-week & A-term)
20 .................................... Wednesday ......................................................... final day to register, add courses, or make section changes
20 .................................... Wednesday ................................... last day to resign from all 16-week and A-term classes with 75% refund
21 .................................... Thursday .................................. dropping 16-week and A-term courses with a “W” begins via NSUConnect
27 .................................... Wednesday last day to resign from all 16-week and A-term classes with 50% refund

FEBRUARY
8 ...................................... Monday ............................. 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)
15-16 ............................... Monday-Tuesday ............................................................................................................ Mardi Gras Holiday
16 .................................... Tuesday .......................................................................... final day for removal of “I” grades from Fall 2020
17 .................................... Wednesday ............................................................................................................ classes resume at 12 noon
18 .................................... Thursday ............................................................................... 5-week grades due to be entered by 11:55 p.m.

MARCH
1 ...................................... Monday ................... final day for undergraduate and graduate students to apply for Spring 2021 graduation
6 ...................................... Saturday ................................................................................................................. last day of A-term classes
8 ...................................... Monday ............................................................................... midterm grades due to be entered by 11:55 p.m.
8 ...................................... Monday .......................................................................................................................... B-term classes begin
9 ...................................... Tuesday ................................................................................ A-term grades due to be entered by 11:55 p.m.
15 .................................... 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 courses only)
16 .................................... Tuesday ............................................ final day to register, add courses, or make section changes for B-term
Mar 29-Apr 4 .................. Monday-Sunday ............................................................................................... Spring Break/Easter Holiday

APRIL
5 ...................................... Monday ............................................................................................................. classes resume at 12:00 noon
12 .................................... 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 .................................... Friday ............................................................... deadline for thesis defenses for Graduate School candidates
graduating in the Spring 2021 semester
19 .................................... Monday ........................................................................................ final day to appeal a grade from Fall 2020
19 .................................... Monday .................................... final day to remove “I” grade with approved 60-day waiver from Fall 2020
30 .................................... Friday ............................................................................................ last day of classes (16-week and B-term)

MAY
1-6 ................................... Saturday-Thursday ............................................................................................................ final examinations
5 ...................................... Wednesday ......................................................................... candidate grades due to be entered by 4:00 p.m.
7 ...................................... Friday .................................................................................................................... commencement exercises
8 ...................................... Saturday ......................................................................................................................... residence halls close
10 .................................... Monday ................................................................. all grades due to be entered by 12:00 noon/semester ends

5
ACADEMIC CALENDAR 2020-2021

SUMMER 2021

MAY
13-14 ............................... Thursday-Friday ............................................................................................... advising for 11-week session
17 .................................... Monday ...................................................................................................................... 11-week session begins
18 .................................... Tuesday ....................... final day to drop a class and be refunded or have fees adjusted for 11-week session
18 .................................... Tuesday ............................... final day to register, add courses, make schedule changes for 11-week session
19 .................................... Wednesday .................................................. dropping 11-week classes with a “W” begins via NSUConnect
31 .................................... Monday ...................................................................................................................... Memorial Day Holiday

JUNE
3-4 ................................... Thursday-Friday ...................................................................... advising for 8-week and 1st 4-week sessions
7 ...................................... Monday ............................................................................................... 8-week and 1st 4-week sessions begin
8 ..................................... Tuesday ........................................................final day to drop a class and be refunded or have fees adjusted
for 8-week and 1st 4-week sessions
8 ...................................... Tuesday ............................................................... final day to register, add courses, make schedule changes
for 8-week and 1st 4-week sessions
9 ...................................... Wednesday .................................................. dropping classes with a grade of “W” begins via NSUConnect
for 8-week and 1st 4-week sessions
10 .................................... Thursday ......................................................................... last day to resign from all classes with 50% refund
21 .................................... Monday ......................... final day to resign from all courses or drop courses with a grade of “W” or change
from credit to audit for 1st 4-week session
21 .................................... Monday ......................... final day to resign from all courses or drop courses with a grade of “W” or change
from credit to audit for 11-week session

JULY
1 ...................................... Thursday ............................ final day for undergraduate and graduate to apply for Summer 2021 graduation
1-2 ................................... Thursday-Friday .......................................................................................... advising for 2nd 4-week session
2 ...................................... Friday ....................................................................................................................... 1st 4-week session ends
5 ...................................... Monday ................................................................................................................ Independence Day Holiday
6 ...................................... Tuesday ................................................................................................................ 2nd 4-week session begins
6 ...................................... Tuesday ........................ 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
6 ...................................... Tuesday ................................................... all grades for 1st 4-week session due to be entered by 11:55 p.m.
7 ...................................... Wednesday ..................... final day to register, add courses, make schedule changes for 2nd 4-week session
7 ...................................... Wednesday ........... final day to drop a class and be refunded or have fees adjusted for 2nd 4-week sessions
8 ...................................... Thursday ................. dropping classes with a grade of “W” begins via NSUConnect for 2nd 4-week session
9 ...................................... Friday ......................................................................... final day for removal of “I” grades from Spring 2021
19 .................................... Monday ......................... final day to resign from all courses or drop courses with a grade of “W” or change
from credit to audit for 2nd 4-week session
29 .................................... Thursday ....................................................................................................................................... final exams
30 .................................... Friday .................................................................................................. 8-week and 2nd 4-week sessions end
30 .................................... Friday .................................. all grades for 11-week session due to be entered by 12:00 noon/semester ends
30 .................................... Friday ........................................................................................ 11-week session ends, residence halls close

AUGUST
2 ...................................... Monday .............................. all grades for 8-week and 2nd 4-week sessions due to be entered by 11:55 p.m.

The Academic Calendar, with important dates and deadlines, is also published on the University Registrar’s web page
(http://www.nsula.edu/registrar).
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
Northwestern State University of Louisiana stands on ground in 1714 as an outpost of their New World empire facing
that has been dedicated to learning for well over a hundred Spanish Texas to the west. The city today takes pride in its
years. Prior to the Civil War a portion of the present campus standing as the oldest permanent settlement in the entire
was the property of the Bullard family of Natchitoches. As early Louisiana Purchase Territory. Although the fires of Civil War
as 1856 the Bullard mansion was in use as a convent by the scarred the Cane River Country, Natchitoches escaped
Religious Society of the Sacred Heart. The following year a relatively unharmed, and many traces of its colonial and
school building was erected at the convent, and in 1884 the antebellum heritage remain.
property was purchased by the town and parish of Natchitoches. Now a city of about 25,000, Natchitoches has an excellent
Three of the four great white columns that once supported the system of public schools, numerous churches, a large modern
east gable of the Bullard mansion still stand on “The Hill” and hospital, and a progressive municipal government. Situated on
often serve as the unofficial symbol of the University. the banks of the beautiful Cane River, Chaplin’s, and Sibley
The State Legislature by Act 51 of 1884 created a lakes, and lying in the heart of Louisiana’s lake and forest
Louisiana State Normal School for the preparation of teachers. country, the city may be described as colorful and unique.
A member of the Legislature, Leopold Caspari, offered the The Nursing Education Center at 1800 Line Avenue in
convent site as a campus for the School with the anticipated Shreveport is the residential campus for the Department of
approval of the citizens of Natchitoches. The offer was Undergraduate Studies in Nursing and Graduate Studies and
accepted, and from 1885 to 1918 the Normal School offered Research in Nursing. The Nursing Education Center is
composed of institutional facilities including instructional areas
two years of study for the training of teachers. Baccalaureate
and administrative/faculty offices. The College of Nursing and
programs were then inaugurated, and the State Constitution
School of Allied Health also provides academic and staff
adopted in 1921 changed the name of the school to Louisiana
services to support clinical experiences and degree offerings
State Normal College.
at the NSU campus centers in Alexandria and Leesville.
The resources and curricula of “Normal” grew steadily to
The Northwestern State University Center at Fort Polk is
meet the increasingly diverse requirements of Louisiana’s
on LA Highway 467, approximately midway between
expanding population. In 1944, the Institution’s excellent
Leesville and the main gate of Fort Polk. It occupies 160 acres
service in its broader role was accorded formal recognition in
of land deeded to NSU by the United States Army.
Act 326 of the Legislature, which changed its name to
The Northwestern State University CENLA Campus
Northwestern State College of Louisiana.
Center serves the central Louisiana area with select degree
Northwestern maintained and strengthened its long
programs through the Learning Center for Rapides Parish
tradition of leadership in public service and academic endeavor
(LCRP). The LCRP, managed by the Louisiana Board of
and became, in 1954, the first college under the jurisdiction of
Regents, is a consortium of postsecondary institutions
the Louisiana State Board of Education to offer the Master’s
partnering to expand educational offerings in the area. The
degree. The Educational Specialist degree was first offered in
academic facility is located within the England Industrial
1966.
Airpark & Community in Alexandria and is easily accessible to
On June 18, 1970, Governor John J. McKeithen signed
major highways connecting the various parishes of central
the legislative act which brought the old school its greatest
Louisiana.
distinction by changing its title to Northwestern State

University of Louisiana.
MISSION
In 1980, the old campus quadrangle where the columns
stand was entered into the National Register of Historic Places Northwestern State University is a responsive, student-
under the title “Normal Hill Historic District.” oriented institution that is committed to the creation,
In 1984, Northwestern State University celebrated its dissemination, and acquisition of knowledge through
Centennial with lectures, concerts, social events, and an teaching, research, and service. The University maintains as
effective fund-raising effort that established the Centennial its highest priority excellence in teaching in graduate and
Development Fund. In addition to the main campus in undergraduate programs.
Natchitoches, the University maintains full-service campus Northwestern State University prepares its students to
centers in Shreveport, Leesville, and Alexandria and offers become productive members of society and promotes
instruction at eight continuing education sites in the central and economic development and improvements in the quality of life
northwest areas of the State. of the citizens in its region.

LOCATION VISION
The main University campus covers an area of some 916 Northwestern State University will become the nation’s
acres immediately west of Natchitoches, Louisiana. The city premier regional university through the innovative delivery of
is in the northwestern part of the state about 50 miles northwest transformative student learning experiences that prepare
of Alexandria and 75 miles southeast of Shreveport, graduates for life and career success.
Louisiana’s third largest city.
VALUES
The campus, encompassing rolling pine hills and rich river
Our core values capture the guiding principles for how
bottom land, is one of the most spacious and attractive in the
we make decisions and work together. They are the foundation
South. The natural beauty of the site drew people to it even in
for the type of University community and regional partner we
prehistoric times. Long the home of a major Indian tribe for
strive to become. Our guiding values are:
which it was named, Natchitoches was fortified by the French
8