About Southern University...

Southern University and A&M College had its beginning in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1880. As such time has passed, Southern University has since established five additional campuses, Baton Rouge being its main campus. The Southern University System is considered the largest HBCU system in the nation.

Southern University and A&M College is a comprehensive institution offering four-year, graduate, professional, and doctoral degree programs. The University today is part of the only historically black Land Grant university system in the United States. It offers bachelor’s degrees in 42 areas, 19 master’s, five doctoral, and two associate degrees. An average of 9,000 students are enrolled each year at the Baton Rouge campus. Approaching the year 2005, Southern is meeting the needs of a more-than-ever diverse student population.

Purpose

Southern University and A&M College is a publicly supported, coeducational, land-grant, historically Black, comprehensive institution that:

• prepares students to compete globally in their respective professions, and to engage in advanced study in graduate and professional schools;
• offers its students a broad education that prepares them to meet the changing demands of a global society;
• provides a core of liberal arts courses, quality academic programs and support services to meet the diverse needs and abilities of all qualified students.

The University offers programs of study ranging from associate degrees to doctoral and professional degrees. Educational opportunities are provided for traditional and nontraditional students offering scholarly interaction among diverse people. The University is committed to a broad program of research, both basic and applied, and creative work to stimulate the faculty and students in a quest for knowledge and to aid society in resolving its scientific, technological, socioeconomic, and cultural problems.

The University seeks to recruit and maintain a faculty, which through its preparation and scholarly activities, exerts a profound effect on various institutions in the state, region, nation, and world. Beyond their traditional roles, faculty members perform distinguished service that complements and enhances both teaching and research initiatives and provides an additional mechanism for Southern University to have an impact on the community at large.

The University develops and maintains a physical environment that is safe and conducive to intellectual growth and development while operating in accordance with the highest standards of fiscal and administrative management. This environment is enhanced through the use of the most recent information technology, which offers the university community access to resources from throughout the world.

Public Service University

Southern University renders service to the community through urban/rural programs and makes available educational, cultural, and developmental resources to enhance the quality of life. Adhering to the spirit of its function as an 1890 land-grant institution, the University's public service programs have assumed a prominent posture throughout the State of Louisiana, nationally, and internationally.

Southern University views diversity as vital to the health of any educational enterprise. To support this philosophy, the University takes affirmative steps to maintain a multi cultural faculty, staff, and student body. This diversity is achieved principally through assertive recruitment efforts and through multifaceted international programs.

Southern University Accreditation

Southern University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097: Telephone number 404-679-4501) to award associate, bachelor, master, doctoral, and professional degrees. The curricula in the Departments of Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). The School of Architecture curriculum is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board. Music programs in the Department of Visual and Performing Arts are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. The Department of Mass Communications is accredited by the Association for Education of Journalism and Mass Communications (AEJMC). The Teacher Education Program is approved by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. The Department of Chemistry is approved by the American Chemical Society. The Department of Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The Division of Family and Consumer Sciences is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of the American Association and Family and Consumer. The Didactic Program in Dietetics has Developmental Accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of The American Dietetic Association. The Dietetic Internship is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of The American Dietetic Association. The Scientific Option in the Department of Computer Science is accredited by the Computer Science Accrediting Commission of the Computing Sciences Accreditation Board. The School of Nursing is accredited by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing and the National League for Nursing. The College of Business is accredited by the AACSB-The International Association for Management Education. The School of Law is approved by the American Bar Association.

Admission to Southern University

The University’s admissions policy is grounded in the belief that opportunity and quality can coexist in a diverse educational environment. To this end, the University offers a wide range of learning opportunities designed to allow students of different abilities to obtain an education that will withstand rigorous scrutiny.

Undergraduate degrees offered:

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL, FAMILY, AND CONSUMER SCIENCES
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Sciences
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics
Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences
Bachelor of Science in Urban Forestry

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES
Associate of Arts in Jazz with
emphasis in Louisiana music
Bachelor of Arts in English
Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts
Bachelor of Arts in French
Bachelor of Arts in History
Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Arts in Spanish
Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communications
Bachelor of Arts in Theatre

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Bachelor of Science in Business Economics
Bachelor of Science in Business Management
Bachelor of Science in Marketing

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education
Bachelor of Arts in Special Education
Bachelor of Music Education
-- Instrumental Option
--Piano and Voice Option
Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education
Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation
and Leisure Studies

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering Technology
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

COLLEGE OF SCIENCES
Associate of Science in Law Enforcement
Certified Hazardous Material Management
Bachelor of Science in Biology
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
—Scientific Option
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
—Business Option
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics
Bachelor of Science in Physics
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Services
Bachelor of Science in Social Work
Bachelor of Science in Sociology
Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
Bachelor of Architecture

SCHOOL OF NURSING
Bachelor of Science in Nursing

NELSON MANDELA SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Cooperative and Dual Degree Programs

Southern University and Louisiana State University (LSU) in Baton Rouge conduct cooperative programs. Additionally, the two universities have participated in programs involving students and faculty members, library usage, and research endeavors. Increased efforts in these regards were prompted by the Consent Decree of 1980 and the Settlement Agreement of 1994. The Consent Decree and the Settlement Agreement provided for augmentation and enrichment of educational programs in historically black colleges and universities in Louisiana. They further encouraged more cooperation between Southern University and LSU. Southern University and LSU offer a dual degree program in chemistry-chemical engineering. Cooperative programs in electrical, mechanical, and civil engineering are offered with Jackson State University in Mississippi and Xavier University of New Orleans.

Please refer to the Southern University Catalog and other University publications for the specific requirements you must meet in order to be considered for admission. Questions concerning these requirements should be directed to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions or the Graduate School Admissions Office.