It鈥檚 now easier for LSU at Eunice graduates to pursue a bachelor鈥檚 degree in biology at the 51视频 at Lafayette.
The two institutions signed an agreement Tuesday that enables LSUE graduates to apply course credits earned at the two-year institution toward a bachelor鈥檚 degree in biology from UL Lafayette.
The 2+2 agreement will take effect in the Fall 2018 semester.
Under the plan, students complete 60 credit hours during a two-year tenure at LSUE to earn an associate degree. Those credits then transfer to UL Lafayette, where the student accrues another 60 hours over a subsequent two-year period to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree, which requires a minimum 120 hours to complete.
UL Lafayette administrators present at the signing were Dr. David Danahar, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs; and Dr. Azmy S. Ackleh, dean of the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences.
Representing LSUE were Dr. Renee Robichaux, vice chancellor for Academic Affairs; and Dr. John Hamlin, dean of Sciences and Mathematics.
The transfer agreement is not the first between the two institutions. A previous 2+2 program, which began in 2014, enables LSUE students to pursue a bachelor鈥檚 degree in elementary education.
Under this agreement, they complete four years of coursework at their home campus. Faculty from UL Lafayette鈥檚 College of Education travel to Eunice to teach. More than 30 students were enrolled in the program in the Fall 2017 semester.
Another partnership, called Ragin鈥 Cajun Bridge, also began in 2014. It gives students attending LSUE who plan to transfer to UL Lafayette benefits enjoyed by University students. These include admission to athletics events, library privileges, tutoring, career counseling services and academic advising.
UL Lafayette President Dr. Joseph Savoie said that the latest 2+2 agreement 鈥渟trengthens the University鈥檚 already strong collaboration with LSUE.鈥
鈥淭his agreement, combined with the Ragin鈥 Cajun Bridge Program and the previous 2+2 partnership with the College of Education, reflects our commitment to easing the path for LSUE students who want to transfer to UL Lafayette,鈥 Savoie said.
Ackleh noted that the University鈥檚 College of Sciences has similar transfer agreements with South Louisiana Community College and Baton Rouge Community College.
The agreement signed Tuesday between LSUE and UL Lafayette 鈥渋s an exciting opportunity for graduates from LSUE to join our biology program and complete their degrees in a timely manner,鈥 Ackleh said.
LSUE administrators characterized the agreement as a boon to the region鈥檚 economy and students鈥 post-graduation job prospects. Hamlin said the collaboration 鈥渨ill help increase the number of STEM graduates in Acadiana, which we need for continued growth in our area.鈥
LSUE Chancellor Dr. Kimberly A. Russell echoed Hamlin鈥檚 comments.
鈥淭he partnership between our two institutions provides a seamless transition for LSUE students to complete a bachelor鈥檚 degree in a high-demand field of study,鈥 Russell said.
Classes students will take at LSUE will include science courses in biology and chemistry; mathematics; and general education courses in English, history and literature.
Once enrolled at UL Lafayette, students will take advanced courses in biology, chemistry, physics and statistics.
Photo caption: From left are: Dr. Azmy S. Ackleh, dean of UL Lafayette鈥檚 Ray P. Authement College of Sciences; Dr. David Danahar, the University鈥檚 provost and vice president for Academic Affairs; Dr. Renee Robichaux, LSUE vice chancellor for Academic Affairs; and Dr. John Hamlin, dean of Sciences and Mathematics at LSUE.