Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Carnegie Foundation Classification

Master's Colleges and Universities (larger programs)

General Characteristics

Highest offering	Post-master's certificate
Calendar System	Semester
Years of college work required	N/A
Variable Tuition

Special Learning Opportunities

Distance Learning
ROTC — Army / Navy / Air Force	— / /
Study Abroad
Weekend College
Teacher Certification

Northwestern State University of Louisiana History

The university known today as Northwestern State was founded in 1884 as Louisiana State Normal School for the purpose of training the State’s teachers. It was the first institution in Louisiana to offer degrees in nursing and in business education.

Northwestern State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Its mission statement characterizes NSU as “a responsive, student-oriented institution that is committed to the creation, dissemination, and acquisition of knowledge through teaching, research, and service.” It is classed as a Master’s College and University I by the Carnegie Institute.

Northwestern State University of Louisiana Academics

NSU offers more than 50 degree programs, which are all completely accredited. The academic programs are offered through five main Colleges: Business, Education, Liberal Arts, Nursing, and Science & Technology. The University College provides general studies curriculum for students who need additional support in working through their undergraduate career. NSU also houses the Louisiana Scholar’s College, described as “Louisiana’s designated four-year, selective admissions honors college.” The Scholar’s College enrolls the absolute best students in the state providing an interdisciplinary learning experience second to none.

Northwestern State University has academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level. There are 9 colleges: the College of Business, the College of Education, the College of Liberal Arts, the College of Nursing, the College of Science and Technology, the College of Electronic & Continuing Education, the Graduate School, the University College, and the Louisiana Scholars’ College.

p. Bachelor’s degrees are offered in a variety of fields within the various academic colleges. Degrees at the bachelor’s level can be received in such areas as anthropology, business administration, history, home economics, journalism, mathematics, nursing, music, education, radiologic technology, social work, and theatre. There are pre-professional program in agriculture, engineering, forestry, and medical fields. Associate degrees can be earned in business administration, electronics technology, general studies, nursing, office administration, and veterinary technology.

p. Graduate programs are offered in 4 colleges. These include master’s level programs in education, nursing, English, art, heritage resources, music, and health & human performance. The emphasis is on education; no programs are offered in the physical sciences or technology, any social sciences other than psychology, or in liberal arts other than the ones listed above. There are no doctoral degrees. The Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree is offered through the College of Education in educational leadership & instruction with several different concentrations.

Northwestern State University of Louisiana Unique Programs

The Aviation Science Program educates airplane pilots who wish to fly professionally. The program is approved by the FAA and provides courses to obtain certification and ratings for Private Pilot, Commercial Pilot, Instrument Rating, Flight Instructor Airplane, Flight Instructor-Instrument, and Rotor Craft Helicopter to Fixed Wing Transition. Graduates earn the Bachelor of General Studies degree and a concentration in Aviation Science.

Northwestern is one of the campus homes of the JOVE program, which is a competitive scholarship for students in the College of Science and Technology who major in biology, chemistry, mathematics, or physics. JOVE is supported in part by NASA, and gives students the opportunity to conduct research projects in their respective field. Participating students receive a $500 stipend each year and often earn internships at such institutions as Mississippi State University, University of Arkansas, and the University of California Riverside.

Northwestern State University is home to the Louisiana Scholars’ College, the state’s designated undergraduate Honors program in the liberal arts and sciences. Students who seek admission to the Honors Program need to meet the following requirements: ACT scores of 25 or SAT of 1130, and a GPA of 3.0. Once admitted to the Honors Program, students will take seminar style classes, live in an Honors dorm, and write a senior thesis. Students can receive scholarships and out of state fee waivers.

p. Centers at Northwestern State University include the Creole Heritage Center, the Louisiana Folklife Center, and the Louisiana Regional Folklife Center.

p. NSU’s Space Science Group has programs for elementary and secondary school students to learn more about basic science and space science. NSU is affiliated with NASA through the JOVE space science research program, in which NSU students participate in research analysis of NASA data.

Northwestern State University of Louisiana Financial Aid

Northwestern supports the federal Pell, SEOG, and LEAP grants, as well as federal loan programs. There are more than a dozen scholarship opportunities for excellence in scholarship, service, or particular disciplines. Students must submit both an application for admission and a scholarship application to be considered for scholarship aid. The financial aid office at Northwester also coordinates the appointment of students to University employment. Employment includes general employment or scholarship employment. Students employed under the “general” category must be enrolled for at least 6 hours of coursework, while students under scholarship employment must meet scholarship award criteria.

Northwestern State University estimates the costs of attendance, including room and board, is $6,000 annually for the 2005-2006 academic year for in-state, undergraduate students attending full-time. Students applying from out of state and graduate students have higher costs.

p. Financial aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans. Work-study programs are also available for students with financial need, and other on-campus jobs are available as well. Students who seek financial aid will need to fill out the Federal Student Financial Aid Form, available on-line. Fee exemptions are available for people in some special categories (such as senior citizen or fire fighter dependent). Out-of-state tuition waivers are also available for some students who participate in spirit groups, athletics, band, or music.

p. Graduate students may also receive financial aid in the form of teaching or research assistantships, including a stipend and a waiver of some or all of the tuition and other fees. Graduate students should consult with their individual department about what sort of assistantships or fellowships are available and about the details of the application process.

Northwestern State University of Louisiana Students

NSU is home to numerous student organizations related to business, research, the arts, honors, and general social life. The NSU campus is home to a vibrant student media group, including the student-run newspaper, Current Sauce, the student radio station, and a faculty-administered television station. NSU always hosts the Miss Northwestern-Lady of the Bracelet, a leg of the Miss America pageant.

Student life at Northwestern State University includes opportunities in a diverse range of activities and organizations. There are fraternities and sororities, academic and professional groups, service groups, political groups, and special interest groups such as Lifted Voices (a choir), the African American caucus, and the Diamond Dolls (baseball fan group). Intramural sports include flag football, swimming, volleyball, and softball, and there is a club rowing team. Concerts, recitals, and exhibits are sponsored through the Department of Creative and Performing arts, and there is an NSU Theatre which puts on student plays. There is a Distinguished Lecture Series.

Northwestern State University of Louisiana Traditions

Since 1962, Chief Caddo, an eight-foot-tall likeness of a Caddo Indian tribal leader, has stood on the NSU campus. The material for the statue, a one-ton piece of gum tree, was presented as a gift from Stephen F. Austin College of Nacagdoches, Texas, symbolizing the two University’s and two town’s bond with their Native American ancestors. The statue took over 200 man-hours to carve from hand, and remains a point of pride today.

Legend has it that the NSU campus and several of its buildings are haunted by a ghost named Isabella. Supposedly Isabella once lived in a building now part of the NSU campus, but committed suicide in her grief over a lost love. There are many stories documenting her appearance in numerous NSU buildings over the years. Supposedly she now resides in the Old Women’s Gym.

Northwestern State University of Louisiana Local Community

Northwestern State University is located in Natchitoches, Louisiana, which has a population of approximately 18,000. The surrounding environment is rural. Near-by attractions include museums, parks, historical areas, and an aquarium. There is an annual jazz festival, a zydeco festival, a trail ride, and an American Indian crafts festival, among many other activities.

Natchitoches proudly proclaims itself “the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase territory.” As such, it has a wealth of historical sight seeing and museums to partake in. Tours include cemeteries, historic houses, galleries, and trolley rides. The people of Natchitoches have also established a children’s tour for younger history buffs. One of the most prestigious is the Cane River Plantations tour, 35 miles of beautiful southern riverside homes. Natchitoches also encourages outdoor adventure and is a paradise for fishing, hunting, and watching wildlife.