Compliance Status

Louisiana State University and A&M College is in compliance with this principle.

Narrative

Louisiana State University and A&M College (LSU) offers baccalaureate degrees in 70 major fields, master’s-level degrees in 73 major fields, doctoral (Ph.D.) degrees in 49 major fields, and professional doctoral degrees in music and veterinary medicine. All of these degree programs embody coherent courses of study compatible with the stated mission of the university and based upon fields of study appropriate to higher education.

Programs Compatible with the University’s Stated Mission

As a land-, sea-, and space-grant institution, LSU fulfills its mission by offering “a broad array of undergraduate degree programs and extensive graduate research opportunities designed to attract and educate highly qualified undergraduate and graduate students” for the “generation, preservation, dissemination, and application of knowledge and cultivation of the arts”[1].  In addition, the Louisiana Board of Regents Academic Affairs Policy 2.05 on New Academic Programs requires evidence that proposed degree programs are “consistent with the existing role, scope and mission of the institution” [2] [3].

Coherent Courses of Study

The policies and procedures required for the development, approval, and revision of new LSU degree programs and courses ensure that the university’s degree programs encompass coherent courses of study compatible with its stated mission.  LSU policies coordinated through the Office of Academic Affairs of the University (PS-45) [4] and through the Louisiana State University System Board of Supervisors (Regulations of the LSU Board of Supervisors, Chapter I, Section 1-2.2.b) [5]  require that proposals for establishing new degree programs be initiated and reviewed by the faculty.  Specifically, these proposals must be approved by the faculty in the originating unit, the curriculum committee in the school or college, the dean of the school or college, the Graduate Council and dean (if applicable), the Faculty Senate Courses and Curricula Committee, the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost, the chancellor, the LSU Board of Supervisors, and the Louisiana Board of Regents (Figure 1).   The Board of Regents requires that all new “proposals for graduate-level programs and for highly technical and/or selective baccalaureates require review by external consultants [6].”

University policy [7] requires that all degree programs are to be assessed each year by the respective faculties.  This review process is based on assessment of learning outcomes and related metrics that have been developed by the faculty and approved by the Office of Assessment and Evaluation on behalf of the Office of Academic Affairs. Additional information on the academic program approval process is further considered in the certificate for Comprehensive Standard 3.4.1, and the assessment of degree program student learning outcomes is addressed in the certificate for Comprehensive Standard 3.3.1.1.

The coherence of baccalaureate programs is anchored by the General Education Component of Undergraduate Education [8] [9].  This component, , as approved by the LSU Faculty Senate, requires that 39 semester hours of approved general education courses across six areas of focus (English composition, analytical reasoning, arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences) are included in all undergraduate degree programs [8].  These 39 hours of general education courses are college-level, comprise a significant component of the 120-hour minimum of course work required, and include at least one course in humanities/fine arts, social/behavioral sciences, and natural science/mathematics. This latter aspect is consonant with the SACSCOC general education requirements stipulated in the certificate for Core Requirement 2.7.3 and expanded in that for Comprehensive Standard 3.5.1. General education courses are consistent with the mission of the university with respect to “offering a broad array of undergraduate degree programs” [1].   

Beyond general education, each major program of study illustrates good practices in terms of systematic progression of required courses, options for elective courses, opportunities for research and writing specific to the discipline, and exploration of emerging academic disciplines. During the students’ final year of study, many programs include capstone courses that require students to integrate the knowledge gained to solve problems appropriate for the discipline. For example, the baccalaureate degree in the School of Interior Design (BID) requires a studio capstone course [10].

The approval process for courses and curricula includes review and consideration of course content and prerequisites by a series of faculty committees at the department, college, and university levels (PS 45) [4] to ensure that the appropriate prerequisites are taken in preparation for upper-level courses. This process provides the sequencing that is necessary and appropriate for the establishment of a coherent program of study.  All offerings, regardless of instructional mode (face-to-face or online), are approved in the same way.

The LSU General Catalog as a Guide to Course and Programmatic Information and Expectations

The LSU General Catalog provides information about degree programs offered, course descriptions, specific requirements, and residency criteria for all undergraduate degree programs [11] [12].  The Graduate School section of the General Catalog provides specific information and requirements for the individual graduate degree programs [13]. Comparable information for the graduate programs in Veterinary Medicine is found on the School of Veterinary Medicine Website [14] [15] [16].

The LSU four-digit course numbering system identifies the academic level of the course and consequently guides the coherence of the degree programs [17].  The first digit (1 to 9) identifies the intended target of the course, from first-year to Ph.D. students.  Courses numbered 1000 to 3999 are intended for undergraduate students, generally increasing in rigor from the 1000 level to the 3000 level.  Courses at the 4000-level are intended for advanced undergraduate students and students in graduate and professional schools.  Courses at the 5000 level are for students in specified programs (architecture and veterinary medicine). Courses at the 6000 level are only for teachers at the elementary, secondary, and junior college levels. 7000-level courses are intended for graduate students, and in some instances, exceptional advanced undergraduate students. The 8000-level courses are primarily for master’s graduate students and 9000-level courses are primarily for doctoral graduate students

The LSU General Catalog states that

An explanation of the first digit of the four-digit course numbering system follows. The meanings of the second, third, and fourth digits vary by department.

1000-1999 For undergraduate students, primarily first-year students; for undergraduate credit only. Ordinarily open to all students; in some instances upper-division students may not take these courses for degree credit.

2000-2999 For undergraduate students, sophomore level or above; for undergraduate credit only.

3000-3999 For advanced undergraduate students, junior- and senior-level; for undergraduate credit only. These courses constitute the advanced portion of an undergraduate program leading to the bachelor’s degree. Students with fewer than 60 hours of credit may enroll in 3000-level courses if they meet the enrollment requirements of the college whose departments offer the courses.

4000-4999 For advanced undergraduate students (who have completed a minimum of 60 semester hours) and students in graduate and professional schools and colleges; for undergraduate or graduate credit.

Undergraduates with 30 or more semester hours who are making timely progress toward a degree may be admitted to 4000-level courses. Such students must have a 3.50 GPA or higher, the appropriate prerequisites, consent of the instructor, and permission of the dean of the student’s undergraduate college.

Graduate credit for LSU Seniors. A senior at LSU who needs fewer than 15 semester hours to complete requirements for the bachelor’s degree, who has maintained a GPA of at least a 3.00 during the preceding year at LSU, and who has a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 may be permitted to register for graduate credit in courses numbered 4000-4999, provided the student registers for all the remaining courses required for graduation and for no more than 15 semester hours total. This privilege applies only during the final semester of the student’s undergraduate work and is extended only upon recommendation of the chair of the department in which the student plans to enroll as a graduate student, the dean of the student’s college, and approval of the dean of the Graduate School. The requested signatures of approval should be submitted on a form designed specifically for this program. This form must be submitted to the Graduate School by the last day to add classes in the semester in which graduate credit is desired. A student must complete all undergraduate degree credit courses in order to retain the privilege of obtaining graduate credit for the remaining courses.

5000-5999 For students in post-baccalaureate professional programs (architecture, law, and veterinary medicine). A student in the Graduate School may take these courses for credit with approval of the student’s major department.

6000-6999 Exclusively for teachers at the elementary, secondary, and junior college levels.

7000-7999 For students in the Graduate School; for graduate credit only, except as follows: Undergraduates with 75 or more semester hours who are making timely progress toward a degree may be admitted to 7000-level courses. Such students must have a 3.50 or higher GPA, the appropriate prerequisites, consent of the instructor, and permission of the dean of the student’s undergraduate college. Credit so earned will apply only toward undergraduate degree requirements, except for students enrolled in an accelerated master’s degree program.

8000-8999 • Research courses exclusively for graduate students, primarily for students working toward the master’s degree; for graduate credit only. The number 8000 designates thesis research.

9000-9999 • Research courses exclusively for graduate students, primarily for advanced graduate students working toward the doctoral degree; for graduate credit only. The number 9000 designates dissertation research.

Influence of Accrediting Agencies on Program Content

Requirements or guidelines from external accrediting agencies (in addition to SACSCOC) influence the length and content of many degree programs at LSU. For example, for the Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE), the corresponding professional accrediting agency, the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, stipulates the topics that must be covered in the curriculum [18] and ensures that LSU has determined the appropriate courses in the degree program to support students’ attainment of the expected learning outcomes – in this case, a 127-credit-hour curriculum for a BSEE degree [19].  Eighty degree programs are accredited by twenty-four accrediting agencies [20]. Additional details about the external accreditation agencies of the LSU degree programs is presented in the report for Comprehensive Standard 3.13.1.

Programs Based on Fields of Study Appropriate to Higher Education

The necessary review and consideration required by the Louisiana Board of Regents Policy on New Academic Programs ensures that degree programs are based on fields of study appropriate to higher education and consistent with the role, scope, and mission of the institution [2] [3].  For example, The Louisiana Board of Regents requires the use of the U.S. Department of Education Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) taxonomy for all degree programs, further ensuring that they are based upon fields of study appropriate to higher education [20] [21].  When submitted to the Louisiana Board of Regents, “proposals for graduate-level programs and for highly technical and/or selective baccalaureates require review by external consultants” [6]. Consequently, the proposed program is evaluated by an external source verifying the appropriateness of these programs in a higher education setting. As the state’s “land-grant institution,” LSU has 80 degree programs accredited by 24 accrediting agencies, a condition that provides assurance that the institution incorporates fields of study and robust curricula important for higher education [22]. Programs at this institution set the standards and “good practices” for the state as well as the nation.