university-of-louisiana

Degree Programs at the University of Louisiana

The University of Louisiana appears in our ranking of the Top 50 Best Most Affordable Master’s in Project Management Online Degrees.

The University of Louisiana is the main branch of the UL system and uses the official name of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. This university offers more than 80 degree programs for undergrads and more than 30 programs for graduate students. The university divides its programs into different colleges and schools within those colleges. Students can earn degrees in architectural studies, interior design or industrial design from the School of Architecture and Design, which is part of the College of the Arts. This college is also home to the School of Music and Performing Arts, which offers degrees in theater, dance, music media, performance and theory and composition among others.

Through the College of Business Administration, undergrads can complete degrees in accounting, economics, professional land and resource management, marketing and insurance and risk management. Some business programs offer concentrations in fields such as legal studies and sales. The University of Louisiana also has a College of Engineering that offers degree programs in industrial technology, systems engineering, civil engineering, electrical and computer engineering and other areas of technical engineering. Students can study physics and other science subjects too.

Graduate students can apply to a University of Louisiana graduate program after earning a bachelor’s degree from the university or any other college. The university’s Master of Science in Biology offers opportunities for students to conduct independent research projects and studies as they take courses to finish their degrees. A counselor education program provides students with extra training and fieldwork that prepares them to work as counselors in schools and other settings. The university offers a history graduate program that allows students to pick the era or type of history they want to study. Other graduate programs available at the University of Louisiana include business administration, communication, math, psychology, physics, and computer engineering.

About the University of Louisiana

The University of Louisiana is a public university in Lafayette. As the school system uses the same name, this campus usually uses the name the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, which led to it going by other names, including UL Lafayette and ULL. Not only is it the largest school in that system, but it also ranks as one of the largest campuses in the entire state in terms of enrollment. Established in 1899 after the state passed a resolution to fund a new school, it opened two years later as an industrial college. It became a full university in the 1960s but did not become UL Lafayette until 1999. Though its first grad ceremony featured just 18 students, it now has an enrollment of more than 18,000 students, with thousands earning their degrees each year.

In a 2016 ranking, Washington Monthly placed UL Lafayette at number 189, but it also appeared on the national ranking list created by The Princeton Review. The National Science Foundation named it one of the top public institutions of higher learning in terms of the research funding available for faculty members and students. It also appeared within the top 300 of all American colleges on multiple rankings released over the years by U.S. News and World Report. UL Lafayette offers opportunities for students away from its campus, including study abroad programs and internships.

University of Louisiana Accreditation Details

UL Lafayette has regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and can let students use federal and state financial aid because of this accreditation. SACS accreditation also gives UL Lafayette the right to establish distinct degree requirements and give degrees to students who complete each one. The nursing, nutrition, education and music programs all have accreditation as do some other programs. That accreditation comes from organizations such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

University of Louisiana Application Requirements

UL Lafayette guarantees that students who meet certain requirements will receive an acceptance letter. Those requirements include having a GPA of 2.5 or higher or an ACT/SAT score of 23/1130. These requirements only apply to Louisiana residents though. Undergrads who were homeschooled or from another state need to have the same test scores and complete at least 17 of the 19 credits that are part of the Louisiana Core Curriculum. Students with a higher test score receive guaranteed acceptance if they also have a GPA of 2.0 or higher. All undergrads will complete the ULL application and submit both transcripts and their test scores.

Though ULL also has an application for graduate students, it asks that they meet other requirements. Most programs will only accept those with a GPA of above 3.0, though some will accept students who have a lower GPA but a 3.0 in their last two years of classes. Students usually need to submit a resume and either letters of recommendation or references willing to speak on their behalf. They also need to provide official transcripts too. UL Lafayette recommends that students apply early in the year if they also want to apply for financial aid.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Students who want to live on the UL Lafayette campus can choose between private and shared rooms. Shared rooms start at $1,295 per semester, but private rooms will cost more. Students who live on campus must also purchase a meal plan, which will cost at least $1,700 a semester. Room and board plans are also available for graduate and married students. The tuition that the university charges starts at $1,187 per credit hour and is the same for both undergrad residents and nonresidents. Graduate students pay $1,572 per credit hour to attend UL Lafayette. Online students will pay fees of between $30 and $50 for each class they take too.

Financial aid can help any student cover tuition at UL Lafayette and pay their room and board costs too. To get a financial aid package, students must complete the FAFSA online. Grants and loans help students of all ages pay their costs. Students may also qualify for institutional aid that comes from UL Lafayette. There are performance scholarships for musicians and other performers, athletic scholarships and funds for students who submit applications that show they have merit and/or need. The University of Louisiana processes financial aid packages during the school year for students in need.