ALEXANDRIA - LSUA and Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) have signed a comprehensive 2+2 MOU, creating a seamless pathway for BPCC students holding an Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science to transfer directly into LSUA’s Bachelor of General Studies with a concentration in Disaster Science and Emergency Management.
Under the new agreement, students from BPCC who successfully complete their associate degree and meet LSUA’s admission requirements will be fully admitted into LSUA’s specialized disaster science program. After transferring up to 57 earned credit hours, students will complete an additional 63 hours at LSUA, fulfilling all requirements for the Bachelor of General Studies with a Disaster Science and Emergency Management Concentration. This clear, structured academic pathway supports students in achieving their educational and professional goals, addressing critical workforce needs in emergency management and disaster preparedness across Louisiana and beyond.
LSUA Chancellor Paul Coreil, Ph.D., said, “One thing LSUA and BPCC have in common is that we always try to meet our state's workforce needs. No one questions the need for skilled workers in disaster management and recovery. This partnership reflects our shared hope to create more opportunities for Louisiana students to succeed while helping build a safer, more resilient state. By aligning our academic programs, we are investing in both education and public safety.”
BPCC Chancellor Rick Bateman, Ph.D., noted, “Building pathways for our students to begin their college career with an eventual bachelor's degree in mind is important to us. BPCC grads are special students, because we think a lot about 'caring our students to success' with caring and attentive faculty and staff pouring into students who develop resiliency in pursuit of their educational goals.”
Both institutions anticipate this collaboration will boost enrollment, encourage degree completion, and provide real-world training that benefits students, communities, and emergency agencies across Louisiana. Regular program evaluations will assess student performance, providing data to refine the transfer process and continuously uphold rigorous academic standards. This partnership reinforces LSUA’s dedication to creating accessible higher education opportunities while fostering skilled professionals ready to serve their communities in times of crisis.
LSUA Provost Liz Beard, Ph.D., concluded, “We are thankful for the commitment of Dr. Callegari and Dean Whittington to follow through on an idea that was planted by the local community expressing a local need. Hopefully, this is the first of many opportunities for LSUA to develop bachelor’s degree pathways for BPCC students.”
For more information about LSUA’s Disaster Science and Emergency Management program and transfer opportunities, visit explore.lsua.edu.
Written by Adam Lord
Photo credit - Nathan Parish | LSUA Strategic Communications
Pictured [L-R] - Beau Bevan (BPCC Director of Fire Science), Dr. Michael Whitaker (BPCC Dean of Nursing and Allied Health), Dr. Rick Bateman (BPCC Chancellor), Dr. Paul Coreil (LSUA Chancellor), Beth Whittington (LSUA Dean of the College of Social Sciences), Dr. Jay Callegari (LSUA Associate Professor of Criminal Justice), Dr. Liz Beard (LSUA Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs)