ALEXANDRIA – As the landscape of our society has transformed to a much faster and more complex pace, it is becoming increasingly evident that education must adapt and meet students in this environment. While a traditional, campus-based experience will always be the foundation of higher education, LSUA, in partnership with LSU online, is committed to offering students alternative methods of earning a degree.
“All of us at LSUA want to make degree attainment possible for everyone. This can often be challenging for people who are working full time, raising a family, or caring for an elderly family member at home. Making course offerings within reach using easily accessible online distance education technology can make all the difference in the world. It is our goal to make sure many within the workforce, or wanting to start a new high value career in Central Louisiana, get the course hours needed to earn a degree or earn a credential needed for job advancement opportunities,” said LSUA Chancellor Dr. Paul Coreil.
The recent expansion of online programs through LSU/LSUA echoes this message. Knowing that now 14 percent of all college students are completing coursework 100 percent online is the basis of this growth. As LSU/LSUA have worked to centralize the services provided to fully online students, students are guided through graduation on a more personal level.
Additionally, for those students with no degree but have professional certification or military credit, LSU/LSUA is working to help students turn that experience into actual credits towards a degree. This “Prior Learning Assessment” hopes to accelerate the degree path of those students working two jobs while trying to complete a degree.
“It is important for us to help students turn jobs into jobs with family sustaining wages. We have to build a flexible system that works for a variety of students and provides a path for each person,” said Sasha Thackaberry, vice president of LSU Digital and Continuing Education.
Research shows that 64 percent of students are more likely to graduate with a degree, when Prior Learning Assessment is given. PLA credit offerings could include, but are not limited to, credits for Amazon/AWS certifications, PMP, CFA, CPA, Certified Professional Constructors, and military training.
Through all of these opportunities, the objective is to first, and foremost, allow each student a high quality educational experience. Second, the goal is to be an economic driver by creating and sustaining more jobs and the workforce right here in Central Louisiana and the state.