Baton Rouge, La. (3/2/2026) – The LSU Board of Supervisors unanimously approved Louisiana State University of Alexandria (LSUA) to develop and implement two innovative 90-credit-hour accelerated bachelor’s degrees in high-demand STEM fields. The new programs in Information Technology and Bioinformatics position LSUA and the LSU System at the forefront of workforce-aligned undergraduate education in Louisiana.
The proposal introduces a new model of bachelor’s education designed to preserve academic rigor while delivering a more focused, efficient pathway to degree completion. Each program maintains the full General Education core (39 credit hours) alongside 51 credit hours of major coursework, ensuring both breadth and depth of study while streamlining electives.
“SACSCOC has recently allowed for an accelerated bachelor’s degree,” said LSU System President Dr. Wade Rousse following the Board’s approval. “The pace at which LSU of Alexandria has brought this truly market-driven curriculum forward is simply astonishing.”
The accelerated degrees respond directly to urgent workforce needs across Louisiana and beyond.
Accelerated Bachelor in Information Technology
The Accelerated Bachelor in Information Technology focuses on systems administration, networking, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. Coursework aligns with industry certifications, including CompTIA, AWS, and Cisco credentials. With information security analysts projected to grow by 29% nationally, the program equips students with embedded certifications and hands-on preparation for immediate employment.
The Accelerated Bachelor in Bioinformatics integrates biology, data science, and computational analysis and prepares graduates for careers in biotechnology, health informatics, and genomic research. The program emphasizes genomics, programming, machine learning for life sciences, and applied AI. With life-science data roles projected to grow between 10% and 35% nationally, the degree supports Louisiana’s expanding healthcare and research sectors.
“These are not shortened degrees,” said LSUA Provost Liz Beard, Ph.D. “They are intentionally designed, academically rigorous bachelor’s degrees that focus on the essential core and major coursework required for workforce readiness. By curating general education and weaving data literacy and AI fluency throughout the curriculum, we are preparing students not just for their first job, but for careers that will evolve over decades.”
LSUA Chancellor Paul Coreil, Ph.D., emphasized the university’s unique mission within the LSU System.
“As the only undergraduate-only university in Louisiana that is focused on teaching and workforce development, LSUA is in the best position to pioneer this type of degree,” Coreil said. “This has been done successfully in other systems to meet workforce demands in a much quicker and more affordable way than the traditional approach. LSUA will be leading the state in educating our technology workforce.”
STEM Fields
“Particularly in STEM fields, innovation moves quickly, said LSUA Dean of the College of Science, Technology, & Mathematics Nathan Sammons, Ph.D. “These accelerated pathways allow us to respond with agility while maintaining the high standards our students and employers expect. We are expanding access, reducing time to degree, and strengthening Louisiana’s talent pipeline.”
Across the nation, higher education is evolving as students and families seek efficient pathways tied to demonstrable career outcomes. Employers increasingly prioritize applied competencies and certification-ready skill sets. With these new degrees, LSUA is positioned to seize a first-mover advantage in Louisiana, offering accelerated, market-responsive programs while preserving the integrity of the bachelor’s credential.
The Board’s approval marks a transformative step forward for LSUA, the LSU System, and the state of Louisiana, strengthening workforce development, expanding access to high-demand fields, and reinforcing LSUA’s role as a leader in innovative undergraduate education.
Source: LSUA
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