• Master of Arts in Liberal Arts (MLA)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Education (MED)
• Master of Science in Counseling Psychology
• Master of Science in Health Care Administration
• Master of Science in Human Services Administration (MSHSA)
• Master of Science in Systems Technology (MSST)
• Specialist in School Psychology (SSP)

• Master of Arts in English (cooperative with Louisiana Tech or with LSU Baton Rouge)
• Master of Science in Environmental Science (cooperative with LSU Baton Rouge)
• Master of Arts in History (cooperative with Louisiana Tech)
• Master of Science in
• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Cellular Biology and Anatomy
• Microbiology and Immunology
• Pharmacology and Therapeutics
• Physiology and Biophysics
  (cooperatives with LSU Health Sciences Center-Shreveport)

• Unconditional Admission: Graduate students must have a minimum 2.5 grade point average on the undergraduate degree (on a 4.0 scale) or a 2.75 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) in the last 60 hours attempted in the degree program. In addition, a 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) is required on any graduate work attempted. Students meeting these criteria will be unconditionally admitted to graduate study.
• Conditional Admission: Students may be admitted with a conditional status if they have a 2.25 undergraduate grade point average (on a 4.0) scale and have submitted a satisfactory GMAT** or GRE** score.
• Appeal: Any student not meeting these criteria may appeal through the appropriate graduate program coordinator and dean for admission. Recommendations will be submitted to the Graduate Dean for final approval.

1. ALL GRADUATE APPLICANTS
   1. A complete application form, and all supporting credentials must be sent to the Office of Admissions and Records. This must be done at least 30 days prior to the anticipated registration date in order to avoid late charges. Final admission decisions are made only after receipt of all credentials.
   2. An official transcript must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions and Records by the registrar of each college and university attended, including both graduate and undergraduate work and showing all degrees previously awarded. The student who has attended institutions outside the United States should submit complete academic records translated into English and certified as true and correct.
   3. For students born after 1956, proof of immunization or immunity to measles, mumps and rubella must be provided to the Office of Admissions and Records prior to registration. This policy applies to all students entering LSUS for the first time and all students returning after an absence of one semester or more. Proof of tetanus/diphtheria immunization is also required. A copy of the Immunization Policy is provided with the admissions materials.
   4. Admission to Graduate Studies does not automatically admit an applicant to a degree program. Admission requirements to specific degree programs vary. (See “C. Individual program applicants”.)
   A student may claim exemption from the immunization requirement for medical or personal reasons; however, the University will require the student to leave the campus and be excluded from class in the event of an outbreak of measles, mumps or rubella. Students claiming exemption will not be permitted back on campus or in class until the outbreak is over or until proof of adequate immunization has been submitted to the Office of Admissions and Records.
   
2. INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
   All international applicants must meet regular admission requirements. In addition, they must submit the following additional information:
   1. If their native language is not English, they must submit a score of at least 550 on the paper administered test or 213 on the computer-based version on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) unless a degree has been obtained from an accredited United States institution. Information for TOEFL is available from the Educational Testing Service, Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151.
   2. They must submit a signed financial resource statement prior to enrollment showing the source(s) of money (in U.S. dollars) available for each year of study in the United States.
   3. If they have a degree from outside the United States, they must present authorized records -- transcripts, mark-sheets, certification of degrees -- showing a bachelor's degree or its equivalent with a grade point average equivalent to B or better (3.0 or above on a 4.00 scale) on all undergraduate work from accredited colleges and universities. Translations are required for records in languages other than English.
   4. They must submit satisfactory scores on the GRE or GMAT.
   
   The University will admit no international students until it has received all credentials.
   For information about additional requirements, contact the Office of Admissions at (318) 797-5061.
3. INDIVIDUAL PROGRAM
   1. Master of Arts in Liberal Arts
      A student entering the Master of Arts in Liberal Arts program must schedule an interview with the MLA Coordinator and must submit a written statement of purpose that outlines educational goals and the ways in which the MLA program meets these goals.
      
   2. Master of Business Administration
      A student entering the Master of Business Administration degree program must submit an official copy of the score report attained on the GMAT.
      
   3. Master of Education
      A student entering the Master of Education degree program must submit an official transcript of the scores earned on the general test of the GRE.
      
   4. Master of Science in Counseling Psychology
      A student entering the Master of Science in Counseling Psychology (MSCP) degree program must schedule an interview with the MSCP Program Coordinator. In addition, the MSCP applicant is expected to have completed the general portion of GRE prior the end of the second regular semester of enrollment or by contacting the Dean of the College of Education. In addition, a Program of Study must be filed through the Department of Psychology, MSCP Program Coordinator, by the end of the second regular semester of enrollment.
      
   5. Master of Science in Health Care Administration
      A student entering the Master of Science in Health Care Administration will be required to demonstrate that they have successfully completed an acceptable undergraduate degree program with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0, provide a written essay on health care and where their interest lies, references from at least three individuals, (excluding relatives), who can speak of their ethics, accomplishments, community involvement, and finally successful completion of the GRE with a total score of 950 or higher or a GMAT score of 450.
      
   6. Master of Science in Human Services Administration
      A student entering the Human Services Administration degree program must (1) schedule an interview with the program Coordinator, (2) submit an essay on why they wish to be in the program, and (3) submit three letters of recommendation.
      
   7. Master of Science in Systems Technology
      1. A student entering the Systems Technology degree program must schedule an interview with the MSST program Coordinator and must complete a separate program application form.
      2. The MSST applicant is expected to have completed the general portion of the GRE prior to enrollment or by the end of the first regular semester of enrollment.
         
         
   8. Specialist in School Psychology
      A student entering the Specialist in School Psychology degree program must submit an official transcript of the scores earned on the general test of the GRE.
      
4. COOPERATIVE PROGRAM APPLICANT
   1. Master of Arts in English
      Students interested in the cooperative program either with Louisiana Tech or with LSU Baton Rouge should apply through the English Department at LSUS.
   2. Master of Arts in History
      Applicants must be admitted by both the Department of History/Social Sciences at LSUS and the Department of History at Louisiana Tech and must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, GRE scores, and 21 hours of history at the undergraduate level. For further information, contact the Chair of either department.
   3. Master of Science in Environmental Sciences
      Students interested in the cooperative program with LSU in Baton Rouge should apply through the Biological Sciences Department at LSUS
   4. Master of Science with LSU Health Sciences Center-Shreveport
      In addition to application to LSUS, students in this program must apply for admission to the Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies at LSU Health Science Center-Shreveport. GRE scores at or above the 50th percentile and a GPA of 2.5 are required.
      
5. THE TRANSIENT APPLICANT
   1. A student pursuing a graduate degree program at another institution wishing to take courses at LSUS to be credited towards their degree program may be admitted for only one semester or summer term without submitting full credentials. For such admission, the student may have the registrar of the last institution attended send to the Office of Admissions and Records a statement certifying the student's good standing in a graduate program. (See also “Admission Classification” below.)
      
   2. A transient student desiring to enroll in graduate level courses for transfer credit offered through the College of Business Administration must, in addition, submit a GMAT score and an official undergraduate grade point average that would meet unconditional admission requirements of LSUS.

ADMISSION CLASSIFICATION

A prospective student who has earned a baccalaureate degree and plans to take additional work beyond the baccalaureate degree must apply for admission to graduate study and be admitted under one of the following classifications:

Classifications for Graduate Degree Programs:

Regular
A prospective candidate for a degree who meets all requirements for unconditional admission to a graduate program and has been recommended by the department and college in which he/she proposes to study and whose admission has been approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies is classified as a regular degree student.

Conditional
A prospective candidate for a degree who does not satisfy unconditional admission requirements will be classified as conditional. The conditional status in Graduate Study will be removed when the student earns a minimum of 12 semester hours of graduate credit at LSUS with a 3.0 average and no grade lower than “C” and not more than one course with a grade of “C.” When a student completes 12 semester hours of graduate credit and is not eligible for unconditional admission to graduate study, the student will be dropped from graduate status. A student initiating graduate work under this classification may or may not enroll in graduate courses leading to a degree (see provisions of the individual programs), and such courses (if allowed) may be counted in a degree program when the student has met the condition(s) specified at the time of admission and has been reclassified.

Provisional
A prospective candidate for a degree who does not satisfy the full admission requirements into a graduate program will be classified as provisional under the conditions specified at the time of admission by the Dean of Graduate Studies upon the recommendation of the Graduate Faculty of the department in the college in which the student proposes to study. A student initiating graduate work under this classification may or may not enroll in graduate courses leading to a degree (see provisions of the individual programs), and such courses (if allowed) may be counted in a degree program when the student has met the condition(s) specified at the time of admission and has been reclassified.

Failure to satisfy the conditions in the specified time limit will result in the student’s ineligibility to continue work toward the degree.

Classifications Not for Degree Programs:
Non-degree
Admission in the non-degree category is restricted primarily to those persons who may benefit professionally from additional study at the graduate level. In general the only supportive material required for such admission is a valid transcript showing an appropriate background and confirming the awarding of at least a bachelor’s degree. A non-degree student is ineligible to become a candidate for an advanced degree or to receive a graduate appointment for financial assistance. Should the student subsequently wish to be admitted to a degree program, a formal application must be made and either conditional or unconditional admission requirements must be met. A maximum of 9 semester hours of graduate credit earned while classified as non-degree may be applied toward the degree, except that students in the Master of Business Administration program may not apply any credit earned while classified as non-degree.

Transient
A student in good standing at another recognized graduate school who wishes to take work at LSUS may enroll as a transient student. In lieu of the usual transcripts and test scores, this student must submit a completed graduate application and certification of good standing in a recognized graduate school at another institution and state that he or she wishes to enroll at LSUS for a specified semester. A student is admitted under this classification for one semester only. The student must be readmitted under this classification each semester to be eligible for graduate courses.

GENERAL REGULATIONS

Course Loads
The following sections define maximum load requirements for graduate students.

Maximum Graduate Credits Per Semester
The maximum number of graduate credits in which a graduate student may enroll is 15 in a regular semester and 9 in a summer term. The total number of graduate and undergraduate credits in which a graduate student may be enrolled at LSUS concurrently is 19 during a regular semester and 10 in a summer term.

Credits Per Semester for Full-time and Part-time Graduate Students
A full-time graduate student is one who is enrolled for 9 or more credits in a regular semester or 6 or more in a summer term. A part-time graduate student is one who is enrolled in fewer than 9 credits in a regular semester or fewer than 6 credits in a summer term.

For those who seek financial aid, full-time graduate status is defined as 6 or more hours for summer, and 9 or more hours for fall or spring terms; half-time graduate status is 6-8 hours.

Maximum Credits for Working Students
A student in the Master of Education Program who is teaching full-time may not enroll for more than 6 graduate credits without permission of the College of Education Dean.

Transfer Credits
For the master's degree a maximum of 6 semester hours of graduate credit with grades of B or higher may be transferred from another regionally accredited institution with the approval of the graduate program Coordinator. The Graduate Council may grant permission to accept a greater number of transfer credits in individual cases. Graduate credits earned by extension from other universities, by examination, or by correspondence are not accepted. (See also “Specialist in School Psychology, Advanced Standing Candidate.”) Students in the Master of Education program may transfer a maximum of 18 hours with approval upon entering. Please see “Transfer Credit,” Master of Education Program.

Graduate Credit
All courses that may fulfill graduate degree requirements at LSUS are numbered 600 or 700. Courses numbered 700 are open to graduate students only, except as indicated below. The student who has been admitted to the Graduate Program under the classification Regular, Precandidate, Provisional, Non-degree, or Transient may register for graduate courses.

A senior at LSUS who needs fewer than 15 semester hours to complete requirements for the bachelor's degree and has maintained a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 may be permitted to register for graduate credit in courses, 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 dean of the student's college and approval of the Coordinator of the graduate program involved. A student must complete all undergraduate degree credit courses in order to retain the privilege of obtaining graduate credit for the remaining courses.

Superior undergraduate students may register earlier than their final semester for graduate-level courses; however, these courses do not count for graduate credit. For undergraduate enrollment by these students in 700-level graduate courses, the student must have earned at least 90 semester hours with a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher. Approval by the dean of the student's college and the Coordinator of the graduate program involved is required.

Graduate credit courses in the College of Business are available to LSUS business undergraduates who have met all entrance requirements. (See also “MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION.”)

GRADE REQUIREMENTS AND SCHOLASTIC REGULATIONS

Grade Requirements
In order to receive a master's or specialist's degree, a student must have at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average on all graduate work attempted, whether at LSUS or elsewhere.

Those courses in which grades of P, NC, W or I are recorded are not included in determining the grade point average.

Scholastic Regulations
Grading System

Repeated Courses
A graduate student may repeat any undergraduate or graduate course, with all attempts counting toward the student’s GPA. The delete option is NOT APPLICABLE for ANY graduate course, to ANY graduate student, or to ANY student working towards another baccalaureate degree.

Duplicated Courses (400/600 level)
At the discretion of the program Coordinator, a student may be allowed to take a graduate course that essentially duplicates an undergraduate course but requires more rigorous coursework.

Probation and Suspension
A graduate student is expected to maintain a 3.0 grade point average on all graduate work attempted and in any other work attempted.. A graduate student who fails to earn a 3.0 average in any semester or summer term, or who receives a grade of D in any graduate course will be placed on academic probation.

A graduate student on probation must maintain a semester grade point average of 3.0 for each term on probation, with no course grades of C or below. Probationary status is removed when the student raises his or her grade point average to 3.0 or better in all graduate coursework.

A graduate student on academic probation who fails to correct his or her grade point average within two semesters of coursework will be dropped from the program.

In addition, any graduate student receiving a grade of F in a graduate course, or having more than three credit hours of graduate work with a grade of D or having more than six credit hours of graduate work with a grade of C or lower will be dropped from the program.

Any graduate student dropped from a program for academic reasons will not be readmitted to graduate study in any program at the university.

Registration for Thesis
A student must register for thesis during each semester in which the thesis is under preparation and when college facilities and/or staff time are utilized. The letters IP will be recorded each semester for which a graduate student registers and makes satisfactory progress in the thesis course. The Registrar will record on each transcript that thesis credit for a graduate degree is limited to 6 semester hours, although the student may need to register for additional hours in order to complete the thesis.

Time Limit for Completing Degrees
All coursework credited toward the degree must have been begun no earlier than eight years prior to the completion of all of the degree requirements.

Extension of time may be granted only on conditions beyond control of the student. A formal request outlining the conditions upon which the extension of time is made should be addressed to the Dean of Graduate Studies. Master of Education Students should also see “Transfer Credit,” Master of Education program.

Graduate Only Coursework
At least 50 percent of the courses applicable toward a degree must be numbered 700 or above.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

The student must meet all the requirements for a graduate degree outlined in one issue of the catalog. Any catalog in force during the student's residence at the University may be elected, provided the residence is continuous. If residence is interrupted for 12 consecutive months, the student may not elect a catalog earlier than the one in force at the time of reentry. No graduate degree, whether honorary or earned, shall be conferred except by vote of the Board of Supervisors upon recommendation of the University and the Graduate Faculty. Procedural requirements which must be completed by the student prior to graduation as follows:

1. During the semester immediately prior to the semester or term in which the degree is to be awarded, the candidate must ask the dean of the appropriate college to evaluate the candidate's academic record for compliance with degree requirements. The degree check-out form (available in the deans office), signed by the dean and furnished to the candidate must then be presented to the Dean of Graduate Studies for approval. The candidate next must make application for a degree in the Office of Admissions and Records, giving the exact name that is to appear on the diploma.
   
2. The candidate must pay the diploma fee of $30 at the last registration. A candidate who has previously paid a diploma fee but failed to graduate at the time expected must pay an additional fee of $10.
   
3. At least three days prior to graduation, the candidate must clear any financial indebtedness to the University.
   
4. The candidate must participate in commencement ceremonies unless granted permission to receive his or her degree in absentia. The request for such permission, stating the extenuating circumstances, must be made in writing prior to graduation to the dean of the student's college.

Requirements for a Second Master's Degree
Students who wish to obtain a second master’s degree from this University must meet all academic and residence requirements set by the Graduate Program and the department concerned. A maximum of six hours from the first degree may be applied toward the second, provided that at the beginning of the second degree the dean and Coordinator of the second master’s degree approve the credits.

Degree Programs
(Requires the Free Adobe PDF Reader)
Master of Arts in Liberal Arts (MLA)
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Master of Education
Master of Science in Counseling Psychology (MSCP)
Master of Science in Health Care Administration (MSHCA)
Master of Science in Human Services Administration (MSHSA)
Master of Science in Systems Technology
Specialist in School Psychology

COOPERATIVE GRADUATE PROGRAMS

MASTER OF ARTS IN ENGLISH
(COOPERATIVE WITH LSU BATON ROUGE OR LOUISIANA TECH)

The Department of English at LSUS offers graduate studies leading to the Master of Arts in English from either LSU in Baton Rouge or Louisiana Tech University in Ruston. Allowing participants to complete up to 12 hours of their graduate course work here, the program suits the needs of working professionals in the Shreveport-Bossier City area who would have difficulty meeting the normal residence requirements at the other institutions.

Students in the program apply for admission to the graduate schools of both LSUS and one of the cooperating institutions. Although the institution awarding the degree makes the final decisions on admissions, each student has an advisory committee made up of faculty from both institutions.

Below are the admission requirements and study options for the two degree-granting institutions.

Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge
For admission into the M.A. program, students must have an undergraduate major in English or its equivalent (generally regarded to be 30 semester hours in English literature and theory courses). In past years, successful applicants have had undergraduate grade point averages of at least 3.2 overall and GRE scores of about 1,200 (verbal and quantitative combined).

Once accepted, students have two options for earning the M.A.:
Thesis Option: Requires 24 semester hours of graduate work, 12 semester hours of research credit, and a research thesis.

Non-Thesis Option: Requires 36 semester hours of graduate course work and a comprehensive examination.

Louisiana Tech University
For admission, applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college, with a minimum of 24 hours in English, at least 12 of these on the junior or senior level. For unconditional admission, applicants must have a grade point average of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale.

After entering the program, students select one of two possible degree plans:

Plan A: Requires 24 semester hours of graduate course work, 6 semester hours of credit for a thesis, and a comprehensive examination.
Plan B: Requires 33 semester hours of graduate course work and a comprehensive examination.

Students in both plans must take at least 15 hours of course work in courses offered exclusively for graduate students.

Those interested in either of these cooperative programs should apply through the English Department at LSUS.

MASTER OF ARTS IN HISTORY
(COOPERATIVE WITH LOUISIANA TECH)

The Department of History/Social Sciences offers a program of graduate studies leading to the Master of Arts in History at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston. Students may take up to 12 semester hours at LSUS. Professors from LSUS may serve on a thesis committee, but a professor from Louisiana Tech must direct the thesis. Students specialize in the history of the United States, Europe, Latin America, or Asia and choose one of two options:

Thesis Option: Requires 24 hours of coursework and 6 hours of thesis.
Non-thesis Option: Requires 33 hours of coursework and a written examination in the specialty area.

Applicants must be admitted by both the Department of History/Social Sciences at LSUS and the Department of History at Louisiana Tech and must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, GRE scores, and 21 hours of history at the undergraduate level. For further information, contact the Chair of either college.

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
(COOPERATIVE WITH LSU - BATON ROUGE)

The College of Sciences at LSUS offers a cooperative graduate program leading to the Master of Science in Environmental Sciences from LSU in Baton Rouge. Students in the program apply for admission to the Graduate Schools of both LSUS and LSU-BR. Although LSU-BR makes the final decision on admission, each student has a committee made up of faculty from both campuses. Participants are allowed to complete up to 18 hours of their graduate course work at LSUS.

Admission requirements and study options for LSU in Baton Rouge.
For admission into the M.S. program, students must have completed the prerequisite courses in chemistry, biological sciences, math, and economics. In past years, successful applicants have had undergraduate grade point averages of at least 3.0 overall and GRE scores of about 1,100 (verbal and quantitative combined.)

Concentrations
The M.S. degree program in Environmental Sciences (ENVS) offers two areas of concentration: Environmental Planning and Management, and Environmental Toxicology. The Environmental Planning and Management concentration allows students the option of completing a thesis or a non-thesis curriculum. The Environmental Toxicology concentration requires a thesis.

Thesis Option: In both concentrations, a minimum of 24 semester hours of graduate course work, 6 semester hours of research credit, and a research thesis is required.

Non-Thesis Option: A minimum of 37 semester hours of graduate course work and a comprehensive examination is required.

MASTER OF SCIENCE
(COOPERATIVE WITH LSU HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER-SHREVEPORT)

Students may earn a degree emphasizing biochemistry and molecular biology, cellular biology and anatomy, microbiology and immunology, pharmacology and therapeutics, and molecular and cellular physiology awarded by LSU Health Sciences Center-Shreveport.

Fifteen hours of coursework are done at LSUS. Thesis work requiring six hours may be done at either institution, and the remaining nine hours are taken on a space available basis from selected courses at LSU Health Sciences Center-Shreveport.

Students are referred to the LSU Health Sciences Center-Shreveport catalog for specific regulations regarding this degree. Further information may be obtained from the College of Sciences office at LSUS (Science Building 104), phone 797-5231.

GRADUATE PROGRAMS OFFERED BY LSU-BATON ROUGE

LSU-Baton Rouge, through its Division of Continuing Education, offers graduate work for the Master of Library Science degrees. All graduate credits earned in these programs are resident credits if the applicant has been admitted to the graduate program. Persons interested in the Master of Library Science should contact Dr. Lee Shifflet, LSU School of Library and Information Science, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803.