LSUE signs 2+2 agreement with Northwestern in criminal justice

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New agreements between Northwestern State University and Louisiana State University Eunice will allow students pursuing degrees in criminal justice and unified public safety administration to apply credits earned at LSUE to bachelor’s degree programs at Northwestern State. The memorandums of understanding were formalized Thursday by administrators, who said that both traditional and non-traditional students expressed a need for opportunities in which associate degree credits could transfer easily into a baccalaureate program.
Administrators say students who complete the programs will have more skills and marketability with a wide range of professional opportunities available for careers in law enforcement, information security and forensic science.
Joe Morris, head of NSU’s Department of Criminal Justice, History and Social Science, said, “LSUE students have voiced a need to be able to transfer their credits to a four-year institution that will accept their degree credits. This seamless transfer of credits allows students to complete their degree in an efficient manner with a minimum loss of credit hours.”
Morris added, “Both Universities serve the needs of their constituency and are responsive student-oriented institutions that prepare their students to become productive members of society as well as promote the academic development and improvement in the quality of life of citizens in their regions. This is a win-win for all involved, students, universities and citizens.”
Steven Gontz, LSUE’s program coordinator of Public Protection and Safety, said, “Before today, there are no agreements available in Louisiana for Fire and Emergency Service graduates at the associates level to continue the academic and professional careers.”
He added, “This agreement allows our students in that area an opportunity to easily transfer their coursework towards a bachelor’s degree in unified public safety administration at NSU and advance in their careers.”
One memorandum of understanding provides that students who complete the associate of science degree in criminal justice at LSU Eunice can transfer all credit hours to NSU for partial fulfillment of a bachelor of arts degree in criminal justice. NSU’s baccalaureate program provides a full complement of criminal justice courses in which additional courses in sociology, psychology and political science are available.
The agreement will allow students who complete LSUE’s associate degree of applied science in fire and emergency services with a concentration in emergency services technology to transfer credit hours towards a bachelor of science degree in unified public safety administration at NSU. UPSA develops professionals for work in federal, state and local agencies that address homeland security and cybercrimes.
Dr. Chris Maggio, NSU’s acting president, said, “We are honored to work in partnership with another institution that is willing to create pathways. These agreements are a direct response to needs expressed by students.”
“We are honored to work in partnership with another institution that is willing to create pathways for students to continue on in pursuit of their educational goals,” he said.
Dr. Kimberly Russell, chancellor of LSU Eunice, said, “We are so pleased to partner with NSU to offer a 2+2 in criminal justice. This partnership provides a seamless pathway for LSUE students to complete a baccalaureate degree in a high demand field of study offered by both institutions.”