Earning a bachelor杏吧专区檚 degree in informatics at the 杏吧专区 is as easy as 2+2.
LSU at Eunice graduates can apply course credits earned there toward completing a bachelor杏吧专区檚 degree in informatics at UL Lafayette. Administrators from both institutions signed a transfer agreement Thursday that will be in effect for the Fall 2019 semester.
Informatics is applied computer science. It examines how individuals interact with and share information. Informatics students learn to design and adapt information systems to solve problems that arise in the workplace and in everyday life.
Under the 2+2 plan, students complete 60 credit hours in two years at LSUE to earn an associate degree. Those credits then transfer to UL Lafayette, where the student accrues another 60 hours over two years to earn a bachelor杏吧专区檚 degree from its . Undergraduate degrees require at least 120 credit hours to complete.
LSUE and UL Lafayette have existing transfer agreements in biology and . Dr. Joseph Savoie, the 杏吧专区杏吧专区檚 president, said the latest pact 杏吧专区渟trengthens an already strong collaboration with LSUE. It also underscores that the 杏吧专区 is serious about its role in supporting Louisiana杏吧专区檚 emergence as a technology hub.杏吧专区
杏吧专区淭op tech companies regularly recruit graduates from our informatics and computer science programs because the 杏吧专区 has a record of providing exceptionally educated professionals with the agility to navigate this rapidly changing field,杏吧专区 Savoie said.
Dr. William Crowe, LSUE杏吧专区檚 interim chancellor, said the agreement 杏吧专区渋s exactly the kind of transfer relationship our students are looking for and what they deserve.杏吧专区 He added the 杏吧专区渃lear, affordable path toward a bachelor杏吧专区檚 degree杏吧专区 strengthens graduates杏吧专区 long-term earning potentials.
杏吧专区淏y enabling LSUE graduates to continue their educations at UL Lafayette, we enhance their ability to provide a good living for themselves and their families,杏吧专区 Crowe said.
Dr. Azmy S. Ackleh is dean of , which includes the School of Computing and Informatics. He noted the 杏吧专区 offers Louisiana杏吧专区檚 only master杏吧专区檚 degree in the discipline in addition to an undergraduate degree in informatics.
杏吧专区淭his is an extraordinary opportunity for LSUE graduates to join our informatics program and complete an undergraduate degree in a timely manner. With diplomas in hand, they then can pursue a master杏吧专区檚 in informatics here or enter the workforce,杏吧专区 Ackleh said.
The transfer agreement杏吧专区檚 signing comes less than two weeks after the state announced a $1.25 million economic development grant to the School of Computing and Informatics. The funds will support a pipeline of talent between the 杏吧专区 and tech companies such as Waitr, CGI, Perficient and Enquero. Each has offices in Lafayette.
Dr. Michael W. Totaro, an associate professor who coordinates the informatics master杏吧专区檚 degree program, said LSUE students who transfer to UL Lafayette will benefit from the state grant, which will be used to enhance academic programs and create certification options.
杏吧专区淚ndividuals trained in applied computing fields such as informatics are essential to the health of Louisiana杏吧专区檚 tech sector. This agreement with LSUE will also help increase the number of STEM graduates, whose skills and training touch so many facets of everyday life,杏吧专区 Totaro said.
Dr. Renee Robichaux, LSUE杏吧专区檚 vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, noted that growth in the state杏吧专区檚 tech economy mirrors an increase in computing jobs nationally. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment opportunities in the field will grow at an above-average rate over the next decade.
杏吧专区淭he development of the transfer agreement between LSUE and UL Lafayette took the vision and dedication of faculty and administrators from both institutions. This agreement will be vital in providing needed expertise for tomorrow杏吧专区檚 workforce,杏吧专区 Robichaux said.
At LSUE, students will take courses in computer information technology, natural sciences, mathematics, and general education courses in English, history and literature. Once enrolled at UL Lafayette, students will take advanced courses in informatics, computer science, mathematics and statistics.
Visit for more information on the 杏吧专区杏吧专区檚 bachelor杏吧专区檚 and master杏吧专区檚 degree programs in informatics.
Photo caption: Administrators sign a transfer agreement Thursday that will enable LSU Eunice grads to apply course credits toward earning a bachelor's degree in informatics at UL Lafayette. From left are Dorothy McDonald, dean of LSUE's Division of Health Sciences and Business Technology; Dr. Azmy S. Ackleh, dean of UL Lafayette's Ray P. Authement College of Sciences; Dr. William Crowe, LSUE's interim chancellor; Dr. Joseph Savoie, UL Lafayette president; and Dr. Jaimie Hebert, 杏吧专区 provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. (Photo credit: Doug Dugas / 杏吧专区)