Organizational Leadership: One Degree by Nine Universities

On February 18, 2013, University of Louisiana System institutions will begin accepting applications for the Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership, a 100% online degree offered jointly by nine public universities.  The accelerated degree completion program is designed for adults who stopped out of college. 

According to the 2009 American Community Survey there are over 600,000 adults in Louisiana with some college credit and no degree.  This pioneering program is a way to reach out to that market and entice former students to finish their degrees, while capitalizing on the unique strengths of nine public universities. 

PROGRAM DETAILS
Students who enroll in the organizational leadership degree can choose from nine distinctive concentrations that enhance their career goals:

• Cultural and Arts Institutions at the University of New Orleans
• Disaster Relief Management at Southeastern Louisiana University 
• Financial Services at the University of Louisiana at Monroe 
• Foodservice Strategies and Operations at Nicholls State University
• Health and Wellness at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette 
• Human Relations at Grambling State University
• Project Team Leadership at Louisiana Tech University
• Public Safety Administration at Northwestern State University
• Strategic and Global Communication at McNeese State University
  

The degree will consist of 30 hours of courses offered jointly by faculty at the nine universities and 30 hours of concentration and elective courses offered by each institution.  The online platform will be seamless and will be offered in five, eight-week terms each year.

To enter the program, students must be at least 25 years old and have completed 60 hours of college credit including general education courses.  However, students with less than 60 hours will have opportunities to earn credit online or through prior learning assessment that gauges skills learned on the job.

PROGRAM COST
Charging a flat per credit hour rate of $325 ($975 per course), the program can be completed in two years well below the cost of other online degree programs.  There are no extra hidden fees or costs, and this fee is a set amount regardless of which home institution you select.  This program allows you to pay as you go, thus you will only be required to pay for those courses in which you enroll.

Textbook costs will vary by course.  These costs typically run $75-$125 per course.  A one-time application fee may be charged when you apply for the program.  The university may also charge a graduation or diploma fee when you finish the program.

Financial aid may be available for students who qualify.  The financial aid office at your home institution can assist you in applying.  You should also talk to your employer about tuition reimbursement.

APPLYING FOR THE PROGRAM
Beginning February 18, 2013, people can apply at any time as applications are accepted on a rolling basis.  Summer term classes will begin June 3, 2013, and the deadline for Summer applications is May 6, 2013.  First, select your home institution based on the program of interest.  Then, your application can be completed and submitted through your home institution's website.  A small application fee may be charged.

Online applications and information are available at:

Grambling State University (Human Relations)
http://www.gram.edu/admissions/apply/
http://www.gram.edu/admissions/specific%20info/transfer/

Louisiana Tech University (Project Team Leadership)
http://www.latech.edu/admissions/transfer/admission_requirements.shtml
http://www.latech.edu/admissions/transfer

McNeese State University (Strategic and Global Communication)
http://www.mcneese.edu/admissions/application-forms
http://www.mcneese.edu/admissions/transfer-students-admission-requirements

Nicholls State University (Foodservice Strategies and Operations)
http://www.nicholls.edu/apply/
http://www.nicholls.edu/admission/admissions-requirements/

Northwestern State University (Public Safety Administration)
http://admissions.nsula.edu/online-application-guide/
http://admissions.nsula.edu/transfer-admission/

Southeastern Louisiana University (Disaster Relief Management)
http://www.selu.edu/future_students/apply/trans_students/index.html
http://www.selu.edu/future_students/transfer_students/index.html 

University of Louisiana at Lafayette (Health and Wellness)
http://admissions.louisiana.edu/basics/

University of Louisiana at Monroe (Financial Services)
http://www.ulm.edu/prospectivestudents/contact/
http://www.ulm.edu/prospecticestudents/transfer/

University of New Orleans (Cultural and Arts Institutions)
http://www.uno.edu/admissions/apply/index.aspx
http://www.uno.edu/admissions/apply/transfer/index.aspx

The Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership degree program has been approved by the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System and the Louisiana Board of Regents.  It is pending approval by the Southern Association of State Colleges and Universities (SACS-COC) in December.  Grambling State University's participation is expected in Fall 2013.