ALEXANDRIA/BOSSIER PARISH, La. ( KTAL/KMSS )-LSU Alexandria and Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) have formalized a 2+2 memorandum of understanding (MOU), allowing BPCC students holding an Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science to transfer directly into LSUA's Bachelor of General Studies with a concentration in Disaster Science and Emergency Management. "Under the new agreement, students from BPCC who successfully complete their associate degree and meet LSUA's admission requirements will be fully admitted into LSUA's specialized disaster science program," a press release stated. "After transferring up to 57 earned credit hours, students will complete an additional 63 hours at LSUA, fulfilling all requirements for the Bachelor of General Studies with a Disaster Science and Emergency Management Concentration." LSU Health Shreveport celebrates its largest graduation ever This new pathway will help students achieve their educational and professional goals and address critical workforce needs in emergency management and disaster preparedness across the state. "One thing LSUA and BPCC have in common is that we always try to meet our state's workforce needs," said LSUA Chancellor Paul Coreil, Ph.D. "No one questions the need for skilled workers in disaster management and recovery. This partnership reflects our shared hope to create more opportunities for Louisiana students to succeed while helping build a safer, more resilient state. By aligning our academic programs, we are investing in both education and public safety." BPCC Natchitoches launching new fiber optics certification program According to the release, both institutions anticipate this collaboration will boost enrollment, encourage degree completion, and provide real-world training that benefits students, communities, and emergency agencies across Louisiana. Student performance will be regularly evaluated, supplying data to improve the transfer process and meet academic standards. "Building pathways for our students to begin their college career with an eventual bachelor's degree in mind is important to us," said BPCC Chancellor Rick Bateman, Ph.D. "BPCC grads are special students, because we think a lot about 'caring our students to success' with caring and attentive faculty and staff pouring into students who develop resiliency in pursuit of their educational goals." New partnership: Centenary students, staff can enroll early in LSUS program LSUA remains dedicated to providing students with higher education opportunities while fostering experienced professionals willing to help their communities in times of crisis. For more information about LSUA's Disaster Science and Emergency Management program and transfer opportunities, visit explore.lsua.edu . "We are thankful for the commitment of Dr. Callegari and Dean Whittington to follow through on an idea that was planted by the local community expressing a local need," said LSUA Provost Liz Beard, Ph.D. "Hopefully, this is the first of many opportunities for LSUA to develop bachelor's degree pathways for BPCC students." Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
