HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY

Created under Act 68, 1894, of the General Assem­bly of Louisiana, the University at Ruston has operated under four names: Industrial Institute and College of Louisiana (1894-1898); The Louisiana Industrial Institute (1898-1921); Louisiana Polytechnic Institute (1921-1970); and Louisiana Tech University (1970 - present).

The College opened in September, 1895, with 200 students and six teachers. Work of the College was conducted in a two-story brick building consisting of eight classrooms, an auditorium, a chemical laboratory, and two offices. Shop work was taught in a small frame building. In 1897, the first commencement was held with one graduate, Harry Howard.

More than 73,000 degrees have been conferred by the University. From 1897 until 1921, the College granted the Bachelor of Industry junior level degree. On June 15, 1921, the first baccalaureate degree was granted. The State Board of Education first authorized the offering of existing graduate degrees as follows: master's degree programs in engineering, mathematics, science, and education in 1958; a specialist degree program in education in April 1967; and three doctoral degree programs in December 1967. The first doctoral degree was awarded in May 1971. The University currently offers doctoral degree programs in applied computational analysis and modeling, business adminis­tration, counseling psychology, education, and engineering.

ACCREDITATION

Louisiana Tech University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097; telephone number 404-679-4501) to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Initially accredited in 1927, the University has maintained accredited status since that date. In addition, 98% of all academic programs which are eligible for accreditation have been accredited individually by respective accrediting bodies. Unless otherwise specifically stated in the online Policies and Procedures Manual, Louisiana Tech University does not expressly adhere to the guidelines for institutional maintenance published by any non-accrediting association or organization.