Louisiana’s Only Official Honors College in Liberal Arts & Sciences
What Sets Scholars’ College Apart
- Small, seminar-style classes, typically capped under 20 students—ensuring deep discussion, close faculty mentorship, and personalized academic support
- All faculty hold PhDs, guiding every student individually through cross-disciplinary inquiry and research-rich learning environments
- Substantial scholarships & out‑of‑state fee waivers available for admitted students, helping keep this elite education accessible
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE & CURRICULUM
Common Curriculum
Begin your journey with a shared core of Great Books seminars (Texts & Traditions I–IV), cultural studies (Democratic Vistas), science and quantitative reasoning, and writing-forward language/literature classes—all designed to foster critical thinking, creativity, and interdisciplinary expertise.
Major or Concentration Options:
- A Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts (BALA) with concentrations like Classical Studies, Philosophy-Politics-Economics, Scientific Inquiry, or Humanities & Social Thought.
- Or a more traditional major (e.g., Biology, English, Business, Engineering) alongside the Scholars’ curriculum for a dual honors experience.
Senior Thesis & Colloquium
Finish your journey with a year-long capstone project—conduct original research, write a thesis, or deliver a creative presentation guided by faculty and presented in seminar-style discussions.
You Don’t Have to Change Your Passion to Join the Scholars’ College
At Louisiana Scholars’ College, we believe academic excellence shouldn't come at the cost of your chosen career path. That’s why students from nearly any major at Northwestern State University can participate in the Scholars’ College experience.
How It Works
Students outside the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts (BALA) program may pursue a traditional NSU major while completing the Scholars’ College core curriculum, earning an official Scholars’ designation on their transcript.
Why Join as a Non-BALA Major?
Benefit from smaller classes, personalized faculty mentoring, priority registration, and exclusive Scholars’ housing. Gain valuable experience through a senior colloquium and thesis—opportunities rarely offered in traditional programs—and access dedicated scholarships and research funding.
Scholars in Every Field
From future doctors to designers, researchers to entrepreneurs, our Scholars represent every discipline—driven by curiosity, united by a passion for learning, and committed to leading.
Admissions Criteria
Louisiana Scholars’ College welcomes high-achieving, intellectually curious students from across Louisiana and beyond. To qualify for automatic admission, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- ACT Composite Score of 25 or higher (no subscore below 20) OR
- SAT Composite Score of 1200 or higher (no subscore below 500) AND
- Unweighted high school GPA of 3.3 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) in the Louisiana Regents’ Core Curriculum or equivalent
Don’t quite meet these numbers?
Exceptional students who fall slightly outside these criteria are still encouraged to apply. All applications are reviewed holistically by the Scholars’ College Admissions Committee.
0%
of graduates from NSU
were employed, in continuing education, serving in the military, or volunteering within six months of graduation.
0
dedicated faculty members
Ensuring intimate, high-quality instruction and mentorship for robust academic engagement.
