Project Lead The Way is a nonprofit organization that provides a transformative learning experience for PreK-12 students and teachers across the U.S. PLTW empowers students to develop and apply in-demand, transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges. Through their pathways in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science, students not only learn technical skills, but also learn to solve problems, think critically and creatively, communication, and collaborate.

Partnership with Northwestern State University

PLTW and Northwestern State University’s Department of Engineering Technology has awarded credit for approved high school PLTW classes for a number of years. In 2020, the Department of Biological and Physical Sciences and the Computer Information Systems area within the College of Business and Technology agreed to award credit for approved high school PLTW classes.

Engineering Technologies

Northwestern State University invites high school students to enroll in PLTW Engineering High School Courses in PLTW High Schools as a means for enriching their educational experiences and, at the same time, earn articulated college credits which may be applied toward a degree upon graduation from high school.  To be eligible for this program at Northwestern State University a student must:

  1. Successfully complete a PLTW administered end of course assessment in selected Engineering courses with a value of “Accomplished” or “Distinguished”. If end of course assessments are cancelled due to extenuating circumstances, NSU will award credit based on the transcript grade of “C” or above.
  2. Complete an eligible PLTW Engineering course as follows:
    • Introduction to Engineering Design (1 yr.) – Credit for IET 1400 (3 credit hours)
    • Principles of Engineering (1 yr.) – Credit for IET 1700 (1 credit hour)
    • Digital Electronics (1 yr.) – Credit for EET 1311 (1 credit hour)
    • Civil Engineering and Architecture (1 yr.) – Credit for IET 3460 (3 credit hours) which could be used as an ET elective
  3. Apply for this credit program during the year in which the student takes the PLTW administered end of course examination. Applications after this time period will be handled by the unit on a case by case basis.  The application for credit can be found at the end of this document.
  4. Meet Northwestern State University admission requirements for the respective academic year they enter
    Northwestern State as an undergraduate student.

Awarding of credit for the above PLTW courses will be applied to a student’s transcript following their admission and enrollment in their first semester as an undergraduate, degree-seeking student at Northwestern State University.

Applications for credit and inquiries regarding credit for the Project Lead the Way Engineering courses should be addressed to:

Department of Engineering Technology
101 Williamson Hall
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
Phone: 318-357-6751
E-mail: et@nsula.edu

Biological and Physical Sciences

Northwestern State University invites high school students to enroll in PLTW Biomedical High School Courses in PLTW High Schools as a means for enriching their educational experiences and, at the same time, earn articulated college credits which may be applied toward a degree upon graduation from high school.
To be eligible for this program at Northwestern State University a student must:

  1. Successfully complete a PLTW administered end of course assessment in selected Biomedical courses with a value of “Accomplished” or “Distinguished”. If end of course assessments are cancelled due to extenuating circumstances, NSU will award credit based on the transcript grade of “C” or above.
  2. Complete an eligible PLTW Biomedical course as follows:
    • Principles of Biomedical Science (1 yr.) – Credit for SCI 1020 (3 credit hours)
    • Human Body Systems (1 yr.) – Credit for SCI 2020 (3 credit hours)
    • Medical Interventions (1 yr.) – Credit for SCI 2899 (3 credit hours) which could be used as a Biology elective
    • Biomedical Innovation (1 yr.) – Credit for SCI 2999 (3 credit hours) which could be used as a Biology elective
  3. Apply for this credit program during the year in which the student takes the PLTW administered end of course examination. Applications after this time period will be handled by the unit on a case by case basis. The application for credit can be found at the end of this document.
  4. Meet Northwestern State University admission requirements for the respective academic year they enter Northwestern State as an undergraduate student.

Awarding of credit for the above PLTW courses will be applied to a student’s transcript following their admission and enrollment in their first semester as an undergraduate, degree-seeking student at Northwestern State University.

Applications for credit and inquiries regarding credit for the Project Lead the Way Biomedical courses should be addressed to:

School of Biological and Physical Sciences
112 Bienvenu Hall
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
Phone: 318-357-5323
E-mail: bio_sci@nsula.edu

Computer Information Systems

Northwestern State University invites high school students to enroll in PLTW Computer Science High School Courses in PLTW High Schools as a means for enriching their educational experiences and, at the same time, earn articulated college credits which may be applied toward a degree upon graduation from high school.
To be eligible for this program at Northwestern State University a student must:

  1. Successfully complete a PLTW administered end of course assessment in selected Computer Science courses with a value of “Accomplished” or “Distinguished”. If end of course assessments are cancelled due to extenuating circumstances, NSU will award credit based on the transcript grade of “C” or above.
  2. Complete an eligible PLTW Computer Science course as follows:
    • Computer Science Principles – Credit for CIS 1015 (3 Credit Hours)
    • Computer Science Essentials – Credit for CIS 2799 (3 Credit Hours) which could be used as a CIS Elective
    • Computer Science A – Credit for CIS 2899 (3 Credit Hours) which could be used as a CIS Elective
    • Cybersecurity – Credit for CIS 2999 (3 Credit Hours) which could be used as a CIS Elective
  3. Apply for this credit program during the year in which the student takes the PLTW administered end of course examination. Applications after this time period will be handled by the unit on a case by case basis. The application for credit can be found at the end of this document.
  4. Meet Northwestern State University admission requirements for the respective academic year they enter Northwestern State as an undergraduate student.

Awarding of credit for the above PLTW courses will be applied to a student’s transcript following their admission and enrollment in their first semester as an undergraduate, degree-seeking student at Northwestern State University.

Applications for credit and inquiries regarding credit for the Project Lead the Way Computer Science courses should be addressed to:

School of Business – Computer Information Systems
114A Russell Hall
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
Phone: 318-357-5162
E-mail: cis@nsula.edu