Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge is a historically Black university offering comprehensive academic programs designed to foster excellence in education, research, and public service. The campus provides a diverse array of undergraduate and graduate courses across multiple colleges, emphasizing hands-on learning and career preparation.
In the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences, students explore courses in animal sciences, including livestock management and veterinary pre-med tracks; plant and soil sciences covering crop production, soil fertility, and sustainable agriculture practices; and family and consumer sciences focusing on nutrition, dietetics, and family resource management. These programs equip students with practical skills for addressing food security and environmental challenges.
The College of Business offers rigorous training in accounting, finance, marketing, and management. Courses include financial accounting principles, corporate finance, consumer behavior, and strategic management, preparing graduates for leadership roles in global business environments. Entrepreneurship programs highlight business plan development and startup strategies.
Engineering programs in the College of Engineering stand out with civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering majors. Students engage in courses on structural design, circuit analysis, thermodynamics, and robotics. The curriculum integrates labs and capstone projects for real-world application, supported by accreditation from ABET.
The College of Education prepares future educators through courses in curriculum development, instructional technology, and special education. Programs cover elementary, secondary, and higher education teaching methods, with emphasis on diverse learner needs and classroom management.
Nursing and Allied Health in the College of Nursing and Allied Health features BSN and MSN tracks with courses in anatomy, pharmacology, community health nursing, and advanced practice nursing. Hands-on clinical rotations ensure proficiency in patient care and health promotion.
The College of Sciences offers biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics programs. Biology courses include genetics, microbiology, and ecology; chemistry covers organic synthesis and analytical methods; physics explores quantum mechanics and astrophysics; mathematics includes calculus, statistics, and applied modeling.
Additionally, the College of Humanities and Behavioral and Social Sciences provides liberal arts education through English, history, criminal justice, and psychology. English courses focus on literature analysis and creative writing; history examines African American studies and world civilizations; criminal justice covers law enforcement, corrections, and juvenile justice; psychology includes abnormal psychology and social behavior research.
Graduate programs extend these offerings with advanced research in engineering, business, education, and sciences, often culminating in theses or dissertations. The campus also supports interdisciplinary studies, such as environmental engineering and public administration, promoting innovation and societal impact. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, students receive personalized guidance to achieve academic and professional success. Overall, the curriculum at Southern University Baton Rouge blends theoretical knowledge with practical experience, empowering graduates to lead in their fields while contributing to community development and equity.
The Southern University Law Center, located adjacent to the main campus in Baton Rouge, is a prestigious institution within the Southern University System, offering a Juris Doctor (J.D.) program and advanced legal studies. As one of the nation's leading historically Black law schools, it focuses on preparing diverse students for legal practice through rigorous, practical, and socially conscious education. The curriculum emphasizes civil rights, public interest law, and equitable justice, while covering foundational and specialized legal fields.
The core J.D. program spans three years and includes first-year courses in civil procedure, contracts, criminal law, property, torts, legal writing, and research. These foundational classes build analytical skills and introduce students to the American legal system, with a strong emphasis on case briefing, statutory interpretation, and oral advocacy through moot court simulations.
Second- and third-year courses allow specialization. Civil rights law is a hallmark, with classes on discrimination, voting rights, and affirmative action, drawing from the center's legacy in advancing racial justice. Criminal justice courses include advanced criminal procedure, white-collar crime, and juvenile justice, addressing systemic inequalities in the legal system.
Environmental and energy law programs are prominent, given Louisiana's unique legal landscape. Courses cover natural resources law, toxic torts, oil and gas regulation, and climate change litigation, often incorporating fieldwork and policy analysis.
Public interest and clinical education are integral, with externships at legal aid clinics, district attorneys' offices, and federal courts. The Criminal Justice Clinic allows students to represent clients under supervision, gaining real-world experience in plea bargaining and sentencing. The Mediation Clinic teaches alternative dispute resolution techniques for civil conflicts.
Advanced programs include the LL.M. in Comparative Law for international students and dual degrees like J.D./M.B.A. with the business college. Bar preparation courses focus on multistate bar exam subjects, essay writing, and performance tests. The center also offers continuing legal education seminars on emerging issues like cybersecurity law and data privacy.
Faculty expertise in areas like housing law, elder law, and sports law enriches electives. Students engage in research through the law review and centers for civil rights and economic justice. The program promotes leadership, with alumni excelling in judiciary roles, corporate counsel, and public service. By integrating theory with practice, the Law Center cultivates attorneys committed to justice, diversity, and community empowerment, ensuring graduates are well-equipped for the evolving legal profession.
