January 29, 2013

By: Jamie Gros

On January 29^th, 2013 Dr. Laynie Barrilleaux with Nicholls State University spoke to Rotary on the new updates of the university.  Dr. Barrilleaux has served as an active member of Thibodaux Rotary as well as its president.  She joined Nicholls as an instructor of management in 1981 and moved through the academic ranks to full professor in 1998.

During her tenure, she served as head of the department of management and marketing, liaison for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and assistant vice president for academic affairs. She has led Nicholls through successful reaffirmations of the university-wide regional accreditation and the NCAA recertification. Barrilleaux has been instrumental in securing various grants for the university and has publications in numerous journals.

Barrilleaux announce several updates on the university.  The new master’s program in Nursing is starting off very successful and the university has also launched a brand new user friendly website.  However, her main goal of the hour was to talk about Nicholls State University Online.  Online learning gives the student the ability to attend school and/or study virtually any place, anywhere, and at any time.

This program is geared towards a more specific student.  This is a student who has strong computer skills, time management skills. Can learn independently, but ultimately has conflicts with being on campus for classes and presentations.  Nicholls Online is a degree that is offered through Nicholls State in a complete online format. 

It is currently offering 7 degrees online in an 8 week condensed class session rather than the 16 week semesters.  The program is allows students to complete classes more quickly, focus on fewer classes and graduate sooner. However, with Nicholls Online the student is still paying for accredited programs, certified faculty and education with a personal touch. The student also has the ability the extend class up to six months in the event of time restraints.  Courses begin every January, March, June, August and October.

With Nicholls online the student has no additional university fees.  All undergrad courses are $250 per credit hour and all graduate courses are $350 per credit hour.

Nicholls Online currently offers these degrees:

• Bachelors of Arts in History
• Bachelors of Arts in English
• Bachelors of Arts in Sociology
• Bachelors of Science in General Studies
• Bachelors of Science in general Family and Consumer Science
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing ( for students who have encumbered RN licenses)
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
• Masters of Education in Educational Leadership

For those that are interested learning more about the Nicholls Online Program please visit www.nicholls.edu/nicholls-online/