Students can Transfer Credits from SOWELA to Enter LSU Health New Orleans with as few as 60 Credit Hours Remaining

SOWELA Technical Community College and Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center – New Orleans (LSU Health) recently signed an articulation agreement between the two schools making it easier for students to transfer credits into the Bachelor of Science in Public Health program. 

“Since SOWELA is a comprehensive community college, the option of transfer is part of our mission. Each year we have between 400-500 students who complete a degree and then transfer their credits to a four-year college or university with the intent to earn a bachelor’s degree,” said SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall. “This agreement with the LSU Health Science Center provides our students with another option and opportunity to continue their education and earn a 4-year degree which will make them more valuable as an employee and increase their lifelong earning capacity.” 

Upon completion of one of several identified SOWELA program options, courses can be transferred and applied toward the Bachelor of Science in Public Health at LSU. Students will then complete as few as 60 additional credit hours of Public Health coursework at LSU Health to earn a bachelor’s degree. SOWELA programs eligible for this 2+2 agreement include the Associate of General Studies (AGS) – Biology, Criminal Justice, History, or Nursing Universal Transfer Pathway. 

“We are thrilled to establish this new partnership between the LSU School of Public Health Bachelor of Science in Public Health program and SOWELA Technical Community College” said Dean Edward Trapido, ScD. “This agreement creates an accessible pathway for students to continue their education and achieve their academic and career goals. Together, we’re expanding opportunities for SOWELA students interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree.” 

Jobs within public health can include Health Educator, Program Analyst, Program Coordinator, Community Service Professional, Clinical Trials Coordinator, Health Communications Coordinator, Research Associate, Industrial Hygiene Manager and Infection Surveillance Coordinator. 

“This transfer agreement gives me confidence knowing my work at SOWELA will directly count toward my bachelor’s degree,” said Jace Calvo, a SOWELA Nursing student. “It’s exciting to have options and flexibility in continuing my education and moving toward my career goals in healthcare.” 

Students at both institutions learn under credentialed faculty who meet accreditation requirements of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Amount of transfer credits is dependent upon transcript evaluation. 

For the eighth time in nine years, WalletHub ranked SOWELA as Louisiana’s #1 community college, recognizing its excellence in affordability, education outcomes and career readiness. 

SOWELA is currently registering for all programs for the Spring 2026 semester. Visit www.sowela.edu/apply to learn more or apply. Scholarships and financial aid are available for those who qualify. 

Explore the Online BS in Public Health  

Students who complete the 2+2 pathway and continue their studies through LSU Health New Orleans also have the option to pursue the Bachelor of Science in Public Health online, which offers even greater flexibility for those balancing work, family, or community commitments. The online format provides the same rigorous curriculum taught by experienced LSU Health faculty while giving learners the ability to complete coursework from wherever they live. For students seeking a streamlined, accessible way to enter or advance in the public health field, the online BS in Public Health creates a direct path toward meaningful careers that strengthen communities across Louisiana and beyond. 

About LSU Health New Orleans

LSU Health New Orleans educates Louisiana’s health care professionals. The state’s health sciences university leader, LSU Health New Orleans includes a School of Medicine with campuses in Baton Rouge and Lafayette, the state’s only School of Dentistry, Louisiana’s only public School of Public Health and Schools of Allied Health Professions, Nursing and Graduate Studies. LSU Health New Orleans faculty take care of patients in hospitals and clinics throughout the region. In the vanguard of biosciences research, the LSU Health New Orleans research enterprise generates jobs and enormous annual economic impact. LSU Health New Orleans faculty have made lifesaving discoveries and continue to work to prevent, advance treatment and cure disease. 

About SOWELA Technical Community College

SOWELA Technical Community College offers dynamic instruction and practical learning opportunities that prepare students to seamlessly transfer or to excel in today’s workforce. For more information, visit www.sowela.edu.