Southern University at New Orleans

What is the history of Southern University at New Orleans?

Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) is a public historically Black university founded in 1956 as part of the Southern University System. It opened for instruction in 1959, expanding public higher-education access in New Orleans during the era of segregation.

What began as a branch campus developed into a university offering undergraduate and graduate programs. Hurricane Katrina severely disrupted SUNO in 2005, damaging campus facilities and forcing changes to instruction and operations. The university subsequently rebuilt on its New Orleans campus. That history helps explain both its identity as a historically Black institution and its continuing ties to the city it serves.

What are the faculties and departments at Southern University at New Orleans?

SUNO offers undergraduate and graduate study across the liberal arts, sciences, business, education, public service, and health-related fields. Prospective students should choose by specific program and credential rather than assume every field is available at every degree level.

Fields represented in the university's academic offerings include biology, mathematics, English, psychology, business administration, criminal justice, social work, public administration, education, information science, and health-related studies. Students considering a profession with licensing requirements - such as nursing, teaching, or social work - should check the current catalog for the degree sequence, admission requirements, clinical or field placements, and the program's approval or accreditation status. Those requirements can differ substantially from general university admission.

What is the location of Southern University at New Orleans?

SUNO is in New Orleans, Louisiana, in an urban setting near the city's Lakefront area. Its location can make commuting, public transportation, and access to placements with local employers or community organizations relevant parts of a student's planning.

The campus is not in the French Quarter or downtown New Orleans. Students planning to commute should compare their likely travel route with class schedules, parking arrangements, and the availability of evening transportation. First-year students are permitted to register or park a car on campus. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport serves the region, though routine travel to campus is more likely to depend on local roads and transit.

What is the mission and vision of Southern University at New Orleans?

SUNO describes its purpose as providing accessible higher education, particularly for students and communities historically underserved by higher education. As a public historically Black university, it also emphasizes teaching, scholarship, and service connected to New Orleans and the wider region.

Its stated priorities include preparing students for professional work and civic participation while accommodating varied educational paths. That mission is relevant to first-time applicants, transfer students, and adults returning to school, but it should be read as the university's stated purpose - not as proof that any particular student outcome is assured.