University of New Orleans

Applications open for Innovation Academy

The University of New Orleans is now accepting applications to its new Innovation Academy.

Created to bring down entry barriers into specific industries, it teaches practical programs and provides paid apprenticeships. Taught by practitioner-instructors, the program lasts between six to eight weeks and teaches employable skills. A flexible learning experience, students are also given learning materials, activities, access to discussion forums and weekly online modules.

Chemistry department upgrades

The university's chemistry department has added another tool to its state-of-the-art facilities with a new Mass Spectrometer. Providing researchers with the ability to analyze and trace samples accurately, it's the only one in South-eastern America.

New master's degree

UNO is offering a new master's degree in cybersecurity and operations. Teaching modern cybersecurity, including a detailed look at its landscape, students learn practical skills across multiple areas. Course focuses include digital forensics, malware analysis, as well as network testing and defense. In a flexible learning program, applicants aren't required to have studied a relevant undergraduate qualification to be considered for a place, and students from other academic and work experiences are encouraged to apply.

New College of Sciences scholarship

The university's College of Sciences will be offering a new scholarship, The Sabrina D. Farmer Endowed Scholarship in Computer Science. The scholarship has been made possible by a generous donation of USD 250,000 by UNO alumnus (and Google's vice president) Sabrina Farmer. Her donation will also support academic and research programs within the department, as well as classroom and lab developments.

Top ranking

In 2020, UNO's online bachelor's in philosophy ranked on both the best online colleges list and the most affordable online college course.

One of Louisiana's best colleges (Princeton Review), UNO's specialist faculty provide world-class education across their departments. 80 percent of the teaching staff have got either a doctorate or a terminal degree in their specialization. Most teaching staff work full-time at the university or are still actively working in their field.

The university offers a range of qualifications, including undergraduate degrees, research-based programs, graduate programs, online degrees, certificates for credit and non-credit, as well as pre-professional qualifications.

The university also offers innovative programs that aren't available anywhere else. This includes its School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (one of only several in the nation), and its civil engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering programs, which aren't offered anywhere else in New Orleans.

The university has been ranked as one of the top 1,000 universities in the world and top 200 in America by the Center for World University Rankings. It is also only one of 100 institutes classified as a Doctoral University with Higher Research Activity by the prestigious Carnegie Foundation.

Around 17,000 students have studied on award-winning programs abroad that have been arranged by the university. UNO runs summer programs, academic years abroad and exchange programs across multiple locations including Europe, Central and South America, Asia, Africa, and Australia.

With a creative and supportive learning environment, as well as expert teaching and modern facilities, graduates of UNO are fully equipped with the necessary skills to succeed in a competitive job market.

UNO offers multiple undergraduate and graduate programs across nine schools and colleges:

College of Business Administration

Programs and research centers with state-of-the-art facilities, including computer labs, commercial kitchen, and demonstration lab. Programs include accounting, business management and healthcare management.

College of Engineering

This college covers the following areas in engineering: civil and environmental, electrical, mechanical, naval architecture and marine.

College of Liberal Arts, Education and Human Development

Teaches areas of arts, humanities, social sciences, teacher education, special education, educational leadership, counselling, and political science. Students conduct research, attend internships and gain work experience.

College of Sciences

Heavily led by faculty and separated into seven departments, students participate in research alongside teachers and industry professionals. Subjects include biological sciences, computer science, chemistry, and maths.

School of the Arts

Focuses on five arts disciplines: arts administration, film, music, theatre, and visual arts. Through traditional and innovative teaching, it encourages sharing of resources and training across disciplines.

Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism

The only university in Louisiana to offer this at a graduate level. Focusing on the foundations of hospitality, students take specialized classes, attend events, and go on work placements.

School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering

Students learn how to build ships and offshore structures. Facilities include a 40-meter towing tank for testing ship models, a marine engineering lab and a design lab.

Interdisciplinary Studies

Combines multiple disciplines and connects them. Students compare multiple subjects to broaden their knowledge and connections.

Graduate School

Research and professional graduate opportunities through a range of programs including certificates, masters, and doctoral programs.

Each department has specific entry requirements and its method of assessing eligibility.

International applicants

The university requires international applicants to submit country-specific supporting documents along with their application. International applicants need to provide the following as a minimum:

• Exam transcripts - Sent directly from the applicant's school, in the original language as well as an English translation. A U.S. equivalency evaluation certified by one of the NACES Evaluation Agencies must also be provided.
• 2.5 core GPA (calculated by the UNO admissions team)
• Either ACT 19 or SAT 510 in maths
• One of the following English Test Scores: ACT 18 / SAT 500 / TOEFL 70 / IELTS 6.0 / Duolingo 95.

If an applicant is now a permanent U.S. resident, but their secondary education was conducted outside America, they need to meet the same entry requirements as international students.

If applicants are non-native English speakers and require additional support, they can attend the university's Intensive English Language Program (IELP). Pending successful completion of this course, UNO's admissions team will conditionally admit applicants who attend the IELP.

Awarding over USD 40 million in scholarships every year, UNO provides an affordable education. It is ranked third in the nation for providing equal access to students on all income levels. (The Brookings Institution). It is also one of the national universities whose students graduate with the least amount of debt (U.S News & World Report).

Scholarship eligibility is determined by the admission's team from the applicant's university submission. This means that applicants don't need to send separate scholarship applications, and international students are considered for all full-time undergraduate scholarships.

While most scholarships are awarded based on academic achievements, other work experience and student achievements can be considered.

Applicants are also encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to potentially receive further financial assistance. A needs-based grant, eligibility is assessed on the applicant's FAFSA score.

UNO offers a range of high-quality facilities for students, for both academic and personal need.

Accommodation

International students are offered on-campus housing at UNO. Students need to apply for housing, and application forms and fees vary on the accommodation. All halls have entry card access, video surveillance and 24-hour security. On-campus housing options are:

Privateer place

Fully furnished two and four-bedroom apartments. A gated area with free parking, sociable areas include a community pool, clubhouse, BBQ pavilion and basketball court.

Pontchartrain halls

Offering one, two and four-bedroom furnished suites, students have their own bedroom. Communal rooms include study and social areas, game room, shop, laundry facilities and a community kitchen.

Lafitte village

Unfurnished apartments with one and two bedrooms. Allocated to graduates, or students who are married or with families.

Social

The Center provides social areas with comfortable sofas, as well as a Gallery Lounge for students looking for a quieter space. There is also a dining area, bookstore and the campus mailroom located here. Home to student organizations, the center regularly runs activities and events.

The Cove has multiple dining areas offering a range of cuisines, as well as its iconic Sandbar area which hosts live music.

Recreation and sports

UNO's Recreation and Fitness Center (RFC) boasts a variety of facilities for recreation and sport. Winner of several architectural awards, the center features cardio and weight areas, an indoor track, three full-size basketball courts, a 25-yard pool, saunas, and an outdoor deck.

Library

UNO students have access to a large collection of academic texts at the Earl K. Long Library. The library is also home to the Women's Center and has dedicated spaces for solo and group study, a meditation room, and a 3D printer.