Southern University and A&M College at Baton Rouge, began as an all-Black school in 1880 in New Orleans, with courses from the sixth grade through the first two years of college offered. In the years after, the university would move to Baton Rouge, where it would open its doors to all students while expanding its course offerings to traditional four-year college programs.

Now with six campuses and nine separate schools to its name, Southern University and A&M College offers a wide array of courses and degree programs to both undergrads and graduate students. In fact, as of 2007, this Louisiana college offers bachelor's degrees in 42 areas of study - and master's degrees in 19 - to more than 10,000 enrolled students.

In addition to typical university offerings such as a college of business and a school of nursing, Southern University also boasts the College of Arts and Humanities (where students may earn an Associate of Arts in Jazz with emphasis in Louisiana music), the College of Agricultural, Family, and Consumer Sciences (wherein students may work towards a bachelor's in Urban Forestry), and the Nelson Mandela School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs, which offers a bachelor's degree in Political Science.