McNeese Offers Students Pathways Into the LNG Industry

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is part of the economy along the Gulf Coast, especially in Southwest Louisiana, and McNeese State University has a vital plan to advance workforce readiness, safety and innovation across the LNG industry.  

Since 2022, McNeese students have had the opportunity to earn an undergraduate certificate in LNG business. The certificate is designed to address the growing expansion of the LNG industry and will prepare students for the business side of the industry.  

“The LNG business undergraduate certificate provides students with an opportunity to develop a foundational understanding of the LNG industry while gaining exposure to real-world business practices,” explains Morgan Turpin, dean of McNeese’s College of Business. “Through interdisciplinary coursework, experiential learning and engagement with industry professionals, the program helps students explore career pathways and better understand the role of LNG in the regional and global economy.”  

The certificate consists of six specialized courses and is a collaboration between the College of Business and McNeese’s Department of Engineering and Computer Science. The certificate also aligns with McNeese’s mission to serve the employers of the region by providing distinctive academic programs integrated with business and industry. Scholarships for this program are available to eligible students through the generous support of Woodside Energy.  

Recently, McNeese and GTI Energy formed a partnership to advance the LNG workforce by creating an industry-leading, post-baccalaureate certificate in LNG engineering that prepares new professionals, existing workforce members and future students for safe, effective and modern operations within the LNG industry.  

“This program will bridge academic learning with specialized technical and operational knowledge required in the LNG industry and related pipeline infrastructure,” explains Dr. Nikos Kiritsis, interim dean of the College of Engineering and Sciences. “Partnering with GTI Energy strengthens our ability to deliver industry-relevant training and expand access to high-quality LNG education with regional, national and international reach.”  

Designed to complement existing industry programs, the asynchronous, online certificate will offer specialized coursework covering LNG processing, pipeline and storage systems, regulatory and hazard management, supply chain operations, and environmental and permitting considerations.  

The post-baccalaureate certificate in LNG engineering is currently in the planning and development phase, with a targeted launch in the fall of 2026.  

The new McNeese LNG Center of Excellence will open on the McNeese campus this spring. The first floor of the 23,000 square-foot building includes the administration suite, the GTI Energy office, several training rooms and a spacious event/conference room. The second floor of the building is occupied by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) National Center of Excellence for LNG Safety and Recon Management Services.  

The LNG Center will serve as a neutral platform where education, industry, government and the community collaborate to engage in discussions, educational activities, research and the dissemination of LNG-related topics.