That same year, the nation's first Masters of Science program in computer science was initiated - at UL Lafayette. The Ph.D. program in computer science was established in 1968, the first such program in Louisiana. For the next 16 years computer science grew as UL Lafayette's flagship program. Today, CACS enjoys a leading international reputation. Over the years, CACS has hosted a distinguished faculty, including three IEEE Fellows.
Several faculty are editors or associate editors of prestigious journals.
Annually, CACS faculty serve as general chairs or program chairs for national or international conferences. CACS annually averages more than 150 graduate students in its two graduate programs. Graduates are placed across the country, from California to North Carolina. Since its inception in 1984, the Center for Telecommunications Studies has received over one million dollars in scholarships, grants, and equipment from the telecommunications industry. More than sixty MS degrees in telecommunications have been awarded through the Center, and alumni are well placed in the telecommunications industry.