Prior to her legislative tenure, Bruce was a teacher of home economics in the public school system for nine years and a home economist with [[Louisiana State University]] Agricultural Center-Research and Extension Service for twenty-three years. In 1956, Bruce graduated with a bachelor's degree in home economics education from Northwestern State University in [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches]], In 1964, she received a master's degree in Child Development and Family Relations from NSU. She also did post-graduate work at LSU.<ref name=hde>{{cite web|url=https://traditions.nsula.edu/the-hall-of-distinguished-educators.html |title=The Hall of Distinguished Educators: Beverly Gourdon Bruce|publisher=Traditions.nsula.edu|accessdate=February 25, 2018}}</ref> | Prior to her legislative tenure, Bruce was a teacher of home economics in the public school system for nine years and a home economist with [[Louisiana State University]] Agricultural Center-Research and Extension Service for twenty-three years. In 1956, Bruce graduated with a bachelor's degree in home economics education from Northwestern State University in [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches]], In 1964, she received a master's degree in Child Development and Family Relations from NSU. She also did post-graduate work at LSU.<ref name=hde>{{cite web|url=https://traditions.nsula.edu/the-hall-of-distinguished-educators.html |title=The Hall of Distinguished Educators: Beverly Gourdon Bruce|publisher=Traditions.nsula.edu|accessdate=February 25, 2018}}</ref> |