Lamar University Degree Programs
Lamar University appears in our ranking of the Top 20 Online Nursing Education Master’s Degrees.
Lamar University is in Beaumont, TX, and is part of the Texas University System. Since 2010, the university has experienced a 100% growth pattern that does not look to be slowing. With a student body of over 18,000, the school currently ranks as the fastest-growing school in the state of Texas and may soon move up in the ranks as new construction on campus and an expansion of its online capacity come to fruition.
The growth that Lamar University is currently experiencing is traced back to construction of Cardinal Village—a system of student housing with apartment-like features housing an additional 2500 students. Along with that upgrade in student body potential, Lamar University built a new recreational sports pavilion, a new highly regarded library, and a new dining hall to enhance the campus experience. During the same timetable, the university expanded its online capability, upgrading the virtual environment in which to instruct, providing additional courses and degrees, and consulting with computer experts outside the university to continually upgrade and provide state-of-the-art virtual technology.
With the growth in size, the university reorganized its interior structure into five schools to streamline the undergraduate experience. Those schools are:
- College of Engineering
- College of Education and Human Development
- College of Business
- College of Arts and Sciences
- College of Fine Arts and Communication
As an extra attraction for students, Lamar University added the Reaud Honors College, which provides a competitive environment for students who excel. The Reaud Honors College is only the ninth such department in the state of Texas and is a member of the National Collegiate Honors Council and the Great Plains Honor Council, both of which offer honor students a network of support including scholarships, advising, and access to classes outside the initial university. Membership in such organizations demands that the universities maintain a rigorous curriculum, share classroom opportunities via online access, and provide a highly rated faculty.
Those students seeking undergraduate degrees at Lamar University can focus on a single major field of study, explore a double major, or add on a minor area of education as well. Dual major programs generally are limited to majors that complement each other so that many of the core courses are common to both major fields of study. A minor can be in a completely different area.
There is a significant difference in the requirements for a major and minor degree. The completion of an undergraduate degree in a specific major like a Bachelor of Arts in American Sign Language requires a minimum of 120 semester credit hours. To add a Minor in Economics to the diploma requires that the student complete 18 semester credit hours specified by the Economics Department.
Lamar University offers graduate degrees and certifications in several fields. Though the administration of graduate degrees is focused in a separate school—the Graduate School—the courses are created and provided by the same staff as those for undergraduate work. Nearly a third of the current student body is engaged in graduate studies, a percentage that is growing with each year. Master-level courses require a minimum of 30 semester credit hours and a maximum of 36 credit hours, depending on the field of study. Out of the 63 graduate degrees offered at Lamar University, eight are doctoral, and 55 are master’s degrees. Twenty-nine of those graduate courses are offered entirely online, and another five are hybrid programs.
A Master of Engineering in Chemical Engineering degree requires 36 semester credit hours of study and is designed for those who do not wish to work on a thesis. A Master of Engineering Science in Chemical Engineering degree demands 30 semester credit hours of study with a thesis on a topic approved by the graduate board. These degrees are only available through on-campus participation as extended labs are necessary.
A Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, which prepares the graduate for leadership positions in education throughout the country, demands a heavy workload of 60 semester credit hours. The degree program is available entirely online, making the virtual classroom a collaborative experience for students attending from places around the globe.
About Lamar University
Lamar University sits in the northeastern reaches of Texas within 25 miles of Louisiana. The 292-acre campus houses over 15,000 students who attend classes in modern classrooms constructed with modern amenities but with a classic flair. The sub-tropic environment is a pleasant experience that enhances the education experience. The school competes in sports at the NCAA Division I level. The recent classification as a Doctoral Research University by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education sets Lamar University in a special class that only one other university in Texas enjoys.
Lamar University ranks 31st by the US News & World Report in the category of Best Online Graduate Justice Programs, and 35th in Best Online Education Programs. US News & World Report also ranks Lamar University as 47th in Best Online Bachelor Programs and 74th in Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs. Recent expansions of Lamar University’s online presence promises additional recognition to an already impressive reputation.
Lamar University Accreditation Details
Lamar University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award bachelor, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Also, many departments are accredited in specialized areas by accrediting organizations. Some of those organizations accrediting Lamar University degrees are:
- National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
- Association of Advance Collegiate Schools of Business Schools (AACSB)
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- American Council for Construction Education (ACCE)
- Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
- Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
- American Culinary Federation Education Foundation (ACF)
Lamar University Application Requirements
Applications to enter Lamar University are available online. Though students who graduate in the top 25% of their high school class do not need to meet a minimum SAT or ACT score, they must still take one of the tests and have the results delivered through the testing agency to Lamar University. Those students who graduate high school in the second quartile must reach an SAT score of 1040 or an ACT score of 20. High school graduates that rank lower than 50% of their class must reach a minimum score of 1080 on their SAT or 21 on an ACT. Applicants must also present their high school transcripts to the university. Those transcripts must reflect completion of these minimum courses.
- Four credits of English
- Three credits of mathematics
- Two credits of lab science
- Two and a half credits of social studies
- Two and a half credits in college preparatory electives
To apply to enter a graduate program, applicants must hold a minimum of a baccalaureate in a related field, and the completion of a pre-graduate-level application test which is competitive with other applicants are also required. References must be submitted, and a letter that analyses the advantages the graduate will gain through the degree earned. To find the needed test before applying for graduate school, seek the website of the department the degree is presented.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Lamar University’s tuition cost for Texas residents in 2020 runs at $5,046 when the student is taking a full load of courses at 12 semester credit hours. Students should also set aside another $506 or more for books and materials. For students staying on campus, the cost per semester runs at $11,572, which includes tuition, books and supplies, transportation. Room and board and personal expenses. For students from out of state, tuition raises to $11,315 while the other costs remain the same.
Lamar University aids students looking for financial help. Advisors and specialists work with students to find grants, need grants, and scholarships that cut the cost of education. These people are also specialists in the application process for Federal Student Loans.
The university encourages all high school graduates to apply for admittance. School records indicate that the university accepts over 73% of all applications. Lamar University is an opportunity waiting to happen for students seeking a quality education.