Lamar University

Diversity in Lamar University Degree Programs

Lamar University appears in our ranking of the 25 Best Bachelor’s in Engineering Online Degrees. Lamar University offers degree programs for:

• associate
• bachelor’s
• master’s
• doctoral

It also has certifications programs. There are more than 100 degree programs at the university. Some of the business programs are:

• Bachelor of Business Administration
• Bachelor of Business Education
• Bachelor of Business Entrepreneurship
• Bachelor of Business Administration-General
• Bachelor of Business Administration in Engineering

The university offers a large variety of undergraduate STEM programs. There are several science and technology bachelor’s degrees offered such as:

• Bachelor of Chemical Engineering
• Bachelor of Industrial Engineering
• Bachelor of Electrical Engineering

Lamar also offers teacher certification, bachelor’s degrees in graphic design, social work and other disciplines. Many of these are offered online. The school has a great variety of traditional graduate programs. As with the undergraduate programs, there is a large offering of STEM degrees including master’s degrees in:

• physics
• biology
• chemistry
• mathematics
• computer sciences and in other technical areas

There are several graduate-level engineering programs as well. There are graduate programs in psychology and education as well as 13 MBA program specialties. There are 37 degree programs available online from Lamar University, including six MBA degrees. Students can earn their R.N.-to- B.S.N. degree or even an R.N.-to- M.S.N online. Some of the other offerings include bachelor’s degrees in:

• general studies
• computer science
• sociology
• criminal justice and other disciplines

There are also graduate degree programs in counseling, education and more. Most bachelor’s degrees require 120 credit-hours for graduation including 48 hours of general education core classes and electives for specialization. Graduate degrees generally require 36 credit-hours, but that varies by department. Students in graduate programs without the necessary fundamental courses may be required to take additional “leveling” courses.

About Lamar University

Lamar University is in Beaumont, Texas. It’s named for the second President of The Republic of Texas. The university was founded in 1923 as South Park Junior College. In 1932 the school was renamed Lamar College. In 1951 it became the Lamar State College of Technology and started offering four-year degree programs. It was the first junior college in Texas to make the transition from a two-year to a four-year school. The university assumed its current title in 1971. Four colleges, offering more than 100 degree programs, are housed in the university:

• the College of Arts and Sciences
• the College of Business and Engineering
• the College of Education and Human Development
• the College of Fine Arts and Communication

Distance learning at Lamar includes the departments of:

• business
• criminal justice
• education
• nursing
• liberal arts and communication

The U.S. News and World Report ranks Lamar University in the Second Tier of National Universities. It also ranks it   it as one of the most ethnically and economically diverse universities in the nation. Its student body of 15,000 includes about 9,300 undergraduates. The student/faculty ratio is 15:1.

Lamar University Accreditation Details

The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC). Business programs are accredited by the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Nursing programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Teacher preparation degree programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education ( NCATE). The Accreditation Council for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredits these engineering bachelor’s programs:

• civil
• electrical
• industrial
• mechanical

The Bachelor of Computer Science degrees are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Engineering and Technology (ABET). The university is also recognized by the Center for Advances in Port Management (CAPM).

Lamar University Application Requirements

Students at Lamar University applying as freshmen should complete the application online at ApplyTexas. Students must arrange for their high schools to send official transcripts. These should show  class size and the student ranking. Students must also arrange for the university to receive transcripts for any college courses they have completed. In addition, the facility that administered the SAT or ACT test should send those official scores to the school.The school accepts only digital scores and not paper documents. The non-refundable application fee is $25. Students applying to the graduate school should also apply online through ApplyTexas. Requirements for admission vary by department. Students should submit official GRE or GMAT scores and transcripts of all undergraduate coursework along with the application fee. Other requisites may include:

• letters of recommendation
• resumes or CV
• personal statements

Graduate students should check the requirements for the program they intend to pursue.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Undergraduate tuition for Texas residents is $5,046 per semester. That amount includes mandatory fees. The estimated cost of books and supplies for one semester is $506. The estimated cost for room and board is $3,852. That means the estimated cost-of-attendance for undergraduates at Lamar University is $11,572 per semester. Graduate resident student tuition is $5,302 per semester. Online tuition is $248 per credit hour. There is a tuition lock plan at the school. It charges a slightly higher tuition but promises that there will be no increase in cost for the continuous degree program. Few students can afford to pay for their degree programs without financial aid. The first step in getting help is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Assistance. This government program uses financial data to award to eligible students:

• grants
• loans
• work-study opportunities

Texas awards several grants as well, including:

• the Texas Public Education Grant
• the TEACH Grant, The HB Grant
• the Texas Grant

The university offers the Lamar Promise Grant which pays full tuition and fees to the winners. It’s only available to students demonstrating exceptional financial hardship. The school also awards many merit scholarships including:

• the Academic Excellence Scholarship
• the Cardinal Elite Scholarship
• scholarships for which Honors College students are eligible.

Most opportunities are given to undergraduate students, but there are some departmental scholarships available to graduate students. In addition, departments offer graduate assistantships which can defray costs. Another type of financial aid is the student loan. These are loans that carry low interest, or no interest at all. They offer the option to defer repayment. Some are subsidized by the government, but graduate students are not eligible for federally subsidized loans. Many private individuals, service organizations and corporations fund scholarships for students with specific qualifications. A search of Internet scholarship portals can yield information on these. Most students at Lamar University will need to use several of these options to cover their student debts.

Related Resources:

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