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The admission criteria and policies for Lamar State College Port Arthur, including information on high school graduates, home school graduates, returning students, international students, and transfer students. The document also covers the college's open admissions policy, dual credit programs, early admissions for high school students, and the ability to benefit requirement for students without a high school diploma or GED. Additionally, the document discusses communication methods, TSI placement guidelines, and transfer guidelines.
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at Lamar University, Lamar State College-Orange and the Port Arthur Public Library.
Student Success Center
The Student Success Center (SSC) provides help for students needing assistance with study skills or remediation in the areas of math, English and reading. Computer-aided tutorial programs and teacher certified tutors are available to students. The Student Success Center houses a testing center and administers approved tests for TSI purposes and other diagnostic tests.
Small Business Development Center
The Small Business Development Center supports economic development in Port Arthur, Groves, Nederland and Port Neches by providing counseling, training and technical assistance to owners and managers of new and existing small businesses.
The center offers confidential consulting on a variety of topics, including business plan preparation, finance sources, marketing, personnel actions, taxes and regulations. The center’s library provides additional information about many business fields.
Since its inception, the SBDC has created 2,340 jobs, assisted in obtaining more than $81 million in loans/equity, helped start 307 new business, held 505 business training classes and assisted 3, clients.
The SBDC, 1401 Procter St., works in association with Lamar State College-Port Arthur, the University of Houston and the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Far sighted leaders formed the Port Arthur Higher Education Foundation as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 1973. Its purpose is to promote the arts, sciences and programs of Port Arthur College, which later became Lamar State College Port Arthur.
The Foundation’s early role included assisting the College in acquiring property surrounding the campus and in making special contributions, such as providing $125,000 to purchase books for the Gates Memorial Library after city voters donated the library to the College.
The Foundation’s current primary purpose is to administer more than five million dollars in permanently endowed scholarships for Lamar State College Port Arthur students. The awards bear the names of longtime community members, celebrities and local social and civic clubs, including Robert Rauschenberg, H.S. and Bernice B. Anderson, Lloyd and Joe Hayes, Sydalise Fredeman, G.W. Bailey and the Port Arthur Rotary Club.Lamar State College Port Arthur receives applications for the foundation’s scholarships, which may be awarded based on academic merit, financial need or both.
Lamar State College Port Arthur welcomes students interested in education and personal improvement. The Admission Office provides complete admissions assistance for entering students. Professionally trained personnel assist prospective students in assembling all admission credentials so that a transition into the college environment can be as smooth and problem free as possible. Correspondence pertaining to admissions should be addressed to the Admissions Office, Lamar State College Port Arthur, P.O. Box 310, Port Arthur, TX
Lamar State College Port Arthur, a two-year college in The Texas State University System, offers educational opportunities through an open admissions policy which admits students who can benefit from post-secondary education. Lamar State College Port Arthur admits students without regard to race, color, creed, gender, age, national origin or disabilities. Lamar State College Port Arthur does reserve the right to verify the citizenship and residency of any prospective student.
A student may be admitted to Lamar State College Port Arthur based on one of the following criteria:
All methods of admission listed above require completion of an Application for Admission. Applications can be found online at www.lamarpa.edu or at the Admission Office.
Admission to Lamar State College Port Arthur does not guarantee admission to specific courses or programs of study. Prerequisites and co-requisites are required for some courses.
Bacterial Meningitis
Effective January 1, 2012, students applying to
a bacterial meningitis vaccine.
A student who has been admitted to an institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education, must show evidence of receipt of an initial bacterial meningitis vaccination dose or booster during the five-year period preceding and at least ten (10) days prior to the first day of the first semester in which the student initially enrolls at an institution, or following a break in enrollment of at least one fall or spring semester at the same or another institution.
A student is not required to submit evidence of receiving the vaccination against bacterial meningitis if the student meets any of the following criteria:
the physician's opinion, the vaccination would be injurious to the health and well-being of the student; or
The Campus SaVE Act: Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act The Campus SaVE Act signifies a defining moment in our nation's handling of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking on college campuses. With the work of the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault, this issue has gained national attention signaling positive change and action to improve the lives of many thousands of students.
Effective with the Fall 2014 semester, the Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act addresses many of the secondary issues surrounding sexual assault. It defines what terms such as ‘sexual assault’ and ‘stalking’ mean within the bill, as well as outlines the rights that victims have when reporting crimes and seeking legal help. Educational programs focused on prevention and raising awareness on college campuses are also provided for within the bill.
The bill requires that every college and university nationwide to provide such training for all students, faculty and staff. Any questions regarding the requirements associated with the provisions of this Act may be addressed by contacting the Dean of Student Services and or the Human Resources Department.
Communication Lamar State College Port Arthur uses a student’s college email address for official communications with students. In some instances, telephone messages are broadcast to select student groups. Examples of information communicated to students include policy announcements, emergency notices, event notifications, financial aid information, schedule changes, course syllabi and requirements, correspondence between faculty and students, and other important information. Correspondence is
High School Graduate of Non-
Accredited High School Applicants who did not graduate from an accredited high school may be admitted if they 1) graduated in the upper two-thirds of their class, 2) score 700 or above on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and 3) have the recommended high school preparation credits, or by individual approval provided the admitting officer is convinced that the applicant’s record indicates ability to carry the College work assigned.
High School Completer
Students who do not have a high school diploma, have not passed the TAKS test nor received a GED or high school equivalent test may apply for admission to LSCPA through individual approval.
Admission by Examination Students may be admitted based upon a qualifying examination. The qualifying examinations include a
A student must submit an LSCPA Application for Admission and GED verification or verification of a state authorized examination.
Dual Credit Students
Lamar State College Port Arthur has agreements with several school districts to offer dual credit courses for high school students.
High school students attending LSCPA are subject to all requirements regarding assessment, admissions, academic standards, and conduct. Interested students should contact an advisor to learn more about dual credit and exemptions for qualifiying students.
Dual credit students must meet TSI Requirements. For academic courses, TAKS scores of 2200 in math and/or 2200 in English / Language Arts with a writing sub score of 3 or STAAR scores of 4000.
For workforce education or technical courses, TAKS scores of 2100 in math and/or 2100 in English / Language Arts with a writing sub score of 3 or STAAR scores of 4000. Parental permission and permission from the high school principal or designee is required.
To enroll in Dual Credit courses, students must apply to LSCPA, complete the Texas Residency Questionnaire, submit an official high school transcript, and a submit a copy of TAKS or STAAR scores.
Early Admissions High School
Student Lamar State College Port Arthur allows and encourages high school students to enroll in college courses in order to get a “head start” on their college careers. This is particularly true for students who are seeking admission into allied health programs soon after high school graduation and wish to satisfy the academic prerequisites for those programs. Early admissions also offers students the opportunity to enroll for courses that are not offered through dual credit programs at their high schools but will be required at the colleges or universities they plan to attend.
The courses would normally be taken in the summer after the 10 th^ and 11 th^ grades or during the 11 th^ and 12 th^ grade years. The courses can be taken on the college campus or online. Students will demonstrate college readiness in the subjects for which they wish to enroll, if college readiness is required.
Early admissions courses differ from dual credit in that they will not be counted for high school credit or toward high school graduation. Students who are interested in using these courses to satisfy high school requirements should contact their high schools counselors for information. Any use of earned LSCPA credit toward high school graduation is the decision of the high school and must be approved by the high school prior to enrollment in college courses.
Home School Graduates The State of Texas considers successful completion of a nontraditional secondary education to be equivalent to graduation from a public high school. Therefore, home school graduates that have completed a 'nontraditional secondary education' may register for classes at Lamar State College Port Arthur. Graduates must complete an application
Readmitting Former Students
Former LSCPA students or its predecessors who are not currently enrolled or who were not enrolled during the previous long semester, must submit a new application for admission.
Students with unsettled financial debts to any previous institutions or incomplete records will not be allowed to register until the problems are resolved.
International Students
International students are entitled to all student services and programs for which they are eligible according to law and definition. The College reserves the right to establish policies for selected groups of students if the policies are in the students’ and the institution’s best interest. Applicants will be carefully screened for academic excellence, English proficiency, adequate health, and financial self- sufficiency.
International students are encouraged and expected to participate in student activity and organizational programs so as to experience more fully the culture and lifestyles of southeast Texas. It is the student’s responsibility to integrate into the campus environment; however, the College provides an atmosphere conducive to acceptance of internationals and affords them every opportunity to succeed.
The College recognizes this responsibility by setting entrance and exit standards for its non-native English speakers that take into account the minimum language skills necessary for success in academic work as well as the minimum standards that a diploma from the College represents.
For international students to achieve their educational objectives, certain academic services are essential. The College provides facilities and staff to meet those needs. Moreover, the College recognizes that English language proficiency, and not citizenship or immigration status alone, is a key criterion in determining and meeting the needs of students for whom English is a second language.
Individual Approval
A person who is eighteen (18) years of age or older may be exempt from the admission requirements and admitted on "individual approval," provided the admitting officer is convinced that the applicant's record indicates ability to complete college level courses. Students admitted on this condition shall be
subject to the same policies and regulations as all other students.
Ability to Benefit Students entering Lamar State College Port Arthur without passing the General Educational Development Test (GED) or high school equivalent test, receiving a high school diploma, or a post- secondary degree must show the ability to benefit from the course of study they are pursuing.
These students must show the ability to benefit from the course of study they are pursuing by passing an independently administered test approved by the Secretary of the Department of Education before enrollment.
The College administers tests approved by the Department of Education to students who have been accepted for admission but have not yet enrolled in classes. The Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSI) is administered by the Student Success Center to determine placement in classes and the ability to benefit from programs offered by the College.
Classification of Students Students are classified as freshmen or sophomores. For the purpose of determining eligibility to hold certain offices and for other reasons, officially enrolled students are classified as follows:
Freshman: completed less than thirty (30) semester credit hours.
Sophomore: completed a minimum of thirty (30) semester credit hours with a minimum 2.0 GPA.
Early College High School The Early College High School is a partnership between Lamar State College Port Arthur and the Port Arthur Independent School District. Participants in this program are chosen by the school district. Students classified as high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors enrolling in college level courses as part of this program must meet the following requirements to be admitted for concurrent enrollment.
Allison Wright, Title IX Coordinator Business Office, Office 122 409-984- [email protected]
Title IX Training
Congress passed legislation that requires new students at all colleges and universities to complete training on sexual assault and violence prevention prior to attending classes. All new and transfer LSCPA students must complete the online Title IX/Clery Act Training Course before they register for class.
Each new and transfer applicant will receive a link to complete an online training course, ‘Think About It’, from Campus Clarity. Failure to complete the training course will prevent potential students from registering for class.
‘Think About It’ takes about two to two-and-a-half hours to complete. Students can work at their own pace from any computer. The online course allows the student to leave and return to the course at any time. When the student returs, the training will begin at the point you left. LSCPA will be notified when you have successfully completed the course and you can also print a Certificate of Completion.
Texas Success Initiative (TSI)
Assessment
On August 22, 2013, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board implemented new Texas Success Initiative (TSI) rules. The TSI Assessment is a comprehensive computerized adaptive testing system that helps place students into appropriate college credit courses or developmental courses. Placement and diagnostic exams are offered in mathematics, reading, and writing. Scores are available to students upon completion of the exam.
Students registered after the first day of class in the Fall 2013 Semester are required to take the TSI Assessment Exam to determine their college readiness before enrolling in a college credit bearing course. Prior to graduation with an Associate of Applied Science or Associate of Arts degree, students must complete TSI requirements. Individuals should consult the website at www.lamarpa.edu for the most current information on TSI Assessment, testing, placement and exemptions. An assessment test is required by Texas law to ensure that all graduates of Texas public colleges possess the
(^1) Title 19 TAC §4.
academic skills necessary to perform effectively in the workplace. Before testing, students are required to complete the TSI Pre-Assessment Activity, found on the LSCPA website.
Exemptions^1 According to Title 19 TAC §4.54, the following students shall be exempt from the requirements of the TSI, whereby exempt students shall not be required to provide any additional demonstration of college readiness and shall be allowed to enroll in any entry level freshman course.
a. Administered prior to March 5, 2016. Combined verbal and math score of 1070 with a minimum of 500 on both the verbal test and math test.
b. Administered on or after March 5, 2016. A minimum score of 480 on the Evidenced- Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) test shall be exempt for both reading and writing sections of the TSI Assessment.
c. Administered on or after March 5, 2016. A minimum score of 530 on the mathematics test shall be exempt for the mathematics section of the TSI Assessment.
d. There is no combined score for the SAT test administered on or after March 5, 2016.
completed college level coursework as determined by the receiving institution.
interventions. The waiver must be removed prior to the student attempting 15 credit hours of developmental ESOL coursework or attempting entry-level freshman coursework, whichever comes first, at which time the student would be administered the TSI Assessment. Funding limits as defined in Texas Education Code, §51.3062(l)(1) and (2) for developmental education still apply.
Any student who has been determined to be exempt in mathematics, reading, and/or writing shall not be required to enroll in developmental coursework and/or interventions in the corresponding area of exemption.
Placement Guidelines
The TSI Placement Guidelines below are effective for students who applied after August 21, 2013 for admission to Lamar State College Port Arthur.
Math Pathways (Effective Fall 2018 Semester)
Reading Pathway (Effective Fall 2018 Semester)
Writing Pathway (Effective Fall 2018 Semester)
Students will be notified of acceptance of transfer work. The period of evaluation may be completed prior to enrollment but may occur at the end of the first academic term in which the student is enrolled.
Transfer Guidelines
Lamar State College Port Arthur accepts transfer coursework from regionally accredited colleges and universities, non-regionally accredited colleges and universities, military educational training facilities, foreign educational institutions, and limited non- collegiate training facilities.
Educational Institutions” are used to determine the award of credit. The following guidelines may determine the extent of transfer courses, the impact of transfer coursework on grade point average, status at graduation (honors), and transcripted grades.
Veterans as Students Lamar State College Port Arthur holds a contract for educating veterans under the Vocational Rehabilitation Law, known as Public Law Number 16, and is an approved institution of higher education for veterans under Public Law Number 346 and Public Law Number 550.
Veterans who are interested in continuing their education should secure approval from the Office of Veterans’ Affairs. The LSCPA Financial Aid Office is available to assist veterans in obtaining their educational benefits. The office also provides advice on program and training opportunities, academic assistance, and advising.
Veterans that apply to LSCPA are not required to complete an Assessment test before enrolling in classes. However, they are strongly encouraged to take the TSI assessment to help determine the most
Academic Record Appeals Students that completed previous coursework at LSCPA and have a lapse in attendance may appeal to disregard previous coursework. Students may appeal to 1) disregard two successive semesters of coursework or 2) academic credits or grades that
were earned ten or more years prior to the semester in which enrollment is sought.
Previous Coursework
After an enrollment lapse of four or more years from Lamar State College Port Arthur, and after completing successfully (2.2 GPA) twenty four (24) semester credit hours of work at the College, a student may petition to disregard a maximum of two entire successive semesters of work taken previously at the College. The written petition must be filed with the Department Chair and follow regular channels to the appropriate Dean for a final decision.
Endorsements and/or recommendations shall be required at each academic level.
When approved by the registrar, disregarded work shall not count in determining the student’s grade point average for academic progress or for graduation; however, it shall remain on the transcript with an appropriate notation, and it shall be used in determining honors. Once a degree has been conferred, a student may not use the academic appeals procedure for any courses used to award the degree or calculate the cumulative grade point average.
Academic “Fresh Start”
Applicants seeking admission and who have academic credits or grades earned ten (10) or more years prior to the anticipated enrollment may elect to seek entry under the terms of Academic Fresh Start Policy, Texas Education Code §51.931.
Under the Academic Fresh Start Policy the applicant who is a Texas resident may petition Lamar State College Port Arthur to not consider, in the admission process, course credits or grades earned ten (10) years or prior.
Applicants seeking entry under this section 1) will not receive any credit for courses taken at all institutions of higher education ten (10) or more years prior to enrollment, 2) are subject to all standard admission and testing criteria applicable to persons seeking admission, 3) are subject to standard admission and TSI criteria, and 4) when deciding eligibility for financial aid, LSCPA must still count all prior course credits earned.
Applicants seeking admission under the ‘Academic Fresh Start’ policy must deliver a written request to the Admissions Office two (2) weeks prior to the semester the applicant plans to enroll.
Advanced Standing LSCPA students may earn college credit or advanced standing by successfully completing several testing programs. The testing programs include 1) Advanced Placement by the College Board, 2) ACT and SAT Scores, 3) Experiential Credit, 4) College Level Examination Program®, 5) Credit by Examination and, 6) Transfer of Military Credit.
Credit through any of the examinations listed in this section is awarded when the student has completed a semester at Lamar State College Port Arthur and has earned an amount of resident credit equal to the hours earned by examination.
Advanced Placement by the College Board Applicants who wish to receive credit for college level work completed in high school may do so by submitting their scores on the College Board’s Advanced Placement Examinations. Testing arrangement are made by high school counselors. Subject matter areas and the basis for granting credits for Advanced Placement courses are as follows:
Subject Area Required Score
Credit Granted
Biology 3 BIOL 1306, 1106, 1307 & 1107 Calculus AB 3 MATH 2312 & 2413, or MATH 1324 and 1325, or MATH 2312 & 2313 Calculus BC 3 Math 2312, 2413, & 2414 Chemistry 3 CHEM 1311 & 1111 Chemistry 4 CHEM 1305, 1105, 1307 & 1107 Chemistry 5 CHEM 1311, 1111, 1312, & 1112 Economics- Macro
3 ECON 2301
Economics-Micro 3 ECON 2302 English 3 ENGL 1301 English 4 ENGL 1301 & 1302 Foreign Language
3 6 hours of foreign language Foreign Literature
4 12 hours of foreign language Government 3 GOVT 2305 or 2306 History (U.S.) 3 HIST 1301 or 1302 Music Theory 3 MUSI 1301
Experiential Credit
Professional certification/licenses may entitle a student to receive up to twenty four (24) semester credit hours of coursework. Interested students should consult the program coordinator/director and/or the department chair for additional information.
Students seeking Associate Degree in Surgical Technology who are currently certified through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) may be awarded credit for certain Surgical Technology courses. A student wishing to receive credit must submit an application to the Allied Health Department after completing 18 semester credit hours of college level work at Lamar State College Port Arthur that applies to the AAS degree in Surgical Technology.
If granted, credit will be awarded for SRGT 1301, SRGT 1405, SRGT 1409 and SRGT 1360. The student must be in good standing and TSI complete at the time the credit is posted to the transcript.
College Level Examination
Program® The College Level Examination Program ®^ (CLEP) gives students the opportunity to receive college credit for prior knowledge by earning qualifying scores on select examinations. Credit will not be awarded by examination to students who have prior credit for the same course or its equivalent. Grades will not be assigned, nor will hours be used in the computation of grade point average.
Credit is awarded for most CLEP subject examinations. A list of subjects for which credit can be awarded and required minimum scores is available from the Admission and Records Office or the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Credit will not be awarded for the CLEP General Examinations.
Credit by Examination Students enrolled at LSCPA may earn college credit by examination. Eligible students must: 1) be officially enrolled in a course at LSCPA, 2) have the approval of the department chair, Dean of Technical Programs, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs, 3) complete the Credit by Examination Form, 4) pay the necessary testing fee, and 5) successfully complete a comprehensive examination that includes the learning outcomes for the course.
Students are not eligible if they are enrolled in the course they want to earn credit by examination. Credit by Examination is intended for students who have completed formal or informal training in topics presented at the rigor of a college level curriculum. Credit is awarded to students that pass an advanced standing examination with a ‘C’ or better.
Students must apply to earn credit by examination. Application includes the approval of the department chair responsible for the course, Dean of Technical Programs, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Credit by Examination form is available at departmental offices. A fee of $25 per semester credit hour is assessed for each advanced placement examination. Fees are paid at the Cashier's Office located in the Business Office.
Transfer of Military Credit Lamar State College Port Arthur follows, with limitation, the recommendations of theAmerican Council on Education as published in theGuide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Forces in granting credit for military service schools. For consideration of credit for military service schools, applicants may submit the following records to the Admission and Records Office: