Undergraduate Admissions

Undergraduate Admissions

1. Admission

Applicants for admission to Lamar University are required to meet the academic requirements outlined in this catalog or other applicable publications of the university. The Welcome Center provides complete admissions counseling for entering students. Professionally trained personnel are available to assist prospective students throughout the admissions process. Initial inquiries to the university may be made through https://www.lamar.edu/admissions, by calling (409) 880-8888 or by writing to:

Lamar University
P.O. Box 10009
Beaumont, Texas 77710.

State of Texas Uniform Admission Policy

Texas Education Code (TEC) 51.803-51.809 (State of Texas Uniform Admission Policy) requires that all students meet one of the following college readiness standards in order to be eligible to be considered for admission at a Texas Four-Year Public Institution:

  • Successfully complete the recommended or advanced/distinguished high school program or complete the portion of the program that was available to them; or
  • Successfully complete a curriculum that is equivalent in content and rigor to the recommended or advanced/distinguished high school program at a high school that is exempt from offering such programs; or
  • Satisfy the College Readiness Benchmarks on the SAT or ACT assessment.
    SAT – 1500 out of 2400 (Verbal + Math + Writing)
    ACT – 18 English, 21 Reading, 22 Mathematics and 24 Science

Exemptions from the Policy. To claim an exemption from the policy, students must submit one of the two Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board exemption forms completed by the high school counselor or another school official in addition to all other required credentials for admission by the January 15th closing date. The forms can be printed and submitted via the instructions on either form:

  1. Form 1 – For Students who did not complete IPC prior to 2010-2011
  2. Form 2 – For Students who completed IPC prior to 2010-2011
  3. Form 3 - For students graduating under the Foundation High School Program in 2014-2015 or later

1. Beginning Freshmen

A beginning freshman student should submit all of the following documentation:

  1. Complete the undergraduate application at www.applytexas.org
  2. Submit the official high school transcript. Note: Upon graduation, a final high school transcript that includes the date of graduation and graduation plan must be provided.
  3. Submit dual credit transcripts (optional).

Admission Review

  1. Class Rank:  Students in the upper 50% of their graduating class are admissible to LU.
  2. Academic Transcript Review: Students in the lower 50% of their graduating class, students attending schools that do not rank, and homeschool students will have their transcripts reviewed and assessed for admission.
  3. Dual Credit Completion: Students who have completed 18 college credit hours at the time of their application,  and have a 2.0 cumulative college GPA, are automatically admitted. This includes students attending early college high schools.

Secondary Review

Students not admissible through the criteria above will be notified by the Office of Admissions of their secondary review options and may choose from either opportunity below.

  1. Freshman Appeal
  2. Submission of ACT/SAT scores
High School Rank New SAT ACT
Top 50% No minimum required No minimum required
Unranked/Homeschool 1040 20
3rd/4th Quartile 1080 21

Exceptions

The Director of Admissions may admit recipients of bona fide scholarships designated by the president.

2. When to Apply

Applicants are encouraged to apply and submit all documentation as early as possible. Final application deadlines are typically several weeks prior to the beginning of each semester. For deadline information specific to the semester that you plan to attend, please visit https://www.lamar.edu/admissions/.

3. Acceptance Notices

Acceptance notices are issued to the email address listed on the ApplyTexas Application shortly after the required admission credentials are received. Questions about acceptance may be directed to the Office of Admissions (409) 880-8888 or https://www.lamar.edu/admissions. Lamar University has no enrollment quota. Applicants may check their admission status at www.lamar.edu/admissions-status

4. On-Campus Living Requirement for Freshmen

The Board of Regents has established a freshman residency policy that states: "All undergraduate, full-time students (those enrolled in 12 or more semester credit hours) with fewer than 24 earned semester credit hours are required to reside in a University-operated residence hall." Exemptions may be granted for those who

  1. reside within 60 miles of campus with a parent, guardian, or another adult relative;
  2. are 21 years of age by the first class day;
  3. enroll only in evening classes;
  4. are married or have dependent children;
  5. have a medical exemption signed by a doctor; or
  6. have earned 24 or more credit hours.

Official documentation verifying exemptions to this policy may be required by the University Housing Office. Questions concerning this policy should be directed to the Cardinal Village Housing Office.

5. Residency Status

A student's state of residency is determined prior to first enrollment in accordance with rules and regulations established by the Texas State Legislature and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Detailed information on residency is available at the State website http://www.collegeforalltexans.com or by contacting the Lamar University Admissions Office.

6. New Student Orientation

New student orientation (NSO) is held during the summer months and is designed to acquaint the new students and their families with campus facilities and services.

Students will complete course registration as a process of NSO but also have the opportunity to meet with their advisor prior to NSO if they prefer. Students may pay tuition and fees at their NSO session. Advance reservations for the summer orientation sessions are required. Details of the program, including dates, cost, and registration, are available on the Lamar University website and are provided to new students after acceptance to the university.

Additional information about NSO can be found at www.lamar.edu/orientation.

7. Undergraduate Advising Center

Freshmen and sophomores with fewer than 60 credit hours and all pre-nursing students are advised in the Undergraduate Advising Center (UAC). All other students will meet with advisors within their academic majors. The UAC supports the mission of Lamar University to engage and empower students by providing comprehensive advising that is proactive and personalized. Through the advising process, students develop the skills and knowledge necessary to explore and progress towards their academic and life goals. The advising relationship is a partnership and advisors work with students to match their interests with opportunities at Lamar and help them integrate their academic and career plans. The UAC's professional advisors proactively assess and respond to student needs and meet with students throughout each semester to formulate the appropriate plan for student success toward degree completion. UAC advisors help students navigate and connect with the university community through their role as liaisons for major departments and support services.

Additional information about advising can be found at www.lamar.edu/advising.

8. Credit by Examination

Lamar University students may qualify for college credit and/or advanced standing through optional testing programs. Transient/visiting students are not eligible to earn credits through credit by examination. Students may qualify for credit through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), the Advanced Placement Examinations (AP) or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program. Scores must be official and will only be accepted when sent officially from CLEP, AP, or IB sources.

Except for satisfying the course work in residence and the state-mandated American History and American Government requirements, credit earned by examination is equivalent to credit earned by taking the course and may be used to satisfy bachelor's degree requirements as defined in the catalog under "Degree Requirements." CLEP/AP test and score requirements are subject to change without notice. Please note that no more than 30 semester credit hours may be applied toward a bachelor's degree.

1. College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Lamar University accepts many of the CLEP subject exams for credit. Lamar University has a policy of accepting up to a maximum of thirty (30) hours of credit through a combination of national standardized examinations and/or locally designed and administered departmental tests. No more than thirty (30) hours of credit by examination will be applied toward a bachelor’s degree. The essay sections of the English composition and literature examinations are required, and the final determination for the awarding of equivalent English credit is based on a combination of the written essays and the exam score. 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 averages. Policies are subject to change at any time.

CLEP Credit-Granting Standards

Composition and Literature
CLEP Exam Credit-granting score Credit Hours Equivalent course(s)
American Literature 50 + essay 3 ENGL 2326
Analyzing and Interpreting Literature 50 + essay 3 ENGL 1302
College Composition Modular 50 + essay 3 ENGL 1301
English Literature 50 + essay 3 ENGL 23221
1

Note: Students will select the course for which they wish to receive credit.

Note: To receive CLEP credit for composition and literature classes, students must achieve the established credit-granting score of 50 (or higher), AND complete the optional essays. All examinees will have six months to complete the essay portion once they have passed the multiple-choice section. If the examinee has not completed the essay portion within this time period, the examinee will have to retake the multiple-choice section of the test. Essays are graded by the Lamar University CLEP Committee. The final determination for awarding of equivalent credit is based solely upon the strength of the written essays. The Lamar University CLEP Committee will score the essays within two to four weeks and send results to the Career and Testing Center. The examinee will receive score results within three to five weeks from the time of exam completion.

Business
CLEP Exam Credit-granting score Credit Hours Equivalent course(s)
Financial Accounting 55 6 ACCT 2301 & ACCT 2302
Information Systems 50 3 COSC 13711
Introductory Business Law 50 3 BULW 3310
Principles of Management 50 3 MGMT 3310
Principles of Marketing 50 3 MKTG 3310
1

Note: A student, after passing the Information Systems CLEP Exam, must demonstrate proficiency on a program or package usage test in the Computer Science Department before they may receive credit for COSC 1371 Microcomputers. The Computer Science Department will score the exam within 48 hours and send the results to the Career and Testing Center. The examinee will receive score results within 7 business days of completing the exam.

History and Social Sciences
CLEP Exam Credit-granting score Credit Hours Equivalent course(s)
American Government 50 3 POLS 2302
History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877 50 3 HIST 1301
History of the United States II: 1865 to Present 50 3 HIST 1302
Human Growth and Development 50 3 PSYC 2315
Introduction to Educational Psychology 50 3 PEDG 3320
Introductory Psychology 50 3 PSYC 2301
Introductory Sociology 50 3 SOCI 1301
Principles of Macroeconomics 50 3 ECON 2302
Principles of Microeconomics 50 3 ECON 2301
Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648 50 3 HIST 2321
Western Civilization II: 1648 to Present 50 3 HIST 2322
Science and Mathematics
CLEP Exam Credit-granting score Credit Hours Equivalent course(s)
Biology 50 6 General Biology1
Calculus 50 3 MATH 2413
Chemistry 50 6 CHEM 1311, CHEM 1312
College Algebra 50 3 MATH 1314
Pre-Calculus 50 3 MATH 2312
1

Note: may not fulfill core lab science requirement.

World Languages
CLEP Exam Credit-granting score Credit Hours Equivalent course(s)
French Language (Levels 1 & 2) 50 3 FREN 1311
63 6 FREN 1311 & FREN 1312
75 9 FREN 1311, FREN 1312 & FREN 2311
Spanish 50 6 SPAN 1311 & SPAN 1312
63 9 SPAN 1311, SPAN 1312, SPAN 2311
65 12 SPAN 1311, SPAN 1312, SPAN 2311 & SPAN 2312
Spanish With Writing 50 6 SPAN 1311, SPAN 1312
65 12 SPAN 1311, SPAN 1312, SPAN 2311, SPAN 2312
1

Will not meet core communication requirements for foreign language.

2. Advanced Placement Examinations

Applicants who wish to receive credit for college-level work completed in high school may do so by submitting scores from the College Entrance Examination Board´s Advanced Placement Examinations. Examinations are given each May by high schools. Arrangements are made through high school counselors. Subject matter areas and the basis for granting credits are listed as follows:

AP Exam Required Score Number of Credits Equivalent Course(s)
AP Art History 3 3 ARTS 1303
AP Art, Studio Art: 2-D Design 3 3 ARTS 1311
AP Art, Studio Art: Drawing 3 3 ARTS 1316
AP Biology 3 8 BIOL 1406, BIOL 1407
AP Calculus AB test 3 3 MATH 2413
AP Calculus BC test 3 10 MATH 2312, MATH 2413 and MATH 2414
AP Chemistry 3 4 CHEM 1111 and CHEM 1311
AP Chinese Language and Culture 3 3 3 hours of foreign language
4 6 6 hours of foreign language
5 9 9 hours of foreign language
AP Comparative Government and Politics 3 3 3 hours of non-advanced elective
AP Computer Science A 3 3 COSC 1336
AP English Language and Composition 3 3 ENGL 1301
AP English Literature and Composition 3 3 ENGL 1302
AP Environmental Science 3 3 BIOL 2306
AP French Language and Culture 3 3 FREN 1311
4 6 FREN 1311 & FREN 1312
5 9 FREN 1311, FREN 1312 & FREN 2311
AP German Language and Culture 3 3 GERM 1311
4 6 GERM 1311 & GERM 1312
5 9 GERM 1311, GERM 1312 & GERM 2311
AP Italian Language and Culture 3 3 3 hours of foreign language
4 6 6 hours of foreign language
5 9 9 hours of foreign language
AP Japanese Language and Culture 3 3 3 hours of foreign language
4 6 6 hours of foreign language
5 9 9 hours of foreign language
AP Latin 3 3 3 hours of foreign language
4 6 6 hours of foreign language
5 9 9 hours of foreign language
AP Macroeconomics 3 3 ECON 2301
AP Microeconomics 4 3 ECON 2302
AP Music Theory 3 3 MUTY 1211 & MUTY 1116
AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism 3 4 PHYS 2426
AP Physics C: Mechanics 3 4 PHYS 2425
AP Psychology 3 3 PSYC 2301
AP Spanish Language and Culture 3 6 SPAN 1311 & SPAN 1312
4 9 SPAN 1311, SPAN 1312, & SPAN 2311
5 12 SPAN 1311, SPAN 1312, SPAN 2311, & SPAN 2312
AP Spanish Literature and Culture 3 9 SPAN 1311, SPAN 1312, & SPAN 2311
4 12 SPAN 1311, SPAN 1312, SPAN 2311, & SPAN 2312
5 15 SPAN 1311, SPAN 1312, SPAN 2311, SPAN 2312, & SPAN 3310
AP Statistics 3 3 MATH 1342
AP United States Government and Politics 3 3 POLS 2302
AP United States History 3 6 HIST 1301 & HIST 1302
AP World History 3 3 HIST 2322

3. Advanced Standing Examinations

Advanced Standing Examinations (ASE) for undergraduate courses are intended only for those students who have learned the equivalent, in formal or informal training, of the academic content being presented in the undergraduate course in question. To secure approval for such an examination, a student must obtain the written permission of the department chair and dean of the college in which the course is taught prior to the end of late registration in any long semester or the summer term. A fee of $50 per semester credit hour - which may be changed without notice upon request by the chair and approval of the dean and provost - must be paid in advance of the examination to the Cashier's Office. Application forms are available in the office of each department chair and dean, and a copy is posted on the Academic Affairs website. Advanced Standing Examinations will not be approved for skill courses or graduate courses, and each college and/or department will maintain and post on its website a list of courses (if any) approved for completion through Advanced Standing Examinations. A student may not use the university's  Grade Replacement Policy on an Advanced Standing Examination to improve a course grade. The grade a student earns on an Advanced Standing Examination is awarded for the course (A-F) and will appear on the academic transcript with a notation indicating credit by Advanced Standing Examination. Credit earned through an Advanced Standing Examination is equivalent to credit earned by taking the course, and may be used to satisfy bachelor's degree requirements as defined in the catalog under "Degree Requirements".

The process for gaining approval to take an Advanced Standing Examination in a particular undergraduate course and for completing the examination and receiving a grade is as follows:

  1. The student schedules an appointment with the chair of the department in which the course is offered to request credit by the Advanced Standing Examination.
  2. The chair informs the student of the existence of CLEP examinations, if appropriate, and the differences between those and the ASE.
  3. The student must convince the chair that he/she has the potential to complete successfully an ASE, based upon prior studying/learning, whether formal or informal (documented, if possible). If that is the case, the chair signs the ASE Request Form's tentative approval line (top portion of request form), ensures that the information appearing above his/her signature is complete and accurate, and gives it to the student.
  4. If the chair is convinced that the administration of an ASE is appropriate, he/she then seeks a faculty member who is willing to: (a) meet no more than twice with the student to discuss the specific content that the ASE will cover as well as inform the student of the textbook(s) currently used in the course; (b) develop a comprehensive final examination for the course (i.e., the ASE); (c) administer, monitor, and grade the examination; and (d) submit the appropriate course grade (A-F) to the Office of the Registrar in 109 Wimberly Building.
  5. In the event that the chair finds a faculty member willing to do the above, the chair contacts and meets again with the student, signs the final approval line of the second section of the ASE Request Form, ensure that the information appearing above the faculty member's signature line is complete and accurate, and returns it to the student.
  6. The student must obtain the signature of the faculty member (normally at the meeting described in item 4 above) and the dean, and then takes the signed document to a Teller at the window on the first floor of the Wimberly Building, where he/she pays the fee and obtains a receipt. (Note: the student retains the form and attaches the receipt to it)
  7. The student returns to the faculty member and provides him/her with the form and receipt indicating that the fee has been paid, which is the impetus for the creation of the ASE by the faculty member and the establishment of a date and time for the administration of the ASE.
  8. The faculty member administers, monitors and grades the ASE submits the grade via memorandum to the Records Office and informs the student (in writing) of the grade awarded.
  9. This concludes the process, though a grade can be appealed through the normal Grade Appeal Process.

Online Students

The process for gaining approval for students taking all of their LU courses online is as follows:

  1. The student schedules a meeting via telephone or e-mail with the chair of the department in which the course is offered to request credit by the Advanced Standing Examination (ASE). The meeting may be conducted via telephone, video conferencing, or e-mail.
  2. The chair informs the student of the existence of CLEP examinations, if appropriate, and the difference between these and the ASE.
  3. The student must convince the chair that he/she has the potential to complete successfully an ASE, based upon prior study/learning, whether formal or informal (documented, if possible). If that is the case, the student provides, via e-mail or fax, the Advanced Standing Examination Request Form with the first four lines completed. The chair signs the ASE tentative approval line in the top portion of the request form ensures that the information appearing above his/her signature is complete and accurate, and e-mails or faxes it to the student.
  4. The chair then seeks a faculty member who is willing to: (a) meet no more than twice via telephone, video conferencing or e-mail with the student to discuss the specific content that the ASE will cover as well as inform the student of the textbook(s) currently used in the course; (b) develop a comprehensive final examination for the course (i.e., the ASE): (c) administer, monitor, and grade the examination; and (d) submit the appropriate course grade (A-F) to the Office of the Registrar in 109 Wimberly Building.
  5. In the event that the chair finds a faculty member willing to do the above, the chair signs the final approval line of the second section of the ASE Request Form and ensures that the information appearing above the faculty member's signature line is complete and accurate. The chair obtains the signature of the faculty member and the dean, and then sends the form via fax or e-mail to the student, informing him/her that the ASE has been approved and the fee should be paid.
  6. The student then contacts Cashiering, pays the fee, and obtains a receipt via either fax or e-mail (see the information relative to contacting Cashiering in the introductory section above).
  7. The student meets electronically or by phone with the faculty member after providing him/her with the form and receipt indicating that the fee has been paid, which is the impetus for the creation of the ASE by the faculty member and the establishment of a date and time for the administration of the ASE.
  8. The faculty member administers, monitors and grades the ASE submits the grade via memorandum to the Records Office and informs the student (in writing) of the grade awarded. (Note: If the exam is proctored remotely, the student will have to pay an additional fee, determined by the length of the examination, directly to ProctorU. The faculty member will provide the student with instructions as to how to do this.)
  9. This concludes the process, though the grade can be appealed through the normal Grade Appeal Process.

4. International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program

Lamar University recognizes the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program. Students who receive an IB diploma and receive scores of "4" or above on Higher Level (HL) or Standard Level (SL) examinations will be awarded a minimum of 24 semester credit hours (See table). Students who have not received an IB diploma may be granted credit on an individual course-by-course basis as determined by the participating academic departments. A copy of the official IB transcript must be submitted to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to receive transfer credit. All applicable Texas statutes and Lamar University policies must be complied with and are still in effect for course transferability.

International Baccalaureate Program

Examination Credit-Granting Score Credit Granted Equiv. Course
Group 1-Language
English HL 6 hours ENGL 1301, ENGL 1302
SL 3 hours ENGL 1301
Extended Essay A or B 3 hours ENGL 1302
Group 2-Second Language
Spanish HL 12 hours SPAN 1311, SPAN 1312, SPAN 2311, SPAN 2312
SL 6 hours SPAN 1311, SPAN 1312
French HL 12 hours FREN 1311, FREN 1312, FREN 2311, FREN 2312
SL 6 hours FREN 1311, FREN 1312
German HL 12 hours GERM 1311, GERM 1312, GERM 2311, GERM 2312
SL 6 hours GERM 1311, GERM 1312
Group 3-Individuals and Societies
History Europe HL or SL 3 hours HIST 3322
History Americas HL 6 hours HIST 1301, HIST 1302
SL 3 hours HIST 1301
Economics HL 6 hours ECON 2301, ECON 2302
SL 3 hours ECON 2301
Psychology HL or SL 3 hours PSYC 2301
Anthropology HL or SL 3 hours ANTH 2351
Group 4-Experimental Science
Chemistry HL 8 hours CHEM 1411, CHEM 1412
SL 4 hours CHEM 1411
Biology HL 8 hours BIOL 1406, BIOL 1407
SL 4 hours BIOL 1406
Physics HL 8 hours PHYS 1401, PHYS 1402
SL 4 hours PHYS 1401
Group 5-Math and Computer Science
Mathematics HL 4 hours MATH 2413
Math Studies SL 3 hours MATH 1325
Further Math SL 3 hours MATH 1316
Computer Science HL 6 hours COSC 1336, COSC 1337
SL 3 hours COSC 1336
Group 6-Arts
Visual Arts A HL or SL 3 hours THEA 1310
Visual Arts B HL or SL 3 hours Fine Arts 1301
Music HL or SL 3 hours MUSI 1306

9. Admission Requirements for College Transfers

Students who have attended another regionally accredited college or university will be considered for admission to Lamar University under the requirements listed below. Former students of Lamar University, who attend another university, will also have to meet the following transfer admission requirements:

  1. Submit a transfer application for admission at http://www.applytexas.org/.
  2. Submit official transcripts from each college previously attended. This requirement applies regardless of the length of time in attendance and regardless of whether credit was earned or is desired. Students will not be allowed to register until all official college transcripts are on file. Failure to disclose previous college attendance is justification for revocation of acceptance and dismissal from Lamar University.
  3. Have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale for all work attempted, and be eligible to re-enter all colleges and universities previously attended.
  4. Students transferring fewer than 18 semester credit hours must submit an official high school transcript and also meet the above freshman admission criteria.

10. Application Fee

A non-refundable undergraduate application fee of $25.00 is charged to all new undergraduate, first-time-in-college applicants and transfer students. Returning and readmitted students will not be assessed this fee. Concurrently enrolled high school students will not be assessed this fee but will be subject to it upon application as a first-time-in-college students after high school graduation.

Application fee waivers will be granted based upon receipt of The College Board, ACT, or NACAC college application fee waiver requests. Additional needs-based fee waivers may be granted on a case-by-case basis. Contact Admissions for more information.

11. Transfer Credit Evaluation

Credit earned at other regionally accredited institutions will be considered for credit at Lamar University under the following policies:

  1. All courses, whether passed, failed or repeated, are used in calculating a transfer grade point average. The transfer grade point average is used solely to determine admission status and is not incorporated into the Lamar University grade point average. Note: Transfer work will not be used in determining honors graduation status.
  2. "D" grades are transferable, but some Lamar University departments may refuse to count them toward a degree.
  3. No lower-division (1000 or 2000 level) college credits will be considered for transfer as upper-division (3000 or 4000) credits. Credits earned toward a baccalaureate degree at a two-year institution granted state authority to award such will be exempted from this policy. Students transferring under this exception must provide a transcript verifying their matriculation in an approved baccalaureate degree program.
  4. Acceptance of transfer credit equivalencies to the university does not constitute acceptance to a particular degree program.
  5. Transfer students will be informed of the amount of credit that will transfer no later than the end of the first academic term in which they are enrolled.
  6. Lamar University utilizes the semester credit hour (SCH) system. institutions not using this system will be converted to SCH prior to transfer evaluation. Course credits awarded are not to exceed the number of SCH earned from the transferring institution.
  7. Transient/visiting students will not be evaluated for transfer credit.

Technical Credit

Any Bachelor’s degree may accept Technical Credit toward the degree requirements.  The technical courses within the certificate or degree program must be from a regionally accredited institution. No more than 42 technical credit hours can be applied to a degree.

The following conditions must be met:

  • Students must have satisfactorily completed the courses (with at least a grade of C in all courses or demonstrated satisfactory performance)
  • Students may not apply for credit for the same technical skills through the narrative course process.
  • Technical credit may not be substituted for upper-division courses.

Transfer of Military Credit

Credit may be granted for military experience. Credit will be evaluated based on the evaluation recommendations outlined in the American Council on Education (ACE) Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services manual. Students must submit one of the following documents:

For veteran service members: Form DD214 or Form DD256, providing honorable discharge, as well as their military transcript (SMART for Navy, Marine Corps; Coast Guard Institute for Coast Guard; AARTS for Army; and CCAF for Air Force).

For active duty service members: Current military ID or other documents proving active duty status, and their military transcript (SMART for Navy, Marine Corps; Coast Guard Institute for Coast Guard; AARTS for Army; and CCAF for Air Force).

12. Academic Fresh Start

Applicants seeking transfer admission or readmission, and who have academic credits or grades that were earned ten or more years prior to the semester in which enrollment is sought, may elect to seek entry under the terms of Academic Fresh Start. Under this policy, the applicant must be a Texas Resident and may petition Lamar University not to consider in the admission process and in the calculation of GPA, course credits or grades earned 10 years or prior. Applicants seeking entry under this section will not receive any credit for any courses taken 10 or more years prior to enrollment. Applicants applying under Academic Fresh Start are subject to all standard admission and testing criteria applicable to persons seeking admission. Application for Academic Fresh Start can be found here and must be submitted to the Office of Admissions for review.

13. Resolution of Transfer Disputes for Lower-division Courses

The following procedures shall be followed in the resolution of credit transfer disputes involving lower-division courses:

  1. If Lamar University does not accept course credit earned by a student at another institution of higher education, the university shall give written notice to the student and to the sending institution that transfer of the course credit is denied. The university shall also provide written notice of the reasons for denying credit for a particular course or set of courses at the request of the sending institution.
  2. A student who receives notice as specified in item (1) of this section may dispute the denial of credit by contacting a designated official at either the sending or the receiving institution.
  3. The two institutions and the student shall attempt to resolve the transfer of the course credit in accordance with The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board rules and guidelines.
  4. If the transfer dispute is not resolved to the satisfaction of the student or the sending institution within 45 days after the date the student received written notice of denial, the institution that denies the course credit for transfer shall notify the Texas Commissioner of Higher Education of its denial and the reasons for the denial.

The Commissioner of Higher Education or the commissioner´s designee shall make the final determination about a dispute concerning the transfer of course credit and give written notice of the determination to the relevant student and institutions.

14. Readmission for Former Students

Students who have not returned within one full academic year from their last enrollment term, must reapply to Lamar University and meet readmission criteria. Students returning less than one full academic year from the last enrollment term may return to Lamar University without needing to reapply for admission and should contact their academic advisor. 

15. Transient (visiting student) Admissions

Transient (Visiting) students are undergraduate students who plan to attend Lamar University temporarily without the intention of earning a degree.

Students must submit a transient application online at www.applytexas.org and will need to reapply to register for each intended semester.

Official academic transcripts of previous college work are not required for admissions, however, they may be required to determine TSI determination and academic prerequisite fulfillment.

Transient students must comply with the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) (https://www.lamar.edu/admissions/tsi/taking-the-tsi-assessment.html), which requires all students to demonstrate their readiness for college-level courses prior to enrollment. If official academic transcripts do not indicate TSI status, students must provide scores on a TSI-approved placement test or evidence of exemption.

Students who later apply for regular admissions to Lamar University must meet all entrance requirements for transfer students.

16. International Undergraduate Admission

Regular Admission is offered to students who meet all university, departmental, and language proficiency admission requirements.

International Undergraduate Admission Requirements

Undergraduate Freshman: If you are an international student who has never been enrolled at a post-secondary college or university, you must submit all required documents and show evidence of a cumulative 2.5-grade point average on all secondary school work.

Undergraduate Transfer from US Institutions: An international student who is currently enrolled at an accredited US college or university, and wishes to transfer to Lamar University must meet one of the following criteria:

0-17 Credit hours: Must provide evidence of a 2.5 cumulative grade point average (CPGA) on all post-secondary school work. Must provide proof of English Language Proficiency via TOEFL or IELTS testing which must meet Lamar’s English Proficiency standards.

18-48 Credit hours: Must provide evidence of a 2.5 CGPA and proof of English Language Proficiency. English Proficiency requirement may be waived with proof of completion of Comp I and Comp II with a grade of “B” or better on a 4.0-grade scale; or completion of 48 credit hours with a 2.5 CPGA.

Over 48 Credit hours: 2.0 CGPA and English Proficiency requirements are waived.

Undergraduate Transfer from non-US institutions: An international student transferring from a non-US Institution must meet one of the following criteria:

0-48 Credit hours: Must provide evidence of a 2.5 CGPA on all post-secondary school work. Must provide proof of English Language Proficiency via TOEFL or IELTS testing which must meet Lamar’s English Proficiency standards.

Over 48 Credit hours: 2.0 CGPA. Must provide proof of English Language Proficiency via TOEFL or IELTS testing which must meet Lamar’s English Proficiency standards.

How to Apply

Please use your name as it appears on your passport on your application and on all other communication with Lamar University

  1. Submit Application. All international applicants should submit online applications through the Apply Texas system. International Freshman applicants should submit the International Freshman Application. International Transfer applicants should submit the International Transfer Application.
  2. Submit Official Evaluation of Transcripts. International Undergraduate applicants must have an official report of course-by-course evaluated transcripts of all secondary and post-secondary work sent to Lamar University directly by the evaluating agency. Lamar University does not provide an internal evaluation service, and you do not need to send official transcripts to our office.  These agencies may deliver your evaluation by email at LUAdmTran@Lamar.edu, or to the mailing address listed below.
    Lamar University
    International Undergraduate Admissions
    P.O. Box 10009
    Beaumont, TX 77710
  3. Submit Admission Test Scores (Optional). International Freshman and International Transfer applicants who have taken the SAT and/or ACT, should have those scores issued to Lamar University directly by the testing agency.
  4. Provide Proof of English Language Proficiency. International applicants, both undergraduate and graduate, must provide proof of English language proficiency through scores on the TOEFL or IELTS.

English Proficiency Requirements

Test Regular Admission
TOEFL Internet-Based Total 71
TOEFL Computer-Based Total 197
TOEFL Paper-Based Total 527
IELTS Total 6.0
Duolingo 95


Admission Status

After application materials have been received, the Office of Admissions will send the applicant an e-mail with a student identification number and a notice of any missing materials. This ID number, along with the applicant's birth date, can be used to Check Admission Status online.

English Waiver Criteria

English requirements will be waived for students who:

  • Are from an English waiver country
  • Have completed 48 credits of secondary/post-secondary school from an English waiver country
  • Have completed 48 credits of secondary/post-secondary school, taught in English
  • Have completed a level 112 of Intensive English at a U.S. institution
  • Have completed English Composition I and II, or the equivalent, from an accredited US institution with a grade of "B" or better on a 4.0 scale

Admissions Questions

If you have questions regarding your admission, please contact International Undergraduate Admissions at internationaladmissions@lamar.edu.

After Acceptance

Upon receiving a letter of acceptance, students must submit the following documents to internationaladmissions@lamar.edu for I-20 issuing:

  • Copy of your passport
  • Financial statement

Students attending Texas public institutions of higher education must be in compliance with the Texas Success Initiative (TSI).  Unless exempt, students must take the TSI Assessment to determine their readiness for college-level work before being advised and registering for classes. Exemptions from TSI testing include qualifying SAT, ACT, or TAKS scores. To verify exemption or testing requirements, please contact the Office of Admissions at (409) 880-7217 or tsi@lamar.edu. Contact Career and Professional Development to register for the TSI Assessment.

Before attending on-campus classes, students who are under age 22 must either receive a vaccination against bacterial meningitis or meet specific criteria for declining a vaccination. Get more information on complying with this requirement pursuant to Texas Senate Bill 1107.

Mailing Documents

Official documents can be sent to the appropriate address below:

Lamar University
Undergraduate Admissions
PO Box 10009
Beaumont, TX 77710

By Courier
Lamar University
Office of Admissions
211 Redbird Lane
Beaumont, TX 77710

Acceptance Notices

Acceptance notices are issued to the email address listed on the ApplyTexas Application shortly after the required admission credentials are received.

Application Deadlines

Applicants should submit materials as soon as possible to allow time for visa interview appointments at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, which may have wait times of days or weeks.

Fall (August) Priority Deadline: April 15, Final Deadline: July 1

Spring (January) Priority Deadline: Sept. 1, Final Deadline: Dec 1

Summer (June) Priority Deadline: Jan. 15, Final Deadline: April 15

Application Fee

A non-refundable undergraduate application fee of $75.00 is charged to all new undergraduate, first-time-in-college applicants and transfer students, returning and readmitted.

17. Early Admission Programs

Lamar University offers many opportunities for qualified students who wish to attend college while still in high school. The credit earned can be applied to degree programs at Lamar or transferred to other colleges and universities in accordance with the transfer policies of the degree-granting institution. In some instances, students may simultaneously receive credit for both high school and college courses.

Dual Credit – Dual Credit - Through dual credit courses, students earn college credit while also satisfying high school graduation requirements. Credit earned can be applied to degree programs at Lamar or transferred to other colleges and universities in accordance with the transfer policies of the degree-granting institution. Assignment of dual high school credit is the responsibility of the high school and the student. Students seeking dual credit for earned college hours must contact their high school for specific high school requirements.

Program Types

LEAP (Lamar Early Access Program) - These courses are taught by high school teachers on the high school campus. The teacher must hold a Master’s degree in the discipline of the dual credit course(s) being taught or a Master’s degree with 18 graduate hours in the discipline of the course(s) being taught. Instructors of LEAP courses are paid by the high school/district at which they teach, but since their course will result in university credit for students, they must also complete a Lamar University hiring packet.

LIS (Lamar Instructors in Schools) - Per high school or district request and pending availability of instructors, Lamar will send faculty to high school campuses to teach dual credit courses.

Online Dual Credit Courses - Online courses are taught by Lamar University faculty. High school students enrolled in online dual credit courses should be provided with access to computers during the school day/week in a computer lab or setting that is supervised by a high school teacher or staff member.

Texas Academy of Leadership in the Humanities (TALH) (Dual Credit) – The Texas Academy of Leadership in the Humanities (TALH) is an early college entrance residential honors program created by the Texas Legislature that allows academically qualified high school-aged students in the state to earn university credits towards a college degree. Students are considered full-time university students. Students live on campus and enroll in a full-time university curriculum. Graduates of TALH are awarded a diploma from the Academy. The typical TALH graduate will earn 60 hours of college credit after two years of study. Required for admission are academic transcripts from the 8th grade to date, a minimum SAT composite score (550 on the critical reading and 500 on the math portions), an autobiographical essay, and at least two recommendations from teachers/administrators familiar with the student´s abilities and character. The successful candidate will have a superior academic record and SAT score and supporting application materials evidencing the personal integrity, sense of responsibility, and level of maturity requisite for success in the program. Tuition and fees are fully subsidized 15 credit hours. Applicants are strongly urged to submit their applications for the fall semester by March 31. Additional information is available by contacting the program director at (409) 839-2995.

Dual Credit Admission Requirements:

Applicants for early admissions programs must meet the following criteria:

  1. Complete an application for admission at www.applytexas.org
  2. Submit high school counselor approval to the Lamar University Dual Credit Coordinator
  3. Submit official high school transcript
  4. submit SAT, PSAT, ACT or PLAN scores

and

Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Compliance.

Students must meet one of the following:

  1. Be exempt from TSI. Test scores that exempt a student from THEA are SAT Composite Score—1070 (with a minimum of 500 Verbal and 500 Math) ACT Composite Score—23 (with minimum of 19 Verbal and 19 Math) TAKS—2200 Math; 2200 English; Writing 3 or higher; STAAR EOC Level-II Final Scale score in Algebra II or English III.
    or
  2. Meet Lamar University standards on an appropriate TSI placement test as described at https://www.lamar.edu/center-for-college-readiness/.

Prior to being enrolled, achieve TSI scores listed below: The selection of courses is determined on the basis of the student´s high school background, the recommendation of the high school counselor, and the assessment of the Lamar University academic advisor. These classes generate college credit. Any use of these credits toward high school graduation is at the discretion of the high school and must be approved by the high school prior to enrollment at Lamar.

Course Number Course Title Offical TSI Score Required
Communication 1315 Public Speaking I 351 Reading and 363/5 Writing
Economics 2302 Principles of Economics II 351 Reading and 363/5 Writing
English 1301 Composition I 351Reading and 363/5 Writing
English 1302 Composition II 351 Reading and 363/5 Writing
English 2320 British Literature 351 Reading and 363/5 Writing
English 2326 American Literature 351 Reading and 363/5 Writing
English 2331 World Literature 351 Reading and 363/5 Writing
History 1301 US History I 351 Reading
History 1302 US History II 351 Reading
Math 1314 College Algebra 350 Math
Math 2413 Calculus I 350 Math
Political Science 2301 American Government I 351 Reading

18. Required Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Testing

Texas law (the Texas Success Initiative–TSI) mandates that all Texas public institutions of higher education shall assess the academic skills of each entering undergraduate student to determine the student´s readiness to enroll in entry-level freshman academic coursework with or without a foundational co-requisite course. To identify and provide diagnostic information about the reading, writing, and mathematics skills of each student, the Lamar University Testing Center administers the College Board Texas Success Initiative Assessment. This assessment is widely available elsewhere in the state, and students may test at any convenient testing center as allowed by that local canter. For more information, contact Lamar University's Career and Professional Development Center at (409) 880-8878 or through our website at https://www.lamar.edu/career-and-testing-services/index.html.

All undergraduate Students admitted to Lamar University who do not meet a TSI exemption must take the state-required TSI assessment. LU must receive scores from the TSI assessment before students can be advised and registered for course work.

Exemptions/Exceptions: Students shall be exempt from the TSI Assessment, shall not be required to provide any additional demonstration of college readiness, and shall be allowed to enroll in any entry-level freshman course under the following conditions:

  1. For a period of five (5) years from the date of testing, a student who is tested and performs at or above the following standards:
    1. ACT Prior to February 15, 2023: Composite score of 23 with a minimum of 19 on the English test and/or the Mathematics test shall be exempt for those corresponding sections;
    2. ACT on or After February 15, 2023: Mathematics score of at least 22 and/or English and Reading combined score of at least 40 shall be exempt for those corresponding sections;
    3. SAT-Scholastic Assessment Test administered on or after March 5, 2016: a minimum score of 480 on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) test shall be exempt for both reading and writing sections of the TSI Assessment; a minimum score of 530 on the mathematics test shall be exempt for the mathematics section of the TSI Assessment. There is no combined or total score.
    4. STAAR end-of-course (EOC) with a minimum Level 2 score of 4000 on the English III EOC shall be exempt from the TSI Assessment for both reading and writing and a minimum Level 2 score of 4000 on the Algebra II EOC shall be exempt from the TSI Assessment required under this title for the mathematics section.
  2. A student who has graduated with an associate or baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
  3. A student who transfers to a Texas public institution from a private or independent institution of higher education or an accredited out-of-state institution of higher education and who has satisfactorily completed college-level coursework of at least six (6) equivalent credit hours (3 algebra, 3 designated reading/writing-intensive courses) with a grade of "C" or better.
  4. A student who has previously attended any Texas public institution and has been determined to have met readiness standards by that institution as indicated on the student´s official transcript from the sending institution. For students meeting non-Algebra intensive readiness standards in mathematics, institutions may choose to require additional preparatory coursework/interventions for Algebra intensive courses. It is the institution’s responsibility to ensure that students are clearly informed of the consequences of successful completion of a mathematics pathways model that results in meeting the mathematics college readiness standards only for specific entry-level freshman mathematics courses.
  5. A student who is serving on active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States, the Texas National Guard, or as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States and has been serving for at least three years preceding enrollment.
  6. A student who on or after August 1, 1990, was honorably discharged, retired or released from active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States or the Texas National Guard or service as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States.

Waivers

  1. A student who is serving on active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States, the Texas National Guard, or as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States and has been serving for at least three years preceding enrollment.
  2. Lamar University provides waivers to non-degree-seeking or non-certificate-seeking students.

Minimum Passing Standards.

19. Advisement and Plan for Academic Success

For each student who is not exempted from Texas Success Initiative (TSI) or who fails to meet college-level thresholds on the TSI Assessment, Lamar University's Undergraduate Advising Center's personnel will:

  • Advise students regarding necessary courses to ensure successful performance of freshman-level academic coursework.
    • Determine a plan, working with the student, for academic success, which shall include foundational coursework and may include provisions for enrollment in appropriate non-foundational coursework. Each plan for academic success shall:
      • Utilize a holistic approach to identify the best coursework path for each student.
        • Academic advisors will use scores on the TSI Assessment in conjunction with high school performance and coursework, prior college coursework, non-cognitive factors, family-life issues, and discussion with the student to determine the best course placement.
      • Be designed on an individual basis to provide the best opportunity for each student to succeed in performing freshman-level academic coursework.
      • Provide the student a description of any foundational co-requisite coursework considered necessary to ensure the student is supported in their freshman-level academic courses.

For more information about the Texas Success Initiative or course placement, please contact the Undergraduate Advising Center at (409) 880-8822.

20. Admissions Appeals

Prospective undergraduate students who receive an admissions review or a rejection letter from Lamar University are eligible to appeal their admissions decisions by following the appeals process.