Lamar University Degree Programs
This school appears in our ranking Top 30 Most Affordable Master’s in Nursing Education Degrees Online.
Divided into six colleges with 90 percent job placement, Lamar University is an SACS-accredited Texas State flagship conferring 79 bachelor’s degrees. For instance, the Fashion Retail Merchandising follows a hybrid 120-credit sequence of courses from E-Marketing to Textiles with an American Academy in France semester. Entirely online, the 120-credit Computer Science BS partners with the Microsoft Developers Network Alliance for high-tech programming practice. In the Mary Morgan Moore Department, the Music Composition BM tailors a 128-credit, on-campus curriculum for recording sound on Digidesign ProTools systems. Directed by Dr. Robert Worley, the Criminal Justice BA accelerates a four-year online path with Police Training Academy credits for average law enforcement pay of $40,910. Other LU opportunities include the Advertising BBA, Chemical Engineering BS, American Sign Language BA, Fitness Management BS, Industrial Technology BS, Nutrition BS, English BA, and Bachelor of General Studies.
Ranked America’s 263rd best by Washington Monthly, the LU College of Graduate Studies has 52 master’s offerings available in 15-week campus or faster eight-week online terms. Fulfilling PPM certification, the Port Management MBA spans 16 months with a 36-credit, AACSB-accredited online curriculum tailored for marine operations. The Digital Learning and Leading MEd produces Microsoft Certified Educators after a 36-credit Web program starting bimonthly for eTuition of $705. Coordinated by Dr. Rebecca Weinbaum, the Clinical Mental Health Counseling MEd offers 60-credit online LPC preparation with two Beaumont or Dallas residencies and three 180-hour practicum placements. Starting Spring 2019, the Management Information Systems MS will provide a 30-credit, STEM-designated track to data analysis jobs at Exxon Mobil, DuPont, Texaco, AT&T, Baker Hughes, and more. Additional Lamar University options are the Environmental Engineering MS, Marketing MBA, Applied Psychology MS, Biology MS, Nursing Education MSN, Spanish Teaching MA, Mathematics MS, and Speech-Language Pathology MS.
Admitted to the Carnegie Project on Education Doctorates in 2017, Lamar University awards seven doctoral majors to master’s grads with minimum 3.0 GPA and 300 GRE marks. The Educational Leadership EdD logs into Blackboard for a 60-credit, CAEP-accredited dissertation track of school administration training with TExES Exam eligibility. Reporting median $93,010 pay, the 61-credit Electrical Engineering DE trains advanced industrial researchers in hybrid Phillip M. Drayer Department courses with 92 percent completion. Ranked 213th by the U.S. News & World Report, the Doctor of Audiology boasts a 2:1 student-mentor ratio during 99 speech pathology credits and 12-month supervised externships like Christus Southeast. Chaired by Dr. Diane Clark, the 60-credit Deaf Studies and Education EdD spans eight part-time semesters of weekend classes starting Fridays at 6 PM to unlock university teacher-trainer jobs. Post-master’s students might also pursue the LU Superintendent Education, Educational Diagnostician, Leadership, Enterprise Resource Planning, and Construction Project Management Certificates.
About Lamar University
Located in Beaumont, Texas, between Houston and Louisiana, Lamar University is one of the seven schools that make up the Texas University System. While it has been in existence since 1923, the school has undergone many changes since its beginnings as a junior college. Becoming a four-year institution in 1951, the school was known then as Lamar State College of Technology and focused on the disciplines of science and engineering. Today, though, the university offers more than 100 degrees in a variety of fields including over 40 online programs with a total enrollment of approximately 15,000 students.
Much of the faculty at Lamar University have worked professionally in their disciplines and use this experience to illustrate practical applications of didactic knowledge. In every class, students are taught to think critically and become leaders in their fields. Research and innovation are highly valued as evidenced by the Carnegie Doctoral Research University designation. Additionally, Lamar University emphasizes the importance of balance in students’ lives and works to design programs that challenge students academically while also providing professional development experiences and time for personal endeavors. As such, the online graduate programs were created on these principles so that students could feasibly continue employment while completing their degrees.
Lamar University Accreditation Details
Lamar University has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, an organization that evaluates the caliber of colleges and universities in 11 south-central and southeastern states including Texas, since 1955. The SACSCOC reevaluates schools every 10 years to ensure they continue to meet standards in six designated areas including student learning, accountability, and continuous quality improvement. This process attests to the quality of education provided as well as the sustainability and business practices of the institution as a whole. Additionally, in order to be eligible for federal financial aid, students must attend a regionally accredited school.
Professional organizations also provide accreditation to particular degree programs in their industries. This signifies that graduates from these programs are well prepared for professional life. At Lamar University, the online MBA programs are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The AACSB evaluates 15 different characteristics of business programs in the areas of learning and teaching, engagement, participation, and innovation to ensure students are receiving a thorough and up-to-date education. Additionally, the online Master’s of Science in Nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. This organization certifies nursing degree programs that meet standards in six categories including Curriculum, Faculty and Staff, and Student Outcomes.
Application Requirements
All students applying for graduate programs at Lamar University start the process by filling out an application using the Apply Texas portal. As a supplement to the application, complete undergraduate transcripts are required and must demonstrate completion of a bachelor’s degree. In many cases, the undergraduate degree must be in a field related to the master’s program of study, but this is not always the case. Individual departments have additional experiential, academic, and licensing admission requirements. For example, the MBA programs all require prospective students to submit GRE or GMAT scores. Admission to nursing and education graduate programs require a current, unencumbered license as well as experience in the field. Prior to applying, students have an opportunity to speak with specialized admission counselors who can outline the individual requirements for the chosen program. The Lamar University Graduate School does have a rolling admissions policy, but students are advised to have all materials submitted at least 30 days before the first day of the semester.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Graduate school tuition costs at Lamar University are dependent on two factors, residency status and the number of credit hours per semester. For in-state students, tuition costs $1527, $2807, $4087, and $5332 for 3, 6, 9, and 12-credit-hour enrollments respectively which is a little over $400 per credit hour. Out-of-state students pay almost twice as much for the same programs with an average cost of about $850 per credit hour. Nursing students, though, have a reduced rate of $328 per credit hour. All graduate students are advised to complete a FAFSA to determine eligibility for federal loans like the Graduate PLUS loan. In addition, Lamar University offers scholarships to students based on academic abilities, community service, and financial need, so students are also encouraged to complete the scholarship application on the Apply Texas portal. Employers are another potential source for tuition aid since many online graduate students continue full-time professional work while completing classes. Many companies have tuition assistance benefits which pay for all or part of tuition costs each semester, especially if the program is in a related discipline. Students entering service professions like education, nursing, and counseling can apply for programs that will cancel student debt after a designated number of years working in high-need areas after graduation.
For more information on degrees offered at Lamar University, prospective students can review prerequisites and required coursework on the website.