Page 48 Graduation & General Degree Requirements Level One Certificate 1. Satisfy all admission requirements to the college. 2. Satisfy all admission requirements specific to the program (if applicable). 3. Complete assessment and remediation if required. 4. Complete an approved certificate plan. 5. Complete a minimum of 12 semester hours at Lamar State 6. Attain at least an overall 2.0 grade point average on all work applied to the respective certificate plan. (All course work ever attempted will be calculated to determine honors). 7. Make final application for graduation and pay all fees by the deadline date as stated in the current catalog. A Level One certificate can be completed by a student in one calendar year or less. It consists of at least 15 and no more than 42 semester credit hours. Level Two Certificate 1. Satisfy all admission requirements to the College. 2. Satisfy all admission requirements specific to the program (if applicable). 3. Complete assessment and remediation if required. 4. Successfully complete all required developmental courses. 5. Attain at least a 2.0 grade point average on all work applied to the respective certificate plan. (All course work attempted will be calculated to determine honors). 6. Complete at least 15 semester hours of major course work at LSC-PA. 7. Make final application for graduation and pay all fees by the deadline date as stated in the current catalog. A Level Two certificate program consists of at least 43 and not more than 59 semester credit hours. Associate of Arts Degree 1. Satisfy all admission conditions. 2. Successfully complete all required developmental courses. 3. Meet the following minimum requirements: a. At least twenty-five (25) percent of the credit hours required for graduation must be earned at Lamar State b. A GPA of at least 2.0 on all work required by the respective degree plan. (All course work attempted will be calculated to determine honors.) 4. Complete the prescribed core curriculum. 5. Complete the program of study for one of the areas of emphasis as outlined in this catalog. 6. No more than a total of 15 semester hours of correspondence credit, and/or credit by examination combined may be applied toward an associate degree. No more than 9 hours may be correspondence courses. 7. Make final application for graduation with an Associate of Arts degree and pay all designated fees by the deadline as stated in the current catalog. 8. Attend the official commencement exercise or receive prior approval from the Vice President for Student Services to be absent. Associate of Arts Degree in Teaching 1. Satisfy all admission conditions. 2. Successfully complete all required developmental courses. 3. Meet the following minimum requirements: a. At least twenty-five (25) percent of the credit hours required for graduation must be earned at Lamar State b. A GPA of at least 2.0 on all work required by the respective degree plan. (All course work attempted will be calculated to determine honors.) 4. Complete the prescribed core curriculum. 5. Complete the program of study for one of the areas of emphasis in the Associate of Arts in Teaching as outlined in this catalog. 6. No more than a total of 15 semester hours of correspondence credit, and/or credit by examination combined may be applied toward an associate degree. No more than 9 hours may be correspondence courses.
Page 49 7. Make final application for graduation with an Associate of Arts in Teaching degree and pay all designated fees by the deadline as stated in the current catalog. 8. Attend the official commencement exercise or receive prior approval from the Vice President for Student Services to be absent. Associate of Applied Science Degree Students generally are eligible for graduation when they have completed an approved program of study. Specifically, a student must: 1. Satisfy all admission requirements. 2. Complete an approved degree plan. 3. Successfully complete all required developmental courses. 4. Have at least an overall 2.0 grade point average on all work applied to the respective degree plan. (All course work ever attempted will be calculated to determine honors). 5. At least twenty-five (25) percent of the credit hours required for graduation must be earned at Lamar State 6. Make final application for graduation and pay all fees by the deadline date as stated in the current catalog. 7. Attend the official graduation exercise or receive prior approval from the Vice President for Student Services to be absent. Degree Requirement Notes (A.A. and A.A.T.): 1. Texas law requires six hours in government, which includes consideration of U.S. Constitution and the Texas Constitution. This normally is satisfied by completing Government 2301 and 2302 or other appropriate government courses approved by the Dean of Academic Programs. Three semester hours may be satisfied by an advanced standing examination. 2. Texas law requires six hours in American history. This normally is satisfied by completing History 1301 and 1302 or other appropriate history courses approved by the Dean of Academic Programs. Three semester hours may be satisfied by a course in Texas history or an advanced standing examination. Second Associate Degree When another associate degree is taken simultaneously, or previously was taken, the second associate degree may be granted upon completion of all required work for the second degree. A total of 15 semester hours above the number required for the degree having the greater semester hours requirement must be completed. Transfer Programs of Study (Degree Plans Designed to Transfer to Four-Year Institutions) Lamar State College-Port Arthur offers general academic courses leading to Associate of Arts and Associate Arts in Teaching degrees. The courses in these degrees are designed to transfer to four-year institutions and include accounting, anthropology, art, biology, business, computer science, chemistry, criminal justice, drama, economics, education, English, geography, geology, government, health, history, home economics, mathematics, music, physical education, physics, psychology, speech, sociology, and Spanish. The College uses the State s Common Course Numbering System, which has been developed to help receiving institutions easily identify work eligible for transfer and has greatly improved the transfer of course work by students from two-year colleges to universities. A student can complete two full years of course work and satisfy the majority of the general education requirements for a bachelor s degree. In most majors, a student can complete virtually all of his or her freshman and sophomore course work in Port Arthur and be fully prepared to move into junior- and senior-level course work at Lamar University in Beaumont or another senior institution. ASSOCIATE OF ARTS DEGREES: ASSOCIATE OF ARTS EMPHASIS IN ACADEMIC STUDIES EMPHASIS IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION EMPHASIS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE EMPHASIS IN DRAMA EMPHASIS IN KINESIOLOGY EMPHASIS IN STUDIO ART ASSOCIATE OF ARTS TEACHING EMPHASIS IN TEACHING (EC-8) EMPHASIS IN TEACHING (EC-12 ART) EMPHASIS IN TEACHING (EC-12 THEATER ARTS) EMPHASIS IN TEACHING (EC-12 MUSIC) EMPHASIS IN TEACHING (EC-12 PHYSICAL EDUCATION)
Page 50 Technical Education Programs (not designed for transfer to typical Four-Year programs) The Technical Programs Division offers a variety of programs in vocational and technical education leading to an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree or to certificates of varying length. These programs are not designed to transfer to typical four-year programs and have as their focus providing students with the expertise necessary for employment in today s complex economy. Qualified instructors, using the latest technology, introduce students to the knowledge and skills that business and industry currently seek in potential employees. Each A.A.S. degree program also contains a general education component that emphasizes humanities, communication, mathematics skills, and social awareness. These general education courses within the A.A.S. meet transfer-level standards and will, in fact, transfer to four-year institutions. ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE: ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANT ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE COSMETOLOGY INSTRUCTOR ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE COSMETOLOGY OPERATOR ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE COMMERCIAL MUSIC-PERFORMANCE (SESSION MUSICIAN) ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE COMMERCIAL MUSIC-SOUND ENGINEER ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE INSTRUMENTATION TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE MEDICAL OFFICE ADMIN ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE NETWORK SPECIALIST ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE PARALEGAL ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE PROCESS TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE SOFTWARE DEVELOPER ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE UPWARD MOBILITY NURSING Students interested only in gaining basic training in vocational areas can take advantage of several certificate programs offered by the Technical Programs Division. The programs normally can be completed in one calendar year. Students successfully finishing one of these programs should possess the basic skills required for entry-level employment in that particular occupational field. TECHNICAL CERTIFICATES: ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT CERTIFICATE AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATE AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY CERTIFICATE COMPUTER PROGRAMMER CERTIFICATE COSMETOLOGY INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATE COSMETOLOGY OPERATOR CERTIFICATE ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS CERTIFICATE ESTHETICS CERTIFICATE MEDICAL OFFICE ASSISTANT CERTIFICATE MULTI-MEDIA & DESIGN CERTIFICATE (55+ Program) NETWORK SPECIALIST CERTIFICATE PROCESS TECHNOLOGY CERTIFICATE RECEPTIONIST CERTIFICATE SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY CERTIFICATE VOCATIONAL NURSING CERTIFICATE Application for Graduation Applications for graduation must be filed with the Office of Admission and Records. The current catalog calendar contains exact dates for application deadlines. Before applications are approved, these additional materials must be submitted: 1. Statements showing reasonable expectation of completion of degree requirements by graduation time. 2. Transcripts showing grade point average of at least 2.0 on all courses taken and applied to meet degree requirements. A course is counted each time it is taken whether failed or passed, unless excluded by GPA adjustment. 3. A receipt showing payment of cap and gown fee and diploma fee. 4. Clearance of all financial and property matters to date. 5. Approval of the department sponsoring the student. The application of a student lacking a grade point average of 2.0 on either overall or in the student s major field will be removed from the graduation list at the beginning of the semester. If a student under such condition does complete all degree requirements, then the student may apply for a statement of that completion and appear for the next regularly scheduled graduation date.
Page 51 The student is responsible for making the graduation application, for securing official advisement about study plans for the final two semesters, and for checking compliance with all degree requirements with the Office of Admission and Records. Graduation Under a Particular Bulletin A student normally can graduate under the degree provisions of the catalog in effect at the time of the first completed semester of enrollment with these exceptions: 1. A catalog more than seven years old shall not be used. 2. The College must currently offer the student s major that was included in the original catalog. 3. The program of a student who interrupts enrollment for reasons other than involuntary military service for more than one calendar year is governed by the catalog in effect at the time of the student s readmission to the College. A student who interrupts enrollment for involuntary military service must re-enroll within one year from military service separation date to continue under the provisions of the original bulletin. For these purposes, enrollment is defined as registration for and successful completion of at least one course during an academic term. A student forced to withdraw for adequate cause before completing a course may petition for a waiver of this provision at withdrawal time. However, even in an instance of involuntary military service, a bulletin more than seven years old shall not be used. The program of a student who first declares a major and then changes the major from one department to another shall be governed by the degree requirements in effect at the time the change of major becomes effective. Graduation Honors To be designated as honor graduates, members of the graduating class must have: 1. Completed at least 30 semester hours in a degree program or 15 semester hours in a certificate program at Lamar State College-Port Arthur; 2. A grade point average of at least 3.5 for all course work attempted at Lamar State A GPA of 3.5 to 3.64 qualifies for Cum Laude, 3.65 to 3.79 for Magna Cum Laude, and 3.8 to 4.0 for Summa Cum Laude. Grades made the semester of graduation are included in the calculation of grade point averages for honors. Honor graduates are recognized during commencement. Both diplomas and permanent records will indicate graduation honors. Awards at Graduation The Sydlise Fredeman Award is presented to the graduate with the highest grade point average receiving an Associate of Applied Science Degree and to the graduate with the highest GPA receiving a Level II certificate in a technical program requiring 30 or more credit hours other than in an Allied Health program. The award includes $200 cash and includes a commemorative certificate. The H.S. Anderson Award, which was inaugurated in 1982, is presented to the Allied Health graduate with the highest grade point average. The award includes $100 cash and is presented with a commemorative certificate. The John C. Huval Memorial Award for Academic Excellence is awarded to the graduate who meets the following criteria: 1. Must graduate with an associate degree from the Academic Programs; 2. Must have the highest grade point average from among the eligible students; 3. Must have a minimum overall grade point average of 3.8; 4. Must be graduating Summa Cum Laude. In the event of a tie, the award will be divided equally among eligible graduates. The award includes $100 cash and a commemorative certificate. If no graduate meets the requirements, the award will not be given. The North Port Arthur Rotary Club Memorial Award is a cash award honoring Capt. Glen Tronstad, who served in the U.S. Merchant Marines and later taught at the College. It is presented each year in memory of one of the club s deceased members. The Judice Award is a $200 cash prize presented to a student who completed three college-level English courses and made a grade of A in each course. Preference is given to Liberal Arts majors, but every graduate is eligible to win.
Page 52 The Lamar State College-Port Arthur Student Center houses a cafeteria, game room and meeting rooms as well as offices for Student Services such as Financial Aid, Admissions, Records, Advising, Student Government Association and Public Information.