51³Ô¹ÏPro

1. Admission to Graduate Programs - U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents

Graduate admission is for students who hold a bachelor's degree and wish to pursue a master's or doctoral degree. Graduate admission at 51³Ô¹ÏProis competitive, and requirements vary by department. Please refer to the departmental catalog entry for specific requirements and standards beyond those listed here. Upon receipt of all university-required documents, the Admissions Office will forward your file to your desired academic department for an admission decision.

Graduate Admission Categories

Post-Baccalaureate Admission - At the discretion of the department, students may be admitted to this category prior to completing all of the requirements for full graduate admission. Students in this category study at the graduate level but are not considered graduate students and may not complete a degree. In most circumstances, students are permitted to complete six hours during post baccalaureate status.

Graduate Admission - Denotes full admission to a degree program and to the graduate college.

Post-Graduate Admission - Students who hold an advanced degree and are pursuing additional courses without acceptance to a degree program or the graduate college.

How to Apply

1. Submit Application. Graduate applicants should submit the Graduate Application online at .

2. Submit Transcripts. 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 considered for admission until all college transcripts are on file. Students must be eligible to re-enter all colleges and universities previously attended. Failure to disclose previous college attendance is justification for revocation of acceptance and dismissal from Lamar University.

3. Submit Admission Test Scores. Graduate applicants must have official test scores sent to 51³Ô¹ÏProdirectly by the testing agency. Applicants for the M.B.A. program should take the GMAT. All other graduate applicants should take the GRE. Deaf applicants may substitute WAIS-R in place of GRE or GMAT. Score requirements are competitive and are assessed by each academic department.

Readmission for Former Graduate Students

A former graduate student who has not been enrolled for at least one long semester (summers excluded), but who is academically eligible to continue in the graduate degree program where he or she was most recently enrolled, may be permitted to return, assuming the program is not at capacity. These students should reapply by completing the graduate application at .

Appeal of Admission Denial

Prospective students who have been denied admission to the College of Graduate Studies have the right to appeal to the appeals committee in the college to which they applied. The committee considers appeals on an individual basis and makes recommendations to the dean of graduate studies.

2. Admission to Graduate Programs - International Students

51³Ô¹ÏProwelcomes students from around the world for both undergraduate and graduate study. All admissions documents, including applications, are processed by the 51³Ô¹ÏProAdmissions Office. After acceptance, staff in the International Student Services Office will communicate with students regarding other documents needed to process the I-20. These offices work together to provide a pleasant admission and enrollment experience.

International Graduate Admission Categories

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

Bridge Admission is offered to students who meet all university and departmental admission requirements but who have not yet satisfied the language proficiency requirement. These students will be enrolled in academic courses at 51³Ô¹ÏProand in language courses at the 51³Ô¹ÏProIntensive English Program (TIEP) at Lamar.

Conditional Admission At departmental discretion, conditional admission may be offered to students who have not yet satisfied the language proficiency requirement.  Conditionally admitted students are required to enroll full time in the 51³Ô¹ÏProIntensive English Program at Lamar University.  Upon completion or the advanced level of English study, these students are eligible for admission to the 51³Ô¹ÏProdepartment that offered this admission status.

Intensive English Program Admission is available to students who need significant English language training that prevents their immediate enrollment at the post-secondary level. Students interested in language training only may apply directly to 51³Ô¹ÏProIntensive English Program without being considered for 51³Ô¹ÏProadmission.

International Graduate Admission Requirements

Graduate admission is for international students who hold a bachelor's degree and wish to pursue a master's or doctoral degree. Graduate admission at 51³Ô¹ÏProis competitive, and requirements vary by department. Please refer to the departmental catalog entry for specific requirements and standards beyond those listed here. Upon receipt of all university-required documents, the Admissions Office will forward your file to your desired academic department for an admission decision.

How to Apply

1. Submit Application. All international graduate applicants should submit the International Graduate Application online applications through the Apply Texas system

2. International Academic Records:

College of Engineering Graduate Applicants. Submit official transcript(s) from all post-secondary institutions attended with an original signature of a school official or an original school seal. If transcripts are in a language other than English, an official translation from the school, recognized translator or translation verified by a United States Embassy or Consulate must accompany the native language transcript.  Faxed, emailed and/or notarized scanned copies will not be accepted.  Your transcripts will be evaluated within the College

All Other Graduate Applicants. Graduate applicants (except College of Engineering applicants) must have an official report of course-by-course evaluated transcripts of all post-secondary work from outside the United States sent to 51³Ô¹ÏProdirectly from one of the evaluating agencies listed in the previous link.  Graduate students who enroll at 51³Ô¹ÏProwill be reimbursed the cost of the evaluation up to $200.00.  The 51³Ô¹ÏProAdmissions Office does not evaluate transcripts internally, so 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.

3. U.S Transcripts. Applicants who have attended institutions in the United States, must 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 considered for admission until all college transcripts are on file. Students must be eligible to re-enter all colleges and universities previously attended. Failure to disclose previous college attendance is justification for revocation of acceptance and dismissal from Lamar University.

4. Submit Admission Test Scores. International graduate applicants must have official test scores sent to 51³Ô¹ÏProdirectly by the testing agency. Applicants for the M.B.A. program should take the GMAT. All other graduate applicants should take the GRE. Deaf applicants may substitute WAIS-R in place of GRE or GMAT. Score requirements are competitive and are assessed by each academic department.

5. 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. This testing requirement is waived only for applicants who have completed at least two consecutive years of study at a college or university in the U.S. or in an English proficiency-exempt country. Scores are valid for two years, and must be received directly from the testing agency.

  Graduate English Proficiency Requirements

	Regular Admission	Bridge Admission	TIEP Admission
TOEFL Internet-based Total	79	61	Below 61
TOEFL Paper-based Total	550	500	Below 500
IELTS Total	6.5	6.0	Below 6.0

Mailing Documents

Lamar University Graduate Admissions P.O. Box 11614 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 Apply51³Ô¹ÏProApplication 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: December 1

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

3. Summary of Graduate Fees

51³Ô¹ÏProreserves the right to change fees in keeping with acts of the 51³Ô¹ÏProLegislation and rules and regulations of the 51³Ô¹ÏProState University System. By registering for classes at the university, the student agrees to abide by all the policies of the university.

Payment of Fees

A student is not registered until all fees have been paid in full or the student has paid the equivalent of a down payment on the installment plan (if available). Payment may be made by check, MasterCard/Discover/AMEX, money order, currency, or any kind of financial assistance (exemptions, loans, grants, and scholarships). Checks and money orders should be made payable to 51³Ô¹ÏProand will be accepted subject to final payment. The university will not accept counter checks, postdated checks, credit card checks, or altered checks. Excess payments will be refunded through the Cardinal One card at the discretion of the university. Students on a “cash only” basis will be restricted to paying by MasterCard/Discover/AMEX, money orders, currency, or financial assistance.

(1) All forms of payment at the Cashier’s office during working hours.

(2) Payments may be made on the Internet at www.lamar.edu.

 

(3) Checks may be put into the drop box at Wimberly 114 (with student I.D.) in a sealed envelope. These payments will be considered part of the next business day’s activity if paid after 5:00 p.m. No cash should be placed in the drop box.

 

(4) Checks or money orders may be mailed to the Payment Center at P.O. Box 10183, Beaumont, TX 77710.

Students who are delinquent on obligations will be prohibited from registering for class until all obligations are paid in full. Also, holds are placed on academic records so that students cannot obtain transcripts until all obligations are paid in full.

Delinquent obligations to the university will be sent to a collection agency and reported to credit bureaus. All costs of collections are paid by the student, which is generally an additional 33.333 percent of the student’s obligations to the university. Delinquent accounts must be paid at the collection agency. Payment cannot be accepted by 51³Ô¹ÏProif the account has been forwarded to a collection agency.

 Installment Payment Program

Students may enter into the installment program of the university upon verbal or written request in a fall or spring semester. Students who do not pay in full the tuition and fees will be placed in the installment program if the student has paid at least the amount for the down payment (otherwise classes will be dropped). The installment program generally requires a 50 percent down payment with the next 25 percent due about a month after the semester starts and the final 25 percent due about two months after the semester starts. A non-refundable service charge of $20 is assessed for the installment program. A late fee of $15 will be assessed beginning the first day after an installment due date for each delinquent installment payment. Reductions of fees for students in the installment program from drops or withdrawals are calculated as a percentage of the total fees assessed, not as a percentage of any partial payments.

Tuition

Tuition has two components: the portion set by the state (conventional tuition) and the portion set by the Board of Regents regulated by state statutes (local tuition). By 51³Ô¹ÏProstatute, both of these items must be billed together and called “tuition.” The state portion (conventional tuition) is based upon the number of hours for which the student registers and is determined by the student’s classification as a 51³Ô¹ÏProresident or a non-51³Ô¹ÏProresident. The Admissions Office determines legal residence for tuition purposes on the basis of statutes of the State of Texas. State tuition is remitted to the state by the university. The current state tuition rate is $50 per hour. The local tuition portion is assessed to support university debt service and other university functions that are not supported by state funding. Approximately 70 percent of this fee is used to finance debt service. Other items supported by this fee include the post office, print shop, supply center, cashiering, and other institutional support functions. The current rate is $158 per semester hour. Thus, the combined conventional and local tuition rate is $208 per semester hour.

Graduate Tuition

Graduate tuition is set by the Board of Regents and is assessed to support the Graduate Studies program. The current graduate tuition is $100 per hour. Hence, graduate students pay $330 per semester hour in tuition (conventional + local + graduate), plus applicable fees. (Note: See a summary of current tuition and fees and a table of average cost of attendance)

Student Responsibility for Residence Classification

51³Ô¹ÏProlaw specifies that if there is any question as to the student’s right to classification as a resident of Texas, it is the student’s responsibility to (1) have his or her classification officially determined and (2) to register under the proper classification. Students are classified as resident, nonresident, or foreign for tuition purposes according to state statutes (Title 3, 51³Ô¹ÏProEducation Code) and 51³Ô¹ÏProHigher Education Coordinating Board rules and regulations interpreting these statutes. These statutes, rules, and regulations are available from the Office of Admissions Services in the John Gray Center, Building A. Questions should be directed to that office.

Any student who is classified as a resident student but who becomes a nonresident at any time, by virtue of a change of legal residence by his/her own action or by the person controlling the student’s domicile, is required to notify the registrar.

Graduate Assistantships

Teaching and research assistantships as well as scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis and are available in the various graduate departments. Additional information may be obtained either from the department chair or from the dean of the College of Graduate Studies. Assistantships are awarded only to those individuals who meet all requirements for admission to a graduate degree program.

Graduate assistantships at the master’s and doctoral levels are available in a number of academic departments. All assistantships are intended to be of direct educational benefit to appointees. In order to be approved by the dean of graduate studies, an assistantship appointment must relate to the student’s academic objective and be supervised by 51³Ô¹ÏProfaculty. Graduate assistants are 51³Ô¹ÏProemployees who are also graduate students. They are employed by a department or college to instruct in classrooms and labs, advise undergraduate students, proctor exams, supervise practica, assist in research and creative activity, or perform other teaching, research, or creative duties.

Under specified conditions 51³Ô¹ÏProlaw permits the waiver of out-of-state tuition status for some classifications of graduate assistants. When these conditions are met, graduate assistants may be allowed to pay tuition at the less expensive instate or 51³Ô¹ÏProresident rate. In addition, local tuition, graduate tuition, and some fees are waived for full-time doctoral students who satisfy certain criteria. Forms are available in the student’s major department to apply for this later waiver of tuition and some other fees.

Publication of and Public Access to Thesis/Field Study/Dissertation Abstracts

The Graduate Council requires that thesis, field study, and dissertation abstracts be published by University Microfilms. Fees for this service are included in the binding fees. If copyrighting is desired, the cost is $55. All theses, field studies, and dissertations will be placed in the library if permission to do so is granted by the student.

Refund of Tuition and/or Fees

Students requesting a refund of tuition and/or fees resulting from dropped courses or from withdrawing from the university should direct questions to the Cashiers’ Office. Withdrawal refunds are calculated as a percentage of total fees assessed, not as a percentage of partial payments on installments. Refunds for dropped classes are generally processed at the end of the second week past the 12th semester day of regular semesters and after the 4th semester day during summer sessions. Refunds for withdrawals are generally processed at the end of the second week following the 12th semester day for regular semesters and two weeks after the 6th semester day for summer sessions.

Graduate students taking five-week courses may view the calendar for refunds.

Dropped Courses

In order to receive a 100% reduction of tuition and fees for dropped courses, a student must drop according to the schedule following, and remain enrolled in some hours with the university. Questions should be directed to the Cashiers’ Office.

In fall or spring semester, through the twelfth semester day, 100 percent. After the twelfth semester day, no refund.

In summer session, through the fourth semester day, 100 percent. After the fourth semester day, no refund.

Withdrawal from the University

Tuition and fees may be reduced when a student withdraws. Depending on the amount of reduction and what the student has paid, the student may receive a refund or may still owe money to the university. Any student who officially withdraws from the university will receive a reduction on tuition and fees according to the following schedule.

Fall or Spring Semester

1. Prior to the first semester day, 100 percent, less a $15 matriculation fee.
2. During the first through fifth semester days, 80 percent.
3. During the sixth through tenth semester days, 70 percent.
4. During the eleventh through fifteenth semester days, 50 percent.
5. During the sixteenth through twentieth semester days, 25 percent.
6. After the twentieth semester day, none.

Summer Session

1. Prior to the first semester day, 100 percent, less a $15 matriculation fee.
2. During the first, second or third semester day, 80 percent.
3. During the fourth, fifth or sixth semester day, 50 percent.
4. Seventh semester day and after, none.

The $10 Property Deposit is refundable upon written request by the student to the Cashiers’ Office. Withdrawing from the university does not relieve the student of any financial obligations under the Installment Payment Program or for any student loans, as these are the student’s legal financial commitments.

Summary of Fees. To find current tuition and fees for graduate study, go to /students/paying-for-school/tuition-and-fees.html.

• Student Service Fee. The student service fee supports student activities such as athletics, recreational sports, the University Press, and other student services. The current rate is $23.75 per hour with a maximum of $250.
• Setzer Student Center Fee. This fee supports the Setzer Student Center and its programs. The current rate is $100 per long semester and $35 per summer session.
• Sheila Umphrey Recreational Sports Center Fee. This fee supports the recreational sports center. The current rate is $77.00 per long semester and $38 per summer session.
• Technology Service Fee. This fee primarily supports both the administrative mainframe computer and the academic mainframe computer. The current rate is $30 per hour.
• Health Center Fee. The Health Center Fee supports the student Health Center and is $38 per long semester and $19 per summer session.
• Library Use Fee. This fee is used to support the library. As every course (including field center courses) are given the mandate to use the library, all students are charged this fee. The current rate is $16 per hour.
• Distance Learning Fee. A charge up to $40.00 per semester credit hour of instruction will be charged to students enrolled in courses offered by means of distance learning.
• Private Lessons in Voice and Instrumental Music. Graduate applied music courses (per semester hour) $50.00. Maximum $150 per course.
• Late Registration Fee. A charge of $10 is made for late registration or for paying after the start of the semester (not including the second or third payments under the installment plan).
  • Reinstatement Fee. A student seeking reinstatement to the university after withdrawing from the university without paying the full amount of tuition and fees due, or after having been denied credit for work done for failure to pay an installment payment or late payment fee, shall pay a $50.00 reinstatement fee in addition to past due installment payments and late payment fees.
• Parking Fee. Charges for parking on campus are made at registration. Automobile registration fees are as follows: fall semester, $60; spring semester, $40; summer, $20. Only one registration is required during an academic year, and a student’s parking fee is honored until the end of Summer Session II.
• Property Deposit. Each student will be required to pay a $10 property deposit. Any unused portion of the $10 will be refunded upon request to the Cashiers’ Office after the student graduates or withdraws from the university. If a student attends the university for more than four years, this fee will be charged again.
• Health and Accident Insurance. Health and accident insurance coverage is available for purchase at registration for students carrying nine or more semester hours. This insurance is required of all international students. Additional information may be obtained from the Office of Student Engagement.
• The Records Fee would provide the student with five transcripts each year and cover those administrative costs. The charge is $15.00 per semester and $8.00 per summer session.
• Cardinal One Fee. This fee is used for administrative costs of the Cardinal One card, which replaces the student ID, and provides a means to issue refunds to students. The charge is $15.00 per semester and $8.00 per summer session.

Other Fees

• Thesis, field study, or dissertation printing and binding: $.07 per black/white page, $.17 per color page for printing, a flat rate of $8.20 per book for binding.
• Master's Diploma - $22.45
• Master's additional diploma - $10.60
• Doctoral Diploma $44.45
• Doctoral additional diploma – $20.60
• Master's Cap, gown and hood (plus tax) – $75.96. Order from bookstore/purchase only.
• Doctoral Cap, gown and hood (plus tax) – $81.96. Order from bookstore/allow six to eight weeks for delivery.
• Transcript Fee – $5.00
• Photo Identification – $5.00
• Insufficient Funds Fees. Checks written to the university and returned unpaid for any reason will result in a $25 charge plus applicable fees for a delinquent account (e.g., $10 late registration fee, $15 late installment payment fee, etc.). Students with a returned check will be on “cash only” status for the duration of their enrollment at Lamar University, subject to appeal. Students on a “cash only” basis are prohibited from paying with a personal check (all other payment methods are acceptable).
• Fine and Breakage Loss. All library fines, charges for breakage or loss of equipment, or other charges must be paid before a transcript of credit or a permit to re-enter the university will be issued.
• Matriculation Fee. A matriculation fee of $15 will be incurred by students who withdraw prior to the first day of class. This $15 fee will be deducted from refunds.

4. Housing

Questions concerning the housing program, its policies, and room and board rates, should be directed to Cardinal Village, Lamar University, Box 10040, Beaumont, 51³Ô¹ÏPro77710, (409) 880-8550.