Â鶹AV

1. Disability Resource Center (DRC)

The DRC offers a variety of services and resources designed to ensure students with disabilities have equitable access and experiences. Academic adjustments/accommodations are assigned on an individual basis to provide equal access to the university's activities, programs and services. General accommodations available include but are not limited to: alternative testing/book format, distraction reduced testing environment, assistive technology, sign language interpreters, CART or real-time captioning, note-takers, physical access and priority registration. Once accepted to the university, please contact the director of the DRC to schedule an intake appointment to discuss accommodation requests. At the appointment, a person with a disability will need to provide disability documentation that is supportive of the accommodation request as defined by the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 including section 504 of the Rehabilitive Act of 1973. Determining Academic adjustments/accommodations is an interactive process, which may include a student's self-report, direct observation and interaction with the student, and or documentation from qualified evaluators or professionals. For more details and information, please feel free to contact us by the information below.

The Disability Resource Center is located in 105 Communication Building. Students may write to P.O. Box 10087, Beaumont, TX 77710, call (409) 880-8347 V, (409) 880-299-5886 VP, fax (409) 880-2225 or by email DRC@lamar.edu. Additional information is available at the .

2. Texas Intensive English Program (TIEP at Â鶹AV)

TIEP at Â鶹AV (formerly known as the Â鶹AV Language Institute) is a branch campus of the Texas Intensive English Program. (see ),

TIEP at Â鶹AV offers two strands of intensive English study: Foundations of English and English for Academic Purposes.

The Foundations of English program is designed for students with beginning to low-intermediate English proficiency as determined by the TIEP Placement Exam.

Level 101 - An introductory course for students with no English proficiency or very limited proficiency. Emphasis on oral-aural skills, grammar and development of vocabulary for everyday life. Introduction to elementary reading and writing.

Level 110 - An elementary course for students with limited English proficiency. Emphasis on the development of oral-aural skills, grammar, writing, reading and vocabulary for everyday life.

Level 120 - A transitional beginning-intermediate course which reviews and refines the foundations of English grammar. Emphasis on application and practice in all four skill areas: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

The English for Academic Purposes program is designed for students with intermediate to advanced English proficiency who plan to enter an undergraduate or graduate program in an American college or university. All levels teach the four language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing), as well as grammar, vocabulary and study skills, although the relative emphasis on each varies according to the level.

Level 130 - An intermediate course with an emphasis on integrative skill development. Instruction in expository writing at the paragraph and short essay level and reading of simplified material. Includes study of all basic grammatical structures and basic listening/note-taking practice.

Level 140 - A transitional intermediate-advanced course with in-depth study of selected complex grammar structures. Reading of both simplified ESL and authentic academic material. Writing of expository compositions and a brief library research paper. Practice in advanced listening, conversation and use of idioms.

Levels 150 & 160 - Advanced integrated-skill courses with a focus on academic preparation designed to help bridge students into college and university work. Emphasis on strengthening university research and study skills and developing reading, writing, speaking and listening proficiency through in-depth reading of authentic texts; writing formal essays, reports and a documented paper; taking lecture notes and participating in various formal and informal speaking tasks. Attention given to vocabulary expansion, advanced grammar in context, pronunciation, test preparation and individual students' academic goals.

Note: Actual course availability may vary.

TIEP at Â鶹AV also administers the English language courses for the Academic Bridge Program. This program exists for special applicants admitted to the university although their TOEFL scores are slightly below the minimum, By enrolling in half English language study and half academic study, Bridge students learn English and make progress toward their academic degree.

Additional information is available by calling (409) 880-8012, emailing the TIEP at Â鶹AV director, James Moore at james.moore@tiec.org or writing TIEP at Â鶹AV, P.O. Box 10130, Beaumont, Texas 77710.

3. Military Education

Veterans Affairs

The office of Veterans Affairs and Active Duty Military Affairs aids veterans and active duty military personnel in obtaining their educational benefits. It also provides academic assistance and counseling for veterans. Veterans and servicepeople are encouraged to complete admissions and testing requirements 90 to 120 days prior to the period for which they wish to enroll. Information concerning the Hazlewood Exemption is located here. More information is available by visiting Wimberly 101 or by calling (409) 880-8437 or (409) 880-8998.

Active Duty Military Advising

An Active Duty Military Advisor in the distance education division assists students with information about active duty benefits and courses. Further information for veterans and active duty servicemen is available here  or by calling (409) 880-2138 or (866) 585-1738.

4. University Writing Center

An academic support program of the Department of English and Modern Languages, the University Writing Center, located on the first floor of the Mary and John Gray Library, provides free writing tutoring to students. Graduate and undergraduate students serve as peer tutors and assist students with their writing assignments for any course by guiding students through the entire writing process. The Writing Center provides tutoring in the following areas: understanding the assignment, brainstorming, organizing ideas, revising, editing and interpreting the graded paper. Each personalized writing conference aspires to more than just the short-term goal of improving a particular paper. Rather, our writing conferences actively engage students in identifying and addressing their writing needs so that students improve their composition practices and skills and learn to apply them to various writing tasks and purposes. To achieve this, peer tutors use facilitative strategies that produce authentic learning and complement classroom instruction. In the interest of academic integrity, tutors neither edit nor in any other way correct students' papers for them. Students may seek assistance with non-academic writing as well, such as graduate school application and scholarship letters. Our tutoring service is beneficial to students of all writing abilities, as strong writers can also benefit from the collaborative activity of a peer writing conference. To schedule an appointment, students should register their Â鶹AV email addresses with lamar.mywconline.com. Once registered, students can schedule, reschedule and cancel their appointments as needed.

The Writing Center also serves faculty by providing writing and documentation resources and a personal introduction of our services to their classes.

The Writing Center is equipped with six PCs and two iMacs for student use, restricted to academic research and writing assignments. Magic and JAWS are installed on each computer.

Contact information for students: (409) 880-8571, UWC@lamar.edu.  

Contact information for faculty and staff: (409) 880-8587, melissa.hudler@lamar.edu.

5. Center for Academic Success (CAS)

Location: COMM 109, (409) 880-7548. The Center for Academic Success is a multiservice unit whose mission is to provide professional, personalized, academic advising and counseling to help students identify and clarify educational, career and personal goals; enhance individual academic performance, retention and persistence until graduation; and maximize students’ satisfaction with their university experience. Our vision is to serve as the university’s primary location for academic and personal support resources and referrals. CAS is a welcoming advising and resource center where students work side by side with professional staff and peers to maximize their potential for academic success.

McNair Scholars Program

Location: COMM 106, (409) 880-7582, /mcnair/. The McNair Scholars Program is federally funded by the Department of Education to motivate and prepare first-generation, low-income and underrepresented students for the rigors of graduate school through involvement in undergraduate research, funded travel to professional conferences, academic workshops and faculty mentoring. The goal of the program is ultimately to prepare students for success at the doctoral level and increase the number of Ph.D.s from underrepresented groups.

Student Advising and Retention Services (STARS)

Location: COMM 109, (409) 880-7201, /student-advising-and-retention/. STARS creates a friendly atmosphere where staff partners with students to help them achieve academic, personal and professional endeavors through on-going conversations; proactive advising for juniors, seniors and early alert students; and comprehensive academic support services. This relationship provides students sustained support, information and resources to achieve their educational and lifelong goals. STARS provides supplemental instruction, early alert, academic enhancement workshops, learning communities and mentoring programs to all Â鶹AV undergraduates. STARS also offers individual, group and walk-in tutoring for most subjects on the first floor of the Mary and John Gray Library. Please refer to our website for hours of operation. Additionally, STARS provides extensive advising services to all junior and senior students on academic probation with the goal of achieving good academic standing. Contact the STARS office at STARS@lamar.edu for more information.

TRiO Student Support Services (SSS)

TRiO Student Support Services (SSS)
Location: SSC 241, Phone (409) 880-7920. TRiO Student Support Services is federally funded by the Department of Education to provide support and resources to students from first-generation and/or low-income backgrounds and students with disabilities. To be selected as a participant, students must meet at least one of the three eligibility criteria and demonstrate academic need. Participants receive a wide array of free services specifically designed to facilitate their path toward a college degree. SSS provides personal and academic advising, academic tutoring, career and major exploration, financial literacy education, and assistance completing financial assistance paperwork and scholarship searches. The SSS staff consists of caring professionals motivated to help students grow personally and academically.

6. Undergraduate Advising Center

Freshmen and sophomores with fewer than 60 credit hours are advised in the Undergraduate Advising Center (UAC). The UAC supports the mission of Â鶹AV by enhancing student development and success through exemplary service, collaboration, and support in academic advising. The UAC facilitates student success and engagement by advising, enrolling, tracking, and referring students to faculty, departments, support services, and activities. The UAC proactively assesses and responds to student needs as professional advisors meet multiple times each semester to formulate the appropriate plan for student success toward degree completion. 

Students with over 60 credit hours meet with advisors within their academic major.

Extensive advisement opportunities for Juniors and Seniors are also available through the Offices of Student Advising and Retention Services (STARS). Detailed information is available at /student-advising-and-retention/.

I Will Enrollment Agreement

Students who do not meet the requirements for “unconditional admission” to Â鶹AV will be considered on an individual approval basis termed I Will enrollment.  Â鶹AV is committed to higher educational opportunity and recognizes that traditional formal admission requirements are imperfect predictors of student success.   Effort, dedication, and related intangible factors do matter; hence, I Will.   Â鶹AV is equally committed to student success and behaviors indicative of future achievement.  I Will students begin their college careers within a structured higher educational environment specifically created with their needs, the needs of their fellow students, and the requirements of the university in mind.  Prospective students who do not meet the requirements for “unconditional admission” will be reviewed for individual approval and notified if I Will enrollment is offered to them.

7. Center for College Readiness

To assist students in meeting the requirements of the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Program, Â鶹AV offers courses at the college readiness or pre-collegiate level. Students who do not achieve required scores on one or more portions of the approved college readiness test(s) must be enrolled in at least one college readiness course or program. All TSI-restricted and Individual Approval students must receive approval from the Undergraduate Advising Center to add or drop a course. Usually, a course may not be added after the first two days of the semester. For detailed information about courses and policies, contact the Undergraduate Advising Center at (409) 880-8822 or e-mail advising@lamar.edu. For information about test scores necessary to enter Â鶹AV’s regular courses, go to /center-for-college-readiness/.

Pre-Collegiate Courses

To serve students whose performance on the college readiness test(s) indicates under-preparation, college readiness courses are offered in each of the skill areas. Students are placed into one of the three college readiness math courses based on the level of preparation indicated by the placement test.

CRRE 0371 – College Readiness Reading. Development of basic reading skills at the college level. The course is required of all students who have not achieved the required score on the reading portion of an approved placement test. This course does not satisfy the general degree requirements for any major. Prerequisite: None

CRMA 0370 – College Readiness Math-Pre-Algebra. Development of basic arithmetic skills. This course is a prerequisite for CRMA 0371 and is required for all students who have not achieved the required score on the math portion of an approved placement test. This course does not satisfy the general degree requirement for mathematics.

CRMA 0371 – College Readiness Math-Algebra I. Development of basic algebraic skills. This course is a prerequisite for CRMA 0372 and is required for all students who have not achieved the required score on the math portion of an approved placement test. This course does not satisfy the general degree requirement for mathematics. Prerequisite: CRMA 0370 or equivalent.

CRMA 0372 – College Readiness Math-Algebra II. Development of intermediate algebraic skills. This course is required for all students who have not achieved required scores on the math portion of an approved placement test. For these students, the course is a prerequisite for MATH 1314 or MATH 1324. This course does not satisfy the general degree requirements for mathematics. Prerequisite: CRMA 0371 or equivalent.

CRWT 0371 – College Readiness Writing. Development of basic composition and writing skills. This course is a prerequisite for all students who have not achieved the required score on the writing portion of an approved placement test. This course does not satisfy general degree requirements for freshman English.

8. Honors College

The University Honors College, directed by Dr. Kevin Dodson, is designed to bring out the best in Â鶹AV’s academically talented students and to serve as a core of academic excellence within the university community. Located at 1060 East Virginia, the Honors College exists to give bright, motivated students the opportunities and environment that will enable them to develop into creative and productive people. Incoming freshmen are expected to have an SAT score of 1200 or above or a ranking in the top 10 percent of their high school graduating class. Students already enrolled at Â鶹AV must have a University GPA of at least 3.5 on 12 or more academic credits to apply. Honors Program students must have a GPA of 3.4 to maintain eligibility. Applications are available in the Honors Program office and may be downloaded from the Â鶹AV web site. For more information call (409) 212-2294.

The Honors College offers enriched classes in most of the Core Curriculum courses, upper-level interdisciplinary classes, enhanced classes in many majors, and opportunities for Independent Study and the Honors Thesis, as detailed below. All Honors College students, regardless of major, are encouraged to become Honors College Graduates through accruing 23 Honors credit hours including the Honors Thesis, or 26 hours (of which 8 hours must be at the junior or senior level) without the thesis. Honors Program students are eligible for the McMaster Honors Scholarship and the Tom Jones Memorial Scholarship and are members of the Honors Student Association. Please contact the director for further details.

The Honors College also administers Â鶹AV’s Scholars Development Program, which was initiated in 2003 to provide preparation and guidance to those Â鶹AV students who indicate both a desire and the general capability for graduate work. It is expected that Â鶹AV will select nominees for national scholarships and fellowships from among participants in the Scholars Development Program (although not exclusively, nor will all participants necessarily receive a nomination). Students may be nominated by their professors for the Scholars Development Program and will normally enroll in HNRS 2160 (Scholars Development Seminar) by their sophomore year.

Within the University’s Core Curriculum, Â鶹AV offers either full Honors sections or opportunities to petition for Honors credit in Philosophy of Knowledge, US History I and II, American Government I and II, General Chemistry I and II, calculus-based Physics, as well as several classes that fulfill the literature, social science and fine arts options.  Honors sections or opportunities to petition for Honors credit are also offered for other classes at the 1000-2000 levels that are required in a significant array of student degree plans. Honors credit entails course assignments in addition to (or different from) the standard course. Students should consult with individual professors or the Honors director for details.

All Honors students take at least two Honors Seminars (HNRS 3161). These can be taken at any time after the freshman year. Topics vary and have included "Fashion and Politics," "Machine Intelligence," "Financial Mathematics," and "The Seven Deadly Sins." Junior-and senior-level honors credits can be earned in several ways: 1) through upper-level Honors courses and seminars, 2) through Honors Independent Study classes, 3) through adding an Honors Contract to an upper-level class, or 4) through the Honors Thesis.

Upper-level Honors courses include SOCI 3360 – Honors Human Nature and the Human Condition and HNRS 4364 – Honors Topics. The latter course is offered by professors in any department who have a subject to teach that is not listed in the regular curriculum. Topics have included “Popular Music and Cultural Studies,” “Islam” and “Books and Bookmaking.” Honors Independent Study (HNRS 3360) provides the opportunity for students in any major to create a course of study that is not covered in the regular curriculum. Students often use this opportunity for independent research and creative endeavor. The Honors Contract may be used to individually enhance a course in the regular curriculum for Honors credit. Honors Thesis (HNRS 4360 and 4361) permits students aiming at post-baccalaureate degrees to demonstrate clearly the ability to complete a major research/creative project. For all students, it provides the opportunity to pursue in depth an area of study or research that is personally important or intriguing. Forms and guidelines for both of these options may be secured in the Honors Program offices or downloaded from the Honors website.

Honors Student Life

In addition to offering an enriched curriculum, the Honors College encourages and supports student research and creative activity leading to presentations and publications, study abroad, and participation in a variety of extracurricular summer programs. The program also has a residential component in Cardinal Village and, together with our award-winning Honors Student Association, encourages participation in the cultural life of the campus and community as well as volunteer service. Honors Peer Mentors assist freshmen in making the transition to college life. For more information about Honors Program activities, see /honors-college/.

9. Air Force ROTC

Â鶹AV offers the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) through written agreement with the University of Houston. All Â鶹AV Air Force ROTC courses and physical training sessions take place on the University of Houston campus.

The University of Houston will provide AFROTC instruction in the General Military Course and/or the Professional Office Course to qualified and selected applicants who are Â鶹AV students, enroll qualified students of Â鶹AV who are selected for the General Military Course and/or the Professional Officer Course as members of the Air Force detachment of the University of Houston, and provide uniforms, in accordance with the existing agreement between the University of Houston and the Secretary of the Air Force, to Â鶹AV for all Air Force ROTC cadets who are enrolled as members for the Air Force ROTC detachment at the University of Houston. The courses required for this program carry Â鶹AV numbers, and students pay all applicable tuition and fees to Â鶹AV. For more information on the Air Force Science program, contact the Air Force Science Department at the University of Houston by calling (713) 743-4932 or online at .

Course Credit

ROTC classes may be taken for elective credit toward any degree plan at Â鶹AV or as a minor for some programs. Classes are open to all students. No military obligation is incurred as a result of enrollment in these courses. ROTC scholarship students do incur a military obligation.

The freshman- and sophomore-level courses (the General Military Course) consist of one hour of classroom instruction as well as a Leadership Laboratory each week. Each semester of the junior and senior courses (Professional Officer Corps) consists of three classroom hours of instruction as well as a Leadership Laboratory each week. As a junior, the student will study the core values, leadership, teamwork and management tools required to become an effective Air Force officer. During the senior year, students study the national security policy process, complete regional and cultural studies, and complete final requirements for commissioning as second lieutenants. Enrollment in the Professional Officer Corps (POC) is open to graduate students if they have four semesters of school remaining. Graduate student enrollment is based on needs of the Air Force. Each semester of the POC (traditionally junior and senior year) consists of three classroom hours of instruction as well as Leadership Laboratory each week.

Air Force Science Minor

Students considering using Air Force ROTC classes as a minor should consult an advisor in their major field. The minor must consist of a minimum of 18 semester hours, of which 12 must be at the junior or senior level (3000 or 4000 level). Nine semester hours of these must be completed in residence, of which six must be advanced. Students must attend Field Training in order to be commissioned.

Leadership Laboratory

As an Air Force ROTC cadet, each student is required to attend an additional two-hour class known as Leadership Laboratory. Although not part of the academic class requirement, it is an essential element of officer training. Leadership Laboratory is an intensive military training program in which students gain invaluable leadership and managerial experience while learning about the Air Force way of life. Students have numerous opportunities to hear guest speakers and panel discussions, participate in field trips and experience practical leadership exercises.

AFROTC Scholarship Opportunities

Air Force ROTC offers various scholarship opportunities for students at Â鶹AV. All AFROTC scholarship recipients receive a nontaxable monthly stipend; this is in addition to the tuition and book scholarship monies. The annual stipend amount ranges from $2,500 per year to $4,500 per year, depending on the recipient's enrollment year. For additional information on AFROTC scholarship opportunities, please visit the or call 1-800-4AFROTC.

Additional Training

All cadets are required to complete a summer Field Training (FT) program. This rigorous program of leadership training, physical conditioning and academics assesses the cadet's potential to be an Air Force officer. Cadets also receive survival and firearms training and career information. Cadets receive travel pay and daily pay for FT. This training occurs the summer prior to entry into the Professional Officer Corps (traditionally summer prior to junior year.)

Cadets meet two times per week at the University of Houston Alumni Center to perform physical fitness training. The training is mandatory and emphasizes push-ups, sit-ups and running in order to pass the USAF physical fitness test. Â鶹AV students combine their academics, leadership laboratory and physical fitness into one day at University of Houston. Other physical fitness training is conducted on an honor system set up directly between the Cadets and Detachment 003.

Cadets are eligible to compete to attend Professional Development Training during the summer months. These programs are strictly voluntary. This training includes activities such as tours of nearby active duty Air Force bases, soaring and free-fall parachuting at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), Cultural and Foreign Language Immersion abroad, hands-on research at Air Force laboratories, shadowing an Air Force officer in Operation Air Force, and internships at NASA and other government organizations. Cadets receive travel pay and daily pay for the majority of these programs. For more information, contact the Unit Admissions Officer at (713) 743-4932 or visit the University of Houston Air Force website at .

10. Center for General Studies/Bachelor of General Studies

Program Coordinator: Dr. Joe Nordgren, 203 Parker Building, Phone (409) 880-8508

Director of Academic Advising: Ms. Frances Morris,107 Communication Building, Phone (409) 880-7570, Email: gsadvising@lamar.edu

The Center for General Studies assists students who have not selected a major with enrollment and course selection and provides counseling on academic progress and academic opportunities. Students who have yet to select a major are restricted to 1000-and 2000-level courses but are free to enroll in additional lower-level electives while completing the components of the General Education Core Curriculum. Typically, students will choose a major field of study by the end of the third semester of enrollment. Students should consult the discipline-specific sections of this catalog to identify advisors and advising centers for academic departments.

The Bachelor of General Studies degree can provide opportunity for an individual to construct a personal curricular plan, i.e., to take courses in more than one area of interest, resulting in a broad-based program of study. Additionally, the Bachelor of General Studies program is designed for those students who have already established careers and who wish to earn credit toward a degree while learning for the pleasure of learning. The Bachelor of General Studies degree will be granted upon the completion of 120 semester credit hours as follows: General Education Core Curriculum (42 semester hours); General electives (33 semester hours): Advanced Requirements, AASC-3301 and AASC-4301 (6 semester hours); and Advanced Electives (39 semester hours). Course selection is subject to the approval of the academic advisor. A minimum of 45 upper-division hours is required, with at least 12 advanced hours in each of three areas of concentration. At least 12 hours of these upper-division courses will be at the 4000 level. An overall grade point average of 2.00 is mandatory on all upper-division courses used to meet the General Studies degree requirements. However, beginning in spring 2013, new students entering the B.G.S. degree program must earn a “C” or higher in all upper-level courses (required courses and electives) that comprise the 45 advanced hours within the suggested program of study.