Overview
Lamar University originated on March 8, 1923, with the plans for “a junior college of the first class.” On June 8, 1942, classes were held for the first time on the present campus. In 1962, the Graduate School was established, and the Doctor of Engineering and the Doctor of Education in deaf education were established in 1971 and in 1993, respectively. Lamar is proud to be part of the Texas State University System and eagerly anticipates the evolving needs of its students.

The student body consists of 9,726 undergraduate students, 1,117 master’s students, and 61 doctoral students. The majority of undergraduate enrollment is from Jefferson and Orange Counties, while the Graduate School population is largely international. The average age of Graduate School students is 33.

At the spring commencement, there were 126 master’s degrees awarded, thirty-eight for arts and sciences, four for business, twenty-two for education, fifty for engineering, and twelve master’s degrees in fine arts. There were also three doctoral degrees awarded, one for engineering and two for fine arts (deaf education).

The Location and Community
The Lamar University campus is located in Beaumont, Texas. With a population of more than 114,000, Beaumont is a diversified city, home to not only the University but also businesses and industry stemming from a strong petrochemical and agriculture base. World-renowned companies are located in Beaumont to take advantage of the area’s resources and its educational workforce.

Programs of Study and Degree Requirements
Doctoral degrees are offered in the following disciplines: deaf education (Ed.D.), audiology, educational leadership (Ed.D.), chemical engineering, civil engineering, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering (D.E.). Beginning in the fall 2005 semester, a Ph.D. is being offered in chemical engineering. A second Ph.D. will soon be offered in civil engineering.

Master’s degrees are offered in applied criminology (M.S.), biology (M.S.), business administration (M.B.A.), chemical engineering (M.E. and M.E.S.), chemistry (M.S.), civil engineering (M.E. and M.E.S.), community and counseling psychology (M.S.), computer science (M.S.), counseling and development (M.Ed.), deaf studies/habilitation (M.S.), educational administration (M.Ed.), electrical engineering (M.E. and M.E.S.), elementary education (M.Ed.), engineering management (M.E.M.), English (M.A.), environmental engineering (M.S.), environmental studies (M.S.), family and consumer science (M.S.), history (M.A.), industrial engineering (M.E. and M.E.S.), industrial and organizational psychology (M.S.), kinesiology (M.Ed.), mathematics (M.S.), mechanical engineering (M.E. and M.E.S.), music (M.Mu.), music education (M.Mu.Ed.), nursing administration (M.S.), nursing education (M.S.), public administration (M.P.A.), secondary education (M.Ed.), special education (M.Ed.), speech-language pathology (M.S.), supervision (M.Ed.), theater (M.S.), and visual arts (studio art and art history) (M.A).

Teaching certification is available in the areas of counseling, educational diagnostician, elementary education, mental retardation, midmanagement administrator (principal), reading specialist, school superintendent, secondary education, special education supervisor, supervisor, and visiting teacher. The Early Childhood Development Center is a tool that provides University students direct observation of young children who exhibit typical and atypical development, as well as the opportunity to investigate effective teaching strategies for promoting optimal development among young children.

Facilities & Resources
The eight-story Mary and John Gray Library building dominates the campus from its central location. The library occupies seven floors and possesses an online public-access catalog to more than 1 million volumes and 3,000 periodicals. In addition to a collection of books and periodicals, the library provides access to state and federal government documents and participates in the library networks that extend access to information resources. The library coordinates multimedia programs on campus and has a basic collection of equipment and materials for central distribution.

The Research Office is administered by the Associate Vice President for Research, who chairs the research council. This office promotes and funds internal research; oversees sponsored programs and technology transfer, as well as patent, copyright, and intellectual property policies; establishes liaisons between the University and state and national funding sources; and ensures that proposed projects comply with institutional and governmental regulations. This office also provides assistance to faculty members in the development and submission of grant/project proposals by locating funding sources and providing editorial assistance in proposal preparation.

Expenses and Aid
The current tuition rate for a Texas resident is $257.50 per hour for the summer and $235.50 for fall and spring. Non-Texas resident tuition is $655.50 per hour for the summer and $626.50 for fall and spring.

Financial Aid:
Financial assistance in the form of loans, grants, scholarships, tuition fee waivers, and the Federal Work-Study Program is available for a number of qualified students. Details may be obtained upon request from the Director of Financial Aid, P.O. Box 10042, Beaumont, Texas 77710. Teaching and research assistantships 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.

Housing/Living Expenses:
A variety of living options are available and include modern furniture, semiprivate rooms, carpet, central heating and air conditioning, and various color schemes in the dormitories. Apartment accommodations in newly remodeled buildings are also available. Questions concerning housing and rates can be directed to the Residence Life Office, Lamar University, P.O. Box 11950, Beaumont, Texas 77710 or Cardinal Village, P.O. Box 10040, Beaumont, Texas 77710.

How to Apply
General admission information can be found on the University Web site or in the graduate catalog. Graduate students must meet the general standards and may have to meet more stringent standards, depending upon the department. Domestic students must submit all materials at least thirty days before registration.

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