Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) Academics and Unique Programs

Academics

In 1923 the South Park School District in Beaumont, Texas, was authorized to open a “junior college of the first class,” and the foundations for the current Lamar Institute of Technology were laid. Originally opened with a faculty of just 14 and a student body of 125, Lamar Institute of Technology was located within the existing high school and shared high school facilities until 1932. The college began to grow to its current size post World War II, after moving to its new Beaumont campus, continuing to focus on engineering, sciences, business and education. Eventually, Lamar University was established, Lamar Institute of Technology was designated as an educational center of the University and a member of the Texas State University System.

Students at Lamar Institute of Technology may choose from over 50 diploma, certificate, and degree granting academic programs in fields like business, industry, allied health, and public service & safety.

In addition to standard academic programs, the Workforce Training division is designed to assist students in acquiring the training and job skills necessary for employment in various business and industry fields. Students and/or professionals may train on-campus, off-campus, or through distance learning and General Continuing Education units. Department program areas include customized training services & education/business partnerships, off-campus training, continuing education, and the professional truck diving academy. Customized credit and non-credit training services can be organized to meet special needs for area business and industry community participants.

Students with time or travel constraints may study through the LIT Online program, where many credit programs make online courses available. While some visits to campus may be necessary or required, for example to complete labs or exams, the majority of student distance learning can take place in any location equipped with a computer connected to the internet. LIT uses Blackboard CE 8.0 as the online course platform, and certain browser requirements apply. As an alternative to online coursework, students may take LIT Off-Campus courses like the Frank Robinson Center and Silsbee Middle School. Other locations include the Gist State Jail and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department. Offered courses range from microcomputer applications and commercial license driving skills, to medical terminology and tactical skills for police.

The Lamar Institute of Technology is accredited to award associate degrees by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The dental hygiene program is accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation; the respiratory therapy program and diagnostic medical sonography programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs; the medical radiologic technology program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee for Education in Radiologic Technology; and the health information technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management

Most Popular Fields of Study

Information Summary

Ranks 117th in Texas and 2217th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	60.3
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$5,631
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	16 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	61% / 49%
Enrollment Total (all students)	3,265

Unique Programs

At Lamar Institute of Technology, students may participate in the Mentoring Program. Through the program students are paired with faculty and/or staff mentors to encourage and develop student skills and interests. Students and mentors meet regularly to discuss career and academic concerns and queries, and all students are welcome to participate.

Admissions

Applicants to Lamar Institute of Technology enjoy an open admissions policy to all students interested in “education and personal improvement.” Prospective students may receive assistance in enrolling from the LIT Office of Student Services. Categories of LIT enrollees include high school graduates, high school completers, GED certificate holders, dual enrollment students, readmission students, transfer students, and international students.

All students must submit an application, available at the Student Services office or online. Some courses may have specific requirements or prerequisites necessary for admission, and admission to LIT does not guarantee admission to all courses and programs. Programs requiring special admissions procedures, including the submission of SAT, ACT or other test scores, special applications, official transcripts, age requirements etc. include, but are not limited to, the Allied Health and Sciences Programs, the Police Academy, and the Fire Academy.

Financial Aid

Some students may qualify for financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and/or employment. To begin the process of applying for financial aid, students should contact the Financial Aid and Scholarship office for an application upon enrollment at LIT. All students must file the General Financial Aid Application, and may elect to fill out the Scholarship Application. Students looking to apply for Federal grants, loans and/or work-study employment must fill out the FAFSA.

As a special Texas State University System requirement, all students must establish an account or provide banking information to LIT to satisfy direct deposit requirements. The opportunity to open an account is available through Capital One for students without an existing personal checking account. For more information students should refer to the LIT Cashier’s Office.

There are two basic types of scholarships available at LIT, institutional scholarships and donor scholarships. Scholarship funds are awarded on the basis of academic merit, area of interest, program of study, or by reason of special student skills and merit. Some examples include the Alice & Dalton Babineaux Scholarship, the Baron Banks Scholarship for process operating technology, the Effie Mae & Wilton Hebert Scholarship, the Excellence Scholarship, and the Robert & Claire Collier Child Care Scholarship, amongst many others.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 4821st for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Texas.

Students

Students at LIT are represented by the Student Government Organization, that organizes a variety of student life events and activities. Participation is encouraged with the SGA, or with other organizations like the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society or Lamar Alive! Student Programming Board. The Setzer Student Center is a leisure recreation facility complete with game areas, a TV room, snack bar, reservations office, video lounge, ballroom, reading room and meeting rooms as well as dining facilities. Traditional events include Homecoming, Mardi Gras, African American History Month, AIDS Awareness, Diversity Week, and the Cardinal Comedy Corner. For even more chances to get involved, students may join one of over 140 registered student organizations ranging from religious clubs, to social groups and sports teams.

At Lamar Institute of Technology students enjoy a variety of student services. The student health center provides various medical services for students, as does the dental hygiene clinic, and student health insurance program. Housing and Residence Life at LIT is available by application to the housing office. Roommates are matched by the Department of Housing, and Residence Hall/Food Service Contracts last a full academic year. The Mega Bytes snack bar is located in the Beeson Building for student convenience, as well as a main dining hall and the Cardinal Nest in the Setzer Student Center.

Further student services include the Learning Lab and Mary and John Gray Library. The Learning Lab is located in the Technology Center Building and exists to provide computer-based assistance for COMPASS or THEA objectives of reading, writing and mathematics, as is the PLATO tutorial program. Personal tutoring is available, as is support for students taking web-based courses in mathematics. The Mary and John Gray Library is the campus’s 7-storey principal library, complete with a million volumes, 75 electronic indexes, and a full text database of periodicals. Study rooms, interlibrary loans, reserve reading, the Media Services Department, microcomputer lab, and special collections are also all at the disposal of LIT students.

For families the Early Childhood Development Center provides quality child care. The LIT campus has several denominations of full time ministry on campus, providing religious guidance and counseling, as well as non-credit study opportunities. Job placement services are available through Cooperative Education, and success skills through the Partnership in Achieving Student Success, the College Success Skills Course, and Academic Advising.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Athletics

Students who have paid the Recreational Sports fee may access any of the LIT Recreational Sports facilities, and may participate in intramural sports, group fitness, outdoor activities, aquatics and information recreation. The Sheila Umphrey Recreational Sports Center is a new addition to campus, and has over 130,000 feet of state-of-the-art space complete with indoor track, rock climbing wall, fitness center, weight machines, café, TV and game lounge, basketball courts, racquetball courts, a multipurpose court, outdoor putting green, and indoor soccer/floor hockey rink. Outdoor facilities are also available including the driving range, outdoor track, and tennis courts.

The LIT Cardinals field sports teams in co-ed badminton, men’s basketball, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, co-ed tennis, and women’s volleyball. Student may elect to participate in intramural sports including basketball, cricket, floor hockey, ragball, chess, indoor soccer. Free group fitness classes are available like, Yoga, PowerWalk, Cardial Circuit, Cycle 101, Indoor Cycle, Booty Beatz, Water Aerobics, Ballet Moves and 30-Minute Abs. Students may attend lap swim and open swim sessions at the campus indoor pool.

Local Community

As one of the world’s prominent petrochemical centers, Beaumont is a progressive Sunbelt city. With a population of over 100,000, a bustling downtown including dining, entertainment, coliseum, convention center civic center and performing arts theater, and amenities like shopping, leisure, churches and museums, it is a thriving college-town community. Nearby recreational features include the Gulf of Mexico, large lakes, and the Big Thicket National Preserve.

Lamar Institute of Technology