Programs and Degrees

Academic Programs 

The Academic programs offered within the division transfer to four-year institutions, allied health programs leading to certification or licensure, non-credit continuing courses, on-line courses, and courses conducted for dual credit in area high schools. 

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, art, biology, business, computer science, chemistry, criminal justice, drama, economics, education, English, geography, geology, government, history, home economics, mathematics, music, physical education, physics, psychology, speech and sociology. 

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 most 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.

Technical Programs

LSCPA offers forty-four (44) technical education degrees and certificates designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for employment in business and industry. Lamar State College-Port Arthur offers technical programs in fields including allied health, business, industry, music, nursing, and art. 

Students completing a technical education program earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree, Certificate Degree or an advanced technical certificate. Associate of Applied Science Degrees take approximately two years to complete and include technical courses and some general education courses. General education courses include courses in humanities, communication, mathematics, and social awareness. 

Certificate degree programs include technical courses and take approximately one or two semesters to complete. 

 Students enrolled in technical programs are taught by qualified instructors who have significant work experience and/or professional certifications in their field. Faculty use state-of-the-art equipment such as simulation labs, computer modeling, automotive engines, sound equipment, analyzers, and electrical circuits to provide students with a realistic experience in the classroom or lab. 

Dual Credit Courses

LSCPA partners with school districts, charter schools, private schools, and home school parents to offer academic and technical courses via dual credit. Depending on the agreement, courses are offered at the student’s high school, on the Lamar State College Port Arthur campus, and/or online.

Dual Credit provides an opportunity for high school students to earn high school credit and college credit simultaneously. The courses are applied towards both high school graduation requirements and the completion of a certificate or associate degree at Lamar State College Port Arthur

Texas Education Code, §29.182, 29.184, 61.027, 61.076(J), 130.001(b)(3) - (4), 130.008, 130.090, and 135.06(d) provide the Board with the authority to regulate dual credit partnerships between public two-year associate degree-granting institution and public universities with secondary schools.

General Education Requirements for Associate of Applied Science Degrees 

All AAS degree plans include at least five general education courses. Each degree plan must contain at least one course selected from three categories: Natural Sciences/Mathematics, Humanities/Fine Arts, and Social/Behavioral Sciences. Most degree plans specify the courses students must complete to meet certain general education requirements. However, some degree plans allow students to select electives from one or more general education categories.

The courses listed below meet the general education requirements in AAS degree plans for the three categories shown. The courses listed are not all inclusive.