Registration Policies and Procedures

Types of Courses

Lone Star College offers various course delivery methods and enrollment options. LSC has offerings in College Credit and Continuing Education (non-credit). Continuing Education courses range from GED to leisure to non-credit workforce development Career & Technical Education. College Credit courses are designed for students desiring to complete a certificate, an associate degree, and/or transfer to a four-year university.

Enrollment in courses may be restricted if the pre-requisite skills or recommended prior learning are not met, as demonstrated by assessment scores and/or transcripts of previous work.

For information and advising for Workforce, Languages and Personal Enrichment Continuing Education (CE) certificates and classes, please contact one of the college CE departments or visit LoneStar.edu/Continuing-Ed.

Registration Procedures for Non-Degree Seeking Students

A student who is not seeking a degree or certificate from LSC may enroll for a maximum of 12 semester credit hours without being assessed in reading, writing and mathematics if course prerequisites are met. Students must be assessed if course prerequisites are not met. A student who regularly attends another college and plans to enroll only in the summer or minimesters must provide documentation of enrollment in another institution prior to enrolling at LSC for courses that require prerequisites.

Registration for Students Seeking College Credit

Registration for courses occurs several times throughout the year. Registration dates, procedures, and other pertinent information are available online at LoneStar.edu/registration. Additional registration, assessment testing, and advising information may also be obtained at the college where students register.

Please Note:  All First-Time-In-College (FTIC) students are required to attend a New Student Orientation at one of the LSC campuses prior to registering for classes. Please contact your LSC campus for scheduling information or review information at LoneStar.edu/orientation.

How to Enroll: Credit Courses

• Complete all admissions steps.
• Develop your educational plan at LoneStar.edu; login to MyLoneStar; select My Classes; select My Planner; select Plan by My Requirements.
• Develop course schedule based on placement scores (see an advisor for assistance).
• Register for classes.
• Pay tuition and fees.

Auditing a Course

Approval to enter or audit a course may be granted by the instructional vice president or designee during the last week of registration for the class, providing the class is open for enrollment. The charges for auditing courses are the same as charges for credit enrollment. Credit will not be granted for an audited course unless approval to change from audit to credit is granted prior to the official day of record. Students may not change from credit to audit. Refunds for withdrawal from audit classes will be made according to the refund schedule established for credit courses during that semester. Students must meet the required prerequisites to audit a class.

Academic Overload (Recommended Academic Load)

An overload is defined as attempting more than 18 credit hours in the fall or spring semesters. An advisor can provide specific information about overloads in summer and other non-traditional length semesters. Students may only enroll in one course during a minimester. An overload during any semester must be approved by the campus vice president of instruction or designee.

Prerequisite or Corequisite Courses

Before registering for certain courses, a student may be required to complete designated prerequisites. Such requirements are indicated as part of the course description and are subject to change. It is the student’s responsibility to take courses in sequence and at the proper level. Failure to adhere to prerequisite/corequisite requirements may result in administrative withdrawal from  the course. The corequisite notation in a course description indicates that a student who enrolls in the course must enroll concurrently in the listed corequisite unless the concurrent course has been taken previously.

Under special circumstances, the Vice President of Instruction or designee may allow a student to register for a course without the required prerequisites. Students are cautioned that, under such circumstances, though they may receive credit toward graduation, another college may not accept such credits in fulfillment of certain specific requirements for a degree.

Change of Schedule

Students may not add a course, regardless of format, after the class has met once, without the signature of an academic dean, vice president or their designee.

Course Withdrawal Policy

Withdrawal from a course after the official day of record will result in a mark of “W” on a student’s transcript and no credit will be awarded for the course(s). If a student registers and pays for a course, it is the student’s responsibility to drop/withdraw before the “W” date. The withdrawal will only be processed if the student completes, and submits for signature, the required withdrawal form(s). The student is strongly encouraged to consult with the faculty member and/or a counselor/advisor prior to submitting the request for withdrawal. College campus procedures are on file in the admissions office for specific requirements regarding withdrawal requests.

Prior to the “W” date, faculty members may withdraw a student under appropriate circumstances, which are outlined in the class syllabus.

Satisfactory academic progress is required for continuing eligibility for financial aid. Consult the college’s financial aid office regarding the course completion requirements prior to withdrawing from any courses as there may be repayment obligations.

Under Section 51.907 of the Texas Education Code, “An institution of higher education may not permit a student to drop more than SIX (6) courses, including any course a transfer student has dropped at another Texas public institution of higher education.” This statute was enacted by the State of Texas in spring 2007 and applies to students who enroll in a public institution of higher education as first-time freshmen in the fall 2007 semester or later. Students enrolled prior to fall 2007 are not affected. Any course that a student drops is counted toward the six-course limit unless the student is completely withdrawing from the institution or meets one of the criteria required for a waiver. A “drop” in this instance is considered when a student is dropped or withdrawn from a course after Official Day resulting in a grade of “W.” Eligible criteria for a waiver include a) change of work schedule prohibiting attendance, b) active military, c) severe illness or debilitating condition, d) death of a family member, e) class cancellation, and f) complete withdrawal.

Academic Fresh Start Program

Under the provisions of the Texas Education Code Section 51.931, a Texas resident is entitled to apply for admission or re-admission to LSC, or to any specialized admission program at LSC, and elect to have all academic coursework earned ten (10) or more years prior to the requested enrollment date ignored for enrollment purposes. The applicant must complete the Academic Fresh Start agreement with the college admissions office prior to registration, confirming the decision to enroll under the academic fresh start statute. An applicant who decides to apply under this statute may not receive any course credit for courses taken at any college or university ten (10) or more years prior to enrollment.

An applicant who chooses to exercise the provisions of the Academic Fresh Start Program must meet all LSC admission or re-admission requirements and must submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended prior to the Academic Fresh Start being granted. The courses excluded under this provision may not be counted toward a degree, may not be counted in the GPA calculations or academic standing, and may not be used to meet prerequisite requirements. Contact the Admissions Office for more information.

Please Note: The Academic Fresh Start Program does not apply to the Standards of Academic Progress for financial aid applicants. Therefore, the student may not qualify for financial aid based on prior academic performance.

Texas Success Initiative

The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is a program designed to help students develop the academic skills required to successfully complete college-level work via coursework and other means. 

A student is considered TSI Complete and Exempt from mandatory assessment if the student:

• has completed the approved developmental course sequence with a “C” or better in each course;
• has recently taken an approved college assessment test (TSI, SAT, ACT, STAAR, TAKS) and earned the necessary scores;
• transfers from a private or independent institution of higher education or an accredited out-of-state institution of higher education and who has satisfactorily completed college-level coursework as determined by LSC;
• student has previously attended any institution and has been determined to have met readiness standards by that institution;
• has graduated with an associate or baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education;
• is enrolled in a certificate program of one year or less such as a Level One certificate program;
• is serving on active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States, the Texas National Guard, or as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States and has been serving for at least three years preceding enrollment;
• who on or after August 1, 1990, was honorably discharged, retired, or released from active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States or the Texas National Guard or service as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States.

Unless exempt, all LSC students must complete a Pre-Assessment Activity and placement test (TSI assessment) prior to enrolling. Regulations set by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board require a student to participate in a Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA) prior to taking a required placement test. A student will not be permitted to take a placement test (TSI Assessment) until the Pre-Assessment Activity has been completed. 

The Pre-Assessment Activity may be completed online or during an in-person session at a LSC college. For more information go to LoneStar.edu/test-preparation.

The Pre-Assessment Activity includes:

• An explanation of the importance of the TSI Assessment;
• Practice test questions and feedback;
• An explanation of all developmental education options if a standard is not met; and
• Information about campus and community resources that help college students to succeed.

Unless exempt, all LSC students must complete assessment prior to enrolling. Enrollment in most college-level courses requires test scores high enough to place into the college-level course. Developmental courses appear on transcripts from LSC but do not transfer to four-year institutions, nor do they apply to LSC degrees or certificates.

All associate degrees, Level Two certificates and post-AAS certificates require completion of TSI requirements. Once a student has met the college readiness standard for a particular skill area, the student may enroll in college credit courses related to the skill area while completing other developmental education requirements.

All developmental courses transferred from another institution must be a “C” or better or the student will need to retake the section of the TSI Assessment and score high enough to place into the college-level course.

Details on course placement scores, test preparation activities, and exemption criteria are available at LoneStar.edu/developmental-studies

Student Success Course

A core value of Lone Star College is the expectation that every student successfully completes his or her educational goals. Lone Star College is committed to utilizing research-based best practices to support every student’s successful integration into a collegiate environment and movement toward a pathway of college completion. Through research and experience, Lone Star College recognizes that successful college transition and completion is dependent on a student’s ability to:

     1) Develop an awareness of collegiate processes, resources, and expectations;
     2) Acquire assistance in academic and career planning; and
     3) Apply appropriate executive function skills, study skills, and social/emotional skills.

Lone Star College’s student success course is designed to assist students in achieving identified student learning outcomes that improve academic, career, and personal development to increase achievement and completion.

Beginning fall 2014, Lone Star College requires all First-Time-In-College (FTIC) students enroll in the student success course their first semester in college. FTIC is defined as having not completed any college courses post high school. Lone Star College’s student success course is EDUC 1300 - Learning Framework: 1st Year Experience . Students who do not pass the required Lone Star College student success course will not be allowed to register for subsequent semesters without re-enrolling in the student success course.

English for Speakers of Other Languages

The Intensive English Program is designed for non-native English speakers who want to improve their language and culture skills. The LSC-CyFair and the LSC-North Harris programs have been accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation. Credit ESOL focuses on academically bound students and emphasizes preparation for college study. Students can earn institutional credit qualifying them for full-time student status, financial aid, and insurance needs. Students are awarded institutional semester credit hours.

Continuing education ESOL is designed for professionals, participants preparing to enter careers requiring English proficiency, and those seeking general broad-based English development. Students are awarded continuing education units for each level.

Admission to the program requires prior admission to the college. International students seeking a student visa should refer to the section on “Admission Procedures for International Students .” Upon completing the application process, students will be directed to take an English placement test before registering for classes.

ESOL Waiver– A temporary waiver from the ESOL placement test is granted to students with demonstrated limited English proficiency in order to provide appropriate ESOL coursework and interventions. The waiver must be removed prior to the student coursework or attempting entry-level freshman coursework, whichever comes first, at which time the student would be administered the TSI Assessment. Funding limits as defined in Texas Education Code, §51.3062(l) (1) and (2) for developmental education still apply.

ESOL Placement Chart

ESOL Reading*

ESOL Writing/ESOL Grammar*

ESOL Oral Communication

* Writing sample required for ESOL Reading, Writing and Grammar courses

ESOL Placement

• Students who score into levels 1- 3 of LSC ESOL program are waived from the TSI;
• Students who tested into level 4 and/or 5 (developmental level courses) need to take the TSI assessment;

In the semester before an ESOL student enters credit classes, the student should take the TSI assessment test (not the COMPASS ESL) as required by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Articulation

Articulation agreements provide a seamless transition for students moving from one level of education to another by matching curriculum to reduce duplication of course content. Articulation agreements exist between LSC and various universities, independent school districts, private secondary schools, continuing education courses, and other training and certification entities.

University Articulation

University articulation for transfer can be for single courses, a group of courses (as listed on transfer planning guides) or entire degree programs (as listed in university articulation agreements). Transfer planning guides or equivalency charts are course specific and are updated annually. University articulation agreements are major or program specific. This type of articulation provides students with the assurance that the coursework at LSC will transfer and satisfy degree requirements at a specific university. For more information visit LoneStar.edu/transfer-university.

High School Articulation

Course articulation agreements match high school courses with college workforce courses included in credit workforce awards.

Students must fulfill the following requirements to receive articulated credit:

• Submit a high school transcript documenting a grade of at least 80 percent in the articulating course.
• Submit an application for Prior Learning Assessment by High School Articulation within 15 months of high school graduation.
• Complete at least one articulating high school course as a junior or senior.

LSC participates in the Advanced Technical Credit (ATC) program. A student may receive credit for a high school ATC designated course at any participating community college in the State of Texas. Local articulation agreements offer additional course options and are designed for credit through LSC colleges only.

For more information on how to apply for articulated credit, contact the advising office at any college campus. The website for articulated credit is LoneStar.edu/hsa or visit atcTexas.org for statewide information.

GED®, High School Equivalency

LSC offers a high school equivalency, General Educational Development, preparation program. The orientation and preparation classes are offered at campuses within the college system. The 2014 GED® test aligns with current high school standards and college and career-readiness expectations. The test is now computer-based. LSC orientation and preparation classes are designed to prepare students for the new GED® test. Consult the continuing education office or website at LoneStar.edu/GED for further information and registration for the orientation sessions and preparation classes.