2019-2020 Catalog 
    
    Mar 19, 2024  
2019-2020 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Registration Procedures and Processes


Types of Courses

Lone Star College offers various course instructional delivery methods and enrollment options. LSC has offerings in college credit and non-credit. In college credit, students choose between general education pathways to a career that requires a bachelor’s, master’s, JD, PhD or MD by choosing from our Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree paths. A student can also choose a career that requires a two-year degree or less by selecting from our Workforce Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees or certificate programs.

Continuing Education is for the student who wants to pursue a fast track certificate (CTE), industry certification, college preparation (GED/ESL), or leisure learning (senior programs such as Academy for Lifelong Learning or summer youth camps such as Discovery College).

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 as prescribed by an outside accreditation agency.

Please visit the Programs of Study website,www.lonestar.edu/programs  

 

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 demonstrate evidence of prerequisites for any courses in which they would like to enroll.  If prerequisites are not met, students must be assessed.

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 be obtained at the college where the student registers.

Note: All students age 17 or younger must complete and return a Parental Consent and Waiver for Minor Students Form, also available at any LSC campus prior to enrolling at LSC. See LoneStar.edu/admissions for details.

F-1 Student Enrollment

Please review the Admission Policies and Procedures   section of this catalog for information regarding the enrollment of an international student on a valid F-1 visa.

Applicants on another non-immigrant visa status who wish to enroll in classes must speak with an International Student Advisor/Designated School Official on their campus. Applicants must be aware of any study restrictions that may apply to them based on their current visa status.

Applicants on another visa who wish to change their status to F-1 must review the change of status requirements.

Please note that Lone Star College is required to adhere by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program regulations as well as United States Citizenship and Immigration Services procedures. Procedures and policies may be subject to change with new and evolving U.S. Department of Homeland Security directives.

Questions regarding the admission policies and procedures can be directed to the campus ISA/DSO. http://www.lonestar.edu/international-students.htm

How to Enroll: Credit Courses

  • Complete all admissions steps outlined in Admissions Policies and Procedures in the catalog and found at LoneStar.edu/admissions.
  • 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 mini-mester. 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 Process

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 withdrawal date of that class. 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 or advisor before submitting the request for withdrawal. College campus procedures are on file in the student services office for specific requirements regarding withdrawal requests.

Before the W date, faculty members may withdraw a student under appropriate circumstances outlined in the class syllabus.

Satisfactory academic progress is required for continuing eligibility for financial aid and/or veteran’s benefits. Consult the campus financial aid office and/or veteran’s affairs office regarding the course completion requirements before 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.

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 Exempt from mandatory assessment if the student:

  • has recently taken an approved college assessment test (TSI, SAT, ACT, STAAR, TAKS) and earned the necessary scores;
  • has transferred 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;
  • has previously attended any public Texas institution of higher education and has been determined to have met readiness standards by that institution;
  • has graduated with an associate or baccalaureate degree from a US regionally accredited 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) before enrolling. Regulations set by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board require a student to participate in a Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA) before 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 before 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 equivalent 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 to enroll in the student success course their first semester in college. FTIC is defined as a student not having earned any college level coursework post high school. Lone Star College’s student success course is EDUC 1300. 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 English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Program is designed for non-native English speakers who want to improve their language and culture skills. The program is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The LSC-CyFair program is also accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA).

Students can register as credit or continuing education (CE) students in the ESOL program. Credit ESOL focuses on academically bound students and emphasizes preparation for college study. Students can earn institutional credit hours, qualifying them for full-time student status, financial aid, and insurance needs.

Continuing Education (CE) ESOL students are awarded continuing education units (CEUs) and a course certificate of completion for each level. Credit and CE ESOL courses are linked, so students receive the same quality education regardless of how they register.

Whether students register in credit or CE ESOL classes, they are required to complete an admission form first. There are different admission forms for credit and CE students.  Upon completing the application process, students will be directed to see an advisor and take an English placement test before registering for classes.

International students seeking a student visa should refer to the section on Admission Procedures for International Students.

ESOL Waiver - A temporary waiver for the Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA) is granted to students with demonstrated limited English proficiency in order to provide appropriate ESOL coursework and interventions. The waiver must be removed after the student attempts 15 credit hours of developmental ESOL coursework or prior to 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(1) and (2) for developmental education still apply.

The following charts provide placement based upon Accuplacer ESL testing.  Due to COVID19, a temporary alternate placement instrument is available. Students should speak with an ESOL advisor to discuss options.

ESOL Reading1

LEVEL

ACCUPLACER ESL

CREDIT

CONTINUING EDUCATION

1

Reading 46-61

ESOL 0361-ESOL Reading I           

ESOLC 3006101-ESOL Reading I

2

Reading 62-79

ESOL 0362-ESOL Reading II           

ESOLC 3006201-ESOL Reading II

3

Reading 80-94

ESOL 0363-ESOL Reading III      

ESOLC 3006301-ESOL Reading III

4

Reading 95-110

ESOL 0364-ESOL Reading IV            

ESOLC 3006401-ESOL Reading IV

5

Reading 111-120

ESOL 0365-ESOL Reading V

ESOLC 3006501-ESOL Reading V

ESOL Writing/ESOL Grammar1

LEVEL

ACCUPLACER ESL

CREDIT

CONTINUING EDUCATION

1

Language Usage

46-61

ESOL 0371-ESOL Writing I

ESOL 0391-ESOL Grammar I 2

ESOLC 3007101-ESOL Writing I

ESOLC 3000801-ESOL Grammar I 2

2

Language Usage

62-79

ESOL 0372-ESOL Writing II

ESOL 0392-ESOL Grammar II 2

ESOLC 3007201-ESOL Writing II

ESOLC 3000802-ESOL Grammar II 2

3

Language Usage

80-100

ESOL 0373-ESOL Writing III

ESOL 0393-ESOL Grammar III

ESOLC 3007301-ESOL Writing III

ESOLC 3000803-ESOL Grammar III

4

Language Usage

101-110

ESOL 0374-ESOL Writing IV

ESOL 0394-ESOL Grammar IV

ESOLC 3007401-ESOL Writing IV

ESOLC 3000804-ESOL Grammar IV

5

Language Usage

111-120

ESOL 0375-ESOL Writing V

ESOL 0395-ESOL Grammar for Writing V

ESOLC 3007501-ESOL Writing V

ESOLC 3000805-ESOL Grammar for Writing V

ESOL Integrated Reading/Writing

 LEVEL

ACCUPLACER ESL  

CREDIT


CONTINUING EDUCATION

5

Reading 111-120
Language Usage 111-120

ESOL 0310  Integrated Reading and Writing 1

ESOLC 3003101-ESOL Integrated Reading and Writing


ESOL Oral Communication

LEVEL

ACCUPLACER ESL  

CREDIT

CONTINUING EDUCATION

1

Listening 46-61

ESOL 0308-Language Skills Workshop

ESOLC 3000800-Language Skills Workshop

2

Listening 62-79

ESOL 0382-ESOL Oral Communication II

ESOLC 3008201-ESOL Oral Communication II

3

Listening 80-94

ESOL 0383-ESOL Oral Communication III

ESOLC 3008301-ESOL Oral Communication III

4

Listening 95-120

ESOL 0384-ESOL Advanced Listening and Speaking

ESOLC 3008401-ESOL Oral Communication IV

1 Writing sample may be required for ESOL Reading, Writing and Grammar courses.
ESOL Grammar I and ESOL Grammar II must be taken with corresponding ESOL Writing Course.

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 can be for single courses, a group of courses or entire degree programs (as listed in Program to Program Articulation Agreements and/or Transfer Degree Maps). Program to Program Articulation Agreements are major or program specific to provide 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-services

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 campuses only.

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