First-Rate, Flexible LSC Programs for Distance Learners
Lone Star College appears in our ranking of the Top 5 Associate’s in Communication Online.
Ranked sixth nationally by Diverse Issues in Higher Education, Lone Star College is an innovative public, multi-campus system in Greater Houston that grants 92 associate degrees and 110 certificate programs, including 21 fully online, at a 20:1 student-teacher ratio. For example, the Computer Programming Specialist A.A.S. codes a 60-credit, two-year online sequence where undergrads unlock Microsoft, Oracle, and Amazon certifications for a median mid-career salary of $60,900. Chaired by Prof. Ellen Junious, the 60-credit Accounting A.A.S. trains entry-level financial clerks in fast eight-week online courses from Internal Auditing to Federal Tax for 85 percent job placement.
Online on D2L Brightspace, the International Studies A.A. maps a 60-credit, SACS-accredited plan with opportunities to travel abroad from Chile to Italy for 2+2 transfers into humanities bachelor’s at partners like UH-Downtown, Saint Thomas, Prairie View A&M, and Texas Tech. Headed by Prof. Donna Willingham, the 60-credit Teaching A.A. aligns to State Board for Education Certification Pedagogy standards for future K-12 teachers to complete their first two bachelor’s years with field experiences, such as Frostwood Elementary or Kingwood High.
Other online Lone Star degrees include the Human Resource A.A.S., Business A.A.S., Criminal Justice A.A., and Speech Communication A.A.
About Lone Star College
Lone Star College originated in 1972 when the Aldine, Spring, and Humble Independent School Districts banded together to start Norris Harris County College for technical degrees. In 1984, it partnered with Kingwood College at Atascocita Center for health care programs. In 1991, it expanded to serve The Woodlands as North Harris Montgomery Community College. Six years later, the Texas Legislature passed the HR-1123 Bill to recognize Montgomery County as the state flag’s birthplace. In Fall 2007, the Board of Trustees decided to rebrand the school as Lone Star College then. On May 1, 2009, Lone Star College acquired HP’s former Compaq building off Highway 249. In 2012, LSC invested $23.7 million to create the University Park campus for its Energy & Manufacturing Institute. In 2013, Lone Star College reacted quickly to an active shooter and preserved all victims’ lives.
Budgeting $381.96 million yearly, Lone Star College now enrolls 89,150 Hurricanes in 603,114 credit hours online, on six official Texas campuses, and at The Woodlands University Center with 150+ clubs like Deliberative Dialogue for 72 percent persistence. In 2011, LSC won the Journey to the Cloud Award for Technology Excellence. In 2012, Lone Star accepted the DEAA Digital Education Achievement Award. LSC received the 2018 PeopleSoft Innovator Award for Technology Innovation too. Community College Week applauded LSC for the third most associate degrees nationwide. On Niche, LSC boasts America’s 87th best junior college courses. WalletHub named Lone Star College 153rd for best career outcomes. Hispanic Outlook of Higher Education ranked LSC #1 in Houston for Latinx students. According to RateMyProfessors.com, Lone Star has Texas’ top faculty with four stars for academic quality.
Lone Star College Accreditation Details
On October 6, 2011, Lone Star College submitted its Quality Enhancement Plan to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to begin the Level I reaffirmation process through 2021-22 under its Chief Executive Officer Shah Ardalan, EdD, who earned the Phi Theta Kappa Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction. Located 829 miles east via Interstate 10 in Decatur, this giant 11-state Gulf Coast Region accreditor is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). The Academic Affairs Office also lists these accreditations:
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
- Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education
- National Automotive Technician Education Foundation
- Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Commission on Dental Accreditation
- National Center for Construction Education and Research
- Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management
- International Association of Drilling Contractors
- American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
- Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
- Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Assisting
- Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
- Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
- Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
- American Veterinary Medical Association
Lone Star College Application Requirements
Getting into Lone Star College is classified “non-selective” by the U.S. News & World Report because 100 percent of the 25,310 Fall 2017 entrants were openly admitted. First-year Hurricanes still need to complete secondary education or the GED equivalency certificate. Special consideration may be given to high schoolers age 16 and up for dual enrollment. Maintaining a minimum 2.0 GPA is suggested for good academic standing. On average, freshmen present a 2.85 GPA. The Honors College chooses undergrads with at least 3.5 GPA, 1240 SAT, or 26 ACT marks. Taking the Texas Success Initiative test is required for associate degrees. Students meeting the 480 Reading and 530 Math SAT minimum are exempt. Other exemptions apply with a 23 ACT, 2200 TAKS, or 89 TAAS score. Foreign students are welcome if fluent with TOEFL scores above 530 pBT or 71 iBT.
Lone Star College conveniently has rolling admission to begin eight-week online courses throughout the year. It’s best to apply one month before current start dates of August 27th, October 22nd, January 14th, March 18th, May 13th, and July 11th. Non-U.S. residents must file before July 1st for Fall or November 1st for Spring enrollment. The Honors College has a firm April 15th deadline. The Student Ambassadors Program accepts candidates from May 1st to June 15th. Accordingly, complete the free LSC Application via the ApplyTexas portal online. Forward official transcripts to 5000 Research Forest Drive in The Woodlands, TX 77381. Submit supplemental documents, such as the transfer evaluation, test score, English proficiency verification, financial responsibility statement, and valid F-1 visa. Contact (281) 351-3389 or FACC@LoneStar.edu with questions.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2019-20, Lone Star College is billing minimum in-district tuition of $103 per credit. Out-of-district Texans pay at least $208 per credit. International and out-of-state base charges are $263 per credit. Full-time semester costs would be $1,069 to $3,469. Certain associate programs have differential tuition of $6 to $22 extra per credit. For example, the Online Speech Communication A.A. adds $11 per credit for $114 to $264. Business A.A. majors cover an increased price of $19 per credit for $122 to $282. LSC budgets $11,700 for off-campus room and board. Undergrads typically spend about $2,550 on textbooks and $4,995 for miscellaneous. Annual associate attendance averages $20,845 in-district, $23,125 in-state, and $24,445 out-of-state.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Financial Aid Office at the Center for Academic & Student Affairs Room 105 connects 57 percent of new LSC Hurricanes to median tuition assistance of $5,468 each for $18.66 million total. Institutional funds include the Darlene Veltri Memorial Scholarship, Coapland Family Scholarship, Mary Anne Grasso Scholarship, Noble Energy Scholarship, Feldman Family Scholarship, Caldwell Companies Scholarship, Frank Codispoti Scholarship, Rosemarie Visconti Memorial Scholarship, Dr. Joe McMillian Scholarship, and Junior League of the Woodlands Scholarship. The Honors College covers full tuition plus $600 semester allowances for Chancellor’s Fellows with minimum 3.5 GPAs. The $2,500 T-STEM Scholarship assists science, technology, engineering, and math majors. Federal resources, such as the Pell Grant and Stafford Loan, require FAFSA forms coded 011145. Texans could also receive the Public Educational Grant, Educational Opportunity Grant, or Armed Services Scholarship.
Continue learning about Lone Star College at the Online Campus website.
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