Fall 2026
Court Systems & Practices
Name of Department: Law Enforcement CTE Dual Credit
Course Subject Area, Number, Title, and Section Number: CJSA 1313-E8
Instructor Name: Eric Young
Building/Office Number: Livingston High School F-162
Office Hours: 7:30 am-3:45 pm
Virtual Hours: N/A
Office Telephone: (936) 328-8600 ext. 8140
Email Address: eayoung@livingstonisd.com
The judiciary in the criminal justice system; structure of the American court system; prosecution; right to counsel; pre-trial release; grand juries; adjudication process; types and rules of evidence, sentencing.
There are no pre-requisites for this course.
Upon registration, LSCO students are automatically charged $25 per semester credit hour for access to all required textbooks, lab manuals, access codes, and e-books through the Gator Book Pack program. Physical materials may be picked up in Beaumont or shipped for an additional fee. Information and FAQs are available on the LSCO Gator Book Pack webpage. Students have until the second class day of the semester to opt out of the program.
Students are expected to have access to all required materials during the first week of class and are responsible for completing all assigned coursework. Students who do not have access to their materials during the first week should notify the instructor immediately for guidance.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will acquire the following course learning outcomes:
Course Level Learning Outcomes (ACGM or WECM)Core Objectives Associated Course Activities/Assignments/Projects
Upon successful completion of this course, students will acquire the following course learning outcomes:
| Course Level Learning Outcomes (WECM) | Core Objectives | Associated Course Activities/Assignments/Projects |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Describe the American judicial systems (civil, criminal, and juvenile), including their jurisdiction, development, and structure. | Students will explain the organization, jurisdiction, and functions of federal and Texas courts and distinguish among civil, criminal, and juvenile court systems. | Court System Structure Assignment; Civil vs. Criminal Court Comparison; Courtroom Personnel Activity; Court Structure Research; reading assignments; quizzes; unit examinations. |
| 2. Analyze the function and dynamics of the courtroom work group. | Students will identify and analyze the roles, responsibilities, relationships, and ethical considerations of judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, defendants, victims, jurors, bailiffs, clerks, and other courtroom participants. | Courtroom Work Group Project; courtroom role-play; attorney/judge role activities; Mock Trial activities; courtroom observation or analysis; ethics scenarios; case studies. |
| 3. Identify judicial processes from pretrial to appeal. | Students will explain the major stages of a criminal case, including arrest, initial appearance, arraignment, pretrial proceedings, plea negotiations, trial, sentencing, and appellate review. | Criminal Case Flowchart; Pretrial Process Case Study; Plea Bargaining Activity; Trial Process Simulation; Sentencing Activity; Appellate Process Assignment; quizzes and examinations. |
| 4. Describe significant constitutional amendments, doctrines, and other sources of law in the American judicial system. | Students will explain the constitutional foundations of the American judicial system and apply relevant constitutional amendments, legal doctrines, statutes, case law, and rules of evidence to factual scenarios. | Constitutional Amendments Assignment; Constitutional Law Case Briefs; Search and Seizure Scenarios; Miranda Activity; Evidence and Objection Exercises; Mock Trial; case analysis; examinations. |
In addition to the WECM-aligned outcomes above, students completing CJSA 1313-E8 will be expected to:
5. Apply court-system concepts to realistic legal scenarios.
Students will analyze factual situations and determine how court procedures, constitutional principles, evidence rules, and courtroom practices apply.
6. Demonstrate appropriate courtroom communication and professional conduct.
Students will demonstrate professional courtroom behavior, appropriate terminology, effective questioning techniques, and knowledge of courtroom procedure through simulations and practical activities.
7. Analyze the role of evidence in the adjudication process.
Students will distinguish relevant forms of evidence and apply foundational concepts concerning admissibility, hearsay, relevance, authentication, and other rules governing courtroom evidence.
Student achievement of the course learning outcomes will be assessed through:
The course activities are designed to require students to describe, analyze, identify, apply, and evaluate concepts associated with American court systems and practices.
WECM Alignment: The primary CLOs above follow the established CJSA 1313 course outcomes used by Texas community colleges and the WECM-aligned description of Court Systems & Practices. The course addresses the structure and jurisdiction of American courts, courtroom work groups, judicial processes, constitutional doctrines, sources of law, evidence, and sentencing.
| Week | Course Topics |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Introduction to the American Court System: Purpose and function of courts; history and development of the American judicial system; sources of law; terminology |
| Week 2 | Structure and Jurisdiction of Courts: Federal and state court systems; trial and appellate courts; jurisdiction; Texas court structure |
| Week 3 | Types of Courts: Criminal, civil, juvenile, municipal, justice, county, district, appellate, and specialty courts; comparison of court functions |
| Week 4 | The Courtroom Work Group: Judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, defendants, victims, jurors, bailiffs, clerks, court reporters, and other courtroom personnel |
| Week 5 | Legal Professionals and Ethics: Roles and responsibilities of judges, attorneys, and courtroom personnel; professional conduct; conflicts of interest; courtroom ethics |
| Week 6 | The Criminal Justice Process: From investigation and arrest through initial appearance, arraignment, pretrial proceedings, trial, sentencing, and appeal |
| Week 7 | Pretrial Procedures: Arrest; booking; initial appearance; probable cause; bail and bond; arraignment; discovery; pretrial motions |
| Week 8 | Plea Bargaining and Pretrial Decisions: Plea negotiations; prosecutorial discretion; defense strategy; diversion; dismissal; speedy trial considerations |
| Week 9 | Constitutional Foundations of the Court System: Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments; due process; incorporation |
| Week 10 | Evidence and Admissibility: Relevance; materiality; authentication; direct and circumstantial evidence; demonstrative evidence; foundational requirements |
| Week 11 | Hearsay and Other Evidentiary Issues: Definition of hearsay; hearsay exceptions; admissions; objections; examination of witnesses; evidentiary foundations |
| Week 12 | Trial Procedures: Jury selection; opening statements; direct and cross-examination; objections; closing arguments; jury instructions; verdicts |
| Week 13 | Sentencing and Post-Trial Procedures: Sentencing options; probation; incarceration; post-trial motions; appeals; appellate review |
| Week 14 | Juvenile and Specialty Courts: Juvenile courts; specialty/problem-solving courts; differences between adult and juvenile proceedings |
| Week 15 | Courtroom Application and Mock Trial: Application of courtroom procedures, evidence, objections, witness examination, and courtroom professionalism through practical activities |
| Week 16 | Comprehensive Review and Final Examination |
Week 2 – Court Structure Assignment
Students create and analyze a chart showing the structure and jurisdiction of the federal and Texas court systems.
Week 4 – Courtroom Work Group Project
Students research and explain the roles and responsibilities of members of the courtroom work group.
Week 6 – Criminal Case Process Assignment
Students construct a chronological flowchart demonstrating the progression of a criminal case from investigation and arrest through trial and appeal.
Week 8 – Plea Bargaining Case Study
Students analyze a hypothetical criminal case and evaluate the roles of the prosecution, defense, and court during the plea-bargaining process.
Weeks 9–10 – Constitutional Law and Evidence Case Analysis
Students analyze legal scenarios involving constitutional rights, evidence, search and seizure, due process, and other applicable legal principles.
Week 11 – Hearsay and Objection Activities
Students identify potential hearsay issues and determine appropriate courtroom objections through witness-questioning scenarios.
Weeks 12–13 – Trial Procedure Simulation
Students participate in courtroom activities involving jury selection, opening statements, direct examination, cross-examination, objections, closing arguments, and verdicts.
Week 15 – Mock Trial / Courtroom Application Project
Students apply course concepts in a simulated courtroom proceeding and demonstrate appropriate courtroom procedure, professional conduct, witness examination, and evidentiary objections.
Week 15 – Comprehensive Review
Students review major course concepts, terminology, court structure, judicial processes, constitutional principles, evidence, and courtroom procedures.
Date: TBA – Per Lamar State College Orange Academic Calendar
Time: TBA
Location: Livingston High School / LSCO-designated testing location
Format: Comprehensive final examination covering the course learning outcomes and major topics presented throughout the semester.
The final examination may include multiple-choice, short-answer, scenario-based, and application questions.
The instructor reserves the right to make reasonable adjustments to the course schedule, assignments, and assessment dates when necessary to accommodate the Lamar State College Orange academic calendar, Livingston ISD calendar, school activities, holidays, instructional needs, or other circumstances. Students will be notified of significant changes as soon as reasonably possible.
Faculty who suspect violation of academic honesty, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, or abuse of resource materials may assign an academic penalty. Students must be notified of their right to appeal before the academic penalty is imposed.
Students subject to penalty due to academic honesty have the right to appeal the decision. Refer to the current LSCO Catalog for details on the appeal process.
LSCO students are required to use their LSCO email account (Office 365 / Microsoft Outlook) for all electronic communication. In order to ensure the privacy and identity of the student communicating via electronic methods, LSCO faculty will direct students to use their LSCO email accounts rather than personal accounts. If a student has trouble accessing their LSCO email account, they should contact the LSCO Help Desk at (409) 882-3033 or helpdesk@lsco.edu.
Federal Attendance Regulation:
Lamar State College Orange is required to maintain appropriate records of student academic attendance and participation for applicable federal student-aid and institutional purposes. When an institution is required to take attendance, federal regulations require attendance records to be used in determining a student's last date of academic attendance when applicable. Academic attendance may include attending class, submitting an academic assignment, taking an examination, participating in an assigned academic activity, or otherwise actively participating in an academically related activity.
Livingston ISD Attendance Requirements:
Because CJSA 1322-E11 is offered as a dual-credit course through Lamar State College Orange in partnership with Livingston ISD/Livingston High School, students are required to comply with applicable Livingston ISD and Livingston High School attendance requirements in addition to applicable LSCO requirements.
Students are expected to attend every scheduled class meeting, arrive on time, remain in class for the entire instructional period, and actively participate in classroom instruction and assigned academic activities. Attendance will be recorded according to Livingston ISD procedures.
In accordance with Texas Education Code §25.092, a student generally must attend at least 90 percent of the days a class is offered to receive credit or a final grade. A student who attends at least 75 percent but less than 90 percent of the days the class is offered may be eligible to receive credit or a final grade through the district's established attendance review and attendance recovery procedures.
Students are responsible for:
Students are responsible for completing eligible work missed because of an absence. Students should communicate with the instructor as soon as possible following an absence and are responsible for determining what work was missed.
Make-up work does not automatically change an absence to an attendance day. Students must continue to satisfy applicable Livingston ISD attendance requirements for course credit and/or a final grade.
Because CJSA 1322-E11 is a college-level dual-credit course, students are responsible for meeting both Livingston ISD/Livingston High School attendance requirements and applicable Lamar State College Orange requirements.
Students should understand that regular attendance is essential to successful completion of a college-level course. Excessive absences may result in consequences under Livingston ISD attendance procedures and may also interfere with the student's ability to successfully complete the LSCO course.
The instructor will maintain accurate attendance records and will communicate attendance concerns through the appropriate Livingston ISD and LSCO procedures when required.
Students and parents/guardians should consult the current Livingston ISD Student Handbook and Livingston High School attendance procedures for the most current district-specific requirements. Applicable federal law, Texas law, LSCO policy, and Livingston ISD policy will govern when applicable.
Federal regulations require students who receive financial aid to have begun “attending” and participate substantially in each course for which they are enrolled on or before the official census reporting date outlined on the LSCO Academic Calendar. Students documented as “not attending” a course upon the census date are assumed (for financial aid purposes) to have not begun attendance for that course This negatively affects their financial aid eligibility and disbursement and requires the student to repay any financial aid funds that have already been disbursed . Attendance in an ONLINE course is verified by substantial participation in the course on or before the census date published in the LSCO Academic Calendar. Substantial participation in this online course is defined as logging in and completing/participating in at least one requirement of the course. Note: Simply logging in to your online course does not constitute attendance.
Hybrid classes are a mix of face-to-face and online environments. Students will be expected to attend class during the scheduled meeting time. (Include the policy on absences and tardiness.) In addition to classroom attendance, your weekly active participation in the online component (Blackboard and/or homework software) will be considered and expected.
Hybrid-Flexible (HyFlex) courses utilize a blended course design that allows students to choose how they will ATTEND their class sessions. Students can choose to attend sessions in-person or live online without attending class on campus. A watch later option is available to students taking a HyFlex course, however, students may utilize watch later sessions no more than three classes during an 8-week term or five classes during a 16-week term.
Students are responsible for completing all examinations, quizzes, classwork, assignments, projects, and other academic activities missed because of an absence. Make-up work will be handled in accordance with Livingston ISD and Livingston High School policies, as well as applicable Lamar State College Orange requirements.
Students who miss an examination because of an approved or otherwise qualifying absence must communicate with the instructor and arrange to complete the examination as soon as reasonably possible. The instructor may require a make-up examination to be completed at a designated time, location, or through an approved proctoring method. A make-up examination may use a different version, format, or set of questions from the original examination.
Students who miss an examination are responsible for contacting the instructor and determining when and how the examination will be completed.
Students who are absent are responsible for obtaining missed notes, instructional materials, assignments, readings, and other classwork. Students will be provided an appropriate opportunity to complete eligible make-up work in accordance with Livingston ISD procedures and applicable Texas requirements.
Make-up work may include:
Students are expected to complete make-up work within the timeframe established by Livingston ISD and the instructor.
An absence does not excuse a student from completing missed academic work. Students should check the course materials and communicate with the instructor promptly after returning to class.
Students are responsible for:
Completing make-up work does not automatically remove or change the student's recorded absence. Attendance and make-up work are separate requirements. Students must continue to satisfy the applicable Livingston ISD attendance requirements for course credit or a final grade.
The instructor may make reasonable adjustments to make-up assignments when necessary to ensure that the student is assessed on the same course learning outcomes covered by the original assignment or examination.
• Face-to-Face - No food, drink, tobacco, cell phones, etc.
• Online - Since face-to-face meetings in the classroom may be replaced by online meetings through discussion boards, emails, and/or Blackboard Collaborate, students are expected to follow the rules of netiquette in these forums.
• Hybrid - When face-to-face meetings in the classroom are replaced by online meetings through discussion boards, emails, and/or Blackboard Collaborate, students are expected to follow the rules of netiquette in these forums.
• Hyflex - Whether attending in person or online (synchronously or asynchronously)—students are expected to engage respectfully and responsibly. Arrive prepared, minimize distractions, and participate actively using appropriate tools (e.g., microphones, chat, discussion boards). When joining remotely, keep your camera on when possible, mute your microphone when not speaking, and use the chat feature constructively. In the classroom, be mindful of peers who are joining online by speaking clearly and allowing space for all voices. All communication should remain professional.
Students enrolled in CJSA 1322-E11 – Introduction to Criminal Justice are expected to complete all examinations as scheduled. Examinations may include multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, scenario-based questions, case analysis, and other assessment formats designed to measure the course learning outcomes.
Examinations may be designated as proctored examinations when required by Lamar State College Orange or the instructor. When an examination is proctored, students must complete the examination under the conditions established by LSCO and/or the instructor.
Depending on the examination requirements, students may complete a proctored examination through one of the following approved options:
When an LSCO Testing Center is required, the instructor will provide students with the applicable examination window, deadline, testing location or procedure, and any additional instructions.
Students are responsible for:
Unless specifically authorized by the instructor, students may not use notes, textbooks, websites, electronic devices, artificial intelligence tools, messaging applications, or assistance from another person during an examination.
Students must complete examinations independently. Unauthorized assistance, copying, communication with another person, use of unauthorized materials or technology, or other forms of academic dishonesty may result in academic and/or disciplinary consequences under applicable Lamar State College Orange and Livingston ISD policies.
Students who miss an examination because of an approved or otherwise qualifying absence must contact the instructor as soon as possible to determine the make-up examination procedure. A make-up examination may be administered in a different format or contain different questions from the original examination.
Students will be notified in advance when an examination requires the use of a Testing Center, Respondus, or another approved proctoring method.
The instructor reserves the right to require proctoring for any examination when necessary to maintain academic integrity and comply with LSCO requirements.
Students should use AI technology responsibly and ethically. This includes refraining from using AI to engage in harmful or unethical activities, such as generating false information, spreading misinformation, or engaging in malicious behaviors. The use of AI should align with the principles of academic integrity, honesty, and respect for others. Students are responsible for adhering to LSCO's Academic Honesty policy found in the Catalog. LSCO's full AI policy can be found at AI Policy | Lamar State College Orange (lsco.edu)
For every hour in class (or unit of credit), students should expect to spend at least two to three hours per week studying and completing assignments. For a 3-credit-hour class, students should prepare to allocate approximately six to nine hours per week outside of class in a 16-week session OR approximately twelve to eighteen hours in an 8-week session. All Online/Hybrid students should expect to spend at least as much time in this course as you would in the traditional, face-to-face class.
A = 90 - 100%
B = 80 - 89
C = 70 - 79
D = 60 - 69
F = below 60
The instructor will respond to emails within 24 hours, excluding weekends and holidays. On weekends and holidays, the instructor will respond to emails from students within 24 hours of the first business day following the weekend or holiday.
Weekly participation and engagement in the courses are critical for student success. Assignments should be completed by the due date. Students should also refer to the instructor’s attendance policy for additional information. (See LSCO Catalog, Class Attendance.)
Students are responsible for regularly reviewing their grades and monitoring their academic progress throughout the semester.
If a student believes there is an error in the grading of an examination, assignment, project, or other course assessment, the student must contact the instructor within three (3) school days of the grade being posted or returned. The student should identify the specific assignment or assessment, explain the concern, and provide any information or documentation supporting the request for review.
The instructor will review the student's concern and determine whether a grading error occurred. A request for a grade review does not guarantee that the grade will be changed.
Questions regarding grades should first be addressed directly with the course instructor. If the concern cannot be resolved at the instructor level, the student may follow the applicable Lamar State College Orange grade appeal procedures and/or Livingston ISD procedures, as appropriate.
After the three-school-day review period has passed, grades will generally be considered final unless an error is identified by the instructor or an exception is authorized under applicable LSCO or Livingston ISD policy.
Students are encouraged to address grading concerns promptly rather than waiting until the end of the semester.
This syllabus contains information, policies, and procedures for a specific course. By enrolling, the student agrees to read, understand, and abide by the rules, policies, regulations, and ethical standards of Lamar State College Orange as those contained in the current LSCO Catalog and schedule of classes.
The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus if deemed necessary. All changes will be provided to the students orally or in writing before the implementation of the change.
TimelyCare is a virtual health and well-being platform that is available 24/7 for all non-dual credit enrolled LSCO students. There is no cost to eligible students for this service. TimelyCare providers offer emotional support, mental health counseling, health coaching, psychiatry, and basic needs support. Non-Dual Credit students enrolled in classes can log in to the TimelyCare website or app available at timelycare.com/LSCO.
Any student who faces challenges securing their food, housing, transportation, or childcare for minor dependents and believes this may affect their performance in the course is encouraged to contact the student care office (studentcare@lsco.edu)for guidance on how to access possible resources. Please notify the instructor of your circumstance if you are comfortable doing so.
Lamar State College Orange (LSCO) is an equal opportunity educational institution and does not discriminate against any person regardless of race, sex, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status, in admissions, educational programs, student activities or employment. For further information about this policy, contact the Director of Student Care and Accessibility at studentcare@lsco.edu.
LSCO prohibits discrimination, including sexual harassment and retaliation, against any student on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. Any student who believes that he or she has experienced prohibited conduct or believes that another student has experienced prohibited conduct should immediately report the alleged acts to the Title IX Coordinator, Rebecca Gentry rebecca.gentry@lsco.edu.
LSCO students will access Blackboard through the MyGator portal. Login credentials will use the following format: NetID@my.lsco.edu/Password. For help in identifying your NetID/Password, visit https://www2.lsco.edu/sspr/userinfo1.asp.
Students needing help learning how to navigate Blackboard are encouraged to reach out to LearningTechnology@lsco.edu. Blackboard student resource videos and help-sites are available at https://www.lsco.edu/distanceed/blackboard-student.asp.
Lamar State College Orange provides career advising services to all students and alumni through Career Coach, an online career planning tool. Career Coach assists students through all phases of developing, initiating, and implementing career plans.
Information regarding employment opportunities and career options are provided along with access to live local job postings. Full-time and part-time employment opportunities, as well as internships, are available through Career Coach. Access https://www.lsco.edu/advising/career-planning.asp for more details on how to use LSCO’s Career Coach to plan for and learn more about your future career.
Lamar State College Orange provides currently enrolled students support for daycare and/or transportation costs on a first come first serve basis as funding allows.
Access https://www.lsco.edu/advising/gator-assistance.asp for details on assistance services.
Students needing course content or study skills support are encouraged to make an appointment or walk in to receive tutoring and academic support services. Our series of student success seminars, named Lifesavers, are available Face-to-face, online, and self-paced throughout the semester. Reach out to OASIS@lsco.edu for more information on how students can receive academic support. Visit https://www.lsco.edu/student-life/library/lifesavers.php for more information about Lifesavers.
Students are encouraged to visit library.lsco.edu to find the library’s current operating hours, access the catalog to locate print materials, and access GatorSearch to explore the vast electronic collection. The library provides over 77 electronic database collections that include eBooks, newspapers, magazines, academic journals, and streaming video. The physical library contains a specialized collection of research materials specifically chosen to support the degrees and courses offered. Additionally, Students with research questions or questions about library services are encouraged visit the library in person, call 409-882-3352, access the chat on the library webpage, or to email their question to lscolibrary@lsco.edu.
Under the Texas State System, Lamar State College Orange complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, pertaining to the provision of reasonable academic adjustments/auxiliary aids for students with disability. We strive to provide reasonable academic adjustments/auxiliary aids to students who request and require them.
Students who believe they have a disability requiring an academic adjustment/auxiliary aid are encouraged to contact the Director of Student Care & Accessibility at studentcare@lsco.edu. Students are encouraged to apply before the start of the semester when at all possible. The Accommodation Request Form and details regarding the appropriate documentation needed can be found here: https://www.lsco.edu/advising/disability.asp. Once approved, the signed accommodation form provided by the Director of Student Care & Accessibility must be submitted to the instructor at least two business days in advance of need.
Lamar State College Orange provides currently enrolled students with access to online tutoring through a partnership with Upswing, an online tutoring platform. Tutors are available 24/7 online in almost every subject.
Access https://www.lsco.edu/tutoring/online-tutoring.asp for details on how to log-in to the FREE services.
In the event of an emergency campus closure in excess of three class days, Lamar State College Orange’s classes will continue via the use of Blackboard. In such an instance, the college website, www.lsco.edu, will have information concerning the event and anticipated re-opening plans.
Please be considerate of other classmates’ feelings, ethnic background, cultural differences, situations, and level of maturity. Students will be asked to leave the course if disruptive or inappropriate behavior is exhibited in any of the course requirements. If your instructor feels that you have not contributed appropriately to course requirements, your final course grade may be reduced accordingly.
The instructor reserves the right to manage a positive learning environment and will not tolerate inappropriate conduct in the course. Rude correspondence (discourteous or impolite, especially in a deliberate way) in e-mails, telephone calls, in person, or comments made to other class members, the instructor, or the office staff.
Students should develop a backup plan should their computer system or their Internet provider fail. Computer or internet connectivity issues are not valid excuses for missing a deadline. The College provides many opportunities for using computer equipment, as do many public libraries. Refer to the LSCO website for operational hours of the Library and OASIS.
Students should check in advance with the institution to which they plan to transfer credit to confirm transferability.
LSCO awards some certificates and degrees in which a criminal history MAY disqualify candidates from becoming licensed, certified, and/or employed upon degree/certificate completion. Students with a criminal background enrolling in courses leading to a degree/certificate in Criminal Justice, Barber, Cosmetology, Emergency Medical Technology, HVAC, Electrician, Plumbing, Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting, Vocational Nursing (VN), Registered Nursing (RN), Pharmacy Technician, Real Estate, or Teacher Preparation program are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to discuss the certification and/or licensing regulations of the program with the program director listed in order to learn more about the current guidelines related to criminal history as well as the right of individuals to request a criminal history evaluation letter.
Never attending or ceasing to attend classes DOES NOT constitute a drop or withdrawal. You remain registered until you request a drop from the instructor. Failure to act in a timely manner will result in an "F" grade for the course. It is the student's responsibility to follow up with the LSCO advising office to ensure that all drops/withdrawals are processed as desired.
The grade of "I" may be given when any requirement of the course, including the final examination, is not completed. Students seeking an incomplete should have completed 75% of the course requirements and be passing the course at the time of the request. Arrangements to complete deficiencies in a course should be made in advance of the end of the semester with the instructor. The instructor will process the Incomplete form online, and a confirmation will be sent to the student’s LSCO email.
Incomplete work must be finished during the next long semester. If not, the Office of Admission and Records must change the "I" grade to the grade of "F." The course must then be repeated if credit is desired. An "I" grade also automatically becomes an "F" if the student registers for the course prior to removing the deficiencies and receiving a grade change. The instructor may record the grade of "F" for a student who is absent from the final examination and is not passing the course.
Grade determination and awarding of grades in a course are the responsibility of the instructor and should be calculated according to college policy, procedures, and written details provided in the course syllabus. NOTE: Final grades are available to students within 48 hours of the instructor posting the grade in Banner. Students may view final grades by logging into MyGator and then accessing Gator Self-Service.
An academic appeal process is afforded to students who desire to dispute a grade or any decision that affects the student’s ability to complete and earn a grade for the course provided it is not related to a violation outlined in the LSCO Student Code of Conduct. If an informal conference with the faculty member regarding an academic complaint fails to reach the outcome requested by the student, the student may initiate the formal process. Even after initiating the formal complaint process, students are encouraged to seek informal resolution of their concerns. A student whose concerns are resolved may withdraw a formal complaint at any time.
Refer to the current catalog or for details on the formal grade appeal process.
Lamar State College Orange has identified seven educational goals to specify the knowledge and skills that students should gain from completing academic and technical programs with the College. These goals are:
• Critical thinking (General Education, Technical) – Students will be able to demonstrate creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information.
• Communication (General Education, Technical) – Students will be able to effectively develop, interpret and express ideas through written, oral and visual communication.
• Empirical and quantitative skills (General Education, Technical) – Students will be able to manipulate and analyze numerical data or observable facts and create informed conclusions.
• Teamwork (General Education, Technical) – Students will be able to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal.
• Social responsibility (General Education, Technical) – Students will be able to recognize and acquire a sense of intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national and global communities.
• Personal responsibility (General Education, Technical) – Students will be able to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making.
• Professional competency (Technical) – Students will be able to recognize or demonstrate skills that depict professional values and employability. If the career has licensure or certification requirements, students may prepare for the licensure and certification in a capstone course and sit for the licensure or certificate at the end of the program.
Current students will access many LSCO applications through the MyGator portal. Login credentials will use the following format: NetID@my.lsco.edu/Password.
Students can set a password here: https://www2.lsco.edu/sspr/
IMPORTANT: It is a violation of College policy, state laws, and federal laws for anyone to gain or help others gain unauthorized access to MyGator or any LSCO application or service. All accounts shall be for use by a single individual – the person for whom the account was approved or assigned. This includes Blackboard accounts as well as any application within MyGator. Sharing or loaning accounts is strictly prohibited, can be construed as a form of cheating, and violates College policy, state laws, and federal laws.
LSCO adheres to the policies and procedures established in the Texas Education Code, Texas State University System Rules and Regulations, LSCO Faculty Handbook, and LSCO Catalog.
No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. It is inappropriate for minor children to be on campus due to the potential liability to the College, the risk of harm to the children, and decreased employee productivity due to distractions and disruptions.
LSCO believes that all matters involving a staff member (non-instructor) OR an instructor are best resolved directly with the employee. Should it not be resolved at that level, access and complete the Student Complaint Intake form within five (5) business days from the date of the offense. The Student Complaint Intake Form can be found in any of these locations:
After a student completes the Student Complaint Intake Form, they will be contacted by an LSCO employee unrelated to the offense and provided guidance on how to proceed with the Complaint process.
Refer to the LSCO Catalog (Student Services, Complaints) for details on the complaint process.
Student-Staff and Student-Instructor Complaint Process involving Safety, Harassment, or Title IX:
Students who have experienced a safety, harassment, or title IX event should access and complete the Title IX/Clery: Anonymous Reporting Form found in any of these locations:
After a student completes the intake form, they will be contacted by an LSCO employee and provided guidance on how to proceed.
Refer to the LSCO Catalog (Student Services, Complaints) for details on the complaint process.
The privacy of all students, including Distance Education students, is protected through strict adherence to the rules of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act. LSCO’s statement regarding the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act can be found in LSCO’s Catalog. Additional information regarding privacy for Distance Education students can be found in the Distance Education Handbook, appendix D.