Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

College of Human Ecology


John Buckwalter, Dean
Bronwyn Fees, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Michelle Toews, Associate Dean for Research and Scholarship
Shawna Jordan, Assistant Dean
Karen Pence, Assistant Dean
Gayle Doll, Director, Center on Aging

119 Justin Hall
785-532-5500
Fax: 785-532-5504
E-mail: he@k-state.edu
www.he.k-state.edu

The mission of the College of Human Ecology is to discover, disseminate, and apply knowledge to meet basic human needs and to improve the human condition. This knowledge advances professions, public policy, human services, business, and industry. In a world focused on things, this college focuses first on people.

Programs in the College of Human Ecology focus on human health, human behavior and human well-being, and are centered on improving the quality of life for individuals, families and communities.  Degree programs are offered through General Human Ecology, the School of Family Studies and Human Services, and the Departments of Apparel, Textiles and Interior Design; Food, Nutrition, Dietetics and Health; Hospitality Management; and Kinesiology.

Click on any of the following links for information:

 

Degree Programs

All undergraduate programs of study lead to a bachelor of science degree.

Entering students who have not yet decided on their major in the College of Human Ecology may request initial admission to human ecology, undeclared (HEUN).

General Requirements

Bachelor of science degree

Each degree offered by the College of Human Ecology provides graduates with a foundation for professional practice and lifelong learning. Graduates from all degree programs in the college will be able to:

  • Understand the interaction of people with their environments.
  • Understand roles and dynamics within family and other human systems.
  • Recognize and value diversity throughout the human experience.
  • Access, analyze, and interpret data to make informed decisions.
  • Articulate informed points of view on issues that affect individuals, families, and professional practice.
  • Apply professional knowledge to improve the lives of people.
  • Demonstrate standards of ethical conduct.
  • Assume the responsibilities of citizenship.

See individual programs for Student Learning Outcomes.

Basic curriculum requirements are listed below. See program descriptions for details.

Program requirements
Course Course Title Credit Hours
General requirements 34 minimum
Communications 8-9
ENGL 100  Expository Writing I 3
ENGL 200  Expository Writing II 3
COMM 105  Public Speaking IA 
or    
COMM 106  Public Speaking I 3
Quantitative studies 6
MATH 100  College Algebra
or    
A college-level trigonometry course   3
or    
A college-level calculus course   3
Statistics course   3
Social sciences 6
An economic systems course   3
A human behavior course   3
Humanities* (only courses of 3 credits or more will apply) 6
Natural and physical sciences (include at least one course with a laboratory)* 7
Integrative Human Ecology course 1
GNHE 210  Foundations of Human Ecology 1
Professional studies 36 or more
A minimum of 30 hours must be in human ecology or equivalent courses.
(See specific option/program.)
Unrestricted electives  
(See specific option/program.)  
Total hours for graduation 120 or more

*A listing of categories of courses applicable toward the general studies requirements for human ecology programs is available from the college dean’s office.

Grade requirement

See specific program for grade requirements. Minimum grade of C or higher is required in all professional studies and supporting courses in College of Human Ecology degree programs, except where minimum grade of “B” is specified. Minimum grades of “B” or “C” are required for general requirements in some programs.

Transfer courses

Careful planning enables students to transfer courses from another college or university that will apply toward specific degree requirements at K-State. Transfer equivalency information for courses offered by post-secondary institutions in Kansas and elsewhere is available from the K-State Admissions Office. For institutions or courses not listed and other transfer questions, contact the College of Human Ecology Dean’s Office.

 

General Education: K-State 8

Objective of the K-State 8

The K-State 8 General Education Program encourages students to be intellectual explorers. Students and advisors will plan programs of study to promote exposure to a breadth of learning that includes the eight areas below. The emphasis and the amount of study in each area will vary for each student, depending upon his/her choice of major and other interests.

The K-State 8 Areas: 

Aesthetic Experience and Interpretive Understanding Aesthetic Interpretation
 

Empirical and Quantitative Reasoning Empirical and Quantitative Reasoning
 

Ethical Reasoning and Responsibility Ethical Reasoning and Responsibility
 

Global Issues and Perspectives Global Issues and Perspectives
 

Historical Perspectives Historical Perspectives
 

Human Diversity within the U.S. Human Diversity within the U.S.
 

Natural and Physical Sciences Natural and Physical Sciences
 

Social Sciences Social Sciences
 

The K-State 8 icons shown above are also used in Kansas State University’s student information system (KSIS).

Overview of K-State 8 requirements

The intent of The K-State 8 is for students to explore the perspectives of disciplines that may be quite different from those of their own majors. For that reason, a minimum of four different course prefixes (e.g., AGEC, MATH, FSHS) must be represented to fulfill K-State 8 requirements.

Each student must successfully complete credit-bearing courses to cover all of the K-State 8 areas. Some of the K-State 8 areas may be covered in the student’s major.

Departments have decided which courses to designate for one or two K-State 8 areas. K-State 8 designations are noted both in the Undergraduate Catalog and in KSIS.

When a course is tagged for two K-State 8 areas, the student may count that course toward both areas. However, students are strongly encouraged to enroll in a variety of courses and experiences that offers them a genuine breadth of perspective.

For more information

K-State 8 policy for changing majors

Changing majors will not affect students’ general education requirements in the K-State 8.

K-State 8 policy for double majors and dual degrees

A student must meet K-State 8 requirements for only one degree/major.

Transfer students

Transfer students are required to cover all eight (8) of the K-State 8 areas and should check with their academic advisors to determine how best to apply transfer credits to the K-State 8.

 

General Education: UGE

Kansas State University has established requirements for a university general education program. See University General Education Requirements section of this catalog. Transfer students should see the “General education requirements for transfer students” in the Transfer Admission Requirements section of this catalog. Degree requirements for College of Human Ecology programs include courses to meet UGE requirements.

As required by the university, students must complete 18 credits in approved UGE courses, including at least 6 credit hours at the 300 level or above. Required credits are adjusted for transfer students and students who have completed credit by examination (AP, IB, CLEP, DANTES) or through study abroad programs approved by Kansas State University. Only courses completed at Kansas State University and approved for UGE can be used to meet these requirements.

Please see the Registrar’s Office website for a current list of approved UGE courses.

To ensure breadth in the general education experience, each College of Human Ecology student must complete at least one approved UGE course in four of the following areas:

  • Quantitative studies
  • Economics
  • Social sciences
  • Humanities
  • Life sciences
  • Physical sciences
  • Courses from professional colleges

Students required to complete only 9 credits in UGE courses must have three of these areas represented. Students required to complete only 6 credits must have two of these areas represented. Only courses outside the department or school that offers the student’s major can be applied toward the student’s UGE requirement.

 

University Honors Program

The University Honors Program, or the UHP, encourages students to grow in the intellectual craft of scholarship. Through cultural and performing arts events, skill-development workshops, travel opportunities, and challenging course work, UHP students will increase their intellectual curiosity about the world, its wonders and its complexity. The UHP will challenge students to reach their full potential as scholarly, competent and fulfilled leaders.

Admission requirements

The general criteria for admission to the UHP are as follows:

  1. ACT composite of 29 or greater.
  2. A high school GPA of 3.75 or greater (weighted or unweighted).
  3. Completion of the UHP application through the Honors Administration Link.

Students who have notable extracurricular experience and/or leadership activities and who, for whatever reason, do not quite achieve the GPA and ACT scores are still encouraged to apply. All components of the application are used to reach a final decision.

Current students wishing to enter the UHP should have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 (K-State grades only) and are encouraged to visit with the UHP staff.

Because of the high quality and number of applicants, meeting the above criteria does not necessarily guarantee admission.

Students must maintain a 3.5 GPA to remain in good standing and to graduate from the UHP.

University Honors Program - Completion requirements

1. Orientation: One (1) introductory course –1 credit

UHP students will complete the following course:

XXX189 Introduction to University Honors Program [XXX indicated students will enroll by college. All 189 sections will have the same content and format]

2. Courses: Four (4) for-credit academic courses – 12 credits minimum

At least four UHP-eligible courses must be completed for credit for a minimum of twelve credit hours. UHP students will have the flexibility to choose from a menu of three eligible options:

  • UHP-designated courses (e.g., Honors Chemistry, Honors Introduction to the Humanities) that carry course credit.
  • Contract courses (i.e., a regular for-credit course where the student and instructor agree upon additional scholarly expectations and outcomes).
  • Course credits taken for undergraduate research.

3. Experiences: Three (3) co-curricular experiences and/or additional for-credit academic courses – total credits will vary: no minimum.

This requirement accommodates multiple forms of experimental learning, co-curricular enrichment, and/or additional UHP-eligible coursework. Eligible co-curricular experiences will include items such as study abroad, International Service Teams participation, undergraduate research, internships, participation on a university competition team, and work as a teaching assistant.

The UHP will develop and maintain guidelines for what constitutes a qualifying experience, including a menu of options. Other experiences may also be proposed, pending the approval of the relevant College coordinator and the UHP staff.

In brief, eligible experiences will require students to intentionally reference and integrate knowledge from their curriculum in an applied fashion and involve active accountability (supervision, mentorship, instruction, etc.). Thus, eligible co-curricular experiences are not intended to encompass routine participation or leadership in campus clubs or “student life” activities.

Students may also choose to complete additional UHP-eligible and for-credit academic courses in this category.

4. Project: One (1) independent UHP scholarly project – 0-3 credits.

Students can select one of four tracks to complete their UHP Project. Each track emphasizes integrative, independent learning and skill development.

  • a. Research track – A traditional “honors thesis” where students complete research under the supervision of faculty members.
  • b. International track – Project based upon study or service abroad for a minimum duration of ten weeks.
  • c. Professional track –Project based upon a full-time internship or co-op experience for minimum durations of ten weeks. Two distinct internships with a single employer may also be used as the basis for a project, provided they total at least ten weeks (with UHP approval granted before the second internship).
  • d. Creative track – Project based upon the creation of original creative work, principally for students in the fine and performing arts for whom artistic production is an essential scholarly activity.

All four tracks will require a significant intellectual product that is supervised and approved by a K-State mentor with appropriate expertise. All proposals and completed projects must also be approved by the mentor, the College coordinator and the UHP.

Project approval must be obtained prior to beginning the proposed project.

Additional Notes:

  • Students may not “double dip” by counting any single course or activity in more than one UHP requirement category.
  • In both the “Experiences” and “Project” categories, experiences such as internships, if they are required parts of a student’s declared major, may only satisfy a UHP requirement if an additional enrichment and/or intellectual product is agreed upon and verified.
  • Transfer students who completed Honors coursework at another institution will have the opportunity to petition the UHP Director to apply those credits towards the completion of UHP course requirements.
  • The completion of graduate-level coursework above and beyond the stated requirements of the student’s declared major may be counted for UHP credit through the process of course contracting.

For more information
www.k-state.edu/ksuhonors
E-mail: ksuhonors@k-state.edu

 

Minors, Secondary Majors, and Certificates

With careful planning, students may complete requirements for a minor, secondary major, or certificate within the BS degree requirements or with a few additional courses.

For more information, consult an academic advisor and the director of the specific program.

The following secondary major, minors and certificate are administered by the College of Human Ecology:

See K-State Minors, Secondary Majors, and Certificates for a complete university list.

 

Experiential Learning

The College of Human Ecology works with the Career Center to help students find internships, part-time work, and professional employment in their chosen fields.

Each department in the college offers internships and field experiences for qualified students. Students may earn university credit while gaining career-related experience under the guidance and supervision of University faculty and professionals in the field.

 

Professional Mentoring Program

The College of Human Ecology Professional Mentoring Program provides students with the opportunity to learn from highly successful and experienced professionals by forging long-lasting, professional relationships. These individuals are alumni and friends of K-State who volunteer their time to help students prepare professionally and succeed in their chosen career.

 

Organizations and Activities

Students are encouraged to participate in professional and service activities. Most professional areas within the college have a student organization to enhance the personal and professional development of members. Student organizations include:

Undergraduate students are elected to membership in the Human Ecology Council (student government) and lead activities for the College of Human Ecology Open House.

The Human Ecology Ambassadors are a select group of students who serve as hosts for the college and promote college programs.

Qualified students are invited to join the Kappa Omicron Nu and Eta Sigma Delta honor societies.

 

Programs Offered

Programs Degrees School/departments/areas
Apparel and textiles
  • Apparel marketing specialization
  • Apparel design and production specialization
Bachelor of science in apparel and textiles Apparel, textiles, and interior design
Athletic training Bachelor of science in athletic training Food, Nutrition, Dietetics and Health
Communication sciences and disorders Bachelor of science in human development and family science Family studies and human services
Dietetics
  • Coordinated program in dietetics
  • Didactic program in dietetics
Bachelor of science in dietetics Food, Nutrition, Dietetics and Health
Early childhood education Bachelor of science in human development and family science Family studies and human services
Family and consumer sciences education teacher licensure Bachelor of science in human ecology General human ecology
Human Development and Family Science Bachelor of science in human development and family science Family studies and human services
General human ecology Bachelor of science in human ecology General human ecology
Hospitality management Bachelor of science in hospitality management Hospitality management
Interior design Bachelor of science in interior design Apparel, textiles, and interior design
Kinesiology Bachelor of science in kinesiology Kinesiology
Nutrition and kinesiology (dual degrees) Bachelor of science in human nutrition and Bachelor of science in kinesiology Food, Nutrition, Dietetics and Health/Kinesiology
Nutritional sciences
(pre-medical, pre-dental, and medically related fields)
Bachelor of science in human nutrition Food, Nutrition, Dietetics and Health
Nutrition and Health Bachelor of science in human nutrition Food, Nutrition, Dietetics and Health
Personal Financial Planning Bachelor of Science in personal financial planning Family Studies and human services