Virginia M. Moxley, Dean
Briana Nelson Goff, Associate Dean, Academic Affairs
Denis Medeiros, Associate Dean, Scholarships and Research
Karen Pence, Assistant Dean
Gayle Doll, Director, Center on Aging

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

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.

Professional programs are offered through General Human Ecology, the School of Family Studies and Human Services, and the Departments of Apparel, Textiles and Interior Design; Hospitality Management and Dietetics; and Human Nutrition.

Click on any of the following links for information:

• Degree Programs
• University Honors Program
• Minors, Secondary Majors, and Certificates
• Experiential Learning
• Organizations and Activities
• Programs Offered

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 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		39 minimum
Communications		8-9
ENGL 100	Expository Writing I	3
ENGL 200	Expository Writing II	3
SPCH 105	Public Speaking IA	2
or
SPCH 106	Public Speaking I	3
Quantitative studies		6
MATH 100	College Algebra	3
or
A college-level calculus course		3
Statistics course		3
Social science		6
(To include course work in economic systems and human behavior.)*
Humanities		6
Electives*		6
Natural sciences		7
(To include course work in life science and physical science; one course with a laboratory.)*
Additional integrative studies courses		6
GNHE 310	Human Needs	3
or
FSHS 350	Family Relationships and Gender Roles	3
University general education elective		3
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		124 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.

University general education requirements

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 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.

Grade requirement

Grades of C or higher are required in all professional studies and supporting courses in College of Human Ecology degree programs.

Transfer courses

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

 

University Honors Program

Students with outstanding academic records are invited to participate in the University Honors Program. High school students are selected according to their scores on the American College Test (ACT). Transfer and continuing K-State students with a 3.5 cumulative grade point average also may be eligible.

Advisors help honors students plan individual programs of study that may include honors courses and independent study. In the junior or senior year, students complete honors projects on topics of their choice. Each student participates in two semesters of practicum to help select an appropriate honors project topic and human ecology faculty advisor, then develops the honors project with the advisor and the approval of the human ecology honors program coordinator.  See the website for information.

For information about the University Honors Program, see the website.

University Honors Program Requirements - College of Human Ecology

1. University Level - 7 credit hours required
   
   
   1. RETREAT for new students prior to fall semester (optional)
   2. DHE 020  Students enroll in program each semester - 0 credit
   3. DHE 189  Introduction to University Honors Program - 1 credit
   4. Other Requirements - 6 credits

University honors courses are generated by the University Honors Program Director each semester.  These courses can be honors sections of required courses or elective seminars (most are 3 credit hours).

Alternative opportunities (e.g., study abroad) to generate university level honor credit hours must be approved by both the Director of the University Honors Program and the college Coordinator (or appropriate college representative). Under no circumstances will students be allowed to arrange for credit after the experience is completed.

2. College Level - 8 credit hours or equivalent required
   
   
   1. Required experiences for all CHE University Honors Program Students:
      
      
      1. *Practicum in Research, Teaching, Administration, or Extension (DHE 102 ) 0-1 credit hours or equivalent
         
         
         • All Honors Program students are required to complete two semesters of DHE 102 Practicum in Research, Teaching, Administration, or Extension. This practicum experience is designed to help students learn more about possible options for Honors Projects and academia. When designed with career plans in mind, this experience can also be an excellent opportunity to prepare students for graduate or professional school.
         • Students will be asked to complete 30 hours each of the two semesters, which is equivalent to about two hours per week. Students may be involved in the same practicum experience across both semesters or may participate in different experiences each semester. Students may or may not be paid or receive academic credit for DHE 102 practicum experiences, depending upon their need for academic credit and faculty/administrators’ access to funding. Students will complete a time sheet and description of their DHE 102 practicum experience, which will be included in their final UHP Portfolio. The course is available for course credit; students who choose not to take the course for credit will receive 1 equivalent credit per semester of completed DHE 102 Practicum.
            
      2. Honors Project - 2-3 credit hours
         
         • Capstone research or creative project - including presentation of findings to faculty and/or students.
           Requires supervision by a faculty mentor.
            
   2. Additional optional experiences that can be used to meet UHP College requirements:
      
      
      1. CHE Honors Seminars - 1-2 credit hours
         There will be at least one Honors Seminar offered each year in the college.
          
      2. *Professional Development Activities (PDA) - 3-5 PDAs
         The activities shown in the following list are only intended as examples of ways by which professional development activities may be earned. The Professional Development Activities listed for each example are not intended to be absolute. Final approval of an activity and the PDAs that can be earned for that activity are solely at the discretion of the UHP Director and the CHE Honors Program Coordinator. Note that no one activity can be repeated for PDAs.
         
         
         • International Study Abroad or National Student Exchange (3 PDAs)
         • Faculty led study tour (1 PDA)
         • Summer professional internship (2 PDAs)
         • Term COOP Experience (3 PDAs)
         • Community Service including that organized by the college or university, religious organization mission trip, etc (1 to 2 PDAs)
         • Submission of a design or written paper or poster for national student competition (2 PDAs)
         • Personally presenting the paper or poster at a national meeting, add (1) PDA. Placing in the top 3 at the national level, add (1) PDA.
         • Participation on a departmental or college sponsored student team at the regional or national level (2 PDAs). If the team leader, add (1) PDA.
         • Student organization leadership position (local chapter president or vice president or equivalent) (1 PDA)
         • CHE Ambassador (1 PDAs)
         • Application for Nationally Competitive Scholarship Awards (Rhodes, Marshall, Truman, Goldwater, Udall or equivalent) (2 PDAs)
            
      3. *Other courses - 1-3 credit hours
         These courses are in addition to any courses taken for the University Level Requirements. These courses may include the following:
         
         
         • Other topics, problems, seminar courses internal or external to the College
         • Other Honors Courses/Sections
         • Graduate coursework (700 level or higher graduate credit)
         • Modern Languages (200 level or higher of a spoken modern language course such as Spanish, French, German, or other as approved. Does not include literature or history courses).
         • Completion of an “Honors Experience” within a regular course (Students may contract with the instructor of any KSU undergraduate course to complete an additional “Honors Experience” within the course beyond the regular course requirements).

*Requires a UHP plan, approved by UHP Director and CHE Honors Program Coordinator, submitted prior to the activity and a follow-up evaluation/self-reflection to be counted as an honors activity.

3. Total UHP Requirements - 15 credit hours or equivalent PDAs required

For additional information about the university honors program, available to all students entering K-State in fall 2006 or later, see the University Honors Program website.

Dual degree programs 

Kansas State University

Students interested in combining two degree programs must satisfy the requirements for both degrees.  Students may earn dual degrees within the College of Human Ecology, or they may combine their degree in human ecology with a degree from a different college.  Contact the dean’s office for more information.

Manhattan Christian College

The College of Human Ecology cooperates with Manhattan Christian College to plan dual degree programs that enable students to earn degrees from both institutions.  Students interested i dual degrees should contact the College of Human Ecology Dean’s Office and Manhattan Christian College, Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

 

Minors, Secondary Majors, and Certificates

With careful planning, students may be able to complete requirements for a minor. secondary major, or certificate within the BS degree requirements or with a few additional courses. The hotel and restaurant management degree program includes the courses required for a concurrent minor in business .

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

 The following secondary majors and minor are administered by the College of Human Ecology:

• Gerontology Secondary Major   
• Emphasis in Long-Care Administration Secondary Major 

A complete list of K-State Minors, Secondary Majors, and Certificates.

Experiential Learning

The College of Human Ecology cooperates with Career and Employment Services to help students locate 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. University faculty and professionals in the field guide and supervise these experiences.

 

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 associations include:

• American Society of Interior Designers
• Apparel Marketing and Design Alliance
• Club Managers Association of America (CMAA)
• Early Childhood Education Interest Group
• Family and Consumer Sciences Interest Group
• Family Studies and Human Services Interest Group
• Fruit of the Fight
• Future Financial Planners
• Health and Nutrition Society
• Hospitality Management Society
• International Interior Design Association
• Kansas State Student Speech, Hearing, and Language Association (KSSSLHA)
• Student Dietetic Association

Undergraduate students are elected to membership in the Human Ecology Council (student government), lead activities for the College of Human Ecology Open House held as a part of K-State Open House, and volunteer for Telefund in support of the College of Human Ecology.

The College of 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 Phi Upsilon Omicron, 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	Human nutrition
Communication sciences and disorders	Bachelor of science in family studies and human services	Family studies and human services
Dietetics Coordinated program in dietetics Didactic program in dietetics	Bachelor of science in dietetics	Hospitality management and dietetics
Early childhood education	Bachelor of science in family studies and human services	Family studies and human services
Family and consumer sciences education teacher licensure	Bachelor of science in human ecology	General human ecology
Family Studies and Human Services Family Studies and Human Services specialization Personal financial planning specialization	Bachelor of science in family studies and human services	Family studies and human services
General human ecology	Bachelor of science in human ecology	General human ecology
Hotel and restaurant managment	Bachelor of science in hotel and restaurant management	Hospitality management and dietetics
Interior design	Bachelor of science in interior design	Apparel, textiles, and interior design
Nutrition and kinesiology*	Bachelor of science in human nutrition	Human nutrition
Nutritional sciences (pre-medical, pre-dental, and medically related fields)	Bachelor of science in human nutrition	Human nutrition
Public health nutrition	Bachelor of science in human nutrition	Human nutrition

*A concurrent degree in Kinesiology is awarded through the College of Arts and Sciences.

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