John Buckwalter, Dean
Bronwyn Fees, Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Tim Musch, Interim Associate Dean for Research and Scholarship
Shawna Jordan, Assistant Dean
Karen Pence, Assistant Dean
Gayle Doll, Director, Center on Aging
Mary Anne Andrews, Coordinator, Academic and Student Services
Andrea Feldkamp, Coordinator, Academic and Student Servises
Madaí Rivera, Coordinator, Academic Services and Diversity
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.
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; Human Nutrition; 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 |
2 |
| or |
|
|
| COMM 106 |
Public Speaking I |
3 |
| Quantitative studies |
6 |
| MATH 100 |
College Algebra |
3 |
| 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 a course 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
IMPORTANT NOTES: Students who first enroll in Summer 2011 or later must meet the requirements of the K-State 8 General Education Program.
Students who began their programs of study in earlier terms under the University General Education (UGE) program may complete their degrees with UGE requirements or may choose to move to the K-State 8. Students should check with their academic advisors to determine which choice would be better. To switch, students must consult with their academic advisors.
Students who are readmitted in Summer 2011 and later will be designated as meeting the K-State 8 by the Office of Admissions. Deans’ offices can make an exception for the readmitted student who has completed UGE or who would prefer to complete UGE requirements.
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 Interpretation
Empirical and Quantitative Reasoning
Ethical Reasoning and Responsibility
Global Issues and Perspectives
Historical Perspectives
Human Diversity within the U.S.
Natural and Physical Sciences
Social Sciences
The K-State 8 icons shown above are also used in Kansas State University’s student information system (iSIS).
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 iSIS.
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
University General Education Requirements
IMPORTANT NOTES: This section does not apply to students who first enroll in Summer 2011 or later. Those students must meet the requirements of The K-State 8 General Education Program.
Students who began their programs of study in earlier terms under the University General Education (UGE) program may complete their degrees with UGE requirements or may choose to move to The K-State 8. Students should check with their academic advisors to determine which choice would be better. To switch, students must consult with their academic advisors.
Students who are readmitted in Summer 2011 and later will be designated as meeting the K-State 8 by the Office of Admissions. Deans’ offices can make an exception for the readmitted student who has completed UGE or who would prefer to complete UGE requirements.
The following information about UGE remains in the Undergraduate Catalog for the benefit of students who choose to continue meeting UGE 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 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 welcomes qualified students to join the honors program at any point in their academic career at which they become academically eligible for admission. The University Honors Program is intended to recognize the high achievements of outstanding students who go beyond the curriculum requirements for a given degree program to meet the challenges of completing advanced study, scholarship, leadership, and citizenship activities that are embodied in the honors program.
University Honors Program Requirements - College of Human Ecology
I. University Level - 7 credit hours required
- A. RETREAT for new students prior to fall semester (optional)
- B. DHE 020 Students enroll in program each semester (0 credit)
- C. DHE 189 Introduction to University Honors Program (1 credit)
- D. 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.
II. College Level - 8 credit hours or equivalent required
A. Required experiences for all CHE University Honors Program Students:
1. DHE 300 Conducting Honors Research (1 credit hour). Recommended enrollment during sophomore/2nd year.
2. *DHE 102 Honors Practicum in Research, Teaching, Administration, or Extension (0-1 credit hours or equivalent). Recommended enrollment after DHE 300 course.
- All Honors Program students are required to complete two semesters of DHE 102 Honors 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.
3. 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.
B. Additional optional experiences that can be used to meet UHP College requirements:
1. CHE Honors Seminars (1-2 credit hours)
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 PDA)
- 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.
III. 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.
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 a 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 cooperates with Career and Employment Services 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. 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 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 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 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 |
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 |
| Hospitality management |
Bachelor of science in hospitality management |
Hospitality management and dietetics |
| 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 |
Human nutrition/Kinesiolgy |
Nutritional sciences
(pre-medical, pre-dental, and medically related fields) |
Bachelor of science in human nutrition |
Human nutrition |
| Nutrition and Health |
Bachelor of science in human nutrition |
Human nutrition |
|
| Personal Financial Planning |
Bachelor of Science in personal financial planning |
Family Studies and human services |
|
