Dec 10, 2024  
2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Undergraduate Admission


Larry Moeder, Assistant Vice President for Student Life
Director, Admissions and Student Financial Assistance
Office of Admissions
Kansas State University
119 Anderson Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506-0114
785-532-6250
1-800-432-8270 (toll free)
E-mail: k-state@k-state.edu
www.k-state.edu/admissions

General Admission Information

Prospective undergraduate students interested in attending Kansas State University on the main campus in Manhattan, or the campus in Salina, may request information and assistance by calling or emailing the Office of Admissions.

The Office of Admissions is located on the Manhattan campus and is open weekdays from 8 am to 5 pm. All campus offices are closed on weekends.

Prospective undergraduate students may apply for admission by submitting the electronic application or by submitting a paper application form.

All supporting documents and credentials must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions by mail, fax or electronically to be considered official. Official transcripts must be sent from each institution attended.

No qualified applicant will be denied admission to the university on the basis of race, sex, national origin, handicap, age, sexual orientation, or other non-merit reasons.

 

Undergraduate Admissions application fee policy

A non-refundable application fee of $30 is required for domestic applicants and $80 for international applicants. Applications are not processed until the application fee is received. 

Application fees for new students expire after one academic year if the student does not enroll and attend Kansas State classes.

Exceptions

  • High school students:  If students have paid the fee and AND attended classes at Kansas State during high school, they will not be required to pay it again.
  • Readmission: If students have paid the fee AND attended Kansas State as undergraduates, they are not required to pay it again.
  • K-State Global Campus non-degree seeking students: These students are not required to pay an application fee.

Campus Visits

Prospective students and family members are welcome and encouraged to visit the campuses. For a visit to the Manhattan (main) campus please contact the Office of Admissions. Please plan your visit at least two weeks in advance so that appropriate appointments can be made.

To schedule a visit to the Salina campus contact the College of Technology and Aviation. The offices are open weekdays from 8 am to 5 pm.

 

Glossary of Admission Terms

  • Apply for admission: The process of submitting electronic or paper application and supporting credentials so that an official determination of eligibility to attend the university can be made.
     
  • Enrollment: The process of selecting courses and arranging a schedule of classes for the semester.
     
  • International students: Individuals who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
     
  • New freshmen: High school graduates with no earned college credits after high school graduation. Students taking college-level work while in high school are considered new freshmen.
     
  • Non-degree students: Students not pursuing a degree who have been admitted for specific purposes or at the discretion of a director. Generally, these students are limited to 15 hours of credit from K-State. Other restrictions may apply. Non-degree students are not eligible for financial assistance.
     
  • Official test scores: ACT, SAT, TOEFL and any results that are received directly from the testing service. Scores noted on high school transcripts, personal reports, etc., are not official results.
     
  • Official transcript: A transcript that is sent directly by mail, fax or electronically from the registrar of a credit-granting institution to the K-State Admissions Office. Personal grade reports or student copies of transcripts are not official records.
     
  • Readmitted students: Any student who has previously been admitted and attended K-State courses on the Manhattan campus at any time since high school graduation. Any student who was admitted to and attended classes after high school graduation on the College of Technology campus since fall of 1991.
     
  • Registration: The process of paying fees.
     
  • Special students: Students not pursuing a degree but have indicated they intend to take more than 15 credit hours.  Special students must meet all standard admission requirements. Special students are not eligible for financial assistance.
     
  • Transfer students: Students who have earned college-level credit after high school graduation.

 

Freshman Admissions

Requirements

Admission to Kansas State University is granted to individuals who meet one of the following requirements:

High school graduates from an accredited high school must:

  • Achieve an ACT score of 21 or above or an SAT (critical reading and math) of 980 or above; or
     
  • Rank in the top third of the graduating class at the end of the seventh or eighth semester; or
     
  • Complete the precollege curriculum:
Subject Units*
required
Courses to take
English 4 One unit of English for each year of high school
Natural science 3 Choose three units from:
  • Biology
  • Advanced biology
  • Earth/space science
  • General science
  • Principles of technology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
At least one unit must be in chemistry or physics
Math 3 Three units of math during high school,
at or above the level of Algebra I:
  • Algebra I
  • Algebra II
  • Geometry
Social science 3 One unit of U.S. history
One-half unit of U.S. government
One unit selected from:
  • Psychology
  • Economics
  • Civics
  • History
  • Current social issues
  • Sociology
  • Anthropology
  • Race and ethnic group relations
One-half unit selected from:
  • World history
  • World geography
  • International relations

*Note: One unit = 1 year or 2 semesters

In state students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the precollege curriculum.

Out of state students must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the precollege curriculum.

Current high school students graduating in 2015 or later must meet new admission requirements as stipulated by the Kansas Board of Regents.

GED graduates must:
Before January 2002

  • Achieve an overall average GED score of 50 points or higher.

Tested January 2002 or later (minimum scores)

  • Achieve a 2,550 overall GED score; 510 on each test.

Transfer students with fewer than 24 transferable credit hours:

  • May need to meet the conditions for high school graduates; and
  • Must achieve a cumulative college GPA of 2.0.
  • Some academic programs require higher GPAs (see Transfer qualifications)

Home-schooled students

Home-schooled students will be considered for admission on the same basis of ACT, SAT, or GED scores. Students must submit scores and high school transcripts. Contact the Office of Admissions if you have questions about home schooling qualifications or requirements for admission.

Adult students
Students who are 21 or older and have graduated from a Kansas high school, or earned a GED score (defined in preceding section), may be admitted to Kansas State University without meeting the state’s ACT score, high school rank, or high school GPA criteria. Adult students are required to have a cumulative college GPA of 2.0.

Graduates of out-of-state high schools must have a cumulative high school GPA of 2.5. If the cumulative GPA is lower, ACT scores are required for an admission decision.

Students with unusual academic circumstances
Kansas State University realizes there are circumstances that may prevent students from meeting the admission requirements. Students who have encountered unusual situations that may have kept them from meeting the requirements for admission should bring those circumstances to the attention of an admissions director. In some situations, a student who has not met the established admission requirements may be admitted on an exception basis.

Selective Admission Programs

Admission to the following programs is selective, based on academic performance and space availability:

Apply early

High school students are encouraged to initiate the application process early in their senior year by submitting a completed application and the nonrefundable application fee. To complete an application, each student must submit official scores from the American College Test (ACT) or from the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Following graduation from high school, an eighth-semester transcript showing the date of high school graduation must be submitted.

American College Test (ACT)
K-State recommends that all new freshmen applicants, regardless of age and non-traditional status, take the ACT and have official test results forwarded to the university. The test can be taken on one of the national test dates throughout the year. If the applicant anticipates applying for scholarships, testing by October is recommended. Test centers are available nationally. Information about the ACT is available from the Office of Admissions and from your local high school counseling office.

Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
K-State accepts SAT results for purposes of making admission decisions, but students are encouraged to take the ACT so that all data made available through that service can become part of the student’s advising portfolio. Contact the Office of Admissions if you have questions about standardized testing.

 

Transfer Admissions

Transfer qualifications

Students who have earned college or university credit after high school graduation must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale to qualify for admission to the university. The following programs of study require higher grade point averages.

Selective Admission Programs: Admission to the following programs is selective, based on academic performance and space availability:

For information regarding specific program requirements contact the college’s dean’s office or refer to the college’s academic section of this catalog. Students transferring fewer than 24 credit hours should see the Freshman Admission section in this catalog.

Transfer application process

Application procedures require a completed application form, the nonrefundable application fee, and complete official transcripts from all previous colleges or universities.

Transfer applicants who have earned less than 24 hours of transfer credit must also submit an official final high school transcript showing their graduation date and ACT scores. Information about institutions previously attended is required to be submitted upon application, and transcripts must be submitted regardless of the applicant’s preferences concerning use of previously earned credit. Applicants not including all college work on the application are subject to denial of admission.

The College of Arts and Sciences offers an option to enter the university without declaring a specific program of study. This Open Option program is limited to students who have earned less than 60 college-level credit hours. If you have earned 60 or more credit hours you must specify a major.

All documentation must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions by mail, fax, or electronically from each institution attended. All documents submitted become the property of the university and cannot be returned or copied.

Transcript evaluations

Most academic credits from regionally accredited community colleges and universities are transferable to K-State. Up to half of the hours required for a K-State baccalaureate degree can be taken at a two-year college.

Official evaluation of transfer credit is part of the admission procedure. Application of transfer credit toward degree requirements is determined by each college and major department.

Community college articulation

K-State has transfer articulation agreements with the 19 Kansas community colleges. Students who have received an associate of arts or an associate of science degree from a Kansas community college are guaranteed junior classification.

All credits of an associate degree are not necessarily applicable toward a bachelor’s degree; additional freshman, sophomore, and general education courses may be required to meet degree requirements.

The associate of applied science (AAS) and associate of general studies (AGS) degrees will only transfer into specific bachelor’s programs. Generally, these degrees will only apply toward bachelor degrees in areas related to technical occupations.

Course equivalency information on all Kansas community colleges is available from the Office of Admissions. Access this information to look up specific course transferability.

Military evaluation for credit

The evaluation of military training and experience is conducted in the Office of Admissions. An evaluation of military experience is optional and has no bearing on admission to K-State. This evaluation does not include evaluation of transfer work from other educational institutions.

These documents are used for evaluations: DD-214, DD-295, certificates of completion, Defense Language Institute transcripts, Academy of Health Sciences at Fort Sam Houston transcripts, AARTS and SMARTS transcripts. Active military personnel may have their current, primary MOS evaluated, provided it has been validated by a performance evaluation within the last 12 months.

Credit awarded through military credential evaluation will be recorded on the K-State transcript at the time the student is admitted to a degree seeking program at K-State and enrolls in K-State courses.

In general, the university follows the recommendation given in A Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services published by the American Council on Education as these recommendations apply to a student’s K-State degree program. K-State awards 4 hours of military science credit for military service. Military correspondence courses and courses that last less than two weeks are not recognized for college-level credit. Credits resulting from military evaluations granted by other institutions are not transferable to K-State.

 

Special and Non-degree Student Admissions

Several categories of special and non-degree students exist at K-State. All students are subject to stated requirements and are responsible for payment of all fees, regular attendance at classes, and maintenance of satisfactory standing. Special and non-degree-seeking students are not eligible for financial assistance. Special and non-degree options are not available for international students on student visas.

Special student applicants

Students who do not intend to become candidates for a degree may apply for admission as special students. Such students must submit the admission application, application fee, test scores, and appropriate transcripts. Special student applicants must meet standard admission requirements.

Non-degree-seeking student applicants

Some students may be admitted as non-degree-seeking students at the discretion of the Office of Admissions. Non-degree-seeking students must submit the admission application and application fee. These students will be allowed to complete a maximum of 15 semester hours in non-degree status. In order to pursue work beyond the 15 hour limit, students must notify the Office of Admissions of the selected degree program, meet all admission requirements and may be required to sign an agreement specifying the terms of their admission.

High school students

Outstanding high school juniors and seniors may be admitted to take courses while completing their high school requirements. High school students must submit an application, application fee, a recommendation from the high school, an outstanding high school academic record, and specify the courses in which they plan to enroll.

Younger students may be granted admission under special circumstances. In addition to the documents mentioned above, students under age 16 must file a letter of consent from their parent(s) and a letter of approval to enroll in the selected class from the K-State department offering the class.

The university monitors the progress of all pre-college students very carefully. Students are approved for enrollment on the basis of space available in the selected class and success in prior university course work, if applicable.

 

International Admissions

For purposes of admission, international applicants are defined as all persons who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States.

Generally, international applicants seeking admission to Kansas State University must meet the same academic standards for admission as those required of American applicants. There are wide variations, however, between educational systems throughout the world that make exact comparisons of educational standards difficult. International applicants are selected on the basis of their prior academic work, probability of success in the chosen curriculum (as evidenced by prior work in the academic area involved), and certification of adequate financial resources.

International applicants must submit a completed international application form; an $80 non-refundable application fee; translated secondary schooling records, or a credentials evaluation report; affidavit of financial sponsorship and bank statement; and when applicable, translated college transcripts.

TOEFL/English proficiency

If you meet the academic requirements, Kansas State University may conditionally admit you with no proof of English proficiency. Once you arrive, you will be required to take the English Proficiency Test (EPT). The results of the English Proficiency Test (EPT) will determine if you have to study English, either full-time or part-time, or if you are ready to begin full-time university classes.

English proficiency requirements for unconditional admission:

  1. Transfer students from a U.S. institution must have completed BOTH
    a. 24 credit hours at an accredited U.S. institution
    b. English Composition I and II with grades of C or better
  2. IBT (Internet Based TOEFL) - composite score of 79 or higher
  3. IELTS - composite score of 6.5 or higher
  4. ACT - English part score of 23 or higher
  5. SAT - verbal part score of 530 or higher
  6. PTE - Pearson Test of English - overall score of 53 or higher
  7. Eiken (Pre-1 Score)
  8. Four years attendance in a U.S. high school with grades of C or better in all college preparatory courses

All standardized test scores must be submitted by the third day of class in order to waive English Proficiency Testing and English classes for the semester.

***Score submission dates are NOT negotiable.***

Invalidation of Test Scores

If a student does not have validated test scores or if the test score has been invalidated by the issuring institution, the student has the following options:

  1. Reapply for a different semester and submit other validated test scores prior to arrival.
  2. Take the English Proficiency Test upon arrival.

Students will not be allowed to enroll in academic classes until validated proof of English proficiency has been shown.

If the university determines a test score must be invalidated due to apparent fraud by the students, the student may appeal to the office of Honor and Integrity.

Priority deadlines for international application

  • May 1: Fall semester
  • October 1: Spring semester
  • March 1: Summer semester

Advanced credit for international evaluation

The following methods are used by Kansas State University to validate the awarding of advanced standing credit for international students who have completed work in their home countries at the post-secondary level:

  1. Credit is granted based upon recommendation by recognized academic publications. For a credential evaluation to be accepted, the credential evaluation service must be a member of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services).
  2. Validation by an academic department at Kansas State University. Students initiate validation of prior academic experiences through their college dean’s office. Validation by one of the following two options will be at the discretion of the credit-granting department:
    1. Course-by-course evaluation examination by comparable K-State academic department.
    2. The advisor and/or academic dean’s office makes a preliminary evaluation of the level a student has completed and begins the student at that level. Upon successful completion of that course, all related lower-level courses in that area, as determined by the department granting credit, would be validated and credit awarded.

Enrollment requirements

All new students whose primary language is not English must demonstrate English Language proficiency before completing enrollment for the first time at the university. This requirement applies to international and non-international, permanent residents, immigrants, transfer and non-transfer student alike. An assessment test of written and spoken proficiency is given by the English Language Program prior to each enrollment period. Based on results of the student’s proficiency, the director of the English Language Program may recommend one of the following enrollment options.

  1. Full-time study in the English Language Program until adequate proficiency is demonstrated.
  2. A combination of part-time study in the English Language Program and part-time study in the academic area until adequate proficiency for full-time academic study is demonstrated.
  3. Full enrollment in an academic program with no English language requirements.

 

Fraudulent Applications

An individual who intentionally withholds or provides fraudulent information on an application for undergraduate admission or readmission are subject to denial of admission or immediate dismissal from the university. The decision for immediate dismissal will be made by the director of admissions or academic dean. This decision will be made after a complete and thorough review of the situation and an individual conference with the student involved. The individual dismissed has the right to appeal the decision to the committee on academic policy and procedure, whose decision will be final.

 

Readmit Students

A readmit is any undergraduate student who has previously been admitted and attended K-State courses on the Manhattan campus at any time since high school graduation, or any undergraduate student who was admitted to and attended classes after high school graduation on the Salina (College of Technology and Aviation) campus since fall 1991.

Students need to reapply and be readmitted if they have graduated from K-State and want to return for further undergraduate work, have not been enrolled at K-State for at least one semester, or have been dismissed from K-State. There is no readmission application fee.

A dismissed student will be readmitted only when approved for reinstatement by the academic standards committee of the college the student is attempting to enter; the application for reinstatement must be directed to the academic standards committee.  A reinstatement form must be submitted to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions in additon to the undergraduate application for readmission.

Graduate students who have attended graduate school at K-State or earned a K-State graduate degree, but have never been an undergraduate student at K-State, must file an undergraduate application and pay the application fee.

Students must be readmitted to a primary major. A minor or secondary major can be added once enrolled.

 

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.

General Education - Readmitted Students: 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 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

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.

General Education - Readmitted Students: 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.

Objective of University General Education

The program for University General Education (UGE) strives to add breadth to the educational experience. It helps students widen their perspectives, explore the relationships between various subjects, and develop critical and analytical thinking skills.

UGE courses are not designed to be taken in a single block at the beginning or ending of a student’s college career. They should be continuous and spread across the entire college career.

Any student whose acquired credit at Kansas State University or any other institution began in fall 1997 or later will be obligated to meet UGE requirements. Transfer students need to contact their advisors and see the Transfer Admission Requirements.

Overview of UGE requirements

Students must complete at least 18 hours of approved UGE courses, one-third of which must be at the 300-level or above.

The courses accepted for UGE credit will vary according to college and major. All students should consult with their advisors to determine which UGE courses meet the requirements of their degree programs.

Only courses completed at Kansas State University and approved for university general education can be used to meet these requirements.

For more information

Approved UGE courses

The Registrar’s UGE Course List is maintained by the Registrar’s Office and provides a complete historical listing. This list will change as courses are approved, deleted, and added.

Policy for credit by examination Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate Programs (IB), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and Defense Activity for Non-traditional Education Support (DANTES) credits may be considered “transfer credits” for purposes of the UGE policy for students transferring credit to K-State.

UGE Policy for credit by examination

Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate Programs (IB), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and Defense Activity for Non-traditional Education Support (DANTES) credits may be considered “transfer credits” for purposes of the UGE policy for students transferring credit to K-State.

UGE Policy for curriculum changes

Students changing curricula within Kansas State University must satisfy the UGE requirements for the program in which they will graduate. Students entering a bachelor’s degree program after completing an associate’s degree at Kansas State University are not considered to be transfer students, as far as the UGE requirements are concerned; these students must meet the UGE requirements for the curriculum they are entering.

UGE policy for double majors and dual degrees

A student must meet the UGE requirements for his/her primary degree/major. UGE requirements for additional degrees or majors are waived.

UGE policy for credit for study abroad

Students who participate in study abroad programs approved by Kansas State University will meet UGE requirements either upon successful completion of K-State study abroad course work or transfer of study abroad course credit accepted by K-State. This policy is effective as of the 2002 spring term.

Number of study
abroad credit hours
University general
education requirements met
3–6 3 UGE credits at 300 level
7 and above 6 UGE credits at 300 level

Please note that the Kansas Board of Regents defines basic skills courses as separate from university general education. K-State basic skills courses include Expository Writing courses, College Algebra, and Public Speaking. Therefore, these courses will not fulfill your general education requirements.