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

Degrees & Certificates Offered



List of Degrees

College of Agriculture

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

Concurrent Bachelor of Science/Master of Science

Certificates

Non-degree


College of Architecture, Planning and Design


College of Arts and Sciences

Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education, and Bachelor of Science

Interdisciplinary studies

Concurrent Bachelor of Science/Master of Science

Certificates

Pre-Health Designations: Non-degree


College of Business Administration

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Certificates

Concurrent BS/BA and MS


College of Education

Bachelor of Science in Education

Certificate

Teacher Licensure Programs


College of Engineering

Concurrent Bachelor of Science/Master of Science

Certificate


College of Human Ecology

Bachelor of Science in Apparel and Textiles

Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training

Bachelor of Science in Dietetics

Bachelor of Science in Family Studies and Human Services

Bachelor of Science in Personal Financial Planning

Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management

Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology

Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition

Bachelor of Science in Interior Design

Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology

Concurrent BS and MS

Certificate

Dual Degree


College of Technology and Aviation Polytechnic Campus

Associate of Science

Associate of Technology

Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Technology

Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology

Bachelor of Science in Technology Management

Certificates


Common Degree Requirements

The common requirements for all curricula leading to an undergraduate degree are:

  • Expository Writing, 6 credits
  • Public Speaking, 2 credits

Degree Requirements

To graduate, a student must complete a prescribed curriculum. Under special conditions substitutions are allowed as the interests of the student warrant. The total credit requirement for bachelor’s degrees ranges from 120 to 167 hours, according to the curriculum taken. A minimum of 45 hours must be at a course level of 300 or above.

There are two grade point averages a student must meet to be awarded a degree: (1) at least a 2.0 on K-State resident graded courses that are applied to the degree, and (2) at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA for all resident graded courses taken at K-State. Professional curricula may impose additional degree requirements.

Students must file an application for graduation clearance in the appropriate dean’s office during the first four weeks of the semester (first two weeks for summer semester) in which the degree is to be completed.

It is the student’s responsibility to be certain that transcripts from all transfer institutions are on file in the Registrar’s Office before the end of the semester the degree requirements will be completed.

Up to half of the credits required for a normal four-year degree may be completed at an accredited two-year college.

Each student must complete at least 30 resident credits to be considered for a degree. Further, the student must complete 20 of the last 30 hours of resident credit at K-State. Courses in the student’s major field shall be taken in residence unless an exception is granted by the major department on petition of the student. That department shall have jurisdiction over the acceptance of major courses by transfer for fulfillment of the major requirement.

Exceptions to the residence requirement of the final year may be made by the dean of the college and the department head in the student’s major field, if the student has completed a total of three years of work acceptable to K-State. The student must submit satisfactory plans and reasons for completing the degree requirements at another institution, such as a dental, medical, law, or medical technology school, before earning a degree here.

Resident work includes all regularly scheduled course or laboratory instruction given by the regular university faculty.

At least five-sixths of the credit hours taken at K-State and applied toward a degree must be graded hours. Required courses of an internship or practicum nature or credit by examination, offered on a Credit/No Credit basis only, are to be considered as graded hours in implementing the five-sixths policy.

Candidates for spring graduation should attend commencement. Fall graduates are asked to participate in the commencement exercises in December or the following spring. Prospective summer graduates may participate in the exercises before or after graduation.

Students generally complete degree requirements in the normal four or five academic years allotted for that purpose. However, it could take additional time because of a significant change of educational objective. A student may interrupt studies for one or more semesters. Normally, the student will be expected to complete the degree program in not more than two years beyond the scheduled time. The individual whose education has been interrupted may have to meet new degree requirements if a change has occurred.

Dual degrees

Students may elect to earn two degrees at the same time. The requirements for both must be satisfied. Students should confer with each academic dean as early as possible to determine appropriate programs of study.

Students who are eligible to graduate with two degrees must file an application for graduation for each degree in the academic dean’s offices during the first four weeks of the semester they plan to complete degree requirements. Summer graduates must file their applications for graduation during the first two weeks of the summer semester.

Minors, Secondary Majors, and Certificates

Minors

Undergraduate minors provide students an opportunity to emphasize study in an area outside their major curriculum. Courses forming a minor may be used to satisfy the general requirements of a major curriculum, including free electives. Students are not required to complete a minor to graduate. A Minor can be awarded to a student upon or after being awarded a baccalaureate degree.

Students who declare and complete all requirements for a minor concurrent with a baccalaureate degree earned at Kansas State University will receive official recognition on their academic records when the degree is posted. Undergraduate students interested in completing one or more minors should consult their advisor as well as the minor program director(s). Students are encouraged to seek advice and information about potential areas of emphasis early in their academic planning.

Students who wish to complete a minor after a baccalaureate has been awarded to them by Kansas State University or during or after an advanced degree has been awarded to them by Kansas State University must reapply to Admissions as a non-degree undergraduate student to add a minor. Such students should consult with the minor program director for the minor of interest prior to reapplying. Students who declare and complete all requirements for a post-baccalaureate minor will reeive official recognition on their academic records when the minor is posted.

Individuals with baccalaureate or advanced degrees awarded only from accredited colleges or universities other than Kansas State University should consult the minor program director for the minor of interest about the availability of that particular minor to non-K-State graduates. If the minor is available to a non-K-State graduate, the individual must apply as a non-degree undergraduate student.

A minor requires completion of at least 15 designated hours of course work. Faculty in departments offering minors have specified courses that enable students to acquire moderate expertise in their discipline. No more than six hours of transfer courses may be used for a minor. Prerequisites and requisites associated with minors must be followed, and students must earn the minimum GPA set by the minor program.

For more information on specific minors, please consult individual department course listings and the minor program director.

College of Agriculture

College of Architecture, Planning and Design

College of Arts and Sciences

College of Business Administration

College of Engineering

College of Human Ecology

College of Technology and Aviation Polytechnic Campus

School of Leadership Studies

Secondary majors

K-State offers secondary majors in Biological Engineering, Gerontology, Global Food Systems Leadership, International Studies, Latin American Studies, and Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. These secondary majors are open to degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate students in all colleges, and are to be taken concurrently with a primary major. Most undergraduate programs of study will allow students to take both a primary and a secondary major within the normal four-year program, especially because courses applied toward the secondary major may also satisfy requirements for general education or restricted electives.

Program requirements follow a common pattern. Each includes two or more of the following features: an interdisciplinary introductory course (which might also satisfy distribution requirements); a list of electives from which students choose about 18 hours; and an interdisciplinary senior seminar featuring supervised independent study.

Each program has a supervisory committee and a director to whom students may refer for advising.

Certificate programs

A Kansas State University Undergraduate Academic Credit Certificate emphasizes a focused specialty area of study.

The program must increase the knowledge and skills of individuals.

The program must be validated by a specified assessment process.

Undergraduate academic credit certificates require approval through the Faculty Senate curriculum approval process.  The department and college that propose an undergraduate academic credit certificate program must provide for approval the following information:

  1. Purpose (clear and appropriate educational objective),
  2. Evidence of demonstrated need or demand for proposed certificate,
  3. Requirements,
  4. Desired outcomes,
  5. Assessment procedures,
  6. Estimated budget and staff required, and
  7. Evidence of approval of their certificate program through internal academic channels.

General Requirements

  • Certificates will require no fewer than twelve credit hours. 
  • No more than 25% of total credit hours required for the certificate may be transfer credits.
  • Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 is required on courses applied to a certificate.

A higher cumulative grade point average or minimum course grades of “C” or higher may be specified. All courses applied to the certificate must have letter grades. Courses with grades of “Credit” or “Pass” will not be applicable.

The department and college should also indicate whether or not the certificate can be obtained as a credential on its own (free-standing) or if the certificate may only be obtained by degree-seeking students at Kansas State University.  If a specific degree program is required, it should be specified.

All free-standing certificate programs will share the following admission process and criteria unless additional/higher criteria are specified by the department and college.

Admission

All certificate programs require admission to Kansas State University.  Certificates to be completed as a free-standing program require admission to Kansas State University as a non-degree, certificate-seeking student.

Students who do not intend to become a candidate for a bachelor’s degree at Kansas State University must apply for admission as a non-degree, certificate-seeking student.  Such students must submit the admission application, application fee, and transcripts. Applicants must provide documentation of high school or GED completion and, if college courses have been attempted, official transcripts demonstrating a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher for all post-secondary coursework.

Students who later choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree must apply for admission as a degree-seeking student.

Effective Date:  Fall 2014

 

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.

Students transferring from other institutions who are interested in a possible honors curriculum should have a 3.5 cumulative GPA in prior undergraduate work and are also encouraged to consult 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 a 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

 

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

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