Apr 27, 2025  
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Social Transformation Studies (BA)

Location(s): Manhattan Campus


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A major in Social Transformation Studies equips students to approach social justice and equity issues from a variety of perspectives and prepares them to excel in a wide variety of fields, including law and politics, violence prevention and advocacy, human services, education, business, health professions, and public health, as well as graduate-level studies.  The Social Transformation Studies program provides students with skills that employers seek: the ability to work with and serve diverse and underserved constituencies, think critically, and write and communicate effectively.  

The Social Transformation Studies major draws from the interdisciplinary scholarly and pedagogical traditions of the fields of American ethnic studies and gender, women, and sexuality studies to create something more than the sum of its parts.  Ours is the only degree program of its kind in the state of Kansas. 

Instructors and students in Social Transformation Studies analyze personal experience and social institutions as they shape and are shaped by race, ethnicity, indigeneity, gender, sex, sexuality, class, disability, citizenship, nation, coloniality, and global location.  This analysis enables both an understanding of oppression as well as a vision for social equity and justice.  A major in Social Transformation Studies offers students the opportunity to think critically about the multifaceted realities and identities of diverse peoples, as well as the important knowledges created by them; promotes social justice ideals and practices of inclusivity; and fosters community-based engaged research and praxis responsive to the needs and realities of underserved communities. 

In addition to the general university and college requirements for the BA/BS degree, all Social Transformation Studies majors are required to complete 30 credit hours.  All Social Transformation Studies majors will complete one 3 credit introductory course (AMETH 160 or GWSS 105), 9 cr. of core courses (STRAN 400, STRAN 550, and STRAN 600), and 3 cr. of elective in either AMETH or GWSS.  For the remaining 15 credits of the Social Transformation Studies major, students will choose one of two tracks: American Ethnic Studies or Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate with a degree in Social Transformation Studies, students must fulfill all program requirements and have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in courses taken for the Social Transformation Studies major at Kansas State University.

Kansas State University Core: 34-36 Credit Hours


KBOR Statewide Transfer (SWT) Courses: https://www.kansasregents.org/academic_affairs/transfer-articulation.

English (Written Communication Outcomes): 6 Credit Hours


Communication (Oral Communication Outcomes): 3 Credit Hours


Math & Statistics (Quantitative Literacy Outcomes): 3 Credit Hours


Natural & Physical Sciences (Natural & Physical Sciences Outcomes): 4-5 Credit Hours


Choose 1 subject area which must include a lab.

Social & Behavioral Sciences (Social & Behavioral Sciences Outcomes): 6 Credit Hours


At least 2 courses from 2 subjects under this area.

Arts & Humanities (Arts & Humanities Outcomes): 6 Credit Hours


At least 2 courses from 2 subjects under this area.

Free Electives (Institutionally Designated Area): 6 Credit Hours


Includes ALL 100 and 200 level courses at K-State or in Transfer. 
Note: One course may be used to satisfy more than one requirement. However, students must complete a total of 34-36 credit hours of general education courses.

For a Full Listing of K-State 100/200 level courses you may search those courses individually via the University Course Catalog.

TOTAL CREDITS: 34-36


Program Requirements


Outside Concentration: 9 Credit Hours


Outside credential of at least 9 credit hours (May be from any unit, except Social Transformation Studies, OR from approved interdisciplinary credentials within the unit).

OR

Any 9 credit hours in a single prefix (except for AMETH, GWSS, STRAN) (all must be 300 level or above OR at any level with a prereq in the same prefix; up to 5 credit hours may overlap with program).

OR

Any 9 credit hours in a microcredential (up to 5 credit hours may overlap with program).

Overlays: [9] Credit Hours


May be fulfilled in K-State Core, Outside Concentration, electives, or the Program itself.

  • Ethical Reasoning Overlay Credits: [3]
  • Global Perspectives Overlay Credits: [3]
  • US Multicultural Overlay Credits: [3]

Programs


Students must take 6 credit hours in common foundational courses, 15 credit hours within a choice of one of two tracks, and a final set of 9 credit hours in implementation and capstone courses. 

AMETH or GWSS Track: 15 Credit Hours


Complete either Option1: AMETH Track or Option 2: GWSS Track

Option 1: AMETH Track (15 Credit Hours)


Option 2: GWSS Track (15 Credit Hours)


Implementation and Capstone: 9 Credit Hours


BA Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Restricted Electives: 6 Credit Hours


3 credit hours in each of the following, with at least 3 credit hours at 300 level or above OR at any level with a prerequisite in the same discipline.

One course in Humanities Credits: 3


Any course or combination of courses in Fine Arts Credits: 3


BA Natural and Quantitative Restricted Electives: 6 Credit Hours


One course in each of the following, with at least 3 credit hours total at 300 level or above OR at any level with a prerequisite in the same discipline.

Natural Science or Quantitative course Credits: 3


Natural Science, or Quantitative, or Social Science with MATH or STAT Credits: 3


BA Second Language Requirement: 3-16 Credit Hours


Choose one of the following:

Option 1: 3-14 Credit Hours


At least 3 credit hours of coursework culminating with level 4 or above (i.e., French 4, German 4, Spanish 4, etc.) or the equivalent of level 4 in a second language sequence.

Option 2: 16 Credit Hours


At least 16 credit hours of coursework in which student takes the first and second levels of two different languages, selected from any language offered within the department of Modern Languages, ASL, or from any other second language transferred in at an equivalent level.

Option 3: 3 Credit Hours


Students whose first language is not English may satisfy this requirement by meeting the English Proficiency Admission Standards for K-State or by completing the appropriate level of exit courses with the English Language Program.

Free Electives: 18-31 Credit Hours


In addition to K-State Core Free Electives requirement, take any course so that the total credit hours completed equals 120.

Grand Total for Program of Study: 120


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