News
K-State Recognizes 35th Anniversary of Bachelor's Degree Completion Program
November 3, 2009
This year marks the 35th anniversary of Kansas State University’s Bachelor’s Degree Completion Program, offered through the K-State Division of Continuing Education. Students in this program generally have some college and most have the equivalent of two years of college completed through community colleges or other institutions. These students then complete their remaining course work through K-State distance education to obtain their bachelor’s degree.
The Bachelor’s Degree Completion Program, once called the Non-Traditional Studies Program, was developed in 1974. Today, eight degree completion programs are available, including: animal sciences and industry, dietetics, early childhood education, family studies and human services, food science and industry, general business, interdisciplinary social science and technology management.
“The degree completion program was founded by some insightful and responsive faculty members out of their concern for students—primarily military spouses at that time—who had to leave the university before they could complete their degrees,” said Dave Stewart, assistant dean of continuing education at K-State. “They helped to create an opportunity for those students to complete their degrees and to continue their relationship with K-State.”
More available programs mean students have more options in choosing the program that best meets their needs for a bachelor’s degree. Enrollment in the program is increasing due in part to the development of K-State’s 2+2 partnerships with community and technical colleges throughout Kansas and other states. These partnerships help streamline the process for place-bound students to complete a K-State bachelor’s degree without leaving their community.
“Our 2+2 partnerships with community colleges serve to extend the university to those who need an opportunity to continue their education but who cannot come to residential campuses,” Stewart said. “This is central to K-State’s land grant mission. In addition to helping these individuals, there is also a desirable impact on regional economic development as the work force becomes better trained and more qualified for jobs that either exist or can be attracted to a region.”
Learn more about K-State’s Bachelor’s Degree Completion Program by visiting the Web site at http://www.dce.k-state.edu/courses/bachelorsdegree/.
- Source: Melinda Sinn, 785-532-5888, sinnpio@k-state.edu
- News release prepared by: Jared Betts, 785-532-2529, betts290@k-state.edu and Rosanna Vail, 785-532-2720, rvail@k-state.edu
