Concurrent Minors, Endorsements and Add-on Programs

Kansas State University offers a variety of online minors, endorsements and add-on programs. Online minor programs are taken either concurrently with a K-State bachelor's degree, or as a stand-alone program.

Stand-Alone Minors

K-State's stand-alone minors are available to students working toward a bachelor's degree at any accredited institution, or to those who have already completed a bachelor's degree. Stand-alone minors include:

Concurrent Minors

Concurrent minors are available to students who have either earned or are currently pursuing a bachelor's degree from Kansas State University. Contact your K-State advisor to add one of the following online concurrent minors to your undergraduate degree program.

Animal Sciences and Industry Minor

Minimum of 15 credits
You must complete a petition for admission into the program. You will work with an animal sciences and industry advisor to choose the courses that will best meet your needs and career goals.
Required Courses

A minimum of two courses at the 300 level or above with the ASI designation (6-9 credits)
An additional two courses at the 500 level or above with the ASI designation (6 credits)

Anthropology Minor

18 credits

Anthropology is the study of all humans at all times in all places. This online minor takes a holistic approach, exploring the biological, cultural and historical dimensions of human life in search of the full human story.

Required Courses (6 credits)
Select two of the introductory courses to the field:

ANTH 200 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3 credits) OR
ANTH 204 - A General Education Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3 credits) OR
ANTH 210 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, Honors (3 credits)
ANTH 220 - Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology (3 credits)
ANTH 260 - Introduction to Archeology (3 credits)
ANTH 280 - Introduction to Biological Anthropology (4 credits)

Elective Courses (12 credits)
Select four advanced anthropology electives (300 level or above).

Business Minor

15 credits and a 2.5 cumulative GPA

The online business minor is only available to non-business majors who will graduate from a college other than the College of Business. At least three of the five required courses must be completed at K-State.

Required Courses

ACCTG 231 - Accounting for Business Operations (3 credits)
ACCTG 241 - Accounting for Investing and Financing (3 credits)
FINAN 450 - Principles of Finance (3 credits)
MANGT 420 - Principles of Management (3 credits)
MKTG 400 - Introduction to Marketing (3 credits)

Children in Group Settings Minor

16 credits with a grade of C or better on all courses and a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher

The online children in group settings (CGS) undergraduate minor provides the theoretical and empirical foundation for best practice in the field of early care and education. Human service professionals are provided with the requisite knowledge of the developmental changes that typically occur in the early childhood years, variations in development that may occur, and how best to support children's learning and development.

Required Courses:

ECED 310 - Early Childhood Development (3 credits)
ECED 313 - Pre-Professional Experiences in Early Childhood Unified (1 credit)
ECED 410 - Introduction to Early Childhood Education (3 credits)
ECED 420 - Interactions Techniques with Young Children (3 credits)
ECED 428 - Exceptional Development in Early Childhood (3 credits)
ECED 450 - Environments in Early Childhood (3 credits)

No more than 6 credits of transfer courses may be used for the CGS minor.

Economics Minor

Financial Counseling Minor

15 credits and a 2.5 cumulative GPA in the five required courses. At least 9 credits must be completed at K-State.

The online financial counseling minor provides an overview of the content needed to prepare for a career as a financial counselor and is designed for students not enrolled in the personal financial planning major. The program also satisfies the educational requirement for non-major students who want to earn the Accredited Financial Counselor® designation.

Required Courses (12 credits)

PFP 105 - Introduction to Personal Financial Planning (3 credits)
PFP 300 - Introduction to Behavioral Finance (3 credits)
PFP 305 - Advanced Personal Financial Planning (3 credits)
PFP 456 - Financial Counseling and Communication (3 credits)

Elective Courses (3 credits)

PFP 300 - Understanding Debt and Credit (3 credits)
PFP 460 - Retirement Planning Concepts (3 credits)
PFP 462 - Personal Investment Concepts I (3 credits)
PFP 464 - Estate Planning Concepts (3 credits)
PFP 466 - Personal Risk Management and Insurance Planning (3 credits)
PFP 472 - Personal Income Tax Concepts (3 credits)

Food Science and Industry Minor

Minimum of 15 credits

You must complete a petition for admission into the program. You will work with a food science and industry advisor to choose the courses that will best meet your needs and career goals.

Available Courses
Select 11-15 credits:

FDSCI 302 - Introduction to Food Science (3 credits)
FDSCI 305 - Fundamentals of Food Processing (3 credits)
FDSCI 501 - Food Chemistry (3 credits)
FDSCI 600 - Food Microbiology (2 credits)
FDSCI 601 - Food Microbiology Lab (2 credits)
FDSCI 690 - Principles of HACCP and HARPC (3 credits)
FDSCI 695 - Quality Assurance of Food Products (3 credits)
FDSCI 727 - Chemical Methods of Food Analysis (2 credits)
FDSCI 728 - Physical Methods of Food Analysis (2 credits)
FDSCI 740 - Research and Development of Food Products (4 credits)

Select 0-4 credits:

Processing Electives (300 level or higher)
FDSCI prefix (300 level or higher)

Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies Minor

Hospitality Management Minor

18 credits and a 2.0 cumulative GPA

The online hospitality management minor will provides you with a basic understanding of the practice and theoretical underpinnings of food and beverage, lodging, or meeting and event management.

Required Courses (9 credits)

HM 120 - Introduction to the Hospitality Industry (3 credits)
HM 341 - Principles of Food Production Management (3 credits) OR
HM 361 - Introduction to Hotel Operations (3 credits) OR
HM 363 - Introduction to Business Events (3 credits)
HM 482 - Human Resource Management in the Hospitality Industry (3 credits) OR
HM 621 - Hospitality Law (3 credits)

Elective Courses (9 credit hours)

At least two courses must be at the 400-level or above.

Human Development and Family Sciences Minor

15 credits with a grade of C or better on all courses

The online human development and family science minor allows you to integrate the study of families, human development and relationships with your major.

Required Courses (9 credits)

HDFS 110 - Introduction to Human Development (3 credits)
HDFS 302 - Introduction to Human Sexuality (3 credits)
HDFS 350 - Family Relationships and Gender Roles (3 credits)

Elective Courses (6 hours)

ECED 310 - Early Childhood (3 credits)
HDFS 506 - Middle Childhood and Adolescence (3 credits)
HDFS 510 - Human Development and Aging (3 credits)
HDFS 550 - Family Theory and Science (3 credits)
HDFS 552 - Families and Diversity (3 credits)
HDFS 670 - Working with Parents (3 credits)
PFP 105 - Introduction to Personal Financial Planning (3 credits)

Leadership Studies Minor

16 credits

You must be approved by the leadership studies minor advisor in order to be eligible to participate in the minor program. To sign up for an advising appointment, email leadreps@k-state.edu or call 785-532-6085.

You must receive a grade of C or higher in all courses (core and elective) counted toward the minor. In addition, you must achieve a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA on the coursework to be eligible to receive the minor.

Core Courses (11 credits)

LEAD 212 - Introduction to Leadership Concepts (3 credits)
LEAD 350 - Culture and Context in Leadership (3 credits)
LEAD 405 - Leadership in Practice (2 credits)
LEAD 450 - Senior Seminar in Leadership Studies (3 credits)

Elective Courses (5 credits)
Your advisor will help you choose from approved electives that fit well with your major or chosen career path.

Management Minor

15 credits and a 2.5 cumulative GPA in the five required courses. At least three of the five required courses must be completed at K-State.

The online management minor will provide you with the management and supervisory skills necessary to advance in your chosen profession. This program is only available to non-management majors. If you are a non-business major, you will be required to take Principles of Management (MANGT 420). If you are completing a bachelor’s degree within the College of Business, you will be required to take an additional elective instead.

Required Courses (6-9 credits)

MANGT 420 - Principles of Management (3 credits)*
MANGT 520 - Organizational Behavior (3 credits)
MANGT 531 - Human Resource Management (3 credits)

*Not required for College of Business majors

Elective Courses (6-9 credits)

MANGT 421 - Introduction to Operations and Supply Chain Management (3 credits)
MANGT 541 - Management of Quality (3 credits)
MANGT 553 - Business Project Management (3 credits)
MANGT 560 - Managing for Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace (3 credits)

Nutrition Minor

16 -18 credits

The undergraduate minor in nutrition will provide you with enhanced nutrition information and experiences and is designed to complement a pre-health degree or prepare you for a health-focused career.

Required Courses (11-12 credits)

FNDH 132 - Basic Nutrition (3 credits)
FNDH 340 - Food and Health: Safety, Allergies and Intolerances (3 credits) OR
FNDH 413 - Science of Food (4 credits)
FNDH 400 - Human Nutrition (3 credits)
FNDH 450 - Nutritional Assessment (2 credits)

Elective Courses (5-6 credits)

FNDH 510 - Life Span Nutrition (2 credits)
FNDH 600 - Public Health Nutrition (3 credits)
FNDH 620 - Nutrient Metabolism (3 credits)
FNDH 635 - Nutrition and Exercise (3 credits)

Personal Financial Planning Minor

15 credits and a 2.5 cumulative GPA in the five required courses. At least 9 of the 15 required credits must be completed at K-State.

The online personal financial planning minor provides an overview of the content needed to prepare for a career as a personal financial advisor. This program is designed for non-personal financial planning majors.

Required Courses (6 credits)

PFP 105 - Introduction to Personal Financial Planning (3 credits)
PFP 305 - Advanced Personal Financial Planning (3 credits)

Elective Courses (9 credits)

PFP 460 - Retirement Planning Concepts (3 credits)
PFP 462 - Personal Investment Concepts I (3 credits)
PFP 464 - Estate Planning Concepts (3 credits)
PFP 466 - Personal Risk Management and Insurance Planning (3 credits)
PFP 472 - Personal Income Tax Concepts (3 credits)
PFP 482 - Personal Investment Concepts II (3 credits)

Concurrent Certificates

Health Coach Undergraduate Certificate

15-16 credits

The online health coach undergraduate certificate provides counseling and health-focused psychology strategies, as well as information on health and lifestyle behaviors that will prepare you to educate and mentor others.

Required Courses (12 credits)

FNDH 352 - Personal Wellness (3 credits)
FNDH 450 - Nutrition Assessment (2 credits)
FNDH 515 - Counseling Strategies (3 credits)
PSYCH 110 - Intro to Psychology (3 credits)
FNDH 650 - Practicum/Internship (1 credit)

Elective Courses (3-4 credits)

FNDH 320 - Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries (3 credits)
FNDH 413 - Science of Food (4 credits)
EDSEC 250 - Scientific Principles of Coaching (3 credits)
GERON 315 - Introduction to Gerontology (3 credits)
PSYCH 505 - Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)
PSYCH 518 - Introduction to Health Psychology (3 credits)
PSYCH 520 - Life Span Personality Development (3 credits)

Secondary Majors

Gerontology Secondary Major

24 credits

You may be eligible for the online gerontology secondary major if you are a current K-State student. The coursework for the secondary major may overlap with courses taken for your primary major. This program cannot be completed as a stand-alone program.

Required Courses (9 credits)

GERON 315 - Intro to Gerontology (3 credits)
GERON 510 - Aging in America: Policy & Advocacy (3 credits)
GERON 600 - Seminar in Gerontology (3 credits)

Elective Courses (15 credits)
You will choose your electives from a list of approved courses. Electives must be completed in at least three separate departments. Additional courses may be approved if they include significant aging-related content and are approved in advance.

If you have additional questions about the secondary major in gerontology, visit this FAQ or contact the department at gerontology@k-state.edu.

Endorsements

English as a Second Language Endorsement

15 credits

The English as a second language endorsement is a nationally recognized program designed to help you increase your knowledge and learn new strategies for working with culturally and linguistically diverse students, and to assist students in continuing to make academic progress while they learn the English language.

This program is open to licensed teachers in Kansas and was developed for teachers at all grade levels and content areas. Courses in this program can be used toward a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction.

The courses in this program use curricula aligned to the following national standards and benchmarks:

Common Core State Standards
TESOL/NCATE Standards for P-12 Teacher Education Programs
Center for Research on Education, Diversity and Excellence
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
Response to Intervention
Multi-Tier System of Supports

Required Courses (15 credits)

EDCI 720 - ESL/Dual Language Methods (3 credits)
EDCI 731 - ESL/Dual Language Linguistics (3 credits)
EDCI 740 - Culture and Language in Classroom Practice (3 credits)
EDCI 742 - ESL/Dual Language Assessment (3 credits)
EDCI 745 - ESL/Dual Language Elementary Practicum (3 credits) OR
EDCI 746 - ESL/Dual Language Secondary Practicum (3 credits)

Endorsement Credentials
Upon completion of the curriculum for the English as a second language endorsement program, you must apply for endorsement credentials. For more information about licensing and endorsement programs, visit the College of Education's License Application Information webpage.

High Incidence Special Education Endorsement

30-32 credits

High incidence special education is a program designed to prepare educators to work with children and youth with mild to moderate disabilities. To obtain this endorsement, you will need to be eligible for licensure in elementary or secondary education.

Required

EDSP 711 - Characteristics of Exceptionalities (3 credits)*
EDSP 742 - Intervention: Emotional and Behavior Disorders (3 credits)*
EDSP 743 - Intervention: Academic Disabilities (3 credits) *
EDSP 745 - The Consulting Process in Special Education (3 credits)
EDSP 777 - Social and Emotional Learning and Behavior Management Strategies (3 credits)
EDSP 778 - Technology for Special Education (3 credits)
EDSP 785 - Practicum I: High Incidence (3 credits)*
EDSP 800 - Practicum II (3 credits)
EDSP 830 - Assessment in Special Education (3 credits)
EDSP 844 - Special Education in Secondary Schools (2 credits)#
EDSP 848 - Transitions in Special Education (3 credits)

* QuickStart Program Provisional Endorsement: The Special Education QuickStart Program is for Elementary Education undergraduate students in the K-State College of Education with an area of concentration in special education. Courses begin the sophomore or junior year.
# Required course for all secondary level endorsement and elementary level adding secondary certification.

Additional Requirements

You must be admitted to the special education master’s program the semester before you request your first practicum, and you must contact the professor in charge of the practicum.
You must continue to enroll in and complete at least one course each year from the list of required courses in the approved program sequence of courses.
At the time of the renewal of the provisional endorsement, at least 50% of the remaining course sequence must have been completed. The provisional endorsement is valid for two years and may be renewed once for an additional two years.
The entire sequence of courses for full endorsement must be completed within four years.
The provisional endorsement is not granted until the applicant is employed in a special education position.
The full endorsement is granted to the applicant by the State Department of Education upon completion of the entire required sequence of courses and passing the Praxis II exam. States other than Kansas may require other courses. View more details for the provisional endorsement and practicum on the special education master’s degree webpage.

Low Incidence Special Education Endorsement

9 credits

Low incidence special education is an education program designed for children and youth for whom the general education curriculum is not appropriate. Approximately 15,000 Kansas public school students need a more functional curriculum, and there is a significant shortage of low incidence special education teachers.

Required Courses

EDSP 841 - Interventions: Low Incidence Special Education (3 credits)
EDSP 849 - Interventions: Autism (3 credits)
EDSP 885 - Practicum: Education of Individuals with Low Incidence Special Education Needs (3 credits)

You must hold a valid professional teaching license and be fully endorsed in high incidence special education to be eligible for this program.

Reading Specialist Endorsement

18 credits

Reading specialists serve and positively impact a large number of children and young adults and provide support and intervention for struggling readers. In this program, you will:

Prepare to expand literacy knowledge to individuals and educational institutions through literacy leadership
Build experience in teaching reading and differentiating instruction to provide support and intervention for readers at all levels
Incorporate new materials, strategies and means of assessment into practice

Reading specialists can provide ongoing professional development as literacy leaders within schools, benefiting faculty and staff. The demand continues to rise for highly qualified reading specialists.

Courses in this program can be used toward a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction.

Required Courses (18 credit hours)

EDCI 816 - Approaches to Reading Instruction (3 credits)
EDCI 818 - Theoretical Models of Reading (3 credits)
EDCI 840 - Literacy Assessment (3 credits)
EDCI 841 - Supporting Struggling Readers (3 credits)
EDCI 930 - Leadership in Literacy (3 credits)
EDCI 945 - Clinical Practicum in Reading (3 credits)

Endorsement Credentials
Upon completion of this program, you will be eligible to apply for an endorsement in the Reading Specialist area from the Kansas Department of Education. You must hold a valid Kansas professional teaching license. Please contact Lotta Larson (lottalarson@k-state.edu) or Suzanne Porath (sporath@k-state.edu) for a brief advisement consultation.

You may renew your teaching license at the same time you apply for the reading endorsement by filling out the Reading Specialist Endorsement Form.