Frequently Asked Questions
What is a secondary major?
A Secondary Major is a cross between a major and a minor. They were created in the
late 70's and early 80's when minors were not available to students at K-State. The
secondary major is a great option for students who want to enhance their professional
qualifications, or who just want to augment their studies by organizing their electives
and required courses more efficiently.
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I live in Kansas and have no plans to leave this region. Why would I want a secondary
major in International Studies or Latin American Studies?
The world is shrinking. There has never been a time in which international expertise
is more needed. Although it is possible to disseminate information globally in only
seconds, those who understand and appreciate the complexity of international issues
stand to benefit most from the increased political, social, economic, and cultural
interdependence in the world today. Kansas is not immune to these changes. And of
course, plans change.
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Can I count a course for my major or basic requirements and for the Secondary Major
at the same time?
Yes. Any course taken for your major or basic requirements can also be used for the
Secondary Major. The only catch is that for IS, you may only have six credit hours
(2 courses) in one discipline. For LAS you may have only nine credit hours (3 courses)
in one department.
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Do I have to be in the College of Arts and Sciences?
No. Students may be in any college at K-State. A student may not receive credit for
completion of the Secondary Major until he or she qualifies for a bachelor’s degree
in a major, however.
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What is the Senior Research requirement?
The Senior Research in IS (DAS 425) and Senior Research in LAS (DAS 407) involve the
writing of an independent research paper. The topic is selected by the student in
consultation with the director. Sometimes students make arrangements with a faculty
mentor to supervise their research work. The student doesn’t attend a formal class.
During the semester, however, it is expected that the student be in contact with the
program director and/or faculty mentor for direction and guidance at important stages
of the research project. See
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Will I have an advisor?
Yes. Dr. Robert Clark will be your advisor for the secondary major. You can contact
him at (785) 532-1985 or rclark@k-state.edu.
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What do students do after they graduate?
Many students select the Secondary Major in IS or LAS in anticipation of pursuing
graduate degrees in international fields. Those who enter the job pool hope that the
diversity of their program of study will give them an edge in the competitive job
market.
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I want to take a course that is not on the approved list but I think it should count.
How do I know if it’s acceptable for credit?
The course list is a representative, but not exhaustive list of courses. New courses
are offered and transfer courses may fit well into one’s program of study. Contact
the program director,
rclark@k-state.edu, with your questions.
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Do I have to choose between International Studies and Latin American Studies?
Yes. Currently students are only able to choose one of these Secondary Majors. Efforts
are being made to create a wider range of topical and geographic choices within the
rubric of International and Area Studies.
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What can I do to be more involved? Are there activities outside the classroom that
would interest me?
There are many more ways to be involved in international studies at K-State. If you
want to be more involved in the program, consider applying to be an International
and Area Studies Ambassador. Contact Dr. Clark for more information about this opportunity.
There are more organizations on campus that involve specific cultures and areas of
the globe. Check with the Office of Student Services and Activities, osas@k-state.edu, for information about these organizations. Check out the International Community Service Program webpage.
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What is an International Relations course?
Each student in International Studies must have one class in International Relations
(IR). IR courses are marked with the symbol '
§' in the list of approved courses. As always, if you have questions about a course that you think may fulfill the IR
requirement, contact Dr. Clark. Back to the top
Can I meet the foreign language requirement with a language that isn’t offered at
K-State?
Yes. The requirement is to demonstrate expertise in a foreign language equivalent
to the fourth semester of a foreign language course at K-State. There are different
ways to demonstrate such competence. See the director, Robert Clark,
rclark@k-state.edufor further information.
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Can I transfer credits from another program or university? What about study abroad
credits?
Transfer credits of approved courses are accepted and study abroad credits are highly
encouraged.
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My major advisor says I can graduate a semester earlier than I expected, but I’m
one course short of the secondary major. May I still complete it after graduation?
Yes. Courses taken after graduation may still be applied to the Secondary Major. Effective
planning will help you avoid this problem and help you finish your major and Secondary
Major according to plans.
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Can a person earn graduate credit in this program?
No. The secondary major program is designed exclusively for undergraduate studies.
However, many students who complete the program choose to pursue their interests by
obtaining a graduate degree in an international field.
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