History

1868

First graduate student enrolled

1869

Martha A. White awarded first graduate degree. All degrees awarded prior to 1886 were honorary and informally based on substantial and significant works.

1886

Standing committee on graduate work established consisting of seven members:

  • 1 from Home Economics
  • 1 from Veterinary Medicine
  • 2 from Division of Agriculture
  • 1 from English
  • 2 General Science

1886

Master of Science established

1887

First application received for post-graduate work from an individual with a degree outside of Kansas State Agricultural College.

1894

Fairchild Hall (home of the Graduate School until March 2017) constructed for the library and agricultural sciences.

1909-1919

Council of Deans handled all graduate work; passed along applications to each dean who then set up course work for the student in his/her division.

1919

Assistantships offered in 12 departments (required .5 laboratory research and .5 study, only offered to those with two years of residency).

1920

Standing Committee renamed Graduate Council; consisting of seven members, members were appointed by President William M. Jardine.

1927

Fairchild Hall substantially remodeled upon removal of library to Hale building.

1931

Division of Graduate Study established; Dr. James Ackert named Dean.

1932

Doctor of Philosophy authorized by Kansas Board of Regents in Chemistry, Milling Industry, Bacteriology, and Entomology.

1933

First PhD awarded to Hugh Stanley Carroll in Chemistry; Dissertation titled: “Studies in the Methylation of Lactose”

1942

Division of Graduate Study renamed Graduate School

1954

Oral exam dates for doctoral degrees first posted publicly in 1954 on bulletin boards in Fairchild Hall.

1959

Master of Arts established; Mrs. Sanum Shantikumar, from New Delhi, India awarded first MA in Philosophy.

1970

Interdisciplinary study begins with graduate work at Kansas State University.

First K-State/Ft. Leavenworth Cooperative Degree Program (Political Science)

1990

SUROP formed for undergraduates from under-represented groups to gain experience in the research process.

1997

First graduate certificate awarded (Women’s Studies)

1998

First on-post graduate program (Adult and Continuing Education) offered at Ft. Leavenworth

First online master’s degree students matriculated (Master of Agribusiness)

2001

First doctoral degree program memorandum of agreement signed between K-State and Ft. Leavenworth

2002

Virginia Moxley and Sue Maes bring Master’s degree in Financial Planning to K-State through new distance program: Great Plains IDEA

First Sarachek Predoctoral Honors Fellowship awarded.

2003

Implementation of the online application for graduate admission

2006

Doctoral students begin submitting dissertations electronically through K-Rex, followed by Master's students in 2007

2009

National Science Foundation awards K-State $2.7 million grant to establish Evidence-Based Inquiry into the Distant, Remote or Past (K-12 education program).

National Science Foundation awards K-State to fund the Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) for three years.

National Science Foundation awards K-State to fund the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Training program (IGERT) for three years.

2010

National Science Foundation awards $2.8 million grant to establish INSIGHT (Infusing System Design and Sensor Technology in Education) K-12 program.

The KSURF (Kansas State University Research Foundation)Doctoral Research Scholarship established.

2012

First graduate course offering given at K-State Olathe.

First professional master’s degree offered at K-State Salina.