COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT EARNING A DEGREE IN THE ART DEPARTMENT AT KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY

How do I sign up for classes each semester?
MOST IMPORTANT: check in late August/early September and late January/early February outside the advisor's office, 321 Willard for postings about advising and enrollment. There will be a book outside the door and after the advisor meets with the prospective graduates for the following semester, each student may sign up for an advising appointment. Appointments are for 20 minutes per student and you should have a general idea of what you need for the following semester. The advisor will raise your flag for the next semester and give you electronic permission for the art course sections that fit into your schedule. Important: This is NOT when you are enrolled, only granted permission. You will be informed of your enrollment time at this meeting and that is when you will be first able to enroll. Usually, you are able to enroll until 5 PM the first day of classes without penalty. After that, you are charged a $50 fee for late enrollment.

How do I get into the major of my choice?
All students who began their work in art in the Fall of 1999 or later are required to participate in the Concentration Admission Review (CAR) to apply for the major they desire. Your advisor should know the semester this will occur, but for freshmen it should be anticipated in the Spring of their sophomore year. Keep all of your Foundation work, ask the instructor of each course which they feel is the strongest work you have completed in the class. You need a 2.75 GPA in the Foundation courses to be eligible for the CAR. If you do not make the cut at your first attempt, you have an additional chance and will be advised where your work needs attention. If you exhaust your opportunities, you will be advised to choose another major.

How many studio courses should I take each semester?
You should take only two studios per semester for your first two years. This is a time where the majority of basic requirements; the 34 hours of Social Science, Humanities, Science, etc. that are required by K-State, should be addressed. Because the work you produce early on will demand less time, it is a good idea to avoid sacrificing your grades in the basics for your art classes later on. As an upperclassman, your focus should be on your major and any specific interests in art or beyond the department. If you are a transfer student, the situation may be radically different and we'll work on your situation on an individual basis.

How many credits do I need to graduate?
For students entering the art program during Fall 2003 or later, the degree requires 124 hours; 78 art hours and 46 hours of non-art requirements make up the degree.

Who keeps track of my progress while I am here?
Both your advisor AND yourself. You should receive a check sheet from your advisor at your first meeting and after each semester, fill in the classes you took and the grades you received. Your advisor will do likewise and keep it in your file.
What are University General Education Classes and how many do I have to take?
"UGE's" are courses structured to provide a student with educational opportunities they might not otherwise take advantage of. Students are required to complete 18 hours of these specified courses with 6 of those hours at 300 level or above. If you are transferring in credits, the number of hours may be affected. You can find the list of courses at http://www.ksu.edu/registrar/enroll/gened.html, and you can find the transfer hour table on page 9 of the Course Catalog or at http://courses.ksu.edu/catalog/undergraduate/admission/transfer.html.

Do I need a Course Catalog?
Though the Catalog is on the internet, it is an excellent idea to purchase one at the Bookstore when you start at K-State and get the updated version when the first expires. The book contains nearly all the information and answers you might require when you have questions about credits, earning degrees, course descriptions, and policies that impact all students at some point during their time at K-State.

How do I find out if a class I took will transfer to K-State?
If it is an art class, you must speak to your advisor. If it is any other class, find this web site: http://www.ksu.edu/admit/tran.html and scroll down the narrow box until you find the class you took elsewhere and if there is an equivalent at K-State, you should find it. There are links at the top that answer any questions you might have regarding codes or terms found on the list. If you have any further questions, contact Diane Barker or Joanne Ringle in the Arts and Sciences Dean's office: 785-532-6900.

How do I transfer the credits to K-State?
Contact the records office at the institution where you took the class(es) and have them send an official transcript of the work to the Admissions Office, 119 Anderson Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506. Do NOT have them send it to the Art Department. It will then be invalid and a waste of your time and money.

Any art courses that you transfer to K-State will be evaluated by your advisor to determine what requirements they fulfill in your art curriculum.

Having a problem in class?
If you have a problem in a class, start by talking to your instructor. This usually works owing to many difficulties arising over communication problems. If that does not work, try again. If you still seek satisfaction, the advisor can direct you where to go next; be it an office or another individual. If your difficulty stems from a learning disability or related situation, please be honest. There are areas on campus tailored to fit every need with a common goal: to help you find success in your college career. And remember-they have heard it all-your case is probably very familiar and they want to help where they can.