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.
