Source: Bill Meredith, 785-532-5521, meredith@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Jane Marshall, 785-532-1519, jpm2@k-state.edu

Friday, Aug. 26, 2011

FAST TRACK TO SUCCESS: NEW CONCURRENT BACHELOR'S/MASTER'S PROGRAMS HELP HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT, HUMAN NUTRITION STUDENTS REACH GOALS SOONER

MANHATTAN -- Students majoring in hospitality management and human nutrition at Kansas State University now have a fast-track option to earn their bachelor's and master's degrees and get into the work force sooner.

With the start of the fall semester, K-State's College of Human Ecology is offering concurrent bachelor's/master's degree programs in hospitality management and in human nutrition. Master's degree options will be thesis, report or course work in both programs.

To apply to the hospitality management program, a student must have completed at least 75 credit hours toward a bachelor of science degree in hotel and restaurant management and have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.

A maximum of nine graduate credit hours can be counted toward the bachelor of science degree. Students may select the thesis or course work option and must maintain a graduate GPA of at least 3.0.

At least 18 hours of the program of study should be at the 700 or above level.

"The new bachelor of science/master of science program allows for exceptional students to go into a one-year graduate program rather than a two-year program, helping them get into the work force earlier," said Bill Meredith, acting head of the department of hospitality management and dietetics. "Having a master's degree also is an advantage for students who are searching for employment."

For the human nutrition program, the course work-only option requires at least 21 hours of the required 35 be at least 700 level courses. Nine of the undergraduate credits can be counted for graduate credit.

"This new program allows talented students to earn both bachelor of science and master of science degrees in a shorter time period than typically required if both degrees are pursued separately," said Denis Medeiros, chair of human nutrition. "Students will have an advantage in gaining entrance to competitive doctoral programs, which should facilitate their entrance into medical, dental and related health profession schools."