Bachelors Degree Programs

Business -- BSB
Offered On-site in Metro Kansas City

Beginning in 1989, Emporia State University's School of Business began offering, in the greater Kansas City area, four business majors: Accounting, Business Administration, Management and Information Systems. More than 400 students have completed a business degree from ESU through this program.

The ESU in Johnson County business program is primarily designed for part-time students. Courses are taught evenings at the Metro Learning Center in Overland Park during the regular ESU Spring, Summer and Fall semester. Fall and Spring weeknight courses meet once each week. Summer courses meet two times each week in a shorter semester. Online courses are offered each semester, especially during the summer. Participants should assume that it will take a minimum of 2 1/2 to 3 years to complete the degree on a part-time basis. It is recommended that students come to the ESU campus if they want to finish their degree in less time.

Most of the students in this program have either an Associates Degree or a "bunch" of hours, but no Bachelor's Degree. Some are pursuing a second Bachelor's Degree or are completing requirements to take the CPA exam.

Less than one fourth of the business programs in the U.S. are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), the most important accreditation for business schools. This is the "gold standard" that identifies programs of the highest quality. We are proud to have this accreditation.

ESU is a Kansas Regents institution. ESU tuition is significantly less than comparable four-year schools in the Kansas City Metro and surrounding area.

Program Web Site: www.emporia.edu/business/jcfront.php
Program Contact: Ashley Jost (esumetro@emporia.edu or 913-338-4378)

Elementary Education -- BSE
Offered Online and On-site (Kansas City Kansas Community College or Butler Community College)

The Department of Early Childhood/Elementary Teacher Education at Emporia State University offers a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education (BSE) in two offsite locations, Kansas City Kansas Community College (Kansas City, KS) and Butler Community College (El Dorado, KS).

The program is designed for individuals who hold a number of applicable undergraduate level courses or an Associate of Arts degree from an accredited institution. In addition the program was created for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree and would like to obtain a 2nd bachelor’s degree or obtain Kansas Teacher Certification. Upon successful completion of all BSE requirements, students are recommended for Kansas Teacher Certification, grades kindergarten through six.

The program is perfect for working adults both inside and outside the K – 6 educational arena. Courses are conveniently offered in the late afternoons and evenings, as well as online during your first year of study, perfect for individuals who are balancing school, life, and work. During the second year of study, individuals will participate in ESU’s award winning Professional Development School. At this time courses will be offered during the traditional, K-6 School day, and require students to be available during the entire school day.

The BSE program is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and the Kansas State Board of Education. The program includes hands-on learning in the classroom, through ESU’s nationally recognized and awarding winning Professional Development School program.

Program Web Site: http://lifelong.emporia.edu/eled/
KCKCC Program Contact: Fred Lemaster (flemaste@emporia.edu or 913-288-7373)
BCC Program Contact: Merle Patterson (mpatters@emporia.edu or 316-322-3375)

Information Resource Studies -- BS
Offered Online with one On-Site Business course (Metro Learning Center, Overland Park, KS)

Through the School of Library and Information Management, individuals can obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Resource Studies (IRS). The IRS degree is an interdisciplinary program that is composed of six general areas: Communication, Organizational Studies, Psychology/Sociology, Research Methods, Information Resources, and Information Technology.

The program is primarily designed for students who have completed an Associate’s Degree or hold a number of undergraduate level courses from accredited institutions. In addition the degree can be combined with many other majors or minors to create strong areas of specialization.

The IRS program enables graduates to productively work in a knowledge economy, and is designed for individuals who: enjoy working with people; are comfortable with computer technology; have good communication skills; enjoy the challenge of searching for answers and solving problems; and want to work in a dynamic 21st century field. The program is offered online, with one course available on-site through the Metro Learning Center in Overland Park, KS or the Emporia State University main campus in Emporia, KS. Courses are conveniently offered in the evening or online, allowing individuals to advance their professional skills, while balancing life, work, and school. Students will work directly with their advisor to determine their individual degree completion time.

ESU’s Information Resource Study degree program distinguishes itself from related degrees in management and computer science, through the programs emphasis on information in all its forms (words, numbers, pictures, sounds). In addition the program teaches individuals to use information technology as a guide for helping people and organizations solve important problems.

Program Web Site: www.emporia.edu/irs/
Program Contact: Dr. Ann O'Neill (aoneill@emporia.edu or 800-552-4770/620-341-5203)

Integrated Studies -- BIS
Offered Completely Online

This entirely Internet-based degree program provides students a quality multi-disciplinary program of study that fulfills traditional university requirements and is designed to meet the student’s specific goal for a college degree. The degree is granted by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Working closely with an academic advisor, each student develops his/her program of study from four proficiency areas: communication, information literacy, problems solving/decision making, and community leadership. Students are encouraged to choose their own pace with the option of studying either full or part-time. New students are admitted to the program in the fall, spring, and summer semesters.

Students entering the program should minimally have 60 hours completed at an accredited college or university, including the general education curriculum, and must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

Program Web Site: www.emporia.edu/lifelong/bis/
Program Contact: Robert Goltra (rgoltra@emporia.edu or 620-341-5421)

Recreation -- BS
Offered Completely Online

This is a new exciting option for students who want to pursue a degree in recreation. The Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation offered through the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER) at Emporia State University can be completed entirely through web based courses so the student does not have to travel to campus.

The Bachelor of Science in Recreation provides career opportunities in the leisure services and general recreation fields.  Employment opportunities exist in municipal recreation and park agencies; state and federal agencies; institutions serving special populations; college recreational services; youth-serving agencies; and commercial, outdoor, military, church and industrial agencies.

Program Web Site: www.emporia.edu/hper/recreation.php
Program Contact: Damon Leiss (dleiss@emporia.edu or 620-341-5940)

Last Updated March 6, 2009