Website: https://www.washburn.edu/academics/college-schools/applied-studies/index.html

Faculty

Zach Frank, DPT, Dean and Associate Professor
Melanie Worsley, JD, Associate Dean and Professor
Michelle Shipley, MS, Assistant Dean and Associate Professor
Sarah Hagler, SAS Academic Advisor
Nicole Vavra, SAS Academic Advisor and Recruitment Coordinator
Beth Kuhn, Office Coordinator
Alicia Moulden, Administrative Specialist

Brief History

In the fall of 1981, a new academic division was established within the Office of Continuing and Special Instructional Programs to offer degrees in those areas not directly related to existing University departments. In the spring of 1983, the General Faculty of the University, the Board of Regents, and the Kansas Legislature recognized the importance of these growing applied programs to the mission of an urban university like Washburn and established the School of Applied and Continuing Education.

In the spring of 1992, this academic unit was renamed the School of Applied Studies (SAS). Continuing Education became a separate unit. That same year the departments of Criminal Justice and Social Work were transferred to the School, joining the existing departments of Allied Health, Human Services, and Office, Legal and Technology. Today, the School of Applied Studies consists of Allied Health, Criminal Justice & Legal Studies, Education, Family & Human Services and Social Work.

Vision

The School of Applied Studies will be an outstanding educational setting and resource center for the creation of a learning community that embraces exemplary leadership, scholarship and integrity.

Values Guiding Our Vision

Commitment to Academic Excellence:To have highly qualified and talented faculty & staff as well as discerning and productive graduates.
Commitment to Scholarship: To engage in scientific research, innovative studies, and scholarly endeavors that have beneficial and practical consequences.
Commitment to Technological Empowerment: To foster literacy in relevant technology in order to best utilize its importance and potential.
Commitment to Public Service: To strengthen our creative partnerships and outreach.
Commitment to Diversity: To strive for a vibrant and inclusive learning environment that respects and embraces the many different dimensions of diversity and international perspectives.
Commitment to Compassionate Professionalism: To prepare dedicated and caring professionals, who adhere to the highest ethical standards and performance competencies.

Mission

The School of Applied Studies has the primary function of offering quality professional programs in areas which respond to community and state needs.

The mission for the School of Applied Studies will be accomplished when all graduates are:

• Lifelong learners who are committed to continuing education and scholarship.
• Competent individuals who possess the necessary skills in their professional field of employment.
• Complex thinkers who have the ability to problem solve, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate.
• Informed individuals who are sensitive to cultural diversity.
• Effective communicators who have the necessary verbal and written skills to work in our global society.
• Responsible individuals who demonstrate commitment to professional values and ethics.
• Technologically literate individuals with application skills relevant to their profession.

General Degree Requirements

The School of Applied Studies offers the following degrees:

• Associate of Arts (AA),
• Associate of Applied Science (AAS),
• Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS),
• Bachelor of Education (BEd)
• Bachelor of Health Science (BHS),
• Bachelor of Criminal Justice (BCJ),
• Bachelor of Legal Studies (BLS),
• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW),
• Master of Arts in Family and Human Services (MA),
• Master of Criminal Justice (MCJ),
• Master of Health Science (MHS),
• Master of Social Work (MSW), and
• Master of Education (MEd)

The School also offers Certificates of Completion in selected programs.

In addition to University degree requirements common to all associate degree programs (see Degrees, Common Requirements), the student must complete all major and required program courses specific to each program (see specific program requirements).

For baccalaureate degrees, students must meet the university degree requirements common to all baccalaureate programs (see Degrees, Common Requirements) and complete all major and required program courses specific to each program (see specific program requirements).

Minor Requirements

A grade of C or better must be earned in each course used to satisfy the requirements of the minor and a minimum of six credit hours used to meet minor requirements must be earned in the SAS Department that is providing the minor.

Certificate Programs

A student seeking an academic certificate in the School of Applied Studies must apply and be admitted to the program within the department in which they are seeking the certificate. Applications to receive an academic certificate should be made during the semester in which the student expects to finish certificate requirements. At least half the required hours for a certificate must be earned at Washburn. Students with more than half the required hours earned at other institutions may take more advanced classes at Washburn in specific content areas to 

1. advance their knowledge and skills and
2. avoid duplicating coursework.

Students seeking a Certificate will take all courses on a letter grade basis.

Accreditation and Approval

Programs within the School of Applied Studies are approved or accredited by the following agencies:

• Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences: Master of Criminal Justice (ACJS)
• Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE): Occupational Therapy Assistant
• Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association: Physical Therapist Assistant (CAPTE)
• Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC): Respiratory Therapy
• Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education: Health Information Technology (CAHIIM): Health Information Technology
• Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs, Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (CAAHEP): Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS)
• Council on Social Work Education: Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Social Work (CSWE)
• Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT): Radiologic Technology, Radiation Therapy (JRCERT)
• National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences: Clinical Laboratory Science in Conjunction with the University of Nebraska Medical Center (NAACLS)
• CAEP - Council for Accreditation of Teacher Preparation (Education - Master, Baccalaureate)
• KSDE - Kansas State Department of Education (Education- Master, Baccalaureate)

Academic Advisement

Students who have selected a major in the School of Applied Studies should be advised by a faculty member teaching in that area, the department chair, or the Dean’s designate. The students should meet with their advisor at least once each semester to ensure all program requirements are met.

Academic Standards

Students with a declared major in the School must maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 in order to graduate or receive a certificate. To count toward a major, minor, or program requirement, students must earn a letter grade of “C” or better.

Students who fail to maintain the university minimum academic standards may be placed on probation or suspended according to the university procedures. All students are expected to follow the established standards of academic honesty and integrity. Failure to meet these standards may result in dismissal.

Certain programs uphold additional academic standards for continuance in the program. Students are advised to contact their faculty advisors, department chair, or the dean’s office for details.

Scholarship/Financial Aid

Many alumni, friends and organizations have given generously to provide financial assistance through scholarships to outstanding students in The School of Applied Studies. Information is available by contacting The School of Applied Studies, Dean’s Office, (785) 670-1282, and on our website www.washburn.edu/sas or Financial Aid, (785) 670-1151. To be considered for scholarships in the School of Applied Studies, students must make direct application to the School each year. The deadline for applications is February 15th.

Phi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) is a nationally-organized and recognized scholastic honor society. The PTK Alpha Mu Omicron chapter is sponsored by the School of Applied Studies. The objective of the Alpha Mu Omicron chapter is to recognize and honor those students in two-year degree programs who have attained scholastic excellence in their respective fields of study.

To be eligible, students must be enrolled in a 2-year program at Washburn University and; must have completed at least twelve credit hours at Washburn with grade point average of 3.5 or above. Only courses taken at Washburn are considered in determining eligibility. Letters of invitation are mailed to eligible individuals. For more information contact the Allied Health department.

Lambda Nu Honor Society

Lambda Nu is a nationally organized and recognized scholastic honor society. The Kansas Theta chapter is sponsored by the Allied Health Department in the School of Applied Studies. The objectives are to foster academic scholarship at the highest academic record, promote research and investigation in the radiologic and imaging sciences and recognize exemplary scholarship.

To be eligible, students must be enrolled at Washburn University and have a 3.5 grade point average after one full semester of a professional radiologic or imaging program. Exemplary honors may be achieved upon evidence of additional professional recognition (i.e., academic paper or poster presentation, publication, etc.). For more information, contact the Allied Health department.

SAS Departmental Honors

In the School of Applied Studies, students are eligible to receive Departmental honors upon graduation if they fulfill the following minimum requirements:

Baccalaureate Degree Honors

• A grade point average of 3.5 in all major coursework.
• Successful completion of a scholarly, creative, community, or service project or an equivalent deemed suitable by the department.
• The recommendation of the department is required.
• Individual departments may specify additional requirements.

Associate Degree Honors

• A minimum grade point average of 3.5 in all major and program requirements, with a minimum of 30 hours of degree courses completed at Washburn University.
• Grade point averages are calculated on all required major and required program courses applied to the Associate degree.
• The recommendation of the department is required.
• Individual departments may specify additional requirements.

Certificate Honors

• A minimum grade point average of 3.75 in the certificate coursework.
• At least half the required certificate credit hours must be earned at Washburn University in the department awarding the certificate.
• Student must take all courses for a letter grade.
• The recommendation of the department is required.
• Individual departments may specify additional requirements.

School of Applied Studies Honors

WUTech students graduating with an associate degree from the School of Applied Studies departments are eligible to receive honors if they meet the following minimum requirements:

• A minimum grade point average of 3.5 in all coursework, with a minimum of 15 hours of degree coursework completed at Washburn University.

Dean's Honor Roll

Students who have achieved a semester grade point average of 3.4 or better are honored by having their names placed on the Dean’s Honor Roll. They are notified by the dean of the School of Applied Studies. Must be enrolled at Washburn University in a minimum of 12 semester hours taken for a letter grade at Washburn University is required.

Part-Time Student Dean's Honor Roll

Students whose grade point average for the semester is between 3.40 – 3.99 are honored by having their names placed upon the Dean’s Honor Roll and they are so notified by the dean of the School of Applied Studies. Part-time students must complete a minimum of 12 hours in the combined fall and spring semesters of an academic year.

School of Applied Studies Courses

Select courses are offered under the School of Applied Studies that are not part of a specific academic department. Typically these courses are interdisciplinary in nature and can be taken by a student in any of the school’s academic departments.

Departments in the School of Applied Studies