Emporia State University, commonly called ESU or Emporia State, is a public institution of higher learning situated in Emporia, Kansas. Its campus sits on 218 acres and it encompasses 70 buildings. ESU is the third oldest public university in Kansas. It is among the six institutions governed by the Kansas Board of Regents. Emporia State is committed to help students reach their educational goals and its mission is to prepare students for lifelong learning, fulfilling careers, and leadership. It offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs through four schools of education: School of Business, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, School of Library and Information Management, and The Teachers College. The student to faculty ratio is 18 to one, with an average undergraduate class size of 18.5 students.
Emporia State University was founded in 1863 as Kansas Normal School, the first public school of higher education in the state of Kansas. Its intention was to provide training for teachers and the first term began in 1865. During the first 20 years, the school experienced moderate growth and numerous obstacles. By 1889, the school had experienced exponential growth and became the largest school in Kansas and biggest normal school in the country. It first gained accreditation in 1898. The school also became one of the first normal schools identified and accredited by the North Central Association. The school became Kansas State Teachers College in 1923. Its name changed to Emporia Kansas State College in 1974. The school finally became Emporia State University in 1977. Today, ESU is home to about 6,000 students.
Emporia State University Accreditation Details
The Higher Learning Commission regionally accredits Emporia State University to grant bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs. The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accredits the online business programs. The online library programs are accredited by the American Library Association. The online education programs are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.
Emporia State University Application Requirements
Undergraduate
- Submit the undergraduate application
- Submit official high school transcript
- Submit official transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities
- Submit official SAT or ACT scores
- Pay the nonrefundable $30 application fee
Graduate
- Submit the graduate application
- Submit official transcripts from all previously attended institutions of higher learning
- Submit official scores on graduate level standardized tests, such as the GMAT or GRE
- Pay the $50 nonrefundable application fee
- Submit additional requirements as requested by specific program
Tuition and Financial Aid
Undergraduate Tuition
- Kansas resident and Corky Plus (residents of certain counties in Missouri): $3,213 per semester for 12 or more credits
- Midwest Student Exchange Program (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin) and NEARR to Kansas (Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas) $4,434 per semester for 12 or more credits
- Non-resident: $9,820 per semester for 12 or more credits
Graduate Tuition
- Kansas resident: $246.75 per credit hour
- Non-resident: $767.25 per credit hour
Distance Education Fees
- Kansas resident undergraduate: $163 per credit hour
- Non-resident undergraduate: $244.50 per credit hour
- Kansas resident graduate: $246.75 per credit hour
- Non-resident graduate: $370.50 per credit hour
Financial Aid
Emporia State University offers a variety of financial aid programs to help students pay for their college education. The types of aid include scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study.
Scholarships
- Presidential Scholarships
- General Scholarships
- The Jones Foundation
- Emporia Connection Legacy Scholarship
- State of Kansas Scholarships
- Student Foundation Emergency Scholarship
- Athletic Scholarships
- Departmental Scholarships
Grants
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
- TEACH Grant
- Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants
- Kansas Comprehensive Grant
Loans
- Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
- Federal Direct PLUS Loan
- Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan
- Federal Perkins Loan
Work-Study
Emporia State University participates in work-study programs that allow students to earn money to help pay for their higher education. Students in work-study programs are strongly encouraged to work 15 hours a week or less.
Federal Work-Study
Funding is provided by the Federal Government to students who show financial need. The amount of the award is the maximum earnings a student may receive. The pay starts at the federal minimum wage and may differ depending on department. The ajority of jobs are located on campus.
Kansas Career Work-Study
The Kansas Career Work-Study program was designed to promote employment in settings related to students' future careers. This program is only available to Kansas residents and it will reimburse a private employer 50 percent of the student's wages up to $1,500.
Online Degree Available
Emporia State University offers a wide range of online master's degrees, including accounting, business administration, education, English, history, mathematics, physical sciences, and counseling. The online Master of Accountancy program is intended for professionals seeking advanced education in accounting. It requires the completion of at least 30 credit hours. The core courses include advanced income tax, advanced auditing, advancement management accounting, accounting theory, and advanced accounting information systems. Students must also complete at least five elective courses in accounting. The degree program prepares students to take the CPA examination in Kansas or other states.
The Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction prepares teachers to pursue careers as staff development coordinators, curriculum specialists, and other related practitioners. It offers concentrations in curriculum leadership, effective practitioner, and National Board Certification. A minimum of 34 credit hours are required for completion of the program. The core courses include cultural awareness for educators, brain based learning for educators, restructuring classrooms with technology, curriculum leadership: models and strategies, beliefs, values and issues in educational practice, classroom management through positive reinforcements, developing authentic assessments, and analysis of research. Students must also complete a practicum in curriculum and instruction. The concentrations require the completion of nine credit hours of focus courses.
The Master of Arts in History is designed to provide an advanced understanding of history and turn history students into historians. It offers a concentration in public history and social sciences education. Students also have the option of choosing the thesis or non-thesis program. All options require the completion of at least 36 credit hours. The core courses include U.S. historiography to 1877, U.S. historiography since 1877, history readings seminar, research seminar, introduction to public history. The completion of an internship experience, master's project, and other requirements set by Emporia State University are also necessary for students in the master's in history program.