University of Kansas

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This school appears in our ranking Top 30 Online Master's in Special Education Degrees 2017.

The University of Kansas, often called KU, is a public research institution of higher learning residing in Lawrence, Kansas. Its mission is to educate leaders, develop healthy communities and foster innovations that transform the world. It is a comprehensive institution and a center for learning, scholarship and innovative efforts. It is a member of the Association of American Universities, which is a selected group of 62 public and private research institutions that demonstrate excellence in graduate and professional education. KU is dedicated to providing the highest quality programs at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels. It fulfills its mission through an array of resources to enrich the academic experience.

The University of Kansas achieves high levels of productivity in research and research activities are embedded in all programs. KU is committed to first serving the state, then the nation and world through instruction, research and dissemination of knowledge. It is also dedicated to preparing students to interact and succeed in a dynamic and lively diverse global community. KU is home to 13 schools of education, including the only schools of medicine and pharmacy in Kansas. Through these schools of education, more than 370 degree programs are available. The particularly strong fields include speech-language pathology, special education, rural medicine, clinical child psychology, city management, occupational therapy, social welfare and nursing. The student to faculty ratio at the University of Kanas is 17 to one, with more than 50 percent of classes with less than 20 students.

University of Kansas Accreditation Details

The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools regionally accredits the University of Kansas to grant bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees and undergraduate and graduate certificates. KU has been continuously accredited since the year 1913. In addition to the university-wide accreditation, various programs at the University of Kansas have specialized accreditations such as:

  • National Architectural Accrediting Board
  • National Association of Schools and Design
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International
  • Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation
  • Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training
  • American Psychological Association
  • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
  • Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
  • American Bar Association and Association of American Law Schools

University of Kansas Application Requirements

Undergraduate

  • Complete and submit the paper or online application
  • Submit official high school transcript
  • Submit official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions previously attended
  • Submit official SAT or ACT scores
  • Pay the $40 nonrefundable application fee

Graduate

  • Complete and submit the graduate online application
  • Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended
  • Complete additional requirements for specific degree programs
  • Pay the $65 nonrefundable application fee

Tuition and Financial Aid

Undergraduate Tuition

  • Undergraduate residents: $336.80 per credit
  • Undergraduate nonresidents: $872.90 per credit

Graduate Tuition

  • Graduate resident: $415.95 per credit
  • Graduate nonresident: $969.05 per credit

Online Tuition

Both resident and nonresident students: varies by specific program and ranges between $386.40 per credit to $1,000 per credit

Financial Aid

There are a variety of financial aid options at the University of Kansas, including scholarships, grants, loans, and work study.

Scholarships

  • Chancellor Scholarship
  • Traditions Scholarship
  • Crimson and Blue Scholarship
  • Rock Chalk Scholarship
  • Jayhawk Scholarship
  • National Merit Finalist Scholarship
  • KU Pell Advantage
  • KU Excellence Scholarship
  • KU Distinction Scholarship
  • KU Achievement Scholarship
  • Midwest Student Exchange Program
  • Renewable Scholarship

Grants

  • Federal Pell Grant
  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
  • Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant
  • Kansas Comprehensive Grant
  • University of Kansas International Student Tuition Grant
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal Higher Education Grant
  • Educational Opportunity Fund Childcare Grant

Loans

  • Federal Subsidized Direct Loan
  • Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan
  • Federal PLUS Loan
  • Federal Graduate PLUS Loan

Work Study

Work-study programs enable financially eligible students to work part-time jobs to help pay for their college related expenses. Students are paid an hourly rate, usually at least the minimum wage. The Federal Work Study is a federally subsidized option that provides students a designated work-study amount. The Kansas Career Work Study is a state-funded program that gives incentives to employers to hire students from the University of Kansas. For both programs, students must meet certain eligibility requirements.

Online Degree Programs

Bachelor of General Studies in Psychology

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers a Bachelor of General Studies in Psychology. The program provides students with a vigorous understanding of people and human thought processes. The program is identical to the campus-based option and features the same requirements and curriculum. All courses are offered in an eight-week mini-mester format. The program features four main components: introductory courses, core courses, diversity, equity, and ethical behavior and electives in psychology. The core courses include cognitive psychology, child development, abnormal psychology, social psychology and cognitive neuroscience. The program requires the completion of at least 120 credit hours.

Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care

The School of Health Professions offers an online Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care. It is a degree completion program for Registered Respiratory Therapists seeking to obtain a bachelor's degree. The program requires at least 30 credit hours of coursework in respiratory care. Students work with advisors to create a plan for graduation and choose a clinical specialty area. The specialty areas include adult critical care, neonatal critical care and respiratory care management. The core courses include advanced critical care, neonatal respiratory care, research in health care, leadership management, physical science, chronic respiratory disease management, cardiopulmonary diagnostics, and management, ethics and law in respiratory care. Students must also complete a clinical specialty project.

Master of Social Work

The School of Social Welfare offers an online Master of Social Work degree. This program is intended for those seeking to expand their abilities in helping individuals and improve the quality of life for all people. The concentration options include child and family, health and mental health, aging, or social work administrative and advocacy practice. The degree requires the completion of 64 credit hours, including 36 credit hours of coursework and 28 credit hours of field practicum. The core courses include social work practice, social policy and program analysis, human behavior in the social environment, community and organizational practice and social work research. The online degree programs from the University of Kansas provide students with the opportunity to earn prestigious degrees on a flexible schedule.

University of Kansas Website