Program Overview

Details: Great Plains Studies, Graduate Certificate

Graduate Certificate in Great Plains Studies

The graduate certificate in Great Plains studies at Wichita State University allows students to experience and study the Great Plains Region by exploring its cultural and natural aspects. This certificate is ideal for graduate students studying the physical sciences or in liberal arts areas such as English, history, or anthropology.

Curriculum

To complete the 15-credit-hour graduate certificate, students must choose at least two courses in the physical sciences (biology and/or geology) and cultural studies (anthropology and/or history). By the final semester, students should submit at least three works that demonstrate the application of the concepts, issues, and topics of Great Plains Studies, such as:

• Thesis
• Conference paper
• Novel
• Play
• Work of nonfiction
• Historic tour or performance
• Museum exhibit
• Policy paper
• Fieldwork notes
• Collaborative event with a community or scholarly organization

Admission to the Program

There are two paths to admission to the program:

• For those already enrolled in graduate school, simply complete the Declaration of Intent to Pursue a Certificate Form.
• Prospective students should apply using the Graduate School application for admission.

Inside the Program

A bacteria study that could have agricultural impact started with one student's thesis. What began as a thesis by former graduate student John "Wes" Dille turned into a collaborative study between two professors that could have an agricultural impact. Microbiology professor Mark Schneegurt and ornithology professor Chris Rogers discovered that one of North America's most common migratory birds – the Dark-eyed Junco – carries a remarkable diversity of plant bacteria on its feathers, the greatest ever found on wild birds. While many of these bacteria may be harmful to plants, they could also be of great benefit as the migratory birds interact with the environment.