Online Associate Degree Programs Available from Fort Hays State University
Fort Hays State University appears in our ranking of the Top 10 Associate’s in General Studies Online.
Though Fort Hays State University has a campus in the Kansas city of the same name, it also operates a Virtual Campus that offers degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels. The university is also one of the only in the state with options for associate degree seekers. These students can enroll in programs that help them transition into a bachelor’s program and others that help them gain experience and knowledge of a specific field.
One of the more basic programs is an Associate of General Studies (AGS). The AGS program provides students with a solid foundation of knowledge that they can use in any bachelor’s program. Available from the university’s College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, it allows students to pick and choose from courses based on any interests or career goals they might have. In the two years it takes to finish the program, students can decide what they want to do in the future and what majors appeal to them.
Fort Hays State University also offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Technology and Leadership, which has four emphasis areas available. One of those areas is in business communication technology. Students not only learn about business communications, but they also learn about business subjects such as finance and management. The program features required courses, including English Composition I and II, Fundamentals of Oral Communication and Introduction to Computer Information Systems. Other courses include Principles of Accounting, Marketing Principles, Graphic Communication Techniques and Introduction to Web Development.
The emphasis area in business training systems can help students learn the basics of training others in a professional setting. After declaring a major in this area, students will take Individual Training and Job Analysis, Foundations of Education, Training and Instructional Systems and Human Growth and Development. An industrial technology emphasis area is also available, which requires that students take other classes, including Occupational Safety, Health and Liability, Industrial Management and Power, Energy and Transportation. Students can also select the leadership studies emphasis area. The classes those majors take include Issues in Leadership, Introduction to Leadership Concepts and Introduction to Leadership Behavior. Fort Hays State University also requires that these majors take a Field Work in Leadership Studies course.
About Fort Hays State University
Fort Hays State University chose its name to honor the old Fort Hays. Established in Kansas when it was still a territory, this fort served as a military outpost that protected the settlers living in the area. After the fort shut down, the Kansas State Normal School chose it as a location for a new branch. Called the Western Branch of the Kansas State Normal School, it offered the same educational programs as the full normal school did. Established in 1902, the school operated at a time when the Midwest and the west were in need of qualified teachers. Though some students remained in Kansas, others moved west towards California. To help students afford their classes and other expenses, the school operated a farm and sold milk and produce to local schools and businesses. The Kansas State Normal School would later change its name to Emporia State University, which led to the school in Fort Hays becoming its own institution. As Fort Hays State University, it became one of the leading schools in the Midwest. FHSU is now a large university with an enrollment of more than 15,000 students.
Fort Hays State University Accreditation Details
All the online degree programs at the associate’s level offered by FHSU have accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS). As a branch of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), it provides students with the accreditation they need before seeking financial aid through the FAFSA. NCACS also gives Fort Hays State the authority to develop its own degree requirements and to give those who meet the requirements their full degrees. This accreditation also applies to the certificate programs that are available through the university’s Virtual Campus.
Fort Hays State University Application Requirements
The Virtual College at FHSU accepts traditional students, adult learners and those transferring from another university. Incoming freshmen need a GPA of at least 2.0 and a transcript that shows they completed the college prep curriculum established by the state. They can submit transcripts that show they took equivalent classes in another state too. In addition to this GPA, undergrads also need to either graduate within the top one-third of their classes or have a minimum score of 21 on the ACT or 980 on the SAT. The university has the same requirements for incoming freshmen who were homeschooled. Transfer students need to meet all these requirements and also have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all the courses listed on their transcripts. FHSU will accept adult learners over the age of 21 as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. All students must use the FHSU online application and submit both transcripts and an official test score.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The Virtual College at FHSU offers affordable tuition rates that help students save money as they attend college. All undergrads pay $219 per credit hour in the university’s online associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs. They also pay a $30 admission fee when they first enroll. This is the same rate that students pay to audit any classes online. Though online students do not face any other fees, they will need to pay for the required textbooks in their classes.
Students applying to the Virtual College must submit the FAFSA if they need financial aid. Those returning to the university each year will need to submit a new version of the FAFSA every year. Online students may qualify for the federal work-study program, but they will need to apply for suitable jobs available online. They can also get one of three federal grants or the Kansas Comprehensive Grant as well as loans each year. To apply for any scholarships, students must submit an application and their test scores and transcripts. They also need to make sure that the university has all that information on file. There are some benefits available for military students too. Fort Hays State University offers financial aid packages for any student enrolled in a Virtual College program.
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