Fort Hays State University Education Degrees Available
Fort Hays State University appears in our ranking of the Top 20 Best Online Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education Degree Programs.
Fort Hays State University has always emphasized education programs. From the Family Education Programs to the Science and Mathematics Education Institute, that value is evident. Students who are considering Fort Hayes State University can choose from undergraduate teaching degrees to advanced education specialist programs.
The Bachelor of Science in Education may be earned in several tracks. For instance, there is a BS in Education, Early Childhood Unified. The “unified” portion of the program includes special education courses that allow graduates to teach children from birth to third grade in both a regular and special education format. The degree program is primarily online, though some courses are offered on campus. Students graduating from this program are prepared to apply for licensure. It includes an internship and student teaching. There are 55 credit hours in general education, 20 in professional studies, 22 in the major, 22 in internships and methods courses and 12 in student teaching.
Other Bachelor of Science in Education programs include the online or on campus BS in Education, Elementary Education K-6; the BS in Education, Elementary Education K-6/ Special Education which includes a 21 credit-hour minor in special education; the BS in Education, Secondary Education and the BS in Education, Para Pathway. That degree leads to licensure as a para-professional and is intended for those already working in that capacity. Students in the program must complete the Elementary Education Para Pathway program and the university general education program or the Transfer and Articulation Agreement in order to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education.
The Master of Science in Education comes in several tracks as well. The MS in Education, Instructional Technology is an online degree intended for teachers who want to integrate technology into their classrooms. Students learn how to use multimedia tools and presentation development skills in training environments. Many of the courses in the program are built using a “learning management system” created by faculty members called “GooPLE.” Graduates receive a lifetime email account that allows them to access course materials.
There is also an MS in Education, Library Media Specialist and an MS in Education, School Psychology. The last degree is offered on campus or as a hybrid. There is an accelerated option that allows students to earn a BS and an MS in Education in five years. Graduates complete the 30 credit-hour Master of Science degree plus a 36 credit-hour Educational Specialist degree in School Psychology.
The Ed MSE is offered in several areas of content including Chemistry; English Speakers of Other Languages; Higher Education Student Affairs; Mathematics; Reading Specialist and Transition to Teaching which is a program for people with degrees in content areas who want to teach.
The Pre K-12 Leadership MS is offered as an MS in Educational Administration ( for principals) and a Non-Degree District Leadership Endorsement for superintendents.
There is an MS in Education that can be earned as an MS, Gifted or an MS, High Incidence.
The EDS degree is available in Educational Administration, Educational Leadership, Leadership in Reading and as an EDS, School Psychology which is offered on campus or as a hybrid.
About Fort Hays State University
This school was founded in 1902 as the Western Branch of the Kansas State Normal School. That school has since become Emporia University. One of the hallmarks of the university is its Sternberg Museum of Natural History. Another is the Hispanic College Institute. It is a residential program intended to help Hispanic and Latino students access higher education and be successful in that environment.
Fort Hays State contains five colleges with 31 departments offering more than 60 undergraduate majors, 20 graduate majors and several associate degrees. There is also a virtual college.
The US News and World Report ranks Fort Hays State University as #128 to #165 of Regional Universities Midwest. There are 4,500 students on campus, 7,005 online and another 3,570 in the school’s China Program. The student-to-faculty ratio is 17:1.
Fort Hays State University Accreditation Details
- Higher Learning Commission
- Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Fort Hays State University Application Requirements
Freshmen should apply through the online application portal. They will need to create an account with the school through TigerNet and pay the $30 non-refundable application fee. Applicants must arrange for their high schools to send their official transcripts to the university. The testing agency which administered the ACT or SAT, whichever the applicant took, must also submit those official results. Freshmen earning online degrees do not have to send SAT or ACT scores.
Graduate students apply online as well. There is a $40 application fee and they must also arrange for the submission of official undergraduate transcripts. Graduate applicants should note that other requisites such as required entrance exams, letters of recommendation and other documents vary by department.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Undergraduate tuition at Fort Hays State is $5,274 per year. With room and board, fees, books and supplies, and personal expenditures, the estimated undergraduate cost of attendance is $18,968 per year. The cost per credit-hour is $175.80.
Graduate tuition is $4,320, and estimated cost of attendance for graduate students is $18, 098.
Earning a higher education degree is an investment, but it is pricey. Most people require assistance to pay for their degrees. The first step in getting financial help is completing the FAFSA form as soon as possible in the application process.
Kansas offers the Kansas Comprehensive Grant which is based on financial need, as is the FAFSA award. Education students may also qualify for the TEACH Grant which is a program that helps students who agree to teach in lesser served demographic areas. The university has a number of grants as well, mostly based on financial need.
There are many university scholarships awarded for academic excellence and also for participation in activities. These may be found by checking the school website. Private individuals often fund scholarships for which the requisites vary widely. Service and religious organizations fund scholarships as do come corporations. All these opportunities can be found in an Internet search.
Students who exhaust their “free” money such as grants and scholarships but still have an educational debt may consider seeking a part-time job or a work-study opportunity. Often, these are the last resource for students, but they offer work experience and can be used to build a resume. Loans are another option, but they often leave students with a mountain of debt. Students should never use credit cards to pay for their degree programs at Fort Hays State University because of their high interest rate.
