Fort Hays State University

First of all, I would like to state that FHSU is not a terrible school by any means, in fact, there are many redeeming qualities to this school. For example, both mentors I had were on top of it and even helped me graduate a semester early. I also have no complaints with the administrative departments. Not once did I have to wait an excessive amount of time to receive an answer to a question I might have, or trouble enrolling in courses. Even after I took a semester off I was able to jump back into... Read More it with ease. I would also like to applaud the IT department for their work; I had very few instances where I was unable to access the Blackboard website, and when I did the IT department was quick to resolve the issue or respond. Where I had the biggest gripe with this school was with the program and the instructors. First, the program I took felt like it was 90% filler 10% pertaining to what I actually wanted to study, which was cybersecurity. By filler I do not mean GenEd classes, instead I mean there were classes that had absolutely nothing to do with my degree. The program I chose was Networking and Telecommunications with a concentration in cybersecurity which fell under the Informatics department. The problem with this program is that it also included additional concentrations (Journalism, Web and Mobile, Health, Management, etc.) and they were all lumped together with no real separation with concentration. I took maybe 1 or 2 courses that actually had something to do with cybersecurity. Granted, I believe these programs are fairly new, so its possible in the future this will not be an issue, but for the time being I felt very disappointed with the program and feel like I am no better off now than I was when I first started. Second, as an online student I paid more in tuition than an on-campus student would, yet I felt like a second class citizen. I never felt like I was "taught" anything since the majority of the course work and lectures was over PowerPoint or a similar form of media. I took a course where the instructor included pre-recorded videos that dated back to 2006. I understand the material might not have changed much (especially since the course was Geology) but there is absolutely no reason as to why the videos cannot be updated. In another class the instructor had scheduled Zoom meetings scheduled for online students to attend, but if you were unable to attend the instructor stated he would not record the lesson and you were, in essence, S.O.L. Also, there were many times when I would email an instructor and would not hear back for a few days, or at all. Some of the questions I had pertained to either issues in the course, or related to assignments or course work. This made things very frustrating at times.

I enjoyed the classes I took however, the guidance counselor I was assigned was very rude and unprofessional. She didn’t want to guide me in anything. She told me instead of depending on her for answers I should look it up. That is what I was initially doing but someone from the school emailed me and said I was taking the incorrect courses so they sent me her for answers. I asked her if there was anyone else I could talk to. She refused to let me speak to anyone else until I became impatient with... Read More her nasty attitude. No one ever reached out about the situation. Tuition is cheap for a reason. Taking my money elsewhere.

Went to the online BS in CS program for a second degree (first is in Biology from Kansas State). The program is super affordable, and while the learning is largely self-study/self-directed, the curriculum is solid. I was able to land an internship at Boeing and got a full time offer for this fall. If you're willing to work at it, and use other learning resources (APress books, YouTube, Kahn Academy) you'll do fine. If you expect your hand to be held, you're in for a rough ride. A lot of my classmates... Read More are on their second or third degrees (there are lawyers, doctors, and some PhDs taking courses). It'll be awesome to have a second degree without any debt! (The whole degree cost less than a semester at the local college, even though I'm now moved out of state).

Higher education at Fort Hays State University is very accessible and has many award-winning programs for every person around the globe. FHSU has staff and faculty that are dedicated to your success. You will become part of the tiger family as the faculty and staff invest in you, gives you the academic skills you need to succeed, and builds your confidence to get your dream job. The campus is very diverse and filled with many stories, hopes, and dreams from around the world. They have a 17:1 student... Read More to faculty ratio so you will be personally known. Your chances of succeeding are great as they have a 96% job or graduate program placement rate. FHSU will give you an individualized educational experience that will broaden your desire for growth and innovation. It will open doors for careers and create new opportunities for your future. While attending FHSU, I took traditional on-campus classes and lived in the dorms. I was very involved in many of the extra-curricular activities. They were fun, engaging, enriching, and influential in who I am today. I made many friends and memories because of the great student life they offered. The campus is beautiful, well maintained, and safe. My advisor genuinely cared for me and did an exceptional job assisting me with scheduling classes and ensuring I had met all of the requirements prior to graduation. My classes were challenging and captivating. I have benefited from them greatly as they prepared me for my career. It was a great investment and financially affordable. I participated in one of the many work-study positions FHSU offered. This helped pay my expenses so I didnt have to take out costly loans. It is a very friendly and caring atmosphere to further your education. I loved my years at FHSU and would highly recommend it.

Higher education at Fort Hays State University is very accessible and has many award-winning programs for every person around the globe. FHSU has staff and faculty that are dedicated to your success. You will become part of the tiger family as the faculty and staff invest in you, gives you the academic skills you need to succeed, and builds your confidence to get your dream job. The campus is very diverse and filled with many stories, hopes, and dreams from around the world. They have a 17:1 student... Read More to faculty ratio so you will be personally known. Your chances of succeeding are great as they have a 96% job or graduate program placement rate. FHSU will give you an individualized educational experience that will broaden your desire for growth and innovation. It will open doors for careers and create new opportunities for your future. While attending FHSU, I took traditional on-campus classes and lived in the dorms. I was very involved in many of the extra-curricular activities. They were fun, engaging, enriching, and influential in who I am today. I made many friends and memories because of the great student life they offered. The campus is beautiful, well maintained, and safe. My advisor genuinely cared for me and did an exceptional job assisting me with scheduling classes and ensuring I had met all of the requirements prior to graduation. My classes were challenging and captivating. I have benefited from them greatly as they prepared me for my career. It was a great investment and financially affordable. I participated in one of the many work-study positions FHSU offered. This helped pay my expenses so I didnt have to take out costly loans. It is a very friendly and caring atmosphere to further your education. I loved my years at FHSU and would highly recommend it.

I loved pursing a degree in Speech-Language Pathology at Fort Hays. The faculty were always eager to assist me and help me succeed, especially my academic advisor. I thought the curriculum was very well-rounded and has prepared me well for grad school and my future career. This being said, I wish I had received more assistance in seeking out opportunities for undergraduate research. At Fort Hays I found it easy to get involved, make friends, and attain leadership positions. There was always something... Read More to do and often for free. The tuition was very affordable, especially with scholarships.

I started as an on-campus English major with a writing concentration. As an adult learner, I was also working fulltime. I even took 12 credit hours each summer. My job at the time had me take over and work as the "general manager" which I wasn't. My instructors were understanding, but after having to miss so many classes because of working at a corporate motel I had to drop that semester. I was then put on financial aid suspension, and even appealed it twice, and my area manager even wrote a letter... Read More explaining what had happened that required I take over the motel. It didn't seem to matter that it was beyond my control and had to drop out otherwise my GPA was suffering. I was working 16-24 hour days regularly and trying to attend on-campus classes. Well, I then was promoted to manager and because I couldn't be on campus all the time I decided to switch my major to sociology so I could take courses online. I did that and also earned the certificate in grant proposal writing. I have yet (almost 7 years after graduating) to be able to use my degree. I even went to cosmetology school in order to get hired because places like McDonald's wouldn't hire me since I'm "too over-qualified" and that has hurt me because I have no way of paying student loans back! I moved from Hays before I completed my BA and received no help from them as an online learner in finding a job with my degree. I did get a good education though but feel it's useless. I'm not taking courses for a master's degree elsewhere. I think FHSU gives great education, but I am still angry I was put on financial aid suspension for no fault of my own, and was never taken off and had to take out private student loans. That was my biggest issue with FHSU! The instructors (most of them anyway) are caring. They have some that are amazing, but of course you get a few here and there that shouldn't be teachers and are vindictive on-campus if you prove what they taught was in fact wrong. I had an A at mid-terms and a C for the course at the end and never received a grade lower than one B! I didn't know as a freshman I could've fought the grade!

I recieved my Bachelors in Justce Studies in May of 2012. I was extrememly happy with the faculty and facilities. The school is in a nice little town and the campus itself isn't too big. The size of the classes in the Justice Studies dept. is perfect. The faculty knows everyone by name and makes professional relationships with the students. They help you accomplish your goals no matter what. The extracurricular activities are also amazing. The have a Self Defense club taught by an amazingly knowledgeable... Read More instructor amoung students who have been involved for years and a Justice Studies club that does many community service projects for the community and travels to prisons and facilities on field trips. I was extremely sad to graduate from FHSU however, I still have relationships with the faculty and they always are there to help me in any situation I find myself in.

The Biology Department is like its own community. When I went for my interview, I was immediately welcomed by the faculty and students. It is a small department but I like that because everyone knows each other and we create a family. There is ample support from older students and professors are always willing to talk and help you out. My advisor is really into his lab and each week we have a lunch meeting to catch up on everything. I have an assistantship but a con about that is that I have to drive... Read More 70 miles from campus for work a few times a week. I am really happy with my decision to attend Fort Hays State University for graduate school