Fort Hays State University

Fort Hays State University appears in our ranking of the Top 30 Best Online RN to BSN Programs.

Positions for medical and health services managers are expected to increase by 20 percent in the next ten years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Salaries for this type of position average $99,730 per year, significantly higher than the national average for someone holding a bachelor’s degree of $59,000 per year. Medical and health service managers plan, direct and coordinate medical services and most of these positions require at least a bachelor’s degree. Fort Hays State University offers several degree programs in healthcare management.

The Consumer Health certificate is available online at Fort Hays State University. The program provides individuals who do not have a bachelor’s degree with an understanding of issues related to consumer health. It is designed for those who wish to help others make better health decisions as a consumer in today’s society. Courses required include:

• Communicable and Emergent Disease
• Consumer Health
• Issues in Health Education
• Issues in Nutrition Education
• Personal Wellness
• Safety Education

The Community Health certificate is designed for individuals who are currently working in community health but do not hold a bachelor’s degree. They gain an understanding of the issues that contribute to health-related diseases in order to implement positive health programming in the community. The certificate is available online. Courses required may include:

• Communicable and Emergent Disease
• Consumer Health
• Environmental Health
• Epidemiology in Public Health
• Global Health
• Issues in the Health Education

Other certificates available at the University include Healthy Aging, Community Health Promotion and Massage Therapy, all available online. The certificate in Coaching is only available on campus.

The Bachelor of Science in Health Studies offered at Fort Hays State University is a post-professional degree designed for those who hold professional credentials in clinically-based allied health disciplines from community colleges or technical programs. It requires 120-credit hours which includes a 25-hour health studies core and a 12-hour concentration track. Concentrations include:

• Gerontology
• Grant Writing and Social Entrepreneurship
• Health Promotion
• Leadership
• Sociology of Medicine and Aging

Courses required for the health studies core include:

• Consumer Education
• Environmental Health
• Epidemiology in Public Health
• Global Health
• Legal Issues in Healthcare
• Medical Terminology
• Principles of Nutrition
• Responding to Emergencies

An internship is also required. Students may also choose the Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Performance.

The Master of Professional Studies, Public Health Administration option is designed for those who wish to enter leadership roles in the area of public health. The program provides an understanding of complex health issues in today’s world. Students gain an understanding of emerging health issues, analyze options for addressing the issues and identify resources to deal with those problems. The program is 30-credit hours and is available completely online. Courses required include:

• Administration in Healthcare
• Environmental Health
• Epidemiology in Public Health
• Global Health
• Legal Issues in Healthcare

Students must complete six hours of electives, complete a project or internship and successfully complete a comprehensive examination. Other graduate degrees in health management include:

• Master of Liberal Studies, Gerontology or Health Science concentration
• Master of Professional Studies, Gerontology
• Master of Science in Health and Human Performance

FHSU also offers numerous opportunities for aspiring nurse leaders. Some of the offered degrees include:

• RN to BSN (online)
• Masters in Nursing Administration
• Masters in Nursing Education
• Doctor of Nursing Practice

The Fort Hays Experiment Station was discussed among Kansas legislators starting in 1889. The leaders felt that a normal and agricultural school would benefit a reservation in the area. However, the school did not become a reality for another decade when not only the Experiment Station was established but also the Kansas State Normal School which was designed to educate teachers.

The school opened on the property formerly used by Fort Hays and school leaders hoped to keep the school at that location. However, community members preferred that the school be located closer to town and donated more than 4,000 acres in the center of Hays. In 1914, the name of the school became Fort Hays Kansas State Normal School. The name was changed again in 1923 to Kansas State Teachers College and again in 1931 when it became Fort Hays State College. The final name change was in 1977 when the school gained university status.

Today, approximately 15,000 students are enrolled at Fort Hays State University.

Fort Hays State University Accreditation Details

Fort Hays State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. As part of the accreditation process, Fort Hays State University undergoes periodic review by the Commission to confirm students are still receiving an education that meets all criteria. If there are any areas identified as needing improvement, the school addresses them as quickly as possible. In addition, programs throughout the University are accredited by the following organizations:

• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
• Association of Graduate Liberal Studies
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
• Council on Social Work Education
• Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology

Fort Hays State University Application Requirements

In order to apply for undergraduate programs, including the certificates or bachelor’s degree programs, applicants must complete the Kansas Qualified Admissions Pre-College Curriculum with a minimum GPA of 2.0 and have a composite score of 21 or above on the ACT or an SAT of 980 or 1080 or above or must rank in the top one-third of their high school class. They must complete an application and provide official high school transcripts along with official ACT or SAT scores. Transfer students under the age of 21 or who have fewer than 24 credits must also meet these requirements. Transfer students with more than 24 transferrable credits must have a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.

In order to apply for graduate programs in health management, applicants must be accepted to the Graduate School. They must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 for the last 60-credit hours of their undergraduate degree or a 2.5 to 2.99 GPA and a minimum score of 148 on the GRE or 396 on the GMAT. They must provide two letters of recommendation and a personal statement.

Fort Hays State University Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition for undergraduate programs at Fort Hays State University is $171.09 per credit hour for Kansas residents, $237.72 for contiguous state residents, which include residents of Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. Tuition is $506.72 for non-residents. Students who live in Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan, North Dakota, Ohio or Wisconsin may be eligible for tuition reduction. Graduate tuition for on-campus programs is $237 per credit hour for residents and $336.58 for contiguous state residents. Non-residents pay $605.06 per credit hour. Online graduate tuition is $287.75 per credit hour.

Fort Hays provides more than $59 million each year in financial assistance. In order to qualify, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and it must be renewed annually. Financial aid may be awarded in the form of loans, assistantships or fellowships for graduate students.

Fort Hays State University is the Midwest’s leading state institution. The University offers highly accessible, award-winning programs with a global reach. Fort Hays State University stands on the frontlines of innovation and education with a faculty dedicated to the success of every student enrolled as well as the many alumni who are leaders in their field.