General Education

General Education

Fort Hays State University general education programs enable the university to ensure that all students achieve a common set of learning outcomes that address the core skills essential for successful careers as well as the broad range of knowledge and ability required for success as global citizen leaders.

General Education Requirements for All Students Entering FHSU for the First Time in Fall 2023 or Later

In summer 2022, the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) approved policy revisions to develop a systemwide general education (GE) package under a common framework. The goal of this new program and framework is to provide maximum transferability and flexibility for students within the system. The six state universities and the participating coordinated institutions (for this policy, this includes the community colleges and Washburn University) will implement the Systemwide General Education Framework.  

Effective for the Fall 2023 term, all new incoming students will automatically be placed on the KBOR Systemwide Framework General Education program. 

Transfer students who completed an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science program at a Kansas community college will have fulfilled all FHSU general education requirements.

Continuing FHSU students have the opportunity to opt into this new general education program and are encouraged to have a conversation with their advisor during their planning meeting to discuss the KBOR Systemwide Framework General Education program and whether it benefits them to switch to this program. 

For a full listing of current FHSU courses that apply toward the new KBOR Systemwide Framework GE program, beginning Fall 2023, please click here. This list includes recommended courses for specific majors to help ensure degree completion within 120 credit hours (semester units). 

FHSU Transfer Exceptions for Kansas Board of Regents General Education Framework

Some FHSU degree programs and degree program concentrations have been granted transfer exceptions for the Kansas Board of Regents General Education Framework for the 2023–2024 academic year. These degree programs include BA in Art, BFA in Art, BA in History, BSN in Nursing, AS in Radiologic Technology, BS in Medical Diagnostic Imaging, BM in Music, and BA in Performing Arts. 

Students transferring to these degree programs having completed the Kansas Board of Regents General Education Framework at another Kansas public university or community college might be required to complete, as part of their degree program requirements, courses that non-transfer students completed as part of their general education requirements. Completion of these courses might extend the required credit hours for the degree program or degree program concentration beyond the 120-credit-hour limit established by the Kansas Board of Regents. A complete list of degree programs, degree program concentrations, and the rellevant courses can be downloaded here.

General Education Requirements for Students Entering FHSU for the First Time in Fall Semester 2022 or Spring or Summer Semesters 2023

• All students, regardless of classification, who have not completed a minimum of 36 credit hours, must complete the FHSU CORE General Education program. Courses fulfilling CORE requirements can be found here.

Students from Kansas Board of Regents Institutions

• Transfer students who have completed an Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) program at a Kansas community college will have fulfilled all FHSU general education requirements.
• Transfer students who have not completed an Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) program from a Kansas community college and have completed a minimum of 36 credit hours must complete the KBOR system-wide general education program requirements.
• Transfer students who complete an Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree through the Kansas Board of Regents’ Reverse Transfer Program within one year of matriculation to FHSU will have fulfilled all FHSU general education requirements upon receipt of an official transcript indicating conferral of the credential.

Students from Institutions Not Governed by the Kansas Board of Regents

• Transfer students from any regionally accredited 4-year institution who have completed a minimum of 36 credit hours must complete the KBOR system-wide general education program requirements.
• Transfer students who have completed an Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) program from a regionally-accredited non-KBOR institution must complete the KBOR system-wide general education program requirements

Other Academic Requirements

• Transfer students must fulfill all academic requirements to complete the intended program of study. 

General Education Requirements for Students Entering FHSU Prior to Fall Semester 2022

• All students who entered FHSU PRIOR to Fall Semester 2022, regardless of classification, who have not completed a minimum of 45 credit hours, must complete the 55-hour FHSU General Education program. The program has two components: Foundation Studies and Liberal Arts. Foundation Studies has two divisions: A) Analysis and Communication and B) Personal Wellness, and the Liberal Arts component has three divisions: A) International Studies, B) Distribution and C) Upper-Division Integrative Courses. A downloadable guide to this program can be found here.
• Students who matriculated to Fort Hays State University PRIOR to Fall Semester 2022 with 45 transferable hours or an associate degree who have not met the transfer articulation distribution requirement may fulfill the FHSU General Education program or complete the transfer and articulation agreement program requirements below:

Requirements

A minimum of 45 credit hours of general education with distribution in the following fields:

• Twelve (12) hours of Basic Skills courses, including:
  • 6 hours of English Composition
  • 3 hours of Speech Communication
  • 3 hours of college level mathematics
• Twelve (12) hours of Humanities courses (performance/studio courses are excluded) from at least three of the following disciplines:
  • Art
  • Theater
  • Philosophy
  • Modern Languages
  • Music
  • History
  • Literature
• Twelve (12) hours of Social and Behavioral Science courses from at least three of the following disciplines:
  • Sociology
  • Psychology
  • Political Science
  • Economics
  • Geography
  • Anthropology
• Nine (9) hours of Natural and Physical Science courses from at least two disciplines (lecture with lab).
• All transfer students must fulfill a three-hour upper division integrative course which fulfills a university requirement.

Points of Clarification

1. All students completing a teacher education program at the university shall satisfy the FHSU general education requirements or the transfer and articulation agreement.
2. Credit for equivalent technical courses may be granted by departmental examination at the receiving institution.

FHSU adheres to and honors the terms of the Kansas Board of Regents' Transfer and Articulation Agreement with Kansas community colleges.

Updated February 2022
Updated February 2024