06/27/17
HAYS, Kan. -- Fort Hays State University has been named a Gold School of Distinction for programs offered online through its Virtual College. FHSU also received other rankings from various agencies as among the best and most affordable online programs offered by U.S. colleges and universities.

Distance education at Fort Hays State began in 1911 when faculty voted to offer correspondence courses free so that one-room school teachers across western Kansas could afford to gain the education required to teach. The Correspondence Department was created and evolved continuously with changing technology and culture until, in 1997, the Department of Continuing Education and Instructional Technology became the FHSU Virtual College.

BestColleges.com
Gold School of Distinction Award
BestColleges.com placed FHSU on its list of 15 universities to receive the Gold School of Distinction award, which highlights colleges and universities that are leading the way in online education through a diverse offering of accessible and rigorous academic programs.

FHSU was chosen out of more than 3,500 colleges and universities nationwide.

"Our Schools of Distinction appear across our academic rankings, delivering a breadth of quality online programs," said Stephanie Snider, general manager of BestColleges.com. "These colleges and universities are spending time, energy and resources developing online programs with respectable student outcomes and we want to celebrate that."

To view this ranking, visit http://bit.ly/2siNeSy.

AffordableColleges.com
No. 2, Affordable Online Business Management Degrees
Based on its program quality and affordability, FHSU's online Bachelor of Business Administration in management (operations management) earned the No. 2 spot on AffordableColleges.com's list.

The program requires 124 credit hours, including courses on production and operations management, applied management skills and labor relations.

"The Virtual BBA in management offers the same academic rigor as our on-campus program, with courses designed and taught by the same on-campus, full-time, faculty or off-campus faculty with expertise and experience in their specialized field," says the FHSU website.

To view this ranking, http://bit.ly/2tTIFvX.

BestMastersDegrees.com
No. 2, Top 30 Affordable Online Master's in Nursing Education Degrees 2017-2018
FHSU was named the No. 2 affordable online nursing program for students seeking a master's degree in nursing education.

The program requires 36 credit-hours, including courses on statistics for health professionals, developing nursing theories, informatics in health care systems and research in nursing.

The program is accredited by the Committee on Collegiate Nursing Education.

To view this ranking, visit http://bit.ly/2tTHuN4.