09/07/17
HAYS, Kan. - Programs offered through Fort Hays State University Virtual College received five recognitions 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 created then evolved continuously with changing technology and culture until, in 1997, the Department of Continuing Education and Instructional Technology became the FHSU Virtual College.

AffordableColleges.com
No. 4, 50 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's Degrees in Psychology
FHSU earned the No. 4 spot on AffordableColleges' list based on its affordability, accessibility and graduation rate.

FHSU offers both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in psychology. Both programs consist of 124 credit hours and contain general education and psychology requirements, such as abnormal psychology, social psychology and child and developmental psychology.

To view this ranking, visit http://bit.ly/2gNd1ze.

BestCollegeReviews.org
No. 3, The 25 Best Online Colleges for 2017-2018
BestCollegeReview praised FHSU for its affordability and wide variety of degree programs.

More than 40 degrees at the associate, bachelor's and master's levels are available through the Virtual College. All online degree programs are fully accredited, affordable, and utilize the latest in learning technology.

"Whether you want a degree, professional certification, or simply the pleasure of exploring a new subject, we're ready to help you. We offer a comprehensive menu of online student services including tutoring, personal advising and other support services to help ensure your success," says the FHSU website.

To view this ranking, visit http://bit.ly/1l9H6O5.

CollegeChoice.net
No. 4, 50 Best Online Bachelor's of Education Degrees for 2017
FHSU earned the No. 4 spot on CollegeChoice's list based on its affordability and variety of degree options in education.

FHSU Virtual College programs include a Bachelor of Science in elementary education, a Bachelor of Science in education (early childhood unified) and a Bachelor of Science in elementary education with a minor in special education.

These programs help future teachers discover the links between general education courses, professional education curriculums, pedagogical theory and clinical experience. Students wishing to expand their degree can add a certificate in teaching English to speakers of other languages.

To view this ranking, visit http://bit.ly/2gKLpH7.

NonprofitCollegesOnline.com
No. 4, Best Online Doctorate in Nursing Programs: Students before Profits Award 2017
Affordability and accessibility earned FHSU's Doctor of Nursing Practice the No. 4 spot on NonprofitCollegesOnline's list of their Students before Profits Award winners.

"Nurses graduating with a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Fort Hays State University are educated to provide high quality, efficient patient-centered nursing care that emphasizes collaborative, evidence-based practices," says the FHSU website.

The Students Before Profits Awards recognize nonprofit colleges and universities offering degrees that put students before profits and education before the bottom-line.

"For our ranking of the 2017 Online Doctor's in Nursing winners," says NonprofitCollegesOnline, "we chose online nursing degree programs from nonprofit colleges and universities, accredited by independent and trusted accreditation boards, with lower than average tuition costs and have ranked them by affordability."

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

TopMastersInEducation.com
No. 4, 25 Best Online Bachelor's in Curriculum and Instruction Degrees for 2017
FHSU's Bachelor of Science in education (early childhood unified) earned the No. 4 spot on TopMastersInEducation's list based on its credible reputation, student wellbeing and return on investment.

The program requires 127 credit hours, including 12 credit hours of student teaching, and prepares students for careers in early childhood education as a teacher, administrator or coordinator.

Teachers with an early childhood unified endorsement can teach regular and special education at the birth to third grade level.

To view this ranking, http://bit.ly/2wM5IeX.