10/04/17
HAYS, Kan. -- Programs offered through the Fort Hays State University Virtual College received five recognitions from four 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. 1, 40 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's Degrees in Education
FHSU earned the No. 1 spot on the AffordableColleges list based on affordability and variety of degree options.

FHSU Virtual College programs include, among others, 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 can add a certificate in teaching English to speakers of other languages.

To view this ranking, visit http://bit.ly/2yV7omS.

CollegeChoice.net
No. 4, 50 Best Online RN to BSN Degrees for 2017
FHSU earned the No. 4 spot based on its affordability, accessibility and accreditation. CollegeChoice specifically praised FHSU for its reputation as a leader in distance education.

Courses are completed entirely online and include topics in health assessment, healthcare ethics, healthcare legal aspects, nursing concepts, nursing inquiry, and systems and policy.

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

BestEducationDegrees.com
No. 4, 10 Most Affordable Early Childhood Education Degrees for 2017
No. 15, 25 Best Online Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education for 2017
BestEducationDegrees recognized FHSU's Bachelor of Science in education (early childhood unified) as being among the most affordable online undergraduate early childhood education programs in the nation.

The program was also recognized as No. 15 on BestEducationDegrees list of the 25 Best Online Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education for 2017.

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 from the birth to third-grade level.

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

GreatValueColleges.net
No. 6, Top 30 Affordable Early Childhood Education Degree Online Programs (Bachelor's)
FHSU's Bachelor of Science in education (early childhood unified) also received recognition from GreatValueColleges, which ranked it No. 6 on their list of most affordable online early childhood Bachelor programs.

The website praised FHSU for its affordability and for preparing students to teach at the general or special education level.

"This online Bachelor's degree in early childhood education prepares students for teacher licensure in Kansas but may also meet some prerequisites for licensure in other states as well," said GreatValueColleges.

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