HAYS, Kan. – Online programs at Fort Hays State University earned three top-10 ratings during April ­– two top-five rankings from OnlineSchoolsReport and a No. 7 ranking from Top Education Degrees.

OnlineSchoolsReport rated FHSU’s Master of Liberal Studies program No. 3 in the nation in its category of Best Online Master’s in Liberal Arts and Sciences. One feature singled out for praise was the ability for a student to “pick your unique path and follow it until” graduation.

This ranking can be found at www.onlineschoolsreport.com/best-online-masters-in-liberal-arts-and-sciences/.

Fort Hays States online Bachelor of Science in agricultural business was ranked No. 5 in the nation in the Best Online Bachelors in Agriculture category, primarily because of the very high job placement rate – 99 percent – for graduates of the program in the first year after graduation.

The program was also cited for its flexibility (students can join at any time during the year) and for the real-life work experience and practical classes.

This ranking can be found at www.onlineschoolsreport.com/best-online-bachelors-in-agriculture/.

Online Schools bases its rankings on three schoolwide data points: student satisfaction, admission rates and number of online programs; and three program specific data points: median debt of graduates, the number of degrees offered within the program’s department, and the percentage of students graduated from that department.

FHSU’s third top-10 ranking was a No. 7 in the nation rating for its Master of Science degree in high-incidence special education from Top Education Degrees. The program has what Top Education called a “mentoring-heavy faculty” and an emphasis on educational technology. A curriculum that gives equal wight to academics, case study and practice-based instruction.

This ranking can be found at www.topeducationdegrees.org/rankings/online-masters-special-education/

Two other degree programs, one in criminal justice and one in history, were in the top 20 in the nation in other listings.

In criminal justice, the bachelor’s program, comprising the Bachelor of Science and the Bachelor of Arts, were ranked No. 17 in Online College Plan’s s top 30 Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice.

OCP cited the program for being highly career focused and referenced the fact that 95 percent of graduating seniors either find a job or are placed in graduate schools before they even graduate.

Data from the National Center for Education Statistics is a key factor in Online College’s ratings. Weight is also given to affordability.

This ranking is at www.onlinecollegeplan.com/rankings/online-bachelors-in-criminal-justice/.

In history, Fort Hays State’s no-thesis Master of Arts option in history was No. 18 in the 25 Best Online Master’s in History for 2020 category of BestMastersPrograms.org.

Best Master’s ranks programs ratings factor in cost, salary potential, and student satisfaction, using data from IPEDS, College Scorecard, Niche, and U.S. News.

This ranking is at www.bestmastersprograms.org/best-online-degree-history/.

In addition to its top-five rankings of two programs at Fort Hays State, OnlineSchoolsReport place two other FHSU programs in the top-30 in the nation.

Master’s programs in education, the Master of Science and the Master of Arts, were No. 23 in OnlineSchools 50 Best Online Master’s in Education category. The curriculum, with its focus on student development theory and cultural diversity, enables “graduates to work well in a variety of administrative scenarios,” said OnlineSchools.

This ranking is at www.onlineschoolsreport.com/best-online-masters-in-education/.

In the category 30 Best Online Master’s in Psychology, OnlineSchools ranked the College of Education’s Master of Science in school psychology No. 24 in the nation. Coursework includes behavioral therapy, advanced child psychology, developmental psychology, and practicum.

This ranking is at www.onlineschoolsreport.com/best-online-masters-in-psychology-degrees/.