Admission - Undergraduate

Obtaining an Application for Admission; Application for Re-Entry

Undergraduate students interested in attending as first-time students or former students who have not been in attendance at the university during the most recent semester must apply at: www.fhsu.edu/admissions/admissions-application.

How to Apply for Admission - Students with a GED Certificate

Undergrad students who obtained their GED must apply at www.fhsu.edu/admissions/admissions-application.

How to Apply for Admission - Re-Entry Students

Are you returning to FHSU? Ready to finish that degree you started? All you have to do is fill out an re-entry application and you are on your way. We want to make your transition as smooth and painless as possible. If you previously attended FHSU and are returning after a semester or more off, you must submit an application for readmission before being able to register for your semester of choice.

How to Apply for Admission - Transfer Students

We are proud to welcome thousands of transfer students from all over the world each year, with a flexible, supportive process that’s designed just for the answers you need and the opportunities you crave. And, your unique process isn’t without options: some of our students transfer to Fort Hays State after completing just hours at their university or technical or community college, while others initiate transfer after they’ve completed their associate’s degree. Are you a military-connected student? Visit our Military-Connected Student Services pages for more information.

Admission of High School Students

High school counselors use Kansas Course Codes to identify courses that fulfill Qualified Admissions curriculum requirements. A complete list of courses is available at the Kansas Board of Regents website. Additionally, your counselor has a list of courses at your high school that fulfill these requirements.

One unit is equivalent to one year, or two semesters. Dual registration, concurrent registration, and online courses may be used to fulfill the Qualified Admissions curriculum requirements. All courses must appear on your high school transcript, and courses completed in middle school or junior high do not fulfill the Qualified Admissions Math requirements.

For further information visit: www.fhsu.edu/admissions/qualified-admissions-pre-college-curriculum/

Home Schooled Students

Complete coursework equivalent to the Kansas Qualified Admissions Pre-College Curriculum with a 2.0 GPA for Kansas residents/2.5 GPA for out-of- state residents and

Meet one of the following test score requirements: - ACT composite score of 21 or above - SAT score 980 or above for tests taken before March 2016 or SAT score 1080 or above for tests taken March 2016 or after

If you register in college courses while in high school, you must achieve a 2.0 GPA or higher in those courses.

International Students

International Admissions is for applicants who are not citizens or permanent resident card holders of the United States.

Complete the application type.

Pay a $50 USD application fee at time of submission by credit card.

Submit all required application documents. Application submission is only the first step in the application process.

Mail/Deliver official and original documents to Fort Hays State University. All documents become the property of Fort Hays State University. Documents will not be returned to the student.

International Student Transfer Authorization

Students who are currently attending a college or university in the United States must complete the International Student Release Authorization.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

International students must meet a minimum English proficiency language requirement before beginning academic coursework at Fort Hays State University.

For further information visit: https://www.fhsu.edu/international/international-admissions/Language-Requirements/.

Non-Traditional Students Definition

Undergraduate students whose circumstances are described by one or more of the following categories are considered non-traditional: adults 24 years of age or older, veterans of the armed forces of the United States, married students, and students who have legal dependents.

Admission for Degree-Seeking Students

Individuals who desire to earn a baccalaureate or associate degree should apply for admission at https://www.fhsu.edu/admissions and pay the $30 application fee to the Office of the Registrar and provide official transcripts from any colleges or universities previously attended.

Admission for Non-Degree-Seeking Students

Do you just enjoy taking classes without pursuing a degree from Fort Hays State University? If so, you can apply as a non-degree student. Non-degree seeking students are typically those taking a class for personal fulfillment, to satisfy degree requirements at another institution, to meet licensure requirements, for professional development and those pursuing certificates from FHSU.

Military-Connected Students

Fort Hays State University understands the needs and responsibilities of our men and women in uniform. The flexibility of our programs allows you to start or finish a degree program no matter where you are stationed or where you might be transferred. Not only does our affordable tuition rank us as one of the best investments in higher education, but we have also been consistently ranked as one of the best online options for military-connected students. For further information visit: https://www.fhsu.edu/military/

Classification for Fee Purposes

The Kansas Legislature and the Kansas Board of Regents determine the “residence classification for fee purposes” of students entering Fort Hays State University. The law and regulations are different than those that govern residency for any other purpose. The statutes and Board of Regents regulations may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar.

Credit by Examination - Advanced Placement Examinations (AP)

The university cooperates with high schools offering courses in the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board. Students who have completed College Board Advanced Placement Tests should have a report of the scores sent to the Office of the Registrar. No credit is given for scores of 1 or 2. Scores of 5, 4, or 3 will be reviewed on an individual basis according to University AP/Credit Policy.

Credit by Examination - Local Examinations

An enrolled student or prospective student who subsequently enrolls will be permitted to earn university credits or advanced standing by examination if the student appears to have unusual qualifications.

A prospective student or a regularly enrolled student of college rank who, because of maturity, wide reading, courses taken in non-accredited colleges, or other off-campus preparation, believes to have superior knowledge and knows the content of a given university course, may petition the appropriate department chair for an advanced standing examination. No petition can be granted after the student has enrolled in, or taken for credit, or audited courses which in any degree duplicate the course sought or courses which may be considered in advance of the course requested without permission of the department chair.

A grade of “CR” credit will be recorded on the transcript for an enrolled student who successfully completes an examination. An interested student should consult the department chair on eligibility and for more information.

Credit by Examination - College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a national credit-by-examination program that enables students to demonstrate a level of achievement and competency for the purpose of obtaining university credit. CLEP tests are designed to measure the extent of knowledge a student has already acquired and to reward it by awarding university credit. Students should contact the Testing Services Office for information on test appointments, requirements, and cost. The national CLEP Web site maintains comprehensive information on the CLEP testing program including testing centers other than FHSU. A list of official CLEP policies at FHSU is available on the CLEP Credit Policy Chart. Students considering the CLEP test and desiring a way to learn more about the subject may want to look at the materials produced by modernstates.org. This resource provides access to sample classes, but the only way to receive college credit is to pass an accepted CLEP examination.

Modernstates.org may also provide funds for the test if you complete the study resource.

Military Service Credit

Enrolled students may earn college credit for educational experiences in the armed services. Credit is awarded based on the recommendations in the American Council on Education Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services.

It is suggested that veterans attach a copy of DD 214 form, AARTS, or SMART transcripts to the application for admission. Veterans may also wish to consult a transcript analyst in the Office of the Registrar to determine the appropriate military records required for an evaluation of the armed services experience. A grade of CR (Credit) will be recorded on the transcript for all approved credit. Credit will count toward fulfilling degree requirements. However, no credit will be awarded that is a prerequisite for a course previously passed.

Credit by Examination - Specific Subject Examinations

Students enrolled in a regular semester or summer term may earn up to a maximum of 30 credit hours toward fulfilling degree requirements by successful completion of CLEP Subject Examinations. A grade of CR (Credit) will be recorded on the transcript for the successful completion of each examination. However, no credit will be awarded for subject exams which are pre-requisites for a course previously passed.

Undergraduate Degrees and General Education

Catalog Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees

Students have a maximum of six years to meet catalog requirements for graduation in effect at the university when they first entered any college or university. Requests for exceptions can be made in writing. They may also graduate under the requirements of any subsequent Fort Hays State University catalog.

An undergraduate student wishing to complete a minor following a bachelor's degree must do so within two years. The student must inform a degree analyst in the Registrar's Office of their intent to complete a minor for it to appear on their academic transcript.

Students may not, however, be allowed to graduate under the requirements of a Fort Hays State University catalog in effect earlier than two years preceding their enrollment at the university. If students have had their college program interrupted by more than two consecutive years, they will be subject to the requirements in effect when they re-enter, or, if they elect, the requirements of a later catalog.

Associate of General Studies

A student must have:

1. a degree summary showing completion of all degree requirements on file
2. completed at least 60 hours of credit with a minimum average grade index of 2.00 in all coursework;
3. a minimum grade average index of 2.00 in all coursework taken at Fort Hays State University; and
4. submitted the Application for Completion to the Office of the Registrar.

Associate of Science in Radiologic Technology

A student must have:

1. an academic program within the department;
2. completed at least 91 hours of credit as specified by the Department of Allied Health with a minimum average grade index of 2.00 in all coursework—44 credit hours of academic courses, 31 credit hours of professional courses, and 16 credit hours of clinical experience;  and
3. a minimum grade average index of 2.00 in all coursework taken at Fort Hays State University.

Note: If a student begins their program at Fort Hays State University as a freshman, these are the requirements for the degree.

A student must have:

1. an academic program within the department;
2. completed at least 92 hours of credit as specified by the Department of Allied Health with a minimum average grade index of 2.00 in all coursework—45 credit hours of academic courses, 31 credit hours of professional courses, and 16 credit hours of clinical experience;  and
3. a minimum grade average index of 2.00 in all coursework taken at Fort Hays State University.

Baccalaureate Degrees

The Bachelor of Arts degree is offered in the following fields of study: art, art education, chemistry, communication (journalism, public relations), economics, English, geology, history, information networking and telecommunications, justice studies, mathematics, modern languages (French, German, and Spanish), music, organizational leadership philosophy, physics, political science, psychology, and sociology.

Except for international students whose native language is not English, ten hours of a single language are required for the B.A. degree. Credit may be received by examination for language competency obtained outside of a college, for example, high school language study. The various examination procedures are described in the catalog. Students may also obtain credit hours through Credit for Prior Learning as described under the Department of English and Modern Languages. Courses required for the foreign language component of the B.A. may not be taken for Pass/No Credit.

International students whose native language is not English are allowed to count English as their language for the purpose of meeting the language requirement for the Bachelor of Arts degree. An international student who elects this option will be considered to have met this requirement either by scoring 550 or above on the TOEFL examination on the paper based test version or 213 on the computer based version or by completing ENG 100 English for International Students with a letter grade of A or B.

The Bachelor of Science degree requires the completion of 50 credit hours in the sciences as specified by the respective department. A minimum of 30 credit hours shall be completed in one subject field and the remaining 20 credit hours shall be completed in one or more subject fields other than the major. (Students who complete a double major in two areas of the sciences need not take an additional 20 hours in the sciences to meet the requirement.)

The Bachelor of Science degree is offered in the following fields of study: biology, chemistry, general science, geology, mathematics, physics, and psychology. The Bachelor of Science in applied/practical fields is offered in agriculture, business education, communication sciences & disorders, computer science, criminal justice, education, geography, health & human performance, information networking and telecommunications,  medical diagnostic imaging, organizational leadership, sociology, technology studies, and tourism & hospitality management.

The Bachelor of Applied Science degree is currently offered in leadership studies.

The Bachelor of Business Administration degree is offered in the fields of accounting, finance, international business & economics, management, management information systems, marketing, and tourism & hospitality management.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is offered in the field of art.

The Bachelor of Music degree is offered in music education and performance.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) degree is offered by the Department of Nursing.

The Department of Social Work offers the Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) degree.

Bachelor’s Degree

The requirements for the all Bachelor degree programs are as follows:

1. completion of at least 120 hours of credit with a passing grade and a minimum grade average index of 2.00 in all coursework, unless the department specifies a higher grade index;
2. a minimum average grade index of 2.00 in all coursework taken at Fort Hays State University;
3. completion of a major (with a minimum of 30 hours) as specified for the degree sought—with a minimum average grade index of 2.00 for all courses in the major, unless the department specifies a higher grade index;
4. completion of the general education program;
5. completion of at least 45 hours of credit in upper-division courses numbered 300 and above; and
6. approval for degree completion by the Registrar’s Office.

Bachelor of General Studies (BGS)

The BGS degree requires 120 hours of credit, including the following components:

1. a minimum of 80 hours of coursework in the following liberal arts and sciences areas: art, biological sciences, chemistry, communication, economics, English, geosciences, history, informatics, interdisciplinary studies, justice studies, leadership studies, mathematics and computer science, modern languages, music, philosophy, physics, political science, psychology, and sociology and social work;
2. a minimum of 45 hours of upper-division coursework (numbered 300 and above at FHSU);
3. a maximum of 40 hours in one department;
4. six hours of English composition;
5. complete the University general education requirements;
6. a minimum grade index of 2.00 for all coursework and coursework at FHSU;
7. no modern language requirements;
8. a minimum of 30 hours of graded credit from FHSU;
9. a 21-hour individualized area of concentration; 
10. approval for degree completion by the Registrar’s Office.

Residence Requirements

Residence is defined as “courses taken from Fort Hays State University either on campus or through the FHSU Online (off campus) taught face-to-face or mediated instruction.”

Associate Degree

At least 15 semester hours of credit with a passing grade for the associate degree must be taken at the university.

Bachelor’s Degree

Forty-five semester hours of upper-division credit are required based on the course number system of a baccalaureate degree-granting institution. At least 30 semester hours of credit with a passing letter grade of A, B, C, or D for a bachelor’s degree must be taken from Fort Hays State University (FHSU Online course work is acceptable). Pass/No credit or Credit (CR) does not count towards the 30 semester hours. Exceptions to this requirement may be appealed by individual students or programs to the Academic Appeals Committee.

In the case of foreign institutions, approved partnership agreements which confirm the status of the foreign institution within its own recognized educational system (e.g. Ministry of Education, governmental authorizations, etc.) shall determine the equivalence to a US regionally accredited baccalaureate degree-granting institution.

Correspondence Credit

Not more than 30 credit hours in any curriculum leading to a degree may be taken by correspondence.

General Education and Second Degrees

Associate Degree

A student desiring to earn a second associate degree must complete a minimum of 30 hours beyond requirements for the first associate degree. These must be organized according to a definite plan for an area of concentration distinct from that of the first associate degree. A degree summary with a specified area of concentration must be in the department/school prior to enrollment for the second associate degree.

Associate Degree for Students with an Earned Baccalaureate or Higher Degree

Students desiring to earn an associate degree must complete a minimum of 30 hours. These must be organized according to a definite plan for an area of concentration distinct from those of former degree(s). A degree summary with a specified area of concentration must be in the department/school prior to enrollment for the associate degree.

Bachelor’s Degree

Students desiring to earn a second bachelor’s degree must satisfy the catalog requirements for the major program of the second degree and achieve at least a minimum of 150 hours (30 hours beyond the minimum 120-credit-hour requirement for the first degree).

In the event the major for the second degree contains courses previously required in the major for the first degree, appropriate substitutions must be made in the second degree major to achieve a minimum total of 30 hours in the second degree major that are discrete from the courses in the first degree major. Students desiring to complete a second degree should file a degree summary and signed major in the Office of the Registrar prior to enrollment for the second degree. Students also have the option to work on two degrees simultaneously but must have degree summaries signed for both majors and degrees. Students with an earned baccalaureate degree from an institution not accredited by one of the regional accrediting agencies must also fulfill requirements of the Fort Hays State University general education program.

General Education

FHSU adheres to General Education requirements as outlined by KBOR— Kansas Board of Regents. General Education criteria are subject to change, based on KBOR policy.