Fort Hays State University Reviews

Pretty good

By: Anonymous (In Progress) on May 10, 2008

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I really think the online program requires students to organize themselves, most teachers are very comprehensive, although you should ask other students thru blackboard before enrolling in a course because there are some teacher that are not so flexible, I had to withraw from 1 class this semmester since one of my teachers was not willing to receive late work.(My fault, ofcourse) Other teachers understand that the online program is for people that lacks time and they give you more flexibility. It really depends on the teacher. Overall I give it a 9/10

Response to Online Review

By: Anonymous (In Progress) on October 21, 2007

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I only recently started the program at Fort Hays State University and while it's true that there are problems with Blackboard, I find that the instructors have been more than helpful.  Those that I have are quick to respond to emails and are very accommodating and always helpful.  Deadlines have been extended as needed when Blackboard went down.   The Help Desk generally gets back to me in a timely manner  whether it be via email or by phone.  For the money, I am very satisfied with the program overall.

Online Nursing RN to BSN Program

By: Anonymous (In Progress) on July 28, 2007

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Although FHSU Virtual College is affordable, the technology is extremely problematic.  The Blackboard online lecture system is constantly down, exams cut off in the middle and then you must wait days for an instructor to reset the exam.  Instructions for assignments are often unavailable and grading criteria is frequently unclear. Although they will extend deadlines due to the frequent computer system failures, this does not present a feasible solution to the problem since uncompleted assignments just stack up while one is waiting for the Blackboard system to be repaired.  The computer help desk is not available during the hours when working students need assistance. Administration frequently fails to respond to emails. One instructor, by means of web postings to students, seems quite uncaring. I really don't want to do this program but since I've already invested so much money in it, I just don't have a choice. I would not recommend this program to others until the technological systems are fixed.

great program

By: Anonymous (Graduate) on July 18, 2007

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I was able to finish from FHSU while living over seas.  They took all of my credits from other community colleges and universities.  I found the staff very pleasant and easy to work with.  The courses were challenging.  I benefited from all the courses.  I would recommend this university to anyone.

Business Degree

By: Anonymous (In Progress) on July 5, 2007

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I just started with FHSU this summer.  

*Support:  Enrolling had to be the hardest task of all.  Since I'm no very familiar with the college scene, let alone the virtual part. I found it very hard to know what I was suppose to do and what was going on.  

No one contacted me to explain the process, and my phone calls seemed to just get me caught up in the transferring process.  When I finally reached the person in charge of the Virtural Business portion of the program, she was the least bit helpful.  The only way to contact her was thru email, and I specified questions, that I was expecting an answer for, but I didn't.  I had to write her again and outline my question once again.  

Just the whole enrolling and getting started portion was a big headache.  With VERY little support.  

*Technology:  Here lately there seems to alway be a problem with their Blackboard. What actually prompted me to come and writ this review is, I'm in the middle of a test and the site has just went capoot.  I have no idea what my test result are.  I have studied for 2 chapters and I'm ready to take my test while the info is still fresh, but the site doesn't work.  This isn't the first time this had occured either.  

Cost:  I guess the cost of attending is pretty good.  My biggest issues are the cost of books.  I'm only taking 2 classes for the summer and spent over $400 for the books and video's needed.  

Teachers:  My teachers thus far has been GREAT, really prompt with emails and their lectures are very well put together.  The only problem is their technology (videos) are very old and choppy.  

Overall, I still intend on continuing to graduate from this school.  Also a good resource of picking your instructors is on Myspace.  Myspace has a network where you can grade your teachers.  I'm really PO'd at the advisor though, for allowing me to take these classes that I'm taken for summer, because there is too much material to be covered in a short summer semester

FHSU online

By: Anonymous (In Progress) on June 13, 2007

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I am in the military and have been with FHSU for 3 years. I do not agree with the poster about no structure to the courses. Every class I have taken has been well-structured with expectations given in written detail. Teacher are active participants and the tuition prices are very fair. I was even able to take classes during a recent Middle-East deployment. I have researched a lot of schools before choosing FHSU. I am extremely happy with all aspects of the college and look forward to starting a Master's program with FHSU next spring.

Finally

By: buickstyle22 (Graduate) on April 1, 2007

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The Virtual College was a good fit for me. I was able to easily transfer credits from another school and graduate with a B.S. Degree in two years. The staff was supportive and friendly. Most of the instructors are easily accessible by e-mail and many respond even on nights and weekends. Fort Hays State University is a school with an established reputation and carries substantial weight with employers.

Good value, but needs work

By: Anonymous (In Progress) on January 30, 2007

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I have found most of my professors to be responsive and interactive with the class-- more so, perhaps, than in a traditional classroom setting at a large school.  Some are better than others, of course, but that would be the case anywhere, and in any program.  HOWEVER, I would greatly caution anyone about this program because of persistent problems with the school's distance education delivery system (Blackboard).  The site is down at least 50 percent of the time during the evening hours (when I, like most distance students, need to do my work).  This has caused me countless headaches during my two years at FHSU, and the problem only seems to be getting worse.  Fortunately, my instructors so far have been understanding of the problems caused by this issue, but more than once I've had to turn work in late because of the school's technical problems. 

FHSU is certainly a good value, and I like that it is an accredited public institution.  But, the virtual college can be VERY frustrating because of the technical shortcomings.

A Perfect Fit

By: Anonymous (In Progress) on November 19, 2006

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This degree was a perfect fit for me. The concentration in English will allow me to teach (my goal), and the instruction was top-notch. An online graduate program is not for the faint of heart, and the coursework proved time-consuming and challenging. The professors are professional and easily-accessible. This was a valuable experience for me (I would do it over again), and I would recommend this program to anyone.

An excellent choice for me

By: jim (Graduate) on November 15, 2006

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FHSU's motto is "affordable success." That's what I was looking for, and that's what I got. An online degree isn't for everybody, but for the student who is self-motivated and self-directed, FHSU's program makes a lot of sense. 

Like many people in midlife, I wanted to start a new career in a field I loved. I wanted to be a website developer. I knew I needed to sharpen my skills, and I thought that having a masters degree would help me land contracts when I was ready to work full-time in my new field. My mentor told me about how she earned her advanced degree in an affordable, outstanding, online program. Her positive experience at FHSU sounded perfect for me.

The University's Master of Liberal Studies program offered an emphasis in information technology, with plenty of options in the area of website design and development. Most importantly, the faculty showed great flexibility in letting me select projects to fulfill some of the advanced courses. That way I could concentrate on areas that I was sure would be practical, well-suited to my interests, and complementary to my growing skill set. Being able to fulfill course requirements online made the program even more affordable and allowed me to stay in my home town and continue working.

Not only did I get the practical education I sought; I also got a fuller appreciation of the ways that information and knowledge management are revolutionizing society in every respect.

FHSU gave me a way to achieve a life goal: an advanced degree in a field I love, with a start in a new profession, and a credential that opens doors.

It was great!

By: bboone (Graduate) on November 15, 2006

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I'm not sure what the first reviewer was thinking. They must not have put much work into their coursework. Online programs aren't for the disorganized. You have to be organized and above that, disciplined. If you're not that, don't sign up for any online tasks. It just won't work. 

I found FHSU to be one of the friendliest communities I've ever come into contact with. The instructors were not only approachable, online, but also extremely knowledgeable. Twenty years ago when I got out of high school I'd have not gone to FHSU but the current president of the university has made a vow to produce some great content and it's evident as  at my graduation ceremony last year, there were more graduates then ever before and they were going to give two more graduations overseas! 

Not only was the education a great feather in my cap, but the value was unbelievable. This university is one of the least expensive that I researched out of the eight schools I cconsidered.

You won't lose at this school UNLESS you allow yourself to do so.

Program Feedback

By: morphis03 (In Progress) on November 15, 2006

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My juncture at FHSU while majoring in INT & Web D. was a very valuable one.  In the end I chose a different career path than the one this curriculum was leading towards.  However, the instructors at FHSU had many different career experiences, as opposed to the typical instructor who has only taught during their career span.  Many of the instructors had different past experiences and views that only helped develop the curriculum.  This surrounding of diversified instructors deep-rooted many of the skills I use every day in my career.  I would not have escalated to the level I am now with my current company if it wasn’t for the diversified Cisco Curriculum, general education extensions required by the degree, company tours arranged by the department twice a year, and networking hardware, which is usually only available only at much more expensive schools.

Very disappointing

By: Anonymous (In Progress) on October 5, 2006

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There is no structure to the classes.  By week 4 (of 16 weeks) of one class, I did not feel that any substantial information has been covered, it had been mostly review.  My second class is set up to be pretty much a self-paced class with little to no guidance from the instructor.
Instructors did not participate in discussion boards in a timely manner, including answering questions to that were directed to them.  There was very little student interaction.
Emails to FSHU staff (other than instructors) are not well responded to. I emailed my academic advisor and finally had to call a week later because I never received a response.  The financial aid office took 72 hours to respond to my email.  

All in all, I was very disappointed in the program.  I dropped out after 4 weeks becuase I felt it was a waste of my time.

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