Fort Hays State University Virtual College

Listed below are some of the most frequently asked questions and answers. Questions can also be answered by emailing virtualcollege@fhsu.edu or by calling (785) 628-FHSU (3478) or toll free at 800-628-FHSU (3478).

Q. How do I start?
A. You will find information about where and how
to begin your college career with FHSU at the Virtual
College website at www.fhsu.edu/virtualcollege. This
site offers a self-assessment quiz to see if you are ready
for distance learning, a list of program offerings, a link to
the up-to-date schedule of classes and every other step
of the process right down to ordering your books and
course materials.


Q. How can I register/enroll for my Virtual
College course?
A. There are 3 ways to register for Virtual College courses:
• Early Registration with advisor (preferred)
• Online Registration
• On-Site Registration
Registrations/enrollments should be completed prior
to the official semester/term start date. Select courses,
workshops and seminars may have alternative enrollment
dates. Check the course schedule online at
tigertracks.fhsu.edu for exact enrollment information.


Q. Do I need to be admitted to FHSU to take courses
offered through the Virtual College?
A. Yes. Students enrolling at FHSU for the first time must
submit an application for admission/registration form
available online at www.fhsu.edu/admissions.


Q. What is the cost of a Virtual College course?
A. Tuition and fees are posted online at the Student
Fiscal Services website at www.fhsu.edu/sfs.


Q. What is the application fee?
A. Students enrolling for the first time at FHSU must pay
a one-time, nonrefundable application fee of $30
for undergraduates and degree seeking graduates.
International student fees are $35 (U.S. funds). No action
will be taken pertaining to enrollment until this application
fee is paid.


Q. Do I need to be admitted to the Graduate School to
take graduate-level courses?
A. Yes. The application form is available online at
www.fhsu.edu/gradschl/forms.shtml. Non-degree seeking
students will not be assessed a graduate application
fee, but students must complete the application for
admission and supply evidence of the bachelor’s degree
(transcript) with at least a 2.50 GPA for the last 60 credit
hours from a regionally accredited educational institution.
Inquiries should be made to the Graduate School at
(785) 628-4236 or gradschool@fhsu.edu prior to registration/
enrollment.


Q. How are the courses delivered?
A. The Virtual College delivers distance learning coursework
through asynchronous and synchronous modes.
Asynchronous delivery (anytime/any place) includes:
CD-ROMs, DVDs, the Internet, videotapes and guided
study. Synchronous delivery (same time/different locations)
includes: face-to-face and internet protocol television
(IPTV).


Q. Are textbooks and materials included in the
tuition and fees?
A. No. Textbooks and course material costs are not included
in the tuition cost. To order textbooks and materials,
visit the University Bookstore online at
fhsu.bkstore.com or call 877-387-7448.


Q. Can I purchase or keep my tapes?
A. No. CD-ROMs, DVDs and videotapes are property of
Fort Hays State University and are not available for resale.
CD-ROMs, DVDs and videotapes must be received by
the University Bookstore no later than 10 days after the
completion of the semester/term in order for you to
receive your deposit refund.


Q. How do I take exams? Do I need to find a test
proctor?
A. Information on exams will be found in the course
syllabus (www.fhsu.edu/syllabus) or provided by the
instructor. Some instructors request students to secure
a test proctor during exams. Proctor information can be
found online at www.fhsu.edu/proctorform.


Q. How can I find out who is assigned as my advisor?
A. Advisor information is provided to each student by
the Registrar’s Office when the student is admitted to the
University. To find out who your advisor is, refer to the
Registrar’s letter, visit TigerTracks at tigertracks.fhsu.edu,
or contact the Academic Advising and Career Exploration
Center, Fort Hays State University, Picken Hall 100,
600 Park Street, Hays, KS 67601-4099; (785) 628-5577;
advising@fhsu.edu.


Q. How will I know what classes to take?
A. Contact your advisor to discuss the courses necessary
to obtain a degree.


Q. How do I find my syllabus?
A. Tentative syllabi for courses offered through the Virtual
College are listed online at www.fhsu.edu/syllabus.


Q. Will the credit I earn apply toward my degree for
teacher certification?
A. Contact your advisor or the Licensure Office at (785)
628-4542 before you register to ensure credit will apply
toward degree requirements or certification.


Q. Will the Virtual College issue my degree and what
will be on my diploma?
A. The student’s FHSU degree will be awarded through
one of four colleges: College of Arts and Sciences, College
of Business and Leadership, College of Education
and Technology, or College of Health and Life Sciences at
Fort Hays State University. The words Virtual College will
not appear on the diploma.


Q. How do I log in to Blackboard?
A. Go to blackboard.fhsu.edu and read the information
provided. Click on the log in button. You will then be
prompted to enter your “Username” and “Password”.
The username is normally your first and middle initials
followed by your last name. If you do not have a middle
initial then use an “_” in its place. There are no spaces
and the username is in lowercase. If you have a common
name (i.e. John Smith) check with your instructor to see
if they made special amends to your username (jsmith2).
Your password is often the last four digits of your social
security number.


Q. What if I have technical problems with my
CD-ROM, DVD or Online course?
A. For technical assistance with CD-ROM, DVD, or online
courses that are offered through the Virtual College, call
(785) 628-FHSU(3478) or toll-free at 800-628-FHSU (3478).


Q. Is Fort Hays State University accredited?
A. Fort Hays State University is accredited by the Higher
Learning Commission of the North Central Association
of Colleges and Schools, 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite
2400, Chicago, IL 60602-2504, USA, 800-621-7440; or
(312) 263-0456.


Q. What if I don’t have all the software required to
view the material for my online course?
A. A list of free software downloads is available at
http://www.fhsu.edu/virtualcollege/plugins.shtml.


Q. When will I receive my grades?
A. Final grades from instructors are due in the Registrar’s
Office on the first work day after the semester/term ends.
Students may view their grades at tigertracks.fhsu.edu.
Grades will only be mailed to the student if the student
sends a written request to the Registrar’s Office, Fort
Hays State University, Sheridan Hall 106, 600 Park Street,
Hays, KS 67601-4099.


Q. What are the system requirements for courses
offered on Blackboard or CD-ROM?
A. The minimum technical requirements to take
CD-ROM, DVD and Online courses are:
500 MHz Pentium Processor or faster
128 MB of RAM
150 MB of free hard drive space
Sound card and speakers
CD-ROM/DVD drive
56 K modem (or faster)
800x600 Resolution
Internet access
E-mail account (FHSU provides a free lifetime account)
Web browser and certain plug-ins (depending on
the course)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP or Mac OS X
(or higher)
(Note: Courseware cannot be accessed using Web TV)
For additional information, please visit the Virtual
College website at www.fhsu.edu/virtualcollege/techsupport.
shtml.


Q. Can I call someone to withdraw from a Virtual
College course?
A. No, although the Virtual College staff will assist offcampus
students with this procedure. To withdraw from
a course offered through the Virtual College a written
withdrawal request must be submitted to the Virtual
College. Students may submit a withdrawal request
online at www.fhsu.edu/add-drop or by fax at (785)
628-4037. The withdrawal request should include the
following: student name, social security number and
course information. On-campus students can add/drop
a Virtual College class by obtaining the proper signatures
on the add/drop form. The Virtual College can
assist students in obtaining permission from off-campus
instructors. After the proper signatures are obtained,
please take the add/drop form to the Registrar’s Office
for processing.


Q. How do I find out what classes are offered next
semester?
A. For an up-to-date list of course offerings for current
and upcoming semesters visit tigertracks.fhsu.edu.


Q. I am in the Navy and would like to attend FHSU, what
should I do first?
A. Contact your local Navy Education Office. Education
Counselors will explain the Navy College Partnership
Distance Learning Program and assist you in getting your
SMART transcript. You can learn more about the
program online at www.fhsu.edu/navy, or by calling
(785) 628-FHSU (3478) or 800-628-FHSU (3478).