Academic Programs

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) | On-Campus

Priority Deadline: February 1 (Fall)

Requirements

• 20 digital images (PowerPoint saved as a PDF - captions under slide should read as title, medium, size, process and date)
• letters of recommendation
• personal statement
• resume
• a 3.0 GPA on last 60 undergraduate credit hours

Master of Arts in English | On-Campus | Online

Requirements

• 2 letters of recommendation
• a personal statement
• 3.0 GPA in a minimum of 18 hours of English courses beyond the general studies composition courses

Master of Arts in History | On-Campus | Online

Deadlines

• August 1 (Fall)
• January 1 (Spring)
• May 1 (Summer)

Requirements

• 2 letters of recommendation
• A bachelor's degree with satisfactory performance in a minimum of 18 hours of history courses. These 18 hours must include a course in the methodology of historical research
• a 2.5 GPA score on a 4.0 scale in your last 60 undergraduate hours
• a writing sample demonstrating research and documentation skills
• a personal statement

Master of Liberal Studies (MLS) | On-Campus | Online

Requirements

• 2 letters of recommendation
• a personal statement including background and why applying to MLS

Some programs or concentrations have additional/personalized requirements, questions, or application materials.

Deadlines

Some programs have application deadlines.

Master of Science in Education (MSE) [on-campus/online]

Requirements

• 2 letters of recommendation
• a personal statement
• a minimum GPA of 3.0 on the last 60 undergraduate hours or a 3.25 GPA on a Master's degree

Certain concentrations require applicants to already hold a valid teaching license.

Master of Science in Education (MSE)—Secondary Education (K-12 or 6-12) [online]

Requirements

• 2 letters of recommendation
• a personal statement
• a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA

Additional application documents will be collected by the Teacher Education Program.

Master of Science in Education (MSE) -Elementary Education (K-6) [online]

Requirements

• 2 letters of recommendation
• a personal statement
• a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA

Additional application documents will be collected by the Teacher Education Program.

Master of Science in Special Education [online]

Requirements

• 2 letters of recommendation
• a personal statement
• a cumulative 3.0 undergraduate GPA or a 3.25 GPA on a Master's degree
• copy of your teaching license if applicable

Master of Science in Counseling [on-campus/online]

Requirements

• 2 letters of recommendation
• a personal statement of goals and professional experience
• 3.00 on the last 60 undergraduate credit hours or 3.25 GPA on a Master's degree
• a valid background check through Validity within the last 4 years

Instructions to complete the background check.

Deadlines

The Counseling program accepts applications throughout the year. However, the application deadlines have been established to start in a particular semester. Failure to meet the application deadline may result in a delay of admission into the program.

• April 1st (Summer and Fall semester)
• November 1st (Spring semester)

Master of Science in Education Administration [online]

Requirements

• a minimum 3.0 GPA on last 60 undergraduate credit hours or 3.25 GPA on a Master's degree
• educational experience in a teaching field
• 2 reference letters - at least one from a supervisor of your educational experience
• personal statement that includes your philosophy of leadership
• a teaching license if your intent is to be a PK-12 public school administrator in the United States

Master of Science in Instructional Technology [online]

Requirements

• minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or 3.25 GPA on a Master's degree
• 2 letters of recommendation
• a personal statement in which you describe your interests in instructional technology

Education Specialist in Advanced Professional Studies [online]

Requirements

Education Administration (Superintendent)

• 2 letters of recommendation
• a personal statement
• an educational vita
• a copy of your Building Administrator's License
• a Master's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.25

Education Innovation and Leadership

• 2 letters of recommendation
• a personal statement
• a resume or educational vita
• a Master's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.25

Leadership in Reading

• 2 letters of recommendation
• a personal statement
• an educational vita or resume
• a copy of your teaching license or certificate
• a Master's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.25

Digital Leadership

• 2 letters of recommendation
• a personal statement
• a curriculum vita or resume
• a Master's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.25

Business Education and Workforce Leadership

• 2 letters of recommendation
• a personal statement
• a resume or educational vita
• a Master's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.25

Master of Science in Health and Human Performance [on-campus/online]

Requirements

• 3 letters of recommendation
• a minimum of 18 hours of undergraduate credit hours in HHP exclusive of service courses
• a 3.00 GPA on a 4.00 scale on last 60 credit hours
  OR
• 2.50-2.99 GPA for last 60 credit hours and 148 on verbal and quantitative portions of GRE

Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology [on-campus]

Requirements

Admission to the Fort Hays State University graduate program in speech-language pathology is administered through the Communication Science and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS) and an application to the graduate school.

Phase 1

• an acceptable verbal, quantitative, and analytical GRE Score*
• 3 letters of recommendation completed by professors or individuals familiar with your academic course work
• a resume
• completion of all questions in the “Questions” tab of CSDCAS

*For Fall 2023 applications, the GRE is recommended but not required.

Phase 2

Following a review of applications by the departmental committee, interviews will be conducted via electronic media for selected applicants.

Deadlines

February 1 (Fall)

Master of Professional Studies (MPS) [on-campus/online]

Requirements

• 2 letters of recommendation
• a personal statement including background and why applying to the MPS

Concentrations may require additional criteria for admission. Refer to the MPS concentrations for specific requirements and to view the concentration options.

Master of Science in Psychology [on-campus/online]

Clinical Psychology

Requirements

• 2 letters of recommendation
• a personal statement in which the student describes their reasons for pursuing graduate training in psychology
• a completed interview questionnaire
• 15 hours in psychology with at least 1 statistics course and 1 research/laboratory course

Deadlines

Online:

• Priority: January 15 (Fall)
• March 15 (Fall)

On-campus:

• October 15 (Spring)
• March 15 (Fall)

School Psychology

Requirements

• an acceptable GRE score (can be waived if the applicant holds a master's degree)
• 2 letters of recommendation
• a personal statement in which the student describes their reasons for pursuing graduate training in psychology
• a completed interview questionnaire
• resume
• 15 hours in psychology with at least 1 statistics course and 1 research/laboratory course

Deadlines

• Priority: November 1 (Fall)
• February 1 (Fall)

Education Specialist in School Psychology [on-campus/online]

Requirements

• 2 letters of recommendation
• a personal statement in which the student describes their reasons for pursuing graduate training in psychology
• a completed interview questionnaire
• a resume
• completion of a Master's degree in Psychology or Education

Deadlines

• Priority: November 1 (Fall)
• February 1 (Fall)

Master of Science in Nursing (Education or Administration) [online]

Requirements

• BSN from an accredited program (CCNE or NLNAC)
• a current U.S. RN License
• minimum 3.00 cumulative BSN GPA
• 2 letters of reference
• a personal statement

All nursing courses/transcripts from outside the United States, require additional evaluation by the Commission of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). A course by course evaluation is required to confirm degree, course credit and grades including grade point average.

Deadlines

• July 1 (Fall)
• October 1 (Spring)
• February 1 (Summer)

*The Department of Nursing does not accept applications from the following states: Alabama, California, Colorado, Tennessee or Utah.

Doctor of Nursing Practice [on-campus/online]

BSN to DNP

For students who have graduated from an accredited school with a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing degree. This program prepares students for a Doctor of Nursing Practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner. A Family Nurse Practitioner provides primary care across the life span.

Requirements

• BSN from an accredited program (CCNE or NLNAC)
• current RN License from the state of Kansas, Nebraska, or Oklahoma
• minimum 3.0 cumulative BSN GPA
• a personal or virtual interview with DNP faculty
• a personal statement
• a resume
• 2 letters of reference in the areas of:
  • academic ability
  • current professional competency
  • personal character
• A background check is required upon acceptance.

All nursing courses/transcripts from outside the United States, require additional evaluation by the Commission of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). A course by course evaluation is required to confirm degree, course credit and grades including grade point average.

Deadlines

• Applications for summer cycle accepted now until May 1st or the cohort is full; whichever comes first
• Priority: November 1st; applications accepted until the cohort is full

Accepting applications from the following states:

• Kansas
• Nebraska
• Oklahoma

MSN to DNP

For students who have graduated from an accredited school with a Master's of Science in Nursing degree in an Advanced Practice role as a Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Midwife, and Clinical Nurse Specialist. The MSN to DNP program provides advanced education for students who have already obtained an MSN degree with an APRN license.

Requirements

• MSN from an accredited program (CCNE or NLNAC)
• current U.S. RN License
• current U.S. APRN License
• proof of National Board Certification
• minimum 3.25 cumulative MSN GPA
• a personal or virtual interview with DNP faculty
• a personal statement
• a resume
• 2 letters of reference in the areas of:
  • academic ability
  • current professional competency
  • personal character
• A background check is required upon acceptance.

All nursing courses/transcripts from outside the United States, require additional evaluation by the Commission of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). A course by course evaluation is required to confirm degree, course credit and grades including grade point average.

Deadlines

• Applications for summer cycle accepted now until May 1st or the cohort is full; whichever comes first
• Priority: November 1st; applications accepted until the cohort is full

*The Department of Nursing does not accept applications from the following states: Alabama, Tennessee, Utah, or Washington.

Masters of Social Work (MSW) [online]

Requirements

• 3.00 cumulative GPA
• 3 letters of recommendation
• personal statement
• a resume

Deadlines

• Priority Deadline: January 15
• Deadline: February 15

Applications must be complete before the deadline to be considered.

Master of Business Administration (MBA) [on-campus/online]

Requirements

• 2.50 on the last 60 undergraduate hours
• 2 letters of recommendation
• a personal statement indicating reasons for seeking a Master of Business Administration degree including professional and/or career goals and pertinent past work experience
• a current resume

Master of Science in Biology [on-campus]

Requirements

• a personal statement specifying the exact interest area and research area
• 2 letters of recommendation

GRE scores are not required.

Deadlines

Preference is given to applications received before February 15th (Fall).

Master of Science in Computer Science [on-campus/online]

Requirements

• a personal statement indicating reasons for seeking a Master of Science in Computer Science
• 2 letters of recommendation
• a minimum 2.50 GPA on the last 60 undergraduate credit hours

Master of Science in Geosciences [on-campus]

Requirements

• a personal statement
• 2 letters of recommendation

GRE scores are not required.

Deadlines

• Priority: January 30 (Fall)

*Spring admissions are rare, and you should contact Department faculty to determine the feasibility of a spring admission.

The Graduate School welcomes domestic students who wish to take graduate-level courses for credit but not pursue a formal degree program. Such students are referred to as non-degree graduate students. The requirements for admission are as follows:

1. a completed regionally-accredited bachelor's degree
2. a GPA of 2.5 or better on the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework

Students desiring to apply for admission as a non-degree graduate student must complete the Graduate School's admission application. Non-degree graduate students who have not been previously admitted within the past 5 years must pay the $40 application fee. Apply as a non-degree student.

• Building Leadership (Principal)
• COE Professional Development
• Counseling (School)
• Curriculum & Instruction
• District Leadership (Superintendent) 
• Driver Education 
• ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)
• Graduate Non-Degree
• Library Media Specialist 
• Speech-Language Pathology
• Nursing
• Reading Specialist 
• Special Education (Gifted) 
• Special Education (High Incidence) 
• Teacher Licensure
• Transition to Teaching