Degree and Course Requirements

To graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Fort Hays State University, students must earn a minimum total of 124 credit hours. In order to meet the University’s residency requirements, the last 30 must be earned directly from FHSU. [Advanced Standing Credit] does not contribute to those 30 hours of residency credit, but it does count toward your upper division coursework requirements.

Once you submit all prior transcripts to FHSU, a degree analyst evaluates each transcript to determine which courses meet the University’s transfer requirements and communicates this information to the RN-to-BSN Coordinator. Then, you will develop an individualized plan of study to meet all general education, nursing pre-requisite and BSN course requirements.

General Education Requirements

All students except BGS students are required to complete a 55-hour general education program. This program has two components: Foundation Studies and Liberal Arts. The Foundation Studies has two divisions: A) Analysis and Communication and B) Personal Wellness. The Liberal Arts having three divisions: A) International Studies, B) Distribution and C) Upper-Division Integrative Courses. For a complete description of FHSU’s general education program, visit here.

Students who transfer to FHSU with an associate’s degree from a Kansas community college are reviewed under the Transfer Articulation Agreement in place between the community college and FHSU. Students who graduated from a diploma school of nursing or a non-accredited school will have more general education requirements to complete.

General education courses may be taken at other colleges and universities, but it is the student’s responsibility to verify the course’s transferability prior to enrolling in the course. A degree analyst in the Registrar’s Office can help you make that determination.

Pre-requisite Nursing Courses

Until you complete all pre-requisite nursing courses with a grade of "C" or better in each, you will be classified as a nursing major, but not yet accepted into the program. You will, however, be fully admitted to Fort Hays State University. The following courses are pre-requisites for Full Admission to the RN-to-BSN program: