Fort Hays State University Online Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Fort Hays State University (FHSU), founded in 1902, was originally known as the Western Branch of Kansas State Normal School. Though the state of Kansas had initially planned for the university’s academic programs to focus on agriculture, the school instead opened as a teacher’s college.

In the present day, FHSU is a regional comprehensive public university whose faculty and staff are deeply dedicated to teaching and mentoring students. FHSU seeks to meet the ever-changing needs of its students with affordable, flexible, and challenging academic programs designed to fulfill the university’s mission of creating engaged global citizen-leaders. FHSU prides itself on providing exceptional academic programs at a highly competitive price.

The FHSU MBA program offers a generalist online master of business administration (MBA) program with 14 specializations: agribusiness, corporate communication, digital marketing, finance, healthcare management, health and human performance, human resource management, information assurance, international business, leadership studies, management information systems, marketing, operations management, and tourism and hospitality management. FHSU’s MBA program is flexible, highly respected, and designed for working professionals.

FHSU, located in Hays, Kansas, has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1915.

What to Expect from FHSU Online MBA Programs

Admission Requirements: To be offered admission to the FHSU MBA program applicants must submit a complete online graduate application, an application fee, official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, a resume, and a personal statement articulating their personal and career goals. GMAT or GRE scores are not necessary for admission to the MBA program. Applicants must also be mindful to ensure they fulfill all requirements of the FHSU Graduate School. As requirements are subject to change, prospective applicants are advised to contact FHSU directly to confirm requirements.

State Restrictions: FHSU welcomes students from a variety of backgrounds such as international applicants and military personnel.

The application process for international students seeking to complete the FHSU online MBA program is more complex than that for domestic applicants. After choosing an MBA concentration, applicants are recommended to watch admission tutorial videos available on the FHSU website. A full application to the online MBA program consists of a completed online application for graduate admission, an application fee, an official course-by-course transcript evaluation (for those who earned a degree outside the USA) prepared by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) approved evaluation provider, proof of English language proficiency (some exemptions may apply), a certified financial data form, a photocopy of your passport ID, a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and potentially a transfer form depending on the student’s visa status.

Several of these documents are required for the issuance of the student’s I-20 form. Given the complexity often inherent in international students’ admissions, such students are strongly recommended to thoroughly review the FHSU website and/or contact FHSU directly to confirm they have prepared a complete application.

FHSU Military-Connected Student Services can assist military-connected students with a variety of needs during both their application process and their studies. Applicants must ensure they fulfill all requirements of the FHSU Graduate School. As part of their application process, military and related students must also submit official military and non-military transcripts, complete the financial aid application process, and contact their academic advisor for pre-registration purposes. Individuals with military backgrounds are often eligible for consideration for VA tuition assistance programs, academic transfer credit for military service, and other resources.

Given the variety of resources potentially available to such students, the additional documentation often required, and the coordination necessary between FHSU and the US military, it is highly recommended that such students collaborate closely with FHSU both during their application process and once they are enrolled. The FHSU webpage focused on military-connected resources offers information on a number of topics, including military credit articulation, military resources and military scholarships.

Study Plan: While some students can complete certain concentrations in as little as 12 months, most students will complete the FHSU MBA degree in 18 to 24 months. Students interested in completing their program of study over an extended time period should contact FHSU to verify current university policy regarding degree study planning. All MBA core classes are taught in eight-week course sessions, and the program offers five start dates per year.

MBA Curriculum: The MBA program is open to applicants from all professional and educational backgrounds. No foundation courses are required. The MBA curriculum consists of 33 credits composed of 24 credits of MBA core courses and nine credits of concentration courses. MBA students of all tracks complete eight core courses to a total of 24 credits.

These courses cover the following topics: advanced managerial accounting; marketing management; information systems for management; business research and quantitative methods; managerial economics; advanced corporate finance; strategic management; and organizational behavior in a global context.

Elective courses vary by degree specialization. A listing of elective courses specific to each concentration appears below.

  • MBA – General Program Curriculum: Students of the general program choose nine credits of coursework through a combination of MBA concentration courses available in any concentration. Students choose their courses in consultation with their advisor.
  • MBA – Agribusiness Curriculum: Students complete specialization courses in these topics: agricultural risk management; strategic planning in agricultural business; and organizational behavior in agricultural business.
  • MBA – Corporate Communication Curriculum: This specialization features a slightly smaller total requirement at 31 credits. Students complete concentration courses in these topics: managerial communication; problems in business communication; advanced professional development; and managerial reports and presentations. Students then complete two courses from the following topics: conflict management through communication; crisis communication and strategies; and an internship in business communications. Students also complete a “culminating experience” course in corporate communication strategy.
  • MBA – Digital Marketing Curriculum: Students complete three concentration courses from the following course topics: integrated marketing communications; digital marketing; social media marketing; and social media marketing content and analytics.
  • MBA – Finance Curriculum: Students complete three concentration courses in these topics: money and banking; financial markets and institutions; and international finance.
  • MBA – Healthcare Management Curriculum: Students complete three concentration courses from the following course topics: complexity in health care organizations; administrative management in health care organizations; global health; legal issues in health care; administration in health care; and health promotion programming.
  • MBA – Health and Human Performance/Sports Management Curriculum: Students complete three concentration courses in these topics: sport planning and promotion; legal issues in health and human performance; and facilities in health and human performance.
  • MBA – Human Resource Management (HRM) Curriculum: Students complete three concentration courses. Students must first complete a course in human resource management as this is a prerequisite for all HRM classes. Students subsequently complete two courses in recruitment, selection, and retention, and training and development.
  • MBA – Information Assurance Curriculum: Students complete three concentration courses in the following topics: foundations of information systems security; management of information security; and information risk management.
  • MBA – International Business Curriculum: Students complete three concentration courses in the following topics: global marketing; international economics; and international finance.
  • MBA – Leadership Studies Curriculum: Students complete three concentration courses in the following topics: theoretical foundations of leadership; organizational systems, change and leadership; and leadership in teams and collaborative environments.
  • MBA – Management Information Systems Curriculum: Students complete two concentration courses in the topics of information systems design and development; and law of cyberspace. Students complete a third course in an approved elective of their choice.
  • MBA – Marketing Curriculum: Students complete three concentration courses in the following topics: marketing research; consumer behavior; and digital marketing.
  • MBA – Operations Management Curriculum: Students complete a course in operations management and then select two more courses from the following course topic options: lean systems; production and operations management; supply chain management; and total quality management.
  • MBA – Tourism and Hospitality Management Curriculum: Students complete three courses from the following course topic options: tourism and hospitality management; tourism and hospitality marketing; service and operations management; meetings, conventions and events management; hotel and resort management; and international tourism and hospitality.

Online Experience: All the FHSU online MBA degree programs profiled on this page are offered fully online. There are no on-campus coursework or other participation requirements to complete this program. The online delivery model FHSU uses for its MBA programs is designed to enhance accessibility and thereby broaden the pool of applicants who can enroll, study, and ultimately graduate.

On-Site Requirements: As noted above, the MBA degree programs profiled on this page are offered fully online. There are no on-campus requirements. However, students interested in completing an MBA degree with an accounting concentration are not able to complete this option online.

Paying for the FHSU Online MBA Degree Programs

The tuition figures for the online MBA degree programs are listed in the tables below. Prospective students should carefully review the tuition information and contact FHSU for additional support with applications and any questions they may have.

The FHSU Financial Assistance Office and the FHSU website provide a range of resources tailored to the financial needs of graduate students. These pages include information on a variety of topics, including types of financial aid available, the financial aid application process, financial aid forms such as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), budgeting and the cost of attendance, financial aid policies, information for parents, resources for undocumented students, and much more.

Many students will ultimately use a variety of resources to finance their education. The aforementioned FAFSA is a ubiquitous form that often serves as the primary application used to determine eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid. The FAFSA is issued annually, and universities typically provide robust support to help students understand and complete the FAFSA. Financial aid eligibility determinations generated by the FAFSA and other applications are often generated based on a number of factors, such as academic achievement, talent, financial need, and family background.

Students from certain backgrounds may be eligible for additional financial assistance. Examples of such backgrounds include military personnel, first-generation students, and those with significant obstacles in their family and personal backgrounds. Such assistance may originate from a variety of sources. All prospective graduate students are advised to thoroughly research the FHSU website to guide them as they formulate their strategy for financing their education.

Fort Hays State University Master of Business Administration (MBA)

  • Fully online
  • Graduate in as few as 18 to 24 motnhs
  • Choose from a wide variety of concentrations
Program Essentials
Degree Level Master's Degree
Program Start Dates 5 - 2 Fall, 2 Spring, 1 Summer
Credits Needed to Graduate 33
Time to Complete? Graduate in as few as 18 to 24 months.
100% Online? Yes
Program Accreditation HLC
Program Admissions
Level of Education Required? Bachelor's Degree
GPA Required? 2.5 or Higher
GRE or GMAT Required? No GMAT/GRE required.
Work Experience Required? No, but resume, 2 letters of recommendation, personal statement are required.
Program Tuition
Credit Hours 33
Average Cost Per Credit $374.50
Estimated Program Tuition * $12,359

Fort Hays State University MBA - Agribusiness

Program Essentials
Degree Level Master's Degree
Program Start Dates 5 - 2 Fall, 2 Spring, 1 Summer
Credits Needed to Graduate 33
Time to Complete? Graduate in as few as 18 to 24 months.
100% Online? Yes
Program Accreditation HLC
Program Admissions
Level of Education Required? Bachelor's Degree
GPA Required? 2.5 or Higher
GRE or GMAT Required? No GMAT/GRE required.
Work Experience Required? No, but resume, 2 letters of recommendation, personal statement are required.
Program Tuition
Credit Hours 33
Average Cost Per Credit $374.50
Estimated Program Tuition * $12,359

Fort Hays State University MBA - Corporate Communication

Program Essentials
Degree Level None
Program Start Dates 5 - 2 Fall, 2 Spring, 1 Summer
Credits Needed to Graduate 33
Time to Complete? Graduate in as few as 18 to 24 months.
100% Online? Yes
Program Accreditation HLC
Program Admissions
Level of Education Required? Bachelor's Degree
GPA Required? 2.5 or Higher
GRE or GMAT Required? No GMAT/GRE required.
Work Experience Required? No, but resume, 2 letters of recommendation, personal statement are required.
Program Tuition
Credit Hours 33
Average Cost Per Credit $374.50
Estimated Program Tuition * $12,359

Fort Hays State University MBA - Digital Marketing

Program Essentials
Degree Level Master's Degree
Program Start Dates 5 - 2 Fall, 2 Spring, 1 Summer
Credits Needed to Graduate 33
Time to Complete? Graduate in as few as 18 to 24 months.
100% Online? Yes
Program Accreditation HLC
Program Admissions
Level of Education Required? Bachelor's Degree
GPA Required? 2.5 or Higher
GRE or GMAT Required? No GMAT/GRE required.
Work Experience Required? No, but resume, 2 letters of recommendation, personal statement are required.
Program Tuition
Credit Hours 33
Average Cost Per Credit $374.50
Estimated Program Tuition * $12,359

Fort Hays State University MBA - Finance

Program Essentials
Degree Level Master's Degree
Program Start Dates 5 - 2 Fall, 2 Spring, 1 Summer
Credits Needed to Graduate 33
Time to Complete? Graduate in as few as 18 to 24 months.
100% Online? Yes
Program Accreditation HLC
Program Admissions
Level of Education Required? Bachelor's Degree
GPA Required? 2.5 or Higher
GRE or GMAT Required? No GMAT/GRE required.
Work Experience Required? No, but resume, 2 letters of recommendation, personal statement are required.
Program Tuition
Credit Hours 33
Average Cost Per Credit $374.50
Estimated Program Tuition * $12,359

Fort Hays State University MBA - Health and Human Performance/Sports Management

Program Essentials
Degree Level Master's Degree
Program Start Dates 5 - 2 Fall, 2 Spring, 1 Summer
Credits Needed to Graduate 33
Time to Complete? Graduate in as few as 18 to 24 months.
100% Online? Yes
Program Accreditation HLC
Program Admissions
Level of Education Required? Bachelor's Degree
GPA Required? 2.5 or Higher
GRE or GMAT Required? No GMAT/GRE required.
Work Experience Required? No, but resume, 2 letters of recommendation, personal statement are required.
Program Tuition
Credit Hours 33
Average Cost Per Credit $374.50
Estimated Program Tuition * $12,359

Fort Hays State University MBA - Healthcare Management

Program Essentials
Degree Level Master's Degree
Program Start Dates 5 - 2 Fall, 2 Spring, 1 Summer
Credits Needed to Graduate 33
Time to Complete? Graduate in as few as 18 to 24 months.
100% Online? Yes
Program Accreditation HLC
Program Admissions
Level of Education Required? Bachelor's Degree
GPA Required? 2.5 or Higher
GRE or GMAT Required? No GMAT/GRE required.
Work Experience Required? No, but resume, 2 letters of recommendation, personal statement are required.
Program Tuition
Credit Hours 33
Average Cost Per Credit $374.50
Estimated Program Tuition * $12,359

Fort Hays State University MBA - Human Resource Management (HRM)

Program Essentials
Degree Level Master's Degree
Program Start Dates 5 - 2 Fall, 2 Spring, 1 Summer
Credits Needed to Graduate 33
Time to Complete? Graduate in as few as 18 to 24 months.
100% Online? Yes
Program Accreditation HLC
Program Admissions
Level of Education Required? Bachelor's Degree
GPA Required? 2.5 or Higher
GRE or GMAT Required? No GMAT/GRE required.
Work Experience Required? No, but resume, 2 letters of recommendation, personal statement are required.
Program Tuition
Credit Hours 33
Average Cost Per Credit $374.50
Estimated Program Tuition * $12,359

Fort Hays State University MBA - Information Assurance

Program Essentials
Degree Level Master's Degree
Program Start Dates 5 - 2 Fall, 2 Spring, 1 Summer
Credits Needed to Graduate 33
Time to Complete? Graduate in as few as 18 to 24 months.
100% Online? Yes
Program Accreditation HLC
Program Admissions
Level of Education Required? Bachelor's Degree
GPA Required? 2.5 or Higher
GRE or GMAT Required? No GMAT/GRE required.
Work Experience Required? No, but resume, 2 letters of recommendation, personal statement are required.
Program Tuition
Credit Hours 33
Average Cost Per Credit $374.50
Estimated Program Tuition * $12,359

Fort Hays State University MBA - International Business

Program Essentials
Degree Level Master's Degree
Program Start Dates 5 - 2 Fall, 2 Spring, 1 Summer
Credits Needed to Graduate 33
Time to Complete? Graduate in as few as 18 to 24 months.
100% Online? Yes
Program Accreditation HLC
Program Admissions
Level of Education Required? Bachelor's Degree
GPA Required? 2.5 or Higher
GRE or GMAT Required? No GMAT/GRE required.
Work Experience Required? No, but resume, 2 letters of recommendation, personal statement are required.
Program Tuition
Credit Hours 33
Average Cost Per Credit $374.50
Estimated Program Tuition * $12,359

Fort Hays State University MBA - Leadership Studies

Program Essentials
Degree Level Master's Degree
Program Start Dates 5 - 2 Fall, 2 Spring, 1 Summer
Credits Needed to Graduate 33
Time to Complete? Graduate in as few as 18 to 24 months.
100% Online? Yes
Program Accreditation HLC
Program Admissions
Level of Education Required? Bachelor's Degree
GPA Required? 2.5 or Higher
GRE or GMAT Required? No GMAT/GRE required.
Work Experience Required? No, but resume, 2 letters of recommendation, personal statement are required.
Program Tuition
Credit Hours 33
Average Cost Per Credit $374.50
Estimated Program Tuition * $12,359

Fort Hays State University MBA - Management Information Systems

Program Essentials
Degree Level Master's Degree
Program Start Dates 5 - 2 Fall, 2 Spring, 1 Summer
Credits Needed to Graduate 33
Time to Complete? Graduate in as few as 18 to 24 months.
100% Online? Yes
Program Accreditation HLC
Program Admissions
Level of Education Required? Bachelor's Degree
GPA Required? 2.5 or Higher
GRE or GMAT Required? No GMAT/GRE required.
Work Experience Required? No, but resume, 2 letters of recommendation, personal statement are required.
Program Tuition
Credit Hours 33
Average Cost Per Credit $374.50
Estimated Program Tuition * $12,359

Fort Hays State University MBA - Marketing

Program Essentials
Degree Level Master's Degree
Program Start Dates 5 - 2 Fall, 2 Spring, 1 Summer
Credits Needed to Graduate 33
Time to Complete? Graduate in as few as 18 to 24 months.
100% Online? Yes
Program Accreditation HLC
Program Admissions
Level of Education Required? Bachelor's Degree
GPA Required? 2.5 or Higher
GRE or GMAT Required? No GMAT/GRE required.
Work Experience Required? No, but resume, 2 letters of recommendation, personal statement are required.
Program Tuition
Credit Hours 33
Average Cost Per Credit $374.50
Estimated Program Tuition * $12,359

Fort Hays State University MBA - Tourism and Hospitality Management

Program Essentials
Degree Level Master's Degree
Program Start Dates 5 - 2 Fall, 2 Spring, 1 Summer
Credits Needed to Graduate 33
Time to Complete? Graduate in as few as 18 to 24 months.
100% Online? Yes
Program Accreditation HLC
Program Admissions
Level of Education Required? Bachelor's Degree
GPA Required? 2.5 or Higher
GRE or GMAT Required? No GMAT/GRE required.
Work Experience Required? No, but resume, 2 letters of recommendation, personal statement are required.
Program Tuition
Credit Hours 33
Average Cost Per Credit $374.50
Estimated Program Tuition * $12,359

* Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the published tuition rate. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the out- of- state, part-time student rate. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Total cost of tuition does not include additional fees, unless otherwise specified. Please see the school website for the most up-to-date tuition costs.

Bernd Geels
Bernd Geels
Writer

Bernd Geels is a Berlin, Germany-based freelance writer and artist. He holds an undergraduate degree in atmospheric science and two graduate degrees. He completed his most recent graduate degree in international environmental studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in 2011. He is interested in healthcare, climate change, marine conservation, indigenous science and refugee issues. You can reach him directly at [email protected].