FHSU Computer Science

[CatsDomino]

Hello, all.

I've been helping my youngest spawn in his search for an online CS program since he's reconsidering his plan to attend a brick and mortar university.  He's started at our local community college to get his gen ed/transfer classes, and is thriving with a 4.0 GPA.  He's an Aspie, so having only a few face to face coupled with mostly online classes has been wonderful for him.  Cost wise, he would come from FHSU with zero debt (woohoo!) since his scholarships and college fund will cover everything for his final two years.  If he goes this route, he'll likely have a nice nest egg to start his post collegiate life with as well.  

He's interested in Fort Hays State University's online computer science program, but doesn't know anything about it.  I thought I'd ask the forum here since I've noticed this university tossed about at times.  He's looked over the curriculum, and it's similar although not quite as rigorous as the state school he had planned to attend.  Also, there's mixed reviews about the school and the CS program online - I expected that.  Any info about experiences, class structure, instructor involvement, strength of the program, how it prepared you for work in the field, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

[udi]

Have you looked into WGU, TESU, etc?

[CatsDomino]

Have you looked into WGU, TESU, etc?

When I spoke to my son about that and showed him all the info contained here, he declined.  He's researched on his own as well, and hit on FHSU's CS program since he had planned to major in CS and minor in physics at the state school he's considering.  I only wish I had his drive at 18 since he'll be done with his associate in science in December, and is planning on how to get his BS with no debt.  Thanks for the suggestion, though.

[natshar]

is there a reason you picked FHSU I'm assuming because it is cheap.

[CatsDomino]

is there a reason you picked FHSU I'm assuming because it is cheap.

He looked at the program, read class descriptions, compared it to the classes he would take at the state university, made sure there was reciprocity with his community college (there is), and then looked at tuition and fees.  He's looked at two other programs, but has said that they're similar all the way around so now he's heavily considering cost.  If he can't find anymore info about it, he's probably going to end up at the state school he's been accepted to.  He's a bit ahead of the game, and is in his sixth math class (two have been upper level (Advanced Calculus 1 & 2 through an agreement between his community college and his intended state uni).  He's basically 18 going on 35. 

[SteveFoerster]

Fort Hays was my backup in case I didn't get into the Master's program I preferred, and that was fifteen years ago, so they have more experience than most with online learning. That said, then as now, I'd say they are largely unknown nationally, and their reputation is that of most non-flagship state schools: perfectly serviceable, if unremarkable. That sounds damning, but it isn't: many, perhaps most people (including me as an undergrad) end up at schools that are not well known outside their areas, and that's okay. What really matters is the fit between the student and the school, and if your son has done the math, as it were, and come up with Fort Hays, then I see no reason for him not to feel confident about that decision.

[dfrecore]

There are a few schools with GREAT reputations outside of their local area (Harvard for example), a few schools with Bad reputations, and then THE REST. Out of 4,000+ colleges and universities in the US, I'd say 30 schools fall into the first category, 10 fall into the second, and the other 3,960 schools fall into the 3rd category.

If you can do a GREAT school for cheap, then do so. If you can't, then avoid the bad and go for good. Whatever you can do debt free is what I would choose. I wouldn't have any qualms about going to FHSU at all. It's a perfectly fine state school. If he wants to make his degree more rigorous, he can do that on his own by taking more/harder courses as electives.

[bjcheung77]

Interesting, from looking at the FHSU Comp Sci program, it's pretty similar and standard - almost like the TESU comp-sci but with lesser Math requirements, otherwise, it's very comparable. If your son indeed is looking for a bit of a challenge, he can take the courses with more Math and UL computer science if there is room for free electives/general education choices in the degree plan.

Have him compare TESU/WGU programs and see what he would like to do with his extra free elective/general education spaces if he can add or change them around if possible. Those are elective courses he has an option to modify, these are required major courses at FHSU - FHSU BSCompSci: https://www.fhsu.edu/cs/Academic-Program...er-science