1.) University of Florida

The University of Florida is a public research institution located in Gainesville. Their current student enrollment is over 50,000 and the student to faculty ratio is 17 to 1. UF offers comprehensive degree programming as well as professional certifications. They have been accredited by the Southern Association of colleges and Schools Commission since 1913. According to Carnegie, the University of Florida is a uesearch university with very high research activity. To support the success of their students, UF offers academic and career counseling, credit for life experiences, and distance learning opportunities. The University of Florida continues to rank as one of the top public universities in the nation. In fact the university ranks as the 30th best school in the nation and highly for undergraduate teaching, business programming, undergraduate engineering, value and more all according to the US News and World Report. In recent years, UF has expanded their their offerings to include online programming for both undergraduate and graduate level students. In fact, undergraduates may pursue an online bachelors degree in biology and graduate students may pursue an online masters in electrical engineering just to name a few.

UF offers an online Master of Fisheries in Aquatic Sciences. This is a 32 credit hour program 16 of which must be fisheries and aquatic sciences courses. The remaining credits may be chosen from the school of forest resources and conservation. Some of the core courses include the following: algae biology and ecology, fission crustacean nutrition, ecology and restoration of invaded ecosystems, and surveying and mapping practices. Electives may be taken from other departments including in environmental engineering, soil and water science, aquatic animal health and more. If you’re looking for a flexible online program with emphasis and fisheries in aquatic life this is a good match for you.

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2.) University of Houston – Clear Lake

University of Houston Clearlake is a public four year institution that enrolls nearly 10,000 students. The university has campuses in Pasadena and Houston Texas as well as branch campuses that are located in the Texas medical center.According to Carnegie UHCL is a masters college with larger programming. To support the success of their students the institution offers disability services veteran services, academic and career counseling and distance-learning opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. UHCL currently offers over 100 degree programs. Some of their online options include their online bachelors degree in finance, as well as their online masters degree in computer software engineering among others.

The University of Houston Clear Lake offers a master of science in environmental science. Thisdegree may be completed either on campus or online. Students will have the opportunity to specialize in one of the three following areas: environmental biology, environmental chemistry, and environmental geology. Prior to admission to the program students should complete general chemistry, organic chemistry, general physics and calculus. The environmental science thesis option is a 36 credit hour program and includes course material in environmental scienceas well as a master’s thesis. The environmental science research project course option culminates with a graduate seminar. Some of their electives include aquatic toxicity testing, environmental biotechnology, ichthyology and coastal and estuarine ecology. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

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3.) North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public four year institution that enrolls over 36,000 students. NCSU is classified as a doctoral university with very high research activity according to Carnegie. The university offers associates, bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree’s as well as professional certifications. Their students to faculty ratio is 14 to 1. NSUR has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges since 1928. According to the US News and World Report, NCSU ranks as the 80th best school in the region and highly for veterans, value, innovation, public schooling, business programming, computer science, undergraduate engineering programming and more. In recent years, the university has developed their online presence and currently offers online programming for both undergraduate and graduate seeking students.

If you have an undergraduate degree in an engineering discipline then you may wish to pursue an online master of environmental engineering. If you do not have an undergraduate degree in either civil engineering environmental engineering or construction engineering and management than you may have to complete additional coursework prior to entering this program. Citizens have an overall GPA of 3.0 in order to be accepted to this program if you have an undergraduate degree in engineering from a US institution then the GRE requirements are automatically waived. This is a 30 credit hour program that offers courses at the 400, 500 or 700 level. At least 24 hours of this program must be at the 500 level or above and 400 level courses must be outside the discipline of civil engineering. Half of your program will focus on environmental engineering students have the option to complete a final project a project as part of their degree program. All remaining courses come from other departments. For more information about this program check out their website.

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4.) University of Maryland Global Campus

The University of Maryland global campus is a public four-year institution that’s headquartered in Adelphi, Maryland. UMGC currently enrolls nearly 60,000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 19 to 1. According to Carnegie UMGC is a masters college with larger programming. The institution has been accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education since 1946. As a global campus, UMGC is ranked regionally and currently has the ranking of ninth for the most innovative school in the region. According to the US News and World Report, University of Maryland College Park is currently ranked the 58th best school on the nation and highly for veterans, value as well as social mobility, business programming, undergraduate engineering and much more. As you can see the University of Maryland has grown to include a global campus and currently offers undergraduate and graduate students an opportunity to pursue their degree online. The global campus features hundreds of online degrees for associates through doctoral degree seeking students. Some of their most popular online programs are in the fields of information science, psychology, and business management.

University of Maryland Global Campus currently offers a masters degree in environmental management. All courses are available online. However, students may select to pursue a hybrid format. This program requires 36 credit hours for completion and students may transfer up to six credits. Some of the courses include : waste collection, recycling and environmental monitoring, ARCGIS software, ecological risk assessment, and environmental management among others. All students culminate with a capstone experience. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

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5.) University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

The University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point is a public four year institution that enrolls over 8000 students. UWSP offers Associates Bachelors Masters and Doctoral degree as well as the option to pursue programming online. To support the success of the students, UWSP offers academic and career counseling as well as dual credits and more. The university has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1922. Stevens Point also offers online programming. In fact, undergraduate and graduate students may pursue programming online. According to the US News and World Report, the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point is ranked regionally and highly for veterans, value, and social mobility.

University of Wisconsin Stevens Point offers a master of science in natural resources. Students may select to emphasize in one of the following areas: forestry, wildlife, fisheries, water resources, environmental education interpretation, soil sciences, and waste management. There are additionally a number of special out reach and extension programs available including the outdoors woman program and the Center for Land-use Education, the Center for Watershed Science and Education among others. The fisheries and water resources department includes course material in lake and river management, storm water, water treatment, hydraulic wetlands science. Each area of interest has a different focus. For more information about their programming check out their website.

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6.) University of Illinois at Springfield

The University of Illinois at Springfield is a public four year institution that offers bachelors, masters, and doctorate degrees.UIS currently enrolls over 4000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 12 to 1. According to Carnegie UIS is a Masters College University with larger programming. To support the success of their students the institution offers academic and career counseling, credit for life experiences, distance learning opportunities, study abroad experiences and more. The University offers online programming for both undergraduate and graduate students. Some of their online offerings include their online bachelors in business administration and management, as well as their online masters degree in computer science.

The University of Illinois At Springfield offers an online master of science in environmental sciences. This is a fully online program that maybe completed in any location across the world. This is the same program as their on campus option. Some of the courses include: Environmental national sciences, environmental social sciences and humanities, and research methods in environmental sciences. This is a 40 credit hour program. For the masters courses students are required to complete one of the three closure options: The culminating experience in the form of a thesis, a carefully designed graduate project, or a finish in a while research draft of an environmental legislation policy. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

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7.) East Central University

East Central University is a public four year institution located in Ada, Oklahoma. ECU enrolls just over 3000 students and has a student faculty ratio of 18 to 1. The university offers bachelors and masters degrees as well as some professional certifications. Carnegie classifies this institution as a masters college with larger programming. The student support services include academic and career counseling as well as distance-learning opportunities. Some of their most popular programs are in the fields of the visual arts, Parks and Recreation, business management, and education. Some of their online offerings Include their online bachelors degree in criminal justice as well as their online masters degree in educational leadership.

East Central University offers a Master of Science in water resource policy and management. This program may be completed in two years and is 30 credit hours in length. Each course is eight weeks long. This program accepts nine transfer credits. The degree is divided into three main component parts: required courses, elective courses and optional courses. The core courses include the following: policy research methodology, water law, water resource economics, and international environmental policy. Some of the elective courses are in the following areas: Advanced Native American law, public organization theory, and Hydro geology. When it comes to the optional courses students may select the internship in water resources, complete a thesis, or complete a seminar in water resources policy in management. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

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8.) Utah State University

Utah State University is a public four-year institution located in Logan, Utah. The institution offers associates through doctoral degree’s as well as professional certification. Utah State currently enrolls over 27,000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 19 to 1. Student support services include academic and career counseling ROTC, study abroad opportunities and distance-learning programming. Undergraduate and graduate students alike may pursue programming online. According to Carnegie, USU is a doctoral university with high research activity. USU Ranks nationally as the 241st best school in the nation and highly for computer science, engineering programming, business programming, and more. Their academic offerings include programming in agriculture, education, engineering, visual and performing arts and much more. Some of their online offerings include their online bachelors in agricultural business management as well as their online masters degree in agricultural teacher education.

USU offers the master in natural resources program. If you’re looking for a fulfilling career that’s focused on the great outdoors than this program might be for you. This program is offered entirely online and it’s 33 credit hours in length. Some career options include: forrester, range land scientist, wetland ecologist, natural resource manager and more. The courses include ecological foundations, wetland ecology in management, ecology of animal populations, data management and manipulation using R, introduction to environmental federal laws and policies, and principles of remote-sensing of natural resources among others. Students participate in an integrative capstone. For more information and to apply check out their website.

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9.) University of Missouri-Columbia

The University of Missouri at Columbia it’s a public institution that enrolls over 30,000 students. Missouri has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1913. This public research institution is classified as a doctoral university with very high research activity according to Carnegie. Their student support services include academic and career counseling, ROTC, teacher certification, and distance-learning opportunities among others. In recent years, the University of Missouri has expanded their online offerings to include programming for undergraduate as well graduate students in areas like business management, education, health services, human computer interaction, psychology, and much more. In fact, Mizzou offers a number of opportunities for nontraditional students.

The University of Missouri offers a master of arts/master of science in environment and behavior. This program is offered entirely online and is 30 credit hours in length . This is a master of science or master of arts in architectural studies that has an emphasis in environment and behavior. This program emphasizes research interior design and environmental design. Master of arts is project-based and the master of science is research-based. Some of the emphasis areas include: aesthetics of design, sustainable design, facility management and design, housing a neighborhood design, design education and more. Missouri utilizes the semester based system. The program is designed with working professionals in mind. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

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10.) University of Idaho

The University of Idaho is a public flagship institution located in Moscow, Idaho. There are over 11,000 students enrolled and the student to faculty ratio 16 to 1. Carnegie designates this institution as a doctoral university with high research activity. The University of Idaho has been accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities since 1918. To support the success of their students the institution offers teacher certification opportunities, academic and career counseling, credit for life experiences, distance learning opportunities and much more. In recent years their distance programming has grown to include online programming for both undergraduate and graduate seeking students. Some other online offerings include a certificate in natural sciences, and online masters degree in electrical electronics engineering and more.

The University of Idaho offers a number of online masters degrees and certifications in natural resources. Students pursue a master of science and environmental science online or a master of natural resources online. The master of science in environmental science online includes both a thesis non-thesis option.The non thesis option it’s 27 credits of coursework 12 which are the core requirement and 21 are from the 500 level on course requirements. Three credits are devoted to the thesis research project. To be eligible for this program he must have earned a bachelors degree from an accredited institution with the final GPA of 3.0. Course material is divided as such: depth requirements, breath requirements, and a research requirement. The depth requirements include biological science classes the school science and social sciences. Complete this flexible online degree at you own pace. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

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11.) American Public University System

American Public University System is a distance learning institution based in Charlestown, West Virginia. This institution offers associates, bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees as well as professional certifications. APUS en rolls over 45,000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 21 to 1. Carnegie classifies this university is a Masters College University with larger programming. To support the success of their students the institution offers credit for life experiences as well as academic and career counseling. As a distance-learning university all programs are offered online. Some of their most popular offerings are in the fields of computer information sciences, business management, Parks and Recreation and liberal arts and sciences.

APUS offers an online Master of Science in Environmental Policy and Management. In this program you will study environmental management tools and deepen your knowledge in renewable energy, ecosystems management industrialization, landscape conservation and much more. The program teaches you how to incorporate ecological economic and social factors when making environmental management decisions. This is a 36 credit hour course that is divided into following components: a concentration area, a requirement area, general electives, and a final program requirement. The concentration areas are as follows: environmental planning, environmental sustainability, fish and wildlife management, general, global environment management and national environmental policy act. The national environmental policy concentration focuses on environmental impact analysis, intermediate environmental impact analysis and advanced environmental impact analysis. This concentration area is 12 semester hours. This is a highly flexible program that may be tailored to meet your needs. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

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12.) Texas Tech University

Texas Tech University is a public four-year institution that offers bachelors masters and doctorale degrees as well as professional certifications. Texas Tech’s enrolls over 30,000 students and is classified as a doctoral University with very high research activity according to Carnegie. Accordinb to the US News and World Report Texas Tech University is currently ranked the 217th best school in the nation and highly for social mobility, undergraduate engineering, business programming computer science and more. To support the success of their students, Texas Tech offers distance learning opportunities, academic and career counseling, employment services for students, ROTC, weekend/evening college options, and study abroad programming.

The online university office the professional science masters degree in environmental sustainability and national resource management. This interdisciplinary program prepares you for a career in business, nonprofit or government sectors. Students may follow one or two tracks: the ecology and environmental sustainability track, and the natural resources management track. Ecology and environmental sustainability track is offered through the department of biological sciences as well as the College of Art and sciences. The natural resources management track is offer through the department of natural resources management and the College of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources. The curriculums ranges from 30 to 34 credit hours. 15 credit hours are elective courses meaning students have the option to tailor their degree to meet their specific interests. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

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13.) Colorado State University

Colorado State University is located in Fort Collins, Colorado. This public institution enrolls over 33,000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 14 to 1. Colorado State offers Bachelors Masters and Doctorale degrees as well as professional certifications. According to Carnegie, Colorado State is classified as a doctoral university with very high research activity. Additionally, according to the US News and World Report, Colorado State University ranks as the 153rd best school in the nation as well as highly for value, veterans, social mobility, public schooling, engineering, business programming, computer science and more. To support the success of their students Colorado State offers academic and career counseling, credit for life experiences, as well as distance learning opportunities. Undergraduate and graduate students may pursue programming online.

Among their online offerings is the online environmental sustainability program. This degree prepares you for a career in a wide array of sectors including environmental stewardship in planning, natural resource and forestry management, Rangeland conservation, restoration ecology, conservation biology, plant wildlife and soil research, and teaching. Additionally there’s an online masters degree with a focus on environmental sustainability. Some of the core courses include: ecosystem science and sustainability, wildlife conservation biology, natural resources, natural resource recreation and tourism, and more.. Colorado State offers a wide variety of online degrees in this area. We recommend taking a look at their website for more information.

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14.) Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University it’s a four-year public institution located that enrolls over 22,000 students. The institution offers bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree’s as well as professional certifications. According to Carnegie, this institution has been classified as a doctoral university with very high research activity. To support the success of their students the university offers distance learning opportunities, remedial services, academic and career counseling, employment services for students. According to the US News and World Report, Mississippi State ranks highly for engineering programming, social mobility, business programming, computer science and more. When it comes to online offerings, students may pursue programming in business management ecology, education and more.

Mississippi State Online offers a Master of Science degree in geosciences with a concentration in environmental geosciences. This is a 30 credit hour program that is 10 courses in length. This program includes the study of Ocean science, climatology, GIS and hazards. The majority of this program may be completed entirely online except for the final capstone experience. The capstone course is a field-based course which is offered through an on-campus workshop during the summer semester. For more information about this program check out their website.

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15.) Troy University

Troy University is a public institution located in Troy, Alabama. This is the parent institution of Troy University which is located across the state. The institution offers associates, bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees as well as professional certifications. According to Carnegie, Troy University is a masters college with larger programming. To support the success of the students Troy offers academic and career counseling, distance-learning opportunities and credit for life experience. Some of their most popular programs are in the field of business management, criminal justice, counseling and psychology, and registered nursing.

Troy University offers a Master of Science in Environmental and Biological science. Studnets may follow either a thesis or non-thesis track. The thesis track includes course material In food microbiology, population ecology, field botany, toxicology, conservation of some and much more. The program includes core courses as well as concentration elective courses. The thesis option includes core courses and fewer customization elective courses as well as six hours of thesis for a total of 36 hours. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

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16.) Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is a public four-year institution that offers bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications. The institution enrolls 8,778 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 20 to 1. According to a Carnegie Slippery Rock University is a Masters College University with larger programming. To support the success of the students SRUP offers academic and career counseling as well as study abroad opportunities, ROTC, teacher certification and distance-learning options. In fact, undergraduate and graduate students alike may pursue a degree entirely online.

Among their online options as the master of education in environmental education. This program has been accredited through the North American Association for Environmental Education. This is a 30 credit hour masters program that’s offered exclusively online. The coursework focuses on theoretical as well as practical applications of experiential an inquiry-based environmental education. Upon completion students may attempt an 18 credit hour internship opportunity. Students may become certified through the North American Association for environmental education. Certification is not required but may help you to advancing your career. The degree includes course material in aquatic systems, terrestrial systems, wildlife education, environmental issues, environmental education, and parks and recreation/environmental education internship.For more information about this program check out their website.

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17.) Oregon State University

Oregon State University is a public four year institution located in Corvallis, Oregon. The institution offers bachelors, masters, and doctorale degrees as well as professional certifications. The student population is over 31,000 and the student faculty wish she was 18 to 1. According to Carnegie, Oregon State University is classified as a doctoral university with very high research activity. To support the success of their students the institution offers academic and career counseling along with distance learning opportunities, study abroad options, ROTC, and teacher certification among others. The US News and World Report ranks Oregon State University as the 153rd best school in the nation and highly for innovation, public schooling, value, veterans, social mobility, engineering and more.

Oregon State offers a Master of Science in environmental sciences. This is a 45 credit hour program. Students may choose from a number of specialization tracks in the following areas: bio geochemistry:, climate change, ecology, environmental education, natural resources, social science, quantitative analysis, and water resources. The program is divided into the following five areas: core courses, numerical skills, concentration area courses, elective courses, and a thesis or project. The core courses are in environmental perspectives and methods, environmental analysis and intercampus environmental conference which takes place on the Corvallis campus. This program is highly customizable. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

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18.) Black Hills State University

Black Hills State University is a public institution located in Spearfish, South Dakota. BHSU offers associates, bachelors and masters degrees as well as professional certifications. The student population is 38,000 and the student to faculty ratio is 16 to 1. Carnegie classifies this institution has a masters college with larger programming. To support the success of their students the institution offers academic and career counseling as well as distance-learning opportunities. Undergraduate and graduate students alike may follow the course of study entirely online. Some of the most popular online options are in organizational behavior studies, curriculum and instruction, secondary education training, and photography among others.

Black Hills State University office a master of science in sustainability. This program is suitable for city planners, architects, policy analysts, lawyers and more. Some of the required courses include fundamentals of sustainability, science for sustainability, human dimensions of sustainability, environmental law and policy, quantitative methods and sustainability, and resources environmental economics. This program culminates with a capstone experience. In recent years, there has been a growing demand for professions that focus on sustainability. With a degree from Black Hill State you’ll have the option to join in this ever going field. For more information about this program check out their website.

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19.) University of Kansas

The University of Kansas is a public four year institution located in Lawrence. KU offers bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees as well as professional certifications. Their current student population is 27,552 and student to faculty ratio is 17 to 1. According to Carnegie KU classifies as a doctoral university with very high research activity. Their student services include academic and career counseling, study abroad opportunities, distance learning options, ROTC, and much more. According to the US News and World Report, the University of Kansas rank as the 124 best school in the nation and highly for value, innovation, public schooling, engineering, business programming, computer science more. Some of their most popular programs are in the fields of biology and biomedical sciences, education, health, psychology, and computer information sciences.

The University of Kansas offers a professional science masters in environmental assessment as well as certifications in the same area. The Masters program is a 33 credit hour course that includes the following components: core courses, professional skills courses, science electives, and a capstone experience. This program is flexible and is offered online, on site, as well as in a hybrid format. The GRE is not required for students who have a 3.0 and above undergraduate. students may follow an accelerated 4+1 masters option. Students will learn about environmental restoration, environmental justice, regulatory compliance, community resilience, environmental impact assessment, and the firemen on policy. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

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20.) Sul Ross State University

Sul Ross State University as a public four year institution located in Alpine, Texas. The institution enrolls 2,406 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 12 to 1. Sul Russ offers bachelors and masters degrees. To support the success of their students the institution offers academic and career counseling, employment services, study abroad options, teacher certification courses, credit for life experiences and distance-learning opportunities. Undergraduate students and graduate students may both pursue programming online. Some of the most popular online degrees are in the field of education, business management, and parks and recreation.

Sul Ross offers the natural resource management program. Students may pursue an online degree in one of the following areas: agricultural business, conservation biology, range management, sustainable ranching, wildlife management and more. The conservation biology program is an action oriented science degree that focuses on protection and restoration. The wildlife management program is for individuals who are interested in learning how to manage North American resources with a special emphasis on game species. The range management program focuses on How to manage range lands for sustainable purposes. For more information about these programs and to apply please see their website.

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Related Resources:

What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

Top 10 Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Environmental Science

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What Do Emergency Management Professionals Do?

In the aftermath of natural disasters, large-scale acts of violence and other emergencies, professionals working in a broad area of occupations are needed to plan disaster response strategies and implement these plans. For some careers, though, managing emergency situations isn’t an out-of-the-ordinary event but rather the main focus of their occupation. Careers that revolve around planning and implementing responses to crises are considered emergency management job roles.

There are numerous job titles that fall under the domain of emergency management careers. Your exact responsibilities as an emergency management specialist depend on your job title and work environment. Emergency management professionals may be expected to assess the consequences of disasters, plan disaster response strategies, proactively evaluate the utility and feasibility of existing emergency plans, oversee the logistics of implementing disaster response plans, train emergency personnel and lead relief efforts in accordance with legal and ethical obligations.

Some emergency management professionals delegate responsibilities for hands-on disaster recovery work to lower-level emergency management specialists while they focus on the high-level work of planning and overseeing emergency management programs, while others spend their time on the front lines of disaster recovery interventions. 

Where Do Emergency Management Professionals Work?

Emergencies can happen to anyone, and that means that the need for trained professionals in the field of emergency management is constant. Different disaster relief agencies hire professionals with emergency management degrees. Employment opportunities in the emergency management field exist in government entities at the federal, state and local levels, as well as nonprofit and community groups and organizations and private industry.

As an emergency management specialist, both your job title and your employment setting will affect your responsibilities and what your workdays look like. In general, though, an emergency management professional can expect to spend their time in some way putting together emergency response programs and plans and coordinating efforts to implement these plans. 

RELATED: The Best Job Prospects with an Emergency Management Degree

Jobs in a Federal Emergency Management Agency

Many emergency management degree holders are government officials of some kind. Some emergency management specialists are local officials, while others work at the federal level. 

Federal agencies commonly assist in emergencies and disasters. For example, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is the agency responsible for national preparedness and for responding to severe storms, wildfires and other natural disasters that occur across the United States.

Other federal agencies respond to different types of emergencies. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) handles national security threats as well as assisting with natural disasters. A Secret Service agent may also be considered part of the emergency management profession if their job includes planning for emergencies like attempted violence against leaders like the U.S. President. A Border Patrol agent working for Customs and Border Protection may also be considered an emergency management professional, especially when they are responsible for planning for or responding to emergencies that occur at the United States borders.

Not all government jobs that may involve emergency management responsibilities revolve around emergency preparedness and response, specifically. For example, housing agencies like the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) may offer disaster assistance and resources for people affected by disasters, even though handling large-scale disasters isn’t the primary focus of housing agencies, generally speaking.

Working in State and Local Government Agencies

Local and state governments respond to emergencies, too, so they also need trained professionals who can plan for and deal with all kinds of crises. Emergency management professionals can also find work with state, county and municipal agencies and entities that are responsible for preparing for and responding to a variety of types of emergencies. Examples of opportunities for emergency management degree holders with local and state governments include jobs in a state office of emergency management or in local emergency management centers. Aside from these local officials, emergency management jobs with local and state governments may also include roles with a municipal law enforcement agency, fire department or emergency medical service.

Emergency Management Careers in Nonprofit Organizations

Nonprofit organizations often step up to help when disaster strikes. Nonprofit disaster response and relief agencies include international humanitarian organizations like the Red Cross and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), as well as community outreach charities and faith-based and religious-affiliated organizations.

Private Industry Emergency Manager Jobs

While large-scale natural disasters objectively count as emergencies, some crises are more subjective, especially in private industry. A scandal, a policy or legislative change, a volatile economic market, a labor or supply shortage and any number of other issues may constitute an emergency for individual private companies. If these companies are going to survive the crises they face, they need the guidance of skilled emergency managers and an actionable plan to mitigate risks and negative consequences. 

The principles of emergency and disaster management may be very different when it comes to a company’s public relations crisis as opposed to a natural disaster or an act of terrorism that literally puts people’s lives at risk. The hands-on work of salvaging the reputations of companies in the private sectors is very different from that of digging through the wreckage to rescue survivors. However, managing any type of emergency requires some common skills in administration.

In any emergency management situation, personnel must be able to quickly and comprehensively assess the situation and identify and implement plans that best address the consequences of the crisis. Handling emergencies in private industry is a responsibility that sometimes falls on operations managers, but companies may also call in specialists like emergency management consultants to help them handle the situation. A business recovery planner or business continuity manager may be responsible for helping companies to keep operating during times of crisis and to minimize financial losses and other negative consequences.

Consulting Roles in Emergency Management

While some agencies and companies exist to address emergencies, that’s not the case for most companies, nonprofit organizations and government agencies with other areas of focus. As such, many organizations don’t need full-time, in-house experts in emergency management.

Instead, they may hire trained emergency management professionals temporarily and as needed – often with little prior notice – on a consulting basis. An emergency management consultant may work for themselves or be employed by a consulting firm that specializes in comprehensive emergency management services, including planning, training, assessment and implementation. Examples of consulting roles in emergency management include emergency management consultant, information technology (IT) incident response consultant and sustainability consultant.

The 10 Best Emergency Management Degree Jobs

Emergency management degree holders have plenty of options for employment. Whether you want to serve as boots on the ground or to develop the big-picture strategies for disaster relief – whether you prefer to focus on disaster preparedness to prevent or minimize emergencies in the first place or to step in during an ongoing crisis – there’s a role for you.

1. Homeland Security Officer

Among emergency management roles in the federal government, Homeland Security officer is perhaps the most well-known and widely popular career aspiration. The role of Homeland Security officer may include anyone working in an officer or agent role in the Department of Homeland Security, which includes the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Customs and Border Protection. Whether your work has you identifying and working to neutralize national security threats in a law enforcement capacity or traveling directly to disaster sites to implement recovery and relief plans, you’re sure to make a difference working as a Homeland Security officer.

In 2022, PayScale.com reported an average salary of $78,000 per year for employees of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Most Homeland Security officers are paid according to the General Schedule (GS) federal pay schedule. In 2022, a federal employee at the highest grade and step level of the General Schedule could make as much as $146,757 per year.

2. Health and Safety Specialist

The financial aspects of a crisis aside, most emergencies pose some sort of a risk to one or more person’s health or safety. It makes sense, then, that matters of health and safety – including public health, occupational health and safety and environmental health – fit into the category of emergency management careers. Health and safety specialists and officers serve more of a preventive role than disaster response professionals do. By educating communities and organizations and examining natural and workplace environments, health and safety specialists reduce the likelihood of accidents, environmental health or public safety threats and other emergencies occurring in the first place.

The median salary the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported for health and safety specialists in 2021 was $77,560. Health and safety technicians, who are less highly educated and who have less extensive job responsibilities, made considerably less: $51,120.

3. Disaster Recovery Manager

When disaster strikes, a disaster recovery manager has to act fast and make the right decisions to minimize the harm that results. Like emergency management directors and specialists, disaster managers plan interventions, assess emergencies and implement strategies to help with a crisis. However, disaster management typically refers to a critical, time-sensitive event that is larger in scale than “just” an emergency.

In proportion to the bigger scale of the event, disaster response strategies may be more complex, with more logistics to coordinate, more moving parts to organize and more disaster relief agencies to split up efforts between. Disaster recovery managers may also develop strategies for disaster prevention – to hopefully avoid a large and serious crisis in the first place – but even the most meticulous planners can’t always predict every possibility for things to go disastrously wrong.

The average salary reported for disaster relief and recovery managers for 2022 was $77,099 per year, according to the job search website Zippia.com.

4. Emergency Management Director

Emergency management director is a job role that may encompass any high-level leadership position in the field of emergency management. Some examples of job titles that may fall under the category of the emergency management director occupation include emergency management coordinator, emergency services director, public safety director, emergency preparedness coordinator and emergency management system director.

What all of the various director of emergency services roles have in common is that they are leadership positions that involve some emergency planning or high-level supervisory aspect. Beyond this common focus, job duties for these roles may differ significantly. A public safety director will likely craft policies that support public safety and put in place contingency plans in the event of different types of public health threats, while an emergency management coordinator may be primarily responsible for training responders and emergency personnel.

How much can you earn for the job of developing and overseeing an emergency preparedness plan? Among emergency management directors, the median salary in 2021 was $76,730, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Two industries pay emergency management directors particularly well. The professional, scientific and technical services industry, which employed 3% of the occupation in 2020, paid a median salary of $125,930. Hospitals, which employed 8% of the occupation, paid a median salary of $94,310, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.

5. Business Recovery Planner

For any business to survive and thrive over time, it must offer consistency. Unexpected closures or shutdowns, the inability to perform work due to a dearth of labor or supplies and other breaks in consistency and continuity can lead to both short-term and long-term losses.

Customers and clients may start giving their business to competitors or simply change their routines or purchasing habits if they can’t get the products or services they need from the company that used to provide them, especially if the issue recurs over time or continues for a prolonged time period. That’s why Ready.gov, a national public service campaign from the Department of Homeland Security, considers a business continuity plan to be “essential” in any industry.

A business recovery planner or business continuity manager is a person who specializes in preparing and implementing these plans. The strategies, policies and procedures they create help businesses in the private sector maintain operations to the best of their ability, minimize their losses during the disruption and restore regular operations as quickly as possible.

For business continuity planners, O*NET reported a median annual salary of $74,670.

6. Hospital Emergency Preparedness Administrator

In times of emergency – whether a natural disaster, an act of terrorism or a large-scale accident – people flock to hospitals for life-saving and life-sustaining care. Unfortunately, an emergency that causes mass harm can exhaust the resources of any given hospital, limiting the facility’s ability to save lives and help the injured. That’s why hospitals need an emergency preparedness plan so that they are ready to deal with whatever comes and a hospital emergency preparedness administrator to create that plan and put it into action when necessary.

Hospital emergency preparedness administrators are generally responsible for developing emergency response programs and training staff – including emergency room doctors, trauma surgeons, registered nurses, nurse assistants and other healthcare personnel – on what to do in an emergency situation. Unfortunately, even the best training exercises may not be enough to fully prepare a hospital and its staff for a real-life emergency situation. When a crisis happens, a hospital emergency preparedness administrator heads the response efforts, clarifying what work needs to be done when and by whom.

According to Zippia.com, the average salary for hospital emergency preparedness administrators in 2022 was $71,329.

7. Emergency Management Specialist

Emergency management specialist is a general job title that suggests a non-leadership role in the emergency management field. An emergency management specialist may work for any type of employer – a federal or local government entity, a medical facility, a nonprofit organization, an emergency management consulting agency or a business of any kind that is likely to require such assistance.

Emergency management specialists perform tasks like planning procedures for responding to different kinds of emergencies, coordinating emergency management training exercises and coordinating the activities needed to respond to a disaster or crisis. While this role may sound similar to that of an emergency and disaster management director, specialist positions are typically not as high-level as director positions.

For workers with the job title of emergency management specialist, PayScale.com reported an average salary of $64,183 in 2022.

8. Public Information Officer

After any type of emergency, getting accurate information out to the public in a prompt, accessible way is critical for fending off other complications that could exacerbate the situation. Poor communication surrounding any kind of emergency can contribute to panic responses from the public that only make things worse or to the spread of misinformation that, once believed, can be difficult to replace with more accurate information.

A public information officer is an emergency management professional who is responsible for the communications that pertain to the emergency. This person communicates with the public and the media, as well as with other collaborators involved in the emergency response plan.

For public information officers, PayScale.com reported an average annual salary of $59,020 as of 2022.

9. Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), or Paramedic

If your drive to make a difference in the face of disasters is even stronger, you might consider training for emergency medical personnel roles. As an emergency medical technician (EMT), a paramedic or flight paramedic or another Emergency Medical Services (EMS) worker, you can save lives and help the seriously injured on a daily basis.

An emergency management degree certainly won’t hurt your prospects of becoming an EMT or paramedic, but you need particular training – often from a non-degree program – to get certified in this emergency services role. EMT programs are some of the fastest ways to prepare for a career that involves providing medical intervention to patients. Although you won’t perform all the same complex work as, say, an emergency room physician, you can often complete an EMT program in under a year, compared to the four years of medical school and three to four years of residency training that an aspiring physician would require.

EMTs and paramedics aren’t the only types of emergency responders and first responders who can benefit from completing coursework in an emergency management degree program. Having this background can also help aspiring firefighters and law enforcement officers. Like EMTs and paramedics, firefighters and police officers need additional training beyond an emergency management degree. Firefighters typically complete months of training at a fire academy, while law enforcement officers train at a police academy.

RELATED: The 10 Best Online Fire Science Degree Bachelor’s Programs

For EMTs and paramedics, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median salary of only $36,930, and just one in 10 EMTs and paramedics reported earnings above $60,000. Being an EMT isn’t going to make you rich, at least not in a financial sense, but many workers in these rewarding careers feel a true calling to help people in need.

10. IT Incident Manager

Not all emergencies take place in the real, physical world. Digital emergencies like cybercrime and major system malfunctions can lead to real-world consequences.

Several jobs in the field of emergency preparedness and management pertain to the field of information technology (IT). Addressing IT emergencies may require a different set of technical skills than intervening in natural disasters or large-scale acts of violence, but in many ways, the focus of this career path is the same as in other areas of emergency management: plan for crisis situations, assess the emergency and implement strategies to minimize the consequences. At lower levels, individuals in this field may work as incident analysts or incident response analysts, while workers in more advanced roles may hold titles like incident manager or incident response manager.

RELATED: What Degree Do I Need to Be an Information Technology Specialist?

Although we have saved IT incident management jobs for last on our list, the reason isn’t lackluster earning potential. In fact, PayScale.com reported the average annual salary for incident managers as $90,624, making it the most lucrative job title on our list.

However, just because this role boasts the highest salary doesn’t mean it’s what many aspiring emergency management professionals think of when they envision working in this field. The job is important and involves less risk to the worker’s physical safety, but if you want to get involved in providing hands-on disaster relief, you’re likely to find it less fulfilling. Additionally, IT-focused emergency management roles will typically require more extensive studies in IT or computer science than you can expect to complete in the average emergency management degree program.

How to Become an Emergency Management Professional

For any emergency management job, some amount of training will be required. Relevant training opportunities may involve college coursework and a formal emergency management degree program, a formal training program or informal on-the-job training – or some combination of these methods of career preparation. For any of these top careers in the field, pursuing a degree in emergency management will only improve your employment prospects.

Degrees in Emergency Management

What degree level is needed to work in an emergency management career? An associate’s degree in emergency management may be sufficient for entry-level jobs and junior-level roles in the field, such as technician roles and emergency services associate positions. Additionally, you might opt to earn an emergency management degree at this level of study in preparation for applying to law enforcement jobs or while completing the non-degree training required to get certified as an EMT.

If you want to do more in the field of emergency management, you may need to pursue a higher degree level. A bachelor’s degree in emergency management is a solid choice for most of the career path possibilities in this field. Having a bachelor’s degree in emergency management will qualify you for a wide variety of emergency manager job titles, and O*NET reported a bachelor’s degree as the most widely required level of education needed for the occupation. A bachelor’s degree in emergency management not only covers the foundations of the field in greater depth but may also allow students to pursue advanced studies in areas of specialization, such as disaster relief, public safety, homeland security, fire science, law enforcement and child protection.

RELATED: What Are Some of the Degree Choices in Emergency Management?

Students interested in high-level roles – with job titles like “manager” and “director” instead of “officer” – may benefit from pursuing a higher degree level, like a master’s degree in emergency management. Graduate-level emergency management degrees aren’t uncommon, and O*NET reported that 20% of respondents questioned listed a master’s degree in emergency management as the level of education required to work as an emergency management director. Even if it isn’t strictly required for the career in emergency management you’re seeking, pursuing a master’s degree in emergency management or another relevant advanced degree may give you a competitive edge. 

In addition to your coursework in the classroom, the curriculum of an emergency management degree at the bachelor’s or master’s degree level may include field experience, clinical or practicum training and internships. It’s also possible to earn an emergency management degree online.

Getting Certification From Professional Organizations in Emergency Management

Academic programs like bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in emergency management programs aren’t the only considerations for maximizing your employment opportunities in this field. Joining and seeking certification from a professional organization in the field of emergency management can also help you advance your career. Professional organizations often offer educational and networking events that can help you increase your knowledge and skills and get more involved in the emergency management community.

Having this additional knowledge and developing these skills and connections can be valuable in a real emergency situation when you may need to collaborate with different disaster relief agencies or call in experts in related areas, such as a hazard analysis coordinator experienced in hazardous material management, a hurricane program specialist or a geographer.

If you want your involvement in a professional organization to help you qualify for new emergency management positions in a more substantive way, you should pursue formal credentials and designations. For example, the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) offers the Associate Emergency Manager (AEM) and Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) credentials, while the Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRI) offers certifications in cyber resilience, risk management and continuity in specific areas like healthcare and the public sector.

Education and Training Beyond an Emergency Management Degree

A degree in emergency management may make sense for any of the occupations listed above, but for some careers related to handling emergency situations, you need other training or specialized education. For example, majoring in emergency management isn’t enough to prepare you to work as an emergency room physician, although you could choose this undergraduate major – complete with sufficient science coursework – in preparation for applying to medical school.

RELATED: What Should You Know Before You Interview for a Job With a Degree in Emergency Management?

Engineering is another example of emergency management-related careers that require a different education. As professional problem-solvers, engineers often play a role in handling emergencies, such as by designing and developing solutions to the problems posed by emergencies such as natural disasters. To work in any kind of engineering role, you need to study the foundations of engineering design and the principles of science and mathematics that inform engineering practice. An engineer may benefit from double-majoring or minoring in emergency management but should also pursue an ABET-accredited engineering degree.

Choosing an Emergency Management Program

Emergency management, disaster preparedness and public safety degree programs train emergency personnel to work in these and related fields of study. Many schools now offer emergency management programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Choosing a school for an emergency management degree program isn’t easy. Prospective students should undertake a comprehensive school search that includes researching school rankings, curriculum requirements, concentration and elective course options, learning formats (in-person or online), completion time and cost and financial aid, just to name a few factors.

Related Resources: 

What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

Best Paying Jobs With a Geography Degree

The post Top 10 Jobs with a Degree in Emergency Management appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

1. Indiana University

Indiana University is located in Bloomington Indiana and enrolls over 43,000 students. This public institution offers associates, bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees as well as professional certifications. The student to faculty ratio is 16 to 1. According to Carnegie, Indiana University is a Doctoral university with very high research activity. According to the US News and World Report, Indiana University is the 76th best school in the nation and ranks highly for veterans, innovation, value, business programming and computer science. In fact their business programs are some of the best programs in the country including number four from entrepreneurship and number six for accounting. To support the success of the students at this rigorous institution the university offers academic and career counseling as well as credit for life experiences and distance learning opportunities. In recent years, the university has offered online programming for both undergraduate and graduate students alike.

Indiana university offers an online bachelors degree in nutrition. This program includes course material in nutrition and exercise, theory and practice of translating nutrition, human nutrition throughout the lifespan and health promotion and disease prevention. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

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2. Arizona State University

Arizona State University is a public institution located across the state of Arizona. Their campus immersion is headquartered located in Tempe Arizona. The current student enrollment is over 50,000 and the student to faculty ratio is 20 to 1. ASU offers bachelors masters and doctoral degree‘s as well as professional certifications. According to Carnegie, ASU ranks as a doctoral university with very high research activity. The US News and World Report ranks ASU as the number one most innovative school in the nation. Their innovation ranking stems from their assessment of curriculums, faculty and students and technology used in the curriculums. In recent years, ASU has grown an entirely online university known as Arizona State University online. ASU offers hundreds of online programs for both undergraduate and graduate students as well as those returning to school to seek professional certification. Their online offerings are considered to be some of the best in the world.

One of their online offerings as the online Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition Entrepreneurship. This is the inter-disciplinary program that features manufacturing marketing and management programming with a food twist. The food and nutrition degree courses include microbiology, anatomy and physiology, fundamentals of writing for digital media, accounting and financial analysis and an introduction to chemistry. From this program you’ll be able to start a career as a food quality control technician, food scientist, a chef, a certified health education specialist a restaurant manager public relations manager and more. Graduates from this program will have the knowledge to address challenges from the industry. For more information and to apply check out their website.

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3. Texas Woman’s University

Texas Woman’s University TWU is located in Denton, Texas and is a public institution that enrolls over 15,000 students. The institution has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools since 1923. The university offers bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees and according to Carnegie is classified as a doctoral/professional university. To support the success of their students, the University offers academic and career counseling, study abroad opportunities, and distance-learning opportunities. According to the US News and World Report, Texas Women’s University is nationally ranked.

TW offers a Bachelor of Science and Nutrition with an emphasis in dietetics. This is a 120 to 130 credit our program and when taken full-time may be completed in four years. In this program you’ll study food nutrition sciences and as well as how to manage and create nutrition programs. The course features small classes and a knowledgeable faculty. This is a hybrid course that takes place on TWU Denton campus with some online course options. This degree does prepare students to take the national registration examination for dietetics in Texas and licensure through the Texas State Board of Examiners of Dietitians. The curriculums focuses on 53 credit hours of nutrition and dietetics and 35 hours of electives. Students also complete a Dietetic internship which takes 6 to 24 months. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

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4. Ohio State University

Ohio State University is a public four-year institution that’s located in Columbus, Ohio. The University enrolls over 60,000 students and offers comprehensive degree programming as well as professional certifications. The student to faculty ratio is 19 to 1. According to Carnegie, Ohio State University is a doctoral university with very high research activity. The US News and World Report ranks Ohio State University OSU as the 53rd best school on the nation as well as highly for veterans, undergraduate teaching, value, innovation, undergraduate engineering, business program in computer science learning communities and much more. In recent years, Ohio State University has expanded their online offerings and includes programming for undergraduate as well as graduate students. In fact OSU has some of the largest online offerings in the world.

Among their online offerings is the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences that’s offered through the college of medicine. This program format is entirely online. Some of the sample courses include: health promotion and disease prevention, application of ethical decision making in healthcare, individual differences in patient/client relationships. This program prepares students for a health related career such as in physical therapy occupational therapy medicine dentistry etc. OSU is military friendly. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

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5. SUNY Oneonta

SUNY Oneonta is a public four year institution located in Oneonta New York. The institution enrolls over 6000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 17 to 1. SUNY Oneonta offers bachelors and Masters degrees as well as professional certifications. According to Carnegie, the institution is a masters college and university. The university has been accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education since 1949.

The university features the Bachelors of Science in Dietetics. This program is structured to meet the requirements of becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist. The program prepares you for the registered dietitian exam. This is an interdisciplinary program that specializes in human biology and bio chemistry as well as food science and how the body utilizes nutrients for optimal health throughout the lifecycle. The program prepares you for a career in dietetics or to pursue the master of science in nutrition and dietetics. This program has been accredited by the Accreditation Counsel for Education and Nutrition and Dietetics Education. The course features some of the following core courses: dietetics profession seminar, advanced nutrition, food science, design layout and operations, food service systems management. Students will study bio chemistry, cellular perspectives in biology, sociology psychology, statistics and more. As you can see this is an inter-disciplinary degree. For more information and to apply to check out their website.

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6. Rutgers University

Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public four-year institution and enrolls over 50,000 students. New Brunswick university affers associates bachelors masters and doctoral degree’s and professional certifications. According to Carnegie, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a doctoral university with very high research activity. According to the US News and World Report ,Rutgers University New Brunswick is the 63rd best school in the nation and ranks highly for veterans value social mobility engineering business programming, computer science and much more. When it comes to public schooling Rutgers University is among the top in fact is ranked 23rd in the nation along with Pennsylvania State University and the University of Connecticut. To support the success of their students in this rigorous institution Rutgers offers academic and career counseling as well as distance-learning opportunities. In fact, undergraduate students and graduate students may pursue programming online.

Rutgers offers a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics. The program features a flexible online model that leads to the DTR designation. This program has been accredited by the accreditation Council for education and nutrition and dietetics. This program will take 2 to 3 years to complete and requires 42 to 53 credit hours. Additionally students will complete 1200 hours of supervised practice in their geographic location. This program is intended for credentialed dietetic technicians who are looking to advancing their career and build on their previous education. This is an inter-disciplinary program that features health sciences and pre-professional courses as well as clinical opportunities. The curriculum features the following: nutritional microbiology, preventative nutrition, and advanced nutritional physiology among others. For more information and to apply check out their website.

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7. University of Arizona

The University of Arizona is located in Tucson. The institution enrolls over 44,000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 15 to 1. Arizona offers bachelors masters in doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications. To support the success of the students the institution offers credit for life experiences as well as academic and career counseling in distance-learning opportunities among others. According to Carnegie, Arizona ranks as a doctoral University with very high research activity. According to the US News and World Report, the University of Arizona ranks as the 97th best school on the nation and highly for value, computer scienc,e engineering, business programming and much more.

Among their online offerings is their Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences. Students will have the opportunity to specialize in either dietetics or nutrition. If you follow the dietetic synthesis then you are allowed to apply for dietetic internship and become a registered dietitian with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The nutrition emphasis focuses on careers and graduate studies in food science, dentistry, nursing, nutrition, physical therapy even veterinary medicine. The nutritional emphasis gives you a few options and combines medicine along with food chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology and nutrition and foods. The dietetics emphasis prepares you to work in disease prevention and management, community health and wellness, counseling, and food science in the food industry. Some of the courses include sports nutrition, community nutrition, lifecycle nutrition, diet genes and disease experiential learning and nutrition, and foundations of medical nutrition therapy. For more information and to apply check out their website.

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8. University of Northern Colorado

The University of Northern Colorado is located in Greenley, Colorado. The institution offers bachelors and masters degrees as well as professional doctoral programming. UNCO enrolls over 12,000 students and has a student to faculty ratio 17 to 1. According to Carnegie, UNCO is a doctoral/professional university. The institution has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1916. According to the US News and World Report UNCO is a nationally ranked institution and is one of the top performers in social mobility. Their student support services include academic and career counseling, remedial services, and distance-learning opportunities. Undergraduate as well as graduate students may pursue a degree entirely online.

UNCO extended campus offers a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics. This program has been accredited by the ACEND and adhered to competencies as they are described in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Students have two options when pursuing distance-learning in the dietetic programming they may pursue the DND only which is a certification program for the dietetic special or bachelor of science for individuals who are seeking to complete their bachelors degree or complete a second bachelors degree. The core curriculum is 31 credit hoursand follows a 16-week semester format followed by a summer term which is eight weeks long. Some of the courses may include an introduction to food lives, nutritional applications in food service, food service systems management, and medical nutrition intervention. For more information and to apply check out their website.

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9. University of Missouri

The University of Missouri is located in Columbia, Missouri. The institution offers bachelors, masters, and doctorale degrees and is classified according to Carnegie as a doctoral university with very high research activity. Mizzou enrolls over 30,000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 17 to 1. According to the US News and World Report, the University of Missouri ranks as the 124th best school in the nation and highly for veterans, value, public schooling, engineering, business trade gaming, computer science, agricultural programming and much more. In recent years, Mizzou has expanded their programming to offer Mizzou online. Undergraduate as well as graduate students may pursue programming online.

Missouri Online offers an online bachelor of science in health science. This is a non-clinical degree that helps you prepare for a health-related field. This is a 100% online program that’s been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The total number of credit hours is 120 and students may transfer up to 64 credit hours. This online course covers health professions and leadership and an introduction to health professions as well as healthcare in the United States and introduction to research, clinical ethics hands-on learning experiences and public health principles as well as practice. The program prepare students for a health related career. For students interested in pursuing a clinical graduate or professional program they should take pre-requisite science courses. For more information and to apply check out their website.

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10. Weber State University

Weber State University is a public four year institution located in Ogden, Utah. The institution offers comprehensive degree programming as well as professional certification. Currently, Weber enrolls over 29,000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 21 to 1. To support the success of their students the university offers credit for life experiences, dual credits, academic and career counseling, and distance learning opportunities. According to Carnegie, Weber University is classified as a Masters College University with larger programming. Some of their most popular academic programs are in the fields of Business health and liberal arts. Cording to the US News and World Report Weber State University is regionally ranked.

Weber offers a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Education. This this major allows students to concentrate in integrative or sports nutrition. The integrative nutrition option may be completed fully online focuses on sustainable cooking, the lifespan, fitness and current issues. Students may complete elective courses in a related discipline such as botany, child and family studies, exercise and sport science, communications, physical education, psychology and more. The sports nutrition concentration focuses on sports nutrition advanced human nutrition, anatomy physiology, chemistry and other related subjects and athletic training. The degree program is 120 credit hours in length 60 credit hours must be from the major. For more information and to apply check out their website.

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11. Kansas State University

Kansas State University is a public four year institution that offers associates, bachelors, masters and doctoral degree‘s as well as professional certifications. The student population is over 20,000 and the student to faculty ratio is 18 to 1. Kansas State University is located in Manhattan Kansas and has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1916. According to Carnegie, Kansas State University is a doctoral university with very high research activity. The US News and World Report ranks Kansas State University as the 170the best school in the nation as well as highly for engineering, business programming and computer science. To support the success of their students Kansas State University offers academic and career counseling as well as distance learning opportunities.

Kansas State Online offers a bachelors degree in dietetics. If you’re looking to become a registered dietitian and are interested in pursuing that online than this is the degree program for you. This program has been accredited by the ACEND and leads to eligibility to apply for supervised practice. As a registered dietitian you may have a career in one of the following settings: hospitals, clinics or extended care facilities as well as in community and public health organizations or universities researching and teaching. The curriculum of this program includes course material in basic nutrition, human nutrition, management and dietetics, nutritional assessment, lifespan nutrition, clinical nutrition. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

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12. University of Alabama

The University of Alabama is a public institution located in Tuscaloosa. The university offers bachelors, masters and doctoral degree‘s and enrolls over 38,000 students. According to Carnegie UA is a doctoral university with very high research activity. The U.S. News and World Report ranks UA as the 143rd best school in the nation and highly for value, social mobility, business programming, engineering and more. To support the success of their students the University of Alabama offers academic and career counseling, study abroad programming, and online offerings. Undergraduate and graduate students alike may pursue a degree entirely online. Bama by Distance is the University of Alabama’s online school.

One of their online offerings is the Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition. This 120 credit hour program may be completed entirely online. If you are passionate about nutrition then you may wish to follow this accredited program. This program has been designed for working adults. This program satisfies part of the requirements that will lead to a registered dietitian credential. The required major courses include the following: an introduction to human nutrition, nutrition in the lifecycle, food science, community nutrition, nutrition counseling, applied nutrition, food service management, quality food production service, and much more. The required science courses are in chemistry, organic chemistry, anatomy and physiology and microbiology. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

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13. Azusa Pacific University

The Azusa Pacific University APU is a private institution located in Azusa, California. APU enrolls over 9000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 11 to 1. The institution offers bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees as well as professional certifications. According to Carnegie, Azusa university is a doctoral institution with high research activity. To support the success of their students the institution offers credit for life experiences as well as professional and academic career counseling. According to the US News and World Report APU is a nationally ranked university the ranks highly for a first year experiences and social mobility. Additionally, APU offers a wide array of online offerings including in the fields of business, education, nursing and more.

APU offers an online Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Allied Health. To determine which pathway is right for you determine your career goals. The bachelor of arts provides prerequisites for careers in cytotechnology, nursing, nutrition and dietetics and more. The bachelor of science provides the prerequisites for chiropractic, clinical laboratory science, and physician assistance coursework. This program has been accredited by the WSCUC. Additionally, the university offers a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Health with an emphasis in business. The Bachelor of Arts in Applied Health includes course material in the following areas: physics for life sciences, human growth and development, kinesiology, the psychology of personality, and stress and coping. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

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14. Eastern Michigan University

Eastern Michigan University is a public four year institution located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The institution enrolls over 17,000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 14 to 1. EMichigan offers bachelors, masters and doctoral degree is as well as professional certifications and is currently classified according to Carnegie as a doctoral University with high research activity. The institution has been accredited by the higher learning commission since 1915. According to the US news and world report Eastern Michigan University ranks Nationally. To support the success of their students Eastern Michigan University offers academic and career counseling credit for life experiences and distance-learning opportunities. In fact, undergraduate and graduate students alike may pursue an online degree a degree online. Some of their most popular programs are in the fields of business education engineering and health.

The School of Health Sciences college of Health and Human Services offers the Bachelors in Dietetics and Human Nutrition. This program teaches you how health and nutrition affects the performance of the body. The program leads to the RDN credential. Students may pursue both a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics as well as the Master of Science in Dietetics. Their Bachelors of Science in Dietetics includes course material in nutrition of the lifecycle, integrative medicine, development of the entrepreneurial dietitian, nutritional therapy, food service systems management, nutrition nutrient metabolism: micro nutrients, as well as a number of seminars in dietetics. For more information and to apply check out their website.

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15. University of Alaska Anchorage

The University of Alaska Anchorage is a public institution that enrolls just over 12,000 students. The institution maintains a student to faculty ratio of 14 to 1. UAA offers associates bachelors masters and doctorate degrees as well professional certifications and is classified according to Carnegie as a master college with larger programming. The University of Alaska Anchorage is regionally ranked according to the US News and World Report and as the 75th best school in the west and ranks highly for undergraduate engineering, social mobility, business programming, computer science and more. To support the success of their students, the university offers academic and career counseling, study abroad programming, ROTC, and distance learning opportunities for both undergraduates and graduates like.

The University of Alaska Anchorage offers a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics has been accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics ACEND. This degree provides the prerequisite requirements necessary to complete a dietetic internship and to be eligible to take the registered dietitian nutritionist RDN examination. The purpose of this program is to preparestudents for supervised practice. The course material includes a strong science foundation along with courses in management food science therapeutic nutrition, nutrition and development, clinical and community nutrition, as well as courses in management. As you can see, this is an inter-disciplinary program that would be appropriate for anyone applying to work in a clinical setting or for private practice. For more information and to apply check out their website.

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16. Pacific University

Pacific University is a private four-year institution located in Forest Grove, Oregon. The university enrolls 3,832 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 10 to 1. Pacific University offers bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree‘s as well as professional certifications. According to Carnegie, Pacific University is a doctoral/professional university. To support the success of their students the university offers academic and career counseling along with distance-learning opportunities. This institution has been accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities since 1929. According to the US News and World Report Pacific University is a national institution that also ranks highly for veterans, value, and social mobility. Some of their most popular online offerings are in the fields of health.

Pacific University offers an online Bachelor of Health Science. This program has been designed for working professionals and is formatted online with live weekly interactive sessions. Upon completion, students may puruse a career in one of the following settings: hospitals, healthcare systems, health insurance companies, public health agencies, dental and medical practices, nurse facilities and more. This program follows a cohort model and has 40 credits. The course material was developed both by faculty as well as practitioners in healthcare. The curriculum focuses on the following areas: healthcare finance and accounting, research methods, healthcare strategic planning and marketing, and includes an internship. For more information and to apply check out their website.

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17. University of the Incarnate Word

The University of the Incarnate Word is a private institution located in San Antonio, Texas. This is a doctoral/professional university according to Carnegie and it is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. To support the success of their students the institution offers remedial services as well as academic and career counseling, credit for life experiences, study abroad programming, ROTC teacher certification and distance-learning opportunities. The most popular programs are in the fields of business, health, and visual and performing arts. In recent years, the University of the Incarnate Word has expanded their programming online and offers online degrees for both undergraduate and graduate students.

UIW offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences. Students may choose from two concentrations including: administration, and general studies. The administration concentration prepares you for four nationally accredited healthcare certifications including in cardiac rhythm analysis, certified billing and coding, certified electronica health, and certified medical administrative assistance. General studies concentration includes 18 or more transfer credits in allied health or the appropriate military training. Some of the core course material includes: medical coding, healthcare organizations in administration, healthcare communication, healthcare ethics and law, HIPPA compliance and certification, an introduction to the electronic health record, and healthcare ethics in law and third-party payment systems. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

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18. Clarion University of Pennsylvania

Clarion University of Pennsylvania is a public four year institution that offers associates, bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications. The university enrolls 4,700 students and maintains a student to faculty ratio of 16 to 1. According to Carnegie, Clarion is a masters college with larger programming. To support the success of their students the institution offers credit for life experiences as well as academic and career counseling, study abroad opportunities, ROTC, teacher certification options, as well as distance-learning opportunities. The school has been accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Clarion offers an online Bachelor of Science in Allied Health Leadership. Are you looking to become a healthcare manager? Than this is the program for you. Additionally this online degree allow students to pursue a career in healthcare education, medical sales, healthcare services management and more. As you can see, this is an inter-disciplinary program. This program has been designed for working professionals who need to balance work and life responsibilities and includes course material in financial accounting, managerial accounting, financial management, leadership and more. Like with most bachelors degrees, students will complete liberal education credits as well as the profession in the science as well also science proficiency. Additionally as this is an inter-disciplinary program, students must complete course material in micro and macro economics. For more information and to apply check out their website.

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19. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is a private four-year institution located in Manchester, New Hampshire. The university offers associates, bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications. SMHU as a very large institution that enrolls over 100,000 students and maintains a student to faculty ratio of 22 to 1. SNHU is considered to be one of the most innovative schools in the world. According to the US News and World report, Southern New Hampshire University ranks as the most innovative school in the north. Their innovation core takes into account curriculum, faculty, students, campus life as well as technology and facilities. SNHU is known for its online offerings. In fact, students may select from hundreds of online programs from the undergraduate and graduate level.

SNHU offers a Bachelors in Health Science online. Students may transfer up to 90 credits of this 120 credit our program.SNHU features affordable programming that is accredited by the NECHE as well as no application fee. SAT/ACT scores are not required. Students may also apply credits from their associates degree in allied health. The purpose of this program is to meet the growing need for non-management roles in healthcare. Students may pursue a career in one of the following areas: cardiovascular technology, diagnostic medical technology, radiography, restoration therapy, and much more. The current curriculum includes course material in health and sciences, healthcare finance, healthcare reimbursement, healthcare delivery systems and more. All students must complete an introduction to anatomy and physiology as well as statistics courses for healthcare professionals. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

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20. Purdue University Global

Purdue University Global is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The institution offers comprehensive programming as well as professional certifications. Their current enrollment is over 38,000 and the student to faculty ratio is 24 to 1. According to Carnegie, Purdue Global is a baccalaureate college that features diverse fields. To support the success of their students Purdue global offers academic and career counseling along with their distance learning opportunities. Their online offerings center on in demand fields such as health, education, computer information sciences, and Homeland security.

Purdue University Global offers a Bachelor of Science in nutrition. The course focuses on nutrition science and healthcare and highlights foundational knowledge as well as exposes you to research methods and applications that prepare you for a career in healthcare and nutrition. The major requirements include core courses in food safety, nutritional analysis and assessment, nutritional coaching counseling, food science says with a lab as well as a bachelors capstone and nutrition. The total credit requirements of this program is 180. All students must complete a mathematics social science science and arts and humanities requirement along with their general education electives.The majority of the credits are in open electives in fact, students for must complete 75 open up elective credits. Open electives give students the opportunity to expand and tailor their degree to match their interests. For more information about this program, check out their website.

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1. Ph.D. in Astronomy

Astronomy is the scientific study of the stars, planets and other bodies that make up the universe. The scientists who work in this field, called astronomers, use data to develop theories about how the universe operates and when and how the celestial bodies came into existence. There are a number of specialized job roles within the field of astronomy, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported. Some, like cosmologists and extragalactic astronomers, seek to understand the history and development of the universe as a whole. Others specialize in the study of galaxies (galactic astronomers), planets (planetary astronomers), stars (stellar astronomers) or the sun (solar astronomers). There are also high-energy astrophysicists who work with energy rays. Some types of astronomers are categorized by the tools they use to study space rather than what phenomena they study. Optical and observational astronomers view their objects of study through optical telescopes, while radio astronomers utilize radio telescopes instead. Coursework in a doctoral astronomy program typically includes high-level math classes such as statistics, calculus and linear algebra as well as advanced studies in general astronomy and in subfields such as cosmology or planetary astronomy.

Some 60 percent of careers at NASA fall into the category of Professional, Engineering and Scientific roles. Since astronomy is literally the study of stars and space objects, what degree path could better prepare you for a career in the field of space exploration? To work for NASA, aspiring astronomers need a Ph.D. in astronomy. Astronomers who work as NASA scientists gather and analyze data and use their findings to better understand space and the celestial bodies that compose it, the BLS reported. They use a variety of equipment, including telescopes based on earth and probes in outer space, to study the universe. Like other scientists, astronomers conduct research to test theories, but astronomers face the additional challenge of being very far – lightyears, even – from the bodies they’re studying. About 26 percent of astronomers across the U.S. work for the federal government, according to the BLS.

Occupational Grouping: Science

Median Salary: $104,100

Similar Degree Programs: Master’s Degree in Astronomy, Master’s or Ph.D. in Physics

2. Ph.D. in Physics

If you’ve ever wondered how the universe works, studying physics can help you learn the answers. Physics is the scientific study of matter, energy, time and space. Physicists study everything from tiny atoms and molecules to the workings of matter and energy across the universe. Subfields of physics include condensed matter, particle physics, nuclear physics and medical physics. Some of the studies of physics are theoretical, ccomonceptualizing how matter works. Other endeavors constitute applied physics, in which physicists put what they know about matter and energy to practical use improving medical technology, communications infrastructure, navigation systems and household electronics. In their work, physicists develop theories based on existing data and complex mathematical calculations and conduct experiments with the help of equipment such as lasers, particle accelerators and electron microscopes. In a Ph.D. program in physics, students choose a concentration such as condensed matter physics or astrophysics to study in-depth as well as taking math and science courses.

The specialty of physics is closely related to the specialty of astronomy, according to the BLS. Like astronomers, physicists who wish to work for NASA need to earn a doctoral degree. In particular, NASA offers employment opportunities for plasma physicists. These are scientists who study plasma, a type of matter that is found naturally in stars but that is also used on earth as components in television screens and neon signs. While many plasma physicists who work outside the field of space exploration focus more on ways to harness plasma as an energy source for the future, NASA plasma physicists may work more on understanding how the sun affects weather in space. Their findings can be used to safeguard satellites launched into space as well as the communication systems and power transmissions used in spacecraft. About 18 percent of astronomers across the U.S. work for the federal government, according to the BLS.

Occupational Grouping: Science

Median Salary: $111,580

Similar Degree Programs: Master’s Degree in Physics, Master’s or Ph.D. in Astronomy

3. Bachelor’s in Atmospheric Science Degree

When you think of meteorologists, it’s most likely the weather forecasters who predict weather conditions here on earth for broadcast or digital media that come to mind. Actually, though, there are numerous types of atmospheric scientists, and not all of them focus solely on earthly phenomena. In addition to familiar jobs like broadcast meteorologist and weather forecaster, atmospheric and space scientists include atmospheric chemists, climatologists, atmospheric physicists, climate scientists, forensic meteorologists and research meteorologists. Given the wide range of career roles available in atmospheric science, the subjects of study in the field can vary significantly. While many atmospheric scientists focus on predicting weather and climate events, some instead focus on historical weather or on new methods of collecting weather data. In their studies and research, atmospheric and space scientists gather data with the help of equipment such as satellite images, weather balloons and radar systems. Undergraduate students of atmospheric science study meteorology, atmospheric science, math, physics and computer programming, according to the BLS.

Atmospheric scientists who are interested in a career in space exploration could seek out a role as a NASA scientist. At NASA, meteorologists and other types of atmospheric scientists use their knowledge of weather and climate factors to study the weather conditions in space. They analyze data to develop both short-term and long-term space-weather forecasts, according to the BLS. Some NASA atmospheric scientists study other phenomenon, like trade winds and the Northern Lights. Atmospheric scientist is the one type of scientist prominently employed by NASA that requires only a bachelor’s degree. However, if you don’t want to spend four years in school, you might also be able to attain a NASA job with just two years of study. An associate’s degree from a technical school or community college can help you attain a job as a meteorological technician or meteorological aide. About 26 percent of atmospheric scientists work for the federal government, according to the BLS.

Occupational Grouping: Science

Median Salary: $89,820

Similar Degree Programs: Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Geology or Physics or Associate’s Degree in Earth Sciences or Meteorology  

 4. Bachelor’s Degree in Biology

Biology is the study of living organisms. When you study the natural or biological sciences, you learn about the growth, structure, evolution and function of various organisms. There are a number of different focuses of study available in the biological sciences. If you’re interested in the study of animals, you might become a wildlife biologist or zoologist. Scientists who study tiny organisms such as viruses and bacteria become microbiologists. Many scientists who work in biology hold interdisciplinary roles such as biochemist or biophysicist. A degree in biology or biological sciences can open a lot of career paths to you, including roles with the federal government. About 21 percent of wildlife biologists and 12 percent of microbiologists work for the federal government, according to the BLS. The executive branch of the federal government is also the industry that employs the highest number of biological scientists working in other unspecified roles, the BLS reported.

At NASA, a bachelor’s degree in biological science is one of the educational paths you can take to become an astronaut. Some Other options for preparing for a career as an astronaut include physical science, engineering, computer science and mathematics. However, aspiring astronauts should know that it takes more than an undergraduate degree to achieve the dream of visiting outer space. Just 45 of NASA’s more than 17,000 workers happen to be astronauts, the BLS reported. In fact, there have only been 338 U.S. astronauts sent into space since 1959. In addition to your bachelor’s degree, you will need years of experience flying aircraft just to qualify for the astronaut candidate program. Then you will spend another two years in the program, preparing for your mission into space. Astronaut candidates need to go through rigorous military water survival training as well as training in robotics skills and space physiology and medicine, the BLS reported.

Occupational Grouping: Science

Median Salary: $77,190

Similar Degree Programs: Bachelor’s Degree Physical Science or Mathematics

5. Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering

In addition to scientists, NASA employs a large number of engineers, professionals who apply scientific and mathematical principles to solve real-world problems. Aerospace engineering is the branch of engineering that focuses on designing and building aircraft and spacecraft. Aerospace engineers typically choose one of two specializations. Aeronautical engineers design, create and test aircraft that stays within the earth’s atmosphere, such as jet planes. Astronautical engineers focus on developing the technology used in spacecraft that travels through the earth’s atmosphere and into space. In an ABET-accredited bachelor’s degree program in aerospace engineering, students take coursework in specific subjects such as propulsion, mechanics, structures and stability and control as well as general engineering principles and how to apply them. Undergraduate aerospace engineering students must develop their knowledge of aerodynamics. Aerodynamics is the study of the interaction between air and moving objects such as rockets, airplane wings and even kites, the BLS reported.

NASA aerospace engineers work primarily on designing and constructing missiles, rockets and other forms of spacecraft. At NASA, aerospace engineers solve problems that aeronautical never have to deal with due to differences between the atmosphere in earth and the conditions found in space. For example, the lack of airflow in space means that the jet engines that work within the earth’s atmosphere would fail to work in a spaceship, according to the BLS. To meet this challenge, aerospace engineers devised rockets that run on liquid oxygen and propellant. Once a NASA aerospace engineer comes up with a design idea, he or she must create a prototype to test the design’s performance and safety. Because a failure could put astronauts’ lives in danger, it’s very important that spacecraft designs work in practice and not just in principle. About 13 percent of aerospace engineers work for the federal government, according to the BLS.

Occupational Grouping: Engineering

Median Salary: $107,830

Similar Degree Programs: Master’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering or Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Systems Science

6. Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering

Another branch of engineering is computer hardware engineering. Computer hardware engineers apply the principles of engineering to computers. Unlike software developers, who focus on programs and applications, computer hardware engineers work on the physical components of computer systems. They develop the circuit boards, processes and memory devices used in individual devices as well as the networks and routers used to connect these computers. Undergraduate computer engineering students complete coursework that combines electrical engineering principles and practices with extensive studies in computer science. The very technical coursework required for this degree means that students must have a strong foundation in science and mathematics to build on during their undergraduate studies. Because computer technology is constantly and quickly evolving, aspiring computer hardware engineers should plan on lifelong learning to keep pace with new technological developments. Most computer hardware engineers work in industries like computer systems design, computer equipment manufacturing and electronics component manufacturing, but the federal government employs about six percent of computer hardware engineers, the BLS reported.

The spacecraft, instruments and equipment used in space exploration often rely heavily on computer technology. After all, these instruments are used to measure activity and matter in space – sometimes from the earth’s surface. Given the high-tech nature of space exploration equipment, it’s no surprise that NASA needs skilled computer hardware engineers who understand how the physical components of these computers and computer systems work. Specifically, computer hardware engineers who work for NASA are responsible for the research and development of computer equipment used to collect data both in space and from earth. In addition to developing the design of data-collecting equipment, NASA computer hardware engineers also create a working prototype that they can test to make sure the instrument works as intended. Computer hardware engineers at NASA don’t just design computer equipment for themselves to use. They must make their designs accessible for other NASA personnel by noting down in detail how the product works.

Occupational Grouping: Engineering

Median Salary: $111,730

Similar Degree Programs: Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering

7. Bachelor’s Degree in Electronics Engineering

Computer hardware is far from the only kind of technology engineers develop. Electronics engineering is the branch of engineering that involves the design and construction of electronic equipment. Electronics engineers must determine how to design and construct complex electronic systems, components and devices that meet the functional needs of the user without being too expensive to produce, too difficult to maintain or too unwieldy to use. The work of electronics engineers plays a role in a wide variety of industries, from medical treatment to military purposes. There is often a lot of overlap between the disciplines of electronics engineering and a related branch of engineering called electrical engineering. In an ABET-accredited electronics engineering degree program, students cake coursework in differential equations, electrical circuit theory and digital systems design. Electronics engineers can begin working in entry-level roles without attaining state licensure, but many choose to earn their Professional Engineering (PE) license during the course of their careers, the BLS reported.

The electronics engineers who work for NASA specialize in designing and developing electronics used in space exploration. Satellites and the instrument panels and broadcast and communications systems are just a few of the projects electronics engineers may work on when employed by NASA. The environmental conditions in space differ from earth and can be much harsher, exposing the equipment to radiation as well as extreme temperatures. The instruments a NASA electronics engineer designs must be capable of withstanding these conditions. While developing new equipment systems and components is an important part of a NASA electronics engineer’s responsibilities, it’s still only one part of the job description. Electronics engineers also need to plan ahead for maintaining the equipment and develop in-depth procedures for safe and effective maintenance practices. In addition to coming up with a design for the equipment, electronics engineers inspect, test and maintain existing electronics for safety and performance. The federal government employs 13 percent of electronics engineers, the BLS reported.

Occupational Grouping: Engineering

Median Salary: $95,230

Similar Degree Programs: Master’s Degree in Electronics Engineering or Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering

8. Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Engineers are problem-solvers – and mechanical engineers are perhaps the most versatile problem-solvers of all. Mechanical engineering is among the broadest engineering disciplines, encompassing the creation of various kinds of mechanical devices, the BLS reported. Among the wide range of devices mechanical engineers develop are batteries, electric generators, escalators and elevators, engines, conveyor belt systems, medical devices, appliances, tools and turbines. Mechanical engineers aren’t just the brains behind these products. Mechanical engineers use computer technology that analyzes data and simulates machine testing as they build, test and tweak prototypes of their designs to perfection. The end result is a product that functions precisely as needed to solve the problem at hand. To earn a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, students need to take a variety of math and science classes in addition to their engineering and design courses. For mechanical engineers, a state-issued Professional Engineering license is beneficial and, in some cases, mandatory, according to the BLS.

When it comes to space exploration, mechanical engineers play an important role. Successful space missions depend on engines, tools, sensors, machines and other equipment that function optimally. With skilled mechanical engineers on the NASA team, the space exploration program can be sure that the equipment they use has been designed with all of the potential space-related challenges in mind. Mechanical engineers don’t always work alone. Often, they collaborate with engineers who specialize in other disciplines. At NASA, it’s not unusual for mechanical engineers to work alongside aerospace engineers, combining their expertise to make sure every tool and machine onboard a spacecraft meets its users’ needs. The steering mechanism used on rocket nozzles is just one example of the work mechanical engineers – along with their collaborators in other branches of engineering – do for NASA, according to the BLS. About six percent of mechanical engineers work in aerospace parts manufacturing roles, according to the BLS.

Occupational Grouping: Engineering

Median Salary: $83,590

Similar Degree Programs: Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology

9. Associate’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering Technology

Aerospace engineers who are working on major projects can’t do everything themselves. Technicians – engineering professionals who have formal technical training but not an extensive academic education – often work in roles that support the efforts of full-fledged engineers. Aerospace engineering and operations technicians get their training from a technical school or junior college. ABET, the same entity that accredits science and engineering programs at the bachelor’s and master’s degree levels, also has a separate Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission that awards accreditation to engineering technology degree programs. To earn ABET accreditation, an aerospace engineering technology degree program must include classes in science, college-level algebra and trigonometry, according to the BLS. Community colleges are more likely to offer more studies in the theory of aerospace engineering technology and in the liberal arts and sciences and to award associate’s degrees. Technical schools, on the other hand, more commonly focus on practical applications of aerospace engineering technologies and may award a certificate or diploma instead of an associate’s degree, the BLS reported.

While most of the careers involved in space exploration require at least an undergraduate degree, aerospace engineering and operations technician is one NASA job you can get with only an associate’s degree. In a role at NASA, aerospace engineering and operations technicians assist engineers and scientists with their projects to design, develop and especially test spacecraft. Aerospace engineering technicians contribute toward building spacecraft by installing the instruments and components engineers design. Technicians also create the conditions necessary to rigorously test spacecraft and the systems they employ. An aerospace engineering technician’s role in testing aerospace equipment can take many forms, from building test facilities and installing components to calibrating test equipment and actually running computer simulation tests and recording the results of various tests. Due to their close involvement in testing spacecraft, aerospace engineering technicians play an important role in the safety and quality assurance. One-third of aerospace engineering technicians work in the industry of aerospace products and parts manufacturing, the BLS reported.

Occupational Grouping: Technology

Median Salary: $66,180

Similar Degree Programs: Technical School Diploma or Certificate in Aerospace Engineering Technology

10. Associate’s Degree in Avionics Technology

When the complex electronic equipment onboard aircraft and spacecraft needs to be fixed, who works on it? A type of installation, maintenance and repair professional called an avionics technician fulfills this vital job duty. Avionics technicians perform both regular scheduled maintenance procedures and urgent repairs that result from a malfunction or other problem. Unlike the related roles of aircraft mechanic and repairmen, avionics technicians specialize in maintaining and fixing the electronic systems onboard a plane or spaceship. They work with aircraft and spacecraft equipment such as voltmeters, circuit testers, oscilloscopes, navigation aids, radio communication devices and radar systems, according to the BLS. As part of their testing, avionics technicians need to review flight test data for signs of malfunction. If they encounter any performance problems, they need to know how to fix or replace the malfunctioning part to avoid any risks to the safety of the aircraft or spacecraft’s occupants.

Like aerospace engineering technicians, avionics technicians can land a job at NASA with just an associate’s degree. While a role as an avionics technician might not require a comprehensive academic background, it does require strong mechanical skills and a great deal of troubleshooting skills and physical dexterity. A NASA avionics technician needs to be comfortable working with a variety of tools, ranging from hand tools to power tools and even soldering irons, according to the BLS. Part of an avionics technician’s job is to assemble parts like electrical controls and junction boxes and install new and replacement instrument panels as needed. Avionics technicians must also be familiar with digital technology so they can effectively maintain the computer systems that are utilized by the spacecraft’s electronic instruments. About 30 percent of avionics technicians work in the aerospace parts manufacturing industry, and another 11 percent work for the federal government, the BLS reported.

Occupational Grouping: Technology

Median Salary: $58,540

Similar Degree Programs: Military Training or Certificate from an FAA-Approved Aviation Maintenance Technician School

11. Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting

Not all jobs with NASA are based in engineering or the sciences. For example, accountant is one of a number of professional roles needed at NASA. Accountants are the business and financial professionals who are responsible for an organization’s financial records. They create many types of financial statements and documents, including income statements, balance sheets, statements of cash flow and statements of changes in equity. An accounting professional must also review financial statements for accuracy, identifying any indicators of intentional fraud or unintentional accounting or mathematical errors. In a bachelor’s degree in accounting program, students take courses such as the principles of accounting and auditing, internal auditing, business communications and business law, according to U.S. News & World Report. Accountants may also study various types of accounting and may pursue a concentration in a subject like taxation, financial accounting, cost accounting or management accounting. Many accountants choose to spend a fifth year in college to earn a master’s degree and prepare to earn the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential.

Accountants play an important role in many types of industries, and a government entity like NASA is no exception. As a large and busy organization, NASA has a lot of financial transactions going on at any given time. There are checks to process, receipts to write up and budget and cost data that someone must keep track of to prevent any inaccuracies in financial recordkeeping. Accountants are the personnel with the skills and education to organize all of this information into a financial report that captures this information. NASA has an accounting system which is used to keep track of cost and budget data. The organization’s accountants may be responsible for entering, analyzing and processing using this system. Accountants who work for NASA may also serve on organizations and committees within the space exploration program in financial roles such as treasurer, NASA reported. About eight percent of accountants work for the government, the BLS reported.

Occupational Grouping: Professional

Median Salary: $67,190

Similar Degree Programs: Bachelor’s Degree in Auditing or Business Administration 

12. Bachelor’s Degree in Communications

NASA also needs skilled media and communications professionals to publicize the space exploration program’s findings and achievements. Technical writers play an integral part in NASA communications. These media and communications professionals need to be experts at communicating complex technical information in a way that readers who don’t have a background in science can understand. They use various formats to distribute this technical information, ranging from journal articles to instruction manuals and how-to guides. While the term ‘writer’ implies that these communications professionals express information only in written text, that’s not the case. Technical writers are sometimes called technical communicators and are responsible for creating imagery and other non-written materials used to communicate technical ideas. A bachelor’s degree in communications or a related subject often is sufficient to meet minimum education requirements. However, technical writers also need knowledge in the technical field they plan to write about, such as medicine or engineering, the BLS reported.

The technical writers who work for NASA interact with a variety of scientists and engineers in the course of their job duties. Technical writers research the science they need to write about and speak with the scientist and engineers who designed and developed the product so that they clearly understand what it does and how it works. Then they translate that knowledge into written format. Some of the work NASA technical writers might create includes operating and assembly instructions for space exploration equipment. Technical writers must break complicated findings about space exploration down into organized chunks of information, and they must develop a style of writing that is clear and specific. Often, the use of imagery can help make the technical space exploration findings discovered by NASA scientists easier to understand. NASA’s technical writers are also responsible for creating these visual materials, such as charts, animations, drawings and diagrams, as well as attaining pictures taken by NASA photographers. Technical writers must often undergo some short-term on-the-job training when they begin working at NASA, according to the BLS.

Occupational Grouping: Media and Communications

Median Salary: $70,240

Similar Degree Programs: Bachelor’s Degree in English or Journalism

13. Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations

When a government entity is as well-known as NASA, there’s bound to be a lot of public interest in its projects. Public relations specialists are media and communications professionals who cultivate a positive reputation for a company, organization or individual. They accomplish this goal through carefully managing the company’s written communications, speeches and other messages that promote a favorable image of the company. In a bachelor’s degree program in public relations, students take courses such as the foundations of public relations principles and practices, design for public relations messages, public relations writing, strategic communications, media relations, marketing and advertising and journalism. In addition to learning public relations theory, students in public relations degree programs will develop a portfolio of the work they have completed over the course of their college education, the BLS reported. It’s often beneficial for public relations majors to gain some real-world work experience, and make contacts within the industry, by completing an internship experience.

Public relations specialists who work for NASA make sure that discoveries made in the field of space exploration can find their way into public consciousness. Through the work of a public relations specialist, news media outlets across the country are made aware of NASA’s activities and findings so they can report on the story. Public relations specialists at NASA are responsible for devising and implementing a communication strategy that paints the space exploration program in a positive light. Press releases and news releases, articles, media advisories and blog posts are just a few of the types of content public relations specialists at NASA might create. They also assist with speeches, coordinating opportunities for speeches, fielding requests from schools for educational speakers and writing the speeches company representatives give, according to the BLS. Some NASA employees who work in public relations go by slightly different job titles, such as public affairs specialist or press secretary.

Occupational Grouping: Media and Communications

Median Salary: $56,770

Similar Degree Programs: Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, English, Communications or Business

14. Bachelor’s Degree in Film

You probably associate producers and directors more with blockbuster films or Broadway plays than with space exploration, but these entertainment professionals also play a role in NASA’s educational efforts. Directors and producers are the creative minds behind a performing arts production, whether it’s a much publicized high-budget movie or an educational film for students. While directors and producers don’t themselves appear on camera as actors do, their vision for the projects is what determines the look and feel of the film. Producers focus more on the financial aspects of securing funding and keeping expenses within budget, while directors typically are more involved in the artistic aspects of the film. A bachelor’s degree in film or cinema is the most common educational path for producers and directors, the BLS reported. In these degree programs, students study topics such as screenwriting, film history, the filmmaking process, editing and cinematography, according to the BLS.

Producers and directors who work for NASA focus their efforts on creating educational videos about space exploration. NASA’s educational videos cover subjects such as science concepts, inventions and innovations made possible by NASA for youth and adult audiences. These videos make complex concepts and technical processes, like assembling a telescope, easier for an audience to understand, according to the BLS. The directors involved in a NASA video project are responsible for choosing the creative elements of the film, like what subjects to film and how actors should portray their characters. Producers, on the other hand, take the role of overseeing the budget and production schedule. They hire a crew and ensure that the entire filmmaking process goes smoothly so that the final product is ready when it’s supposed to be ready and without going over the budget. Both the director and producer may have a hand in choosing the cast members who appear in the educational film.

Occupational Grouping: Media and Communications

Median Salary: $68,440

Similar Degree Programs: Bachelor’s Degree in Acting, Writing, Communication, Business or Art Management

15. Bachelor’s Degree in Photography

If you’re good with a camera, your photography skills could be your ticket to a career in the field of space exploration. Professional photographers make a living taking pictures. Some photographers specialize in portraits of individuals or groups, while others create photographs as a form of fine art or for commercial, news or scientific purposes. For aspiring photographers, having strong natural artistic abilities and a “good eye” for what makes a photo aesthetically pleasing is more important than pursuing a formal college education, the BLS reported. However, earning a degree in photography can help students develop their skills and learn the technical aspects of the art, including what makes a photograph good and how photography equipment works. Photography majors often take classes in photography techniques, processes, equipment and design and composition, according to the BLS. Perhaps more importantly, they begin developing a portfolio filled with their best photos that they can show to prospective employers or clients. 

At NASA, experienced photographers are necessary for capturing the space exploration program’s milestone events and discoveries. NASA photographers aren’t the ones who take photographs of space phenomena, because these media and communication professionals are based here on earth. However, their work in photographing the activities of NASA scientists and engineers plays an important role in preserving the history of the space exploration program and showing the progress NASA has made. Technically, even NASA photographers don’t necessarily need a college education. A highly skilled photographer with only a high school diploma may have a good aesthetic eye, strong artistic abilities and an impressive enough portfolio to attain a role taking pictures for NASA. However, photojournalists and scientific photographers are among the types of photographers that most often need a bachelor’s degree, according to the BLS. Whether or not they have a bachelor’s degree, NASA photographers typically need some long-term on-the-job training to succeed in their career.

Occupational Grouping: Media and Communications

Median Salary: $31,700

Similar Degree Programs: Bachelor’s Degree in Art

Editor’s Note: Choosing the right degree path is only one part of preparing for a career in the field of space exploration. While none of these majors can guarantee you a future working for NASA, they can help you take the first steps. For more information about space careers, check out this article by the BLS, the federal bureau which served as the source for the salary, occupational grouping and degree information data found in this article. Please note that the data contained above reflects salary data and job duties for these occupations in general and is not specific to NASA employment.

For Further Reading: 

Highest Paying Jobs With a Biology Degree – Degrees in Biology – Majors & Careers

Top 10 Highest Paying Engineering Careers

What Degree Do You Need to Be an Astrophysicist?

Best Paying Jobs With a Geography Degree

Which Degree Is Best for a Software Engineer?

What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

What Are My Degree Choices to Be a Film/TV Producer?

How Much Can I Make With a Degree in Digital Marketing?

What Degree Do I Need to Become a Lighting Designer?

How Long Does It Take to Become an Accountant?

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What to Know About Online Degree Programs

The first thing you should know about pursuing a college degree online is that, while convenient, online courses aren’t “easy.” Students of legitimate, accredited online colleges need to meet the same sorts of admission and graduation requirements as students attending classes on campus.

For example, you need a high school diploma or a GED to be accepted into most online programs. In the best online degree programs, you will take the same rigorous coursework as on-campus students take. The only difference is that you complete your coursework in an online format, often on your own schedule and from anywhere in the world.

Another fact students should be aware of is that online learning isn’t always cheaper than studying on campus. Tuition for online degree programs certainly can be cheaper, especially if you are looking at institutions where you will be charged a higher out-of-state tuition rate. However, that’s not always the case. For many online students, the biggest source of savings isn’t the direct cost of tuition and fees but rather not having to live on campus or commute to school.

Finally, prospective online students need to be particularly vigilant about choosing accredited schools and programs to avoid investing their time and money in a degree that turns out to be worthless. Students should look for colleges and universities that are accredited by one of the seven regional accrediting organizations recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA):

1. The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Western Association of Schools and Colleges

2. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

3. The New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

4. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

5. The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

6. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

7. The WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

Aside from the regional accreditation status of the school as a whole, students should consider programmatic accreditation, or accreditation of individual degree programs. Programmatic accreditation is particularly important for degrees in certain subjects.

For example, students pursuing a degree in any branch of engineering should ideally choose a program accredited by ABET, the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Earning an engineering degree from a program that isn’t ABET-accredited may prevent you from getting licensed later in your career. On the other hand, programmatic accreditation in degree programs that typically don’t lead to licensure is nice to have – because it demonstrates that the program meets high standards set by external organizations – but is less critical.

How Much Money Can Graduates of Online Programs Earn?

It’s true that virtually all of the highest-paying occupations in America, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), require more than a typical, fully online education. That’s because the vast majority of the most lucrative jobs in America are medical doctors in different areas of specialty or jobs – like nurse anesthetist or airline pilot – that otherwise require extensive clinical or hands-on training.

There are currently no fully online medical (MD or DO) degree programs that lead to licensure in the United States. While there are online degree programs in nurse anesthesia and aviation, these programs include a great deal of hands-on experience – clinical hours and flight hours – that you must complete in person.

RELATED: What Is the Difference Between an Anesthesiologist vs Nurse Anesthetist?

Still, online degree programs can put students on the path to a diverse array of lucrative jobs, many of which are in high demand. Some graduates of online degree programs even go on to eventually make upwards of six figures, and many earn salaries equal to or above the median annual salary for all occupations across the United States.

If you want to maximize your earning potential with an online education, you need to think carefully about your choice of college major. Certain programs of study are both closely connected to high-paying jobs and easily transferrable to online learning practices. These programs are the best online degrees to consider when it comes to salary potential.

What Are the 20 Highest-Paying Online Degrees?

Generally speaking, the highest-paying online degree programs tend to fit into either the field of business or STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects that don’t require a great deal of clinical experience. Management positions offer particularly high earning potential.

While most of the highest-paid positions you can get with online degrees require at least a bachelor’s degree, if not a master’s degree, some online programs at the associate’s degree level can also offer exceptional earning potential.

Below are 20 of the online programs with the highest earning potential.

1. Management Science

The more responsibility you hold in an organization, the higher your earning potential. As such, management skills are particularly valuable if you want to boost your salary. A degree in management science will prepare you for a breadth of different management positions.

These leadership-focused degrees can help you move up in the world of business administration or build upon your skills in another technical or specialized area so that you can take on a management role within your field. Coursework in master’s degree programs in management science commonly includes:

• organizational leadership in business operations and operations management
• methods of business analytics and data analysis

Some master’s degree programs in management science are more STEM-oriented, while others focus on business leadership skills more generally.

A master’s degree in management science can help you move into management positions of all kinds. Management roles in different occupations each have their own sets of distinct job duties and corresponding earning potential. In general, though, management occupations as a whole had the highest median annual salary of all occupational groups in 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The median salary for all management roles amounted to $102,450.

The more senior or more specialized your role in management, the greater your earning potential. One less specialized – yet lucrative – group of management roles to look at is top executive, which according to the BLS encompasses both chief executives and operations managers.

In an operations or general manager position, you will typically focus more on the routine leadership and administration tasks that keep your organization running productively. Chief executive roles tend to involve more focus on strategic planning and determining the larger direction of the organization.

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Operations managers, general managers, chief executives, STEM managers and top executives

Median Earning Potential: $97,970 (for general and operations managers) to $179,520 (for chief executives)

2. Computer Science

If you’ve got strong computer skills or an interest in computer technology, you’re in luck. Several of the most lucrative jobs available to online college graduates are roles in the computer science or information technology field.

Computer science is a broad field related to computer technology that encompasses the theory, design and development of computers and computer programs. Online students of computer science focus more on computational theory than their peers in related areas like computer engineering and more on the design of networks, operating systems and software programs than their peers in the computer information technology or computer information systems fields.

Online degrees in computer science and related fields of study exist at both the bachelor’s degree and master’s degree levels. Among the areas you might study when pursuing online degrees in computer science are:

• algorithms
• computer programming languages
• artificial intelligence
• software development
• computer systems and networks
• cybersecurity
• databases
• numerical data analysis

RELATED: What Is the Benefit of a Degree in Cybersecurity vs. Network Security?

The median annual salary the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported for jobs in the computer and information technology field as of 2022 was $85,000.

Computer science management positions are some of the highest-paying roles you can get with this online degree. For computer and information systems managers, the BLS reported a median annual salary of $159,010 as of 2021.

It isn’t only management roles in computer science that pay well. Jobs that require strong analytical skills, too, tend to be lucrative. For example, the median salary the BLS reported for the computer systems analyst occupation as of 2021 was just barely shy of the six-figure range.

A computer systems analyst typically performs more analytical and technical work than professionals in computer and information systems management roles, whose work more commonly emphasizes managing computer-related projects and overseeing an organization’s computer technology workforce.

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Computer systems analysts, chief technology officers and other computer and information systems managers

Median Earning Potential: $99,270 (for computer systems analysts) to $159,010 (for computer and information systems managers)

3. Computer Information Technology

If you’re more interested in the practical applications of computer technology than the theoretical underpinnings of computer science, information technology (IT) may be a better fit for you.

Work in the field of information technology tends to emphasize the selection, installation and troubleshooting of existing computer technologies for practical purposes. As a computer information technology professional, you’re likely to be involved in setting up and configuring computer networks and systems to meet an organization’s technological needs rather than designing new hardware components or software programs yourself.

RELATED: What Degree Do I Need to Be a Computer Technician?

If you want to focus your online education more narrowly, you might consider majoring in computer information systems rather than information technology. Computer information systems emphasizes the use of computer technology for business purposes. Online degree programs in computer information systems management typically include more business coursework along with coursework in computers and information systems.

This background, like a degree in computer science, can prepare students to eventually advance to high-level management roles with lucrative median salaries. Earning potential for non-management roles in this field is still high, although perhaps not as high as roles that fit under the domain of computer science. For the job of computer systems administrator, for example, the BLS reported a median salary in the $80,000 range.

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Computer systems administrators, IT directors, chief information officers, and other types of computer and information systems managers

Median Earning Potential: $80,600 (for network and computer systems administrators) to $159,010 for IT directors, chief information officers and other types of computer and information systems managers

4. Computer Engineering

Another field with a great deal of overlap with computer science is computer engineering, which is essentially the application of engineering design principles to computer systems. Computer engineers design and develop computer hardware (physical components) and software (programs). Although their designs are informed by the principles and practices of math and science, computer engineers focus less on theory and more on practical design applications.

In a computer engineering online bachelor’s degree program, students will typically complete core coursework in general engineering as well as classes more specific to their major. Computer engineering is a subfield within electrical and electronics engineering.

Many online degree programs in computer engineering introduce students to the principles and practices of both computer hardware engineering and software engineering. Students interested in computer hardware engineering would pursue more coursework in areas like:

• computer hardware
• computer architecture
• microprocessor systems
• circuit boards and other components

For students interested in software engineering, courses in common computer programming languages and writing computer algorithms, including the programming of artificial intelligence software, are more relevant.

Both hardware engineering and software development are lucrative fields, although skilled hardware engineers report a slightly higher median annual salary than software engineering professionals, according to data from the BLS.

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Computer software developer, software engineer and computer hardware engineer

Median Earning Potential: $120,730 (for computer software engineers and developers) to $128,170 (for computer hardware engineers)

5. Electrical and Electronics Engineering

Computers are far from the only aspects of electrical and electronics engineering that you can pursue through an online program. The field of electrical engineering encompasses computers and much more, from electric motors and power generation equipment to communications equipment and navigation equipment.

In electrical and electronics engineering degree programs, students complete courses in information and signals, the foundations and applications of electric and electronic circuits and digital logic design. Often, students pursuing an online bachelor’s degree in electrical and electronics engineering have the opportunity to focus on a specific area of application, such as:

• energy, optics and photonics
• electronic devices
• security
• privacy
• circuits and systems

Electrical and electronics engineering is a lucrative branch of engineering, with a median salary at or above the $100,000 mark for engineers who hold at least a bachelor’s degree. Even at the associate’s degree level, an online degree program in electrical engineering can offer considerable earning potential.

RELATED: Top 10 Paying Jobs With an Associate’s Degree

An associate’s degree in electrical engineering technology can qualify you to work as an electrical and electronic engineering technologist or technician. The median annual salary for electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians in 2021 was $63,640, the BLS reported. That’s a considerable increase over the $963 per week, or $50,076 per year, that the BLS reported as the median earnings for American workers with only an associate’s degree.

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Electrical engineering technicians or technologists, electrical engineers and electronics engineers

Median Earning Potential: $63,640 (for electrical engineering technician or technologist) to $100,420 (for electrical engineers) and $104,820 (for electronics engineers)

6. Petroleum Engineering

A non-management median salary of over $130 with only a bachelor’s degree? It may sound too good to be true, but that’s what you can expect when you leverage your online college education to become a petroleum engineer.

As the name suggests, petroleum engineers apply science-based principles of engineering design to the petroleum industry, and particularly to safely and efficiently extracting oil and gas deposits from the Earth. Some of the common jobs in petroleum engineering, according to the BLS, include:

• drilling engineers
• completions engineers
• production engineers
• reservoir engineers

In an online program in petroleum engineering, students learn about the properties of reservoir rock and petroleum fluid and the practices of logging, testing and completing the construction of wells. Lecture and laboratory work, which may be done online using simulators, allow students to grasp the principles and practices of drilling engineering, production engineering and reservoir engineering.

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Petroleum engineers

Median Earning Potential: $130,850 (for petroleum engineers) to $165,480 (for petroleum engineers working in management)

7. Aerospace Engineering

Online programs in aerospace engineering, the application of engineering design principles to aircraft and spacecraft, are more popular at the master’s degree level than the bachelor’s degree level. Depending on which aspect of the field a student chooses to pursue after they complete their undergraduate degree, they may become aeronautical engineers, who design aircraft and related components, or astronautical engineers, who design spacecraft.

Students pursuing a master’s degree in aerospace engineering take courses in flight dynamics, rocket propulsion, orbital mechanics, space systems and airfoil and wing theory. They also build on their existing knowledge of mechanics and dynamics acquired during their undergraduate studies with intermediate to advanced coursework in fluid mechanics, dynamics and quantum mechanics.

With a median annual salary above $120,000, according to the BLS, aerospace engineering is among the highest-paying engineering fields. If your goal is to take online courses that allow you to make six figures even without advancing to a management role, aerospace engineering could be the degree for you.

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Aerospace engineer

Median Earning Potential: $122,270 (for aerospace engineers overall) to $128,020 (for aerospace engineers working in scientific research and development)

8. Chemical Engineering

Another engineering discipline with a median annual salary in the six-figure range, according to the BLS, is chemical engineering. Chemical engineers apply engineering principles to solutions and innovations that pertain to chemicals – materials, processes, manufacturing equipment, safe operations procedures for facilities and more.

Many online programs for chemical engineers are offered at the graduate level as an opportunity for working professionals in the field to develop advanced skills. Online students pursuing a master’s degree in chemical engineering will commonly take classes in areas like:

• chemical engineering analysis
• biochemical engineering
• advanced transport phenomena
• advanced thermodynamics
• chemical reaction engineering
• chemical engineering process modeling
• bioseparations
• polymer science
• materials processing

A few colleges and universities offer online undergraduate degrees in chemical engineering. In an online bachelor’s degree program in chemical engineering, students can expect to complete core engineering studies, general education coursework and major-specific classes in this discipline of engineering. Major coursework for aspiring chemical engineers may include:

• fundamentals of chemical engineering
• chemical product design
• chemical engineering thermodynamics
• chemical engineering reactor design
• transport phenomena
• process dynamics and control
• experimental design

Students should be aware that some online bachelor’s degree programs in chemical engineering require on-campus laboratory work – typically condensed into a short residency period of one to two weeks during the summer – even if the rest of the coursework is conducted online. For example, three major-specific laboratory courses in the University of North Dakota‘s online Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering program must be completed in person, while other laboratory coursework may be completed online.

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Chemical engineers

Median Earning Potential: $105,550 (for chemical engineers overall) to $152,430 (for chemical engineers working in the engineering services industry)

9. Biomedical Engineering

Taking online classes in biomedical engineering can prepare you to make a difference and a near-six-figure median salary. Biomedical engineers apply engineering principles – including the principles of all major engineering disciplines, from chemical and electrical to mechanical – to the development of healthcare solutions and innovations.

RELATED: Highest Paying Jobs With a Biology Degree – Degrees in Biology – Majors & Careers

As you might expect, skilled biomedical engineers – and their life-changing and often life-saving breakthroughs – are in high demand. The BLS predicts that job opportunities for bioengineers and biomedical engineers will grow by a faster than average rate of 10% between 2021 and 2031.

Online bachelor’s degree programs in biomedical engineering are interdisciplinary programs that bring together foundational coursework in areas like:

• electrical engineering
• mechanical engineering
• chemical engineering

Also, specialized coursework in:

• biomedical engineering problems
• biomedical instrumentation
• biochemical engineering
• biomaterials processing
• biomedical imaging

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Biomedical engineer

Median Earning Potential: $97,410 (for chemical engineers overall) to $108,690 (for chemical engineers working in the electromedical instruments manufacturing industry)

10. Engineering Management

Engineering roles as a whole are lucrative, but the highest-paying engineering careers are in the field of engineering management. Engineering managers earned a median annual salary above $150,000 as of 2021, according to the BLS. Engineering managers work in all disciplines of engineering, performing job duties such as project management and planning, hiring and supervising engineers and taking projects from concept to completion.

Online degrees in engineering management are most commonly found at the graduate level. Although you can become an engineering manager with only a bachelor’s degree, you also need considerable work experience as an established engineer. Becoming an engineer in the first place requires a bachelor’s degree in some discipline of engineering, so online students in an engineering management program typically already have a bachelor’s degree.

In online master’s degree programs in engineering management, students take classes in:

• engineering decision-making
• engineering economics
• strategic risk management
• project management
• facilities management
• systems in engineering management
• skills for managing engineering teams
• engineering law and ethics

Notably, unlike a Master of Science (MS) degree in any branch of engineering, the focus of a Master of Engineering Management (MEM) degree is less on developing technical skills and more on cultivating the skills and knowledge needed to successfully manage people and projects in the technical area of engineering design.

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Engineering manager, engineering program manager, project engineering manager, engineering director

Median Earning Potential: $152,350 (for architectural and engineering managers overall) to $187,240 (for engineering managers working in the scientific research and development services industry)

11. Construction Management

Related to the role of engineering manager is construction manager. A construction manager’s job is to plan and supervise a construction project – such as building a residential home, a development of residential homes, an industrial complex or a bridge – from start to finish. Although you may not think of construction as being a high-paying field, the median annual salary for construction management roles amounted to nearly six figures in 2021, according to the BLS.

In online bachelor’s degree programs in construction management, students typically begin their major coursework by studying the fundamentals of the construction industry. More specialized coursework includes construction project management and administration, planning and scheduling for construction projects, construction cost accounting and finance, building construction systems and codes, project building systems, building energy systems for construction managers and construction safety.

RELATED: Architect vs Engineer: What Is the Benefit of an Engineering Degree Over an Architecture Degree?

In addition to their major coursework in construction management, students pursuing this online bachelor’s degree should expect to complete general education courses in a variety of subjects.

An online education in construction management is a particularly good choice for experienced carpenters, masonry contractors and other construction workers who don’t yet have a bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s degree is considered the minimum entry-level education for most construction manager roles, according to the BLS. By choosing an online education program to pursue their bachelor’s degree, experienced contractors can better balance work and their studies so that they can eventually advance to a management role.

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: construction managers, general contractors, construction project managers

Median Earning Potential: $98,890 (for construction managers overall) to $100,260 (for construction managers working in nonresidential building construction) and $100,310 (for construction managers working in heavy and civil engineering construction)

12. Business Administration

Online degree programs in business administration are popular at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Business administration is one of the best online degrees for its versatility. Generally, a degree program in business administration – whether offered at the bachelor’s degree or master’s degree level – encompasses core business studies across disciplines within the field of business as well as focused coursework in an area of concentration.

Two common online education programs in the field of business administration are the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and the Master of Business Administration (MBA).

A bachelor’s degree in business administration can prepare you for entry-level positions in the field of business. Through your bachelor’s degree curriculum in business administration, you will learn the basics of business practices and build knowledge of business operations and the foundations of accounting, finance and financial management, marketing and business communications.

Elective courses in a business administration bachelor’s degree program might include international business and project management. Like other bachelor’s degree programs, BBA online programs typically take four years to complete.

In a Master of Business Administration program, students complete more advanced coursework in these areas. Core coursework in an online MBA program might include graduate-level studies in:

• quantitative business analysis
• managerial accounting
• information management
• international business economics
• management of teams and human capital
• marketing management
• supply chain management

Most full-time online MBA programs can be completed in two years. However, some master’s degree programs in business are accelerated, allowing for completion in as little as one year, while others are structured on a part-time basis that takes longer to complete.

One aspect that makes business administration ones of the best online degrees is the program’s ability to prepare students for a variety of high-paying roles. In the business field, some of the potential jobs you could find with this online education include:

• accountant
• management analyst
• financial manager
• marketing manager
• human resources manager
• chief executive

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Accountants, Management analysts, financial managers and chief executives

Median Earning Potential: $77,250 (for accountants) and $93,000 (for management analysts) to $131,710 (for financial managers) and $179,520 (for chief executives)

13. Finance

Business administration is the broad field of business study, but majoring in one of the subfields within business can be just as lucrative, if not more so. One of the most lucrative subfields of business you can study is finance, the area of business concerned with the management and growth of wealth.

Even non-management roles in finance, including in areas like financial analysis and personal financial management, have median salaries that approach the six-figure range, according to the BLS. The best-paying positions fit into the financial manager occupation.

Financial manager roles encompass jobs like controller, finance officer and treasurer, the BLS reported, and the median salary for these roles was more than $130,000 in 2021. A financial manager doesn’t necessarily need an advanced degree but typically does need at least five years of relevant work experience, the BLS reported.

In an online bachelor’s degree program in finance, students typically take courses in:

• financial analysis
• corporate finance
• international finance
• the foundations of financial management
• intermediate financial management
• financial markets and investment
• portfolio analysis

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Personal financial advisors, financial analysts, Financial managers, controllers, treasurers, finance officers, credit managers and cash managers

Median Earning Potential:
$94,170 (for personal financial advisers) and $95,570 (for financial analysts) to $131,710 (for financial managers overall) and $158,820 (for financial managers employed in the management of companies and enterprise industry)

14. Human Resource Management

Human resources isn’t one of the more lucrative areas of business, particularly at the non-management level, but skilled workers in this area are in high demand. Human resources manager roles are the most lucrative, with a median salary – $126,230 – that more than doubles the $62,290 median annual salary the BLS reported for HR specialists in 2021.

RELATED: What Salary Can I Expect With a Human Resources Management Degree?

The field of HR is concerned with building and maintaining an organization’s workforce. Human resources specialists are involved in recruiting, hiring, and training workers, as well as resolving interpersonal conflicts among workers or between workers and management and overseeing efforts to retain employees. In some organizations, particularly smaller companies, human resources personnel are also involved in payroll and benefits administration.

Human resource management roles still prioritize the building and maintenance of the company’s workforce, but human resources managers focus more on overseeing an organization’s HR department and its efforts. HR managers supervise the work of human resources specialists and generalists while also working closely with senior management.

“Several” years of human resources work experience, along with a bachelor’s degree (and, for some roles, a master’s degree), are required for most HR manager jobs, the BLS reported.

In an online HR management program of study, students take classes in:

• the introductory concepts of human resources management
• employment law
• staffing and recruitment
• training and development
• compensation and benefits
• organizational development
• global HR management

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Human resources specialist, human resources generalist, human resources manager, human resources director

Median Earning Potential: $62,290 (for human resources specialists overall) and $76,920 (for human resources specialists in the professional, scientific and technical services) to $126,230 (for human resources managers)

15. Supply Chain Management

An online bachelor’s degree program in supply chain management prepares students for work in planning and coordinating the logistics of procuring, manufacturing and transporting materials for an organization.

Not all jobs in supply chain management are actually management roles. Rather, recent graduates of supply chain management programs often start out as logisticians, who focus on the flow of movement of the materials an organization needs and on the storage of those materials. Supply chain managers, on the other hand, oversee the supply chain more broadly, including but not limited to the logistics that a logistician coordinates.

Students in an online bachelor’s degree program in supply chain management typically study:

• logistics management
• supply chain strategy
• global supply operations and management
• business decision models
• planning and control systems for supply chain management
• lean and quality management
• research and negotiation

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Logisticians, supply chain managers and supply chain directors

Median Earning Potential: $77,030 (for logisticians overall) and $88,710 (for logisticians employed by the federal government) to $98,230 (for supply chain managers)

16. Marketing

Marketing is the area of business that refers to promoting a company or product. There are many aspects of work in business marketing, from the quantitative market research side to the creative side of crafting marketing messages and advertising campaigns.

The most lucrative roles in marketing are marketing management positions. A marketing manager oversees marketing efforts and personnel in the marketing department. Marketing managers may be involved in everything from identifying products and services to develop or expand and estimating the market and demand for these offerings to the development and implementation of marketing campaigns for these offerings. For marketing managers as a whole, the BLS reported a median salary above $135,000.

Among non-management roles in marketing, market research analyst is among the best-paying career paths. Market research analysts are concerned with the statistical analysis of data pertaining to business markets. By researching consumer needs, purchasing habits and attitudes, as well as competitors’ offerings and methods, market research analysts can provide insight on how (and whether) to develop, price and promote a company’s goods and services.

The median salary for a market research analyst is less than half of that of a marketing manager, the BLS reported.

Online students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marketing will likely take courses in:

• marketing principles
• marketing strategy
• marketing research and consumer behavior
• business strategy
• business writing
• management concepts

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Market research analysts and marketing managers

Median Earning Potential: $63,920 (for market research analysts overall) and $79,640 (for market research analysts employed in management) to $135,030 (for marketing managers overall) and $155,470 (for marketing managers in the Professional, scientific and technical services industry)

17. Healthcare Administration

Many of the most lucrative careers in America are in the medical and healthcare industry, but roles like physician, physician assistant and nurse practitioner require a great deal of in-person clinical work. One of the best online degrees for working in healthcare facilities is healthcare administration.

This bachelor’s degree or master’s degree program emphasizes the development of both general and specialized knowledge to apply business administration principles and practices to the unique environment of healthcare facilities, the BLS reported.

Students in a healthcare administration program take classes like:

• health care policy and economics
• finance for health care
• information systems for health care
• strategic planning for health care
• organization and management for health care
• operational analysis
• quality improvement in health care
• health care leadership and ethics

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Healthcare administrators and healthcare executives

Median Earning Potential: $101,340 (for medical and health services managers overall) to $119,450 (for health administrators employed by hospitals)

18. Actuarial Science

Our list of the best online degrees has included numerous programs in science, technology and engineering, but there’s still the “M” in STEM: mathematics. Actuarial science is a field at the intersection of mathematics and business that focuses on the statistical and mathematical calculation of risk.

Actuary is a high-paid career with a six-figure median salary, and for a good reason. Becoming an actuary isn’t easy. Not only do actuaries perform complex mathematical calculations, but they also must pass a sequence of difficult professional certification exams over the course of their career, the BLS reported. A less challenging (although also less lucrative) career path you could pursue with a background in actuarial science is insurance underwriter, for which the BLS reported a median salary in the mid-$70,000 range.

In an online actuarial science program, students should be prepared to take a great deal of math coursework, including a sequence of calculus courses and studies in linear algebra and differential equations. Major coursework for actuarial science students blends math and business studies, with classes in:

• financial mathematics
• probability
• financial statistics
• business finance
• financial and managerial accounting

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Insurance underwriters and actuaries

Median Earning Potential: $76,390 (for insurance underwriters) to $105,900 (for actuaries overall) and $110,590 (for actuaries employed by the government)

19. Mathematics or Statistics

Actuarial science isn’t the only practical application of a mathematics education. If you’re interested in math, you can earn a surprisingly lucrative salary with an online mathematics or statistics degree. Mathematicians earn a median salary in the six-figure range, and statisticians earn almost six figures, the BLS reported.

If you major in mathematics or statistics as an online student, your major coursework will, obviously, be very math heavy.

Mathematics majors take a series of calculus courses along with classes in linear and modern algebra, abstract mathematics, mathematical models and real analysis. They are encouraged to take elective courses in areas such as:

• differential equations
• statistical techniques
• geometry
• number theory and topology
• computational methods
• finance

Statistics majors focus less on areas like calculus and algebra in their major coursework and more on methods of statistical analysis and their underlying concepts. An online statistics degree program might cover introductory coursework in mathematical statistics, probability theory, regression methods, experimental design and variance analysis and methods of statistical consulting. Popular electives among statistics majors include:

• statistical analysis system programming using languages like R and Python
• applications of statistical methods to data management, epidemiological research, clinical trials and genomics

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Statisticians and mathematicians

Median Earning Potential: $95,570 (for statisticians overall) and $108,100 (for mathematicians overall) to $114,770 (for statisticians employed in the scientific research and development industry) and $129,800 (for mathematicians employed in the professional, scientific and technical services industry)

20. Environmental Science

Rounding out our list of 20 high-paying online programs is an interdisciplinary STEM subject that allows graduates to make a difference in the world around them. Environmental science encompasses all aspects of the scientific study of the environment and the development of scientific solutions to environmental problems, including pollution and climate change.

RELATED: What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

Most online environmental science programs require students to build a background in the foundations of biology, chemistry, physics, math and statistics. Major coursework builds upon this basic science background in areas like:

• natural environmental systems
• ecology
• soil science and geology
• hydrology
• environmental policy
• environmental management
• environmental ethics

RELATED: Top 10 Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Environmental Science

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Environmental scientists, climate change analysts, industrial ecologists and environmental chemists

Median Earning Potential: $76,530 (for environmental scientists overall) to $103,530 (for environmental scientists working for the federal government)

Where Can You Work With an Online Education?

As you can see from our list of the best online degrees, online education prepares students for a variety of different fields and levels of seniority. New graduates without extensive work experience can use their online degrees to land their first entry-level positions in a field that requires a college education. As they gain experience, these professionals can advance to roles where they have more responsibility and, in turn, a higher earning potential.

For established professionals, online degrees can allow for career advancement without having to leave the workforce. This may be the case for workers who have experience in a technical area but no formal college degree or only a minimal level of study, such as an associate’s degree. Taking online classes offers working professionals in fields like engineering, construction, computer technology and business an opportunity to develop skills in leadership and project management while continuing to thrive where they are. That’s why many of the best online degrees are master’s degree programs.

Because graduates of online degree programs work in different fields and at different levels of seniority, the industries and environments where they may find work are almost limitless. Many graduates of online programs work for for-profit businesses in a variety of industries, including engineering services, the finance and insurance industry, construction and manufacturing. Some graduates of online education programs work for government agencies or nonprofit organizations. Your job opportunities with an online education are plentiful, and where you take your career depends on what you want to do.

For Further Reading:

What Degree Do I Need to Be a Policy Analyst?

What Degree Do I Need to Be an Intelligence Analyst?

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1. University of Florida

The University of Florida is a land-grant public research university with a main campus in Gainesville, Florida. Known for highly competitive sports, UF is also a great school. Some of the top ranked programs within the university include their programs in communications, education, business, medicine, engineering, law, and others. It’s typically thought of as one of the top 30 public schools in the nation and offers a huge range of degrees from the bachelor’s through doctoral levels. In recent years parts of the university have made a push online, including their master’s in communications. 

The University of Florida’s fully online master’s in communications blew us away for the range and quality of academic programs. Individuals can pursue a wide range of specializations catered to the 21st century including audience analytics, digital strategy, global strategic communication, political communication, PR communication, PR, social media, as well as web design. For students not wichin to pursue an entire master’s program, or wishing to level up in more than one discipline a handful of these specializations are also available as graduate-level certificate programs. Degrees may be finished in under two years and boast robust placement in the job market. 

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2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is one of the best public universities in the nation and is considered a Public Ivy school. Formed in the late 1700’s, UNC has a long tradition of excellence. Today over 30,000 students call the university home, making it a large university. With its ample endowment, however, UNC is able to maintain small class sizes and a great deal of one-on-one attention for students to pursue a degree there. Particularly at the graduate levels, students have the ability to learn from award winning and nationally renowned individuals within their field, and the online communications masters is no different!

Known for their up-to-date, real world programming, UNC’s Hussman School of Journalism and Media offers a fully online master of arts in digital communication perfectly suited to the PR and communications needs of the 21st century. With two courses most semesters, individuals are able to work full time pursuing this degree. The final project is a non-traditional thesis, which allows individuals to build a portfolio with a semester-long project. Courses include digital-specific concerns such as media law online, usability, multimedia design, visualization of information, among others. 

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3. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Located in the twin cities of Urbana and Champaign, Illinois, U of I is a second Public Ivy school in our list. Though the list of accolades for U of I could go on for several pages, some highlights include the second largest university library in the world, a massive research park that is home to over 90 start-ups, and impressive alumni including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer and Turing Prize winners, among others. Over 50,000 students attend U of I, with a majority at the undergraduate level. 

For potential students looking to jump into corporate or brand communications, U of I offers a fully online program that may be just for you. The masters in strategic brand communication as well as additional certificates and courses in the subject matter are led by real world experts and provide immediately applicable knowledge. With a 16 months time until degree, students can expect to be able to jump back into the workforce very quickly (or pursue the degree while working). For individuals presently working in communication, U or I is happy to work with your employer to try and line up employer sponsorship for the degree as well. 

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4. Columbia University

Columbia University of New York is an Ivy League institution located at one of the hearts of modern communications. One of the nine colonial colleges founded in the Declaration of Independence, the university has a long history of excellence. Today the university has one of the largest endowments in the world, enabling the school to provide great levels of support and small class sizes even for its size. While it is the first private institution in our list, and therefore has an expensive “sticker price,” a “need blind” financial aid policy means the school tends to cover excess financial need for potential students. 

Columbia University’s renowned school of professional studies offers a unique master’s level communication degree. This Executive Master of Science in Strategic Communication is specifically for individuals who have a decent amount of experience in the field. This means that the program can start with more advanced topics and skip intro material. This also means that the program can be completed part time and in as few as 16 months. We should note that this is not a 100% online degree, but rather provides most courses online with a few in-person meetups that simulate key communications settings in the real world. 

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5. Purdue University

The flagship university of the Purdue University system, this university holds designations as a sea-grant and space-grant institution. Home to over 43,000 students, in recent years this prestigious university has started to open some degree programs up to online delivery methods. Particularly noteworthy programs include their overall undergraduate experience as well as engineering degrees. In recent years Purdue has been among the 20 top public schools in the nation and last year was honored by being named one of the five most innovative universities in the United States. 

Purdue University’s online masters in communications is impressive for the range of specializations offered as well as how quickly one can achieve the degree. Students may choose how quickly they want to finish their degree, with average times ranging between 12 and 20 months. A range of specialization options include the intersection of communication and leadership, advertising, public relations, or health. No GRE or residency requirements mean you can jump right into the application and don’t have to disrupt your life or career to progress through the program. 

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6. Florida International University

Florida International University is a relatively young (56 years old) public research university that’s located in accordingly named University Park, Florida. Despite its age, the university holds the highest designation for research activity. Up until 2005, the university placed an emphasis on growth in student body size. But in years since the focus has shifted on continually improving the quality of education being offered. With this said, this is still quite a large university with close to 60,000 students attending. With an estimated undergraduate cost per year after aid of $8,000, it’s also one of the most affordable schools we surveyed.

Florida International University offers a fully online master of science in global strategic communications. This university is particularly well suited to provide such an international degree given it’s proximity to the Carribean, Latin, and South America. This degree is interdisciplinary and offered by the innovative college of communication, architecture, and the arts. The program is also one of the most accelerated available on our list, and only requires 12 months of study, all online.  Additionally students may start the program in the Fall or Spring semesters. 

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7. American University

This private research university located in Washington, D.C. is associated with the United Methodist Church, and was founded to promote public service, internationalism, and pragmatic idealism. Known for its connection to the political action within D.C., the university is a great location to learn international affairs, diplomacy, communications, and law. A wide range of politicians have passed through this school, and it’s one of the top five producers of members of the U.S. Foreign Service, Congressional Staff, as well as Ambassadors. With “just” 5,000 postgraduates who attend the university, courses can be kept relatively small in size leading to increased interactions and quality. 

American University builds on its unique position within the center of United States politics and governance to present a world class master of arts in strategic communication. We like this degree for the unique range of specializations that individuals may pursue. These focus areas include advocacy and social impact, digital communication strategies and analytics, international strategic communication, and corporate communication and reputation management. Speaking of reputation, American University is well known throughout the world and particularly in governance circles. 

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8. Michigan State University

This public land-grant university is the flagship university of the Michigan State University system. Founded in the mid 1800’s, MSU was originally an agricultural college, and served as a model for many of the agricultural colleges that were created after it. It is one of the largest universities in the nation by enrollment. And graduates can draw from over 600,000 living alumni as connections across the world. With an 80% graduation rate at the undergraduate level (typically a marker of academic quality), it ranks among the best of the surveyed schools, particularly accounting for the relatively more affordable tuition when compared to private universities. 

Michigan State University offers a fully online master of arts in strategic communication. We like this degree program for its affordable nature and flexibility. Students may choose from one, two, and three-year tracks. Each of these tracks is 100% online. Additionally students may choose three specialization areas. These include: digital media, media analytics, and organizational leadership and communications. No GRE requirements and a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 keep this program accessible to many individuals. Additionally, students may begin their studies in fall, spring, or summer. 

• Program Website

9. Johns Hopkins University

This private research university is one of the most prestigious in the United States, commonly ranking among the 20 best schools in the world. Located with a main campus in Baltimore, Maryland, the undergraduate colleges are kept relatively small. Though it’s postgraduate work that the university is most well-known for. As a space-grant institution located close to many aeronautical and governmental centers in the region, many of their engineering programs stand out. Proximity to D.C. also bodes well for connections for students who want to pursue opportunities in government, politics, and industry. Additional clusters of excellence within the university include medicine-related degrees, education, international studies, and foreign policy. 

The ability to attend schools of the caliber of Johns Hopkins fully online is rare. That’s part of what makes Johns Hopkins online master of arts in communication a great find. Additionally, three start dates (fall, spring, summer) and an adjustable time until degree ranging from 12 to 24 months make this program flexible enough for many individuals working full time. Nine segments help to build up versatility in graduates. These segments include writing and editing, publishing and media, brand management, political communication, content strategy, public relations, and advertising and marketing. 

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10. Eastern Illinois University

Originally established as a teacher’s college, today Eastern Illinois University offers a wide range of degrees at the bachelor’s and master’s level. Home to roughly 8,600 students of whom 1,600 study at the graduate level, courses are able to be kept small in order to promote quality engagement. With a solid graduation rate for schools within its tier, the university is a “best buy” in terms of offering affordable tuition at all levels. 

The fully online master of arts in communication studies offered by Eastern Illinois University is impressive for its great job placement rate as well as its range of concentrations individuals can specialize with. 86% of graduates find a job within the field of communications within three months of graduation. Students within the program can jump into a range of concentrations including strategic communication, media and critical studies, communication and leadership, interpersonal communication processes, as well as a pedagogy option. Additionally, a graduate certification is available for individuals who don’t want to pursue an entire master’s. 

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11. University of Missouri

This public land-grant, space-grant and research university is the flagship location of the University of Missouri System. As the first public university to be erected west of the Mississippi River, Mizzou has long held a prestigious place among midwest universities. Journalism and communication have been at heart of their offerings for over 100 years, as the first school in the United States to open a school of journalism (likely the second in the world). At around 30,000 students, the university is large but not overwhelming. Around 7,000 of these students study at the postgraduate level. 

The University of Missouri’s online masters in strategic communication provides a great option for individuals who want to balance work with school. Slower paced than other programs in our ranking, students may take one or two courses each semester. This leads to graduation in two or three years, but is likely easier to handle if working full time. One campus visit is required, so technically this is a “blended” degree. With that said, all courses are available online. This degree is offered by the school of journalism. 

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12. Colorado State University

This public land-grant university is located in Fort Collins, Colorado within view of the front range of the Rockies. In recent years, however, Colorado State University has heavily pushed online education as well. Not to be confused with a separate school in the same system that is 100% online (Colorado State University Global), Colorado State University also offers some of its own degrees online. Originally an agricultural and mechanical college, the university has made a name for itself in environmental sciences, cancer research, and as a location for the origination of the Peace Corps. 

Colorado State University Online’s fully online master of communications and media management provides a take slightly different from others in our ranking. The focus on management of media can be great for individuals looking to move up the communications ladder. A focus on technical skills in electives as well as building a professional network and learning applied knowledge is great for individuals looking to build on the degree directly within their career. This degree may be completed in two years and offers financial aid for graduate students who need it. 

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13. Texas Tech University

The main institution within the Texas Tech University System,this public research institution is designated as a Hispanic-serving institution. Over 150 courses of study are offered and the university provides more than 60 research centers. With over 40,000 students, the university is one of the largest in the region, and alumni have gone on to achieve prominence in many fields and particularly in government, science, business, and sports. 

Texas tech University’s College of Media and Communications offers a fully online masters in strategic communication and innovation. This degree focuses on the digital environments that most communications occur in today. Additionally, students not wishing to pursue a full master’s degree may opt for a graduate certificate in the same subject matter. Asynchronous courses provide the ideal amount of flexibility for working students. Additionally, four start dates are available and students may choose to pursue two or three courses for each semester in the program. 

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14. University of Michigan – Flint

Operated under the board of regents of the University of Michigan system, the University of Michigan at Flint is one of two regional counterparts to the flagship schools. Rated as a Doctoral/Professional University, emphasis is not on research but on applied professional degrees moreseo. A regular of the “Best Midwestern” schools category in national rankings, the school provides a great value with one of the cheapest cost per credit hour after financial aid of schools surveyed. The school is a mid-sized university with only 1,400 postgraduates and an additional 6,000 undergraduates. 

The University of Michigan at Flint offers small class sizes and supportive student services for their online masters in communication studies. Three emphasis areas allow students to craft a degree of their choosing. These focus areas include professional communications, media studies, and speech communication. Speech communication is a unique offering among schools we’ve ranked, and focuses on generalist communication as well as cultural connections, and interpersonal matters. 

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15. Northeastern University

This space-grant, private research university is one of the top schools in the nation. With a main campus in Boston, Massachusetts, in recent years the university has expanded to industrial and governmental hubs with a range of satellite campuses as well as online. Satellite campuses are presently in Charlotte, Seattle, San Jose, San Francisco, Toronto, Vancouver, Portland (ME) as well as London, England. With 27,000 students, it’s a fairly large private school. But with this said, a commitment to high quality classes and a large endowment enables small manageable class sizes where students may interact or get more one-on-one instruction. 

Northeastern University is known for their professional studies education, and this communications degree entirely fits within that focus. The fully online master’s in corporate and organizational communication can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis with the part time program only requiring 18 months for completion. The accelerated full-time program may be completed in a year entirely online so you can get back to your career quickly. Six concentrations allow for additional focus areas to be added to the degree. These include public and media relations, cross cultural communications as well as social media. 

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16. The University of Alabama

The University of Alabama may best be known for their athletics, but their academics also rise to the top of their region (if not nationally in fields). This sea-grant and space-grant very high research activity university is presently home to around 38,000 students. Particularly noteworthy schools within the university include their law school, business school, education school, and engineering school. In recent years they’ve made a push into online education by growing their “Bama by Distance” program. Their offerings in journalism are particularly well fleshed out in these distance offerings. 

Bama by Distance’s fully online master of arts in communication studies with a specialization in organizational leadership places highly in our ranking due to its flexibility, price, and quality. While all students will focus on the organizational leadership component of communications, students may choose a professional or academic option, depending on whether they would like to pursue further education in the subject matter or jump back into their career. The primary difference is that the academic option requires a comprehensive exam, while the professional option requires an applied capstone portfolio project. Three start date windows as well as affordable tuition make this program more accessible to all. 

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17. Mississippi College

One of the first religious colleges in our list, Mississippi College is a private Baptist college with a main campus in Clinton, Mississippi. It holds the honor of being the oldest college in the state of Mississippi as well as the second oldest Baptist college in the United States. While designated a college due to the institution’s primary focus on undergraduate education, some graduate degrees are offered. Of the 6,300 students, roughly one quarter of them study at the postgraduate level, either in Mississippi College’s law school or additional graduate programs. This medium-sized private school is able to offer quality student-to-faculty ratios, meaning that students get plenty of attention and support. 

If you’re a student looking for a Christian-based education in communication, Mississippi College could be a great choice. We like this program for its range of concentrations. Concentrations available include: an applied generalist degree, an applied journalism degree, an applied theater degree, an applied health-centered communication degree, a sports communication degree, and a PR and corporate communication degree. Presently the generalist and health concentrations are the only concentrations available online. 

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18. University of Denver

This private research university is the oldest private university within the Rocky Mountain region. Home to almost 13,000 students, the university is somewhat large for a private organization. This allows for the school to host a wide range of research programs. The university is classified as an R2: Doctoral University – High Research Activity, school. Some of their top ranked programs are related to communication, with one of the best creative writing programs in the nation as well as one of the top International Studies degree programs. In recent years this university has pushed to gain a larger footprint online, and offers many quality degrees by this delivery method. 

Denver University offers a fully online masters in communication management degree. This could be a great option for individuals who already hold practical communications skills and would like to move up the ladder within a communications organization. Focus areas include data-driven storytelling, strategic communication, organizational change, and interpersonal conversations. Semesters last 10 weeks and individuals do not need to take a GRE or GMAT for acceptance into the program. Students may elect to pursue a 6-month long certificate program, a longer 12 month certificate program, or the entire 18 month-long master’s degree. 

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19. Gonzaga University

The first Catholic university in our list is located in Spokane, Washington. This top 100 university in the United States is particularly well known in the west, where it makes the top 30 universities. Noteworthy programs include engineering, among others. A mid-sized student body allows the school to boast particularly quality student to faculty ratios. At present roughly 7,500 students attend the school with 2,200 at the graduate levels. The university has a handful of online degrees of which a masters in communications degree is one. 

Gonzaga University’s master’s in communication and leadership is available fully online and provides a unique focus on research, analysis, and problem solving. It provides one of the widest ranges of concentrations of programs we have seen in this year’s ranking. Concentrations presently available include change leadership, college teaching, digital media strategies, global leadership, servant leadership, and strategic and organizational communication. A range of domestic immersion experiences as well as study abroad opportunities are available if students choose to pursue them. 

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20. Syracuse University

This private research university was originally established by the Methodist Episcopal Church, and still maintains a relationship with the United Methodist Church (though it is described as nonsectarian). One of the top 100 schools in the nation, this space-grant university is home to close to 23,000 students with a majority of them at the undergraduate level. Though the main campus is in Syracuse, New York, a growing range of degrees are offered fully online. Among their most noteworthy programs are their social science degrees, design degrees, architecture degrees, information studies, management, law, among others. 

Syracuse University provides a top-ranked fully online master of science in communications that focuses on public relations. We like this program due to the national name recognition of Syracuse, quality of courses as well as flexibility-enhancing program components. The degree may be completed in as few as 15 months and no GRE or GMAT scores are required. Unlike some programs that are asynchronous, these courses are live and taught by the world class faculty of Newhouse college. Additional concentrations include advertising, journalism innovation, and media management. 

• Program Website

The post The 20 Best Online Master’s In Communications Degree Programs appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

With this in mind, an international business background is commonly required for upper-level employment in international tourism agencies. And even to work in the industry domestically, management positions are reserved for professionals who have specialized backgrounds in business management. 

Given the specialized requirements of high-end positions in the job market, it can be tremendously difficult for professionals to work their way up the professional ladder without the proper degree to back them up. A Master’s of Hospitality Management is designed specifically for this purpose–to position students to take on the upper-level and most lucrative jobs in the hospitality and tourism industry. 

1. Florida State University

Florida State University (FSU) has produced industry-leading professionals in the hospitality and tourism space. The FSU Dedman College of Hospitality is designed specifically to prepare students to not only excel as professionals, but to thrive as industry leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs. Dedman College of Hospitality offers various undergraduate and graduate degree paths that confer a different focus or specialization–each of which consistently rank among the best of their kind. 

The College however, offers one graduate level program–a fully online Master’s of Entrepreneurship in Hospitality Management. Offered through a collaboration between the Dedman College of Hospitality and the College of Entrepreneurship, the program is designed to cultivate students’ capacity of innovative thinking and strategic business strategizing. 

Students will build toward expertise by progressing in the following areas of coursework:

• Accounting and Finance for Entrepreneurs
• Ethics in Management
• Strategy Formulation
• Foundation in Entrepreneurship and Leadership
• Hospitality Colloquium
• Entrepreneurial Lodging
• Legal Environment of Hospitality and Tourism Operations
• Marketing Strategy

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2. The University of Alabama

Whether for its popular sports programs, its massive network of research facilities, or its robust degree offerings, University of Alabama (UA) is a well known name in higher education. Through the online degree programs offered by College of Continuing Education, UA reaches more students than ever before. These programs are designed to jumpstart students’ careers in flexible yet academically rigorous programs that can be completed by full-time workers and first-time college students alike. 

The UA College of Continuing Education offers a Master of Science in Hospitality Management that is designed for students coming from one of two backgrounds: students coming from a bachelor’s program who look to specialize in hospitality career, or professionals coming from the hospitality industry who look to build the necessary expertise to take on managerial roles and upper-level employment. 

Students will progress through a thesis or non-thesis track of business-oriented curriculum that prepares them for positions of management. Specifically, students will delve deeply into the following areas of coursework: 

• Research Method
• Leadership in the Hospitality Industry
• Hospitality Law
• Management in the Hospitality Industry
• RHM 596 Seminar in Hospitality Management
• Financial Management and Hospitality Operations
• Special Problems in Hospitality Management

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3. Florida International University

Florida International University (FIU) is a prestigious institution that has driven industry-changing innovation in higher education. For FIU the word ‘international’ is not just marketing slang but a core pillar of the University’s aspirations. Where applicable FIU incorporates global awareness, international business studies, and worldwide internships. This statement is particularly true in the case of FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. 

In 2006, FIU unveiled the first American Hospitality and Tourism School in China. Today students can take advantage of this resource to facilitate Chinese business networking opportunities as well as internships–specifically with the Marriott in Tianjin, China. Through the Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management students can earn one of two Master’s degrees. 

Specifically, students can enroll either in the Master of Science in Hospitality Management or in the Executive Master of Science in Hospitality Management. The former will be the most common choice for students enrolling after completing a bachelor’s degree and can be completed entirely online in just one year. The executive program however, is designed for students who have demonstrated success working in the hospitality industry and can be completed in just 10 months entirely online. 

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4. Purdue University

Purdue University is a name associated with academic prestige and pedigree, a reputation conferred by its tremendously talented faculty who work at the forefront of their respective specialties. Faculty leverage their expertise and inside-knowledge of industries to position students to capitalize on market needs and opportunities after graduation. With the development of its online degree programs, more students are able to benefit from Purdue’s high standard of education. 

Purdue Online offers a Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management. Purdue has been recognized for offering the #1 Master’s and Doctoral Degree Programs for hospitality management education in the Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Education. Graduates of these programs can leverage the high level of prestige for higher levels of competitiveness in the job market. 

One reason for the excellence of these programs is the commitment to research-centric studies. Students will explore the ins and outs current industry statistics, market interactions, and employer needs. So upon graduation students will have the complete tool kit needed to excel as professionals and leaders. 

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5. University of Central Florida

The University of Central Florida (UCF) offers more than 200 hundred degree programs that are designed to represent the real-world needs of the job market. The Rosen College of Hospitality Management is positioned in the #1 tourist destination in America, Florida. The College leverages this position to tap into global tourism networks and professional connections, so that students can find professional opportunities and internship opportunities both at home and abroad. 

Specifically the College offers a Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management that can be completed entirely online. The program is taught by international faculty who bring different backgrounds and specialties to the conversation. Students of the program can choose between a thesis or non-thesis option. 

The thesis track is meant for students who wish to establish a specialization or niche area of expertise. The non-thesis track is meant for students who are not quite sure or ready to establish a specific focus, and as such will spend more time covering foundational concepts more comprehensively. 

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6. San Diego State University

San Diego State University (SDSU) has evolved in recent years to accommodate the rising demand for degree programs to accommodate working adults. Specifically, SDSU’s College of Extended Studies mentions in its mission statement that 34 million American adults hold college course credits but do not hold the relative certification. SDSU’s online degree programs are designed to accommodate adult professionals and working students who wish to work toward professional advancement amidst even the busiest of schedules. 

SDSU’s L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism Management is designed for mid-level managers with five to fifteen years of experience, who wish to advance to the next level of leadership–that is, as a general manager, director, CEO, or hospitality company executive. Specifically the School offers a Master’s of Hospitality Management that can be completed entirely online. 

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7. University of Houston

The University of Houston (UH) boasts a storied history of innovating in the distance education space, stretching back as far as 1953 when the University founded the nation’s first educational TV station. Today UH leverages an extensive catalogue of online degree programs to accommodate both busy professionals and working students who wish to work toward professional advancement amidst even the most demanding schedules. 

UH offers a unique graduate hospitality program that is designed to groom students for upper-echelon positions in the job market. Specifically, students can earn an Executive Master of Hospitality Management (M.H.M). The ‘executive’ designation refers to the focus of curriculum on the upper-end challenges and concerns of management and executive leadership in the hospitality industry. 

While the program accepts students from various backgrounds with various levels of professional experience, the program curriculum is tailored to meet a student’s individual level of preparedness and aptitude. The program leverages its various corporate partnerships to customize curriculums for mid-level and senior leaders. This allows the program to simultaneously accept novice leaders and veteran leaders alike. 

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8. Arizona State University

Arizona State University (ASU) is one of the largest institutions of online higher education in the world. To date the alumni body consists of a whopping 500,000 professionals and academics. Students looking for efficient and affordable online degree programs taught by academic scholars with industry clout will find ASU to be a seductive option. 

Specifically ASU offers a Master of Sustainable Tourism (MST) which uniquely positions the hospitality curriculum in the context of environmental, economic, and societal considerations. The United States Agency for International Development has supported more than 123 sustainable tourism projects in 72 countries.

The program positions students to capitalize on market opportunities in this same vein–working as managers with sustainability expertise, as industry consultants, or sustainability research experts. As such students can expect a research-oriented curriculum, designed to prepare students for a profession that is essentially a blending of research sustainability science and hospitality management. 

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9. Monroe College

Monroe College offers a host of student-centric policies and services to ensure that online students graduate with the same grooming and support as their on-campus counterparts. Students have unfettered access to 24/7 online tutoring; program advisors help students make the best choices in navigating degree programs; and Monroe is recognized as one of the ‘best value’ colleges in the country. 

Monroe College’s King Graduate School employs a research and project focus in curriculums that facilitates the skill-building that is so attractive to employers. Monroe offers an MBA program designed to prepare students to accell as managers in the hospitality industry. While the curriculum does not directly focus on the hospitality industry, students are free to establish this specialization through the freedom and flexibility of electives, research projects, and thesis work. 

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10. University of Louisiana – Lafayette 

The University of Louisiana – Lafayette employs a unique strategy in its graduate level education programs for aspiring managers. All of its management-based programs are housed under the AACSB-accredited B.I. Moody III School of Business Administration. The School is designed to value students’ time and most programs can be completed in as little as 15 months. Program curriculum is informed by the most current industry research and corporate best practices.

Specifically, the B.I. Moody III School of Business Administration offers a MBA in Hospitality Management that can be completed entirely online in as little as 15 months. The total tuition cost is around $12,800, making it one of the most affordable MBA programs on the market. 

The affordability of the program is not gained at the expense of academic rigor. Students of the program will build the necessary knowledge and skills to obtain employment in the following sectors of the hospitality industry: 

• Guest Experience Manager
• Hotel Director
• Global Development Manager
• Tourism Coordinator
• Director of Sales and Marketing
• Director of Financial Planning

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11. University of Nevada – Las Vegas 

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) is a thriving urban research institution that has leveraged its explosive growth in expansion in the digital learning space. Its online degree programs are defined by research-centric curriculums that are designed to represent the real-world needs of the job market and industry trends. 

UNLV offers a fully online Master of Hospitality Administration (M.H.A.) that is completed at a self-paced schedule. The program is designed specifically for hospitality professionals who wish to advance to upper positions of leadership and management. 

The dynamic curriculum provides students with a host of choices and research opportunities that facilitate the building of specializations and focused skill sets. Students will conclude their time in the program in choosing between an entrepreneurial project or a professional paper that represents the student’s chosen professional focus. 

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12. University of North Texas

The University of North Texas (UNT) is a member of the National Council of Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), an organization founded to ensure a high standard of education. This standard of academics represents a core pillar of UNT’s philosophy of education, that is, students at UNT can be sure that their degree program is being held to a high standard of excellence. 

The UNT College of Merchandising, Hospitality & Tourism offers a fully online Master’s of Science in Hospitality Management. The program consists of 36 credit hours and comes with a price tag of about $16,300 for Texas residents. Tuition rates will vary for students from other states. 

A defining characteristic of this program is its commitment to global awareness and to cultivating a sound foundation in international business considerations. Graduates of this program will be dynamically business-minded professionals ready to take on roles of management and leadership in the hospitality industry. 

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13. Auburn University

Auburn University (AU) is a large public institution of higher education whose name conferrs academic clout and professional preparedness to its alumni. AU’s College of Human Sciences houses a catalogue of various degree programs that all hold one thing in common–they look to create a sense of global awareness and humanistic responsibility. At the College of Human Sciences, students will learn how to leverage professional roles of their career path to enact positive change in the world around them. 

The AU College of Human Sciences offers both an on-campus option and a fully online Master of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management, HRMT. The on-campus track involves a thesis track which comprises a total 30 credits. The online program track forgoes the thesis option in favor of more comprehensive coursework totalling at 33 credits. 

Students of the program will develop skills in assessing and addressing specific problems faced by the industry. As such students will become experts of conducting marketing research and analysis, and will learn to employ their managerial skills to implement responsive strategies in a given organization. 

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14. Colorado State University

Colorado State University (CSU) is consistently recognized for its top-tier degree programs and world class faculty. CSU offers flexible online degree programs that accommodate working professionals, adult learners, and others with demanding schedules that make traditional on-campus programs untenable. 

CSU Offers a fully online Master of Tourism Management (M.T.M.) that builds a foundational knowledge of business practice as well as the specific challenges and factors most central to the tourism industry. The program curriculum is designed to train students to view tourism organizations as business ventures defined by financial forces and variables, so that upon graduation students will be able to lead tourism businesses to financial success. 

CSU’s M.T.M. program is unique in that it allows an opportunity for students to specialize in ski area tourism. Given CSU’s proximity to the ski-capital of America, students who choose this track will engage with CSU’s professional network and corporate partners who are leaders of the ski-tourism industry in Colorado.

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15. Temple University

Temple University is a school built around the mission of turning students into innovators and creative thinkers. Temple’s degree programs challenge the status quo and emphasize out-of-the-box critical thinking. By building skills of creative problem solving, graduates of Temple University are able to tackle a host of challenges–not just those typical to the chosen degree or career path. 

Temple University offers two separate online graduate degree options for those interested in the tourism and hospitality industry. The first is a standard Master of Science in Hospitality Management, which delivers a curriculum based on the foundational concepts of hospitality and tourism organizations. The second option is a Master of Science in Tourism and Travel, which delivers a curriculum more focused on industry trends and statistics in the tourism industry. 

In other words, the tourism and travel program is more focused on research and independent study–making it an excellent option for professionals who may not want to take on traditional management responsibilities in the workplace. In either program students will benefit from faculty who are plugged into the industry and who provide a host of student-development services, such as resume critiquing and professional counseling.

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16. George Washington University

The George Washington University School of Business has maintained a global presence of business leadership for nearly 100 years. The GW School of Business houses internationally recognized faculty who have demonstrated real-world success in their industry of focus. The School’s forward-thinking curriculum positions students to capitalize in current and future market opportunities as well as the needs of employers. 

 The GW School of Business has expanded its reach to more students through its online degree offerings. Among these is a fully online Master of Tourism Administration that positions students to take on high-end roles of management and leadership in the tourism industry. 

Students of the Master of Tourism Administration will not only learn from world-class faculty, but will also benefit from the program’s guest-teaching program where industry-leading professionals who tool their insider knowledge to jumpstart students’ careers. 

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17. Louisiana State University – Shreveport

Louisiana State University – Shreveport is a proud member of the Louisiana State University System that distinguishes itself by providing top-tier degree program options for a fraction of the cost of comparable programs. These programs do not sacrifice quality for affordability–students will learn from expert faculty, 80% of which hold the highest degree in their field. 

LSU Shreveport offers hospitality professionals two graduate level degree paths housed in a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program. Specifically, students can choose between a MBA with a Hospitality and Casino Management Concentration, or an MBA with a Hospitality and Casino Management Specialization. 

Students interested in entering the casino industry will be hard-pressed to find a better option. Students who graduate from this program will be perfectly positioned to take on management positions in the hospitality and casino management industry. 

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18. University of New Orleans

The University of New Orleans (UNO) College of Business Administration is an internationally recognized school of academic excellence and measurable professional advancement. The College of Business Administration consistently ranks among the industry’s best with its degree programs brandishing various metrics of impressive success. 

Of most relevance to this ranking is the metric relating to the Online Executive Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management. Specifically, an astonishing 100% of graduates of this program are employed in their industry by the time of graduation. This speaks to the program’s success in cultivating the skills and knowledge that are most valued by employers. 

Students will build specialization by progressing through coursework in the following areas: 

• Survey of the Hospitality & Tourism Industry
• Special Topics in Hospitality & Tourism Management
• Marketing Applications for the Hospitality & Tourism Industry
• Hospitality & Tourism Finance & Revenue Management
• Tourism Destination Development
• Technology for Hospitality & Tourism Management
• Hospitality & Tourism Operations Analysis
• Change Management for Hospitality & Tourism
• Hospitality & Tourism Research Methods
• Hospitality & Tourism Industry Strategic Management 

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19. University of Kentucky

The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment provides students with a career-focused, research-informed curriculum that is designed to facilitate industry knowledge and market understanding. This positions students to accel in the job market by capitalizing on industry-wide opportunities and employer needs. 

Specifically the College’s Department of Retailing and Tourism Management offers students two graduate level degree options in hospitality and tourism–a Master of Science in Merchandising, Apparel, and Textiles, and a Master of Science in Hospitality Management and Tourism. 

Regardless of the program path, students will benefit from expert faculty who facilitate professional development. Specifically, faculty will assist students in lining up internship opportunities that are most aligned with a student’s unique career goals and professional aspirations. 

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20. Schiller International University

Schiller International University is a global force in online education and services students from more than 130 countries. What distinguishes Schiller is its student-centric services and consumer-friendly practices. Foremost among which is the ‘try it and see’ model where students can choose to make a single partial payment to try one course, or two try a group of four within a specific major-path to ensure it is the correct path. 

Schiller International University offers an MBA in Hospitality and Tourism Management that can be completed entirely online. A distinguishing element of this program is its commitment to a curriculum that embodies global business awareness and international tourism trends. 

Students of the program will progress through coursework that emphasizes the foundational concepts of advanced business administration and hospitality management. Options for specialization are offered through a catalogue of electives and research projects. 

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The post The 20 Best Online Master’s in Hospitality Management appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

If you want to be part of the green revolution, then you might want to consider pursuing one of the best careers in sustainability. Let’s take a closer look!

Best Careers in Sustainability

Now more than ever before, we’re becoming aware of the importance of sustainable living. In fact, the renewable energy sector alone is expected to grow by 17% in 2024, according to Deloitte research. 

That’s a huge jump, and to fill that demand, we’re going to need more skilled workers to fill those roles (along with the countless others in sustainability, from project management to architecture and even ecology). But it can be tough to find the perfect career for your personality, needs, and goals. 

When it comes to sustainability, some of us have a crystal clear idea of what it means:

• a commitment to reducing waste
• lowering carbon emissions
• being kinder to the earth

But what does it mean in terms of choosing a career? 

Here are some of the best careers in sustainability to help you jumpstart your job search. 

Sustainability Consultant 

Sustainability consultants work with businesses and organizations to develop strategies that reduce environmental impact. They analyze energy usage, waste production, and supply chains to identify areas for improvement. Then, they recommend best practices to make the organization more sustainable. 

Sustainability consultants may work for consulting firms or as independent contractors.

Given the increasing importance of sustainability in the business world, the demand for sustainability consultants is growing rapidly. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for environmental scientists and specialists, which includes sustainability consultants, is projected to grow by 6% by 2032 (much faster than average).

Environmental Engineer 

This field is all about designing solutions to environmental problems. Environmental engineers may work on projects like cleaning up contaminated sites, designing water treatment facilities, or developing renewable energy sources. 

They may use knowledge from a variety of scientific fields and disciplines, like chemistry and biology, to do this important work.

Renewable Energy Analyst

One of the top job areas that people think about when it comes to sustainability careers is renewable energy. As part of President Biden’s climate goals, which aim to achieve a carbon pollution-free energy sector by 2035 and net zero emissions by 2050, these jobs are in high demand. 

Renewable energy analysts play a crucial role in this. They work on projects related to clean energy production- think wind turbines, solar panels, and hydroelectric dams. 

They help stakeholders understand the costs, benefits, and feasibility of specific renewable energy projects. They may also analyze energy trends and recommend policies to promote clean energy usage.

Green Architect

Now, you might be thinking, “What’s so sustainable about architecture?”

The answer is – more than you might think.

Green architects design buildings with the goal of minimizing their impact on the environment. This can include utilizing natural light and ventilation to reduce energy usage, incorporating sustainable building materials, and even designing buildings that can produce their own energy through solar panels or other renewable sources.

Sustainability Coordinator

 As the name suggests, this role is all about coordinating sustainability efforts within a company. This can include implementing recycling programs, reducing waste, and ensuring sustainable practices in the supply chain.

Sustainability coordinators play a crucial role in helping companies become more environmentally responsible, and with more and more companies looking to become sustainable, this career is on the rise. 

Solar Consultant 

Now, let’s talk about solar consultants. As you might have guessed, a solar consultant is someone who helps clients install solar panels on their homes or businesses. 

Again, with the push towards renewable energy, solar consultants are in high demand. They help people reduce their carbon footprint while also saving money on their energy bills.

Environmental Manager

This role is all about ensuring that companies comply with environmental regulations and implement sustainable practices. 

Environmental managers help companies reduce their environmental impact while also minimizing risk and ensuring compliance.

Ecologist

An ecologist studies the relationships between living organisms and their environments. They use this knowledge to create solutions to environmental problems, like preserving ecosystems or managing natural resources. 

For example, an ecologist might study the effects of climate change on a certain species and come up with ways to protect it from extinction. Some ecologists even work as wildlife biologists, zoologists, or conservation scientists.

Ecologists don’t just work in the great outdoors. Government agencies, universities, and nonprofit organizations also employ them. To become an ecologist, a degree in biology, ecology or environmental science is usually required.

Urban Planner

As our cities continue to grow, so does the need for sustainable development. Urban planners work to design and create livable, sustainable urban environments. They consider factors such as transportation, land use, and community development. 

For example, an urban planner might recommend the construction of a bike lane to increase sustainable transportation options, or suggest zoning regulations that promote green spaces.

Urban planners typically have a degree in urban planning or a related field, like geography or architecture. They also often have experience in community engagement, policy analysis, and land use planning. 

Solar Installer 

A solar installer is responsible for installing and maintaining solar panel systems. This includes assessing the site, designing the system, and connecting it to the grid. Essentially, solar installers play a crucial role in expanding access to clean energy.

Becoming a solar photovoltaic installer usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, along with technical training in electrical or construction trades. Some installers also have degrees in renewable energy or a related field. 

With an average pay of $45,230 per year and an expected job growth of a whopping 22% by 2032, this is definitely a career path to keep your eye on if you’re interested in sustainability. 

Biologist

As a biologist, you’ll study living organisms and their interactions with their environment. Whether it’s studying wildlife populations, researching plant genetics, or analyzing ecosystems, biologists play a crucial role in understanding the natural world. 

One area where biologists are particularly needed is conservation. With so many species facing threats like habitat loss and climate change, biologists work to protect and restore ecosystems. They might study endangered species, design breeding programs, or work with policymakers to create conservation plans.

Water Project Manager 

Access to clean, safe water is a basic human need and a critical component of sustainability. Water project managers oversee the planning, design, and implementation of water systems, from reservoirs and treatment plants to pipelines and distribution networks.

They might work for government agencies, private contractors, or non-profit organizations, and their responsibilities could include anything from budgeting and scheduling to ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. In some cases, they might even help to bring water to communities in developing countries.

Water project managers need to have a wide range of skills, including engineering, financial management, and communication. The rewards can be immense for those feeling up to the challenge. 

Environmental Health and Safety Specialist

These experts ensure that workplaces are safe for employees and that companies are complying with environmental regulations. They might work for government agencies, consulting firms, or private industry, and their day-to-day tasks could include conducting safety audits, developing emergency response plans, or providing training on hazardous materials handling.

With sustainability becoming a major focus for businesses, environmental health and safety specialists are increasingly in demand. They help companies minimize their environmental impact and reduce risks to employees, improving their bottom line and reputation.

One thing that makes this career particularly appealing is its versatility. You could work in any number of industries – from manufacturing to healthcare to agriculture – and your skills will always be in demand. Plus, you’ll be able to take pride in knowing that the work you’re doing is helping to protect both people and the environment.

Related Questions

What Is the Highest-Paying Job in Sustainability?

While most sustainability careers are quite lucrative, one of the top-paying jobs is a Certified Sustainability Manager. This is a role that often requires passing a rigorous examination yet results in salaries averaging around $131,836 per year. 

Are Sustainability Degrees Worth It?

A degree in sustainability will not only give you a foundation of knowledge in environmental issues and sustainable practices, it can also provide you with networking opportunities and hands-on experience through internships or research projects.

What Degree Do You Need to Work in Sustainability?

A degree in sustainability or a related field, such as environmental science, environmental health, environmental law, and environmental engineering, can set you apart from other candidates and provide you with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the field.

Final Thoughts

Sustainability is no longer a niche field or a buzzword. It’s a rapidly growing sector with countless (and quite lucrative) career opportunities.

From renewable energy to ecology, the options are needless. Whether your passion lies in environmental policy or sustainable engineering, there’s sure to be a rewarding path out there for you. Consider these best careers in sustainability as you begin your journey!

The post Best Careers in Sustainability appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

1. George Washington University

George Washington University is a four-year private institution that offers comprehensive programming. GWU is located in the district of Columbia. According to the US News and World Report GWU ranks as the 66th best school in the nation and one of the top schools for veterans value computer science business and more. In recent years, GWU started offering online programming. In fact GWU offers online options in nearly all of their academic fields.

Among their many online off offerings is there online master of science in project management. This masters degree is one of the oldest of its kind in the world. In fact it was founded in 1996. Through the years George Washington University has developed an updated program now available online. Students participating in this degree will focus on the following areas: organization management and leadership, project management, optimization models for decision making, risk management, project portfolio management, planning and scheduling, and much more. Students complete their program with the capstone experience.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Online master of science in project management

2. New York University

New York University is a private four-year institution located in New York, New York. The university currently enrolls over 50,000 students and maintains a student to faculty ratio of 9 to 1. According to the US news and world report NYU rank is the 30th best school in the nation and highly for veterans value business innovation engineering and much more. In recent years, New York university has offered online programming. NYU online is a growing online school for individual seeking degree programs or professional certifications.

NYU office a master of science in project management. The program is divided into three main parts: core courses, specialization courses, and the capstone. The core curriculum includes the following: principles of project management, leading global organizations, transforming organizations, organizational ethics, intercultural business communications, and management of information systems. The program itself is flexible and is designed to meet the needs of working professionals.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Online master of science in project management

3. Georgetown University

Georgetown University is a private four-year institution located in Washington DC. The university currently enrolls nearly 20,000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 11 to 1. Georgetown offers a bachelors degrees, masters degrees, and doctors degrees. Additionally the University offers professional certifications for baccalaureate and post masters certifications. According to the US News and World Feport Georgetown University ranks as the 23rd best school in the nation, the seventh best college for veterans, the 12th best undergraduate engineering school, the seventh best for service learning, and the 35th most innovative school.

Georgetown University offers an online masters degree in project management. Students may pursue this program on campus and online. This is a 30 credit hour program that typically takes 2 to 5 years to complete depending on whether or not you complete the course part time or full time. Because of this flexibility, this program is ideal for working professionals. The curriculums includes courses material in the following: project management fundamentals, agile fundamentals, project initiation and planning, project execution and delivery, and communications and collaboration for managers. Additionally, students have the opportunity to choose from a number of electives. For more information about this program check out their website.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Online master’s in project management

4. American University

American University is a private institution located in Washington DC. The student population is just over 14,000 and the student to faculty ratio is 11 to 1. The university offers associates, bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees. According to the US News and World Report American University ranks as a 76th best school in the nation and the 25th best undergraduate teaching school. Additionally, American university ranks highly for innovation and value. The institution offers a wide range of academic offerings now including online programming.

American university offers an online master of science in measurement and evaluation. If you are looking to become ready for the workplace and project and program evaluation and this course is for you. The curriculum model includes core courses, electives, a field/professional experience, and a capstone experience. The courses include: evaluation quantitative methods, principles and theories of evaluation, innovation through new technologies, professional ethics and project leader ship, human resource information systems, strategic management of sports organizations, decision making and change management, innovation through new technologies, and data driven decision making. For more information about this degree program check out their website.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Online master of science in agile project management

5. Brandeis University

Brandeis University is a four-year institution located in Waltham, Massachusetts. There are 5825 students in rolled under student to faculty ratio is 10 to 1. Brandeis offers bachelors masters and doctoral degrees. According to the US News and World Feport Brandeis University ranks as the 42nd best school in the nation and highly for value, teaching, innovation, business, and computer science.

Brandeis University offers a master of science project and program management. This is a 30 credit hour part time online masters degrees that is broken into two main component parts: courses and electives. The required courses include the following: communication for affective leadership, foundations of project management, project scheduling and cost management, risk management and projects and programs, negotiating and conflict resolution, program management: theory and practice, and the human side of project leadership. Students then choose three elective courses to round out their program. For more information about this online degree head to their website.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Online master of science in project management

6. Saint Louis University

St. Louis University is a private institution located in St. Louis Missouri. The university offers comprehensive degree programs as well as certifications. There are over 12,000 students in rolled at the student to faculty ratio is 9 to 1. According to the US News and World Report St. Louis University ranks as the 103rd best school in the nation as well as the 48th best school for value. Their academic offerings include programming in biology and medical sciences, business, engineering, health, homeland security, psychology, and much more.

St. Louis University offers a bachelor of science and project management. This is a 120 credit our PMI approved program. The program is divided into the following areas call a core curriculums, major requirements, general education courses. As part of the major you will learn about the fundamentals of project management and contract management. You will study courses like: project selection and scope, Project data analysis, requirements analysis, government contracting, time cost and risk management, project management laboratory and others.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Online bachelor’s degree in project management

7. Colorado State University Global Campus

Colorado State University is a public institution located in Fort Collins. This is a four-year institution that offers a bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree. The student population is currently 33,000 and the student-to-faculty ratio is 14 to 1. According to the US News and World Report, Colorado State University ranks is 153rd best school in the nation and highly for veterans, value, social mobility, and undergraduate engineering. When it comes to academic offerings Colorado State University offers a number of programs both on campus and online.

The Colorado State Global Campus offers an online bachelors degree in project management. This is a PMI certified course as well as a GAC accredited program. This degree is 33 credit hours long and includes the following core courses: applying leadership principles, principles of management, operations management, effective project scheduling in control, project leader ship, project quality management, assessing in managing risk, project procurement and contract management, as well as a capstone experience. Students have the option of adding on a 15-credit hour degree specialization in one of the following areas: marketing, emergency management, healthcare management, foundations of accounting, organizational leadership, human resources and organizational development.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Online bachelor’s in project management

8. Regis University

Regis University is a private four year institution located in Denver, Colorado. There are over 6000 students in enrolled at Regis and the student-to-faculty ratio is 12 to 1. The institution offers bachelors degrees, masters degrees, and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications. Regis currently ranks as the 217th best school in the nation according to the US News and World Report. The university offers a wide array of academic programming including in business, computer and information sciences, education, healthcare, psychology, and the performing arts.

Regis University offers a Master of Science in Project Leadership and Management. If you enjoy organizing work and community projects but want to enhance your skill set than this is the course for you. This is a 30 credit hour cours where each course is eight weeks long. This course has been recognized for excellence by the PMI Global Accreditation Center for Project Management. Some of the courses that you’ll take include: delivering organization excellence, leading projects and contemporary organizations, and management of project performance. For more information about this program had to their website.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Online master of science in project leadership and management

9. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a four-year private institution located in Dayton Beach, Florida. There are 7000 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 17 to 1. The university offers associates, bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University ranks as the ninth best school in the region according to the US News and World Report. Additionally, the University ranks highly for veterans, undergraduate teaching, innovation, and value.

Embry-Riddle offers a Master of Science in Project Management. This program is divided into two main component parts for a total of 30 credit hours. The main components are core courses and project management capstone. As part of this online degree you will take the following: planning and execution of strategy, decision making for leaders, foundations of project management, management science for project managers, fundamentals of project scope schedule cost and research management, fundamentals of project quality communications stakeholder resource and procurement management, assessing and managing project risk, directing and controlling projects, contemporary project management.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Online master of science in project management

10. Boston University

Boston University is a private four-year institution located in Boston Massachusetts. There are over 33,000 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 10 to 1. According to the US News and World Report, Boston University ranks is the 42nd best school in the nation and also highly for a number of other things including value, innovation, undergraduate engineering, computer science, study abroad, and much more. The university offers bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications.

Boston university offers an online master of science in project management. This is a 40 credit hour program that is divided into three main component areas: core courses, specialization courses, and elective courses. Some of the courses you will study include financial concepts, global supply chains, quantitative and qualitative decision-making, and the innovation process: developing new products and services. Students generally complete this program in a period of 18 to 24 months. This online degree has been accredited by the project management Institute and is an accredited member of the HACSB international. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Online master of science in project management

11. Northeastern University

Northeastern University is a private institution that was founded in 1898. The student population is currently over 22,000 and the student to faculty ratio is 14 to 1. Northeastern University offers bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees. According to the US News and World Report, Northeastern University ranks as the 49th best school in the nation the 11th most innovative school and highly for value, business, computer science, cybersecurity, and much more.

Northeastern University offers an online masters in project management. Students may select to complete this program either full-time or part-time. The duration of the course is 1.5 to 2.5 years. The curriculum is divided into two main component parts, core courses and electives. The core courses include the following: project management foundations, project management practice, project scope management, project risk management, project scheduling and cost planning, project quality management. Students may also elect to focus on a concentration in one of the following areas: agile project management, analytics, construction management, leadership, leading and managing technical projects, organizational communication, project business analysis. This is a highly flexible and customizable program. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Online master of science in project management

12. Penn State World Campus

Penn State University is a public institution located in University Park, Pennsylvania. There are currently over 90,000 students enrolled at Penn State with a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1. Penn State offers comprehensive programming as well as professional certifications. According to the US News and World Report, Penn State ranks as the 63rd best school in the nation and the 35th best college for veterans, 23rd top public school and a top school for engineering and computer science business and much more. In recent years, Penn State has developed their Global Campus. This online campus offers a wide number of online degrees and professional certifications.

Penn State world campus offers an online master of project management. This is a 30 credit hour program that has been credited by the AAA CSB as well as a project management Institute. If you’re looking to pursue a career in project management, project management analyst sales manager or a similar career this is the course for you. The program is divided into three main component parts including required courses, elective courses, and a capstone. Do you like to have courses include course material in enterprise modeling, engineering across cultures and nations, engineering product innovation, project team leader ship, project management and marketing linkages, and much more. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Online master of project management

13. Florida Institute of Technology

The Florida Institute of Technology FIT is a private institution that was founded in 1958. FIT enrolls over 6000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 14 to 1. The institution offers degrees for associates, bachelors degrees, masters degrees, and doctoral degrees. This is a doctoral university with high research activity. When it comes to academic offerings, FIT offers programming in the biological and biomedical sciences, business, communication, education, engineering, and much more.

Florida Tech offers a Master of Business Administration in Project Management. This is PMI and GAC accredited. Additionally, this program is 100% online. The degree combines principles and practical applications. The curriculum includes core courses, specialization courses, and a capstone for a total of 36 credit hours. The core courses include: essentials of business development, essentials of business development two, managerial economics, managerial accounting, financial management, organizational behavior, marketing management, and two directed electives. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Master of business administration in project management

14. Minnesota State University Moorhead

Minnesota State University Morehead as a public four-year institution that was founded in 1887. The current student population is over 5,000 and the student-to-faculty ratio is 19 to 1. The university offers associates degrees, bachelors degrees, masters degrees, and doctoral degrees. According to the US News and World Report Minnesota State University Morehead ranks as the 98th best school in the midwest, and the 28th top public school.

The university offers an online project management degree. This online program is certified by the PMI and accredited by the PMI GAC. The university currently offers a bachelors degree in project management. The bachelors degree Includes 48 credits of the core requirements. The core requirememts are as follows: principles of accounting, principles of management, principles of marketing, method improvements, computer applications for technologists, cost analysis, quality management, process leader ship, and much more. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Online bachelor’s in project management

15. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a four-year private institution located in Dayton Beach Florida. There are 7000 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 17 to 1. The university offers associates, bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University ranks as the ninth best school in the region according to the US news and world report. Additionally, the university ranks highly for veterans, undergraduate teaching, innovation, and value.

Embry-Riddle offers a Bachelor of Science in Project Management. The course is divided into three main component parts: general requirements, core requirements, and electives. The project management course includes the following: project management profession, project planning, project risk and control, project management in aviation operations, global project management, managing trouble projects, agile project management, and a project management capstone.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Onlinebachelor’s degree in project management

16. Regis University

Regis University is a private four-year institution located in Denver, Colorado. There are over 6000 students in enrolled at Regis and the student to faculty ratio is 12 to 1. The institution offers bachelors degrees, masters degrees, and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications. Regis currently ranks as the 217th best school in the nation according to the US News and World Report. The university offers a wide array of academic programming including in business, computer and information sciences, education, healthcare, psychology, and the performing arts.

Regis University offers an Undergraduate Certificate in Project Management. The program is online and 12 credit hours to complete. Students will focus on the following areas: process mapping an improvement, project management, conflict management. Additionally students may wish to do the online undergraduate certification in agile management. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Online bachelor of science

17. Charleston Southern University

Charleston Southern University is a four-year private institution located in Charleston South, Carolina. There are over 3,000 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 13 to 1. Charleston Southern University is ranked regionally as the 62nd best school on the south according to the US news and world report. Additionally, CSU ranks highly for veterans and social mobility. When it comes to academic offerings CSU offers bachelors degrees, masters degrees, and doctoral degrees. In recent years CSU has offered online programming in the fields of business , health, homeland security and much more.

CSU offers a Bachelor of Science in Project Management. This is an accelerated program with seven week courses. This online degree was designed with full-time working adults in mind. If you are interested in manufacturing, government contracting, construction or projects at a corporate level than this is the program for you. In 2020 US News and World report ranked this program as the 11th best online bachelors program. As part of this curriculum you’ll take courses like: accounting principles for managers, business policy, principles of macroeconomics, projects a strategic initiatives, project planning and implementation, project risk assessment. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Online bachelor’s degree in project management

18. Liberty University

Liberty University is a private four-year institution that offers associates, bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications. The current student population is over 85,000 and this is an evangelical Christian school. When it comes to academic offerings liberty offers a number of online programs as well as on campus programs including in the following fields: business, education, engineering, health, and more.

Liberty University offers a Bachelor of Science in business administration. This is a 120-credit hour course that requires on average 3.5 years to complete. Students may transfer up to 75% of the degree. This online program has been accredited by the ACVSP. This online course includes foundational core courses, major courses, and general education courses. As part of the major you will complete the following: financial accounting, managerial accounting, financial statement analysis, business law, international business, principles of management, corporate finance, principles of marketing, human resource management, and much more. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Online BSBA in project management

19. Malone University

Malone University is a private institution located in Canton, Ohio. According to the US News and World Report, Malone University ranks as the 71st best school in the region. The student population is 1,524 and the student to faculty ratio is 11 to 1. To support their student success Malone University offers advanced placement credits, credit for life experience, and academic and career counseling. When it comes to academic programming Malone offers on campus and online degrees.

Malone University offers an online bachelor of arts in organizational management. This online degree has been accredited by the a CBSP. This is a rigorous and hands-on degree for students who are interested in a biblical perspective of management. Some of the key topics that you will cover include: problem-solving, control systems, management and leadership, organizational behavior, financial management, human resources, in critical thinking. Students will study the following courses: business finance, group and organizational behavior, business communication, principles of management and leader ship, business statistics, human resource/personnel management, personal values in business ethics. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Online bachelor’s in organizational management

20. Saint Leo University

Saint Leo University is a private four-year institution located in Saint Leo, Florida. The university offers associates degrees, bachelors degrees, masters degrees, and doctoral degrees. The student-to-faculty ratio is 18 to 1. According to the US News and World Report St. Louis University ranks as the 26th best school in the region as well as 14th for best college for veterans and fourth for best value school. To support student success, the university offers credit for life experiences as well as academic and career counseling. Their academic offerings include degree programming in business, management marketing and related degrees as well as many others.

Saint Leo University offers a Bachelor of Arts and Business Administration and Project Management. If you’re interested in hospitality, construction, information, technology, healthcare, or simply running your own projects than this program is for you. Some of the classes that you’ll take during this online degree include: quality improvement in management, project teamwork and leadership, contracts and procurement, project risk management, and much more. Additionally students at Saint Leo have the opportunity to gain real world experience through a wide array of internships. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Online project management specialization

The post The 20 Best Online Project Management Degree Programs appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Building degrees are wide and varied and in today’s economy a great bet for a range of employment opportunities including starting your own building business, consulting, or working for someone else.

If you’ve always wanted to learn how to “put things together” and wondered how the objects that surround us daily were made, a building degree could be a great fit for you.

Below we’re going to look at a wide range of building degrees, including degrees in civil engineering, architecture, construction management, construction technology, and other degree programs.

Think you may be interested in a building degree? Be sure to check out some of our related content including rankings of the best building degree programs out there.

• The Best Graduate Architecture Programs
• The Best Undergraduate Architecture Programs
• What Degree Do I Need To Become a Drafter?
• What Degree Do I Need To Become a Civil Engineer?
• What Degree Do I Need To Become a Land Surveyor
• The Best “Bang For Your Buck” Associates Degrees
• What is the Difference Between a Civil Engineering Degree and an Architecture Degree?

Still need more information? Be sure to read through our guide on building degrees below!

Table of Contents

• What is a Building Degree?
• Can I Get a Building Degree Online?
• How Do I Gain Admission To A Building Degree?
• What Can I Do With a Building Degree?

What is a Building Degree?

Building degrees are a general category of higher education degrees that include:

• Architecture
• Civil Engineering
• Construction Management
• Construction Technology
• And Related Disciplines

When looking at this range of disciplines, building degrees are available at the associates through doctoral levels (as well as in the form of many professional certifications).

Below we’ll walk through the four most common disciplines related to building sciences.

First, are the masterminds behind nearly every building you’ve ever set foot in, architects. Architecture as an academic discipline begins with pre-professional programs at the bachelor’s level. Typically a bachelor’s in architecture takes 5 years for completion, and can be used to jump into the job title of “architect.”

The major subjects studied within a bachelor’s level architecture degree include CAD drawing, architecture history, construction method, steel structural designs, and green design principles.

At the master’s level, architecture is often bundled with pre-professional programs. These “4 + 2” programs as they’re commonly called end up with students graduating with a bachelor’s and master’s in architecture in six years, as opposed to spending 5 years just on a pre-professional bachelor’s in architecture degree.

At the master’s level, students are more likely to be able to move directly into an “architect role.” Students in these programs study a selection of the following:

• Architectural Theory
• Formal Analysis of Structures
• Visualization and Computation
• A Multi-semester Building Project
• Environmental Design
• Urban Design
• An Advanced Design Studio
• And Management of Architectural Projects

For students without a bachelor’s in architecture, master’s in architecture often take three years of full-time study.

Our second common “building” discipline is civil engineering. Civil engineers are often employed in building communal or public projects including roads, dams, bridges, and the like. Civil engineers work for public and private entities and are found in nearly every location. Approval of new construction projects that many individuals will use almost always includes consultation with a civil engineer.

The primary degree that prepares one for civil engineering is a bachelor’s in civil engineering or civil engineering technology. Upon completion of a bachelor’s degree, students prepare for a licensure exam and then are required to take continuing education credits for the remainder of their practicing years.

Courses that are commonly taken in a bachelor’s in civil engineering (or civil engineering technology) include statistics, mechanics and systems of engineering, advanced math courses, fluid dynamics, physics, and a range of fieldwork requirements.

As with all engineering disciplines, master’s and doctor of engineering (D.Eng.) degrees are also available, though not required to land a job as an engineer of this type.

Our third degree type is construction management. Construction management degrees are available at the associates through the master’s level. These interdisciplinary degrees take from common degree types such as management, business, and construction-centered courses.

Specific coursework that students may take in a construction management degree include: mathematics, natural sciences, business administration, structural behavior, architecture, structural systems, construction methods, and basic technology courses.

At the master’s level, courses typically require 1-2 years and may come with industry certifications in sub disciplines such as historic restoration, green building, real estate, and so forth.

Our final degree category within building degrees is that of construction technology. Today, there are many subdisciplines within the construction industry that require advanced tech skills.

This degree type may be obtained at the associates through masters level, though most commonly offered at the associates level. It is generally considered a vocational or professional degree that is focused on applied (job-centered) learning.

Some of the most common courses that you may take if you pursue a degree in construction technology include:

• Construction Material Strengths and Measurements
• Surveying Equipment
• AutoCAD Applications
• Mechanics of Drafting and Engineering
• Technical Drawing
• Computer Applications in Construction
• Intro to Construction Technology
• Construction Materials and Methods

Think you may be interested in a building degree? Be sure to check out some of our related content including rankings of the best building degree programs out there.

• The Best Graduate Architecture Programs
• The Best Undergraduate Architecture Programs
• What Degree Do I Need To Become a Drafter?
• What Degree Do I Need To Become a Civil Engineer?
• What Degree Do I Need To Become a Land Surveyor
• The Best “Bang For Your Buck” Associates Degrees
• What is the Difference Between a Civil Engineering Degree and an Architecture Degree?

Can I Get a Building Degree Online?

Building occurs in-person, on-site, but also in offices, meetings, and using drafting programs. Keep this in mind, when seeking out a building degree. That building is in many ways literally a “brick and mortar” experience. This doesn’t mean that there aren’t quality building degrees that are available online. Just that many programs do require an in-person component or field experience.

With that said, you can find fully online and fully in-person building degrees. It depends on the degree and the school offering the program.

While you’re choosing whether you want to pursue a degree online or in-person, you should be aware of some of the following terminology.

1. 1. If a program is a hybrid program, you’ll need to attend some on-campus events but a sizable portion of the program will be online. Hybrid can mean you’re expected to come to campus once a week, or once a year. So make sure you know what exactly the program you’re interested in means by the term hybrid.
   2. Fully online programs will often advertise the fact that they are fully online. This means that you do not need to attend any on-campus events including orientation or graduation. A great number of online programs actually include some hybrid components, so if a program you are interested in does not explicitly disclose that they’re 100% online, inquire.
   3. Synchronous online courses mean that you attend an online course at the same time as your classmates. Similarly to an in-person course, everyone “shows up” at the same time. Only the course is presented online.
   4. Asynchronous online courses involve logging on when you want to watch videos and perform course-related tasks. There will likely still be due dates, and you’ll still communicate with classmates and the professor. It’s just a more flexible format in which to take courses online

While more and more students do have a great student experience studying online, it’s not for everyone. You should do your research as to the pros and cons of attending your specific program online.

Some of the most common pros and cons of online education include the following:
Pros:

1. 1. • There are lower fees in many online degrees.
      • You don’t have to move or leave your job for an online degree.
      • Asynchronous programs allow you great flexibility.
      • You graduate with an identical degree.

Cons:

1. 1. • More self direction required for online degrees.
      • More difficult to meet classmates or attend networking events.
      • Lower level of support services (often).
      • Lack of college or grad school “experience.'”

With all that said, online universities work well for many students. And there are a wide range of online universities that all provide different experiences.

Think you may be interested in a building degree? Be sure to check out some of our related content including rankings of the best building degree programs out there.

1. 1. • The Best Graduate Architecture Programs
      • The Best Undergraduate Architecture Programs
      • What Degree Do I Need To Become a Drafter?
      • What Degree Do I Need To Become a Civil Engineer?
      • What Degree Do I Need To Become a Land Surveyor
      • The Best “Bang For Your Buck” Associates Degrees
      • What is the Difference Between a Civil Engineering Degree and an Architecture Degree?

How Do I Gain Admission To A Building Degree?

Building degrees are no exception to general admission policies depending on the degree level you’re pursuing.

Starting with the lowest higher education degree level, associates degree programs often offer open enrollment. This doesn’t mean that you can just show up, but that they admit all applicants that meet certain prerequisites.

Typically those prerequisites include a satisfactory completion of an application packet as well as the submission of transcripts to show graduation from high school.

At the bachelor’s level, there’s greater variability in what is expected of successful applicants. Some schools have open admission policies similar to many community colleges, while others are quite competitive in their application process.

Common components required for admission to bachelor’s-level building degrees include the submission of a Federal financial aid application (FAFSA), a standardized college admission test score (ACT or SAT), transcripts, as well as the filling out of an application packet. Transcripts are used to determine that you did indeed graduate from a high school, and that you have achieved a minimum GPA requirement. Most commonly, schools require students to have gotten at or above a 2.5 or 3.0 GPA. The most competitive programs may require as high as a 3.75 GPA for admissions.

Master’s-level building programs typically require GRE test results, proof that you’ve made arrangements for paying for the program, transcripts, and resumes. Transcripts are used to determine that you are a graduate of a regionally accredited undergraduate institution. Resumes are often used to fulfill work requirements and to provide information that may not have surfaced elsewhere in the application. At the graduate level, students may take out up to the full cost of attendance in Federal student loans. Other common payment routes include employer pay and self pay.

Two noteworthy differences are that construction management master’s degrees typically require GRE scores for admissions. And architecture bachelor’s degrees may require additional application measures as they are often competitive and intensive courses of study.

Think you may be interested in a building degree? Be sure to check out some of our related content including rankings of the best building degree programs out there.

1. 1. • The Best Graduate Architecture Programs
      • The Best Undergraduate Architecture Programs
      • What Degree Do I Need To Become a Drafter?
      • What Degree Do I Need To Become a Civil Engineer?
      • What Degree Do I Need To Become a Land Surveyor
      • The Best “Bang For Your Buck” Associates Degrees
      • What is the Difference Between a Civil Engineering Degree and an Architecture Degree?
      • What Civil Engineering Courses Will I Have to Take for a Degree in Civil Engineering?

What Can I Do With a Building Degree?

Finally, what you’ve been waiting for. Well, the short answer is that building degrees can take you into many roles (particularly when coupled with experience). There are many construction firm owners that hold associates degrees in building technology. There are small business owners that are architects, and there are highly sought after construction technologists.

Particularly in an expanding economy, real estate and development opportunities are all over the place.

Some of the most common roles include:

1. 1. • Building Science Engineer
      • Civil Engineer
      • Construction Technologist
      • Site Supervisor
      • Architect
      • Drafters
      • Real Estate Developer
      • And Cost Estimator

Working our way down the list, building science engineers (also called construction engineers) are generally civil engineers that actually oversee construction work. While some civil engineers oversee plans from their home office, construction engineers are commonly “on the ground” and helping to oversee some of the most crucial structural aspects of building roads, bridges, and buildings.

The average salary for building science engineers is currently close to $90,000. Though many construction engineers may eventually go out and start their own consulting businesses to bring in much more money.

Civil Engineers are one of the most common types of engineers and are involved with nearly every construction type. In particular, infrastructure projects are within the purview of civil engineers including dams, harbors, bridges, roads, as well as large buildings that need to be able to withstand a variety of natural events.

Job duties of civil engineers include performing feasibility and technical studies, the management of budgets, overseeing construction projects, legal compliance, utilizing a range of advanced software for design and calculations, ordering materials, and generally being the “expert” for building projects.

The average salary for civil engineers is presently $91,790, with more senior engineers easily making over $100,000.

Construction technologists (also known as construction specialists depending on the role) are responsible for some facet of operations within a construction environment. Generally these specialists will focus on one area of construction tasks. Perhaps that’s heavy machinery operation, perhaps it’s electronic systems within building, and the list goes on.

While average salaries vary depending on what area of construction technology, many construction specialists make close to $60,000 a year.

Site supervisors are the day-to-day logistics and human resources managers for building sites. Responsibilities of site supervisors include managing orders of materials, ensuring compliance of workers, hiring and firing of construction workers, overseeing subcontractors, ensuring a project stays on budget, and generally providing leadership to ensure that projects are completed in a satisfactory measure. Generally, site supervisors have worked in the construction industry for 5-10 years.

The average salary for site supervisors in construction settings is presently $70,067.

Architects play a role in designing and approving designs for nearly every building projects. These specialists must attend rigorous 5 year pre-professional programs, or hold master’s degrees in architecture. Additionally, professional licensure exams are required to be able to practice as an architect.

Job requirements of this role include preparing and proposing designs for clients, playing advisor roles, coordinating subcontractor work, periodic visits to building sites to assess progress, and the creation of detailed drawings and calculations for building. The average salary for architects in the United States is currently $76,100.

Drafters work in architecture and engineering firms in the public and private sector. These professionals are skilled at converting the drawings of engineers and architects into workable technical drawings that guide construction. Typically drafters specialize in one aspect of engineering including civil, electrical, architectural, or mechanical drawings.

Drafters typically only require associate’s degrees, and earn an average salary of over $55,000.

Real Estate Developers play a hybrid role of investor, manager, salesperson, and designer. While real estate developer positions typically mean you run your own business, these are also roles within established real estate companies. Typical duties include the identification of finished or unfinished properties, planning for how to make improvements or repairs on said properties, and go-to-market strategies once improvements to the property are made.

While the highest paid real estate developers have earned billions of dollars in their trade, the average salary for a real estate developer not running their own company is presently $91,333.

Cost estimators are specialists in construction logistics. Common job tasks include reviewing technical documentation and project planning documents to ascertain the viability of plans. They may provide detailed cost lists or documentation on how materials will get to the work site, what temporary aid is needed in construction, and potential hang-ups to do with logistics in construction. Cost estimators should also be good communicators as they often have to interface with a wide variety of stake holders.

The average salary for cost estimators is presently $54,026.

Finally, construction worker jobs can also benefit from building degrees. While you don’t need a degree to get your foot in the door as a construction worker, furthering your education can help you move into specialized or supervisorial roles.

Besides technical skills needed for demolition, construction, and tasks such as the laying of concrete and operation of machinery, construction workers must be team players, willing to learn, and decent at communication. Construction workers that enhance their education to some degree may quickly find themselves promoted to foreman, IT specialist, or roles such as building inspector or cost estimator.

The average salary for construction workers is presently $38,890.

Additional jobs that building degrees will likely prepare you for include:

1. 1. • Construction Worker
      • Building Inspector
      • Foreman
      • Among Others

Think you may be interested in a building degree? Be sure to check out some of our related content including rankings of the best building degree programs out there.

1. • The Best Graduate Architecture Programs
   • The Best Undergraduate Architecture Programs
   • What Degree Do I Need To Become a Drafter?
   • What Degree Do I Need To Become a Civil Engineer?
   • What Degree Do I Need To Become a Land Surveyor
   • The Best “Bang For Your Buck” Associates Degrees
   • What is the Difference Between a Civil Engineering Degree and an Architecture Degree?
   • Architect vs Engineer: What Is the Benefit of an Engineering Degree Over an Architecture Degree?

The post What Can I Do With a Building Degree? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

For students interested in the file of firefighting and fire protection services, an education beyond a high school diploma can be valuable. Many schools today give students the opportunity to earn a bachelors in fire science online. Through these programs, online students can deepen their knowledge of firefighter safety and prepare for a variety of careers within and outside the fire department.

Prospective students are sure to find some excellent programs to consider on our list of the best online fire science degree options in the nation.

What Is a Fire Science Degree?

The most common title for programs of study that pertain to firefighting and fire protection services is fire science. In a fire science degree program, students may take coursework in everything from fire dynamics and fire hazards in building construction leadership skills for managing fire service organizations.

Studies in fire science and fire prevention may also make up part of the curriculum in degree programs in emergency management, fire protection and fire safety engineering.

Most institutions that offer a fire science degree, a degree in emergency management or other fire-related programs of study cover a comprehensive curriculum that includes coursework in areas like the following:

• An overview of fire and emergency services
• Firefighting
• Fire prevention and protection techniques
• Fire inspection

RELATED: What Classes will I take in a Fire Science Bachelor’s Degree ?           

The focus of a degree in fire science doesn’t always revolve entirely around understanding fire behavior and ways to protect people and property from fire. Many fire science programs at the bachelor’s degree level provide graduates with more general skills needed in the emergency services workforces, including financial management and fiscal responsibility, human resource management and technology. In general, fire science degree programs prepare students to enter the public service and public safety workforce after graduation.

The Best Bachelor’s in Fire Science Degrees Online

There’s no question that having an associate or bachelor’s degree in a field like fire science can give your career in fire services a boost. Whether you want to rise through the ranks of your local fire department or get a job with a more emergency management organization like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), your education will be an asset. For many prospective students, the question isn’t whether they should pursue a degree in fire science but rather where they should go for their education.

What do the best colleges for fire science have that set them apart from the rest? For one thing, they are recognized and highly respected schools in other fields as well as fire science. Often, this includes having a long history of academic excellence, an engaged student body, strong institutional rankings and regional institutional accreditation.

At the best schools for fire science, the online fire science curriculum strikes a balance between breadth and depth, equipping students with the knowledge and technical skills they will need for life after graduation. Ideally, the program should earn either Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) Recognition or accreditation from the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC).

Read on to learn more about the top 10 fire science degree programs online.

1. University of Florida

Leading our list of the best fire science colleges is the University of Florida. This public university in Gainesville, Florida, is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Why Study Fire Science at the University of Florida

The University of Florida boasts an enrollment of more than 55,000 students as of Fall 2021, including more than 5,000 online students. The school is one of the largest single-campus universities in the United States. The campus consists of 2,000 acres and is home to upwards of 900 buildings. Approximately 180 research centers and institutes are part of the college, as are 16 individual academic colleges.

U.S. News & World Report has recognized the University of Florida on its lists of national universities, top public schools, best value schools, most innovative schools and best colleges for veterans.

The University of Florida offers more than 300 degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. More than 200 programs are available online, including both bachelor’s degree and master’s degree programs in fire and emergency services

Coursework in the University of Florida’s Fire & Emergency Services Program

In the Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Services, students develop skills for a variety of careers in emergency services. This degree program is offered through the Rinker School of Construction Management, part of the College of Design, Construction and Planning.

Required coursework for this degree includes studies in the following areas:

• Principles of fire and emergency services management
• Strategic planning for fire and emergency services
• Fire and emergency services financial management
• Disaster planning and control
• Communication and informational technology
• Fire and emergency services public relations
• Fire and emergency services ethical practices and leadership

The program offers a Fire Specialization, along with an Emergency Management Specialization and Emergency Medical Services Management Specialization, that allows students to focus their coursework. Core coursework for students pursuing the Fire Management Specialization includes:

• Political and legal foundations of fire protection
• Fire and emergency services administration
• Management of fire prevention programs
• Community risk reduction for emergency services
• Command and control at catastrophic fire-rescue incidents
• Fire and emergency services human resource management
• Applications of fire research

The bachelor’s degree in fire science program is open to both new students and transfer students.

The Master of Fire and Emergency Sciences program is a 33-credit graduate program that encompasses 11 courses. This non-thesis program covers courses in areas like the following:

• Fire suppression systems
• Disaster mitigation
• Emergency planning
• Technological innovations for fire and emergency management
• Homeland security

RELATED: What Are My Master’s Degree Choices in Fire Science?         

The online fire science programs at the University of Florida are accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC).

View program details.

2. Fayetteville State University

Another of the top online fire science degree programs is offered out of Fayetteville State University in North Carolina. This Historically Black university was founded in 1867, making it the second-oldest state-supported institution in North Carolina. The public institution is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Why Study Fire Science at Fayetteville State University

U.S. News & World Report has included Fayetteville State University on its college rankings lists of top public schools, regional universities int he South, Historically Black colleges and universities and top performers on social mobility.

Today, the student body at Fayetteville State University numbers 6,500 students. Fayetteville State University is best known for its programs in teaching and nursing, but the school offers more than 60 total bachelor’s and master’s degrees out of four colleges:

• College of Education
• College of Humanities and Social Sciences
• Broadwell College of Business and Economics
• Lloyd College of Health, Science, and Technology 

The school also offers a number of online degree completion programs, including the Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Services Administration program.

Coursework in Fayetteville State University’s Fire and Emergency Services Administration Program

The online Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Services Administration degree at Fayetteville State University is a FESHE-Recognized program. The curriculum, which is offered through the Broadwell College of Business and Economics, includes coursework in the following areas:

• Fire prevention organization and management
• Community risk reduction for fire and emergency services
• Fire service organizational dynamics
• Fire service personnel administration
• Fire-related human behavior
• Managerial Issues in an all hazards environment
• Fire dynamics
• Fire investigations
• Political and legal foundations of fire protection
• Applications of fire research
• Advanced fire administration
• Applied fire service ethics

Fayetteville State University’s fire science bachelor’s degree is intended for students who have an associate’s degree and/or fire service work experience.

View program details.

3. New Jersey City University

Another school where students will find a top-notch fire science bachelors degree online is New Jersey City University. This public institution located in Jersey City was founded in 1927.

Why Study Fire Science at New Jersey City University

U.S. News & World Report has included New Jersey City University on its rankings lists of top public schools, regional universities in the North and top performers on social mobility.

Although New Jersey City University was originally established as a teaching school, the institution now encompasses four colleges and schools:

• The Deborah Cannon Partridge Wolfe College of Education
• The William J. Maxwell College of Arts & Sciences
• The NJCU School of Business
• The College of Professional Studies

Close to 8,0000 students attend New Jersey City University. The school now offers more than 47 programs for undergraduates and 30 programs for graduate students. Additionally, its online offerings include nearly two dozen bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and certificate programs. The most popular and largest programs at New Jersey City University include music, nursing, psychology and early childhood education. For students who are interested in fire and emergency services, though, the most noteworthy program of study is the online Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Science

Coursework in New Jersey City University’s Fire Science Program

The Fire Science Department at New Jersey City University and its programs are accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC). Coursework in the Bachelor of Science in Fires Science program includes studies in subjects like the following:

• Introduction to fire science
• Problems in fire engineering
• Introduction to ladder company operations
• Introduction to engine company operations
• Fire officer company management
• Emergency personnel fitness
• Fire prevention & related codes
• Fire detection & suppression systems
• Fire department organization & administration
• Firefighting strategies
• Firefighting tactics 
• Hydraulic technology
• Fire investigation & arson
• General fire insurance
• Building construction 
• Hazardous materials
• Transportation & industrial fire hazards

Through this program, students prepare for roles that range from firefighters to fire investigators, code enforcers and jobs in the fire protection systems industry.

View program details.

4. Columbia Southern University

Another of the best online fire science degree programs can be found at Columbia Southern University. This private, for-profit higher learning institution is an online college that is headquartered in Orange Beach, Alabama.

Why Study Fire Science at Columbia Southern University

At Columbia Southern University, online programs aren’t an afterthought. The was founded in 1993 for the purpose of educating adult learners through convenient and affordable online education. Over the school’s 30-year history, it has educationed upwards of 60,000 students and awarded more than 100,000 degrees. Today, Columbia Southern University employs 1,000 faculty and staff and educates nearly 16,000 students.

Columbia Southern University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The school is also a member of the American Council and Education and has historically been accredited by the Distance Education Accreditation Commission. To keep improving the quality of the online education it offers, Columbia Southern University is taking steps to implement Quality Matters (QM) standards into its programs.

With nearly 100 active online degree programs and more than 450 online courses available, online learners at Columbia Southern University have plenty of academic options. Programs of study include associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctorates and certificates. One of these programs is the Bachelor of Science in Fire Administration.

Coursework in Columbia Southern University’s Fire Administration Program

Columbia Southern University’s fire science bachelor’s degree is a 120-credit undergraduate program recognized by FESHE. Students in this program can acquire the expertise required to become firefighters. The program’s comprehensive curriculum covers fire protection and fire prevention strategies. The 36 semester hours of fire science major coursework includes studies in the following areas:

• Principles of fire and emergency services
• Principles of fire and emergency services safety and survival
• Introduction to fire prevention
• Fire behavior and combustion
• Fire prevention organization and management
• Fire protection structure and systems
• Community risk reduction for the fire and emergency services
• Fire and emergency services administration
• Fire service personnel management
• Political and legal foundations of fire protection
• Building construction for fire protection
• Applications in fire research

Students also devote 12 semester hours to program elective courses. Options for these courses include the following:

• Fire dynamics
• Human behavior in fire
• Fire protection and code enforcement
• Analytical approaches to public fire protection
• Fire protection hydraulics and water supply
• Fire ground tactics
• Management of incident command systems
• Terrorism incident management and emergency procedures
• Legal aspects of emergency services

Southern Columbia University also offers a Master of Science degree in Fire Executive Leadership. This program allows students to choose one of four concentration areas:

• Emergency Services Management.
• Occupational Safety and Health
• Public Administration
• Human Resource Management

This program emphasizes decision-making and managerial skills for working in the field of fire science and protection.

View program details.

5. University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh also offers a great online fire science bachelor’s degree program. This public institution of higher learning dates back to 1871.

Why Study Fire Science at the Univesity of Wisconsin

At this school, the students – of which there are well over 12,000 – can choose from close to 200 programs of study. The degrees at the bachelor’s master’s and doctoral levels of study. The University of Wisconsin also offers more than 30 online programs of study.

U.S. News & World Report has ranked the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh on its lists of national universities, top public schools and top performers on social mobility.

The University of Wisconsin is best known for its programs of study in biology, nursing and elementary education. It also is home to an excellent fire science degree for online students.  

Coursework in the University of Wisconsin’s Fire and Emergency Response Management Program

The online program in fire science at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is known as a Bachelor of Applied Studies degree. The major’s official title is Fire and Emergency Response Management, or FERM. The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh’s curriculum is both FESHE-recognized and accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress.

Core coursework for the program as a whole includes:

• Intro to public administration
• Intro to leadership
• Critical thinking and writing
• Fire & emergency services leadership
• Public personnel administration
• Services personnel
• Mentoring for emergency
• Budgeting for managers
• Conflict resolution for the emergency services
• Administrative law
• Government and economy
• Applied research in emergency management

Students who choose the Fire Service Management Emphasis take classes such as:

• Management of emergency services
• Fire prevention organization and management
• Community risk reduction for fire & emergency services
• Occupational safety and health in emergency services
• Intercultural communication

Learning outcomes of completing this program include the ability to apply theoretical leadership concepts to real-world fire services management, utilize systematic planning in emergency response management, understand the natural science behind fire response and approach fire and emergency practice from the diverse perspectives of fire.

View program details.

6. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is another school that offers a great fire science bachelor degree online. UNC Charlotte is a public university established in 1946.

Why Study Fire Science at the University of North Carolina

UNC Charlotte isn’t only the third largest university located in North Carolina. The school also bills itself as the fastest-growing college in the state. The total enrollment in Fall 2021 amounted to over 30,000, including more than 6,000 graduate students.

U.S. News & World Report has ranked the University of North Carolina at Charlotte on college rankings lists including national universities, best value schools, top public schools and best colleges for veterans.

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte encompasses seven academic colleges, plus a Graduate School and an Interdisciplinary Studies division. The academic colleges at UNC Charlotte include:

• Belk College of Business
• Cato College of Education
• College of Arts + Architecture
• College of Computing & Informatics
• College of Health & Human Services
• College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
• The William States Lee College of Engineering

All told, there are over 170 bachelor’s degree programs of study and more than 150 graduate programs at UNC Charlotte. The online division of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, UNC Charlotte Online, is where working professionals study through the School of Professional Studies. Students can choose from more than 50 online programs of study, including the Bachelor of Science in Fire & Safety Engineering Technology degree.

Coursework in UNC-Charlotte’s Fire Safety Engineering Technology Program

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s online undergraduate degree in fire services focuses on engineering technology, particularly as it pertains to fire safety. As such, this program is as well suited for students interested in roles like fire inspector, fire prevention officer, building code official and corporate safety specialist as it is for aspiring firefighters.

Coursework in the program includes the following areas of study:

• Fire dynamics
• Active fire protection
• Fire safety in the built environment
• Risk management
• Electronic circuits and devices
• Industrial hazards & electricity
• Industrial hygiene
• Environmental pollution control
• Advanced fire service administration
• Command and control of major disasters
• Engineering economics
• Research investigation
• Adult learning theory in safety
• Fire and safety capstone

This fully online program of study is a degree completion program. The 61-credit curriculum is designed to build upon an Associate of Applied Science degree in fire science, fire protection or a related program of study.

RELATED: What is the Difference in a Fire Science vs. Fire Protection Engineering Degree?

UNC Charlotte also offers an online professional development certificate program known as Fire & Rescue Management Institute. This program is intended for established fire and rescue personnel. The curriculum covers a variety of aspects of professional development, including leadership, communication, strategic planning and team building.

View program details.

7. Colorado State University, Fort Collins

Next on our list of the top online fire degrees is Colorado State University, Fort Collins.

Why Study Fire Science at Colorado State University

Colorado State University, Fort Collins is a public institution founded in 1870.  This Tier 1 Research institution is celebrated as one of the best research universities in the nation. Students and faculty at Colorado State University work hand-in-hand to explore infectious illnesses, innovations in environmental science, mysteries of atmospheric science, and breakthroughs in clean energy technologies. The school also reports an 85% job placement rate within six months of graduation.

U.S. News & World Report has ranked Colorado State University among the top public schools, best value schools, national universities and best colleges for veterans.

Colorado State University educates more than 33,400 students, and its faculty is growing to match. The school is home to eight colleges Students can choose from close to 300 academic programs. CSU Online, the college’s distance learning division, offers bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees and doctoral degrees in the following fields:

• Agricultural sciences
• Arts and music
• Busienss and communications
• Computer science and technology
• Education
• Engineering
• Government studies
• Health, biology and social sciences
• Natural resources management and tourism
• social work
• Student affairs
• Exploratory studies

 The Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Services Administration at Colorado State University is part of the Natural Resources Management and Tourism area of study.

Coursework in Colorado State University’s Fire & Emergency Services Administration Program

Working professionals with prior college credits to transfer and a background in fire and emergency services can complete the bachelor’s program in fire and emergency administration at Colorado State University in as little as two years.

The core curriculum for this program consists of 37 credits of coursework in areas like the following:

• Fire emergency services administration
• Essentials of emergency management
• Fire service leadership
• Trends in fire science technology
• Structure influence on tactics and strategy
• Proposals/reports in fire service management
• Human resources for fire and emergency
• Fire and emergency services budgeting
• Legal considerations in fire and emergency

Students also complete elective coursework in areas such as:

• Industrial process and fire protection
• Fire protection through model building codes
• Emergency medical service management
• Indident command system s
• Prevention program management
• Policy and public administration
• Training management program

Students in the program learn to successfully apply the academic knowledge they gain to managerial and administrative roles in fire and emergency. In doing so, they not only develop the skills to improve their career in their current workplace settings but also prepare for future career advancement.

View program details.

8. The University of Nebraska at Omaha

Another institution to consider for a fire science degree is the University of Nebraska at Omaha. This school’s interesting history dates back to 1908. Although the University of Omaha was initially a private school, the college was made a public institution – which it remains today – in 1930.

Why Study Fire Science at the University of Nebraska at Omaha

More than 15,000 students are enrolled at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. To teach and serve these students, the school employs nearly 2,100 faculty and staff.

The University of Nebraska at Omaha has been recognized with the Carnegie Foundation’s Elective Classification for Community Engagement. The school is home to six colleges:

• College of Arts and Sciences
• College of Business Administration
• College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media
• College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
• College of Information Science & Technology
• College of Public Affairs and Community Service

the school offers more than 60 online undergraduate degree, graduate degree and certificate programs. One such program is the Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management with a Concentration in Fire Service Management.

Coursework in the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Emergency Management Program

The University of Nebraska at Omaha’s fire science online program is technically a degree in emergency management. Fire Service Management is one of more than a dozen areas of concentration students can pursue within this online program.

The core curriculum for the emergency management degree includes coursework in the following areas:

• Introduction to emergency management
• Introduction to public administration
• Emergency management strategies and communication
• Disaster response and recovery
• Preparedness/planning and risk mitigation
• Agency collaboration during disasters
• Political and legal foundations in emergency services
• Applied statistics and data processing in the public sector
• Internship in emergency management
• Capstone project in emergency management

Students in the Fire Service Management Concentration take the following classes:

• Fire prevention, organization, and management
• Fire and emergency services administration
• Strategies and tactics in fire and emergency services
• Analytical approaches to public fire protection
• Codes and inspections

Students in the emergency management degree program at the University of Nebraska Omaha complete two separate 15-credit concentrations, amounting to 30 total l credits of concentration coursework. Among the secondary concentration options students may wish to pair with their fire services coursework are Natural Disasters, Public Administration and Management, Planning and Preparing for Urban Hazards and Nonprofit Management.

Students must earn120 credits to graduate with their emergency management degree from the University of Nebraska Omaha. 

View program details.

9. American Public University System

If you’re not opposed to earning your fire science degree online from a for-profit institution, turn your attention to American Public University. The American Public University System is a private online system that is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Why Study Fire Science at American Public University

In addition to housing American Public University and its fire science degree program, the American Public University System also encompasses the American Military University. The parent company behind the American Public University System is a private-sector organization called American Public Education, Inc.

The American Public University System is best known for offering programs in areas like business, homeland security and disaster management and liberal arts and humanities. Currently, the American Public University System teaches 89,291 students and employs more than 1,600 faculty members. The school offers more than 270 academic programs, including certificate, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and doctoral programs. These programs are offered out of the following academic schools within the American Public University System:

• Dr. Wallace E. Boston School of Business
• School of Arts, Humanities & Education
• School of Health Sciences
• School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM)
• School of Security & Global Studies

APUS offers an online Bachelor of Science in Fire Science Management program is offered through

Coursework in American Public University’s Fire Science Management Program

Students pursuing online fire science degrees from American Public University complete 66 semester hours of required courses for the major. Subjects of required study include:

• Fire behavior and combustion
• Fire dynamics
• Fire prevention
• Principles of fire and emergency services safety and survival
• Fundamentals of fire protection
• Fire protection systems
• Fire protection hydraulics and water supply
• Fire protection structure and system design
• Fire protection in building construction
• Community risk reduction for the fire and emergency services
• Community fire mitigation and protection
• Emergency planning
• Emergency and disaster incident command
• Managerial issues in hazardous materials
• Fire administration and finance
• Fire regulation, policy, and law
• Fire safety and risk regulation
• Incendiary fire analysis and investigation
• Applications of fire research
• Psychology of disaster

The curriculum of this program introduces students to students fire suppression methods, safety, protection and fire prevention as well as firefighting leadership and management. American Public University ystemsS’s bachelor’s degree in fire sciences and management is accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress.

View program details.

10. Anna Maria College

Completing our list of the best fire science schools at the bachelor’s level is Anna Maria College in Paxton, Massachusetts.

Why Study Fire Science at Anna Maria College

Anna Maria College is a private, nonprofit Catholic college founded in 1946. Its 260-acre campus is less than an hour from Boston. The school is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

U.S. News & World Report has included Anna Maria College on its lists of the top regional universities in the North and top performers on social mobility.

for the most recent year for which Anna Maria College currently has data available (2019), total enrollment amounted to more than 1,400. Online students accounted for nearly one-quarter of the total student population (175 undergraduate and 177 graduate students).

At Anna Maria College, 99% of students receive some form of financial aid. That’s a big consideration for prospective students who are on a budget, especially since not all roles in the fire protection services are well paid.

The institution offers undergraduate programs of study in more than 30 areas, as well as graduate degrees and certificates. Among the online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs available online from Anna Maria College is a Bachelor of Science in Fire Science program.

Coursework in Anna Maria College’s Fire Science Program

If you want to ascend to roles like fire investigator, fire chief or fire marshal, Anna Maria College’s fire science degree may be for you. The FESHE-recognized curriculum encompasses 60 credits of coursework.

Required courses for the online fire science program include studies in areas such as:

• Fire behavior and combustion
• Fundamentals of fire prevention
• Principles of emergency services
• Fire protection systems
• Building construction for fire protection
• Fire protection hydraulics & water supply
• Analytical approaches to public fire protection
• Applications for fire research
• Fire service ethics

Students also take six elective courses, seminar courses, an optional internship course and courses that meet college-wide requirements in areas like writing and quantitative reasoning. Together, this requirement adds up to 20 total courses.

Anna Maria College’s online program is intended as a bachelor’s degree completion program. Applicants should have either an associate degree or 60 credits of prior college coursework. Professional work experience and certification in roles like Fire Officer I is also valuable.

Prospective students who want to take their education even further may be interested in Anna Maria College’s fast-track Master of Public Administration program. Under this program, students in their final year of the bachelor’s degree program take some graduate-level courses that apply to both their bachelor’s and master’s programs. This allows them to complete the MPA curriculum in just one additional year of study instead of two. The Master of Public Administration program with a Fire and Emergency Services Specialization includes studies in labor-management relations, policy and strategy and customer service in addition to public policy, strategic planning and executive leadership.

View program details.

The post The 10 Best Online Fire Science Degree Bachelor’s Programs appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

What is perhaps most meaningful about this avenue of societal improvement today is that education is no longer limited to the classroom. Students can now earn bachelor’s degrees online and entirely from the comfort of their own home. 

Career paths available to educators have also multiplied over the years, as many industries now employ education professionals in a variety of workplace stratifications to accomplish incredibly diverse tasks depending on their position–some of which are positions that simply did not exist even a decade ago. 

A Degree in Education is a Degree in Versatility

For example, earning a Bachelor’s of Education might lead into a number of different careers such as that of a guidance counselor, a corporate policy education specialist working in a human resources department, or even that of an industry-specific education consultant within the sphere of politics. What is most important to grasp about a degree in education is that it is versatile and can find value within any industry where the exchange of valuable information is streamlined in education.

Put simply, if something can be learned and if there is tangible benefit to that learning, then there is a market for an education professional within that field. The question then becomes, how do you best prepare for a career within your chosen field of specialization? 

Methodology for Ranking Best Undergraduate Education Degrees

To help you choose the best undergraduate bachelor’s degree we have scoured the internet and the hundreds of options therein. To narrow the list from hundreds of options to twenty we structured this ranking according to the following metrics:

• Online Degrees 

Sometimes a traditional degree program presents too many hindrances–in the form of physical location requirements and demanding class schedules. These hindrances are often enough to deter individuals looking to earn a bachelor’s later in life, or those who wish to earn a degree amidst demanding responsibilities in life. With this in mind, we have limited this ranking to online programs which should be most accessible to the largest number of prospective students. 

• Number of Options 

As mentioned above, much of the incredible value of a degree in education is that it can take you almost anywhere. But what this means for students is that they must be able to find a program tailored to where they want to go professionally. With this in mind, we have structured this ranking to direct students towards programs with the most robust offerings in education.  

• Reputation 

Reputation has always been a determining factor in the perceived value of an education. For education professionals this is all the more important, so that future employers and partners will see you as qualified to provide an education for others. With this in mind, we have only ranked schools on this list with stellar national reputations. 

20 Best Online Bachelor’s in Education

1. Valley City State University

Recognized as one of America’s best college for 23 consecutive years by U.S. News, VCSU takes the number one spot for a multitude of reasons. Founded in 1890 as a “normal school” or a teacher’s college, VCSU has become one of the most reputable and respected producers of educators in the country. 

But what really makes VCSU stand out within the context of this ranking is that it has so readily adopted online learning, particularly in undergraduate education. At VCSU you can earn an online Bachelor’s of Education in any of the following seven specializations: business education, career and technical education, elementary education, english education, history education, social science education, and technology education.

This means that VCSU is not only a great destination for students looking to move into traditional careers in k-12 education but also for students interested in more modern paths in technology and business. Further adding to the value of VCSU’s education programs is the robust online graduate programs available as well–meaning students can easily transition from undergraduate to graduate studies entirely from the comfort of home. 

Click here for more info. 

2. Wilmington University

WilmU is one of the rare examples of a school that is able to achieve the size and infrastructure of a larger state school while still maintaining focus on delivering resources to individual students, which is an intimacy more commonly associated with private schools. This is most apparent in the University’s student-to-faculty ratio of 1:17 that is upheld despite the growing size of the student body, which currently sits above 20,000. 

Prospective students of education will be pleased to learn that WilmU is a well-respected destination for all levels of education in K-12. Where WilmU really steps up its offering for these students however, is in its offered specializations within this focus. While many comparable programs would divert resources to create specializations outside the K-12 focus, WilmU doubles down on this focus to allow K-12 educators to become the best at their chosen area of speciality. As such students can pursue any of the following Bachelor’s of Education:

• BS in Early Child Education (preschool)
• BS in Elementary Education (K-6)
• BS in Middle Level Education (6-8)
• BS in Skilled and Technical Sciences 

Click here for more info. 

3. Athens State University

Athens State’s mission is to deliver on its core mantra of “friendly, affordable, and convenient” education. While certainly smaller than many schools on this list–enrolling only about 3,000 students each semester–Athens State University differentiates itself by offering a level of individualized care and support for its students that smaller schools are so often hailed for, which means that despite its smaller size undergraduate students have numerous options in specializing in different fields of education. 

Students have a wealth of fully online bachelor’s of education programs available to them and can choose from the following options: 

• Career and Technical Education
• Educational Studies
• Technical Education: Early Instructor 
• Technical Education: Instructional Design 
• Technical Education: Military Instructor 
• Technical Education: Post-Secondary Instructor 
• Technical Education: Secondary Instructor 

Click here for more info. 

4. Mayville State University

MSU is a school that commits itself to developing students into leaders, a commitment that is all the more important for educators who are implicitly required to lead those who they teach in the classroom. Moreover MSU offers a wealth of fully online and distance-learning bachelor’s degrees to make its programs that much more accessible. 

What makes MSU stand out even more is that its online education programs receive praise and recognition year after year. As a school that jumped on the opportunities of online education many years ago, MSU has had more time than many schools to refine and polish its online offerings. Prospective students can pursue any of the following online undergraduate education programs: 

•  B.A. in Early Childhood 
• B.S.ED. in Early Childhood Education 
• A.A. of Early Childhood
• B.S.ED. in Mathematics Education
• B.S.ED. in Special Education 
• Undergraduate Certificate in Online Digital Teaching

Click here for more info. 

5. University of Missouri

Mizzou is a school that stays ahead of the curve, which is most clearly demonstrated in its handling of online education. Today Mizzou Online offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate degrees, which are delivered with the same commitment to academic rigor and merit that has made Mizzou a distinguished leader of higher education for decades. 

For prospective students of education, Mizzou Online offers a Bachelor of Educational Studies (BES) with an interdepartmental focus. What this means is that while some comparable programs approach education by offering separate and highly specialized programs, Mizzou doubles down on fundamentals, theories, and industry research so that graduates of this one program will be qualified to pursue their own unique career paths. 

Click here for more info. 

6. St. Petersburg College

SPC is known for its top-tier education programs, which deliver such quality that their graduates are offered many benefits right out of the gate including paid internships and a guaranteed job offer within the local school district. SPC employs a combination of highly specialized course curriculum and more generalized theory and elementary education philosophy. 

As such, graduates of these programs will demonstrate both specialized skills in their chosen area of focus and the meta-theory which is crucial in a versatile career in elementary education that might take many different forms. Specifically, the elementary education program consists of two different degree paths, a B.S. in Elementary Education, and an Elite Educator program as a more competitive B.S. in Elementary Education. 

Click here for more info. 

7. University of Cincinnati

UC’s College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) offers a host of well-rounded degree programs consisting of both traditional degree programs and fully online alternatives. The CECH operates according to its five central values of innovation, partnership, diversity, leadership, and support. What differentiates UC’s CECH from comparable schools is its commitment to community engagement and activism, that is, even online students will see opportunities fostered by CECH’s outreach program. 

Prospective education students will want to check out the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Bachelor’s program. Students will learn to master the fundamentals of working with young children from the point of birth to age five, and as such will be prepared to work in a variety of positions upon graduation. 

Click here for more info. 

8. University of Alabama

Even if you’re not a ‘Bama football fan you have probably heard of the University of Alabama. And if you haven’t heard of it, its most distinguishing characteristic is its reputation. Alabama is consistently recognized as one of the best places to earn a degree in the Southeastern United States, and over the past ten years has broadened its accessibility to all students who access to the internet through the Bama by Distance initiative. 

The College of Continuing Education offers a fully online Bachelor’s of Early Childhood Education. Course curriculum is designed to prepare students to work with children from birth to age eight, in order to guide, teach, and develop these children into bright and well-functioning adolescents. While many programs constrict early childhood education to a cutt-off at age 5, this program gives professionals more leeway to work with a wider age range (up to 8 years old).

Click here for more info.

9. Ball State University

BSU has demonstrated its academic excellence year after year which can be measured in its countless awards and rankings. What is most notable about BSU’s accolades is that they tell a pretty clear story: BSU is one of the best options for earning a Bachelor’s degree online, particularly in education. Both the online Bachelor’s and online Master’s of education programs consistently rank among the nations best each year. 

Prospective undergraduate students will be able to earn a fully online Bachelor’s of Early Childhood Education (ECE). The focus of the curriculum is aimed at working with children from birth to age 5. The program is delivered by award-winning faculty with impressively competitive tuition pricing, making it an excellent option for anyone interested in an ECE career.  

Click here for more info. 

10. University of Wisconsin-Stout

UW Stout employs a philosophy of education which seemingly rests on a core pillar of flexibility in delivering academic excellence. In other words, UW Stout distinguishes itself from its many competitors through the amount of sheer choice offered in its available program paths. Students can choose to earn a reputable degree in a traditional format in the classroom, or online, or in a hybrid combination of the two. Furthermore, classes can be taken fulltime or part-time, so there is a program to fit virtually any lifestyle. 

Prospective students interested in becoming educators have a number of options to choose from–some of which offer all three formats of traditional, online, or hybrid. While some are limited to online, none are limited to traditional, meaning you can enroll in any of the following programs while living anywhere in the country: 

• B.S. in Career and Technical Education and Training
• B.S. in Family and Consumer Sciences Education
• B.S. in Marketing and Business Education 
• B.S. in Special Education 
• B.S. in Technology Education 

Click here for more info.

11. University of Arkansas at Little Rock

UA Little Rock is a research university that employs curriculum built around two central tenets–real world experience and critical thinking. For this reason, degree programs at UA Little Rock are exceedingly well-known for creating excellent professionals in various fields and industries. 

Of note to this ranking is its recent dedication to developing distance learning programs, which are designed to offer all of the academic rigor and career-focused philosophy of its in-classroom programs without the inconvenience. UA Little Rock offers two main undergraduate education programs that can be completed entirely online. These include a B.S. of Health Promotion and Education, and a B.S.E. in Middle Level Education. 

Click here for more info.

12. University of Southern Mississippi

USM offers a surprisingly diverse host of online degree programs, both at the undergraduate and graduate level with a number of additional certificate programs available as well. It should be made note of that while there is an online undergraduate program in education, the large majority of USM’s online degree offerings are graduate programs.

What’s great about this is that graduate-education-minded students can enroll in the undergraduate program in order to benefit from a seamless transition into their graduate studies. And even if this is not your plan, the online B.S. of Elementary Education stands on its own merit. What distinguishes this program is that it delivers a curriculum specialized for teacher’s assistants, so that students can get into a classroom and in front of students as efficiently as possible. 

Click here for more info. 

13. University of Wisconsin-Superior

Founded in 1893 as a “normal school” or teacher’s college, UW Superior has built a tradition of academic achievement in its students and professional success in its graduates who go on to become teachers. Given the success of its traditional programs, it should be no surprise that its online degree program expansions have been met with similar praise. 

Around 90% of graduates from these programs find employment as PK-12 educators, while others go on to pursue graduate education or to work in the private sector. The three primary online undergraduate degree paths are as follows: 

• Elementary Education (k-9)
• Early Childhood Education 
• Special Education 

Click here for more info. 

14. Western Governors University

WGU Tennessee represents a partnership between WGU and the state of Tennessee that was built on the promise of connecting distance learning technology with top-tier education in order to give students more ways to jumpstart their careers efficiently and affordably. WGU’s education program leads the nation in producing STEM teachers, which are often the most demanding teaching positions. 

The main online undergraduate program in education is offered in the form of a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. While some programs only prepare students for pursuing licensure within the state of the parent-program, WGU’s B.A. in Elementary Education is designed to prepare graduates for earning licensure in all 50 states. 

Click here for more info. 

15. Western New Mexico University

WNMU offers a variety of online degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. What really sets it apart though is its exemplary commitment to supporting online education. This commitment is demonstrated most clearly in the following features: 24/7 technical support, 24/7 online tutoring, and fully online student advisors provided to each student. WNMU is combining all the technology and digital functionalities of the modern age to bring online education to the next level. 

WNMU further distinguishes itself by not only offering highly supported online degree programs, but also by offering programs in a diverse range of subjects. Students interested in an online Bachelor’s of Education will be able to choose from any of the following options:

• Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education 
• Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education 
• Bachelor of Mathematics Education 
• Baccalaureate in Secondary Education 
• Bachelor of Science in Special Education 

Click here for more info. 

16. Granite State College

Despite its relatively recent inception, GSC has carved out an excellent reputation for its online education programs. GSC was founded on the idea of providing top-tier affordable degree programs for adult learners. This means that GSC offers a remarkable number of student-friendly policies such as a flexible credit-transfer system, flexible course formats, and competency-based testing. 

In the case of the education student, all of these systems and policies are designed to get the student into the classroom as a professional educator as quickly as possible. GSU accomplishes this fast-paced education without sacrificing quality by focusing on specific areas of study within k-12 education. Students interested in a career-focused and fast-paced undergraduate program in education can pursue any of the following options: 

• Bachelor of Science in Applied Studies – Education and Training 
• Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education
• Bachelor of Arts in English Language Arts 
• Bachelor of Arts in Math Studies 
• Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies 

Click here for more info. 

17. North Carolina A & T State University

NC A&T University recently celebrated its 129th anniversary in higher education. NC A&T has used each of those years to build toward realizing a single mission–that is, offering quality education that uses state of the art technology. This mission is finally being realized due to the University’s recent expansion into online education. NC A&T offers relatively few degree programs and certificates as compared to many of its counterparts, however this limited focus represents a strategic commitment of resources to ensure its fewer programs have the highest quality. 

Specifically within the education, NC A&T offers a degree specialization which is relatively rare, a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education. While this specialization will be of niche interest, the program’s curriculum is delivered by some of the country’s top agriculture education researchers, and as such represents one of the best options for those interested in building a career in this area. 

Click here for more info. 

18. Fort Hays State University

Over one hundred years ago, FHSU began by helping rural teachers with the professional development they needed to increase the expansion of education in areas that needed it. Today FHSU is carrying forward that history by offering both affordable and efficient education available to prospective teachers at the graduate and undergraduate level. One distinguishing factor of FHSU is that it displays a sincere dedication to providing top of the line education technology, so distance learning students can expect the industry’s best. 

FHSU offers undergraduate education programs focused on cultivating expertise in prospective teachers of k-12 with each degree path representing an area of  focus. These areas of focus are delivered in these Bachelors of Science in Education: 

• Early Child Unified 
• Elementary Education (K-6)
• Elementary Education (K-6 / Special Education)
• Secondary Education

Click here for more info. 

19. University of the Cumberlands

With a rich history dating back to 1913, the University of the Cumberlands offers students a number of reasons to consider pursuing one of its degrees. A reputation for stellar education programs and academic excellence in its students has driven a widely held respect for the University of the Cumberlands. Among its alumni are university presidents, five military generals, judges, and many more professionals of outstanding character and achievement. 

In the case of its program for education, the undergraduate degree on offer is a fully online Elementary Education degree. While some comparable programs break up the areas of focus within elementary education into separate degree paths, the University of the Cumberlands offers one degree with several options for teaching specializations such as the following: 

• English/Communications
• Interdisciplinary
• Social and Behavioral Studies
• Special Education

Click here for more info. 

20. Southern Utah University

SUU positions itself with a passionate stance in its education philosophy in educating the future generations of teachers. That is, SUU is staunchly opposed to social injustice within the realm of the education system, and as such prospective students can expect curriculum to incorporate techniques, strategies, and histories relevant to combatting and correcting such injustice. 

Specifically, this philosophy is incorporated in a fully online Bachelor’s of Elementary Education. This program is designed to prepare graduates for teaching K-8 within the school system of their desired locale. It should be noted that applicants will need to be endorsed by the applicant’s local k-6 school that will allow the applicant to complete practicum assignments specific to that school–since the SUU Elementary Education program was originally designed specifically for the Utah school system. 

Click here for more info. 

For Further Reading: 

Top 10 Graduate Degree Programs in Criminal Justice

The post The 20 Best Online Bachelor’s in Education Degrees appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

A complaint lodged against liberal arts programs is that they are lofty, artsy operations that enforce a disconnected way of thinking about reality. The truth is that a liberal arts school is just simply not for everyone. Some students will thrive in an environment that encourages the philosophical integration of one’s studies while others might prefer to stick to purely quantitative considerations of a technical school.

The counterargument is that thinking is a skill, as much as math skills or any trade skill. A liberal arts program enforces a format of thinking that trains students to solve problems with creativity and originality–and well, problem solving is a central concern of any effort in life, professional or otherwise. And today, the stigma surrounding online education is nearly non-existent and totally negligible when it comes to online degrees from reputable schools.

The Allure of a Liberal Arts Master’s 

The allure of a liberal arts master’s degree is that at the level of depth that one reaches in graduate school, programs incorporate comprehensive examinations of topics in both qualitative and quantitative formats. This can be an excellent approach to research-heavy or calculations-dense subjects, because it allows students to incorporate highly logical knowledge in a student’s unique personal perspective. In a sense, it allows room for a student to make knowledge their own. 

And in subjects that are innately philosophical–such as anthropology, psychology, or legal studies–a liberal arts education in second to none. Oftentimes the reasoning behind a concept is more important than memorizing the concept itself. And this is exactly what an advanced liberal arts degree will teach you–not just what the core concepts of a subject are, but how these concepts were arrived at in the first place. 

Moreover a liberal arts degree from one of the schools on this list will confer tremendous academic and professional clout. As mentioned above a liberal arts degree is a program that teaches you how to solve problems, and this is doubly true of a liberal arts Master’s which is able to develop actionable expertise in students so that they are prepared to tackle real world problems. 

Top Online Liberal Arts Master’s 

1. Rutgers University

Rutgers University’s liberal arts programs provide the tremendously valuable balance of a liberal arts program with a career-centric scope of focus. Students of Rutgers programs are taught how to think, but more importantly are taught how to think in a way that generates actionable results on one’s career. One needs to only look at the extensive catalogue of alumni–who are not only leaders but innovators in their respective fields–to see the Rutgers’ liberal arts philosophy validated. 

The Rutgers Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program can be completed entirely online or on-campus, and is meant to inspire intellectual engagement. The purpose of the program is highly flexible, and can be tailored to reflect a professional’s unique interests–whether that be to increase one’s qualifications, to broaden one’s understanding of a particular subject, or to improve one’s competitiveness in the job market. 

Students of the program will participate in a comprehensive philosophical and quantitative examination of the following subjects: 

• Literature
• History
• Philosophy
• Religion
• Social sciences
• Arts

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2. University of North Carolina – Greensboro 

UNC Greensboro is one of the original three schools of the UNC system, which was originally established to offer doctoral degrees. UNC Greensboro’s established history in providing advanced studies of the arts and sciences contributes to a strong reputation and academic clout. 

Specifically students can earn a Master of Arts in Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS) that can be completed entirely through online coursework. The program challenges traditional conceptions of what an arts and sciences education format means. The ‘applied arts and sciences’ designation refers to the programs focus on actionable, project-based learning where students will build the skills that are most valued in the real world workforce. 

The program looks to balance theoretical and intellectual explorations of subjects with data-based learning and the quantitative evaluations of key-areas of interest, specifically of interest to future employers. In other words, UNC Greensboro looks to provide the quintessential arts and sciences graduate education, while positioning students for professional success. 

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3. Harvard University

There is a reason that Harvard University is a household name synonymous with academic excellence and paramount professional achievement. Harvard’s alumni have gone on to become presidents, governors, generals, and CEOs of the most influential companies in our economy. Its faculty are leading experts in their field, often setting the paradigms which are followed for years, or even decades, to come. 

With the advent of online education, Harvard has expanded its degree program options to be accessible by students all over the world. The Harvard Extension School is designed specifically to accommodate working students and adult learners who are self-directed and responsible students. 

Specifically, students can earn a Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies in one of twenty areas of study. Most relevant to this list is the Arts Literature & Media program where students can pursue the building of speciality in any of the following areas:

• Creative Writing & Literature
• Dramatic Arts
• English
• Journalism
• Museum Studies

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4. Arizona State University

Arizona State University (ASU) is an innovative force in higher education, and has spurred tremendous growth in the sector of professional advancement for adult learners. ASU designs degree programs to reflect industry trends and employer expectations, so that program graduates are perfectly positioned to capitalize on market opportunities. 

ASU offers an Online Master of Liberal Studies through the College of Integrative Sciences and Arts. Students of the program will explore a comprehensive integration of the humanities with key scientific queries across various cultural contexts. 

The College of Integrative Sciences and Arts empowers students to pursue personal and professional areas of interest through independent research projects. In fact, the College expended $140 million toward research projects and initiatives. For students looking to delve deeply into a specific area of interest, ASU is a top-notch program. 

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5. University of Michigan – Flint

The University of Michigan Flint is dedicated to providing students with affordable options for professional and academic advancement. Particularly, a formative pillar of UM Flint’s online programs is providing “affordable excellence” so that students can pursue professional dreams without sacrificing financial stability. Online program tuitions can be brutal for out-of-state tuitions, but UM Flint offers an out-of-state tuition that is just 10% more than in-state, a tremendously affordable rate. 

UM Flint offers a fully online Master of Arts in Liberal Studies in American Culture. The program is offered through the nationally renowned Rackham School of Graduate Studies, which is acclaimed for its student-centric curriculums and free-form independent research. 

Students of the Liberal Studies in American Culture program will cover interdisciplinary explorations of various subjects, most of which will be chosen by individuals to reflect unique professional goals and interests. 

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6. Fort Hays State University

Fort Hays State University (FHSU) demonstrates consumer-friendly, student-focused policies and strategies that nurture students in their striving for success. University assets are commonly reinvested into student research projects or expansions into new degree programs. This student-focused educational philosophy is particularly present in the Master of Liberal Studies (MLS) Degree program. 

The 31 credit MLS degree program is designed to be flexible, so that busy students and working adults can complete coursework amidst even the busiest of schedules. Coursework is designed to represent industry trends and market opportunities, where students can choose specific degree concentrations that will enhance one’s professional position. 

Available concentration options depend on the current industry trends, but currently students can delve into any of the following concentration tracks: 

• Global Studies
• Corporate Communications
• Literary Arts
• Political Leadership
• Public Administration
• Health Sciences

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7. Stony Brook University

Stony Brook University School of Professional Studies (SPL) is an institution of advanced higher education that specializes in providing top-end preparation at the graduate and postgraduate level. These programs emphasize the transition from ‘theory to practice’ that is so crucial to facilitating professional success in students with a liberal arts background, while catering to the busy schedules of working students and adult learners. Students can take advantage of this tremendous flexibility to progress through programs in a format that best matches one’s schedule–choosing from asynchronous, synchronous and hybrid formats. 

The Stony Brook University School of Professional Studies offers a fully online Master of Arts in Liberal Studies. The program functions on a core tenet, that is that students excel professionally when their studies promote personal growth as well. 

Emphasizing this student-centric philosophy is the program’s commitment to empowering students to design their own curriculums. Specifically, students will choose from a robust catalogue of interdisciplinary topics and string them together in such a way as to most effectively lay the foundation to one’s chosen career focus 

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8. University of Memphis

The University of Memphis global degrees program (UofM Global) is an internationally recognized and attended institution that prioritizes flexible and affordable education. UofM Global leads the charge in ‘best practices’ for online education, providing students with 24/7 student support services. These services ensure that students are able to make the most of their time in the program, while enjoying the same care and personalized counseling that on-campus students receive. 

The UofM Global College of Professional & Liberal Studies Human Resources offers programs in the following areas: Leadership, Liberal Studies (Master level), Liberal Studies (Doctor level), Strategic Leadership, and Training and Development. The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) is completed entirely through online coursework at a pace and schedule that best accommodates students. 

Students will also tailor coursework to reflect their desired area of expertise or career focus through submitting an academic proposal. Academic advisors will then structure particular students’ curriculum to facilitate building the necessary expertise.  

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9. SUNY College at Brockport

Founded in 1835 in the College at Brockport boasts a storied history of academic excellence. The College now offers a host of more than 50 graduate degrees and advanced professional certification program options. Brockport is dedicated to providing students advanced degree options with exceptional value and academic merit. 

The College at Brockport offers students a fully online Master of Arts in Liberal Studies. Students of the program will engage in a comprehensive exploration of perspectives through the lens of the humanities, social and natural sciences, and the fine arts. 

A distinguishing element of this program is its flexible curriculum that is meant to empower students to pursue key topics of professional interest. To put this flexibility in perspective, the core curriculum of the 30 credit program takes up only 12 credits, while students will choose 18 credits worth of electives coursework to complete the program with a desired concentration. 

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10. University of Massachusetts

UMass Online is an industry leader in online education with an established history in distance learning programs dating back more than 25 years. Today, more than 180 UMass degrees are available online delivered through 1500 courses annually. UMass Online is managed by some of the most prestigious faculty in higher ed who hold distinction such as the following:

• Pulitzer Prize
• Nobel Prize
• National Book Award for Poetry
• Draper Award in Engineering

UMass Online offers a liberal arts type degree that doubles down on analytical foundations. Specifically, students can earn a Master of Arts in Critical and Creative Thinking (CCT) that can be completed entirely online. The program is designed to groom the next generation of thinkers who are able generate positive change in their environments. 

The interdisciplinary curriculum is designed to prepare students to excel in any industry or discipline. This flexible curriculum builds student expertise through the following research projects: Processes of Research and Engagement; Action Research for Educational, Professional & Personal Change; and Synthesis of Theory and Practice.

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11. SUNY Empire State College

SUNY Empire was established in 1971 to break the mold of higher education by designing an education program around mentorship-based learning. By providing counsel and advisement services, students are able to make the most of their time in each degree program. Faculty mentorship is meant to not only help students integrate knowledge more readily, but also to help students frame what they learn in terms of professional actionability. 

SUNY Empire offers a fully online Master of Arts in Liberal Studies. Students of the program will design coursework to reflect particular career goals and interests. The program culminates in a comprehensive final project that is meant to fulfill a dual-purpose of demonstrating students’ expertise and functioning as the start of a professional portfolio that works to showcase this expertise to future employers and collaborators. 

Before delving deeply into one’s individual area of expertise, students will build foundational knowledge in the following subjects:

• Seminar in Liberal Studies
• Perspectives on Interdisciplinary Study
• Literature Review: Explore the research relevant to chosen concentration

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12. American Public University

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, American Public University (APU) offers more than 200 degrees and certifications. The average APU student is 32 years old and 88% of students are working adults–APU’s key demographic. The University looks to assist working adults in advancing careers and actualizing professional goals. 

The APU School of Arts and Humanities offers a fully online Master of Arts in Humanities. Students of the program will tread the path of comprehensive study of arts, sciences, and philosophies from antiquity to modern day. 

Unlike many of the programs on this list, the Master of Arts in Humanities employs a more structured curriculum. Students will progress through topics and projects in an order and cadence that is meant to enhance each subsequent topic respectively. 

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13. Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University (JHU) is an internationally renowned institution of research-based education. Few degrees will confer the clout that a degree from JHU will, and this is for good reason. JHU faculty are responsible for industry-defining research and paradigm shifting practices in various fields and disciplines. At JHU students can enjoy confidence that they are learning from the best of the best. 

The John Hopkins Krieger School of Arts and Sciences prepares students to excel in careers and thrive as professionals. The Krieger School offers a fully online Master of Liberal Arts that is the first of its kind. The program is designed to inspire intellectual expansion, build analytical expertise, and facilitate professional competence in interdisciplinary projects and problem solving. 

Specifically, students will progress through unique and inspiring topics in the following courses:

• Deep Ecology: Environmental Ethic
• Philosophy of Beauty
• Existentialism: Philosophy and Social Critique
• Critical Theory
• Race and Jazz
• Social History of Medicine
• What is History?
• Ways of Knowing: Historical and Epistemological Foundations of the Liberal Arts

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14. Western New Mexico University

Founded in 1893, Western New Mexico University (WNMU) has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to servicing adult learners and underprivileged students through consumer-friendly and student-centric policies. WNMU’s student body is more than 50% hispanic and is designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution. 

WNMU students can earn a fully online Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies. The program is designed to enhance one’s professional or academic endeavors by building targeted academic concentrations in key areas. Specifically students will choose between two program format options. 

Students can choose between either a 2-concentration track or a 3-concentration track. WNMU allows students to build concentrations around any other existing degree track programs. This level of academic freedom is virtually unparalleled and allows students to truly build unique degree programs. 

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15. Texas Christian University

Texas Christian University (TCU) is unique in that it looks to preserve traditional chrisitan values in modern educational philosophies. Particularly in the TCU AddRan College of Liberal Arts was founded way back in 1869 on the idea of providing students simultaneous cultivation and advancement–both as students and as men and women. 

The TCU AddRan College of Liberal Arts offers a fully online Master of Liberal Arts program designed to accommodate both lifelong learners and ambitious professionals looking to broaden their intellectual horizons. Students will choose from a catalogue of research opportunities and electives to build expertise in targeted areas. 

Some examples of course topics include: world cultures, the American cinema, parapsychology, music history, or the American West. Research projects provide the additional depth and flexibility for students to establish expertise outside of available electives. 

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16. Union Institute and University

Union Institute and University offers students avenues for professional advancement and intellectual empowerment. Few universities boast a vision that is so innately aligned with the core tenets of liberal arts philosophy. At Union students learn from faculty who challenge students to see issues from new cross-cultural perspectives to engage in creative problem solving. 

Union’s Online Master’s program is designed to jumpstart students’ careers through meaningful coursework. Union graduate students will learn from expert faculty who have real-world professional experience, who dip into cutting-edge research to inform students’ direction of study. For students looking to stay on top of industry trends and needs, Union is a great option. 

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17. University of Oklahoma

The University of Oklahoma (UO) Extended Campus leverages the extensive academic resources of the University of Oklahoma to offer world class online education to students from countries around the globe. UO Extended Campus is built around six central values: quality, integrity, innovation, inclusivity, student-focus, and service-focus. 

UO Extended Campus offers a Master of Arts in Integrated Studies that is designed to employ graduate level analysis to explore various disciplines and topics of research. Students of the program will become particularly skillful in academic and analytical writing. Students will write about various theoretical, historical, and cultural issues to glean valuable conclusions. 

Students will progress through coursework in the following topics:

• Research methods in interdisciplinary studies
• Addressing diversity in the United States
• Volunteering in the 21st century
• Interdisciplinary studies foundations
• Cultural communication in leadership
• Volunteer management

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18. Kent State University

Kent State University Online is a pioneer of online education and distance learning programs. Kent State Online offered its first online degree program more than 15 years ago, and today offers more than 60 program options. Kent State Online services students from around the globe with flexible programs that can be engaged anytime or anywhere. 

Kent State Online students can earn a Master of Liberal Studies through the College of Arts and Sciences’ Center for Comparative and Integrative Programs. This program is arguably the most flexible program on this list. Students are only required to take one preformatted course–just one! 

The remainder of coursework is chosen from an extensive catalogue of electives and research projects. This flexibility allows students to pursue virtually any line of study in order to build a targeted professional expertise. The program consists of 30 credit hours with class start-dates in January, May, and August. 

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19. Adams State University

Adams State University is built around the concept of the “Adams Experience,” which refers to the idea that a true education isn’t bound by classroom walls–it occurs when students engage with the world around them and integrate into their lives what’s being learned in the classroom. The “Adams Experience” will be of particular interest to students who wish to enroll in a program authentically rooted in liberal arts philosophy. 

While not a traditional liberal arts degree path, Adams State University offers a Master of Arts in Public Administration. Coursework is largely organized around core liberal arts concepts and theories, but with the foundational commitment to grooming students for positions of leadership in the public-services sector. 

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20. University of Toledo

UToledo Online has been servicing distance learners for more than 20 years and today offers more than 50 fully online degrees and certifications. These programs are designed to accommodate working students and adult learners who will benefit most from being able to complete coursework anytime or anywhere. Programs are designed to be innately flexible with fewer coursework requirements than other schools so that students can focus on topics that are most valuable in the context of individual career goals. 

This is particularly true of UToledo’s Online Master of Arts in Liberal Studies. Students will engage in broad course topics that provide opportunities for research and exploration in student-centric projects. Students can build toward specialization by organizing projects to reflect professional aspirations and career goals. Course topics include the social sciences, visual and performing arts, natural sciences, the humanities, and interdisciplinary research methods. 

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In many of the diverse career paths available with a degree in this field, geography majors enjoy high earning potential.

Related: Top Scholarships For Geography Students

What Is a Geography Degree?

Geography is the scientific study of places on Earth. As a physical science, geography is concerned with the physical geographic features of the environment. As a social science, geography concerns human activity and the relationships between geographical places and humans.

RELATED: Top 10 Highest Paying Social Science Jobs

Geography degree programs exist at both undergraduate and graduate levels of college study. Most geography careers require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in geography or a related field of study. For some of the more prestigious and high-paying jobs connected with the study of geography, a master’s degree or even a doctorate in geography may be required.

What Are the 10 Best-Paying Jobs With a Geography Degree?

Some examples of high-paying jobs for graduates of geography degree programs include the following occupations.

A Note About Geography Career Salary Data

Every effort has been made to present the salary data included in this article in comparable ways. However, due to the different ways data sources categorize job titles and calculate salary data, it isn’t always possible to retrieve salary data from the same source. For each job, the source of the data and the type of data (median or average salary) are noted.

Generally, the salary data listed below is either the median (midpoint) or average salary, rather than the top salary, to better provide guidance on the sort of earning potential that most workers in the field can expect.

Related: What Are Some Examples of the Career of a Geographer?

1. Landscape Architects

Earning potential: $94,600 median annual salary (Salary.com, as of April 2022)

The geography-related job with the highest median annual salary is landscape architect. Landscape architecture is the design of outdoor built environments.

The study of geography pertains to landscape architecture because the best landscape architects must understand the geographical features of the land and natural environment as well as how humans will use and interact with the outdoor space. However, working as a landscape architect requires a great deal more knowledge of design, including the use of computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) software.

If you want to be a landscape architect, you might need to minor in geography while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture or double-major in both subjects. Alternatively, after completing your studies as an undergraduate geography major, you could seek a first-professional Master of Landscape Architecture degree from a program that welcomes career changers and students from any undergraduate background.

2. Emergency Management Directors

Earning potential: $92,028 median salary (Salary.com, as of April 2022)

When natural disasters and other types of crises strike, emergency management directors are the leaders who step up with a plan to intervene in the problem and mitigate the harm it causes. Through their strong analytical skills, organizational skills and leadership skills, emergency management directors plan the efforts that can save lives, rescue those in danger and protect the situation from becoming even worse.

RELATED: Exciting Jobs: The Top 15 Jobs for Adrenaline Seekers

A geography degree can provide a background in several areas of importance for professionals working in the field of emergency management. It’s critical for emergency management directors and personnel to have a solid understanding of geospatial data and the geographic information systems (GIS) technology that can be used to map hazards and plan interventions. Coursework in regional geography, physical geography, human geography, urban geography, cartography, geomorphology and climatology and climate change are all valuable in this career path.

Students should also develop skills in areas like management, security and computer science. You might achieve this outcome by pursuing a concentration, minor or double-major in emergency management or by taking coursework in the use of GIS for emergency management. Even with a college degree, it takes years of experience to qualify as an emergency management director.

RELATED: Top 10 Jobs with a Degree in Emergency Management

3. Environmental Managers

Earning potential: $82,785 median annual salary (Salary.com, as of April 2022)

Students majoring in geography develop the tools they need to understand the environment. One way to put your geography degree to work in service of protecting the natural world around us is to pursue a career in environmental management.

Environmental managers focus less in their careers on environmental science and more on compliance with environmental regulations. As such, environmental managers often work for government entities – but that isn’t always the case. Some environmental managers work for companies and organizations that are required to comply with environmental regulations, especially in the manufacturing, construction and utility industries.

One way to improve your marketability for environmental manager jobs is to pursue an academic specialization in a related field. For example, you might select electives in environmental management topics or major in environmental geography instead of a more general geography program.

4. Geopolitical Analysts

Earning potential: $76,304 average salary (ZipRecruiter.com, as of May 2022)

Geopolitical analysts and geopolitical consultants are scholars of the political systems, movements, trends and events of different areas. As experts in politics in various regions, geopolitical analysts and consultants can explain patterns and trends, predict the outcomes of political activities and events and offer advice to politicians, government officials and agencies, non-profit organizations and for-profit companies that may be affected by these political developments.

Students interested in political geography might take classes in the geography of international development and the relationship dynamics that exist between location, political power and culture.

Relevant elective geography courses include the concepts of political geography, political ecology, economic geography, gender and sexuality in geography, health and medical geography and global public health. Other common areas of study include the geography of specific regions and countries, particularly countries that have been or are going through political transitions and upheavals, like China, the former Soviet Union, Czechia and Tibet.

5. Land Surveyors

Earning potential: $75,430 median annual salary (Salary.com, as of April 2022)

For students who are primarily interested in the physical features of geographic locations and the technology used to gather and analyze geographical data, land surveyor is a surprisingly high-paying path to consider. The role of a land surveyor is to make the precise measurements needed to establish the boundaries of properties to be used for engineering and construction projects and acquire information about the contour and shape of the properties’ surface. 

Land surveyor jobs may involve a considerable amount of fieldwork. These professionals often work outdoors in less-than-ideal weather and perform physically demanding work, including carrying heavy equipment and walking long distances and for extended periods of time.

Your coursework in physical geography and the use of geographic information system (GIS) technology is valuable when you’re planning a career in surveying. However, you may benefit from choosing a more specialized major, like geography and land surveying, or by pursuing coursework in engineering technology or electrical technology.

The title of your degree is less important than the content of the curriculum. By the time you graduate, you need to develop the technical skills to use geographic information systems (GIS) equipment and other types of technology used in land surveying. To get licensed as a land surveyor, you need to pass the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying‘s Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) and Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) exams.

6. Geographers

Earning potential: $73,670 median salary (Salary.com, as of April 2022)

Some geography graduates go on to become, simply, geographers.

For geography jobs in the absence of a more specialized job title, the pay is still significant, with a median salary (as reported by Salary.com) of more than $73,000. Interestingly, Salary.com’s figure is considerably less than the $85,220 median salary reported by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for 2021. However, the broad BLS categorization of the geographer occupation likely includes many job titles that Salary.com lists separately, with their own distinct salary data.

According to the BLS data, geographers who work for the federal government are the ones with high-paying jobs in the field. For this industry, geographers reported a median salary of $93,640. Considering that government geographers make up 62 percent of the workforce that the BLS categorizes as making up this occupation, it’s not a stretch to imagine that the high earnings of workers in this industry skew the median wage higher. For geographers in the remaining three top industries of employment, the BLS reported median salaries in the range of $64,000.

Geographers are scientists who study either the natural environment (physical geography) or human interactions with the environment (human geography) and prepare reports on their findings. Unfortunately, the job outlook for geographers is discouraging. The BLS has predicted “little or no change” in the number of job opportunities in this occupation between 2020 and 2030.

7. GIS Developer

Earning potential: $73,299 median annual salary (Salary.com, as of April 2022)

Geographical information systems technology is necessary not only for the scientific study of geography but also for just about every field related to it, from land surveying and environmental planning to emergency management. If the technical services side of the field is what most interests you, a career as a GIS developer may be in your future. GIS Developers are the professionals who design and program GIS computer software applications. They develop solutions to

Because this geography career path emphasizes the technological tools used in the field, it has more in common with professions like software designer and computer programmer than with geopolitical analyst or economic geographer.

To attain the skills to develop GIS software, you need a solid background in computer systems and computer science. Consider choosing a geography degree program that allows you to follow an academic track in GIS, mapping or geospatial analysis. Your classes may include GIS applications in a variety of fields, computer cartography, internet mapping and geodatabase systems.

Certain roles in GIS development may pay particularly well. For example, ZipRecruiter.com reported an average annual salary of $112,277 for ArcGIS developers (as of May 2022).

8. Environmental Planners

Earning potential: $71,757 median salary (Salary.com, as of April 2022)

If you want a more hands-on role in making a difference in the environment than merely overseeing companies’ compliance with regulations, consider a career as an environmental planner. Land development is inevitable, but environmental planners work with developers to make projects more sustainable and less harmful to the environment.

Environmental planners still need to understand regulations and compliance, but their work can feel more actionable. One way to look at the job of environmental planner is as similar to urban and regional planners but with an emphasis on issues related to environmental contamination, conservation and sustainability.

Your knowledge of geography, including both physical and human geography, is relevant in this career field. Additionally, coursework in environmental science is valuable for environmental planners.

9. Remote Sensing Analyst

Earning potential: $71,636 average base salary (Salary.com, as of April 2022)

Remote sensing analyst, or photogrammetrist, is another career in the specialization of geographic technology. The geographical information systems technology that is so important in the field of geography and in related efforts relies upon data. Remote sensing technology, the use of satellites and aircraft to collect images, is one method of acquiring this data. If you work as a remote sensing analyst, your professional focus is on data analysis as applied to these images.

Geography students can take classes and entire tracks in remote sensing, GIS and other forms of geographic technology, along with information science in the field of geography. Students can also explore GIS and remote sensing research opportunities in a general geography degree program or pursue a specialized master’s degree in remote sensing and geospatial sciences.

10. Environmental Consultants

Earning potential: $71,272 median annual salary (Salary.com, as of April 2022)

A background in physical geography can also prepare you to work as an environmental consultant. Most commonly, environmental consultants work for government agencies or companies. They do more than just consider compliance with existing legislation, instead drawing upon their expertise in environmental geology and science and their skills in the use of geological technologies to advise organizations on the likely environmental consequences of their policies or projects.

Other Jobs for Geography Students

Beyond the top 10 high paying-jobs listed above, geography majors have plenty of other options for employment. Below are 5 more geography careers to consider. Earning potential for these jobs generally falls into the $60,000 to $70,000 range.

Related: What Skills Are Best to Have in Order to Become a Geographer?

11. Economic Geographers

Earning potential: $70,035 average base salary (SalaryExpert.com, as of May 2022)

This career draws on the social science side of geography. Economic geographers study economic conditions, patterns and problems through the lens of how place affects economics. Trade patterns across regions and among countries, the ways different areas exploit their natural resources for economic gain and how economic markets perform across different geographic areas are all potential areas of interest for economic geographers.

12. Geography Teachers

Earning potential: $64,760 median annual salary (United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of May 2021)

A geography teacher at the postsecondary level may work for a community college, four-year college or university. Depending on their work environment, geography teachers may conduct research in addition to educating geography majors and students in other programs of study.

13. Urban Planners

Earning potential: $64,577 average base salary (Salary.com, as of April 2022)

Having an undergraduate degree in geography can help both urban and regional planners do the work to create communities that thrive. An urban planner focuses specifically on urban expansion development, while regional planners may develop plans for areas on a broader scale in terms of distance, population and type of area (urban, suburban or rural).

With more experience, urban planners’ earning potential can grow. For high-paying careers like senior urban planner, Salary.com reported an average base salary of $93,238.

14. Market Research Analysts

Earning potential: $63,920 median annual salary (United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of May 2021)

In a bachelor’s degree program in geography, students learn to analyze data – a versatile skill that transfers to any number of careers. Some geography graduates find jobs in the business field, often in roles like market research analyst. Market research analysts use methods of statistical analysis to interpret data for the purpose of helping companies understand the market and make business decisions about what products and services to offer and at what price.

15. Cartographers

Earning potential: $62,422 median annual salary (Salary.com, as of April 2022)

Cartographers create maps for a living. Today, cartographers don’t just rely on their own drawing skills but instead use technological innovations like digital mapping software to produce more accurate maps.

The Major Areas of Study in Geography

Once they start studying this scientific discipline, geography students realize just how broad this field is. Most studies in geography and applications of geography skills pertain to two major areas: human and physical geography.

Related: Are There Any Licenses or Registrations Needed in Order to Become a Geographer?

Physical Geography

Physical geography refers to the geographic study of the natural environment and its physical features. Areas of interest in the study of physical geography include a region’s climate, soil, landforms and natural resources.

Environmental Science

There’s a good deal of overlap between the study of physical geography and the study of environmental science. Generally, a geography major is more likely to focus on the application of the sciences of geology and geomorphology than an environmental scientist, who will typically devote more of their education and focus to areas of biology and biodiversity.

Human Geography

Human geography is the social science aspect of studying geography, the one that pertains to the relationship between human activities and societies and the environment around them. Human geography courses might cover topics such as economic geography, cultural geography, political geography, urban geography and transportation geography.

Geographic Data and Technology

To study geography, you need to conduct research – and that requires the use of geographic information systems and other types of technology. Gaining hands-on experience using geographic information system (GIS) equipment can help you prepare for a variety of high-paying jobs in geography. 

For Further Reading:

Top 10 Paying Jobs With an Associate’s Degree

Top 10 Highest Paying Engineering Careers

What Degree Do I Need to Be a Policy Analyst?

What Degree Do I Need to Become a Lighting Designer?

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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job market of special education is set to grow 8% by 2026, making it one of the fastest growing teaching positions in the US. Though as opportunities grow, so does the competition looking to capitalize on them. 

The most lucrative and prestigious teaching positions are reserved for only the most qualified educators. Building the necessary expertise to claim these positions will require either a well-established work history in a representative school district or an advanced degree in education. 

The field of advanced special education research continues to grow year after year, as the tangential sciences of neuroscience and psychology generate greater insights to aid in the educator’s task. With this in mind, there has never been a better time to earn a Master’s in Special Education–where you can build mastery over even the most advanced sciences in order to become a better teacher for your students. 

A General Master’s V. Specialization 

When deciding to pursue a Master’s in special education the next major consideration is whether a general curriculum best matches your career goals, or if you might be better served enrolling in a program with specialized areas of focus. 

A general Master’s in Special Ed curriculum will likely work best for teachers who want to work in a variety of roles and school environments. On the other hand, a specialized Master’s in Special Ed will aid teachers in building the expertise needed to pursue specific teaching jobs, such as educators looking to work specifically with children who battle autism spectrum disorder (ASD). 

School Ranking Methodology 

Unfortunately not all degree programs are created equal. Faculty resumes, program graduation rates, and alumni career outcomes all contribute to the reputation of the program. And the reputation of a degree program weighs heavily on the perceived value of the degree upon entering the workforce. 

While certainly a somewhat truncated process, it is still crucial to evaluate your degree program to ensure there is a return on investment. But don’t worry–we have done the leg for you and combed through hundreds of programs and filtered them down to the best of the best by way of the following methodology:

• Reputation 

We determined the program’s reputation through an aggregate score consisting of other rankings and accolades. 

• Number of Specializations

A graduate degree is often the highest degree one will earn in life, so it is crucial that the program offers the options for specialization that meets one’s long term career goals. 

• Graduation Rate 

A graduate degree is a huge investment of time, effort, and money. Whether students commit to a degree program until graduation is–at least partially–a good marker for the value and quality of the program. 

25 Best Online Master’s in Special Education

1. University of Florida

The University of Florida is a national leader in creating the next generation of educators. UF’s College of Education offers a number of education degrees housed in the School of Special Education, School Psychology, and Early Childhood. Among these degree offerings is a Master’s of Education in Special Education through the Teach Well program. 

This program focuses on preparing educators to not only excel as special ed teachers, but to function as role models and advocates for their students. The Teach Well Special Ed program can be completed in just two years through taking two courses per semester (including Summer). The program can be completed entirely online so as to accommodate the busy schedules of working teachers. 

Further distinguishing UF’s Teach Well program is the availability of specialization tracks. Students can choose any of the following areas of focus:

• Foundations of Literacy: Development and Dyslexia 
• Dyslexia: Language and the Brain
• Dyslexia: Assessment for Intervention 
• Dyslexia: Intervention Methods 
• Dyslexia: Practicum in Assessment and Intervention 

Click here to learn more. 

2. Indiana University – Bloomington

Indiana University – Bloomington is regularly recognized for employing the best teachers of the state. And who better to teach the next generation of educators? Bloomington is a hotspot for students pursuing a degree in education at any level–from certificates and licensure programs to undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate options. 

Particularly of note is the M.S.ED. in Special Education which offers both a traditional-residential option and a fully online option. A primary mission of this program is to prepare educators to work with mild-to-high-incidence disabilities across various contexts of engagement. Students can also choose whether to earn a licensure in Exceptional Needs: Mild Intervention during their time in the program. 

Given the exceptional reputation of Bloomington and its faculty, this program will prepare you to accomplish any of your career goals as a professional educator. 

Click here to learn more.

3. University of Washington

The University of Washington is one of those schools that can really elevate your teaching career to the next level. What makes UW stand apart from the rest is its stellar faculty and commitment to industry-relevant research. That is, most of UW’s education faculty are instructors by night and professionals by day. So students can take pride in knowing that they are learning materials which are really useful to professional success in the workforce. 

Specifically UW offers a fully online Master’s of Education in Special Education: Applied Behavior Analysis. While preparing students to become top notch special ed teachers, the program simultaneously prepares students to become a board certified behavior analyst. 

RELATED: The 20 Best ABA Online Masters Programs (Applied Behavioral Analysis Degrees)

This program is an unparalleled opportunity for any student who wishes to participate more directly in the diagnostic elements of special education. As a teacher with a behavior analyst certification, you will be able to take on a more active role in the lives of your students. 

Click here to learn more.

4. Purdue University

What is great about Purdue University’s special education program is that it fully commits to not only developing skills to teach children with special needs, but it also fully committed to the belief that special needs children have exceptional potential–a potential that can be unlocked when special education professionals do their job to the fullest. 

With this in mind, Purdue has developed a Master’s of Special Education (MSEd) program that is meant to do just that–unlock the potential of children with special needs. In order to prepare educators for this responsibility, the program offers numerous concentration options. So that upon graduation students will be confident to work with a specific set of challenges that their students face. 

The MSEd program can be completed entirely online, and the available areas of concentration are as follows:

• Non-Licensure (Master’s only)
• Initial Mild Only Licensure 
• Initial Mild & Intense Licensure 
• Additional Mild Only Licensure
• Additional Mild & Intense Licensure 
• Additional Intense Only Licensure 

Click here to learn more.

5. George Washington University

GWU is located in the nation’s capital, Washington D.C., and as such is one of the most well-connected schools of higher education in the world. Education students at GWU will be plugged into the most prominent research institutions and will engage with communities that actively change local and national education policy. 

As an educator there are very few options that will offer such a jumpstart to a prestigious career. GWU ensures this jumpstart by narrowing the program focus to only on what the faculty can teach at the highest level. Specifically, GWU offers a Master’s of Arts in Special Education for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners.  

If you are interested in a special education career that works to include students from all cultures and backgrounds, this program might be the ideal opportunity. Specializing in cultural and linguistic diversity opens up career opportunities in jobs such as the following: 

• Compliance Coordinator 
• Curriculum Development for Special Education 
• Policy Research
• Diversity Coordinator 

Click here to learn more.

6. Michigan State University

MSU’s College of Education proudly boasts of more than 57,000 alumni, a group of industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers. The College of Education focuses on global and urban education, specifically in developing a philosophy of education that prioritizes evidenced-based practices and values innovation of any outdated methods. 

With such a focus on the future of education, MSU is a great option for any student who desires to make positive change in the industry. Graduates of MSU will also have the background in research and the reputational clout that is required to make such change. 

MSU’s College of Education offers a fully online Master of Arts in Special Education, with a number of specializations and graduate certification options such as the following: 

• Specialization in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
• Specialization in Learning Disabilities (LD)
• Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis 

Click here to learn more.

7. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

NCSU at Raleigh is a rare example of a state institution with longstanding traditions of excellence that has migrated its degree offerings to formats that grant accessibility to the greatest number of students. That is, NCSU Raleigh offers residential programs, fully-online programs, and hybrid programs that combine elements of both. 

NCSU Raleigh’s College of Education offers a Master’s of Education in Special Education with all three program track options. Moreover students can choose whether they wish to enroll in the program fulltime in order to complete the program in just 1.5 years. Otherwise students can complete the program on a part-time schedule in order to accommodate more demanding personal responsibilities.

Click here to learn more.

8. Holy Family University

Many educators cite their faith as one of the primary drivers of their passion for working with children of special needs. With this in mind, HFU is a great option for prospective students interested in earning a graduate degree in education within the Catholic belief system. Founded in the 1950s HFU is a relatively young University that has had no trouble building national recognition for its ability to cultivate top-tier educators.

These educators are produced through a number of programs, but of most note in the context of this ranking is the Master’s of Education. Students can complete this program in two primary capacities–either by completing the master’s with an area of specialization, or if the student already holds a Master’s of Education they can choose to earn only the specialized certification. 

Students in the program can choose any of the following specializations or certifications:

• Special Education 
• Reading Specialist 
• Education Administration (Pennsylvania Principal Certification)
• ESL Program Specialist 
• Autism Endorsement 

Click here to learn more.

9. Bethel University

Founded in 1871, Bethel University is one of the premier faith-based institutions of higher education in the country, particularly in the case of earning a degree in education. Bethel University embodies an evangelical doctrine of Christianity, which sees the path of education as a calling to fulfill God’s mission. As one might imagine, this means that Bethel devotes tremendous resources to offering a top-notch education program. 

Specifically Bethel offers a Master of Arts in Special Education. One distinguishing element of this program’s curriculum is its focus on compassion-based teaching philosophy. That is, Bethel clearly looks to cultivate a generation of educators who are both passionate and compassionate in life and the classroom alike. 

Students of the program can pursue specialization in any of the following degrees:

• Learning Disabilities 
• Emotional Behavioral Disorders 
• Other Health Disabilities 
• Developmental Cognitive Disabilities 
• Autism Spectrum Disorders 

Click here to learn more.

10. Saint Joseph’s University

SJU is a Jesuit institution with a stellar record of academic excellence going back 160 years. Today SJU holds an alumni group of more than 66,000, consisting of many organizational leaders, innovators of technology, and nationally recognized educators. A defining element of SJU’s philosophy is its pride in community and commitment to collaborative networking–at SJU your fellow alumni are more than just a professional network; they are a family, which is an ideal that many universities strive for but fall short on. 

SJU offers a fully online Master of Science in Special Education that delivers a curriculum based on the Response to Instruction and Intervention program (RtII). This program is a research-based initiative that has demonstrated measurable success in school systems across America. 

Furthermore students can tailor their degree to match career goals by pursuing a specialization in any of the following areas:

• Applied Behavior Analysis 
• Autism Spectrum Disorder Endorsement 
• Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Wellness for PK-12 Endorsement 
• Wilson Reading System Certification 
• Special Education Certification 

Click here to learn more.

11. Ball State University

BSU is an exceptional institution that spearheaded the development of online degree offerings before many other comparable universities. What this means is that they have been able to finetune their online degree protocols and curriculums to ensure that students receive the best education possible. 

Some distinguishing elements of BSU’s online degree programs include individually assigned online advisors to guide students in decision making, and a guarantee that the faculty in the classroom is the same faculty delivering online education. So students can rest assured that they are receiving the same education as their peers in the classroom. 

BSU offers a fully online Master of Arts in Special Education with the following graduate certificate options: 

• Applied Behavior Analysis
• Autism 
• Disabilities for Postsecondary Settings with an Emphasis in Autism
• Emotional and Behavioral Disorders Certificate 
• Multi-Tier System of Supports / Response to Intervention 

Click here to learn more.

12. George Mason University

Currently enrolling more than 37,000 students, GMU is Virginia’s largest public research institution and has been recognized as one of the top research universities in the nation for its contribution to various industries. This focus on research is continued even in its education programs where future teachers learn the most cutting-edge techniques for creating a productive and healthy classroom for those who need it most.

A distinguishing factor of GMU’s fully-online Master of Special Education program is that its curriculum is designed for educators to work with special needs children and adults alike. That is, graduates of this program will be able to work in special education programs for individuals of all ages. 

In order to build expertise in a certain area of this career, the program offers two graduate degree certification paths in the form of an Autism Spectrum Disorders Certificate, and Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate. 

Click here to learn more.

13. University of Missouri

Mizzou Online offers more than 150 graduate, undergraduate, and certification programs to distance learners around the country, and around the world for that matter. Despite the size of its online education program, Mizzou guarantees that the same faculty who teach in the classroom will deliver the course online to distance learning students. This works to alleviate any worries online students might have about receiving a ‘lesser’ education than their on-campus peers. 

Mizzou Online offers a Master of Arts in Special Education that consists of 33 credit hours and can be completed on a part-time or full-time schedule. This flexibility will be of particular value to any employed educator looking to earn this degree amidst a demanding work schedule. Similar degree options are as follows: 

• Master of Education in Autism 
• Master of Education in Early Childhood Education 
• Master of Education in Gifted Education

If you are a first, second, or third year teacher in a school district partnered with MPER then you might qualify for a scholarship that pays a whopping 50% of the Master of Special Education program’s tuition.  

Click here to learn more.

14. The University of Alabama

The University of Alabama is one of the most well known institutions of higher education in the southeast United States. Known for its rich history and its zealous football community, it has also demonstrated its proficiency at generating some of the best teachers in the country–who are commonly recognized with various accolades in school districts around the nation.

In recent years, UAB dedicated resources to developing its online degree offerings which are now housed under the Bama By Distance program. Of these degrees is the Master of Arts in Special Education that can be completed entirely online. This program prepares educators for taking on classrooms in the k-12 range. 

Students can choose which age group they wish to specialize in working with by choosing one of two graduate certification options–either a Collaborative K-6 Certificate, or a Collaborative K-12 Certificate. 

Click here to learn more.

15. University of Houston

The UH College of Education is a tier one research institution, known for its innovative work across numerous areas of research. An impressive example of this dedication to research is its “50 in 5” initiative, which aims to increase scholarly activity by 50% in five years–a figure that is all the more ambitious when you consider that UH is already one of the most productive research universities in the country. 

Within the context of its education programs, UH is pushing forward a model for community engagement that will be of interest to any teacher who enjoys connecting with local communities. The Advancing Community Engagement and Service Institute looks for opportunities to put research to work in local communities, which often allows education students to work in local schools or other teaching capacities to develop expertise that they might not find otherwise. 

Students can earn a Master of Education in Special Populations entirely through UH’s online classroom technology, and may choose from any of the following concentration options, though some have at least partial on-campus requirements: 

• Special Education Emphasis (Online)
• Special Education Certification Emphasis (Hybrid)
• Educational Diagnostician Certification Emphasis (Hybrid) 
• Gifted and Talented Emphasis (Online)
• Special Education Leadership Emphasis (Hybrid)

Click here to learn more.

16. University of North Dakota

Few institutions can claim a more rich history in distance education than UND, which began its first distance education program back in 1911 by offering coursework through mail correspondence. Today though, UND has taken online education to the next level by offering a combination of flexible coursework and real time online classroom events that allows students to interact with the instructor as if they were in a traditional classroom. 

UND offers an impressive Master’s of Special Education that distinguishes itself in the available degree paths on offer. That is, students may choose to build specialization in any of the following nine areas: 

• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) / Also offered as a certificate 
• Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
• General Special Education (GSE)
• Emotional Behavioral Disorders (EBD)
• Intellectual Disabilities (ID)
• Learning Disabilities (LD)
• Special Education Strategist (SES)
• Visual Impairment (VI) (This is the only online VI program in the country)

Click here to learn more.

17. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

SRU began as a “normal school” or teacher’s college in 1889, and has committed itself to cultivating some of our schools’ best teachers. In recent years SRU has redoubled its efforts to deliver an education curriculum to prospective teachers by developing a robust online degree program. 

SRU offers both a Master of Education in Special Education and a Doctorate of Education in Special Education, making it an excellent option for any students who would benefit from a seamless transition into postgraduate study. Within the Master’s program students have a number of options to develop specialization in any of the following areas: 

• Master of Education – Special Education (Birth to Grade 8)
• Master of Education – Special Education (Grades 7 to 12)
• Master of Education – Special Education Supervisor
• Master of Education – Special Education (Autism) 
• Autism Endorsement 

Click here to learn more.

18. Georgia College and State University

GCSU began as a women’s educational center in 1889 and has striven to build independent and driven professionals ever since. Today, GCSU distinguishes itself through an impressive commitment to community engagement and self-actualization. That is, GCSU faculty work hard to help students realize their potential and how to reach that potential. 

GCSU offers a variety of online degree programs based on career-focused objectives. Among these is both a Master of Arts in Teaching in Special Education, and a Master of Education in Special Education, though only the former is completed entirely online. 

Click here to learn more.

19. Webster University

Webster University might just be the most unique institution on this ranking. Webster is a global, private, non-profit university that clearly values diversity and inclusivity, as it hosts students from more than 100 students outside of the United States. Webster attracts such a diverse student body due to its focus on delivering curriculums within a global context, that is, it tends to avoid falling into the educational trappings of a university bound by cultural myopia. 

For any student looking to learn more about education and teaching philosophy within a global context that incorporates many different cultural virtues, this might be the ideal place to earn a graduate degree. Students can earn a Master of Arts in Special Education, or a Master of Arts in Teaching with an Emphasis in Special Education. 

Beyond these two primary degree paths, students can choose to specialize in any of the following areas: 

• Applied Behavior Analysis
• Dyslexia
• Mild/Moderate Disabilities
• Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS)
• Severe Developmental Disabilities
• Trauma-Informed Education and Intervention

Click here to learn more.

20. Texas Tech University

TTU provides a high level of choice and flexibility to its distance learning students by offering online programs for individuals K-12, for those interested in bachelor’s and master’s programs, and for lifelong learners looking to build a new skill set or earn a professional certification. 

Of particular note is the fully online Master of Education in Special Education, which is offered through the TTU College of Education. This graduate program empowers its students to pursue the exact area study that best matches career goals and personal interests by offering a . As such, students can choose from any of the following specializations: 

• Autism 
• Applied Behavior Analysis 
• Deafblindness
• Deaf/Hard of Hearing
• Educational Diagnostician
• Generic Special Education
• Orientation and Mobility
• Visual Impairment

Click here to learn more.

The post The 20 Best Masters’ in Special Education Degree Programs appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

We shape our buildings, thereafter they shape us – Winston Churchill

Civil engineering is the design, development, and maintenance of infrastructure. In America, we’re facing significant infrastructure issues. These issues can be seen in our airports, train systems, bridges, roads, and water systems. From the Rust Belt to major cities like New York and Los Angeles, there are comprehensive infrastructure challenges that must be addressed. We’ve all heard about Flint, Michigan’s water crisis, but throughout the country, there are areas where people can’t depend on clean, dependable running water.

This is just one of the challenges facing the modern civil engineer. Fortunately, civil engineers have a long track record of beating seemingly insurmountable odds to create safe and sustainable projects that markedly improve the lives of anyone who utilizes or relies on them.

One great example of a civil engineering success is the Qingdao Haiwan Bridge. Built in 2011 the bridge is 26.4 miles long, making it the longest bridge in the world based on its aggregate length. It took 10,000 workers four years to build and required 450,000 tons of steel along with 3 million cubic yards of concrete. It was designed to withstand earthquakes up to 8.0 on the Richter scale, impacts from 300,000-ton vessels, as well as typhoons.

These massive civil engineering projects aren’t new, and in fact, some of the historical accomplishments in the field are extremely impressive, especially when you consider the times and places they happened in. Consider the Panama Canal. In the 1600’s Charles V, King of Spain and Holy Roman Emperor wanted a route that ships could take between Peru in Spain. Hundreds of years later his dream became a reality in the form of the Panama Canal, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through movable locks that lift and lower ships. It saves thousands of miles on each trip between North and South America. In 1914 it opened. Now 15,000 ships use it each year.

Each ship that passes through must be raised and lowered by 85 feet across the canal, and each movable lock door weighs 750 tons and fills with 52 million gallons of water to support the thousands of ships that go through it each year. The project required 60 million pounds of dynamite and 40,000 workers.

These are just a couple of the most important civil engineering projects in human history, but they demonstrate how much can be accomplished with a bold vision and the will to bring it to fruition. Civil engineers handily solve complex problems by coordinating as many skilled professionals they require. If they’re successful, their works stand the test of time and markedly improve the lives of incalculable people over the years and decades after they’re completed.

Being a civil engineer is extremely rewarding and challenging work. It’s not for everyone, but if you have the aptitude and the will to thrive in this field, a top-notch civil engineering education can give you the tools you’ll need to have a successful, long-lasting career in the field.

By earning a civil engineering degree you can help build a better, more efficient world and help people live better lives whenever they make use of your works.

In this handy, thorough guide, we’ll look into the available civil engineering degrees, including different degree levels and common specializations. We’ll also look at all that we’ve done at Degree Query to help you find the best civil engineering degree for you. While you peruse this resource, please ask yourself and consider the following (among other factors that might pertain to you):

• What are your short and longterm career goals, and how can a degree in civil engineering help you reach them?
• You don’t need to have an exact plan of how your education and career will go, but starting with a premise about where you’d like to work and what you’re good at is a great way to explore your civil engineering degree options.
• What degrees do you currently hold? What civil engineering position do you want, and what degree level would you need to reach to qualify for it?
• Entry-level civil engineering positions often require at least a Bachelor’s degree. Applicants with graduate or doctoral degrees can reach more senior positions and are preferred for competitive civil engineering positions.
• How much can you afford to pay in tuition and the other costs that are associated with a specific civil engineering degree, and how much would you have to take out in loans to afford one?
• There are many costs associated with civil engineering programs, depending on the school you choose, and the delivery formats they offer. You should also consider what scholarships and loans you could qualify for, among other personal financial considerations.
• Whenever possible you should choose schools you can afford to attend. However, that’s not an option for many people, so if you need to borrow money take out loans from the government instead of borrowing money from private interests.
• Consider schools that are comparably affordable, accredited, and non-profit over more costly for-profit options.
• How much time can you commit to a civil engineering degree each day, week, and in total before graduating? Depending on the civil engineering program you choose you can enjoy a variety of delivery formats.
• These delivery options include full-time, part-time, online, on-campus, or a hybrid of online and traditional on-campus instruction. What’s best for you?
• Where do you want to live and use your civil engineering degree? Different states, cities, and industries have different demands for civil engineers.
• What is your career and educational background? How can a prospective civil engineering degree program increase your strengths and mitigate your weaknesses?
• What are the available specializations in civil engineering degrees you’re considering? How can a specialization or focus in the field help you meet and exceed your educational and career goals?

This is just a taste of what you should look at when searching for a civil engineering degree or any other discipline for that matter. While you explore, it’s beneficial to write down more questions, parameters, obstacles, and considerations that will inform your search. This way, you can set up criteria to pare down the available civil engineering options. Throughout, keep in mind, what do you want from a civil engineering program?

Now let’s look at some of the factors that make civil engineers successful. These may not all apply to you, but that’s OK. Probe your aptitudes, and how they play into civil engineering, and think about whether you can make up for the things you struggle with to determine whether civil engineering is right for you.

What Makes Successful Civil Engineers?

Many qualities make a great civil engineer, but here are some of them:

• Incredible Analysis: Civil engineers are constantly looking to solve problems, and prevent them from occurring. They need to be examining a multitude of factors that go into a project and determining where the courses they and their coworkers have chosen need correction, and where they will be successful.
• Management and Organizational Skills: Because of how much a civil engineer must try and control (can they maintain their budgets? Is their building being constructed safely? Etc.) they need excellent planning and delegation skills to keep everything running smoothly on time. Coordinating all of the moving parts of a building project is a lot easier when you’re naturally adept at managing many different aspects of a project towards an overall goal.
• Communication Skills: Knowing exactly how you want a project to play out won’t matter unless you can convey your plans to peers, those working under you, your bosses and the people financing a project.
• Flexibility: No matter how hard you plan, large or small scale civil engineering projects will hit snags. Your ability to adapt, and also compromise on your desires is essential to success in the field.
• Negotiation Skills: Of course, you don’t just want to give in to any demands that workers or bosses are making. However, patience and kindness will go a long way towards achieving your goals and keeping everyone you need to complete a project happy while you do so.
• Attention to Detail: This is one of the most important aspects of an engineer’s life. No detail is too small, especially when it can rear its head as a major problem down the road.

Let’s move on to what we’ve done at Degree Query to help you find a civil engineering degree:

How Can We Help You Find the Right Civil Engineering Degree for You?

At Degree Query we’ve worked hard to provide you with resources in your hunt for the right degree for you. We’ve ranked jobs, schools, and degree options. We’ve answered common questions about schools, degrees, jobs, and the state of higher education. We’ve also built tools like our interactive compare careers matrix, which was designed to help you find the best pathway in school for you. Some of what we’ve done that applies to civil engineering and adjacent fields includes:

Rankings

• Top 10 Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Environmental Science
• Top 50 Highest Paying Master’s Degrees
• 50 Best Online Degrees for 2019
• 50 Highest Paying Bachelor’s Degrees
• Top 50 Degrees For Changing The World
• Top 50 Degrees for the Future

Frequently Asked Questions

• What Degree Do You Need to Be a Civil Engineer?
• What Are the Highest Paying Jobs in Engineering?
• What Can I Do With An Engineering Degree?
• What are the Fastest Schools for a Master’s Degree in Environmental Engineering?
• How much Science is in an Environmental Engineering Degree?
• What Is the Difference Between a Degree in Civil Engineering and a Degree in Architecture?
• What Kind of Job Can You Get With a Degree in Civil Engineering?
• What Classes Will I Have to Take for a Degree in Civil Engineering?
• What Should You Know When You Interview for a Job With a Degree in Civil Engineering?
• What Are the Benefits of Pursuing a Degree in Civil Engineering?
• What Are the Highest Paying Jobs With a Degree in Civil Engineering?
• What Is the Benefit of a Civil Engineering Degree Vs an Environmental Engineering Degree?

Now let’s explore the different levels of Civil Engineering degrees:

What are the Different Levels of Civil Engineering Degrees?

Associate’s in Civil Engineering

These degrees take approximately two years to earn depending on your schedule and availability. In these programs, you’ll study the construction of public infrastructures like roads, bridges, tunnels, and systems like water and electricity. Students will likely do lab work in addition to in-class instruction. You’ll get acquainted with the latest tools and technologies used for mapping and surveying. These programs can prepare you to work as an assistant technician, inspector, or surveyor, or can assist you in your ongoing education and help you earn a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a similar discipline. These programs are often offered at community or junior colleges, which can cost less than traditional four-year programs. If you choose to transfer into a four-year program, you’ll come equipped with pertinent credits that can make your remaining undergraduate civil engineering studies much more comfortable.

Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering

Here you’ll study construction, materials, and much more. These programs are similar to their associate counterparts but far more in-depth. Topics covered include structural design, soil composition, waste management, surveying, materials science, hazardous materials, wastewater, among other areas. You’ll become exceptionally well-versed in the writing, calculus, computer-aided design, and other math skills needed in civil engineering. Generally, these programs take four years to complete, depending on your delivery format and any credits you’ve earned previously in the field. Graduates will be prepared to design systems, bridges, roads, public sanitation, dams, and other vital infrastructure. If you succeed in these programs, you’ll also be on the way to certification as a civil engineer, and can continue your education at the graduate level.

Master’s in Civil Engineering

In these programs you’ll go much further into advanced concepts and the practical skills needed to design, implement and maintain infrastructure. These degrees take approximately two years to earn, depending on your needs and schedule. They’re incredibly interdisciplinary and demand extensive practical work, often through an internship. These programs offer feature specializations students can choose to refine their education to a particular area of civil engineering (more on this later). You’ll need to hold a Bachelor’s degree to be considered for one of these programs, and many schools require that degree to be in engineering. In these degrees, you’ll study engineering decision-making, support systems, physical hydrology, linear programming, pipe systems, environmental monitoring, statistics, and much more. Graduates will be prepared to work as supervisors, team leaders, and in other administrative positions within civil engineering.

Doctorates in Civil Engineering

These are incredibly challenging, demanding degrees that require four to five years for completion. In them, you’ll gain an excellent understanding of materials, structural engineering, mechanics, physics, data analysis, and much more. These programs also allow students to select a particular aspect of civil engineering to focus on. These might include earthquake engineering, transportation, geoenvironmental engineering, water resources, computational engineering mechanics, structural engineering, and much more. Students can expect to do advanced coursework for approximately half to heir time in these programs, and then will spend the second half researching, creating, writing, and eventually defending a thesis. There are opportunities to have tuition covered through fellowships and teaching/research posts as part of being accepted into these programs. Graduates will be prepared to teach advanced civil engineering courses, do vital research in the field, and work at the highest levels at a number of agencies, companies, and other organizations that employ civil engineers.

Now that we’ve discussed the available degree levels in civil engineering let’s look into degree and career specializations in the field:

What are Your Civil Engineering Specialization Options?

Civil engineering encompasses so many different areas of infrastructure design, creation, and development. Here are some of the specific areas you could find yourself in, either through studying in a focused program or within the field itself:

Construction Management

If you think you’re a great leader and love to see projects from their infancy through completion, this could be an excellent choice for you. These civil engineers help create building projects, from their initial designs until they’re completely done. They work with all of the different groups that help build, including plumbers, financiers, architects, electricians, construction workers, and anyone else involved in bringing a construction project from a dream into reality. They need to be up to date on the latest building codes (at the federal, state, and local levels). They’re also in charge of making a project safe, which is extremely difficult while working on a deadline.

Environmental Engineer

This option is excellent for people who want to create a better world through civil engineering. Here you’ll learn to develop projects that improve environments or sustain them. You’ll study the use of alternative energies like water, wind and solar, building materials that can reduce energy expenditure, and make many other design choices that lend themselves to sustainability. For example, you might build a project with windows and panels that maximize lighting and draw solar power while cutting down on energy expenditures.

Geotechnical Engineering

In this specialization you’ll focus on the soil and rock that form the bedrock for a project. Depending on where you’re constructing you’ll need to mitigate the softness or toughness of the land you’re building on. Your work can prevent erosion, and make sure a project lasts longer than it would have without your efforts. Projects spring from the ground up, and people who understand that ground are invaluable to building successes.

Structural Engineering

This is related to geotechnical engineering, but a bit broader. Structural engineers make sure buildings, and other physical structures can support their weight, and the weight of those who go inside them. They calculate potential loads and what designs can handle in a variety of ways. They’re essential to the skeleton of buildings, and the materials used to build them.

Transportation Engineering

These civil engineers work on the infrastructure that gets people where they need to be. Their work can include subways, roads, bridges, rails, and anything else necessary for the transportation of people and goods. The significant factors they consider are the capacity to carry people while making sure they’re safe. Our society depends on reliable, convenient, safe, and sustainable travel, and will continue to in the foreseeable future. If you were obsessed with trains as a kid, this might be the right fit for you.

Water Resources Engineering

We depend on safe water to live. But even as our societies and infrastructures have developed exponentially, there are constant obstacles to people receiving clean, consistent water. Water resources engineers build and maintain the infrastructure that delivers people the water they need to live.

As you can see, these are all fundamental aspects of civil engineering that will always have high needs for competent professionals.

Now that we’ve explored the degree and career options in civil engineering we’re almost through our guide. Before we go though, let’s look at what you can expect to earn as a civil engineer to support yourself and your family:

Civil Engineering Degrees in Conclusion

Let’s take a quick look at what civil engineers are likely to earn in the field:

In 2018 the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found civil engineers made a median pay of $86,640 a year, or $41.65 per hour.

BLS wrote that in 2016 there were 303,500 of these positions, which they predicted would grow by 11% between 2016-26, translating to 32,200 new jobs.

They also found that in May 2018 the lowest 10% of civil engineers earned less than $54,780, while they top 10% earned over $142,560. Areas associated with higher pay included government positions and engineering services positions.

We hope you’ve found this guide illuminating and extremely useful. If you find a school through our content that feels like a good fit, it’s useful to email their support staff directly to request more information about it.

Good luck!

The post What Can I Do With a Civil Engineering Degree? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

To conduct this aspect of the library’s business, library professions need to be savvy in sales, budgeting, and cost-analysis. Tied to the purchasing of the library’s materials is the decision of what materials to stock in a library–because the books of a library will ultimately determine its public image and the extent to which customers interact with the library. 

 And this brings us to the third major area of the library science profession–librarians and library managers will determine the policies and standards for book rentals, purchases, etc. They will also determine the general structure of how to service and interact with library members. This also often leads to public events, fundraisers, and other forms of community engagement. The key takeaway here is that libraries businesses and so library science is more business-oriented than one might first suspect.

Why Earn an Online Master’s of Library Science 

Library management professionals might find success with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, however there is no denying that the best positions–with the best salary packages and professional clout–are reserved for library professionals with a graduate degree or even a doctorate of library science. 

Why is this? Well the main reason is that the most prestigious libraries are either large scale state or federal operations, or they are located on premier campuses at universities around the country. In either case, the competition for jobs is stout and is firmly rooted in academic merit. 

Thankfully many of the Master’s of Library Science programs today can be completed online and on a flexible schedule, accommodating even the busiest of professionals. Moreover these programs often offer a cadence of coursework that allows for students to graduate quicker than traditional programs, and come with extremely reasonable price tags. As such our researchers have done the leg work and have ranked what online Master’s of Library Science programs are the best options for you. 

Best Online Master’s of Library Science 

1. University of Washington

The University of Washington School of Information is a powerhouse for creating innovative and industry-shifting professionals. Its programs cover an array of subjects in informatics, data science, and library science. Program curriculums are designed to represent the real-world challenges and needs of specific industries, so that by graduation, students will be prepared to enact positive change in their chosen field. 

Students at the UW School of Information can earn a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) that is completed entirely through online coursework. U.S. News & World Report ranks the program as the second-best program in the country, but due to the program’s industry-awareness and career-focused curriculum we thought the program deserved a bump up. 

Students of the program learn from world-class faculty who have held library management positions around the world, conducted international research, and who have demonstrated tremendous success as educators. Students earning their MLIS at the UW School of Information will enjoy the confidence that they are learning from the best of the best. 

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2. Indiana University – Purdue University

The Indiana University Purdue University (IUPU) School of Informatics and Computing distinguishes itself through a commitment to facilitating the universal applicability of information sciences and technology. Built into the School’s mission statement is the idea that students will be groomed for positions of leadership in their chosen field, and will learn how to employ the tools of technology and information to spur positive change in their careers. 

Students at the IUPU School of Informatics can earn a Master of Library and Information Science entirely online. In the program, students will become experts in navigating challenges related to meta-data management, information literacy, and the modern challenges of a technology-based world. 

In other words, students will learn about technology in a broad and universal sense which confers value and expertise beyond the traditional conception of a librarian. Alumni of the program go on to develop innovative programs and businesses for library patrons, large corporations, and civic groups.

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3. Appalachian State University

Appalachian State’s online programs are taught by the same stellar faculty who teach the on-campus programs. The main strength of Appalachian State’s online programs is its commitment to facilitate both professional and personal growth. A central tenet of the University is that the best learning occurs when it is framed in a context that is meaningful to one’s personal life and personal growth. 

For students interested in a graduate of library science program that encourages personal thriving, look no further. Appalachian State University offers a fully online Master of Library Science that prepares students to take on roles of management and  leadership in the library and information industry. 

Students of the program will progress through a strategically designed curriculum that embodies the interests and standards of the accrediting agencies. Specifically, the Master of Library Science program is recognized by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and nationally accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). 

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4. University of Illinois

The University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign School of Information Sciences is internationally acclaimed for academic excellence in its faculty, students, and alumni. Students at the School of Information Sciences will learn from faculty who are at the cutting-edge of their fields and who often present new paradigm-shifting models or theories. And alumni of the program go on to work at the highest levels of their fields, carrying forth the School’s reputation of excellence. 

It is for these reasons that US News & World Report ranked the School of Information Sciences’ Master of Science in Library and Information Science as the best program of its kind. In the program students will not only cover the foundational coursework of the profession, but they will also have the freedom to build personal interests and expertise. 

Specifically, the program facilitates internship opportunities, professional field training experiences, and collaborative research projects with the program’s top notch faculty. If you have a stand-out academic background and wish to work at the forefront of library science, then this program has few competitors. 

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5. Fort Hays State University

Fort Hays State University’s core mission is to ‘outlast and achieve’ and this mission is carried on by its students as well. At FHSU students will learn how to go beyond their conception of giving 100%, so that they learn how to give 110% when the stakes are high. This is why FHSU students go on to tremendous success and maintain positions of leadership in their respective fields. 

Students at FHSU can earn a Master of Science in Education with a Library Media Specialist concentration. This program is designed specifically for students or education professionals who hold a teaching license. For students interested in combining a career of education with a career in library science, this program is second to none. 

Students enrolled in the Library Specialist Track will complete coursework in the following areas: 

• Innovative Technology Integration 
•  Educational Research
•  Educational Leadership
•  Data Analysis & Assessment
•  Instructional Design & Assessment
•  Cultural Diversity

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6. San José State University

The San José State University School of Information grooms IT, data science, and library science professionals. Students at the School are taught how to apply theoretical models to practical problem solving. Programs are constructed around career-centric curriculums that emphasize industry and market opportunities available to students. 

The San José State University School of Information offers students a Master of Library and Information Science. The School ensures that its students have the same care, guidance, and opportunities as their on-campus counterparts. Curriculum is delivered through a flexible course format that is largely asynchronous, meaning that students progress through the program at their own pace. 

Students of the program will also enjoy the opportunity to build key specialities. Students choose from a robust catalogue of coursework that reflects the burgeoning areas of the industry. 

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7. University of Wisconsin-Madison

The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW) iSchool is a future-facing program that positions students to capitalize on burgeoning trends and opportunities in the job market. The UW iSchool informs its degree programs with the current research and best-practices from accrediting bodies, so that online students can enjoy the confidence that they are learning from the best of the best. 

The UW iSchool offers students a Master’s of Library and Information Science that can be tailored to meet the specific needs of individual students. Students can build experience and expertise in key areas by participating in research projects, community engagement, and collaborative coursework. 

Specifically, students can pursue specialization in any of the following areas: 

• Librarianship
• Digital archives
• UX & information technology
• Data/information management & analytics
• Organization of information

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8. University of Houston – Clear Lake 

The University of Houston Clear Lake (UHCL) College of Education is a premier institution in the higher education industry. Its programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), and grooms students for positions in schools, libraries, and even IT companies. 

Specifically, the College of Education offers a Master of Science in School Library and Information Science that can be completed entirely Online. Curriculums emphasize the training of education professionals to work closely with elementary, middle, or high school teachers to integrate technology and information science. 

Graduates of the program will excel in library science and library management positions. Students of the program will also establish the necessary prerequisites for a number of prestigious certifications–specifically, the Texas School Librarian Certification, and you will have the option of adding Texas Master Technology Teacher certification. 

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9. University of Maryland

The University of Maryland (UMD) College of Information Studies houses some of the most prestigious and acclaimed degree programs in the country. Many of its programs rank in the ‘Top 5,’ which is likely due to the quality of faculty who are industry leaders and professional experts in their respective fields. The UMD College of Information offers top tier programs in the following areas: 

• Library and Information Science
• Digital Humanities
• Computational Archival Science
• Data Privacy and Sociotechnical Cybersecurity
• Youth Experience, Learning, and Digital Practices
• Social Networks and Online Communities
• Data Science, Analytics, and Visualization
• Information Justice, Human Rights, and Technology Ethics  

Specifically the UMD College of Information Studies offers an online Master’s of Library and Information Science that is ranked as one of the best programs in the United States. It is ranked #2 in online programs of its kind, and #8 of all MLIS programs (both on-campus and online).

Aside from its impressive catalogue of accolades, students can earn degree specializations in several key areas. Specializations provide coursework direction in the following areas: 

• Archives and Digital Curation
• Youth Experience 
• Intelligence & Analytics 
• Diversity and Inclusion 
• Legal Informatics 

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10. University of North Carolina at Greensboro

UNC Greensboro (UNCG) Online has worked hard to guarantee online students the same learning outcomes and professional development offered to their on-campus counterparts. Degree programs consist of rich curriculums filled with various teaching philosophies and multimedia formats that are meant to engage students with varying predispositions toward different learning formats. 

Particularly in the case of the online Master of Information and Library Science, students will engage coursework that is presented in video, lecture, and peer-collaboration projects. To encourage peer collaboration the program is delivered primarily through synchronous scheduling, so that students of the program will progress through work at the same time. 

The program consists of 36 credits and is fully accredited by the American Library Association (ALA). The program also offers students a capstone project in lieu of a thesis project where students can begin to establish a professional focus, which can function as the beginning of a professional portfolio. 

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11. Murray State University

The Murray State University College of Education and Human Services does not just educate students, the College trains students to become leaders and advocates for civic good and social progress. The College offers a number of excellent programs in a range of fields in formal and non-formal education, such as social work, criminal justice, and early childhood education. 

The College of Education and Human Services offers a fully online Master’s of Education in Library Media. As the name of the program suggests, curriculum is based on a foundation of topics and philosophies of education. Graduates of the program will become librarians who are experts at teaching students how to use technology to better engage digital resources. 

There are two program tracks: one for certified teachers that can be completed in just 30 credit hours, and one for non-certified teachers that can be completed in 40 credit hours. Students of the program will become librarian experts who excel in the following professional responsibilities:

• Inquiring
• Including
• Collaborating
• Engaging
• Exploring
• Curating

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12. Texas Woman’s University

With approximately 15,000 students, Texas Woman’s University (TWU) is the largest university that is mostly focused on servicing female students in the United States. Its online degree offerings look to give women a leg up in professional achievement and academic development. Programs are meant to prepare women to capitalize on key market opportunities, which will be particularly advantageous to those looking to capitalize on burgeoning opportunities in the library science industry. 

The TWU Master of Library Science program can be completed entirely online and is accredited by the American Library Association Committee on Accreditation. A distinguishing element of this program is its offering of various specialization track options. 

Specifically, students can establish professional expertise by enrolling in one of the following degree specialization tracks: 

• Academic Libraries 
• Public Libraries 
• School Libraries 
• Special Libraries 
• Health Science Libraries 
• Information Technology 
• Technical Services/Cataloging
• Community Informatics 

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13. Louisiana State University

The LSU College of Human Sciences & Education is a nationally recognized College of academic excellence and professional innovation. Students at the College are taught how to value health, personal growth, and intellectual inquiry over one’s lifespan. Moreover students at the College are taught how to leverage academic expertise to find professional success–in other words, students are taught how to put theories into practice. 

The LSU College of Human Sciences & Education offers a fully online Master’s in Library Science and Information. The program has been fully accredited since 1931 and is the only ALA-accredited program in Louisiana, making it the oldest and most prestigious program of its kind in the region. 

Students may complete the 36 credit hour program on a full-time or part-time basis, completing coursework which is primarily taught by full-time, expert faculty. More than 80% of all coursework and electives is taught by the program’s full-time faculty, a benefit which few programs can compete with. 

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14. University at Buffalo

At the University at Buffalo (UB) Department of Information Science students will have the singular opportunity to participate in international research. The department’s faculty participate in some of the nation’s most renowned research efforts, which often result in paradigm-shifting models, theories, and conclusions. The UB Department of Information is an excellent destination for any student looking to participate in a research-focused degree program. 

The UB Department of Information Science offers a Master’s of Science in Information and Library Science. The program is accredited by the American Library Association, but also prepares students to work in a variety of professions in the information industry–even those seemingly unrelated to library science. 

This points to the versatility of the program’s curriculum. Specifically students can pursue specialization in any of the following degree paths: 

• Music Librarianship
• Law Librarianship
• Special Projects 
• Directed Studies (Builds real-world experience)

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15. University of North Texas

The University of North Texas (UNT) online has earned national recognition and acclaim for its student-first, consumer-friendly practices and policies. UNT Online offers a number of accelerated degree programs that can be completed in as little 12 months. Moreover many of its degree programs offer extremely competitive tuition packages, which are designed to be particularly accessible to out-of-state students. 

UNT Online offers a Master of Science in Library Science that is completed through 36 credit hours of digital coursework organized into 12 total digital classes. The program is designed to prepare students for professional achievement in a wide-array of fields in library science and related careers. 

Evidencing this is the program’s dynamic curriculum, which prepares students for various paths to success in the following degree specialization options: 

• Archival Studies and Imaging Technology
• Information Organization
• Law Librarianship and Legal Informatics
• Music Librarianship
• Youth Librarianship
• General Program of Study

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16. Texas A & M University

The Texas A&M University Commerce (TAMUC) College of Education & Human Services looks to improve the quality of life in the United States by creating responsible, engaging, and innovative professionals. The College boasts some of the most impressive post-graduation certification and professional examination success rates in educators. The College is known for producing more superintendents and high school principals than any other university in Texas. 

The TAMUC College of Education & Human Services offers a fully online Master of Science in Educational Technology of Library Science that prepares the next generation of leaders and educators in the field of library science. The program is completed through 36 credit hours spaced out through coursework over 2 years. 

Students of the program are given the option of completing the full Educational Technology Library Science program, or they can complete the graduate certification program separately. The graduate certification program can be completed in as little as a year to earn the ‘School Librarian or Library Media Specialist’ certification.

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17. Sam Houston State University

The Sam Houston State University (SHSU) experience is built around the foundational motto “The measure of a Life is its Service,” which translates into socially aware degree programs which are designed to cultivate a sense of social responsibility and facilitate the skills to bring about civic good in one’s community–professional or otherwise.

The SHSU Master of Science in Library Science can be completed entirely online and is meant to prepare students to become professional school librarians. Students of the program will also complete a School Librarian Certification so that they are professionally accredited to take on any professional role within a school library. 

Specifically, the program curriculum is designed to cultivate skills which are of high-demand in the industry currently, such as: managing large digital and physical catalogues of multimedia and employing an interdisciplinary command of technology and information science to successfully run the day-to-day operations of a library. 

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18. University of Central Missouri

The University of Central Missouri (UCMO) is an institution of strong ethical standards and operates according to a teaching philosophy that is fundamentally student-centric. That is, UCMO employs the motto, “Learning to a Greater Degree (LTAGD),” which refers to its commitment to its students–faculty work not just as educators but as mentors. Alumni are more than just social network connections; they are peers, partners, and collaborators. 

UCMO offers a fully online Master of Science in Library Science and Information Services. Students of the program will become accustomed to the industry’s most popular technologies and the ‘best practices’ for employing such technologies to enhance the operations and functionalities of a library. 

The program curriculum builds off foundational concepts teach-education and education philosophy. As such graduates of the program will be groomed for success in teaching in any of the following environments: 

• K-20 Classrooms
• Libraries
• Military Training
• Corporate Training
• Private-Sector Education Groups 

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19. University of Southern California

The University of Southern California is one of the most successful institutions of higher education in the southwest. USC alumni are proud, USC faculty are international recognized experts, and current students are groomed to turn dreams into achievement. USC is one of the world’s leading private research universities, and its students will be among the privileged few who can participate in industry-shifting–and even world-changing–research projects and initiatives. 

USC offers a fully online Master of Management in Library and Information Science that is truly unique. The Master of Management designation is meant to provide key preparation for students who wish to take on mid-to-upper level employment in a library. Graduates of the program will be well-prepared to take on employment in the country’s most large, prestigious, and respected universities. 

But emphasized in the program’s curriculum is the diversity of the librarian’s professionals skill set. Graduates of the program will learn how to employ their skills in a variety of other work environments and industries as well–from corporate offices, to IT groups, to governmental agencies. 

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20. Valley City State University

Valley City State University (VCSU) is a technology-literate University that looks to prepare students for the future of their chosen industry or professional focus. VCSU students learn how to cultivate a variety of interdisciplinary skills that will help them succeed in the ever-changing environment of the job market. 

For this reason, VCSU designs coursework to reflect the demands of the job market, so that program graduates are appealing to future employers and competitive in various job markets. VCSU offers a fully online Master’s of Library & Information Science that confers the North Dakota Library Media Specialist Certification as well. 

Students of the program will progress through coursework in the following areas: 

• Applied Research in Current School Library Issues
• Literature & Literacy for Children & Young Adults
• Contemporary Cataloging for the School Library
• Collection Development for the 21st Century School Library
• Using Information Resources
• Collaboration, Management, & Leadership
• Administering & Evaluating Program Resources
• Integrating Information Literacy & Research Standards

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The post The 20 Best Online Master’s in Library Science Degree Programs appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

There are numerous types of engineering careers, each of which has its own distinct earning potential and path to the career. Our list below presents the 10 most lucrative engineering jobs.

Preparing for the Best Engineering Jobs

If you have your eye on an engineering career, you need at least a bachelor’s degree. Some engineers have a master’s degree. Graduate education is more common in some engineering jobs than others, so whether you should enroll in a master’s degree program depends on the specific career in engineering you are most interested in.

Engineering students need a strong background in math and the sciences. Often, engineering majors have to take classes in science disciplines like physics, biology and chemistry and math classes like linear algebra, differential equations and calculus, as well as engineering principles.

RELATED: What Are the Highest Paying Jobs in Engineering Technology?

The Highest Paying Engineering Jobs, Ranked

1. Petroleum Engineer

Petroleum engineer is the highest paying engineering job. For 2021, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported a median annual salary of $130,850 for petroleum engineers. The best-paying of the top employing industries for this career, management of companies and enterprises, paid a median wage of $165,480. Even the lowest-paying top employment industry, support activities for mining, still paid a median wage of $123,820.

The highest-earning 10 percent of petroleum engineers made more than $208,000 per year in 2021, while the lowest-earning 10 percent of the occupation reported salaries below $78,390, the BLS reported.

What Do Petroleum Engineers Do?

The primary concern of petroleum engineers is extracting fuel resources from oil and gas deposits beneath the Earth’s surface. More specifically, a petroleum engineer might devise the plan for extracting these resources from oil and gas deposits, design the machines and equipment used to perform this work and evaluate the effectiveness of extraction efforts. Some of the industries that employ petroleum engineers include the oil and gas extraction industry, support activities for mining, petroleum and coal products manufacturing and engineering services.

RELATED: Exciting Jobs: The Top 15 Jobs for Adrenaline Seekers

Coursework in Petroleum Engineering

Petroleum engineering is closely linked to the topics of energy production and the environment, so many petroleum engineering programs include at least one class that touches upon these topics. Some of the coursework involved in a petroleum engineering program is somewhat general, including studies of engineering mechanics, such as statics and the mechanics of solids. Thermodynamics and phase behavior, especially as they pertain to petroleum fluids, are also relevant, as are petrophysics and the properties of petroleum fluids.

Petroleum engineering programs typically include some coursework in the geological sciences, including the foundations of geology and of sedimentary rocks, as well as classes in geostatistics. Prospective petroleum engineers will also learn about rock formation evaluation, resource economics and valuation in the petroleum industry, reservoir engineering, reservoir geomechanics, drilling and well completions and petroleum engineering production technology and design. Aspiring petroleum engineers should expect to study the design and analysis of geosystems, transport phenomena in geosystems and the formulation and solution of problems that arise in geosystems engineering.

RELATED: What Are the Highest Paying Jobs with a Degree in Petroleum Engineering?

2. Aerospace Engineer

Another of the highest-paid engineering jobs is aerospace engineer. For aerospace engineers, the BLS reported a median salary of $122,270 in 2021. The lowest-paid aerospace engineering professionals reported annual earnings below $77,440, while the highest-paid professionals in this field made more than $168,370 in a year. The top-employing industry for aerospace engineering careers, aerospace product and parts manufacturing, paid a median wage of $126,780 to the 33% of aerospace engineers it employed.

The 8% of aerospace engineers working in research and development in the physical, engineering and life sciences industry enjoyed the highest wages, with a median salary of $128,020. Of the top employment industries for aerospace engineers, engineering services, which amounted to 18 percent of the workforce, paid the least. However, the median salary in this industry, $120,640, was still well into the six-figure range.

What Does an Aerospace Engineer Do?

Aerospace engineers design and develop solutions that pertain to aircraft and spacecraft. In general, aerospace engineering encompasses everything from the structural design of airplanes and spaceships themselves to the propulsion systems, navigation controls, instrumentation, communications systems and other components that make these vessels work. Often, an aerospace engineer will specialize in one area of expertise.

Besides coming up with designs, aerospace engineers are responsible for ensuring that their designs meet product quality standards. Quality is particularly important in this field, because a malfunction can be devastating if it occurs on a commercial jet filled with people 35,000 feet in the air or on a manned spaceship in outer space, too far away to wait for outside help. Aerospace engineers can determine whether a design or product meets quality standards by running tests, such as computer simulations and hands-on examinations and tests of prototypes.

Careers in aerospace engineering can be further broken down into two categories. Aeronautical engineers deal with aircraft and vessels intended to stay within the Earth’s atmosphere, while astronautical engineers are concerned with spacecraft and other craft that are meant to perform both within and outside the Earth’s atmosphere (in other words, in space).

Coursework in Aerospace Engineering

Some of the coursework involved in a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in aerospace engineering is, literally, rocket science. Dynamics, or mechanics as they pertain to motion and force, is a major area of concern for aerospace engineers. Aerospace engineering students often study spacecraft aerodynamics, low-speed aerodynamics and flight dynamics. Additionally, propulsion and compressible flow are common topics of study in this engineering degree program.

Majoring in aerospace engineering also requires learning about the different systems used in aircraft and spacecraft, including electromechanical systems, feedback control systems and linear systems. Aerospace engineering students must also become familiar with the properties and performance of aerospace materials.

3. Computer Engineer

Computer engineering can be said to encompass two major types of careers, both of which rank among the highest-paying engineering jobs. Computer hardware engineer is the job most commonly associated with the field of computer engineering, but the work of software engineers also revolves around computer systems and computer technology.

For computer hardware engineers, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median salary of $128,170 in 2021. Software engineers in roles like software developers earned a median wage of $110,140.

What Do Computer Engineers Do?

Computer engineers are a type of electrical engineers that focus on the electrical equipment used in computer systems. A computer hardware engineer is a computer engineering professional who primarily develops the physical components for computers. The types of components that a computer hardware engineer may work on include circuit boards, memory devices and microprocessors.

Software engineering revolves around designing and developing software programs and applications. Software engineers are generally more involved in conceptualizing programs and applications to be developed with computer programming languages than with putting together physical computer components. However, like computer hardware engineers, software engineers focus more on high-level design and development of solutions to complex problems. Software engineers don’t just write computer code. Rather, software engineering is about creating detailed plans for how a software application should function. 

Coursework in Computer Engineering

The coursework that computer engineers need depends on whether they want to design hardware or software. Hardware engineers, as a specialized subset of electrical engineers, focus more on electrical and electronic circuits for computer systems. Software engineering is the engineering career at the intersection between engineering design and computer science, so software engineers should expect to study computer science and develop advanced skills in programming. Of course, software engineers must also learn the principles of engineering design. Computer engineering coursework can also prepare students for roles such as computer and information research scientists.

4. Nuclear Engineer

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median salary of $120,380 for nuclear engineers in 2021. Earnings in excess of $169,000 per year characterize the top 10% of earners in this occupation, while the lowest-paid 10% of nuclear engineers reported an annual income below $75,460.

The federal government, which is the largest employer in the field of nuclear engineering and accounts for 18 percent of the workforce, is also the lowest paying of these top employment industries. The median annual salary for nuclear engineering professionals in this industry just exceeded the six-figure mark, at $100,650. Nuclear engineers working in the scientific research and development services industry – about 15 percent of the profession – reported the highest median salary, $151,980.

What Does a Nuclear Engineer Do?

Nuclear engineers are the professionals behind the development and production of nuclear energy and nuclear radiation. As such, nuclear engineers play a big part in energy production. They are also responsible for medical uses of radiation, including diagnostic imaging tests that use radiation to visualize the inside of the body and radiation-based treatments for conditions like cancer.

Unfortunately, the current job outlook for nuclear engineering professionals is discouraging. From 2020 through 2030, the BLS expects jobs in this field to decline by 8%, compared to the 8% increase predicted for all jobs as a whole and the 7% increase predicted for engineering careers in general. If you want to work in this career field, you should be prepared for a competitive job market.

Coursework in Nuclear Engineering

Coursework in this degree program often begins with an overview of the principles of nuclear engineering. Specialized coursework in this major includes nuclear reactor theory and design, nuclear plant systems, nuclear engineering systems design, experiments in nuclear engineering and the materials for nuclear energy applications.

Nuclear engineering is an interdisciplinary branch of engineering that draws from more than one of the major disciplines of the field. As such, students should expect to study the principles of electrical engineering, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, statics and particle dynamics and electricity and magnetism.

5. Chemical Engineer

Another of the six-figure engineering careers is chemical engineer. For chemical engineers, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a 2021 median salary of $105,550. The 10% of chemical engineers who make the most money reported earning upwards of $187,430 per year, while the 10% of the chemical engineer occupation that earned the least brought in less than $62,730.

Industry of employment makes a big impact on the earning potential of chemical engineers. For chemical engineer careers in the engineering services industry, which make up 10% of the chemical engineering workforce, the BLS reported a median salary of $152,430. Chemical engineer roles in engineering firms are some of the highest-paying engineering jobs. The pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing industry, which employs 3% of the occupation, is the lowest-paying top employment industry for chemical engineers. Professionals working in this industry reported earning $96,220 annually in 2021.

What Do Chemical Engineers Do?

A chemical engineer is an engineering professional who uses the principles and practices of chemistry and other life and natural sciences to design solutions that range from the development of new chemicals to processes and equipment used in chemical production. Chemicals are a part of many facets of life, which means that chemical engineers play a role in products ranging from food, medicine and clothing to fuel, energy production and electronics.

Coursework for Chemical Engineers

As you might expect, an aspiring chemical engineer needs a strong background in chemistry and should expect to take laboratory courses in physical chemistry, organic chemistry, chemical practice and a more advanced level of principles of chemistry than other students typically take.

Specialized coursework for aspiring chemical engineers includes chemical engineering materials, the design and operations of the chemical engineering process, chemical engineering analysis, biochemical engineering, separation processes and mass transfer and transport processes. Additionally, students should study the design and analysis of chemical reactors.

6. Electrical Engineer

For electrical and electronics engineers, the BLS reported a median salary of $101,780 in 2021. The BLS further distinguishes between the job titles of electrical engineer and electronics engineer. According to the BLS, electronics engineers earn slightly more than electrical engineers – $104,820 compared to $100,420 in 2021. Among electronics engineers, the best-paid 10% earned more than $166,890, and the lowest-paid 10% made less than $73,630. Electrical engineers in the 90th percentile reported earnings of more than $162,930, while an electrical engineer in the 10th percentile would make less than $62,360 per year.

The highest-paying industry for electronics engineers is the navigational, measuring, electromedical and control instruments manufacturing industry, for which the median salary was $128,560. The lowest-paying top employment industry in this field, telecommunications, paid a median annual salary of $100,290.

For electrical engineers, the highest-paying engineering jobs are in research and development in the physical, engineering and life sciences industry. Electrical engineering professionals in this industry reported earning a median salary was $125,080. The lowest-paying top employment industry for electrical engineers, the engineering services industry, paid a median wage of $99,330. An electrical engineer or electronics engineer can expect earnings that approach, if not exceed, the six-figure range as they advance their career over the course of their work lifetime.

What Do Electrical Engineers Do?

Electrical systems and electronic equipment are the main areas of focus for electrical and electronics engineers, respectively. Both areas pertain to electricity in some way, but an electrical engineer is generally more concerned with the generation and distribution of electrical power on a larger scale, and electronics engineers typically focus more narrowly on electronic devices and equipment.

In either case, designing and developing products, equipment or processes used for an electrical system or electronic device, such as navigation systems, is the main job duty of engineers in these related areas of electrical engineering and electronics engineering.

Coursework in Electrical Engineering

Students majoring in electrical engineering should expect to take coursework in the foundations and design of electric circuits, electronic devices and the fundamentals of power and energy. Studies in digital logic design and design with microcontrollers are also common requirements in electrical engineering bachelor’s degree programs. Electrical engineering students should learn about electromagnetics in computing and wireless systems and about continuous and discrete signals and systems.

Gaining hands-on experience designing electrical circuits and systems is important for an aspiring electrical engineer. A bachelor’s degree in this area of study should include design studio coursework, internship or co-op opportunities or a senior project that facilitates the acquisition of hands-on electrical engineering work experience.

7. Biomedical Engineer

The median salary the BLS reported for bioengineers and biomedical engineers in 2021 was $97,410. A six-figure salary is well within the realm of possibility for biomedical engineers. The average salary for biomedical engineers and bioengineers, according to the US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, was $101,020 as of 2021.

Although the lowest-paid 10% of workers in the biomedical and bioengineering field reported making less than $60,680 per year, the highest-paid 10% of the field earned upwards of $154,750.

The 8% of bioengineers working in navigational, measuring, electromedical and control instruments manufacturing enjoyed the highest median salary of all top employment industries, at $108,690. Bioengineers working for colleges and universities earned the least, with a median wage of $62,650.

RELATED: What Degree Do You Need to Be a Biomedical Engineer?

What Do Biomedical Engineers Do?

A biomedical engineer is an engineer who designs and develops solutions based on or with applications in medical science. For most biomedical engineers, a passion for helping people and making a difference is what attracts them to this career that U.S. News & World Report had ranked as one of the best STEM jobs. Through their work in engineering design, most biomedical engineers create medical devices, equipment and processes that can be used to help diagnose and treat medical conditions.

Biomedical engineering isn’t just one of the highest paying engineering jobs but also one of the newer fields of engineering. It wasn’t until the late 1960s that the first college biomedical engineering departments were established, according to the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE). Despite the relative recency of the field’s development, biomedical engineers have accomplished a great deal in a short time.

Coursework in Biomedical Engineering

To innovate and engineer solutions to biomedical problems, biomedical engineers first need to know a great deal about the body and biological systems. This means studying cell biology, biochemistry, biophysics, membrane physiology and the physiological systems of the body.

RELATED: Highest Paying Jobs With a Biology Degree – Degrees in Biology – Majors & Careers

Coursework in biomechanics, vascular mechanics and biotransport and kinetics also helps biomedical engineering students build a foundation for the work of engineering medical solutions. Specialized areas of study in this field may include medical device design, biomedical signals and imaging, biomaterials, biomedical computation, bioimaging, tissue engineering and immunoengineering.

8. Geological Engineer

The median salary for mining and geological engineers in 2021 was $97,090, the BLS reported. The highest earners in this career field made more than $162,720, while the lowest earners reported making less than $48,690.

Even the lowest-paying of the top employment industries for geological engineering professionals, metal ore mining, paid a median annual salary of $95,300. Geological engineers working in the oil and gas extraction industry enjoyed a median salary of $131,020.

What Do Geological Engineers Do?

Geological engineers locate mineral deposits below the surface of the Earth and plan for the extraction of these resources. Geological engineers design different kinds of mines and procedures for transporting and processing extracted resources.

Coursework in Geological Engineering

Courses in geological sciences – including structural geology, mineralogy, crystallography, stratigraphy and sedimentation, igneous and metamorphic petrology and rock mechanics – is essential for those seeking a career in geological engineering. Students also need a thorough understanding of fluid mechanics, metallurgical thermodynamics, engineering geophysics, geographic information systems (GIS) and computer-aided design.

Through their coursework, students of geological engineering should develop skills and knowledge pertaining to geotechnical engineering, petroleum drilling and production engineering and engineering for environmental geology. Gaining practical experience through geological engineering fieldwork and hands-on design projects is particularly valuable for students who want to enter this career.

RELATED: What Are the Highest Paying Jobs with a Degree in Mining and Geological Engineering?

9. Mechanical Engineer

In 2021, the median salary for mechanical engineers was $95,300, according to the BLS. The mechanical engineers with the highest salaries reported earning upwards of $136,210, but those with the lowest salaries made less than $60,750.

The scientific research and development services industry paid mechanical engineers the best, with a median salary of $102,050, while the machinery manufacturing industry paid a median wage of just $79,770.

What Do Mechanical Engineers Do?

Mechanical engineering is a broad discipline that encompasses any engineering application that involves movement and motion. While mechanical engineering work encompasses machines like robots, automotive engines and power grids, it can also include biomedical applications that pertain to the movement of the human body. Because they work in so many areas and industries, mechanical engineers develop solutions for a wide range of problems.

Coursework in Mechanical Engineering

The most important topics of study in a mechanical engineering program include computer-aided design software and techniques, the properties of materials, thermodynamics and the process of heat transfer and energy conversion, static and dynamic systems and the mechanics of matter – both fluids and solids. By the time they graduate, mechanical engineering students should know the fundamentals of machine theory and engineering design, and they often have an opportunity to concentrate on certain areas, like robotics or automotive vehicles, in their elective courses.

RELATED: What Are the Highest Paying Jobs With a Degree in Mechanical Engineering?

10. Civil Engineer

Civil engineering is one of the major engineering disciplines, but it encompasses other types of engineering job roles, including environmental engineer. The median salary for civil engineers in 2021 was $88,050, while environmental engineers specifically earned a median salary of $96,820 – making environmental engineers some of the highest-paid workers in the engineering industry.

What Do Civil Engineers Do?

Civil engineers design and implement infrastructure projects that range from roads and bridges to buildings.

The subdiscipline of environmental engineering focuses on engineering design work used to solve environmental problems. Example areas of focus for environmental engineers include the development of renewable energy systems and waste disposal systems.

Coursework in Civil Engineering

Studies in civil engineering include courses in statics and dynamics, structural engineering and structural analysis, construction materials and structural material behavior, soil mechanics and hydraulics.

RELATED: What Civil Engineering Courses Will I Have to Take for a Degree in Civil Engineering?

Environmental engineering may be a concentration within civil engineering or its own distinct degree program. In either case, coursework for aspiring environmental engineers emphasizes sustainability. Aspiring environmental engineers also study the chemical principles and microbial principles in environmental engineering work. Environmental engineer degree programs include coursework in environmental science topics, such as soil science, and in environmental regulations. Environmental engineers often start their careers off by gaining experience through an internship, co-op experience or field practicum.

RELATED: What Are the Highest Paying Jobs With a Degree in Civil Engineering?

Other Types of Engineering Occupations

These aren’t the only engineering careers out there. Other engineering jobs to consider include agricultural engineer, materials engineer and industrial engineer.

Agricultural engineer, as the job title suggests, is a field of engineering devoted to problem-solving in farming and agriculture. Agricultural engineers may develop new products, processes and procedures for cultivating, harvesting, storing and processing produce and other types of agricultural products. Although the BLS predicted a slower than average rate of job growth for agricultural engineers between 2020 and 2030, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported for this occupation a median salary of $82,640 per year in 2021 – not too shabby, considering this isn’t even one of the 10 highest-paying engineering jobs.

Materials engineers research the properties and uses of raw materials and existing combinations of materials for application in all engineering fields. Materials engineers combine existing materials into new substances that can be used to solve problems in medicine, construction, computer technology and even sports. In addition to studying materials themselves, a materials engineer may also develop methods of processing and testing materials more efficiently and with less waste of time, product, energy or expense. The BLS reported that materials engineers earned a median wage of $98,300 per year as of 2021, but the material engineer profession is considerably smaller than many other engineering occupations. There were only 25,100 materials engineers working in America as of 2020. Although materials engineers can look forward to an 8% job growth rate, that amount of growth would yield only 2,100 new jobs for materials engineers over the course of a decade.

Industrial engineering, which focuses on the efficiency of industrial processes and manufacturing processes, was one of the most in-demand engineering jobs as of 2020. The BLS predicted a much faster than average job growth rate of 14% for industrial engineers between 2020 and 2030. Industrial engineers focus on improving efficiency in production processes and manufacturing processes. For industrial engineers, the BLS reported an average salary of $95,520 in 2021.

Management Careers in Engineering

If you want to move up from any of these engineering jobs, you might work toward another of the highest-paying engineering jobs, engineering manager. If you’re making a determination based solely on earning potential, engineering manager is one of the best engineering career options.

Engineering managers are tasked with project management duties as well as supervisory duties. The median annual salary for engineering managers in 2020 was $152,350.

Talented engineers are needed for management roles in every field of engineering. Often, aspiring engineering managers prepare for this career path by pursuing a master’s degree. However, a master’s degree is not strictly required for aspiring engineering managers, because candidates may advance to this role with only a bachelor’s degree.

Master’s degree programs in engineering management focus on skills in leadership and administration – precisely the skills engineering managers most need. You are also likely to need several years of work experience to become an engineering manager. In some engineering disciplines, licensed Professional Engineers will have the best prospects for engineer manager jobs.

What Are the Best Engineering Careers?

Our ranking of the highest paying engineering jobs focuses on just one aspect of the different types of engineering careers: earning potential, based on median pay rates. Your ability to earn a comfortable or even lucrative living is one important factor in choosing the best career for you, but average salary potential shouldn’t be your only consideration when choosing between different types of engineering fields.

In fact, engineering jobs as a whole report average salaries that are well above the national average salary. For all architecture and engineering jobs, the BLS reported a median annual salary of $79,840. For all occupations in all types of careers across the United States, the BLS reported an average salary of $58,260 in 2021. That national average salary translates to $28.01 per hour.

While some engineering jobs pay more than others, all of them offer significant earning potential and the opportunity to use your knowledge and skills for real-world innovation, not just academic and theoretical contemplations. High salaries don’t always correlate with high job satisfaction, although having an earning potential that exceeds the national average salary certainly doesn’t hurt job satisfaction rates.

As you’re exploring options for a career in engineering, think about the types of technical skills you would enjoy using on a regular basis and the types of problems you’re most eager to solve. Do you prefer the hands-on work of building circuits out of physical materials or the conceptualization of software programs constructed out of computer coding? Are you more interested in climate change and other environmental issues or in tackling public health issues? Would you prefer to assemble computer hardware, test drug therapies, build aircraft and vessels for space exploration, find safe methods of using and securing useful yet dangerous chemicals or planning construction projects?

There’s no one right answer to any of these questions. Fortunately, the 10 highest paying engineering careers include a variety of areas of focus, each of which requires its own set of technical skills.

Demand for Different Types of Engineering Jobs

What else should you consider when choosing the best engineering career for you? Looking at the job market and job growth rates, as predicted by the BLS, is a wise idea. Although the demand for jobs in any industry and discipline can shift over time, it can be helpful to know going into your career preparation whether the projected rate of job growth for your profession over the next few years is characterized as an average, above-average or below-average rate.

RELATED: What Are the Fastest Growing Engineering Jobs?

Even if knowing the job growth rate for your intended occupation doesn’t change your big-picture career plans, this information can inform how you go about your job search and career advancement efforts. If you’re entering one of the engineering fields that is seeing less job growth, you may have to be less selective when it comes to applying for entry-level jobs. It might make more sense for workers in these engineering fields to pursue a master’s degree or get licensed as Professional Engineers when they’re working toward career advancement, so that they can stand out from the competition – most of whom are likely to have only a bachelor’s degree.

The most in-demand engineering jobs in 2020 were growing at above-average rates, and the job outlook for many engineering roles was consistent with the average growth rate. However, some engineering roles – like nuclear engineer – were expected to see a significant decline in job opportunities from 2020 through 2030.

Your Personal and Professional Interests

Full-time workers can expect to devote a third of their life (on workdays) to their jobs. Since there are few activities you will spend more time doing over the course of your life than working, you might as well choose an occupation that you can get excited about.

RELATED: Top 10 Paying Jobs That Involve Math

Engineers in all disciplines draw from the same general subjects: mathematics and the natural and physical sciences. Engineers working in many industries perform many of the same basic tasks, as well. For example, they design new products and processes, prepare technical reports that express the engineering specifications for their designs, run computer simulations and work closely with others involved in the project, from stakeholders to technicians. However, the technical work that different kinds of engineers do on a daily basis can be very different depending on the field of engineering they pursue.

RELATED: What Industries Have the Greatest Demand for a Degree in Engineering?

Do you want to develop building plans, put together electrical circuit boards, mix up chemical solutions, assemble machines or plan the development of software programs? Would you prefer to take on the task of solving environmental problems, or do you have no qualms about working in the petroleum and mining industries? (These goals, by the way, aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive, since petroleum engineers and mining and geological engineers often strive to improve the effectiveness of this work and to mitigate the harm it does to the environment.) Engineers are creating the future, so aspiring engineers choosing their path should consider both the big-picture matter of what kind of future they want to create and the smaller details of what an average day of work will look like.

Related Resources:

Highest Paying Degrees in Engineering – Majors & Careers

What Are the Highest Paying Jobs With a Degree in Mechanical Engineering?

What Are the Highest Paying Jobs With a Degree in Civil Engineering?

What Are the Highest Paying Jobs in Engineering Technology?

For Further Reading: 

Top 10 Paying Jobs With an Associate’s Degree

What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

How Much Can I Make With a Degree in Digital Marketing?

The post Top 10 Highest Paying Engineering Careers appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

In this article, we’ll break down some key steps in choosing the right college for your future career. 

Choosing the Right College for Your Future Career

When choosing the right college that will help you live your dreams, it’s unwise to believe it will happen overnight. It’s more like a step-by-step process. The more carefully you follow the steps, the better place you’ll end up in. 

Here are all the factors that help you make an informed decision about your future. 

Choose Your Career 

Before you decide on a college, it’s important to be sure of your career goals. To do so, reflect on your interests and hobbies, or even better, go for job shadowing. 

Once you know your preferred degree, you can pick a college that’s best known to offer it. If you’re not sure yet, go for a college that offers numerous programs. This way, you can take your time to figure out what you want to do. Make sure to consider all the points below before making a move, especially in the latter case.  

Pick Your Mode of Education 

Ever since the onset of COVID-19, people have been more concerned about the mode of education than ever. Traditional education methods are no longer the only means colleges rely on today. Instead, they’re turning to hybrid modes, or some are fully adopting the online models. 

Before you pick the college of your choice, ask yourself: Do you prefer a hands-on learning experience? Or would you rather take online classes? Or both? The answer to these questions can guide you and ultimately shape your decision. 

Know Your Educational Expectations 

Next up, make sure you know what you expect from your college. For instance, if you’re aiming to tap into healthcare or any other complex field, a bachelor’s degree alone won’t suffice. Such fields require more certifications and specializations. 

It’s important to think about whether you’re up for a master’s or a doctorate in the field. On top of that, check whether your desired college offers advanced degrees in the respective field. Some colleges offer various levels of the same degree, which can be a true win for you. 

Choose the Right Location

When deciding on your career, you’ve got options. Especially if your field requires different levels, you can mix it up by attending different colleges for different levels. The best part is that you can choose between in-state and out-of-state schools for most majors. If you’re on a budget, in-state schools might be your top priority. 

Likewise, if you wish to switch states, getting a bachelor’s degree outside your state might be worth it. Knowing how you wish to study and where you prefer living can help narrow down your options. 

Search for Majors and Minors 

Your choice of majors plays an equally important role when selecting the college you want to attend. Check if they’re offering the major you wish to pursue, and if it’s within the price range you’re cool with. It’s possible that the major you’re looking for has different names at different places, so look into that. 

Similarly, if you’re into more than one field, you might want to opt for joint majors. Better yet, look at minors or certifications different colleges have. Opting for one that has some extra certifications in your related field can make it more appealing. 

Look at the Quality of Education 

If you’ve done step-wise research, this step probably has a list of schools ready for you. Now, carefully look at your options and consider their academic standings, internship programs, campus life, and other factors you’re interested in. A must-do step is to check whether their programs are accredited by authorities like the Higher Learning Commission, SACSCOC, etc. 

While you’re at it, don’t forget to consider the size of the school. Smaller colleges give you a more personalized education, while bigger ones hook you up with a more lucrative business network. 

Take Tuition Fee into Account 

Here’s perhaps the most crucial part of the process. Take into account the tuition fees of your desired schools. To do so, look into the costs of attending the colleges on your list and see if they go along with your budget. 

Remember – tuition fees differ greatly across different colleges. It’s essential to promptly look into what’s covered in the fees. In addition, find out potential financial aid options, scholarships, or grants the colleges may offer to help ease your financial burden. 

Take a Campus Tour 

Finally, once you’ve decided which colleges you wish to attend, it’s time to take a campus tour. Talk to alumni, professors, or fellows within your chosen program to understand the pros and cons beforehand. This also gives you a clear idea of the overall culture of the institute so that you’re comfortable being a part of the college. 

A campus visit offers firsthand experience and lets you differentiate between schools of your choice. Once you’ve taken a thorough campus tour, you can comfortably make a well-rounded decision. 

Types of Careers to Choose After College 

When you’re finally done with a degree of your choice at your desired college, it’s time to explore the opportunities out there for you. Depending on your field, there’s a great number of careers you can opt for.

Although it seems like an after-college step, it’s not. Shortlisting careers before joining a college can ease your decision-making process. On top of that, it equips you with the right knowledge and skills which are necessary for higher education and career growth. 

Let’s explore the ones with immense potential and break them down: 

Medicine & Surgery 

Medicine and surgery careers are highly respected in our society for obvious reasons. These professions center around the physical and mental well-being of humans or animals. However, they come with a whole lot of responsibilities on your shoulders. Some careers in medicine include; 

Orthodontist

• Average Salary: $309,402 a year 
• Growth: 4.5% employment growth

Orthodontists are medical professionals who specialize in diagnosing, preventing, and aligning teeth and jaws. They work with patients of all ages to ensure their oral health and aesthetics. They often use braces, retainers, and a couple of highly specialized orthodontic devices. Hence, orthodontics often requires certifications and education beyond the four-year bachelor’s degree. 

Pharmacist

• Average Salary: $123,249 per year
• Growth: 2.6% employment growth

As highly trained professionals, pharmacists ensure that patients receive the right medications and dosage. They work closely with physicians by reviewing their prescriptions, checking for accuracy, and delivering their prescribed medications. This field also requires extensive knowledge of pharmaceuticals and commitment. 

General Surgeon

• Average Salary: $285,176 a year
• Growth: 1.7% employment growth

A general surgeon is a healthcare professional who performs surgical procedures on different organs and systems in the body. Surgeons diagnose, treat, and manage a wide range of health conditions. No wonder this career involves intricate education levels, certifications, internships, and licenses. 

Health Educator

• Average Salary: $52,241 per year
• Growth: 7.2% employment growth

Health educators are responsible for promoting health and wellness within social settings. They teach you about different lifestyles, preventive measures, and health-related topics. As the name suggests, they ‘educate’ you about various health issues. Hence, this career also requires a strong understanding of public health principles. 

Clinical Psychologist

• Average Salary: $109,894 a year
• Growth: 6% employment growth

They’re trained professionals who help address mental health challenges and improve communication. They offer therapeutic sessions to individuals, couples, and families to reflect on their behaviors and resolve conflicts and traumas. Psychologists require at least a master’s degree to pursue psychology as a profession in the US. 

Medical Technician

• Average Salary: $43,888 per year
• Growth: 5% employment growth 

A medical technician plays a critical role in the healthcare field. They perform laboratory and diagnostic processes, including blood tests, urinalysis, and microbiological analysis. They require deep knowledge of medical equipment. Typically, these professionals require an associate degree in the field. 

Nutritionist

• Average Salary: $67,721 per year
• Growth: 7% employment growth 

Nutritionists assist in maintaining good health through proper dietary practices. They need at least a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, dietetics, or a relevant field. Nutritionists offer detailed yet highly personalized meal plans and nutritional advice. Some people may also pursue advanced degrees in the field. 

Information Technology 

Information technology careers are related to various aspects of computers and technology. For instance, they create, develop, and maintain computer hardware, software, and applications. Some examples of fields in IT include: 

Software Engineer 

• Average Salary: $147,524 a year 
• Growth: 25.7% employment growth

A software engineer specializes in creating and coding software programs and systems. They’re capable of designing, testing, and developing software to meet specific needs. These engineers require at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science. 

Cybersecurity Analyst 

• Average Salary: $99,400 a year 
• Growth: 32% employment growth 

To become a cybersecurity analyst, you need to hold a four-year bachelor’s degree in computer science, IT, or a related field. However, these IT professionals have a strong grip on Python, Java, or C. Adding certifications to your resume can be a great step in boosting your future career possibilities. 

Web Developer 

• Average Salary: $93,848 per year 
• Growth: 17% employment rate

Web developers design, create, and maintain websites. They ensure websites are functional, appealing, and easy to use. Although they are mostly self-taught, some acquire a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field. However, that’s not mandatory. 

DevOps Engineer 

• Average Salary: $138,248 per year 
• Growth: 25% employment growth

A DevOps engineer is a professional responsible for bridging the gap between software development and IT operations. These engineers automate, code, monitor, and integrate computer applications. Like web developers, DevOps engineers don’t necessarily need a degree to step into the field. 

Mobile App Developer 

• Average Salary: $110,482 per year
• Growth: 25% employment growth

Mobile app developers create applications specifically for mobile devices. These applications work on both iOS and Android. Primarily, they design the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) of the mobile app. While it’s not a mandatory prerequisite, many mobile app developers hold a bachelor’s degree. 

Data Scientist

• Average Salary: $122,738 per year 
• Growth: 35% employment growth 

Data scientists work around complex data sets and convert them into comprehensive knowledge. They visualize charts, graphs, and other descriptive stats to offer valuable insights. Typically, data scientists require a master’s degree or Ph.D. in a quantitative field. 

Business 

Business careers often offer positions in sales, marketing, or human resource management. Some of the most common business fields include 

Marketing Manager

• Average Salary: $97,362 per year
• Growth: 6% employment growth 

These specialists plan and carry out marketing campaigns, market research, and trend analysis. They’re key individuals in shaping a company’s marketing initiatives. Most employers prefer marketing managers with at least a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a couple of certifications. 

Sales Manager

• Average Salary: $75,848 per year 
• Growth: 4% employment growth 

A sales manager coordinates and guides a team of sales professionals, so they achieve their revenue targets for their respective periods. Hence, they contribute to the overall success of the company. At least a bachelor’s degree is a must for being hired as a sales manager. 

Corporate Trainer 

• Average Salary: $87,325 per year 
• Growth: 6% employment growth

A corporate trainer develops and executes training programs within a company for the benefit and training of employees. To be a corporate trainer, you need a bachelor’s degree in HR, education, or organizational development. 

Market Research Analyst

• Average Salary: $78,816 per year 
• Growth: 13% employment growth 

These marketing professionals collect, analyze, and interpret data to enlighten them about the ongoing market trends, consumer behavior, and competition. A four-year bachelor’s degree is a must to be employed as a market research analyst in the US. However, you may also go for a master’s degree in market research. 

Supply Chain Specialist 

• Average Salary: $69,554 per year 
• Growth:  18% employment growth 

Supply Chain specialists manage and optimize different aspects of the supply chain. They’re responsible for ensuring an efficient flow of goods and services from the point of manufacturing to the point of consumption. A bachelor’s degree in the supply chain is a must; however, acquiring different certificates can be a huge plus. 

Law 

A career in law requires a deep knowledge of the legal system specific to the state. Some of the most common legal careers include the following: 

Corporate Lawyer 

• Average Salary: $144,688 per year 
• Growth:  8% employment rate

Corporate lawyers provide legal consultation to businesses relating to their corporate needs. They perform documentation relating to legal paperwork. Typically, you need a juris doctor degree along with a bard admission to be a corporate lawyer in the US. 

Legal Assistant 

• Average Salary: $48,215 per year 
• Growth: 4% employment growth 

A legal assistant supports senior lawyers with legal paperwork and research. They help the senior lawyer in getting proof ready for the trial. Also, they communicate with clients to collect information and provide updates. Legal assistants generally require a bachelor’s degree or an associate degree in law. 

Court Reporter

• Average Salary: $47,157 per year 
• Growth: 3% growth rate 

Court reporters are record keepers. They write the words spoken by the judge and lawyers during the proceedings. They keep accurate records of the court proceedings and are proficient in writing. To be a court reporter in the US, completing a court reporting program or an associate degree is essential. 

Compliance Officer 

• Average Salary: $98,949 per year 
• Growth: 4.6% growth rate 

Compliance officers oversee legal regulations in an organization. They make sure all legal requirements are met, and the practices are law-abiding. They generally require a bachelor’s degree in business or law. 

Engineering 

Engineering careers often cover a wide range of specialties. They combine invention, design, and monitoring of infrastructure and projects. Some engineering fields include: 

Civil Engineer 

• Average Salary: $82,674 per year 
• Growth: 7% employment growth 

A civil engineer is responsible for designing, assessing, and enhancing infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, tunnels, and other projects. Typically, civil engineers in the US require at least a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. 

Chemical Engineer 

• Average Salary: $94,413 per year
• Growth: 8% growth rate 

Chemical engineers apply principles of chemistry, physics, and math to produce chemicals and similar substances. They’re key individuals in the manufacturing, pharmaceutical, and energy industries. A bachelor’s degree is a must to practice chemical engineering in the US. Some designations might also require licenses. 

Biomedical Engineer 

• Average Salary: $94,807 per year 
• Growth: 5% growth rate

Biomedical engineers utilize engineering principles to design, develop, and improve technologies related to the healthcare field. Such individuals require a strong grip on both engineering and biological sciences. These positions typically necessitate a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical engineering. 

Petroleum Engineer 

• Average Salary: $80,025 per year 
• Growth: 2% growth rate 

Petroleum engineers explore, extract, and produce oil and natural gas. They’re critical in manufacturing and energy industries and ensure efficient and safe extraction of hydrocarbons from the Earth’s surface. While a bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement, some roles prefer a master’s or a doctorate in Petroleum Engineering. 

Nuclear Engineer 

• Mean Average Salary: $105,594 per year 
• Growth: 1% employment growth 

Nuclear engineers are specialists in the field who work with nuclear energy and radiation. They design and maintain nuclear systems and other intricate technologies. In-depth knowledge of physics is a prerequisite for this role. Plus, the required qualification is at least a 4-year bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Engineering. 

Accounting & Finance 

Accounting and finance careers relate to handling and analyzing financial data. The roles in this career require a deep understanding of both accounting and finance to make strategic financial decisions. Some of the roles include the following: 

Financial Advisor 

• Average Salary: $102,134 per year 
• Growth: 13% employment growth 

Financial advisors cater to personalized financial advice for the organization. They advise on key decisions such as investment decisions and expansion decisions. This position generally requires holding a degree in finance. Professional certifications such as CFA are a huge plus if you’re looking to scale up. 

Investment Banker

• Average Salary: $118,333 per year 
• Growth: 7% employment growth 

Investment bankers cater to their clients who want to make secure investments and yield huge profits. They make portfolios for them according to their risk appetite and advice on investment options. To practice investment banking in the US, you need a bachelor’s degree along with professional finance certifications such as CFA.

Related Questions 

How Can I Know What College Is Right for Me? 

When choosing the right college for your future career, consider your goals, explore schools that align with your interests, and do thorough research. It’s natural to come across hurdles along the way, so don’t let them hold you back from chasing your dreams. 

Which College Should I Go to If I Don’t Know What to Do? 

If you’re not sure about what career to pursue, explore colleges with strong interdisciplinary programs. This way, you can gain deeper insights into more than one field and ultimately decide on the career that best fits your interests. 

What Is the Best Place to Attend College? 

When choosing your preferred college, there’s no such thing as perfect. The same goes for the location, which entirely depends on where you wish to thrive. The best choice will ultimately depend on what characteristics and environments you’d want for yourself. 

Conclusion  

When you’re choosing the right college for your future career, know that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to the process. Without thorough research, which college to attend might become the toughest nut to crack. 

Nevertheless, with the guide in this article, you can eventually find out what works best for you. Don’t hold back from research if you wish to land in a place where you can do wonders! 

The post Choosing the Right College for Your Future Career appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

In this day and age there are more ways to earn an accredited undergraduate degree online than ever before–and many of these options offer a trifecta of value: affordability, flexibility, and academic rigor. It is certainly a buyer’s market for those prospecting an online degree, meaning that students can prioritize programs with certain features that offer the most value in the context of an individual’s life and goals. 

RELATED: 25 Fastest Online Associates Degree Programs

For adult learners and working students, flexibility is often as important as any other metric. In the modern economy it is not uncommon for undergraduates to manage side-hustles or even full-time employment while pursuing a degree. And with this in mind, a traditional four year format is not always accommodating. 

RELATED: The 20 Easiest Bachelor’s Degree Online Options

Thankfully our researchers have done the legwork for you and have ranked the 20 best online programs that offer affordability and academic rigor, packaged in a program that offers the utmost of flexibility in order to accommodate even the busiest of the students and the most hectic of schedules. These programs will meet each student on their own terms to ensure that their bachelor’s program enables professional advancement without disabling a comfortable work-life balance. 

1. Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses

By Trine’s own words, excellence is the bedrock of its programs. At Trine University specially trained faculty instruct students in how to aspire to excellence and then achieve it. In recent years, Trine has transitioned its traditional programs with more than 130 years of academic excellence online so that more students can benefit from its programs. 

Trine Online offers a selection of accredited degree programs–associates, bachelors, and masters. Trine’s expert faculty are specially trained in working with online students and non-traditional students. This means that each program’s curriculum is designed to accommodate students of various lifestyles with different goals and expectations. 

Specifically, Trine Online offers a catalogue of Bachelor’s programs in the following areas: 

• Business Administration
• Human Resource Management
• Criminal Justice
• Engineering and Technology
• Information Systems
• Manufacturing Technology
• Healthcare 
• Leadership

Click here to learn more

2. LeTourneau University

LeTourneau University offers a modernized Christian-based framework for online education, which translates into program curriculums built around social activism, civic responsibility, and value-based leadership. It is important to note though that these programs do not emphasize any one denomination and are welcome to students from all belief systems–secular or not. 

LeTourneau’s online Bachelor’s programs are ideal for students who wish to elevate online studies with values-based curriculums. Online undergraduate programs are also centrally focused on providing a value proposition based on professional return. That is, instructors constantly rework curriculum formats to reflect current demands of the job market and to offer the flexibility needed to accommodate working students.

LeTourneau University offers a selection of online degree programs, which for the most part are organized under business, healthcare, and faith-based studies departments.

Click here to learn more

3. Thomas Jefferson University

Thomas Jefferson University boasts a rich and successful history of offering career-minded programs to students. This tradition has carried forth into the modern day with amazing success–evidenced by the stat of more than 96% of graduates finding employment or enrollment into graduate school, which are ultimately the goals of any undergraduate.

Over the last decade, Jefferson has redoubled its efforts to provide the innovation needed to modernize its degree programs. As such, online students benefit from comprehensive curriculums built with interdepartmental collaboration. This means that students are empowered to pursue unique professional interests and research projects, which might not have been available in programs with more rigid curriculums.

Click here to learn more

4. Clarkson College

The story of Clarkson College is the story of adaptability and innovation, which has been brought to fruition with its recent expansion into the online education space. Clarkson has dedicated considerable resources to developing its online programs from the ground up to offer flexibility and academic integrity. 

Clarkson’s online programs make use of the industry’s best technology so that students can communicate with each other and with instructors. This technology also allows students to work on group projects and presentations. Clarkson also offers hybrid course options for students who want to participate in on-campus activities while also shifting a bulk of the workload online. 

Clarkson offers degrees in the following subjects:

• Community Health
• Education & Leadership 
• General Education
• Healthcare Management & Administration
• Health Information Management 
• Nursing
• Physical Therapist Assistant 
• Radiography & Medical Imaging
• Professional Development 

Click here to learn more

5. Baker University

Baker University is a premier private university that caters to adult learners and working students by offering online degree programs that emphasize affordability and flexibility, so that students can enroll in online Bachelor’s programs no matter where they are in life. At Baker University, students are encouraged to embrace creativity and analytical thinking to achieve clear perspectives in their careers, so that they can identify and travel the road to success. 

Baker offers a decent selection of online degree programs at the bachelors and masters level. Specifically, students can earn any of the following online bachelor’s:

• Bachelor of Business Administration | Major in Business Leadership
• Bachelor of Business Administration | Major in Management
• Bachelor of Business Administration | Major in Marketing
• Bachelor of Science with a Major in Criminal Justice
• Bachelor of Science with a Major in Psychology

Click here to learn more

6. Endicott College

Endicott College delivers affordable, convenient, and professional degree programs which are meant to prime graduates for success in the job market. By narrowing its focus to servicing adult-learners, the Endicott College Van Loan School of Professional Studies is able to raise the bar of its programs and ask more of its students. This allows faculty to deliver academically rigorous programs delivered at a demanding pace.

The Endicott College Van Loan School of Professional Studies employs the latest in online learning technology to keep students engaged throughout their programs. For instance, online lecture technology allows students to collaborate with peers and instructors and to complete group projects. 

Students interested in earning a Bachelor’s degree can earn any of the following: 

• Business Management Program (B.S.)
• Business Program (A.S.)
• Business Program (Spain)
• Computer Science Program (A.S.)
• Criminal Justice Program (A.S.)
• Criminal Justice Program (B.S.)
• Integrated Studies Program (A.S.)
• Liberal Studies Program (B.A.)
• Liberal Studies with Concentration in Educational Studies (B.A.)
• Liberal Studies with Montessori Learning Concentration (B.A.)
• Psychology Program (B.S.)

Click here to learn more

7. Liberty University

Liberty University is a fully accredited evangelical liberla arts institution that is quickly becoming one of the largest of its kind. Today Liberty services more than 100,000 students through more than 700 programs, more than half of which are available online to students anywhere in the world (roughly 450 online programs). Whereas faith might take a backseat in some nonsecular universities, the Christian faith is positioned at the bedrock of Liberty University. 

As such, students should expect program curriculums to be framed in such a way as to represent Christian values and the love of God. Beyond a faith-based learning format, Liberty looks to strike the balance between theory, research, and hands-on training. As such, curriculums are built to prepare students to be adaptable above all, so that they will be prepared to adapt to the constantly evolving and changing job market. 

While Liberty University offers an amazingly robust selection of online Bachelor’s programs, here are their self-reported 10 most popular programs:

• Accounting (B.S.)
• Aviation (B.S.)
• Business Administration (BSBA)
• Criminal Justice (B.S.)
• Elementary Education (B.S.)
• History (B.S.)
• Information Technology (B.S.)
• Psychology (B.S.)
• Religion (B.S.)
• Social Work (BSW)

Click here to learn more

8. Trevecca Nazarene University

Since 1901 Trevecca has been cultivating leaders and helping students actualize their professional dreams. In recent years Trevecca has moved more of its programs online, and now offers associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral programs entirely online. A whopping 98% of Trevecca students earn financial aid of some sort, which is a god-send for students looking to earn a bachelor’s on a budget. 

And similarly impressive is the fact that 92% of Trevecca’s instructors hold the highest degree in their respective field. Trevecca invests in its students by hiring qualified faculty who combine high-end credentials with real-world experience, who then pass on their experience to students. 

Trevecca online programs are delivered in an asynchronous format one class at a time, which makes it incredibly accommodating for adult learners and busy students. Students can earn any of the following bachelor’s programs:

• Business
• Business Management (Associate of Science)
• Christian Ministry
• Criminal Justice
• Health Care Administration

Click here to learn more

9. Ohio University

Ohio University is a large public university that has quickly taken the mantle of one of the number one providers of online education in the state of Ohio. Ohio University now services more than 7,900 students through more than 60 degree programs. Ohio’s online programs are built with flexibility in mind with a number of accelerated tracks and malleable specialty options.

Ohio also offers a number of pathways for customizing degree programs, which allows students to choose from an exclusively online format, an on-campus format, or a hybrid format which combines elements of both. Similarly, Ohio offers online students options for independent studies which can empower students to pursue areas of study that might otherwise be unavailable. 

Students for looking a traditional curriculum structure can enroll in any of the following online bachelor’s programs:

• Applied Management
• Communication
• Criminal Justice
• Customer Service Leadership
• Hospitality Management
• Human Services
• Integrated Healthcare Studies
• Interior Architecture
• Psychology
• RN to BSN
• Technical and Applied Studies
• Technical Operations Management

Click here to learn more

10. Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU) is another institution that has brought its rich history of demonstrable Christian values to the online education space. The University is the official educational institution of the East Central Educational Region of the Church of the Nazarene. As such, students can enroll in flexible and affordable degree programs that implement value-based learning based on Christian values. 

MVNU offers liberal arts curriculums that are designed to be accessible to students around the country, if not the world at large (online student body is from 10 other countries). MVNU has been recognized for offering top-tier flexibility and affordability in numerous trusted publications. 

Students can earn of the following Bachelor’s online: 

• Bachelor of Business Administration
  • Finance
  • Human Resource Management
  • Management
  • Marketing
• Bachelor of Arts in Leadership
• Bachelor of Arts in Chrisitan Ministry
• Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration 
• Bachelor of Social Work
• Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education (P-5)

Click here to learn more

11. Saint Joseph’s College of Maine

Saint Joseph’s College of Maine (SJCME) is an intimate, more modestly sized private Catholic that looks to combine faith-based education with academic excellence. SJCME is a premier location for earning a degree for entering the theological industry, and particularly specializes in offering culturally specialized degree programs. 

SJCME applies its philosophy of intimate education to the online environment, where each student is given the care and attention as they would receive on campus. Specifically, students can earn any of the following degrees entirely online: 

• Catechism for Catechist (non-credit)
• Catholic Theology
• Certificate in Catholic Catechesis
• Health Administration
• Long-Term Care Administration
• Pastoral Ministry to Black Catholics
• Pastoral Ministry to Latino Catholics

Click here to learn more

12. Adelphi University

Adelphi University has built a tremendous reputation for catering to non-traditional students over the last 45 years. Adelphi has validated this reputation twofold in recent years, represented in the investing of building innovative online degree programs that cater to non-traditional students. These programs offer the utmost of flexibility and allow students to engage degree programs at any cadence that enables a comfortable work-life balance.

Despite the flexibility offered, Adelphi employs technology to preserve the livability of the on-campus classroom within the context of online education. Similarly, Adelphi’s Faculty Center for Professional Excellence invests in faculty in order to provide them with the necessary resources needed to take their programs to the next level.

Students can earn any of the following undergraduate programs online:

• AS in Emergency Services Administration
• BA in Social ScienceBS in Business
• BS in Emergency Services Administration
• RN to BS in Nursing 

Click here to learn more

13. Chaminade University of Honolulu

Chaminade University is known for its student-centric education programs which prioritize small classrooms where students can receive the care and attention needed to excel in life and career. In addition to its student-centric philosophies, Chaminade offers experiential learning pathways which are designed to keep online students engaged and involved in their program. 

Chaminade offers 10 different undergraduate majors that can be completed entirely online. The online programs are arranged into 10 week terms, which can be individualized to accommodate the needs and expectations of students. The majors available are as follows:

• Business Administration
• Criminology & Criminal Justice
• Education
• English
• Historical and Political Studies
• Liberal Arts
• Management
• Psychology
• Religious Studies
• Secondary Education
• Special Education
• Teaching

Click here to learn more

14. South Dakota State University

South Dakota State University (SDSU) offers a number of online degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. If you are on the fence about online education, SDSU offers a number of resources to aid students in deciding if it is a good match. Specifically, you can take this survey, which will help you identify your goals and figure out if online education can help you actualize those goals. 

SDSU also utilizes a generous credit system, which enables a high level of upward mobility. This means that some online degree programs will offer credits that can be applied when enrolling in a higher level program (particularly for the Laboratory Science program). SDSU’s entire catalogue of online bachelor’s is as follows: 

• Early Education and Care (B.S.)
• General Studies (B.G.S.)
• Geographic Information Sciences (B.S.)
• Geography (B.A./B.S.)
• Human Development and Family Studies (B.S.)
• Interdisciplinary Studies (B.S.)
• Medical Laboratory Science (Upward Mobility) (B.S.)*
• Nursing (RN to B.S.N.)
• Psychology (B.S.)
• Sociology (B.S.)

Click here to learn more

15. Roger Williams University

Roger Williams’ University College is an institution that is built on a foundation of catering to the needs of students. This foundation is built upon so that Roger Williams can offer student-centric degree programs to students from all walks of life that can accommodate even the most demanding of schedules. UC’s online degree programs are so flexible that students can progress through coursework anytime and anywhere. 

In fact, beyond self-paced coursework, students work closely with instructors and advisors shortly after enrollment to design a tailor-made schedule that maximizes the efficiency of the program while offering a comfortable work-life balance. This is an excellent feature for students who might have wildy irregular schedules that require special consideration. 

Consider Roger William’s full catalogue of online bachelor’s: 

• Applied Psychology
  • Bachelor’s Degree
• Criminal Justice
  • Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, Undergraduate Certificate
• Cybersecurity & Networking
  • Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, Undergraduate Certificate
• Emergency Medical Services
  • Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree
• Health Care Administration
  • Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree
• Healthy Communities
  • Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree
• Humanities & Social Sciences
  • Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, Undergraduate Certificate
• Individualized Concentration
  • Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree
• Paralegal Studies
  • Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, Post Baccalaureate Certificate
• Policing, Public Safety and Security
  • Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, Undergraduate Certificate
• Public Administration
  • Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, Undergraduate Certificate
• Technology, Leadership and Management
  • Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, Undergraduate Certificate

Click here to learn more

16. Western Governors University

Western Governors University is one of the world’s premier institutions of online education. WGU was among the earliest adopters of online education technology, and as such was perfectly positioned to offer programs to the rising number of students seeking nontraditional education. This extensive experience allowed WGU to iterate on program structure and curriculums to maximize their effectiveness in the context of online education. 

Similarly, WGU has invested in the best of the best online learning technology as it is the cornerstone of the university. Whereas some universities offer online modes of delivery for programs, WGU offers only online degrees. So you can rest assured that you are benefitting from the best program that the University has to offer. 

WGU offers nearly 30 fully online undergraduate degrees through four different colleges: College of Business, College of Information Technology, College of Health Professions, and the Teachers College. 

Click here to learn more

17. TN Reconnect College Programs

Tennessee Reconnect is a last-dollar grant program that is designed to facilitate the professional advancement of nontraditional Tennessee students who may have decided against college to build real world experience. TN Reconnect grants college credits for this real world experience, provided of course that a student is able to complete the appropriate tests and exams. 

While the program is not free, the costs associated are on average much lower than the typical tuition costs associated with the same number of credits awarded. The example provided is as follows: 

“You could pay $80 for a CLEP examination and earn 3 credit hours [through the TN Reconnect program]. It could cost you $500 or more to earn the same credits in a traditional classroom.”

Click here to learn more

18. Purdue University

Purdue University’s name is one that comes with prestige and academic clout. When earning a degree from Purdue, you can be sure that future employers will look on your alma mater with favor. And thankfully, Purdue Online has recently made many of its most successful programs accessible to online students at a more affordable rate–making it an excellent option for any student considering an online bachelor’s degree. 

Purdue’s catalogue of available online degree programs are offered as a collaboration between the colleges in the Purdue University System: Purdue West Lafayette, Purdue Fort Wayne and Purdue Northwest, to Purdue Global. Each school has its own set of specialties and degree programs on offer. You can explore these options at the link below.  

Click here to learn more

19. Excelsior College

When it comes to distance education, Excelsior College is one of the country’s most veteran and well-established institutions of its kind. Having specialized in distance education as far back as 1971, Excelsior College has fine-tuned its approach over subsequent decades. While newer programs might suffer a lack of iteration, Excelsior’s degree programs are among the most accommodating and flexible of their kind. 

Excelsior is a not-for-profit and fully accredited institution that offers a wide variety of degree programs. Programs start every 8 weeks, which provides busy students with plenty of entry points to accommodate busy schedules. Excelsior also provides a beneficial experiential learning credit system, which rewards adult learners with previous professional experience.  

Click here to learn more

20. Walden University

In 1970 Walden University began its pursuit of building a school to specialize in the education of adults and nontraditional learners. Today Walden has an alumni network of more than 153,000 students who have gone to build successful careers in countless fields and industries. More than 300 of Walden’s faculty have been recognized for ‘Excellence in Teaching and Mentorship.’ 

Meaning that Walden students can enjoy the confidence that they are learning from some of the industry’s best educators. Walden is also accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, which maintains high standards for academic excellence–standards which Walden strives to overachieve. 

Additionally, Walden offers one of the most robust catalogues of online bachelor’s in the world. And each program offers a high level of flexibility, wherein students can progress through asynchronous formats at a pace that best matches their goals and desired cadence of coursework. 

Click here to learn more

The post The 20 Most Flexible Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

We’re outlining the top 10 skills employers seek when recruiting business graduates straight out of college. From communication abilities to the ability to work on a team, the following capabilities are highly valued across industries like marketing, finance, and HR.

Top 10 Skills Employers Look For in Business Graduates

In the challenging job market, a varied skill set becomes crucial. Let’s examine the essential skills that distinguish business graduates in the professional arena.

1. Communication Skills

Effective workplace communication is pivotal for success. In today’s dynamic business world, clear articulation is a cornerstone for collaboration and innovation. Strong communication skills transcend mere verbal exchanges. 

They underpin successful collaboration and relationship-building within teams, propelling career growth and contributing to organizational success.

Importance

Clear communication fosters collaboration, ensuring ideas are conveyed seamlessly. Employers, recognizing its significance, deem communication skills indispensable in prospective hires.

Impact

• A study highlights the pivotal role, with 77% of employers deeming communication skills “very important.”
• Enhances collaboration and teamwork, crucial for modern work environments.
• Establishes a foundation for effective negotiation and conflict resolution.

2. Problem-Solving Skills 

In the dynamic business realm, adept problem-solving is non-negotiable. This skill consists of unraveling complex situations into smaller and more manageable problems. Then, a great problem-solver must be able to find an easy and efficient solution to each situation.

Problem-solving skills are required in almost every job application across industries, and as a result, this skill is in extremely high demand, and it should be worked on before considering applying for a job.

Importance

Business landscapes are rife with challenges; problem-solving skills aren’t just desirable. They are also essential, influencing job performance and efficiency.

Impact

• Jobs requiring problem-solving skills boast an average pay scale of 14% higher, as revealed by a comprehensive study.
• Critical for informed decision-making, these skills foster innovation and adaptability.
• Real-world examples highlight how problem-solving directly enhances job performance.

3. Teamwork 

The essence of effective teamwork in achieving organizational goals cannot be overstated. Teamwork skills consist of being able to coordinate a group and to work together to achieve a common goal.

In teamwork, adaptability is crucial, and effective teamwork becomes a cornerstone of success.

Importance

This skill is extremely valuable to any employer as the employees should be efficiently working together. If, instead, the employees cannot work together and everyone tries to prevail over others, you can end up in a hostile working environment.

Impact

• Forbes Insights emphasizes that 89% of executives believe teamwork is crucial for a company’s success.
• Strong teamwork fosters innovation, improved collaboration, and job satisfaction within the workplace.

4. Written Communication Skills

In the dynamic landscape of business, clear and professional written communication is a linchpin for success. Written communication skills encompass all the communication channels that businesses might adopt. 

From emails and CRMs to informal messaging apps, you need to know how to write in various styles before getting hired by a company.

Importance

Mastering the art of written communication is crucial for navigating the complexities of a business setting. It ensures that ideas are clearly expressed, leaving no room for misinterpretation.

Impact

• 70% of employers actively seek graduates with robust writing abilities.
• Effective written communication positively influences job performance.
• It creates a pathway for career advancement, setting you apart in the competitive business realm.

5. Initiative

Initiative is a quality that sets you apart in the eyes of employers. It consists of going the extra mile and progressing even when a situation is at a standstill.

Importance

In the dynamic landscape of business, employers highly value graduates who don’t merely follow the path, rather they look for someone who can pave the way. Taking initiative is a testament to your proactive approach, showcasing that you’re not just a passive observer but an active contributor to the success of any endeavor.

Impact

• A notable 67.5% of employers actively seek candidates who demonstrate initiative. 
• Taking initiative can lead to increased job responsibility, indicating that you’re ready to take on challenges beyond the norm.
• It opens doors to leadership opportunities, allowing you to guide and influence outcomes within your professional sphere.

6. Strong Work Ethic

Regardless of your field, a strong work ethic is one of the most important characteristics you should have. Each job consists of written and unwritten rules that must be followed to correctly achieve the goal and maintain a proactive work environment.

A strong work ethic is the skill that sets apart diligent workers from the ones who are willing to cut corners just to finish the job sooner. A strong work ethic serves as a compass guiding you toward comprehensive career success, constructing a narrative of dependability and achievement.

Importance

A robust work ethic extends beyond mere time investment; it embodies a commitment to excellence, discipline, and unwavering dedication. Employers, recognizing its transformative impact, actively seek candidates who naturally embody this trait.

Impact

• A substantial 71% of employers highly value and actively seek candidates with a strong work ethic.
• A diligent work ethic lays the foundation for heightened job performance, showcasing your commitment to achieving goals.
• It’s the bedrock of reliability, assuring employers you can be counted on to meet deadlines and exceed expectations.

7. Technical Skills

In a world where digital proficiency is paramount, possessing technical expertise has become synonymous with career preparedness. Technical skills encompass all the textbook techniques, expertise, and tricks that one can learn over a career.

Importance

Proficiency in technical skills serves as your gateway to a realm of heightened job opportunities and promising avenues for career growth. Even if many soft skills are important, technical ones are the founding principle of the job.

Impact

• The professional arena exhibits a palpable demand for individuals well-versed in technical acumen responding to the surge in the need for digital proficiency.
• A substantial 64.9% of employers underscore the importance of technical competency, acknowledging it as a crucial attribute in the job market.

8. Flexibility and Adaptability

In the ever-shifting terrain of today’s business world, adaptability is indispensable. It allows workers to continue to perform their best even if some significant factors about the job change.

Importance

From an employer’s point of view, adaptability and flexibility are fundamental skills to look for as a “jack of all trades” could be a long-term key component of the business, as opposed to someone who only knows how to perform a very specific job.

Impact

• Amidst the perpetual flux of the business environment, adaptability emerges as a beacon of resilience. It enables you to adeptly navigate the complexities of evolving trends.
• A substantial 63.4% of hiring managers actively seek candidates showcasing adaptability. They recognize it as a pivotal attribute that fosters a responsive and forward-thinking work culture.

9. Self-Motivation

Self-motivation is like fuel for your professional engine. It is no secret that a professional career is full of challenges, so having the inner motivation that helps a worker plow through them is key.

Initiative and self-motivation aren’t just admirable traits, they’re pathways to expanded job opportunities and a successful career. By embodying these qualities, you will be able to impress employers and set the stage for your own professional triumph.

Importance

Employers appreciate graduates who take ownership, embrace challenges, and consistently stay motivated, recognizing the intrinsic value in such qualities.

Impact

• Employees with high initiative levels are 44% more productive.

10. Commercial Awareness

Understanding the ins and outs of how businesses operate is a game changer. Even if you are a back-end engineer for an e-commerce website, understanding how the sales are made and how the business generates profits will help you achieve a better result, even in what might seem insignificant details to you.

Importance 

An employer’s goal is to build a strong team on which they can rely, so even a programmer should be aware of how the company’s finance department operates. By doing so, teamwork is enhanced, increasing efficiency and profitability.

Impact

• A study by the ACCA reveals that graduates with commercial awareness are 27% more likely to secure employment.
• This statistic highlights this skill’s concrete advantage, making it indispensable in today’s fiercely competitive job market.

People Also Ask

What Skills Should I Put On My CV?

When listing skills on your CV, you should tailor the list to the ones required by the job proposal. Because of this, it is always important to carefully scan the proposal and then add all the relevant ones that might give you an edge over other candidates.

What Soft Skills Do Graduates Lack?

Most graduates lack extremely important soft skills such as time management, active listening and, leadership skills, which might cause poor performance on the job.

What Are the Hottest Skills Every Business Professional Needs Today?

In the dynamic business landscape, professionals need a mix of technical proficiency, adaptability, and commercial awareness. These skills enable them to thrive in today’s competitive and rapidly evolving job market.

Conclusion

Our exploration of key skills employers desire reveals the recipe for success in the competitive job market. These skill sets not only boost employability but they also lay the foundation for a thriving career. Continual learning is vital for staying ahead in the dynamic business landscape.

The post Top 10 Skills Employers Look For in Business Graduates appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.