What image does the word “archaeologist” bring to mind? An aged professor proving over dusty volumes of technical notes? Or Indiana Jones, sweeping through an ancient temple to uncover a lost relic? The truth is, real-life archaeologists are a little of both: intrepid adventurers and technical researchers. They work with shovels and picks, as well as drones and 3D modeling software. They engage in scholarly debate and in public outreach. In short, archaeologists have highly varied and highly interesting work.

People have always been interested in the past. But for 99% of human history, no writing systems existed to record events and ideas. And even after the invention of writing, only certain types of events (such as the lives of rulers) were recorded, and, of these, only some texts have survived. In order to understand what events took place and how people lived in the past, scholars have turned to physical materials. From household rubbish heaps, to temples, from stone age tools to civil war cannons, artifacts tell the story of humankind, and archaeologists know how to understand what these items were, how they were used, and what they tell us about the people who made them.

Archaeologists have patience, dedication, focus, logic, analytical skills, and lots of natural curiosity. If you have the right disposition and an intense interest in the past, you may be curious about degrees and careers in archaeology. An estimated 91,776 people hold degrees in archaeology, from a bachelor’s to a PhD. But a degree in archaeology isn’t the right fit for every person, or every career path. Wondering if a career studying the past is in your future? Explore our guide to What Can I Do with an Archaeology Degree?

Jump To:

• What is Archaeology?
• What Types of Archaeology Are There?
• What Classes Will I take for a Degree in Archaeology?
• What Can I do with a Bachelor’s in Archaeology?
• What Can I do with a Master’s in Archaeology?
• What Can I do with a PhD in Archaeology?
• Can I Earn a Degree in Archaeology Online?
• What Jobs Can I Get with a Degree in Archaeology?
• What are the Pros and Cons of a Degree in Archaeology?

What is Archaeology?

Archaeology literally means “the study of that which is ancient,” and is defined as the scientific study of historic and prehistoric peoples, societies, and cultures. It is accomplished by excavating and analyzing artifacts and studying related locations, monuments, inscriptions, and biological remains. Archaeologists study the earliest humans, such as the stone tools of cave-dwelling hunter-gatherers from one million years ago. But they also study artifacts from modern times, such as the discarded household objects recovered from an early 20th century tenement building.

Archeology covers the study of people around the world and throughout the course of human history, with the common thread being a focus on the study of physical materials. Archaeology aims to determine what a given object was, when it came into being, how it was used, and what purpose or effects it had. The goal of archaeology is to develop a comprehensive and inclusive understanding of human culture.

People have always been curious about the past, and especially intrigued by exotic and mysterious monuments and relics. Antiquarianism, the study of history as it related to objects from the distant past, dates back to what we would now consider ancient times. Ancient Romans like the Augustan historian Livy studied and cataloged monuments and artworks from the past. Ancient Chinese scholars such as the Song Dynasty scholar Ouyang Xiu collected and analyzed early Chinese relics. With the excavation of sites like Stonehenge and Pompeii in the 1600s and 1700s, archeology began to evolve as a distinct field. By the 1800s, people had developed clear archeological practices and methods, such as dating objects based on their placement within layers of sediment. Rather than simply collecting beautiful and exotic antiquities, archeologists began to systematically gather and catalog artifacts for the purpose of building knowledge. Today, archaeology is concerned with the same quest for historical knowledge, but informed by a broader cultural understanding, and aided by high-tech tools like 3D modeling, drones, and photogrammetry.

Although it has been around for quite some time, there’s still no clear consensus on how to classify this heavily interdisciplinary field. As an academic discipline, archaeology can be difficult to pigeonhole. Depending on which expert you ask, this subject is either a highly scientific branch or the humanities, or else a highly humanistic branch of the social sciences. In fact, archaeology can be considered as both a part of the social sciences or the humanities. In the United States, Archaeology is conceived as a branch of anthropology in the United States, but in Europe, it is considered to be a branch of History or treated as a discipline in its own right.

Under the broader heading of humanities/social sciences, archaeology is usually seen as a branch of anthropology. Anthropologists study human culture and society, often those of the ancient past or far-flung locations. The field has several branches, such as Biological Anthropology, the study of human remains as they relate to people’s lifestyles and lives. And while many anthropologists study fossils, relics, dwellings, and inscriptions, archaeologists are unique in their particular focus on humans’ physical materials.

What Types of Archaeology Are There?

There are many specializations within archaeology, and no universal consensus on what makes up the main fields. Some archaeologists classify themselves based on the historical period or geographical location of their interest, such as Mesoamerica, Egyptology, or Classical Antiquity. Others may specialize in a particular type of relic, such as human remains (bioarchaeology), animals or plants (zooarchaeology or paleoethnobotany), or stone tools (lithics). Archaeologists may also specialize in particular practices, such as underwater archaeology (the study of submerged human remains and relics). Broadly speaking, archaeology can be divided into the sub-disciplines of Cultural resources management, Archaeometry, Historical archeology, Ethnoarchaeology, and Experimental archaeology. These fields are not entirely distinct, of course- for instance, many archaeologists conduct Cultural resources management as well as Historical archaeology.

Cultural resources management

Just as human activity takes a toll on natural resources, activities like development, travel, mining, warfare, climate change and looting take a toll on the sites that archaeologists want preserved. That includes established monuments, dig sites, and locations for potential future exploration. Cultural resources management (CRM) involves protecting archaeological sites from damage. And while preserving archeological sites may not be the first type of activity that comes to mind, CRM actually makes up most of the archaeological research conducted in the US and western Europe. There are plenty of federal and international laws governing how excavations need to be conducted, as well as tourism of historical sites and construction in or around areas that may have historical materials present. Cultural resources management requires a thorough knowledge of these laws and their application.

Archaeometry

From a fossil tooth to a stone temple, artifacts are physical objects with physical qualities that give information about the past. In order to understand this information, their physical properties mulct be accurately measured, described, and recorded. Archaeometry is the systematic measurement of objects, environments, and features that are important to archeology. It includes analytical techniques that include chemistry, physics, and engineering. These include methods like space syntax techniques, carbon dating, geodesy, and computer modeling and tools like geographic information systems.

Historical archaeology

The advent of writing marks the division between pre-history and history. Historical archaeology is focused on the study of cultures that had some form of writing. This can mean periods as recent as the 20th century or as early as 3,000 BC. This is perhaps the best-known type of archeology, and includes examples such as studying Victorian-era shipwrecks, Mayan temples, medieval villages, and American Civil War forts.

Ethnoarchaeology

Ethnography is the systematic study of societies and cultures, as observed from the point of view of a member of that society. Ethnoarchaeology is the application of Ethnography to the study of ancient peoples and cultures. While it’s possible to observe, measure, and catalog artifacts, it can be difficult to understand how these objects were constructed and used without entering into speculation. Ethnoarchaeology is the practice of systematic methods to determine how an ancient relic was created and used within the context of its society. Often, that can mean looking at contemporary modern societies that use similar items under similar environmental circumstances, making inferences about ancient societies that probably followed similar patterns. For example, an Ethnoarchaeologist might look at how modern peoples that fish for food using hand-woven nets in order to better understand how an ancient society might have done so.

Experimental Archaeology

Scientists formulate hypotheses, test them, and draw conclusions that can be repeatedly tested. Experimental archaeology is simply the application of this established experimental method to questions related to archeology. One of the most common forms of experimental archaeology is reconstruction archaeology. In reconstruction archaeology, an archaeologist attempts to create a structure or object identical to one that would have existed in an ancient society using only the materials and technology of that time period. For instance, an experimental archaeologist might crack open nuts using handmade stone tools in order to see if this caused scrapes on the tools similar to those found on real artifacts.

What Classes Will I take for a Degree in Archaeology?

For an Archaeology degree, you can expect to dabble in quite a few very different subjects, including the humanities, math, science. anthropology, art history, classics, world history, and foreign language. This broad, interdisciplinary curriculum will give you a context for understanding archeology before you ever get into archeology-specific classes. Required classes outside of the discipline archeology itself typically include:

• Calculus
• Probability and Statistics
• Applied Economics
• Biology
• Geology

In addition to math and science, you’ll likely need to take courses in history, politics, psychology and language, in order to have a broader context for understanding topics in Archaeology. Your classes in Archaeology itself may include titles like:

• Archaeology and World Prehistory
• Archaeological Theory and Interpretation
• Advanced Studies in Archaeology
• Biological Anthropology
• Foundations of Earth Sciences
• Ancient Art and Art History
• Museum Studies
• Environmental Archaeology
• Classical Civilization
• Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
• Human Osteology
• Cross Cultural Perspectives
• Measurement and Quantification in Social Sciences
• World Archaeology
• Human Evolution
• Field Methods in Archaeology

What Can I do with a Bachelor’s in Archaeology?

A bachelor’s degree is the first step on the road to a future in archaeology.
This undergraduate degree can be found as either a BS (bachelor of science) or a BA (bachelor of arts), and some colleges offer both types of degrees. Essentially, a BS has a stronger emphasis on the technical aspects of archaeology, while a BA incorporates more humanities and focuses on applied skills. Many schools offer a bachelor’s in anthropology with a concentration in archaeology, while others award bachelor’s in archeology with the potential to further specialize in a specific areas, such as MesoAmerican studies.

Students must traditionally work for four years on a full-time basis to earn a bachelor’s degree. If you take courses part-time, of course, your degree will take longer to earn, while an accelerated bachelor’s degree can be earned in about three years. Every degree program is different, but most consist of around 120 credits, or 40 courses. Your coursework will include classes in archaeology as well as hands-on learning, and a large number of required general education classes. The purpose of general education courses is to develop a well-rounded knowledge about the world and a context for understanding topics in your major.

A typical bachelor’s degree curriculum may include:

• Archaeology classes
• General education classes
• A foreign language
• Study abroad
• Labs and fieldwork
• Senior project

In completing a bachelor’s in archaeology, you’ll develop skills in analysis, computation, technology, methodology, and archeology theory. These are transferrable skills that can help you succeed in a variety of settings, such as education, administration, and activism. Transitioning to a non-archaeology field will require you to demonstrate to employers that you can apply your skills in a new role, however, and you may need additional experience or training to take on work outside the field. If you wish to work in the field of archaeology, however, your options with a bachelor’s degree will be limited to roles like assisting in laboratory work or excavation. In order to work as an archaeologist, you’ll need to earn at least a master’s in archaeology.

What Can I do with a Master’s in Archaeology?

To get a master’s in archaeology, you’ll need to have a bachelors in archaeology, or in a related field like anthropology, classical studies, or art history. A master’s usually takes two years to earn on a full-time basis, though an Accelerated Master’s Degree Program can be completed in just 18 months, while a part-time program takes longer.

A master’s in archaeology will focus on the archaeology major, and will not have not general education classes, though you will be required to demonstrate reading proficiency in a foreign language for most. In addition to archaeology classes, you’ll complete extensive hands-on learning through lab work and fieldwork. Many schools offer (or require) international studies as part of their archaeology program. You’ll also be required to complete a research-based thesis or project in your second year. In addition, many schools require students to complete a comprehensive examination before graduating.

If you’d like to specialize in a particular area, many schools offer archaeology concentrations, such as:

• Applied Anthropology
• Ecological Anthropology
• Medical Anthropology
• History and Social Memory
• Prehistoric Archaeology
• Land, Culture and Society

You may also want to consider a minor in a related field, such as a foreign language, gender studies, sociology, history, or geology. A minor can enhance your specialization within the field of archaeology. Alternatively, a minor can broaden your expertise and make it easier to find work outside the field of archaeology instruction and research.

With a master’s in archaeology, you’ll be able to find work in the archaeology field, such as cultural resource management, education, fieldwork, outreach, historic preservation, or museum curation. However, the Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that many positions require a PhD in archaeology, especially those involving research and international studies.

What Can I do with a PhD in Archaeology?

A PhD is a “terminal degree”- the highest degree offered in the field of Archaeology. With this degree, you’ll be an expert in your field, and qualified for research and teaching positions. But earning a PhD is a long and difficult process; it takes 4-9 years to earn a PhD, and many students drop out before completing this rigorous process. In order to earn a PhD in anthropology, you’ll need to complete new research in a specific niche area of anthropology. Under the direction of a thesis advisor, you’ll formulate an original research question, conduct painstaking research, and literally “write the book” on your area of focus by drafting, publishing, and defending your doctoral thesis.

With a PhD in Archaeology, you’ll be qualified to work as an academic archaeologist, project archaeologist, principal investigator, CRM manager, or State Historical Preservation Officer. These are leadership positions, and will allow you to lead and train junior colleagues and students, and to research your own areas of interest. And with a PhD in archaeology, you’ll meet the legal requirements which, in many cases, stipulate that archaeologists working abroad much hold a PhD in archaeology.

Can I Earn a Degree in Archaeology Online?

Archaeology is a latecomer to the field of online education, but there are now a few schools offering online degrees in archaeology. Most students who opt to earn an online degree do so in order to maintain employment or continue to meet family obligations while working towards a degree on a part-time basis. Online education saves busy students from spending time on a commute, and also allows them to access much of their course content on demand. In the case of an online archaeology degree, geographic availability is another important factor. Many areas don’t have a school with a strong archaeology department available locally, and students in this situation may opt to enroll in a well-established archaeology program offered through a school’s online campus. Leading schools such as Harvard offer prestigious online archaeology degrees, while smaller schools may have less “brand recognition” but offer more affordable tuition.

In general, most nine archaeology degree programs do require some degree of on-site participation. This is because archaeology is such a hands-on field, and students can best learn how to conduct a real-life excavation, examination, and measurement procedure by actually observing and participating in real life. This live, interactive learning experience can take the form of an on-campus immersion, on-site field work in a lab or dig site, or a study abroad experience.

What Jobs Can I Get with a Degree in Archaeology?

Your work with an archaeology degree will depend greatly on the degree level you achieve and your preference for applied or academic archaeology. Academic archaeology jobs are those most people associate with the term “archaeology”: professors and researchers. These individuals typically work in a university or museum and conduct field or lab-based research, and hold a PhD in archaeology.

Most archeology work is conducted with cultural resource management (CRM) firms, which execute archaeological investigations associated with federal and private construction projects. Federal law requires that surveys and (where indicated) excavations take place where land is to be disturbed for construction projects, and CRM firms make sure that development does not come at the cost of archeological finds. Applied archaeology positions include roles at museums, national parks, tourism bureaus, federal and state governments, and historical societies.

Archaeologists tend to work in a variety of settings, reading and writing research papers, cataloging and measuring materials in the lab, excavating artifacts at dig sites, viewing materials in museums and libraries, and visiting historic locations around the country or globe. While this is an exceptionally interesting and varied role, archaeology isn’t known to be a lucrative field. Fortunately, it’s not far behind the national average, either. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary with a degree in archaeology is $62,410. Most archaeologists hold a master’s degree, and the average income associated with a master’s is $68,000 according to the BLS.

The BLS also reports that jobs in archaeology will grow 4% between 2016 and 2026. This is slower than the national average, as there are more people with degrees in archaeology than available positions. But as with salary, the news isn’t too bad. Job growth of between 5-9% is considered “average” by the BLS, meaning that a rate of 4% for the filed of archaeology isn’t lagging too far behind the national average.

What are the Pros and Cons of a Degree in Archaeology?

Why get a degree in archaeology? For most students, the answer is simple: they want to. That is, they’ve been interested in the field from a young age, and simply enjoy being involved in anything related to exploring the past. Archaeologists tend to be passionate about their work, and their dedication and excitement about their area of specialty allows them to persist in spite of the field’s challenges.

The main drawbacks of an archaeology degree are a modest salary and competition for jobs. There are fewer archaeology positions than qualified candidates, and many people with archaeology degrees have to spend a great deal of time working in a related field, such as foreign language instruction, or working in a role for which they are overqualified while waiting for the right position to open up. This is especially true for those who want a job in academia. Tenure-track professorships in archaeology simply don’t open up frequently, and those seeking these roles should be willing to relocate for work. Salaries in the field are also modest, which can pose a problem for those who have taken out loans or used their savings to pursue an advanced degree.

On the plus side, archaeology is, simply put, a fascinating field. Few jobs offer the potential to make new discoveries, explore real-life mysteries, and travel to exotic locations. Archaeology offers all these things, as well as the potential to contribute to mankind’s body of knowledge and deepen our understanding of our past, ourselves, and one another.

Further Reading:

• What degree do I need to become an Archaeologist?
• Top 10 Highest Paying Social Science Careers
• What Can I do with a Liberal Arts Degree?
• Top 15 Liberal Arts Schools in America
• Top 10 Highest Paying Social Science Careers
• 50 Best Online Degrees for 2019
• 20 Best Degree Programs for Undergraduates
• 23 Fastest Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs
• Top 25 Fastest Online Doctorate Degrees

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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?

The post 15 Degree Paths for Out-of-This-World Careers in Space Exploration appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

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?

The post Top 20 Highest-Paying Online Degrees appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

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. 

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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. 

• Program Website

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. 

• Program Website

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. 

• Program Website

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.

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.

Whether you’re looking for work on Wall Street or just a finance career that will make you rich, a specialized graduate degree from one of the top 15 master’s in finance degree programs can help you on your journey.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Topping our list of the 15 best master’s in finance degree programs in the United States is the University of Pennsylvania. The private Ivy League institution was established in Philadelphia in 1740 by Founding Father Benjamin Franklin. With a student to faculty ratio of just six to one, more than two-thirds of classes offered at the University of Pennsylvania have fewer than 20 students enrolled. An overwhelming 98 percent of students who begin their college education at the University of Pennsylvania stay there for the duration of their undergraduate studies. At the undergraduate level, the University of Pennsylvania meets 100 percent of student financial need without loans. This financial aid policy makes the school’s nearly $50,000 undergraduate tuition rate surprisingly affordable and allows many students to graduate debt-free. U.S. News & World Report 8^th among the best colleges for veterans, 9^th among national universities and 11^th among the nation’s best value schools.

The University of Pennsylvania is home to the best graduate program in finance in America, according to U.S. News & World Report. It also has the honor of being ranked the best undergraduate program and the 4^th best graduate business school in the nation. USA Today also ranked the school at the top of its list of the best colleges for majoring in finance, noting that its graduates earn an average starting salary of $61,000 and an average mid-career salary of $132,000 – the highest mid-career average of all top business schools. The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, founded in 1881, has the distinction of being the first collegiate business school in the world. University of Pennsylvania graduate students with an interest in finance pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree with a major in finance. Their coursework includes required classes in Corporate Finance and Macroeconomics and the Global Economic Environment as well as upper-level finance electives such as investment management, financial derivatives and behavioral finance.

Business College: The Wharton School

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Enrollment: 1,715 students

Tuition: $64,920

2. University of Chicago

Since its founding in 1890, the University of Chicago has cultivated a reputation for excellence in both academics and research. The 5,860 undergraduate students enrolled in the College at the University of Chicago must fulfill a rigorous required core of general education classes as they pursue one of 49 majors. The 9,866 graduate and professional students enrolled at the University of Chicago are spread across six professional schools and five academic divisions in subjects like law, medicine, humanities, biological sciences, physical sciences, social sciences, molecular engineering, public policy and business. At the undergraduate level, the University of Chicago meets 100 percent of demonstrated student financial need, and the school also offers financial assistance to students in its master’s and doctoral programs through merit-based and need-based aid. U.S. News & World Report ranked the university tied for 4^th place among national universities and the best colleges for veterans, as well as 15^th among the best value schools in America.

Not only does the University of Chicago host the second best master’s degree program in finance in the country, but its business college, the Booth School of Business, is tied for second place on U.S. News & World Report’s college rankings lists. At the master’s degree level, Chicago Booth students earn an MBA with one of 13 concentrations, including finance and analytic finance. Chicago Booth’s MBA program is known for its flexibility, with only one required course, Leadership Effectiveness and Development. Each student will take a foundational course of their choice in the subjects of financial accounting, microeconomics and statistics. To develop a breadth of business knowledge, students choose from several course options in subject areas like finance, marketing, operations, management and business environments. The Booth School of Business also offers a Ph.D. program in finance, which combines business studies with coursework in the Department of Economics. Ph.D. in Finance students study the behavior patterns of stocks and bonds prices, investment decisions, corporate governance and financial institution management.

Business College: Booth School of Business

Location: Chicago, IL

Enrollment: 2,509 students

Tuition: $63,980 

3. New York University

Since its founding in 1831, New York University has educated 470,000 alumni spread across more than 180 nations around the world. Today, there are 44,000 students enrolled in New York University’s 17 divisions, making NYU the country’s largest private university. The school has a 93 percent retention rate, which means the vast majority of freshmen stay at NYU for the duration of their undergraduate studies, and 84 percent of NYU students graduate within six years. Students at New York University enjoy small class sizes, with a student to faculty ratio of just 10 to one and fewer than 20 students in most classes. More than half of NYU undergraduate students receive some form of need-based financial aid from the institution, with an average award amount of $24,246. U.S. News & World Report has ranked NYU highly on lists such as National Universities, Best Colleges for Veterans, High School Counselor Rankings and Most Innovative Schools.

The Stern School of Business offers both a Master of Science in Global Finance and an MBA program that includes the option to specialize in finance. The M.S. in Global Finance degree program is offered in conjunction with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and includes required international travel experiences. The full-time MBA program requires students to complete 60 credits, but they have plenty of flexibility to customize their education, since more than half of these credits are elective courses. Possible MBA specializations at NYU include finance, corporate finance, financial instruments and markets, financial systems and analytics and technology-enabled finance practices (FinTech). The Stern School of Business’s MBA program is one of the most selective in the country. NYU also offers a Mathematics in Finance degree option through its Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences. U.S. News & World Report ranked NYU’s graduate finance programs third in the nation and the Stern School of Business among the top 20 business schools in America.

Business College: Leonard N. Stern School of Business

Location: New York, NY

Enrollment: 2,339 students

Tuition: $63,720 

4. Stanford University

Stanford University is currently celebrating its 125^th anniversary, having opened in 1891. The private institution is home to a large campus, where 700 major buildings and 97 percent of the undergraduate student population reside on 8,180 acres of land. Despite the campus size, students can expect small class sizes and personalized attention, with a student to faculty ratio of just four to one. As a prominent research university, Stanford’s research budget is $1.22 billion annually. The university encompasses seven schools in the academic subjects of medicine, law, engineering, education, earth sciences, humanities and sciences and, of course, business. Stanford University follows a quarter-based, rather than a semester-based, academic calendar. U.S. News & World Report has ranked Stanford University highly in many categories, including naming the school as:

• 2^nd among the Most Innovative Schools
• Tied for 3^rd among High School Counselor Rankings
• 4^th among Best Value Schools
• Tied for 4^th among National Universities
• Tied for 4^th among Best Colleges for Veterans

The Stanford Graduate School of Business was established in 1925. Graduate students interested in business and finance have options when they choose Stanford for their education. The Stanford MBA program provides general management knowledge but also encourages students to pursue a personalized education plan, using elective courses to study a specific aspect of business – like finance – in-depth. In 2014, Stanford University also introduced a multidisciplinary Master of Science in Mathematical and Computational Finance degree option. This program replaces the M.S. in Financial Mathematics program formerly offered by the School of Humanities & Sciences. The new program covers coursework such as statistics, applied and computational mathematics and financial applications. Stanford University also offers a Ph.D. in Finance degree program for students whose goals are more academically-oriented rather than industry-oriented. Not only does U.S. News & World Report recognize Stanford University’s graduate finance program as 4^th in the nation, but it has also ranked the Stanford Graduate School of Business as tied for the 2^nd best business school.

Business College: The Stanford Graduate School of Business

Location: Stanford, CA

Enrollment: 824 students

Tuition: $64,050

5. Columbia University

With a history of more than 250 years of academic excellence, it’s no wonder Columbia University rounds out the top five graduate finance degree programs in the U.S. When the school was founded in 1754, it was called King’s College, having been established by royal charter of King George II. The school closed briefly during the American Revolution and adopted its current name when it reopened in 1784. Columbia University’s long history makes it the oldest college in New York and the fifth oldest across the nation. U.S. News & World Report ranked Columbia University tied for 3^rd place on its High School Counselor Rankings list, tied for 4^th on its National Universities list and its Best Colleges for Veterans list and 6^th place on its Best Value Schools list. The college is known for small class sizes even at the undergraduate level, where the student to faculty ratio is six to one and more than 80 percent of classes have fewer than 20 students.

Columbia University offers a couple of different academic options for graduate students interested in finance. The Master of Science in Financial Economics (MSFE) degree program is offered by Columbia Business School’s Finance and Economics Division and provides students with two years of intensive study into the fields of finance and economics. The MSFE program combines MBA and Ph.D. courses. In fact, Columbia University’s MSFE program is rigorous enough that it has a good deal of coursework in common with the Ph.D. program, but is focused more on industry than academics. MSFE students take courses such as:

• Asset Management
• Asset Pricing
• Capital markets
• Corporate finance theory
• Debt markets
• Financial Accounting
• Financial Econometrics
• Finance Theory
• Microeconomic Analysis

Columbia University students can also consider the Master of Arts in Mathematics of Finance (MAFN) degree program, offered by the departments of mathematics and statistics, and the Master of Science in Financial Engineering, offered through the Department of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research.

Business College: Columbia Business School

Location: New York, NY

Enrollment: 1,287 students

Tuition: $65,988

6. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Since it was founded in 1861, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has been closely linked with innovation and exploration, particularly in the field of science. The school as a whole has earned recognition nationwide, including coveted rankings on U.S. News & World Report’s lists such as:

• High School Counselor Rankings (tied for 1^st place)
• Most Innovative Schools (3^rd place)
• Best Value Schools (5^th place)
• National Universities (7^th place)
• Best Colleges for Veterans (7^th place)

In addition to its schools of science and engineering, MIT also hosts a school of architecture and planning, a school of humanities, arts and social sciences and – of course – a school of management. Using technology and language from each of these disciplines to develop world-changing solutions to problems remains the mission of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Despite the seemingly high tuition cost, MIT awards need-based scholarships to more than half of the schools’ undergraduate attendees, and one-third of undergrads attend MIT tuition-free.

Does it surprise you to find a technical institute like MIT on a list of the best finance programs? The private research university might be better known for its reputation in fields like science, technology and engineering, but its Sloan School of Management has built its own prestigious reputation in the business world. U.S. News & World Report ranks MIT tied for 5^th place among the best business schools and its graduate finance program 6^th in the nation.  Students in MIT’s Master of Finance (MFin) program choose from a 12-month and 18-month study option. Compared to MIT’s MBA in finance program, the MFin degree option is a more specialized program and is focused on developing the skills of “early professionals.” Students can choose to complete an optional concentration in capital markets, corporate finance or financial engineering. MIT offers a personalized curriculum that allows students to supplement core requirements and advance subjects with elective courses that can be taken within or outside the finance department.

Business College: Sloan School of Management

Location: Cambridge, MA

Enrollment: 806 students

Tuition: $65,446

7. University of California—Berkeley

The State Constitution of California is what first planted the seeds for the founding of a university that would bring “glory and happiness” to “advancing generations.” In 1868, this dream came to fruition with the founding of the University of California. The public institution developed out of the joining of Oakland’s College of California, a private school, and the new Agricultural, Mining and Mechanical Arts College. The University of California—Berkeley has been named the top public school in America by U.S. News & World Report, which also ranked the school highly on its lists of High School Counselor Rankings (tied for 14^th), #20 in National Universities (20^th) and Most Innovative Schools (tied for 21^st). Admissions at the University of California—Berkeley are competitive, with just 17.3 percent of applications accepted. The school offers 277 degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including both academic programs and professional programs.

The graduate finance degree program offered by the University of California—Berkeley is the Master of Financial Engineering (MFE). Don’t let the inclusion of the word “engineering” in the program title fool you. The one-year degree is designed for professionals in the finance industry and offers the skills needed to find success working at a commercial bank or investment bank. Coursework includes investments, derivatives, financial institutions, qualitative and empirical methods in finance, calculus and asset pricing, fixed income markets, credit risk modeling, dynamic asset management, behavioral finance, high-frequency finance, finance ethics and regulations, financial practice, international finance, securities markets, financial risk management and opportunities in the financial world. They must also gain hands-on experience through applied finance projects and a mandatory 10- to 12-week internship. U.S. News & World Report ranks both the University of California—Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and its graduate finance program 7^th in the nation. 

Business College: Haas School of Business

Location: Berkeley, CA

Enrollment: 1,301 students

Tuition: $53,907 in-state; $55,968 out-of-state

8. Harvard University

Harvard University is the kind of Ivy League school that everyone in the United States has heard of, so it’s no surprise that the prestigious private institution would make our top 15 list. Founded in 1636, Harvard isn’t just the oldest school on this list, but “the oldest institution of higher education in the United States.” Approximately 14,500 of Harvard University’s 21,000 enrolled students – more than two-thirds of the entire student body – are graduate and professional students. U.S. News & World Report has ranked the college highly on lists such as:

• High School Counselor Rankings (1^st place)
• National Universities (2^nd place)
• Best Value Schools (2^nd place)
• Best Colleges for Veterans (2^nd place)
• Most Innovative Schools (tied for 8^th place)

In addition to its reputation for academic excellence, Harvard University is known for small class sizes even at the undergraduate level, generous financial aid packages and having the world’s largest academic library.

Like the institution as a whole, Harvard Business School has earned high honors. U.S. News & World Report rated it the best business school in America and ranked its graduate finance program 8^th in the nation. Students in Harvard University’s MBA in finance program start their education with a year-long required field experience that emphasizes leadership development, a global business perspective and hands-on learning. Students take required courses in finance, marketing, leadership and organizational behavior, financial reporting and control, technology and operations management, strategy, corporate accountability, entrepreneurial management and the intersection between business, government and the international economy. Students then use elective courses to develop an area of focus, such as finance. New MBA students at Harvard University work closely with their “section” of 90 peers, with whom they take all first-year courses. About 80 percent of students in Harvard University’s MBA program choose to live on campus in the Harvard Business School dormitories, and the demand for on-campus living space is so high that student accommodations are assigned by a lottery system.

Business College: The Business School at Harvard University

Location: Boston, MA

Enrollment: 1,872 students

Tuition: $61,225

9. University of Michigan—Ann Arbor

The University of Michigan dates back to 1817. At its founding, the school was located in Detroit and called the University of Michigania, or Catholepistemiad. The institution took on its current name in 1821 and moved to its current Ann Arbor campus in 1837. Since these early beginnings, the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor has flourished. While its first classes included just seven students taught by only two professors, the school now educates more than 43,000 students and employs more than 3,096 tenure-track professors. The University of Michigan—Ann Arbor is now home to 19 colleges spanning academic areas from the liberal arts to medicine and law. U.S. News & World Report ranked the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor 29^th among the top national universities. In addition naming the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor’s graduate finance program ninth in the nation, the publication also ranked the school’s undergraduate business program fourth and its graduate business program tied for 12^th place.

The Ross School of Business was founded in 1924 and currently boasts 45,000 alumni spread across 88 nations. In addition to its prestigious academic reputation, the Ross School of Business’s MBA programs include one-on-one personalized executive coaching. This is just one of the factors that lead to 97 percent of University of Michigan—Ann Arbor MBA students getting job offers within just three months of graduating. At the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor, students take a Fast Track in Finance as part of their MBA program. They can choose from two academic paths within their finance track. The University of Michigan’s other campuses also offer graduate programs in finance and business. The University of Michigan—Flint also offers an MBA with a concentration in finance option. At the University of Michigan—Dearborn, the College of Business offers a Master of Science in Finance degree program that allows students to concentrate in either corporate finance or investments.

Business College: Stephen M. Ross School of Business

Location: Ann Arbor, MI

Enrollment: 1,299 students

Tuition: $56,590 in-state; $61,590 out-of-state

10. Northwestern University

Northwestern University’s tradition of academic excellence dates back all the way to the 1850s. The idea of an institution that would serve the entire Northwest Territory was first conceived in 1850. The school’s nine founders together purchased the land to begin its construction in 1853, and in 1855, the one-building institution opened its doors to a tiny inaugural class of 10 students. Today, Northwestern University’s main campus in Evanston is 240 acres, with campuses in Chicago and Qatar as well. More than 21,000 students attend the institution, which is now home to a dozen colleges. U.S. News & World Report has ranked Northwestern University overall as tied for 12^th among the top national universities and 19^th among the best value schools. At the graduate level, the private research college has achieved high rankings in many academic fields, including business, law, engineering, education, medicine, psychology, economics, history and many other subjects of study.

Students who choose Northwestern University for their finance education will graduate with a master of business administration (MBA) degree. The finance department at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management offers two MBA specializations, the finance major and analytical finance. The finance major offers a broader education that prepares students for both management generalist and finance specialist career roles. The analytical finance track focuses on technical aspects of financial markets and is intended for students who want to transition into highly specialized roles in the finance industry. The school also offers a financial doctoral program for students who want to go on to earn their Ph.D. as well as executive programs in the discipline of finance.  In addition to ranking the school’s graduate finance program 10^th in the nation, U.S. News & World Report also ranked Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management tied for fifth place among the best business schools.

Business College: Kellogg School of Management

Location: Evanston, IL

Enrollment: 1,960 students

Tuition: $64,059

11. University of California—Los Angeles

In 1919, the University of California first opened its “Southern Branch,” which would become the University of California at Los Angeles in 1927. At its founding, the school was known for its two-year undergraduate training program for aspiring teachers. Today, UCLA has branched out significantly. The public institution now offers more than 125 undergraduate majors and 80 minors as well as close to 150 graduate programs. U.S. News & World Report ranked UCLA second in the nation among the top public schools, tied for 18^th place among the best colleges for veterans and tied for 23^rd place among national universities. Outside the classroom, the UCLA is known for its research opportunities and its service to the community. For more than half a decade, the UCLA has been awarded close to a million dollars in research grants annually, and it is home to 290 research centers. As the UCLA nears its 100^th anniversary, the school still prizes creativity, discovery and optimism as some of its main values.

In addition to ranking the University of California—Los Angeles as the 15^th best business school, U.S. News & World Report also ranked its graduate finance program 11^th in the country. Students in UCLA’s Master of Financial Engineering (MFE) program complete 52 quarter units over just 13 and a half months. They complete classes in investment fundamentals, financial accounting, econometrics, corporate finance, stochastic calculus, empirical methods in finance, derivatives, financial risk management, fixed income markets, computational methods in finance, quantitative asset management and credit markets. A summer internship is required, as is a hands-on applied finance project completed with a team. Because the program is based on financial engineering rather than simply the study of finance, it stands out from many other graduate finance programs. UCLA defines financial engineering as “the mathematical modeling, quantitative research and analysis involved in pricing, selling, trading and investing in a wide range of financial instruments,” which is why students in this program take more mathematics courses.

Business College: Anderson School of Management

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Enrollment: 1,696 students

Tuition: $50,517 in-state; $54,644 out-of-state

12. Ohio State University

Ohio State University was founded in 1870. Today, the public institution has more than 44,000 undergraduate students enrolled. The school also educates graduate students in fields such as business, law, medicine, nursing, science, social science, engineering, education, public affairs and fine arts. While Ohio State University’s main campus is located in Columbus, the school also encompasses research centers and campuses across the state. U.S. News & World Report has consistently ranked Ohio State University among the 20 best public colleges in the nation, and the school is currently tied for 16^th place on that list. The publication has also ranked Ohio State University tied for 27^th place among the best graduate business schools, tied for 42^nd place among the best colleges for veterans and tied for 52^nd place among the top national universities. In addition to its excellent academic reputation, the institution is known for its more than 1,000 extracurricular organizations and is home to the Ohio State Buckeyes collegiate football team.

Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business was founded in 1916 and recently celebrated its 100^th anniversary. The Financial Times ranked Ohio State University’s Specialized Master in Finance degree among the best pre-experience master’s degree programs in finance across the nation. The program takes just nine months to complete and can prepare students for success in finance careers with such highly-regarded companies as Nationwide, JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo. Students who complete the program are well-equipped to attain their Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Financial Risk Manager (FRM) designations. Students take core classes in corporate finance, data analysis, economics, leadership and derivatives as well as a team project in their final semester. They can choose a specialization from four academic tracks: corporate finance, investment management, risk management and real estate. Of the 30 semester hours students spend earning their degree, 15 hours are electives that allow students to choose their own academic path and complete their specialization.

Business College: Max M. Fisher College of Business

Location: Columbus, OH

Enrollment: 552 students

Tuition: $30,120 in state; $49,592 out of state

13. Tulane University

When Tulane University was first founded in 1834, it was strictly a medical school. The college has come a long way, now offering more than 70 undergraduate majors. The downtown New Orleans university first established its business school, then called the College of Commerce and Business Administration, in 1914. Today, that business college is known as the A. B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane University, and it’s tied for 68^th place among the best graduate business schools in the nation, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report. The publication has also ranked Tulane University tied for 41^st among national universities and tied for 33^rd place among the best colleges for veterans. As one of just 62 schools that make up the Association of American Universities, the private university provides exciting opportunities for research. Tulane University is also big on community service, going so far as to make it a required part of its undergraduate curriculum.

The Freeman School of Business at Tulane University isn’t only accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) – it’s a founding member of the prestigious accrediting organization. Its Master of Finance (MFIN) program is also a CFA Program Partner of the CFA Institute, making it an excellent choice for students who aspire to earn their Chartered Financial Analyst credential. The 34-credit program takes 11 to 18 months to complete over a fall, spring and summer semester. Students can specialize in energy or banking and financial services.

In addition to their specialized classes, Master of Finance students at Tulane University take coursework in subjects such as:

• Corporate Finance
• Equity Analysis
• Financial Communications
• Financial Reporting
• Fixed Income Analytics and Models
• Investments and Asset Pricing
• Risk Management and Applications
• Valuation

Financial Times ranked Tulane University’s Master of Finance program among the top pre-experience master’s in finance degree programs in the world.

Business College: A. B. Freeman School of Business

Location: New Orleans, LA

Enrollment: 916 students

Tuition: $48,800

14. University of Rochester

The University of Rochester is a well-regarded private research school accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. When the institution was first founded in 1850, it was a Baptist university, though today it maintains no religious affiliation. Even at the undergraduate level, the University of Rochester is known for its unique curriculum, offering students the chance to build their own customized education plan. With “no required subjects,” students can choose courses from broad academic “clusters” so they have the freedom to study the subject areas they are most passionate about without worrying about satisfying rigid general education requirements. The school as a whole has earned high rankings from publications such as U.S. News & World Report, including ranking 26^th among the best value schools, 27^th among the best colleges for veterans, 33^rd among the top national universities and tied for the 39^th spot on its list of the best business schools.

Simon Business School’s Master of Science in Finance degree program includes coursework in investments, corporate finance, capital budgeting, fixed income securities, economics, statistics, financial statement analysis and communicating business decisions. Students of the University of Rochester’s M.S. in Finance program have options. Those who are most concerned with earning their degree quickly can complete the graduation requirements in just 10 months. Students who want the chance to gain work experience and build professional connections can choose an internship track, instead – and still complete their degrees within 17 months. The University of Rochester even offers a brief nine-month program that allows students who have earned a more general MBA degree to develop the specialized skills they would find in a master’s in finance program. The Financial Times ranks the University of Rochester’s M.S. in Finance program among the top five pre-experience degree programs in the nation. Simon Business School is also responsible for publishing the Journal of Financial Economics, the Journal of Monetary Economics and the Journal of Accounting and Economics.

Business College: Simon Business School

Location: Rochester, NY

Graduate Business Enrollment: 209 full-time (185 part-time) students

Tuition: $46,000

15. Illinois Institute of Technology

Completing our list of the top 15 master’s in finance degree programs is the Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech, or IIT). While you may not expect to find a technical institute ranked among the best master’s in finance programs, IIT’s program is unique. Illinois Tech’s history dates back to 1893, then the school first opened as Armour Institute and focused on coursework in architecture, engineering, chemistry and library science. In 1895, another nearby school, Lewis Institute, was founded, offering studies in science, engineering and the liberal arts. The two schools merged in 1940 to create the high-ranking private technical university flourishing today. IIT has earned institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Illinois Tech is also a research school. In addition to the Institute for Food Safety and Health, the Pritzker Institute of Biomedical Science and Engineering, the Wanger Institute for Sustainable Energy Research and the independent nonprofit IIT Research Institute, the school is also home to 21 business tenants at University Technology Park at Illinois Tech. This facility combines research, business and technology, housing tenants in labs, offices and incubators and providing the resources they need to grow and succeed.

The Stuart School of Business was founded in 1969 and has earned specialized accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International. IIT’s Stuart School of Business offers a Master of Science in Finance degree available in full-time and part-time formats. Full-time students typically complete the 33-credit hour program in two years, while part-time students are allowed to take up to five years. Students can choose from a dozen concentrations in subjects like corporate finance, alternative investments, risk management, high-frequency trading and financial programming. During their studies, students take the following six core courses:

• Financial Modeling
• Financial Statement Analysis
• Futures, Options, and OTC Derivatives
• Mathematics with Financial Applications
• Statistical Analysis in Financial Markets
• Valuation and Portfolio Management

The school also offers two dual degree options, the M.S. Finance/Master of Business Administration and the M.S. Finance/Juris Doctor. The Financial Times ranked IIT’s program third in the nation among pre-experience master’s in finance degree programs.

Business College: Stuart School of Business

Location: Chicago, IL

Graduate Business Enrollment: 1,003 students 

Tuition: $28,463

Editor’s Note: This ranking is intended as a guide to help prospective finance students start their research so they can ultimately find the right graduate school for their needs and goals. Tuition rates, enrollment data, school history, quality rankings and other facts were provided by U.S. News & World Report, the Financial Times, USA Today and the individual schools’ websites.

For Further Reading:

Top 10 Graduate Degree Programs in Criminal Justice

What Degree Do I Need to Be a Policy Analyst?

What Degree Do I Need to Be a Crime Analyst?

The post Top 15 Master’s in Finance Degree Programs 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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The post The 20 Best Online Masters in Liberal Arts Degree Programs appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

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.

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.

What to Look for in the Best Interior Design Schools

Top professionals in the interior designer occupation tend to come from the best interior design schools. Having a natural eye for design is valuable, but it takes more than this to become an excellent interior designer. Students need a formal interior design education to develop skills in formulating a design strategy, researching clients’ goals and project requirements, keeping work costs within the project budgets and managing the entire design project from start to finish.

What makes an institution a top interior design school?

It’s not the type of institution or degree awarded that matters most. Our list of the 10 best interior design schools includes everything from art and design schools to research universities and liberal arts schools. The degrees offered by the best interior design schools include Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS) and Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degrees, as well as certificate programs. Among schools that offer graduate programs, students can choose from Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS) and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) programs, as well as doctorate degree programs.

Whether you choose a flexible or focused program, you should look for an option that includes experiential learning opportunities and training in the latest technology for design professionals. The right interior design program for you will nurture your artistic and design interests and equip you with the tools practicing interior designers use to prepare construction documents and use changing technologies in both the creative and less creative aspects of the field.

Among schools that offer online classes or an online degree program for design students, online bachelor’s programs are popular. Students may also look for distance learning options at the graduate levels, including an MA online degree program, an MS online degree program and an MFA online degree program.

The curriculum of an outstanding interior design program should include foundation art coursework that covers the concepts and methods of visual arts, classes in the theory and principles of design and coursework in the use of technical software like computer-aided design programs. Students should have the opportunity to explore the principles and practices of residential design and pursue commercial design work in a variety of areas, including retail design and health and wellness design. Collaborative work, such as group projects, may be part of your design or arts program. You should also expect to put in plenty of hard work advancing your artistic talent and building your portfolio.

RELATED: What Computer Programs Should I Learn Before Starting a Degree in Design Studies?

The best interior design programs also offer opportunities to build practical skills in the field. Through integrated design studio coursework, undergrad students practice their creative and technical design skills. Practicum experiences, internships and co-ops enable students to get real-world experience under the supervision of professionals in the field.

Ideally, prospective students should look for interior designer programs that are accredited by outside organizations. In the interior design field, two of the major accrediting bodies are the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

RELATED: What Is the Difference Between a Degree in Interior Design and Interior Architecture?

Top 10 Interior Design School Rankings

After careful consideration and research, we have identified the following institutions as some of the 10 best interior design schools in the United States. All the schools listed below provide interior design education options that produce interior design industry experts.

1. Rhode Island School of Design

With a name like Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), it should be no surprise that this institution has one of the top interior design programs in the United States. As one of the most widely admired interior design schools in the nation, RISD has earned recognition from publications such as Architectural Digest and Azure Magazine, among many others.

The interior design programs offered at RISD include options at the certificate, bachelor’s and master’s degree levels. RISD allows students to take courses in-person and online, offering plenty of flexibility for students who are juggling a lot of responsibilities or who can’t uproot their lives to move to a reasonable commuting distance.

RISD’s Interior Design Certificate Program

The interior design certificate program at RISD begins with core courses in drawing, design and digital design techniques that prepare students for a variety of careers in the interior design field. After completing their core courses, students pursuing an interior design certificate learn about lighting, building materials and even the differences between designing for private and public spaces in their concentration courses. At the end of this program, students will design a portfolio that will help them with potential job opportunities.

While this program does not satisfy either the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) or American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) eligibility requirements, it quickly provides students with formal design skills without the academic demands or price tag of a full degree.

For the entire program, the school reports a tuition price of only $9,140.

RISD’s Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design Program

Most interior design majors are more interested in bachelor’s degree programs than certificate programs. RISD’s Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Studies: Adaptive Reuse program is a baccalaureate-level program that emphasizes the skills for repurposing existing spaces for new uses.

In this traditionally four-year interior design BFA program, students complete courses in drawing, design and digital design techniques, much as students in the certificate program do. However, through the more in-depth coursework involved in this program, students explore topics like building structures, the history of interior architecture and scheme detailing in more detail. Students’ coursework in building structures and systems for adaptive reuse, in particular, will cover how the concepts of structural design and the mechanical systems used in building structures can be applied to preserving, adapting and rehabilitating existing buildings.

Students finish this program with a completed portfolio of their design work. Tuition for the bachelor’s interior design program at RISD for the 2022 through 2023 school year amounts to $28,218 per semester or $56,435 for the whole academic year.

RISD’s Master’s Degree Options in Interior Design

In addition to the BFA, graduate degrees offered at RISD include two types of master’s programs. The Master of Arts (MA) in Adaptive Reuse is a 1-year, 45-credit program that serves as a student’s first architecture degree. The school’s Master of Design in Interior Studies (MDes) programs are 2-year, 75-credit degree programs.

Students in the Master of Arts in Adaptive Reuse program take courses in the theory of adaptive reuse, the principles of adaptive reuse and applied building systems for adaptive reuse. Master of Design in Interior Studies degrees are offered in both adaptive reuse and exhibition and narrative environments.

In the Master of Design in Interior Studies: Adaptive Reuse program, which qualifies students to sit for the NCIDQ exam, coursework includes energy systems, human factors of ergonomics and acoustics, and studio coursework on codes and details. Coursework in the Master of Design Interior Studies: Exhibition and Narrative Environments program covers special topics in the use of interior design for storytelling purposes, particularly in museum settings.

The graduate interior design programs at RISD are the same cost as the undergraduate programs, coming in with a tuition of $28,218 per semester, or $56,435 for the whole year.

View program details.

2. New York School of Interior Design

NYSID isn’t just a liberal arts or design school that happens to offer an interior design major. The entire New York, NY, institution (and all of its academic programs) specializes solely in interior design. As one of the best interior design schools in the country, NYSID has received accolades from publications like Architectural Digest.

Undergraduate and graduate programs of study at the New York School of Interior Design range from a certificate program that introduces students to the field to five separate graduate programs to help interior designers advance their professional careers.

NYSID’s Basic Interior Design Certificate

The basic interior design certificate covers just what you would expect: the basics. Students take classes on topics like:

• basic drafting
• visual concepts
• the design process
• historical styles
• construction documents
• colors and textile design for interiors

Upon graduating from this certificate program, a student who is interested in taking their education further may transfer these credits into NYSID’s associate’s or bachelor’s degree program.

The tuition rate for all courses offered in the certificate, associate and bachelor’s programs for the 2022 through 2023 school year was $1,150 per credit.

The Associate of Applied Science Degree at NYSID

Through the institution’s Associate in Applied Science in Interior Design program, students can start their path in the field of interior design while covering prerequisite courses. Associate degree credits can then be transferred to the bachelor’s program, which will prepare students to enter the profession of interior design.

NYSID’s Bachelor’s Degree Program

In the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design program, students can look forward to receiving a more well-rounded education in interior design. Coursework in this program may include:

• furniture design
• kitchen and bath design
• sustainable design for the built environment
• light source design and selection
• material sourcing

Graduate Program Options at NYSID

At the graduate level, NYSID offers two non-specialized master’s degree programs and three more focused programs.

Students from different degree programs and academic backgrounds might pursue the Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design as their first foray into interior design education. An interior designer interested in expanding their overall knowledge in the field should consider the Post-Professional Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design.

The specialized master’s degree programs available include the Master of Professional Studies in Healthcare Interior Design, the Master of Professional Studies in Lighting Design and the Master of Professional Studies in Sustainable Interior Environments.

For all five programs, graduate students’ tuition is billed on an annual basis and amounts to $19,500 for the fall and spring semesters.

View program details.

RELATED: What Are the Pros and Cons of Pursuing a Degree in Interior Design?

3. Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a research institution, not a liberal arts college per se, yet interior design students here can expect to receive a broad liberal arts education as part of the curriculum. Interior design majors at Syracuse are part of the College of Visual & Performing Arts.

Despite the research focus of the university as a whole, the interior design program at Syracuse is one of the best interior design programs in the nation, endorsed by Architectural Digest.

Syracuse University’s Bachelor’s in Environmental and Interior Design

There is only one interior design program of study at Syracuse, but its unique area of specialization makes it stand out from the crowd. The undergraduate program is called Environmental and Interior Design, and it awards a BFA degree.

Syracuse University’s program is a bit broader, as it aims to teach students how to incorporate the principles and practices of interior design to work with a wide scope of environments, but as the degree title suggests, the curriculum has a strong focus on environmental design. Major requirements include completing three levels of environmental design courses, three levels of environmental factors courses and an environmental design capstone project.

Studying Interior Design at a Visual College

Being offered out of a visual arts college, the interior design program at Syracuse includes plenty of fine arts studio courses. These lengthy classes allow students to engage in hands-on projects in interior design practice, develop their artistic and technical design skills and begin creating the designs that will make up their portfolio.

Students also complete 15 credits of art history classes, as well as required coursework in the liberal arts and sciences.

A study abroad experience taken during students’ junior year of study is highly recommended. Students may choose to travel to London, UK, or to Florence, Italy.

View program details.

4. Pratt Institute

Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York City, is a private university known for its programs in art, architecture, design and the liberal arts and sciences. Interior design course offerings at this institution are offered out of the School of Design.

This institution was one of the first in the nation to offer a formal education in interior design, according to Architectural Digest, and it remains among the best interior design schools today. Graduates from the school have a history of finding employment relatively quickly. Most students find jobs within just seven months of graduating.

Pratt’s Bachelor of Fine Arts Program

Undergraduates who are preparing to become interior designers should consider Pratt’s Interior Design Bachelor of Fine Arts program. Major areas of focus in this undergraduate program are interior architecture, spatial design, surface embellishment, design practices that blend interior and exterior settings and design for the urban environment – with particular emphasis on how humans interact with their environments in urban settings.

This program gives students plenty of opportunities for practical instruction and the development of practical skills in design. Studio coursework is integrated into the curriculum as early as students’ sophomore year. Throughout their studies, students will gain hands-on experience through internships and professional practice coursework.

Undergraduate tuition for the 2020 through 2021 academic year amounted to $51,754 annually for students taking between 12 and 18 credits per semester.

A Minor in Interior Design

Some students are interested in interior design but aren’t ready to fully commit to the program. Ideal for these students is Pratt Institute’s 15-credit interior design minor that allows undergraduate students from any field of study to get a taste of the world of interior design.

The Master of Fine Arts Degree

Pratt Institute also offers a Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design for interior designers interested in research and academics as well as in advancing their careers in professional practice. Some students use this degree to become postsecondary teachers of interior design courses.

Within the MFA program, students may choose to focus on an area of concentration such as:

• interior design theory and criticism
• emerging technologies for interior design
• exhibition design
• environmental quality
• design of ecological and sustainable environments

For both full-time and part-time graduate students, the tuition rate for the 2020 through 2021 school year was $1,847 per credit.

View program details.

5. Parsons School of Design at the New School

The New School, a university in New York, NY, is made up of seven schools. One of these schools is Parsons School of Design, which is one of the best interior design schools in the country. Here, interior design students will find programs ranging at levels ranging from undergraduate certificates to graduate degrees.

Certificate in Interior Design

The undergraduate certificate program at Parsons offers students a quick but thorough introduction to the field, providing them with a solid foundation in interior design.

Offered in an online format in which students complete eight online classes over the span of just six to nine weeks, this program includes coursework in areas like:

• basic drafting and interior space planning
• color theory
• residential and commercial design

Through the special focus on collaborative work at Parsons, you can expect to complete group projects and share studio workspaces with students from other art and design programs.

The cost for the complete certificate program is $6,760 as of 2022.

Associate Degree in Interior Design

The Interior Design Associate of Applied Science offers a more in-depth introduction to the field. The curriculum of this two-year, on-campus program includes courses in 2D and 3D drawing of interiors, environmental design and construction documents, as well as a sequence of design studio courses.

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design

The interior design BFA degree program at Parsons that will best prepare students to begin their careers in the field of interior design is the Bachelor of Fine Arts. Like the associate’s degree program, this four-year baccalaureate program is offered on-campus.

The curriculum goes well beyond that of the associate’s degree program, encompassing coursework in:

• the history of architecture
• human ecological theory and design for interiors
• sustainable systems
• the interaction between light and surfaces

Integrative studio and seminar courses begin as early as the first semester of students’ first year of study.

Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design

The Interior Design Master’s of Fine Arts program at Parsons is a two-year, on-campus program that will help graduate students prepare to further their careers in interior design or enter the field as educators.

The MFA curriculum includes classes in environmental design, ethnography and design, the theory of the interior and fabrication and processes, as well as advanced design studios and a thesis.

View program details.

RELATED: Where Are the Best Paying Jobs with a Degree in Interior Design?

6. Savannah College of Art & Design

At Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) in Savannah, GA, students interested in interior design can pursue a bachelor’s degree, an undergraduate minor or a graduate degree. The institution is one of the best interior design schools in the nation, with features like SCADpro, the SCAD collaborative learning center design studio, setting it apart from other programs.

SCAD’s BFA in Interior Design

The BFA in Interior Design covers everything undergraduate students need to begin pursuing a career in interior design. You might not expect a traditional liberal arts degree experience from an art and design college like SCAD, but in this program – as in the institution’s other bachelor’s degree programs – students complete core courses designed to help them develop strong critical thinking skills and communication abilities.

In addition to these core courses, students will develop their abilities in interior design with courses in different aspects of interior design, such as the history of the field, drawing techniques and design studio work. As of 2022, program locations for the interior design BFA include SCAD’s Savannah main campus and its Atlanta campus.

Undergraduate tuition rates for one year of study at SCAD amounted to $39,105 during the 2022 through 2023 academic year.

Interior Design Minor Requirements

Undergraduate students pursuing a different undergraduate degree at SCAD may study interior design as a minor. In this 25-credit minor, students get an overview of the field of interior design.

At the Savannah and Atlanta campuses, students start their minor coursework with an Introduction to Interior Design class and continue with classes on topics like:

• interior materials
• graphics for the building arts
• form, space and order

One design studio course, which focuses on exploring people and space, is included in the requirements for the minor.

Master’s Degrees in Interior Design

SCAD’s interior design programs at the graduate level include both MA and MFA programs. The MA is a 45-hour program that includes classes in theory and criticism of interior design, environmental psychology for interior design, emerging materials for interiors and research methods in the field. Students complete a final project in preparation for graduation from the MA program.

The Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design program is significantly longer, consisting of 90 hours of coursework that includes multiple internships and a master’s thesis. Coursework includes the same classes found in the MA program, along with a series of studio design courses that focus on topics like inclusive design, design for live-work settings and the design of environments for public interaction.

The cost of this program is not much more than the undergraduate program, coming in at $40,050 for the 2022 through 2023 school year.

View program details.

7. University of Cincinnati

Another one of the top interior design schools is the University of Cincinnati (UC) in Ohio. The public research university has received accolades from Architectural Digest – even though the publication once singled out the campus’s Crosley Tower as one of the Ugliest University Buildings in America.

Through the University of Cincinnati’s School of Architecture and Interior Design, part of the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP), students can pursue both bachelor’s and master’s programs in interior design.

Bachelor of Science Degree

The Bachelor of Science in Interior Design at UC allows students to grow their skills in a studio environment and take advantage of the option to study abroad. This program isn’t quick, but it’s thorough, and students complete their studies with considerable paid work experience under their belts.

Finishing this Bachelor of Science program takes five years instead of the typical four years required to earn a bachelor’s degree, including taking classes over the summer semesters. The reason this program takes so long to complete is that it incorporates valuable co-op experiences into the curriculum.

Other courses in the major curriculum include:

• architectural history
• interior lighting
• construction materials and fibers
• design science in building construction
• furniture design and millwork

In-state tuition for this program for the 2022 through 2023 academic year was only $6,588 per semester, though non-resident students would pay $14,255 per semester. 

Master’s Degree in Interior Design

For students who already possess a bachelor’s degree in the field from an accredited interior design school, the University of Cincinnati’s post-professional Master of Interior Design (MINTD) can expand not only your knowledge of the field but also your career opportunities.

With this degree, which includes coursework in research methods in the field and the completion of a master’s thesis, experienced practitioners can develop the skills and qualifications for teaching students at the college level. The degree can also help you expand your skills as a practitioner.

As part of this two-year program, students can study abroad in Switzerland, Germany, Turkey or India. The program’s curriculum also includes a graduate-level internship and design studio work.

View program details.

8. Fashion Institute of Technology (part of the State University of New York – SUNY)

Don’t let the name fool you; aside from its fashion design programs, the State University of New York (SUNY)’s Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) is one of the top interior design schools, and it has the praise from Architectural Digest to prove it.

Located in New York, NY, FIT offers two programs in interior design, an associate’s program and a bachelor’s program. At either level of study, the robust interior design program is designed for teaching students the skills needed to enter the world of interior designer careers.

Associate’s Degree

It’s true that most interior designers have a bachelor’s degree, but the interior design associate’s degree program at FIT is still worth pursuing. Without further study, you could leverage this degree to become an interior designer assistant or an interior decorator at most interior design firms.

You can also use this program to prepare to earn a bachelor’s degree in interior design, which would qualify you for a wider range of career roles in the interior design field.

The major coursework in this program includes classes in visual representation, interior design theory and criticism, the history of interior design, design technology and a sequence of design studio courses. Other classes in this program include art history courses and classes that fulfill general education requirements, which serve to educate well-rounded artists.

The tuition rate for this program differs for in-state vs. out-of-state students. For the 2022 through 2023 program, students living in New York were charged $2,645 per semester, while non-resident students were charged $7,935.

Bachelor’s Degree

FIT’s CIDA-accredited BFA in Interior Design program is designed to prepare undergraduate students for a number of careers in the interior design industry. The curriculum for this four-year multidisciplinary program combines a couple of art history courses and some general education courses with more of an interior design focus overall than the associate’s degree program has.

For example, students take classes in lighting design and advanced methods and applications of design technology, as well as a more robust catalog of design studio courses.

FIT’s interior design education is a particularly good option for New York residents. The cost of a semester’s worth of study in the bachelor’s degree program for in-state students for the 2022 through 2023 school year was $3,585. Out-of-state students would pay $10,846 per semester for this program.

View program details.

9. Kansas State University

If you’re looking for an interior design degree in the Sunflower State, Kansas State University is the place to go. Not only is K-State among the best interior design schools in the country (a claim backed up by the rankings and praise from publications like Architectural Digest), but it’s also the only college in Kansas to offer a CIDA-accredited four-year interior design program.

Through courses in computer-aided visual communication, students gain technical knowledge of the use of computer modeling and design software programs in interior design.

K-State prides itself on its small class sizes and use of technology in the classroom as a way to help all students learn. The school also possesses a 93% employment rate among graduates of its interior design bachelor’s degree.

Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design

The undergraduate program for interior design can be completed in four years, or 120 credit hours. For students at the bachelor’s level, the majority of the curriculum (aside from general education classes) is focused on professional studies courses that cover a range of topics for interior design.

Major coursework in this program includes interior design history, behavior in the interior environment and interior design practices and procedures. Students pursuing interior design degrees from K-State also study:

• lighting
• textile design
• construction methods and materials
• environmental systems for interior design
• the principles and practices of design for supportive environments

Students also need to take a lot of professional electives that cover a wide range of areas within interior design, professional application, and professional application. Elective courses allow students to customize their creative education and develop expertise in areas of interest.

Some of the electives offered in this program include advanced studies in design and behavioral aspects of residential or commercial design, advanced interior design theory, design for aging in the modern world and an interior design study tour.

Experience is an important part of Kansas State’s interior design program. Students in the program are encouraged to take part in an internship, taking advantage of K-State’s connections to intern in top architectural design firms all over the country. Internships are typically done in the summer between undergraduate students’ third and fourth years but can, along with the practicum, occur after their second year.

For the 2021 through 2022 school year, Kansas residents only needed to pay $316.30 per credit hour for tuition, while nonresidents were charged $852 per credit hour.

Master’s Degree Options in Interior Architecture

Kansas State University’s graduate programs in this field are master’s degrees in interior architecture. The Master of Interior Architecture and Product Design (MIAPD) degree is offered in both a post-baccalaureate track for students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree and a non-baccalaureate track for students without a bachelor’s degree.

The post-baccalaureate track Master of Interior Architecture degree is a comprehensive two- to three-year master’s degree program that typically takes six semesters to complete. The CIDA-accredited and NASAD-approved program is open to students with a bachelor’s degree in any field, so you don’t need prior studies at interior design schools to be accepted.

The curriculum of the master’s degree program includes classes in visual communication, the history of the designed environment, building construction systems and structural systems in architecture and architectural technology. Design studio and workshop coursework is a big part of the graduate-level curriculum. Students also study topics like:

• materials and finishes
• lighting
• furniture design
• environmental and interior design

The non-baccalaureate track Master of Interior Architecture is a five-year program ideal for students entering college with only a high school education. Like the post-baccalaureate program, this degree program is CIDA-accredited and NASAD-approved, and it covers many of the same courses as the post-baccalaureate program, plus the material needed to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Ultimately, students in this program will complete 170 credits of study. They will also shave a year or more off of their education compared to if they had spent four years earning a bachelor’s degree in a traditional program and then another two or more years of graduate school.

At the graduate level, the tuition cost for the 2021 through 2022 academic year was $428.90 per credit hour for in-state students and $959.10 for out-of-state students.

View program details.

10. Auburn University

At Auburn University in Alabama, students can pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in interior design.

Auburn isn’t just one of the best interior design schools, nationally ranked by publications like Architectural Digest and Design Intelligence. The interior designer program at this school is also competitive – so much so that students cannot enter the program directly as freshmen.

Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design

Both first-year students and transfer students must start out in the school’s pre-interior design program. After they complete the first year of coursework, pre-interior design students are evaluated based on their performance to see whether they actually get into the full interior design major. To be admitted, students must prove their design abilities by submitting samples of their best work in accordance with the program’s portfolio requirements.

The interior design program at Auburn is part of the Consumer & Design Sciences department within the school’s College of Human Sciences. The CIDA-accredited 123-credit program awards a Bachelor of Science degree.

During the pre-interior design year of study, Auburn students take classes in design principles, the history of interior design, consumer culture and introduction to interior design, as well as general education courses. Generally, BS programs require fewer general education courses than BA programs do, which means that aspiring interior design students can devote more of their common curriculum to matters of academic study that relate to their intended job directly.

Since the Pre-Interior Design program covers most of the general education courses, students will focus primarily on core courses and elective courses related to their major once they are accepted into the BS in interior design program. Major coursework in the interior design bachelor’s degree program includes:

• spatial design and planning
• lighting
• interior materials and components
• mechanical and environmental systems
• project management for interior design

Through studio courses, students develop their skills in using computer-aided design software and design for different types of spaces, including residential, commercial, hospitality and health and wellness environments.

An internship is important in this curriculum, as is an advanced design project completed in the design studio.

Undergraduates in the Interior Design program enjoy a maximum class size of only 40 students. This is one bachelor’s degree program that, for many students, really does take just four years to complete. According to Auburn University’s statistics, the average time it takes to graduate from the interior design program is 4.1 years, and 49% of students who matriculated to the pre-interior design program during the 2016 through 2017 academic year graduated in four years.

To put that in perspective, just 41% of college students nationwide graduate within four years, CNBC reported in 2019 (and even that statistic shows a big jump from the 1996 cohort, just 33.7% of which graduated within four years, according to the National Center for Education Statistics).

Undergraduate tuition for this program for the 2021 through 2022 school year came in at $5,913 per semester for Alabama residents and $15,993 for non-residents.

View program details.

RELATED: What Career Path Do I Have Ahead of Me With an Associate’s in Design Studies?

Top-Ranked Art and Design Schools Abroad

Our rankings list of the best interior design colleges is nationally focused, but there are plenty of excellent educational options outside the U.S., as well. There are schools for interior design that are ranked highly all around the world, offering certificate, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, in-person and online master’s degree and doctorate degree options.

For example, at the Chelsea College of Art & Design at the University of the Arts in London, England, students can seek a bachelor’s degree or a graduate diploma in interior design.

Florence Design Academy in Italy is another global standout school. An interior designer (or aspiring interior designer) with a bachelor’s degree can pursue one of two graduate programs here: a Master of Interior Design or a dual master’s program that combines interior design with graphic design or industrial design.

Related Resources:

Do I Need a Degree to Be an Interior Decorator?

Can I Become an Interior Designer Without a Degree?

What Degree Do I Need to Become an Interior Designer?

The post Top 10 Interior Design Schools in the U.S. appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Thankfully in 2021 there are more options than ever before to hone the writer’s craft–no matter the level of your skill. Online writer’s bootcamps, fully digital undergraduate, graduate, and even doctorate programs empower writers from all walks of life to pick up the pen professionally. But even as an indulgence of hobby or passion, the quality and variety of creative writing programs available is sure to meet the needs of your desires. 

Particularly for writers interested in graduate-level education, a staggering number of the country’s best programs have moved program offerings online. Whether in response to the unique demands and challenges of the world pandemic, or as a demonstrative embrace of the digital age, more top-tier creative writing programs have online options than ever before. 

Thankfully, our researchers provide the assist when it comes to sorting through all your available options–they have done the legwork and compiled 20 of the most promising options available. The below programs all offer fully-online graduate creative writing degrees that have been ranked according to metrics we believe will be most meaningful to prospective students–that is, overall prestige of the institution, graduating rate, tuition cost, specialization options, as well as aggregate scores from parallel education rankings. 

1 Harvard University

Harvard University is one of those schools whose name carries the weight of tremendous achievement just by the merit of having earned a degree there. Harvard University is one of the most formidable entities in higher education in the world–it’s faculty and students represent the best of the best, and are often positioned at the forefront of their fields, conducting paradigm shifting research and establishing benchmarks for the rest of the higher education industry.

Harvard University’s Extension Program offers a number of creative writing programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. And surprisingly, the cost of Harvard’s online programs are extremely reasonable after factoring in financial aid, which makes this the premier option on this ranking–given the prestige and professional clout conferred by a degree from Harvard.

Any student holding a four year bachelor’s degree is welcome to apply. It should be noted that the curriculum does avoid–to some extent–discussions surrounding poetry and any thesis work concerning it, as it is not a primary focus of the program.

Net Price: $16,000

Learn more about Harvard’s top online Master’s in Creative Writing degrees here

2 National University

National University was founded on the idea of providing career-centric programs to students interested in quality, efficient, affordable professional advancement amidst full-time employment. As such, National University has become a leader in online education, whose specialty is servicing adult and distance learners who wish to progress through top notch degree programs without sacrificing a healthy work-life balance. 

National University’s Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing can be completed entirely online, and at a pace that best accommodates the busy lives of individual students. Moreover, National University was the first program of its kind in the nation–so students can enjoy the confidence that National University is a successful innovator in this area. 

Students of the program will learn from published authors and acclaimed authors who have demonstrated continued professional success. Instructors look to pass on their skills and knowledge to help aspiring writers actualize their goals and professional aspirations–whatever they might be. 

Net Price: $18,319

Learn more about National University’s top online Masters of Creative Writing degrees here.

3 University of Houston – Victoria

The University of Houston at Victoria is a well-respected branch of the University of Houston system. UH Victoria specializes in offering students a selection of degree programs designed to offer both flexibility and affordability. The University’s earned accolades demonstrates the success of this chosen specialization. 

UH Victoria offers a fully online Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing, which is designed around a student-centric ideal. Students of the program will note that the program’s systems have been designed with convenience in mind–so that students can complete the program without the burden of unwanted stress. 

Students of the program will be able to progress through coursework on a schedule that best matches individual circumstances and goals, which is probably ideal for creatives who are notoriously poor micromanagers of schedules and time.

Net Price: $10,000

Learn more about University of Houston’s top online Master’s in Creative Writing here.

4 University of Denver

The University of Denver is a prime example of a school that has devoted its resources to meeting the diverse array of needs of students in vastly different life-circumstances. On the one hand, the University of Denver displays the large network and resources of a state institution, but on the other hand it demonstrates the level of personalized care and attention you might expect from a small liberal arts college. 

This is particularly true for the University of Denver’s professional creative writing program. Students can choose from a variety of program format options in order to choose the one that best matches their intent and goals. For example, students can choose from any of three following program paths: 

• 4 course certificate that can be completed in as little as 6 months ($11,680 before aid)

• 6 course certificate that can be completed in as little as 12 months ($17,520 before aid)

• Master’s degree track that can be completed in as little as 18 months 

Net Price: $10,319

Learn more about University of Denver’s top online Master’s in Creative Writing here.

5 Bay Path University

Bay Path University is an upcoming independent, not-for-profit university that is a formidable member of the feminist community, and is an active member in the Women’s College Coalition. The University prides itself on being able to provide women with the necessary skill set needed to succeed in a challenging world. 

This is particularly true for the Master of Fine Arts in Nonfiction Creative Writing that can be completed entirely online. The program’s focus on nonfiction writing allows instructors to narrow their focus to only the most meaningful information, as the nonfiction and fiction industries play by totally different rules. 

To this end, the program’s instructors are all at the top of their game as memoirists, food and travel writers, journalists, editors, and publishers with years of real world experience. Graduates of the program will be armed with a repertoire of skills and tools to succeed in bringing their written work to the masses. 

Net Price: $20,000

Learn more about Bay Path University’s top online Master’s in Creative Writing here.

6 Mount Saint Mary’s University

Mount Saint Mary’s University has been offering graduate degrees since the 1930’s and have carried forth the rich history into meaningful modern policies and practices. MSMU’s degree programs are designed to propel men and women into the next phase of their careers and goals. As such, programs are designed to cultivate a sense of leadership and service to society in students. 

MSMU offers a fully online Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing that is designed to support writers with a variety of interests and professional aspirations. A distinguishing component of this program is that it supports study in a variety of genres and writing-formats under the belief that writers can succeed in multiple genres–something on which not all MFA creative writing programs will agree.

Students will progress through the program’s following coursework in order:

• Fiction 
• Poetry
• Writing for Screen and Television
• Creative Nonfiction Writing
• Advanced Screenwriting
• Playwriting I 
• Fiction Writing II
• Poetry Writing II
• Screenwriting II
• Creative Nonfiction Writing II
• Poetics
• Playwriting
• Thesis
• Publishing Seminar
• Thesis Continuation

Net Price: $28,000

Learn more about Saint Mary’s top online Master’s in Creative Writing here.

7 Oregon State University Cascades

Oregon State University Cascades is a school that invests in each of its students by fostering the unique strengths of the individual while teaching students how to compensate for weaknesses. This is particularly valuable for aspiring writers whose entire craft is based off of cultivating the unique strengths that make up their writing talent.

Oregon State University Cascades offers a fully online Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. A distinguishing element of this program is commitment of program faculty to cultivating the unique development of each student. In the program description, it states that students will be developed professionals across all the complex vectors that make up an individual–including the social, aesthetic, spiritual, physical, and political.

Students will be asked to commit to a genre, but will be free to study cross-genre and to engage a cross-genre thesis. Coursework and thesis options can be organized in the following categories: 

• Fiction
• Poetry
• Creative Nonfiction

Net Price: $20,000

Learn more about Oregon State University’s top online Master’s in Creative Writing here

8 University of Texas El Paso

The University of Texas El Paso offers a robust catalogue of online degree programs that are designed with convenience and flexibility in mind. Even graduate programs can be completed online from anywhere in the world. The University of Texas El Paso designs its graduate programs to reflect market needs, so that graduates of these programs can capitalize on the needs of the job market. 

The University of Texas El Paso offers a fully online Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. The degree’s program format can be broken up into the following components: 

• 48 hours of coursework
• 42 hours of workshops 
• 14 hours of literature classes 
• 6 hours of thesis

Students progress through coursework in a variety of topics that is meant to adequately represent the depth and complexity of literature and its vast array of subjects. As such, coursework covers radically different topics from “Form of the Short Story” to topics in “Asian American Poetry.”

Net Price: $9,000

Learn more about University of Texas El Paso top online Master’s in Creative Writing here.

9 Bennington College

Bennington College is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian college that is fully accredited by the appropriate governing bodies, specifically the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Bennington distinguishes itself through a demonstrable commitment to building a strong understanding of theory combined with practical skills and execution. 

Bennington College is a prestigious school known specifically for producing skilled and successful professional writers and novelists, and offers a fully online Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing in a rigorous two-year exploration of the writing craft. Students can direct their studies in fiction, nonfiction, or poetry, and may work in a dual-genre as well. 

It should be noted that this program does have low-residential requirements, so some campus visits will be required to maximize the value of the program. 

Net Price: $29,000

Learn more about Bennington College top online Master’s in Creative Writing here.

10 Fairfield University

When evaluating potential degree programs, prospective students often look to recent graduates to demonstrate what the program has to offer. In the case of Fairfield University, alumni go to demonstrate a high level of professional success, particularly in the writing industry. In the past three years alone, graduates of Fairfield’s Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing have published over 80 books–not to mention hundreds of articles, stories, poems, and essays. 

Fairfield University’s low-residential Master’s of Fine Arts in Creative program offers a number of degree paths that will cater to a variety of unique career aspirations. The program’s studies can be organized into the following areas: fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and screenwriting. 

Within these genres, students can further fine tune specialization by pursuing one of the following concentration tracks–some of which are not found in many, if any, other programs: 

• Publishing/Editing
• Spiritual Writing
• Literary Health
• Healing 

Net Price: $40,000

Learn more about Fairfield University’s top online Master’s in Creative Writing here.

11 Emerson College

Emerson College offers hospitable degree programs for students at every level of skill and professionality with many of its online graduate programs forgoing GRE requirements. Among these is a Master of Fine Arts in Popular Fiction Writing and Publishing. The program is ideal for aspiring novelists who want an education that informs a strong understanding of publishing dynamics. 

One of the biggest roadblocks for new writers is bringing their work to the masses. Self-publishing was a boon in many ways but it has also led to a highly congested market, meaning traditional publishing can be superior in many situations. This program is designed specifically to help students understand how to take advantage of the current market’s environment to maximize one’s chances for success. 

This is one of the few programs that builds in publishing to the program itself. If students are working on a piece of work, they will be paired with an advisor who will assist in lining up a publishing process. In this case, the high tuition could pay for itself if students have a promising piece of work to build off of. 

Net Price: $44,000

Learn more about Emerson College’s top online Master’s in Creative Writing here.

12 University of Nebraska at Omaha

University of Nebraska at Omaha combines a number of flexible degree programs to accommodate students from different backgrounds and circumstances. As such programs are delivered in residential, online, and low-residential formats. Low-residential means that programs are completed online for the most part, but will require some on-campus components. 

The University of Nebraska at Omaha offers a Master of Fine Arts in Writing with low-residential requirements. The majority of courses are completed through 4 semesters of 16 weeks that are completed online at-home, combined with 5 ten-day conference-style residencies. 

Students of the program will be able to build speciality in poetry, playwriting, screenwriting, fiction, creative nonfiction, or young adult genres. 

Net Price: $14,000

Learn more about University of Nebraska’s top online Master’s in Creative Writing here.

13 Lindenwood University

Lindenwood University has earned many accolades over the years, most notably grouped into recognition of its affordability and flexibility. Programs can be completed online, on-campus, or through a combination of formats designed to offer the most flexibility for students who might be working full-time or have equally demanding commitments. 

Lindenwood University offers a Master of Fine Arts in Writing program that can be completed entirely online, on-campus, or in a hybrid format. Classes are led by instructors who are published authors, journalists, and editors with demonstrable real-world success. 

Countless ranking institutions have recognized this program as one of the best of its kind. And given its reasonable tuition costs, this program is an ideal consideration for any aspiring writer looking for graduate education. 

Net Price: $18,000

Learn more about Lindenwood University’s top online Master’s in Creative Writing here.

14 Queens College of Charlotte

The Queens College of Charlotte College of Arts and Sciences offers top-tier programs helmed by award-winning faculty who have demonstrated success in the real world, and bring their unique experiences to the classroom for the benefit of students. The College’s curriculums are designed to offer research opportunities, innovative coursework, and mentorship. 

The Queens College of Charlotte College of Arts and Sciences offers an online Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program that has some low-residency requirements. The program offers an amazing selling point of a 4:1 student:faculty ratio, so that students can receive the level of attention and care befitting a true mentorship program.

This level of care is exceedingly rare in higher education unfortunately, so this factor alone makes it a tremendous option for aspiring writers who want a little more investment on the part of program faculty and instructors. 

Net Price: $21,000

Learn more about Queen College’s top online Master’s in Creative Writing here.

15 Eastern Kentucky University

Eastern Kentucky University offers a unique approach to tutelage of aspiring writers. Beyond a host of traditional writing degree programs, the University hosts a graduate level program through the Bluegrass Writers Studio that seeks to develop innovative solutions to historical shortcomings of similar programs. 

Students pursuing a program through the studio will participate in a variety of group web-classroom discussions, community engagement projects, residency workshops, and even international cultural experiences. Faculty at the studio take an active role in facilitating the success of students, and will help aspiring writers make the necessary connections to actualize their dreams and professional desires. 

Net Price: $14,000

Learn more about Eastern Kentucky University’s top online Master’s in Creative Writing here.

16 Drexel University

Drexel University is a premier player in the online education space, and was among the first universities to build a university entirely based on the distance education model. As such, Drexel has one of the most robust catalogues of online degree offerings at every level–associate’s, bachelor’s, and graduate degrees. Among these are several english and writing degree programs to consider. 

Specifically, Drexel offers a fully online Master’s of Creative Writing that is completed through four 10-week quarters per year, which means students take more courses in a shorter time period than similar programs. Students work closely with peers and faculty, many of whom are esteemed authors, established film industry screenwriters,  and successful writers. 

Net Price: $34,000

Learn more about Drexel University’s top online Master’s in Creative Writing here.

17 Lesley University

Lesley University brandishes a unique commitment to developing the humanitarian component in students. The University’s programs are most notably located at the intersection of education, counseling, and the visual arts–with particular attention allocated to those in the fine arts, particularly those in english and creative writing. 

Lesley University offers a mostly online Master of Fine Arts with some low-residential requirements in the form of on-campus workshops and conference-style residencies. Students of the program will learn from top-tier instructors who are award-winning writers themselves. 

Students at the program will work closely with highly invested faculty, who will function as mentors in the cultivation of students. 

Net Price: $32,000

Learn more about Lesley University’s top online Master’s in Creative Writing here.

18 Fairleigh Dickinson University

Fairleigh Dickinson University has demonstrated continued success in producing top-tier writers who go on to achieve the goals that many of us dream of. Despite the relatively small size of the program and resulting alumni groups, over the past five years alone graduates have produced 28 book-lengths of award-winning fiction. Graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University’s have landed the following awards and accolades for their works: 

• New York Times Bestseller
• African American Book Prize
• Colorado Book Prize for Biography

Fairleigh Dickinson University offers a low-residency Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing which can be completed mostly online. Students will want to evaluate the residential components because they do have some unique values. 

The close proximity of the school to New York City which is the publishing heart of the world means that students will be plugged into the ideal environment for professional networking. 

Net Price: $22,000

Learn more about Fairleigh Dickinson University’s top online Master’s in Creative Writing here.

19 Savannah College of Art and Design

SCAD is a school that is a well-known and respected name in any field relating to arts and design, as chances are there is an influential SCAD graduate in that field. This is likely due to the fact that SCAD has chosen its niche and speciality, and continually invests in delivering the best education programs in this capacity. SCAD is an ideal candidate for consideration for aspiring writers who want a career-centric program with industry-awareness outside the bounds of traditional writing programs. 

SCAD offers an online Master of Fine Arts in Writing that covers an array of subject matter in the arts. This unique approach is positioned in such a way so that students learn to view writing as an artform, and as such will delve into topics surrounding the history and nuance surrounding all the various elements of a career as a professional artist. 

For example, students will delve into coursework organized into the following curriculum:

• Contemporary Art
• Art Criticism
• Writing for Digital Communication
• Nonfiction I: Analysis of Creative Nonfiction
• Nonfiction II: Mastery of Style, Voice, and Subject
• Persuasive Writing
• History of Rhetoric
• Professional Writing for Business Applications
• Freelance Writing for Publication
• The Publishing Process
• Public/Media Relations Writing and Strategy
• Graduate Internship
• Graduate Internship
• Writing M.F.A. Thesis

Net Price: $42,000

Learn more about Savannah College of Art and Design’s top online Master’s in Creative Writing here.

20 Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is a premier institution in the online education space, and brandishes one of the largest online student bodies in the world. SNHU is a private, non-profit university that holds more than 130,000 online students currently. As such, SNHU was named one of the most innovative universities in the country in 2020. 

Among its other degree program offerings in english and writing are a fully online Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. No application fees or GRE scores are required for admission. The program is 100% online without any residential requirements and is completed through a total 48 course credits.

Throughout the program students will learn how to excel in the following areas of professional writing:

• Business and technical aspects of professional writing 
• Navigation of the publishing ecosystem
• Brand development
• Marketing work to decision makers
• Book promotion
• Identify agents, editors or other industry professionals for publishing
• Teaching writing

Net Price: $40,000

Learn more about New Hampshire University’s top online Master’s in Creative Writing here.

The post The 20 Best Online Master’s in Creative Writing appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Biochemistry is the science of life. All our life processes – walking, talking, moving, feeding – are essentially chemical reactions. So biochemistry is actually the chemistry of life, and it’s supremely interesting. – Aaron Ciechanover

Chemistry is the science of energy, matter, and how they interact. It is compelling, universal, and constantly omnipresent in our lives, whether we acknowledge it or not.

Besides being a fascinating, challenging discipline, studying chemistry will let you understand all that silently governs the world around us. Energy and matter’s combinations, conflicts and reactions control, maintain and structure what we see and experience, as well as all that we can’t. But when you study chemistry, you can explore and comprehend what was previously unknowable, and begin to take control of processes that generally act upon us instead of at our behest.

In science, chemistry is seen as a bridge between biology and physics. It’s known for facilitating understanding of the world at a fundamental level. You need chemistry to understand how plants and animals consume and process energy, which is essential to botany and biology. You also need it to explore the way rocks are formed, or how the ozone came to be, and the factors degrading it. In medicine, forensics, astrophysics, you name it, chemistry is the way we describe and explain the world around us.

We take discoveries like the periodic table, electrons, and the inner workings of oxygen for granted, but think about how remarkable those findings were, especially considering they were uncovered in the 1700s and 1800s. Imagine defining and identifying unseen aspects of the world that few had even imagined or attempted to describe. That’s what chemists do.

Chemistry hasn’t only shown us the nature of the world we live in, and it’s helped us tap into parts of ourselves that may have remained dormant forever without intervention.

Like many breakthroughs in chemistry LSD was created accidentally. In 1938 Swiss chemist Albert Hoffman was researching ergot, a deadly fungus that could be used to constrict blood vessels and aid childbirth when administered in small doses. During his work, Hoffman and his colleagues accidentally synthesized LSD. They didn’t even realize its hallucinogenic properties until five years later. Since then the drug has had a profound impact on our culture, and many people credit it for changing the way they perceive themselves, others, and the world.

And of course, chemists have saved countless lives through their work with vaccines. In the 17th and 18th centuries, smallpox was killing massive swaths of the European population. It wasn’t until Lady Mary Wortley Montagu adopted the Turkish technique of inoculation on her own son, and brought the practice back to England that the disease began to be defeated. Eventually, Edward Jenner invented the smallpox vaccine in 1796, marking the first time a successful vaccine was created. He used inoculation to do so, and smallpox has since been eradicated.

These are just a few of the things chemists have done over the years that changed humanity, and the world itself.

You can be a part of these discoveries, critical research, and life-changing work by earning a degree in chemistry. It won’t be a painless path, but it can be an extremely rewarding one. However, it begins with finding the right chemistry degree for you, which can be a daunting process. That’s why we’re here to help.

In this sprawling resource we’ll look at the different levels of chemistry degrees, going over different focus areas in the field, look at the work we’ve created at Degree Query to help you find the right chemistry degree for you, and we’ll try to help you determine whether chemistry is the right fit for you or not.

While reading this, please ask yourself and consider the following:

• What are your short and longterm career goals, and how can a chemistry degree in turning them from goals into realities?
• Chemistry is a broad field with many applications, so don’t beat yourself up if you don’t know exactly what you want to do in it yet, however, having a general idea will be helpful in your degree search.
• What degree level have you achieved thus far in your higher education? What job would you like in chemistry, and what degree level is necessary to be qualified for it?
• Entry-level chemistry positions often require a Bachelor’s degree, but candidates with graduate or doctoral degrees are extremely coveted, especially for highly competitive or supervisory roles.
• How much can you pay in tuition and the other associated costs for a specific chemistry degree, and how much would you have to take out in loans in order to pay for one?
• There are many costs that can come with earning a chemistry degree. Factors governing these include the school you choose and its prices, the delivery formats you select, scholarships, and loans you might qualify for, along with many other contributing elements.
• Whenever possible, try to choose a school you can afford instead of borrowing money. For many people, this isn’t possible, so if you need to borrow money to afford a degree, do your best to find public loans instead of private ones. You should also strive to pick programs from schools that are more affordable, accredited, and non-profit over expensive, for-profit options.
• Try to calculate approximately how much an investment in school would cost through all of its components, and how much return on investment you can expect in the 5-10 years after you graduate from it.
• How much time are you able to devote to a specific chemistry degree daily, weekly, and in total before you graduate from it? Different chemistry degree programs offer their classes through many different formats.
• These might include full-time, part-time, online, on-campus, or through a hybrid of online and traditional on-campus instruction.
• Where do you want to live and work after earning your chemistry degree? Different states, cities, and industries have higher or lower demands for chemists.
• What is your career and educational background thus far? How can a chemistry degree program you’re looking at reinforce your strengths and mitigate your weaknesses?
• What are the available specializations in chemistry degrees? How can a focus or specialization in the field help you achieve your educational and career goals?

This is just a light smattering of the questions and considerations you should explore while searching for a chemistry degree (or any other degree program). Whenever you’re searching for a degree, it’s very helpful to write out any other desires, needs, questions, considerations, and anything else that will impact the schools you can and want to get into. You need to determine what you want from a chemistry program, and whether one is fulfilling those needs.

Now let’s look at some of the things that make chemists successful. Please consider if these apply to you and if they don’t, whether you want to work towards them. Is chemistry right for you? Only you can determine that for sure, but this can help:

What are the Qualities and Attributes that Make Chemists Successful?

• Willingness to Continue Your Education: While you can work as a successful chemist after earning a Bachelor’s, those who continue to earn advanced degrees will see far more success and more importantly, gain a much better understanding of the field.
• Open-mindedness: Many major discoveries in chemistry happened because of someone’s curiosity or refusal to take conventional wisdom as empirical truth. New discoveries are happening all the time that can dramatically change what we take for granted, and good chemists embrace this intrinsically.
• Flexibility: Chemists work many different places, taking on vastly different responsibilities depending on their position. You’ll need to be open to doing work that may not be ideal to you as you build up your chemistry career.
• Actual Experience: Chemistry is highly theoretical, but also extremely practical. If you have some experience in a lab or can get some, that will do wonders for increasing your opportunities in the field.
• Analytical Chops: Chemists must use logic, analysis, and the willingness to reexamine things they’ve taken for granted to be successful.
• Organized and Problem Solving: You’ll be juggling a lot, so the ability to break it into bite-sized pieces is huge for chemists. Most importantly though, you’ll need a knack for identifying problems, hypothesizing solutions, then testing and recalibrating your prescriptions.

Now let’s look at what we’ve done at Degree Query to help you find a chemistry degree or another educational discipline that’s right for you:

How Can We Help You Find the Right Chemistry Degree for You?

Here at Degree Query we’ve worked very hard to give you tools you need to find the right degree for you, whether that’s in chemistry or another educational area. We’ve ranked jobs, schools, and degree options in a number of ways. We’ve answered common questions about the higher education landscape, built tools like our interactive compare careers resource, which was designed to help you find the best degree for your needs and goals. Some of the work we’ve done that applies to chemistry and adjacent fields, and the schools that offer them include:

Rankings

• Top 50 Degrees for the Future
• Top 50 Degrees For Changing The World
• Top 50 Highest Paying Master’s Degrees
• Top 20 Highest Paying Online Degrees
• Top 10 Highest Paying Medical Specialties
• Top 10 Highest Paying Science Careers
• Top 10 Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Environmental Science

And here’s some of the question’s we’ve answered:

Frequently Asked Questions

• What Can I Do With a Chemical Engineering Degree?
• What Can I Do With a Food Science Degree?
• What Is the Benefit of a Chemical Engineering Degree Vs a Chemistry Degree?
• What Classes Will I Have to Take for a Degree in Materials Engineering?
• What Classes Will I Have to Take for a Degree in Agricultural Engineering?
• What Classes Will I Have to Take for a Degree in Chemical Engineering?
• What Can I Do With a Degree in Medicine?
• What Can I Do With a Degree in Science?
• What Degree Do I Need to Be an Organic Chemist?
• What Degree Do You Need to Be an Astrophysicist?

If you find any school through our content that seems like a good fit for you, do yourself a favor and reach out to their support staff directly to request more information. You’ll often find a dedicated team that is eager to help you in your application process and do their best to competently answer any questions you might have about the schools they work for and the programs those schools offer.

Now let’s get into the different levels available to prospective chemistry students:

What are the Different Levels of Chemistry Degrees?

Associates in Chemistry

If you’re looking to get your beak wet in the world of chemistry this is a great place to start. In these introductory higher education degrees you’ll get a formative base of knowledge in areas like molecular chemistry, biochemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physics, geology, calculus, and more. You might get the opportunity to do some lab work, and upon graduation will be prepared to push your education forward to the baccalaureate level, or for entry-level employment in chemistry as an assistant technician or similar role. These programs most often take two years to complete. They can also save you time and money if you take them through a community or junior college then transfer into a four-year degree program. Speaking of which:

Bachelors in Chemistry

These programs take four years to complete and give a much more in-depth look at the field. You’ll study experimental physics, biology, cell biology, calculus, advanced algebra, differential equations, techniques of chemical measurement, and much more. There will be plenty of lab work to give you practical experience in the field, especially regarding research and experimentation. Graduates can go on to work for drug companies, chemical research companies, medical examiner’s offices, among many other roles they’ll qualify for, as well as continuing their education at the graduate level.

Masters in Chemistry

If you want a sustainable, longterm career in chemistry, it makes a lot of sense to earn your Master’s in the field. Here you’ll gain comprehensive, exceptional instruction and hours of lab practice in areas of chemistry like environmental chem, organic chem, analytical chem, and biochemistry. You’ll build up your research skills, which are essential to a thriving, long-term career in chemistry. You can expect these programs to take two years to complete and build towards a thesis project that draws from original research you’ve done on a topic of your choice. Graduates will be trained to work in some of the most desired positions in chemistry or move on to their doctorate.

Doctorates in Chemistry

Here you’ll need four to seven years of arduous work, advanced courses, independent study, and the will to reach the upper echelon of chemistry no matter what it takes. If you want to do professional research in chemistry in a wide range of settings, this is the degree for you. If you’re going to teach higher education courses in chemistry: same deal. You can also work in healthcare, consumer affairs, for government agencies, drug companies, and many other industries, and be qualified for their top positions.

Now that we’ve explored the different levels of chemistry degrees let’s dive into the various specializations in the field that can refine your education and career in the direction of your choosing:

What are Your Chemistry Specialization Options?

There are many focus areas within chemistry, but here are a few of the most common options:

Chemical Physics

Here you’ll combine physics, math, and chemistry. You’ll study advanced applied math, electronics, quantum physics, thermodynamics, among other topics. You’ll also likely explore biology. These are incredibly interdisciplinary degrees that give graduates an incredibly versatile education in diverse math and sciences.

Paleontology

In this specialization you’ll study fossilized remains with the goal of understanding previous organisms and environments. You can uncover the impacts of current and past climate change, and you’ll use chemical analysis on fossilized plants, animals, soils, and much more.

Organic Chemistry

Here you’ll learn to use chemistry to create medicines, plastics, foods, fuel, and much more. Graduates can expect to find roles at biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical companies, or do research and development at a number of organizations, among other positions they’ll qualify for.

Geochemistry

These programs will help you study the processes, structure, and other physical aspects of the planet. You’ll explore the chemical makeup of rocks, minerals, soil, water systems, and more. You can work to mitigate climate change, measure its effects, dispose of toxic materials, encourage the use of alternative energies, predict earthquakes, and do extensive research. You’ll also likely do a lot of field work, so if you enjoy being on the go this might be the discipline for you.

Environmental Chemistry

This is related to geochemistry, but more geared explicitly towards examining how chemicals (often contaminating ones) move through different environments. You’ll study how these chemicals impact ecosystems, animals, and humans. You can try to correct the damage chemicals are doing through the disposal of hazardous waste, do critical laboratory analysis of chemical interactions, and much more. (Learn more about the 5 best careers in environmental science.)

Forensic Chemistry

Here you’ll learn to examine isolated, specific environments or crime scenes to answer essential questions. You might end up in a crime laboratory, and depending on what degree you earn, end up running one. If you want to solve complex problems and help serve justice, this might be the best chemistry degree pathway for you.

Now that we’ve looked into the different degree levels in chemistry and some of the most common specializations, we’re almost ready to wrap up. However, before we go let’s look at some markers of how much you can earn as a chemist, and cover some last notes on your school search:

Chemistry Degrees in Conclusion

Here at Degree Query we hope you’ve found this guide very beneficial and stimulating. So what will you get out of a chemistry degree in terms of providing for yourself and your loved ones?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has found that chemists and materials scientists earned a median pay of $78,330 in 2018. There were 96,200 of these jobs in 2016, and BLS expects there will be a 7% growth between 2016-26 (as fast as the average across the economy), which will lead to 6,300 new positions. The typical entry-level education for chemist and material scientist positions is a Bachelor’s degree.

The lowest 10% of people in these positions earned less than $52,560 in May 2018, and the top 10% earned over $159,970. Some areas associated with higher pay include research and development in the engineering, physical, and life sciences, and chemists that are working in the federal government.

Please keep in mind that if you find a great program or school for you through our content, it’ll do wonders to reach out to their support staff directly to ask for help in your application process or to answer any questions you might have about the school or program.

We here at Degree Query are rooting for you to find the best degree for you and change your life and career! Best of luck!

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

And due to the recent and near-ubiquitous adoption of online education over recent years, there are more options for prospective economics than ever before. Even some of the most traditionalist and conversative universities around the world have recently adopted online education in response to the worldwide pandemic, which has led to many of the best master’s of economics programs shifting offerings to the digital education space. 

This widespread adoption of online education has simultaneously unraveled cynical skepticism toward online education on both the side of employers and educators, meaning that there have simultaneously never been more options and these options have never had such acceptance and approval. So with this in mind, our researchers have done the legwork and compiled some of the best options to consider for earning your master’s of economics online. 

Our researchers have organized this ranking according to metrics that we believe will be most meaningful to prospective students–including overall prestige of the institution, graduation rate, tuition costs, and aggregate scores from parallel education rankings. 

1 West Texas A&M University

The West Texas A&M University Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business offers a renowned economics program that can be completed as a fully online master’s degree. The program has racked up numerous accolades that recognize it for outstanding standards of excellence and promising outcomes for program graduates. Students of the program will master the skills needed to succeed in careers of economic and financial consulting and advising in either the private or public sector. 

The program can be completed through 36 to 45 credit hours of coursework that is completed through an asynchronous schedule. The program also offers excellent flexibility for students who wish to progress through the program while holding down full-time employment. As such, hard working professionals have up to six years to complete the program so as to ensure a comfortable work-life balance.

Net Price: $13,185

Learn more about the Top Online Master’s Degree in Economics at Texas A&M University here.

2 Purdue University

The Purdue University Krannert School of Management is one of the most prestigious and respected business schools in the country and beyond. Students of the Krannert School of Management go on to achieve their goals through exemplary careers. Among other top-notch degree programs, the Krannert School of Management offers a fully online Master of Science of Economics.  

Students of the program will learn from top-tier faculty who specialize in cutting-edge quantitative and empirical instructional methods. As such, students will progress through a high-tech curriculum that enforces study in the following areas: econometrics (big data, machine learning), statistical software applications, modern computational and programming tools (Python), business outcome-forecasting, game theory and more.

Students of the program will be able to choose from a four degree specialization tracks: 

• Business and Data Analytics
• Financial Economics
• Public Economics and Policy
• Advanced Theory

Net Price: $12,527

Learn more about the Top Online Master’s Degrees in Economics at Purdue University here.

3 University of Missouri

The University of Missouri offers a number of career-centric degree programs that are designed to propel students to the next threshold of professional advancement. Particularly in the case of the College of Arts and Sciences, programs are designed to position graduates to capitalize on market needs and job market opportunities. Specifically, the College offers a fully online Master of Arts in Economics. 

Esteemed faculty cultivate students’ skill sets with hands-on learning opportunities meant to cultivate mastery in the following areas: public sector business development, international trade, international finance, economic development.

Students who graduate from the program will be prepared to take on employment in any of the following roles (evidenced by recent graduates who hold these titles):

• Data Scientist
• Director of Institutional Research
• Economic Development Incentive Specialist
• Energy Markets Manager
• Lecturer in Economics
• Quantitative Modeling Analyst

Learn more about the Top Online Master’s Degrees in Economics at University of Missouri here. 

Net Price: $18,480

4 University of Detroit Mercy    

The University of Detroit at Mercy College of Liberal Arts & Education offers some of the most recognized and awarded degree programs on this list. This particularly true for one program in particular, the fully online Master of Science in Applied Data Analytics has racked up numerous accolades recognizing it for its top-tier education and promising outcomes for recent graduates. 

While not listed as an economics program in the name, the program is specifically designed to position students within the field of global economics. In fact, the data analytics curriculum represents a well-informed strategy to position students to capitalize on the rising prominence of data-centric strategy in economic careers. 

For students interested in the technical side of global economics, few programs replicate this commitment to a high tech, career-centric curriculum.

Learn more about the Top Online Master’s Degrees in Economics at the University of Detroit here.

Net Price: $20,415

5 Ohio University

Ohio University offers a globally-minded, STEM-designated Master of Arts in Economics that is particularly accommodating to international students. The STEM designation allows for a program classification, which grants up to 24 months of extra training after graduation for international students. 

The program can be completed at jaw-dropping pace, with completion in as little as one year. Class sizes are kept to a small number to encourage full integration and engagement between students. This is meant to convey a focus on socially aware collaboration, which is an integral part of the economist’s profession. 

Specifically, graduates of the program will be prepared to excel in any of the following career paths: 

• Data Analyst
• Research Analyst
• Financial manager
• Policy analyst
• College instructor

Learn more about the Top Online Master’s Degrees in Economics at Ohio University here.

Net Price: $6,677

6 Johns Hopkins University

John Hopkins University is a school that confers tremendous clout to graduates of its programs. JHU is at the forefront of research in countless fields, and produces industry-shifting professionals year after year. Most of its programs commit to industry-relevant research methods, so that graduates enter the job market armed with knowledge of the current market needs and opportunities. 

JHU’s Online Master of Applied Economics offers one of the most flexible and accommodating degree programs on this list. Students can choose from a robust catalogue to facilitate building a unique profile of training. Students will be able to choose from 7 concentrations and 27 electives in order to build the program that is best suited to individual career aspirations. 

Moreover, students can complete the program in as little as 12 to 24 months. Making this one of the most prestigious, flexible, and efficient programs on this list–which more than justifies the comparatively high tuition costs. 

Learn more about the Top Online Master’s Degrees in Economics at Johns Hopkins University here.

Net Price: $30,701

7 American University

American University is a school that focuses on providing students with a foundation to build professional thriving and success. Its online programs are helmed by top-tier faculty who hold at least 20 years of experience in their respective specialties, and who work to stay on top of the most current trends and opportunities.

American University offers a host of online degree programs, among which is a fully online Master of Arts in Economics. As with many of its programs, American University offers tremendously affordable tuition rates which are further tempered by generous financial aid packages and transfer credit policies. 

American University is an ideal option for students who want quality education that can bring them into the job market quickly and affordably. From enrollment to graduation, students of the program will complete the following required courses: 

• Introduction to Mathematical Economics
• Microeconomic Theory
• Macroeconomic Theory
• Applied Econometrics I
• Applied Econometrics II
• Economics MA Capstone Seminar

Learn more about the Top Online Master’s Degrees in Economics at American University here.

Net Price: $9,656

8 Youngstown State University

Youngstown State University offers a fully online Online Master of Arts in Financial Economics Program, which is designed to accommodate students with even the busiest of work schedules. The program’s curriculum is designed to cultivate an awareness of global economics and international business, so that students can analyse data sets from all angles. 

To this end, coursework is strongly positioned in data science fundamentals in the context of financial analyses. As such students will become well-accustomed to research methods and protocols for assessment of an entity’s financial operations–which will position graduates for success in both public and private sectors. 

Students will complete the following required courses:

• Microeconomic Theory
• Macroeconomic Theory
• The Economics of Financial Markets and Institutions
• Econometrics
• Research Seminar
• Finance for Decision Making
• Financial Statement Analysis
• Corporate Financial Management
• Securities Analysis

Learn more about the Top Online Master’s Degrees in Economics at Youngstown State University here.

Net Price: $11,595

9 Georgia Southern University

The Georgia Southern Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies provides students with a strong career-centric foundation from which to build professional advancement. Specifically, students at the College will have the opportunity to earn a fully online Master of Science in Applied Economics (M.S.A.E.). 

Students of the program will delve deeply into topics relating to business development, performance metrics, and financial analyses. As such, graduates will be prepared to work in any industry which participates in economic development, public utilities, or federal and state regulation. 

For students interested in a curriculum that tackles state and federal regulation practices and policies this program is an ideal option. 

Learn more about the Top Online Master’s Degrees in Economics at Regent University here.

Net Price: $15,795

10 University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota is a research-centric school that leverages a large network of research partners and facilities to offer industry-aware programs that capitalize on market opportunities. This is particularly beneficial in degree programs that benefit the most from cutting-edge research methods, such as is the case with the fully online Master’s in Applied Economics & Predictive Analytics.

The program is completed through 30 credit hours either online or on-campus, which typically takes around 2 years. Students of the program will build toward specialization in key areas such as the following:

• Econometrics
• Statistical analysis
• Utilizing industry standard software (such as STATA)
• Programming languages (such as ‘R’ and Python)
• Operational Metrics 

Learn more about the Top Online Master’s Degrees in Economics at Regent University here.

Net Price: $15,970

For Further Reading:

Top 10 Graduate Degree Programs in Criminal Justice

What Degree Do I Need to Be a Policy Analyst?

The post The 10 Best Online Masters in Economics appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

And as the world has seen in recent years due to the world pandemic, having qualified nurses is among the most vital aspects of responding to national medical emergencies. Thus many existing nursing programs are seeing a bump in funding and support, while many new nursing programs sprout up in program catalogues. As such, prospective nurse educators will find that there are more options than ever before for earning a Master’s of Nursing Education, particularly in the context of online degree programs. 

While online education was certainly trending towards the mainstream over recent years, the pandemic has urged ubiquitous integration. Today, many of the best nursing education programs offer online programs that are designed entirely for adult learners and working students. And oftentimes these programs offer accelerated tracks, flexible formats, and career-centric specializations so that students can enter the job market efficiently, primed to compete in the job market. 

In this ranking, our researchers have done the legwork–scouring veritable mountains of data to identify the best online programs overall. The programs of this ranking are organized according to metrics of affordability, graduation rate, and overall prestige, as is conferred by existing rankings in trusted publications such as US News & World Report and The Princeton Review.

1 Texas Woman’s University

Texas Woman’s University (TWU) demonstrates a willingness to innovate while holding true to the support of women. TWU offers many nursing degree programs both in online and on-campus formats–from a nurse practitioner program, to a nursing education program, to a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. TWU’s nursing programs are consistently recognized for offering a rare combination of affordability, flexibility, and academic rigor. 

Specifically, students can earn a Master’s of Nursing Education at TWU that can be completed entirely online. Highly experienced faculty work closely with each student, grooming them for positions of leadership. At TWU’s Master of Nursing Education program, students will learn from the best of the best–and will learn how to pass on this knowledge to the next generation of nursing students. 

Learn more about the Online Master’s of Nursing Education Program at Texas Woman’s University

2 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) offers a selection of highly affordable nursing degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. What UTRGV does to distinguish itself is it offers students programs that are simultaneously some of the most affordable on this list while also providing a level of career-centric education that is typically more common in programs with larger infrastructure and tuition costs.

Students at UTRGV School of Nursing: Division of Health Affairs can earn a Master of Science in Nursing with a Nursing Education emphasis. The program is completed entirely through online coursework that emphasizes flexibility without sacrificing core learning objectives. Students of the program will learn how to work with students from vastly different backgrounds. Graduates of the program often go on to teach at two and four year universities, as well community colleges.

Learn more about the Online Master’s of Nursing Education Program at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

3 The University of Texas at Arlington

The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) College of Nursing and Health Innovation offers a selection of high-end nursing programs delivered at the associate, baccalaureate, and graduate level. The College of Nursing and Health Innovation specializes in online nursing education, offering online degree programs that consistently rank among the best within their categories.

UTA’s College of Nursing and Health Innovation offers students a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Nursing Education. The program is completed through 39 credit hours of coursework in as few as 19 to 21 months, making it one of the most efficient programs listed. The College’s specialization in online nursing education means that students will progress through classes that utilize cutting-edge technology to replicate the clinical experience of nursing and medical situations–an excellent selling point for students who want to ensure that they make no sacrifices to benefit from the convenience of online education.

Learn more about the Online Master’s of Nursing Education Program at The University of Texas at Arlington

4 University of Nevada, Las Vegas

The University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) offers a number of affordable, career-focused degree programs. UNLV distinguishes itself through a clear commitment to offering students actionable curriculums that are designed to position students for success in the job market upon graduation. As such, program curriculums are constantly in flux as they adapt to the ever changing tides of industry. 

THe UNLV Master of Science in Nursing program offers students three tracks to consider: Family Nurse Practitioner Track, Nursing Education Track, and a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track. Only the Nursing Education Track is available to online students. Graduates of the nursing education program will be prepared to excel in the following areas: 

• Utilizing research to continually evolve teaching ability
• Developing teaching plans to maximize student learning 
• Assessing and evaluating academic programs, coursework, and student engagement 
• Working as a leader in various professional settings 
• Furthering the field of nursing education 

Learn more about the Online Master’s of Nursing Education Program at The University of Nevada

5 Stony Brook University

The Stony Brook University School of Nursing offers a robust selection of nursing degree programs. Many of which can be completed entirely online through flexible coursework meant to accommodate even the busiest of working students. Stony Brook University designs each of its degree programs so that working adults can seek professional advancement without sacrificing their jobs or a health work-life balance.

The Stony Brook School of Nursing offers an online Master of Science in Nursing Education that is built around a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum. Students of the program will commit to a set of core learning objectives, which are meant to represent the high bar required to become a top-tier nursing educator. While the program’s curriculum is demanding with little flexibility and no room for elective offerings, students can enjoy the confidence that once completing it they will be prepared to build success in their careers as nursing educators.

Learn more about the Online Master’s of Nursing Education Program at Stony Brook University

6 Western Governors University

Western Governors University is a force of innovation and modernization in the higher education industry. Western Governors University (WGU) was among the first universities in the country to devote its resources to becoming a technologically advanced hub for online education. Since its inception in 1997, WGU has continually distinguished itself by offering tremendously affordable degree programs that are based entirely around positioning students for success in the job market. 

WGU offers a unique nursing education program. Specifically, students can earn a fully online BSN-to-MSN in Nursing Education. 80% of graduates finished the program in just two years, making it a blindingly fast option for undergraduates who want to graduate with an MSN in Nursing Education. Not only is the program one of the most efficient on the market, but it is also the most affordable program listed in this article. Any prospective nursing educator will want to consider this option.

Learn more about the Online Master’s of Nursing Education Program at Western Governors University

7 Ferris State University

The Ferris State University College of Health Professionals School of Nursing combines a selection of prestigious degree programs with a number of specialized tracks and certificate programs that can be completed entirely online on a flexible schedule. In short, Ferris State School of Nursing is quickly becoming a premier hub for nursing students around the country, and even around the world. 

The Ferris State University School of Nursing offers a unique format for a graduate-level nursing education program. That is, students can earn a Master of Science in Nursing or an Accelerated RN-to-MSN with an optional Nursing Education Certificate. The certificate program enables students to engage a traditional MSN curriculum while becoming acquainted with the fundamentals of nursing education. This path however, will be best suited for those who are not looking to build careers entirely around nursing education and instead are looking to chart a road somewhere between professional nursing and nursing education.

Learn more about the Online Master’s of Nursing Education Program at Ferris State University

8 East Tennessee State University

The East Tennessee State University College of Nursing offers the prestige and tradition associated with large state universities with decades of demonstrated excellence, combined with the cutting-edge technology and infrastructure of a university specializing in online education. In other words, the ETSU College of Nursing is a rare example of a College that expanded into online education smoothly with nothing but success and notoriety. Students who enroll in an online nursing degree at ETSU will benefit from excellence in the College’s four pillars: education, scholarship/research, service, and practice.

Online nursing students at ETSU can earn one the following MSN degree concentrations: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Education, Nursing Administration, and the Family Nurse Practitioner. The proficiency of instructors and overall program is demonstrated by the certification exam pass-rates: 100% Pass Rate on PMHNP Certification, 98% Pass rate on FNP Certification for 2020.

The program also differentiates itself by the focus provided to nursing education in the context of a rural environment. So students who are interested in taking their nursing education careers to a rural location will likely find this program to be a top contender. 

Learn more about the Online Master’s of Nursing Education Program at East Tennessee State University

9 Angelo State University

Angelo State University has updated many of its nursing degree program offeringings to reflect the national shortage of nurses. Its programs are relatively affordable, but really demonstrate their value in the quality of education offered. Students of these programs will participate in state of the art nursing education technology which is meant to simulate real-world situations. This technology is extremely valuable in online education, where students run the risk of missing out on certain real-world learning objectives. 

Angelo State University offers a number of fully online Master of Science in Nursing programs. Among which is a Master of Science in Nursing Education program, which is fully accredited and recognized by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Students of the program will progress through a comprehensive curriculum based on the following topics and courses:

• Curriculum in Nursing Education
• Teaching Strategies and Evaluation in Nursing Education
• Roles and Financial Management in Nursing Education
• Advanced Nursing Clinical Practice for Nurse Educators
• Capstone Practicum in Nursing Education
  

Learn more about the Online Master’s of Nursing Education Program at Angelo State University

10 Winona State University

Winona State University offers a number of industry-aware nursing programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and even postgraduate level. Students can consider an RN-to-MSN pathway, as well as Master’s of Nursing programs with the following concentration tracks: Nurse Educator (NE), Nursing Leadership: Nursing and Organizational Leadership. Regardless of their chosen program, students will program through an evidence-based curriculum which promotes critical analyses and objective decision-making. 

Specifically though, students of the Master’s level Nurse Education (NE) track will master the fundamentals of curriculum-design, student mentorship, and research. Students of the program will program through a fully online curriculum that covers the following specialized subjects:

• Molecular, Genetic and Immune Mechanisms in Disease
• Advanced Clinical Pharmacology
• Advanced Pathophysiology
• Advanced Health Assessment
• Nursing Education: Theory and Research
• Nursing Education Curriculum & Program Design 
• Nursing Education: Instruction and Evaluation
• Nursing Education: Instruction and Evaluation Practicum/Clinical
  

Learn more about the Online Master’s of Nursing Education Program at Winona State University

For Further Reading:

Top 10 Graduate Degree Programs in Criminal Justice

The post The 10 Best Online Master’s in Nursing Education appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

In 2019 there were more than 1.4 million accounting jobs in the US economy, making it one of the most sizable traditional job markets. Explosive growth is more typical of a new job economy or industry and does not reflect the health of the accountancy job market. In fact, explosive growth within the accounting industry is happening–it’s just not happening in the traditional places that one might expect. 

Cloud accounting software, automation artificial intelligence (AI), and other forms of information technology (IT) are spurring evolution across various sectors of the accounting profession. Expert accountants are able to leverage a command of IT to automate large portions of the daily workload and streamline monotonous tasks. 

Accountants who use IT simultaneously reduce the brain-drain of carrying out repetitive, monotonous tasks day-in and day-out, but it also increases the workload-capacity for these talented accountants, which ultimately makes them more competitive in the job market–they are better compensated and maintain more secure prospects of future employment.  

Why Earn an Online Master’s in Accounting?

Earning a Master’s of Accounting is an excellent strategy for positioning one’s self for success in the accounting industry. Many of the best accounting positions are reserved for those with an advanced graduate degree or for those who have established a specialization. As mentioned above one of the most promising specializations to pursue is one in information technology, data science, or [accounting] software development. 

Online Master’s of Accounting programs are typically designed to accommodate working adults, meaning course formats offer the flexibility that allows students to complete coursework amidst even the most demanding of schedules. Online programs can also typically be completed more quickly than traditional on-campus variants. So oftentimes an online master’s represents the most efficient entrypoint into the job market. 

And in 2021 with most American universities offering online programs there is a good fit for any student. Luckily our researchers have done the legwork for you, and we have compiled the best online Master’s of Accounting for your consideration below: 

Best Online Master’s of Accounting

1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 

UNC at Chapel Hill is a premier institution of higher education in the southeast known for cultivating world class professionals, top tier thinkers, and paradigm-shifting innovators. UNC Kenan-Flagler produces some of the accounting field’s most impactful professionals. Its programs train students in addressing the real world problems of the industry, so that upon graduation they are prepared to provide constructive solutions in the workplace. 

UNC Kenan-Flagler offers a fully online Master of Accounting program that is completed through 36 to 48 credit’s worth of coursework. The on-campus variant of the program is hailed as one of the best of its kind, and the online option vows to offer the same level quality and academic rigor. 

Students of the program will engage coursework in independent projects and through peer collaboration. The program faculty commit to providing students with more than just education, they look to provide students with mentorship and professional guidance. This is likely why the placement rate for graduates is so high–98% of students have accepted a job offer within three months of graduating from the program. 

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2. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 

The University of Illinois is a nationally recognized institution of academic excellence which has broadened its online offerings to service students around the globe. Today the University offers more than 100 online degree options delivered through 1700 courses, making it one of the most robust online education programs in the country. 

The University of Illinois Gies College of Business is the first of the top 5 ranked accountancy programs to offer a fully online program option. The online Master of Science in Accounting program can be completed in 18 months of 36 months, depending on which cadence best accommodates a student’s schedule. 

Students of the program will learn from industry giants–faculty who have demonstrated success and innovation in the real world. But one of the most distinguishing offerings is the extensive alumni network of the program, which seems committed to helping both current students and recent graduates find success. 

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3. North Carolina State University 

North Carolina State University (NCSU) is built around a model of experiential learning–that is that students ‘learn by doing.’ NCSU encourages students to engage communities both local and abroad in order to expand horizons and broaden professional repertoires. NCSU is consistently recognized for offering a multitude of world class degree programs. 

Among which is the Master of Accounting program that can be completed entirely online that is designed to offer both flexibility and academic rigor. This highly competitive program will challenge students to take their skills and knowledge to the next level. Specifically, the program prepares students to take on positions of management and leadership in the accounting industry after graduation. 

The program’s tuition is about $34,000 for in-state students and $60,000 for out-of-state students. While this price tag might seem high, the program is recognized as one of the best of its kind–where graduates are sure to see highly lucrative employment opportunities. 

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4. California State University-Sacramento 

California State University-Sacramento (CSUS) is committed to driving innovation in the higher education space. Its efforts have been both largely successful and recognized, as Money Magazine ranked CSUS as the ‘9th Most Transformative’ among top U.S. colleges. Among its innovations is the University’s recent expansion into online education where its programs seek to service working students and busy professionals. 

Among these online programs is a Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA) that is 100% compatible with the CPA exam, so that graduates will be perfectly positioned to pursue careers at certified public accountants. Coursework is delivered through a variety of formats to keep the online education experience fresh and stimulating. 

Students will progress through a combination of streaming classroom sessions, chat-based group projects, and more. Beyond the preparation for the CPA exam, students will delve deeply into the following topics: 

• Auditing Attestation
• Financial Accounting and Reporting
• Regulation
• Business Environment and Concepts

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5. The University of West Florida 

The University of West Florida (UWF) is built around the core mission of providing students with affordable education programs that do not sacrifice academic merit. At UWF students will be groomed to become creative and innovative professionals who can offer solutions to real world problems. This grooming is accomplished by project-based learning, real-world projects, and team-based collaboration. This will be of particular helpfulness to aspiring accountants whose profession is a largely collaborative one. 

UWF offers an AACSB-accredited, fully online Master of Accountancy program that prepares students to thrive in professions of finance, accounting, and business. This flexibility of professional direction is a core and distinguishing element of the program. 

Students can choose to focus on one of two specialization tracks that are meant to reflect the most common professional paths in the industry. Specifically students can choose between the following program paths: Professional Accountancy, or Professional Taxation specialization. 

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6. George Mason University 

George Mason University (GMU) is Virginia’s largest public research university and services more than 37,000 students from around the globe. In 2016 GMU was recognized by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education to be one of the most impactful research universities in the United States. GMU leverages its extensive research infrastructure to inform its degree programs, position programs to reflect real world challenges and industry trends. 

This approach will be of particular value to accountants whose education will benefit massively from a program that reflects current market trends. GMU offers a fully online Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) program that prepares students to capitalize on current opportunities in the industry. 

Perspectives of this program will find its metrics of success highly alluring. Graduates of the program earn higher salaries than professionals who hold a Bachelor of Accounting–roughly $10,000 more. And 7 out of 10 students have already secured a position in their chosen specialty by the time of their graduation. 

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7. University of Connecticut

The University of Connecticut School of Business is one of the premier institutions of business education in the United States. And with its expansion into the online education space, more students can benefit from its programs than ever before. UConn’s online programs have been recognized by the United States Distance Learning Association for its ‘best practices’ and high standards for academics. 

The UConn School of Business offers a fully online Master of Science in Accounting (MSA). US News & World Report ranked the program as the 9th best program in the United States. The program is one of the most affordable MSA programs on the market–the combination of affordability and academic prestige makes the program extremely attractive, and is the reason we thought it deserved a more generous ranking. 

The MSA program provides students with an extensive catalogue of electives and course options. By strategically pursuing study in key topics, students are able to establish a specialization. The program alters the course catalogue, adding or exchanging courses to reflect the most current industry trends and opportunities.  

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8. Rutgers University

Rutgers University Business School is a name synonymous with prestige and academic excellence. Graduates of the program will benefit from this well-known reputation–both directly through the extensive and highly active alumni network, and indirectly through the employment opportunities that come with an impressive academic background. 

Rutgers Business School offers several graduate level accounting programs: 

• Master of Accountancy in Financial Accounting
• Master of Accountancy in Governmental Accounting
• Master of Accountancy in Professional Accounting
• Master of Accountancy in Taxation

The Master of Professional Accounting program can be completed entirely online, while the other programs typically combine elements of online and on-campus education. 

Students of the Professional Accounting program will learn from world class faculty, who specialize in preparing students to excel as Certified Public Accountants. For professionals interested in broadening their horizons as a CPA, few programs can compete.  

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9. SUNY Polytechnic

SUNY Polytechnic Institute is built on the foundational mission of providing students with the real-world technical skills that facilitate professional success and fulfillment of career aspirations. This approach to building technical expertise will be particularly advantageous for accountants looking to build a strong background in skill-based accounting. 

SUNY Polytechnic offers a fully online Master of Science in Accounting, which is fully accredited and recognized to fulfill the credit requirements of the CPA certification process. Students of the program will complete 33 credits worth of coursework organized into 11 core courses. 

Students will select which courses to complete from a robust catalogue of options. Chosen coursework is meant to facilitate the building of professional speciality, so that students can choose to complete the coursework that is most beneficial to their individual career goals and interests. 

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10. Saint John’s University

St. John’s University is a premier educator in the accounting-education space, and employs a unique focus on positioning theoretical concepts to tackle practical problems. In other words, students at the University will not just study concepts and theories, they will learn how to actually apply these theories and concepts to one’s career to drive actionable results. 

Too few institutions of higher education are willing to apply this focus, because it means constantly tailoring education programs to reflect industry needs and market challenges in the real world. St. John’s offers an online graduate level accounting program that reflects the real world demands of the job market. 

Specifically students can earn a Master of Science in Accounting that is designed to jumpstart careers in tax, auditing, and accounting disciplines. A distinguishing element of this program is that it seeks to position program graduates to take on positions of management and leadership in the job market–positions that are typically the most prestigious and lucrative. 

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11. Georgia Southern University 

Georgia Southern University is one the state’s largest institutions of higher education. A fundamental mission of the University is to provide students with future-focused degree programs so that upon graduating from a program students are prepared for the job market that they enter. This approach is particularly meaningful for accountants, whose profession is constantly evolving and changing in accordance with market demands and other economic factors. 

George Southern students can earn a Master of Accounting Online, or a WebMAcc. The program is meant to be completed on a two year schedule, while providing students with the flexibility to progress through the program without altering professional or personal responsibilities. Ambitious students should not have trouble earning this degree while holding full-time employment. 

The program is provided through the AACSB accredited School of Accountancy, which is a distinction only held by 180 accounting programs in the world. Students of the program can enjoy the confidence that their degree-work will be recognized by all the relevant professional bodies and agencies. 

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12. DePaul University

DePaul University Online distinguishes itself through a uniquely committed faculty who take on a greater role in their students’ lives. Specifically, DePaul faculty are more than just educators, they work to fulfill the role of mentor and adviser for their students. And in the Driehaus College of Business & Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, faculty work to ensure that business-minded students are prepared to make professional goals and aspirations into a reality. 

The Driehaus College of Business & Kellstadt Graduate School of Business offers students a fully online Master of Science in Accounting. Faculty of the program represent world-class professionals with backgrounds as top-notch CPAs and professionals/academics from the Big Four accounting firms. 

Program faculty work to ensure that students are building the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their desired field or area of professional interest. Faculty also leverage extensive professional networks and connections to help ensure students’ have an abundance of career opportunities upon graduation–which is a tremendous value itself.  

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13. Oklahoma Christian University 

As suggested by its name, Oklahoma Christian University maintains strong ties to the Church of Christ. What this means for students is that degree programs will emphasize the principles of community engagement, leadership, and a standard of ethics. All of which are meaningful for professionals regardless of religious orientation or lack thereof. 

Students at Oklahoma Christian can earn a Master of Accountancy that can be completed entirely through online coursework in as little as 12 months. This represents one of the quickest routes to professional advancement for perspectives of graduate accounting programs. The program is accredited and is able to provide this quick pace without sacrificing academic merit. 

Specifically students will participate in an comprehensive exploration of the following topics: 

• Economic Issues
• Advanced Auditing and Professional Ethics
• Advanced Financial Accounting
• Ethics, Decision Making and Communication
• Legal and Regulatory Issues
• Accounting Research and Quantitative Techniques
• Financial Services
• Accounting Theory — Topics in Accounting
• Advanced Tax Accounting

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14. University of South Dakota 

The University of South Dakota (USD) Online looks to provide busy adults and working students with the nationally recognized degrees of the flagship University tailored to provide the utmost flexibility. USD degree programs are consistently recognized as some of the best of their class provided at an affordable rate. Perhaps most astonishing is that USD manages to offer the same tuition rates for both in-state and out-of-state students, which is typically where online degree program tuition rates spiral out of hand. 

USD students can earn a Master of Professional Accountancy from the University of South Dakota Beacom School of Business. The School of Business was first founded in 1927 and has been accredited by the AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) since 1949. Less than 5% of the nation’s business schools have earned this prestigious designation. 

Students of the Master of Professional Accountancy program can choose the general track or the Accounting Analytics Specialization. The specialization track facilitates the building of data science and IT skills, which as mentioned in this article’s intro is one of the burgeoning areas of the accounting industry. 

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15. Maryville University of Saint Louis 

Maryville University Online distinguishes itself in accounting education by emphasizing its future-focused curriculum. Students of its programs will be taught more than just rote memorization of concepts, they will delve deeply into core principles that will help students stay ahead of the curve. And perhaps more importantly, programs teach students how to remain adaptable, so that they can adapt to the ever-changing environment of the accounting industry. 

Students at Maryville University Online can earn a Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) in as little as 10 months. This astonishing pace is accomplished by focusing on central concepts and principles and encouraging students and by offering credits for previous professional experience. 

The program also offers a bridge option that is designed for students who do not have an accounting background. Regardless of the chosen track, graduates of the program will have fulfilled the requirements for the CPA certification. Few programs can compete with the efficiency and flexibility of Maryville’s MSA. 

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16. Saint Leo University 

Saint Leo University is one of the oldest Catholic Institutions in the state of Florida. Today it has evolved to offer programs to students of all faiths around the world through its online degree programs, and research centers in seven states. Saint Leo provides its students with strong liberal arts education that lays a foundation in ethics, leadership, and research-based innovation. 

Embodying these ideals is Saint Leo’s Master of Accounting degree program that can be completed entirely online. Program faculty are committed to upholding a standard of academic excellence that confers professional clout to degree-holders. 

 Students who complete the program will be prepared to complete the CPA and CMA exams and will progress through coursework in classes such as the following: 

• Intermediate Accounting 1
• Cost Accounting
• Auditing
• Financial Statement Analysis
• Accounting Information Systems

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17. Seton Hall University 

Seton Hall University’s online programs are nationally recognized for carrying a strong standard of ethics. Programs emphasize a commitment to the civic good by cultivating leaders who employ a sense of optimism to enact a positive influence in their profession. Seton Hall looks to balance online education by emphasizing real-world examples and projects-based learning. In other words, students at Seton Hall will ‘learn by doing.’ 

The Seton Hall University Stillman School of Business offers students a fully online Master of Science in Accounting. The Stillman School of Business is among the top 1% of its kind in maintaining dual AACSB accreditation in both accounting and business. 

Students of the program will learn more than just the standard accounting curriculum, they will learn how to excel in the corporate environment, how to engage in international markets, and how to leverage technical know-how to advance one’s career. Seton Hall’s accounting program is certainly one of the best of the best. 

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18. Western New England University 

Western New England (WNE) University distinguishes itself through a commitment to fostering an entrepreneurial spirit in students. Degree programs at WNE teach students how to think creatively and how to solve theoretical problems with practical solutions. This type of environment is ideal for accounting professionals with entrepreneurial aspirations. 

The WNE School of Business offers a fully online Master of Science in Accounting that is completed through 30 credits of coursework. The program curriculum is designed to fulfill the prerequisites for the CPA examination and certification process. 

The WNE accounting program distinguishes itself through offering students an excellent opportunity for specialization. Specifically students can earn a degree specialization in Forensic Accounting/Fraud Investigation. 

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19. Saint Joseph’s College of Maine 

Saint Joseph’s College of Maine (SJCME) is a historically Catholic institution with roots connected to the Sisters of Mercy organization. Today though SJCME positions its programs to service students from all backgrounds whether religious or secular, and emphasizes its core values in a commitment to ethical standards and to fostering a sense of civic leadership in students. 

SJCME students can earn a Master of Accountancy (MAcc) that covers advanced and comprehensive studies in finance, taxation, accounting, and auditing. Students will also engage in electives and research projects that facilitate the building of an area of focus. The curriculum fulfills the prerequisites for the CPA examination and certification process. 

A distinguishing element of this program is its interdisciplinary curriculum which covers principles and subjects of universal value to business operations. Graduates of the program will be able to convert information into valuable financial conclusions within any industry. 

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20. New England College

New England College provides students with career-focused education and professional advancement. Central to the College’s values is its commitment to positioning students for professional success and achievement. The College demonstrates this commitment by providing students with unparalleled opportunities for internships, research opportunities, and professional projects. 

New England College offers a Master of Science in Accounting that is completed entirely online through 40 credits of coursework. The program is designed to build key competencies as identified by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. As such, completing the program will complete the prerequisites for the CPA licensure process. 

A distinguishing element of this program is its concentration track option. Specifically students can earn a degree specialization in Forensic Accounting. This specialization track is designed to prepare students to obtain the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) designation.

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

RELATED: Which Degree Do You Need to Become a Lawyer?

Our Law School Rankings Criteria

Given the hundreds of good law schools in the U.S., coming up with a list of just 25 isn’t easy. We looked at several types of data from many different sources to guide our selection of the 25 best law schools. The criteria we considered in formulating these rankings include the following.

American Bar Association Accreditation

Nearly 200 Juris Doctor-granting institutions quality as American Bar Association (ABA)-approved law schools. Every school of law we ranked among the top 25 is ABA-approved.

Selectivity

We measured selectivity based on each school’s 2021 acceptance rate data from the ABA’s 509 Required Disclosures reports.

Median LSAT Score

To get into law school, students typically have to take a standardized test called the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), which is administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). The median LSAT scores listed for each school were also pulled from the ABA’s 509 Required Disclosures reports. These scores represent the 50th percentile of all matriculants, using the highest scores submitted for each matriculant (rather than first-attempt scores).

Bar Exam Pass Rates

Even after you graduate from law school, you can’t legally practice law without first passing the Bar Exam. The Bar Exam pass rates listed for each school represent the weighted law school pass rate, rather than the first-attempt pass rates, reported for 2021, according to data from the ABA.

Employment Outcomes

How many law school graduates actually put their degrees to use in attorney positions that require passing the Bar Exam? The data listed reflects the class of 2020’s 10-month employment rates based on ABA-required employment disclosures.

RELATED: 20 Non-Law Firm Jobs with a Law Degree

Association of American Law Schools Membership

All of the institutions that landed a spot on our list of the top law schools are among the 176 colleges and universities that have attained Association of American Law Schools (AALS) membership. To qualify for membership, schools must meet rigorous requirements in the areas of teaching, faculty scholarship, diversity and governance.

School Reputation

One way to gauge a law school’s reputation is by looking at some of the most longstanding and trusted school rankings available. There are many rankings of law schools based on various methodologies.

In addition to our own research using data provided by the American Bar Association and the schools themselves, we considered where these institutions fall on well-known rankings lists like the 2023 Best Laws Schools by U.S. News & World Report. Every school of law included in our 25 best law schools rankings also made The Princeton Review’s unranked 2022 Best Law Schools list, and many of these institutions were ranked highly on National Law Review’s 2022 Go-To Law Schools list, as well.

Cost

Going to law school is an investment in your future – a big one, given the high cost of education at the Juris Doctor level. We included in our methodology a look at the cost and value of the education you receive. The tuition rates listed below, unless otherwise noted, are resident tuition rates per semester as reported by disclosures submitted by the law schools to the American Bar Association.

Because these schools are highly regarded as excellent institutions of higher learning, many of them come with an expensive price tag. Students should be aware that the “sticker cost” isn’t necessarily what they would actually pay to attend the school. Students can often qualify for scholarships and other forms of financial aid that can put even a school with an expensive tuition rate within reach.

The 25 Best Law Schools

Which law schools offer some of the best law degrees and opportunities for experiential education, research scholarship and customized coursework in the country? The 25 institutions below represent the top law schools in the U.S.

1. Harvard Law School at Harvard University

Harvard Law School in Cambridge, MA, lives up to the Ivy League reputation for which Harvard University is known. The Class of 2020 at Harvard Law School consisted of 570 students, 495 of which had successfully secured employment in a position that requires passing the Bar Exam within 10 months. All told, the 10-month employment rate for Harvard Law School graduates amounted to 86.8%. The National Law Journal’s 2022 Go-To Law School rankings named Harvard number-one on its list of schools where the most alumni were promoted from associate roles to partner roles.

The school boasted the highest 2021 Bar Exam passage rate of all schools on our list, at 99.44% (based on the weighted law school passage rate reported by the American Bar Association). This highly selective school has one of the lowest acceptance rates, at just 6.90%.

Harvard University’s Law School was tied for fourth place on the 2023 U.S. News & World Report rankings and is a charter Member of the AALS. The median LSAT score among matriculated law school students at Harvard University was 174 in 2021. Tuition at the expensive private law school was $67,720 as of 2021.

In Harvard’s Juris Doctor program, first-year students complete studies in constitutional law, criminal law, civil procedure, legislation and regulation, contracts, torts, property and legal research and writing. Through this curriculum, first-year students acquire a foundational understanding of the United States legal system as a whole. The January Experiential Term offers an opportunity to gain practical skills. Small reading groups integrated into law school students’ first year provide an opportunity to explore other topics in legal studies, ranging from bioethics and artificial intelligence to detective fiction and Biblical law.

After students finish the foundational studies of their first year of law school, they move into the upper-level coursework required to become practicing lawyers. Harvard’s JD program offers seven specialized programs of study that students may choose to pursue:

• Law and History
• Law and Government
• Law and Business
• Law and Social Change
• Law, Science and Technology
• International and Comparative Law
• Criminal Justice

In addition to the JD, the school offers a Master of Laws (LLM) graduate degree and a Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) degree for aspiring academics interested in legal scholarship. Harvard Law School currently holds the title of the law school with the most United States Supreme Court Justice alumni. Four Supreme Court Justices who are currently serving – Chief Justice John Roberts, Elena Kagan, Neil Gorsuch and Ketanji Brown Jackson – went to Harvard University for law school.

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RELATED: Is There Value in Getting a Master’s of Law If I’m Already a Lawyer?

2. New York University School of Law

New York University School of Law is the oldest law school in New York City, dating back to 1835. Law students at New York University passed the Bar Exam at a rate of 98.70% in 2021, boasting one of the highest passing rates of the schools on our list. NYU School of Law graduated a class of 476 in 2020, 419 of whom reported relevant employment 10 months later, for a total 10-month employment rate of 88.0%.

U.S. News rankings placed New York University School of Law seventh among all law schools in the country. The National Law Journal ranked New York University as tied for second place for the law school with the most alumni promoted from associates to partners. Further, the Princeton Review named the New York University School of Law the institution with the “Best Career Prospects” in its 2022 Best Law Schools list.

Matriculated students at New York University School of Law reported a median LSAT score of 172. However, the school reported an acceptance rate of 14.52%, considerably higher than institutions like Yale, Harvard and Stanford.

New York University is a Charter Member of the AALS. The price tag of $70,400 tuition cost in 2021 makes this private school among the most expensive on our list.

A Juris Doctor education at New York University won’t just teach you the practical skills you need to practice law. The curriculum, taught by top legal scholars and experts, emphasizes interdisciplinary learning and integrates knowledge of history, philosophy, politics, economics and social theory for a more in-depth, well-rounded understanding of the law and its causes and effects.

That said, your education won’t be purely theoretical, either. Law students at NYU build practical skills by completing more than 40 clinics in areas that range from civil rights, public policy advocacy and environmental law to entrepreneurship and business transactions.

The curriculum includes a variety of courses and extracurricular learning opportunities in areas like global law, law and business, law and technology and public service. Students can choose from 16 areas of study at NYU, including international law, taxation law, environmental law, corporate law and intellectual property law. Ambitious students can choose to pursue one of eight dual-degree programs that award both a Juris Doctor degree and a master’s degree or PhD in areas like taxation, economics, politics, business administration or social work.

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3. Yale Law School at Yale University

This private institution has bragging rights galore. U.S. News & World Report ranked Yale number-one on its 2023 list of the best law schools in America (although both Yale and Harvard University Law Schools announced in November 2022 that they would no longer be participating in the U.S. News & World Report rankings because of “flaws” in the publication’s methodology, according to The New York Times).

The school boasts a 98.14% Bar Exam pass rate, and 83.3% of its Class of 2020 (170 of the 204 total graduates) reported employment 10 months after graduation. Yale Law Schol is a Charter Member of the Association of AALS. Additionally, Yale University is one of only three law schools from which more than four law students have gone on to become Supreme Court Justices as of 2022.

The New Haven, CT, school is also notable for other reasons. The Princeton Review named Yale University “Toughest to Get Into” among all law schools in the U.S. in its 2022 Best Law Schools list. Only 4.12% of the law school’s applicants in 2021 were accepted. Matriculants at the highly selective law school earned a median LSAT score of 174. The school is also known for its high tuition rate – $67,108 in 2021, making it one of the most expensive schools on our list.

Yale Law School at Yale University is home to numerous centers, projects, partnerships and programs, including the following:

• Yale Center for Law and Philosophy
• Yale Law School Center for Private Law
• Yale Law School Center for the Study of Corporate Law
• Center for Global Legal Challenges
• Justice Collaboratory
• Law and Political Economy at Yale
• Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy
• John M. Olin Center for Law, Economics and Public Policy
• Solomon Center for Health Law & Policy
• The Arthur Liman Center for Public Interest Law
• Law and Racial Justice Center
• Yale Law School Latin American Legal Studies
• Gruber Program for Global Justice and Women’s Rights
• Abdallah S. Kamel Center for the Study of Islamic Law and Civilization
• Paul Tsai China Center
• Orville H. Schell, Jr. Center for International Human Rights
• Global Health Justice Partnership
• Cultural Cognition Project
• Law, Ethics & Animals Program
• The Ludwig Program in Public Sector Leadership
• The Chae Initiative in Private Sector Leadership
• Information Society Project
• Collaboration for Research Integrity and Transparency

Students at Yale can also participate in a variety of workshops focusing on areas like law and finance, dispute resolution, human rights, legal history and legal theory. Areas of study at Yale University Law School include criminal justice, constitutional law, corporate and commercial law, international law, human rights law, environmental law, law and economics, public interest law, law and health, information technology and media law, legal history and law teaching.

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4. University of Chicago Law School

With a U.S. News & World Report ranking of number three in the nation, the University of Chicago Law School is well-respected. This Chicago, IL, law school boasts a 97.76% pass rate on the Bar Exam.

Of all of the impressive institutions on our law school rankings, the University of Chicago has the highest 10-month employment rate. The private university saw 194 of its 203 graduates in the Class of 2020 secure relevant employment within 10 months, amounting to a 95.6% employment rate.

The Princeton Review named the University of Chicago Law School “Best for Federal Clerkships” in its 2022 Best Law Schools. In its “Go-To Law School” rankings, the National Law Journal ranked the institution 10th in the nation for the rate at which its alumni were promoted from associates to partners.

The University of Chicago Law School is among the more selective schools on our list, with an acceptance rate of 11.91% and a median LSAT score of 172. At a tuition cost of $70,710 per semester as of 2021, this institution is also among the most expensive schools on our list.

Law students at UChicago will cover an interdisciplinary curriculum that includes offerings in the areas of law and economics, law and philosophy, international and comparative law, legal history and law and business. The program is particularly well-suited to students who are interested in public interest careers, because the school offers support and resources for preparing for and acquiring these roles.

First-year students complete courses in areas like civil procedure, criminal law, constitutional law, property, contracts, torts, legislation and legal writing, as well as an interdisciplinary introductory course called Elements of the Law. Upper-level courses include both clinical courses and lecture courses in areas like family law, health law, administrative law, taxation, human rights, intellectual property and jurisprudence (legal theory and philosophy).

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5. Duke University School of Law

Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, is a private institution with impressive stats. Of the school’s 2021 law school graduates, 97.21% passed the Bar Exam (based on the weighted law school Bar passage rate).

Duke Law graduated a class of 214 students in 2020, 199 of which went on to attain relevant employment within 10 months. The 93.0% 10-month employment rate is among the best of all schools on our rankings list.

The acceptance rate at Duke School of Law was just 14.45% in 2021, and the median LSAT score of matriculated students was 170. U.S. News rankings placed Duke Law School at 11th in the nation, and the institution tied for 11th place on the National Law Journal’s ranking of the schools with the most alumni promoted from associate to partner.

Law students at Duke are looking at a per-semester tuition cost of $68,400.

Students at Duke Law School focus much of their upper-level studies on developing real-world skills for legal work in clinics, small group studies with faculty and practical skills courses. Special emphasis is placed on legal education in areas like business law, finance law, health law, biotechnology law, intellectual property law and international law.

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6. University of Michigan Law School

Another highly selective institution for a legal education is the University of Michigan Law School in Ann Arbor, MI. Only 10.65% of applicants were accepted in 2021, making the University of Michigan the fourth most selective law school on our rankings list. Matriculated law students at the University of Michigan Law School earned a median LSAT score of 171.

The University of Michigan Law School is, according to our methodology, the best public law school in the country. The school is a Charter Member of the AALS and boasts a weighted Bar Exam pass rate of 97.18% for 2021.

Michigan Law School’s Class of 2020 included 332 graduates, 305 of whom successfully secured relevant employment within 10 months to achieve an employment rate of 91.9%.

U.S. News rankings place Michigan Law 10th in the nation on its 2023 law school rankings, and the National Law Journal ranked the institution ninth in the nation among the schools with the most alumni promoted from associates to partners. Law students at the University of Michigan paid a tuition rate of $63,680 per semester in 2021.

Areas of study at Michigan Law include civil rights, human rights, health care law, tax law, public interest law, litigation, legal research and writing, labor and employment law and law and the social sciences. The school emphasizes experiential learning through clinics, externships, practice simulations, a first-year Legal Practice Program, a Problem-Solving Initiative and a pro bono program.

In addition to the Juris Doctor program, students can pursue LLM, Executive LLM and SJD degrees, as well as a Certificate in Advanced Corporation Law.

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7. Stanford Law School at Stanford University

Ranked second in the nation by U.S. News, Stanford University in Stanford, CA, offers one of the most impressive programs in the country. In terms of selectivity, Stanford University is second only to Yale, with an acceptance rate of just 6.28%. Its students achieved a 97.08% weighted Bar Exam pass rate in 2021.

Of the 182 graduates who made up the Class of 2020, 155 – 85.2% – had achieved relevant employment within 10 months of graduating. Among matriculated students entering Stanford Law School in 2021, the median LSAT score was 172.

Like most of the institutions on our ranking of the best law schools, Stanford University is a private institution. Stanford Law School is a Charter Member of the AALS. The law department at Stanford University dates back to 1893, when former President Benjamin Harrison became the school’s first professor of law.

Stanford University is, without a doubt, one of the best law schools in the country. Although its 2021 per-semester tuition rate of $64,350 is steep, it’s thousands of dollars more affordable per semester than other top-performing law schools like NYU and UChicago.

Stanford Law School is another institution that embraces an interdisciplinary curriculum. This focus, along with instruction and seminars by faculty members whom tthe school bills as “legal luminaries,” allow students to develop a unique understanding of new areas of law like cybersecurity and artificial intelligence along with traditional areas like civil rights and human rights. Students learn in the Law and Policy Lab as well as in 11 full-time clinics. Completing clerkships with the U.S. District Court, U.S. Court of Appeals or even the U.S. Supreme Court is a “strong SLS tradition.”

An important part of legal education at Stanford University is the Mills Legal Clinic program, through which law students spend an entire academic quarter working full-time as lawyers certified by the California State Bar as student attorneys. Students interested in international applications of law can also check out the optional W. A. Franke Global Law Program, through which students complete a foundational class dedicated to global legal practice, an intensive global quarter that focuses on international law and finance and study abroad opportunities.

If you want more than “just” a Juris Doctor, consider applying to a dual-degree program. Stanford Law School offers 32 established joint degrees – encompassing master’s degrees, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees and Doctor of Medicine (MD) degrees – in 21 areas of study that include economics, bioengineering, computer science, education, business, communication and political science. The school also offers a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Legal Studies (MLS), Doctor of the Science of Law (JSD) and the interdisciplinary research-focused Stanford Program in International Legal Studies (SPILS), which leads to a Master of the Science of Law (JSM) degree.

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8. Columbia Law School, Columbia University

Columbia Law School has a longstanding tradition of legal education and scholarship. As an independent institution, Columbia Law School was officially founded in 1858, making the New York, NY, institution one of the first law schools in the country. Even before that, Columbia University – then called King’s College – had offered legal studies and played a part in developing the country’s laws and legal and judicial systems since its founding in 1754. The private institution is a Charter Member of AALS.

Based on the per-semester tuition cost alone (not factoring in any financial aid available), Columbia is the most expensive school on our law rankings list, with a tuition price of $73,584. Still, the high price tag isn’t exactly deterring the best and brightest law students from applying here. In 2021, Columbia Law School reported an 11.42% acceptance rate. The median LSAT score reported for Columbia University law students who matriculated in 2021, 174, is tied with Harvard and Yale as the highest median LSAT score among all 25 schools of law on our list.

A spot at Columbia University is so coveted among law school applicants for good reason. The Columbia University Class of 2021 reported a weighted Bar Exam pass rate of 96.52%. Among the 428 law graduates in Columbia University’s Class of 2020, 403 attained relevant employment, for a 10-month employment rate of 94.2%. Columbia is tied for fourth place on U.S. News rankings of law schools and tied for second place on the National Law Journal’s rankings of the schools where the most alumni were promoted from associates to partners at big law firms.

Students at Columbia can gain real-world skills through numerous types of educational opportunities, from simulations and policy labs to clinics and externships. The first-year foundational curriculum encompasses studies in constitutional law, civil procedure, criminal law, contracts, property, torts and legal methods. A sequence of legal practice workshops and a Foundation-Year Moot Court allow students to begin building the skills for legal practice from the start. In their second and third years of study, law students at Columbia take upper-class courses in areas that range from leadership and litigation and dispute resolution to data analytics, national security and social justice and human rights.

Columbia Law School also offers LLM, Executive LLM and JSD degree programs, as well as dual-degree and joint degree options in subjects like business, public health, urban planning, architecture and social work.

View program details.

9. Vanderbilt University Law School

Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN, is a private institution that boasts a 95.15% weighted Bar Exam pass rate and a 14.25% acceptance rate.

Of the 180 graduates of Vanderbilt University Law School Class of 2020, 153 had achieved employment 10 months later, for an employment rate of 85.0%. The entering class of 2021 reported a median LSAT score of 169.

Vanderbilt Law School tied for 17th on U.S. News rankings. The 2021 tuition rate amounted to $64,284 per semester.

First-year students pursuing law degrees at Vanderbilt take classes in legal writing, civil procedure, criminal law, contracts, torts, regulatory state and Life of the Law, which encompasses legal concepts and methodologies, theoretical frameworks of law and the United States legal system, as well as a first-year elective. In their upper-level coursework, students build expertise in areas of legal study like criminal justice, energy and the environment, social justice, law & innovation, intellectual property and other areas. Students can also acquire skills through the Branstetter Litigation & Dispute Resolution Program.

Vanderbilt Law School also offers a Master of Laws (LLM) graduate degree program with a thesis track, a course track and a Law & Business track, as well as dual degree programs in areas like business, finance, management, economics, neuroscience, education, medicine and divinity.

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10. Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law

The first law school founded in Chicago, the Pritzker School of Law at Northwestern University is a private institution ranked 13th in the nation by U.S. News. The National Law Journal ranked Northwestern University fifth among the law schools with the most alumni promoted from associates to partners at law firms.

This Chicago law school boasts a 95.05% Bar Exam pass rate. The school only accepted 13.91% of applicants in 2021, and matriculated students had a median LSAT score of 171.

In Northwestern University’s Class of 2020, 215 out of the total 256 graduating law students achieved employment within 10 months, for an 84.0% employment rate. A Charter Member of the AALS, Northwestern University charged a tuition rate of $69,350 per semester for its Juris Doctor law program in 2021.

First-year law students at Northwestern’s Pritzker School of Law take many of the same courses found in other first-year law school curricula. However, they have unique opportunities like a year-long course on communication and legal reasoning, an opportunity to practice their skills in the Arlyn Miner First-Year Moot Court and the ability to apply for positions working on the Law School’s six scholarly journals.

Aside from a required Legal Ethics course, students in their second and third years fill their curriculum with electives in areas like estates and trusts, evidence, conflict of laws, legislation, First Amendment, Fourteenth Amendment and business associations. Students can pursue areas of concentration in appellate law, environmental law, international law, civil litigation and dispute resolution, business enterprise and law and social policy. Students have the opportunity to build skills through participation in the Bluhm Legal Clinic, the Julius H. Miner Moot Court, practica experiences in a variety of areas of law, International Team Projects and study abroad opportunities.

Aside from the traditional JD program, the Pritzker School of Law also offers Master of Laws (LLM) and Master of Science in Law (MSL) degrees. The school offers dual-degree programs of study as well, including the JD-MBA, JD-PhD and JD-LLM degrees in international human rights law and taxation.

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11. University of Southern California (USC) Gould School of Law

The University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA, is home to the Gould School of Law. This private institution was ranked 20th on U.S. News rankings of law schools for 2023 and boasts a 95.00% Bar Exam pass rate.

Of the 189 students that made up the Gould School of Law graduating Class of 2020, 156 students found employment within 10 months, achieving an 82.5% employment rate. The University of Southern California law program reported a 12.96% acceptance rate in 2021, when matriculants had a median LSAT score of 168.

The per-semester tuition rate for law students at the USC Gould School of Law in 202a was $69,998.

Students at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law can pursue concentrations in business law, public interest law, alternative dispute resolution or media, entertainment and technology law. Experiential learning is a critical part of the law degree education at Gould School of Law. Students acquire the skills for real-world legal practice through seven clinics in areas that range from housing law to immigration, small business, intellectual property and post-conviction justice. Students also gain experience in externships, as well as through guest lectures on campus, simulations and field trips built into their course curricula and class projects that include direct client engagement opportunities.

In addition to its on-campus Juris Doctor degree, the USC Gould School of Law offers both online and on-campus LLM and MSL programs. Students can also pursue on-campus Master of Dispute Resolution, Two-Year Extended LLM, LLM in Alternative Dispute Resolution, LLM in Privacy Law and Cybersecurity, LLM in International Business and Economic Law, Master of Comparative Law and Master of International Trade Law and Economics degrees. Ambitious Juris Doctor students can also pursue graduate certificates in subjects like business law, transnational law and business, technology and entrepreneurship law, media and entertainment law, public interest law and alternative dispute resolution concurrently with their degree.

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12. The University of California Berkeley School of Law

One of two schools from the public University of California system to land a spot on our list, the UC Berkeley School of Law in Berkeley, CA, boasts a higher pass rate than the Los Angeles law program. Nearly 95% of UC Berkeley Law students in 2021 passed the Bar Exam. The University of California Berkeley Law School also reported an 89.7% employment rate, with 297 of its 331 graduating Class of 2020 finding relevant employment within 10 months of graduation.

First-year students pursuing law degrees from the University of California Berkeley had a median LSAT score of 169. The school accepted 13.66% of law school applicants – a slightly smaller percentage than the Los Angeles campus – and was ranked ninth in the nation on U.S. News 2023 law school rankings list. Unfortunately, UC Berkeley Law School is significantly more expensive – over $10,000 more per semester – than its sister campus locations.

The areas of study you might pursue in a law degree at the University of California Berkeley School of Law include law and technology, environmental law, constitutional and regulatory law, law and economics, business and startups, international and comparative law, criminal justice and social justice and public interest. Each area of study includes opportunities for in-depth explorations of the topic and opportunities to build the skills for legal practice.

For example, students who focus on criminal justice in their law degrees can acquire practical experience through field placements, advocacy courses, a domestic violence practicum, the Death Penalty Clinic and other law and policy centers and clinics. Students who emphasize international and comparative legal studies can take courses in international human rights law, refugee law, international trade and business transactions and international privacy law, as well as participates in clinics, symposia and the production of the Berkeley Journal of International Law.

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13. Wake Forest University School of Law

If the low acceptance rates and high tuition rates that characterize most of the law schools on our list so far are making you sweat, Wake Forest University is a welcome change of pace. The private institution located in Winston-Salem, NC, reported an acceptance rate of 31.27% for 2021 and a per-semester tuition rate of $49,276 – $20,000 per semester below some of the most expensive programs on our list.

The median LSAT score among students who matriculated in 2021 was among the lowest on our list, at 163, yet the school reported a 94.27% Bar Exam pass rate. Wake Forest Law’s Class of 2022 consisted of 152 students, 124 of whom found relevant employment for a 10-month employment rate of 81.6%. U.S. News ranked Wake Forest Law as tied for 37th place in the nation on its 2023 law school list.

The curriculum at Wake Forest Law aims to bridge traditional studies in law with “unique” learning opportunities. Courses are small, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1. While the first-year curriculum consists primarily of the traditional subjects of study, along with a Professional Development course through which students learn how to begin applying legal theory in real-world practice, students design their own upper-level curriculum based on their goals and faculty mentor feedback and recommendations.

Students learn practical skills through clinics and externships, including the school’s Veterans Legal Clinic, Appellate Advocacy Clinic, Community Law and Business Clinic, Environmental Law and Policy Clinic, Micro-Trade Clinic and Innocence and Justice Clinic.

Dual and concurrent degrees are 0ffered in areas like business administration, sustainability, religious studies, divinity and bioethics.

The school also offers Master of Studies in Law (MSL), Master of Laws (LLM) and Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) degrees, as well as graduate certificates in health law and policy, business law and compliance, human resources and workplace legal fundamentals.

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14. Boston College Law School

Along with Wake Forest Law, Boston College School of Law in Newton, MA, is tied for 37th place on U.S. News 2023 law school rankings. Our methodology placed this private college considerably higher, based in part on its 94.06% Bar Exam pass rate, its 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio and a highly customizable curriculum.

Of the 2020 Boston College Law School graduating class of 246 graduates, 82.5%, or 203 law graduates, had attained relevant employment within 10 months of graduating. Boston College Law School is one of the easier institutions on our list to get into, with a 23.49% acceptance rate and a median LSAT score of 165 in 2021. The per-semester tuition rate for the Juris Doctor law degree program at Boston College School of Law was $60,700 in 2021.

From the start of their curriculum here, law students complete six credits of experiential learning. They have the opportunity to choose from topics like civil litigation, immigration practice, administrative practice, practice in the criminal justice system and consumer rights litigation. Students cultivate the skills needed to make oral arguments, draft litigation and negotiate remedies and resolutions to legal matters.

After students finish their first year of JD studies, they build a customized second-year and third-year curriculum, selecting their desired courses from more than 220 electives that include areas such as art law and cultural property, cryptocurrencies and digital assets, human rights and refugee law, domestic violence law, mergers and acquisitions and feminist legal theory. Students can also gain academic credit toward their Juris Doctor degree by writing for or editing the Boston College Law Review.

If you’re still early in your college career, the “3+3” accelerated program might be of interest. Undergraduate pre-law students at both Boston College and partner school Scranton University can begin taking courses that count toward their law degree as early as their senior undergraduate year, allowing them to complete both degrees in the shorter span of just six years rather than seven.

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15. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law

The second school on our list with a per-semester tuition rate under $50,000, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is the second school within the University of California system to land a spot on our list. We were impressed by the public institution’s 93.84% weighted Bar Exam pass rate and U.S. News ranking of 15th in the nation.

Of the 312 law degree graduates who made up the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law Class of 2020, 262 found relevant employment within 10 months, accomplishing an 84.0% employment rate.

With an acceptance rate of 15.43%, the UCLA School of Law is selectiveo but not as selective as Yale, Stanford or Harvard. The median LSAT score among 2021 matriculants was 170. Although the $49,974 per-semester tuition cost reported for 2021 isn’t cheap, it compares favorably to the $60,000+ and $70,000+ tuition rates reported for many of the other schools on our list.

Students in the Juris Doctor program at UCLA Law begin law school with a week-long orientation, proceeding to coursework in legal research and writing, civil procedure, constitutional law and contracts. In their upper-level coursework, students can develop areas of expertise that match their career goals and interests. The program allows students to pursue specializations (and certificates) in the following topics:

• Law & philosophy
• International and comparative law
• Public interest law & policy
• Business law & policy
• Environmental law
• Critical race studies
• Media & entertainment

The school also offers Master of Legal Studies, Master of Law and Doctor of Juridical Science degrees.

View program details.

16. Fordham University School of Law

Next on our list is Fordham University School of Law in New York, NY. While Fordham tied for 37th place (along with Wake Forest University and Boston College) on U.S. News 2023 law school rankings, the private institution tied for sixth place on the National Law Journal’s list of the schools where the most alumni were promoted from associates to partners.

Of the 397 students who graduated from Fordham with their law degree in 2020, 314 found employment within 10 months of graduating. Although the 79.1% employment rate is among the lowest on our list, we were impressed by the 93.74% Bar Exam pass rate.

Fordham University School of Law accepted 17.69% of applicants in 2021, and its matriculated students reported a median LSAT score of 166.

The tuition rate for Juris Doctor studies at Fordham School of Law in 2021 was $65,850 per semester.

In their upper-level courses, law students at Fordham can pursue concentrations in litigation and dispute resolution, public interest and service, business and financial law, intellectual property and information law or international, comparative and foreign law. Students forge their own paths by choosing upper-level courses from more than 200 electives. Fordham emphasizes experiential learning through its JD Externship Program and clinics in 18 areas of legal interest, ranging from international human rights and global anti-racism to family advocacy, federal tax and corporate social responsibility.

Fordham offers both full-time and part-time Juris Doctor programs. The school also offers Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Studies in Law (MSL) and Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) programs.

View program details.

17. Boston University School of Law

At Boston University School of Law in Boston, MA, the primary goal of the Juris Doctor program is to train students to think like lawyers. Based on the law school’s weighted Bar Exam pass rate of 93.53%, the curriculum succeeds in this goal. U.S. News ranked BU School of Law as tied for 17th place in the nation on its 2023 law school rankings.

This private institution is a Charter Member of the AALS. Of the 227 students that made up the Class of 2020, 185 were employed in relevant roles 10 months later, putting the employment rate at 81.5%.

BU School of Law accepted 18.33% of applicants in 2021, and matriculated students had a median LSAT score of 169. With a per-semester tuition rate of $59,380 in 2021, the school is among the less expensive options on our rankings list, although still not what most students would consider “affordable” without some form of financial aid.

What makes Boston University’s JD program special? The first-year curriculum encompasses traditional 1L year coursework, along with a Lawyering Lab and a Lawyering Skills course. Upper-class courses include more than 200 electives that cover all areas of law and the legal landscape today. Course materials and offerings are updated to reflect the evolving legal challenges and policy trends, so you won’t have to worry that the topics you cover in law school will already be outdated by the time you begin practicing law.

Students pursuing law degrees at Boston University can choose to pursue optional concentrations in areas like transactional practice, public interest, litigation and dispute resolution, risk management and compliance, international law, health law and intellectual property and information law. All students benefit from experiential learning opportunities such as clinics, moot court, externships, semester-in-practice placements and serving on the editorial board of one of the school’s law journals. The Transactional Law Program at BU School of Law offers skills courses in areas like negotiation and contract drafting, as well as transaction simulation courses. Students can also choose to pursue certificates in legal research skills or women’s, gender and sexuality studies concurrently with their Juris Doctor studies.

BU School of Law also offers five distinct Master of Laws (LLM) degrees and a Master in the Study of Tax Law (MSL-Tax) program, as well as three standalone graduate certificate programs.

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18. George Washington University Law School

George Washington University in Washington, D.C., has a history of educating law students that dates back more than 150 years. The school reported a weighted Bar Exam pass rate of 93.46% for its graduates in 2021.

The private institution is a Charter Member of the AALS. U.S. News ranked GW Law as tied for 25th place on its 2023 law school rankings, while the school tied for sixth place on the National Law Journal’s 2022 list of the schools with the most alumni promoted from law firm associates to partners.

In 2021, GW Law accepted 21.57% of applicants. The students who ultimately matriculated had a median LSAT score of 167. Of the 427 students who graduated with a Juris Doctor degree in 2020, 333 were employed within 10 months, for an employment rate of 78.0%. The tuition rate for JD studies at GW Law amounted to $65,420 per semester in 2021.

GW Law offers both a full-time day program and a part-time evening program for students pursuing a JD. Required courses for first-year students include sequences of classes in civil procedure and contracts as well as coursework in criminal law, constitutional law, rots, property, advocacy and legal research and writing. Upper-level coursework must include studies in ethics and professional responsibility combined with classes selected from the 275+ electives offered. The school offers coursework in 18 areas of study, including animal law, property and land development, advanced torts and national security, cybersecurity and foreign relations law.

All JD students at GW Law must fulfill a legal writing requirement, which includes a 2-credit course and a legal research paper of at least 8,000 words, and the professional skills requirement, which encompasses at least 6 credits of coursework that emphasizes practical skills. George Washington University also offers Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Studies in Intellectual Property (MSL-IP) and Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) degrees.

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19. Georgetown University Law Center

Also located in Washington, D.C., is Georgetown University, one of the largest law schools in America. Of the 691 law students who made up the graduating Class of 2020, 570 had acquired positions in the legal industry within 10 months, resulting in an employment rate of 82.5%.

Another private law school with a long history, Georgetown Law was created as a separate law school in the 19th century, making it the first law school in the Jesuit tradition in the U.S. The first class of just 25 students began their studies in 1870.

Georgetown Law reported a 93.23% weighted Bar Exam pass rate in 2021. The law school accepted 12.88% of applicants that year, and matriculated students reported a median LSAT score of 171.

Georgetown University is a highly respected law school, with U.S. News ranking it 14th in the nation and the National Law Journal placing the institution fourth on its 2022 list of schools with most alumni promoted from associate to partner. In 2021, the per-semester tuition rate was reported as $69,280.

First-year law degree students don’t usually get many choices in their curriculum, but at Georgetown, students may follow the traditional “Curriculum A” or the innovative “Curriculum B” approach. Regardless of which curriculum they follow, first-year students at Georgetown have the opportunity to gain practical skills through the First-Year Week One Simulations program offered in January. Certain first-year courses utilize smaller class sizes of approximately 30 students rather than 100.

Although second-year and third-year JD students build their unique curriculum out of carefully selected electives, students must meet upper-class legal writing requirements, professional responsibility requirements and experiential requirements to graduate. Externships, practicum courses and the school’s 19 legal clinics allow students to select the experiential learning opportunities that best fit their interests and career goals.

Full-time and part-time evening programs are available for students pursuing a Juris Doctor degree. Through Georgetown University Law Center’s joint and dual-degree programs, students can also pursue concurrent studies in government, philosophy, public policy, public health, business administration, security studies and foreign service. For attorneys interested in international law, joint master’s degree programs are also available in the study of certain geographical regions, including Latin American studies, Arab studies, German and European Studies and Eurasian, Russian and East European studies.

Students can pursue a Master of Laws (LLM) degree in conjunction with or separate from their Juris Doctor degree. The law school also offers Master of Studies in Law (MSL) and Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) degrees, as well as 11 graduate certificate programs.

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20. Cornell Law School at Cornell University

Cornell Law School in Ithaca, NY, is a private institution that boasts a 92.23% weighted Bar Exam pass rate and a 91.8% 10-month employment rate. Of the 195 graduates who made up the Class of 2020, 179 had reported relevant employment within 10 months. Cornell Law School is a Charter Member of the AALS and landed the position of 12th in the nation on the U.S. News 2023 law school rankings list.

The school accepted 15.41% of applicants in 2021. The median LSAT score for matriculated students that year was 171, and the per-semester tuition rate amounted to $71,522.

First-year law students at Cornell complete required courses in the usual areas of study – civil procedure, criminal law, constitutional law, contracts, property and torts – as well as a mandatory full-year Lawyering class that covers skills like legal research, legal analysis, legal writing and oral presentations.

Second-year students are encouraged, but not required, to complete core courses in evidence, administrative law, business organizations and federal income taxation. Students in their third year fill their curriculum with electives selected from the more than 170 courses offered. Third-year students are encouraged to pursue one of seven concentrations, including:

• General practice
• Conflict resolution
• Business law and regulation
• Technology and law
• Public law
• Advocacy
• Law, inequality and structural exclusion

Experiential learning opportunities at Cornell include externships, the Moot Court Program, the Lawyering Program and the Clinical Program. Students can also participate in the school’s law review publications, including the century-old Cornell Law Review, the Cornell International Law Journal and the Cornell Journal of Law and Public Policy.

Also available are a general LLM program, a technology and entrepreneurship-focused LLM program offered in conjunction with Cornell Tech, a Master of Science in Legal Studies (MSLS) program and a Doctor of the Science of Law (JSD) program.

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21. Notre Dame Law School at the University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame Law School at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana is a private institution that reported a 91.67% weighted Bar Exam pass rate for 2021. U.S. News placed Notre Dame Law School as tied for 25th place in its 2023 law school rankings.

Of Notre Dame Law School’s 200 graduates in the Class of 2020, 162 found relevant employment within 10 months, amounting to an 81.0% employment rate. The institution accepted 17.51% of applicants in 2021, when the median LSAT score of matriculated students was 168. The tuition rate for 2021 was $63,840 per semester.

At Notre Dame Law School, students can pursue studies and experiential learning opportunities in eight different areas:

• Criminal law
• Business law
• Real estate law
• Intellectual property and technology law
• Energy and environmental law
• Global law
• Public law
• Law, ethics and public policy

First-year students take courses in legal research and legal writing as well as foundational studies of civil, criminal, constitutional, contract, property and torts law. They also have the opportunity to choose one elective during their Spring semester.

Students in their second and third year of study choose their own curriculum but must complete at least 3 hours of study in jurisprudence (legal theory), 3 hours of study in legal ethics, 6 credit hours of experiential learning and an upper-level writing requirement. The Notre Dame Clinical Law Center in South Bend, Indiana, operates six clinics in the areas of exoneration justice, religious liberty, community development, eviction, intellectual property and entrepreneurship and applied mediation.

The school also offers LLM and JSD degrees, as well as dual degrees in business, political science, global affairs, English, engineering and engineering, science and technology entrepreneurship.

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22. Emory University School of Law

Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, GA, is a private institution with a 91.45% weighted Bar Exam pass rate.

Emory Law is one of the easiest schools to get into on our rankings list, with a 27.31% acceptance rate for 2021 and a median LSAT score of 167 for matriculated students. However, the school’s 70.2% employment rate – reflecting that just 198 of the 282 Class of 2020 graduates were employed in relevant positions within 10 months of graduation – is the lowest of any school on our list. Overall, Emory University was ranked as tied for 30th place on the 2023 law school rankings compiled by U.S. News.

The tuition rate for law students at Emory University was $61,750 per semester in 2021.

While many law schools separate coursework into first-year foundational studies and upper-level electives for years two and three, Emory University School of Law instead establishes distinct goals for the second and third year of study. The second year is the “exploration year,” during which students participate in both a summer clerkship or internship and a week-long immersion in advocacy program while they narrow down their areas of focus. The third year of study emphasizes experiential learning, the acquisition of practical skills and mentorship.

Students at Emory University School of Law have access to research, scholarship and educational conferences and seminars from the school’s academic centers, including the following:

• Center for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution
• Center for International and Comparative Law
• Center for Federalism and Intersystemic Governance
• Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program
• Center for Transactional Law and Practice
• The Insitute for Complex Litigation and Mass Claims
• Feminism and Legal Theory Project
• Global Health Law and Policy Project
• Center for the Study of Law and Religion
• Center for Law and Social Science
• Barton Child Law and Policy Center
• Project on War and Security in Law, Culture and Society
• Vulnerability and the Human Condition Initiative

Joint degree programs allow law students to also pursue studies in business administration, bioethics, public health theological studies, divinity and religion. Emory University also offers Juris Master (JM), Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Comparative Law (MCL) and Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) degrees.

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23. George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School

Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University in Arlington, VA, is the most affordable law school on our list so far, with a tuition rate of $23,142 per semester as of 2021. This school is an excellent option for the budget-conscious aspiring attorney who can’t fathom spending $50,000 more per semester just to attend one of the prestigious private schools higher up on our rankings list.

This public institution is also among the top law schools that are easiest to get into. In 2021, George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School reported a 27.07% acceptance rate, and the median LSAT score of matriculated students was 164.

U.S. News & World Report rankings for 2023 placed George Mason University as tied for 30th place among law schools in America. We ranked the school somewhat higher based in part on its 90.62% weighted Bar Exam pass rate. Still, the 72.8% 10-month employment rate reported for 2020 – reflecting the employment of 126 graduates out of the class of 173 – is somewhat lower than we like to see.

The Juris Doctor program at George Mason University is a general law program offered in both full-time and part-time formats. Students can choose to build areas of expertise in one (or more) of 18 concentrations and focus areas, including antitrust law, cyber law, patent law, tax law and national security law and policy. Whatever areas of study they choose, students are sure to develop strong communication skills thanks to the school’s three-year legal writing program.

Students also have opportunities to benefit from the numerous academic centers that are part of the law school, including the Law & Economics Center, the Liberty & Law Center, the National Security Institute, the Global Antitrust Institute, the Center for Intellectual Property x Innovation Policy and The C. Boyden Gray Center for the Study of the Administrative State.

Other degree programs offered by the Scalia Law School include LLM programs in five areas of concentration, a Juris Master (JM) degree and joint degrees in business administration or public policy.

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24. University of South Carolina School of Law

By far, the most affordable law school on our list is the University of South Carolina School of Law in Columbia, SC. the resident tuition rate reported for 2021 was just $9,653 per semester, according to American Bar Association disclosures. Some of the other top 25 law schools on our list were more than seven times this cost.

The University of South Carolina School of Law reported an 82.00% weighted Bar Exam pass rate and an 82.1% 10-month employment rate, accounting for the relevant employment of 165 of the law school’s 201 Class of 2020 graduates.

This public institution is also the easiest school on our list to get into. In 2021, the University of South Carolina School of Law accepted 38.26% of applicants, according to American Bar Association disclosures. Matriculated students entering in 2021 reported a median LSAT score of 158.

The basic curriculum of the Juris Doctor program at the University of South Carolina is that of a general law degree program. Students can, however, choose to pursue a formal Children’s Law Concentration or build an area of in-depth knowledge in litigation, business law, intellectual property and technology law, taxation, health law, environmental law or children’s and family law. Opportunities for experiential learning at the University of South Carolina School of Law include externships available in six areas of law, third-year capstone courses offered in three types of legal matters and eight clinic courses through which students practice their skills in student-attorney roles. Students can also take advantage of the optional London Maymester, a three-week study abroad program that takes place each year in May.

For undergraduate students interested in law school, the “3+3” bachelor’s and Juris Doctor dual degree program allows for the completion of both degrees in just six years. JD students can also pursue dual degree programs in areas like criminal justice, business administration, accountancy, economics, human resources, public administration and social work, among other areas.

View program details.

25. University of San Diego School of Law

Rounding out our list of the top 25 law schools in the United States is the University of San Diego School of Law, a private institution in California with an 81.78% weighted Bar Exam pass rate for 2021.

Of the 240 graduates that made up the Class of 2020, 170 had found employment within 10 months, for an employment rate of 70.8%. The 30.99% acceptance rate for 2021 makes the school an excellent choice for applicants who are worried about their chances of getting into more competitor programs. Among students who matriculated in 2021, the median LSAT score was 161.

The per-semester tuition rate reported for 2021 was $58,340.

The University of San Deigo offers both full-time and part-time Juris Doctor program formats, as well as an optional on-campus supper program that allows students to lighten their workloads during the fall and spring semesters. First-year students are exposed to experiential learning from the start of their law school education, completing experiential advocacy practicum courses during both their fall and spring semesters. Throughout their law school career, students benefit from experiential learning in the form of legal clinics, externships and advocacy programs.

Areas of concentration that students may pursue after completing their foundational first-year curriculum include civil litigation, criminal litigation, children’s rights, employment and labor law, business and corporate law, environmental and energy law, international law, public interest law, health law and intellectual property and technology law.

The school of law also offers LLM and MSLS graduate degree programs, as well as day and evening paralegal certificate programs. Juris Doctor students may also pursue concurrent degrees in business administration, international relations, real estate or peace and justice.

View program details.

More Top Law Schools to Consider

There’s no shortage of excellent law schools in the United States. Although they didn’t make our top 25 rankings based on the methodology we’re currently using, the following law schools were also impressive contenders:

• The University of Virginia School of Law, Charlottesville, VA
• The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, Philadelphia, PA
• The University of Minnesota Law School, Minneapolis, MN
• The Washington University in St. Louis School of Law in St. Louis, MO
• The University of North Carolina School of Law, Chapel Hill, NC
• The University of Texas-Austin School of Law, Austin, TX
• The University of Alabama School of Law, Tuscaloosa, AL
• The University of Iowa College of Law, Iowa City, IA

Whether you want to make a difference fighting for human rights, help individuals deal with legal matters in their lives, facilitate the business transactions that keep companies all over the world running, prosecute wrongdoers or defend the accused, going to law school can set you up for a fulfilling career.

You don’t have to choose a top-tier law school to get a good legal education. Excellent lawyers come from all of the ABA-approved law schools, in all geographical regions and across all price points. What aspiring lawyers should look for in a law school are opportunities for experiential learning and courses in the areas of legal practice in which they are interested.

Related Resources: 

Top 10 Graduate Degree Programs in Criminal Justice

What Degree Do I Need to Be a Mediator?

What Degree Do You Need to Be a Paralegal?

What Degree Do I Need to Become a Judge?

What Degree Do I Need to Be a Policy Analyst?

The post Top 25 Law Schools appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Why should you earn a Master’s in Information Systems? A master’s level education represents a high level of investment both in terms of time, finances, and mental bandwidth. In the case of the information systems industry, specialization and knowledge are key–and the field is defined by a level of complexity that leads to many of the best job opportunities being gated behind extensive educational requirements and years of professional experience. 

Given the technical expertise required to excel in the upper echelons of the profession, a Master’s in Information Systems represents an ideal in-road to the job market. And as the industry experiences explosive growth year after year, many new programs are starting to offer this degree–both on-campus and online. 

Online variants of this degree are often designed from the ground up to accommodate adult learners and working students with even the most hectic of schedules. Simply put, there are more high-end options for earning your Master’s of Information Systems than ever before, many of which offer surprisingly affordable tuitions or generous financial aid packages, and in some cases both.

Our researchers have done the leg work and have compiled the best of the best options to consider–programs that package comprehensive and academically rigorous curriculums in flexible and convenient online formats. The programs listed below have been organized according to metrics that we believe will be most meaningful to prospective students: graduation rate, average tuition costs, financial aid packages, and representation in trusted publications and other rankings. 

1 Florida State University

Florida State University (FSU) brings top-tier degree programs to the comfort of your own home or office through its rapidly expanding online education programs. These programs leverage world-class faculty and student-centric teaching philosophies to groom each student for success in their careers. The FSU College of Business specifically tailors its programs to represent the needs of real world job markets. Students progress through coursework that emphasizes on-demand skill sets and models for problem solving. 

Specifically, the FSU College of Business offers a fully online Master of Science in Management Information Systems (MS-MIS). The program consists of 11 courses that emphasize the infusion of technical skill with business knowledge. Students who have yet to earn the necessary baccalaureate prerequisites might want to consider the alternative program: Combined Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems/Master of Science in Management Information Systems (BS/MS-MIS) Pathway.

RELATED: The 20 Best Masters in Cyber Security Online

The curriculum of the program is organized into courses such as the following: 

• Information and Technology Management
• Systems Analysis & Design
• Database Development & Management
• Project Management
• Corporate Information Security
• Business Intelligence
• Knowledge Management

Learn more about Florida State University’s Online Master’s in Information Systems

2 California State University – Fullerton

The California State University (CSUF) College of Business and Economics is the largest AACSB accredited business school in California, and offers a number of nationally renowned degree programs that are helmed by faculty with countless accolades that validate their expertise–both as professionals and as educators. 

The College’s cohort model really demonstrates its value through its network of more than 65,000 graduates, who are now professionals working at the high-end of their respective fields. Graduates of the College often go on to find professional opportunities with the cohort groups they worked with throughout their degree program. 

The CSUF College of Business and Economics offers a fully online Master of Science in Information Technology that is completed through 30 units of coursework. Before students begin the program, they are required to complete an orientation course which emphasizes how to make the most of one’s time in the program. Students can also choose to specialize by enrolling in one of two specialty tracks: Data Science or IT Management.

Learn more about California State University’s Online Master’s in Information Systems

3 Arizona State University

Arizona State University (ASU) is one of the premier hubs for online education for students around the world through hundreds of online degree and certification programs. The ASU W. P. Carey School of Business offers a robust selection of undergraduate and graduate level programs that are designed to be efficient and affordable. Program curriculums are compact and focus on only the most important information in order to offer accelerated tracks. 

The ASU W. P. Carey School of Business offers an online Master of Science in Information Systems Management (MS-ISM). The program offers specialty tracks that are designed to represent on-demand opportunities in the job market in following areas: Cloud, Big Aata, and Tech Consulting. The program is completed at a blistering pace of just 12 months, making it one of the most efficient and affordable programs of its kind. 

Learn more about Arizona State University’s Online Master’s in Information Systems

4 The University of Texas at Dallas

The University of Texas at Dallas offers a number of career-centric degree programs that position students to build lifelong success in their careers. The UT Dallas Naveen Jindal School of Management in particular offers forward-facing degree programs that combine specialized tracks with in-depth curriculums in order to prepare students to take on positions of leadership after graduation. The Naveen Jindal School of Management frames its degree programs in the context of business management and industry. 

The UT Dallas Naveen Jindal School of Management offers a fully online Master of Science in Information Technology and Management. The distinguishes itself in two primary offerings that set it apart. Firstly, the program facilitates more than 400 internships every academic year, meaning that online students will have access to unparalleled professional grooming. Secondly, the program offers one of the most robust selections of specialization-tracks:

• Business Intelligence and Analytics
• Digital Product Management
• Cybersecurity Management
• Enterprise Systems
• Healthcare IT
• IT Consulting

Learn more about the University of Texas at Dallas’ Online Master’s in Information Systems

5 University of Illinois – Springfield

The University of Illinois System leverages a large network of schools and infrastructure in offering a number of online degree programs. The University of Illinois is consistently recognized for its traditions of academic excellence, which most importantly translate well into impressive career outcomes among graduates. Graduates of the University of Illinois go on to find success throughout their careers. 

The University of Illinois offers a graduate level online Management Information Systems program. The program provides a curriculum that seamlessly combines the technical side of the field with the business savvy needed to thrive in mid-to-upper management positions. Specifically, students of the program will progress through the following curriculum: 

• Technical Foundations of Information Systems
• Management Information Systems
• Managerial Decision Support Systems or Strategic Decision Support Systems
• Management of Database Systems
• Systems Analysis and Design
• Telecommunications
• Business Process Modeling and IT Governance
• Business Process Management and Innovation
• Project Management
• MIS Design and Research Methods
• MIS Elective
• Data Warehousing or Information Security
• Graduate Project and Seminar or MIS Capstone
• One approved MIS elective or MIS Thesis and Seminar

Learn more about University of Illinois’ Online Master’s in Information Systems

6 West Texas A&M University

The West Texas A&M University Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business offers a number of prestigious degree programs with specialty and technical tracks. The College’s degree programs have earned dozens of accolades consisting of top-spot rankings with the Princeton Review and US News & World Report. The College’s degree programs include: a Master in Business Administration (MBA) with several emphasis options, and Master of Science degrees in Computer Information Systems & Business Analytics (MSCISBA), in Finance and Economics (MSFE), and Professional Accounting (MPA).

The West Texas A&M University Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business offers a fully online Masters of Science in Computer Information Systems and Business Analytics (MS CISBA). The program is completed through 36 credit hours of coursework on an asynchronous schedule, meaning each student progresses through the program at a self-set pace. This is ideal for working students and adult learners who have many responsibilities to juggle.

Learn more about West Texas A&M University’s Online Master’s in Information Systems

7 University of Colorado 

The University of Colorado (CU) Online is a well-respected pioneer of online education, having launched its distance education program nearly 30 years ago. CU Online has used this time to iterate and improve on its online programs, which is likely why so many of its programs rank among the best of their kind. CU Online differentiates itself from competition by developing its degree programs to reflect the needs and expectations of real-world employers. Students looking for career-first degree programs need look no further.  

CU Online offers an online Master of Science in Information Systems program that infuses managerial training with technical skill-building. The program offers both full-time and part-time pacing options to accommodate working students and adult learners. Students can tailor their studies to match career aspirations by pursuing any of the following specialized tracks: 

• Business Intelligence
• Cybersecurity and Information Assurance
• General Track (General Curriculum)

Learn more about the University of Denver’s Online Master’s in Information Systems

8 Missouri University of Science & Technology

The Missouri University of Science & Technology (MST) Business and Information Technology (BIT) department specializes in degree programs that prime students for building successful careers in STEM and technology related careers. Beyond offering comprehensive career-focused curriculums, students can further improve their competitiveness in the job market by completing a number of specialized graduate certificates in on-demand areas. 

Specifically though, the MST BIT department offers a fully online Master of Science in Information Science and Technology (MS IST). The program makes use of the Laboratory for Information Technology Evaluation to offer a curriculum-focus on human-computer interaction where students can get hands-on experience in virtual labs. The program can be completed in just 12 to 24 months if completed on a full-time basis, or 24 to 36 months if completed on a part-time basis. 

Learn more about Missouri University’s Online Master’s in Information Systems

9 Colorado State University

Colorado State University (CSU) is quickly becoming a hub for high-end, academically rigorous degree programs for adult learners and non-traditional learners. Each degree program is helmed by world class faculty who hold the highest degree in their field, and have demonstrated remarkable success as professionals as well. CSU faculty also take on the role of mentor and advisor in their students’ lives, and help them to build a solid foundation from which to launch successful careers. 

CSU offers a fully online Master of Computer Information Systems (M.C.I.S.) as part of the Western Regional Graduate Program exchange (WICHE) program. The program is one of the elite few that is fully AACSB-accredited. Students can complete the program on-campus or online on a schedule that best matches their desired work-life balance, either over 3 or 5 years depending on whether students enroll on a full-time or part-time basis. 

Learn more about Colorado State University’s Online Master’s in Information Systems

10 New Jersey Institute of Technology

The New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) is one of the country’s leading polytechnic universities. New Jersey is home to more than 30 of the world’s leading technology companies, a network that the NJIT Ying Wu College of Computing leverages to create both learning opportunities and professional opportunities for students. The College offers the following degree programs: 

• Bioinformatics – M.S.
• Business & Information Systems – M.S.
• Computer Science – M.S.
• Computing and Business – M.S.
• Cyber Security and Privacy – M.S.
• Data Science – M.S – Computational Track
• Information Systems – M.S.
• Information Technology and Administration Security – M.S.
• Software Engineering – M.S.

The Master of Science in Information Systems program is offered online, and provides students with some of the most extensive options for specialization available on the higher ed market. The core curriculum however, is conferred through the following courses: 

• Web Systems Development
• Enterprise Database Management
• System Analysis and Design
• Data Analytics for Info System
• Business Process Innovation

Learn more about New Jersey Institute of Technology Online Master’s in Information Systems

11 Bellevue University

Bellevue University offers an array of online degree programs designed from the ground up to meet students wherever they are in life–whether that is as a first-time student, working student, or adult learner. As such, each degree program is meant to cultivate on-demand skill sets and the high-value knowledge that employers expect. Bellevue University models its program curriculums on the best-practices in higher education, and the real-world needs of respective job markets. 

Bellevue University offers a fully online Master of Science in Management Information Systems that is modeled on the best practices and standards set by the Association for Computing Machinery for IS Management and Technology (ACM). Students will further fine-tune their program by choosing from one of the following specializations: 

• Business administration
• Business analytics
• Cybersecurity
• Information security management
• Information technology project management

Learn more about Bellevue University’s Online Master’s in Information Systems

12 Oklahoma State University

Oklahoma State University is a comprehensive research university that specializes in offering career-focused degree programs in engineering and technology, human services, business, education, and liberal arts. Students will participate in industry-defining research and will explore the fundamental paradigms and dynamics that influence job markets and employer expectations. 

OSU offers a fully online Master of Science in Management Information Systems Program (MS in MIS) that positions students to build successful careers at the intersection of business and data science. The program is consistently recognized as one of the best programs of its kind in numerous trusted publications. Students will progress through a curriculum based on the following subjects:

• Business
• Database Management
• Data Warehousing
• Systems Analysis
• Programming for Analytics
• Descriptive Analytics
• Visualization and Professional Development

Learn more about Oklahoma State University’s Online Master’s in Information Systems

13 Minot State University

The Minot State University College of Business offers affordable degree programs that train students to recognize opportunities and seize them in order to advance their careers. The University continues to expand, moving more of its most successful programs online where more students can benefit from them. The College of Business also specifically looks to prepare students to work in a world that is becoming increasingly global.

 The Minot State University College of Business offers a fully online Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS). The program is one of few that is designed for preparing students to take on roles of executive management. But the curriculum is also comprehensive, and graduates go on to successful careers in the following areas: 

• Consulting
• Data Administration
• Systems Integration
• Networking, Telecom and Infrastructure
• Managing Sourcing and Global Projects
• Consumer Products and Services
• Project Management
• Software Development

Learn more about Minot State University’s Online Master’s in Information Systems

14 University of the Cumberlands

The University of the Cumberlands is one of the largest and most affordable universities in Kentucky, and has recently expanded rapidly into the online education space. A defining element of the University of the Cumberlands is its commitment to providing a career-focused curriculum framed in the context of christian principles. This translates to programs that train students to act as leaders and role models in their careers. 

The University of the Cumberlands offers a unique degree information systems program, specifically an Online Master in Information Systems Security. The program is broken down into two major core inquiries–cyber security and information assurance. Graduates of the program go on to successful careers in the following fields:

• Computer and Information Systems Manager
• IT Security Manager
• Network and Computer Systems Administrator
• Database Administrator

Learn more about the University of the Cumberlands’ Online Master’s in Information Systems

15 Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University College of Business’ the Department of Management & Information Systems offers a number of degree programs at the associate, undergraduate, and graduate level. The Department of Management & Information Systems is helmed by world class faculty who have worked at the forefront of their fields–both in terms of academics and professional achievement. The Department also works hard to train students for positions of leadership through various avenues of business operations. 

Students can earn an online Master’s of Science in Information Systems that is fully accredited by the AACSB, which is one of the most elite accrediting bodies for business schools. The curriculum delves deeply into the following subjects: technology, systems analysis, database design, and business telecommunication. 

Learn more about Mississippi State University’s Online Master’s in Information Systems

16 Stevenson University

Stevenson University distinguishes itself by providing students with career-focused degree programs packaged in small class sizes that facilitate student-instructor engagement. The Stevenson Career Connections program provides a structure to connect students with potential employers, so that upon graduation students can hit the ground running. Faculty have real-world experience and bring this experience to their students so that they know how to maximize their opportunities after graduation. 

Steven University offers an Online’s Master’s in Business and Technology Management. The program is a non-traditional format for the study of information systems, and shifts the focus from technical knowledge to macro-level inquiries based on understanding the relationship between existing and emerging technology and modern business. Students can choose between one of two tracks: Emerging Technology or Innovative Leadership.

Learn more about Stevenson University’s Online Master’s in Information Systems

17 Wright State University

The Wright State University Raj Soin College of Business offers innovative, forward-facing business degree programs that consistently rank among the best of their kind. Graduates of the College go on to become industry leaders–working at the forefront of business and technology. At the Raj Soin College of Business students learn how to actualize and maximize their potential as both students and professionals. 

The Raj Soin College of Business offers a fully online Master of Information Systems. Online education is balanced by the program’s emphasis of real world learning and the facilitating of experiential opportunities. Students of the program are groomed to take on positions of leadership in the following fields: 

• Systems Analysis
• Business Systems Designs
• Information Technology Management.

Learn more about Wright State University’s Online Master’s in Information Systems

18 Tarleton State University

Tarleton State University leverages seven academic colleges to offer a wide array degrees: 

• Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
• Business
• Education
• Graduate Studies
• Health Sciences and Human Service
• Liberal and Fine Arts
• Science and Technology

The Graduate Studies College offers a fully online Master of Science in Information Systems. The program has ranked among the best of its kind–most notably for its affordability and overall value. And amazingly, 100% of graduates of the program report being satisfied with their investment. 

Learn more about Tarleton State University’s Online Master’s in Information Systems

19 Dakota State University

Dakota State University looks to teach students how to build prosperity–both for themselves and for their communities. Its programs have received national attention for their adaptability–being constantly updated in response to industry trends and developments in the market. Program curriculums are developed around core values of academic integrity and intellectual curiosity. 

Dakota State University offers a Master of Science in Information Systems that emphasizes technical skill and knowledge. Students will master all the various applications of information technology in business today such as:

• Computer-Aided Software Engineering (CASE) Programming
• Internet and Electronic Commerce
• Network Operating Environments
• Decision Support Systems (DSS)
• Database Management

Learn more about Dakota State University’s Online Master’s in Information Systems

20 Georgia College & State University

Georgia College & State University offers premier liberal arts online degree programs for both traditional and nontraditional students. GCSU frames its technology program curriculums within the context of a liberal arts framework, that is, students learn how to apply practical problem solving to theoretical problems and vice versa. 

GCSU offers a fully online Master of Management Information Systems (MMIS) that is completed through a combination of asynchronous and synchronous learning formats so that students get the best of both worlds–the flexibility to progress through coursework at a comfortable pace, while still benefiting from organized lectures and collaborative peer projects. The program’s curriculum is built around core tenets of project management, analysis, and strategic planning.

Learn more about Georgia College & State University’s Online Master’s in Information Systems

Related Resources:

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

The post The 20 Best Online Master’s in Information Systems appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

1. School Principal

If you enjoy teaching but also have great management skills outside the classroom, school principle – the highest paying education career – might be an excellent career for you. Principals work in schools large and small at the elementary, middle and high school levels. School principals at any level can have numerous responsibilities. They must make sure the school meets academic, performance, budgetary, security and technology goals as well as government requirements.

They set class and school maintenance schedules, supervise and assess teacher performance, help create curricula, make sure the school stays under budget, attain supplies and comply with district, state or federal regulations. Principals still meet directly with students, but they often do so for the purpose of addressing problem behavior. They may also work with teachers, support staff members and parents to address students’ behavioral problems.

Additionally, school principals have some important responsibilities beyond the day-to-day school operations. They serve as the point of contact between the school and the public. With school safety a major concern across the nation, these education professionals are responsible for creating and coordinating safety procedures. They may play a role in the hiring process and set up professional development experiences for teachers and staff members. School principals receive student achievement data, like standardized test scores, to evaluate and use as the basis of school performance reports. They also manage counseling, special education and childcare programs, if the school offers these programs. Some principals have help from assistant principals, instructional coordinators and other support staff, while other school principals take on all of these responsibilities on their own.

Principals start out their careers in the classroom. They usually have at least five years – and often, a lot more – of teaching experience. To become a principal, candidates must also earn a master’s degree in either education administration or education leadership. One such program will prepare candidates for responsibilities like managing school staff members, setting and following budgets, planning to achieve goals and interfacing with parents and community members.

Median Salary: $87,760

Education: Master’s Degree in Education Leadership or Education Administration

2. Postsecondary Teachers

Not every teacher works with children. If your passion lies in educating adults, a career in postsecondary education could be a great choice for you. These educators, often called professors or instructors, work at two-year and four-year colleges, universities, business schools, technical and trade schools, hospitals and other career training institutions. While postsecondary teachers do teach in the classroom, laboratory or lecture hall, they also often conduct their own research in their subject area.

Subject area is important for postsecondary teachers – much more so than for elementary school teachers, for example. These educators develop expertise in their field through many years of schooling not just at the undergraduate level, but at the master’s or Ph.D. level. They learn and contribute to the field through their own research work, thesis or dissertation. Postsecondary teachers, particularly those who work full-time at major universities, continue their research work and publish their findings scholarly journal articles and books even as they teach classes in their subject area. As teachers, of course, they juggle the responsibilities of devising lesson plans, syllabi, assignments and exams and grading student work. Professors may advise students in their programs on topics like courses to take and academic and career paths to pursue.  Some postsecondary teachers supervise students in graduate programs as they complete work for their thesis or dissertation.

Earning an advanced degree is only one part of the process of becoming a college professor. Full-time professors often attain a good deal of experience in their subject area, either conducting research, working in the field, teaching at the college level or through some combination of these experiences. Many postsecondary teachers begin a career in academics as adjunct professors, which means they teach part-time. It’s not uncommon for adjunct professors to teach part-time at multiple schools or while working in another role while they cultivate the experience necessary to attain a full-time position.

Median Salary: $68,970

Education: Master’s degree or Ph.D. in their subject area

3. Instructional Coordinators

If you’re as interested in what and how students are learning as you are in the act of teaching, then a role as an instructional coordinator might be your ultimate career goal. These education professionals, who typically have years of experience as teachers themselves, focus primarily on developing and coordinating curricula, instructional materials and teaching standards. They choose textbooks and other course materials that align with educational goals and curricula. Instructional coordinators also suggest what technologies and teaching methods teachers should use in the classroom.

A big part of what instructional coordinators do is working with the instructors. These professionals set up and oversee teacher training, including workshops and conferences. Instructional coordinators create the curriculum and the processes teachers use to implement it. They evaluate teachers and serve as mentors in helping them attain new skills and improve existing ones. To determine the effectiveness of curricula, procedures, materials, technology and teaching methods, instructional coordinators evaluate students’ performance on tests.

Instructional coordinators go by many names, including instructional coaches, assistant superintendents of instruction and curriculum specialists. Some may work exclusively on developing, implementing and assessing curricula for particular grades or subject areas.

The position of instructional coordinator is no entry-level job. First, candidates must attain plenty of experience teaching, which requires earning an undergraduate degree in education (and possibly a subject area) and a teaching license. After they have the experience to advance into an instructional coordinator role, candidates must earn a graduate degree in education or curriculum and instruction. In these master’s programs, aspiring instructional coordinators will study teaching theory, curriculum design and how to analyze student performance data. Some programs allow students to delve into an area of focus, like a specific level of education.

Median Salary: $60,050

Education: Master’s Degree in Education or Curriculum and Instruction

4. Librarians

Education doesn’t always take place in the classroom. If you want to help people of all ages and education levels learn and do research for school, work and personal purposes, consider a role as a librarian. More than half of all librarians work in schools of some type, from the elementary to college level at both public and private institutions. More than one-quarter find employment in public libraries. Others work in specialized settings, like corporate libraries, government libraries, medical libraries and law libraries. Some librarians, particularly those who work in very large libraries, specialize in one main responsibility, like helping patrons or doing administrative work.

Work as a librarian is all about helping people locate the information they’re looking for. This means interacting with library patrons – such as students, professionals and community members – to answer questions and guide research efforts. Librarians organize materials and carefully maintain collections and the databases that provide information about those materials. They acquire new books, materials, equipment and technology. To stay under budget, they have to choose materials carefully, researching books and considering information like reviews and catalog blurbs.

Librarians may also be responsible for teaching informal classes on research and locating resources and for planning events and educational programs for library visitors. Some librarians in leadership roles train and oversee library employees, including assistants and technicians.

An advanced education is essential for a career as a librarian. While there’s no one undergraduate program that’s the right choice to prepare candidates for the career, the Master of Library Science, or MLS, degree is a standard qualification employers seek in candidates for librarian positions. Earning this degree typically takes one to two years of additional study beyond the undergraduate level and covers subjects like online and offline research methods, library materials selection, information organization and how to use online reference systems. Candidates for librarian roles in specialized libraries may need a degree in the field in which they specialize – like law, medicine or business – as well as library science. Librarians may need to attain certification to work in schools or to work at all in some states.

Median Salary: $55,370

Education: Master of Library Science, Master of Information Studies or Master of Library and Information Studies

5. Special Education Teachers

Some students need extra help. Special education teachers are the educators who instruct students who have mental, physical, emotional and learning disabilities that make it difficult for them to learn and succeed in a more traditional learning environment. Some students need help learning basic life skills, while others require general study help, and still others need assistance in particular subject areas where they may struggle.

Special education teachers often work one-on-one with students, creating Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) tailored to each student that outline goals and the services available to help the student meet those goals. For students with mild to moderate disabilities, these plans might include how to adapt standard course materials and lessons to help the student more successfully grasp the material. The curriculum itself might be similar to that of general education classes in the same grade, but the use of different teaching techniques and requirements helps students with disabilities absorb and process the information. Special education teachers also teach basic skills in literacy and communication to students who suffer from severe disabilities. Throughout the school year, special education teachers are responsible for updating IEPs to report progress and performance toward these goals.

Special education teachers also work with small groups of students, as well as overseeing the class as a whole. Sometimes they have help from classroom teacher assistants, while some special education students also have their own aides. Special education teachers often work closely with school counselors, general education teachers, their students’ parents and even school superintendents to help students succeed to the best of their abilities. Special education teachers find work in all grade levels, from elementary to high school. Some work in inclusive classrooms that mix general education and special education students, teaching in conjunction with general education teachers. Others work in resource rooms or in classrooms exclusively for special education students who need individual attention. Special education teachers may work with students who have a specific type of disability, like blindness or deafness, or they may work with students who have a variety of different disabilities that may affect their education in different ways.

A bachelor’s degree in education is essential for a career as a special education teacher. Probably the best preparation for this career is an undergraduate program in special education specifically. These programs delve in-depth into subjects valuable for success, like the various kinds of disabilities special education teachers may encounter and how to teach material in ways that students with these disabilities can understand. However, some special education teachers start the career with a background in elementary education, with or without studying a content area. In some states, special education teachers must attain a master’s degree in special education. Any education program should require college students to gain work experience in the form of supervised student teaching. After graduating, aspiring special education teachers must attain a license or certification from the state in which they intend to teach.

Median Salary: $55,060

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education, Elementary Education or Content Area

6. High School Teacher

By high school, students should know the basics of subjects like reading, writing, mathematics and social studies. High school teachers impart more advanced knowledge and lessons to students. They prepare students in the ninth through 12^th grades for life after graduation, whether that means college, technical school or a transition right into the workforce. High school teachers typically concentrate on a single general subject area, like science, math, history or English, but they may teach a variety of classes within the subject during the day. They teach courses at different grade levels and difficulty levels, including advanced and college preparatory classes.

Like teachers at other grade levels, high school teachers develop and implement lesson plans. They cover material through in-class lectures, discussions and activities and assign homework, papers and projects. High school teachers grade assignments to assess students’ performance and their understanding of the course material. While high school teachers manage entire classes of students, they also work with kids in small groups and individually to enhance their strengths and improve their weaknesses. They must prepare their students to pass standardized tests, cultivate a solid educational background in subjects that they will pursue further in college, and develop the skills to succeed in the real world. High school teachers may discuss progress and academic performance with their students’ parents. Many high school teachers choose to get involved in extracurricular activities, like school clubs and sports.

Because high school teachers instruct students in a specific subject area, it’s important for them to have an education in that subject area themselves. An aspiring science teacher might choose to major in biology, chemistry or physics. A bachelor’s degree in history would be appropriate for an aspiring high school social studies teacher, while majoring in mathematics would prepare a candidate for a high school math teacher role. Aspiring high school teachers should also study education or teacher preparation during their college career to learn about child and adolescent psychology and ways to successfully instruct students. This may mean they will have to double major in education and the content area of their choice. During their college career, they will participate in student teaching opportunities to gain work experience. After graduation, aspiring high school teachers will need to earn either a high school or secondary certification or license in the state where they intend to teach.

Median Salary: $55,050

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Education and Content Area

7. Middle School Teacher

Bridging the gap between the basics of elementary education and the advanced concepts and preparation for adulthood of elementary school is middle school, typically considered grades six through eight. Like high school teachers, many middle school teachers focus on teaching just one or two subject areas, like math, science, English or social studies to several classes of students each day. They have the sometimes challenging job of expanding the fundamental knowledge and skills students learned in each subject during elementary school so they will be able to grasp more complex concepts and succeed in the more academically rigorous environment of high school. They must also get students ready for success on standardized tests.

Middle school teachers develop lessons, assignments and classroom activities to convey course material. They administer quizzes that test students’ knowledge and grade participation, classwork, homework, projects and exams. Sometimes middle school teachers assign group work and facilitate teamwork within small groups. At times, they may work with students individually to help them if they are struggling with the course material or to challenge them to reach their full potential. In the classroom, middle school teachers establish and implement rules for behavior. Outside the classroom, they may be responsible for supervising students in the hallways, the cafeteria, the gymnasium, the playground or even during school field trips.

During the course of their careers, middle school teachers work with many other adults to help the children they teach succeed. They hold conferences with parents to inform them of their child’s progress, performance, strengths and academic needs. They collaborate with other teachers, especially in schools where teachers of different subject areas work in teams to facilitate meeting big-picture education goals. Middle school teachers may refer students to school counselors, special education teachers or school administrators for help with various problems, from emotional challenges to learning difficulties and discipline for behavioral problems.

While aspiring middle school teachers need an undergraduate college degree in education, exactly what they choose to major in can vary. Some enroll in elementary or even early education programs, while others may find degree paths in middle school education or middle grades education. By studying education in college, aspiring middle school teachers will learn child and adolescent psychology and effective teaching methods for conveying lessons. They will develop real-world experience through student teaching. Many students also choose to major in the content area they intend to teach – in fact, some states and colleges require education majors to double major in a subject area. Upon graduation, candidates will need to attain a teaching license or certification. Exactly which certification they pursue depends on the requirements of their state, but can range from elementary school to secondary school certification.

For candidates who already have a bachelor’s degree but don’t have a teaching background, there’s also an alternate route to teaching certification. This path allows candidates to take their education courses long after they have earned a degree, sometimes even while they begin their teaching career.

Median Salary: $53,430

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary or Middle School Education

8. Elementary School Teacher

How do young children learn the basics of reading, mathematics, science, social studies and other essential subjects? With the help of good elementary school teachers. These instructors typically work with students in grades one through five – generally, ages five to 11. However, some elementary schools include students up to eighth grade.

Elementary school teachers often spend the entire day teaching the same class of students, educating them in various subject areas. They manage classroom behavior, setting and enforcing rules for appropriate conduct. As students progress and gain fundamental skills, elementary school teachers present increasingly complex concepts, such as science experiments, reading assignments and group projects. They also help students develop the academic and communication skills they will need to succeed in school and in later life. In addition, elementary school students have to take standardized tests, which their teachers must prepare them to pass.

Elementary school teachers are responsible for developing lesson plans that present material in ways their students can understand and apply it. Successfully teaching this age group often requires hands-on activities, which teachers have to plan and implement. To determine how well students are understanding and applying the course material, elementary school teachers still have to assign and grade classwork, tests and even homework. Teachers at the elementary education level may have more regular communication with parents regarding individual students’ academic and behavioral performance than teachers at higher grade levels do. They also oversee student behavior during recess and mealtimes.

Naturally, a degree program in elementary education is the most straightforward choice for aspiring elementary school teachers. These programs include coursework in child psychology and development, teaching methods that are effective with young students and techniques for instructing students with different strengths, weaknesses and backgrounds.  They also include a student teaching component designed to help future teachers gain hands-on classroom experience. Some states and schools also require aspiring elementary school teachers to major in a subject area, though they will be responsible for instructing their students in all content areas. After earning their degrees, candidates will have to earn a teaching license or certification in early childhood education or elementary education. As with other types of teachers, aspiring elementary school teachers who have a bachelor’s degree in a different field can pursue an alternate route to a teaching certification.

Median Salary: $53,400

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education

9. Career and Technical Education Teacher

Not every student is cut out for a traditional college education or its corresponding career options – and that’s a good thing, because there are plenty of important jobs for which a college academic program isn’t the best preparation. Some students excel at subjects like culinary arts, hospitality and tourism, information technology, auto repair and assistant or technician roles in the healthcare industry. Career and technical education teachers instruct students in middle schools, high schools and postsecondary schools in these technical subjects so they can develop the skills necessary to enter the workforce. They work with students in classrooms, workshops and laboratories and often help students find opportunities to gain professional experience during their education.

Like other types of instructors, career and technical education teachers plan lessons and carry out activities. Through instruction and demonstration, they help students attain academic knowledge and the technical skills to apply it to the kind of real-world situations they will encounter in their future careers. They assign written and hands-on work for students to complete in and out of class and grade those assignments to measure students’ success. In middle and high school settings, career and technical education teachers may interact with parents to notify them of students’ performance, strengths and struggles. In technical schools and junior colleges, they record students’ progress toward a certificate or an associate’s degree.

The typical entry-level education requirement for career and technical education teachers is a bachelor’s degree in their subject area of expertise, though this requirement may change from one field to another. Some career and technical education teachers have only a high school degree, but many years of practical experience in the field and the credentials to prove it. Even aspiring career and technical education teachers who have a bachelor’s degree often need years of experience in the subject to begin teaching it. Career and technical education teachers who work in public middle and high schools, in particular, need a state-issued teaching license or certification. They may need to complete student teaching experiences, as well.

Generally, career and technical education teachers earn the highest salaries – a median wage of $55,160 – working in secondary or high school settings. Middle school career and technical education teachers earn a median salary of $54,220. The lowest median salary, $47,990, is found at postsecondary schools like business schools, trade schools, technical schools and two-year colleges.

Median Salary: $51,910

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Subject Area

10. Kindergarten Teacher

If your passion is to educate the youngest of young children, then kindergarten is the grade level for you. Kindergarten teachers work with children around age five. Some of these children have never been to school of any kind before, while others have some exposure to the classroom dynamic from enrollment in preschool or even a daycare program.

Kindergarten teachers develop and oversee classroom activities. They typically see a single class of students for the entire day and must develop hands-on projects that keep young children engaged, out of trouble and constantly learning. Kindergarten teachers may teach the entire class at one time, or they may break the class up into small groups and work with different groups at different times while still supervising the class as a whole. Though the work appropriate for kindergarteners is less complex than it would be for elementary school children or older kids, kindergarten teachers still have to explain the work, help students to complete assignments and determine how well they are progressing toward meeting age-appropriate goals. At this grade level, establishing and enforcing classroom rules is particularly important, since the youngest students may not yet know what behavior is acceptable in the classroom.

To become a kindergarten teacher, candidates must earn a college degree, attain work experience and complete the requirements to get a teaching license or certification. A bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or elementary education is typically an appropriate choice for aspiring kindergarten teachers. Besides learning how to manage a classroom and convey information to young children, these programs will also provide candidates with student teaching experience. In some colleges and states, even kindergarten teachers will have to major in a subject area as well as education. After earning a degree, aspiring kindergarten teachers will need to attain teaching certification in early childhood grades.

Median Salary: $50,120

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education

Editor’s Note: The information presented in this article comes from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a federal government agency that reports on the labor market. Wages, education requirements and other details about the education jobs listed can vary depending on location and employer. If you’re interested in a career in education, consider this list a guide you can use to begin your own research specific to your goals and location.

For Further Reading: 

Top 10 Paying Jobs With an Associate’s Degree

Top 10 Highest Paying Engineering Careers

Top 10 Paying Jobs That Involve Math

What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

The post The Top 10 Highest Paying Education Careers appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

This leads us to one of the largest misconceptions about criminology. We’ll discuss this issue in more depth in our section on the difference between criminology and criminal justice. But one of the aspects we need to emphasize early in this guide is that criminology doesn’t focus on the enforcement of the law. Criminology doesn’t study how best to manage prisoners, how to catch those guilty of a crime, or how to force a confession.

Criminology looks deeper than the above questions and seeks to determine some of the root causes of criminal behavior.

If you enter into the field of criminology you’ll study elements including

• The frequency of crimes
• The locations of crime
• The varied consequences of crime
• Reactions to crime from many groups
• How governments or individuals “deal” with crime

And many other aspects of crime. Criminology is a sub-discipline of sociology, and seeks to keep its feet firmly planted in the realm of scientific investigation.

If you’ve wondered what makes a criminal do what they do, or why we treat criminals in certain ways, then criminology may be a great field for you.

If you think you may be interested in criminology, but don’t see your question answered here, be sure to check out some of our related resources below.

Related Resources

• What are the qualifications to work in law enforcement?
• How do I become a crime analyst?
• What Degree Do I Need to Be a Crime Analyst?
• What Salary Can You Expect With a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice?
• What Classes Will I Take in a Criminal Justice Degree?

Table of Contents:

• What Criminology Degrees Are Available?
• Can I Pursue a Criminology Degree Online?
• How Do I Gain Admission to a Criminology Degree Program?
• Differences Between Criminology and Criminal Justice
• What Can I Do With a Degree in Criminology?

What Criminology Degrees Are Available?

Criminology degrees are available at every level of study. Additionally, when it comes to seeking a career, many students seek to learn from both criminal justice and criminology schools of thought. Many students that pursue an associates in criminal justice may follow this up with a bachelor’s in criminology, or so forth.

At the associates level, criminology degrees are primarily a preparatory step for obtaining a more advanced degree. These degrees can save you a good bit of money, as many community college systems offer free or greatly-reduced tuition costs for in-district or in-state residents. Then, once you’ve finished your associates in criminology, you can proceed into a bachelor’s program in the same or another discipline.

At the associates level, students begin their study by taking general education courses. These courses aren’t specifically about criminology, but are meant to assure that you are a well-rounded thinker, can communicate clearly, and have a college-level understanding of science and math.

After you’ve completed your general education requirements, the following courses are commonly offered in associates in criminology degrees.

• Juvenile justice
• Criminal Investigation
• Criminal Law and Procedure
• Community Corrections
• Police and Society
• And a selection of electives

A bachelor’s degree in criminology is typically the entrance point to at least being able to aid in criminological research. While you can enter law enforcement or loss prevention with less than a bachelor’s, a bachelor’s degree in a criminology is a popular route for both.

Bachelor’s degrees have traditionally taken 4 years for graduation, though studying part-time or accelerating your studie may change that timeframe to anywhere between 3 and 6 years.

Similarly to associates degrees in criminology, bachelor’s degrees begin with general education requirements. These are typically comparable to those within associates degrees.

Once you’ve worked your way up to major courses, you’ll take some selection of the following courses:

• Crime in relation to neighborhoods
• Criminal Justice and Law
• Courses in microeconomics
• Analysis of Public Policy
• Economics and Law
• Legal Literature
• Public Policy and Social Issues
• Theory of Sociology
• Society and Laws
• Organized Crime and Gands
• American Legal History I and II
• The Social Contract
• Legal Philosophy
• American Politics
• American Constitution

As you can see, a bachelor’s degree in criminology goes into much greater depth in a number of sub disciplines inside of criminology. Additionally, criminology degrees tend to prepare students well for graduate degrees including criminology, other sociology degrees, and law school.

Criminology degrees tend to be academic rather than applied in nature. And many programs may have additional thesis, capstone project, or research requirements.

At the master’s level, students can truly begin to participate in the research process of criminology. Recipients with master’s in criminology are more qualified than those with bachelor’s to jump into law enforcement roles. Additionally, public policy, governmental, and research roles related to criminology generally have minimum degree requirements of holding a master’s degree.

So what do you study in a master’s in criminology?

While curricula are often more varied than at the bachelor’s level, a collection of courses are central to a masters in criminology. Some of those courses will likely be:

• Criminological Theories, Survey
• Criminal Justice Theory and Research
• Computer Applications for Criminal Justice
• Criminology Research Methods
• Criminology Applied Statistics
• Race, Ethnicity, Social Justice, and Crime
• Individual Rights, Procedures, and Criminal Law
• Treatment and Prevention of Delinquency and Crime
• Comparative Criminal Justice and Criminology
• Administration of Criminal Justice
• Penology
• Society and the Police
• Victimology
• Thesis

Finally, doctoral degrees in criminology help to prepare students to enter full-time research and teaching roles. In the field of criminology, the terminal degree is a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) in criminology. This is a research doctorate that involves 2 years of taught classes followed by a number of years of research. In order to complete a Phd., your studies must culminate in a dissertation. Dissertations are several hundred page documents of original research that are deemed of high enough quality to be placed in a peer reviewed journal.

Though Ph.D.’s offer the widest range of flexibility in what one focuses on, there are some common areas that criminology doctorates tend to focus on. Some common focus areas include:

• Female Offenders
• Youth and Adolescent Offenders
• Crime Management
• Corrections
• And many other options

Can I Pursue a Criminology Degree Online?

The short answer is, yes. A wide range of criminology degrees are available online at every level of study.

In recent years, online study has become more common, with one of four students taking at least one class online at the present time.

With that said, online degrees aren’t the right choice for everyone.

It’s important to look at some of the pros and cons of in-person and online degrees, and decide if you think online is the proper choice for you.

Some of the most commonly mentioned positive aspects of an online degree include:

• The fact that many programs have lower fees
• Asynchronous programs provide a great deal more flexibility
• The fact that you don’t have to move to pursue a degree
• The fact that you get the exact same degree as an in-person program
• Specialized support services for working adults

While those are all great aspects of an online education, students also mention the following shortcomings of the delivery method:

• It’s generally harder to get to know classmates or instructors in online settings
• There are generally less support services in online settings
• Online learning is often much more self guided, relying on you to make yourself study

So just because a program is online doesn’t mean you should necessarily opt for this delivery method. If you’re a self-starter, and enjoy greater flexibility, maybe. But if you enjoy in-person events, take more from the social pressure and relationships of an in-person program, online may not be for you.

Also note that there is a wide range of what constitutes an online degree. Some hybrid degree programs require students to attend every other class session in person, while fully online programs may not require you to come to campus once within years of instruction.

Additionally, asynchronous courses allow you to log in whenever. There will likely still be some due dates and a timeline for the course. But this is quite a bit different from a synchronous program in which you have to log on at the same time for every class and attend a live session.

How Do I Gain Admission to a Criminology Degree Program?

Criminology degree programs typically have no entrance requirements that are distinct from other degrees at the level you are seeking.

At the associates level, many community colleges have “open admissions” policies in which all students are allowed into the program. Students must then keep their grades above a certain point to remain in the program.

Bachelor’s degree programs most commonly require standardized tests like the ACT or SAT. Additionally, a resume, character references, a transcript and essays are typically required for admission.

Master’s degrees typically require a statement of purpose as well as some connection to one of the professors in the program. In a research-heavy field like criminology, you’ll want to express what you hope to learn and research within your program when you apply.

Doctoral programs often require for you to reach out to different “mentors” within the program. Find one that shares your research interests and then being the admissions process when it is clear that they are willing to work with you.

This is of course a minimized version of all of the prerequisites to obtain entry into a criminology program. But our aim is to supply you with a general grasp of what you may need to have in place in order to attend a criminology degree at a specific degree level.

Differences Between Criminology and Criminal Justice

One of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of criminology is that it isn’t the same academic field as criminal justice.

At the associates level, you will sometimes see degrees in criminology and criminal justice. But as far as pursuing degrees that require original research, these are two very unique academic interests.

So what’s the difference?

Criminology ends with the suffic “-ology” which means “the study of.” This is precisely what criminology is, the study of crime and related phenomena. Criminology seeks to answer questions of how, why, and where crime happens.

Criminal justice is an applied field, in many areas of the field, criminal justice applies criminology. Criminal justice is more focused on “what” happens and the processes that are at play in the prosecution of crime. This field is a more direct preparation for working in law enforcement.

What Can I Do With a Degree in Criminology?

So what can you do with a degree in criminology?

Well, criminologists are one of the most direct career paths out of the academic study. These academicians work on the hard questions within criminology and may work in universities or other settings that support sociological research. They may be writers, or researchers that support policy makers.

As you may have guessed, there aren’t a huge number of criminologists. And the bar to entry is quite high, with at least a master’s required.

For passionate students of criminology, however, this can be a great way to continue your life investigating some of the hardest questions related to why, when, and where crime happens.

The average salary for criminologists is presently $83,571.

Though we didn’t go into the specific process of obtaining a law degree, many criminology graduates are well equipped to enter the field of law as lawyers. In particular, criminology graduates are well prepared to be criminal defense or prosecutor lawyers. These lawyers pit themselves against each other in nearly every criminal trial.

Many prosecutor lawyers will work in some capacity for the state, federal government, or a municipality. They may specialize on one type of crime or handle all cases of a certain stature for a governmental body.

Criminal defense attorneys, on the other hand, are assigned by the state to those that do not have the funds to gain representation. Additionally, they work in nonprofits and private for profit law firms. These attorneys often specialize in one type of law or crime committed.

The average salaries for prosecutorial and criminal defense attorneys are $91,950 and $78,500, respectively.

A third career type that many criminology majors go into is that of law enforcement. There are a variety of roles of which the most common is police officer. While students will need a degree from a police academy as well, there is a great deal of room for advancement within police departments for college or graduate school graduates. Many criminologists find work later in their career as detectives or in leadership roles within law enforcement.

The average salary for some of the most common law enforcement careers are listed below:

• Police Officer: $65,400
• Police Detective: $85,020
• Federal Special Agent: $135,177
• Police Chief: $106,804

Our final career path in which criminologists often their talents well rewarded is that of grant writer for non-profits and research entities. Many social justice and public health initiatives hinge on effectively quantifying crime-related statistics. Crime affects the physical and mental health, economic livelihood, and much more of areas where it is an affliction. Many criminologists are acutely prepared for stepping into research roles where an appreciation of the importance of tracking crime is rewarded.

Though there are many other positions available within the nonprofit sector, grant writers make an average of $45,850.

Think you’re interested in a degree in criminology? Be sure to check out some of our related resources below:

• What are the fastest schools for a master’s in criminology?
• What classes will I take with a degree in criminology?
• What are the qualifications to work in law enforcement?
• How do I become a crime analyst?
• What degree do I need to be a criminal profiler?
• The 25 best online master’s in criminal justice
• The 25 best online bachelor’s in criminal justice
• The 10 most affordable criminal justice degree programs
• Top 10 Graduate Degree Programs in Criminal Justice
• Top 25 Law Schools

For Further Reading: 

What Degree Do I Need to Be a Policy Analyst?

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

If you look at the U.S. Labor Department of Statistics you will notice the percentages of projected employment growth are all in double digits across the board. That’s excellent news for job seekers currently holding a healthcare-related degree as well as students trying to decide on their career path.

RELATED: The Best-Paying Jobs in Health Care: Top 15 Highest-Paying Medical Specialties

All salaries, education requirements and projected employment growth were sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) website. If a particular career was not featured on the BLS site, Payscale.com was used for median salary.

1. Optometrist

Read the top line. Now the next line. Can you read the smallest line? Are you reading it with glasses, or your own naked eye? If you’re reading with glasses, odds are, you’ve met an optometrist. (You might have met an ophthalmologist, which is a medical doctor who treats eyes; an optometrist is Doctor of Optometry, specializing in corrective lenses, not medicine.) Optometrists check vision, prescribe lenses, and sometimes prescribe medications for minor eye disorders; some even do basic surgeries.

If you want to help people see better, but you’re not so interested in doing surgery or treating major diseases, consider optometry. It’s a very rewarding career, in the good you can do patients and the income you’ll make.

Median Salary: $97,000
Education Level: Doctorate
Projected employment growth: 24% increase between 2012 and 2022

2. Registered Nurse

Registered Nurse hits that sweet spot where schooling, pay, and responsibility balance out. You can become a registered nurse with an associate’s degree and a license, in only two or three years, and pay is high for such a low level of schooling. You spend a lot of time directly with patients, assessing their well-being, keeping them comfortable, and doing all of the many tasks that come up (medicines, needles, monitors, and bandages). You can specialize in areas such as pediatric, emergency, intensive care, and labor/delivery, or you can work as a school or camp nurse. Some nurses choose lucrative traveling positions.

It’s not a cushy job – you’ll be on your feet a lot, and during your shifts, stress can get pretty high. You’re responsible for people’s lives, after all. But there is no shortage of work for good nurses, and the more experience you get, the more in-demand you’ll be, and the higher pay you can negotiate for.

Median Salary: $65,000
Education Level: Associates’s degree
Projected employment growth: 19% increase between 2012 and 2022

3. Respiratory Therapist

Take a deep breath. Appreciate that? What if you couldn’t do it? For millions of Americans, breathing is a daily struggle. Whether from asthma, COPD, emphysema, or any number of other disorders, difficulty breathing calls for a specialist who can help relieve symptoms, do therapy to strengthen the lungs, and practice preventative care. That specialist is a Respiratory Therapist.

Although Respiratory Therapists need to continue their training and education throughout their career, as new technologies and therapies emerge, RT is one of the best-paid professions you can get with only an associate’s degree. Many respiratory therapists work with premature births, children, adults with chronic lung disorders, and the elderly, all demographics, and there is no expectation that the need for RTs will diminish; if anything, the profession is expected to grow.

Median Salary: $56,000
Education Level: Associates’s degree
Projected employment growth: 19% increase between 2012 and 2022

4. Hospital Administrator

An exploding medical sector means an unprecedented demand for Hospital Administrators. These are the people who keep the hospital in compliance with regulations, financially stable, staffed, and housed. They may not have direct contact with patients, but they make sure the hospital is there, and that qualified people are on call to take care of the sick and injured.

This is a job with significant responsibilities; whether it’s for-profit or non-profit, a hospital is an expensive operation, and the administrators are the ones who make sure the hospital is making money and staying afloat. Anything that goes wrong is on the heads of the administrators, so they often have to talk to the press and be available during emergency situations. And for that responsibility, they’re very well-paid. A Master’s of Business Administration is recommended, though some administrators are going for Public Health, and even Doctor of Public Health degrees.

Median Salary: $97,000
Education Level: Master’s degree
Projected employment growth: 23% increase between 2012 and 2022

5. Biomedical Engineer

Part of the excitement of working in medicine is using all of the amazing machines, tools, and gadgets that are being developed every day to heal people. Obviously, those incredible inventions don’t design themselves – that’s what Biomedical Engineers are for. Any innovation that has transformed some aspect of medicine in recent years, from brain-controlled prosthetics to imaging machines that can show the hair on a growing fetus, started out in a biomedical research and development facility.

If you like the idea of working in a lab, creating things that will improve and save lives, consider biomedical engineering. You only need a bachelor’s degree to get started, and pay is excellent for the education level.

Median Salary: $87,000
Education Level: Bachelor’s degree
Projected employment growth: 27% increase between 2012 and 2022

6. Dental Hygienist

Can you get past the fact you will be poking around in stranger’s mouths all day long? If so, you’re golden. You clean some teeth, examine for gingivitis and other oral diseases, maybe you do some sealant work and assist with fillings, round it out with patient education and you’ve got your shift in a nutshell.

A Dental Hygienist works for a team with Dentists and Dental Assistants. So for obvious reasons, you need to have excellent social and communication skills. Hygienist are paid very well given the fact that only a 2 year degree is the required amount of schooling for this position.

Median Salary: $70,210
Education Level: Associates’s degree
Projected employment growth: 33% increase between 2012 and 2022

7. Dermatologist

Who loves their skin? Really, sees no flaws and has no qualms? That’s why dermatologists will always have a job. But it’s not all smoothing wrinkles and removing unsightly moles. Dermatologists treat life-threatening skin cancers, correct disfiguring scars and damage, sooth painful skin conditions that make life miserable, and help patients learn good preventative habits to avoid future suffering.

You’ll have to do a lot of schooling first – a dermatologist is a medical doctor, not just a simple certification. But you’ll have no trouble paying back your student loans, either. Median income is up around $300,000, and in California, where good skin goes on your resume, it can be even higher. Makes you wonder why you’re not a dermatologist already, doesn’t it?

Median Salary: $300,000
Education Level: Doctorate degree
Projected employment growth: 18% increase between 2012 and 2022

8. Chiropractor

Chiropractors diagnose and treat disorders of the spine, along with all the muscles and nerves that go with it. To the layman, that means a lot of stretching and joint-cracking. As a chiropractor, you do a little of everything; a session may require working with computer imaging, doing some therapeutic massage, and stretching patients on equipment that looks kind of medieval. You can’t be afraid to try some unconventional treatments, because every patient’s pain is different.

If you want to go into a medical profession, but you’re kind of a lone wolf, chiropractic might be a good choice. Most chiropractors work in private practice. But that, of course, means you have to wear a lot of hats, so it wouldn’t hurt to have some skills in business and marketing in addition to your medical degree. Take a video course and you can even shoot your own late-night local TV commercial.

Median Salary: $66,000
Education Level: Doctorate degree
Projected employment growth: 16% increase between 2012 and 2022

9. Podiatrist

Frankly, the human foot is a disaster. It just can’t handle all we put it through, with all our running around, on hard floors and sidewalks, in poorly-designed shoes. Not to mention all the weight we keep putting on them. It’s a wonder they hold up as well as they do. But pretty much everyone experiences foot pain or illness at some time in their lives. The Podiatrist is the one who treats that pain and illness, whether it’s as simple as warts and bunions, or as complex as diabetic feet or deformities like club foot.

RELATED: How Long Does It Take to Become a Doctor?

Those Baby Boomers, patron saints of the medical field, just insist on staying active as they age, and that’s a very good thing for podiatrists. Every woman in her 60s whose heel spurs keep her from training for a marathon needs a podiatrist. Every man of a certain age who breaks his ankle rollerblading needs one. So it’s no wonder the profession is growing steadily, or that it pays so well. Anything to keep us on our feet.

Median Salary: $116,000
Education Level: Doctorate degree
Projected employment growth: 23% increase between 2012 and 2022

10. Physician Assistant

If you’ve ever been to an urgent care center, you’ve seen a Physician Assistant. You may not have even realized that he or she was not technically a doctor, because PAs are trained to do virtually everything a doctor does – perform exams, diagnose illnesses, even write prescriptions. They have some limitations; they can only assist in surgery, not perform it, for instance. But for your day-to-day sickness or injuries, a Physician Assistant can do it all.

When you become a PA, you can work in any speciality a doctor can, from neonatal to geriatric. You’ll answer to a medical doctor as part of a team, but the responsibility will be yours. Plus, it’s only a master’s degree, which means you’ll get there much faster and with a lot less student loan debt.

Learn more about the top 25 physician assistant (PA) degree programs 2022.

Median Salary: $90,000
Education Level: Master’s degree
Projected employment growth: 38% increase between 2012 and 2022

11. Speech Pathologist

You may think of a speech pathologist helping people overcome stuttering, or learn to speak without a lisp, but speech pathologists treat a wide range of disorders. They help children born with cleft palate or developmental delays, and adults with strokes or Parkinson’s. Surprisingly, speech pathologists can even help treat problems with infant feeding, such a difficulties sucking or swallowing.

Speech Pathologists often work with as part of a team, such as with an audiologist or educators, and they are commonly employed in schools and senior facilities. This is another profession that requires only a master’s degree, and while it may be difficult, it is also very rewarding to help someone who has lost, or never had, the ability to communicate, break through.

Median Salary: $69,000
Education Level: Master’s degree
Projected employment growth: 19% increase between 2012 and 2022

12. Pharmacist

Ever walk into a pharmacy, see the pharmacist counting out pills, and think, “Must be nice to get paid for counting out pills all day”? Well, you don’t know the half of it. Pharmacist is a highly technical job, and people’s health and well-being, even their lives, are in the pharmacist’s hands. The doctor may diagnose and prescribe a course of treatment, but it’s up to the pharmacist to put that prescription together correctly and inform patients how to use it.

Since the pharmacist profession is so important, a pharmacist must have a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, and it’s nearly as demanding as a medical doctorate. You’ll have to spend some time working in a pharmacy as a student for hands-on experience, and be licensed. The upside is, you won’t have the pressure and stress of working in an emergency room or dealing with blood and fluids. A patient may sneeze on you asking where to find the cold medicine, but otherwise, it’s a clean, safe job with a lot of responsibility and the income to match.

Median Salary: $116,000
Education Level: Doctorate degree
Projected employment growth: 14% increase between 2012 and 2022

13. Radiation Therapist

Radiation Therapist is a straightforward job: you give radiation treatments, usually for patients with cancer (though a few other, rare diseases benefit from radiation). That means working with oncologists to develop a treatment plan, using the equipment to administer treatments, interpreting the results, advising patients on treating side effects, and judging when treatments need to stop or continue.

That’s a major responsibility, and a high pay rate, for only an associate’s degree. Think of it – you could be saving lives in only two or three years. If that appeals to you, Radiation Therapist is one of the fastest ways to get there.

Median Salary: $77,000
Education Level: Associates’s degree
Projected employment growth: 24% increase between 2012 and 2022

14. Nuclear Medicine Technician

This is another medical job that requires only an associate’s degree, has a lot of responsibility, and can be explained pretty simply. A Nuclear Medical Technician gives a patient a radioactive drug, uses imaging equipment to perform a scan, and analyzes the results on a computer to determine where abnormalities show up. That includes tests for disorders of the intestinal tract, heart and blood vessels, and brain.

As a Nuclear Medicine Technologist, you’ll probably work in a hospital, though some work for physicians or in clinics. Nuclear medicine is growing and improving all the time, so there’s no bad time to get in.

Median Salary: $70,000
Education Level: Associates’s degree
Projected employment growth: 20% increase between 2012 and 2022

15. Audiologist

Many people worry about hearing loss, whether it’s their own golden years, or their children’s yearly ear infections. Just about everyone has had a hearing test at some point in their life, and that’s probably all they know of audiology. Of course the audiologist performs hearing tests, but they also treat tinnitus (ringing in the ears), balance issues caused by inner ear disorders like Ménière’s disease, and all forms of hearing loss. They fit hearing aids and cochlear implants.

Thanks to iPod earbuds and Beats by Dre, audiologists don’t have to worry about running out of patients any time soon. The profession is growing much faster than the average rate, and advances in hearing recovery are coming quickly as technology like cochlear implants become more common.

Median Salary: $69,000
Education Level: Doctorate degree
Projected employment growth: 34% increase between 2012 and 2022

16. Physical Therapist

A child injured in a car accident learns to walk on crutches; a young baseball pitcher tears a ligament and needs recovery; a grandmother has a hip replacement and needs to practice walking on her new part. All of these people need a Physical Therapist.

Physical therapists work with all kinds of people, often in specialties like sports medicine, geriatric, or orthopedics. PTs use a variety of techniques, often in creative ways, to help improve their patients’ mobility, range of motion, and quality of life. It’s a doctorate degree, so it won’t be obtained easily, but physical therapy is a great choice for those who want to work directly with patients and help them see visible improvements.

Median Salary: $79,000
Education Level: Doctorate degree
Projected employment growth: 36% increase between 2012 and 2022

17. Nurse Practitioner

Whether you already have your BSN, or if you’re just getting started in a nursing program and feel ambitious, Nurse Practitioner is worth considering. A Nurse Practitioner is a master’s-level program which goes beyond the basic tasks of nursing. A Nurse Practitioner has many of the same responsibilities of a doctor, including diagnosis and prescribing treatment, though under the supervision of a doctor.

Many NPs work in hospitals, urgent care centers, schools, and nursing homes, and with the added education and responsibility comes a higher pay. Like all medical fields, Nurse Practitioner is a growing job, and there is no shortage of work in sight.

Median Salary: $96,000
Education Level: Master’s degree
Projected employment growth: 31% increase between 2012 and 2022

18. Occupational Therapist

For millions of people, daily tasks, from brushing teeth to cleaning up after meals, are difficult because of some physical or mental disorder. Occupational Therapists are the experts who help patients do the things they want and need to do to make their lives better. For instance, OTs may help autistic children curb repetitive, destructive behaviors by teaching them more constructive habits; they may help elderly people with limited mobility rearrange their household goods to make them more easily accessible; they may help adults with brain damage re-learn basic life skills while working around their injuries.

To become an Occupational Therapist, you will need a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy. You may work for hospitals, clinics, group homes, and other settings where people experience physical limitations, writing up treatment plans and sometimes overseeing a team of assistants.

Median Salary: $75,000
Education Level: Master’s degree
Projected employment growth: 29% increase between 2012 and 2022

19. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

One of the most thrilling moments in a new parent’s life is seeing the sonogram image of their baby for the first time. A Sonographer is the person who makes that miracle possible. A Diagnostic Medical Sonographer uses imaging equipment such as ultrasound to check on the development of a fetus, to look for damage to organs such as the heart or intestines, or to find breast cancers. Some Sonographers assist with surgeries.

Some people may be nervous about working with this equipment all the time, but unlike X-rays, sonography uses no radiation and is totally safe for operator and patient. And with only an associate’s degree, sonography is a well-paid profession with a reasonable entry point.

Median Salary: $60,000
Education Level: Associates’s degree
Projected employment growth: 39% increase between 2012 and 2022

20. Radiologic Technologist

The first time Wilhelm Rontgen saw human bones with x-rays, it must have seemed like magic. Now, all it takes to look through people’s skin is an associate’s degree and certification. So why not consider becoming a Radiologic Technologist? As a technician, you will work in hospitals, clinics, physician’s offices, and sometimes even in private practice, if you save up your pennies for your own machine.

The Radiologic Technologist profession also allows for areas of specialization; for instance, you may move on to become an MRI Technologist, a job that usually pays more. You may focus on sports medicine, pediatrics, or mammography as well.

Median Salary: $56,000
Education Level: Associates’s degree
Projected employment growth: 21% increase between 2012 and 2022

For Further Reading: 

What Degree Do I Need to Be an Optometrist?

What Degree Do You Need to Be a Speech Therapist?

Can a PA Prescribe Medication?

Top 10 Paying Jobs With an Associate’s Degree

What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

Top 25 Medical Schools

The post Top 20 In-Demand Healthcare Careers appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

What Are the Highest-Paying Math Jobs?

Mathematical skills – and the other competencies students develop pursuing an undergraduate math degree – are in-demand in many fields.

RELATED: What Are the Highest Paying Jobs With a Degree in Math?

High-paying jobs for math majors may include high-paying jobs in financial and government agencies, consulting firms, insurance companies, colleges and universities and more.

1. Cryptographer

At the intersection between mathematics and computer science is the cryptographer career path. In general, cryptography refers to the security and privacy of messages and data – but the modern field of cryptography refers specifically to computers and cybersecurity.

A cryptographer writes the computer code – and algorithms – used to protect data security online. When hackers and other cybercriminals attempt to breach data security measures and access or steal unauthorized information, the encryption programs created by a cryptographer

Average Annual Salary

The average salary for cryptographers across the United States in 2021 was $145,356, according to Western Governors University. The highest-paid cryptographers made nearly $200,000 per year, and even the 4% of the occupation with the lowest wages still earned salaries around $102,000.

2. Financial Manager

Another math role with an exceptionally high salary is financial manager. A financial manager makes financial decisions for a company and oversees the organization’s financial activities. Some of the job titles that fall under the financial manager role include treasurer, controller and chief financial officer (CFO).

RELATED: What Are the Highest-Paying Jobs in Finance?

Median Salary

For financial managers as a whole, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported a median salary of $131,710. The top 10% of earners in the financial manager occupation made upwards of $208,000, while the lowest-paid 10% of the field reported annual earnings below $77,040.

The management of companies and enterprises industry, which employed one in 10 financial managers, paid the highest median salary of all top employment industries at $158,820. The 15% of financial managers working in the professional, scientific and technical services industry earned a median salary of $158,770.

In the manufacturing industry, which employed 6% of the field, and the finance and insurance industry, which employed 30% of the field, financial managers earned a median salary of $131,710. For the 7% of financial managers who worked for government agencies, the median salary was $123,010.

Of course, how high a management position a financial manager holds affects their earning potential. Salary.com reported an average salary of $224,461 for treasurers, $240,082 for controllers and $420,300 for chief financial officers.

RELATED: How Many Jobs Are Available in Finance?

3. Mathematician

Mathematician may seem like the most direct career path for math majors, but in fact, relatively few math majors follow this trajectory. There are only about 2,000 mathematicians working in America, even though the BLS reported that there are 887,590 American workers in the mathematics field.

Mathematicians are the professionals whose job duties involve math in the purest sense. To solve problems – which may be theoretical or exist in the real world – they create mathematical equations. Testing new mathematical theories and developing mathematical rules are some of the duties that a mathematician may perform.

Mathematicians who focus on abstract math work acquire mathematical knowledge for the sake of advancing the field. Mathematicians interested in applied mathematics use their knowledge of complex mathematics and their math skills to understand, organize and quantify problems and to write and solve equations through which they can address real issues.

If you want to be a mathematician with an academic focus working at a college or university, you will likely work toward a full math professor role. Unfortunately, math professor jobs and other roles for mathematicians in colleges and universities pay significantly less than other mathematician jobs. The median salary the BLS reported for mathematicians working in colleges and universities was $61,600 as of 2021 – and these math jobs typically require a doctorate degree.

Median annual salary:

Mathematicians across the United States earned a median salary of $108,100 as of 2021, the BLS reported. The highest-earning mathematicians made more than $169,500, while the lowest-earning mathematicians earned below $61,760.

Mathematicians in the professional, scientific and technical services industry, which made up 13% of the profession, earned a median salary of $129,800. The federal government – the largest industry of employment for mathematicians, which employed 62% of the workforce – paid a median wage of $115,610. Unfortunately for the 13% of mathematicians working for colleges and universities, academia pays much less, with a median salary of $61,600.

4. Actuary

With strong math skills, you could quantify just about anything – even risk. The role of an actuary is to calculate risk by looking at economic data and running complex calculations. Most actuaries work for either an insurance company or a financial institution.

While a math major can prepare students for an actuary career, students interested in becoming an actuary may also pursue a specialized degree in actuarial science.

RELATED: What Is the Salary Potential for Someone With an Actuarial Science Degree?

Median Salary

The median salary actuaries earned in 2021 was $105,900, the BLS reported. Actuarial science is such a lucrative career path that the top 10% of earners in the field made upwards of $206,820. The lowest-paid 10% of earners reported salaries below $63,260.

Among the top employment industries for this field, the government paid the most, with a median salary of $110,590. Only 3% of the field works for the government. The finance and insurance industry, which employed 74% of actuaries in the U.S., reported a median salary of $110,000.

Salaries in the professional, scientific and technical services industry and the management of companies and enterprises industry – which employed 13% and 4% of the occupation, respectively – paid very close median salaries of $101,600 and $101,510.

5. Data Scientist

Despite the job title, a data scientist is more a math professional than a scientist, at least compared to scientist jobs that first come to mind. The role of data scientists is to analyze data. This is another role that combines mathematical knowledge, statistical methods of analysis and the knowledge of computers needed to write algorithms that support machine learning.

Median Salary

Data scientists reported a median salary of $100,910 in 2021, the BLS reported. For the best-paid scientists in this career, earnings are in excess of $167,040 per year. At the lowest end of the pay scale are salaries below $59,430.

All of the top employment industries for the data scientist profession paid salaries within the range of $100,000 to $102,000. The scientific research and development services, which employed 5% of the occupation, paid a median salary of $102,750.

The 15% of the field working in the computer systems design industry reported a median wage of $102,600. For both the management of companies and enterprises industry and the management, scientific and technical consulting services – which employed 10% and 7% of the profession, respectively – the median salary for data scientists was $101,000. For the 9% of the profession working for an insurance company, the median salary was $100,360.

6. Statistician

Statistics is a data-centric discipline of analysis. Statisticians can apply methods of statistical analysis to calculate the statistical probability of many different outcomes or events in virtually any imaginable industry. Science, medicine and business are some examples of the fields that rely upon statistical methods.

RELATED: Statistics Jobs: What Kind of Job Can You Get With a Degree in Statistics?

Median Salary

As a whole, statisticians enjoy a near-six-figure median salary of $95,570, the BLS reported. The best-paid 10% of statisticians earned upwards of $157,300 per year, but the lowest-paid 10% of statisticians reported earnings under $50,000.

In the best-paid of the top employment industry – scientific research and development – statisticians earned a median salary nearly $20,000 higher than the median wage for the occupation as a whole. This industry accounts for 14% of employment in the profession and pays a median salary of $114,770. The median salary among statisticians working for federal government agencies, as 15% of the occupation does, amounted to $114,050.

RELATED: What Are the Highest Paying Jobs With a Degree in Statistics?

In the rest of the top employment industries for statisticians, earning potential is significantly lower. Insurance carriers employed 6% of statisticians and paid a median salary of $83,820. The 8% of the profession employed in the healthcare and social assistance industry reported a median salary of $79,060. Nearly one in 10 statisticians worked for colleges and universities, which paid a median salary of $77,750.

7. Personal Financial Advisor

An important area of finance is managing wealth. A personal financial advisor, including those with the Certified Financial Planner credential, helps clients manage, plan, save, invest and grow their wealth.

Personal financial advisors don’t make recommendations based on hunches. Rather, they analyze available financial data and past patterns to predict what will happen in financial markets.

Nearly one-fifth of all personal financial advisors are self-employed, the BLS reported. Self-employed financial advisors may also manage their own financial firms.

Median Salary

Earnings vary a great deal among personal financial advisors, for whom the BLS reported a median salary of $94,170 in 2021. While the best-paid 10% of the field reported earning more than $208,000, the lowest-paid 10% of the occupation reported salaries under $47,570.

Personal financial advisors who worked in the securities and financial investments industry – as 59% of the field does – earned a median salary just shy of six figures, at $99,970. The personal financial advisors employed in the remaining top employment industries earn substantially less, amounting to a difference of $20,000 to $30,000 per year.

The management of companies and enterprises industry employed just 1% of personal financial advisors but paid a median salary of $79,780. Close behind is the credit intermediation industry, which employed 15% of the profession and paid a median salary of $76,620. For the 3% of personal financial advisors working for insurance carriers, the median salary was $69,410.

8. Financial Analyst

As the name suggests, a financial analyst analyzes financial data. There are many types of financial analysts, including:

• Investment analyst
• Financial risk specialist or financial risk analyst
• Fund manager
• Portfolio manager
• Securities analyst
• Ratings analyst
• Buy-side analyst
• Sell-side analyst

Financial analysts often look at past market data and trends and companies’ financial statements. An investment analyst, for example, often develops financial models and advises an employer’s financial team on investment opportunities that are likely to pay off.

Median Salary

The overall median salary the BLS reported for financial analysts in 2021, $95,570, is slightly skewed because this occupation includes two roles with median wages more than $8,000 apart. For financial and investment analysts specifically, the median wage was $91,580, while the median salary for financial risk specialists hovered a bit higher, at $100,000.

The highest-paid 10% of financial and investment analysts earned upwards of $166,560, while the highest-paid financial risk specialists made more than $171,000. Financial and investment analysts in the 10th percentile made less than $57,900, while financial risk specialists in the 10th percentile earned below $59,370.

The securities, commodity contracts and other financial investment activities industry was the highest-paying industry for both financial and investment analysts and financial risk analysts, with median salaries of $100,800 and $127,110, respectively.

For financial and investment analysts, the professional, scientific and technical services industry followed, with a median wage of $96,600. The management of companies and enterprises industry paid a median salary of $83,990, followed by the insurance industry, which paid a median wage of $81,150. In the credit intermediation industry, financial and investment analysts earned a median salary of $79,910.

The management of companies and enterprises industry is the second most lucrative among the top employment industries for financial risk specialists, paying a median salary of $102,750. In the credit intermediation industry, the median salary was $98,320, closely followed by the $98,250 median salary reported for the professional, scientific and technical services industry. Insurance carriers paid financial risk analysts a median salary of $91,770.

9. Operations Research Analyst

An operations research analyst uses mathematical modeling methods and calculations to solve all kinds of practical problems organizations face, from making pricing decisions for goods and services to coordinating the supply chain, production schedules and resource allocation.

Median Salary

The BLS reported a median salary of $82,360 for operations research analysts. The best-paid operations research analysts earned considerably more. For the top 10% of earners in this role, salaries were in excess of $160,850. However, the lowest-paid 10% of operations research analysts made less than $48,690.

Although the federal government employed only 6% of the field, it paid the most, with a median salary of $120,950. The 28% of operations research analysts who worked for the professional, scientific and technical services industry reported a median salary of $99,790.

In the manufacturing industry, where 5% of the profession worked, the median salary was $98,040. For the 8% of the occupation working in the management of companies and enterprises industry, the median salary was $94,070.

The finance and insurance industry, which accounted for one-quarter of the profession, paid a noticeably lower salary of $79,450.

10. Market Research Analyst

A market research analyst uses mathematical and statistical methods to analyze market data. Through their work analyzing economic trends, a market research analyst is able to help organizations make decisions on what products to offer, how to price them and how to market them successfully to consumers.

Median Salary

Market research analysts as a whole earned a median salary of $63,920 as of 2021, the BLS reported. The highest-paid 10% of market research analysts earned more than twice that much, with salaries above $128,320. The 10% of the operations research analyst occupation with the lowest earnings made less than $37,570.

The management of companies and enterprises industry, which employed 7% of the profession, paid the highest median salary among the top employment industries: $79,640. The 4% of the field working for the publishing industries earned nearly as much, with a median wage of $79,450. In the finance and insurance industry, where 10% of the field worked, median pay amounted to $76,650.

The median salary in the wholesale trade industry, which employed 7% of market research analysts, reported a median salary of $64,090. For market research analysts working in the management, scientific and technical consulting services, which amounted to 11% of the occupation, the median salary was $62,650.

What to Expect as a Math Major

If you want to prepare for one of the highest-paying jobs for math majors, you’re going to need to take numerous math courses. Math majors study mathematical theory, methods and applications. In the course of pursuing a four-year math degree, students are likely to study mathematical analysis, linear algebra, abstract algebra, modern algebra, multivariate analysis, calculus, number theory, differential geometry and topology.

RELATED: What Is the Salary Potential for Someone with a Math Degree?

Math majors will also be exposed to methods for applied mathematics. As part of their bachelor’s degree studies, a math major may also complete a minor or elective coursework in an area of interest, such as business or computer technology, to help them develop a knowledge base that will help them in an applied mathematics career.

RELATED: What Kind of Job Can You Get With a Degree in Math?

Other Majors to Consider If You’re Good at Math

Math degrees aren’t the only options for students with strong math skills. If you want to apply your knowledge of mathematical concepts and equations to real-world issues, it might make sense to pursue a bachelor’s degree in an area relevant to the career path you plan to pursue.

Computer Science

If you want to become a cryptographer or work in another role in cyber security, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science may be the right choice. Computer science and mathematics have more in common than many people realize. In fact, mathematical principles inform the computation theories and methods of statistical analysis that are critical parts of bachelor’s degree studies in computer science.

In a bachelor’s degree program in computer science, students typically take classes in data structures and algorithms, computer programming, computer architecture, systems programming and computational science and theory.

Engineering

If you want to use your knowledge of mathematical equations to design solutions to real problems, a career as an engineer may appeal to you. Engineers work in numerous disciplines – mechanical engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering and electrical engineering, to name a few – and find employment in environments like engineering firms, technology companies, government agencies, colleges and universities and other settings.

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

Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in engineering take enough math courses, along with basic science courses, to develop a strong math and science background that they can apply to work in engineering design.

Finance

The area of business that is most closely related to mathematics is finance, which revolves around the management of wealth. Students who pursue a bachelor’s degree in finance typically study corporate finance, investment analysis, futures and options, securities analysis and portfolio management, international finance and financial management.

What Level of Education Do You Need for the Highest-Paying Math Jobs?

For most of the highest-paying math jobs, at least some level of college education is required. The BLS lists actuary, operations research analyst and data scientist among the math jobs with a bachelor’s degree required. A bachelor’s degree is also considered the entry-level education needed for many business jobs for math majors, such as financial analyst and personal financial advisor.

RELATED: What Are the Highest-Paying Business Entry-Level Jobs?

Although professionals with strong math skills and a relevant bachelor’s degree can do well in a variety of career roles, there are some positions for which a bachelor’s degree alone may not be enough. Some professionals working in math jobs go on to pursue a graduate degree, such as a master’s degree, or to earn a doctoral degree like a PhD.

Generally, a master’s degree is most likely to come in handy when you are pursuing a high-level role in research and development or in management. Some of the master’s degree programs that may be of interest include mathematics, business administration, finance, computer science, data science and engineering.

RELATED: How Advanced Does My Degree in Math Have to Be to Get a Good Job?

You don’t have to go for your master’s degree straight after completing your bachelor’s degree program. Many students apply to entry-level jobs for math majors after graduation, through which they gain experience and on-the-job training that can help them plan their career trajectory.

For some of the highest-paying math jobs, work experience and on-the-job training are sufficient preparation for advancement on their own, while for other roles, having a master’s degree can be invaluable.

RELATED: What Kind of Business Jobs Can You Get With a Degree in Math?

The Most In-Demand Skills for Math Majors

Any math job requires strong mathematical skills, but there are specific related skill sets that can prove valuable in a high-paying math career.

Analyze Data

Most of the math jobs on our list involve at least some analytical component. Having strong analytical skills is valuable not only for jobs that revolve around analysis specifically but also for jobs that involve any sort of strategic decision-making.

Whether you’re using methods of statistical analysis or simply applying logic and reasoning to better understand and solve problems, your analytical skills are essential to success in a math career. Due the need to analyze not only mathematical equations but also how to apply mathematical methods to real-world problems, math majors develop excellent analytical skills in the course of earning their bachelor’s degree or advanced degrees.

Solve Problems

A math major solves problems, but the types of challenges they overcome aren’t limited to arriving at the answer to a tricky equation or figuring out the value of a variable. The business, financial, risk, cyber security and other problems that are the focus of math jobs are often best addressed in similar ways, such as organizing a problem logically, analyzing each aspect and modeling solutions.

Studying math equips students with strong problem-solving skills – and that’s a skill set that almost every job requires.

Interpret Financial Reports

It takes only basic arithmetic skills and accounting knowledge to prepare financial statements, but making meaning out of financial reports is much more challenging. With their thorough grasp of mathematical concepts and theories, math majors are well-suited to make meaning and glean insights out of financial and economic data.

For Further Reading: 

What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

What Degree Do I Need to Be a Policy Analyst?

The post Top 10 Paying Jobs That Involve Math appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.