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

The post What Can I Do With an Archaeology Degree? 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

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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. 

• Program Website

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. 

• Program Website

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. 

• Program Website

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. 

• Program Website

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. 

• Program Website

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. 

• Program Website

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. 

• Program Website

8. Michigan State University

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

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

• Program Website

9. Johns Hopkins University

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

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

• Program Website

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. 

• Program Website

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. 

• Program Website

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. 

• Program Website

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. 

• Program Website

14. University of Michigan – Flint

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

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

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15. Northeastern University

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

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

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16. The University of Alabama

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

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

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17. Mississippi College

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

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

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18. University of Denver

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

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

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19. Gonzaga University

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

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

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20. Syracuse University

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

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

• Program Website

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

What Is a Degree in Environmental Science?

Environmental science is an interdisciplinary area of work and study that applies the principles and practices of sciences like biology, physics and geography to the natural environment. Environmental problems and the search for effective, often innovative solutions are critical parts of the field of environmental science.

Degrees in environmental science are college-level programs of study with curricula that are dedicated to the field of environmental science. Naturally, an online environmental science bachelor’s degree will include plenty of environmental science courses that cover topics ranging from environmental theory to practices of environmental sustainability and renewable energy generation. Environmental science degrees exist at every level, from associate’s through doctoral degree programs.

RELATED: The 20 Easiest Online Bachelor’s Degrees

Not all degree programs related to environmental studies are environmental science degree programs. Our list of the best online environmental science bachelor’s degree programs includes traditional environmental science degrees as well as degrees in environmental sustainability, environmental policy, environmental geosciences, environmental management and environmental studies.

RELATED: What Is a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies?

Although our list doesn’t include any programs in the field of environmental engineering, which is a subfield of the civil engineering discipline, this design-focused major, too, is worth considering for prospective students who want to develop practical solutions to environmental issues.

Any program related to environmental science will include some science coursework. However, programs with slightly different titles may allow students to focus on distinct areas of interest, such as public policy or sustainable resource management.

What Can You Do With a Degree From an Environmental Science Program?

Because the curriculum of bachelor’s in environmental science degrees tends to be interdisciplinary in nature, environmental science graduates can work in any area that pertains to studying, preserving, protecting or restoring the environment. Land management, renewable energy sources and environmental hazards are among the more popular fields an environmental scientist might pursue.

Some areas of environmental studies may require a more advanced degree beyond the bachelor’s. For example, if you are interested in environmental law, you might major in environmental science as an undergraduate before going to law school to qualify as an environmental lawyer.

RELATED: How Advanced a Degree Do I Need for a Career in Environmental Science?

An environmental scientist or specialist might work in nature centers, nonprofit agencies, environmental consulting firms, research laboratories, government agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the health and safety field.

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

Which School Offers the Best Online Environmental Science Degree?

Today, online environmental science degrees, as well as degree programs in similar fields of study, are common at four-year colleges and universities. Environmental issues like climate change, finite natural resources and the need for effective pollution management efforts have brought attention to the need for knowledgeable environmental scientists, planners, conservationists, managers and policymakers.

Online environmental science bachelor’s degrees offer students of environmental science convenience and flexibility. Studying online is a particularly good option for working students, adult students going back to school and students juggling family and other obligations.

What to Look for in Online Environmental Science Degree Programs

With so many excellent environmental science degree programs available in online formats, how do you determine which ones are the best? To compile our list of the best online environmental science programs, we looked primarily at four criteria.

The Quality of the Curriculum

Most importantly, we evaluated the curriculum of each environmental science program. What specialized environmental science courses can students expect to take, and how do those courses prepare students for the breadth of jobs available for environmental scientists and specialists?

Most environmental science bachelor’s degree programs include coursework in areas like natural sciences, environmental issues like global warming, renewable energy, applied ecology and the scientific and digital tools, like geospatial technologies, that environmental science professionals utilize in their work.

In particular, we looked at the ways students could customize their online degree –through both formal concentrations and informal elective coursework – so they can build areas of expertise in the aspects of environmental science that most interest them.

Affordability

Another factor we consider in ranking the best online environmental science bachelor’s degree programs is affordability.

Environmental science is a noble pursuit, and environmental scientists and specialists earned a median salary ($76,530 in 2021) that is well above the median wage for all occupations ($45,760), according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Still, environmental scientists and specialists earned a median salary that is several thousand dollars less than that reported for physical scientists as a whole.

RELATED: What Is the Wage Potential with a Degree in Environmental Science?

Many prospective students understandably don’t want to get deep into debt to start their careers as environmental scientists, even if their future earning potential is strong.

We assessed the tuition costs reported for schools that offer a degree in environmental science online. Keep in mind, though, that these tuition rates don’t explain exactly how much you will pay for your degree. Any financial aid you receive will reduce how much you pay now to enroll in an online program, if not the total cost you pay to earn an environmental science bachelor’s degree.

Financial aid for environmental science students may come from many sources, including the institution you attend, the government and external scholarships awarded by third parties like businesses and nonprofit organizations. Loans are a kind of financial aid that must be repaid later – typically with interest – while grants and scholarships are free money toward your online degree.

In assessing affordability, look at the full tuition rates and fees for the online schools you are considering, but take the time to also explore financial aid opportunities. Financial aid packages could potentially make even a school with a high sticker price surprisingly affordable.

Institutional Accreditation

When you’re pursuing an online degree, in particular, you want to know that the college or university you enroll in is legitimate and has a good reputation. Every school on our list of the best online bachelor’s degrees in environmental science is accredited by a regional accrediting organization that is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

The Student Online Learning Experience

The best online environmental science programs provide students with educational experiences akin to what you would expect from a traditional, in-person program but with the convenience of online learning.

We looked especially for online environmental science bachelor’s degree programs that include innovative options for completing laboratory coursework in the physical and natural sciences, experiential learning activities, project-based learning and internship and fieldwork opportunities.

1. The Online Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science at American Public University

American Public University in Charles Town, WV, is part of the American Public University system, along with American Military University.

The private, for-profit, online university system offers an online degree that can prepare students to work as environmental scientists in several different areas of concentration.

Core courses in the environmental science degree program at American Public University include biology and chemistry, as well as water science and soil science. Students also take environmental studies courses that focus on policy, regulation, law, ethics and management. With the 46 general elective hours built into the curriculum, students may build expertise in an area of personal or professional interest and pursue a formal minor or certificate. A senior seminar serves as the final program requirement.

Students in American Public University’s program must choose a concentration. A general concentration is an option for students interested in forging their own paths by selecting courses of their choosing from all concentration areas.

Coursework in a Sustainability concentration focuses on resource and energy sustainability. A concentration in Regional and Community Environmental Planning equips students with the skills to assess and solve land use issues. Specializing in Fish and Wildlife Management allows students to focus on resource management and possibly prepare to become fish and wildlife managers. Students who choose the Environmental Technology and Management specialization learn about methods of environmental hazard mitigation and pollution management.

RELATED: What is a Bachelor’s Degree in Sustainability?

Under the current tuition rates, students at American Public University paid a tuition cost of $285 per credit. Active-duty servicemembers and their spouses and dependents, along with National Guard members and Reservists, receive a military grant that reduces the cost per credit hour to $250. Students pursuing an undergraduate degree also receive a university book grant that allows them to access the textbooks and eBooks they need for the program at no cost.

American Public University and the American Public University system as a whole are regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

View program details.

2. The Online Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management at Columbia Southern University

Columbia Southern University‘s College of Safety & Emergency Services offers an online bachelor’s degree in environmental management. A curriculum that includes 12 semester hours of program electives and 42 semester hours of free electives, in addition to the 30 hours of general education courses and 36 hours of required major coursework, gives students plenty of control over their studies.

The program is formulated to provide both depth and breadth of knowledge in environmental science and management and to equip students with knowledge of theory as well as practical and technical skills.

Core coursework for the major includes classes like Environmental Law, Environmental Assessment and Environmental Issues. Other major coursework encompasses introductory studies in workplace safety, the fundamentals of occupational safety and health, waste management, hazardous waste management, interactions between hazardous materials, air quality, pollution prevention and toxicology.

The program electives students can choose from include classes in environmental strategies, environmental technology, risk management, accident investigation, training and development and the legal aspects of safety and health.

Despite being a private, for-profit online institution, Columbia Southern University is one of the more affordable options on our list. The current tuition rate for the online BS in Environmental Management program amounted to $245 per credit hour, and the school promotes itself as charging “less than half the cost of our competitors” in tuition costs. Additionally, all eTextbooks are included in the cost of tuition, which saves environmental science students even more money.

Columbia Southern University is located in Orange Beach, Alabama, and is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

View program details.

3. The Online Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Geosciences at Fort Hays State University

The BA in Environmental Geosciences program at Fort Hays University in Hays, Kansas, is a little different from other online environmental science degree options, with a stronger focus on geology and geography.

One thing we love about the program – aside from it being one of the most affordable colleges out there for online students – is that students can customize their curriculum to their interests and career goals. Depending on the courses you choose to take, you can use this environmental science degree as a launching point for all kinds of careers, ranging from Environmentalist to Park Ranger and from Earth Scientist to Environmental Lawyer.

Offered out of the Department of Geosciences, the environmental geosciences program requires core coursework such as Introduction to Geology, Elements of Physical Geography, Cultural Geography and Environmental Geology. Students learn technical skills in using geographic information systems through classes like Introduction to GIS, Intermediate GIS and Remote Sensing. Coursework in writing for the sciences and in some form of statistics, like geostatistics or biostatistics, rounds out the core curriculum.

When it comes to upper-division courses, aspiring environmental scientists take classes in the areas of their choice among topics like U.S. Geography, Geologic Hazards, Urban Geography, Kansas Geography, Climatology, Hydrology and Water Resources, Climate Change, Aerial Photographs and Remote Sensing and Field Studies in Geography. Students have the opportunity to complete an internship in geosciences.

The program also includes 19 hours of required cognates in areas like world geography, physical science and global environmental issues.

Between their general education courses and the coursework required for their major, students of environmental science develop competencies in areas like written and oral communication, information literacy, computing literacy, quantitative literacy and critical thinking, as well as technical skills using GIS technology.

The environmental studies degree at Fort Hays University is one of the most affordable options out there. Under the school’s 2022-2023 tuition and fee schedule, online undergraduate students pay $226.88 per credit hour, not counting fees. This tuition rate is, as the institution noted, “ranked among the lowest in the U.S.”

Fort Hays University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. U.S. News & World Report has ranked the institution as tied for 98th place on its list of the Best Regional Universities in the Midwest.

View program details.

4. The Online Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences at Oregon State University

With its distance-learning Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences program, Oregon State University in State Corvallis, OR, takes an interdisciplinary approach to environmental education.

The curriculum prepares students well for graduate study (leading to a master’s or doctoral degree) or for careers in research labs or government agencies such as the United States Forest Service or Fish and Wildlife Service.

RELATED: The 20 Best Online Masters in Environmental Studies

Oregon State University offers seven specializations within its online environmental science bachelor’s program:

• Applied ecology
• Aquatic biology
• Conservation
• Resources and sustainability
• Earth systems
• Environmental agriculture
• Environmental policy and economics
• Environmental water resources.

The Environmental Sciences and Humanities Core includes an Environmental Sciences Orientation and an Environmental Assessment capstone course. Students choose their courses to satisfy required coursework in the areas of Humans and the Environment, Environmental Economics and Policy, Environmental Ethics, Human Environment and Environmental Management.

Environmental science majors also take at least one course in each type of natural environmental system: atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere and hydrosphere.

Every student completes some form of experiential learning, which may include an environmental science internship, a thesis or research and scholarship activities. Students have 27 credits built into the curriculum to use to complete a specialization, an approved minor in education or a certificate in either Geographic Information Science or Scientific, Technical and Professional Communication.

Major coursework for the program builds upon the general education core coursework, which the school breaks down into categories. For example, the Skills coursework includes studies in writing and mathematics, and Perspectives coursework includes science lab courses and classes pertaining to cultural diversity, literature and the arts and social processes and institutions.

Students take one course in Difference, Power & Discrimination and two Synthesis courses – Contemporary Global Issues and Science, Technology and Society – as well as a major-specific writing-intensive course like Environmental Writing.

Undergraduate students seeking an online bachelor’s in environmental science degree from this higher education institution will pay tuition costs of $346 per credit under the school’s 2022 through 2023 academic year tuition rates.

Oregon State University is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. U.S. News & World Report has ranked the school as tied for 8th place on its list of the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs.

View program details.

5. The Online Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science at Southern New Hampshire University

In the online environmental science bachelor’s degree program at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, NH, students study the natural and physical sciences and so much more.

The curriculum focuses on building a variety of skills, including skills in oral and written communication, quantitative analysis, applied statistics, the application of ecological principles and field methods and research methods.

Among their major courses, students in the bachelor’s degree in environmental science program at Southern New Hampshire University have a lot of options to customize their curriculum. All students take science courses like General Biology I, the Principles of Physics, Geology and the foundations of environmental science. They also choose between studies in either Hydrology and Watershed Management or Global Climate Change.

Other required courses include Introduction to Geographic Information Systems, Environmental Science Research Methods, Ecological Principles and Field Methods, Field Methods and Technologies and a Senior Seminar.

To meet their chemistry course requirement, students may choose to take either General Chemistry or Fundamentals of Chemistry. They also choose between studies in either Hydrology and Watershed Management or Global Climate Change.

Students in Southern New Hampshire University’s environmental science program may choose from two concentration areas.

In the Data Analytics in Science concentration, students learn how to use statistics to help the environment through courses in Applied Statistics II for STEM, Gathering Requirements and Collecting Data and Introduction to Structured Database Environments.

In the Natural Resources and Conservation concentration, coursework focuses more on the relationship between humans and nature, with courses in Conservation Biology, Global Climate Change and Energy and Society.

RELATED: The Top 10 “Green” Careers for Nature-Lovers  

Studying environmental science online at SNHU is convenient. The online classrooms are available 24/7, and there are no set class times for the online program. Experiential learning methods adapted to the distance learning model ensure that students don’t miss out on important aspects of their education just because they happen to be studying remotely.

Experiential learning is utilized in SNHU’s online bachelor’s degree in environmental science program across six topics: field experience, citizen science, research experiences in science, certifications and licenses, animal behavior, and grant writing in science.

An environmental science program does, of course, require considerable science coursework, including lab science classes. Students living in the 48 continental states can complete their laboratory course requirements using lab kits that can be shipped to them, along with the resources, materials and interactions available in their online classrooms.

However, due to shipping restrictions that apply to the lab kits, students who live outside of the continental United States will have to take laboratory courses at a local college and transfer those credits to SNHU.

Undergraduate students in SNHU’s online environmental science bachelor’s degree programs paid $320 per credit, or $960 per course, in tuition under current tuition rates. The school doesn’t charge an application fee at this time, and the graduation fee is just $150. All told, students can expect to spend around $9,600 per year in tuition, bringing the total cost for the entire four-year to less than $40,000.

Southern New Hampshire University is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), which was formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. (NEASC). The school earned a spot on U.S. News & World Report‘s list of the 2022-2023 Best Regional Universities North and was ranked second in the nation on the publication’s Most Innovative Schools in the North list.

View program details.

6. The Online Bachelor of Arts in Sustainability and the Environment at Florida International University

The online BA in Sustainability and the Environment degree program from Florida International University in Miami, FL, emphasizes skills and knowledge for sustainable management of natural resources.

Another aspect of Florida International University’s online bachelor’s degree program that we love is that every student is paired up with a personal success coach who provides one-on-one guidance to help students make the most of their online education.

The Bachelor of Arts in Sustainability and the Environment online degree is a multidisciplinary program offered out of the School of Environment, Arts and Society. The curriculum includes required upper-division courses such as Applied Field Ecology, Ecology of South Florida and Energy Flow in Natural and Man-made Systems.

Other coursework found in the program includes Earth Resources, Environmental Resources and Pollution, Earth Ethics, Population & Environment Issues, Human Organization & Ecosystems Management, Introduction to Geographical Information Systems and Sustainable Resource Development.

The 120-credit program includes 23 credits to be put toward elective courses of the student’s choice, although 9 of these credits must be in areas like business, communication, journalism or public administration. The curriculum also includes 6 credits of coursework in the area of sustainability and the environment.

High-performing students should consider applying to the Honors College. The Honors College offers honors courses for online students during both the fall and spring semesters. Participation in the Honors College offers benefits like exclusive opportunities for internships and research experiences and makes the student a more competitive candidate for financial aid like scholarships.

Transfer students are welcomed into the program, although to have the best chance of success, they should have already completed an introductory statistics course, a microeconomics course and two semesters of study in a foreign language.

In-state students at Florida International University paid a tuition rate of $228.51 per credit hour, not counting fees, under current tuition rates. For out-of-state students, the tuition rate is $345.87 per credit hour.

Florida International University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The school has appeared on numerous U.S. News & World Report rankings listed, including tying for 21st place among the Best Global Universities for Environment/Ecology in the United States and ranking #1 on the publication’s list of the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs.

View program details.

7. The Online Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management at the University of Maryland Global Campus

The University of Maryland in Adelphi, MD, offers an online environmental management bachelor’s degree program that consists of 120 credits of college coursework.

Required courses for the environmental management major include Environment and Ecosystems Principles, Human Health and Disease, Environmental Health, and Global Environmental Management Issues. Either as part of their general education coursework or as electives, students must take classes in introductory statistics, pre-calculus and environmental chemistry.

The curriculum allows students to pursue one of two areas of focus. In the Toxicology and Hazard Control focus, students complete courses in Risk Assessments in Environmental Health and Safety, Hazard Management in Emergency Response Operations and Air Quality Management. The Sustainability focus includes courses like Pollution Prevention Strategies, Introduction to Urban Watersheds and Stewardship and Global Environmental Challenges.

All courses in the University of Maryland’s online environmental science bachelor’s degree program are available fully online, but for students who live locally and want some in-person exposure, some hybrid courses are available in the major.

Both online and on-campus students at the University of Maryland are invited to join the school’s Environmental Awareness Club. Although some club activities, like local cleanup efforts and field trips, are best suited to students who live locally, even students who live far from campus can benefit from the opportunities to virtually meet and learn from alumni and established environmental management professionals.

Under the current tuition rates, in-state students pay $312 per credit, and out-of-state students pay $499 per credit. A military tuition rate discounts the cost to $250 per credit for active-duty servicemembers and their spouses and dependent children.

The University of Maryland is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. U.S. News & World Report named the University of Maryland on its 2022-2023 Best Regional Universities North Rankings list and ranked it as tied for 16th place on the publication’s list of the Most Innovative Schools in the North. Newsweek listed the University of Maryland in 21st place on its 2022 list of America’s Best Online Learning Schools.

View program details.

8. The Online Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies at Virginia Wesleyan University

Virginia Wesleyan University in Virginia Beach, VA, markets its online Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies program to students who are passionate about environmental issues, particularly environmental threats relating to the way humans fit into the natural world and our relationship to the environment.

A generous transfer credit policy that allows undergraduate students to transfer up to 96 credits from other institutions makes this program an excellent option for degree completion. If you already have some college coursework under your belt and can’t wait to get a jump-start on your career in environmental science, the fast pace of this program may be particularly appealing.

RELATED: How Fast Can I Earn a Master’s Degree in Environmental Science?

By structuring your program strategically and devoting just 18 to 24 hours per week to your coursework, you may be able to graduate in as little as 12 months – depending on how many credits you transfer into the program.

We also love that this is a military-friendly program. Virginia Wesleyan University is a designated Yellow Ribbon school at which you can use your GI Bill benefits to pay the cost of tuition and fees. The school employs a dedicated Veterans Service Team to help students who have served with issues involving financial aid advising, academic scheduling, disability counseling and other needs.

Online environmental science students at Virginia Wesleyan University complete science courses in areas like environmental geology, environmental biology, meteorology and energy and the environment. As a Bachelor of Arts degree program, the curriculum includes a significant focus on non-science courses like Environmental Ethics, Environmental Writings, Environmental Policy Analysis, Microeconomics and Macroeconomics. Students also must take either Ecopoetry or Topics in Sustainability as well as complete an internship in environmental studies.

The current cost per credit hour reported amounted to $399. For veterans in Virginia, the combination of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, the VA Yellow Ribbon Program and the Virginia Wesleyan Yellow Ribbon Match allowed qualifying students to cover the full tuition cost for the 2022 through 2023 academic year without having to pay out-of-pocket.

Virginia Wesleyan University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

View program details.

9. The Online Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Policy at Wilmington University

Highlights of the online Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science and Policy at Wilmington University in New Castle, DE, include small class sizes and affiliation as a member institution of the NASA-funded Delaware Space Grant Consortium.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science and Policy offered through Wilmington University’s College of Online and Experiential Learning and College of Health Professions & Natural Sciences prepares students to “think like an environmental scientist, write like a policy maker.”

The curriculum encompasses at least 35 credits of Environmental Science Core coursework in areas like Pre-Calculus, Inferential Statistics, Biology I, Biology II, Ecology and a Science Major Senior Seminar.

Students have some latitude to customize their core coursework. They can choose between classes in Earth Science or Climate Dynamics, between Physics or Physics I and between Applied Chemistry and Chemistry I. They also choose whether to take Geographic Information Systems Science & Technology, Environmental Informatics or Integrating Excel into Business Problem Solving.

The program also includes Public Policy Core coursework that encompasses classes in Environmental Planning, Environmental Compliance, Energy and Environmental Policy, American Politics and Marine Science and Policy. Students choose whether to round out their public policy core coursework with Calculus I, Data Science, Introduction to Programming with Python or Intro to Artificial Intelligence.

The curriculum also allows for at least 9 credits of core electives in areas that include chemistry, policy and sociology courses, as well as at least 9 free electives.

Under Wilmington University’s 2022-2023 Tuition & Fees schedule, online students pay tuition rates of $399 per credit hour, no matter where they live.

Wilmington University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The school landed a spot on U.S. News & World Report‘s 2022-2023 Best National University Rankings list.

View program details.

10. The Online Bachelor of Science in Environmental Policy and Management at Everglades University

Everglades University in Boca Raton, FL, offers a BS in Environmental Policy and Management. This BS degree program can be completed in 41 months, so it’s a solid option for students who want to get out into the environmental science workforce quickly.

However, there is no room for free electives in the 123-credit curriculum. If you like having the option to customize your education and focus your studies specifically on your areas of interest, this environmental science program may not be the right fit for you.

Major coursework in the BS in Environmental Policy and Management program includes 54 credit hours of upper-division courses. Highlights of the curriculum include courses like Energy and the Environment, Coastal Environmental Management and Global Climate Change – Science, Impacts and Sustainable Solutions.

On the business side of this environmental management major, students take courses such as international business, operations management, marketing management, critical thinking in business and the science of persuasion and negotiation. An Environmental Policy and Management Capstone Course rounds out the major coursework for the degree program.

Students do get some flexibility in their selection of Interdisciplinary Studies courses, which encompasses 21 credit hours. However, recommended courses that meet these requirements include Introduction to Environmental Change, Organization and Technology of Information Systems, Principles of Supervision, Principles of Business, Introduction to Marketing, Financial Management and Macroeconomics.

Under the current fee schedule, full-time online students at Everglades University paid $800 per credit hour, or $9,600 per semester, in tuition costs. Counting the costs of textbooks and fees, the total estimated cost of the degree program amounted to $116,850.

Everglades University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. U.S. News & World Report ranked Everglades University as tied for 94th place on its 2022-2023 Best Regional Universities South Rankings list.

The online environmental science degree at Everglades University can be completed 100% online, but the school also offers the curriculum in a traditional in-person format at its campus locations, which include Boca Raton, Miami, Orlando, Sarasota and Tampa.

View program details.

Related Resources:

What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

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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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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.

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.

Associate degrees are commonly called two-year degrees because that’s how long it traditionally takes to earn them. However, in some cases, you can get an associate degree faster. 

Here are 25 accelerated online associate degrees that you can earn in less than two years.

RELATED: Easiest Online Associate’s Degrees

1. Associate of Science in Construction Project Management

Are you interested in overseeing a construction project from start to finish? Do you want to be involved in the details of planning and design? The rising career path of construction project manager might be for you. With this associate degree, you can quickly prepare for career paths like construction manager, building inspector and trades supervisor. 

Where to Earn a Construction Management Associate Degree Fas

If you want to fast-track your construction project management associate degree program, consider enrolling at Penn Foster College. The private, for-profit higher education institution located in Scottsdale, AZ, offers an accredited online Construction Technology Associate Degree. This self-paced program is one of the fastest options for an associate degree. While the average time to complete the program is as little as 11 months, highly motivated students who choose the fast-track format can get an associate degree in as little as five months. That makes this a rare example of being able to earn an associate degree in 6 months online. 

2. Social Science 

Do you have a love of fields like history, sociology and political science? Consider majoring in social science. An associate’s degree in social science helps students build foundational skills and knowledge upon which they will build when they advance to their bachelor’s degree studies. Among the areas you will study when you major in social science at the associate degree level are: 

• History
• Sociology
• Psychology
• Anthropology
• Geography
• Political science
• Economics

Where to Earn a Social Science Associate Degree Fast

Social science is one of three accelerated online associate degrees students can pursue at Tidewater Community College. Tidewater is a public community college based in South Hampton Roads, VA, and has five campuses in addition to its online offerings. The school is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The accelerated social science degree, as well as the school’s other accelerated online associate’s degrees, can be completed in just one year. 

3. Associate Degree in Business Administration

Business administration is one of the most common associate degree programs. It’s also one of the fastest degrees you can get online. It is possible to get your degree in just 12 to 18 months – or less if you have credit hours to transfer.

Students in an accelerated online business administration program will study a wide range of business topics. Core classes for a business administration associate degree may include: 

• Introduction to business management
• Financial accounting
• Managerial accounting
• Economics
• Principles of management 
• Marketing fundamentals 
• Business law
• Management information systems 
• Business communications 
• International business

When you earn an associate degree in business administration, you’re equipped with the skills for entry-level positions in the business world. 

RELATED: How Long Does It Take to Get a Business Degree?

Where to Earn a Business Administration Associate Degree Fast

One of the fastest associate business degree online programs can be found at Truckee Meadows Community College. The program, which is available in a traditional two-year format and an accelerated one-year format, is proof that you don’t have to go to a four-year university to earn an associate’s degree fast. A community college can have a similar program for less time and money.

Truckee Meadows Community College is based in Reno, Nevada. The school is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Through the school’s Business FastTrack Program, students take two online courses per five-week term and study year-round, with new classes starting nine times per year. It’s a whirlwind for sure – but a productive one, as students can complete their 2-year degrees in half the time without transfer credits. 

Another school where students can earn an online business administration associate degree quickly is Liberty University. Liberty University is a private Christian school based in Lynchburg, Virginia, with extensive online offerings. Online business courses are eight weeks long. By studying over the summer, students can finish their associate degree in one and a half years.

What if you have credit hours to transfer? The right associate degree program will allow you to slash the time it takes to earn your associate degree. Liberty University has a generous transfer policy through which students can apply up to 75% of the credit hour requirement for an associate degree. Prospective transfer students should also consider Purdue University Global’s business administration associate degree. Students transferring the maximum number of credits can complete their associate degree in just four months. 

4. Associate of Arts in General Education or Liberal Arts

Maybe you don’t know yet what you want to study. You just know that having a degree will open doors to opportunities that you might not have with only a high school diploma.

If you haven’t decided on a specific major, it’s not a big deal. You can earn a degree in general education or liberal arts. This program is often considered the easiest associates degree, but it’s also one of the fastest associate degrees to earn. 

These programs provide a broad foundation of college-level education for you to draw from. A general education or liberal arts major can be the perfect stepping stone for a career that doesn’t require a specific path of study or for earning a bachelor’s degree at a later time.

RELATED: The 20 Easiest Bachelor’s Degree Online Options

In an online associate degree in general studies or liberal arts, students take courses in a wide range of subjects. Examples include: 

• Human development
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Science
• Economics
• Finance
• Philosophy
• Mathematics
• Business 
• Humanities

Where to Earn a Liberal Arts Associate Degree Fast

General studies is one of the accelerated online associate degree programs at Tidewater Community College that can be completed in just one year. Students complete a breadth of coursework that draws from all of the major disciplines. The program offers optional specializations in professional communication and teacher preparation. 

Another school that offers AA degrees online in general education is Florida State College at Jacksonville. By taking eight-week courses throughout the year, students at the public higher education institution can complete their associate degree in general education in just 18 months. Florida State College at Jacksonville is part of the Florida College System and is accredited by the Southern Association of College and Schools Commission on Colleges. 

5. Associate’s in Nursing

Good nurses are consistently in demand. Whether you’re already licensed as a vocational nurse or fresh out of high school, an associate degree can help you get ahead in this critical role in the healthcare industry. 

Associate degrees in nursing, or ADN programs, typically prepare students to provide patient care according to the nursing model and to pass the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLE-RN) test. Even in online programs, students should expect to have to gain hands-on experience through in-person labs and clinical courses. Depending on your online program, you may have to visit campus for these requirements or find a local clinical site where you can fulfill your clinical requirements. Consider these programs to be generally hybrid options rather than fully online associate degree programs. 

Where to Earn a Nursing Associate Degree Fast

Suppose you’re currently a licensed vocational nurse but haven’t yet earned a degree. Howard College in Big Springs, TX, offers a primarily online 12-month Transition Associate Degree Nursing Program. The school is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

If you don’t yet have experience or a license, don’t worry. A number of colleges offer accelerated 2-year online degrees in nursing. Herzing University‘s Associate in Nursing program, for example, can be completed in 20 months. Students should note, however, that this isn’t a fully online program and requires some in-person coursework at one of Herzing’s campuses in Alabama, Florida, Ohio or Tennessee. The Associate Degree in Nursing Program from American Career College is another 20-month program. Although some of the coursework is offered online, some of it must be completed on campus at one of the college’s locations in Los Angeles or Anaheim, California, or in Ontario, Canada.

6. Associate of Science in Health Information Technology

Would you like to start a new career in healthcare service in as little as 15 months? The field of health information technology brings together the disciplines of healthcare and computers and IT. Students in health information technology associate degree programs take coursework in areas such as: 

• Medical billing and coding
• Electronic health record management
• Disease classification
• Healthcare procedural codes in hospitals and other healthcare facilities 

Graduates from a health information technology associate degree program can pursue roles that range from medical coder and medical transcriptionist to health information technician. 

Where to Earn a Health Information Technology Associate Degree Fast

Fremont University in Cerritos, CA, is one school that offers a fast online degree in health information technology. The private for-profit college l caters to working adult students, so it’s no surprise the school offers a program that allows for quick entry into this rapidly growing field. Fremont College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). Students can complete their online health information technology associate degree program in just 15 months. 

7. Associate of Arts in Accounting

If you think an accounting career is out of reach, think again. You don’t need to spend years in school or earn an advanced degree to get started. An associate degree can be the first step to your career. Students in an online associate degree for accounting will learn the theoretical and accounting standards and fundamentals. They also develop skills for the practical application of accounting procedures.

Through their coursework, students in accounting associate degrees become familiar with:

• Equities
• Liabilities
• The process of preparing financial statements and records
• Accounting’s role in business decisions

Graduates from an associate degree in accounting program may be able to qualify for some entry-level staff accountant roles. They can also seek positions in auditing, financial data analysis and payroll administration.

Where to Earn an Accounting Associate Degree Fast

How fast can you finish an accounting associate degree online? At Lorain County Community College, the accelerated pathway for this program can be completed in just 15 months. To speed up their progress toward the degree, students in the accelerated pathway take eight-week and ten-week courses. 

8. Associate of Applied Science in Computer Information Systems or Information Technology

Do you have an interest in technology? An associate’s degree in computer information systems or information technology can help you find a job in a rapidly growing field. Some of the coursework students may take in computer information systems and IT associates degrees online includes: 

• Computer system analysis and design
• Programming in Java, Visual Basic and C/C++
• Software design and development

Where to Earn an Information Technology Associate Degree Fast

Lorain County Community College in Elyria, OH, offers a number of 15-month associate degrees online for computer and IT fields, including: 

• Computer and digital forensics 

• Computer applications integration specialist

• Computer maintenance and networking 

The community college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. 

Another school to consider for online associate degree programs in computers and IT is ECPI University in Manassas, VA. Among the institution’s accelerated online associate degree programs are:

• A 16-month Associate of Science Degree in Computer and Information Science with a concentration in Cyber and Information Security Technology
• An 18-month Associate of Science Degree in Computer and Information Science with a concentration in Software Development

ECPI University – which stands for East Coast Polytechnic Institute – is a private for-profit institution accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

9. Associate of Science in Marketing

Good marketing leads people to buy a product, service or brand. The field is ideal for students who are creative, strategic and analytical. An associate degree could be the first stepping stone into a rewarding marketing career.

An associate program in marketing typically combines core business studies, some focused marketing coursework and a background in liberal arts. Students learn how to plan, create and evaluate advertising and marketing campaigns. By the time they graduate, students know the basic principles of marketing and have the skills to work for an established or start-up organization.

Where to Earn a Marketing Associate Degree Fast

Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI, offers a 17-month fully online marketing associate degree. The school, which is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, doesn’t just repurpose an on-campus curriculum for an online audience. Instead, Ferris State University builds its online courses for the virtual learning environment from the ground up. The online associate degree in marketing is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

10. Associate of Arts in Psychology

Do you have an interest in human behavior? Do you wonder why people think, feel and act the way they do? Consider pursuing a fast online associates degree in the field of psychology. Some institutions of higher learning allow students to get an associate degree in psychology in just one and a half years. 

An associate’s degree in psychology will prepare graduates to work in entry-level jobs in psychology. This includes jobs in environments such as:

• Mental health facilities
• Substance abuse and rehabilitation centers
• Childcare facilities
• The criminal justice and legal system

Where to Earn a Psychology Associate Degree Fast

Liberty University offers an online Associate of Arts (AA) in Psychology program that students complete in one and a half years, on average. The program is an excellent choice for students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree eventually. Because there are no required login times or on-site intensives for this program, Liberty’s online associate in psychology degree is ideal for students who need flexibility.  

11. Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice

If you are interested in a law enforcement career, having an associate’s degree in criminal justice can give you an edge over candidates starting out with just a high school diploma. By earning your degree quickly online, you won’t have to sacrifice years of your life to prepare for your new career.

In associate programs in criminal justice, students will typically learn about the philosophy and development of the criminal justice system in the United States. They will gain exposure to topics in criminology and criminal law. 

This fastest associate’s degree program in criminal justice gives students the education employers are seeking. With an associate degree in criminal justice, you can pursue entry-level positions in: 

• Law enforcement
• Corrections
• Investigations
• Probation
• Corporate security

Where to Earn a Criminal Justice Associate Degree Fast

Criminal justice is another type of associate’s degree students can pursue at Purdue University Global. Purdue’s program isn’t an accelerated program per se, but it’s an excellent choice for students who have past experience to draw from. These students can make their way through the curriculum faster not only by transferring prior college credits but also by receiving credit for any military service work they have completed. If you transfer in the greatest possible credit hour amounts, military service credits and work experience credit, you can finish this program in just four months. 

12. Associate Degree in Web Programming

Do you enjoy the technical side of web applications? There’s considerable money, as well as career flexibility, in programming. Employers and clients are looking for trained professionals who know how to use the essential tools and techniques for coding websites and software applications. Knowledge of programming languages like the following are in high demand: 

• HTML
• Java 
• JavaScript
• Visual Basic 
• CSS
• SQL databases

Where to Earn a Web Programming Associate Degree Fast

How fast can you build the skills for web programming? The New England Institute of Technology offers an 18-month online Associate of Science degree in Software Engineering and Web Development. The school, which is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, emphasizes not only proficiency in programming languages and visualization tools but also how computer systems and applications can address real-world business problems. 

13. Associate of Applied Science in Health Science: Medical Office Management

Maybe you want to break into the healthcare industry but not in a clinical role. Can you see yourself in an office management role instead?

You don’t need years of education and experience to prepare for the responsibilities of keeping an office organized and running efficiently. An online associate degree in medical office management can help you prepare for this career quickly. Through this course of study, students will learn skills for the following tasks: 

• Managing office operations
• Scheduling appointments
• Managing patient records
• Handling billing, coding and insurance paperwork

Medical office managers need strong communication and organizational skills, as well as knowledge of billing and coding procedures and healthcare record management. Online associate degree programs in medical office management help students cultivate these skills. 

Where to Earn a Medical Office Management Associate Degree Fast

Ultimate Medical Academy in Tampa, FL, offers a Medical Administrative Assistant associate degree program that can be completed in as little as 18 months. The school, which is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), also offers an 11-month diploma program if you want to get into this career even faster. By the time you finish this short online associate degree, you will be prepared to take the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) examination. 

14. Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education

Do you love working with kids? An associate degree in early childhood education could be your first step to a career such as:

• Pre-kindergarten teacher
• Childcare worker
• Learning center administrator 

Whether you intend to make a career out of childcare work or eventually earn a bachelor’s degree to become a licensed teacher, this fastest associate in early childhood education degree can be a stepping stone to achieving your dreams.

In an associate degree in ECE program, students can expect to cover subjects like:  

• Child development
• Childhood education
• Classroom management 
• Teacher preparation

15. Associate of Arts in Graphic Design

Do you have an eye for design? You can be more than a “starving artist.” With an associate degree in graphic design, you can apply your creativity to a career as a designer.

During associate degree programs in graphic design, students learn to communicate ideas and messages through visuals. They apply communication, critical thinking and computer skills to a design setting. Throughout the program, students build a portfolio of their own designs that can showcase their talents to potential employers and clients. 

Coursework in a graphic design program is likely to cover the techniques of traditional art and multimedia design, including:

• Color theory
• Photography
• Typography
• Print design
• Interactive media
• Editing audio and video clips 
• Designing for the optimal user experience

16. Associate’s in Human Resources

In every industry, businesses and organizations need to recruit, train and manage talent. Human resources personnel are professionals who specialize in hiring workers and developing their skills. An associate degree in human resources can give you the skills you need for this versatile career.

Human resources students can expect to take classes in the following: 

• Management and training of employees
• Employment law
• Change management
• Benefits administration

17. Human Services Associate Degree

Do you feel a calling to help other people who are struggling through difficult life problems? An education in human services could put you on the right path.

Studying human services will prepare you for roles like:

• Community health worker
• Social and human service assistant
• Social or community service manager
• Community and social service specialist

18. Associate of Science in Software Application Development

Are you tech-savvy? If your computer skills are matched only by your creativity and resourcefulness, you could find great success as a software application developer.

Software development is a rapidly growing industry. An associate degree can help you get started sooner rather than later.

RELATED: Which Degree Is Best for a Software Engineer?

To cultivate the skills for a career in software development, you should expect to take courses such as: 

• Software design
• Smartphone app development
• Programming in languages like Java and C++
• Networking 
• Cybersecurity 
• Cloud solutions 

Where to Earn a Software Development Associate Degree Fast

ECPI University offers an 18-month software development associate degree that’s 100% online. In addition to teaching students the tools, technologies and processes of the field, this program also builds their communication skills and knowledge of ethical best practices in the industry. 

19. Associate of Science in Engineering Technology

Engineering applies the principles of math and science to the design and development of solutions to all kinds of real-world problems. Although you need a bachelor’s degree to become an engineer who undertakes the design process, an associate degree is enough to land you a role as an engineering technician. Engineering technology associate degree programs exist in various engineering disciplines. Coursework in these programs typically encompasses the most relevant background knowledge and a great deal of practical and technical skills. 

Where to Earn an Engineering Technology Associate Degree Fast

ECPI University offers online associate degrees in both mechanical engineering technology and electronic engineering technology. Both programs can be completed 100% online in 18 months. The curriculum of each program is tailored to the current needs of the respective discipline. By the time they graduate, students have the theoretical knowledge and technical know-how to succeed in technician-level roles in the engineering field. 

20. Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies

Just because you have an interest in the legal system doesn’t mean that you want to spend seven years or more pursuing a bachelor’s and then a law school degree. Fortunately, there are other ways to get a job working in the field of law. A paralegal supports lawyers through work that includes the following:

• Conducting legal research
• Drafting legal documents
• Maintaining files for civil or criminal cases

The bar to entry for paralegals is much lower than for attorneys. An associate degree is sufficient preparation for entry-level jobs for paralegals. 

RELATED: What Degree Do You Need to Be a Paralegal?

Where to Earn a Paralegal Studies Associate Degree Fast

Herzing University, a private institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, offers an online paralegal/legal assisting associate degree. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and features a career-focused curriculum that students can complete in 20 months. 

For students with prior college credit, Purdue University is an option for finishing your associate’s degree in this field faster, too. Again, although the program is intended as a two-year program, the online school’s generous transfer policy ensures that credit previously completed at other institutions won’t go to waste. Purdue’s program awards an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Legal Support and Services that allows students to apply transfer credits and gain credit for prior work experience in relevant roles. 

21. Associate of Science in Medical Assisting Services

Are you looking for your place in the healthcare industry? Perhaps medical assisting is the career path for you. Medical assistants work alongside doctors and nurses in clinical patient care. Their work may include measuring vital signs, drawing blood and managing medical records.

Where to Earn a Medical Assisting Associate Degree Fast

Herzing University offers a medical assisting program that takes just 20 months to complete. This associate degree is a hybrid program. While students take all of their courses online, they must meet face-to-face with a proctor at a health facility for some hands-on clinical experiences and complete a 180-hour externship at a medical clinic or doctor’s office. 

22. Associate of Applied Science in Addiction Counseling

Substance abuse and addiction remain a major problem in the United States. If you want to be part of the solution, consider a career in addiction counseling. 

In online associate degree programs in addiction counseling, students take coursework in areas like: 

• Theories of addiction 
• Addiction and the family
• Assessment  and treatment planning 
• Co-occurring disorders 
• Individual and group counseling 
• Motivational counseling and interviewing 
• Case management 
• Crisis intervention 
• Trauma recovery 
• Ethics in addiction counseling

Where to Earn a Design Studies Associate Degree Fast

Beal University in Bangor, ME, offers a 100% online associate degree in addiction counseling. The private for-profit institution is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. The school also offers an accelerated online diploma in addiction counseling that takes 14 months to complete and a 42-month bachelor’s degree. 

23. Associate of Arts in Healthcare Management

Healthcare businesses rely on professionals with excellent management skills to keep them running efficiently and operating at their best. With an associate degree in healthcare management, you can break into the exciting, fast-growing field of managed healthcare. By combining studies in both healthcare and business, online associate degree programs in healthcare management give students the tools to succeed. Coursework typically includes topics like: 

• Organizational structure of healthcare
• Trends in modern managed healthcare
• Ethics in the medical field

Throughout their coursework, students seeking associate degrees develop skills for a wide range of management tasks, like planning and staffing. By the time they graduate, students will be ready to work in roles such as:

• Medical administrators
• Case coordinators
• Office managers
• Risk managers

Where to Earn a Healthcare Management Associate Degree Fast

At Pima Medical Institute in Albuquerque, NM, the healthcare administration associate degree program takes 20 months to complete online. This institution is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools. Students who already have some healthcare education can transfer as many as 28 credits into this online associate program. 

24. Associate of Applied Science in Insurance Billing and Coding Specialist

Medical insurance plays a major role in today’s healthcare system, at least in the United States. The need for doctors’ offices and hospitals to handle a massive amount of extensive insurance forms has created positions dedicated solely to insurance billing and coding. That reality makes billing and coding a strong career choice. 

Associate degree holders with a background in insurance billing and coding can work in doctors’ offices, hospitals, outpatient medical facilities, nursing homes and home healthcare services. Students can use this college degree to prepare for jobs such as: 

• Insurance billing and coding specialist
• Medical clerk
• Insurance claims analyst
• Medical office assistant
• Health information specialist

Associate degree programs in this field typically include coursework in:

• Medical terminology
• Coding for procedures and diagnoses
• Computer databases for managing patient information

Where to Earn an Insurance Billing and Coding Associate Degree Fast

Herzing University offers an Insurance Billing and Coding Specialist online associate program. The curriculum takes 20 months to complete and prepares students for professional certifications such as: 

• The National Healthcareer Association’s Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) Certification 
• The American Academy of Professional Coders’ Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Certification
• The American Health Information Management Association’s Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) Certification

25. Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science

Another online associates degree to consider is an associate degree in fire science. Studying fire science at the associate degree level prepares graduates for a variety of firefighting and emergency services roles in their communities. Through a fire science curriculum, students typically take classes in the following areas: 

• Fire prevention
• Firefighter safety
• Defense planning
• Firefighting strategy
• Hazardous materials management
• Building codes and code inspection

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

Where to Earn a Fire Science Associate Degree Fast

The fastest online associate degrees in fire science currently available are programs that welcome transfer credit hours and award credit for work experience and military service. 

Take the associate in fire science program offered through Purdue University Global as an example. Purdue’s fire science associate degree is technically a two-year program, but students can finish faster if they have prior education or work experience to apply. If you already have some firefighting experience gained through serving in the military, you might be interested in Purdue’s PME2Degree, in particular. Your military service experience can help reduce the time it will take you to get an associate degree. Even better, the U.S. Fire Administration also recognizes Purdue University as an official Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education institution (FESHE), so students can trust that they’re getting a great education. 

Another option to consider for a fast associate degree in fire science if you have prior college coursework is the American Military University. American Military University is part of the American Public University System and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Although AMU’s 60-credit online Associate of Science in Fire Science program normally takes two years to complete, the school allows transfer students to bring up to 45 credits of prior college coursework with them. With the maximum amount of transfer credits, you could finish your degree in just one term. This program is accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress. Courses can be eight to 16 weeks long.

Conclusion

For students who are eager to earn a degree quickly, accelerated associate’s programs are a fast way to achieve this goal.

RELATED: 50 Highest Paying Associate Degree Jobs

Taking advantage of accelerated programs, competency-based curricula and transfer credits can help you earn your associate degree faster than you ever thought possible.

Our Fast Degree Series

– Fastest Overall Programs
– Fastest Online Associates Degrees
– Fastest Online Bachelor’s Degrees
– Fastest Online Master’s Degrees
– Fastest Online Doctorate Degrees

Related Resources: 

Top 10 Paying Jobs With an Associate’s Degree

50 Highest Paying Associate Degree Jobs

How Long Does It Take to Get an Associate Degree?

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

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

For Further Reading: 

Top 10 Graduate Degree Programs in Criminal Justice

What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

Exciting Jobs: The Top 15 Jobs for Adrenaline Seekers

The post 25 Fastest Online Associates Degree Programs 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.

Introverts do well in calm environments and work spaces that tend to be more private. As an Introvert, you probably don’t want to go into an aggressive, outgoing position like sales or stock trading. Introverts are more analytical and observational and find their energies are heightened with moments of reflection and lessen with too much interaction. There are certain careers that align with the Introverted person more than others. Highlighted below are what we found to be the Top 10 Careers for Introverts. The featured occupations not only present an ideal work surrounding for Introverts, they are more in demand nationally and have annual salaries that are relatively high.

Keep in mind though that it was also Carl Jung who said,

“There is no such think as a pure introvert or extrovert. Such a person would be in the lunatic asylum.”

Of course, people’s behaviors can often fluctuate; if an Introverted job is not working out for you, maybe you’re more Extroverted than you think. In that case, check our Top 10 Careers for Extroverts!

1. Land Surveyor

Anytime new construction takes place, a surveyor is sent out to measure distances and angles. They research land records, previous survey records and land titles. They locate boundary lines and record their results. Precision is the name of the game. The data of a survey must be accurate as their findings indicate where a new building can or cannot be built.

All information is prepared in the form of a report or various maps and presented their clients. Clients might be private, public companies or government agencies.

Surveying includes fieldwork conducted outdoors with camera-like heavy duty equipment as well as indoor office work. You may work on a team; however, a lot of the job is a solo gig. You will have to travel to the project location and stand for long periods of time. Sometime work will be in remote areas with very little communication with anyone. You did say you were an Introvert, no?

Median Salary: $56,230
Education Level: Bachelor’s degree
Projected employment growth: 10% increase between 2012 and 2022

2. Librarian

The library – the only place where you can legitimately tell people to shut up without seeming like a nut. It’s a world made by introverts, for introverts, and it can be yours to rule.

That may be an overstatement. But Librarian is an ideal job for the more introverted among us. Sure, you work with the public some, checking in and checking out books, giving recommendations, and helping with research, but much of your time is spent shelving books, cataloguing and filing, repairing damaged volumes, and other good recharging tasks. And if you’re so introverted the mild public interaction is too much for you, you can always specialize in something like archival or digital media, where your only company is rare books or computers.

Median Salary: $55,000
Education Level: Master’s degree
Projected employment growth: 7% increase between 2012 and 2022

3. Animator

Bringing drawings to life has always been the domain of focused, even obsessive, introverts. Sure, it takes many animators to make something like an animated feature film, but even in those large teams, most of the work in done individually, with an editor and director bringing all of the pieces together into a finished film.

Of course, the internet has created a new world of animation, much of which can be managed by just one animator; think of the little Google Doodle animations that make obscure historical dates and holidays so much fun. Same goes for video games – someone had to animate the characters in your favorite time-killing app. And odds are, that person is an introvert.

Median Salary: $61,000
Education Level: Bachelor’s degree
Projected employment growth: 6% increase between 2012 and 2022

4. Forensics

So you’d like to work in law enforcement, helping keep citizens safe and earning a tidy pension and retirement, not to mention reliable benefits. But you’re an introvert – there’s no way you’re walking a beat or patrolling the streets where you’ll have to interact with all kinds of people (especially people who don’t like you). Maybe a desk job, but that still means a lot of demanding, very stressed people to work with. And forget about prison guard. Sheesh.

There’s still a way to put away criminals from a safe space: forensic science. Plus, there are many specializations you could follow so you’re doing something interesting to you, such as digital forensics analyst (if you like computers), forensic pathologist (if you like biology), and print examiners (if you like – well, fingerprints). You may work in the field collecting evidence, or in a lab examining evidence, but in either case, it’s mostly just you and the evidence. Just the way you want it.

Median Salary: $52,000
Education Level: Bachelor’s degree
Projected employment growth: 6% increase between 2012 and 2022

5. Food scientist

A food scientist studies food. Scientifically.

Well, there you go. Nothing more to see here.

Okay, there’s a lot more to it. Some Food Scientists perform basic research learning about the biology and chemistry of the plants and animals we eat, to try and better understand how food affects our bodies, how to preserve and process foods effectively, and how to make food more sustainable. Others work in applied research, using the insights gained by basic researchers to make the products we see in our grocery stores.

As a laboratory-based profession, Food Scientist can be appealing to introverts who work better in small groups or with partners, but not with a lot of social interaction.

Median Salary: $65,000
Education Level: Bachelor’s degree
Projected employment growth: 9% increase between 2012 and 2022

6. Marine Biologist

Do you get along better with dolphins than with people? Is that a weird question? If you think it’s a weird question, move on. But if it struck a nerve, you may want to consider becoming a Marine Biologist.

As a Marine Biologist, you won’t be completely on your own; Jane Goodall might have gone to live with the apes, but going to live with the fish is another thing entirely. Most Marine Biologists will have to work in teams, since studying marine life requires a lot of equipment and specialized knowledge that no one person could be expected to have. But they will usually be small groups of trusted colleagues, not the general public, and much of your work will be with creatures who don’t expect you to make small talk. You don’t even have to be interviewed by National Geographic, if you don’t want to.

Median Salary: $57,000
Education Level: Bachelor’s degree
Projected employment growth: 5% increase between 2012 and 2022

7. Information Security Analyst

You really don’t need an explanation about why a computer career is good for introverts. You’re here already, on your computer. What you may not realize is that security is one of the fastest-growing, highest-paying careers that only requires a bachelor’s degree, and that doesn’t require you to sweet-talk or sell anyone anything. Security is its own selling point.

An Information Security Analyst keeps hackers out of networks, makes sure sensitive information is encrypted and protected, looks for weaknesses in security, and creates standards for others in an organization. They will periodically report to administrators, but for the most part, they’re at the computer, building and using tools to make sure no one steals your PIN number or SSN.

Median Salary: $87,000
Education Level: Bachelor’s degree
Projected employment growth: 37% increase between 2012 and 2022

8. Organic Farmer

If you’re happiest with a little dirt under your nails and a little sunburn on your arms, you know where you belong. And if you love the earth and distrust all the unnatural processes of industrial-scale farming, you may find yourself happiest as an Organic Farmer.

Let’s not mince words – there is nothing easy or lucrative about being a farmer. Organic farms are mostly small, family farms, and even if you’re doing well enough to hire workers, you’re going to be doing most of that work yourself. And farming is sun-up to sun-down, year-round hard labor. You have to do it for love. But, if you’re in the right market, where organic produce is appreciated, and you find a clientele who is willing to pay the extra price for quality, you might just make it. And you’ll do it on your own terms.

Median Salary: $31,000
Education Level: n/a
Projected employment growth: n/a

9. Technical Writer

You like to write, and you’re good at it, but moving to New York and living the Rent lifestyle doesn’t appeal to you. Way too many parties for you. There’s a way to write, make a solid income, and never, ever have to sing a show tune. Technical writing.

The Technical Writer writes all the things that no one thinks about someone writing – instruction manuals, FAQs, and data reports. To be a good technical writer, you need to be skilled in taking complex or confusing information and making it clear and accessible to the intended audience. Some skill with drawing or computer graphics is helpful too, as you will often make your own diagrams and charts to help readers visualize your instructions. It’s not romantic, but it pays better than slam poetry.

Median Salary: $65,000
Education Level: Bachelor’s degree
Projected employment growth: 15% increase between 2012 and 2022

10. Astrobiologist

Many an introvert has looked up at the stars, wondering how we got here and whether there’s anyone else out there wondering the same thing. Introverts are often dreamers like that. But there’s a job where dream meets reality, and that job is Astrobiologist.

No, it’s not just a career that exists on Star Trek. Astrobiologists combine astronomy, biology, and other scientific fields in a search for the origins of life on Earth and the possibility of life elsewhere. It’s a research field, largely in universities or NASA facilities, and while there may be some teaching involved, most of your career will be spent in books, at computers, at telescopes, and in laboratories. You can be just as social or antisocial as you want; if you want to be a conference star or the next Neil Degrasse Tyson, you can do it, but if you want to be alone with the secrets of the universe, go for it. They’re yours.

Median Salary: $106,000
Education Level: Doctorate degree
Projected employment growth: 10% increase between 2012 and 2022

Related Resources: 

What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

The post Top 10 Careers for Introverts appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

• How to think and express yourself clearly
• How to entertain many viewpoints
• How to write, with clarity and force
• How to stand up for your ideas with logic and tact
• And a lot about [insert historical era] literature and culture

The notion that English majors — and humanities majors in general — are useless, has been entirely debunked. Besides directly preparing you for a number of writing and communication-centered careers, English majors are known for being lifelong learners and excelling in many “soft skills.” These are some of the most in-demand skills in a variety of fields, for management, education, research, or the creation of content. Think you’re ready to pursue a degree in English? Read on to see what you can do with your future degree.

Table of Contents:

• What English Degrees Are Available?
• Can I Pursue a English Degree Online?
• How Do I Gain Admission to a English Degree Program?
• Differences Between English and Related Degrees
• What Can I Do With a Degree in English?

Don’t see what you’re looking for in this guide? Be sure to check out DegreeQuery’s additional content related to English degrees below:
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• The 15 Best Liberal Arts Schools in America
• What Can I Do With An English Degree?
• What Can I Do With a Liberal Arts Degree?
• How Can You Prepare For a Professional Writing Career While Earning Your Career?
• What is the Difference Between a Degree in Technical Writing and Journalism
• What’s the Difference Between a Degree in Professional Writing and Technical Writing?
• What Degree Do I Need to be an Editor?
• What Are My Degree Choices to Be a Film/TV Producer?
• 10 Creative Careers that won’t Require You to be a Starving Artist

What English Degrees Are Available?

Degrees in English literature are available at the associates through doctoral levels. As with other humanities majors, undergraduate degrees are heavily grounded in a liberal arts-style education. Graduate English degrees are centered around research and preparing the next generation of English educators.

At the associates level, associate of arts in English degrees commonly require two years of study. While there are some degrees specifically in English at the associates-level, more common degrees at this level include related degrees such as communications, liberal arts, or the humanities.

These degrees begin with general education requirements meant to ensure that graduates gain a college-level skill set in communication, articulation, quantitative thinking, reading, and writing.

These courses commonly include:

• Natural Science Courses
• Social Science Courses
• Mathematics
• The Humanities
• A Foreign Language
• English

Once students have worked through some of their general education requirements they will endeavor upon major courses. English degrees are notorious for the range of courses and differences between programs at different institutions of higher education. So if you have a particular interest, make sure to check that schools you are interested in have courses on the topic.

With that said, some of the more common English courses offered at the associates level include:

• Western Humanities I and II
• Early British Literature
• Modern British Literature
• American Literature Before 1865
• American Literature After 1865
• Shakespeare I and II
• Chaucer
• The Divine Comedy
• Modernism
• And a handful of electives

As bachelor’s degrees have long been the standard entry-level degree within the humanities, many community college-based associates programs are transfer programs. When students complete a transfer program, they then gain automatic admission to a four-year program with a number of credits already earned.

Bachelor of arts in English literature have long been the standard entry point for students of English in higher education. As with associates degrees, these courses of study also begin with general education requirements meant to ensure a baseline skill set within reading, writing, coherently arguing, and quantitative intelligence.

Bachelor’s programs typically require 120 credit hours, of which around two thirds of this total course of study involves general education credits or electives. The remaining credits are major courses. While English majors vary a great deal depending on the faculty and offerings of a given college or university, the following courses are commonly offered within a bachelor of arts in English degree:

• Literature and Composition
• Early British Literature
• Modern British Literature
• Native American Literature
• Old English Epics
• Chaucer
• The Divine Comedies
• Writing in Antiquity
• American Literature Before 1865
• American Literature After 1865
• Early American Literature
• Southern Modernism
• Literary Criticism
• Modern Poetry
• Modern Playwriting
• Creative Nonfiction
• Restoration Literature
• Victorian Literature
• Several Shakespeare Courses
• Courses on Individual Authors or Movements
• Feminist Literature
• African Diaspora Literature

Additionally, most courses of study will ask students to take a selection of electives that complement their major courses. These courses may be in the humanities, about science literature, theater courses, art history courses, or in other disciplines.

Master of Art English degrees typically come in two forms, terminal master’s degrees and those that are achieved in route to a Ph.D. Within terminal master’s degrees, students obtain entrance to a 2-3 year program that primarily consists of “taught” courses. This means that students will continue to take courses instead of primarily spending their time on research.

For students who attend a brick and mortar master’s in English program, it is a common arrangement for master’s candidates to teach some entry level courses or aid in the teaching of a course as a TA. Payment for teaching courses as a graduate student is often reduced or entirely free tuition costs.

At the master’s level, there are a handful of courses that all programs will share. These typically include:

• Introduction to Graduate Studies
• Research Methods
• Teaching Seminar
• And 300-400 level courses in most major areas of literary history

After taking several graduate-level core courses, students will often start to specialize. Common specializations within a master’s in English degree include:

• British Literature
• Comparative Literature
• American Literature
• Film and Literature
• Or Interdisciplinary Studies

At the master’s level, students are required to submit a thesis. As we’ll note in more detail in the following section, theses are separate documents from dissertations. Typically a thesis is a survey of current research within a given subdiscipline. While candidates perform a great deal of research uncovering the current state of research in a given field, they do not perform original research with this document.

A thesis is typically a hundred plug page document on one specialization field within the study of English literature. At the end of a terminal master’s degree, some students will enter the workforce in a variety of roles, while others may choose to transfer into a Ph.D. program.

Within the academic discipline of English, the standard doctoral degree is that of a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) in English literature. Ph.D. programs are research doctorates that typically take between 4 and 7 years for completion.

As opposed to applied doctorates, research doctorates have central aims of helping to prepare students to teach at the university level as well as to help create an environment in which students can pursue professional-level research and publish scholarship.

Ph.D. in English programs typically begin with built in master’s programs. Students take graduate-level courses for their first 2-3 years of their program. In in-person programs, students begin to TA or instruct entry-level courses during this time. Typically students research and write their dissertation for the remainder of the program. As it takes students more or less time to complete their dissertation, so to does time-until-completion for Ph.D. programs vary.

Dissertations are different from master’s-level theses. A dissertation is a several hundred page piece of original research. This piece of research is meant to further understanding in one aspect of a student’s field of study. Once a dissertation has been completed, students must “defend” their dissertation in front of a panel of experts. Theoretically, dissertations should be of high enough quality to be published within a peer-reviewed journal in the field being studied. Some dissertations are published, while others are not.

Additionally, there are a range of degrees related to English.

Some of the most common degrees of this type include more career-centered careers including:

• Journalism
• Technical Writing
• And Communications

Additionally, some degrees incorporate some English courses though it is not the primary focus of the degree. These degree types include:

• Humanities
• Liberal Arts
• Teaching of English
• Education
• And Creative Writing

Can I Pursue a English Degree Online?

As with a wide range of other degrees, yes, you can pursue an English degree entirely online.

With that said, English degrees are not widely offered online. Many of the most popular online degrees are career centered. English, particularly at the graduate level, is often still pursued on campus where students can begin to learn teaching courses, consult with faculty, and peruse physical library spaces.

With this said, a growing number of English degrees are offered online. For many, having the option of an online degree can mean the difference between obtaining a degree and not. But for those with the option to choose between degree delivery methods, there are more considerations to be made.

Some of the most common positive remarks from past students that have pursued a degree include the following:

• Tuition fees are often lower in online programs
• Online degrees allow students who can’t move the ability to attend school
• There’s no need to quit working while you pursue your degree
• Some of the top school in the nation offer online degrees
• You end up with the same degree as in-person programs

With all of that said, there are some definite trade-offs. Some of the most common complaints held by online students include the following:

• Online degrees provide less opportunities for networking
• Online degrees can have less access to support services
• A self-starter mentality is more important in an online setting
• And it can be harder to craft meaningful relationships that are easier to come by in-person

With all of that said, countless individuals have benefited from the ability to pursue a degree online. One in four students today pursue a degree online. Though it’s not for everyone, in this day and age all students should at least consider the option and whether it aligns with their personal needs.

How Do I Gain Admission to a English Degree Program?

Admissions to English degree programs typically mirror admissions to other degrees of the same level.

At the associates level, many community college have open admission policies. This means that any student with a high school degree or equivalent may gain admission to the program. Students then must keep their grades above a certain level to remain in the program.

At the bachelor’s level, English degrees require students to gain entrance into the college or university. This typically involves submitting standardized test score, a transcript, letters or recommendation, and submitting admissions essays. Standards for gaining admission to baccelareate programs vary greatly, with some requiring top grades and others offering open admissions.

At the master’s level, students are often required to submit a statement of purpose. You’ll also in all likelihood want to find a program with a faculty member that you would like to study under.

Seeking a Ph.D. in English is actually a more popular route than a terminal master’s program. Students wishing to pursue a Ph.D. should have excelled in English courses as an undergraduate and have other applicable experience. Some students that gain admission to competitive Ph.D. programs may have already been published or helped professors with research.

At the Ph.D. level you will spend years working one-on-one with your dissertation advisor. For this reason, it’s important to locate a program with a faculty member you would like to study under. Be sure to start a conversation with this professor and ensure that they are willing to work with you.

Differences Between English and Related Degrees

While there are degrees that cover English literature topics, and degrees that focus a great deal on writing, none are truly that similar to a degree in English.

With this said, there are degrees that apply many of the skills one hones in an English degree program. Programs that may fit this description include journalism, technical writing, and communications. One of the main differences between English and these degrees is that there is no professional bent in an English degree.

Students hone their thinking, writing, and argumentative skills by examining prime examples of English literature. In their analysis they develop skills that can be used in many fields, though there are close to never any courses within an English degree that explicitly deal with a field of work.

In contrast, degrees in journalism, technical writing, and communications may work to hone writing and reasoning skills, but the primary focus is on frameworks and tools employed in job settings where journalists, technical writers, and communications professionals are employed.

What Can I Do With a Degree in English?

No level of English degree is a vocational degree. As such, English degrees do not prepare you for one job directly. The single exception is that graduate level degrees in English often offer some courses on education and instruction. So to be precise, English degrees can directly prepare you for teaching English at the graduate level.

With that said, English degrees provide many in-demand skill sets for a wide variety of jobs. Some of the most commonly cited demands by employers include employees that can read and write well, are clear communicators, and can express and understand nuance in communications.

With no further degree, some of the most common paths for English majors include the following jobs:

• Journalist
• Technical Writer
• Copywriter
• Private School Teacher
• And Media Producer

Quickly working through the above jobs, journalists employ investigative and highly-honed communication skills to tell an objective story about the world around us. Journalists are most commonly employed by media organizations including magazines, blogs, newspapers, and television news networks.

The average salary for journalists is presently $39,565, though this number can vary quite a bit depending on your level of expertise and seniority within an organization.

Technical writers primarily find employment in governmental agencies, research organizations, and private industry. These wordsmiths ply their pen to communicate complex and highly technical science and technology-related concepts in readable language. Many technical writers have additional degrees or at least some understanding of science or technology. Though not all do when they gain employment in their field.

The average salary for technical writers is presently $74,440.

Copywriters primarily coin pithy phrases as well as educational material for private industry and/or advertising firms. If you’ve seen the likes of the hit television show Mad Men, then you may have some impression of the role of high-impact copy within advertising campaigns.

While salaries vary quite a bit depending on your place of employment, copywriters make an average of $47,838.

Don’t see what you’re looking for in this guide? Be sure to check out DegreeQuery’s additional content related to English degrees below:
Recommended Guides

• The 15 Best Liberal Arts Schools in America
• What Can I Do With An English Degree?
• What Can I Do With a Liberal Arts Degree?
• How Can You Prepare For a Professional Writing Career While Earning Your Career?
• What is the Difference Between a Degree in Technical Writing and Journalism
• What’s the Difference Between a Degree in Professional Writing and Technical Writing?
• What Degree Do I Need to be an Editor?
• 10 Creative Careers that won’t Require You to be a Starving Artist

The post What Can I Do With an English Degree? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

If you find yourself drawn towards truly mastering your ability to communicate, a bachelor’s in this versatile discipline could be just the choice for you!

1. University of Florida

The University of Florida is one of the top public research universities within the southeastern United States, if not the nation. This school presently has around 34,000 undergraduates, meaning it’s a large enough school to have significant resources without needing to skimp on quality. Located in Gainesville, Florida, the University of Florida has expanded aggressively into online education in recent years. With a graduation rate of 87% for undergraduates, the school ranks as one of the top public schools in the nation by this metric. Additionally with an average cost of attendance around $8,000 a year after financial aid is granted, it’s a great buy!

The University of Florida has one of the premier journalism and communications schools in the country. This makes their fully-online bachelors of science in telecommunication: media and society degree a particularly unique find. As a bachelor of science degree you know you’ll gain valuable quantitative knowledge and skills you can use running a data-driven communications campaign. Graduates of this program are known to take jobs in international communications, market research, media campaigning, and marketing. The central focus of the program is on mass media pushed by electronics (online, television, radio). 

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2. Florida International University

Florida International University (FIU) — the second Florida-based university on our list is located in the suburbs of exciting Miami, Florida. With a student size of close to 42,000 students, it’s a large university, and similar to other large public universities within the state it’s able to offer a relatively affordable experience. The average cost of tuition after financial aid is around $8,000 a year. Of additional note, Florida International University is a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, meaning there are additional support programs in place for LatinX communities, and Hispanic students are a large portion of the campus. 

Florida International University offers a fully online bachelor of arts degree in communication arts. This degree program is offered by the innovative and interdisciplinary college of communication, architecture, and the arts. For individuals who want to hone the craft of communication, this degree may be a great start. The college offers a communication arts studio, which offers professional online communication coaching. Focus within the program is on learning to build group dynamics, interpersonal communication, and the art of persuasion. If these ideas jive with what you think communications should be about, this may be the degree program for you. 

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3. University of Central Florida

The third Florida-based university in our list is the University of Central Florida. As with the  above two Floridian universities, the University of Central Florida is a great value for a relatively highly-ranked public university. The average cost of tuition for undergraduates after financial aid is applied is presently around $13,000 a year. With a graduation rate of 71%, the school outperforms many schools of it’s size (which is presently close to 60,000 students). With a main campus located in Orlando, Florida, students who do attend in person have many opportunities for extracurriculars and cultural events. With that said, the University of Central Florida has expanded quickly into online education in recent years. 

The University of Central Florida has invested heavily in online degrees in recent years. The range and interesting angles of degrees offered online are proof of this. Their online bachelor of arts in communication and conflict degree is no different. If you’re looking for a conflict resolution-centered communications degree, this could be a great degree for you. Offered by a US News and World Report designated “best online bachelors degree provider,” a relatively inexpensive online bachelor’s from UCF has a great “bang for your buck.” 

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4. Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University is a mid-sized public university located in picturesque Boone, North Carolina. Home to around 17,000 students, Appalachian State is still able to provide relatively small class sizes which means more one-on-one attention for students of courses. With a graduation rate at 72%, the university scores better than a majority of public universities. The school is also relatively affordable in comparison to many schools. After financial aid, the average cost per year for an undergraduate student is presently $14,000. 

The fully online bachelor of science in communications studies degree offered by Appalachian State University is ranked for providing a range of features that online students tend to care about. This degree program offers courses in accelerated eight week bursts. Year around courses are available so that you can accelerate your time until degree if you so desire, and the entire degree can be completed in 6 semesters! For individuals looking to push through their coursework quickly, this grounded-in-science degree could be a great choice for you. 

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5. Eastern Illinois University

Eastern Illinois University is a relatively small university by public university standards. At around 4,600 undergraduate students, it’s closer to the size of many liberal arts universities. This feature shows out in nice and small class sizes (much smaller than others on our list thus far). So if you’re an undergraduate who learns well by participating and getting to know your professors, then this school could be for you. In recent years, Eastern Illinois University has expanded into online education. With a graduation rate of 63% and an average cost of undergraduate tuition after aid of $14,000 it’s a solid buy for sure. 

Yet another unique communications degree is offered by Eastern Illinois University. The title of this fully-online offering is communication in organizations. This 46-credit hour program is really a degree completion program. Though individuals may choose to take their general education requirements from EIU as well. If you already hold an associates or did your gen-ed requirements elsewhere, this can be a great value for completing your degree. Additionally, this degree program is available for full and part time students. 

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6. University of Minnesota Crookston

The University of Minnesota System is one of the top in the region, and Crookston is one of it’s top schools. With less than 2,000 students, it’s quite small for a public state school, and the perks of this are reflected in the university slogan of “small campus, big degree.” Located at the edge of a large agricultural tract  in the Red River Valley, the university is able to offer some unique research opportunities as well as academic programs within some fields. With an average annual cost after financial aid of $11,000, it’s a good “bang for your buck” university. For students attending some courses in person or moving to the area, the small city of Crookston offers affordable living as well. 

One of the more flexible degree in this list’s lineup is the bachelor of science in communication offered by the University of Minnesota Crookston. Students may elect to pursue this degree as a minor, major, in-person, hybrid, or online. Additionally, students may choose between three emphasis areas depending on what their goals and interests are. The emphasis areas presently offered include social media, communication studies, and organizational communication/public relations. As one of the more affordable — tuition wise — options in our list, this covers a lot of bases for individuals wishing to enter any one of those three emphasis areas. 

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7. Arizona State University Skysong

The Skysong Innovation Center is the home of Arizona State University’s virtual campus. This concentration of teaching talent and delivery method expertise has allowed Arizona State University to reach the upper echelons of online education. Located in Scottsdale, Skysong allows for an experience where students never have to attend campus, a rarity traditionally. And something many students have taken ASU up on, with a current enrollment of close to 30%. For an online-only portion of the university, graduation rates are quality at 56%. The average cost of attendance for a full year at the undergraduate level is $14,000 after average financial aid. 

Arizona State University’s fully online bachelor of science in communication offers accelerated courses that only require 7.5 weeks for completion. Students have a range of electives they may choose from and may find themselves taking additional courses in relational communication, social influence, persuasion, leadership, professional issues, or gender issues. As a nationally recognized university, Arizona State University can be a great stepping stone to get started on the communication career you’re interested in. 

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8. University of Texas of the Permian Basin

University of Texas of the Permian Basin is a small to medium sized public university located in the city of Odessa, Texas. Known for programs related to oil fields, the university has enjoyed a boom in recent years, particularly in certain academic disciplines. With a class size of 3,500 students, the school is also able to provide relatively small class sizes, meaning more one-on-one attention for students. The average annual cost is solid for universities in UT-Permian Basin’s tier of schools at $10,000 after average financial aid is applied. 

The bachelor of arts in communication offered by UT Permian Basin provides a wide range of electives with which students can tailor their degree to their interests and goals. In particular, students may choose to focus on advertising, legal issues with communications, language in contracts, rhetoric, among other topics. Students may transfer in up to 24 credit hours, roughly one quarter of the degree program. This degree is offered part time, full time, in person, or for remote students. 

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9. Northeastern University

Northeastern University is the first private university within our ranking. And while it may have dropped a few spots due to our methodology considering the average cost of attendance, it’s historically been one of the top schools in the nation. Home to close to 14,000 students, the university uses its significant endowment to keep classes quite small and student services are top notch. As mentioned, the average cost of attendance after aid is more steep than other universities in our list (at over $30,000 a year). But this helps to fund opportunities for connections with individuals and alumni who are top in their field. A choice of satellite campuses in opportune economic and academic regions is another draw for students wishing to attend graduate programming at this university. 

Northeastern University offers a digital communication and media degree that is a bachelor’s of science through their innovative college of professional studies. Their college of professional studies provides skills ready for the workplace, and tends to offer interdisciplinary applied knowledge from industry professionals. Experiential learning is at the heart of Northeastern’s learning philosophy, so students should expect to need to apply what they are learning in group projects, internships, or their current workplace. If you’re seeking to attend a world-renowned university from the comfort of your own home, this degree program could be for you. 

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10. Bellevue University

Bellevue University is the second private university on our list, and a unique offering. This university has focused on the outset on adult education as well as distance education. Around 80% of undergraduates are over the age of 25. And this is a school of over 10,000 students. Unique for its unerring focus on adult and nontraditional students, this is reflected in a very solid graduation rate for online students. Additionally, pricing is affordable for a private university, with an average undergraduate tuition of $12,000 a year after aid. 

Bellevue University offers one of the most flexible online bachelor’s degrees in communication we see in this year’s ranking. A range of emphasis areas allows students to build off of a bedrock of communications understanding to specialize for their future career. Current emphasis areas include: mass media, organizational and strategic communication. Additionally, for students interested in such, the Kirkpatrick Signature Series are a group of American-values centered courses that students are required to take when attending Bellevue University. 

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11. California Baptist University

California Baptist University is one of the first Christian universities in our list. This private university is home to over 11,000 students and keeps small class sizes in both online and in-person courses. With a main campus in Riverside, California, California Baptist University is associated with the California Southern Baptist Convention (related to the Southern Baptist Convention). For students looking for a mid-priced Christian university that is private, California Baptist University could be for you. The present average cost of annual attendance for an undergraduate after financial aid is $23,000. 

California Baptist University’s online bachelor of arts in strategic communication offers a unique option — particularly for students seeking a Christian-grounded education. Up to 24 credit hours, roughly one calendar year’s worth, may be transferred into the program. The program can be greatly accelerated and the average completion time is around 16 months. Courses included in this degree program include a focus  theory of communications, digital trends, a senior project, public relations, and legal and ethical aspects of communications. 

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12. Ashland University

Ashland University is a mid-sized private Christian university associated with the Brethren Church. For students looking for a degree in communications with a strong Christian basis, Ashland attempts to provide a Christian worldview in all of their courses. With around 5,700 students, the university has a long and storied history of close to 150 years. For a school this size, a wide range of academic disciplines are offered including courses through a theological seminary, a college of nursing and health, a college of education, of business and economics, a college of education, and a college of arts and sciences. The average cost of annual tuition after financial aid is presently $20,000. 

Ashland University offers two fully online communications degrees at the bachelor’s level. The first is a bachelor of arts in communication studies, which is a traditional four year program that requires the choice of a minor. The second is a fully online bachelor of arts in communication studies that is geared towards adults and includes accelerated 7-week courses. Up to 30 credit hours may be transferred into the program, which is more than most undergraduate programs. For students looking for a Christian-based curriculum, both of these communications degrees can be a great option. 

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13. Arkansas State University

Arkansas State University is the flagship location of the Arkansas State University System. Presently the second largest university in the state of Arkansas, roughly 14,000 students call the university home. At the undergraduate level, a school of close to 9,000 is able to offer mid-sized college courses, helping to up the quality of engagements and amount of attention students gain. Arkansas State University’s graduation rate is typical for universities within its tier. And the university can be considered a good “bang for your buck” school with an average cost per year after aid of $14,000. 

The fully online bachelor of arts in communication studies degree offered by Arkansas State University places in this ranking due to its affordability and flexibility. At $258 per credit hour and with financial aid available, it’s one of the most affordable degrees we surveyed (even for those not in the state of Arkansas). It also allows for students to accelerate or decelerate their course of study with a variable length degree program. A wide range of electives include particularly unique options like conflict resolution, narratives in health in healing, and computer mediated communication. 

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14. Mississippi College

The second Baptist college on our list, Mississippi College is the oldest college in Mississippi. With a strong endowment and only 6,000 students, the college is able to provide quality instruction and keep course sizes low. In recent years the university has added a handful of online degrees, but a majority of students still attend in-person at the campus in Clinton, Mississippi. The college has a strong undergraduate graduation rate for colleges in its tier. The average cost of attendance for an undergraduate per year after aid is accounted for is $17,000. 

Mississippi College offers a wide range of courses in communication online. These include a bachelor’s in communication generalist track courses, as well as graduate-level communications courses. For individuals interested in a Christian liberal arts school-like experience that they can pursue online, Mississippi College could be a great choice. As one might expect this entry did well compared to many of the colleges on our list in the metric of graduation rate. Courses within the bachelor’s in communications degree include digital communications, communication law, media in society, public speaking, journalism, and a senior project. 

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15. Columbus State University

Columbus State University is a space grant university that is a part of the University of Georgia System. This school is home to close to 8,000 students and recruits from all 50 states and a range of international locations. Some of the most noteworthy programs and academic centers within the university include their space center, a center for writers and musicians, an environmental learning center, a center for global engagement, and a strong archive collection. The average cost to attend Columbus State University for an undergraduate after aid is accounted for is $14,000. 

Columbus State University’s online bachelor of arts in communication ranks highly due to it’s flexibility as well as the relatively affordable nature of the program. The widest range of emphasis areas seen in the schools in this year’s ranking are present at Columbus State University. These communications degree emphasis areas include a film production track, a social media track, a visual communication track, an integrated media track, a public relations track, and a communication studies track. Columbus State was also found to be the 5th most affordable program surveyed after student financial aid was taken into account. 

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16. Lakeland University

Lakeland University is another Christian-centered university on our list, in this associated with the Church of Christ. This liberal arts college offers both undergraduate and graduate degree programs and places an emphasis on promoting access to education for nontraditional learners. This focus is achieved through a wide range of evening, weekend, and online education centers throughout the state. Additionally, a two year program is available at the international campus in Tokyo. With a strong graduation rate, Lakeland is moderately priced for a private university with an average undergraduate annual cost of $20,000 after average aid. 

Lakeland University provides an elective rich fully online bachelor’s degree in communication. Individuals can use this degree to prepare for a job in web content, public policy, journalism, public relations, integrated communications, or corporate communications. With a relatively high graduation rate, this degree program can be a great choice for individuals seeking a Christian-centered degree program. Additionally, Lakeland has a long history of providing academic programming for nontraditional and adult students. This means they likely know a thing or two about online education. 

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17. Trine University

Trine University is a small private university that is home to around 2,200 in-person and 2,800 online students. For it’s small size, the university is a rarity to hold the prestigious space-grant designation. Though the university started as a teacher’s college, today courses are offered in arts and sciences, business, education, and engineering. Trine is accredited at the highest level (regionally) by the Higher Learning Commission. Their graduation rate is strong for their tier of university (regionally ranked). The fees are moderate, however, for private colleges with an average cost of undergraduate annual attendance at $26,000 after financial aid is applied. 

Trine University’s fully online bachelor of arts in communications is great for adult learners and in particularly those in the armed forces. Courses can start any night of the week. And an already relatively affordable private degree program offers great discounts for active duty military members. Another unique offering is that students must choose a “professional track.” This is essentially a secondary discipline used to enhance their communications coursework and provide more of an interdisciplinary mindset. Current professional tracks include health care administration, organizational leadership, criminal justice, and information systems. 

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18. University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota is a space-grant designated public research university that holds a main campus in Grand Forks, North Dakota. It’s a mid-sized public institution with about 13,500 students. In recent years the university has expanded online by a decent degree. With clost to 1,000 academic faculty, class sizes can remain small and students can gain a great deal of one-on-one instruction in many disciplines. Their online programming has been lauded by a range of publications including US News and World Report. Whether you study online or in-person, there are a wide range of academic subjects one can pursue. In-person a total of 224 fields of study are available. The average cost of undergraduate annual tuition after average aid is applied is presently $16,000. 

The University of North Dakota’s bachelor of arts in communication degree is placed in our ranking due to UND’s commitment to high quality and flexible online education. As with many of their other undergraduate degrees, students can pursue their degree through self-paced courses that they can enroll in anytime. While you’ll likely want to keep your degree program moving along, this additional flexibility can be a life saver for working or non-traditional students. Students can also customize their degree with a wide range of focus areas. A sampling of these focus areas include digital journalism, advertising, social media strategy, and strategic communication. 

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19. Liberty University

Liberty University is an evangelical Christian university that has in recent years been one of the fastest growing schools in the nation. While around 15,000 students attend the university in-person, online degrees have fueled the schools growth where there are over 90,000 students! This means Liberty University has a great deal of data on what works and doesn’t work in online education. For students who share the evangelical Christian beliefs of the university in particular, Liberty can be a tried and true way to progress in a huge range of fields. The average cost of attendance for undergraduates after the average amount of financial aid is applied is presently $28,000. 

A unique offering on our list, Liberty University offers a fully online bachelor of science degree focused on strategic communication. We like this degree for many of the reasons Liberty is so popular among online learners. For example, you can transfer in up to 75% of the total degree. Additionally, courses are quick, only taking 8 weeks. These factors allow the average time until degree to drop to 3.5 years. Two concentrations are available within this degree program,  social media management and strategic communications. 

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20. Colorado State University – Global Campus

Colorado State University has long been a well reputed western school in a range of subjects. In recent years, the emergence of CSU – Global, a separate university within the Colorado State University System, has taken on increasing prominence within online education. With one of the widest ranges of online degrees in the nation, and coming from a well regarded public school, CSU – Global has helped students to succeed across the nation and world. Presently CSU – Global has about 20,000 fully online students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Programming – as one might expect – centers around non-traditional programs and adult learners. 

Colorado State University – Global is known for being SUPER adult or nontraditional student friendly. And their bachelor of science in communication degree is no different. Courses are often asynchronous, meaning you can log in when you have time. Additionally, there are 18 total specialization that individuals can delve into to make their communications degree interdisciplinary and to specialize in a subfield. A sampling of these specializations include finance, computer programming, data management, project management, small business, marketing, and many others. 

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For Further Reading:

What Degree Do I Need to Become a Lighting Designer?

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

As an extrovert, your outgoing nature and people skills will make you an excellent candidate for a wide range of career paths in sought-after industries like healthcare, finance, education, legal, communication and business. With our Top 10 Careers for Extroverts list, you can discover a profession that will be as personally fulfilling as it is financially and professionally rewarding, one that fits your personality as well as your goals.

Remember, though, that no one is a complete extrovert. If none of these options appeal to you, take a look at our Top 10 Careers for Introverts – you might not be as much of an extrovert as you think.

 1. Lawyer

Lawyers represent individuals, organizations, businesses and government agencies in legal matters that range from criminal trial proceedings to drawing up contracts and wills. They inform and guide their clients in legal matters ranging from business to personal. While television portrayals typically show attorneys at trials, lawyers don’t spend every moment of their time locked in real-life courtroom battles. They do a lot of their work behind-the-scenes, communicating with clients, investigating legal matters and collecting evidence, interpreting laws and drafting legal documents. They must communicate facts both in writing and verbally – and that’s where the career appeals to extroverts.

When a lawyer goes to trial, he or she must be comfortable speaking in front of an entire courtroom full of people. Lawyers need to have the confidence to argue legal matters in court, in front of judges and juries, and to question witnesses and defendants. They must make their arguments compelling. For an introvert, this could be a daunting task, but an extrovert like you might find this to be the most exciting and rewarding part of the job.

Experienced Median Annual Salary: $113,530

Education Level: Law school degree (Doctoral degree)

Projected employment growth: 10 percent

2. Physical Therapist

Physical therapists are healthcare professionals who work with patients to improve their mobility and decrease pain. When patients suffer an illness or injury that restricts their ability to move, it can affect every aspect of their lives. Physical therapists rehabilitate these patients through the use of exercise, hands-on therapy, stretches, heat and cold applications, electric stimulation, assistive devices for walking and other modalities and equipment. A physical therapist’s job is to help patients function better.

A wide variety of patients requires physical therapy. Young people and even babies must see a physical therapist for help with developmental delays. Among older patients, strokes are a common cause of mobility issues that call for physical therapy. Patients may also come to a physical therapist at any age to help with conditions caused by sports injuries or accidents. Sometimes patients need therapy for recovering from a one-time but acute injury, while other times they’re seeking solutions for coping with chronic conditions. A physical therapist must be comfortable interacting with a range of patients. Like other medical professionals, they need to be able to educate and explain treatment plans to patients. More so than many other healthcare workers, physical therapists must motivate and encourage patients, some of whom may feel depressed as a result of their injury and limitations or discouraged by progress that is slower than they would like. An outgoing, extroverted physical therapist can inspire these patients and help them make the best possible recovery for their condition.

Experienced Median Annual Salary: $79,860

Education Level: Doctoral degree

Projected employment growth: 36 percent

 3. Dental hygienist

Dental hygienists are healthcare professionals who clean and examine patients’ teeth. They work in dentists’ offices, where they spend most of their workdays interacting directly with patients. When patients visit the office for a cleaning or for other preventive dental care, the dental hygienist is the one who actually cleans and polishes their teeth, using manual, power and ultrasonic equipment to eliminate stains, plaque and tartar. They are often responsible for taking x-rays of the mouth, administering fluorides, applying sealants to teeth and examining patients’ mouths to detect any signs of dental problems or oral diseases.

While patients are in the chair, they typically can’t do much talking themselves, since the dental hygienist is hard at work on cleaning their teeth. It takes an extrovert to feel comfortable doing most or all of the talking, helping to put the minds of sometimes nervous patients at ease. Dental hygienists also advise patients on ways to enhance their dental health, such as the right way to brush and floss and the impact of diet on their teeth and gums. For someone with a compassionate nature and an outgoing personality, the opportunity to interact frequently with patients and to educate them on improving their health can be energizing and fulfilling. 

Experienced Median Annual Salary: $70,210

Education Level: Associate’s degree

Projected employment growth: 33 percent

4. Financial Advisor

Financial advisors use their knowledge of the world of finance to guide clients in choosing the right investment opportunities, decreasing their tax burdens and making insurance decisions to protect their interests. Successful financial advisors are knowledgeable about a wide range of finance topics, from tax laws to stocks, bonds and other types of investments. However, they do more than offer general advice. They interact with clients directly and learn about their personal situations, including their goals and financial situations. Financial advisors then talk with their clients about the different options available to them and the financial risks involved. They research different investment opportunities to discuss with their clients, keep an eye on how clients’ investments are performing and answer any financial questions their clients have.

The people and speaking skills necessary to interact well with clients are among the most important qualities a financial advisor can have, which makes this career an excellent choice for extroverts. After all, financial advisors need to understand their clients’ goals and their current financial situations. They must establish a rapport with clients that will help them discuss important matters that are both financial and personal, such as when the client wants to retire and how to plan financially for life changes like having children. Financial advisors also need strong sales skills to market their own services, especially if they are self-employed.

Experienced Median Annual Salary: $67,520

Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

Projected employment growth: 27 percent

5. Nurse

Nurses care for patients in a variety of settings, from hospitals and doctors’ offices to nursing home facilities, prisons and schools. Registered nurses fulfill many roles in patient care. They write down medical histories, symptoms and their own observations. Nurses work with other healthcare professionals to coordinate treatment plans, perform diagnostic tests, use medical equipment and interpret test results. Within the healthcare facility, nurses dispense treatments and medicines.

One thing nearly all of a nurse’s many job duties have in common is their interaction with others. Obviously, nurses interact with the patients with whom they work directly. They need to have good people and communication skills to connect with patients, some of whom may be nervous about test results or uncomfortable procedures, and to put their minds at ease. Good nurses draw upon these same skills to explain to patients what to expect and what they must do, including how to take medication. They must also have and express compassion for their patients. Since nurses often work with doctors and a variety of other healthcare professionals, they also use their strong communication and interpersonal skills collaborating with other members of their team.

Experienced Median Annual Salary: $65,470

Education Level: Associate’s degree

Projected employment growth: 19 percent

6. Mediator

Mediators are legal professionals who work with the parties involved in a legal dispute to help them resolve the problem outside of the court system. They are neutral or impartial with regards to the case, meaning that they aren’t on the side of either the plaintiff or defendant. Instead, they meet with both parties simultaneously and work to help them communicate effectively to reach an agreement without having to go to trial. Though they do their work in private hearings rather than in the courtroom, mediators are an important part of the legal system. Resolving disputes outside of court means that the parties involved can avoid the cost, time and hassle of a trial and that fewer cases are clogging up an already overburdened court system.

While mediators must know and understand the laws that relate to the cases they mediate, much of their success is based upon skills that are common among extroverts. Mediators must be good listeners and communicators, and they must be able to interact well with others to help them communicate more effectively, too. They have to talk to plaintiffs, defendants and witnesses to learn the background of the case and the events that led to the legal dispute.  They must make sure that everyone involved understands the process and sort out each party’s interests and concerns. Mediators need excellent critical thinking and people skills to get parties on opposite sides of a dispute to put aside their differences and work toward resolving the issue without having to resort to a trial or further litigation. For extroverts who naturally enjoy being surrounded by and interacting with people, the challenge of getting parties on opposite sides to work together can be as exciting as it is rewarding.

Experienced Median Annual Salary: $61,280

Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

Projected employment growth: 10 percent

7. Human Resources Specialist

In the business world, human resources professionals play an important role: helping companies and organizations hire their employees. Workers are an important asset in every industry, and it’s a human resources specialist’s job to screen and hire quality workers and to handle matters such as training and orientation, employment paperwork, payroll and benefits.

When dealing with new and prospective new employees, human resources specialists will spend a lot of time interacting with people they don’t yet know. They must be comfortable meeting and interviewing new people from a wide variety of backgrounds, and they need to communicate well by being both good listeners and good speakers. Human resources specialists need to be confident in their own decision-making skills when it comes to determining which candidate is the best fit for the position they are trying to fill. Even after the hiring process is complete, human resources specialists guide new employees in filling out paperwork and understanding their job duties and benefits as well as conducting employee orientations. For extroverts, the opportunity to meet and interact with new people isn’t just a necessary part of the job, but may very well be the best part of the job. With experience and ambition, human resources specialists can advance to human resources manager positions. Not only does a management job allow extroverts to put their considerable leadership skills to work, but it also comes with substantially higher pay – a median salary of $99,720 per year.

Experienced Median Annual Salary: $55,640

Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

Projected employment growth: 8 percent

8. Public Relations Specialist

Public relations specialists are professionals in the field of media and communication who work toward a specific goal: managing the public image of an organization. Some public relations specialists, media specialists or communications specialists work in-house within a government entity, healthcare facility, educational institution or other organization, while others work in firms that handle public relations campaigns for a variety of external clients. Regardless of their work environment and situation, public relations specialists use the same strategies to create and perpetuate a positive image among consumers, investors and the media for the organizations they represent. They draft press releases announcing news concerning their organizations and distribute the information to a network of relevant contacts in the print and broadcast media. They field requests for information from media representatives and coordinate interviews with company spokespeople so that the information can be used in a newspaper or magazine article, a radio broadcast or a television news segment.

Strategy – and skilled implementation of that strategy – is an important part of success in public relations, but being a good problem-solver and writer isn’t enough. Public relations specialists must have excellent interpersonal skills to cultivate a network of relevant media contacts and maintain strong working relationships with those contacts. They must be comfortable not only initiating contact with reports, editors and other members of the media, but also speaking for the organization they represent. Where introverts might shudder at the thought of putting themselves and their company in the public eye and constantly courting the attention of the media, true extroverts will thrive in a busy, fast-paced career like public relations. Experienced public relations specialists can move into management positions, where they can earn a median annual salary of $95,450 and have the opportunity to lead teams and campaigns.

Experienced Median Annual Salary: $54,170

Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

Projected employment growth: 12 percent

9. Teacher

Teachers are the professionals responsible for educating young people in a variety of subjects and grade levels. Whether teaching very young children at the preschool, kindergarten and elementary school level or teenagers and young adults at the middle school or high school level, teachers must be able to connect with their students and find ways to make learning interesting. They create and carry out lesson plans that illustrate course material. They may procure or develop worksheets and tests. Teachers assign and grade classwork, homework and projects that help students learn not only the material, like a history lesson or science lecture, but also help them develop skills such as critical thinking. They grade tests and assignments and work with struggling students to help them grasp lessons.

Teachers are often the only adult, or one of the only adults, in a classroom full of students. They must not only be comfortable with public speaking, but also getting to know and communicate with each individual student. Successful teachers have the interpersonal skills to interact and communicate with a variety of people, from their young students to fellow adults. Teachers have to discuss students’ progress, including their strengths and weaknesses, with parents and guardians during conferences or when an academic or behavioral issue arises. They also have to work with colleagues, including other teachers, school counselors and administrators. Whether a teacher is standing up in front of a class giving a presentation, facilitating a group discussion or assigning work, he or she must lead students and manage the classroom – tasks that extroverts, who thrive in environments full of people and interaction, will often be comfortable doing. 

Experienced Median Annual Salary: $53,090 – $55,050 per year

Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

Projected employment growth: 6 to 12 percent

10. Event Planner

Event planners are the business professionals who organize a wide variety of events that range from weddings and parties to professional conferences, conventions and meetings. They work directly with both clients and professionals in the hospitality, transportation and professional services industries. Prior to the event, planners coordinate all of the details, including the date and time, the venue, transportation and catering or food service. They seek out locations and services that will fit the client’s needs, negotiate prices and coordinate all services required, making sure to keep the cost of the event under the agreed-upon budget. The job doesn’t end once the planning is complete. While the event is going on, planners are busy managing equipment, guest registration and other logistics and resolving any problems that emerge.

As an extrovert, you probably enjoy going out and experiencing events, from weddings to business conventions. What career could be more interesting than planning those events yourself? Event planners spend much of their time interacting with other people. They talk to clients to discover their needs and ideas. Then they work with the appropriate vendors and suppliers to fill those needs and negotiate contracts and prices. Because event planning is such a fast-paced industry, the professionals in it must be composed under pressure and comfortable thinking on their feet to solve problems.

Experienced Median Annual Salary: $45,810

Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

Projected employment growth: 33 percent

Related Resources:

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What Degree Do You Need to Be a Lawyer?

What Degree Do I Need to Be a Mediator?

How Many Jobs Are Available in Finance?

What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

Exciting Jobs: The Top 15 Jobs for Adrenaline Seekers

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What is America? It’s a nation like so many others, sure, but it’s one with such a complicated and unique history, culture, and personality that you could truly spend a lifetime trying to define and understand it. As a matter of fact, some people do!

American Studies is an entire academic discipline devoted to deeply understanding the remarkable, troubled, and unique thing that is the United States of America, from its folklore and to its urban idioms and ideals, to its place in the modern world. Most of all, this field asks what American culture is all about and what it means to be an American. This interdisciplinary and big-picture thinking makes American Studies a truly broad and fascinating field. And it’s one in which no question is too wild to ask. Scholars in American studies pose questions like “what would society be like if we had lost World War I?” or “How has fast food changed the way American families operate?” or even “What do zombie moves and shows tell us about American political fears?”

If you’re a critical thinker who loves exploring narratives, perspectives, experiences, and histories from America’s past and present, you may be considering a degree in American Studies. And like any American Studies scholar, you’re probably considering the big picture- in this case, by asking, “what can I do with a degree in American Studies?” After all, this is not a degree with a clear-cut career path, or even a straightforward curriculum. Before you jump in, you’ll want to answer questions like, “what jobs can I get with a degree in American Studies?” “What classes will I take for an American Studies Degree?” and “Can I earn a degree in American Studies Online?”

Our comprehensive guide to What Can I Do with an American Studies Degree? has answers to these and other relevant questions, all backed by the latest reports and statistics on the field. Read on to get oriented to one of the most unique and fascinating humanities fields out there.

Jump To:

• What is American Studies?
• How is American Studies Different from American History or Sociology?
• What Degrees in American Studies are There?
• What is American Studies?
• What Will I Learn with an American Studies Degree?
• What Can I do with an Associate’s in American Studies?
• What Can I do with a Bachelor’s in American Studies?
• What Can I do with a Master’s in American Studies?
• What Can I do with a PhD in American Studies?
• Can I Earn a Degree in American Studies Online?
• What Jobs Can I Get with a Degree in American Studies?

What is American Studies?

American Studies is often defined as an interdisciplinary field of scholarship which covers topics in American history, culture, and society. Scholarship in this area draws on the study of American history, literature, society, and critical theory, along with other research methods. American Studies concerns itself with questions of American identity, mythology, and values, both past and present. It views all of these through different lenses, including gender, ethnicity, politics, and class. As an interdisciplinary field, it incorporates studies in English, history, film history, music/art history, sociology, anthropology, and political science.

This discipline is one of the newest major fields in the humanities; the field of American Studies dates back less than 100 years. Vernon Louis Parrington is generally considered to have been the founder of American studies, with the publication of “Main Currents in American Thought.” This large, three-volume treatise combined the methodologies of literary criticism and historical research and won him the 1928 Pulitzer Prize. His work inspired Henry Nash Smith to earn a Ph.D. through the interdisciplinary program at Harvard in “History and American Civilization,” the first of its kind, in 1940. This set a precedent for the modern American Studies program, and thus, Nash and Parrington are considered to be the co-founders of Americans Studies as a discipline.

The field has evolved quite a bit since its (fairly recent) beginnings. Early scholars were focused on the recurring symbols in American literature, culture, and art that seemed to suggest a unique form of myth and imagination in the American experience. Later scholars moved away from this idea of “American Exceptionalism,” or the idea that American occupies a special place in the world that is fundamentally different from other nations. Today’s American Studies scholars are more interested in topics like the impact of race, gender and sexuality, and international and transnational concerns on the American experience and popular culture.

How is American Studies Different from American History or Sociology?

If you’re interested in America and American culture, you may be wondering how American Studies differs from related academic disciplines. This is a common question with interdisciplinary fields, which draw on several areas at once to create a blended program.

The fields most closely related to American Studies are American History and Sociology. American History, of course, looks back at the events that led to the nation’s founding, and what has occurred between then and now. American history also asks about how past events have shaped the present day America and what the future may hold. Sociology is the study of society, including the behavior of communities, the impact of society on the individual, and the forces that shape the values and behaviors of groups. American Studies is focused on American culture, which, naturally, is shaped by the course of history and forces of American society.

American Studies can be seen as occupying the overlap between American History and sociology in America. But this field is more than a blend of these two disciplines- American Studies also draws on English, film/music/art history, anthropology, and political science. Within and related to the larger field of American Studies, there are also more specific areas like African-American Studies, Asian American Studies, Native American Studies, etc., that look more closely at the experiences of specific groups.

What Degrees in American Studies are There?

Over 300 US colleges and universities offer American Studies programs. As with most disciplines, you can earn a degree in American Studies at the associate’s, bachelor’s master’s or PhD level. And, like a degree in Liberal Arts, an American Studies degree is blended and flexible, leading to careers like lawyer, librarian, business exec, journalist, researcher, curator, archivist, professor, and politician.

Needless to say, the degree level you choose to pursue will depend on your own priorities, resources, and goals. A higher degree will take more time and work to earn, and is a great fit if you’re interested in work in academia. An undergraduate degree can be a step on your path to a graduate degree, or you can earn an undergraduate degree in American Studies as a way to enter the workforce with a well-rounded set of critical thinking and communication skills.

Quite a few notable public figures and celebrities have earned a degree in American Studies, from a bachelor’s (Janeane Garofalo) to a PhD (Tom Wolf). The diversity of their high-profile careers goes to show just how flexible this degree can be. A few highlights include:

• Janeane Garofalo (comedian and actress)
• Maria Owings Shriver (activist and journalist)
• Bill Ayers (theorist and activist)
• Tom Pettit (news correspondent)
• Maya Angelou (author and poet)
• Tom Wolfe (author and critic)
• Jennifer Beals (actress)
• Katie Couric (news anchor)
• Kay Hagen (US Senator)
• Mary Chapin Carpenter (singer, songwriter)
• John Sandford (mystery novelist)

What Classes Will I take for a Degree in American Studies?

Plenty of academic disciplines out there have their share of interesting classes. But it’s truly hard to beat the selection of unusual, stimulating and just plain cool course titles you’ll encounter in an American Studies Degree Program. That’s because American Studies is all about looking at American Culture- from past to present, from refined to crass- through an academic lens. In an American Studies course catalog, you’ll find many topics covering critical examination of ethnicity, pop culture, and everyday life in America. Of course, with such diverse and unique offerings, that means a lot of variety in classes exists between colleges, and new ones crop up frequently to address emerging issues.

A few noteworthy Americans Studies classes offered at US colleges include:

• Race, Class & American Film
• Spoken Word & Slam Poetry
• Queer Activism
• The Zombie Films of George Romero
• Black Public Intellectuals
• Conspiracy Theories
• Native Americans in Film
• Disney in America
• Black Popular Music
• The American Vacation
• American Political Humor
• Sport and Inequality
• Gothic America
• The Civil Rights Movement
• Drugs and Popular Culture
• Baseball in America

What Will I Learn with an American Studies Degree?

With all these diverse, fascinating, and sometimes fun classes, you may be wondering what you’ll actually learn with a degree in American Studies. Don’t worry- you won’t just walk away from an American Studies degree program with a ton of trivia and facts about America. As a recent article in The Guardian noted, an American Studies degree program actually trains students in skills that have real-world and workplace relevance.

In an American Studies degree, you’ll gain:

• Critical thinking skills
• Mastery of research methodology
• Experience in solving complex problems
• The ability to perceive the “big picture”
• Clear communication

What Can I do with an Associate’s in American Studies?

An associate’s degree is best thought of as the starting point for an American Studies bachelor’s degree. This two-year program provides a foundation in the basics of American Studies, with introductions to the fundamental theories and historical background of American Culture. An associate’s degree is a stand-alone degree, but the credits earned in an associate’s program can also be applied towards a bachelor’s degree.

In fact, this is how most associate’s degree students in the liberal arts and humanities (which includes American studies) choose to approach their educational path. Unlike an associate’s in a professional field, such as dental hygiene, an associates in the humanities doesn’t provide training in specific hard job skills. And while soft skills like communication and problem-solving have real workplace value, most employers are looking to hire job candidates with these skills for higher-level roles (such as management), and tend to prefer those with a bachelor’s degree.

One reason to start your degree path with an associate’s is to save money. You can earn an associate’s degree at an affordable local community college, then transfer credits to a state or private university to complete a bachelors. Many community colleges even hold articulation agreements with local universities, which makes transferring credits relatively seamless.

What Can I do with a Bachelor’s in American Studies?

A bachelor of arts (BA) in American Studies provides a well-rounded general education, with an emphasis on American Studies. A bachelor of arts is a degree designed to produce well-rounded graduates who are knowledgeable about the world, and who are capable of strong communication, critical analysis, ethical decision-making, and collaboration. This degree includes a robust general education component- required classes in math, science, history, and language, along with classes selected from within the American Studies major.

To earn a bachelor’s in American Studies, you’ll generally need to complete 120 semester hour credits, which works out to around 40 college courses. This typically takes a total of four years (or two if you have already completed an associate’s in American Studies). This pace will be slower if you’re enrolled on a part-time basis, and may be faster if you’re enrolled in an accelerated bachelor’s program.

With a bachelor’s in American Studies, you’ll have the well-rounded knowledge base and soft skills required to excel in positions in media, marketing, political administration, and publishing. You’ll also have the basis in communication, problem-solving, and collaboration required for positions in management.

What Can I do with a Master’s in American Studies?

As The Guardian has noted, some 8% of American Studies graduates went on to pursue higher education degrees in 2009. Of these, the majority chose to study full time, while 2% opted for a teaching qualification and 6.5% combined paid working with studying. A master’s degree in American Studies is an excellent choice for those who want to refine their knowledge, specialize in a particular topic, or eventually move into academia.

To earn a master’s degree in American Studies, you’ll need to hold a bachelors degree, though it need not be in the field of American Studies, and a related bachelor’s like humanities, communication, or history would be perfectly fine. It typically takes two years to earn a master’s degree on a full-time basis. For a master’s in American Studies, you’ll have no general education requirements, and will focus solely on topics in the discipline. You’ll be required to complete a research-based thesis and may have the option to specialize in a particular area of emphasis, such as African American Music or Appalachian folklore.

With a master’s degree in American Studies, you’ll be well-qualified for higher-level positions within fields like publishing, broadcasting, advertising, banking, and librarianship. A master’s degree will also allow you to teach at the elementary, secondary, or post-secondary level as an associate professor.

What Can I do with a PhD in American Studies?

If you ask most people “what can I do with a degree in American Studies?” their answer will be “Teach American Studies!” As we’ve shown, there’s a lot more to the field than that, but there’s a nugget of truth in this punch line as well. Plenty of people do earn an American Studies degree because they want to teach in this field. To teach American Studies at the college level, you’ll really want to earn an American Studies PhD.

A PhD is a terminal degree- you can’t earn anything higher. This degree is required for positions in research and academic, and is the standard for tenure-track positions as an Ameri can Studies professor. This is a rarefied field, of course- there simply aren’t a lot of job openings for university-level American Studies instructors, and you may have to wait around a while for one to open up. In the meantime, you can teach as an associate professor, or in an “alternative academic” career, such as administration, museums, non-profits, and government positions, and sites such as The Versatile PhD offer graduates in this position resources for alternative academic careers.

Can I Earn a Degree in American Studies Online?

It’s possible, and practical, to earn an American Studies degree through online classes. Most students who choose to follow this degree path opt for a bachelor’s in American Studies, and earn theirs while working part-time or full-time. An online American Studies degree is an excellent choice for those with work or family obligations who are looking to avoid spending their limited time on commuting and who would like to complete their courses on a flexible schedule. Most online degrees offer course content through asynchronous (on-demand_ course models like recorded lectures, along with some scheduled components like video conferences, live chats, and group collaborations.

Another common reason to opt for an online American Studies degree is simply availability. Unlike say, English or Nursing, not every school offers American Studies, or has a strong American Studies Department. If you are interested majoring in the subject but live an area where the local school doesn’t offer American Studies, you’ll need to choose between selecting a different major, relocating, or selecting an online American Studies Degree.

What Jobs Can I Get with a Degree in American Studies?

In a professional degree program, it’s easy to tell what you’ll be doing once you graduate. You may gain a certification or licensure that makes your skills easy to market, or even get a job through a school internship. But a degree in American Studies is less about providing students with job-ready skills and more about preparing them to be well-rounded thinkers and problem solvers. Fortunately, there are plenty of jobs that require those abilities, and these span a broad spectrum.

Jobs associated with an American Studies degree include:

• lawyer
• librarian
• business executive
• journalist
• researcher
• curator
• archivist
• fundraiser
• teacher
• college professor
• nonprofit
• entrepreneur
• activist
• diplomat
• politician

In fact, the majority of those with an American Studies degree work in a related area like journalism, law or publishing, rather than in the American Studies field itself. This is the case for most liberal arts degrees, which are flexible by design. If you’re curious about current openings in the field that are specific to American Studies, The American Studies Association maintains a resource page for opportunities and jobs with a degree in American studies.

With this degree, changing between fields may also be easier than if you’ve earned a more technical degree, since your highly-developed soft skills like communication and critical thinking have broader applications. With this degree, you can find work in settings as diverse as:

• university
• library
• museum
• news journal or network
• publishing entity
• private business
• non-profit organization
• government agency

In short, an American Studies Degree offers a broad range of options, but no clear-cut career path. And you may find that you’ll need to help connect the dots for potential employers, helping them to understand how your American Studies degree program has taught you workplace-relevant skills. Depending on your perspective and how much structure you want from your degree, this open-ended quality can be a serious drawback, or a liberating and attractive feature of an American Studies degree.

Further Reading:

• What Can I do with a Liberal Arts Degree?
• Top 15 Liberal Arts Schools in America
• 50 Best Online Associate’s Degrees 2019
• 25 Fastest Online Associate’s Degrees
• 15 Affordable Degrees in Dental Hygiene (Associate’s and Beyond)
• 20 Best Degree Programs for Undergraduates
• 23 Fastest Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs
• Top 50 Affordable Online MBA Degree Programs for 2019
• Top 10 Highest Paying Social Science Jobs
• What Degree Do I Need to Be a Curator?
• Top 25 Fastest Online Doctorate Degrees
• 50 Best Online Degrees for 201
• What Degree Do You Need to Be a Lawyer?
• 20 Non-Law Firm Jobs with a Law Degree

The post What Can I Do with an American Studies Degree? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Studying abroad can help you develop a new and valuable global perspective, but unfortunately, many students who start out with international intentions never actually take their trip. They can’t afford it, or can’t fit it into their schedule, or perhaps they just never get the information they need to pursue a study abroad experience. If you know that studying abroad is important to you, your college choice matters. Some schools provide more support for students who want to study abroad than others, in the way of financial aid opportunities or more plentiful program options. Some colleges go a step farther and require all students to have some sort of international experience.

At each of the top 15 schools for studying abroad, more than two-thirds of the student population takes a trip overseas. Because study abroad experiences are so prevalent, these colleges offer a wealth of opportunities and options in various countries across the globe, and the support students need to plan a successful trip.

1. Goucher College

Topping the list of the best 15 schools for studying abroad is a small, private liberal arts college where 100 percent of the student population completes a study abroad experience. At Goucher College in Baltimore, gaining an “international perspective” is considered integral to every career path – and every student’s future success. To help students cultivate that perspective, the institution adopted a mandatory study abroad requirement for all undergraduate students. Most students complete this requirement during their junior year of study, though some study abroad opportunities are available to freshmen.

Goucher College offers plenty of options. Students can spend a year abroad, or a semester, or they can opt for an intensive course abroad (ICA) that packs the whole cross-cultural experience into very busy three weeks. Students have their pick of 60 study abroad programs, such as those focused on languages, the arts and environmental conservation. International internships are also offered. Goucher College sends students to 32 different countries, including Argentina, Australia, Belgium, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, India, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Russia, Rwanda, South Africa, Spain and Thailand.

In addition to ranking highly on U.S. News & World Report’s list of schools with the most students studying abroad, Goucher College has earned additional recognition from U.S. News and other highly respected publications. U.S. News ranks the institution tied for sixth place among the Most Innovative Schools, tied for 79^th among the Best Colleges for Veterans and tied for 112^th among National Liberal Arts Colleges. Goucher College has also earned praise – and high rankings – from publications like The Princeton Review and the annual Fiske Guide to Colleges. Part of what makes Goucher College’s study abroad program such a success is careful planning. Students learn about the opportunities in general during their Study Abroad 101 Session and explore information about specific programs and travel opportunities during a Study Abroad 102 Session.

Location: Baltimore, MD

Enrollment: 1,471 students

Tuition: $42,180

Study Abroad Rate: 100 percent

2. Soka University of America

Soka University of America, a small private school with a total undergraduate enrollment of just a few hundred students, is another institution where a study abroad opportunity is a graduation requirement. That’s because the university’s mission is to train its students to be true “global citizens” – and how better to accomplish that goal than to send students out into the world?

All students at Soka University of America spend a semester abroad during their junior year.

The school offers study abroad programs in Argentina, Chile, China, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Senegal, Spain and Taiwan. At Soka University of America, your study abroad options are governed by the language – Chinese, French, Japanese or Spanish – you choose to study. After studying the language in the classroom, students have the opportunity to truly become fluent by immersing themselves in the language – and the culture – during their semester overseas.

One benefit of choosing Soka University of America for your studies is that you won’t have to worry about coming up with the money for a study abroad experience. The cost of your international education is built into your tuition price. Speaking of price, Soka University earned the distinction of being ranked fourth in the nation on U.S. News & World Report’s list of the Best Value Schools. Its small class sizes and unique curriculum are among the factors that landed the school this recognition as well as a place on the ranking of the best national liberal arts colleges.

Location: Aliso Viejo, CA

Enrollment: 412 students

Tuition: $30,642

Study Abroad Rate: 100 percent

3. Arcadia University

If you want plenty of academic options in your study abroad experience, you’ll find what you’re looking for at Arcadia University. The scenic private school located just miles from Philadelphia offers more than 130 study abroad programs in subjects ranging from architecture to English literature and art to biology. Arcadia’s College of Global Studies offers its study abroad programs to students from colleges and universities across the U.S., in addition to Arcadia undergraduates.

Students can choose to travel to 14 countries: Australia, Chile, Cuba, England, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Turkey and Wales. Multi-country programs are also offered, in case you can’t decide on just one nation to explore during your studies. Arcadia’s programs emphasize learning outside the classroom, to help you develop and enrich your life intellectually through personal development, cultural experience, authentic community engagement, contextualized academic study, and the learning of life skills such as leadership, empathy, independence, critical thinking, problem solving, cultural awareness, and communications skills.

To date, more than 65,000 students from colleges and universities all over the U.S. have studied abroad through The College of Global Studies at Arcadia University – starting with a group of just 17 students who, in 1948, took a boat to Europe to study the post-World War II economy.

While Arcadia University doesn’t require all students to study abroad, the institution works to make the experience accessible to every student interested in international studies. The school presents tips to make the most of a study abroad experience before embarking on the trip, step-by-step application help and a transparent breakdown of what’s included in the cost of a study abroad experience. Around 70 percent of students who study abroad through The College of Global Studies at Arcadia University receive some sort of scholarship – in some cases, for as much as $2,500 for one semester.

Location: Glenside, PA

Enrollment: 2,594 students

Tuition: $39,560

Study Abroad Rate: 87 percent

4. Centre College

At Centre College, it’s not only the fact that 85 percent of the undergraduate student population studies abroad that makes the school’s international program so remarkable. There’s also the fact that many students choose to study abroad more than once – a feat made easier by the range of international study options available to Centre College students. The private institution believes strongly that all students interested in a study abroad experience should have the chance to live that dream. Advisors work to help even students those majoring in technical subjects like computer science, biology and mathematics arrange their course schedule to allow for a trek overseas – without falling behind on their graduation requirements.

For most students, it’s possible to study abroad during any term of their sophomore, junior or senior year of school and still graduate on time. Centre College offers semester-long study abroad opportunities in China, England, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Spain.

Students can also opt for shorter international study opportunities. Summer study abroad sessions typically last for a few weeks and may center on themes like primate behavior, collective cultural memory through art and the history of the Holocaust. A few of the summer study abroad opportunities offered include programs in Barbados, Costa Rica, France, Merida (Mexico) and a program that featured travels through Germany, Prague and finally Poland. International internships and specialized CentreTerm courses featuring trips overseas are also available. For students who want to travel within the country, the school offers Study Away programs based in Washington, D.C., and Chicago.

Centre College is another school that makes the cost of a trip abroad both transparent and affordable. “The cost of studying abroad is virtually the same as studying in Danville,” the school reported, with students receiving the same scholarships, grants and loans during their semester abroad as they would at the school’s campus in Kentucky. The only additional costs students need to worry about are the airfare to reach their destination and a one-time $375 surcharge. Some students qualify for additional scholarships or Senior Subsidies to help offset these expenses.

Location: Danville, KY

Enrollment: 1,387 students

Tuition: $38,200

Study Abroad Rate: 85 percent

 5. Goshen College

Where in the world do you want to go? If your study abroad dreams include experiencing life – and serving local residents – in a developing nation like Cambodia, Peru or Tanzania, then the unique international opportunities at Goshen College might be the perfect fit for you.

This private urban college doesn’t require every student to take a trip overseas. It does, however, have a mandatory intercultural study requirement intended to cultivate “global citizenship,” one of Goshen College’s core values. Students can meet this graduation requirement through taking the right combination of on-campus alternative courses, but more than 80 percent choose to truly immerse themselves in another culture by studying abroad.

The study abroad program offered through Goshen College is known as the international Study-Service Term, or SST. Over a 13-week period, students will stay with two different host families to get a taste of both rural and urban life in the nation. In addition to experiencing the culture firsthand, students will complete extensive studies in the language, history, literature, environment and art of the country they are visiting. Besides traditional languages like French and Spanish, students can also choose SST experiences that feature a focus on American Sign Language (ASL). All students complete a volunteer service project to benefit local causes during the second half of their trip abroad, which means the experience really is a win-win situation. Since 1968, Goshen College’s study abroad program has sent more than 7,700 students overseas to two dozen nations.

Location: Goshen, IN

Enrollment: 774 students

Tuition: $30,590

Study Abroad Rate: 83 percent 

6. Carleton College

At Carleton College, study abroad experiences are arranged through the Office of Off-Campus Studies. Students can choose from a variety of faculty-led study abroad programs offered in various subjects and at different times of year. Recent program options have included studying ecology in Australia, English literature in London, sustainable energy in India and cinema in Chile. Students can also take educational travels to destinations across the United States, ranging from art in New York City to political science in Washington, D.C., and from wilderness studies at the Grand Canyon to history and the arts in California.

To provide students with the widest array of international study options, the private college – which dates back to 1866 – also encourages and facilitates study abroad opportunities through other organizations. In total, it’s not unusual for more than 70 percent of a single graduating class at Carleton College to have studied abroad, and in many majors between 70 and 100 percent of students take an educational trip overseas. In 2016, Carleton College was awarded a grant by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to support a three-year Global Engagement Initiative project.

To make understanding the cost of a study abroad experience easy, Carleton College charges a comprehensive fee that includes the price of tuition, room and board. Students only have to pay for the travel to the destination itself, their course materials and their personal expenses not related to the academic program. The school also offers numerous scholarship and travel grant opportunities for which students are encouraged to apply.

In addition to excelling at making study abroad opportunities accessible to all students, Carleton College has a reputation for excellence elsewhere. U.S. News & World Report ranked the school number-one among the best undergraduate teaching colleges, seventh among the best colleges for veterans, eighth in the country among national liberal arts colleges and 29^th on the list of Best Value Schools.

Location: Northfield, MN

Enrollment: 2,057 students

Tuition: $49,263

Study Abroad Rate: 78 percent

7. Pitzer College

At Pitzer College, you can study in almost any country you can think of. In addition to the seven Pitzer Programs available, students can choose from five Direct Enroll programs and more than 22 Bilateral International Exchanges. The school is also a member of the International Student Exchange Program, a study abroad network, through which it offers 20 more approved programs. Students can also get a taste of life elsewhere in America through Domestic Exchange programs in Arizona, California, Georgia, Maine, New York and Pennsylvania.

The Pitzer Programs include interdisciplinary core courses, intensive language studies, community learning and service opportunities, independent study opportunities and the experience of staying with one (or more!) host families during the semester-long trip. Individual study abroad groups are generally limited to small numbers of participants, often between 12 and 20 students.

Students attending Pitzer College don’t have to worry that costs will stand in the way of traveling overseas, because “the cost for a semester of study abroad is similar to the cost of a semester on campus.” They are able to use the same financial aid they received for on-campus studies toward their study abroad experience. Students at Pitzer College pay a uniform, comprehensive study abroad price that covers tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip airfare and travel insurance.

Location: Claremont, CA

Enrollment: 1,076 students

Tuition: $48,660

Study Abroad Rate: 78 percent

8. Susquehanna University

Want to take an educational trip overseas, but not sure you’re ready for an entire semester abroad? Would you prefer to intern or volunteer rather than just “study”? Or perhaps you want to design your own program that will allow you to research the global issues that most interest you. At Susquehanna University, all of these options become yours.

U.S. News & World Report lists Susquehanna University as having 78 percent of its 2014 graduating class take part in a study abroad experience. However, the school’s cross-cultural Global Opportunities (GO) requirement means that every student will study away – some, across the United States, but most, across the world. By immersing themselves in new cultures, students develop a level of cultural competency – not to mention, a level of self-awareness – which they can only achieve through firsthand experience. Because Susquehanna University makes study away a graduation requirement, no barriers are permitted to stand in the way of students making their international travel dreams a reality.

In Susquehanna University’s GO Long program, students spend a semester studying in Australia, China, Japan, London, Liverpool or The Gambia. They can also choose from 50 possible approved, for-credit programs not offered through Susquehanna.

If a semester is too long for you to be away from home – or if your course schedule makes it difficult to spend a term in another country and still graduate on time – you can choose to GO Short instead. These two- to six-week intensive study abroad programs are scheduled during semester breaks and include opportunities in Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Central and South America, Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere in North America.

There’s also the GO Your Own Way option. This path allows students to fulfill the study away requirement through volunteer- or service-oriented international programs or cross-cultural internship opportunities, or to develop their own self-designed study abroad programs.

Location: Selinsgrove, PA

Enrollment: 2,084 students

Tuition: $42,040

Study Abroad Rate: 78 percent 

9. Lee University

If your ideal school is one that will allow you plenty of opportunity to travel plus provide an education with a Christian worldview, consider Lee University. The private institution is another college where students are required to gain some form of international experience through the Global Perspectives program. While U.S. News & World Report stated that just over three-quarters of the Lee University class of 2014 completed a study abroad experience, the remaining students took part in nontraditional educational travel opportunities, or fulfilled the requirement through past cross-cultural travels as part of the military or missions groups.

If you want to spend an entire semester abroad, Lee University offers its flagship study abroad experience in the United Kingdom every spring. Over the course of 10 weeks, students will leave their Cambridge headquarters to visit sites across the U.K., while studying the humanities and cross-cultural topics. If you’d rather take a shorter trip overseas, you can choose from more than 30 shorter trips – taking place across Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, North America and South America – directed by Lee University faculty and offered during semester breaks.

Some students develop their own study abroad experience through the individually arranged studies option. Others take part in a collaborative study abroad offered by other organizations, like the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities’ Best Semester Programs or Japanese Studies at Tokyo Christian University or Yamagata University.

Christianity is more than just an affiliation at Lee University. All students must complete an 18-credit core of coursework in religion and religious studies. By the time they graduate, all Lee University students will have taken enough religion courses to earn a minor in the subject. The Christian affiliation is evident in the school’s mission, as well as its cross-cultural requirement. To help students choose the right study abroad program for them, the school hosts its Global World’s Fair event annually, highlighting the different study abroad options and the trips available.

Location: Cleveland, TN

Enrollment: 4,575 students

Tuition: $15,000

Study Abroad Rate: 76 percent

 10. Calvin College

Calvin College is another Christian school where off-campus education is a big deal. The liberal arts school, which dates back to 1876, operates on a schedule known as 4-1-4. Students complete a full four-month semester in the fall and the spring and additional studies during a one-month interim term in between. This schedule offers students plenty of options when it comes to getting an international education. Calvin College students can choose to study abroad for one of the four-month semesters or during their interim term – and three-quarters of students do take a trip overseas.

For students who want to spend a whole semester abroad, the school offers 11 faculty-led off-campus programs. Possible destinations include Britain, China, France, Ghana, the Honduras (for either Justice Studies or Spanish Studies), Hungary, Peru and Spain. A semester-long internship-based trip to Washington, D.C. is also offered. Students in their sophomore year or above can pursue a semester abroad.

Interim study abroad experiences are much shorter than semester-long ones, lasting about three weeks. However, there are also a lot more interim opportunities for students to choose from. Every year, the school offers 25 to 30 faculty-led trips to locations like: Belgium, Brazil, the British Virgin Islands, Canada, China, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, the Netherlands, Puerto Rico, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and West Africa. The subjects of these overseas studies can vary significantly, from vaccine development to sailing and from a foreign language to ancient art and history. Some interim programs focus on domestic travel to regions of the United States like Montana, Hawaii and Washington, D.C. In addition to the traditional interim period, Calvin College also offers interim study abroad opportunities over the summer.

One factor that sets the school apart is its transparency with regards to affording a trip overseas. The school breaks down how cost is calculated and what’s included in the price of both semester and interim study abroad opportunities. It also distinguishes between lower cost and higher cost programs, so students know what their options are from the start. Depending on where they choose to go, Calvin College students may be able to study abroad for as little as $100 more than what they would already be paying for their studies on campus.

Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Enrollment: 3,894students

Tuition: $30,660

Study Abroad Rate: 75 percent

11. Kalamazoo College

When it comes to study abroad options, Kalamazoo College is all about options. The school’s Center for International Programs regularly sends students to 35 different destinations in nearly two dozen nations scattered across six continents. With short-term, long-term and extended term options, plus domestic study away experiences, students have a wealth of cross-cultural study opportunities to choose from.

Some of the destinations Kalamazoo College students have the opportunity to visit include: Australia, Botswana, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Senegal, Spain, Thailand, Trinidad and the United Kingdom. Domestic study away options include opportunities in New York City; Chicago; Tuscan, Arizona; and Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

For more than half a century, Kalamazoo College has sent students on study abroad trips across the globe to help them learn more about themselves and the world around them. With that rich history of supporting and encouraging international educational opportunities, it’s no wonder that the school’s study abroad programs have earned recognition from Institute of International Education and U.S. News & World Report. U.S. News has also rated the institution 66^th among all national liberal arts colleges in America.

Location: Kalamazoo, MI

Enrollment: 1,461 students

Tuition: $42,846

Study Abroad Rate: 75 percent

12. St. Lawrence University

St. Lawrence University happens to be the oldest co-educational in the state of New York, but that’s just one of many things that make the school special. It also started one of the earliest first-year college student programs in the nation. From 1974 to 2014 – a span of 40 years – St. Lawrence University’s semester abroad in Kenya opportunity was one of the longest running programs to send students to study abroad in Africa, Inside Higher Ed and North Country Public Radio reported.

Today, the Patti-McGill Peterson Center for International and Intercultural Studies supports 25 off-campus programs that take students to 19 different nations. Opportunities through St. Lawrence University include programs in Canada, France, Kenya, London, Senegal and Spain as well as domestic experiences in the Adirondacks, New York City and Boston. Most of these programs include foreign language studies and homestay accommodations. Partner programs include options to travel to: Australia, Austria, China, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, Denmark, India, Japan, Jordan, New Zealand, Thailand and Trinidad.

While summer and other study abroad programs are available, more than half of the students at St. Lawrence University travel overseas for at least one full semester. Rather than paying a study abroad fee, students pay the same tuition and fees they normally would during their international study experience. They are, however, responsible for additional travel expenses like airfare. Besides excelling in offering its students a wide array of study abroad opportunities, St. Lawrence University earned a place on U.S. News & World Report’s lists of the Best Colleges for Veterans and National Liberal Arts Colleges.

 Location: Canton, NY

Enrollment: 2,406 students

Tuition: $49,420

Study Abroad Rate: 75 percent

 13. Queens University of Charlotte

At Queens University of Charlotte, study abroad experiences are managed through the John Belk International Program. Students can choose from more than 175 different programs that run in 50 different countries. International internship opportunities are also available. Queens University of Charlotte makes study abroad experiences affordable, because “almost all the costs are covered in your tuition” and “the Belk Program covers the major expenses for most program options.” U.S. News & World Report ranked Queens University of Charlotte 18^th among the Best Colleges for Veterans and 20^th among the best Regional Universities in the nation.

For a brief trip, students can choose a short-term faculty-led program as they complete their junior year of studies. These programs typically last 10 to 14 days and include potential destinations like: Austria, Australia, Belize, Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czech Republic, Ecuador, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Micronesia, Peru, South Africa, Spain, United Kingdom and Vietnam.

If you would rather spend more time overseas, a semester program would be a good choice for you. Through Queens University of Charlotte’s membership in the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), students can spend a semester abroad in their choice of more than three dozen nations, including: Botswana, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, Iceland, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Morocco, Nicaragua, Norway, Poland, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland and Taiwan. The university also has partnerships with schools in Cyprus, France, London, Northern Ireland and Scotland. If learning a foreign language through cultural immersion is your goal, you can choose from Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish.

Location: Charlotte, NC

Enrollment: 1,665 students

Tuition: $32,330

Study Abroad Rate: 78 percent

14. Elon University

The study abroad program at the largest school on the list, Elon University, earned a number-one ranking from the Institute of International Education as well as recognition from U.S. News & World Report. U.S. News also ranked the university as the most innovative school in America as well as tied for first place among the Best Colleges for Veterans and Regional Universities. Despite having far more students than most other programs on the list – and upwards of 10 times more students than the smallest schools – the private institution still sent 72 percent of its 2014 graduates overseas.

Study abroad programs at Elon University come in all forms. Close to 100 semester-long programs send students to faraway destinations across Africa, Asia, Australia, Central America, Europe and South America, as well as to domestic travel locations within the United States.

Short-term programs are also offered at Elon University. During winter term, students might spend three to four weeks overseas. Summer study abroad programs cover three to six weeks. If you want to travel but can’t be away from home for quite that long, you can take a Semester Travel-Embedded course at the school’s North Carolina campus and complete a brief trip abroad during a semester break. Students can also take part in a Summer Affiliate program or create their own experience based around an internship or independent research project through the Independent Elon Program Abroad (IEPA).

Location: Elon, NC

Enrollment: 5,782 students

Tuition: $32,172

Study Abroad Rate: 72 percent

15. Eastern Mennonite University

Completing the top 15 study abroad schools in America is Eastern Mennonite University, a private Christian liberal arts school that has a religious affiliation with the Mennonite Church. The school is known for small class sizes, with fewer than 20 students in the majority of its classes and a faculty to student ratio of just 10:1. Eastern Mennonite University is also known for its study abroad opportunities. The school considers its cross-cultural program to be a cornerstone of undergraduate education and requires all students to participate in a cross-cultural study experience of some kind.

Eastern Mennonite University students can fulfill their cross-cultural requirement through a semester abroad, a three- to six-week summer abroad program or an internship in Washington, D.C. Though the school offers a few different domestic travel options, more than two-thirds of 2014 graduates opted to study abroad, often in far-off places like the Mediterranean, Latin America and the Middle East. For the spiritual students who choose Eastern Mennonite University, the cross cultural program is “more than study abroad” – it’s a major influence on their “faith journey” and values as well as their understanding of the larger world around them.

In recent years, Eastern Mennonite University has sent students to destinations like: Bulgaria, China, Columbia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Galápagos Islands, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Lithuania, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Newfoundland, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Paraguay, Peru, Quebec, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Syria, Turkey, Vietnam, and Zambia. Students can also choose from unique alternative cross-cultural programs, many of which include a service component. 

Location: Harrisonburg, VA

Enrollment: 1,227 students

Tuition: $30,800

Study Abroad Rate: 68 percent

 Editor’s Note: A school with a rich international study program, like the top 15 study abroad institutions in the nation, can take you virtually anywhere you want to go. However, students should consider all aspects of their education – not just the opportunities for international travel – when they choose a college. This list should be considered a guide to help students with their college choice process and direct their research into the schools that most interest them. The information in this article came from U.S. News & World Report and the official websites of each featured college. Graduate students can also benefit from learning about study abroad opportunities in master’s degree programs, while high school students may benefit from studying abroad before college. Because studying abroad is a big decision, there are a number of things students should seeking a bachelor’s degree should know before studying abroad.

The post The Top 15 Schools for Studying Abroad appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Liberal arts schools offer a number of benefits you won’t find at other colleges. These comparably small schools often feature small class sizes that encourage student discussion and engagement. Some provide graduate-level research opportunities to undergraduate students. Many liberal arts schools have strong international education, study abroad or study away programs that help students develop an understanding of different cultures. Students who graduate from a liberal arts college often go on to earn a master’s or doctoral degree in graduate school, or they can enter the workforce with skills that are in-demand across all industries. Generous financial aid packages make these mostly private institutions affordable for students from all economic backgrounds.

The top 15 liberal arts schools in America are spread out across the nation, accredited by different regional accreditation agencies and offering different academic programs of study. They do have one thing in common, though. Each institution is known for providing an exceptional liberal arts education with the academic breadth and depth to develop skills in thinking, speaking, writing and learning.

1. Williams College

Topping the list of the best liberal arts schools in the nation is Williams College. The private school dates back to 1793, which makes it among the oldest institutions of higher learning in America.  While small class sizes are a typical selling point of many liberal arts institutions, Williams College has an exceptionally low student to faculty ration of 7:1. Don’t let the $50,070 annual tuition charge scare you away from this highly ranked school. Williams College prides itself on putting a top-notch liberal arts education within reach for students “without regard to their ability to pay.” Half of all students currently enrolled at Williams College are receiving some form of financial aid from the school – and that award can range from $5,400 to $64,000. The school commits to meeting “100 percent of every admitted student’s demonstrated financial need for four years,” which may be one of the factors that contributes to its outstanding 97 percent freshman retention rate.

Do you think choosing a liberal arts school means sacrificing the plentiful academic options you’ll find at other colleges? That’s not the case at Williams College. Despite its classification as a liberal arts school, Williams College offers a number of distinct degree programs that build upon the core liberal arts studies, so students can enjoy a well-rounded education but also prepare for their intended careers. The three dozen major programs of study, plus numerous concentrations, are part of three different academic divisions. Students in the division of languages and the arts can choose from majors like Japanese, Russian, music and theatre. The social sciences division includes majors in sociology and psychology. Science and mathematics offerings include biology, chemistry, geosciences, physics and math. In addition to earning the coveted first-place spot on U.S. News & World Report’s list of the best national liberal arts colleges, Williams College is also ranked first among the best colleges for veterans, third among the best value schools in the country and fourth among the best undergraduate teaching programs.

Location: Williamstown, MA

Enrollment: 2,045 students

Tuition: $50,070 

2. Amherst College

Amherst College has plenty of experience – nearly two centuries, to be exact – in developing students’ skills in critical thinking, writing, speaking and lifelong learning. The private liberal arts college was founded in 1821 and has since been home to America’s first collegiate athletics program, first intercollegiate baseball game and first undergraduate degree program in neuroscience. Notable alumni include former United States President Calvin Coolidge, while past instructors include renowned poet Robert Frost. If you’re anticipating going on to earn an advanced education, Amherst College is an excellent choice. Ninety percent of the school’s graduates go on to attend grad school within five years of earning their bachelor’s degree. With a student-faculty ratio of 8:1 and an average class size of just 16, students at Amherst have plenty of opportunity for individual attention and making personal connections throughout their studies. Amherst College offers generous financial aid packages, with an average award of $50,255 in scholarships and grants – never loans that will have to be paid back. That means students at Amherst can graduate with an excellent education and no student loan debt.

Unlike many liberal arts schools – and, for that matter, many colleges of all varieties – there’s no one-size-fits-all core curriculum that every student must complete. Instead, Amherst College features an open curriculum that allows students the ultimate flexibility in customizing their education. With more than 850 course options available through the college and thousands more offered through partner schools, students can quite literally study any discipline they choose. The result is that double majoring is common, and students who pursue two majors still have the time to delve into other areas of study and develop a well-rounded educational foundation. The 38 majors available at Amherst College range from biochemistry to film and media studies and from neuroscience to classical languages. Students can also choose to create their own interdisciplinary major or Independent Scholar Program instead of, or in addition to, pursuing an existing program of study. The most ambitious students can even get a taste of graduate-level academic work by opting to complete an honors thesis. Amherst College placed second on U.S. News & World Report’s rankings of the best liberal arts schools in the nation, but it also took first place among the best value schools and ranked among the top 10 most innovative colleges in America.

Location: Amherst, MA

Enrollment: 1,792 students

Tuition: $50,562 

3. Swarthmore College

Swarthmore College, just 11 miles from Philadelphia, earned the distinction of being one of the first coeducational colleges in America when it was founded in 1864 by the Quakers. Today, the private, nondenominational school emphasizes a combination of intellectual development and ethical behavior. More than 90 percent of the student population lives on campus, where the landscape of lawns, hills, trees, hiking trails and Crum Creek combined to earn Swarthmore the title “the most beautiful campus in America.” Swarthmore’s Lang Center for Civic and Social Responsibility helps facilitate volunteerism and incorporate service and activism into academic programs through community-based learning. The strong support for service and social responsibility contributes to the school’s impressive volunteerism rate of more than 60 percent. Swarthmore students also participate heavily in study abroad opportunities and the Honors Program. With a student to faculty ration of 8:1, students considering Swarthmore College can expect small class sizes.

Swarthmore College offers upwards of 40 programs of study in subjects ranging from astronomy to medieval studies and from computer science to peace and conflict studies. Students also have the opportunity to design their own majors, an independent path which requires them to take 10 to 12 courses in their specialized areas of study. Of course, with more than 600 courses to choose from each year, students have plenty of options to customize their education. Students in any major must complete a thesis, exam or other “comprehensive requirement” before graduating with their bachelor’s degrees. In addition to offering a traditional liberal arts curriculum, Swarthmore College is also known for its highly rated undergraduate engineering program. The college is also rated among the best value schools, best colleges for veterans, best teaching schools and best undergraduate engineering programs – in addition to the top liberal arts colleges, of course – by U.S. News & World Report.

Location: Swarthmore, PA

Enrollment: 1,542 students

Tuition: $47,442 

4. Bowdoin College

At Bowdoin College, the school’s mission is known as its “offer,” and it encompasses knowledge of art, culture, history, nature and literature. Bowdoin College still stands by that offer today, more than a century after it was written. The school also emphasizes research opportunities, field work experiences and community-based learning. The private school was founded in 1794, at a time when Maine wasn’t even its own state, but instead a district within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. To make a quality liberal arts education affordable today, Bowdoin College has entirely eliminated student loans from its financial aid packages. Almost half of the student body receives grants directly from the college – which is one reason why U.S. News & World Report ranked the institution among the best value schools in the nation. Bowdoin College is known for offering a wealth of extracurricular activities. Among these activities are the Outing Club, a group focused on providing off-campus excursions, and the Peucinian Society, an intellectual society which happens to be among the oldest in the United States.

What exactly is Bowdoin College’s offer? All students begin their studies with a first-year seminar of their choice – and with more than 35 topics to choose from, they really do get to choose the seminar that interests them. Every student must take at least one course in each of five distribution areas: International Perspectives, Visual and Performing Arts, Exploring Social Difference, Inquiry in the Natural Sciences and Mathematical, Computational or Statistical Reasoning before the completion of their sophomore year. At that time, they choose a major from the more than 40 options offered. Some Bowdoin College students take the traditional path and stick with one departmental major, while others double major or pursue a coordinate major, interdisciplinary major or student-designed major. The result is an education that combines the breath of studying each distribution area with the depth of studying a major in the discipline of science, art, language, and the humanities.

Location: Brunswick, ME

Enrollment: 1,805 students

Tuition: $48,212 

5. Middlebury College

Founded in 1800, Middlebury College has more than two centuries of experience educating students in the liberal arts tradition. In fact, Middlebury is among the nation’s oldest liberal arts schools. With more than 2,500 undergraduate students, Middlebury College is among the largest schools to make the list. Fortunately, the school still manages to keep class sizes small by employing hundreds of top-tier instructors. The student to faculty ratio is just 9:1, and the average class has only 16 students. Rather than following a semester-based schedule, Middlebury College embraces what’s called a 4-1-4 academic calendar. Students typically complete four courses during the spring and fall semesters, with an additional one-month course or internship during the winter term in January. Summer programs are also offered, particularly in the school’s many foreign language options. Among the more than 150 extracurricular activities available to Middlebury College students are its 31 NCAA varsity athletics teams and its Harry Potter-inspired International Quidditch Association. The location is also excellent for avid skiers, as the region is home to 17 skiing trails.

A main goal of a liberal arts education is learning to think critically and express one’s thoughts eloquently. At Middlebury College, this objective is accomplished through cross-discipline writing-intensive courses, including a discussion-oriented first-year seminar based on academic themes. To develop a well-rounded academic background, all Middlebury College students must take courses in art, literature, history, science, foreign language, deductive reasoning, social analysis and philosophical and religious studies. They also take four required courses in cultures and civilizations, with each course focusing on a different region or topic. Students choose one (or more) of 44 possible majors – such as international politics, history of art and architecture, Hebrew and molecular biology – to study in-depth. They also have the option to propose their own major through the Independent Scholar Program. In addition to being tied for fourth place on U.S. News & World Report’s list of the top national liberal arts colleges, the school earned top 10 spots among the best colleges for veterans and the best value schools.

Location: Middlebury, VT

Enrollment: 2,533 students

Tuition: $47,828 

6. Pomona College

Pomona College is a residential school – and proud of it. An overwhelming 94 percent of the student body lives on campus for their entire education, and even the instructors tend to live within a five mile radius of the college. The private Southern California school was founded in 1887 in Pomona, and the first courses were taught in a small house rented by the college’s founders. To say that Pomona College has grown would be an understatement. Though the school kept its original name, it moved to Claremont shortly after. Today, the college occupies 140 acres of land located near the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. With 182 full-time instructors on staff, the student to faculty ration is just 8:1, and the average class size hovers around 10 to 15 students. International studies are popular at Pomona College, where 50 percent of students will complete a study abroad experience during their academic careers.

The tight-knit community atmosphere that characterizes the Pomona College campus reaches into the classroom – and beyond. The small class sizes and campus community activities are a crucial part of Pomona’s liberal arts education. So are the college’s extensive undergraduate research opportunities and its combination of academic programs that cross disciplines. The curriculum at Pomona College includes studies in natural science, social science, humanities and the arts as well as interdisciplinary coursework. Students can choose from 47 major programs of study that range from media studies to science, technology and society. With more than 600 courses offered on campus and thousands more offered through the Claremont Colleges partnership every year, students can explore plenty of study options.  Pomona College requires students to complete general education coursework that includes studies in a foreign language, physical education, mathematical reasoning, history and cultural studies, physical and biological sciences, creative expression and social institutions and human behavior. Freshmen must also take a Critical Inquiry seminar that emphasizes reading, writing and discussion and focuses on an interdisciplinary theme such as the politics of art or the history of rock and roll music.

Location: Claremont, CA

Enrollment: 1,650 students

Tuition: $47,620 

7. Wellesley College

Wellesley College has offered a strong liberal arts education to female students since its founding in 1870. The private school, located just 12 miles from Boston, remains exclusively a women’s college today. Students at Wellesley College consistently benefit from small class sizes and personal attention, with a student to faculty ratio of just 7:1 and an average of only 17 to 20 students in a class. The school has a robust internship program – in which more than 70 percent of students participate during their academic careers – which includes hundreds of paid internships with stipends provided by the Center for Work and Service. Notable Wellesley College alumni include television journalist Diane Sawyer and political leader Hillary Rodham Clinton. In addition to the usual residence halls and classrooms, the school’s 500 acre campus includes art galleries, a golf course and theatres for motion pictures and live performances. Most students enjoy the campus atmosphere so much that they choose to live in Wellesley College’s residence halls for the duration of their undergraduate education.

To attain a comprehensive liberal arts education, Wellesley College students must complete coursework in the following subject areas:

• Language and Literature
• Visual Arts, Music, Theater, Film and Video
• Social and Behavioral Analysis
• Epistemology and Cognition
• Religion, Ethics, and Moral Philosophy
• Historical Studies
• Natural and Physical Science
• Mathematical Modeling and Problem Solving
• A foreign language (from more than a dozen languages offered)
• Expository writing
• Quantitative reasoning
• Physical education
• Multicultural studies

In addition to completing these core academic requirements, Wellesley College students choose from dozens of possible majors in the arts, physical and social sciences and humanities. There are more than 20 interdisciplinary major options available to students in addition to the majors traditionally offered by individual departments. Every major requires students to take at least two advanced, 300-level courses, while the school also requires the completion of two additional 300-level classes in any area of study. Wellesley College’s science programs, in particular, are well-respected, and its physics lab happens to be the second oldest in the United States, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Location: Wellesley, MA

Enrollment: 2,323students

Tuition: $46,836 

8. Carleton College

Carleton College is a private liberal arts school located 40 miles from Minneapolis and St. Paul. Since its founding in 1866, the institution has earned a reputation for providing not just an outstanding liberal arts education, but also a warm and friendly learning environment. About 95 percent of Carleton College students choose to live on campus, even though only freshman are required to do so. Like other schools on the list, Carleton has a low student to faculty ration of just 9:1 and small class sizes, with an average of 18 students per class. In addition to being among the 10 best liberal arts schools in the nation, Carleton College is also among the top 15 schools for studying abroad. About 78 percent of students participate in off-campus study opportunities facilitated by the school, according to U.S. News & World Report. The school uses a trimester, rather than semester-based, academic calendar, which means students complete three 10-week terms per year.

In addition to the 39 majors in which Carleton College students can earn a Bachelor of Arts degree, students can also pursue one (or more) of the 15 concentrations available. Major programs of study range from Asian languages to dance and international relations to mathematics and statistics. Possible academic concentrations include American music, biochemistry, educational studies and archeology. Graduation requirements for students in all majors include coursework such as:

• A writing-rich first-year Argument and Inquiry (A&I) Seminar
• An additional writing-rich course that culminates in a writing portfolio
• At least three courses that involve quantitative reasoning
• Four to five foreign languages courses
• A class in international studies
• A class in intercultural domestic studies
• Four terms of physical education
• Six credits in humanistic inquiry
• Six credits in literary and artistic analysis
• Six credits in arts practice
• Six credits in science
• Six credits in formal or statistical reasoning
• Six credits in social inquiry

Carleton College meets all students’ financial aid need for all four years of school and charges no application fees, so it’s no wonder the school has earned a place on U.S. News & World Report’s Best Value Schools ranking.

Location: Northfield, MN

Enrollment: 2,057 students

Tuition: $49,263         

9. Claremont McKenna College

Compared to other schools on this list, Claremont McKenna College is fairly new, having been founded in 1946 as a men’s school and made coeducational in 1976. In just a few decades, though, the school has built a strong reputation and on coveted spots on rankings like U.S. News & World Report’s National Liberal Arts Colleges, Best Colleges for Veterans and Best Value Schools. The private institution is known for making extensive graduate-level research opportunities to undergraduate students through the campus’s 10 research institutes. Claremont McKenna College happens to be among the most selective schools to make this list, accepting just 10.8 of applicants. For those who make the cut, the institution’s small class sizes, renowned faculty, research opportunities and focus on educating world leaders are well worth the challenge of gaining acceptance. In addition to its Bachelor of Arts programs in liberal arts studies, the school now offers a Master of Arts in Finance program for graduate students.

Claremont McKenna College offers more than 30 academic majors, including government, religious studies, molecular biology and literature. These include film studies and legal studies degree programs, which are offered only as dual major options. The school also offers “3/2 engineering programs” in Economics and Engineering and Management-Engineering, which allow students to combine liberal arts coursework at Claremont McKenna College with an engineering program at a partner school. Students with an interest in finance can also apply to the combined BA/MA program offered through Claremont McKenna’s Robert Day School, which offers the opportunity to earn both an undergraduate and a graduate degree in just four years. Aspiring law school students might be interested in Claremont McKenna College’s involvement in the Accelerated Interdisciplinary Legal Education program, a “3+3 joint degree program” through which students can begin their juris doctor (JD) studies at Columbia University after their junior undergraduate year and graduate with both degrees in just six years. Because the school can only nominate two juniors per year to participate, the program can become highly competitive.

Location: Claremont, CA

Enrollment: 1,324 students

Tuition: $49,045 

10. Davidson College

Since 1837, Davidson College has focused on providing a liberal arts education that emphasizes creativity, intellectual discipline and humane behavior. Essential to the Christian school’s unique success is its Honor Code, a pledge to act honestly and honorably in the classroom and beyond. The student to faculty ratio at Davidson College is just 10:1, and the average class contains just 15 students. The school has a strong study abroad program, with 76 percent of students engaging in some form of international studies abroad. Davidson College is an excellent choice for cost-conscious students. Since 2007, all of the school’s financial aid packages have followed a no loan policy – making in the first liberal arts college in the United States to do so, according to U.S. News & World Report. Instead of financing students’ education with loans that could leave them tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt at the end of their college careers, the school provides generous loans through The Davidson Trust.

To earn their Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degrees, students at Davidson College must complete a set of core liberal arts requirements. These requirements include coursework in cultural diversity, a foreign language and writing as well as at least one class in each of the following:

• Historical Thought
• Mathematics and Quantitative Thought
• Natural Science
• Social-Scientific Thought
• Philosophical and Religious Studies
• Visual and Performing Arts
• Literary Studies, Creative Writing and Rhetoric

Students can choose from 26 possible academic majors, such as anthropology, environmental studies and political science. A major in interdisciplinary studies is also available, and so are dozens of departmental and interdisciplinary minors, including applied mathematics, dance and experimental physics. Davidson College is also an excellent choice if you’re thinking about grad school. The college offers six pre-professional programs: Pre-Education, Pre-Engineering, Pre-Law, Pre-Medicine, Pre-Ministry and Pre-Military. These academic paths can help prepare you to earn a master’s or doctoral degree.

Location: Davidson, NC

Enrollment: 1,770 students

Tuition: $46,966 

11. United States Naval Academy

With more than 4,500 undergraduate students enrolled, the United States Naval Academy is by far the largest school to make this list. It’s also the most selective, accepting just 7.9 percent of applicants. The public institution, founded in 1845, is one of just five federal service academies – and it happens to be the second oldest such institution, according to U.S. News & World Report. The school is an excellent choice for aspiring Navy personnel. All students are naval officers in training, also known as midshipmen. Not only is the liberal arts education at the United States Naval Academy excellent, but it’s also tuition-free. The United States Navy covers the cost of students’ education. This way, students can graduate debt-free – and then begin their active-duty service in the U.S. Navy. Since they are bound for the physically demanding work of a Navy midshipman, students must meet strict physical education requirements throughout their education. The Naval Academy has a strong athletics program, including NCAA Division I intercollegiate varsity sports teams in dozens of men’s, women’s and co-ed sports.

Due to its naval focus, the school has a unique set of core course requirements distinct from what you would find at most liberal arts institutions. Students must take coursework in mathematics and science and humanities and the social sciences. However, they also need to take classes in engineering and weapons, seamanship and navigation and leadership education and development. Students at the United States Naval Academy learn about ship performance and propulsion, naval weapons systems, cyber engineering, American Naval history and United States law as it pertains to junior naval officers. Students complete many of these courses during their first year of college studies, also known as the plebe year. The school places a strong emphasis on the disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and the majority of its 26 academic majors are in STEM fields. These include aerospace engineering, oceanography, cyber operations, quantitative economics and operations research.

Location: Annapolis, MD

Enrollment: 4,511 students

Tuition: $0

12. Haverford College 

In 1833, Haverford College was founded just 10 miles from Philadelphia by the Quakers. Today, the private college has no religious affiliation, but it does have its own ever-evolving, student-run Honor Code that pertains to both academic and social behavior. The Honor Code permits students to have academic and social freedoms such as take-home exams and dormitory lodgings without the oversight of a resident assistant (RA). Haverford College features a student to faculty ratio of 9:1 and very small class sizes. In fact, more than 78 percent of its classes have fewer than 20 students, and nearly 43 percent of classes have fewer than 10 students enrolled. The school’s arboretum campus isn’t just beautiful – for many, it’s home. Not only do 98 percent of Haverford College’s students live on campus, but so does 61 percent of its faculty. Around half of the student population studies abroad during their academic careers, and more than one-third of enrolled students are involved in an intercollegiate sport.

A liberal arts education is all about developing important and versatile skills like critical thinking, writing and speaking, and what better way to cultivate those skills than to invite – even emphasize – discussions and debates in the classroom? Haverford College’s seminar-style courses are known for engaging class discussions that facilitate deep thoughts and big ideas. All Haverford College students take required courses in writing, a foreign language, quantitative reasoning, humanities, natural sciences, social sciences and physical education. As sophomores, students choose a major, the most popular of which include biology, chemistry, economics, English, political science and psychology. In addition to completing in-depth studies into their majors, students are required to develop a Senior Thesis, complete with the kind of original research opportunities that most colleges reserve for graduate students only. As it happens, Haverford College is an excellent choice if you’re planning to go on to graduate school. Its students earn acceptance into professional schools – including medical school and law school – “at rates that are significantly higher than the national average.”

Location: Haverford, PA

Enrollment: 1,194 students

Tuition: $49,098 

13. Vassar College

Since 1861, Vassar College in the Hudson Valley region of New York has provided an outstanding liberal arts education. The private college, which was a women’s college until it became coeducational in 1969, is a residential institution that guarantees housing for the full four-year length of the student’s undergraduate education. About 98 percent of students take advantage of that opportunity. Vassar College might have the highest tuition rate of any school on this list, but it also happens to be among the best educational values in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report. That’s due in part to the school’s commitment to meeting 100 percent of demonstrated financial need for every enrolled student. Close to 60 percent of Vassar College students receive financial aid, sometimes in amounts as high as $60,000. For students from low-income families who need the most aid, the school works to decrease the amount of loans in the financial aid package – or do away with loans altogether – so that students won’t have to worry about being deep in student loan debts when they graduate.

To earn their Bachelor of Arts degree, Vassar College students must complete a freshman writing seminar, studies in a foreign language, a quantitative reasoning course like math or a laboratory science and “distribution requirements” in the disciplines of social sciences, natural sciences, foreign languages and literatures, and art. Students at Vassar College can choose from more than 50 distinct academic majors. One of those majors, cognitive science, became the very first undergraduate degree program in the subject. The school was also among the first academic institutions in the nation to offer classes in psychology, Russian and drama. Today, more than 1,000 courses run on Vassar College’s campus each year. In addition to choosing a major, students can also pursue a correlate sequence, similar to a minor, to further expand their knowledge base. Vassar College believes strongly in a broad and balanced education, so students are required to spend at least half of their college career engaged in studies outside of their major.

Location: Poughkeepsie, NY

Enrollment: 2,418 students

Tuition: $51,300 

14. Hamilton College

Hamilton College has been educating students in the liberal arts tradition for more than two centuries. The private upstate New York institution is the third oldest college in the state. Named for Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, the school was originally founded in 1793 as the Hamilton-Oneida Academy and subsequently chartered under its current name in1812. Today, Hamilton College has 20,000 alumni, who give back to the school at donation rates that place its alumni loyalty in the top one percent. One hundred percent of Hamilton College’s students live on campus in the school’s 27 residence halls. The 9:1 student to faculty ratio allows for exceptionally small class sizes. In fact, almost 75 percent of all courses contain no more than 19 students, and 30 percent of classes have just nine or fewer students enrolled. In addition to ranking Hamilton College tied for 14^th place on its national liberal arts colleges list, U.S. News & World Report also acknowledged the institution as one of the best colleges for veterans and the best value schools in the nation.

Hamilton College students begin their liberal arts education with unique first-year courses that focus on themes like Native American Spiritualities and Adventure Writing, each intended to help students adjust to college-level work. Early on in their academic careers, students must also take foundation courses in writing and quantitative and symbolic reasoning. Throughout their education, students will take classes in cultural analysis, foreign languages, the humanities, social sciences, the arts, mathematics and the sciences while still enjoying the freedom and flexibility of an open curriculum. Students can choose from 51 major areas of study to pursue, including public policy, chemical physics, literature and creative writing and dance and movement studies. Every major includes a Senior Program experience as part of its graduation requirements. The Senior Program requirements vary from one academic concentration to another, but they typically include independent work that culminates in a research project, a comprehensive examination or a research paper and presentation.

Location: Clinton, NY

Enrollment: 1,900 students

Tuition: $49,500

15. Harvey Mudd College

Rounding out our list of the top 15 liberal arts schools in America is Harvey Mudd College, named for renowned mining engineer Harvey Seeley Mudd. The private school is the newest institution to make the list, having been founded in 1955. With just 804 undergraduate students, it also happens to be the smallest institution in terms of enrollment. The small enrollment – and, of course, the school’s 9:1 student to faculty ratio – allow for small class sizes. With 99 percent of students living on campus, the residential school has cultivated a close-knit community held together by both shared fun and the Honor Code. U.S. News & World Report ranked Harvey Mudd College tied for first place in the nation among the best undergraduate engineering programs. Almost 40 percent of Harvey Mudd College graduates go on to start graduate school, while those entering the workforce enjoy a high median starting salary of $92,500.

Though it’s known for its remarkable liberal arts education, Harvey Mudd College is a STEM school. All students graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree. The academic majors available consist of chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, engineering, computer science and a few joint majors that combine the disciplines. Every major emphasizes experiential learning, research and innovation for the real world and research opportunities that, at most institutions, would be reserved for graduate students. Despite the STEM focus in academic majors, studies in the arts, social sciences and humanities are also an important – and mandatory – part of the liberal arts education at Harvey Mudd College. The school strongly believes that humanity goes hand in hand with ethical uses of technology, which is why the Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts department is larger even than any of the school’s STEM departments. Regardless of their chosen major, Harvey Mudd College students also complete a common core curriculum which provides a broad view of each STEM discipline as well as a focus on writing and critical thinking.

Location: Claremont, CA
Enrollment: 804 students
Tuition: $48,594

Editor’s Note: 

The schools ranked on this list have been recognized by some of the most credible, authoritative publications and organizations in America, including U.S. News & World Report. While any one of these institutions has the potential to provide an excellent liberal arts education, students need to think about more than just rankings when it comes to selecting a college. This article should be used as a guide to direct your college research, not in place of it. The information expressed in this list comes from the schools’ official websites, which are excellent resources to help prospective students to continue the process of finding the right college for them.

The post Top 15 Liberal Arts Schools in America appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

To name a few:

• Your favorite stories growing up
• Your favorite shows and movies
• Educational and technical materials
• Marketing copy
• Speechwriting

And while many degrees are meant to help you become a better writer, none spend quite as much time drilling you on the finer points, and supporting growth as a writer as a creative writing degree.

You may ask yourself why you need a degree in writing. Few of the greatest writers majored in the craft. One answer is that few of the greatest writers set out to write as a career.

In today’s information-rich society, we’ve created more media in a handful of years than the rest of history combined. While very little of this media is truly top-notch, the market for talented writers can be lucrative and rewarding. A creative writing degree can be a great jumping off point to landing your dream job as a writer.

If you think you may be interested in a creative writing, be sure to peruse the topics in our guide, listed below:

Table of Contents:

• What Creative Writing Degrees Are Available?
• Can I Pursue a Creative Writing Degree Online?
• How Do I Gain Admission to a Creative Writing Degree Program?
• Differences Between Creative Writing and Related Degrees
• What Can I Do With a Degree in Creative Writing?

Don’t see what you’re looking for? Be sure to check out some of our related resources throughout the site:

• How can you prepare for being a professional writer while earning your degree?
• What is the difference between a technical writing degree and journalism?
• What is the difference between a bachelor’s degree in professional writing and technical writing?
• 10 creative careers that won’t require you to be a starving artist
• What can I do with a liberal arts degree?
• What degree do I need to be a technical writer?
• What are my degree choices to be a film or tv producer?
• Why you should pick a degree in communications?

What Creative Writing Degrees Are Available?

Creative writing degrees are a relative newcomer to higher education. In their relatively brief history as degrees they’ve traditionally been offered at at the bachelor’s and master’s levels as one of the following degrees:

• Bachelor of Fine Arts
• Bachelor of Arts
• Master of Arts
• Master of Fine Arts

In recent years, doctoral programs in creative writing have started to be introduced.

You may wonder where there aren’t associates-level degrees in creative writing. This is likely to do with the fact that the best writers are highly literate. And a little more higher education is often viewed as important for those seeking to become truly good writers. As any professional writer can attest to, even bachelor’s-level graduates that took a writing-intensive course of study still have a long way to go in growth as a writer when they graduate.

So what’s studied in a bachelor’s degree in creative writing?

For bachelor of arts degrees in creative writing students begin their 120 credit journey by working through the standard general education requirements of a bachelor’s degree. These typically include courses in the following:

• Social Sciences
• Natural Sciences
• Math and Quantitative Literacy
• English
• Composition
• The Humanities
• The Fine Arts
• A Foreign Language

The aim of these courses is to ensure that you have a well-rounded understanding, are articulate, and are generally qualified to call yourself worthy of a bachelors-level degree.

As you work through your course of study you will begin taking classes within your major. Creative writing programs can vary to quite a great extent. But a “typical” bachelor of arts in creative writing program may offer courses like the following for major requirements:

• Creative Writing Intro
• The World of Writing, Writers and Publishing
• English Language
• Creative Writing Advanced
• Literary Theory
• Shakespeare
• Workshop for Playwriting
• Workshop for Poetry Writing
• Workshop for Nonfiction Writing
• Additional Focus Area Workshops
• An Internship
• A Capstone Project

As you may have noticed, the bachelor of arts degree in creative writing has a good number of typically-formated college courses and just a handful of workshop classes. This is the primary difference between a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of fine arts degree.

Bachelor of fine arts degrees in creative writing have less general education requirements, less academic courses on writing and literature, and a greater number of workshop courses in which you produce creative writing.

While you should come out of either a BA or a BFA with a portfolio of your writing, BFA degrees tend to spend more time on the production of portfolio work.

At the master’s level, there has traditionally been a single degree in creative writing, a master of fine arts (MFA) in creative writing. MFA programs typically allow established or at least somewhat experienced writers a chance to get together in a workshop-heavy program to hone their craft.

Before we go any further, let’s discuss what is a writing workshop?

Writing workshops — the context of a bachelors or masters degree — help to teach writers how to hone their craft in a predictable and organized fashion. In many workshops, the instructor (an established writer) will instruct students to focus on one writing technique, or a type of writing.

Students will work together to generate ideas, often pairing up as they work their way through their creative process. At set intervals, student writers wille exchange their writing with other students in the class who will comment on their writing in a constructive manner. Once constructive criticism has been given, each writer returns to their work to hone it. At the end of the workshop, students will present their work to their peers and receive a final grade.

The act of workshopping provides structure to moving from the realm of ideas to writing. It shows writers how to sit down and productively push through writing, receive criticism, give criticism, and then hone their writing. At the end of a workshop, writers are ideally a little better at planning writing, writing, reading the writing of others, and communicating about their writing.

In an MFA program in creative writing, a majority of the coursework is often structured around workshopping.

In addition, students will attend master classes, lectures, and networking events to attempt to catapult their writing career to the next level.

Within lectures, course material often focuses on readings within a particular literary tradition. For as all the best writers know, the best writers are often the best readers as well.

Finally, Ph.D. programs in creative writing primarily help to prepare the next generation of writing instructors within higher education. While there are but a handful of these programs, they are useful for creative writing students who wish to primarily teach as a career.

Coursework within Ph.D. programs in creative writing is focused moreseo on the education of creative writing than workshops to hone your own writing. Though there is a bit of both.

Students thinking about pursuing a degree in creative writing should also be aware that there are a number of related degrees with slightly different curricula. Links to the respective guides on these academic degree types on DegreeQuery are included below:

• Communication
• Strategic Communication
• Public Relations
• Technical Writing
• And some marketing programs

Can I Pursue a Creative Writing Degree Online?

Historically, a large portion of the creative writing degree progression has involved meeting in-person to discuss and present your writing at a workshop.

With that said, the advancement of conferencing and online communication tools within the last few years has made it possible to emulate this process to a great degree online.

While a good number of creative writing programs are still primarily brick and mortar programs, there are a handful of creative writing programs offered online at the bachelor’s and master’s levels.

Students that think they would like to pursue a creative writing degree online should be aware of some of the most common pros and cons of online education. While online degrees are growing in popularity — around one in four students currently studies online — and work amazingly well for some students, they aren’t for everyone.

Below we’ve listed some of the most common “selling points” and problems (that some students have) associated with online degrees.

Common “Selling Points” of Online Degrees

• • Fully online degrees mean you don’t have to move for your education
  • Asynchronous coursework degrees mean you can log on when you can
  • Many online degrees are slightly more affordable than in-person degrees
  • There is no mention of the fact you studied online on your eventual degree
  • A wide range of support services are offered online

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Common Problems With Online Degrees

• • • Online degrees have less structure telling you when to work on assignments
    • It’s harder to forge meaningful relationships with classmates or instructors online
    • You have less access to on-campus events online
    • Support services are not as varied online

How Do I Gain Admission to a Creative Writing Degree Program?

Admissions to a bachelor of arts creative writing program is similar to most baccalaureate level degrees. Students must submit a standard cadre of admissions materials including transcripts, essays, standardized test scores, and letters of recommendations.

For bachelor of fine arts degree programs, students are expected to have already spent some time honing their portfolio within their craft. Similarly to programs within art of music conservatories, BFA programs often require students to submit a portfolio, as well as attend an interview.

Some BFA programs err on the side of allowing a student to choose how best to represent themselves. In cases such as these, students may elect to pursue entrance as in a typical bachelor’s admissions process, or as in a conservatory setting.

Master of fine arts in creative writing programs often have quite rigorous admissions standards. In many, applicants must elect to pursue admissions within a single “path” such as playwriting, poetry, or creative nonfiction writing. Applicants are then judged based on past published work as well as an unpublished portfolio. Admissions standards vary, with some programs expecting to recruit hobbyist writers while some of the top programs require writers to be quite well established in their trade already.

Differences Between Creative Writing and Related Degrees

Writing is central to many careers, and is also studied academically in fields within the humanities. So, as one may expect, there are multiple academic paths one can pursue that are similar to creative writing.

Degrees that may be used to find the same employment opportunities, or that explore one facet of writing include:

• • • Creative Writing
    • Technical Writing
    • Public Relations with an Emphasis on Writing
    • Marketing with an Emphasis on Writing
    • Scientific Writing
    • Journalism
    • Communications
    • And Strategic Communications

In a sense, creative writing is the most “pure” of all of the above majors, and can be used to pursue employment in nearly any of the fields for which non-creative writing degrees listed above prepare students for.

All of the above degree programs may require students to craft a portfolio of written work. And nearly all writing (as a product) can be creative. So there is potentially a great deal of overlap.

Some of the key differences between creative writing and other degrees listed above is that nearly every degree is “applied.” These degrees set aside a substantial portion of the curricula for professional-centered courses aimed at preparing students to take careers in a specific industry. These courses may center around a tool set or a set of techniques you could use in business, science, education, or journalism. While writing can still be central to all of the above degrees, you’ll get even more writing-specific education in a creative writing degree.

If you think you may be interested in a degree related to creative writing, be sure to search through DegreeQuery’s offerings.

What Can I Do With a Degree in Creative Writing?

As with many art-centered and humanities degrees, creative writing actually prepares you for a wide range of job types. Though writing-centered careers are the most obvious choice, the critical thinking and articulation skills taught in a creative writing degree are invaluable in many settings.

We’ll work through some of the most common careers those with creative writing degree pursue below.

First, copywriters provided engaging, and wide-ranging text-based content primarily for corporate clients. Copywriters may be tasked with crafting creative assets like the words to a jingle or a script, or more descriptive content such a guide on how to use software.

While there are a number of jobs in our list that share attributes with copywriters, one element in which copywriters contrast with other writing positions is their place of employment and subject matter. Copywriters tend to work in traditional advertising and marketing settings, or for traditional corporate clients. While someone may essentially have the same job as a copywriter in another employment setting, it may be called something different depending on the industry.

The average salary for copywriters is presently $47,838.

Secondly, technical writers (sometimes called science writers as well) aid in STEM-related fields to translate dense science and technology-related concepts into readable prose. Technical writers may come from a purely writing background, or may also hold a degree in technology or the sciences. These writers can become quite specialized depending on the subject matter they tackle.

Some of the largest employers of technical writers include university settings, research organizations, governmental agencies, and corporations. The average salary for a technical writer is presently $74,440.

Our third creative writing-based role is that of media producer (or simply, producer). These creatives tend to work for industries or organizations with a strong online presence. The word media in this sense signifies the fact that a great deal of communication online is multimedia. These “writers” may express themselves with text, graphics, video, web pages, and interactive content.

Media producer can mean everything front front end developer to data journalist to a writer in a newsroom. So as one might expect, the range of salaries varies greatly. With that said, the average salary for this role is presently $55,224.

Finally, many creative writing majors enter journalism at some point in their career. Journalists tell a story in an objective way, and focus on ethical and solid investigative skills. Creative non-fiction creative writing graduates are the most direct “fit” with this profession, but creative writers of all stripes have found themselves recruited into the ranks of journalists.

Salaries vary greatly depending on the location in which you work as well as the critical acclaim of what you have produced. With that said, the average journalist makes a salary of $40,900.
Other careers in which there are many creative writing majors at work include:

• • • Self employed writers
    • Public relations professionals
    • Communications managers
    • Editors
    • And Lawyers

Still didn’t see what you were looking for? Be sure to check out some of DegreeQuery’s related content in the following guides:

• • How can you prepare for being a professional writer while earning your degree?
  • What is the difference between a technical writing degree and journalism?
  • What is the difference between a bachelor’s degree in professional writing and technical writing?
  • 10 creative careers that won’t require you to be a starving artist
  • What can I do with a liberal arts degree?
  • What degree do I need to be a technical writer?
  • What is a degree in strategic communications?
  • What are my degree choices to be a film or tv producer?
  • Why you should pick a degree in communications?

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