1.) Brigham Young University-Idaho

Brigham Young university Idaho as a private institution located in Rexburg. BYUI is affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Currently, the university enrolls almost 40,000 students and the student-to-faculty ratio is 19 to 1. According to Carnegie, BYUI is a baccalaureate college. In fact, all students enrolled are undergraduate students. BYUI is ranked regionally. According to the US news and world report, the institution is 16th in the region and highly for social mobility as well as undergraduate engineering programming. When it comes to academic offerings, BYU I offers programming in a wide variety of fields many of which are high demand including the fields of education, health and business. In recent years, BYUI has expand their programming to include online offerings. Associate- seeking and bachelors-seeking students may pursue a degree fully online.

Brigham Young University Idaho offers the online marriage and family studies degree. Students may pursue this program if they are interested in a range of human service professions especially those that serve children and youth as well as their families. According to the department of labor, these jobs are growing faster than the national average. In the first year students will focus on the following core courses: merit skills, family relations, and introduction to psychology, child development and others. In the second year students continue in those studies. Finally in the third and fourth year students may choose from one of the following areas of specialization: child and family advocacy, human services, or parent and family education,. The child and family advocacy specialization focuses on public speaking where are the human services certificate focuses on family and community as well as helping individuals cope with stress, drug abuse and more. The parent and family education certification helps couples navigate marriage difficulties and teaches parenting skills, parent education as well as early and middle child development. For more information about this online degree check out their website.

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2.) California State University- East Bay

California State University East Bay is a public four-year university located in Hayward, California. The institution offers bachelors, masters and doctoral degree’s and enrolls over 16,000 students. According to Carnegie, California State University East Bay is a Masters College. To support the success of the students the institution offers credit for life experiences. Their academic offerings are varied and include programming in ethnic studies, business, education, health, physical sciences, social sciences, and more. In recent years, CSU East Bay offers online degrees for undergraduate as well as masters seeking students. Some of their most popular programs other online bachelors in business and ministration, as well as their online educational masters degree in leadership.

The human development and women’s study department at California State East Bay offers a Bachelor of Arts in a wide variety of areas. Their online program is in human development. Each class in this program is online with occasional hybrid classes. Additionally, the online program offers concentrations in the following areas: early childhood development, women’s development, and adult development and gerontology. This program is suitable for transfer students. The curriculum includes course material in the following areas: research methods in human development, futures and careers for human development, theories of human development, mid life transitions, and much more. The curriculum will vary depending on your area specialization. For more information about their programming and to apply check out their website.

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3.) Arizona State University

Arizona State University is a public institution located in Tempe, Arizona and across the state of Arizona. ASU currently enrolls over 50,000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 20 to 1. The institution offers bachelors masters and doctoral degrees as well as a number of professional certifications. According to the Carnegie Institution, ASU is classified as a doctoral university with very high research activity. In recent years, ASU has ranked number one in the nation for innovation according to the US News and World Report. This is largely due to their vast online offerings. In fact ASU offers hundreds of online degrees for undergraduate as well as graduate students. Students may pursue an online bachelors degree in urban planning for example as well as an online masters degree in speech communication and rhetoric. These are just some examples of the wide array of fields one may pursue through ASU online.

ASU Online offers an online Bachelor of Science in Family and Human Development. The total credit hour requirement is 120 and each class is 7.5 weeks long. In total students are required to complete 39 classes. Some of the courses that are included in the curriculum are family ethnic and cultural diversity, research methods, personal growth in human relationships, and human development. The human development and family degree focuses on cognitive and social as well as emotional development of individuals as well as families across their lifespan. Professionals in this area of work provide solutions that improve family relationships and outcomes. This program may lead to certified child life specialist designation. Although students do not receive this designation at ASU you may take a series of courses to meet the requirements for the CCLS eligibility. For more information and to apply check out their website.

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4.) Washington State University

Washington State University is a public four-year institution located in Pullman. Their current enrollment is over 30,000 and the student to faculty ratio 16 to 1. WSU offers bachelors masters and doctorate degrees as well as professional certifications. According to the US News and World Report, WSU ranks highly for veterans, value, engineering programming, computer science, and business programming. Additionally, to support student success the University offers credit for life experiences as well as distance learning opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. Some of their most popular programs by enrollment are in the field of family consumer science, engineering, and Business.

Washington State Online offers a bachelors degree in human development. This program is offered entirely online and may lead to a certificate in early childhood education or gerontology. The early childhood education certificate includes the following required courses: an introduction to early childhood, parent child relationships, child development, guidance in early childhood programming, and others. The gerontology certification offers course material in the following areas: family stress and coping, adult development, gerontology, families in poverty, cognition and memory, and more. For more information about these programs and to apply check out their website.

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5.) University of North Carolina-Greensboro (UNCG Online)

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro is a public university l that enrolls over 20,000 students. UNCG offers bachelor’s masters and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications and maintains a student to faculty ratio of 16 to 1. According to Carnegie, UNCG is a doctoral university with high research activity. The US News and World Report ranks UNCG as a national university and highly for social mobility as well as public schooling business programming computer science and more. Additionally, UNCG offers a wide variety of online offerings for both undergraduate and graduate seeking students as well as those pursuing professional certification. Some of their most popular programs are in the field of education, family sciences and human development, and health.

Among their online programming is the Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies. This program is fully online though some of the programs take place during lunchtime or in the evenings. This program prepares you for a career in early childhood settings. Some of the course material includes courses in human development, family diversity, issues and parenting, infant and child development, and leadership in early childhood education. This program prepares students for North Carolina licensure to teach from birth to kindergarten with the birth to kindergarten teacher licensure program. For more information and to apply check out their website.

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6.) Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution that enrolls over 33,000 students. The university is well known for its innovation and wide variety of programming and according to Carnegie is a doctoral institution with very high research activity. The current student to faculty ratio it’s 14 to 1. To support student success the University offers academic and career counseling as well as credit for life experiences and distance learning opportunities. According to the US News and World Report Colorado State University ranks nationally and highly for value, social mobility, public schooling,engineering programming, business programming and computer science. Their distance learning opportunities include programming in business education engineering and more.

Colorado State University Online offers the human development and family studies bachelor of science in human development and family studies. Participants may choose from 1 to 5 concentrations: early childhood professions, leadership and entrepreneurial professions, pre-health professions, prevention and intervention sciences, and human development and family studies. Additionally, students have the option to minor in gerontology. In this program you’ll learn how to observe, develop and implement programming, write grants for success, Inform policy decisions and understand the cultural distinctions that make up a wide diverse array of populations. You will learn to engage with individuals from across the lifespan. The curriculum includes course material in family development, infant and child development, lifespan intervention and prevention, and couple and family studies.

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7.) University of Arizona

The University of Arizona is a public four-year institution located in Tucson. Arizona offers bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees as well as a number of professional certifications. Their current enrollment is over 44,000 and the student to faculty ratio is 15 to 1. According to Carnegie, Arizona ranks as a doctoral university with very high research activity. According to the US News and World Report, the University of Arizona is the 97th top school in the nation and ranks highly for value engineering programming, business programming and computer science. To support the success of their students the University offers credit for life experiences, study abroad programs, academic and career counseling and distance-learning opportunities. Arizona offers distance learning opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate seeking students. Additionally students may pursue professional certifications entirely online.

The University of Arizona offers the bachelor of science and family studies in human development. If you are interested in a profession and devoted to improving quality of life for individuals across the lifespan and their families in this program may be for you. This major is a good fit for anybody interested in working in Social Work or other healthcare settings. Some of the example courses include the social science and human behavior adolescence infancy and child development, family studies and human development, and much more.

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8.) University of Texas of the Permian Basin

University of Texas Permian Basin is a public four-year institution located in Odessa, Texas. The student population is over 5000 and the student to faculty ratio is 19 to 1. UTPB offers bachelors and masters degrees as well as professional certifications. According to Carnegie, UTPB classifies as a masters college and university with larger programming. Their student services include academic and career counseling and distance learning opportunities. Students my pursue undergraduate or graduate level courses online. Some of their most popular programs are in the fields of business education and communication.

The University of Texas at Permian Basin offers the online Bachelor of Arts in Child and Family Studies. This undergraduate program will take about four years to complete. The program is 120 credits at least 30 of which must be completed at the UT Permian Basin. Students complete 37 credit hours of a child and family studies course work. Course material focuses on parent child education, curriculum development, social services, grant writing and more. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

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9.) Utah State University

Utah State University is a public four year institution located in Logan, Utah. USU offers associates, bachelors, masters and doctoral degree as well as professional certifications. The University currently enrolls nearly 30,000 students and it’s classified as a doctoral University with high research activity. The US News and World Report ranks USU nationally and highly for public education, social mobility engineering programming and more. To support the success of their students USU offers academic and career counseling as well as distance learning opportunities. In fact, associates and bachelors and Masters seeking students may all pursue programming online.

Among these online options is the undergraduate degree in Human Development and Family Studies. Students may complete either a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts.. The program has four emphasis: family and community services, child development, family finance and human development lifespan. The family and community service program prepare students to work with families across the lifespan. The child development emphasis teaches about the physical and social emotional development of children. The family finance program prepares you to work with families teaching them to invest, budget, and create better financial opportunities. The human development lifespan looks at development across the ages. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

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10.) University of Alabama

The University of Alabama is a public institution located in Tuscaloosa. This institution enrolls over 38,000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 20 to 1. The university offers bachelors masters and doctoral degree‘s and is currently listed as a doctoral University with very high research activity according to Carnegie. The University of Alabama is known for academic programming as well as athletic programming. The university boasts a wide range of opportunities for students both on campus and online. According to the US news and World Report the University of Alabama ranks as the 143rd best school in the nation as well as highly for veterans, value, public schooling, engineering and much more.

Bama by distance is the college of continuing studies offered through the University of Alabama. In recent years Bama by distance has grown to become one of the largest online presence is online higher education presence is in the world. Among their online offerings is there bachelor of science and human development and family studies with a concentration in child life. This program is 120 credit hours in length and is offered entirely online. As a child life specialist you’ll become an interdisciplinary member of the child’s healthcare team. Your help children and their families cope with living with the disability illness or hospitalization. I made your courses are 15 hours in length the total amount of course the time amount of hours required for the major is 15 and the child life concentration is an additional eight courses. The child life coordinate concentration the child life concentration includes course material and medical terminology, creative experiences for young children, centers and programs hospitalize children use, loss embarrassment, child life internship and a medical ethics perfect course. Additionally students will study anatomy and physiology along with general education classes. For information about this degree and to apply check out their website.

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11.) Stephen F. Austin State University

Stephen F Austin State University is a public four-year institution located in Nacogdoches, Texas. The university offer bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. To support the success of their students SFASU offers academic and career counseling as well as credit for life experiences and distance learning opportunities. Both undergraduate and graduate students may pursue course material online. According to the US News and World Report Stephen F. Austin State University is the 298th top school in the nation and ranks highly for business programming as well as undergraduate engineering programming.

SFASU office the bachelor of science in human sciences with an emphasis in human development and family studies. This program takes an in-depth look at changing development for children and adults. The program” material and family and schooling parenting early childhood sexuality in the context of family and much more if you’re interested in child development in this program is for you for more information to apply check out their website.

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12.) University of Wisconsin-Stout

The University of Wisconsin Stout is a public four year institution located in Menomonie, Wisconsin. There are 8400 and students enrolled and their student to faculty ratio is 18 to 1. According to Carnegie, the University of Wisconsin- Stout is a masters college. The institution offers bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications. Some of their most popular programs are in the field of business and education. In recent years, the university has grown to offer online programming for both undergraduate and graduate students. There are over a dozen programs from which to choose. The University of Wisconsin at Stout is ranked regionally and highly for engineering, veterans, value and computer science programming according to the US News and World Report.

The University of Wisconsin Stout office a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies. If you enjoy helping other people than this program could be for you. The purpose of this program it’s to teach students how the developmental process across the lifespan affects human outcomes for individuals and families. This program features award-winning instructors as well as opportunities to apply learning in a professional networking environment. The program is 120 credit hours in length. The major studies are 62 credits and the concentration or minor is 15. Some of the major courses include human development: early childhood, lifespan sexuality, healthy couple relationships, critical cultural competence, family policy, family research and methodology, and abnormal psychology among others. For more information and to apply to this program check out their website. Additionally students have the opportunity to design their own emphasis or minor for an additional 15 credits

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13.) Concordia University- Saint Paul

Concordia University St. Paul is a private institution that enrolls over 5000 students. CSP offers comprehensive programming as well as professional certifications. The student to faculty ratio is 18 to 1. Concordia University of Saint Paul has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1959. To support the success of their students the institution offers academic and career counseling as well as credit for life experiences, and distance learning opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. In fact, the majority of their programming is offered online. Some of their most popular programs are in the fields of business administration, educational leadership, nursing practice, kinesiology and exercise science, psychology, and more.

CSP offers a Bachelor of Arts in Family Science. This is a 40 credit hour degree that covers development family systems as well as family law. The required courses include programming in family life, filming decision-making and resource management, family system structures in relationships, adolescent development, family science fieldwork experience, parent education, and culminates with the capstone experience. In addition, all bachelor seeking students must complete the general education requirements. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

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14.) Oregon State University

Oregon State University is a public institution located in Corvallis, Oregon. Their current student population is 31,000 and the student to faculty ratio is 18 to 1. OSU has been accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities since 1924. To support the success of their students the institution offers academic and career counseling along with distance learning opportunities. According to Carnegie, Oregon state university is a doctoral university with very high research activity. In fact,the US News and World Reports ranks OSU nationally and highly for value, innovation and social mobility.

OSU offers an online Bachelors of Science in Human Development and Family Sciences. This is an 180 credit hour program that requires four years to complete. The format is online. 60 of the credit hours are upper division credit. Some of the courses you will take during this program include: adult development and infant, children and youth with disabilities, families in poverty, family studies, human sexuality, family violence and neglect, infant and child development, and much more. If you feel called to pursue a helping profession than this course may be for you.

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15.) American Public University

American Public University is a distance-learning institution that’s headquartered in Charles Town, West Virginia. The institution currently enrolls over 45,000 students and offers associates, bachelors, masters and doctorale degrees as well as professional certifications. APU is accredited by the Distance Education Commission as well as the Higher Learning Commission. The institution offers comprehensive programming for individuals seeking online degrees in a wide variety of fields including business, education, homeland security, parks and recreation, computer information sciences and more. American Public University is classified as a Masters College University with larger programming according to Carnegie.

APU offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Human Development and Family Studies. This program is 120 credit hours in length. Students may transfer up to 90 credits. East course is eight weeks long and starts monthly. This degree is broken down into the four following areas: general education requirements, major requirements, general electives, and the final program requirement. The major requirements include course material in child development, human sexuality, child and adolescent development, parenting, family development, research methods for sociology, human lifespan development, and more. The final program requirement is a senior seminar and child and family development. For more information and to apply check out their website.

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16.) Eastern Kentucky University

Eastern Kentucky University EKU is a public institution located in Richmond, Kentucky. The student population is 14,900 and the student to faculty ratio is 15 to 1.EKU offers comprehensive degree programming as well as professional certifications. Carnegie classifies EKU as a Masters College and University with larger programming. The university has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges in School since 1928. To support the success of their students in addition to high-quality academics the institution offers academic and career counseling, distance learning opportunities, and more. In recent years, EKU has expanded their programming to include online opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. Students may pursue an online bachelors degree in psychology as well as an online masters degree in criminal justice. As you can see there’s a wide range of opportunities available both on campus and online.

EKU offers a bachelors degree in child and family studies. There are multiple programs from which to choose including the bachelors degree in child and family studies with an emphasis in child development or the infant/toddler care education certification as an early childhood director. Terms are eight weeks long and their programming features personalized graduation planning. Credits that count towards the child development associate can be applied toward your state credential. This program has been ranked by the US and World Report among the best universities that offer online degrees. The bachelors in child development requires 120 to 125 credit hours to complete which includes curriculum on development across the ages. For more information and to apply just check out their website.

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17.) Kansas State University

Kansas State University is a public four year institution located in Manhattan, Kansas. The university offers comprehensive degree programming as well as professional certifications and currently enrolls over 20,000 students. According to a Carnegie, Kansas State is a doctoral University with very high research activity. According to the US News and World Report Kansas State University ranks as the 170th best school in the nation and highly for social mobility, public schooling, engineering, business programming, computer science and more. This program has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1916. To support the success of their students the university offers academic and career counseling as well as distance learning opportunities. Students may pursue an online bachelors, masters or doctorate degree as well as an online professional certification.

Kansas State University offers an online Bachelors degree in Human Development and Family Science. This program is 120 credit hours in length and is offered fully online. The curriculum includes course material in integrative health and human sciences as well as the professional core. The professional core includes courses such as middle child and adolescent human development and aging, family and diversity, working with parents, basically attrition, early childhood, and much more. Additionally students may pursue a number of areas of concentration or complete an HDFS internship. All students, culminate this degree with the capstone experience. For more information and to apply check out their website.

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18.) North Dakota State University

North Dakota State University is a public four-year institution located in Fargo, North Dakota. NDSU offers a bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree as well as professional certifications and currently enrolls over 13,000 students. The student to faculty ratio is 18 to 1. Since 1915, NDSU has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. According to Carnegie, NDSU is a doctoral university with high research activity. The US News and World Report ranks NDSU nationally and highly for social mobility, public schooling, undergraduate engineering, business programming and computer science. To support the success of their students NDSU offers a wide array of student support services including academic and career counseling and distance learning opportunities. In fact, NDSU offers online programming for both undergraduate and graduate students alike.

NDSU offers a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science. This program is for anyone who is interested in child development, adolescent development, gerontology, hospital child life, financial and consumer literacy, family life education and more. Like with many bachelors degrees this is a 120 credit hour program that may be completed across four years. Students must complete general education classes as well as major course requirements including in the following areas: human development and family sciences, diversity in multiculturalism, individual and family life, psychology, children and families in public policy, and more. Additionally students will complete a field experience. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

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19.) Amridge University

Amridge University is a private four-year institution headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama. This is a distance-learning institution that enrolls just over 800 students. The student to faculty ratio is 13 to 1. Amridge University offers Associate, Masters and Doctoral degree ‘s. The institution has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools since 1989.Amridge University offers online programming in the following fields: business management, family consumer science, health professions, homeland security, liberal arts and sciences, philosophy and religious studies, and theology and religion. The institution is affiliated with the Church of Christ.

Amridge offers a bachelor of science and human development. This program is designed to transition students into the master of science degree with a concentration in family therapy and counseling. The course requirements include general education classes electives as well as required courses. Some of the required courses focus on child development psychology abnormal psychology motivation and performance as well as diversity. This program is 128 semester credit hours 40 of those credit hours are devoted to general education classes and 40 are devoted to progress to civic courses. The remaining 48 classes are electives giving each student the opportunity to tell her their degree to meet Their interests. To be eligible for this program must have an average GPA up to .0 or higher. For more information or to apply check out their website.

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20.) Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is a private four year institution that’s located in Manchester, New Hampshire. SNHU enrolls over 100,000 students and maintains a students to faculty ratio of 22 to 1. The university offers comprehensive degree programming as well as professional certifications at every stage. To support the success of their students SNHU offers credit for life experiences, dual credits, academic and career counseling, and distance-learning opportunities. In fact, the majority of students pursue programming online. SNHU has some of the largest online offerings of any institution in the world including a wide array of courses in business, education, family and consumer sciences, health, and much more. SNHU currently ranked number one in the region as the most innovative school in the north according to the US News and World Report.

As an SU offers an online bachelors degree in human services. This is a 120 credit our program where students may transfer up to 90 credits. Students may pursue one of the three following concentrations: a bachelor of arts and Child and family services, a bachelor of arts in gerontology, and a bachelor of arts and substance-abuse. The bachelor of arts and Child and family services concentration explore social issues that affect families. Upon completion you may become a case manager, a child focused advocate, a home visitor, community health worker and more. The gerontology option is for individuals who are interested in caring for the aging. You’ll look at wellness and disease issues and policies that affect the elderly long-term care anymore. The substance abuse concentration and focus is on addictions as well as prevention methods. For more information and to apply check out their website.

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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
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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

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Exciting Jobs: The Top 15 Jobs for Adrenaline Seekers

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Some careers are friendlier to that entrepreneurial spirit than others. If the opportunity to eventually run your own business is important to you, then you need to start your career with the right education. The following 15 degrees can prepare you for the kind of jobs where workers are most likely to be self-employed.

1. Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture

A college degree in agriculture, agricultural business or agricultural sciences prepares students for success in the world of farm management. Most agriculture and related degree programs combine studies in business and science with a focus on framing. Coursework in farm management, agricultural economics, sustainable farming practices, plant breeding, dairy science and animal science is common, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported. Graduates of agriculture degrees will understand the process of running a farm or a group of farms as a business, from its financial operations to its marketing strategies. They develop familiarity with the laws and policies that govern farming. Some agriculture degree programs include opportunities to gain hands-on experience managing college-run farms and selling the produce. Some programs include a special focus on sustainability in farming. Agriculture degree programs are available at both the associate’s and bachelor’s level and are offered both on campus and online.

An agriculture degree is excellent preparation for a job as an agricultural manager. These professionals oversee the daily operations of farms, ranches and greenhouses. The vast majority of agricultural managers – 70 percent – are their own bosses. In fact, agriculture degree programs often offer required or elective courses in farming entrepreneurship. As bosses, agricultural managers make the decisions about what the farm produces, how it is run and where and for how much to sell the product. While a college degree isn’t an absolute requirement for this job – which often starts with professional experience as a farm worker – an education is becoming increasingly important, the BLS reported. Both efficient farming and effective business management has become more complicated, resulting in the need to know more about both subjects than what can be easily taught on-the-job. Some agricultural managers seek the Accredited Farm Manager certification from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers to demonstrate their knowledge.

Most Likely Job Title: Agricultural Manager

Salary: $64,170

Self-employment by the numbers: 70 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: Sustainable Farming 

2. Bachelor’s Degree in Art

When you earn a college degree in art, you take foundational through advanced courses in studio art of various kinds. Coursework often includes study in creating art through drawing, two-dimensional and three-dimensional design, painting, photography, sculpting, printmaking and digital design. Creating an extensive portfolio of your work is integral to success in an art degree program as well as your professional life after college, the BLS reported. A strong portfolio contains a collection of the artist’s best work, but it must have pieces that are distinct enough to show the breadth and depth of the artist’s skills and styles. In addition to taking a multitude of art and design classes, students take core general education courses required for graduation. Undergraduate studio art degrees can be categorized as either Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degrees or Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degrees. Some art students choose to go on to graduate school and pursue a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree.

What can you do with an art degree? You can work for yourself – and still make a decent living doing so. Two of the most entrepreneurial and profitable art jobs are art director and multimedia artist and animator. Half of all art directors and more than half of all animators are self-employed. Some work from home, but many work in the offices of motion picture production companies, advertising agencies, publishing companies and design services companies. Art directors, who earn higher salaries, develop the big-picture design and style of the visual elements used in film, magazines, newspapers and advertising campaigns. They oversee the artists who create those images and visual elements. Multimedia artists and animators, on the other hand, create effects, models and animations used in movies, television shows and video games. Animators work on a project from the storyboard phase to the finished sequences of animation and computer generated images.

Most Likely Job Title: Multimedia Artist, Animator or Art Director

Salary: $63,970 – $89,760

Self-employment by the numbers: 50 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: Computer Graphics, Graphic Design 

3. Associate’s Degree in Mortuary Science

Degree programs in mortuary science cover the technical skills needed to prepare bodies for memorial services and burials, including restorative techniques and embalming. They also include coursework in the laws and ethics of the funeral services business as well as grief counseling strategies to help funeral service workers in their interactions with bereaved family members. Mortuary science degree programs are available on campus at junior colleges as well as online. Many mortuary science degree programs require students to complete a one-year internship or mandatory clinic embalming assignments in order to gain hands-on work experience as well as prepare for common state licensing requirements. More than 50 mortuary science degree programs are accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education, which is important because a degree from an accredited program is required for licensure in most states. Associate’s degrees in mortuary science are more common, but bachelor’s degree programs in the subject are also available, the BLS reported.

A mortuary science degree is a good choice for those who aspire to be their own bosses because half of the 60,400 funeral workers in the United States are self-employed, according to the BLS. They may run the business in its entirety, managing the day-to-day operations of the funeral home and handling business decisions like financial planning and staff recruitment and training. They also do the work of meeting with families to plan the memorial service and the burial or cremation, filing legal documents such as death certificates, embalming or otherwise preparing the body of the deceased and writing obituaries. Since funeral service workers are often on call in the evenings and on weekends and must be able to make preparations quickly following a death, being your own boss is beneficial in this industry because it allows for a flexible work schedule to accommodate the needs of the business and its clients.

Most Likely Job Title: Funeral Service Manager or Funeral Director

Salary: $53,390

Self-employment by the numbers: 50 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: Funeral Service 

4. Exercise Physiology

If you pursue a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology, you’ll take a variety of classes in science and health subjects, including anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, statistics, biomechanics, nutrition and kinesiology. Specific courses in subjects such as introductory exercise physiology, sports injury management, exercise pathophysiology, sports epidemiology and principles of strength and conditioning are common, as well. Programs that have earned accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs often include required clinical hours in a setting such as a cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation facility. A number of schools offer master’s and even Ph.D. programs in exercise physiology and related studies. While most states don’t currently require exercise physiologists to be licensed, a number of states are considering implementing licensing requirements, the BLS reported. However, graduates from exercise physiology degree programs can seek the Exercise Physiologist Certified certification from the American Society of Exercise Physiologists or the Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist or Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist credentials from the American College of Sports Medicine.

Given that around half of all exercise physiologists working in the United States are self-employed, a degree in exercise physiology is a great choice for those with an entrepreneurial spirit, a knack for science and a passion for fitness. The reason exercise physiologists need such a strong background in science and health subjects is that their job responsibilities differ significantly from that of a fitness instructor or athletic trainer. Exercise physiologists are part of the healthcare industry. Doctors often refer patients who have chronic medical conditions to exercise physiologists for the purpose of developing a fitness routine that will help them improve their overall health and work toward recovery. To accomplish this work, an exercise physiologist must understand the patient’s medical history and use medical equipment to conduct tests, check vital signs and develop an exercise plan that works with the patient’s limitations and achieves the necessary health goals, like increasing cardiovascular function.

RELATED: How to Become a Personal Trainer: What Degree Should I Get?

Most Likely Job Title: Exercise Physiologist

Salary: $47,010

Self-employment by the numbers: 50 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: Kinesiology, Exercise Science 

5. Music

Degree programs in music can take a number of forms. There are programs in music theory, music composition, music performance and music conducting. Programs exist at the undergraduate and graduate levels. A degree program in music theory encompasses music analysis and research as well as hands-on training in music skills. Composition degree programs include music training and studies in the elements of music and composition techniques with the goal of preparing students to create original music of their own. Degrees in applied music or music performance focus on cultivating a professional level of performance skills in one or more musical instruments. Orchestral conducting degree programs, which are often master’s degree programs, tend to involve a lot of study of musical scores, private lessons in leadership and rehearsal techniques and hands-on experience conducting actual professional choirs and orchestras. Music programs at the college – and especially the graduate – level can be very selective, particularly since these degree programs often include some form of private music lessons.

A degree in music isn’t necessary for all music careers. You don’t need a piece of paper to write a popular hit song or start a band that does local gigs. However, you do need more than a good ear. Professionals who work in the music field need training – like the hands-on music training offered in music degree programs – to learn to play their instruments well. A solid understanding of music theory and the elements of good music composition, whether gained through formal or informal education, is also essential for success at writing original songs. While two out of every five musicians, singers, composers and music directors work for themselves, having a music degree is often essential to get respected and well-paying work in music. For example, musicians who perform classical pieces, sing opera or direct a choir typically need a bachelor’s degree in music, while orchestral conductors often need a master’s degree, the BLS reported.

Most Likely Job Title: Music Director, Musician

Salary: $49,820

Self-employment by the numbers: 40 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: Dance, Theatre 

6. Doctoral Degree in Psychology

There are different kinds of psychology degrees that can prepare candidates for different roles. Most psychologists need a doctorate, which typically requires five to seven years of study, to officially use the title “psychologist,” the BLS reported. A Ph.D. in psychology, which is the traditional doctoral degree in the field, focuses heavily on research and studies in experimental procedures and statistics. Students must design the procedures for and conduct their own original psychological research and then present those findings in a written doctoral dissertation. On the other hand, students who want to focus on working with patients in clinical settings may prefer to pursue a Psy.D., a professional program that focuses more on experience through practical work and exams and a yearlong internship. Some professionals in the field of psychology instead pursue a master’s degree, which can often be completed in just two years and typically focuses on clinical psychology, counseling psychology or industrial/organizational psychology.

RELATED: Top 10 Highest Paying Social Science Jobs

About one-third of the 173,900 psychologists in the United States are self-employed, the BLS reported. Psychologists who run their own practices manage the business aspects of the practice as well as the clinical or counseling work. They may handle administrative tasks like handling billing procedures, insurance company paperwork and appointment scheduling themselves or delegate those tasks to the employees they hire and train. Besides being the boss, self-employed psychologists are responsible for working with patients. Clinical psychologists do the work of diagnosing and treating the mental and emotional health conditions of their patients. Counseling psychologists use the counseling strategies they have cultivated in school and through work experience to help patients cope with and work through problems in their life and relationships. Since psychology professionals without a doctoral degree typically must work under the guidance of licensed psychologists, those with a Psy.D. and a focus on clinical or counseling psychology are most likely to become their own bosses.

Most Likely Job Title: Psychologist

Salary: $72,580

Self-employment by the numbers: 33 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy 

7. Doctor of Chiropractic

A Doctor of Chiropractic, or D.C., degree is what trains chiropractors in the art of spinal adjustment and manipulation for health benefits. Earning a D.C. usually takes students four years of full-time study. A D.C. is both a professional and postgraduate degree program, the BLS reported. As a professional degree, it prepares students for practical application of chiropractic techniques in a healthcare setting.  You might be surprised to learn that, even though it’s a postgraduate degree program, you don’t necessarily have to have a bachelor’s degree to earn your Doctor of Chiropractic degree. Applicants to D.C. programs need just 90 semester hours, or three years of full-time study, at the undergraduate level to apply. However, many chiropractors do complete their bachelor’s degrees before they begin their chiropractic studies. While there’s no specific major students should pursue to prepare for a D.C. program, studying biology, physics, chemistry and the liberal arts can be helpful. The relatively few Doctor of Chiropractic degree programs that have earned accreditation from the Council on Chiropractic Education include coursework in biology, anatomy and physiology as well as clinical training in diagnosing and assessing spinal problems and using spinal adjustment techniques.

One out of every three chiropractors is self-employed, the BLS reported. There are definitely benefits to running your own private chiropractic practice. Many chiropractors offer flexible appointment schedules, including evening and weekend appointments, for the convenience of their patients. A self-employed chiropractor can set his or her own hours and determine what days and times the practice should be open. Chiropractors who are their own bosses can also decide if they want to offer additional services, like rehabilitative exercise and massage therapy, and if they want to sell health and wellness products, like sports braces, in their practice. They must also be able to hire, train and oversee the staff working in their office. In order to prepare students for the challenges of running a practice as well as providing chiropractic services, some Doctor of Chiropractic degree programs incorporate coursework in business, particularly in management, finance and billing practices, in addition to traditional chiropractic subjects of study.

Most Likely Job Title: Chiropractor

Salary: $64,440

Self-employment by the numbers: 33 percent

8. Hospitality

Hospitality management is a great field to go into if you want to work in tourism and develop your leadership skills. A hospitality degree program will often combine coursework from a number of disciplines, ranging from business management to laws and ethics and even food safety and nutrition. However, you can’t learn everything there is to know about tourism management from a book or a lecture in the classroom. Because many of the skills needed for success in the tourism industry – and in business management – are practical skills, most hospitality degree programs include hands-on training. Some programs require students to complete internships at hotels, restaurants and tourism destinations. Others run their own on-campus or off-campus lodging and dining establishments, where students can gain hands-on experience in every role of hospitality management. Depending on the school you choose to attend, your hospitality degree program could be part of a business college, human services department, agriculture and life sciences school or even its own distinct department or division.

A hospitality degree can prepare you for a variety of different jobs in the tourism industry, but two of the most common hospitality occupations are also among the most likely to be their own boss. Lodging managers are the professionals who oversee the operations of hotels and resorts. Food service managers run the business sides of restaurants, cafes, and other eating establishments. In both of these vocations, one in three professionals is self-employed, the BLS reported. While a college degree isn’t necessary to work in food service or in a hotel, the business and management skills you learn in a hospitality degree program are invaluable. When you run your own hotel or restaurant, in particular, it’s essential that you know how to make sound financial decisions, keep accurate financial records and manage staff, customer expectations and business logistics. You must also understand the importance of all of the roles involved in the day-to-day operations of a restaurant and hotel – a kind of familiarity you won’t develop just by working as a host, wait staff or concierge.

Most Likely Job Title: Lodging Manager or Food Service Manager

Salary: $48,690 – $49,720

Self-employment by the numbers: 33 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: Hotel Management or Food Service Management

9. Film

In a good film and media arts degree program, your coursework will prepare you for a career in the entertainment industry. Coursework often includes studies in subjects such as introduction to film studies, film history, screenwriting, film theory, television, new media, cinematography and video editing software. Some degree programs or concentrations within those programs focus more heavily on cultural topics, like how race and gender are depicted in film, while others emphasize stylistic techniques in film or storytelling through screenwriting. It’s not unusual for a film degree program to incorporate coursework that covers the theoretical foundations and practical applications involved in every part of the filmmaking process, from writing the script to doing makeup and wardrobe and from decorating the set to directing the action on stage or before the camera. Many schools provide students with the opportunity to develop their skills through real experience – as well as their professional portfolios – while working on campus television stations or short film projects and challenges.

A film degree is an excellent starting place if you want to become a director or work as a film and video editor or camera operator. Film editors and camera operators are more likely than directors and producers to become their own bosses. About 30 percent of film and video editors are self-employed, the BLS reported, compared to just 20 percent of directors. Directors and camera operators and video editors work in the film and entertainment industry, but each serves a different role. Directors determine the creative choices that go into producing a motion picture or television show, overseeing the actors and personalities who appear in front of the camera as well as the behind-the-scenes work that goes into bringing the script to life. As the job title implies, camera operators and video editors do the work of actually recording the stories being told in the film and skillfully editing shots and sequences to tell that story in a meaningful way.

Most Likely Job Title: Film and Video Editors and Camera Operator, Director

Salary: $55,740 — $68,440

Self-employment by the numbers: 20 to 30 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: Broadcasting, Acting, Journalism, Communications 

10. Dental School Degree

Completing dental school results in the award of one of three possible degrees: the Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.), the Doctor of Medical Dentistry (D.M.D.) or the Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.D.M.). Whether you choose a D.D.S., D.M.D. or D.D.M. degree program, dental school requires a solid background in the sciences, including undergraduate coursework in chemistry and biology. A competitive score on the Dental Admission Test (DAT) is often necessary to gain acceptance into a program accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation. Once admitted, students learn about anatomy, radiology, use of local anesthesia for dental procedures and periodontics, the study of oral health and diseases, the BLS reported. Learning doesn’t just take place in the classroom. Dental school students attain clinical experience by diagnosing and treating real patients under the guidance of experienced dentists. After earning their dental school degrees, aspiring dentists must attain a license to practice in their state. Those who wish to specialize must also spend two to four years completing a residency in their intended dental specialty.

One in four dentists – more than 37,800 total – run their own private dental practice, the BLS reported. Some self-employed dentists work alone in their solo practices. Others hire reception staff and dental hygienists to assist with administrative duties and patient care. Still others manage group practices, where they work with partner and associate dentists. A dentist who is self-employed makes the big-picture business decisions. He or she may handle overseeing the day-to-day operations of the practice personally, or may delegate administrative, billing, bookkeeping and staff recruitment and training tasks to an office manager. While the dentist’s primary responsibility is caring for patients’ oral health by fixing and removing damaged teeth and using imaging equipment to check for problems, you can’t ignore the administrative duties when you are the one in charge of keeping the business running smoothly. Opportunities for dentists – and for opening your own dental practice – are increasing rapidly. The BLS expects career opportunities for dentists to increase by 18 percent over a decade, compared just 7 percent job growth expected across all occupations.

Most Likely Job Title: Dentist

Salary: $158,310

Self-employment by the numbers: 25 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: M.D. in Oral Surgery 

11. Interior Design

A degree program in interior design will teach you the fundamentals of developing indoor spaces that are both aesthetically appealing and functional. Most college degree programs in interior design include coursework in drawing and computer-aided design as well as the theories and applications of interior design principles. For example, interior design students may take courses in lighting and textiles to learn about the materials and light fixtures they can choose from when designing a space as well as classes in residential and commercial design practices. They learn to create two-dimensional designs on paper and three-dimensional digital models of their design ideas. As with other fields of study, whether a degree program has earned accreditation from a reputable agency can speak to the quality of the program. The National Association of Schools of Art and Design, the Council for Interior Design Accreditation and the National Kitchen & Bath Association are all agencies that accredit interior design degree programs, the BLS reported.

One-quarter of all interior designers in the United States are self-employed, according to the BLS. Perhaps that’s because several aspects of the career lend themselves to the flexibility of being your own boss. For one thing, interior designers often work non-standard hours, like evenings and weekends, for the convenience of clients who may have a more rigid work schedule. They also need to travel to the space they are designing to understand the location and its advantages and limitations. Interior designers’ success has a great deal to do with the quality of their people skills and design work, so skilled interior designers are often able to make a living working for themselves. As in other art and design careers, interior designers need to show their skills to get paying work – and that means compiling a portfolio of their most impressive designs. Of course, self-employed interior designers still need to handle the management and administrative tasks of keeping their business running.

Most Likely Job Title: Interior Designer

Salary: $48,840

Self-employment by the numbers: 25 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: Industrial Design 

12. Master of Business Administration (MBA)

A Master of Business Administration degree program typically includes graduate-level courses in a variety of business subjects, including accounting, business law, economics, finance, international business, management and marketing. Often, an MBA degree program will provide students with the chance to specialize in an academic track or concentration that’s of interest of to them in addition to taking core general business courses. MBA programs may combine studies of business theory with practical problem-solving skills developed both in business scenarios explored in the classroom and through hands-on internship experiences. While two years is the typical length of time to complete a full-time MBA degree program, some schools offer accelerated one-year programs, while others offer part-time study options that allow working students to learn at their own pace without leaving the workforce. In addition to traditional MBA programs where classes take place on campus, online MBA programs have become popular among busy students juggling family and work responsibilities.

RELATED: What Classes Will I Have to Take for a Degree in Business Administration?

Of course, studying business management is an excellent idea if you’re going to run a business of your own. Such a degree program can teach you important skills, like how to manage your company’s finances, use sound accounting processes to keep accurate financial records, publicize your business to draw in new clients and handle the complicated logistics of coordinating work schedules and supply delivery. However, an MBA degree is particularly valuable for students who aspire to be self-employed because it can also prepare you for profitable business careers that lend themselves to entrepreneurship, like management consultant and management analyst. These professionals use their extensive knowledge of effective business practices to help companies improve efficiency, decreasing wasted time and money and increasing profits. One in five management consultants works for themselves, the BLS reported. They set their own hours and spend much of their worktime with clients at the sites of the businesses they are trying to improve.

Most Likely Job Title: Management Consultant, Management Analyst

Salary: $81,320

Self-employment by the numbers: 20 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: Bachelor’s Degree in Business 

13. Bachelor of Architecture

In the United States, top Bachelor of Architecture degree programs are accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board. In dozens of states, having earned your degree from an accredited program is a requirement for obtaining an architecture license after graduation. Undergraduate architecture programs blend studies from a variety of subjects. When earning a Bachelor of Architecture, you can expect to study everything from the liberal arts to the physical sciences, from math to design. Of course, aspiring architects also study more specialized subjects, like construction methods, building structures, foundational theories of architecture, building design, architectural history and the use of computer-aided design software. While what you learn in the classroom is important, much of an architecture student’s development occurs in the design studio, as students develop their own building designs through sketches and three-dimensional models. Unlike most bachelor’s degree programs, a Bachelor of Architecture degree is designed to take five years of full-time study.

Of the 112,600 architects who are working across the United States, 20 percent happen to be their own bosses, the BLS reported. A benefit to entrepreneurship is that self-employed architects get to set their own schedules, which is a substantial advantage in an occupation that often includes tight deadlines and long hours. They may also choose to work from a home office, cutting out the daily commute and making it easier to work odd hours when necessary. Architects already need to be able to balance multiple job duties, such as interacting with clients, creating functional and visually appealing designs, collaborating with other professionals involved in the project and traveling to construction sites to assess the work being done. Those who are also running their own company must expand these existing multitasking and time-management skills to make sure that both the big-picture business decisions and the company’s daily operations are going smoothly.

Most Likely Job Title: Architect

Salary: $76,100

Self-employment by the numbers: 20 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: Landscape Architecture, Engineering

14. Graphic Design

In an undergraduate degree program in graphic design, students take a variety of basic art and design courses. Common coursework ranges from design principles to printing techniques and studio art to computerized design, the BLS reported. Due to the importance and prevalence of computer graphics and design layout software systems, many graphic design programs involve courses that make use of these technologies. Coursework in color theory, typography, digital layouts and web design are also popular. Graphic design students often complete courses to develop their business knowledge, marketing skills and writing abilities, as well. For many graphic design students, cultivating a portfolio of professional-quality designs is nearly as important as the principles and practices they learn in the classroom. The portfolio is what will convey the student’s skills and artistic style to potential employers and clients after graduation. Graphic design degrees are offered at associate’s and bachelor’s degree levels, both on campus and in distance learning formats.

One in five graphic designers is self-employed, the BLS reported. Graphic design and entrepreneurship often go well together. Graphic designers develop the visual elements of publications, advertisements and product packaging. They create the art that conveys meanings and the layouts that organize the visual elements on the page. While some graphic designers are part of a team at a publishing company, advertising firm or design agency, it’s not unusual for a graphic designer to work alone. Graphic designers do, however, meet with clients directly to discuss new projects and the progress of ongoing projects. Being self-employed is an asset in these instances, because the graphic designer is free to alter his or her work schedule as necessary to fit in meetings with clients. Graphic designers who run their own firm often devote at least some time to finding new business by searching for and applying for new jobs, presenting their skills and ideas to potential clients and bidding on contracts for paid work.

Most Likely Job Title: Graphic Designer

Salary: $46,900

Self-employment by the numbers: 20 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: Art 

15. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M. or V.M.D.) degree isn’t an easy task. To even be admitted to one of these competitive doctoral degree programs, you will most likely need an undergraduate education with a background in science courses such as anatomy, animal science, biology, chemistry, microbiology, physiology and zoology. In a degree program that has earned accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education, you will spend four years on your veterinary studies. For the first three years, your learning will take place in the classroom, in the lab and in clinical settings. During the fourth and final year of veterinary school, you will gain hands-on experience as you perform clinical rotations at a veterinary hospital, the BLS reported. Students in a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree program learn about that anatomy and physiology of various kinds of animals. They receive the training needed to prevent diseases and diagnose and treat medical conditions in pets, livestock and other types of animals.

About one in six veterinarians chooses to become their own boss, according to the BLS. Like doctors who work with human patients, self-employed veterinarians often run private solo practices. Some open group practices where they work with partner veterinarians or hire associate dentists. Self-employed veterinarians may set their own hours, often including occasional weeknight or evening appointments for the convenience of the human owners of their animal patients. Some veterinarians, particularly those who work with farm animals rather than exclusively with companion animals, may have to travel to owners’ homes or workplaces to care for animals that can’t be easily transported, like horses, or with groups of animals, like a brood of chickens. Though rewarding, the work of a veterinarian can be demanding and even hazardous. Sick and injured animals might not react tolerantly to being examined, while interacting with distressed pet owners can be emotionally draining. However, candidates who have an entrepreneurial spirit as well as a love for animals can make the most of a career as a self-employed veterinarian.

RELATED: How to Become a Veterinarian: What Major Do You Need to Be a Vet?          

Most Likely Job Title: Veterinarian

Salary: $88,490

Self-employment by the numbers: 17 percent

Editor’s Note: Of course, no degree or occupation guarantees success in entrepreneurship. However, the degrees and careers listed above are associated with high self-employment rates. Being your own boss can be both challenging and rewarding. For more information on any of the occupations listed in this article, visit the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which was the source for salary, career outlook, education and self-employment data. You can also learn more about entrepreneurship from the BLS Career Outlook article Self-Employment: What to know to be your own boss.

Related Resources:

Do I Need a Degree to Be an Interior Decorator?

Where Are the Best Paying Jobs With a Degree in Interior Design?

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

What Degree Do I Need to Become a Lighting Designer?

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

How Long Does It Take to Become a Psychologist?

Best Major for Dentist: What Major Do You Need to Be a Dentist?

For Further Reading: 

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

What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

Which Degree Is Best for a Software Engineer?

How Many Jobs Are Available in Finance?

What Is an Interior Designing Degree?

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

The post 15 Degrees That Are Perfect for Becoming Your Own Boss appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Working in the field of applied behavioral analysis can be fulfilling. Applied behavior analysts, the professionals responsible for implementing interventions that bring about significant behavior change, make a difference.

To work in the field of behavior analysis, you will need at least a master’s degree. Many aspiring behavior analysts choose ABA online masters programs for their flexibility and convenience.

RELATED: Should I Get a Master’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis?

What Is Applied Behavior Analysis?

The field of applied behavior analysis (ABA) can trace its roots back to B.F. Skinner, the founder of behaviorism.

Skinner claimed that, just like any other, animal humans can be trained through a series of reinforcements and punishments. Over the years, the field of applied behavior analysis has used these founding principles to create a systematic approach to learning. Modern ABA intervention plans are much more sophisticated than the behaviorism from Skinner’s day.

Modern Uses of Applied BehaviorAnalysis

Applied behavior analysis is an evidence-based approach to teaching. One reason you may have heard of applied behavior analysis (ABA) before is its popular use among children who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Applied behavior analysis methods have been used to help children with ASD learn skills like the following:

• Communication skills
• Social skills
• Academic skills
• Fundamental life skills

RELATED: What Degree Do People With a Job in Treating Autism Have?

Today, ABA clinics across the nation use the natural environment and other less sterile settings as the backdrop for implementing interventions based on applied behavior analysis. This means that learning using ABA has moved away from the table time 1:1 model to a model that looks a lot more like how kids naturally play. The result is that everyone can benefit.

The applications of applied behavior analysis aren’t limited to this one population. In fact, ABA principles are used for learning applications that each one of us uses on a daily basis.

Studying Applied Behavior Analysis Online

Are you interested in learning about the science of behaviorism as it applies to working with children, teens and adults today? To qualify for professional employment in applied behavior analysis, you’re going to need an education and professional credentials.

Certification in Behavior Analytic Services

Practitioners in the field of applied behavior analysis are known as Board Certified Behavior Analysts, or BCBAs. Certification in the field of applied behavior analysis is granted by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).

A Board Certified Behavior Analyst must hold a master’s degree. Either as part of their degree program or through a separate course of study, aspiring BCBAs must complete behavior-analytic coursework.

The most highly educated behavior analysts are designated as BCBA-Ds. They have a doctoral degree, such as a:

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree
• Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree
• Doctor of Education (EdD) degree

Despite the distinct BCBA-D designation, having a doctorate is not required for this role. BCBA-D is not a separate certification from BCBA, and BCBA-Ds fulfill the same role as BCBAs, according to the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. Both BCBAs and BCBA-Ds are independent practitioners of behavior-analytic services. Further, providers with either designation can oversee the work that Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts (BCaBAs) and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) perform in implementing the treatment plans the BCBA develops.

RELATED: How Advanced Does My Degree in Behavior Analysis Need to Be to Get a Good Job?

Becoming qualified for BCBA certification requires a specialized education in applied behavioral analysis. It’s important to choose a program that meets one of two characteristics:

1. Has been accredited or recognized by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI), or
2. Utilizes a Verified Course Sequence as verified by the ABAI

Without taking coursework deemed eligible by the Association for Behavior Analysis International, you won’t meet the requirements for the BCBA credential.

RELATED: What Courses Will I Take to Become a Certified Behavior Analyst?

Online Education for a Career in Applied Behavioral Analysis

Fortunately for busy students, numerous colleges now offer online ABA programs that meet ABAI standards. Online students can earn a master’s degree and prepare to take the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s BCBA Exam without the hassle of commuting to campus. Some online programs require attendance in live online classes, while others allow students to access course lectures, materials and assignments on their schedule. For working students, students juggling family responsibilities and other non-traditional students, online ABA programs are a flexible and convenient way to pursue graduate-level certification.

The Best Online ABA Certificate Programs and Degree Programs

An online master degree is an excellent option for preparing for a career in applied behavior analysis. Studying applied behavior analysis prepares online students for the BCBA Exam and certification. Online master’s degree programs in this field may be offered under different titles, departments, schools and colleges. Some of the online master’s programs in this field are specialized applied behavior analysis degree programs. Others are concentrations or specializations within special education programs. What these degree programs have in common is that they are all among the best ABA online masters programs in America.

RELATED: 50 Top Applied Behavioral Analysis Degree Scholarships

Check out our list below of the 20 best online master’s degree programs in ABA.

1. Arizona State University

Arizona State University isn’t just home to one of the best online masters in applied behavior analysis. The public school that dates back to 1885 is also one of the top schools in the world for innovation.

Why Study ABA at Arizona State University

Don’t take our word (or the institution’s own words) for Arizona State University’s reputation for innovation. U.S. News and World Report has recognized Arizona State University as leading the nation on its Most Innovative Schools list. The publication also ranked ASU well on its lists of national universities, top public schools, best value schools and best colleges for veterans.

Arizona State University, located in Tempe, Arizona, is known for its degrees in teaching, engineering, business, science, computer science, psychology and more.

To rank among the top schools in the nation for innovation, ASU excels in both on-campus and online learning. The school is home to some of the best online offerings anywhere.

ASU Online offers more than 300 online degrees and certificates for undergraduate students, graduate students, and non-degree students seeking an online certification. Online undergraduate degree programs at Arizona State University cover a wide range of subject areas, including:

• Global management
• Art
• Geography
• Health
• Philosophy
• Psychology
• Tourism and recreation

The online graduate programs at ASU are wonderful options for adults who are looking to advance their careers while maintaining their jobs and other responsibilities. Some of the online master’s programs Arizona State University has offered include the following programs:

• Master of Arts in Education
• Master of Arts in Global Security – Cybersecurity
• Master of Science in Graphic Information Technology
• Master of Science in Psychology
• Master of Arts in World War II Studies

Among ASU’s many offerings is the institution’s online Master of Arts in Special Education with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).

Coursework in Arizona State University’s Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis Program

ASU’s online MA in Special Education program encompasses studies in areas like the following:

• Instructional design, planning and assessment
• Instruction and assessment for learners with exceptionalities
• Instructional methods for language and literacy
• Mathematics methods and assessment
• Language and communication methods and assessment
• Special education foundations
• Research and evaluation in education

The Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration utilizes research as well as experience to prepare students to work professionally with individuals who have special learning and behavioral needs. Through this ABA program, you will learn how to implement applied behavior analysis principles during instruction.

The curriculum of ASU’s Applied Behavior Analysis concentration constitutes a Verified Course Sequence, per the Association for Behavior Analysis International.

Some of the courses in this concentration include:

• Concepts & principles of applied behavior analysis
• Ethics of applied behavior analysis
• Behavior change procedures
• Personnel supervision and organizational behavior management in educational settings
• Philosophical foundations of applied behavior analysis in educational settings
• Measurement, data display, interpretation & experimental design
• Behavior analytic assessment
• Advanced applications of applied behavior analysis
• Verbal behavior
• controversial therapies, science, fad and pseudoscience in educational settings

Completing this coursework satisfies the course requirements for taking the BCBA Exam, although students may need to fulfill additional requirements to be deemed eligible to move forward with the certification process.

If you are passionate about working with special needs students and want to take your career to the next level by applying ABA skills in the classroom, ASU’s ABA online program is an excellent choice. You can also pursue this master’s degree on the path toward becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

View program details.

2. Ball State University

Next on our list of the top applied behavior analysis graduate programs is Ball State University. At this public institution in Muncie, Indiana, master degrees across numerous disciplines are flourishing both on campus and online.

Why Study ABA at Ball State University

Ball State University ranks among the top public schools in the nation. U.S. News & World Report has also included the university on its lists of national universities, best value schools, best colleges for veterans and best first-year experiences.

In recent years, Ball State has developed some of the best online offerings. Students who study online at Ball State learn from the same professors as on-campus students do.

Over the years, Ball State has increased its online offerings to include a wide array of online masters degrees and online undergraduate degrees. In fact, there are over 100 fully online programs to explore. Among Ball State University’s many online offerings is a Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis.

Coursework in Ball State University’s Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis Program

The Ball State ABA masters program is specialized, with an emphasis in autism. Not only does the 30-credit online master program incorporate an ABAI-Verified Course Sequence, but it also constitutes a QABA-approved training program. While graduates can apply the ABA skills they learn through this master’s degree to patients with other developmental disabilities, they will be particularly well prepared to work with children with autism spectrum disorder.

Coursework in this ABA program includes:

• Introduction to applied behavior analysis
• Professional issues in applied behavior analysis
• Behavioral consultation
• Advanced applied behavior analysis
• Verbal behavior
• Supervising human service staff in ABA
• Field-based experience in applied behavioral analysis
• Research methods for behavior analysis

The emphasis on autism consists of three focused courses:

• Introduction to persons with autism spectrum disorders
• Interventions and treatments for persons with autism
• Field-based experience in autism

Ball State University’s online applied behavior analysis (ABA)program is offered through the institution’s highly respected Teachers College. The Teachers College is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

This is the largest program in applied behavior analysis in the nation. However, small class sizes ensure that you can still receive individual attention from instructors. This program can be completed in less than two years.

If your focus is an ABA program that prepares you for the BCBA Exam, Ball State University’s program is for you. In fact, the first-time exam pass rate for Ball State graduates is among the best in the nation.

No matter what your educational background, this program works for you. For most applications, GRE scores are not required. Motivated students can complete this online program in less than two years.

View program details.

3. Drexel University

Another of the best ABA master programs online can be found at Drexel University. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, private institution dates back to 1891. More than 22,000 students attend Drexel.

Why Study ABA at Drexel University

Drexel is a global research university with a strong reputation. The University’s 15 colleges and schools offer a combined total of more than 200 degree programs.

U.S. News & World Report recognized Drexel University on its lists of the best value schools, most innovative schools, national universities and best colleges for veterans. As of 2023, the publication has ranked Drexel as the second-best school in the nation for co-ops/internships.

Drexel has offered online education since 1996. Today, more than 4,000 students attend Drexel University online. Drexel’s online degree options include bachelors degrees, masters degrees, doctoral degrees and certificate programs in fields like the following:

• Engineering
• Psychology
• Medicine
• Broadcasting
• Digital media
• Technology
• Special education

Of particular interest is Drexel University’s applied behavior analysis (ABA) online degree.

Coursework in Drexel University’s Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis Program

This Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program is geared toward aspiring ABA professionals interested in working with children and adults with autism spectrum disorder. The program encompasses an ABAI-Verified Course Sequence and prepares students to take the BCGA Exam.

Drexel University’s ABA degree program is divided into two main components: core coursework and ABA concentrations. Core coursework for this online master’s degree includes:

• Fundamental elements of behavior change
• Applications of fundamental elements of behavior analysis
• Behavioral assessment and functional analysis
• Behavioral interventions
• Measurement and experimental design
• Consultation, systems change and supervision
• Ethical considerations and professional conduct

In the Advanced Topics in ABA Concentration, students take the following classes:

• Analysis of verbal behavior
• Therapeutic approaches using principles of behavior analysis
• Seminar in applied behavior analysis

The Autism Spectrum Disorders Concentration covers subject matter such as:

• Autism characteristics & methods
• High-functioning autism characteristics & methods
• Behavior & sensory support for autism spectrum disorders
• Communication & language interventions for autism spectrum disorders
• Teaching students with autism spectrum disorder

In the Social, Emotional and Behavioral Wellness Concentration, topics of study may include the following:

• Understanding social emotional disorders
• Social emotional wellness and evidence-based preventative school practices
• Evidence-based school interventions and trauma informed education/care
• Collaboration and community based practices to promote social emotional wellness

Students in Drexel’s online master’s program also complete a sequence of capstone courses in ABA.

View program details.

4. University of Kansas

Another of the best BCBA online masters programs is based out of the University of Kansas. The public university located in Lawrence, Kansas, was founded in 1865.

Why Study ABA at the University of Kansas

As of 2023, total enrollment at this research university amounted to close to 30,000 students. U.S. News & World Report has ranked the school well on several of its college rankings lists, including national universities, top public schools, best value schools and best colleges for veterans.

The University of Kansas offers a number of online programs for students – more than 80, in fact. KU online offers degrees, certificates, and courses for students who are either initiating their programming or heading back to school.

The online undergraduate offerings at the University of Kansas include online bachelor’s degrees in subjects such as:

• Communications
• Liberal arts
• Exercise science
• Nursing.

The University of Kansas also offers a number of online graduate degree programs through its School of Business, School of Education & Human Sciences, School of Social Welfare, School of Nursing and many more schools. Among the more than 400 programs of study at the University of Kansas is an online Master of Arts in Applied Behavioral Science.

Coursework in the Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis Program at the University of Kansas

Although the campus-based Master of Arts in Applied Behavioral Science at the University of Kansas is ABAI-accredited, the online program is not yet accredited. Instead, the curriculum now constitutes an ABAI-Verified Course Sequence. In this 30-credit hour program, the curriculum encompasses required coursework in six content areas. Students must also complete elective courses, research courses, a practicum and a thesis to graduate.

Required courses for this ABA online program include:

• Principles of behavior analysis
• Conceptual foundations of behavior analysis
• Introduction to applied behavioral science
• Experimental analysis of behavior
• Within subjects research methodology and direct observation
• Ethical, legal and professional issues in applied behavioral science

This program is intended for students who have a background in psychology or education, ideally with some amount of clinical experience. GRE scores are not required for admission, although having strong scores may positively impact your application. While the coursework for this ABA program is offered online, the defense of the required master’s thesis must be conducted on campus.

View program details.

5. Penn State World Campus

The Pennsylvania State University, better known as Penn State, also offers an excellent online masters in ABA program. Penn State is a prestigious public university that dates back to 1855 and now educates close to 100,000 students annually.

Why Study ABA at Penn State

In recent years, the Penn State World Campus – the online division of the university – has grown to include more than 175 degrees and certifications. Whether you’re a transfer student, a military student or a returning student, Penn State World Campus offers programs of study to fit your needs. The comprehensive programming includes online degrees at the associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels, as well as undergraduate and graduate certificates.

U.S. News & World Report has recognized Penn State’s main campus, University Park, on its lists of national universities, best value schools and top public schools. The publication has also included Pennsylvania State University–World Campus on numerous lists of the best online programs, including the best online bachelor’s programs, best online master’s in education programs and best online master’s in special education programs.

Among Penn State’s many online offerings is the Master of Education in Special Education through which students can acquire ABA skills.

Coursework in Penn State’s Master of Education in Applied Behavior Analysis Program

The online Master of Education in Special Education program at Penn State includes only two required courses, plus a capstone seminar. Most of the curriculum is devoted to an area of emphasis of students’ choice. The required courses are:

• Teaching learners with disabilities in inclusive settings
• Introduction to research in special education

What lands Penn State’s Master of Education in Special Education program a spot on our list of the best online ABA master’s programs is its optional emphasis in applied behavior analysis (ABA). The ABA Empahsis consists of 21 credits of ABAI-Verified Course Sequence coursework that amounts to 315 hours of preparation. Completing this ABA Emphasis satisfies the course requirements to sit for the BCBA Exam. Coursework in this concentration area includes:

• Current issues in special education
• Foundations of applied behavior analysis
• Concepts and principles of applied behavior analysis
• Behavioral change procedures and management
• Assessment of behavior in contexts
• Ethical considerations for special education populations
• Single-case research

The program also offers tracks in autism and in academic and behavioral supports. Most students take one and a half to two years to finish this 33-credit program.

View program details.

6. University of Nevada at Reno

Next on our list of the schools offering the best BCBA masters programs online is the University of Nevada at Reno. The University of Nevada Reno (UNR) is a public four-year institution founded in 1874.

Why Study ABA at the University of Nevada, Reno

The University of Nevada, Reno is a top-notch research university that enrolls more than 20,000 students. The institution offers nearly 500 programs of study in disciplines that range from business to science and criminal justice to psychology.

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

In recent years, the University of Nevada, Reno has expanded its online degree offerings to include more than 70 programs. Online courses of study at this school may culminate in bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral degrees and graduate and industry certifications. Among the online program offerings at the University of Nevada, Reno is the Master of Science in Behavior Analysis.

Coursework in the University of Nevada’s Master of Science in Behavior Analysis Program

The M.S. in Behavior Analysis program at the University of Nevada, Reno is offered through the Department of Psychology in the College of Science. This program is accredited by the ABAI and constitutes a Verified Course Sequence that makes it ideal for students preparing for the BCBA Exam.

This online program prepares students for ABA-related careers in the private, public and government sectors through coursework on the philosophies and applications of behaviorism. Required courses include:

• Principles of behavior
• Behavioral interventions
• Behavior management and consultation
• Behavioral & systems assessments
• Behavioral analysis of language and cognition
• Experimental analysis of behavior
• Research methods in applied behavior analysis
• Ethics in Psychology

Students also devote six credits to a master’s thesis and six credits to a behavior analysis practicum.

View program details.

7. University of South Florida

Don’t overlook the University of South Florida, located in Tampa, as an option for studying applied behavior analysis online. The public four-year institution currently enrolls more than 50,000 students.

Why Study ABA at the University of South Florida

The University of South Florida is a newer institution of higher education, having been founded in 1956. Still, the school has cultivated an excellent reputation. In 2023, the University of South Florida joined the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), making it one of the youngest institutions to be part of the Association. Just six members of the AAU have founding dates later than 1950.

U.S. News & World Report has recognized the school in its lists of top public schools, national universities, best value schools and best colleges for veterans, among others.

The University of South Florida offers comprehensive degree programming on campus and online. USF masters programs online include the Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).

Coursework in the University of South Florida’s Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis Program

The online Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis program is recommended for students with at least three months of work experience in a related role, like registered behavior technician or behavior specialist.

Over the course of just five semesters, students can complete the ABIA-Verified Course Sequence and complete 1,500 hours of supervised experience, helping them prepare for the BCBA Exam. Students are also equipped to seek certification from the International Behavior Analysis Organization and the Qualified Applied Behavior Analysis Credentialing Board (QABA).

Required courses for the program include:

• Behavior theory
• Applied behavior analysis basic principles
• Ethics in applied behavior analysis
• Functional assessment
• Applied behavior analysis in complex community environments
• Single case experimental design
• Applied behavior analysis and developmental disabilities Credit Hours: 3
• Supervision and training in applied behavior analysis C

Students also complete 12 credits of practicum seminar work and five credits of directed research. To graduate, students must pass a comprehensive exam that consists of a research literature review.

View program details.

8. University of Southern Maine

An online ABA program may also fall under the category of educational psychology. That’s the case at the University of Southern Maine, a public college located in Portland.

Why Study ABA at the University of Southern Maine

The University of Southern Maine is a regionally accredited institution that was founded in 1878. USM offers degrees for undergraduates as well as graduate students, including professional doctoral degrees.

U.S. News & World Report has acknowledged the University of Southern Maine on its lists of regional universities in the North, top public schools and top performers on social mobility.

The University of Southern Maine offers among its 300 programs of study 70 different undergraduate and graduate degree programs and certifications completely online. The institution’s online Master of Science in Educational Psychology program offers a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) that prepares students for a career as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

Coursework in the University of Southern Maine’s Master of Science in Educational Psychology Program

In the University of Southern Maine’s online Master of Science in Educational Psychology program, students can pursue an ABA Concentration. The 36-hour program encompasses an ABAI-Verified Course Sequence of ABA courses. Required coursework for this program includes:

• Behavioral principles of learning
• Functional behavioral assessment
• Physical bases of behavior
• Consultation and collaborative problem-solving
• Special education regulations, procedures and IEP team
• Psychopathology
• Principles and procedures for instructional intervention
• Principles and procedures for behavior Intervention
• Supervision and performance management in applied behavior analysis
• Professional ethics in behavior analysis
• Research methods and techniques
• Single case research method

Students can complete this degree program in as little as two years or, if studying part-time, in three years. The University of Southern Maine also offers an online non-degree Certificate of Graduate Study in Applied Behavior Analysis for students who want to develop AMA skills but don’t need a master’s degree.

View program details.

9. University of West Florida

The University of West Florida is a public four-year institution located in Pensacola.

Why Study ABA at the University of West Florida

UWF offers associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as graduate certificate programs. More than 13,500 students attend the school, distributed across more than 1010 programs of study. The University of West Florida is known for the academic and career counseling services it offers, as well as for awarding credit for life experiences and advanced placement credits.

U.S. News & World Report has ranked the University of West Florida on its lists of the top public schools, best value schools and regional universities in the South.

UWF offers a number of online opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. Through UWF Online, students can enroll in more than 600 online courses that lead to upwards of 50 degrees and certificates. Among these online degree offerings is UWF’s online Master of Arts in Exceptional Student Education.

Coursework in the University of West Florida’s Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis Program

Students pursuing the University of West Florida Master of Arts degree can choose between two specialization areas: the Applied Behavior Analysis Specialization and the Special Education Specialization. Naturally, a student interested in becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst will gain more out of the ABA Specialization. The program prepares students to seek BCBA certification from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board or alternative professional certification, like the Qualified Behavior Analyst (QBA) and International Behavior Analyst (IBA) designations.

The University of West Florida Master of Arts degree with an ABA Specialization requires 30 to 33 credits. Required courses include:

• Foundations of applied behavior analysis
• Concepts of applied behavior analysis
• Exceptionalities
• Behavioral assessments
• Applied behavior analysis and system support
• Supervision and Management Fluency
• Measurement and Single Case Design
• Ethics in applied behavior analysis

Students who want to be deemed eligible to pursue the International Behavior Analyst credential should also take the Experimental Analysis of Behavior course.

Students also complete major electives in areas such as the following:

• Intensive intervention in autism and related disabilities
• Autism and the law
• Behavior analysis of performance
• Behavior analysis in organizations
• Behavior systems analyst
• Curriculum design for behavior analysis
• Applied single case design
• Advanced single case design

Students in this program typically finish their degree in 18 to 24 months.

View program details.

10. Western Connecticut State University

Western Connecticut State University is a public four-year institution located in Danbury, Connecticut.

Why Study ABA at Western Connecticut State University

Western Connecticut State University was founded in 1903. Today, more than 4,400 students attend the school.

U.S. News & World Report included Western Connecticut State University on its rankings of the top public schools in the nation, regional universities in the North and top performers on social mobility. Western Connecticut State University currently offers more than 60 programs of study for undergraduate and graduate students, including a number of online options. One of these options is the online masters degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).

Coursework in Western Connecticut State University’s Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis Program

The Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis at Western Connecticut State University is available online. Through this 30-credit program, students complete 330 classroom hours of graduate coursework. Of the 30 total credits required for this master’s degree, 22 credits are part of the Association for Behavior Analysis International Verified Course Sequence. Students can also complete just this Verified Course Sequence to qualify for a non-degree Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis.

Coursework in the applied behavior analysis degree program at Western Connecticut State University includes:

• Introduction to concepts and principles of behavior analysis
• Methods and measurement in applied behavior analysis
• Behavior assessment
• Behavior change procedures
• Assistive Technology for Applied behavior analysis
• Advanced concepts and principles of behavior analysis
• Grant writing in applied behavior analysis
• Ethics and professional issues
• Capstone in applied behavior analysis

This Board Certified Behavior Analyst core coursework helps prepare students for the BCBA Exam.

View program details.

11. Endicott College

Endicott College is a regionally accredited private institution founded in 1939. At this college located in Beverly, Massachusetts, Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis is one of more than 80 programs of study.

Why Study ABA at Endicott College

U.S. News & World Report ranked Endicott College on its lists of best value schools, regional schools in the North, best colleges for veterans, best undergraduate teaching schools, and best schools for co-ops and internships.

Endicott College is a great option for working adults, parents and other students with busy lives. The Van Loan School at Endicott caters to working professionals and offers both fully online and blended degrees. Online learners have the same access to services as the on-site students.

Coursework in Endicott College’s Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis Program

Endicott College’s 40-credit hour online Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis offers five different pathways. Required coursework for the M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis degree includes:

•  Basic principles of applied behavior analysis
• Conceptual issues in applied behavior analysis
• Behavioral assessment
• Behavior change procedures
• Measurement & experimental evaluation of behavioral interventions
• Supervision and management
• Ethical issues in behavior analysis

In the Childhood Clinical Disorders Track, students learn about psychiatric disorders, ABA for public school special education and collaboration in childhood clinical disorders.

The Organizational Behavior Management Track encompasses classwork in performance management, translating behavior analysis to the organization and applied organizational behavior management.

The Mental Health Track includes collaboration in mental health settings, using ABA interventions for psychiatric disorders and skill building for adults with psychiatric disorders.

Students in the Autism Track may study autism spectrum disorders, motivation and reinforcement, verbal behavior, treatment of severely challenging behavior and progressive applications in ABA.  

The ABA General Track allows students to combine elective coursework from any of these specialization areas.

View program details.

12. Bay Path University

Bay Path University in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, is home to another of the best applied behavior analysis masters programs online.

Why Study ABA at Bay Path University

Bay Path University is a private four-year institution that was founded in 1897. The school currently serves more than 2,700 students. In addition to offering upwards of 40 career-focused fully online associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree and certificate options through The American Women’s College, Bay Path University offers online and on-campus graduate degrees for both men and women in a dozen different fields, including applied behavior analysis.

U.S. News & World Report has recognized Bay Path University on its rankings lists of regional universities in the North and top performers on social mobility.

Coursework in Bay Path University’s Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis Program

Bay Path University actually offers several different programs in applied behavior analysis (ABA) online. The 48-credit Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis is the shortest such program. This ABA degree is intended for students who are interested in becoming Board Certified Behavior Analysts and prepares students for the BCBA Exam. Bay Path University’s other applied behavior analysis programs include 57-credit and 60-credit MS in ABA degrees with concentrations in areas like trauma-informed practice and applied verbal behavior. There’s also a 51-credit Educational Specialist (EdS) degree in ABA option.

In the 48-credit Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program, coursework includes the following:

• Science of ABA concepts and principles
• Concepts and principles of advanced applied behavior analysis
• Behavioral assessment and ongoing evaluation
• Interventions & behavior change procedures
• Analysis of verbal behavior
• Personal & management in ABA
• Functional analysis history, methods and applications
• Research methods in ABA
• Ethical practice in applied behavior analysis

Students typically complete this program in 24 to 27 months. During this timeframe, students complete coursework that prepares them for the BCBA Exam and acquire 2,000 supervised independent fieldwork hours.

View program details.

13. Purdue University

Purdue University is a prestigious public institution located in West Lafayette, Indiana, so it’s no surprise that the school’s online masters in behavior analysis is worth checking out.

Why Study ABA at Purdue University

Purdue University’s long history stretches back to 1869. Today, more than 50,000 students are enrolled in the school’s 360+ undergraduate and graduate programs of study. The school offers more than 200 online and hybrid programs, including its online MS in ABA program.

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

Coursework in Purdue University’s Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis Program

Purdue’s Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program prepares students to become Board Certified Behavior Analysts. This is a 30-semester-credit hour program that prepares students for the BCBA Exam and meets the Verified Course Sequence standards per the Association for Behavior Analysis International. Courses in this program include:

View program details.

14. Pennsylvania Western University California (Formerly California University of Pennsylvania)

Until 2022, Pennsylvania Western University, California – or PennWest California, as it’s better known – went by the name California University of Pennsylvania. Despite the name change, this public four-year institution has a strong history of academic performance. The school also offers an online special education program with an emphasis on applied behavior analysis.

Why Study ABA at PennWest California/California University of Pennsylvania

The institution now known as PennWest California was founded in 1852. In addition to offering student services that include academic and career counseling, employment services and the opportunity to earn credit for life experiences, the institution now offers online learning through PennWest Global Online.

For more than 20 years, students of this institution have enjoyed online learning options. Online students at PennWest receive the same quality education found on campus. The online programs are military-friendly and intended for busy, working adults.

U.S. News & World Report has ranked California University of Pennsylvania on its college rankings lists of regional universities in the North, top public schools and top performers on social mobility.

Coursework in PennWest’s Master’s in Special Education Program

PennWest offers a 36-credit online Master of Education in Special Education degree with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis Autism. The program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and meets the requirements for the BCBA Exam. In addition to the ABA Concentration, the program also offers an Autism Concentration and an Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism concentration.

Core coursework for the Master of Education in Special Education program includes:

• Special education foundations and collaboration
• Special education history, theory and exceptionalities
• Assessment and prescriptive teaching
• Evidence-based practice in PK-12 special education
• Secondary transition

The general ABA Concentration includes courses in the following areas:

• Introduction to behavior analysis
• ABA interventions
• Concepts, principles and assessment of behavior
• ABA supervision and assessment
• Foundations of measurement and experiment design
• ABA research design
• Professional and ethical practice in behavior analysis

In the Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Concentration, students take courses in areas such as:

• Introduction to behavior analysis
• ABA interventions
• Concepts, principles and assessment of behavior
• ABA supervision and assessment
• Foundations of measurement and experiment design
• ABA research design
• Professional and ethical practice in behavior analysis
• Nature and characteristics of autism spectrum disorder
• Communication and behavior in autism spectrum disorder
• Life transitions & ASD
• Navigating the social world & ASD

Aspiring special education teachers can also pursue a path that leads to teacher certification.

View program details.

15. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Next on our list of the best master of applied behavior analysis online is the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. This private nonprofit four-year institution offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

Why Study ABA at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Unlike other other schools on our list, this entry is an institution with a special focus on health professions. Its academic offerings include programming in health, psychology, counseling, behavioral sciences and business. Of particular interest is the school’s online Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis.

Coursework in the Chicago School of Professional Psychology’s Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis

The online Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis prepares students for the BCBA Exam, Board Certified Behavior Analyst certification and a career in ABA. The online program, like the Chicago campus program, is accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International.

Students who complete this course may work with a wide variety of populations, including children, adults and seniors. Some of the coursework students take includes studies in the experimental analysis of behavior, concepts and principles in behavior analysis and diversity in clinical practice. Throughout the curriculum, students will touch on the different domains within the field of behavior analysis, including theory, application, service delivery and experimental analysis of behavior.

Full-time students can complete this program in two to two and a half years of study.

View program details.

16. Arcadia University

Arcadia University is a regionally accredited institution located in Glenside, Pennsylvania.

Why Study ABA at Arcadia University

U.S. News & World Report has ranked Arcadia University on its lists of regional universities in the North, best undergraduate teaching schools, best schools for study abroad and top performers in social mobility.

This private institution was founded in 1853. Today, the school is home to 65 fields of study, 1,900 undergraduate students and 1,200 graduate students. To support their students’ success, the college offers academic and career counseling. Arcadia University now offers more than a dozen online degrees and professional certifications. The Master of Education with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis is one such online program.

Coursework in Arcadia University’s Master of Education in Applied Behavior Analysis

Arcadia’s online Master of Education in Applied Behavior Analysis program encompasses an ABAI-Verified Course Sequence that prepares students to take the BCBA Exam and attain the Board Certified Behavior Analyst credential.

Required Concentration Courses include:

• Concepts and principles of applied behavior analysis
• Educational research & experimental design
• Functional behavior assessment and behavior change
• Behavior analysis and principles of development
• Behavioral consultation in homes, schools and communities
• Ethics and professionalism
• ABA training & supervising human service staff

Elective coursework may encompass studies in the following areas:

• Teaching methods for students with autism
• Characteristics of students with autism spectrum disorders
• Disability studies and special education law
• Positive behavioral approaches
• Special topics in autism

The program also includes 2,000 practicum hours and a required culminating activity.

Students can complete this 30-credit program in 18 months. They also have the option to complete the Online Graduate Certificate in Autism as they work their way through this program.

View program details.

17. McNeese State University

McNeese State University is a regionally accredited institution located in Lake Charles, Louisiana. This is a public institution that offers associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees and graduate and undergraduate certificates.

Why Study ABA at McNeese State University

McNeese State University offers AP credits, credit for life experiences and academic and career counseling services.

U.S. News & World Report has ranked McNeese State University among its lists of regional universities in the South, top public schools and top performers on social mobility.

Recently, McNeese State University has started to expand its online offerings. The University offers online degrees for undergraduate and graduate students – including its Master of Arts in Psychology with a Concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis.

Coursework in McNeese State University’s Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis

The ABA program at McNeese State University isn’t a dedicated ABA degree but rather a concentration within a psychology program. However, this program is an ABAI-Verified Course Sequence. It puts students on the path to taking the BCBA Exam and getting certified as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

This program is available online or on campus. The online option allows for a flexible schedule, which makes it a good fit for students who are working professionals. The curriculum of the applied behavior analysis degree at McNeese State University includes coursework in areas such as:

• Principles of learning and behavior
• Human growth and development
• Introduction to applied behavior analysis
• Conceptual foundations of behavior analysis
• Behavioral assessment
• Verbal behavior
• Applied behavior analysis interventions
• Advanced topics in behavior analysis
• Experimental analysis of behavior
• Applied research methods in applied behavior analysis
• Single-subject methodology
• Ethics for behavior analysts
• Professional standards for behavior analysts

McNeese offers a comprehensive curriculum and plenty of hands-on experience, integrating more than 1,500 hours of supervised practicum experience into the program.

View program details.

18. St. Cloud State University

Another of the best applied behavior analysis masters programs online is at St. Cloud State University. This public institution, located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, was founded in 1869.

Why Study ABA at St. Cloud State University

U.S. News & World Report has ranked St. Cloud State University on its lists of best value schools, top public schools and regional universities in the Midwest.

St. Cloud State University offers comprehensive degree programming, with more than 260 programs of study. The 10,000 students at this institution benefit from student support services like credit for life experiences and academic and career counseling. The institution is also military-friendly.

St. Cloud State University offers online academic programming, including hundreds of online courses. Among the more than two dozen online programs available is St. Cloud State University’s Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis degree.

Coursework in St. Cloud State University’s Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis

St. Cloud State University’s Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program is available both online and on campus. Students in the applied behavior analysis online program follow one of two plans. The thesis plan is a 45-credit program, and the comprehensive exam plan is a 46-credit program. The program is broken into three main components: core courses, electives and research.

Required core courses include:

• Behavioral assessment
• Behavioral applications
• Social bases of behavior
• Experimental analysis of behavior
• Advanced applied behavior analysis
• Ethics in psychology and behavior analysis

Through the elective courses they select, students can develop a greater depth of knowledge in areas like behavior therapy, developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, functional analysis and experimental analysis of behavior.

All students complete nine credits of required internship work, which amounts to an on-site 750-hour clinical internship.

View program details.

19. Texas A&M University

For a great special education master’s in applied behavior analysis, look no further than Texas A&M University.

Why Study ABA at Texas A&M University

Texas A&M is a public university that offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. The school offers more than 140 programs at the undergraduate level and 270 graduate degree programs.

Founded in 1876, this institution was the first public college in Texas. It’s also a large institution. More than 69,000 study at the main Texas A&M campus in College Station, and the total enrollment in Fall 2022 amounted to almost 75,000.

U.S. News & World Report has ranked Texas A&M University on its lists of top public schools, national universities, best value schools, most innovative schools and best colleges for veterans.

In recent years, Texas A&M has expanded its online offerings. Today, the institution offers online degree options through 12 of its 16 academic colleges and schools. Online education at Texas A&M is designed with working professionals in mind. Among the school’s many online offerings is its Master of Science in Special Education.

Coursework in Texas A&M University’s Master’s in Special Education Program

In this 36-credit online master’s degree, students complete both coursework pertaining to special education and ABA therapy. Special education coursework encompasses studies in the following areas:

• Consultation in special education
• Transition education and services for individuals with disabilities
• Early literacy for students with diverse instructional needs
• Adolescent literacy across the content areas for students with disabilities
• Multicultural and bilingual special education

The coursework that prepares students for the BCBA Exam and certification includes:

• Introduction to applied behavior analysis
• Advanced applied behavior analysis
• Assessment in school settings
• Prevention, support, and intervention for students with emotional and behavior problems
• Leadership in applied behavior analysis
• Single-case experimental design
• Ethics and professional conduct in special education and applied behavior analysis

This program is excellent not only for preparing students to become Board Certified Behavior Analysts but also for students interested in roles like the following:

• Special education teachers
• General classroom teachers
• Therapists
• Counselors
• Behavior coaches

The program is best suited for students who have some professional experience working with individuals with disabilities, either in a teaching or clinical capacity. Aspiring teachers may need to pursue teaching certification elsewhere.

Students can complete this program in two years.

View program details.

20. University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati is home to another excellent applied behavior analysis online program.

Why Study ABA at the University of Cincinnati

This public institution in Cincinnati, Ohio, serves a student body of nearly 48,000. The nationally ranked institution was founded in 1819.

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

The University of Cincinnati now offers a number of online degrees and certification programs designed with working professionals in mind. One such program is the online Master of Education in Foundations in Behavior Analysis.

Coursework in the University of Cincinnati’s Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis Program

In the University of Cincinnati’s 30-credit Master of Education in Foundations in Behavior Analysis, students prepare to become Board Certified Behavior Analysts. The ABAI-Verified Course Sequence helps students meet the requirements to sit for the BCBA Exam.

Ten courses are required for this applied behavior analysis degree:

• Applied behavior analysis I
• Applied behavior analysis II
• Applied behavior analysis-III
• Child development
• Frameworks for disabilities and disorders in childhood
• Behavioral supervision and management
• Functional behavioral assessment
• Working with cultural and linguistic diversity in schools
• Behavioral research and accountability methods
• Ethics for behavioral practice and research

Students at the University of Cincinnati can complete their applied behavior analysis degree in just five semesters, or 20 months.

View program details.

For Further Reading: 

Top 10 Graduate Degree Programs in Criminal Justice

The post The 20 Best ABA Online Masters Programs (Applied Behavioral Analysis Degrees) appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

The reality is that there are many advantages to studying the field of psychology. The degree can equip you with marketable skills and prepare you for an exciting and well-paid career – or several. You will have the chance to help others overcome their problems or to conduct illuminating experiments into why people think and behave in certain ways. The knowledge you gain from studying psychology can even help you cope with tough situations that arise in your personal life.

To find out more about the many hidden benefits you’ll gain by earning a degree in psychology, read on.

High Earning Potential

Money alone won’t buy you career satisfaction, but the high salary potential of earning a psychology degree is certainly a point in favor of this educational path.

Psychologists earn a median salary of $72,580 per year, nearly double the annual wage for all occupations, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Many psychologists earn even more. Industrial organizational psychologists make a median salary of $77,350 per year, the BLS reported. Psychologists in specialties other than clinical, counseling and school psychology earn a median wage of $94,590, according to the BLS. The kinds of psychologists who may make near-six-figure salaries include developmental, forensic and social psychologists.

Another factor that can impact your earning potential with a degree in psychology is your employer. Psychologists that work at a hospital, rather than a school or an outpatient mental health practitioner’s office, earn a median wage of $81,430 annually. If you use your educational background to get a psychologist job within the government, your median salary rises to $90,620.

Even among psychologist roles, the pay rate can vary substantially. The 10 percent of psychologists who earn the most money in the United States make more than $118,310 per year, according to the BLS.

Positive Job Outlook

Psychology isn’t just a well-paid field – it’s also a growing one. Overall, the BLS predicts job opportunities across all occupations to grow by just seven percent over a decade. Even jobs in the social science, which are seeing somewhat better job growth, are anticipated to grow by just 12 percent.

RELATED: Top 10 Highest Paying Social Science Jobs

However, the BLS expects jobs for psychologists to grow at a rate it calls “much faster than average” – a whopping 19 percent. The number of opportunities for clinical, counseling and school psychologists, in particular, will rise by 20 percent. Many of these added opportunities will be in settings such as hospitals, schools, social services agencies and mental health centers.

A Wealth of Specialization Options

If you think all psychologist roles are the same, think again. The many different areas of interest within the field of psychology offer candidates plenty of chances to specialize. Whether your interests lie in research, criminal justice, child development or helping people who suffer from mental health disorders, you’ll have the opportunity to focus on the aspect of psychology you’re most excited to explore.

Some of these specializations include:

• Clinical psychology, the practice of diagnosing and treating mental health conditions
• Counseling psychology, the branch of psychology that revolves around understanding and managing the problems people face in their home, work and social lives
• School psychology, the application of psychology to the field of education, including learning and behavioral problems
• Developmental psychology, the study of how human thinking and behavior develops and progresses throughout the lifespan
• Forensic psychology, the application of psychological concepts and research to the legal system in cases involving family law, civil law and criminal justice
• Social psychology, the study of how social interactions between individuals and groups affect thinking and behavior

Even within these roles, psychologists may specialize further. What kinds of disorders will a clinical psychologist treat? What sort of problems might a counseling psychologist have experience handling? Does a developmental psychologist want to focus on child development, or the needs of aging adults? What kind of cases will a forensic psychologist develop expertise in assisting with? It all depends on what the psychology student’s interests are and what steps the student takes to prepare for a career in the field.

Versatile Career Preparation

Psychologist isn’t your only career option when you earn a degree in psychology. Understanding how people think and why they behave in the ways they do is a valuable skill in many occupations and industries. In fact, students who earn an undergraduate degree in psychology but don’t go on to earn a master’s or doctoral degree usually find alternative ways to put their psychology knowledge to work.

Careers in sales, education and business administration are among the most common professional paths for students with a psychology degree, according to the BLS. However, your career options with a psychology background are endless. Do you want to work in public affairs, health, computer programming or biological science? Graduates from bachelor’s in psychology degree programs go on to do all of these things, the American Psychological Association (APA) reported. If you’d like to be a writer, an interviewer, a probations officer or an employment counselor, understanding human thought processes and behavior – by studying the topics in a psychology program – can help you on your way.

What makes a psychology degree so versatile? Graduates come away from their education with excellent skills in problem solving, analyzing and evaluating data, researching information and communicating through writing – skills that are invaluable no matter what industry you turn to for employment. It’s no accident that so many psychology graduates use their education to prepare for a wide range of careers outside the realm of psychology. Many of these students never had plans to be psychologists to begin with, according to the APA. They chose the educational path because they recognized how important the broad skills that come from studying psychology would be to their future success in their desired occupation.

Business Opportunities

While a background in psychology can prepare you for careers in industries that range from the sciences to the humanities and everything in between, one discipline that finds knowledge of psychology especially useful is business. Nearly every aspect of business requires workers to make decisions about – or take action based on – human thinking and behavior.

To develop a product or service that will sell, business professionals need to understand what consumers want. To make money off of the item or services, they need to understand what price customers will be willing to pay, how to market those offerings to the right consumers and how to effectively lead customers through the sales funnel.

Managers and administrative support professionals need to know how to interact with employees to lead the organization successfully. Developing and implementing workplace policies and a culture that contributes to efficiency and productivity means understanding how to shape employees’ thinking processes and behavior. The most successful business leaders know what steps to take and decisions to make to positively influence employee morale and improve work habits.

If you’re interested in business and psychology, one career that may be of particular interest to you is industrial-organizational psychologist. These professionals use the psychology concepts and research methods they learned from their psychology education to solve problems that arise in the business world. Industrial-organizational psychologists address issues that range from employee screening to management styles and policy planning.

Like many careers in the field of business, this role can be lucrative. In fact, the BLS lists industrial-organizational psychologist among the highest paying business careers. The highest paid 10 percent of industrial-organizational psychologists earn $158,990 per year.

The Chance to Be Your Own Boss

Have you dreamed of being an entrepreneur – of making the rules and calling the shots? With a psychology degree, you can make the dream of self-employment come true. Almost one-third of all psychologists are self-employed, the BLS reported. So are many workers in fields such as business, counseling and other occupations that you can enter with a psychology degree.

Being an entrepreneur isn’t for everybody, and self-employment isn’t always easy. However, a background in psychology can equip you with the skills you need to make it work – such as how to find and analyze relevant data and how to interact with customers, clients and employees in order to get them to behave in ways that benefit your business efforts. 

An Opportunity to Make a Difference

Many psychology graduates who go into careers in clinical or counseling psychology do so for one reason – to help people. They want to make a difference in the lives of people who are struggling with a mental or behavioral health condition or with a problem that consumes their personal, professional or social lives.

A few of the concerns that clinical and counseling psychologists can help with include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Developmental disorders
• Eating disorders
• Personality disorders
• Learning disabilities
• Substance abuse issues
• Life changes and transitions
• Difficulties adjusting to changes at work and school
• Marriage and family problems
• Grief

Some clinical and counseling psychologists get involved in their respective fields because they have personal experience coping with mental health issues or with difficult life changes. Others choose to get involved because they see how significantly these conditions and situations can affect a person’s life. Either way, what many clinical and counseling psychologists have in common is that desire to help others.

A World of Research Opportunities

If you have a strong thirst for knowledge, a career in psychological research might fit your curious nature perfectly. As much as we know about human behavior, there’s still quite a bit we don’t know. Researchers in the field of psychology are constantly investigating psychological phenomena. The data these researchers obtain from conducting surveys and experiments adds to the ever-evolving body of knowledge that informs psychological principles and practices.

As a unique field of study, psychology has only existed since around the late 1800s. That’s far less time than some of the natural and life sciences, like chemistry, physics and biology, whose roots go back hundreds or thousands of years. Many experts still consider psychology a relatively young science, and the opportunities for research are plentiful even today.

Some of the subjects modern research psychologists are currently studying include:

• Fear
• Stress
• Altruism
• Reading
• Learning
• Memory
• Beliefs
• Multitasking
• Adolescent behavior
• Problem-solving skills
• Social communication signals
• The effect of diet on the brain
• Environmental factors that affect behavior
• The development, diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions

Whether you’re interested in the differences in thought patterns and behaviors between the sexes, how sensory information influences learning and behavior or the benefits of playing video games, there’s plenty of psychological research left to do.

Expanded Soft Skills

Not everything you learn in psychology is about theories and research methodology. A major hidden benefit of a degree in psychology is learning soft skills. These versatile skills include how to learn, think and communicate.

Critical thinking is one of the most important skills you can learn from studying psychology, according to Psychology Today. As you explore the concepts, theories and methods employed in the field of psychology, you will get plenty of practice in thinking about the information you learn. You will develop the analytical skills to evaluate not just whether the information is true, but also the reasons why the phenomenon progresses the way it does. The critical thinking skills you learn by studying psychology are important if you want to work in law or business – or even for the sake of becoming an educated and well-informed person, Psychology Today reported.

Of course, you will also learn other important skills from studying psychology. You will become familiar with research processes, so that you know how to go about finding accurate and reliable information on any topic. You will learn effective ways of communicating through writing, a skill that matters regardless of whether the message you’re sending involves research findings or corporate policy memos. From studying statistics and the scientific method, you will be able to understand fundamental concepts of science – a valuable asset that, unfortunately, not every college graduate develops.

Personal Growth

Earning a psychology degree can come in handy in your personal life as well as your professional life. We all form interpersonal relationships with our family members, colleagues, people in our social circles and even pets. These relationships don’t always go smoothly.

When a psychology graduate encounters a problem in a relationship with a parent, child, sibling, romantic partner, coworker or neighbor, he or she has an advantage. A psychology degree program teaches students about the thoughts and feelings that drive behavior. When you have studied psychology, you can apply those concepts and theories to your own life.

Why did an event lead to a disagreement or dispute? What could cause someone in your relationship to change their behavior? Your psychology background can help you understand what the other person might be thinking or feeling. You can use this understanding to address an interpersonal problem yourself. If necessary, you will know from having studied psychology where to begin looking for outside help in the form of counseling or psychotherapy, according to Psychology Today

Earning a Psychology Degree

With so many reasons to study psychology, it’s no wonder that the field has consistently been one of the most popular undergraduate majors in the United States. Around 117,000 students graduate with a bachelor’s degree in psychology annually, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics. Yet, with the rapid increase in job opportunities expected for psychologists and the wide variety of career paths available outside of psychology, you won’t have to worry that the field is oversaturated. The broad nature of a degree in psychology and the versatile skills students gain from studying the discipline offer plenty of freedom and flexibility to graduates in search of a career.

RELATED: What Is the Fastest Way to Become a Psychologist?

If you think a degree in psychology is the right choice for you, be prepared to take coursework in research methodology and statistics as well as many kinds of psychology. The core courses of an undergraduate psychology degree program often include topics such as abnormal psychology, developmental psychology, intercultural psychology and physiological psychology, according to U.S. News & World Report. Even as an undergraduate student, you may have the option to specialize in a niche such as addiction, criminal justice, child and adolescent psychology, applied psychology and business and workplace psychology. Often, you will spend at least some time gaining hands-on experience in psychology through a practicum or internship experience.

In some instances, you might want to continue your psychology education beyond the bachelor’s degree. To become a fully licensed psychologist, you will most likely need to earn a doctoral degree in psychology. Depending on what you want to do with your psychology education, you might choose to pursue the research-based Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree or the professional Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree. For students who want to go into a field like counseling psychology, clinical psychology or industrial/organizational psychology, a master’s-level terminal degree – that is, the highest level of degree available – could be a viable option, as well.

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The post The Hidden Benefits of a Degree in Psychology appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Why Work in the Social Sciences?

Why might prospective students consider pursuing social scientist jobs? The reason isn’t only because social science majors are some of the richest and most interesting fields of study. Earning a social science degree can also prepare students for a variety of different career paths. Some jobs with a social science degree offer high earning potential.

Aside from salary potential, jobs in social science can be very fulfilling. Working in social science gives you the chance to make a difference in the world by influencing public policy or helping people. 

Social Science Examples

To enter the field of social sciences, you will need some form of social science degree. You can find a variety of social science degrees at numerous colleges and universities. This broad area of study encompasses several subjects and distinct majors. Interdisciplinary fields of study may also be part of a social science degree program.

Examples of social sciences include:

• Gender and Women’s Studies
• Anthropology
• Linguistics
• Sociology
• Economics
• Ethnic Studies
• Counseling
• Political Science

Many social science careers are both financially and personally fulfilling. Some of the examples of social science jobs listed below even earn six-figure salaries. 

The Skills You Can Learn by Studying Social Science

Majoring in social science isn’t just about getting a degree, but about developing skills in your field of study.

Students often learn specific skills in the course of pursuing a social science degree. Examples of the specific and technical skills social science graduates may learn include:

Some of the skills social science students develop include:

• Research skills: The social sciences use scientific methodology to gather data. From this data, they can draw interpretations. Social science students must develop skills in both quantitative research and qualitative research. Quantitative research pertains to measurable or numeric data. Qualitative research pertains to non-numerical information learned through observation or interviews. Research skills are crucial for advancing knowledge of one’s social science field. 
• Analytical skills: What do social scientists do once they have gained data through their quantitative and qualitative research? They need to make meaning out of this data. Doing so requires strong analytical skills. Social science majors need to learn how to perform both quantitative and qualitative analyses of data. Quantitative analyses are numerical analyses of statistical data. Qualitative analyses allow social scientists to make sense of the key concepts of a social phenomenon. 
• Critical thinking skills: Skills in critical thinking are essential in social science. Social science professionals think critically about the information they need and how best to attain it. They think critically about how to interpret the quantitative and qualitative data they uncover. They also need this skill to understand the broader impacts of their findings.
• Decision-making skills: Making decisions is part of the work of many social science careers. Social science professionals may be responsible for making many kinds of decisions. What grant funding should they apply for? How should they proceed with research efforts? Which artifacts should they include in museum collections? Making decisions in jobs in social science isn’t always straightforward. For example, public policies often have complex social causes and effects. Policy analysts may have to recommend the policy decisions that offer the most benefits with the fewest tradeoffs. 
• Communication skills: Part of many social science careers is expressing one’s findings. Social science professionals do this through written or oral forms of communication. Examples include written reports, presentations at conferences and exhibitions used to educate laypeople. Strong communication skills help with interviewing sources. This includes skills in active listening.

What Are the Highest-Paying Social Science Careers?

Is one of these careers in social science the right choice for you? Browse our list of the top 10 highest-paying social science careers to find the perfect career path for you. If you are looking for social science careers that are in demand and offer strong earning potential, you’re in the right place.  

1. Political Scientist

If you have an interest in politics, then a career as a political scientist might be the right choice for you. This is the highest-paid job in the social sciences profession, based on median salary.

Political scientists investigate how political systems originated and progressed and how they currently operate. They follow political trends and develop new political policies and ideas.

As scientists, these social science professionals collect and analyze data. For example, they study historical texts, as well as the statistics behind election results and surveys. Based on their findings, they predict patterns and trends relating to politics, the economy, and social changes. Political scientists also test new and current ideologies, policies, laws, and current events.

RELATED: Is Washington, D.C., the Only Place Where a Significant Number of Jobs Are Available for a Political Science Major to Work?

So, where do political scientists find jobs? The number of possible workplaces for these professionals is surprising. Many political scientists – more than 50% – work for the federal government. Another common employment industry for this social science occupation is political lobbying groups.

Other examples of work environments for a political scientist include:

• Academic and educational institutions
• Labor organizations
• Nonprofit organizations
• Think tanks

As of 2021, around 6,300 political scientists work working in America, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The occupation is likely to grow by 6% between 2021 and 2031.

How Much Do Political Scientists Earn?

As of 2021, the BLs reported a median annual salary of $122,510 for political scientists. That works out to nearly $60 per hour.

The median salary is the midpoint salary workers in this occupation make in a year. Some political scientists earn more and others earn less. The highest-paid 10% of this profession earned more than $172,490 in 2021. The lowest-paid 10% of the field reported earnings of less than $61,480, according to the BLS.

What Education Do You Need to Be a Political Scientist?

To work in most jobs in political science, you need a formal social science education. The BLS reported a master’s degree as the minimum level of education typically required for this career. Most aspiring political scientists major in political science in college. Majoring in public administration, public policy or public affairs can also prepare you for this social science career path.

Many political science degree programs allow students to focus some of their studies on an area of interest within the field. Popular specialization options in a degree in political science include:

• American politics
• International relations
• Comparative politics
• Political theory

2. Economist

You hear a lot about the economy in the news. How would you like to earn a living researching not only the numbers but the factors behind economic data?

Economist is another social science career with a six-figure median salary. 

Economists study how goods, services, and resources are produced and distributed. They create and conduct surveys and compile and analyze the results.

Economists draw from current data and historical trends to predict changes and patterns in the economy. They help companies, individuals, and government weather economic changes. Part of the job of an economist is to present their findings and forecasts. To do this, they use many forms of communication, from charts and tables to journal articles.

RELATED: In What Kind of Areas Will a Master’s in Economics Open Doors for Me?

The economy isn’t just about money but about resources of all kinds. Economists investigate the costs of education, energy, healthcare and consumer products.

Economists may work in the following fields:

• Financial economics
• Industrial organization economics
• International economics
• Labor economics
• Macroeconomics and microeconomics
• Public finances

Some of the job responsibilities that economists in government roles perform include:

• Predicting funding and spending needs
• Studying the economic ramifications of policies and laws
• Gathering and evaluating information about the national economy

The economists who find employment with private corporations often evaluate the demand for and sales of a product or service. They give advice to business leaders on how the economy can improve their profits.

Economists who work in think tanks usually research economic issues. They share their findings and predictions in newspapers and journals.

How Much Do Economists Earn?

The median salary the BLS reported for economists in 2021 was $105,630. The top 10% of earners in this occupation made more than $193,690, while the bottom 10% of earners made $62,460.

What Education Do You Need to Become an Economist?

For most economist roles, a bachelor’s degree in social science isn’t enough. Having a bachelor’s degree in economics will only qualify workers for some entry-level economist roles. If you want access to more extensive job opportunities in the field of economics, you will need at least a master’s degree in economics. Some economists pursue a Ph.D. in economics in areas like the following:

• Theoretical and applied econometrics
• Political economics
• Labor economics
• Health economics
• Economic theory 

3. Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

The field of industrial-organizational psychology is dedicated to studying human behavior in the workplace. Industrial-organizational psychologists put the same principles and research methods used in the broader field of psychology to use in the work environment.

RELATED: What Is the Salary Potential for Someone With a Psychology Degree?

The field of industrial-organizational psychology has a place in a wide range of departments. These departments include:

• Business administration
• Human resources
• Marketing
• Sales

These social science professionals often work with management to hire and train employees, create company policies, and plan the growth and development of the business. They seek to solve workplace problems, such as improving productivity and increasing morale.

Industrial-organizational psychologists may investigate a variety of topics involving workplace behavior, such as:

• Team effectiveness
• Employee motivation
• Occupational stress
• Safety risks and job performance

Industrial-organizational psychologists use their knowledge to help companies select, train and retain the right employees. They make the work environment a more productive one by utilizing their expertise in how the human mind works.

How Much Do Industrial-Organizational Psychologists Earn?

What Education Do You Need to Become an Industrial-Organization Psychologist?

While most psychologist roles require a doctorate, industrial-organizational psychologist is an exception. You can qualify for this social science career with a master’s in industrial-organizational psychology.

These graduate-level programs typically include coursework in areas like the following:

• The foundations and methods of industrial-organizational psychology
• Organizational behavior
• Psychometrics
• Organizational management
• Motivation
• Statistics 

4. Sociologist

If you’re interested in the way people interact, a career in sociology could be right for you. Sociologists investigate social interactions between and among humans. 

Sociologists observe interactions within and across:

• Cultures
• Organizations
• Social institutions
• Groups and relationships

Sociologists develop theories to explain these interactions and social processes. To test their theories, sociologists conduct research according to the scientific method. Sociologists use surveys, interviews with subjects and their own observations to gather data.

Once a research study is complete, sociologists present their findings through reports, journal articles and presentations. Often, the work of sociologists becomes the basis for public policy reforms.

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Sociologists collaborate with practitioners in other fields, including educators, lawmakers, policymakers, administrators, social workers and other social science professionals. They determine how social forces– and related factors like economic forces, political forces and religious forces – influence behavior. Part of sociologists’ work is to find solutions to these problems.

RELATED: What Kind of Economic Future Can I Expect as a Sociologist?

The largest share of the sociologist occupation, 41%, worked in the field of research and development in the social sciences and humanities as of 2021, the BLS reported. Sociologists also work in universities, management and scientific consulting firms and government roles.

The study of sociology is broad, encompassing many different types of social relationships and institutions. Most sociologists focus their work on a specific area of the field. 

Concentration areas within the field of sociology include:

• Aging
• Crime
• Education
• Families
• Gender
• Health
• Population
• Poverty

How Much Do Sociologists Earn?

The median salary the BLS reported for sociologists as of 2021 was $92,910. The major industry of employment for this field that paid the highest salaries was state government, where the median wage was $105,120 per year. In the field of research and development in the social sciences and humanities, the median salary amounted to $99,640. In comparison, sociologists working for the educational services industry made significantly less, with a median salary of $64,670.

What Education Do You Need to Become a Sociologist?

How do you become a sociologist? Sociologists need a degree from educational institutions like colleges and universities. With only a bachelor’s degree, you’re more likely to find entry-level roles in related areas like community services, social services, education and public policy than actual sociologist positions. If you want to be a sociologist, you will need at least a master’s – and potentially a Ph.D. – in sociology. 

5. Geographer

Do you have an interest in both the physical and the social sciences? A career in geography will expose you to both.

Geographers research the earth, including:

• The physical features of the land
• The cultures that inhabit the land
• The political structures in place within a culture

Because the field of geography is so broad, most geographers specialize on certain aspects of the discipline. Specialists within the field of geography include:

• Physical geographers
• Economic geographers
• Political geographers
• Cultural geographers
• Human geographers
• Medical geographers
• Environmental geographers
• Regional geographers
• Urban geographers

Each type of specialist must have a thorough background in both general geography and their chosen specialty. Geographers may provide guidance to professionals outside the social sciences. This work may include everything from helping governments develop policies and laws to helping businesses create effective marketing strategies.

RELATED: Best Paying Jobs With a Geography Degree

Geographers are researchers. To collect their research data, geographers study data and research materials like the following: 

• Maps
• Satellite imagery
• Photographs
• Census responses

Geographers also perform fieldwork of their own. Visiting the region they’re studying allows them to make their own observations.

Research in the field of geography encompasses both numbers and statistics and interviews and surveys of the humans inhabiting the region. During the course of their research, geographers use technologies such as:

• Remote sensing
• Geographic information systems (GIS)
• Global positioning systems (GPS)

They collect and assess geographic data and identify patterns. Geographers share their findings in presentations, written reports and visual modes such as maps, diagrams, and graphs.

RELATED: What Skills Are Best to Have in Order to Become a Geographer?

Each type of specialist must have a thorough background in both geography and their chosen specialty. Geographers may provide guidance to professionals outside the social sciences. This includes helping governments develop policies and laws and helping businesses create effective marketing strategies.

How Much Do Geographers Earn?

The BLS reported a median salary of $85,220 per year for geographers in 2021. The best-paid geographers earned more than $118,380 per year. That’s more than twice what the lowest-paid 10% of the occupation earned, which was less than $53,410.

What Education Do You Need to Become a Geographer?

Geographer is one social science professional for which graduate education isn’t always necessary. The BLS listed a bachelor’s degree as the minimum level of education required to work as a geographer. In this social science degree program, students will usually take classes in subjects like the following:

• Earth systems
• Human geography
• Theory of geography
• Environmental geography
• Geographical research methods

Often, these programs are broad but customizable, allowing students to pursue an area of specialization.

Once you’ve earned your bachelor’s degree in Geography, you might consider advancing your education at the master’s level. Having a master’s or a Ph.D. is particularly valuable if you want to work in a research position, according to the BLS.

6. Psychologist

Do you often wonder why people think, feel and behave in certain ways? A career in psychology could be in your future.

To put it simply, psychologists investigate human behavior. Some of the ways psychologists may go about studying human behavior include: 

• Performing research studies in laboratories to learn about brain function and behavior
• Gathering and evaluating information gained from their own observations
• Gaining information using tests, surveys and interviews with human subjects

A goal among psychologists is to develop a thorough understanding of behavior patterns. This includes how thoughts, beliefs, and emotions contribute to behavior.

Psychologists work in many different environments, where they perform a variety of job roles. Work environments for psychologists include:

• Schools
• Inpatient and outpatient healthcare facilities
• Private practices
• Social assistance programs
• Research centers
• Government 

Clinical psychologists are healthcare workers. They diagnose and treat mental health disorders using interventions like psychotherapy, behavioral modification and, in certain states, medication.

Counseling psychologists guide patients in understanding and solving problems in their lives.

School psychologists work in academic services. They help students cope with learning and behavioral problems and reach educational goals.

What about the different types of psychologists that focus more on research? Developmental psychologists investigate the psychological process of growing and aging – mostly among children but sometimes among senior citizens. Social psychologists research the effect of social interactions on human behavior. Forensic psychologists work in the legal system. They testify in court about psychological factors in a criminal, civil or family case.

How Much Do Psychologists Earn?

For the psychologist occupation as a whole, the BLS reported a median wage of $81,040 per year as of 2021. The best-paid psychologists reported earnings above $133,890, while the lowest-paid 10% of the profession earned less than $47,850.

What Education Do I Need to Become a Psychologist?

Most types of psychologists need a doctorate. Practicing psychologists often need to attain a doctoral degree to be licensed. Research psychologists need an extensive education to advance the field of psychological knowledge. There are exceptions, however. Some school psychologists have a specialist-level degree, like the Education Specialist (Ed.S.). 

Social science majors pursuing a doctorate in education can choose from the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Psychology and the Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree. The Ph.D. is the traditional doctorate and has historically been more research-oriented. The Psy.D. degree is more practitioner-focused. 

RELATED: How Advanced Does My Degree in Psychology Need to Be to Get a Good Job?

7. Urban and Regional Planner 

Land is a valuable but finite resource. Urban and regional planners develop plans for using available land.

The plans urban and regional planners develop may focus on objectives like the following: 

• Establishing new communities
• Enlarging existing communities to adjust to population increases
• Enhancing outdated facilities

How do urban and regional planners being the complex undertaking of planning land development? First, urban and regional planners determine a community’s needs. They collect and assess information. Urban and regional planners use GIS systems to display data on electronic maps, as well as statistical software programs to analyze numerical data.

Part of urban and regional planners’ work is to collaborate with land developers and public officials. They make sure plans and proposals meet all environmental regulations as well as zoning and building codes. Some urban and regional planners also supervise and coordinate community land-use projects.

More than two-thirds of all urban and regional planners worked for local governments as of 2021, the BLS reported. The rest find employment in industries such as:

• Architecture and engineering services
• Management, scientific and technical consulting services
• The federal government 

Urban and regional planners generally focus on identifying and meeting the needs of a community by creating and updating facilities. However, there are many different ways to use land. The best use for any given stretch of land depends on the needs of the community around it. In their plans, urban and regional planners may develop uses for land that range from schools to homeless shelters and parks to residential and commercial property developments.

As you might expect, planning these diverse types of land use requires expertise in a variety of different areas. Urban and regional planners often specialize in planning certain types of land use. Examples of the areas of specialization an urban or regional planner may focus on include: 

• Economic development
• Environmental and natural resources planning
• Land use and code enforcement
• Transportation
• Urban design planning

How Much Do Urban and Regional Planners Earn?

For urban and regional planners, the median salary in 2021 was $78,500, according to the BLS. The urban and regional planners who brought home the highest salaries made more than $119,340. Those in the lowest income group earned less than $48,720 per year. 

Although the federal government employed just 2% of the occupation in 2021, it paid the highest among major industries of employment, with a median salary of $101,860. Urban and regional planners working for local governments earned considerably less. For them, the median wage was $77,290 per year.

What Education Do I Need to Become an Urban or Regional Planner?

As is the case in many careers with a social science degree, a bachelor’s degree may not be enough if you want to become an urban or regional planner. With a bachelor’s degree, the best you can hope for is usually a junior planner or assistant role. Most urban and regional planners need a master’s degree. Furthermore, students interested in this career path should look for a graduate degree in urban or regional planning that is accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board, the BLS reported.

8. Historian

If you have an interest in the past, a career as a historian could be for you. Historian is the name for the social science professional who is primarily concerned with the study of the past.

In their work, historians comb through books, government records, photographs, archived articles, artifacts and historical texts. They assess these documents to learn if they are authentic. They may translate the contents of texts that are written in other languages or transcribe handwritten documents. Some historians work to preserve historical documents in safe locations, such as historic sites and museums. 

Through their work, historians expand our understanding of the past. They may publish their findings in scholarly articles or books as well as create educational exhibits at museums and historical associations.

Some historians study ancient cultures, figures and events primarily because these topics are interesting. In other cases, historians investigate history for current and practical purposes. Examples of this application of the study of history include informing government policies and shedding light on the historical factors involved in legal matters.

RELATED: What Skills Will I Have After Getting a Degree in History That Will Be Useful When Looking for a Job?

More than half of all historians work for the government. The federal government employs most government historians, accounting for 23% of the occupation as a whole. Both local governments and state governments employ another 15% of the profession. Many historians – a full 25% of the occupation – work for the professional, scientific and technical services industry. 

Historians work in a variety of environments, including: 

• Museums
• Historical societies
• Archives
• Nonprofit organizations
• Consulting firms
• Research organizations

Many historians focus on particular aspects of the past. For example, a historian may be an expert on certain historic battle sites or on the history of particular religious groups.

RELATED: When I Study for a Master’s or Ph.D. in History, How Do I Go About Deciding What Topic to Focus On?

How Much Does a Historian Earn?

As a whole, historians earn somewhat less than some of the more lucrative roles on our list of jobs with a social science degree. The median salary the BLS reported amounted to $63,940 as of 2021. The highest-earning historians are well off, with salaries above $118,380. For the lowest-earning 10% of historians, annual earnings amount to less than $37,310

What Education Do You Need to Become a Historian?

Most historians earn a social science degree at the master’s or doctoral level. Obviously, history is a popular field of study for aspiring historians. You could also prepare for a career in this field by earning a degree in areas like archival management, museum studies or historical preservation. 

9. Anthropologist and Archeologist

Historians aren’t the only ones concerned with the past. Anthropologists and archeologists, too, often study human cultures throughout history. However, anthropologists and archeologists are more concerned with the development and behaviors of specific cultures than with historical events and texts. Another difference between these occupations is that, while historians primarily care about advancing knowledge of the past, some anthropologists focus on modern cultures and societies living anywhere in the world. 

What is the difference between anthropologists and archeologists? Generally, anthropologists are concerned with cultural research relating to modern cultures, often through observation and interviews. Archeologists work primarily with artifacts from the past.

RELATED: What Are Some Specific Jobs Where an Anthropology Degree is Helpful and Useful?

As scientists, anthropologists and archeologists do the hands-on work of researching the cultures and societies in which they are interested. For the study of modern societies, this work may entail direct observation and interviews with sources who are part of that culture. Studying ancient societies may mean excavating the sites of these long-gone civilizations.

RELATED: I know Being an Archeologist Isn’t Like Being Indiana Jones. What’s a Typical Day as One?

How Much Do Anthropologists and Archeologists Earn?

The median salary for all anthropologists and archeologists amounted to $61,910 in 2021, according to the BLS. The top-earning anthropologists and archeologists reported wages above $99,830 per year. For the 10% of the field that earned the lowest wages, salaries were below $37,870 annually.

What Education Do You Need to Become an Anthropologist or Archeologist?

10. Survey Researcher

Many social science careers rely at least in part on information gleaned through survey responses. However, research data is only as good as the methodology used to collect it. A flawed survey or experiment design will result in inaccurate data. That’s where survey researchers come in. 

Survey researchers specialize in creating quality surveys and interpreting the information that results. They begin crafting a survey by performing background research on the subject. This knowledge informs the questions they ask and the format of the survey. Survey researchers consider the purpose of the survey and then choose the survey methods most appropriate for that purpose.

RELATED: What Professions Look to Survey Researchers for Help?

Before going out to gather data through surveys and questionnaires, survey researchers test their surveys. They want to make sure that subjects will understand their questions and that their questions are unbiased. Survey researchers must identify an appropriate population to whom they will administer surveys.

To compile the results of their research, survey researchers use their knowledge of statistics. They plug their data into statistical software so they can run analyses of their information. To quickly convey their findings, survey researchers may create tables and fact sheets.

RELATED: Statistics Jobs: What Kind of Job Can You Get With a Degree in Statistics?

Survey researchers work in:

• Academic institutions
• Nonprofit organizations
• Corporations
• Research firms
• Government agencies
• Polling organizations

The surveys that survey researchers create may cover a wide range of topics, from scientific to political and social to economic. 

How Much Do Survey Researchers Earn?

The BLS reported a median annual salary of $59,740 for survey researchers in 2021. While the best-paid survey researchers earned six figures, the lowest-paid 10% of the field reported earnings of less than $26,360.

Earnings for survey researchers depend on part on their industry of employment. The scientific research and development services industry paid survey researchers a median salary of $62,410 per year. The educational services industry paid a median annual wage of $48,210 for this occupation. 

What Degree Do I Need to Become a Survey Researcher?

Education: Master’s Degree in Survey Research, Statistics or Marketing Research

Editor’s Note: The salary and education information in this article came from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS is a federal agency that measures and reports on the labor market and various occupations. This data was last updated in 2023 based on the most recent BLS data available.

In any profession, earning potential and education requirements vary across locations and employers. Students considering a career with a social science degree should view this article as a guide only. As they prepare for a career, they should do further research.

For Further Reading:

• 20 Best Online Bachelor’s in Psychology Degrees
• 20 Best Online Degree Offerings for Social Sciences
• Top 10 Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Environmental Science
• Top 10 Highest Paying Engineering Careers
• Top 10 Paying Jobs That Involve Math
• Top 10 Paying Jobs With an Associate’s Degree
• 50 Highest Paying Associate Degree Jobs
• How Do I Become a Forensic Anthropologist?
• What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?
• How Much Can I Make With a Degree in Digital Marketing?
• What Degree Do I Need to Be a Policy Analyst?
• How Long Does It Take to Become a Psychologist?
• What Masters in Social Work Salary Can I Expect After I Earn My Degree?
• What Degree Do I Need to Be an Intelligence Analyst?

The post Top 10 Highest Paying Social Science Jobs appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

RELATED: 23 Fastest Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs

Often, accelerated programs and online learning go hand in hand, especially at the master’s degree level. An online program that allows students to work at their own pace is also ideal for allowing ambitious students to finish more coursework in a shorter timeframe. Our list of the fastest online master’s programs identifies graduate degrees in a variety of disciplines that can be completed online at accredited colleges and universities in less than the traditional two years of study.

What Is the Fastest Master’s Degree?

There are several factors that can affect how long it takes to earn a master’s degree. Accelerated online graduate degrees commonly possess one or more of the following features: a smaller number of credits required for graduation, an accelerated course format or degree structure, a policy of accepting a considerable number of transfer credits and a subject that fits well into an accelerated format.

Smaller Credit Requirements

Progress toward a masters degree is typically measured in credits, or credit hours. Most graduate-level courses are worth three credits or four credits, but some classes – like short modules and seminar courses – may sometimes count for only a single credit hour.

One way to reduce the time it takes to earn your master’s degree online is to choose a program that requires fewer credits. Master’s degree programs typically consist of at least 30 credits of college study at the graduate level. However, some master’s degree programs, particularly those in specialized areas, may require up to 45, 50 or even 60 credit hours of graduate coursework.

Naturally, it takes significantly less time to complete 30 credits than 50 credits. If you want to earn your degree quickly, you should look for a master’s degree program in your field of study that requires only 30 credits to 40 credits. Many of the master’s degree programs on our list require 30, 32 or 36 college credits.

Accelerated Formats and Structures

Even the best student can only handle so heavy a workload at a time, especially if they have obligations outside of graduate school. Courses and programs that are offered in an accelerated format can allow students to complete their curriculum faster. Students in one of the best online accelerated master’s programs may take more than what is typically considered to be a full load of graduate-level coursework per term.

Often, students take advantage of the accelerated formats the quickest master’s programs offer by taking a smaller number of courses at a time spread over many short academic terms. Instead of taking three or four graduate courses per semester over two long semesters, a student might instead take one or two classes during each eight-week term. Under this sort of accelerated structure, a student may complete 10 to 12 classes in a year instead of just six to eight. Students may also prefer this learning format because it allows them to focus on just one or two courses at a time instead of spreading their efforts and attention too thin.

RELATED: Top 25 Fastest Online Doctorate Degrees

Because this program structure depends on short, frequent terms, an accelerated online master’s program is likely to offer multiple start dates throughout the academic year. This type of program enables students to start their online degree program sooner, without having to wait for traditional fall or spring start dates to enroll.

Transfer-Friendly Policies

Another way to speed up your education is by making sure you get full credit for all of your work, even prior coursework. If this isn’t your first attempt at graduate school, you should look for an institution that will allow you to transfer as many of your prior credits as possible, so you’re not stuck doing extra work to get your degree. A school with a generous transfer credit policy may allow students to transfer as many as 12 credits – a third (or more) of the credits required to earn a typical master’s degree.

Some schools also offer competency-based programs that allow you to get credit for what you already know – like the knowledge you gained on the job. Usually, colleges and universities that award credit for competency, rather than strictly for course completion, count scores on proctored exams, portfolio assessments and other methods of evaluation as progress toward graduation. Choosing a nationally ranked school that awards prior learning credits is a great choice to help working professionals who are earning a master’s degree finish their education faster.

The Best Subjects for an Accelerated Online Master of Science

Earning a master’s degree can improve your career prospects and your job security in any number of fields. However, some subjects lend themselves to accelerated online studies more effectively than others.

Naturally, a program that requires a great deal of clinical fieldwork can be more challenging to complete online and in an accelerated format than other programs. This is why many of the health sciences and health-related degrees on our list take closer to 16 months, a year and a half, or just under two years, rather than the degree plan being something students can complete in 1 year.

However, programs that require less highly technical knowledge and/or those that build upon existing knowledge and fieldwork often allow for shorter completion times. Some of the subjects in which accelerated online master’s degrees are commonly offered include:

• Business (business administration
• Education
• Criminal justice
• Computer science

This isn’t an exhaustive list of the types of online accelerated master’s program options graduate students may finish quickly. Whether you want to earn a masters degree in human sciences, policy analysis, public relations, global studies, other languages or the arts – like a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) or Master of Music degree – national universities offer accelerated learning programs that can be completed quickly online. An online accelerated master’s program can help you reach career goals in a wide array of real-world industries and occupations.

Accelerated Master’s Programs in Business Management and Administration

Business programs are some of the most common accelerated online master’s options out there. Business students pursuing a master’s degree online may opt for an online MBA, a master’s in business management, human resource management, project management, organizational performance and organizational leadership, business analytics and other specialization options.

Certain business programs are tailored toward management and administration in specialized areas. For example, pursuing an online college degree in public administration prepares students to work in administrative roles in government agencies and entities, while master’s programs in engineering management and healthcare administration allow students to achieve career aspirations involving leadership roles in the engineering and healthcare industries, respectively.

What can you do with an accelerated master’s degree in business? Many of these degree programs help students develop a range of useful skills, including managerial skills, skills in conflict resolution, critical thinking skills, a working knowledge of employment law and more. An accountancy program can help you become a certified public accountant (CPA), while an accelerated master in finance can help students become senior-level financial analysts.

Some online MBA program, accountancy program and other business master degree program options have earned programmatic accreditation from organizations like the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), the International Association for Business Schools and Programs (IABSP), and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Accelerated Master’s Programs in Education

Many online education degree program options offered with an accelerated track are teacher education degrees intended for working teachers. Master’s in education degrees that fit into this category include master’s in early childhood education and early childhood studies degrees, K-12 education programs, special education online degrees and music education degrees. Aside from these graduate-level teacher education programs, Master of Education program options may include topics like educational leadership, higher education administration, instructional design and learning technology.

Accelerated Master’s Programs in Criminal Justice

Online masters in criminal justice programs often include a variety of specialization options ranging from criminology and law enforcement studies to emergency management and homeland security. Again, these programs are often well-suited to adult learners with considerable work experience in these fields.

Accelerated Master’s Programs in Computer Science and Computer Technology

Another category of accelerated online master’s degrees that naturally works well with computer-based learning methods is computer science and computer technology. Tech-savvy students may pursue online degrees in cyber security, information systems and data analysis.

Accelerated Master’s Programs in Health, STEM Fields and Other Areas

Some master’s degree programs in health science and other science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields are also available on an accelerated online format. Nursing, nutritional health and behavioral sciences are just a few of the health-focused online Master of Science programs students can consider. An online graduate program like one of these can prepare students for job prospects in settings like a nursing home or care facility, hospital, clinic or other type of medical or healthcare facility.

Types of Online Master’s Degree Program Options

Many master’s degrees are Master of Science (MS) programs, but these degrees aren’t the only option for online graduate students. Other programs may award a Master of Arts (MA), Master of Education (MEd) or Master of Engineering (MEng) degree, to name a few examples.

RELATED: 100 Most Affordable Online Graduate Schools

The 40 Fastest Online Programs for Graduate Students

Many of the fastest online master’s degrees are available with just a year and a half of study, one year of study or, at certain institutions, less than a full year of study. The accelerated online master’s degrees offered at each of the 40 schools listed below are among the 40 fastest online masters degrees in the nation, and they’re sure to impress students who are eager to jump right into accelerated online programs.

Whether you’re interested in a master’s in education, an online master of business degree, a master’s in engineering management or something completely different, you’re likely to find an accelerated online master’s program for you on our list below.

1. Southern New Hampshire University

Time to Degree Completion: 12-18 Months

At Southern New Hampshire University, online students can choose from more than 100 distance-learning master’s degree programs. Many of these programs are available in accelerated formats that allow them to be completed in as little as 18 months, 15 months or even just 12 months.

One of the shortest online programs available at Southern New Hampshire University is the one-year MBA program. Students pursuing an MBA at Southern New Hampshire University can choose from 17 distinct concentration areas, including finance, entrepreneurship, the music business and information technology management.

Numerous other degree programs at Southern New Hampshire University can be completed in just 15 months. In the area of education, these programs include the Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction and the Master of Science in Higher Education Administration.

Accelerated programs related to the fields of business and management include the 15-month Master of Science in Management, Master of Science in Sports Management, Master of Science in Applied Economics and Master of Science in Project Management and Operations. There are 15-month master’s degree programs in history, English, criminal justice and data analytics. Southern New Hampshire University even offers accelerated options in healthcare-related fields. The Master of Science in Healthcare Administration can be completed in as little as 15 months, while the Master of Science in Nursing takes 18 months to finish.

To allow students to complete their master’s degree programs faster, Southern New Hampshire State University offers five start dates throughout the school year and offers a generous transfer credit policy. Generally, students with prior graduate study can transfer up to 12 credits – a third of their curriculum – to this program. Additionally, by not requiring graduate admissions tests like the GRE or GMAT, the school removes obstacles that delay or prevent prospective students from applying.

As an institution, Southern New Hampshire University is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. The school’s individual degree programs have earned programmatic accreditation from numerous organizations, including the following:

• The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
• The Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology)
• The New Hampshire State Department of Education for Teacher Certification

View general online master’s program information.

2. California Baptist University

Time to Degree Completion: 12-16 Months

If you don’t mind earning your online degree at a school with a strong religious mission, consider applying to California Baptist University. The Christian-founded Riverside-based institution is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

To facilitate accelerated online learning, California Baptist University offers accelerated online or hybrid courses with start dates every eight weeks. These programs are geared toward adult students, making them an even better option for full-time professionals and students with family obligations.

The average completion time for many online master’s degree programs at California Baptist University is just 12 months, including the Master of Science in Accounting, Master of Science in Information Technology Management and Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies.

Business- and administration-related accelerated programs include the Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership, the Master of Arts in Strategic Communication, Master of Public Administration and Master of Business Administration programs in the specializations of accounting and general management. Education is another popular field of study at this institution, where online students can pursue a Master of Science in Education with specializations in Curriculum and Instruction, Early Childhood Studies, Educational Leadership, Special Education and Transitional Kindergarten.

Healthcare-related options include the 1-year Master of Healthcare Administration and Master of Science in Kinesiology, as well as the 16-month Master of Public Health. The school’s online Master of Science in Counseling Psychology degree is unique because courses are offered in different formats like an asynchronous online format and a virtual hybrid format that allows for real-time distance-learning interactions.

View general online master’s program information.

3. University of North Texas

Time to Degree Completion: 12-18 Months

With eight-week accelerated course formats and five start dates throughout the year, the University of North Texas offers plenty of fast online master’s degree options.

Students seeking an online accelerated master’s degree from the University of North Texas can earn their MBA in half a dozen concentrations: marketing, marketing analytics, sport entertainment management, strategic management, supply chain analytics and organizational behavior and HR management.

In the field of education, accelerated master’s degree programs at the University of North Terxas include Master of Education in Educational Leadership and the Master of Science in Early Childhood Education.

The Master of Science in Learning Technologies program exists at the intersection between education and technology. More tech-focused programs include the Master of Science in Advanced Data Analytics and the Master of Science in Digital Communication Analytics.

View general online master’s program information.

4. Saint Leo University

Time to Degree Completion: 12-24 Months

Saint Leo University bills itself as “one of the first universities in America to offer online degree programs,” so it’s no surprise that the Florida institution offers dozens of online master’s degree options.

The Catholic liberal arts-based university offers an MBA program with a variety of distinct concentrations, as well seven different Master of Education degree options and seven specializations of Master of Science in Criminal Justice programs. Other areas of online study include creative writing, theology, psychology and social work.

Online graduate students at this institution typically take one to two classes per eight-week term, six of which run – often, with no break in between terms – in an academic year. Students who take the maximum number of courses per term and work toward their degree non-stop may be able to complete many of these degree programs within a year, while those who take just one course per term will be closer to the two-year mark by the time they graduate.

When taken with advanced standing, the full-time Master of Social Work is one of Saint Leo University’s abundant online master’s degree programs that can be completed in as little as one year. However, for students without advanced standing, this program requires two years of full-time study, as does the school’s creative writing program that includes three summer residencies. For prospective students who haven’t yet earned an undergraduate degree, Saint Leo University offers “3+1” accelerated degree programs in three subject areas that allow students to rapidly complete both their bachelor’s and their master’s degrees in a shorter timeframe.

View general online master’s program information.

5. Boston University

Time to Degree Completion: 12-18 Months

Boston University has a 20-year history of offering award-winning online education programs, so this school is a solid choice for students looking for a credible online master’s degree program. Coincidentally, Boston University also happens to offer 20 online degrees at that master’s level.

These degree options range from topics like insurance management and data analytics to gastronomy, a multidisciplinary program concerned with the role of food in society. BU’s Master of Science in Project Management degree program can be completed in 12 to 20 months, while the Master of Science in Enterprise Risk Management degree program consists of one and a half years to two years of study.

Education degrees are popular options and include programs in music education, art education, higher education administration and curriculum and teaching. Business-related subjects of online graduate study at Boston University include financial management, insurance management, global marketing management, project management, supply chain management, business analytics and taxation law.

Other degree options fall under the discipline of computers and technology, including subjects such as software development and computer information systems, or healthcare, including health communication and health informatics.

View general online master’s program information.

6. Indiana Wesleyan University

Time to Degree Completion: 12-20+ Months

Indiana Wesleyan University offers more than 80 online degrees at the master’s level. Religion is important at this Christian institution – associated with the Wesleyan Church – that is headquartered in Marion, IN, and regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. As such, several online degree programs pertain to the subjects of ministry and divinity.

However, you would be mistaken if you assumed that the only online programs the school offers at the graduate degree level are religious in nature. The Master of Business Administration degree programs are available in eight areas of specialization and generally take 18 months to just shy of two years to complete. Master of Science in Accounting programs, which include three distinct concentration areas, take 18 months to complete, as does the Master of Science in Human Resource Management. The completion time for a Master of Science in Management program, however, is listed as 15+ months.

Programs in education that can be completed in as little as 12 months include the Master of Science in Early Childhood Teaching (for licensed teachers), the Master of Science in Elementary Teaching, while education degrees in other subjects, like special education, teaching English as a new language and curriculum and instruction, take longer to complete.

Students at Indiana Wesleyan University typically focus on one five- to eight-week course at a time.

View general online master’s program information.

7. Ball State University

Time to Degree Completion: 12-20 Months

Ball State University in Muncie, IN, offers 25 online master’s degree options. Many of these programs can be completed in less than two years, but certain programs are even faster to finish. The Master of Arts in Business Education takes just one year to complete. Students can earn the Master of Arts in Educational Psychology degree in less than a year if they take a full course load every semester, but most students take closer to 18 months to complete this program.

The Master of Arts in Educational Administration and Supervision degree at Ball State University can be completed in as little as 18 months, as can the Master of Arts in Foundational Mathematics Teaching in the Community College and the Master of Arts in Secondary Education.

Students in a variety of undergraduate majors at Ball State University can also speed up their graduate education through the school’s Accelerated Master’s Program.

View general online master’s program information.

8. Trine University

Time to Degree Completion: 12-15 Months

Trine University in Angola, IN, is a private Midwest university that dates back to 1884 and is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Outside of degrees in the health sciences, which typically require considerable clinical fieldwork, most of Trine University’s online master’s degrees can be completed in 12 months. Some of the degrees you could earn from Trine University in just one year include the Master of Science in Business Analytics, the Master of Science in Criminal Justice, the Master of Science in Engineering Management, the Master of Education in Early Childhood Education and the Master of Business Administration with seven specialized tracks.

View general online master’s program information.

9. Northcentral University

Time to Degree Completion: 12-20 Months

Northcentral University is an online nonprofit institution that is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and is affiliated with the National University System based in La Jolla, CA. Accelerated online master’s degrees at Northcentral University that can be completed in just 12 months include the Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and the accelerated MBA program. Students can earn a Master of Arts in Teaching in just 13 months.

If you’re willing to spend a little more time on your studies, your options are more varied. In a year and three months, you could earn a Master of Education in Educational Leadership or a Master of Science in Technology Management. A 16-month completion time is possible for the Master of Education and Master of Human Resource Management degrees, as well as for Master of Science degrees in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Technology, Accounting, Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Child and Adolescent Developmental Psychology and Health Psychology.

Three psychology master’s degree programs – the Master of Arts in Psychology, the Master of Science in Sport Psychology and the Master of Science in Educational Psychology, take 18 months to complete. In 19 months, you could earn a Master of Public Administration degree. The Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis is a 20-month program.

View general online master’s program information.

10. Concordia University System

Time to Degree Completion: 12-16 Months

The Concordia University System is a system of higher education that was founded in the Lutheran Christain tradition and today has campuses in Michigan, Texas, California, Illinois, Nebraska, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Each campus offers its own set of online programs. The Accelerated MBA program at Concordia University Chicago is a 1-year program. At Concordia St. Paul, the Master of Science in Athletic Administration and Coaching can be completed in 18 months. Concordia University Texas offers a 16-month Master of Education in Instructional Leadership. This is just a sampling of the numerous online master’s degree programs offered by the Concordia University System.

View general online master’s program information for each campus:

• Concordia University Ann Arbor
• Concordia University Texas
• Concordia University Irvine
• Concordia University Chicago
• Concordia University Nebraska
• Concordia St. Paul
• Concordia University Wisconsin

11. Benedictine University

Time to Degree Completion: 12-18 Months

Benedictine University is a Roman Catholic-affiliated institution located in Lisle, IL, that aims to serve an “inclusive academic community” while still holding true to its Benedictine tradition and its religious mission and values.

Benedictine University offers a one-year accelerated MBA program that includes potential areas of study like entrepreneurship, accounting, marketing management, financial management, international business and healthcare administration. Students in the accelerated MBA program take two courses per eight-week academic term. Another fast master’s degree program is the online Master of Science in Nutrition and Wellness degree, which can be completed in just 18 months.

If you can’t decide on just one master’s degree, why not go for both with a dual degree program? Two of the dual master’s degrees offered by Benedictine University, the online Master of Business Administration/Master of Public Health (MBA/MPH) and the Master of Public Health/Master of Science in Management and Organizational Behavior, can be completed in the shortened timeframe of three and a half years.

Benedictine University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

View general online master’s program information.

12. Mercy College

Time to Degree Completion: 12-15 Months

At Mercy College in New York, students will find more than 30 total fully online degree programs, including both graduate and undergraduate options. Online course formats include both traditional asynchronous classes that have no set meeting times, online synched courses that utilize real-time meetings in a virtual classroom and online hybrid courses.

One-year master’s programs at Mercy College include the Master of Business Administration degree with nine concentration options, the Master of Science in Computer Science and the Master of Science in Organizational Leadership. The school also offers 15-month programs for registered nurses: the Master of Science in Nursing Administration and the Master of Science in Nursing Education. Another option for undergraduate students at Mercy College is a five-year combined bachelor’s degree and master’s degree program, which the school offers in subjects like cybersecurity and psychology.

Mercy College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

View general online master’s program information.

13. Gwynedd Mercy University

Time to Degree Completion: 12*-20 months

Gwynedd Mercy University in Gwynedd Valley, PA, offers an array of accelerated programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, online and on campus, in the fields of education, business, nursing and counseling.

For students interested in earning a master’s degree online in less than two years, a program of particular interest is the 20-month Master of Science in Educational Administration. Students who start their undergraduate coursework at Gwynedd Mercy University can also take advantage of a fast-track 4+1 combined bachelor’s in business and MBA program to earn both degrees in a total of five years.

The school also offers numerous accelerated graduate certificate and certification programs that consist of as few as four courses in narrowly specialized areas of study. If you don’t necessarily need a master’s degree, these certificate options can help you build graduate-level knowledge in a matter of months, without the cost of a full degree.

Gwynedd Mercy University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. In the school’s accredited graduate programs, students take one seven-week class at a time, allowing them to focus on just one subject area.

View general online master’s program information.

14. Western Governors University

Time to Degree Completion: 12-20 Months

Western Governors University is a fully online university established by the Western Governors’ Association – a group of U.S. governors – and accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). The school emphasizes accessibility to higher education, curricula that focus on practical application in the workforce and affordability, charging a flat tuition rate per six-month term instead of per-credit tuition costs.

The shortest time to earn an online master’s degree at this institution is 12 months, and the degrees that you can quickly earn in this timeframe include the Master of Business Administration and the Master of Science in Management & Leadership.

Several master’s degree programs at Western Governors University can be completed in 18 months, including:

• The Master of Arts in Teaching, Elementary Education
• The Master of Arts in Teaching, English Education (Secondary)
• The Master of Arts in English as a Second Language (ESL) or English Language Learning (ELL)
• The Master of Arts in Mathematics Primary Education
• The Master of Arts in Teaching, Mathematics Education (Middle Grades)
• The Master of Arts in Teaching, Mathematics Education (Secondary)
• The Master of Arts in Teaching, Science Education (Secondary)
• The Master of Science in Curriculum & Instruction
• The Master of Education in Learning and Technology
• The Master of Science in Nursing Informatics (BSN to MSN)

Additionally, students can complete the Master of Science in Information Technology Management degree in 20 months.

View general online master’s program information.

15. University of Charleston

Time to Degree Completion: 11-16 Months

At the University of Charleston in West Virginia, three of the five online master’s degree programs available can be completed in under two years. In fact, students can finish the school’s Master of Science in Business and Data Analytics in just 11 months, making this degree one of the fastest master’s program options in the country. In less than a year, you could be ready to pursue leadership roles in the areas of applied artificial intelligence and big data.

If your interests aren’t quite so technical in nature, other accelerated online degree options at this university include the Master of Business Administration and the Master of Science in Strategic Leadership, both of which can be completed in as little as 16 months.

View general online master’s program information.

16. Purdue University Global

Time to Degree Completion: 12-18 Months

Purdue University Global is the online learning hub of the well-respected Purdue University System. Online programs at Purdue are geared toward the needs of working adult students. In addition to accelerated course formats, online learning options at Purdue University include Competency-Based ExcelTrack programs and alternative pathways to earning college credits for what the student already knows.

The fastest online master’s degrees you will find at Purdue University are the one-year Master of Professional Studies and Master of Science in Legal Studies programs. Through the Purdue University System, online students can also complete a number of distinct graduate degrees in just 18 months, including:

• The Master of Arts in Teaching
• The Master of Science in Education
• The Master of Science in Higher EducationThe Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology
• The Master of Science in Health Education
• The Master of Health Care Administration
• The Master of Health Informatics
• The Master of Health Information Management
• The Master of Public Health
• The Master of Public Administration
• The Master of Science in Human Services
• The Master of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management
• The Master of Science in Criminal Justice
• The Master of Science in Accounting

Purdue University is located in West Lafayette, IN, and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The public research university consistently ranks well among national universities.

View general online master’s program information.

17. University of Miami

Time to Degree Completion: 16-20 Months

The University of Miami is a particularly strong option for current and prospective finance professionals looking to boost their credentials quickly. The fastest online master’s degree available from this institution is the 16-month Master of Finance degree.

If you’re interested in the business side of the music and performing arts industries, a Master of Arts in Music Industry or a Master of Arts in Live Entertainment Management degree, both of which can be completed in as little as 18 months, might be the right fit for you. The University of Florida’s accelerated programs also include the Master of Science in Education Sport Administration and the Master of Science in Education Applied Learning Sciences, both of which are 20-month degrees.

The University of Miami is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

View general online master’s program information.

18. Baker College

Time to Degree Completion: 12-18 Months

At Baker College in Owosso, MI, the fastest online master’s degrees include the one-year general MBA and a more specialized one-year MBA in Business Intelligence. Students can also pursue an 18-month Master of Science in Information Systems degree. Online courses at Baker College are offered through both traditional asynchronous formats and OnlineLive formats that utilize live, real-time virtual meetings.

Baker College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

View general online master’s program information.

19. Central Michigan University

Time to Degree Completion: 12 Months*

Central Michigan University, a public university with its main campus in Mount Pleasant, offers online learning options at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Online classes can be presented in 8-week, 12-week or 16-week formats. The quickest accelerated online master degree options at this institution are the one-year Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Administration and Master of Entrepreneurial Ventures degrees.

For undergraduates studying at Central Michigan University, the 4+1 accelerated graduate degree program allows you to double count 9 to 18 credits toward both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Under this program, undergraduates complete the first courses – up to 18 credits – of their master’s degree programs as part of their bachelor’s degree curriculum. Another benefit of this option is that the master’s-level courses students complete while registered as undergraduates are cheaper, since students pay undergraduate tuition for these classes.

This university is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

View general online master’s program information.

20. Thomas Edison State University

Time to Degree Completion: 12-20 Months

At Thomas Edison State University in Trenton, NJ, online programs of study are available at every level, from associate’s degrees and undergraduate certificates to graduate certificates, master’s degrees and doctorates.

Thomas Edison State University is an adult-focused public university that offers numerous online MS and online MA options. The one-year degree options at Thomas Edison State University include the Master of Science in Management, the Master of Science in Human Resources Management and the Master of Science in Accounting, which is also available in a 20-month format. Earning a Master of Business Administration degree from Thomas Edison State University takes 15 months and prepares students to work in business roles in areas like accounting, finance, marketing, human resources management, healthcare management and data analytics.

Several graduate degree options for adult learners are available in 18-month formats, including the following:

• The Master of Public Service Leadership
• The Master of Science in Homeland Security
• The Master of Science in Information Technology
• The Master of Arts in Educational Leadership
• The Master of Arts in Educational Technology and Online Learning
• The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies

Thomas Edison State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

View general online master’s program information.

21. Warner Pacific University

Time to Degree Completion: 7-18 Months

The single fastest online master’s degree on our list is the Accelerated Master of Arts in Teaching offered by Warner Pacific University. Full-time students who complete a full schedule of classes from May through August and a 15-week student teaching experience during the fall semester can complete this degree by December, but they must be ready to commit to taking both morning and afternoon classes throughout the summer and essentially working full-time in the classroom during their clinical teaching experience.

Students can also opt for other fast degree options in education. The Master of Education degree for licensed teachers can be completed in 18 months. There is also a 20-month part-time Master of Teaching option that consists of evening classes for students who need a less rigorous schedule.

Outside of degrees in education, Warner Pacific University offers an accelerated Master of Business Administration and a 4+1 combined degree business administration program that awards both a Bachelor of Business Administration and an MBA.

Warner Pacific University is located in Portland, OR, and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

View general online master’s program information.

22. Capella University

Time to Degree Completion: 13-14 Months

Capella University, an online university headquartered in Minneapolis, MN, offers online instruction in dozens of graduate-level degree programs. The fastest online education options at the master’s level available at the school are the ones for which the institution offers its FlexPath format of study.

Under the FlexPath learning format, Capella University students take one or two courses at a time and complete their desired number of courses over a 12-week academic term for which they pay a flat tuition rate. The fastest FlexPath students can finish degrees like the following in as little as 14 months:

• Master of Science in General Psychology
• Master of Science in Psychology: Industrial/Organizational Psychology
• Master of Science in Psychology: Sport Psychology
• Master of Science in Psychology: Child and Adolescent Development
• Master of Science in Educational Psychology
• Master of Education in Teaching and Learning
• Master of Business Administration in Project Management
• Master of Business Administration: Self-Designed MBA
• Master of Business Administration in Health Care Management
• Master of Business Administration in Human Resource Management
• Master of Science in General Human Resource Management
• Master of Science in Human Resource Management in Health Care
• Master of Health Administration: General Health Administration
• Master of Health Administration in Health Care Informatics
• Master of Health Administration in Health Care Leadership

Even faster degree options are, surprisingly, graduate nursing programs. Capella University offers the following eight master’s degree programs in nursing that, with the FlexPath program, can be completed in just 13 months:

• Master of Science in Nursing in Care Coordination
• Master of Science in Nursing in Care Coordination (RN-to-MSN)
• Master of Science in Nursing in Nursing Education
• Master of Science in Nursing in Nursing Education (RN-to-MSN)
• Master of Science in Nursing in Nursing Leadership and Administration
• Master of Science in Nursing in Nursing Leadership and Administration (RN-to-MSN)
• Master of Science in Nursing in Nursing Informatics
• Master of Science in Nursing in Nursing Informatics(RN-to-MSN)(13 months

Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

View general online master’s program information.

23. Northeastern University

Time to Degree Completion: 12-20 Months

Northeastern University is a private research institution headquartered in Boston, MA, with campuses not only throughout the country but across the globe.

More than 30 of the master’s degree programs offered online at Northeastern University can be completed on a shorter timeline than the two years traditionally required for graduate school. In fact, more than 20 of these degrees can be completed within one year, and another seven programs can be completed in 18 months.

At Northeastern University, accelerated programs are available in a variety of specialized fields, including degrees in business, education, health, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects and more. The breadth of online master’s degree program options makes this school a great place for students from many backgrounds to advance their education in their given field.

View general online master’s program information.

24. Colorado Technical University

Time to Degree Completion: 12-18 Months

Online classes at Colorado Technical University are just five weeks long, and new terms begin nine times each year. The mobile-friendly CTU Mobile platform makes online learning truly convenient and on your terms, since you can access your educational materials from a device like a smartphone or tablet.

The fastest online master’s degree at Colorado Technical University is the Master of Business Administration. In this one-year MBA program, students can choose from a dozen concentrations, including accounting, global leadership and logistics management.

In 18 months, students at Colorado Technical University could earn a Master of Science in Management degree or branch out into fields like criminal justice or technology with a Master of Science in Criminal Justice or a Master of Science in Information Technology.

View general online master’s program information.

25. National University

Time to Degree Completion: 12-18 Months

National University is a veteran-founded private nonprofit institution that is located in San Francisco, CA, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

The accelerated online master’s degrees available from National University cover a wide range of subject areas, from business to criminal justice, computer science and even health. One year of study may be enough to complete either the Center for Creative Leadership Master of Business Administration (MBA) or the Master of Criminal Justice Leadership. It takes a minimum of 14 months to earn the Master of Science in Data Analytics degree. The Master of Public Health degree program requires 18 months of full-time study to complete.

National University’s four-week classes are some of the shortest courses out there, so you’ll never feel like your courses are dragging on. New terms start nine times each year, allowing students to jump into graduate school when it’s convenient for them and to keep pushing through until they reach their educational goals.

View general online master’s program information.

26. Eastern University

Time to Degree Completion: 10-18 Months

Eastern University’s two 10-month online master’s degree programs, the Master of Business Administration in Organizational Management and the Master of Science in Data Science, make the institution one of the fastest schools for online graduate study.

The school also offers seven distinct Master of Education degree programs that can each be completed in one year, as well as a 12-month Master of Arts in Theological and Cultural Anthropology. Additionally, a Master of Arts in Teaching: Classical Education degree takes at least 16 months to complete, and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership takes 18 months.

Eastern University is a Pennsylvania Christain institution that is based in St. Davids, PA, and is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

View general online master’s program information.

27. University of Arkansas

Time to Degree Completion: 12-18 Months

At the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, two master’s degree programs can be completed online in as little as 12 months. The Master of Social Work degree for students with advanced standing takes one year to finish online, including a year-long internship through which students acquire real-world experience. The Master of Science in Engineering Management degree can also be completed in this short timeframe.

Other accelerated programs at the University of Arkansas require 18 months of study. These graduate degree programs include the more technical Master of Science in Engineering, the Master of Education in Educational Technology and the Master of Science in Operations Management. E-learning students at the University of Arkansas also enjoy the benefit of getting to pay in-state tuition no matter where they live.

View general online master’s program information.

28. Full Sail University

Time to Degree Completion: 12 Months

At many institutions, only certain degree programs can be completed on an accelerated schedule. That’s not the case at Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL. Each of the 10 master’s degree programs offered online at Full Sail University can be completed in just 12 months. The accelerated offerings include:

• Master of Science in Business Intelligence
• Master of Science in Entertainment Business
• Master of Science in Digital Marketing
• Master of Science in Innovation & Entrepreneurship
• Master of Science in Entertainment Business: Sports Management
• Master of Science in Game Design
• Master of Science in Instructional Design & Technology
• Master of Arts in Public Relations
• Master of Arts in New Media Journalism
• Master of Fine Arts in Media Design

Full Sail University is a private for-profit institution that prizes hands-on experience and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.

View general online master’s program information.

29. Louisiana State University

Time to Degree Completion: 9-18 Months

One of the fastest graduate schools for online students is Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA. The degree with the shortest completion time here is the Master of Social Work, which students who qualify for advanced standing – those who already have a Bachelor of Social Work degree – can finish in as little as nine months.

Students can also go for a 10-month Master of Business Administration program, with MBA concentrations in 10 different fields, including data analytics, hospitality and casino management, family enterprise entrepreneurship, project management and international business. There is also an 18-month MBA degree option.

One-year master’s programs at Louisiana State University include programs in educational leadership, human resources, nonprofit administration, health administration and sport management.

View general online master’s program information.

30. University of South Carolina

Time to Degree Completion: 12-18 Months

The University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC, is a public research university that has been educating students for more than 200 years. The school offers a robust assortment of online graduate degree options from nine subject areas, including science and engineering, education, business, nursing and the arts.

Online courses at the University of South Carolina are offered in three separate 100% online formats. The fastest online master’s degrees at the University of South Carolina are the one-year full-time Master of Business Administration program and the Master of Science in Business Analytics, both offered through the Darla Moore School of Business. The school also offers an accelerated Master of Health Information Technology, an interdisciplinary program offered by the College of Engineering and Computing that can be completed in 18 months.

View general online master’s program information.

31. Indiana Tech

Time to Degree Completion: 12*-14 Months

At Indiana Tech in Fort Wayne, IN, there’s an accelerated master’s degree option for both graduate and undergraduate students. The standalone graduate program that can be completed the quickest is the Master of Business Administration – Professional Studies degree program. Over the course of 14 months – or potentially even less time – graduate students complete an MBA program with a curriculum customized to their unique interests and goals.

For Indiana Tech undergraduates, the path to a graduate business degree may be even shorter. Indiana Tech offers a Fast Track program that shortens undergraduate study in subjects like business administration and accounting to just three years and puts the student on the path to complete an MBA or a Master of Science in Management in just two additional semesters of full-time study. (Although the graduate program isn’t an option, the three-year bachelor’s degree format is also available to undergraduates majoring in criminal justice, psychology, pre-law, communication and recreation therapy.)

Indiana Tech is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

View general online master’s program information.

32. Grand Canyon University

Time to Degree Completion: 12-18 Months

Grand Canyon University is a private, for-profit Christian institution of higher learning in Phoenix, AZ. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The university’s online programs commonly have a shorter course duration and offer 52 start dates per year, so prospective students don’t need to wait long to start working toward their master’s degrees.

You can earn a graduate business degree in 12 to 18 months at Grand Canyon University, but doing so is a little tricky. Both the Online Master of Business Administration degree and the Master of Business Administration in Leadership degree are meant to take just shy of two years of study (22 months). However, if you already have a business administration background, you can get certain fundamental MBA courses waived to shorten the curriculum to 18 months. If you’re willing to double up on your courses at least three times during your studies, you could reduce the time it takes to graduate down to just 12 months.

If you’re not eager to make so many adjustments to shrink the time it takes to earn a graduate degree, Grand Canyon University does offer an online Master of Science in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity that is designed to be completed in 18 months. Like the MBA degree (assuming no waived course requirements or doubling up on classes), the Master of Science in Computer Science degree program can be completed in under two years.

View general online master’s program information.

33. University of New England

Time to Degree Completion: 16-24 Months

As the largest private university in Maine, the University of New England – regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education – has some excellent options to offer online graduate students, including those looking for a quick way to improve their credentials.

This university is credited with having offered the first fully online asynchronous accredited Master of Social Work degree program in the country, but that isn’t the only reason this school’s online MSW program is special. While the traditional program requires three years of study to complete, the advanced standing MSW program is the fastest online graduate degree option at this school, with a completion time of 16 months. The next fastest master’s degree options are the Master of Public Health and the Master of Healthcare Administration degrees, both of which can be completed in as little as 18 months.

Additionally, all four of the online Master of Science in Education degree programs offered at this institution – the general MSEd as well as specializations in Educational Leadership, Reading Specialist and Inclusion Education – may be completed in just under two years of study.

View general online master’s program information.

34. Rivier University

Time to Degree Completion: 12 Months

Rivier University in Nashua, NH, offers three online master’s degree programs that students can complete in just one year. The Master of Science in Computer Information Systems degree combines technical and business coursework to prepare students for roles like system architect, integrated systems designer, quality assurance analyst and information technology project manager.

Most of the MBA programs offered by Rivier University are two-year degree programs. However, two of these options – the MBA in Management and the MBA in Information Technology Management – can be completed in only one year.

Rivier University is embracing “open educational resources” over traditional (and expensive) textbooks, which is good news for students. Using a textb00k-free format for the MBA in Management degree program is saving students approximately $1,500 dollars, according to the school. The university is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

View general online master’s program information.

35. Columbia College

Time to Degree Completion: 12 Months

Columbia College in Missouri offers online master’s degrees in the fields of business administration, education and criminal justice. With six eight-week terms per year, students only have to take two courses per term to complete all of the requirements for a master’s degree in just 12 months. It’s an intensive workload, certainly, but it’s doable, especially if you’re able to make graduate school your full-time focus.

Another option to speed up your education in business, specifically, is by applying to Columbia College as an undergraduate and taking advantage of the combined undergraduate and graduate Accelerated MBA program to start working toward your master’s-level studies early – and have your first graduate-level classes count toward both degrees.

Columbia College is a liberal arts and sciences college that has garnered national recognition. The private nonprofit institution is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

View general online master’s program information.

36. South University

Time to Degree Completion: 12-18 Months

South University in Savannah, GA, is a private university that dates back to 1899. The fastest program at South University is the Master of Science in Human Resources Management degree, which can be completed in as little as 12 months.

A number of other degree programs, including the Master of Public Administration, the general Master of Business Administration and the Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration, can be completed in as little as 16 months.

South University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

View general online master’s program information.

37. Upper Iowa University

Time to Degree Completion: 12 Months

Upper Iowa University in Fayette, IA, offers half a dozen online master’s degrees in various fields. For students in search of a fast online graduate degree, the standout program at Upper Iowa University is the Master of Healthcare Administration, a degree that the school advertises as taking as little as one year to complete.

Online learning at Upper Iowa University involves taking up to two courses per session, although graduate students more commonly focus on one class per session. There are two eight-week sessions in a traditional fall or spring semester, plus an accelerated six-week session in the summer.

Upper Iowa University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

View general online master’s program information.

38. George Washington University

Time to Degree Completion: 12-18 Months

George Washington University in Washington, D.C., offers more than half a dozen online master’s degree options, many in subjects that are fitting for the school’s location in the nation’s capital: homeland security, cybersecurity, political management and more. The private but federally chartered research institution is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

The fastest online master’s degrees offered through George Washington University can be completed in as little as one year. These degrees include the Master in Management degree, the Master of Studies in Law degree, the Master of International Policy and Practice degree and the Master of Public Health degree, which is also available in an 18-month format. Both the Master of Professional Studies in Cybersecurity Strategy & Information Management and the Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security degree programs can be completed in 16 months.

View general online master’s program information.

39. University of Florida

Time to Degree Completion: 12 Months

At the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL, online students can pursue graduate-level studies in 85 programs in a variety of subject areas. For students interested in the fastest online master’s degrees available, a program that will be of particular interest is the University of Florida’s one-year Master of Science in Management. This accelerated degree program consists of eight-week periods and involves a workload so intense that students are advised not to attempt to work full-time during their studies.

The University of Florida is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

View general online master’s program information.

40. Widener University

Time to Degree Completion: 12 Months

Widener University in Chester, PA, offers accelerated master’s degree programs that stand on their own as well as combination master’s and bachelor’s degree options.

Among the fully online one-year master’s degree programs available are the allied health Master of Education and the Master of Arts in Organizational Development & Leadership. Online students in the one-year Master of Business Administration degree program can pursue a concentration in business process innovation, investment management and organizational leadership.

The Accelerated Advantage 4+1 program can put undergraduate students at Widener University on the path to a quick master’s degree from the start. In addition to directly corresponding master’s degrees in fields like business, engineering and social work, students in any major can leverage this program to quickly pursue a graduate degree in business administration, organizational leadership, public administration, allied health education or criminal justice.

View general online master’s program information.

The Benefits of Accelerated Master’s Degree Programs

Completing your master’s degree program quickly can be valuable in many ways. In accelerated master’s degree programs, online students generally complete the same rigorous coursework that students in a traditional, campus-based two-year degree program would. Whether students are pursuing an online MS, an online MA or another type of online master degree, they take required core courses and, often, more specialized elective courses. However, they get through these core courses faster by carrying an intense and difficult workload.

Financially, this choice to pursue one of the fastest online master’s degrees is a wise one. Spending a shorter amount of time overall in school typically translates to paying less money in tuition, and if you’re borrowing the money to get your master’s degree, it means less student debt on which to be charged ever-growing amounts of interest. There is also an opportunity cost of staying in school longer – the money that you’re missing out on each year you’re not out in the workforce putting your degree to work full-time – that you minimize when you are able to complete your master’s degree program faster than is usually expected.

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