1.) University of Florida

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

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

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2.) University of Houston – Clear Lake

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

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

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3.) North Carolina State University at Raleigh

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

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

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4.) University of Maryland Global Campus

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

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

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5.) University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

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

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

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6.) University of Illinois at Springfield

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

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

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7.) East Central University

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

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

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8.) Utah State University

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

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

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9.) University of Missouri-Columbia

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

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

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10.) University of Idaho

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

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

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11.) American Public University System

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

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

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12.) Texas Tech University

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

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

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13.) Colorado State University

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

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

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14.) Mississippi State University

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

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

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15.) Troy University

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

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

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16.) Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

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

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

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17.) Oregon State University

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

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

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18.) Black Hills State University

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

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

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19.) University of Kansas

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

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

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20.) Sul Ross State University

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

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

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Related Resources:

What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

Top 10 Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Environmental Science

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What Do Emergency Management Professionals Do?

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

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

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

Where Do Emergency Management Professionals Work?

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

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

RELATED: The Best Job Prospects with an Emergency Management Degree

Jobs in a Federal Emergency Management Agency

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

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

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

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

Working in State and Local Government Agencies

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

Emergency Management Careers in Nonprofit Organizations

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

Private Industry Emergency Manager Jobs

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

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

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

Consulting Roles in Emergency Management

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

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

The 10 Best Emergency Management Degree Jobs

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

1. Homeland Security Officer

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

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

2. Health and Safety Specialist

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

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

3. Disaster Recovery Manager

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

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

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

4. Emergency Management Director

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

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

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

5. Business Recovery Planner

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

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

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

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

6. Hospital Emergency Preparedness Administrator

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

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

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

7. Emergency Management Specialist

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

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

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

8. Public Information Officer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. IT Incident Manager

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

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

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

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

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

How to Become an Emergency Management Professional

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

Degrees in Emergency Management

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

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

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

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

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

Getting Certification From Professional Organizations in Emergency Management

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

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

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

Education and Training Beyond an Emergency Management Degree

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

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

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

Choosing an Emergency Management Program

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

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

Related Resources: 

What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

Best Paying Jobs With a Geography Degree

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

1. Ph.D. in Astronomy

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

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

Occupational Grouping: Science

Median Salary: $104,100

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

2. Ph.D. in Physics

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

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

Occupational Grouping: Science

Median Salary: $111,580

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

3. Bachelor’s in Atmospheric Science Degree

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

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

Occupational Grouping: Science

Median Salary: $89,820

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

 4. Bachelor’s Degree in Biology

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

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

Occupational Grouping: Science

Median Salary: $77,190

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

5. Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering

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

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

Occupational Grouping: Engineering

Median Salary: $107,830

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

6. Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering

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

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

Occupational Grouping: Engineering

Median Salary: $111,730

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

7. Bachelor’s Degree in Electronics Engineering

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

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

Occupational Grouping: Engineering

Median Salary: $95,230

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

8. Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering

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

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

Occupational Grouping: Engineering

Median Salary: $83,590

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

9. Associate’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering Technology

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

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

Occupational Grouping: Technology

Median Salary: $66,180

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

10. Associate’s Degree in Avionics Technology

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

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

Occupational Grouping: Technology

Median Salary: $58,540

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

11. Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting

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

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

Occupational Grouping: Professional

Median Salary: $67,190

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

12. Bachelor’s Degree in Communications

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

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

Occupational Grouping: Media and Communications

Median Salary: $70,240

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

13. Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations

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

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

Occupational Grouping: Media and Communications

Median Salary: $56,770

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

14. Bachelor’s Degree in Film

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

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

Occupational Grouping: Media and Communications

Median Salary: $68,440

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

15. Bachelor’s Degree in Photography

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

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

Occupational Grouping: Media and Communications

Median Salary: $31,700

Similar Degree Programs: Bachelor’s Degree in Art

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

For Further Reading: 

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

Top 10 Highest Paying Engineering Careers

What Degree Do You Need to Be an Astrophysicist?

Best Paying Jobs With a Geography Degree

Which Degree Is Best for a Software Engineer?

What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

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

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

What Degree Do I Need to Become a Lighting Designer?

How Long Does It Take to Become an Accountant?

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

Through the pursuit of a Bachelor’s degree, students can send themselves down whatever path they so choose to learn about whatever topic may interest them in order to prepare for whatever career they see fit.

This may seem like a lot of choices to make and that’s because it is! Deciding what Bachelor’s degree is best is a personal and tricky decision to make. To complicate things further, students are faced with so many different universities and colleges to attend in order to pursue their degree.  To help alleviate that problem, we’ve compiled a list of our top 100 colleges and universities to attend for an online Bachelor’s degree.

These are all accredited universities and colleges that we’ve found to be up to our standards, and we’ve ranked them for you by the out-of-state tuition rate per credit.  We hope that this ranking will help you find the university or college that is best suited to your needs.

1. University of Texas – Arlington

Originally named Arlington College, the University of Texas – Arlington was established as a private school that focused on first through tenth grade students.  Initially underfunded, the school eventually received a substantial donation from Edward Emmett Rankin.  However, this money was not enough to keep the school’s doors open and eventually it was shut down in 1902 and reopened as the Carlisle Military Academy.  This school eventually folded as well and was then reopened as the Arlington Traning School which was later renamed to Arlington Military Academy.

By 1917, the school had been incorporated into the Texas A&M University system.  Finally, in 1967 the school was renamed to its current name, the University of Texas – Arlington.  Located in Arlington, Texas, the University of Texas  -Arlington now enrolls nearly 40,000 students. University of Texas – Arlington is a public institution.

Tuition: $147:non-resident

2. Western Governors University

In a 1996 meeting of the Western Governors Association, Governor of Utah Mike Leavitt, proposed the creation of a school that would be designed to serves the northwest United States.  The plan was to create a school that was built around a competency-based learning model that would focus primarily on providing high-quality distance education.  By focusing on distance education, the school would be able to serve more students across a larger area.

Known as Western Governors University, the school was able to control costs and reach a large student base.  Founded in Salt Lake City, Utah, Western Governors University also operates satellite campuses in Missouri, Nevada, Indiana, Texas, Tennessee, and Washington with a combined student body of 77,000 students. Western Governors University is a private institution.

Tuition: $192:non-resident

3. Fort Hays State University

Founded in 1902, Fort Hays State University was originally named the Western Branch of Kansas State Normal School.  Originally established as an extension of the growing Kansas State Normal School, Western Branch of Kansas State Normal School quickly grew to become more than just a simple extension campus.  Established on the site of a former frontier military installation known as Fort Hays, the school quickly outgrew the grounds and a new campus was needed.  It was decided that the school would establish a new campus closer to the town of Hays in order to serve a larger population of students.

Today, Fort Hays State University has grown to become Kansas’ third-largest public university with a student body of a approximately 11,200 students.  Fort Hays State University is a public institution.

Tuition: $213:non-resident

4. Western New Mexico University

Opening its doors on February 11, 1893, Western New Mexico University began enrolling its first class of students in a rented space in the town’s Presbyterian Church.  Named the New Mexico Normal School at its establishment, the school was located in what was then the Territory of New Mexico.  After four months of operation, the New Mexico Board of Regents called for the creation of an official school building in the nearby town of Silver City, New Mexico.  In 1896, construction on the school’s first building, the Old Main, was completed.  After just twenty years of operation, the school’s population had grown to five-hundred students.

Currently, Western New Mexico University is still located in Silver City, New Mexico, and enrolls a student body of about 3,500 students.  Western New Mexico University is a public university.

Tuition: $226:non-resident

5. Eastern Oregon University

Nestled amongst the vibrant and beautiful stretch of the Blue Mountain range between Boise, Idaho, and Portland, Oregon, Eastern Oregon University was founded in the scenic town of La Grande, Oregon.  Initially created to serve as the area’s teachers college, Eastern Oregon University underwent a variety of name changes and curriculum overhauls over the coming years.  By 1997, the Oregon State Legislature had settled on the school’s current name of Eastern Oregon University.

Now, Eastern Oregon University is home to a student body of 1,700 students at its La Grande campus with an additional 15,000 students enrolled online through the school’s distance education program.  Students are able to enroll in over one-hundred different degree programs.  Eastern Oregon University is a public institution.

Tuition: $232:non-resident

6. State University of New York – Delhi

Initially created as a farming and agricultural studies school, the State University of New York at Delhi was founded in the small mountain town of Delhi, New York.  Designed to serve the area as a agriculture and mechanical arts school, the school operated under this sole mission for the next few decades until it was eventually added into the State University of New York School System sun 1913.  However, the curriculum at the school was not expanded beyond agricultural and mechanical arts until the mid-1920s.  It was at this point that general education courses as well as a litany of other degree programs were then offered.  In the 1960s, business classes were incorporated into the school’s programs, forever changing the trajectory of the State University of New York – Delhi.

Located in Delhi, New York, the State University of New York at Delhi is home to a student population of just over 3,000 students.  State University of New York at Delhi is a public institution.

Tuition: $235:non-resident

7. Ohio University

At the Confederation Congress, the Congress of the United States called for the establishment of Ohio University in the Articles of Confederation through the Ordinance of 1787.  Under the mandate that “Religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary for good government of mankind, schools and the means of education shall be encouraged,” Ohio University was created as the example of the kind of dedication to higher education and knowledge that the United States would stand for.  Known originally as the American University, Ohio University became a shining example globally of higher education.

Founded by Manasseh Cutler and Rufus Putnam, Ohio University is located in Athens, Ohio, and currently enrolls a students body of just shy of 40,000 students.  Ohio University is a public institution.

Tuition: $240:non-resident

8. Amberton University

During the Sixties, the Abilene Christian University was undergoing a period of extreme growth and the school was beginning to struggle to accommodate the ever-growing student population and their needs.  Wanting to provide these students with a place of higher education, Abilene Christian University quickly established an extension campus in the nearby town of Mesquite, Texas in 1971, creating the footprint for what would eventually become Amberton University.  After three years at its Mequite, Texas location, the school was then moved to Garland, Texas at which location it began to thrive.  By 1982, the school was renamed to Amber University and then renamed once more to Amberton University in 2001.

Focusing primarily on adult education, Amberton University quickly became a leader in this type of education.  Now, Amberton University is home to thousands of students who are enrolled on-campus and online.  Amberton University is private institution.

Tuition: $265:non-resident

9. University of Central Missouri

Eventually becoming the University of Central Missouri, the Warrensburg Teachers College was established in 1871.  In the coming years, the school would change and grow in scope, ultimately leading to an increase in student population and educational opportunities offered at the school.  By 1919, it was decided that the school would be renamed to the Central Missouri State Teachers College.  This was the first in a series of name-changes.  Named Central Missouri State Teachers College, then Central Missouri State College in 1945, then Central Missouri State University in 1972, the school was finally named the University of Central Missouri in 2006.

Established in the city of Warrensburg, Missouri, the University of Central Missouri enrolls almost 15,000 students and offers 150 different major to choose from.  University of Central Missouri is a public institution.

Tuition: $265:non-resident

10. Southeast Missouri State University

The State of Missouri determined in the 1870s that the state was in need of a new state university.  As word traveled throughout the state that the State Legislature was looking to fund a new school, cities across the state began campaigns to attract the new school.  Hoping to lure in the state legislature, a group of business owners and politicians in the city of Cape Girardeau began working to convince the state to build the new school in their city.  Their campaigned worked and Southeast Missouri Normal School was established in Gape Girardeau, Missouri.  The school experienced massive growth over the coming years, a lot of which can be contributed to the construction of Interstate 55.

Today, Southeast Missouri State University is home to a student body of nearly 12,000 students and offers students over 200 different areas of study.  Southeast Missouri State University is a public institution.

Tuition: $272:non-resident

11. West Texas A&M University

In 1910, the Texas House of Representatives called for the establishment of a school in western Texas that would eventually be known as West Texas A&M University.  Opened as the West Texas State Normal College, the school was originally created to act as a training facility for teachers within the state that would then go out to work in the state’s public school system.  One of seven state-funded colleges, West Texas Normal College was eventually renamed to West Texas A&M University after it was incorporated into the Texas A&M University system.

Founded just outside of Amarillo, Texas, in the city of Canyon, Texas, West Texas A&M University offers over 100 different degree programs and enrolls almost 10,000 students.  West Texas A&M University is a pubic institution.

Tuition: $284:non-resident

12. Columbia College

The Christian Female College, what eventually would become Columbia College, was established in 1851 by the Missouri State Legislature in order to better serve women in the area and provide them an opportunity for a higher education.  At its founding, Columbia College was the only women’s college west of the Mississippi River.  The school operated as a women’s-only institution for the next century and eventually became coeducational in 1970.  Founded in close affiliation with the Christian Church, Columbia College still operates a Christian College.

Enrolling 2,1000 students currently, Columbia College is located in Columbia, Missouri and offers over seventy-five different programs of study.  Columbia College is a private institution.

Tuition: $290:non-resident

13. Bemidji State University

The first class of students enrolled in Bemidji State University in 1919.  Originally named the Bemidji State Normal School, the school was eventually renamed to Bemidji State Teachers College.  After some time, the school’s name was shortened to Bemidji State College and then finally renamed to Bemidji State University in 1975.  In 1999, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System urged the school to change its named to Minnesota State University-Bemidji in order to better mirror the systems naming scheme, but students and faculty opposed the decision.

Named for its location in Bemidji, Minnesota, Bemidji State University has a student body of over 6,300 students and offers a variety of different programs of study for its students. Bemidji State University is a public institution.

Tuition: $296:non-resident

14. University of Southern Indiana

Established as a regional extension campus for the already established Indiana State University, the University of Southern Indiana was founded in 1965.  Construction began on the new campus in 1968 and its first class of students were enrolled in 1969.  Over the coming two decades, the school continued to operate as an extension campus for Indiana State University.  During this period of time, the school underwent a large amount of growth.  By 1985, it was decided that the school should be spun-off into its own school.  Later that year, the University of Southern Indiana was officially chartered.

Now, the University of Southern Indiana is home to a student body of 11,000 students at its Vanderburgh County location, and offers students eighty different degree programs. University of Southern Indiana is a public institution.

Tuition: $297:non-resident

15. Lamar University

Originally known as South Park Junior College, Lamar University was founded in 1923.  Established by Louis R. Pietzsch, the school originally operated out of the third floor of the South Park High School.  Working out of this location for the next three years, the State of Texas Legislature eventually granted the school the ability to give degrees and it was renamed to Lamar College.  Named for Mirabeau B. Lamar, the second President of the Republic of Texas, Lamar College was soon moved to its own campus.  By 1942, the school was out of South Park High School and operating independently.

Incorporated by the state in 1995, Lamar University is currently located in Beaumont, Texas and enrolls a student body of 15,000 students.  Lamar University is a public institution.

Tuition: $308:non-resident

16. Rogers State University

Accepting its first class of students in 1909, Rogers State University was founded as the Eastern University Preparatory School.  Offering its first courses in the Claremont Building, now the school’s oldest building, Eastern University Preparatory School operated for the next eight years until it was shut down and reworked into the Oklahoma Military Academy.  The newly opened Oklahoma Military Academy soon began to offer four years of high school education alongside its two years of junior college.  Due to declining attendance rates brought upon by the Vietnam War, the school was overhauled and began to offer undergraduate and graduate programs.

Named to honor Clement Vann Rogers, Rogers State University currently enrolls a student body of 4,300 students Rogers State University is a public institution.

Tuition: $309:non-resident

17. Indiana University East

Needing to provide additional facilities for its ever-increasing student body, Earlham College founded an extension program that would eventually become Indiana University East.  Operated in a joint-partnership between Earlham College and Indiana University, this new program grew to eventually include the nearby Purdue University into the partnership of this brand-new extension program.  In due time, the program had grown to become so large that the Indiana General Assembly saw it fit to spin it off into its own program.

By 1971, the Indiana University East was officially established.  Located in Richmond, Indiana, Indiana University East is home to approximately 4,500 students.  Indiana University East is a public institution.

Tuition: $315:non-resident

18. Colorado Christian University

The Denver Bible Institute was established in 1914, setting the stage for what would eventually become Colorado Christian University.  Originally, the Denver Bible Institute was created independently of the state of Colorado, but this plan was eventually abandoned and a charter was sought for the new school.  At this point the school was renamed from the Denver Bible Institute to the Denver Bible College and began to grant degrees to students.  Over the coming three decades, the school operated on its own and eventually merged with the Western Bible Institute to form Rockmont College.

In 1989, Rockmont College was renamed to Colorado Christian University.  Now home to 7,400 students, Colorado Christian University is located in Lakewood, Colorado.  Colorado Christian University is a private institution.

Tuition: $315:non-resident

19. Southern New Hampshire University

The New Hampshire School of Accounting and Secretarial Science was established in 1932 and laid the groundwork for what would transform to become Southern New Hampshire University.  Operated by husband and wife, Harry A.B. Shapiro and Gertrude Crockett Shapiro, the New Hampshire School of Accounting and Secretarial Science was founded in downtown Manchester, New Hampshire.  For the next thirty years, the school would operate at this location but then be forced to move to its current location on the borderline of Hooksett and Manchester.  During this move, the school was renamed to the New Hampshire College of Accounting and Commerce.

Now known as Southern New Hampshire University, the school is home to 3,000 students on-campus and an additional 60,000 students online.  Southern New Hampshire University is a private institution.

Tuition: $320:non-resident

20. Utah State University

Upon receiving funding from the federal government through the Morrill Act, the State of Utah began searching for a site upon which it could establish its first public institution of higher education.  Already having its capital in Salt Lake City and the Insane Asylum in Provo, it was decided that the new institution of higher learning should be located in the town of Logan, Utah.  In 1888, the Agricultural College of Utah was chartered and in 1890, the first group of students began enrolling in classes.

Consolidating with nearby schools over the coming years, now Utah State University is home to over 28,000 students and offers a wide variety of different degree programs from which to choose from.  Utah State University is a public institution.

Tuition: $325:non-resident

21. Dakota State University

For the past twenty years, Dakota State University has maintained a well-earned reputation for being on the cutting-edge of technology use in the classroom.  Beginning in the early 2000s, Dakota State University began offering all of its students a tablet and a laptop computer in order to aid with their educational experience.  Along with this computer, all students were required to enroll in a either an introductory programming or computing class.  Because of this dedication to technology, Dakota State University earned the designations of “National Center of Academic Excellence in Research” and “National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations”.

Established in 1881, Dakota State University was originally known as Madison Normal School. Today Dakota State University is home to nearly 3,000 students at its Madison, North Dakota campus.  Dakota State University is a public institution.

Tuition: $335:non-resident

22. Granite State College

One of the cornerstones of the University System of New Hampshire, Granite State College was established with the distinct goal of providing flexible options of higher education to adult students.  Established in 1972 in Concord, New Hampshire, Granite State College still operates out of its original campus.  However, due to growth, Granite State College has added additional satellite campuses as well as greatly expanded its online campus.

Dedicated to offering students additional educational opportunities, Granite State College offers most of its classes online in order to cater to non-traditional students.  Today, Granite State College offers over fifty different programs of study.  Granite State College is a public institution.

Tuition: $335:non-resident

23. University of South Dakota

The Dakota Territorial Legislature called for the establishment of the University at Vermillion in 1826.  The precursor to the University of South Dakota, the University at Vermillion was one of the oldest educational institutions in the state of South Dakota and is also older than of the educational institutions in the state of North Dakota.

Established in the city of Vermillion, South Dakota, the University of South Dakota has become the center of the city.  Operating the only medical and law schools in the state, the University of South Dakota currently enrolls a student population of nearly 10,000 students and offers 270 different programs of study to choose from.  University of South Dakota is a public institution.

Tuition: $335:non-resident

24. University of Alabama

After entering into the Union, the newly formed General Assembly of Alabama called for the creation of an institution of higher-learning within the borders of the state.  This school would eventually evolve to become the University of Alabama.  The first classes were held at the University of Alabama in 1820, making it one of the oldest public institution of higher education in the entire country.  The school’s campus was modeled heavily after the designs created by Thomas Jefferson for the University of Virginia campus.

Located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, close to the state’s capital, the University of Alabama enrolls almost 37,000 students.  The University of Alabama is a public institution.

Tuition: $335:non-resident

25. Clarion University of Pennsylvania

Founded in 1867, Clarion University of Pennsylvania was originally named the Carrier Seminary of Western Pennsylvania.  After four years, the school was finally up and running.  Accepting its first class of students in 1871, the Carrier Seminary of Western Pennsylvania operated independently of the state for sixteen years until the school received backing from the state.  It was at this point the school was renamed to Clarion State Normal School.  By the 1980s, the school had been incorporated into Pennsylvania’s public education system and had received university status, resulting in the school’s name being changed once more to Clarion University of Pennsylvania.

Founded and still located in Clarion, Pennsylvania, Clarion University of Pennsylvania has a student body of over 5,000 students.  Clarion University of Pennsylvania is a public institution.

Tuition: $337:non-resident

26. Saint Joseph’s College

Located along the shore of Sebago Lake in the small town of Standish, Maine, Saint Joseph’s College was founded just outside of Portland, Maine’s largest city.  Originally established as the Portland Regional Community of the Sisters of Mercy in 1912, Saint Joseph’s College was created as an institute for the education of women while also providing students a background in Catholic teachings and history. The school operated as a women’s-only institution for the coming decades until becoming coeducational in certain programs in 1970.

Currently, Saint Joseph’s College is the only Catholic School in the state of Maine.  Enrolling over 1,000 students, Saint Joseph’s College offers students forty different degrees to choose from.  Saint Joseph’s College is a private institution.

Tuition: $345:non-resident

27. Colorado State University

Through a key piece of legislation, then Governor of the Colorado Territory Edward M. McCook called for the establishment of a brand new state university designed with the purpose of serving the newly settled area.  In 1870, Colorado State University was established.  Running into a variety of different developmental issues in the beginning, the school eventually secured funding and a plot of land.  Originally named Colorado Agricultural College, the school was eventually added to the Colorado State University system and was renamed Colorado State University.

Located in Fort Collins, Colorado, Colorado State University enrolls a student body of approximately 3,400 students.  Colorado State University is a public institution.

Tuition: $350:non-resident

28. Washburn University

In conjunction with the Congregational Ministers and Churches of Kansas, the State of Kansas issues a charter that called for the creation of Lincoln College in 1865.  After receiving a generation donation of a plot of land by the abolitionist John Ritchie, construction began on what was then Lincoln College but would soon become Washburn University.  Renamed in 1868 to Washburn College, the school was named to honor the legacy of Ichabod Washburn, a famous abolitionist from the town of Worcester, Massachusetts who pledged $25,000 to the fledgeling institution.

Established on a foundation of progressive ideals, Washburn University is located in Topeka, Kansas and enrolls a students body of approximately 6,600 students.  Washburn University is a public institution.

Tuition: $352:non-resident

29. Jacksonville State University

Governor Edward O’Neal called for the established of the State Normal School at Jacksonville in 1883, laying the necessary groundwork for what would grow to become Jacksonville State University.  Originally occupying facilities that once belonged to the defunct Calhoun College, the State Normal School at Jacksonville originally operated as a state preparatory school for teachers.  By the 1920s, the curriculum of the school had shifted towards becoming a four-year institution and the name of the school was changed to the State Teachers College at Jacksonville.  The name was changed twice more.  Once to Jacksonville State College, and then finally to Jacksonville State University.

Established and still located in Jacksonville, Alabama, Jacksonville State University is currently home to approximately 8,700 students.  Jacksonville State University is a public institution.

Tuition: $359:non-resident

30. Old Dominion University

Initially, Old Dominion University was created out of humble beginnings as an offshoot campus of the nearby College of William and Mary.  Wanting to create an extension campus in the nearby city of Norfolk, Virginia, officials from the College of William and Mary began buying up buildings, land, and hiring professors that would eventually work at the new campus.  In 1930, the Norfolk Division of the College of William and Mary opened its doors to students.  The school grew quickly over the coming decades.  By 1962, the school had grown so large that it was deemed necessary to spin the school off into it’s school known as Old Dominion College.

No longer known as Old Dominion College, Old Dominion University now operates two additional campuses and has a student body of over 25,000 students.  Old Dominion University is a public institution.

Tuition: $369:non-resident

31. University of Wisconsin-Platteville

In 1959, officials from the Wisconsin Institute of Technology and Wisconsin State College decided that it would be best to merge the two institutions into one.  This newly formed institution was renamed the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.  Its origins dating back all the way to 1866, the oldest component of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville was Platteville Normal School, an institution dedicated to the education of teachers.  This school was eventually renamed to Platteville State Teachers College and then to Wisconsin Institute of Technology, Platteville.

Currently, still located in Platteville Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville is home to approximately 9,000 students.  University of Wisconsin Platteville is a public institution.

Tuition: $370:non-resident

32. Belhaven University

Doctor Lewis Fizhugh chartered Belhaven College in 1894.  Originally, the school was incredibly small and operated entirely out of a tiny residence located on Boyd Street in the small town of Jackson, Mississippi.  Unfortunately, this building burned down in a fire and construction was soon underway on a brand new location.  Tragedy struck again in 1904 when Doctor Lewis Fizhugh passed away at which point ownership of the school was transferred to his colleague Doctor J.R. Person.  Person continued to operate the school in Doctor Lewis Fizhugh’s vision until, after five years, another fire claimed the school.

The school reopened in 1911 under guidance from the Presbyterian Church.  Today, Belhaven University is home to 4,300 students.  Belhaven University is a private institution.

Tuition: $370:non-resident

33. Northwestern State University of Louisiana

On a plot of land originally owned by a local family known as the Bullards, Northwestern State University of Louisiana was officially established in 1856.  Initially, a convent and a school were built at this location.  Due to its incredibly early date of establishment, Northwestern State University actually predates the Civil War.  Established by the Louisiana State Legislature, the school was originally named the Louisiana State Normal School.  The school grew over the coming years and with that growth came a series of name changes.  In 1921 the school was renamed to Louisiana State Normal College and then to Northwestern College of Louisiana in 1944.

Today, Northwestern State University of Louisiana is located in Natchitoches, Louisiana and enrolls a student body of over 9,000 students. Northwestern State University is a public institution.

Tuition: $375:non-resident

34. Northeastern University

In 1868, the precursor to Northeastern University, the Evening Institute for Younger Men, opened its doors in 1868.  From its creation, Northeastern University focused primarily on providing students in the area with a wider variety of options when it came to education.  Northeastern University wanted to provide more flexibility when it came to earning a higher-education.  Founded in Boston, Massachusetts, Northeastern University currently operates satellite campuses in Charlotte, North Carolina; Seattle, Washington; and Silicon Valley, California.

Today, Northeastern University has the designation of having “High Research Activity” from the Carnegie Classifications Institute of Higher Education and enrolls a student body of approximately 25,000 students.  Northeastern University is a private institution.

Tuition: $378:non-resident

35. Sierra Nevada College

Starting from very humble beginnings, Sierra Nevada College opened its doors to its first class of students which included just twenty-three enrollees.  One of the unique goals of the new college was to incorporate as much of the unique characteristics of the school’s surrounding location in the Lake Tahoe region.  In just six years, the school had earned accreditation and was now offering a much wider variety of different academic programs to its students.  By the 1980s, Sierra Nevada College had added its first Master’s programs to its curriculum.

Located in Incline Village, Nevada, Sierra Nevada College offers students twenty different undergraduate programs as well as a variety of different graduate programs to its student body of just over 1,000 students.  Sierra Nevada College is a private institution.

Tuition: $379:non-resident

36. Baker College

Established in Flint, Michigan, Baker College began enrolling it first class of students in 1911.  Originally named the Baker Business College, the school was designed with the purpose of providing an education to adults who were looking to enter into the workforce immediately upon completion of their degree.  Baker Business College focused on providing students with tangible, real-life work skills.  In order to do so, Baker Business College went to great lengths to integrate real-world experience into their curriculum.  Founded by Eldon E. Baker, Baker College offered students a premier business education.

Having merged with Muskegon College in 1965, Baker College now offers students fifteen different programs of study to choose from.  Baker College is a private institution.

Tuition: $390:non-resident

37. Liberty University

Senior Pastor Jerry Falwell of the Thomas Road Baptist Church, called for the creation of Liberty University in 1971.  Named the Lynchburg Baptist College, the school would undergo series of transformations over the coming decades resulting in the Liberty University of the modern day.  Senior Pastor Jerry Falwell created Liberty University with the distinct goal of providing a high-quality education with a Christian perspective.

Originally named for the city of Lynchburg, Virginia, in which the school is located, the school was renamed in 1985 to Liberty University.  Now, Liberty University enrolls 15,000 students on campus and additional 100,000 online. Liberty University is a private institution.

Tuition: $390:non-resident

38. Charter Oak State College

The Connecticut State Legislature called for the creation of Charter Oak State College in 1973.  As part of a plan to expand the educational offerings within the state of Connecticut, Charter Oak State College was established as one of a few different schools created to remedy the situation.  Founded across the street from the Central Connecticut State University, Charter Oak State College was incorporated into the Connecticut State College and Universities System.

Located in the town of Hartford, Connecticut, the name Charter Oak State College is derived from the state’s famous Charter Oak, a very large white oak tree located in the city.  Now, Charter Oak State College is home to approximately 2,300 students.  Charter Oak State College is a public university.

Tuition: $392:non-resident

39. California State University – Dominguez Hills

In 1960, the Governor of California Pat Brown, called upon the California State Legislature to allocate funds towards the establishment and construction of a brand new school.  Initially, the new school was to be located in the city of Palos Verdes and was to be named South Bay State College.  As plans began to move forward it was eventually decided that Dominguez Hills was a better location for the new school than Palos Verdes.  Being a newer town, the state hoped that by locating the school there it would cause people to move there to help populate the new town.

Currently located in the Dominguez Hills region of Carson, California, California State University, Dominguez Hills is home to student body of approximately 15,000 students.  California State University, Dominguez Hills is a public institution.

Tuition: $396:non-resident

40. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

An integral part of the University of Wisconsin System of schools, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater was founded in 1868.  Originally named the Whitewater Normal School, the school was initially founded to act as a training facility for teachers across the state of Wisconsin.  The school operated in this limited capacity for the following fifty years.  In 1927, the Whitewater Normal School was granted the ability to offer students bachelor’s degrees and was renamed to Whitewater Teachers College.  The school underwent a few other name changes: in 1951 to Wisconsin State College-Whitewater, and then the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1971.

Eventually incorporated into the University of Wisconsin system, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater now enrolls a student body of just over 12,000 students.  University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is a public institution.

Tuition: $398:non-resident

41. Briar Cliff University

The Mother Superior of the Sisters of Saint Francis of Dubuque, Mother Mary Dominica Wieneke, and Most Reverend Edmond Heelan partnered together in the late 1920s to begin work on establishing Briar Cliff College.  By 1930, they were ready to open the doors to the newly founded Briar Cliff School, located upon the Briar Cliff.  Originally, the school only offered classes to women but this eventually changes males were allowed to enroll in 1965.  By 1967, residence halls had been added to the campus and students were able to take up residency at the school.

Founded in Sioux Falls, Iowa, Briar Cliff University enrolls just over 1,300 students.  Briar Cliff University is a private institution.

Tuition: $399:non-resident

42. Campbellsville University

Founded as a boys school, Campbellsville University was established as the Russell Creek Academy by the Russell Creek Baptist Association.  In the coming years, the school would undergo a series of changes that would take it from a humble boys school to a full-fledge university.  One of these key changes took place in 1966 when the school had gained university status and began offering college courses and degrees.

Located in Campbellsville, Kentucky, Campellsville Unviersity enrolls a student body of over 3,200 students and offers a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate programs to its students. Campbellsville University is a private institution.

Tuition: $399:non-resident

43. Touro University Worldwide

Speaking at the Touro Synagogue in 1970, George Washington gave a stirring speech that would go on to influence the establishment of Touro University.  Listening to the words of George Washington, the Touro family began developing a system of nonprofit schools of higher education that were sponsored by the Jewish faith.  Known as Touro College, the school system eventually consolidated to establish Touro University Worldwide in 1998.  Originally named Touro University International, the school focused on providing students with a wide variety of different distance education opportunities.

Now a leader in the field of distance education, Touro University Worldwide enrolls thousands of students online and offers a wide variety of different educational programs from which to choose from.  Tour University Worldwide is a private institution.

Tuition: $400:non-resident

44. Bellevue University

Bellevue University was originally created with the clear goal of providing working adults with an opportunity to gain a high-quality education.  Named Bellevue College at its founding, the school grew over the coming decades.  By 1975, Bellevue College had grown to become so large that it was then the fourth-largest private school in the state of Nevada.  Years later, the Bellevue College would receive university status and begin to offer Master’s programs to its offerings.

Renamed Bellevue University in 1994, Bellevue University is located in Bellevue, Nevada and enrolls a student body of approximately 10,000 students.  Bellevue University is a private institution.

Tuition: $410:non-resident

45. University of Massachusetts – Boston

In the Sixties, the State of Massachusetts was in an education crisis.  Demand for higher education greatly outpaced the available spots at public universities.  Hoping to remedy this situation, the Massachusetts State Legislature voted in 1964 to establish the university now known as the University of Massachusetts Boston.  A year later, classes began to be held in a newly renovated building in the Park Square area of Boston, Massachusetts.  During this time, construction on the Columbia Point campus was underway and was completed in 1974.  In 1982, the University of Massachusetts Boston absorbed the nearby Boston State College.

Located in downtown Boston, Massachusetts, the University of Massachusetts Boston enrolls approximately 17,000 students.  University of Massachusetts-Boston is a public institution.

Tuition: $410:non-resident

46. Buena Vista University

Opened in 1891, Buena Vista University originally held its first classes inside the Storm Lake Opera House. While this arrangement worked at first, soon demand for spots at the university grew so large that the school needed to move out of the Storm Lake Opera House.  This prompted construction on a new campus for the growing school.  Over the coming years, a new campus was erected.  Much of it still remains to this day, although some of it was lost in a fire in 1956.  During the 1950s and 1960s, Buena Visa University experience a period of rapid growth.

Today, Buena Vista University enrolls almost 1,000 students and offers forty-two different programs of study for its students.  Buena Vista University is a private institution.

Tuition: $421:non-resident

47. Brescia University

Originally named Mount Saint Joseph Junior College, Brescia University was established in 1925.  Established by the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph at Maple Mount, the school would grow and change to become the Brescia University of the modern era.  Originally, the school operated as a women’s-only school in order to education women and offer them more opportunities.  In time, the school was eventually made to be coeducational after the addition of new campuses.

Named for the Italian city of Brescia from which the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph hailed, Brescia University is now home to a large number of students at its Owensboro, Kentucky campus.  Brescia University is a private institution.

Tuition: $425:non-resident

48. Northern Arizona University

Founded to provide children in Arizona with an opportunity for an education, Northern Arizona University was originally established as the Northern Arizona Normal School in 1899.  Operating as a state normal school for the next six decades, Northern Arizona University was eventually granted the ability to offer Bachelor’s degrees and was renamed to its current name.

Now, Northern Arizona University is one of the state’s premier research universities and has earned the designation of having “High Research Activity” by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.  Enrolling 28,000 students, Northern Arizona University is located in Flagstaff, Arizona. Northern Arizona University is a public institution.

Tuition: $425:non-resident

49. Western Kentucky University

A.W. Mell founded the Glasgow Normal School and Business College in the heart of downtown Glasgow, Kentucky in 1876.  In the coming years, the school would eventually grow and transform while also merging with other nearby schools to form Western Kentucky University. After Glasgow Normal School and Business College was formed, the Potter College was established nearby by Pleasant J. Potter.  The Potter College would soon merge with the Glasgow Normal School and Business College, as well as the Western Kentucky Normal College and Teachers College, in the 1930s to form what would eventually be renamed to Western Kentucky University.

Now located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Western Kentucky University enrolls a student body of 21,000 students and offers over one-hundred different programs of study.  Western Kentucky University is a public institution.

Tuition: $425:non-resident

50. Indiana Wesleyan University

Founded in 1890, Indiana Wesleyan University was originally named Marion Normal College.  Indiana Wesleyan University operated under the name of Morion Normal College until 1912 at which point the school was then renamed to Marion Normal Institute.  After eight more years, the school was renamed to Mario College which remained the school’s name until 1980.  It was that year that the school was finally renamed to Indiana Wesleyan University.

Over the course of the 20th century and into the 21st, Indiana Wesleyan University’s curriculum and student body expanded.  Today, Indiana Wesleyan University is one of the largest private universities in the entire state of Indiana, enrolling 16,000+ students at its Marion, Indiana campus.  Indiana Wesleyan University is a private institution.

Tuition: $432:non-resident

51. Keiser University – Fort Lauderdale

Arther Keiser, founder of Keiser University, established Keiser University with his mother Evelyn Keiser in 1977 in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  Originally named the Keiser School, Keiser University operated as a career college, mainly focused on teaching students applicable work skills.  The school taught mainly business and healthcare courses in the beginning.  By 1982, the school added course in computer programming and it was decided that the name of the school would be changed to the Keiser Institute of Technology.  Following this change, associate degrees were added into the curriculum and the school was renamed once more to Keiser College.

In 2006, the school began offering students a wide array of degrees as it briefly switched to a for-profit business model under the name of Keiser University.  Today, it is now a non-profit university that offers a wide variety of educational experiences to its students.  Keiser University is a private institution.

Tuition: $440:non-resident

52. Limestone College

Tom and William Curtis, father and son, worked together in a partnership in order to found and establish Limestone College in 1854.  Both scholars from England, Thomas and William Curtis traveled from England to the United States with the vision of creating a school that provided educational opportunities to women.  Settling in South Carolina, the duo set to work on establishing Limestone College as one of the first women’s colleges in the state.  Today, Limestone College is one of the oldest schools in the state of South Carolina and is named for its proximity to a nearby limestone quarry.

Located in the city of Gaffney, South Carolina, Limestone College is still made up of much of its original campus. Today, Limestone College enrolls approximately 1,000 students on campus and an additional 2,500 students online. Limestone College is a private institution.

Tuition: $441:non-resident

53. Upper Iowa University

Hoping to establish a new institution of higher education, community members worked hard with the local branch of the Methodist Church in order to raise enough money through donations to establish what would become Upper Iowa University in 1857.  Led by pioneer Elizabeth Alexander, Upper Iowa University was founded to serve the people of the newly settled Iowa Territory. In partnership with her husband, Robert Alexander, Elizabeth Alexander, worked to get her new school started in the town of Fayette, Iowa.

Today, Upper Iowa University is located along the Volga River in the town of Fayette, Iowa.  Still maintaining its ties to the Methodist Church, Upper Iowa University enrolls a student body of nearly 6,000 students.  Upper Iowa University is a private institution.

Tuition: $441:non-resident

54. City University of Seattle

Founded in 1973, the City University of Seattle was established by its creator Dr. Micheal A. Pastore.  Working to create a school that served working professionals, the City University of Seattle was created by Dr. Pastore with the vision of providing most of its classes through non-traditional delivery formats such as night and weekend classes, as well as distance education.  At the time, Dr. Michael A. Pastore perceived a lack of educational options for working professionals and hoped that his new school would service that gap in the local education system.  He was proven right as the school became a success almost immediately and soon additional campuses began to sprout up all over the city.

Now, the City University of Seattle has a student body of nearly 6,400 students and is located in the city of Seattle, Washington for which the school gets its name.  City University of Seattle is a private institution.

Tuition: $447:non-resident

55. Adventist University of Health Sciences

Growing out of a program started at the Florida Hospital, the Adventist University of Health Sciences was founded in Orlando, Florida.  Originally, Florida Hospital established its nursing program that was receiving students from the nearby Southern Missionary College.  These students would come to the Florida Hospital in order to gain valuable insight and on-the-job experience in order to supplement their education and advance their nursing careers.  As this program grew to be more robust, the Florida Hospital decided to add an in-house Associate Degree in Nursing program.  By 1992, Florida Hospital had consolidated all of its separate nursing programs under one name and began offering students the ability to earn Bachelor’s degrees in 1998.

In 2012, the school was renamed to the Adventist University of Health Sciences and still operates under this name.  Currently, the Adventist University of Health Sciences is home to a student body of approximately 1,800 students. Adventist University of Health Sciences is a private institution.

Tuition: $460:non-resident

56. Stephen F. Austin State University

Established in 1923, Stephen F. Austin State University was named after one of the founding fathers of the state of Texas, Stephen F. Austin – for which the state of Austin, Texas also has received its name.  Originally created to serve as a teaching college for public school teachers in Texas, Stephen F. Austin State University quickly expanded the scope of its curriculum in order to service more students and provide more educational opportunities.

Located in Nacogdoches, Texas, Stephen F. Austin State University resides on the grounds of Thomas Jefferson Rusk’s former homestead.  A public university, Stephen F. Austin State University is one of the few public colleges in the state that is not part of the Texas University systems.  Currently, Stephen F. Austin State University enrolls approximately 14,000 students.  Stephen F. Austin State University is a public institution.

Tuition: $467:non-resident

57. LeTourneau University

Husband and wife, R.G. and Evelyn LeTourneau began working on plans for what would become LeTourneau University as World War II came to a close.  The two originally planned to create a university that would work to educate returning soldiers in order to teach them valuable work skills and help them enter into prosperous post-war careers.  By 1956, R.G. and Evelyn LeTourneau were ready to open what was then known as the LeTourneau Technical Institute.

Focusing primarily on teaching students manufacturing skills, the LeTourneau Technical Institute operated out of an old hospital building.  Upon graduation, students were placed into jobs at the nearby LeTourneau Manufacturing plant.  Today, LeTourneau University provides a much broader scope of educational opportunities to its student body of nearly 5,000 students. LeTourneau University is a private institution.

Tuition: $475:non-resident

58. Notre Dame College

Founded in 1922, Notre Dame College was founded in the city of South Euclid, Ohio on Ansel Road.  Originally, Notre Dame College only admitted women.  Over time, the school began to grow and it was determined that the Notre Dame College campus should expand to a fifteen acre campus in South Euclid.  Operating initially as a residential campus only, Notre Dame College added Weekend College programs to its curriculum in 1978.  This was Notre Dame College’s first program that was offered to students in a non-traditional means, laying the groundwork for future distance education programs.

By 2005, it was decided that Notre Dame College would not only admit women, but also begin to enroll men.  Enrollment at Notre Dame College quickly doubled.  Now, Notre Dame College is home to a student body of almost 2,250 students. Notre Dame College is a private institution.

Tuition: $475:non-resident

59. Southwestern College

Through an act of legislation by the Kansas State Legislature, the first steps towards establishing Southwestern College were underway when the bill called for the designation of a small plot of land for what would be the site of what was then known as the Southwest Kansas Conference College.  However, this plot of land remained undeveloped for over a year as plans for the new college were still being ironed out.  Overcoming financial and size concerns, construction finally began and the first class of students at Southwest Kansas Conference College were enrolled in 1886.  In 1909, the school’s name was shortened from Southwest Kansas Conference College to Southwestern College.

Currently, Southwestern College is located in the Kansas town of Winfield and is home to a student body of nearly 1,900 students.  Southwestern College is a private institution.

Tuition: $478:non-resident

60. Jacksonville University

Established in 1934, Jacksonville University was founded by William J. Porter.  Initially established under the name of the William J. Porter University, the school only offered students the ability to earn an Associate’s degree at first.  In its early years, the school did not have its own facilities and operated out of the nearby First Baptist Church.  After a year of operation, the school was renamed to Jacksonville Junior College.  Upon the institution of the GI Bill, Jacksonville University experienced a major uptick in the amount of students enrolling in the school, which afforded the ability for the school to build its own permanent campus.  Construction was completed in 1950 and in 1958 the school merged with the nearby Jacksonville College of Music

Renamed to Jacksonville University in 1958, Jacksonville University is located in Jacksonville, Florida and is home to a student body of nearly 4,200 students.  Jacksonville University is a private institution.

Tuition: $485:non-resident

61. Southern Oregon University

Reverend Henry Skidmore of Oregon’s Methodist Episcopal Church founded Southern Oregon University as the Ashland Academy in 1872.  Operating under its original name of Ashland Academy for its first five years, the school was renamed in 1878 to Ashland College and then to Ashland College and Normal School a few years later.  These name changes were just the first in a series of name changes that the school underwent.  Named Ashland Collegiate Institute then Southern Oregon State Normal School followed by Southern Oregon Normal School, Southern Oregon College, Southern Oregon State College, and then finally Southern Oregon University.

Today, Southern Oregon University is located in Ashland, Oregon and is home to a student population of approximately 6,200 students. Southern Oregon University is a public institution.

Tuition: $486:non-resident

62. Regis University

In 1877, a group of Italian Jesuits fled to the United States in need of asylum.  Upon reaching the United States, the group settled in the city of Las Vegas, New Mexico.  There, the group of Italian Jesuits began work to establish Regis University.  Referred to as Las Vegas College at the time, the school operated successfully for the next few years.  At the request of the Bishop of Denver, the Jesuits decided to move their school from the city of Las Vegas, Nevada to Denver, Colorado.  In Denver, the school was merged with the already established Sacred Heart College to form the College of the Sacred Heart.

Renamed to Regis University in 1921, the school was named to honor Saint John Francis Regis.  Today, Regis University enrolls a student body of 8,700 students at its Denver, Colorado campus.  Regis University is a private institution.

Tuition: $490:non-resident

63. University of Saint Mary

Upon settling in the town of Leavenworth, Kansas, the Sisters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul began work to establish a boy and girls school in 1858.  After a year of work and planning, the St. Mary’s Institute opened as a precursor to the University of Saint Mary.  Originally situated in the downtown-area of Leavenworth, Kansas, the school was moved to its current location just outside the city of Leavenworth in 1870.  It was at this point that the name of the school was changed to St. Mary’s Academy.  In 1923, the Sisters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul officially chartered Saint Mary College.  Saint Mary College began offering four-year Bachelor’s degrees in 1974 making it the first to do so in Kansas.

Now known as the University of Saint Mary since 2003, the University of Saint Mary is home to a student population of just over 800 students.  University of Saint Mary is a private institution.

Tuition: $490:non-resident

64. Ball State University

Originally named the Eastern Indiana Normal School, Ball State University was established in 1876.  Over the course of the next twenty-five years, the school operated under the Eastern Indiana Normal School name until it was forced to shutter its doors due to financial issues.  Just a short year later, the school was revamped and reopened as Palmer University.  However, this did not last very long as it was renamed to Indiana Normal College and then shut down in 1907.  Following this series of unfortunate closures, the school was purchased by the Ball Brothers, two local entrepreneurs.  It was at this point that the school reopened and it began to really prosper.  In 1961, to honor the two brothers who breathed a new life into the institution, the school was renamed to Ball State College.

Later renamed to Ball State University, Ball State University is located in Muncie, Indiana and is home to approximately 22,000 students.  Ball State University is a public institution.

Tuition: $492:non-resident

65. University of Wyoming

Inscribed with the Latin phrase “Domi Habit Unde Disceret”, meaning “He need not go away from home for instruction”, the first cornerstone was laid for the University of Wyoming‘s first building, the Old Main, in 1866.  Just one year later, construction had been completed on the new university’s campus and it began enrolling man and women into its courses.  Located on a plot of land known s Prexy’s Pasture, the campus has become renowned for its beautifully serene views that remain to this very day.

Growing over the years, the University of Wyoming is now home to a student body of over 14,000 students.  Referred to as “UW” by most of its students, alumni, and faculty, the University of Wyoming offers students a variety of different undergraduate and graduate degree programs. University of Wyoming is a public institution.

Tuition: $496:non-resident

66. University of Louisville

After the founding of the city of Louisville, Kentucky, the Kentucky General Assembly passed a charter calling for the establishment of a brand-new institution of higher learning for the newly established city in 1798.  Named originally the Jefferson Seminary, the school operated under this name until 1829.  It was at this time that the people of Louisville called for a less “elitist” institution.  Decades later in 1846, the Kentucky Legislature combined the Louisville Collegiate Institute, Louisville Medical Institute, and the new law school to form the University of Louisville.  The aim of the new school was to be much more inclusive and welcoming of the public than its predecessors.

Still located in Louisville, Kentucky, the University of Louisville currently enrolls a student population of approximately 22,500 students. University of Louisville is a public institution.

Tuition: $497:non-resident

67. Thomas Edison State University

Thomas Edison State University began in 1971 with the idea that the college-level knowledge adults gain outside the classroom could be measured and applied toward an academic degree. Approved by the New Jersey Board of Education in December 1971, the idea became a reality with the establishment of the University on July 1, 1972. The University was aptly named in honor of Thomas Alva Edison, the New Jersey inventor who gained encyclopedic knowledge of many subject areas without attending college classes.

Presently, Thomas Edison State University enrolls a student body of approximately 17,500 and offers 100 different programs. Thomas Edison State University is a public institution.

Tuition: $499:non-resident

68. University of Maryland University College

Established with the goal of providing working adults with an opportunity to pursue a higher education outside of a traditionally schedules college course of study, the University of Maryland University College was formed as a series of night classes by the University of Maryland.  Commonplace now, the University of Maryland University College was a pioneer in the field of distance education as well as other non-traditional course delivery methods.  Over time, the program grew so large that it was spun-out of the University of Maryland and was renamed to the College of Special and Continuation Studies.

In 1959, the school was renamed to the University of Maryland University College.  Today, the University of Maryland University College enrolls a student body of just over 90,000 students.  University of Maryland University College is a public institution.

Tuition: $499:non-resident

69. Brandman University

Initially located on the former grounds of the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, Brandman University was established in the city of Irvine, California.  Formed in 1861, Brandman University was originally an additional branch of the nearby Chapman University.  Capitalizing on its location on the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, Brandman University initially focused on providing a high-quality education to soldiers.  Operating as a branch of Chapman University for the coming years, the school was eventually forced spin-off into its own school due to size concerns.

Renamed to Brandman University when it was spun-off from Chapman University, Brandman University now operates twenty-five campuses all along the West Coast throughout Washington and California. Brandman University is a private institution.

Tuition: $500:non-resident

70. University of Cincinnati

Name for its location in the city Cincinnati, Ohio, the University of Cincinnati was established in 1819 and has become an integral cultural touchstone of the community ever since.  Initially named Cincinnati College, the college was later renamed to the University of Cincinnati in 1870. Founded on Clifton Avenue in downtown Cincinnati, the University of Cincinnati was soon forced to relocate from its original location to the Heights neighborhood in order to accommodate for an explosion of growth.  By 1977, the State of Ohio had designated the University of Cincinnati as a state school.

Presently, the University of Cincinnati has grown to become the second-largest school in the state of Ohio with a student body of over 45,000 students.  Students are able to enroll in over 350 different programs of study. University of Cincinnati is a public institution.

Tuition: $503:non-resident

71. Western Carolina University

Hoping to establish a school that would best serve their community, the people of the town of Cullowhee, North Carolina, came together to forma. Board of Trustees that would soon establish the precursor to Western Carolina University. This Board of Trustees established the Cullowhee Academy. Opening its doors in 1889, the Cullowhee Academy operated as the Cullowhee High School during its earliest years. By 1905, the school was no longer just a high school. Renamed to Cullowhee Normal & Industrial School, the school had been transformed into a state normal school.

Over the coming years the school would undergo a variety of different name changes until it was finally renamed to Western Carolina University in 1967.  Today, Western Carolina University is home to a student body of nearly 9,000 students. Western Carolina University.

Tuition: $505:non-resident

72. Drexel University

One of the founding partners at the investment banking firm now known as J.P. Morgan & Co but then known as Drexel, Morion & Co., Anthony J. Drexel, established the brand new Drexel University in 1891.  Anthony J. Drexel wanted to change the way that universities selected their student body.  Drexel University was to accept student solely on their merit.  The school would not discriminate by sex or background when deciding who should attend, instead the school would look at their intelligence and intellect.  Originally established in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Drexel University soon added additional campuses throughout the city.

Now, Drexel University maintains campuses in Philadelphia as well as an additional satellite campus in Sacramento, California.  Home to over 26,000 students, Drexel University offers students over 170 different programs of study. Drexel University is a private institution.

Tuition: $508:non-resident

73. Franklin University

From its inception, Franklin University was founded with the goal of providing higher education to adults of all ages.  Hoping to provide education to those that fell outside the norms of what made a traditional student, Franklin University was established as the YMCA School of Commerce in 1902.  Operating under this name and mission for the next three decades, the YMCA School of Commerce eventually outgrew its home as part of the YMCA.  Moving out of the YMCA, the institution was renamed to Franklin University and dissolved its relationship with the YMCA.

Now including an additional satellite campus in Indianapolis, Franklin University enrolls a student body of nearly 8,000 students. Franklin University is a private institution.

Tuition: $509:non-resident

74. Humboldt State University

Hiram Johnson, the Governor of California at the time, established Humboldt State Normal School as a state teacher’s college in 1913.  Named after Alexander von Humboldt, a famous German scientist, Humboldt State Normal School was to focus on educating the people of California in the sciences.  Seeking out a site for the new school, the state of California had to navigate fierce fighting between the cities of California who were vying desperately to have the school located in its city.  Two cities, Arcata and Eureka fought fervently for the new school and ultimately Arcata, California won the contract for Humboldt State Normal School.

Eventually, the school became a full-fledged university and was renamed Humboldt State University. Today, Humboldt State University is home to a student population of 8,500 students. Humboldt State University is a public institution.

Tuition: $510:non-resident

75. Excelsior College

During the 1970s, the New York State Board of Regents began working on creating an external degree program that would serve all of the New York State system of higher education.  Officially established in 1971, the Regents External Degree Program (REX) was founded by the New York State Board of Regents.  Through this small external degree program, students were able to gain an education without the requirement of residing on campus.  Soon, this program became quite popular and it was determined that it should be spun-off into its own institution.

Originally named Regents College, the school was renamed Excelsior College after privatizing.  Today, Excelsior College specializes in distance education and enrolls a student body of nearly 35,000 students.  Excelsior College is a private institution.

Tuition: $510:non-resident

76. Frostburg State University

Representative of Allegany County in Maryland, John Leake, introduced a key piece of legislation to the floor of the Maryland General Assembly in 1898 that called for the creation of a second normal school within the state of Maryland. Originally named State Normal School No. 2, this institution would eventually grow to become Frostburg State University. Construction on the school began in 1899 and the first class of students began enrolling in 1900.  Initially designed to act as a training school for teachers throughout the state, the school began to churn out highly-trained teachers.

Eventually the school was renamed in 1935 to the State Teacher’s College at Frostburg, then to Frostburg State College in 1963, and finally to Frostburg State University in 1987. Today, Frostburg State University, located in Frostburg, Maryland, enrolls a student body of nearly 6,000 students. Frostburg State University is a public institution.

Tuition: $514:non-resident

77. Chatham University

The Pennsylvania Female College was established by Reverend William Trimble Beatty in 1869, laying the framework for what would eventually grow to become Chatham University.  Holding its first classes in the Berry Mansion initially, soon the Pennsylvania Female College grew too large for its initial location. To not be outpaced with its explosive expansion, the Pennsylvania Female College began purchasing neighboring mansions and holding classes in them.  By 1890, the school had rebrand as the Pennsylvania College for Women. Five decades late, the school was renamed to Chatham College in honor of William Pitt, the First Earl of Chatham.

Gaining university status in 2007, the school was renamed to Chatham University. Today, Chatham University enrolls approximately 2,300 students and is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Chatham University is a private institution.

Tuition: $515:non-resident

78. University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Opened as the Massachusetts Agricultural College, this institution would eventually grow to be known as the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.  Established in 1863, the Massachusetts Agricultural College received its initial funding federally through the Morill Land Act. Over the years the school grew and grew and in 1932 was renamed from the Massachusetts Agricultural College to the Massachusetts State College. Receiving a surge of applicants towards the end of World War II, Massachusetts State College underwent a period of great prosperity. The school added more programs to its curriculum and was renamed to the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1947.

During the 2000s, the University of Massachusetts-Amherst became the flagship school of the UMass system.  Today, the University of Massachusetts-Amherst is home to over 30,000 students and offers them two-hundred different programs of study to choose from. University of Massachusetts-Amherst is a public institution.

Tuition: $525:non-resident

79. Union Institute & University

In 1964, the President of Goddard College assembled nine different leaders of successful liberal arts colleges and universities in order to discuss what the future of education would be as well as any innovations in the field of education.  At this gathering, the group came together to form the Union for Research and Experimentation in Higher Education.  The goal of this group was to work to bring greater innovations to the field of education and teaching.  Leveraging the various strengths of the different members of the group, the University Without Walls was formed.  By 1975, this group had grown to include thirty-four different institutions.

In 1982, the University Without Walls was rebranded as the Union Institute & University.  Currently located in Cincinnati, Ohio, the Union Institute and University offers its students a variety of different educational opportunities. Union Institute & University is a private institution.

Tuition: $530:non-resident

80. Pennsylvania State University

Established in 1855, Pennsylvania State University is known to most of its alumni, faculty, and current students as Penn State. Established as the Farmer’s High School of Pennsylvania, the name of the school was eventually changed to the Agricultural College of Pennsylvania after expanding its course offerings to the collegiate level.  This change in scope was result of Pennsylvania State University becoming the recipient of a large donation of land that allowed the school to expand its campus and offer a larger variety of classes. Following this donation the school received additional funding at the federal level through the Morill Act.

Changing its name from Pennsylvania State College to Pennsylvania State University in 1952, Pennsylvania State University is located in State College, Pennsylvania, and enrolls a student body of approximately 100,000 students. Pennsylvania State University is a public institution.

Tuition: $555:non-resident

81. Saint Leo University

To serve those stationed in Vietnam during the Vietnam War, Saint Leo University developed a new type of course delivery format that would allow those deployed to enroll and take classes at Saint Leo University remotely.  Fueled by the desire to help those in Vietnam to continue their education, Saint Leo University inadvertently created the first distance education program and became pioneers in the field. Founded in 1889, Saint Leo University is one of the oldest Catholic Colleges in both Florida and the entire country.

Named for its location in Saint Leo, Florida, Saint Leo University is home to approximately 16,000 students, of which only 2,000 of the students are enrolled on campus.  Saint Leo University is a private institution.

Tuition: $565:non-resident

82. Sacred Heart University

Reverend Walter W. Curtis, the Bishop of the Dioceses of Bridgeport, established Sacred Heart University in the year 1963.  Founded as a Catholic institution, Sacred Heart University eschewed typical Catholic tradition and was run by the laity.  This was unheard of at the time as all Catholic schools up until this point were run directly by the Catholic Church.  Sacred Heart University had pioneered the Catholic school that was run by the local people.  It was believed that having Sacred Heart University run by the community that the school could become more integral to the community that it was a part of.

Today, Sacred Heart University enrolls nearly 9,000 students at its Fairfield, Connecticut campus and offers its students seventy different programs of study. Sacred Heart University is a private institution.

Tuition: $575:non-resident

83. University of Houston-Victoria

Created as an extension campus for the University of Houston, the Coordinating Board of Texas College and University Systems worked to establish the University of Houston-Victoria in order to accommodate for growth within the University of Houston.  Developed to be an off-campus center for the University of Houston, construction began in the early 1970s in the city of Victoria, Texas.  In 1973, students were enrolled and attending classes at the new facility. Over the coming decades, attendance at the off-campus center grew and eventually a tipping-point was reached where it was determined that the school would be spun-off.

Known as the University of Houston-Victoria, the school was located in the city of Victoria, Texas and enrolled a student body of 4,300 students. University of Houston-Victoria is a public institution.

Tuition: $612:non-resident

84. Florida International University

After construction was completed on the new Miami-Date Airport, the older Tamiami Airport that was replaced by the Miami-Dade Airport was decommissioned and was now no longer in use.  Realizing the opportunity on its hands, the city of Miami, Florida, decided that the old Tamiami Airport would be the perfect location for a new public university. Citing a lack of a public university that serviced the southern-part of Florida, Senator Ernest Graham called for the creation of a brand new school in 1943. It three decades, but construction began and was finally completed on the new school at the Tamiami Airport in 1972.  That year, Florida International University accepted its first class of 5,000 students.

Presently, Florida International University enrolls a student body of 54,000 students making it the second-largest public university in Florida and the fourth-largest in the United States. Florida International University is a public institution.

Tuition: $618:non-resident

85. Brenau University

Initially established as a women’s seminary, Brenau University opened to its first class of students in 1878. Operating as a women’s seminary for some years, the school did not start to resemble the Brenau University of today until it was purchased by H.J. Pearce.  Upon purchasing the school, the name was changed to Brenau University.  The name “Brenau” was created through the combination of the German word “Brennen” which means “to burn” and the Latin word “aurum” which means “gold”.  The name Brenau University reflects the school’s motto: “As Gold Refined By Fire”. Privately owned by H.J. Pearce until 1911, Brenau University was then transferred to a Board of Trustees.

Located in Gainesville, Georgia, Brenau University is home to over 3,500 students. Brenau University is a public institution.

Tuition: $624:non-resident

86. Thomas University

On Birdwood Plantation, a home once belonging to the U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Thomas University was first established.  Named the Birdwood Junior College after the facility it was located at, Thomas University began accepting first class of students five years after receiving its charter. Enrolling just nine students, the school was run by the Primitive Baptist Church.  However, control of the school was soon turned over to a Board of Trustees in 1976.  This change of control resulted in the school being renamed to Thomas County Community College.

In 1986 the school was renamed Thomas College and then Thomas University in 2000. Today, Thomas University is located in Thomasville, Georgia and is home to a student population of 1,200 students. Thomas University is a private institution.

Tuition: $630:non-resident

87. Saint Louis University

Most Reverend Louis Guillame Valentin Dubourg, the Bishop of Louisiana and Florida, established the Saint Louis Academy in 1818 – what would eventually become Saint Louis University. Originally, Saint Louis Academy was located in someone’s private residence located along the Mississippi River. Two years later in 1820, the Saint Louis Academy was moved to its own facility and was renamed to Saint Louis College. Over the coming decades the school would shift from location to location until the end of the Civil War. After the Civil War, a parcel of land called Lindell’s Grove was purchased and construction began on what is now Saint Louis University’s current campus.

Located in St. Louis, Missouri, Saint Louis University enrolls a student body of just over 13,000 students and is one of the oldest universities west of the Mississippi River. Saint Louis University is a private institution.

Tuition: $640:non-resident

88. Champlain College

With the mission statement of preparing men to be ready for the “business cares and responsibilities of life” Champlain College opened last the Burlington Business College in 1878.  Shortly after its founding, the Burlington Business School began enrolling its first class of male students.  Until 1884, the school admitted only men, teaching them skills necessary to enter into the workforce.  After allowing women to enroll in the school, the school was forced to relocated to the Hill Section of Burlington, Vermont in order to accommodate for growth.

Changing its name to Champlain College after moving to its current location, Champlain College is located in Burlington, Vermont and is home to approximately 2,000 students that are able to enroll in over eighty different fields of study. Champlain College is a private institution.

Tuition: $640:non-resident

89. Appalachian State University

Dauphin D. Dougherty and Blanford B. Dougherty, brothers, worked in partnership to lead a group of citizens of the town of Boone, North Carolina, to fund a brand new school that would provide education and training to aspiring teachers to prepare them to teach students in the local area. By 1889, the Dougherty brothers established Watauga Academy.  Running the school successfully for the next four years, the school eventually received funding from the state of North Carolina and was renamed to the Appalachian Training School for Teachers.

By 1967, the school had become a full-fledged university and the name was changed to Appalachian State University.  Located in the mountain town of Boone, North Carolina, Appalachian State University enrolls approximately 19,000 students and offers 200 different programs of study. Appalachian State University is a public institution.

Tuition: $643:non-resident

90. University of Illinois – Chicago

Founded in 1982, the University of Illinois at Chicago was created when it was decided that the University of Illinois would consolidate two of its campuses into one brand new university.  Upon consolidating the two campuses, the school began to grow rapidly in size.  Known for its research initiatives, the University of Illinois at Chicago has recently received the “Research I” status level from the Carnegie Institute of Classification of Higher Education.

Presently, the University of Illinois at Chicago is the largest public university in the city.  The school enrolls a student body of over 29,000 students and offers them over 300 different programs of study to choose from. University of Illinois at Chicago is a public institution.

Tuition: $650:non-resident

91. Oklahoma State University

The Oklahoma Territorial Agricultural and Mechanical College was founded in 1890 and would eventually become Oklahoma State University. Through legislation passed by the Oklahoma Territorial Legislature, the Oklahoma Territorial Agricultural and Mechanical College was created as a land-grant university through the Morill Act. By 1891, Oklahoma Territorial Agricultural and Mechanical College was holding its first classes. Built around a pond, much of Oklahoma State University’s original campus remains to this day.

Located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University enrolls almost 24,000 students. Oklahoma State University is a public institution.

Tuition: $674:non-resident

92. Troy University

An integral component of Alabama’s system of higher education, Troy University opened its doors as the Troy State Normal School in 1887.  Having its initial campus located in the southern town of Troy, Alabama, Troy University became the center of what grew to become the Troy University System of Schools.  As the school began to grow, Troy University opened additional satellite schools all across the state of Alabama in order to accommodate for growth thus creating what is now known as the Troy University System.

Gaining national attention for its robust curriculum, Troy University has also received international recognition and has an alumni of over 100,000 graduates. Troy University is a public institution.

Tuition: $676:non-resident

93. Goodwin College

Founded as the Data Institute Business School, Goodwin College was established in 1962. At its establishment, the school operated primarily as a small business technology training center.  Working to provide students with the skills and information needed to open their own small businesses, the school operated in this capacity for the following four decades. In 1999, the school was purchased and reimagined as Goodwin College. Upon this purchase, the curriculum of the school was expanded to include a wider variety of educational opportunities.

Today, Goodwin College is located in Hartford, Connecticut, and enrolls over 1,000 students in its wide variety of different degree programs. Goodwin College is a private institution.

Tuition: $707:non-resident

94. East Carolina University

Originally chartered as the East Carolina Teachers Training School, East Carolina University was established in 1907 and began accepting its first class of students in 1909.  Operating for the next decade as solely a teachers school, East Carolina Teachers College then began to offer degree programs and which point the named of the school was renamed to East Carolina Teachers College.  Eventually the school was renamed to East Carolina University. East Carolina University has grown to become one of North Carolina’s largest research universities and has earned the very prestigious designation of being a campus of “Innovation and Economic Prosperity” by the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities.

Located in Greenville, North Carolina, East Carolina University boasts a student body of over 28,000 students, making it one of the largest public universities in the state. East Carolina University is a public institution.

Tuition: $716:non-resident

95. University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh

The third training school for teachers to be established within the state of Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh was established as the Oshkosh State Normal School in 1871.  Over the coming years, the school would under go a series of name changes.  In 1927, Oshkosh State Normal School was renamed to Oshkosh State Teachers College and then to Wisconsin State College – Oshkosh in 1951. In 1964, the school was renamed to Wisconsin State University – Oshkosh and, after joining the University of Wisconsin System, was renamed to the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh in 1971.

Founded in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is home to almost 14,000 students and offers students a wide variety of different degree programs from which to choose. University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh is a public institution.

Tuition: $741:non-resident

96. Mercy College

Established in 1950, Mercy College was founded by the Sisters of Mercy.  Over the course of the following decade, Mercy College only operated as a junior college.  This all changed in 1961 when the State of New York finally granted the school college-status allowing Mercy College to offer students four-year degrees.  The addition of Bachelor’s degrees into their available curriculum resulted in a major increase in enrollment at the school.  Originally just an all women’s school, Mercy College eventually became coeducational which helped to increase the institution’s enrollment numbers.

Currently, Mercy College is well-known for its nursing program that it added in 1981 and is home to thousands of students at its Dobbs Ferry, New York campus.  Mercy College is a private institution.

Tuition: $761:non-resident

97. Metropolitan State University of Denver

Founded on one of the oldest institutions in the city of Denver, Colorado, Metropolitan State University of Denver was established on what was once the site of the town of Aurora. Opened in 1965, Metropolitan State University of Denver originally operated as an opportunity school that provided nontraditional students with educational delivery formats that were beyond that of a standard college.  At the outset, the Metropolitan State University of Denver worked to be accessible by all by offering the lowest tuition rates in the state. It was also mandated that the school would enroll a higher-percentage of people of color than other universities and colleges in order to promote diversity of backgrounds and cultures on campus.

Currently located in Denver, Colorado, Metropolitan State University of Denver is home to a student body of almost 24,000 students.  Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public institution.

Tuition: $785:non-resident

98. Marian University

Established by the Sisters of St. Francis of Oldenburg, Marian University began enrolling its first class of students in 1851.  Founded as a liberal arts school, Marian University originally focused on providing its students with the proper education and training needed to go on to become teachers for the state of Indiana.  Named St. Francis Normal School, the school was eventually moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, where it experienced a great deal of growth.  Eventually, the school was merged with the nearby Immaculate Conception Junior College.

Renamed to Marian University in 2009, Marian University is currently located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is home to a student body of nearly 3,000 students.  Marian University is a private institution.

Tuition: $795:non-resident

99. Dallas Baptist University

Located only twelve short miles outside of the downtown-area of Dallas, Texas, Dallas Baptist University was founded in the the small community of Mountain Creek Lake, Texas.  Originally established by the Baptist General Convention of Texas, the school’s original site was located in the town of Decatur, Texas, on a parcel of land that the Baptist General Convention of Texas purchase. Quickly, the new school proved to be ever popular and eventually it had grown too large for its location in Decatur. In 1965, it was decided that the school would be relocated to the nearby town of Mountain Creek Lake.

Renamed upon its relocation, Dallas Baptist University is still located at its campus in Mountain Creek Lake, Texas.  Home to a student body of approximately 5,500 students, Dallas Baptist University offers students over 120 different degree programs to choose from.  Dallas Baptist University is a private institution.

Tuition: $856:non-resident

100. Indiana University

After the Indiana State Legislature called for the creation of an institution of higher-learning that would service the people of the state of Indiana in 1820, construction began on what would eventually grow to become Indiana University.  After two years of construction, the brand new university was location in the Seminary Square Park region of the city of Bloomington, Indiana. Named the State Seminary for its location in Seminary Square Park, Indiana University accepted its first class of students in 1825, just five years after being chartered.

Renamed Indiana University in 1839, Indiana University has grown substantially over the past years and is now the flagship university of University of Indiana System.  Currently, Indiana University is home to a student body of just under 50,000 students at its campus in Bloomington, Indiana. Indiana University is a public institution.

Tuition: $1,214:non-resident

Why Get an Affordable Online Degree?

Students today are faced with more choices than ever when it comes to their college education.  As more and more colleges and universities turn to offering their degrees online, many students who were anticipating pursuing a traditional education are unsure of whether or not an online degree is right for them.

Traditionally, students enrolled full-time on-campus or nearby to receive their education.  But now with the advent of the Internet, many students are wondering whether or not pursuing a degree online is a viable option.

At Degree Query, we believe that pursuing a degree online has many advantages over pursuing a degree on-campus.  To help students better understand some of the ways that they could benefit from taking their education online, we’ve compiled a few of our favorite reasons why we prefer affordable online degrees.

It’s cheaper!

Face it, one of the biggest issues when it comes to deciding to gain a higher education is cost.  As tuition continues to skyrocket in price, students can rest assured that a great way to control costs is to turn to an online degree program.

By enrolling in a program online, students are able to save a great deal of money on their tuition costs.  Colleges and universities are able to cut out the costly overhead that comes with offering a degree on- campus, and in doing so are able to pass off these savings to students.

No longer do students have to be saddled with $100,000+ of debt in order to receive a quality education.

It’s the same!

If something is cheaper, it must be an inferior product, right?  Wrong!  Most colleges and universities that offer a degree on-campus and online typically use the same curriculum in both programs. While the programs are adapted in order to better fit their respective delivery formats, these online degree programs tend to be nearly identical to their on-campus counterparts.  That means students can receive the same education at a fraction of the cost.

It’s more convenient!

Students who choose to pursue their education online have a much greater deal of autonomy over their education.  Freeing themselves of the need to be in a physical location at a specific time in order to attend class, students who are enrolled online become the master of their own schedule.  Students can create class schedule that best suit their needs.

Many students today are juggling more obligations and responsibilities than students of the past.  Whether you’re working a part-time job, are in an internship, or have any other responsibility, enrolling online allows students to create a schedule that works best for them.

Go where you want to!

An often overlooked perk of pursuing an education online is that it opens students up to a lot more options of places to enroll.  When considering an on-campus college or university, most students look at the school’s that are in-state in order to get the best deal on tuition.  By enrolling online, students can expand their horizons and find the program that best suits them, regardless of location.  A lot of times, colleges and universities offer the same tuition rate for in-state and out-of-state students online.  And if they don’t, it’s still typically cheaper than going on-campus.

Bottom line

Earning a degree online has many perks and advantages over earning a degree on-campus.  Students can save large sums of money on tuition while receiving what is typically a near-identical curriculum to the on-campus counterpart.  Online degrees allow students to craft schedules that work for them and allow students to enroll in programs at colleges or universities that may have been geographically prohibitive.

By earning a degree online, students are able to gain a greater deal of flexibility in their education while saving money.

Does a Low-Cost Online Degree Mean Low-Quality?

While earning a degree online has a lot of advantages to earning degree on-campus, one of the biggest benefits of pursuing a degree online is the low cost. Earning a degree online is almost always substantially cheaper than its on-campus counterpart. Colleges and universities are able to offer their degree programs online at a fraction of the cost of the on-campus degree because they are able to eliminate much of the costly overhead that comes with providing a degree on-campus.

By going online, colleges and universities have cut costs dramatically and have been able to pass those savings off to the student.  However, with this change, comes some concern.  Often times, people associate something that is inexpensive or cheap with not being of high-quality.  And when it comes to something so important, that takes so much time, and is such a large investment, some students may be worried that saving money on their education may mean they are receiving a subpar education.

At Degree Query, we work to help students find the degree programs that are right for them and try to help students get the most bang for their buck.  To help assuage the fears of some students, we’ve investigated this claim.

Understandably, one might be worried that a university or college offering degree programs to students at a lower cost must be making up that cost somewhere by providing a substandard experience.  If a university or college is cutting costs and passing them onto the student, what exactly is it that the university or college is cutting?

The answer is: not much.  When it comes to the online education space, students are afforded more options than ever before.  That means that due to high competition, universities and colleges must compete with one another for a students dollars.  That means that they need to drive costs down while making sure the quality stays the same or increases.

How are we so sure?

At Degree Query we only feature universities and colleges that are accredited by nationally-recognized accreditation boards. In order to be listed on our website, colleges and universities must be accredited by an independent organization. Becoming accredited is no easy task. Colleges and universities are subject to review on a regular basis at which they must prove to these boards that they are providing an education that meets the requirements that they are promising their potential students.

Accreditation leaves little room for error or shenanigans when colleges and universities are concerned.  These institutions are pressed to work hard to maintain their accreditation status as losing their status will have dramatic effects on enrollment.  These marks of accreditation ensure that the university or college is operating on the up-and-up.

Not only are colleges and universities accredited at an institution-wide basis, they often times also seek accreditation for individual programs.  This ensures that even the individual program is up to industry-standards.

Bottom-line

When it comes to a college education, saving money isn’t a bad thing! It’s just important that students seek out colleges or universities that are accredited by nationally-recognized boards.  If the school is accredited then no need to worry.  And fortunately for you, all of the colleges and universities featured on Degree Query are all schools that have received accreditation for nationally-recognized accreditation boards.

Is it Harder to Get a Job with an Inexpensive Online Degree?

For many prospective students, an online degree program may be much more of an alluring option. By studying online students are able to save money on tuition, create a schedule that best fits their needs, and study at any school regardless of geographic location.  With all these benefits, it’s a wonder why any student might choose to enroll in a program on-campus.

However, one rather pervasive myth regarding inexpensive online degrees is that they are not viewed as highly by prospective employers and as a result make it harder for students to find a job with such a degree. As a website dedicated to helping students find the best online degrees, we’ve decided to look into this myth a little more closely to find out more.

With so many benefits to pursuing a degree online, it may seem too good to be true.  Many potential students of online degree programs worry that their employers are going to look poorly upon their online degree.  According to our research, that is simply not the case for a variety of different reasons.

Often times, the online degree follows the exact same curriculum.

Through our research, we’ve found that most degrees offered online are near-exact copies of their on-campus counterparts.  Universities and colleges tend to offer the curriculum both on-campus and online as it requires less work of the school to craft entirely unique curriculums specific to those enrolled online or on-campus.  The only differences that tend to arise are differences needed to facilitate the differences in delivery mechanism.

Colleges and universities are just as much fans of online degree programs as we are, as it allows them to take the same curriculum offered on-campus and offer it online to a much larger amount of students.

A lot of times, employers don’t even ask.

At the end of the 2000s, there was a glut of online colleges that offered sub-standard education in exchange for a quick-and-easy degree.  These “diploma mills” worried many human resource managers and potential employers, and this caused a stigma to arise around online degree programs.  However, employers demanded higher-quality education from their potential hires and regulation of online colleges tightened, these “diploma mills” failed.

This once pervasive issue has been resolved.  Now, employers are typically more concerned with the institution that you received your degree from rather than whether or not you received your education on-campus or online.  Many employers are growing to understand the realities of the modern student and understand that its not feasible to expect everybody to be able to enroll as full-time, on-campus students.

And if they do ask, it’s not so easy to tell.

If an employer finds themselves so inclined to find out more information about whether or not a student earned their degree on-campus or online, they might find that that information is a little bit harder to come by.  Most schools that offer online degree programs don’t even delineate on their diplomas whether or not the student was enrolled online or on-campus.

Bottom-line

When online degree programs were newer, many employers were original wary of their quality.  This initial fear helped contribute to a myth that having an online degree might make it harder to find a job.  However, as online degrees have become more commonplace and regulation on the industry has tightened, most employers no longer concern themselves with where and how you received your education.  They just want to make sure that you ARE educated.

The post 100 Most Affordable Online Colleges & Degrees appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

1. University of Florida

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

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

• Program Website

2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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

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

• Program Website

3. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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

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

• Program Website

4. Columbia University

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

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

• Program Website

5. Purdue University

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

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

• Program Website

6. Florida International University

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

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

• Program Website

7. American University

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

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

• Program Website

8. Michigan State University

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

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

• Program Website

9. Johns Hopkins University

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

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

• Program Website

10. Eastern Illinois University

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

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

• Program Website

11. University of Missouri

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

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

• Program Website

12. Colorado State University

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

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

• Program Website

13. Texas Tech University

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

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

• Program Website

14. University of Michigan – Flint

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

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

• Program Website

15. Northeastern University

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

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

• Program Website

16. The University of Alabama

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

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

• Program Website

17. Mississippi College

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

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

• Program Website

18. University of Denver

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

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

• Program Website

19. Gonzaga University

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

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

• Program Website

20. Syracuse University

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

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

• Program Website

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

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

1. University of Pennsylvania

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

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

Business College: The Wharton School

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Enrollment: 1,715 students

Tuition: $64,920

2. University of Chicago

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

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

Business College: Booth School of Business

Location: Chicago, IL

Enrollment: 2,509 students

Tuition: $63,980 

3. New York University

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

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

Business College: Leonard N. Stern School of Business

Location: New York, NY

Enrollment: 2,339 students

Tuition: $63,720 

4. Stanford University

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

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

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

Business College: The Stanford Graduate School of Business

Location: Stanford, CA

Enrollment: 824 students

Tuition: $64,050

5. Columbia University

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

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

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

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

Business College: Columbia Business School

Location: New York, NY

Enrollment: 1,287 students

Tuition: $65,988

6. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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

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

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

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

Business College: Sloan School of Management

Location: Cambridge, MA

Enrollment: 806 students

Tuition: $65,446

7. University of California—Berkeley

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

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

Business College: Haas School of Business

Location: Berkeley, CA

Enrollment: 1,301 students

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

8. Harvard University

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

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

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

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

Business College: The Business School at Harvard University

Location: Boston, MA

Enrollment: 1,872 students

Tuition: $61,225

9. University of Michigan—Ann Arbor

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

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

Business College: Stephen M. Ross School of Business

Location: Ann Arbor, MI

Enrollment: 1,299 students

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

10. Northwestern University

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

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

Business College: Kellogg School of Management

Location: Evanston, IL

Enrollment: 1,960 students

Tuition: $64,059

11. University of California—Los Angeles

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

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

Business College: Anderson School of Management

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Enrollment: 1,696 students

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

12. Ohio State University

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

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

Business College: Max M. Fisher College of Business

Location: Columbus, OH

Enrollment: 552 students

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

13. Tulane University

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

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

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

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

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

Business College: A. B. Freeman School of Business

Location: New Orleans, LA

Enrollment: 916 students

Tuition: $48,800

14. University of Rochester

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

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

Business College: Simon Business School

Location: Rochester, NY

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

Tuition: $46,000

15. Illinois Institute of Technology

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

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

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

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

Business College: Stuart School of Business

Location: Chicago, IL

Graduate Business Enrollment: 1,003 students 

Tuition: $28,463

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

For Further Reading:

Top 10 Graduate Degree Programs in Criminal Justice

What Degree Do I Need to Be a Policy Analyst?

What Degree Do I Need to Be a Crime Analyst?

The post Top 15 Master’s in Finance Degree Programs appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

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

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

What Is a Fire Science Degree?

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Best Bachelor’s in Fire Science Degrees Online

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

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

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

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

1. University of Florida

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

Why Study Fire Science at the University of Florida

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

View program details.

2. Fayetteville State University

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

Why Study Fire Science at Fayetteville State University

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

View program details.

3. New Jersey City University

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

Why Study Fire Science at New Jersey City University

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

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

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

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

Coursework in New Jersey City University’s Fire Science Program

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

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

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

View program details.

4. Columbia Southern University

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

Why Study Fire Science at Columbia Southern University

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

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

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

Coursework in Columbia Southern University’s Fire Administration Program

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

View program details.

5. University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

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

Why Study Fire Science at the Univesity of Wisconsin

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

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

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

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

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

Core coursework for the program as a whole includes:

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

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

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

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

View program details.

6. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

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

Why Study Fire Science at the University of North Carolina

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Coursework in the program includes the following areas of study:

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

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

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

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

View program details.

7. Colorado State University, Fort Collins

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

Why Study Fire Science at Colorado State University

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Students also complete elective coursework in areas such as:

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

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

View program details.

8. The University of Nebraska at Omaha

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

Why Study Fire Science at the University of Nebraska at Omaha

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

View program details.

9. American Public University System

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

Why Study Fire Science at American Public University

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

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

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

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

Coursework in American Public University’s Fire Science Management Program

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

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

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

View program details.

10. Anna Maria College

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

Why Study Fire Science at Anna Maria College

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

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

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

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

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

Coursework in Anna Maria College’s Fire Science Program

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

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

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

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

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

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

View program details.

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

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

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

A Degree in Education is a Degree in Versatility

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

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

Methodology for Ranking Best Undergraduate Education Degrees

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

• Online Degrees 

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

• Number of Options 

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

• Reputation 

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

20 Best Online Bachelor’s in Education

1. Valley City State University

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

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

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

Click here for more info. 

2. Wilmington University

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

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

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

Click here for more info. 

3. Athens State University

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

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

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

Click here for more info. 

4. Mayville State University

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

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

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

Click here for more info. 

5. University of Missouri

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

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

Click here for more info. 

6. St. Petersburg College

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

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

Click here for more info. 

7. University of Cincinnati

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

Prospective education students will want to check out the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Bachelor’s program. Students will learn to master the fundamentals of working with young children from the point of birth to age five, and as such will be prepared to work in a variety of positions upon graduation. 

Click here for more info. 

8. University of Alabama

Even if you’re not a ‘Bama football fan you have probably heard of the University of Alabama. And if you haven’t heard of it, its most distinguishing characteristic is its reputation. Alabama is consistently recognized as one of the best places to earn a degree in the Southeastern United States, and over the past ten years has broadened its accessibility to all students who access to the internet through the Bama by Distance initiative. 

The College of Continuing Education offers a fully online Bachelor’s of Early Childhood Education. Course curriculum is designed to prepare students to work with children from birth to age eight, in order to guide, teach, and develop these children into bright and well-functioning adolescents. While many programs constrict early childhood education to a cutt-off at age 5, this program gives professionals more leeway to work with a wider age range (up to 8 years old).

Click here for more info.

9. Ball State University

BSU has demonstrated its academic excellence year after year which can be measured in its countless awards and rankings. What is most notable about BSU’s accolades is that they tell a pretty clear story: BSU is one of the best options for earning a Bachelor’s degree online, particularly in education. Both the online Bachelor’s and online Master’s of education programs consistently rank among the nations best each year. 

Prospective undergraduate students will be able to earn a fully online Bachelor’s of Early Childhood Education (ECE). The focus of the curriculum is aimed at working with children from birth to age 5. The program is delivered by award-winning faculty with impressively competitive tuition pricing, making it an excellent option for anyone interested in an ECE career.  

Click here for more info. 

10. University of Wisconsin-Stout

UW Stout employs a philosophy of education which seemingly rests on a core pillar of flexibility in delivering academic excellence. In other words, UW Stout distinguishes itself from its many competitors through the amount of sheer choice offered in its available program paths. Students can choose to earn a reputable degree in a traditional format in the classroom, or online, or in a hybrid combination of the two. Furthermore, classes can be taken fulltime or part-time, so there is a program to fit virtually any lifestyle. 

Prospective students interested in becoming educators have a number of options to choose from–some of which offer all three formats of traditional, online, or hybrid. While some are limited to online, none are limited to traditional, meaning you can enroll in any of the following programs while living anywhere in the country: 

• B.S. in Career and Technical Education and Training
• B.S. in Family and Consumer Sciences Education
• B.S. in Marketing and Business Education 
• B.S. in Special Education 
• B.S. in Technology Education 

Click here for more info.

11. University of Arkansas at Little Rock

UA Little Rock is a research university that employs curriculum built around two central tenets–real world experience and critical thinking. For this reason, degree programs at UA Little Rock are exceedingly well-known for creating excellent professionals in various fields and industries. 

Of note to this ranking is its recent dedication to developing distance learning programs, which are designed to offer all of the academic rigor and career-focused philosophy of its in-classroom programs without the inconvenience. UA Little Rock offers two main undergraduate education programs that can be completed entirely online. These include a B.S. of Health Promotion and Education, and a B.S.E. in Middle Level Education. 

Click here for more info.

12. University of Southern Mississippi

USM offers a surprisingly diverse host of online degree programs, both at the undergraduate and graduate level with a number of additional certificate programs available as well. It should be made note of that while there is an online undergraduate program in education, the large majority of USM’s online degree offerings are graduate programs.

What’s great about this is that graduate-education-minded students can enroll in the undergraduate program in order to benefit from a seamless transition into their graduate studies. And even if this is not your plan, the online B.S. of Elementary Education stands on its own merit. What distinguishes this program is that it delivers a curriculum specialized for teacher’s assistants, so that students can get into a classroom and in front of students as efficiently as possible. 

Click here for more info. 

13. University of Wisconsin-Superior

Founded in 1893 as a “normal school” or teacher’s college, UW Superior has built a tradition of academic achievement in its students and professional success in its graduates who go on to become teachers. Given the success of its traditional programs, it should be no surprise that its online degree program expansions have been met with similar praise. 

Around 90% of graduates from these programs find employment as PK-12 educators, while others go on to pursue graduate education or to work in the private sector. The three primary online undergraduate degree paths are as follows: 

• Elementary Education (k-9)
• Early Childhood Education 
• Special Education 

Click here for more info. 

14. Western Governors University

WGU Tennessee represents a partnership between WGU and the state of Tennessee that was built on the promise of connecting distance learning technology with top-tier education in order to give students more ways to jumpstart their careers efficiently and affordably. WGU’s education program leads the nation in producing STEM teachers, which are often the most demanding teaching positions. 

The main online undergraduate program in education is offered in the form of a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. While some programs only prepare students for pursuing licensure within the state of the parent-program, WGU’s B.A. in Elementary Education is designed to prepare graduates for earning licensure in all 50 states. 

Click here for more info. 

15. Western New Mexico University

WNMU offers a variety of online degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. What really sets it apart though is its exemplary commitment to supporting online education. This commitment is demonstrated most clearly in the following features: 24/7 technical support, 24/7 online tutoring, and fully online student advisors provided to each student. WNMU is combining all the technology and digital functionalities of the modern age to bring online education to the next level. 

WNMU further distinguishes itself by not only offering highly supported online degree programs, but also by offering programs in a diverse range of subjects. Students interested in an online Bachelor’s of Education will be able to choose from any of the following options:

• Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education 
• Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education 
• Bachelor of Mathematics Education 
• Baccalaureate in Secondary Education 
• Bachelor of Science in Special Education 

Click here for more info. 

16. Granite State College

Despite its relatively recent inception, GSC has carved out an excellent reputation for its online education programs. GSC was founded on the idea of providing top-tier affordable degree programs for adult learners. This means that GSC offers a remarkable number of student-friendly policies such as a flexible credit-transfer system, flexible course formats, and competency-based testing. 

In the case of the education student, all of these systems and policies are designed to get the student into the classroom as a professional educator as quickly as possible. GSU accomplishes this fast-paced education without sacrificing quality by focusing on specific areas of study within k-12 education. Students interested in a career-focused and fast-paced undergraduate program in education can pursue any of the following options: 

• Bachelor of Science in Applied Studies – Education and Training 
• Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education
• Bachelor of Arts in English Language Arts 
• Bachelor of Arts in Math Studies 
• Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies 

Click here for more info. 

17. North Carolina A & T State University

NC A&T University recently celebrated its 129th anniversary in higher education. NC A&T has used each of those years to build toward realizing a single mission–that is, offering quality education that uses state of the art technology. This mission is finally being realized due to the University’s recent expansion into online education. NC A&T offers relatively few degree programs and certificates as compared to many of its counterparts, however this limited focus represents a strategic commitment of resources to ensure its fewer programs have the highest quality. 

Specifically within the education, NC A&T offers a degree specialization which is relatively rare, a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education. While this specialization will be of niche interest, the program’s curriculum is delivered by some of the country’s top agriculture education researchers, and as such represents one of the best options for those interested in building a career in this area. 

Click here for more info. 

18. Fort Hays State University

Over one hundred years ago, FHSU began by helping rural teachers with the professional development they needed to increase the expansion of education in areas that needed it. Today FHSU is carrying forward that history by offering both affordable and efficient education available to prospective teachers at the graduate and undergraduate level. One distinguishing factor of FHSU is that it displays a sincere dedication to providing top of the line education technology, so distance learning students can expect the industry’s best. 

FHSU offers undergraduate education programs focused on cultivating expertise in prospective teachers of k-12 with each degree path representing an area of  focus. These areas of focus are delivered in these Bachelors of Science in Education: 

• Early Child Unified 
• Elementary Education (K-6)
• Elementary Education (K-6 / Special Education)
• Secondary Education

Click here for more info. 

19. University of the Cumberlands

With a rich history dating back to 1913, the University of the Cumberlands offers students a number of reasons to consider pursuing one of its degrees. A reputation for stellar education programs and academic excellence in its students has driven a widely held respect for the University of the Cumberlands. Among its alumni are university presidents, five military generals, judges, and many more professionals of outstanding character and achievement. 

In the case of its program for education, the undergraduate degree on offer is a fully online Elementary Education degree. While some comparable programs break up the areas of focus within elementary education into separate degree paths, the University of the Cumberlands offers one degree with several options for teaching specializations such as the following: 

• English/Communications
• Interdisciplinary
• Social and Behavioral Studies
• Special Education

Click here for more info. 

20. Southern Utah University

SUU positions itself with a passionate stance in its education philosophy in educating the future generations of teachers. That is, SUU is staunchly opposed to social injustice within the realm of the education system, and as such prospective students can expect curriculum to incorporate techniques, strategies, and histories relevant to combatting and correcting such injustice. 

Specifically, this philosophy is incorporated in a fully online Bachelor’s of Elementary Education. This program is designed to prepare graduates for teaching K-8 within the school system of their desired locale. It should be noted that applicants will need to be endorsed by the applicant’s local k-6 school that will allow the applicant to complete practicum assignments specific to that school–since the SUU Elementary Education program was originally designed specifically for the Utah school system. 

Click here for more info. 

For Further Reading: 

Top 10 Graduate Degree Programs in Criminal Justice

The post The 20 Best Online Bachelor’s in Education Degrees appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

How Do You Choose the Easiest Bachelor’s Degree Online?

What makes a college degree program “easy”? Is the easiest bachelor’s degree online one that requires little in the way of mathematics skills? Is it one that won’t have you spending hours upon hours in a laboratory, painstakingly measuring variables and drafting lab reports? How about a degree that doesn’t require a whole lot of memorization, writing or outside-the-box thinking?

Defining Easy Bachelor Degrees

What is the easiest bachelor degree to get? The easiest bachelor’s degree may mean different things to different people.

RELATED: Which College Degree Is Easiest?

If you’re naturally great with numbers, it may be a blank page or an assignment to sketch out a design, rather than a complicated math formula, that makes your stomach clench. However, to many students, the majors that require a great deal of scientific and mathematic equations or high-tech computer knowledge are among the most difficult. Degree programs that require less science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) knowledge are often viewed as easier programs of study.

RELATED: What Distinguishes an Easy Bachelor’s Degree From a Difficult One?

What constitutes the easiest degree is somewhat subjective. To identify the easiest bachelor’s degrees, this article takes into account everything from the flexibility of the curriculum to graduating students’ GPAs.

No major is completely easy. Students – even those pursuing the easiest bachelor degree to get – should also be aware of the hardest parts of their programs of study.

Of course, when choosing a college degree to pursue, students need to consider the whole picture. That includes assessing their own interests, career aspirations and strengths and weaknesses.

Is Online Learning Easy?

It’s no coincidence that our list of the 20 easiest bachelor’s degree options focuses on online learning. Online degree programs tend to offer the most flexibility. They may also include fewer laboratory science courses.

That said, online programs aren’t necessarily easy. Most online degree programs require the same rigorous coursework as campus-based programs do. Online courses require a great deal of self-discipline, since you’re more likely to be working at your own pace.

RELATED: How Difficult Is It to Earn a Bachelor’s Degree Online?

Still, for students juggling work, family obligations or other responsibilities, an online degree may be the easiest degree to get. Online courses allow you to fit your studies into your schedule.

What Is the Easiest Bachelor’s Degree to Get Online?

We’ve put together a list of the 20 easy degrees undergraduate students can earn through online learning.

1. Liberal Arts

Perhaps the easiest degree to get is a liberal arts degree. A liberal arts or liberal studies college major equips students with a generalist education. When you study liberal arts, you’re cultivating a breadth of knowledge, rather than studying a single subject in great depth.

Students in a liberal studies degree program will take courses in a variety of fields, including the following, according to U.S. News & World Report:

• The humanities
• History
• Communications
• Composition
• Social science
• Physical and life sciences
• Mathematics

However, pursuing a liberal arts degree won’t spend the bulk of their college education studying complex and high-level scientific theories and mathematical formulas.

Some liberal arts courses are interdisciplinary. This means these courses combine components of multiple fields of study.

Throughout your studies in various disciplines, you will strengthen an array of versatile skills, such as:

• Critical thinking
• Communications
• Problem-solving
• Decision-making

RELATED: What Skills Do I Gain With Liberal Studies? 

The combination of these skills, plus your general college-level knowledge of a variety of subjects, can prepare you for countless possible career paths or fields of advanced study. As long as you meet the prerequisite course requirements, liberal arts majors can go on to earn an advanced degree in just about any subject. They may even pursue medical school or law school with undergraduate degrees in liberal arts.

RELATED: What Jobs Can I Get With a Liberal Arts Degree?

Coursework in Online Degrees in Liberal Arts

Liberal arts is one of the easiest online bachelor’s degrees you can attain because its generalist focus means that you won’t need to delve into the complexities of specialized knowledge in any one field. You will likely have to take at least some basic math and science courses. However, you won’t have to study these subjects at the advanced – and most difficult – levels.

In fact, because the courses you take in a liberal arts degree program are so general, your curriculum is likely to be much more flexible than many other degree programs. That means you have more freedom to choose your classes. You also don’t have to worry so much about sticking to a strict schedule to fit all of your required courses into four years of full-time study.

As a liberal arts major, you might take classes such as the following, according to U.S. News & World Report:

• Perspectives on social institutions
• The development of scientific ideas
• The fundamentals of speech
• Religious and ethical values
• Advanced composition
• Transformative leadership
• World views and values and perspectives on the humanities

Even a flexible liberal arts degree program still poses challenges. Most liberal studies degrees offered online require students to commit to a major or concentration of some kind. This means you will still need to learn more than just the fundamentals of at least one subject.

RELATED: The 20 Most Flexible Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs

Because your curriculum requires you to cultivate a breadth of knowledge, you need to be well-rounded. You can’t simply avoid the subjects that you are weakest in by studying your strongest subjects exclusively.

What Makes It Easy: Flexible curriculum and generalist focus

The Hardest Part: Performing well in every subject, developing strong “soft” skills

Career Opportunities: Sociologist, historian, economist, librarian, lawyer, real estate agent

2. Education

The next easiest bachelor degree to get online is a degree in education. You might consider studying education if you want to share the gift of knowledge.

Both CBS News and The Huffington Post have listed education as one of the easiest college degrees you can earn. One factor they consider is grades.

The easier the degree, the more likely a student is to attain good grades – or at least, that’s the idea behind the methodology. Education majors have the highest grades, according to CBS News. The education average GPA is 3.36. In comparison, the students with the lowest average GPA – 2.78 – are chemistry majors.

It’s possible that average GPA isn’t influenced only by the subject matter being easier. Students who major in teaching and learning happen to be good at the assignments and exams used to assess knowledge at the college level. Regardless, there’s a general bias that taking courses such as learning through play and creative activities for young children means that the curriculum is not as rigorous as other degrees. Students in other college majors often enviously give their peers who study education some grief over the time they spend creating classroom decorations or reading and reporting on children’s books.

Of course, life as an education major isn’t all fun and games. The student teaching requirement means you’ll basically spend a semester working full-time for free. At many schools, you’ll have to double major in another subject besides education. That means meeting all of the demands of both programs of study. There are also tests you need to take to attain a teaching license. Once you finally get started in your career, you’ll find that teaching a classroom full of high-energy children can be a demanding job.

Coursework for Online Degree Programs in Education

Students who major in education learn effective techniques for conveying academic information to audiences of different age groups. Studying strategies for managing a classroom is also important.

Typically, education majors have to choose an age group to focus on.

In an early childhood education degree program, you will study subjects such as typical and atypical child development, language development and learning through play, according to U.S. News & World Report. You will need to learn how to begin teaching very young children about the early stages of reading and writing as well as introducing them to subjects like science.

Majoring in elementary education means learning how to teach students in kindergarten through fifth grade. You will take courses in classroom management, educational psychology and instructional strategies for teaching various subjects at the elementary level.

In a secondary education degree program, you will learn more about adolescent development. Your college coursework will also cover teaching methods for more advanced subject matter that will prepare students for life after graduation.

All education majors have to gain hands-on student teaching work as part of their degree requirements.

What Makes It Easy: High grades on average, fun courses, creative projects

The Hardest Part: Hands-on student-teaching experience requirements, dual major requirements

Possible Career Paths: Preschool teacher, elementary school teacher, middle school teacher, high school teacher

3. English Literature

What makes English literature the next easiest bachelor degree online students could pursue? Like education, English is a degree program in which students usually earn a high GPA, CBS News reported. To many critics, though, the good grades of English majors are only one of the factors that make the program seem easy.

After all, if you’re a native English speaker, you’ve already spent most of your life using the English language. You speak and write in English on a daily basis without even thinking about it. However, majoring in English in college is very different from having a casual conversation or writing an informal note or email to an acquaintance.

Learning the complex rules of grammar and style can be challenging. Reading a lot of literature and literary analyses – and then writing your own analyses – takes up a lot of time. Writing essays, stories, poems and articles of your own requires a great deal of creativity.

Coursework in an Online Bachelor’s Degree in English Program

When you major in English, you’re going to do a lot of reading and writing. English degree programs typically include studies in areas like the following, according to U.S. News & World Report:

• The composition of different kinds of written texts
• The rhetoric used in crafting these texts
• Grammar and editing
• The analysis of literature

You’re likely to spend time reading, analyzing and writing about English literature ranging from ancient texts to modern bestsellers. You will study different kinds of writing, including:

• Creative writing
• Persuasive writing
• Expository writing

In your literature classes, you will learn about literary theories and techniques of literary criticism. You should expect to read and analyze classic British and American literature. Works by Walt Whitman and William Shakespeare are common examples. Students who major in English literature should be prepared to take a foreign language and a variety of liberal arts courses to fulfill general education degree requirements.

What Makes It Easy: High grades on average, years of experience speaking and writing English before you start college

The Hardest Part: Reading and analyzing complex works of literature

Career Opportunities: Author, journalist, editor, publishing house executive or assistant, public relations specialist, marketer, lawyer

 4. Foreign Language

College is a great time to learn a new language. However, choosing a foreign language degree program as your college major lands your program of study on the easiest degrees list.

College students who major in a foreign language graduated with a high average GPA of 3.34, according to CBS News. This puts them second only to education majors.

The Huffington Post, too, listed language as one of the easiest degree programs. The reason for this decision is because success in this field relies heavily on mere memorization.

It may be easy to memorize key words and phrases. However, it takes much more time and effort to truly become fluent in a language. Some people seem to pick up new languages naturally, but for most people, it requires work and practice.

Knowing more than one language has its benefits. In fact, Inside Higher Ed argued that studying a foreign language should be mandatory for all students, regardless of their selected program of study.

Overall enrollment in foreign language courses has dropped in recent years. This suggests that students from other majors don’t think that it’s particularly easy to learn a new language. Rather, devoting four years of study to learning a language seems easier than spending that time learning complicated concepts in more specialized fields of study.

Coursework in Online Degree Programs in Foreign Languages

In a foreign language program, you’ll learn to compose in, translate and converse in your new language. You will memorize words and learn the grammar and style rules of a foreign language. However, you won’t just study how to conjugate verbs and decline nouns.

Learning about the culture associated with the language is just as important as learning how to speak, read and write in a foreign language. You may use the language that you learn only occasionally, when you interact with native speakers of that language or visit its country of origin. Your understanding different cultures is a skill that you can use in many different capacities.

The most popular foreign languages that American college students choose to study, according to Forbes, include:

• Spanish
• French
• German
• Italian
• Japanese
• Chinese
• Latin
• Russian
• Arabic
• Ancient Greek

What Makes It Easy: Memorization, generalist focus

The Hardest Part: Achieving real fluency in speaking and writing in a non-native language

Career Opportunities: Translator or interpreter, customs officer, government intelligence agent, international business consultant, cultural officer, Peace Corps worker

5. Music

You might be surprised that music is considered and easy college degree. Well-respected schools such as Yale University and Duke University offer music degrees, so how easy could they be?

Music students tend to have high GPAs, according to CBS News. Most music bachelor’s degree programs include few science and mathematics requirements. Between these two factors, it’s not surprising that publications like CBS and The Huffington Post would single out the major as an easy one.

Much of the belief that music is an easy major comes from the fact that it’s not a “practical” or “safe” degree, according to Forbes. There’s no widely available, straightforward job path for music majors. Aspiring musicians who go on to make a living as performers are few and far between.

However, it takes a great deal of focus, discipline and perseverance to master the playing of an instrument. Majoring in music forces you to cultivate these traits if you want to be successful – which both builds character and prepares you for the workforce, no matter what job you end up getting.

Even getting into a music bachelor’s program isn’t easy. Often, to be admitted into an online music degree program, you need past experience playing a musical instrument. You may have to submit a recording of your musical performance as part of your application materials.

Coursework in Online Degree Programs in Music

Online bachelor’s degree programs in music equip students with the skills needed to compose, perform, study and critique music.

Music students take a variety of courses, from the history of music to music theory. They also take applied music courses or lessons. Through these courses, they learn to play one or more musical instruments or to sing.

An online bachelor’s degree program in music may require students to perform music in ensemble courses. Students can often choose from concentrations such as the following:

• Performance
• Composition
• Music production
• Analytical music studies
• The music industry.

They may also choose one or more instruments to focus on in their applied music lessons. Popular instrument choices incude:

• Piano
• Guitar
• Trumpet
• Violin
• Flute
• Trombone
• Clarinet
• Voice

What Makes It Easy: Creative and fun, lack of required courses in science or mathematics, less career-focused

The Hardest Part: Developing skill in playing an instrument requires dedication and a great deal of practice

Career Opportunities: Professional musician, orchestra conductor, music composer or arranger, talent recruiter, music critic, DJ, concert promoter

6. Religion

Another easy bachelor’s degree to pursue online is religion. Religion rounds out the top five majors with the highest average GPAs, according to CBS News.

Religion is another degree program with a reputation for being impractical and unlikely to lead to a job. That’s why The Huffington Post considers it one of the easiest degree programs.

A religious studies degree program can seem somewhat fuzzy, especially when you’re pressed to explain how you will turn your education into a career. However, students in undergraduate religious studies degree programs often need to take high-level courses as part of their required curricula.

Coursework in Online Degree Programs in Religion

In a religious studies degree program, you’ll study a variety of religions of the world. You will also learn the theoretical framework of religions and approaches to understanding them.

Religion might seem like an ideal major if you’re devout in your faith, but you need to have an open mind when studying belief systems other than your own.

Most college students who major in religious studies take courses on all of the major world religions, including:

• Judaism
• Christianity
• Islam
• Hinduism
• Buddhism

You might also study emerging religious movements and the beliefs of smaller religious sects.

Many religious studies degree programs require students to develop a solid understanding of religious theory, religion’s role in culture and religion and moral issues. You may study religions of certain geographical locations, such as Asia or the Americas. You’re also likely to study the history of individual religions.

Advanced seminars are common in religion degree programs. So are capstone courses that require students to complete an individual or small group project.

Reading and interpreting scriptures and other religious texts, often written thousands of years ago, can be challenging. Often, students are asked to think critically about religion and modern moral issues, including racism and sexism.

What Makes It Easy: Lack of required courses in science or mathematics, less career-focused

The Hardest Part: Overcoming personal biases about religious beliefs, thinking critically about historical and modern moral issues, understanding religious texts

Career Opportunities: Clergy, counselor, journalist, museum curator, librarian, public policy analyst, volunteer coordinator, diplomat

7. Communications

Year after year, communication is a popular program of study both online and on campus. The versatile degree program is among the easier bachelors degree options out there.

Communications is another degree program that gets a reputation for being easy largely due to its generalist nature. Typically, communications students study a breadth of media and journalism topics. They aren’t delving into any one topic as deeply as, for example, a public relations major or a business major might.

Most online programs in communications don’t require any additional science or math courses beyond the school’s general education requirements.

Hands-on experience in a field like communications is particularly valuable when it comes to finding a job. Still, most online communications degree programs don’t require students to complete an internship to graduate, according to U.S. News & World Report. That’s another factor that makes theis online degree seem easy.

However, communications majors certainly face some challenges in their education. They need to get used to intimidating situations such as public speaking obligations and starting off an assignment with a blank page. These are situations that even high-performing students in STEM majors often find anxiety-inducing.

Coursework in Bachelor’s Degree in Communications Programs

Most communications and journalism degree programs require students to take courses in topics such as the following, according to U.S. News & World Report:

• Intercultural communication
• Organizational communication
• Public speaking
• Persuasion
• Media writing
• Research methods
• Digital media
• Media law
• Communication theory and ethics

A general communications major program of study is broad. However, students often have the opportunity to choose one or more concentrations or specializations. Examples of concentrations in online programs in communications include:

• Journalism,
• Marketing
• Emerging media
• Advertising
• Public relations
• Business communications

A communications curriculum with a concentration allows students to develop their communication skills through a breadth of media and communications courses but still concentrate on an in-demand subfield. The result is that communications majors can find a marketable balance of generalist and specialist skills.

The classes you take in a communications degree program depend on your concentration. You may have to learn technical skills needed to design websites or public relations strategies to manage high-pressure crisis situations.

What Makes It Easy: Generalist focus, flexible curriculum, lack of required courses in science or mathematics, lack of mandatory hands-on work experiences

The Hardest Part: Overcoming fears of public speaking or criticism of writing, attaining technical or strategic skills that fit in your concentration subfield, a reading- and writing-intensive curriculum

Career Opportunities: Reporter, author, technical writer, editor, public relations specialist, advertising executive, marketing specialist

8. General Business

Business administration is a popular program of study. In fact, the major has been the single most popular bachelor’s degree since the 1980s, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Whether the popularity of business administration in despite being among the easiest degrees or because it’s among the easiest bachelor’s degrees is open to debate.

The program is especially common among online students. Online programs in business administration account for more than a quarter of all online undergraduate students, according to U.S. News & World Report.

There are several different college majors within the field of business. Usually, the more general undergraduate programs of study seem easier than their specialized counterparts. Specifically, math- and number-driven subjects such as accounting and finance may seem more challenging than a general business program of study.

RELATED: What Are the Easiest Degrees to Get in Business?

Despite its broad focus and multidisciplinary curriculum, business administration degrees don’t suffer from the same bias many of the easiest college majors do. Employers still consider this degree path “highly practical,” according to U.S. News & World Report.

The master’s degree-level counterpart of the BBA, the Master of Business Administration (MBA), is even more sought-after. However, some critics fear that the market is becoming oversaturated as more and more students earn this master’s degree.

Coursework in a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration

In a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree program, you will take courses in a variety of disciplines that equip you with an understanding of the foundations of business. You should expect to take classes such as:

• Accounting
• Economics
• Finance
• Business law and ethics
• Human resources
• Marketing
• Office administration

As a business major, you may have the opportunity to pursue a specialization or concentration. Examples of concentrations in business administration bachelor’s degrees include: accounting, marketing and supply chain management. However, as a BBA major pursuing an accounting or marketing concentration, your specialized curriculum probably will not have as much depth as it would if you majored in accounting or marketing. That’s because you’re spending more of your semester hours cultivating a broader array of business knowledge. Students in more specialized majors, meanwhile, are digging more deeply into a single subject.

For undergraduate business administration students, the curriculum might not require as much advanced study of a single discipline as other majors would. Still, it can be rigorous. Often, online business administration students must complete a mandatory research project, portfolio project, internship or other capstone experience, according to U.S. News & World Report.

What Makes It Easy: Generalist focus, lack of required courses in science or mathematics, a multidisciplinary curriculum

The Hardest Part: Amassing a solid understanding of a variety of business disciplines, completing a capstone experience

Career Opportunities: Human resources manager, marketing manager, advertising manager, accountant, auditor or financial analyst

9. Philosophy

Another of the easiest bachelor degrees is philosophy. When you earn a bachelor’s degree in philosophy online, you spend much of your time studying and analyzing knowledge and reality. You will explore questions such as the meaning of life and how we know the things we know.

To succeed in the study of philosophy, students need to be both logical and creative. They have to think in ways that are at once rationally organized and outside-the-box.

Philosophy majors should enjoy debate. However, they have to craft compelling and research-backed arguments to prove their points.

Though philosophy as a program of study is often the target of jokes, the curriculum makes it a “notoriously challenging major,” The Huffington Post reported. Why, then, did this program of study find a spot on the list of easiest bachelor’s degrees?

Philosophy can come across as an easy major, but that’s not because the workload itself is easy. Rather, philosophy is among the easiest college majors because it’s such a fuzzy field of study. In mathematics or the physical or life sciences, there are clear right and wrong answers. In the field of philosophy, things aren’t so clear-cut. This reality has led critics to take the discipline less seriously than more straightforward subjects.

It’s popular to argue that there aren’t any jobs for graduates with a philosophy degree. However, research proves that this claim just isn’t true, according to The Washington Post. There might not be many careers that specifically require students to have a degree in philosophy. Still, there are plenty of roles in which the skills you learn in a philosophy degree program – such as logic and critical thinking – are valuable. Many undergraduate philosophy majors go on to earn an advanced degree, including a law degree or medical degree. While pursuing an advanced degree, philosophy majors often outperform their peers who come from a different educational background, The Washington Post reported.

Coursework in a Bachelor’s in Philosophy Program

Students in an online philosophy degree program study both ancient and modern philosophical theories and approaches. They consider the moral, ethical, legal and political components of philosophical thought. Students pursuing online programs in philosophy should be prepared to do a great deal of reading and writing.

What Makes It Easy: A reputation for being less career-focused, open-ended questions

The Hardest Part: A reading- and writing- intensive curriculum, high standards for written arguments, a lack of clear-cut answers

Career Opportunities: Entrepreneur, business professional, lawyer, doctor, politician, writer, clergy, scientist

 10. Sociology

The next easiest bachelors degree on our list is sociology. An online bachelor’s degree in sociology is a good choice if you’re interested in the workings of human society and human behavior in social groups.

The social sciences often have a reputation for being less rigorous than physical and life sciences such as physics, chemistry and biology. Sociology is no exception to this viewpoint.

Learning to do research is an important part of sociology, but the research used in the social sciences tends to be more qualitative than that used in hard sciences. As a result, the discipline may seem easier.

The liberal arts focus of a sociology degree program also contributes to its reputation as an easy college degree. However, some sociology programs can be demanding. Many online bachelor’s degrees in sociology require students to undertake a research project as a part of their senior seminar class, according to U.S. News & World Report. In this project, students do everything from designing the research project to gathering and interpreting their findings and presenting their conclusions.

RELATED: What Professions Look to Survey Researchers for Help?

Coursework for Bachelor’s Degrees in Sociology

At most online schools, a sociology major will start out their online college education with an introduction to sociology course. That course typically covers the basic concepts and foundations of the discipline. Throughout your studies, you will take classes that look at sociology through the lenses of different relationships and social behaviors.

Students commonly take courses such as the following, according to U.S. News & World Report:

• Sociology of the family
• Sociology of education
• Classic social theory
• Social change
• Social science research
• Sociological theory
• Men and masculinity
• Racial and ethnic relations
• Sociology of deviant behavior and drugs
• Alcohol and society

Sociology is often considered part of the liberal arts and sciences. Students may have to complete a great deal of general education requirements in the humanities, sciences and other fields of study. The end result of studying sociology is a well-rounded education that equips students with strong skills in critical thinking and analysis.

What Makes It Easy: A qualitative aspect to research, a broad liberal arts focus on general education

The Hardest Part: Learning to design experiments and collect data for social science research

Career Opportunities: Sociologist, social worker, survey researcher, probation officer, administrative services manager

 11. Writing

A writing degree is like an English degree, minus the focus on literature. It makes sense that writing, too,would apear on the list of the esasiest college majors.

Many writing programs emphasize creative writing. As such, critics – and envious students majoring in the hard sciences – tend to view a writing degree as one of the easiest online degree options.

Generally speaking, there are no complicated equations in writing a poem, a memoir, a screenplay or a novel. Even the techniques of good writing are subjective. Strong writers understand and typically follow the rules of good writing. Even stronger writers can figure out when to break the rules to achieve the desired effect.

Many writing programs offer students a lot of flexibility in their curricula. Compared to more rigorous subjects of study, the freedom of earning a writing degree makes the major seem simple. However, the reading, writing and revising that writing students have to do throughout their education is time-consuming. It can also be daunting to have to keep dreaming up original ideas and fleshing them out into a complete poem or story, especially when students know that their work will be picked apart in class.

Coursework in Bachelor’s Degrees in Writing

Different writing degrees cover different material. It’s important to pay attention to what the writing bachelor’s degree program at your desired school entails.

Creative writing programs are common. They often include coursework in fiction, nonfiction, poetry and drama. In a creative writing course, students will generally study the techniques of high-quality writing. They may read and analyze example texts. However, unlike a literature degree, the focus isn’t on literary analysis. Instead, the goal is to learn to apply the concepts of good writing to students’ own work.

Often, a creative writing course requires students to come up with their own original written work. Students receive constructive criticism from instructors and classmates through workshops. Finally, they use that feedback to improve their writing.

It’s also possible to major in general writing or professional writing. These degree programs typically focus less on crafting artsy pieces like poems or novels. Instead, they emphasize the development of marketable writing skills in professional writing, journalism and technical writing. These skills can help graduates land an agency content creation role or in-house marketing writing position with a company or make a living as a freelance writer.

What Makes It Easy: Creative and fun, lack of required courses in science or mathematics, flexible curriculum, less career-focused

The Hardest Part: A reading- and writing-intensive curriculum

Career Opportunities: Author, journalist, web content writer, technical writer, professional blogger, marketing or advertising content writer, editor

 12. Art

Creating great art certainly isn’t easy. However, art has earned a place among the easiest college majors.

Earning an art degree can seem like a stress-free endeavor compared to negotiating the complexities of advanced mathematics and scientific theories.

Arts degrees also have a reputation for being impractical as career preparation and for not being very marketable. Unfortunately, research backs up that impression. Only about 10% of graduates from art degree programs end up making a living working in the arts, according to The Atlantic.

On top of the unreliability of arts degrees for employment, the reality of majoring in art is a lot less glamorous than the perception. To truly excel in creating great visual art, you need more than natural ability and a creative flair. You need the discipline to develop the technical skills in painting, drawing, sculpting or whatever media in which you work so that the art you create by hand matches the vision you develop in your mind.

Coursework in Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Art

Most undergraduate online programs in art award either a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree or a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Art degree. Different schools offer different types of art degree online programs. Whether you’re going for a BFA or a BA in Art will affect the structure of your studies.

BFA programs focus on creating art rather than studying it. As a result, students in a BFA program spend as much as two-thirds of their studies working on artistic pursuits in a studio setting. On the other hand, if you’re pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Art, you’re likely to spend much more time in traditional classroom settings. Here, you will learn about art through lectures and class discussions.

BFA degrees are usually offered in the visual and performing arts, such as:

• Ceramics
• Painting
• Drawing
• Photography
• Sculpture
• Illustration
• Printmaking

BA degrees are more frequently awarded in art history or design. Some schools offer Bachelor of Arts programs in studio arts, as well.

What Makes It Easy: Creative and fun, lack of required courses in science or mathematics, less career-focused

The Hardest Part: Perfecting artistic techniques, overcoming fear of criticism

Career Opportunities: Fine artist, craft artist, illustrator, animator, photographer, printmaker, graphic designer, art director 

13. Anthropology

If you’re interested in learning about other cultures, anthropology is a major that might interest you. Anthropology is the study of cultures and civilizations and how they develop. This social science subject of study also earns a spot on the easiest online degree list.

Anthropology’s focus on humanity and culture may lead people who study the hard sciences to think of it as an easy field of study. The qualitative nature of research in the field also contributed to this perception. Finally, the notion that there aren’t many jobs for anthropologists adds to this belief.

It’s true that anthropology isn’t seeing the kind of rapid career growth found in industries such as healthcare and technology. Still, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expected job opportunities for anthropologists and archeologists to increase by 6% between 2021 and 2031. That’s on par with the average rate of growth for all occupations. To say that there are no jobs out there for anthropologists is just not true. Anthropologists find work in settings like the following, according to the American Anthropological Association:

• Research laboratories
• Academic anthropology departments
• Corporations
• Government entities
• Police departments
• Museums
• Schools
• Environmental organizations
• Nonprofit community centers

RELATED: What Degree Do I Need to Be a Curator?

Coursework in Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Anthropology

Students in an online bachelor’s degree program in anthropology usually take a variety of courses in biological anthropology, social anthropology, linguistics and archeology. They learn about the fundamental concepts of studying anthropology. Students in these online programs also learn about the fieldwork methods used in anthropology and archeology data collection.

Anthropology students at the undergraduate level may also study related subjects. These subjects include:

• World religions
• Foreign language
• Geography
• Sociology
• Social science research methods
• Language and culture

Online students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in anthropology take a diverse collection of anthropology courses. They may also choose to specialize in a subfield of anthropology that interests them. Examples of specializations in online programs in anthropology include:

• Biological anthropology
• Physical anthropology
• Medical anthropology
• Anthropological archaeology
• Sociocultural anthropology
• Linguistic anthropology
• History of anthropological thought

What Makes It Easy: Focus on culture and humanity, qualitative research methods, reputation for being less career-focused

The Hardest Part: Studying the biological and physical components of human society development, learning the methods needed to do fieldwork

Career Opportunities: Anthropologist, historic preservationist, cultural resource manager, human rights advocate, urban planner, lawyer

14. Business Leadership and Management

Some aspiring business professionals choose neither a general business administration degree nor a degree in a specialized field like accounting or finance. Instead, they choose to study a program such as organizational leadership.

What makes a business management degree one of the easiest online degrees is similar to what lands a Bachelor of Business Administration degree a spot on this list. A degree in business leadership and management is less specialized than other business degree programs. It doesn’t require a strong focus on numbers, as finance and accounting programs of study would. This fact adds to the major’s reputation as an easy one.

Students also take a great deal of general education classes in the arts, sciences, humanities and mathematics. for this reason, online programs in business management are similar to a liberal arts degree.

However, the leadership skills that students develop while studying management strategies are often perceived as more valuable and marketable than those cultivated through other so-called easy degree programs. Prospective employers like to see proof that job candidates have skills in planning, making wise decisions, diplomatically negotiating solutions to conflicts and managing projects and people. Those are some of the main skills students develop while majoring in business management.

A student’s personality is one factor that affects how easy this major really is. For natural leaders, business management really may be the easiest bachelor degree. The skills you acquire in this degree program might come easily. For students who are shy, introverted or lack confidence, studying leadership can require doing things outside your comfort zone.

Coursework in an Online Program in Business Management

In a bachelor’s degree program in organizational leadership, you would study the communication, motivation and conflict management techniques required to manage a business or organization successfully, as well as appropriate behavior and ethics for a leader. Courses include the following, according to U.S. News & World Report:

• Principles of management
• Introduction to leadership
• Organizational behavior
• Communication strategies for leaders
• Work attitudes and motivation
• Collective decision-making
• Leadership and change

Students in an online bachelor’s degree program in organizational leadership might also have the opportunity to specialize in a subfield. Examples of specialization for business management majors include:

• Marketing
• Career and technical education
• Training and development
• Human resources management

By the time students graduate from a bachelor’s degree program in organizational leadership, they should understand how to plan, lead and make sound decisions on behalf of their company or organization.

What Makes It Easy: Generalized studies, lack of required courses in science or mathematics, may fit well into natural abilities

The Hardest Part: Overcoming fears and anxieties about leadership

Career Opportunities: Sales manager, administrative services manager, human resources manager, management analyst, consultant, training and development specialist, human resources specialist

15. Marketing

If you’re curious about why people make the buying decisions that they do, a degree in marketing could be for you. Marketing is a business discipline that focuses on the study of consumer behavior.

Do core classes that require students to dream up commercial scripts and ad campaigns translate to an easy major? In many ways, marketing’s reputation as an easy degree may be unfair.

Most people associate the field of marketing with creative and fun projects like developing advertising materials and sales pitches. Marketing also has an important data-driven side. Students who pursue an online bachelor’s degree in marketing need to take data courses in areas like the following:

• Finance
• Analytics
• Market research
• Statistics and search engine optimization

Without this background in data, marketing professionals would have no way to evaluate the success of their marketing campaigns. They wouldn’t be able to target a specific audience of consumers in their marketing messages. The research students do in a marketing degree program may seem less rigorous or serious than that in, say, a biology or physics program. However, it still requires attention to detail and strong analytical and critical thinking skills.

Coursework in Marketing

Students take a number of classes in general business, marketing principles and applications and data. Combining these studies allows students to develop a thorough understanding of what drives consumers to make purchases. This knowledge helps aspiring marketing professionals figure out how they can get consumers to take a desired action – such as buying a company’s product.

Prospective marketing students should expect to take courses such as the following, according to U.S. News & World Report:

• Marketing research
• Consumer behavior
• Sales
• Advertising
• Strategic marketing
• Marketing management
• Accounting
• Economics
• Business law

Marketing students can round out their skills by choosing relevant electives. Examples of elective courses to consider include social media marketing strategy, public relations, e-commerce and entrepreneurship.

What Makes It Easy: Creative and fun, lack of required science courses, general business focus

The Hardest Part: Data research courses that require strong math and analytical skills

Career Opportunities: Marketing manager, marketing specialist, advertising manager, sales manager, public relations specialist, market research analyst, advertising sales agent

16. Health Science

Health sciences is a program of study that introduces students to the undergraduate-level concepts and skills they need for non-clinical roles in the healthcare industry. As a science program, it’s a departure from other majors on the easiest bachelor degree list. An online bachelor’s degree in health science is an exception to the rule that hard sciences involve complex equations and extensive laboratory work. Health science programs are broader in scope than many science degree programs.

If you want to work in the growing healthcare industry but don’t feel drawn to direct patient care roles such as doctor or nurse, then a health science career might be a wise choice for you. Unlike nursing or physician assistant programs, health science degree programs are often non-clinical in nature. You won’t have to spend hundreds of hours gaining hands-on experience caring for patients. While some health science majors do go on to attain healthcare roles that involve direct patient care, many instead work in health education or administration. This common career outcome adds to the perception that a health sciences degree program is easy.

Coursework in Health Science

Health science majors tend to take classes in subjects like the following, ccording to U.S. News & World Report:

• Human anatomy and physiology
• Medical terminology
• Gerontology and long-term care
• Medical pharmacology
• Health care law
• Health information systems
• Management and leadership in healthcare
• Legal and ethical considerations in healthcare

Often, students who earn their bachelor’s degree in health sciences online will be asked to choose an academic concentration that they will focus on during their studies. Public health, healthcare administration and aging studies are among the most popular health science concentrations, according to U.S. News & World Report. Most bachelor’s in health science degree programs require students to complete a sizable general education requirement. That means students in these online programs may take a variety of courses in the humanities, arts, sciences and math.

What Makes It Easy: Broad subject of study, few required laboratory science and mathematics courses, non-clinical focus

The Hardest Part: Learning important medical concepts such as medical terminology, pharmacology and anatomy and physiology

Career Opportunities: Health educator, medical and health services manager

17. Graphic Design

Another of the easiest bachelor degree options is graphic design. Graphic design can seem like an easy degree program for many of the same reasons that an art degree has earned that reputation.

People see the creative and fun side of a graphic design major’s curriculum, like their experiments with colors and fonts. They notice that students in undergraduate graphic design programs don’t have to take many high-level science and mathematics courses. What outsiders don’t see is how much time, dedication and work it takes to perfect your art and design skills both by hand and using computer software.

Having a natural eye for design and starting off with above-average artistic abilities can certainly help graphic design majors do well. However, it takes more than that to fully develop your skills and build a portfolio that will land you consistent work from paying clients. Graphic design is a lot more strategic than many people outside the discipline realize.

RELATED: What Can I Do With a Degree in Visual Communications?

Coursework in Graphic Design Degrees

Graphic design is one of the best college majors if you enjoy art but want a degree that will be a little bit more marketable. The field of graphic design focuses on the application of art and design principles to make aesthetically appealing business and marketing materials. Examples of the work a graphic designer may perform include the design of:

• Logos
• Websites
• Product packaging
• Advertising campaigns

In an undergraduate graphic design degree program, students take classes such as the following, according to U.S. News & World Report:

• History of graphic design
• Art history
• Concept development
• Color theory
• Drawing
• Design principles
• Typography
• Corporate branding
• Advanced digital lab

Digital courses, like digital illustration and web design, are particularly important for today’s graphic designers as technology continues to evolve rapidly. Many bachelor’s programs in graphic desig require prospective students to submit samples of their art in order to be accepted into the program.

Once they start their graphic arts education, students will do a lot of hands-on design work. Graphic design students compile their best work into a professional portfolio that showcases their design skills.

What Makes It Easy: Creative and fun, lack of required courses in science or mathematics

The Hardest Part: Perfecting artistic techniques, overcoming fear of criticism, learning the strategy behind successful design

Career Opportunities: Graphic designer, art director, creative director

18. Political Science

Another of the easiest online degrees for undergraduate students is political science. Political science is the study of the government and politics.

Why would a degree like political science have a reputation for being easy? The major may have the word “science” in the title, but it has more in common with the liberal arts than with advanced mathematics and science degree programs. Even the American Political Science Association identifies political science as a liberal arts major and a social science.

The curriculum of online programs in political science requires students to learn all about the complexities of how governments operate and how political theory works in practice. However, this college major places just as much emphasis on growing skills such as writing, communication and data analysis. Critics draw upon this focus on soft skills to argue that political science is one of the easiest online degrees.

Don’t let this major’s social science classification trick you. Political science students may not engage in the same type of research that chemistry and physics students do. Still, they spend a great deal of time learning to analyze and understand data. The research- and writing-intensive nature of their curriculum makes their coursework time-consuming and demanding in its own way.

Coursework in a Bachelor of Science in Political Science

In an online bachelor’s degree program in political science, students will take classes such as the following, according to U.S. News & World Report:

• Introduction to political science
• Comparative politics
• Economics
• Policymaking
• American government
• The American legal process
• Congress and the presidency
• American political theory
• American foreign policy

While students enrolled in a political science degree program based in the United States focus their studies mainly on American politics. However, politics have an international influence. Political science majors also learn about international relations, foreign policy and governments of different nations and regions of the world.

Online undergraduate political science students will need to commit important facts to memory. It isn’t all memorization, though. Developing critical thinking, research and writing skills is a top goal in these programs. These versatile skills can help students apply the political theory they have learned to real-world situations. To cultivate these skills, students should expect their curriculum to be research-heavy and writing-intensive, according to U.S. News & World Report.

What Makes It Easy: The broad skills-based focus of a liberal arts program of study

The Hardest Part: Learning to analyze data and understand complicated political theory, a research- and writing-intensive curriculum

Career Opportunities: Journalist, policy analyst, legislative analyst, government program analyst, campaign manager, intelligence officer, foreign service officer, lawyer, politician

19. Social Science

Social science is the broad study of human behavior and human society. This broad field also lands a spot on our list of the easiest online degrees.

Like political science, social science is often viewed as less rigorous than studies in the physical or life sciences. Research is an important part of studying the social sciences. However, social science research is more qualitative and incorporates fewer complex equations.

The broad focus of a social science program is one factor that can make it seem like an easy college degree. Its emphasis on developing critical thinking, problem solving, interpersonal and communication skills, soo, may make the degree program seem easy compared to degree programs that require students to retain vast sums of technical knowledge. It’s no wonder that STEM students whose schedules are jam-packed with advanced laboratory science and mathematics courses envy the wealth of electives found in many social science degree programs.

The major also has a reputation for being less career-focused than other programs of study. Majoring on political science can prepare students for dozens of possible careers, according to Portland State University. However, that career preparation is mainly through cultivating versatile soft skills rather than focusing on the technical knowledge needed for any one career path.

Coursework in a Social Science Program

Many online and traditional schools offer college majors that fit within the category of social science. Anthropology, sociology and political science are examples of social science majors. Some institutions also offer a general major in social science.

Courses in a general social science bachelor’s degree program might include the following:

• Introduction to social sciences
• Introduction to statistics
• Research methods in social science
• Introduction to anthropology
• Introduction to sociology
• Introduction to psychology
• Diversity awareness

Even in a general social science program, students might have the opportunity to choose a degree focus. Examples of concentrations within a social science major include anthropology, sociology, psychology and gerontology.

Often, social science majors also complete a number of general education courses. This curriculum structure provides social science majors with a comprehensive education in a breadth of different topics. Many social science degree programs allow students the freedom to choose many elective courses to complete the credits required to graduate.

What Makes It Easy: Flexible curriculum, generalist focus, lack of required courses in science or mathematics, less career-focused

The Hardest Part: Learning social science research methods, thoroughly developing analytical and communication skills

Career Opportunities: Teacher, social worker, manager, counselor, social service manager, fundraiser, sociologist, psychologist, analyst, administrator, urban planner, probation officer, lawyer, survey researcher, social scientist

20. Interior Design

another of the easiest college majors at the bachelor’s level is interior design. Interior designers strategically and purposefully develop designs for indoor spaces with both aesthetics and functionality in mind.

For outsiders whose studies are far more focused on advanced technology, mathematics or scientific principles, a degree program that involves entire courses devoted to the study of color theory or lighting fixtures may seem easy. However, developing the design skills needed to succeed in the competitive field of interior design takes both natural ability and a great deal of dedication.

Students pursuing online degrees in interior design need to refine their drawing and computer design skills. Accomplishing these goals requires a great deal of practice. Another aspect of the field that may make interior design seems like the easiest bachelor degree is the popular image of interior designers as decorators that pick out wallpaper and throw pillows. Despite this widespread perception, interioror designers are different from interior decorators.

RELATED: Do I Need a Degree to Be an Interior Decorator?

Many states even require interior decorators to have a license, according to U.S. News & World Report. Aspiring interior designers need to make sure their degree program is accredited. To earn a licence, interioror design majors also need to earn a passing score on a professional exam and complete two years of supervised interior design experience to attain their license, the BLS reported.

Coursework in Interior Design

To learn how to succeed in work in interior design, students need to take a variety of courses. Coursework commonly includes subjects like the following, according to U.S. News & World Report:

• Fundamentals of design
• History of design
• Programming and space planning
• Materials and sources
• Rresidential design
• Introduction to sustainable design
• History of interiors and architecture
• Restaurant and retail design
• Office design
• Color perception and application,
• Lighting
• Architectural detailing

Students also need to take hands-on courses to develop their skills in drawing, drafting, 3-D design and computer-aided design. While it’s important for students to learn the concepts and theory of design, it’s also important for them to learn how to apply those concepts. Even online programs in interior design often require students to complete an in-person internship in order to graduate with a bachelor’s degree.

At some schools, interior design students can choose a specialization or concentration. Specializations in online degrees in interior design include commercial interior design, historic preservation and sustainable design.

RELATED: Top 10 Interior Design Schools in the U.S.

What Makes It Easy: Creative and fun, lack of required courses in science or mathematics, easy-sounding courses

The Hardest Part: Perfecting design skills through practice, completing an internship, attaining a license to work in the field

Career Opportunities: Assistant interior designer, junior interior designer, senior interior designer, interior design director

Editor’s Note: Just because a degree program has a reputation for being easy doesn’t mean that it won’t challenge you or that you can attain your degree and start your career without putting in a great deal of effort. Even if you choose a seemingly easy degree program that fits well with your natural talents, you still need to be willing to put in the work in order to succeed in your studies and your future career.

Related Resources: 

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

What Degree Do I Need to Become a Lighting Designer?

What Degree Do I Need to Be an Intelligence Analyst?

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

Top 10 Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Environmental Science

How Long Does It Take to Become a Psychologist?

What Is an Interior Designing Degree?

For Further Reading:

20 Non-Law Firm Jobs with a Law Degree

What Degree Do I Need to Be a Policy Analyst?

The post The 20 Easiest Bachelor’s Degree Online Options appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job market of special education is set to grow 8% by 2026, making it one of the fastest growing teaching positions in the US. Though as opportunities grow, so does the competition looking to capitalize on them. 

The most lucrative and prestigious teaching positions are reserved for only the most qualified educators. Building the necessary expertise to claim these positions will require either a well-established work history in a representative school district or an advanced degree in education. 

The field of advanced special education research continues to grow year after year, as the tangential sciences of neuroscience and psychology generate greater insights to aid in the educator’s task. With this in mind, there has never been a better time to earn a Master’s in Special Education–where you can build mastery over even the most advanced sciences in order to become a better teacher for your students. 

A General Master’s V. Specialization 

When deciding to pursue a Master’s in special education the next major consideration is whether a general curriculum best matches your career goals, or if you might be better served enrolling in a program with specialized areas of focus. 

A general Master’s in Special Ed curriculum will likely work best for teachers who want to work in a variety of roles and school environments. On the other hand, a specialized Master’s in Special Ed will aid teachers in building the expertise needed to pursue specific teaching jobs, such as educators looking to work specifically with children who battle autism spectrum disorder (ASD). 

School Ranking Methodology 

Unfortunately not all degree programs are created equal. Faculty resumes, program graduation rates, and alumni career outcomes all contribute to the reputation of the program. And the reputation of a degree program weighs heavily on the perceived value of the degree upon entering the workforce. 

While certainly a somewhat truncated process, it is still crucial to evaluate your degree program to ensure there is a return on investment. But don’t worry–we have done the leg for you and combed through hundreds of programs and filtered them down to the best of the best by way of the following methodology:

• Reputation 

We determined the program’s reputation through an aggregate score consisting of other rankings and accolades. 

• Number of Specializations

A graduate degree is often the highest degree one will earn in life, so it is crucial that the program offers the options for specialization that meets one’s long term career goals. 

• Graduation Rate 

A graduate degree is a huge investment of time, effort, and money. Whether students commit to a degree program until graduation is–at least partially–a good marker for the value and quality of the program. 

25 Best Online Master’s in Special Education

1. University of Florida

The University of Florida is a national leader in creating the next generation of educators. UF’s College of Education offers a number of education degrees housed in the School of Special Education, School Psychology, and Early Childhood. Among these degree offerings is a Master’s of Education in Special Education through the Teach Well program. 

This program focuses on preparing educators to not only excel as special ed teachers, but to function as role models and advocates for their students. The Teach Well Special Ed program can be completed in just two years through taking two courses per semester (including Summer). The program can be completed entirely online so as to accommodate the busy schedules of working teachers. 

Further distinguishing UF’s Teach Well program is the availability of specialization tracks. Students can choose any of the following areas of focus:

• Foundations of Literacy: Development and Dyslexia 
• Dyslexia: Language and the Brain
• Dyslexia: Assessment for Intervention 
• Dyslexia: Intervention Methods 
• Dyslexia: Practicum in Assessment and Intervention 

Click here to learn more. 

2. Indiana University – Bloomington

Indiana University – Bloomington is regularly recognized for employing the best teachers of the state. And who better to teach the next generation of educators? Bloomington is a hotspot for students pursuing a degree in education at any level–from certificates and licensure programs to undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate options. 

Particularly of note is the M.S.ED. in Special Education which offers both a traditional-residential option and a fully online option. A primary mission of this program is to prepare educators to work with mild-to-high-incidence disabilities across various contexts of engagement. Students can also choose whether to earn a licensure in Exceptional Needs: Mild Intervention during their time in the program. 

Given the exceptional reputation of Bloomington and its faculty, this program will prepare you to accomplish any of your career goals as a professional educator. 

Click here to learn more.

3. University of Washington

The University of Washington is one of those schools that can really elevate your teaching career to the next level. What makes UW stand apart from the rest is its stellar faculty and commitment to industry-relevant research. That is, most of UW’s education faculty are instructors by night and professionals by day. So students can take pride in knowing that they are learning materials which are really useful to professional success in the workforce. 

Specifically UW offers a fully online Master’s of Education in Special Education: Applied Behavior Analysis. While preparing students to become top notch special ed teachers, the program simultaneously prepares students to become a board certified behavior analyst. 

RELATED: The 20 Best ABA Online Masters Programs (Applied Behavioral Analysis Degrees)

This program is an unparalleled opportunity for any student who wishes to participate more directly in the diagnostic elements of special education. As a teacher with a behavior analyst certification, you will be able to take on a more active role in the lives of your students. 

Click here to learn more.

4. Purdue University

What is great about Purdue University’s special education program is that it fully commits to not only developing skills to teach children with special needs, but it also fully committed to the belief that special needs children have exceptional potential–a potential that can be unlocked when special education professionals do their job to the fullest. 

With this in mind, Purdue has developed a Master’s of Special Education (MSEd) program that is meant to do just that–unlock the potential of children with special needs. In order to prepare educators for this responsibility, the program offers numerous concentration options. So that upon graduation students will be confident to work with a specific set of challenges that their students face. 

The MSEd program can be completed entirely online, and the available areas of concentration are as follows:

• Non-Licensure (Master’s only)
• Initial Mild Only Licensure 
• Initial Mild & Intense Licensure 
• Additional Mild Only Licensure
• Additional Mild & Intense Licensure 
• Additional Intense Only Licensure 

Click here to learn more.

5. George Washington University

GWU is located in the nation’s capital, Washington D.C., and as such is one of the most well-connected schools of higher education in the world. Education students at GWU will be plugged into the most prominent research institutions and will engage with communities that actively change local and national education policy. 

As an educator there are very few options that will offer such a jumpstart to a prestigious career. GWU ensures this jumpstart by narrowing the program focus to only on what the faculty can teach at the highest level. Specifically, GWU offers a Master’s of Arts in Special Education for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners.  

If you are interested in a special education career that works to include students from all cultures and backgrounds, this program might be the ideal opportunity. Specializing in cultural and linguistic diversity opens up career opportunities in jobs such as the following: 

• Compliance Coordinator 
• Curriculum Development for Special Education 
• Policy Research
• Diversity Coordinator 

Click here to learn more.

6. Michigan State University

MSU’s College of Education proudly boasts of more than 57,000 alumni, a group of industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers. The College of Education focuses on global and urban education, specifically in developing a philosophy of education that prioritizes evidenced-based practices and values innovation of any outdated methods. 

With such a focus on the future of education, MSU is a great option for any student who desires to make positive change in the industry. Graduates of MSU will also have the background in research and the reputational clout that is required to make such change. 

MSU’s College of Education offers a fully online Master of Arts in Special Education, with a number of specializations and graduate certification options such as the following: 

• Specialization in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
• Specialization in Learning Disabilities (LD)
• Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis 

Click here to learn more.

7. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

NCSU at Raleigh is a rare example of a state institution with longstanding traditions of excellence that has migrated its degree offerings to formats that grant accessibility to the greatest number of students. That is, NCSU Raleigh offers residential programs, fully-online programs, and hybrid programs that combine elements of both. 

NCSU Raleigh’s College of Education offers a Master’s of Education in Special Education with all three program track options. Moreover students can choose whether they wish to enroll in the program fulltime in order to complete the program in just 1.5 years. Otherwise students can complete the program on a part-time schedule in order to accommodate more demanding personal responsibilities.

Click here to learn more.

8. Holy Family University

Many educators cite their faith as one of the primary drivers of their passion for working with children of special needs. With this in mind, HFU is a great option for prospective students interested in earning a graduate degree in education within the Catholic belief system. Founded in the 1950s HFU is a relatively young University that has had no trouble building national recognition for its ability to cultivate top-tier educators.

These educators are produced through a number of programs, but of most note in the context of this ranking is the Master’s of Education. Students can complete this program in two primary capacities–either by completing the master’s with an area of specialization, or if the student already holds a Master’s of Education they can choose to earn only the specialized certification. 

Students in the program can choose any of the following specializations or certifications:

• Special Education 
• Reading Specialist 
• Education Administration (Pennsylvania Principal Certification)
• ESL Program Specialist 
• Autism Endorsement 

Click here to learn more.

9. Bethel University

Founded in 1871, Bethel University is one of the premier faith-based institutions of higher education in the country, particularly in the case of earning a degree in education. Bethel University embodies an evangelical doctrine of Christianity, which sees the path of education as a calling to fulfill God’s mission. As one might imagine, this means that Bethel devotes tremendous resources to offering a top-notch education program. 

Specifically Bethel offers a Master of Arts in Special Education. One distinguishing element of this program’s curriculum is its focus on compassion-based teaching philosophy. That is, Bethel clearly looks to cultivate a generation of educators who are both passionate and compassionate in life and the classroom alike. 

Students of the program can pursue specialization in any of the following degrees:

• Learning Disabilities 
• Emotional Behavioral Disorders 
• Other Health Disabilities 
• Developmental Cognitive Disabilities 
• Autism Spectrum Disorders 

Click here to learn more.

10. Saint Joseph’s University

SJU is a Jesuit institution with a stellar record of academic excellence going back 160 years. Today SJU holds an alumni group of more than 66,000, consisting of many organizational leaders, innovators of technology, and nationally recognized educators. A defining element of SJU’s philosophy is its pride in community and commitment to collaborative networking–at SJU your fellow alumni are more than just a professional network; they are a family, which is an ideal that many universities strive for but fall short on. 

SJU offers a fully online Master of Science in Special Education that delivers a curriculum based on the Response to Instruction and Intervention program (RtII). This program is a research-based initiative that has demonstrated measurable success in school systems across America. 

Furthermore students can tailor their degree to match career goals by pursuing a specialization in any of the following areas:

• Applied Behavior Analysis 
• Autism Spectrum Disorder Endorsement 
• Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Wellness for PK-12 Endorsement 
• Wilson Reading System Certification 
• Special Education Certification 

Click here to learn more.

11. Ball State University

BSU is an exceptional institution that spearheaded the development of online degree offerings before many other comparable universities. What this means is that they have been able to finetune their online degree protocols and curriculums to ensure that students receive the best education possible. 

Some distinguishing elements of BSU’s online degree programs include individually assigned online advisors to guide students in decision making, and a guarantee that the faculty in the classroom is the same faculty delivering online education. So students can rest assured that they are receiving the same education as their peers in the classroom. 

BSU offers a fully online Master of Arts in Special Education with the following graduate certificate options: 

• Applied Behavior Analysis
• Autism 
• Disabilities for Postsecondary Settings with an Emphasis in Autism
• Emotional and Behavioral Disorders Certificate 
• Multi-Tier System of Supports / Response to Intervention 

Click here to learn more.

12. George Mason University

Currently enrolling more than 37,000 students, GMU is Virginia’s largest public research institution and has been recognized as one of the top research universities in the nation for its contribution to various industries. This focus on research is continued even in its education programs where future teachers learn the most cutting-edge techniques for creating a productive and healthy classroom for those who need it most.

A distinguishing factor of GMU’s fully-online Master of Special Education program is that its curriculum is designed for educators to work with special needs children and adults alike. That is, graduates of this program will be able to work in special education programs for individuals of all ages. 

In order to build expertise in a certain area of this career, the program offers two graduate degree certification paths in the form of an Autism Spectrum Disorders Certificate, and Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate. 

Click here to learn more.

13. University of Missouri

Mizzou Online offers more than 150 graduate, undergraduate, and certification programs to distance learners around the country, and around the world for that matter. Despite the size of its online education program, Mizzou guarantees that the same faculty who teach in the classroom will deliver the course online to distance learning students. This works to alleviate any worries online students might have about receiving a ‘lesser’ education than their on-campus peers. 

Mizzou Online offers a Master of Arts in Special Education that consists of 33 credit hours and can be completed on a part-time or full-time schedule. This flexibility will be of particular value to any employed educator looking to earn this degree amidst a demanding work schedule. Similar degree options are as follows: 

• Master of Education in Autism 
• Master of Education in Early Childhood Education 
• Master of Education in Gifted Education

If you are a first, second, or third year teacher in a school district partnered with MPER then you might qualify for a scholarship that pays a whopping 50% of the Master of Special Education program’s tuition.  

Click here to learn more.

14. The University of Alabama

The University of Alabama is one of the most well known institutions of higher education in the southeast United States. Known for its rich history and its zealous football community, it has also demonstrated its proficiency at generating some of the best teachers in the country–who are commonly recognized with various accolades in school districts around the nation.

In recent years, UAB dedicated resources to developing its online degree offerings which are now housed under the Bama By Distance program. Of these degrees is the Master of Arts in Special Education that can be completed entirely online. This program prepares educators for taking on classrooms in the k-12 range. 

Students can choose which age group they wish to specialize in working with by choosing one of two graduate certification options–either a Collaborative K-6 Certificate, or a Collaborative K-12 Certificate. 

Click here to learn more.

15. University of Houston

The UH College of Education is a tier one research institution, known for its innovative work across numerous areas of research. An impressive example of this dedication to research is its “50 in 5” initiative, which aims to increase scholarly activity by 50% in five years–a figure that is all the more ambitious when you consider that UH is already one of the most productive research universities in the country. 

Within the context of its education programs, UH is pushing forward a model for community engagement that will be of interest to any teacher who enjoys connecting with local communities. The Advancing Community Engagement and Service Institute looks for opportunities to put research to work in local communities, which often allows education students to work in local schools or other teaching capacities to develop expertise that they might not find otherwise. 

Students can earn a Master of Education in Special Populations entirely through UH’s online classroom technology, and may choose from any of the following concentration options, though some have at least partial on-campus requirements: 

• Special Education Emphasis (Online)
• Special Education Certification Emphasis (Hybrid)
• Educational Diagnostician Certification Emphasis (Hybrid) 
• Gifted and Talented Emphasis (Online)
• Special Education Leadership Emphasis (Hybrid)

Click here to learn more.

16. University of North Dakota

Few institutions can claim a more rich history in distance education than UND, which began its first distance education program back in 1911 by offering coursework through mail correspondence. Today though, UND has taken online education to the next level by offering a combination of flexible coursework and real time online classroom events that allows students to interact with the instructor as if they were in a traditional classroom. 

UND offers an impressive Master’s of Special Education that distinguishes itself in the available degree paths on offer. That is, students may choose to build specialization in any of the following nine areas: 

• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) / Also offered as a certificate 
• Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
• General Special Education (GSE)
• Emotional Behavioral Disorders (EBD)
• Intellectual Disabilities (ID)
• Learning Disabilities (LD)
• Special Education Strategist (SES)
• Visual Impairment (VI) (This is the only online VI program in the country)

Click here to learn more.

17. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

SRU began as a “normal school” or teacher’s college in 1889, and has committed itself to cultivating some of our schools’ best teachers. In recent years SRU has redoubled its efforts to deliver an education curriculum to prospective teachers by developing a robust online degree program. 

SRU offers both a Master of Education in Special Education and a Doctorate of Education in Special Education, making it an excellent option for any students who would benefit from a seamless transition into postgraduate study. Within the Master’s program students have a number of options to develop specialization in any of the following areas: 

• Master of Education – Special Education (Birth to Grade 8)
• Master of Education – Special Education (Grades 7 to 12)
• Master of Education – Special Education Supervisor
• Master of Education – Special Education (Autism) 
• Autism Endorsement 

Click here to learn more.

18. Georgia College and State University

GCSU began as a women’s educational center in 1889 and has striven to build independent and driven professionals ever since. Today, GCSU distinguishes itself through an impressive commitment to community engagement and self-actualization. That is, GCSU faculty work hard to help students realize their potential and how to reach that potential. 

GCSU offers a variety of online degree programs based on career-focused objectives. Among these is both a Master of Arts in Teaching in Special Education, and a Master of Education in Special Education, though only the former is completed entirely online. 

Click here to learn more.

19. Webster University

Webster University might just be the most unique institution on this ranking. Webster is a global, private, non-profit university that clearly values diversity and inclusivity, as it hosts students from more than 100 students outside of the United States. Webster attracts such a diverse student body due to its focus on delivering curriculums within a global context, that is, it tends to avoid falling into the educational trappings of a university bound by cultural myopia. 

For any student looking to learn more about education and teaching philosophy within a global context that incorporates many different cultural virtues, this might be the ideal place to earn a graduate degree. Students can earn a Master of Arts in Special Education, or a Master of Arts in Teaching with an Emphasis in Special Education. 

Beyond these two primary degree paths, students can choose to specialize in any of the following areas: 

• Applied Behavior Analysis
• Dyslexia
• Mild/Moderate Disabilities
• Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS)
• Severe Developmental Disabilities
• Trauma-Informed Education and Intervention

Click here to learn more.

20. Texas Tech University

TTU provides a high level of choice and flexibility to its distance learning students by offering online programs for individuals K-12, for those interested in bachelor’s and master’s programs, and for lifelong learners looking to build a new skill set or earn a professional certification. 

Of particular note is the fully online Master of Education in Special Education, which is offered through the TTU College of Education. This graduate program empowers its students to pursue the exact area study that best matches career goals and personal interests by offering a . As such, students can choose from any of the following specializations: 

• Autism 
• Applied Behavior Analysis 
• Deafblindness
• Deaf/Hard of Hearing
• Educational Diagnostician
• Generic Special Education
• Orientation and Mobility
• Visual Impairment

Click here to learn more.

The post The 20 Best Masters’ in Special Education Degree Programs appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

As colleges and universities work to attract more students, the variety of bachelor’s degrees made available to students has increased over time. With this rapid increase in available degree programs comes a unique problem. With more choices comes more confusion as many students are unsure which degree programs are worth pursuing and which degree programs best match their educational needs and desires. Gone are the days of limited choices. As more competition has entered into the market so have more options.

For students interested in the best online bachelor’s degree, DegreeQuery has compiled a list of our twenty-five favorite online bachelor’s degrees. On this list you will find degree programs that we have determined will provide students with an education of value that will also increase student’s chances of gainful employment. In determining which programs to feature on this list, we took into consideration the projected job growth and median salaries as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as well as what degree programs were more suited for online classes as opposed to in-person classes. These are our top twenty-five best online bachelor’s degree programs organized by expected industry job growth.

1. Online Bachelor’s in Nursing

Nurses an integral and important part to the field of healthcare and health services. Students interested in entering into the field of nursing should choose a Bachelor’s in Nursing degree as the best online bachelor’s degree of choice. To become a nurse, a Bachelor’s in Nursing degree is really the only way to begin the journey towards that career. Through this degree program, students will work to gain the critical skills needed to thrive in the fast-paced, high-stakes world of healthcare. Students will learn about health promotion, disease prevention, as well as using evidence-based care in order to enhance their clinical practices. This program also works to help students build their leadership and professional skills in order to help prepare them to move on to more senior-level positions within the field of nursing. This program of study will have students learning the crucial skill of managing oneself in a complicated work environment. Often times, it is expected of a nurse to be able to work in a fairly autonomous manner in order to ensure the rapid pace of a healthcare environment such as a hospital is not interrupted.

Students interested in a Bachelor’s in Nursing degree should be assured that they are entering a field of work that is experiencing a large amount of job growth. According to the Institute of Medicine, it is believed that in order to meet the demand for nurses, that those enrolled in Bachelor’s in Nursing degrees will have to increase by 80% by 2020. This is incredible job growth and almost assures that students will be able to find employment upon the completion of a Bachelor’s in Nursing degree. Students can also expect to find opportunities for upward mobility within their field as they move into more senior-level nursing positions and become in charge of other nurses below them.

For those interested in making a difference in the field of healthcare and wanting to work towards promoting health amongst those in need, a Bachelor’s in Nursing is the best online bachelor’s degree for students to choose.

2. Online Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration

Healthcare organizations and facilities can be massive enterprises with many moving parts that need to seamlessly interact with one another. To facilitate the operations and day-to-day activities of healthcare organizations, students can gain a Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration to learn the skills needed to ensure that these processes move along without a hitch. One of the best online bachelor’s degree, the Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration degree is great for students interested in management level positions with in the field of healthcare. By enrolling in a Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration, students will learn how to plan, direct, and coordinate a variety of different health services within a healthcare organization. They will learn how to properly oversee a large staff of medical professionals while working to ensure that the needs of patients are met in a an efficient and positive manner. Often overlooks, management positions within the healthcare field are of major importance in order to ensure the smooth operation of these massive organizations.

Students choosing to pursue a Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration degree can be assured that they are choosing a career path that will reward their educational efforts with strong career options. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare administration positions will see a growth of up to 20% by 2026. This is massive job growth when compared other industries. Not only is job growth strong in the field of healthcare administration, but students can also expect to earn annual salaries averaging approximately $96,000/year. Students can find employment working for hospitals, health insurance companies, as well as smaller facilities like physician offices.

The Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration degree is the best online bachelor’s degree for students to enroll in. If you are interested in the field of healthcare and want to pursue a job in management, a Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration is a great degree for you to begin your new career.

3. Online Bachelor’s in Computer Science

With amazing opportunities for high-earning, a Bachelor’s in Computer Science is one of our best online bachelor’s degree program. One of the fastest growing industries in the United States, a Bachelor’s in Computer Science readies students with the proper skills and information needed to find employment in this ever-expanding job market. Through a Bachelor’s in Computer Science, students will learn a variety of different computer programming languages including Python, C++, Java, and more. They will also gain a deeper understanding of the ways in which computers work and the variety of different operating systems available. Students would also learn the various different methods of software development and testing in order to prepare themselves to work in software development.

Through the completion of a Bachelor’s in Computer Science, students will gain an introductory understanding of the topics needed to enter into the industry of software development.  Currently, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the field of computer science will experience at least a 17% growth by 2024. Also, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, software developers have a median annual salary of over $100,000/year. A Bachelor’s in Computer Science is one of the best online bachelor’s degrees when considering a return on investment. Students will be poised to enter into a job market willing to pay them incredibly high salaries as compared to other potential bachelor’s degrees.

The Bachelor’s in Computer Science degree is an amazing online bachelor’s degree for students to choose. Those interested in computers and technology should look no further than a Bachelor’s in Computer Science to begin their steps towards a fruitful career in software development.

4. Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice

To begin studying criminology and the criminal justice system, students should consider a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice as the right bachelor’s degree program to start their journey. A Bachelor’s in Criminal one of our top online bachelor’s degrees for students to enroll in. By enrolling in a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice, students will begin to gain a deeper understanding of the intricacies of today’s criminal justice system. Students will gain an understanding in topics including criminology, criminal law, sociology, and much more. Those students who are looking to make a difference in our society’s social justice systems should first begin by gaining an education in Criminal Justice. In a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice degree,  students will examine a variety of different cases and scenarios to better understand the ways that are laws are applied in different situations. This will prepare students to work in a variety of different positions including law enforcement, correctional services, security, and community service management.

The field of Criminal Justice work is an expanding job market. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Social and Community Service Management positions are expected to grow by 16% by the year 2026. This is great for those looking for a potential career path with higher-than-average job growth. A Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice is a great degree for students hoping to provide themselves with some form of job security through their education. By gaining this degree, students will be able to effect real change in their local communities through their jobs while engaging in careers that pay well.

A Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice is one of our best online degree program for students to consider. If you are somebody interested in the criminal justice system, this is a great degree program to consider.

5. Online Bachelor’s in Public Health

Public health is a very wide field of study that encompasses a variety of different topics. However, if you are a student has found that they want to work in policy to help promote the health of populations big and small, a Bachelor’s in Public Health degree is a great first step towards accomplishing this goal. Through the pursuit of one of our best online bachelor’s degree, students will work to gain an understanding of the skills needed to promote wellness in communities while also learning the skills needed to interpret and shape public policy in regards to health promotion. Students will study topics including epidemiology in order to understand the patterns that govern the spread of disease and contagion through communities.  They will work to gain a better understanding of current health programs and ways that they can be changed or adapted to better suit different populations in order to promote their health. Through this program students will examine the various disparities among different social and economic classes when it comes to access and quality of healthcare and work to create programs and systems that work to alleviate these imbalances and improprieties. They will also work to learn the skills needed to effectively communicate in order to properly disseminate knowledge needed for populations to maintain their own health.

By completing a Bachelor’s in Public Health degree, students will have gained an education that has primed them to enter into the field of healthcare and medicine in order to be a force for change. Students will have the skills needed to help work towards disease prevention, health promotion and much more. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, health services managers and health educator job positions are expected to grow by about 16% by the year 2026. This amount of growth is indicative of a healthy job market and means that students entering into this field of work should expect to be able to find some kind of gainful employment.

If working towards effecting public policy change in order to promote health and prevent disease is something of interest to you, a Bachelor’s in Public Health degree might be the best online college degree for students to enroll in.

6. Online Bachelor’s in Social Work

Supporting families, children, and marginalized people through trying times in order to help people succeed is a noble and important function within our society. If you are someone who wants to work to help vulnerable groups succeed, a Bachelor’s in Social Work is the best online bachelor’s degree to enroll in to being this process. Students in a Bachelor’s in Social Work degree will work to gain insight in ways that they can improve the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities. Through this program of study, students will study the a variety of social and political factors as well as historical precedent that has helped to shape, for better or worse, the issues and obstacles that face different populations. Students will learn about a variety of different cultures and populations to better understand the ways that they can properly reach and help people of all backgrounds in order to provide them with support and services needed to ensure there success. Through this program, students will gain interpersonal skills as well as communication skills needed to work with those suffering from substance abuse, problems at home, issues with employment, and many other types of issues that people run into.

Upon completing a Bachelor’s in Social Work degree, graduates will be able to enter into a variety of different positions including crisis intervention specialist, community outreach worker, caseworker, and much more. Students can continue to work in the field of social work or use their degree as a means to pivot into the field of psychology, public administration, human resources, and other related fields. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for positions related to social and community service is expected to increase 16% by 2026. This is great job growth and will help to ensure that graduates of this type of program will be in a position to find meaningful employment.

If you are somebody who is interested in working to help different types of people at different points of their lives in order to improve their well-being, a Bachelor’s in Social Work degree is a great best online bachelor’s degree to choose to enroll in.

7. Online Bachelor’s in Psychology

Interested in the inner workings of the mind? Want to work to help those with mental illness towards leading a better, healthier life? If so, a Bachelor’s in Psychology degree might be the best online bachelor’s degree for you. Students interested in learning more about the way the human mind works and the ways that we can work to help fix the problems that ail the human mind, should enroll in a  Bachelor’s in Psychology degree.  Through this program of study students will gain a deeper insight into the way the mind works and how to help those with mental illness. Students can choose to work in social psychology, mental health, child development, and much more. Through the study of a Bachelor’s in Psychology, students will study the different theories of personality, while gaining a deeper understanding of cognitive processes, neuropsychology, social psychology, and much more. Students will also learn how to design, perform, and interpret research designed to test different hypotheses in regards to the study of psychology. A Bachelor’s in Psychology degree is a great liberal arts degree that provides students with a well-rounded education while also preparing them to enter into the field of psychological studies.

Students who complete a Bachelor’s in Psychology degree will have gained a strong liberal arts background that can either act as a starting point for a variety of different careers or can act as a solid foundation for graduate-level studies. If working as a clinical psychologist is the ultimate goal, students will need to pursue additional education beyond their initial Bachelor’s in Psychology degree. However, if students want to enter into the workforce immediately they can find positions in human resources, administration, and much more. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in psychology are expected to grow by 14% by 2024.

A Bachelor’s in Psychology degree is the best online bachelor’s degree for students interested in beginning a career towards working with people to better understand the mind and alleviate the illnesses that can plague it.

8. Online Bachelor’s in Health Information Management

An often overlooked but crucial component to the healthcare industry, a Bachelor’s in Health Information Management degree teaches students the information needed to manage the vast amount of  patient’s records and information generated by healthcare facilities. Sitting at the intersection of information technology and healthcare, the Bachelor’s in Health Information Management degree is one of our best online bachelor’s degrees. In this program of study students will work to understand the ways that healthcare organizations collect, maintain, and store patient records in the United States. Patient record storage is an incredibly important aspect of healthcare and has much governmental oversight applied to the policies and standards that govern data storage. Students will have to become well versed in the variety of different laws and regulations that dictate the handling of patient records. A Bachelor’s in Health Information Management degree will teach students the information needed to become stewards of massive information systems.

A Bachelor’s in Health Information Management degree is a fantastic degree for students interested in both computer sciences and healthcare. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is expected that jobs within the health information management industry are expected to grow by 13% by 2026. Gaining an education in Health Information Management ensures that students will be poised to enter into a growing industry. With this degree students can expect to get jobs as health information technicians, database administrator, public health information analyst, and much more. Through this degree, students will set themselves for a fruitful career in a growing job market.

One of the best online bachelor’s degree, the Bachelor’s in Health Information Management degree is a great degree for those interested in both information technology and healthcare. A growing industry, students who pursue this degree can look forward to promising job growth within their field.

9. Online Bachelor’s in Accounting

One of our best online bachelor’s degrees, the Bachelor’s in Accounting is an excellent choice for many students who are interested in entering the world of accounting. This program of study will have students working to build an understanding of the information needed to begin their education towards becoming an accountant. Typically offered as a four-year program, a Bachelor’s in Accounting will have students studying a wide variety of different courses including Cost Accounting, Financial Statemen Analysis, Auditing, and much more.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in accounting are expected to experience an 11% increase by 2024. Students in a Bachelor’s in Accounting can also expect to make upwards of $65,000 on average.

Accountants are an integral part to many organizations and a high-level of education is demanded from organizations when it looks to hiring its accountants. By earning a Bachelor’s in Accounting, students are effectively communicating to businesses and potential employers that they are ready to hit the ground running and meet an organizations accounting needs. Students who have a proclivity towards math and statistics should heavily consider a Bachelor’s in Accounting.

A Bachelor’s in Accounting is one of our best online college degree program that students can pursue and be assured that they will have a high probability of finding gainful employment upon it’s completion.

10. Online Bachelor’s in Environmental Science

If you’re interested in environmental issues and ways to help preserve our natural world, a Bachelor’s in Environmental Science degree is a great place to start your studies towards realizing this career goal. One of our top online bachelor’s degrees, a Bachelor’s in Environmental Science degree will allow students to work towards gaining a deeper understanding of a variety of environmental issues and ways that they can help to mitigate them. By studying topics like climate change, overpopulation, and biodiversity loss, students will begin to understand the problems that face our natural world. Through the study of these topics, students will begin to work towards understanding ways that they can work to help preserve our planet and the natural life on it. Students will learn about natural physical sciences while learning the advantages of clean energy technologies. Through this program students will learn to be at the vanguard of environmental conservation.

Upon completion of a Bachelor’s in Environmental Science, students can expect to pursue a variety of different career paths including environmental scientist, geographic information systems specialist, and much more. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, environmental scientist jobs are expected to grow by 11% by the year 2026. This is a great job outlook in comparison to other industries that are not experiencing these levels of job growth. A Bachelor’s in Environmental Science degree is a great way for students interested in environmental sciences and the natural world to focus their interests into a promising career path that affords them a multitude of job opportunities.

Another one of our best online bachelor’s degree, the Bachelor’s of Environmental Science degree is a great option for students interested in working to preserve our natural world through the study of environmental issues.

Click here for a list of our top online Bachelor’s degrees in Environmental Science. Learn  more about the 5 best careers in environmental science.

11. Online Bachelor’s in Public Administration

Want to work in public service? Interested in facilitating and maintaining public programs and services? If so, a Bachelor’s in Public Administration degree might be the best online bachelor’s degree for you. Students thinking about enrolling in a Bachelor’s in Public Administration should consider whether they are interested in working within the public sector in order to administrate a variety of different public programs. Through this program, students will gain information on the way that government is structured while learning skills in budgeting, policy-making, administration, and much more. A Bachelor’s in Public Administration degree has students gaining an understanding of basic sociology concepts, politics, research methodology, and much more. Through this program students will develop their critical-thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills in order to become well-rounded individuals prepared for a variety of different roles within the public sector. Choosing to enroll in this degree is indicative of a desire to shape and maintain the public policies and services that help to serve our society.

By completing a Bachelor’s in Public Administration degree, students will be prepared to work at the local, state, and federal level in a variety of entry-level to mid-level positions within the the government. Students will also be able to enter into nonprofit work as well as work within other organizations such as hospitals and universities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs as administrative services managers are expected to increase by 10% by 2026. This means that this job market has great potential for growth and students can be assured that they will have good odds of finding work upon completion of this program

By earning a Bachelor’s in Public Administration degree, students will have earned the best online bachelor’s degree that prepares them for a career of shaping and maintaining public services and policies.

12. Online Bachelor’s in Business Administration

Becoming a successful member of management can be a difficult task. Those who are interested in this challenge should consider enrolling in a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. One of our favorite online bachelor’s degrees, a Bachelor’s in Business Administration focuses on developing the necessary skills and competencies that students will need upon graduation in order to enter into management positions in a variety of different companies and organizations. Students will gain a broad knowledge of the various parts of companies and the ways that they interact with one another. They will also work to hone their communication skills as well as their decision-making and mediation skills.  A major component to becoming a successful member of management is the ability to think quickly and clearly, and to be flexible to changes.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics positions related to a Bachelor’s in Business Administration are expected to receive a 9% increase in growth by 2024. This means that one of our best online college degree is a great option for students looking to enroll in something that will help them to achieve financial security. If you have an interest in management, communication, or working on maintain interpersonal relationships in the workplace, a Bachelor’s in Business Administration degree is a great place to focus your attention. Gaining a Bachelor’s in Business Administration opens many doors to students and prepares them to enter into a variety of different job positions.

One of our best online bachelor’s degrees, a Bachelor’s in Business Administration is a great degree for those looking to enter into the field of business management.

13. Online Bachelor’s in Marketing

Part of maintaining a successful business is the ability to market and communicate to people the goods or services that a business can offer to consumers. If you are somebody who has enjoyed helping sell people on ideas or concepts, a Bachelor’s in Marketing degree might be the best online bachelor’s degree for you. By studying a Bachelor’s in Marketing degree, students will begin to gain a deeper understanding of the ways in which marketers succeed to communicate the benefits of products and services to consumers. Students will study topics including consumer behavior, market research, brand communications, online marketing, and much more. Through this degree program, students will receive an education that is career-oriented and provides students with the necessary skills and experience to hit the ground running upon graduation. Upon completion of this program students will have a greater understanding of the marketing mix, how to build strategic marketing plans, as well as interpreting data in order to properly position a new product within existing and emerging markets. This degree program helps students to build their written and oral communications skills while honing their critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.

After completing a Bachelor’s in Marketing degree students will have learned the necessary skills to enter into a variety of marketing-related fields including branding, communication, advertising, sales, business, and much more. This degree program is great preparation for students to enter into variety of different job positions at both the entry and mid-level position.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, positions within advertising, promotions, and marketing are expected to grow by 9% through 2026. This is a healthy amount of growth for this job market and can help to ensure that students will be poised to find gainful employment upon completion of this degree program.

Students interested in the best online bachelor’s degree that allows them to learn how market and sell products to people should look no further than a Bachelor’s in Marketing degree. (Learn more about how much you can make with a degree in digital marketing.)

14. Online Bachelor’s in Organizational Leadership

The ability to lead people in a business environment is imperative to the success of any business or organization. Once believed to be an innate quality, know students can learn the skills needed to be effective leaders in the world of business and become the business leaders of tomorrow. Through the pursuit of a Bachelor’s in Organizational Leadership degree, students will find themselves in the best online bachelor’s degree program designed to help them prepare to become successful business leaders. As businesses and organizations continue to grow in size and complexity, it is important that those in leadership roles learn how to become more effective and efficient leaders. In this program of study, students will work to gain a deeper understanding of the skills needed to lead effectively. Students will study topics including organizational structure, group dynamics, power, culture, and much more. By completing this program of study, students will have an understanding of what is needed to effectively communicate with employees, motivate them properly, and set themselves up for success. They will also learn how to think critically and problem solve in order to guide businesses through crucial business decisions.

By completing a Bachelor’s in Organizational Leadership degree, students will have gained an education that prepared them to enter into a variety of different leadership and managerial positions in businesses or nonprofits. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is expected that jobs within management will experience a growth of about 9%. This is a healthy amount of growth for this industry and indicates that those who complete a Bachelor’s in Organizational Leadership degree will have picked the best online bachelor’s degree that has set them up for success in the job market.

Students looking for the skills needed to lead a variety of different organizations and businesses should choose one of our best online bachelor’s degree similar to a Bachelor’s in Organizational Leadership degree in order to begin their path towards a successful career.

15. Online Bachelor’s in Communication

Another one of our best bachelor’s degree, the Bachelor’s in Communication degree is a great degree program for students interested in learning what constitutes great messaging and strong communication. A Bachelor’s in Communication degree runs the gamut of providing students a variety of different skills in a variety of different mediums of communication. Students will gain an understanding of interpersonal communication skills, communication through media, public relations, as well as theories that govern the way people communicate with each other and through different technologies. By working towards a Bachelor’s in Communication, students will learn about emerging technologies – learning the ways that new technology like social media is used for communication.

Those students who are interested in gaining a deeper insight into the way that we communicate and would like to leverage their burgeoning communication skills into a career should consider a Bachelor’s in Communication. A Bachelor’s in Communication is a very flexible degree that offers students variety of different career paths to choose from.  Students can pursue careers in public relations, social media strategy, corporate communications, advertising, and much more. If you are interested in writing or multimedia, a Bachelor’s in Communication is a great degree for students to continue their education to gain a deeper understanding of a variety of different communication skills. Through the completion of this program students can work as copywriters, journalists, public relation specialists, social media specialists, and much more. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in communication are expected to grow 9% by 2024.

Another favorite online bachelor’s degree, the Bachelor’s in Communication is a versatile degree for students interested in leveraging their ability to communicate with others to create unique ways to reach people and consumers.

16. Online Bachelor’s in English

If literature and the English language is your bag, a Bachelor’s in English might be the best selection from our best online bachelor’s degrees for you. Students interested in pursuing their love of reading and writing should look no further than a Bachelor’s in English degree. Through this program of study, students will engage in the study of the English language on a much deeper-level to learn how to think critically about literature. Students will also work to develop their writing skills in order to learn how to best express themselves creatively through writing. Through this program students will learn how to analyze texts, research, and synthesize a variety of different texts to best understand the meanings of classic pieces of literature. At the end of this program, students will have learned how to write in an effective manner, as well as how to interpret literature.

A Bachelor’s in English degree provides students with a multitude of career options upon its completion. A broad liberal arts degree, a Bachelor’s in English degree helps students cultivate clear writing and communication skills as well as helps to strengthen critical thinking. These types of skills can applied quite broadly to a variety of different career paths. Students can become English teachers as well as apply their skills towards marketing or communications. A Bachelor’s in English degree can also be used as a foundation for a career in the arts as a writer or an historian. The career options are vast when completing a Bachelor’s in English degree. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in English are expected to grow 8% by 2024.

By completing a Bachelor’s in English degree, students will have earned one of our top online bachelor’s degrees and have afforded themselves a very flexible degree from which to springboard a variety of different careers.

17. Online Bachelor’s in Human Resources

The most critical component to any business or organization is often times considered to be the people that work there. As businesses and organizations continue to grow, it has become imperative that these groups find people skilled in the art of managing people and their organizational structure in order to ensure that employees are working the most efficient ways while maintaining their well-being and quality of life. If you are a potential student who likes to work with people and want to work to become an effective leader of people, a Bachelor’s in Human Resources is the best online bachelor’s degree for you to choose to pursue. Through the study of a Bachelor’s in Human Resources, students will focus on learning the skills needs to work in Human Resources management. Students will gain a deeper understanding of managing compensation and benefit systems, while working to understand the intricacies of employee and labor relations. In this program, students will be tasked with working to build their conflict management skills while learning how to help employees adapt to change within an organization. Upon completing this program, students will find that they have greatly increased their capacity for problem-solving and critical-thinking.

After completing a Bachelor’s in Human Resources, students will be prepared to enter into the job market in search of a position within the field of human resources management. Students will be prepared to enter into a variety of entry-level to mid-level position offered at a variety of different types of organizations of different sizes. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is expected that job growth for positions in human resources is expected to be between 7%-9% by 2026, depending on the position. This is great prospects for job growth so for those who complete this degree program should be relieved to know that that the industry their entering is experiencing healthy growth.

A Bachelor’s in Human Resources degree is an excellent choice for students looking for the best online college degree who also like to work with people to help them find success in the workplace.

18. Online Bachelor’s in Supply Chain Management

The unsung hero of industry and a crucial component to the smooth operation of large business and organizations, is those working in the field of supply chain management. If you are somebody who is interested in what it takes to coordinate the logistics and movements needed within a company to ensure that the supply chain stays moving, a Bachelor’s in Supply Chain Management degree might be the best online bachelor’s degree for you. Through this program of study, students will gain the expertise needed to effectively maintain supply chains of various sizes.  This means working on understanding how to manage projects, control inventory, lead logistics teams, and analyze the supply chain. Much of supply chain management involves using analytical skills to asses the efficiency and weaknesses of a given supply chain in order to fix and improve the ways that these systems operate. Through a Bachelor’s in Supply Chain Management, students will develop critical-thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills while also honing their leadership, managerial, and communication skills.

Through the completion of a Bachelor’s in Supply Chain Management degree, students will be prepared to enter into a career in logistics in both the private sector as well as applying their skills to work within the military. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, logisticians jobs are expected to increase by 7% by 2026. As markets continue to globalize and supply chains become larger and more vast, businesses are more frequently looking for people who are experts in supply chain management and logistics.

If you are interested in overseeing large supply chains and managing massive logistical operations, a Bachelor’s in Supply Chain Management degree might be the best online bachelor’s degree program for you.

19. Online Bachelor’s in Education

A Bachelor’s in Education degree is fundamental to creating a workforce of teachers and educators who are knowledgeable in the topics needed to properly teach the next-generation of students. One of our best online college degrees, the Bachelor’s in Education degree is a great fit for students interested in entering into the field of professional educator. Teachers are a crucial part of an educated society and by engaging in a Bachelor’s in Education, students are entering into one of the noblest professions. Through the study of a Bachelor’s in Education students will learn how to teach a variety of different age groups including pre-kindergarten, K-8, and high school aged students. Students in these programs will also be able to specialize in the teaching of a variety of different content areas including math, English, History, and more. This degree program also ensures that students learn education theory in order to best understand how to reach students.

Employment options in the field of education are promising. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, elementary education is expected to grow by 6% by 2024. Earning a Bachelor’s in Education degree will help to ensure that students are able to find employment in a variety of different teaching positions. As education is a must in our society, students can expect to have a job that is almost immune to the shifts and changes in our economy. No matter what the economic climate, teachers are always going to be in demand in some capacity.

One of our best online bachelor’s degrees, a Bachelor’s in Education degree is the right degree for students interested in becoming a teacher or educator. By enrolling in this program, students will begin their journey towards realizing this career goal.

 20. Online Bachelor’s in Graphic Design

Fascinated by technology and its ability to change the way we create art? Have a knack for design? Want to work to create new types of art in new and exciting ways? If so, a Bachelor’s in Graphic Design degree might be the best online bachelor’s degree for you. In choosing to enroll in a Bachelor’s in Graphic Design degree, students will begin down a path that will prepare them to work as graphic designers within a variety of industries. Tapping into your creative side, students will learn the fundamentals of design by studying topics including typography, color theory, principles of layout, and much more. While developing these design fundamentals, students will also work with the latest in graphic design software in order to build their familiarity and skill level with industry-standard applications. This typically means that students will be working with programs like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign to create a variety of different digital media. Students will learn valuable communication skills needed in order to best assess what a client might need in order to best understand their creative vision and execute.

By gaining a Bachelor’s in Graphic Design degree, students will be prepared to take their graphic design skills into a variety of different industries.  Students can find jobs working in marketing and advertising, working in positions such as art director and graphic designer. They can also find themselves working in packaging design or using their skills to create graphics for the Internet. A Bachelor’s in Graphic Design degree affords students a wide array of different career paths in which they can apply their graphic design skills. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in graphic design are to grow by 5% by 2024.

If you are someone who is interested in the creative pursuit of communicating through thoughtful visual media, a Bachelor’s in Graphic Design degree might be the best online bachelor’s degree for you.

21. Online Bachelor’s in History

Students who found studying history of interest to them in high school might want to consider a Bachelor’s in History degree when it comes to choosing the best online bachelor’s degree. A Bachelor’s in History degree affords students to ability to dive deeper into the exploration of the events of our past while developing critical skills such as comprehension, reasoning, and critical-thinking. With a Bachelor’s in History degree students will get the opportunity to go beyond the broader study of history by spending more time delving deeper into particular topics in regards to history. Students will also look and examine the ways that our past has shaped our present day society and use this information to gain a better perspective on where we’re heading as a people. Through this degree program, students can choose to specialize their study of history by choosing to study World History, American History, European History, or the history of any region or time period. This specialization allows students to become experts in the history or a particular time period or region.

Choosing to pursue a Bachelor’s in History degree opens students up to a wide variety of different career paths. Those interested in continuing their education in to a graduate-level should consider a Bachelor’s in History as it gives students the proper base knowledge to enter into studies in history, law, education, and other liberal arts fields. Students can use their Bachelor’s in History degrees to become historians or move into related fields such as journalism, education, business, market research, and communications. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, historian jobs are expected to undergo up to 5% growth by the year 2026. Using a Bachelor’s of History degree to enter that field of work may prove to be very fruitful for future graduates.

A Bachelor’s of History degree is a fantastic option when it comes to the best online college degrees. By choosing to study a Bachelor’s in History degree, students will be setting themselves up to enter into a variety of different fields of work while also preparing themselves to continue their education into graduate studies if they so choose.

22. Online Bachelor’s in Political Science

If you’ve found yourself intrigued by politics and civic engagement, a Bachelor’s in Political Science is the best online bachelor’s degree to choose to begin your pursuit towards a career within the massive field of politics. By studying a Bachelor’s in Political Science, students will gain insight into the complex political systems that makeup the government at the local, state, and federal level within the United States. Students will study case studies to gain a deeper understanding the techniques and methods used by political parties and agents to maintain influence and maneuver themselves closer towards their political goals. Through this program, students will learn to analyze the current problems facing our society and the ways that political systems can be used to effect change and help work towards solving these problems. This program will help students to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills invaluable to a career in politics. Students will also gain a greater ability in oral and written communication in order to learn how to gain influence and effectively persuade audiences. A degree in Political Science is equal parts knowledge and understanding of political political system, and the ability to move, motivate, and persuade people towards action.

Through the completion of a Bachelor’s in Political Science degree, students will gain a variety of different skills and competencies that are applicable to numerous potential career paths. Students can choose to work in political advocacy, campaign strategy, government at the local, state and federal level, as well as working to analyze public policy. A Bachelor’s in Political Science is also a great start towards pursuing graduate level studies.  Students have many options open to them as they can head into politics, business, law, and much more. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in political science are expected to grow by 2% by 2024.

The Bachelor’s in Political Science degree is the best online bachelor’s degree for students interested in entering into the field of politics and who want to work towards effecting public policy to effect change.

23. Online Bachelor’s in Sociology

If the ways that groups of people interact and the ways that influences human behavior is a topic of great interest to you, choosing to study a Bachelor’s in Sociology degree might be the best online bachelor’s degree for you to enroll in. By studying a Bachelor’s in Sociology degree, students will study human society and the rules and theories that govern the way that people interact with one another and the ways that these interactions change the individual. Students will study social institutions such as the family, romantic relationships, the workplace, and more to gain a better understanding of the forces at play in these types of institutions and the ways that they change human behavior. Through the development of critical thinking and problem solving skills, students will look at societal issues in order to understand their root causes and to find ways that they can be remedied. Learning major theoretical perspectives, students will gain the insight needed to understand social problems and inequalities in order to find ways to work towards solving these issues. A Bachelor’s in Sociology degree will help students take abstract concepts and use them to make sense of real-world events.

Through the study and completion of a Bachelor’s in Sociology degree, students will have gained a strong liberal arts background that can be applied towards a variety of different career paths. A Bachelor’s in Sociology degree is also a great springboard for students to use to launch into graduate-level studies in related topics. If you are interested in entering into the workforce after completing this degree, students can find employment working in social advocacy, health centers, and a variety of different government positions. Students can also work as case workers, community health organizers, and much more. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in sociology are expected to grow by 0% in 2024.

A Bachelor’s in Sociology degree is the best online bachelor’s degree for those interested in studying the ways that people interact with one another on a societal scale and would like to apply these theories of interaction towards improving society.

24. Online Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship

Interested in striking out on your own? Want to start your own business? Have a great idea for a new product? If this sounds like you, a Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship degree might be the best online bachelor’s degree for you. While studying for a Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship degree students will learn to develop their skills as entrepreneurs to prepare them for the often time challenging and tough life of being an entrepreneur. In this program of study, students will learn strategic knowledge needed to guide their new business to success. By learning strategies and critical business skills, students will be prepared for all the facets of entrepreneurship.  From assessing and understanding opportunities for venture capital, to analyzing franchising plans and consultancy arrangements, those working towards a Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship will be poised to exit with a degree that has prepared them to be successful entrepreneurs.

By earning a Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship, students will gain the foundational knowledge to run a successful small business and succeed as entrepreneurs. Naturally, choosing to be a small business owner and entrepreneur does not follow the same type of job security and job outlook as more traditional career paths. However, choosing to be an entrepreneur provides a certain sense of ownership over your own destiny that many other jobs don’t provide. If you’d like to apply what you have learned through this program to a more traditional job, these skills can be easily applied towards finding a job in more traditional work environments.

A Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship degree is the best online degree program for students interested in learning what it takes to start their own small business.

25. Online Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies

For some students, it might seem near impossible to decide what degree is right for them. They may enjoy academic pursuits but are just unsure what road they should head down and what education is right for them. For those who are interested in pursuing a higher-level of education but are unsure of what subject they would like to study, a Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies degree is a great best online bachelor’s degree for students to choose from. By enrolling in a Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies degree, students are essentially choosing to pursue a higher education while affording themselves the flexibility to create a plan of study that allows them to find exactly what career path might be of interest. Through this degree program, students can either design a schedule that allows them to survey a variety of different topics that will help them to learn about a variety of different topics in order to find what interests them most, or they can create a custom-tailored degree that provides them an education in the exact topics and classes that they believe they’ll need for whatever career they desire to enroll in.

By completing a Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies degree, students will have a wide variety of different job opportunities and career paths available to them. By the sole virtue of pursuing a Bachelor’s degree, students will have increased their potential earnings by approximately 67% over those without a Bachelor’s degree. Due to the nebulous nature of what somebody’s studies as a Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies degree might actually be, it’s hard to forecast specific career paths for those enrolled. However, this is also the beauty of this type of degree as it is really a clean slate from which students can create their own career path and educational goals.

If you are somebody who knows they are interested in pursuing an best online bachelor’s degree but is unsure of what program they’d like to enroll in or are unable to find a program that suits your specific needs, a Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies is a great degree program to enroll in.

For Further Reading: 

Top 10 Graduate Degree Programs in Criminal Justice

Top 25 Medical Schools

What Degree Do I Need to Be a Policy Analyst?

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

What Degree Do I Need to Be a Mediator?

What Classes Will I Take in a Criminal Justice Degree?

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To conduct this aspect of the library’s business, library professions need to be savvy in sales, budgeting, and cost-analysis. Tied to the purchasing of the library’s materials is the decision of what materials to stock in a library–because the books of a library will ultimately determine its public image and the extent to which customers interact with the library. 

 And this brings us to the third major area of the library science profession–librarians and library managers will determine the policies and standards for book rentals, purchases, etc. They will also determine the general structure of how to service and interact with library members. This also often leads to public events, fundraisers, and other forms of community engagement. The key takeaway here is that libraries businesses and so library science is more business-oriented than one might first suspect.

Why Earn an Online Master’s of Library Science 

Library management professionals might find success with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, however there is no denying that the best positions–with the best salary packages and professional clout–are reserved for library professionals with a graduate degree or even a doctorate of library science. 

Why is this? Well the main reason is that the most prestigious libraries are either large scale state or federal operations, or they are located on premier campuses at universities around the country. In either case, the competition for jobs is stout and is firmly rooted in academic merit. 

Thankfully many of the Master’s of Library Science programs today can be completed online and on a flexible schedule, accommodating even the busiest of professionals. Moreover these programs often offer a cadence of coursework that allows for students to graduate quicker than traditional programs, and come with extremely reasonable price tags. As such our researchers have done the leg work and have ranked what online Master’s of Library Science programs are the best options for you. 

Best Online Master’s of Library Science 

1. University of Washington

The University of Washington School of Information is a powerhouse for creating innovative and industry-shifting professionals. Its programs cover an array of subjects in informatics, data science, and library science. Program curriculums are designed to represent the real-world challenges and needs of specific industries, so that by graduation, students will be prepared to enact positive change in their chosen field. 

Students at the UW School of Information can earn a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) that is completed entirely through online coursework. U.S. News & World Report ranks the program as the second-best program in the country, but due to the program’s industry-awareness and career-focused curriculum we thought the program deserved a bump up. 

Students of the program learn from world-class faculty who have held library management positions around the world, conducted international research, and who have demonstrated tremendous success as educators. Students earning their MLIS at the UW School of Information will enjoy the confidence that they are learning from the best of the best. 

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2. Indiana University – Purdue University

The Indiana University Purdue University (IUPU) School of Informatics and Computing distinguishes itself through a commitment to facilitating the universal applicability of information sciences and technology. Built into the School’s mission statement is the idea that students will be groomed for positions of leadership in their chosen field, and will learn how to employ the tools of technology and information to spur positive change in their careers. 

Students at the IUPU School of Informatics can earn a Master of Library and Information Science entirely online. In the program, students will become experts in navigating challenges related to meta-data management, information literacy, and the modern challenges of a technology-based world. 

In other words, students will learn about technology in a broad and universal sense which confers value and expertise beyond the traditional conception of a librarian. Alumni of the program go on to develop innovative programs and businesses for library patrons, large corporations, and civic groups.

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3. Appalachian State University

Appalachian State’s online programs are taught by the same stellar faculty who teach the on-campus programs. The main strength of Appalachian State’s online programs is its commitment to facilitate both professional and personal growth. A central tenet of the University is that the best learning occurs when it is framed in a context that is meaningful to one’s personal life and personal growth. 

For students interested in a graduate of library science program that encourages personal thriving, look no further. Appalachian State University offers a fully online Master of Library Science that prepares students to take on roles of management and  leadership in the library and information industry. 

Students of the program will progress through a strategically designed curriculum that embodies the interests and standards of the accrediting agencies. Specifically, the Master of Library Science program is recognized by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and nationally accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). 

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4. University of Illinois

The University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign School of Information Sciences is internationally acclaimed for academic excellence in its faculty, students, and alumni. Students at the School of Information Sciences will learn from faculty who are at the cutting-edge of their fields and who often present new paradigm-shifting models or theories. And alumni of the program go on to work at the highest levels of their fields, carrying forth the School’s reputation of excellence. 

It is for these reasons that US News & World Report ranked the School of Information Sciences’ Master of Science in Library and Information Science as the best program of its kind. In the program students will not only cover the foundational coursework of the profession, but they will also have the freedom to build personal interests and expertise. 

Specifically, the program facilitates internship opportunities, professional field training experiences, and collaborative research projects with the program’s top notch faculty. If you have a stand-out academic background and wish to work at the forefront of library science, then this program has few competitors. 

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5. Fort Hays State University

Fort Hays State University’s core mission is to ‘outlast and achieve’ and this mission is carried on by its students as well. At FHSU students will learn how to go beyond their conception of giving 100%, so that they learn how to give 110% when the stakes are high. This is why FHSU students go on to tremendous success and maintain positions of leadership in their respective fields. 

Students at FHSU can earn a Master of Science in Education with a Library Media Specialist concentration. This program is designed specifically for students or education professionals who hold a teaching license. For students interested in combining a career of education with a career in library science, this program is second to none. 

Students enrolled in the Library Specialist Track will complete coursework in the following areas: 

• Innovative Technology Integration 
•  Educational Research
•  Educational Leadership
•  Data Analysis & Assessment
•  Instructional Design & Assessment
•  Cultural Diversity

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6. San José State University

The San José State University School of Information grooms IT, data science, and library science professionals. Students at the School are taught how to apply theoretical models to practical problem solving. Programs are constructed around career-centric curriculums that emphasize industry and market opportunities available to students. 

The San José State University School of Information offers students a Master of Library and Information Science. The School ensures that its students have the same care, guidance, and opportunities as their on-campus counterparts. Curriculum is delivered through a flexible course format that is largely asynchronous, meaning that students progress through the program at their own pace. 

Students of the program will also enjoy the opportunity to build key specialities. Students choose from a robust catalogue of coursework that reflects the burgeoning areas of the industry. 

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7. University of Wisconsin-Madison

The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW) iSchool is a future-facing program that positions students to capitalize on burgeoning trends and opportunities in the job market. The UW iSchool informs its degree programs with the current research and best-practices from accrediting bodies, so that online students can enjoy the confidence that they are learning from the best of the best. 

The UW iSchool offers students a Master’s of Library and Information Science that can be tailored to meet the specific needs of individual students. Students can build experience and expertise in key areas by participating in research projects, community engagement, and collaborative coursework. 

Specifically, students can pursue specialization in any of the following areas: 

• Librarianship
• Digital archives
• UX & information technology
• Data/information management & analytics
• Organization of information

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8. University of Houston – Clear Lake 

The University of Houston Clear Lake (UHCL) College of Education is a premier institution in the higher education industry. Its programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), and grooms students for positions in schools, libraries, and even IT companies. 

Specifically, the College of Education offers a Master of Science in School Library and Information Science that can be completed entirely Online. Curriculums emphasize the training of education professionals to work closely with elementary, middle, or high school teachers to integrate technology and information science. 

Graduates of the program will excel in library science and library management positions. Students of the program will also establish the necessary prerequisites for a number of prestigious certifications–specifically, the Texas School Librarian Certification, and you will have the option of adding Texas Master Technology Teacher certification. 

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9. University of Maryland

The University of Maryland (UMD) College of Information Studies houses some of the most prestigious and acclaimed degree programs in the country. Many of its programs rank in the ‘Top 5,’ which is likely due to the quality of faculty who are industry leaders and professional experts in their respective fields. The UMD College of Information offers top tier programs in the following areas: 

• Library and Information Science
• Digital Humanities
• Computational Archival Science
• Data Privacy and Sociotechnical Cybersecurity
• Youth Experience, Learning, and Digital Practices
• Social Networks and Online Communities
• Data Science, Analytics, and Visualization
• Information Justice, Human Rights, and Technology Ethics  

Specifically the UMD College of Information Studies offers an online Master’s of Library and Information Science that is ranked as one of the best programs in the United States. It is ranked #2 in online programs of its kind, and #8 of all MLIS programs (both on-campus and online).

Aside from its impressive catalogue of accolades, students can earn degree specializations in several key areas. Specializations provide coursework direction in the following areas: 

• Archives and Digital Curation
• Youth Experience 
• Intelligence & Analytics 
• Diversity and Inclusion 
• Legal Informatics 

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10. University of North Carolina at Greensboro

UNC Greensboro (UNCG) Online has worked hard to guarantee online students the same learning outcomes and professional development offered to their on-campus counterparts. Degree programs consist of rich curriculums filled with various teaching philosophies and multimedia formats that are meant to engage students with varying predispositions toward different learning formats. 

Particularly in the case of the online Master of Information and Library Science, students will engage coursework that is presented in video, lecture, and peer-collaboration projects. To encourage peer collaboration the program is delivered primarily through synchronous scheduling, so that students of the program will progress through work at the same time. 

The program consists of 36 credits and is fully accredited by the American Library Association (ALA). The program also offers students a capstone project in lieu of a thesis project where students can begin to establish a professional focus, which can function as the beginning of a professional portfolio. 

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11. Murray State University

The Murray State University College of Education and Human Services does not just educate students, the College trains students to become leaders and advocates for civic good and social progress. The College offers a number of excellent programs in a range of fields in formal and non-formal education, such as social work, criminal justice, and early childhood education. 

The College of Education and Human Services offers a fully online Master’s of Education in Library Media. As the name of the program suggests, curriculum is based on a foundation of topics and philosophies of education. Graduates of the program will become librarians who are experts at teaching students how to use technology to better engage digital resources. 

There are two program tracks: one for certified teachers that can be completed in just 30 credit hours, and one for non-certified teachers that can be completed in 40 credit hours. Students of the program will become librarian experts who excel in the following professional responsibilities:

• Inquiring
• Including
• Collaborating
• Engaging
• Exploring
• Curating

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12. Texas Woman’s University

With approximately 15,000 students, Texas Woman’s University (TWU) is the largest university that is mostly focused on servicing female students in the United States. Its online degree offerings look to give women a leg up in professional achievement and academic development. Programs are meant to prepare women to capitalize on key market opportunities, which will be particularly advantageous to those looking to capitalize on burgeoning opportunities in the library science industry. 

The TWU Master of Library Science program can be completed entirely online and is accredited by the American Library Association Committee on Accreditation. A distinguishing element of this program is its offering of various specialization track options. 

Specifically, students can establish professional expertise by enrolling in one of the following degree specialization tracks: 

• Academic Libraries 
• Public Libraries 
• School Libraries 
• Special Libraries 
• Health Science Libraries 
• Information Technology 
• Technical Services/Cataloging
• Community Informatics 

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13. Louisiana State University

The LSU College of Human Sciences & Education is a nationally recognized College of academic excellence and professional innovation. Students at the College are taught how to value health, personal growth, and intellectual inquiry over one’s lifespan. Moreover students at the College are taught how to leverage academic expertise to find professional success–in other words, students are taught how to put theories into practice. 

The LSU College of Human Sciences & Education offers a fully online Master’s in Library Science and Information. The program has been fully accredited since 1931 and is the only ALA-accredited program in Louisiana, making it the oldest and most prestigious program of its kind in the region. 

Students may complete the 36 credit hour program on a full-time or part-time basis, completing coursework which is primarily taught by full-time, expert faculty. More than 80% of all coursework and electives is taught by the program’s full-time faculty, a benefit which few programs can compete with. 

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14. University at Buffalo

At the University at Buffalo (UB) Department of Information Science students will have the singular opportunity to participate in international research. The department’s faculty participate in some of the nation’s most renowned research efforts, which often result in paradigm-shifting models, theories, and conclusions. The UB Department of Information is an excellent destination for any student looking to participate in a research-focused degree program. 

The UB Department of Information Science offers a Master’s of Science in Information and Library Science. The program is accredited by the American Library Association, but also prepares students to work in a variety of professions in the information industry–even those seemingly unrelated to library science. 

This points to the versatility of the program’s curriculum. Specifically students can pursue specialization in any of the following degree paths: 

• Music Librarianship
• Law Librarianship
• Special Projects 
• Directed Studies (Builds real-world experience)

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15. University of North Texas

The University of North Texas (UNT) online has earned national recognition and acclaim for its student-first, consumer-friendly practices and policies. UNT Online offers a number of accelerated degree programs that can be completed in as little 12 months. Moreover many of its degree programs offer extremely competitive tuition packages, which are designed to be particularly accessible to out-of-state students. 

UNT Online offers a Master of Science in Library Science that is completed through 36 credit hours of digital coursework organized into 12 total digital classes. The program is designed to prepare students for professional achievement in a wide-array of fields in library science and related careers. 

Evidencing this is the program’s dynamic curriculum, which prepares students for various paths to success in the following degree specialization options: 

• Archival Studies and Imaging Technology
• Information Organization
• Law Librarianship and Legal Informatics
• Music Librarianship
• Youth Librarianship
• General Program of Study

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16. Texas A & M University

The Texas A&M University Commerce (TAMUC) College of Education & Human Services looks to improve the quality of life in the United States by creating responsible, engaging, and innovative professionals. The College boasts some of the most impressive post-graduation certification and professional examination success rates in educators. The College is known for producing more superintendents and high school principals than any other university in Texas. 

The TAMUC College of Education & Human Services offers a fully online Master of Science in Educational Technology of Library Science that prepares the next generation of leaders and educators in the field of library science. The program is completed through 36 credit hours spaced out through coursework over 2 years. 

Students of the program are given the option of completing the full Educational Technology Library Science program, or they can complete the graduate certification program separately. The graduate certification program can be completed in as little as a year to earn the ‘School Librarian or Library Media Specialist’ certification.

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17. Sam Houston State University

The Sam Houston State University (SHSU) experience is built around the foundational motto “The measure of a Life is its Service,” which translates into socially aware degree programs which are designed to cultivate a sense of social responsibility and facilitate the skills to bring about civic good in one’s community–professional or otherwise.

The SHSU Master of Science in Library Science can be completed entirely online and is meant to prepare students to become professional school librarians. Students of the program will also complete a School Librarian Certification so that they are professionally accredited to take on any professional role within a school library. 

Specifically, the program curriculum is designed to cultivate skills which are of high-demand in the industry currently, such as: managing large digital and physical catalogues of multimedia and employing an interdisciplinary command of technology and information science to successfully run the day-to-day operations of a library. 

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18. University of Central Missouri

The University of Central Missouri (UCMO) is an institution of strong ethical standards and operates according to a teaching philosophy that is fundamentally student-centric. That is, UCMO employs the motto, “Learning to a Greater Degree (LTAGD),” which refers to its commitment to its students–faculty work not just as educators but as mentors. Alumni are more than just social network connections; they are peers, partners, and collaborators. 

UCMO offers a fully online Master of Science in Library Science and Information Services. Students of the program will become accustomed to the industry’s most popular technologies and the ‘best practices’ for employing such technologies to enhance the operations and functionalities of a library. 

The program curriculum builds off foundational concepts teach-education and education philosophy. As such graduates of the program will be groomed for success in teaching in any of the following environments: 

• K-20 Classrooms
• Libraries
• Military Training
• Corporate Training
• Private-Sector Education Groups 

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19. University of Southern California

The University of Southern California is one of the most successful institutions of higher education in the southwest. USC alumni are proud, USC faculty are international recognized experts, and current students are groomed to turn dreams into achievement. USC is one of the world’s leading private research universities, and its students will be among the privileged few who can participate in industry-shifting–and even world-changing–research projects and initiatives. 

USC offers a fully online Master of Management in Library and Information Science that is truly unique. The Master of Management designation is meant to provide key preparation for students who wish to take on mid-to-upper level employment in a library. Graduates of the program will be well-prepared to take on employment in the country’s most large, prestigious, and respected universities. 

But emphasized in the program’s curriculum is the diversity of the librarian’s professionals skill set. Graduates of the program will learn how to employ their skills in a variety of other work environments and industries as well–from corporate offices, to IT groups, to governmental agencies. 

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20. Valley City State University

Valley City State University (VCSU) is a technology-literate University that looks to prepare students for the future of their chosen industry or professional focus. VCSU students learn how to cultivate a variety of interdisciplinary skills that will help them succeed in the ever-changing environment of the job market. 

For this reason, VCSU designs coursework to reflect the demands of the job market, so that program graduates are appealing to future employers and competitive in various job markets. VCSU offers a fully online Master’s of Library & Information Science that confers the North Dakota Library Media Specialist Certification as well. 

Students of the program will progress through coursework in the following areas: 

• Applied Research in Current School Library Issues
• Literature & Literacy for Children & Young Adults
• Contemporary Cataloging for the School Library
• Collection Development for the 21st Century School Library
• Using Information Resources
• Collaboration, Management, & Leadership
• Administering & Evaluating Program Resources
• Integrating Information Literacy & Research Standards

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In this day and age there are more ways to earn an accredited undergraduate degree online than ever before–and many of these options offer a trifecta of value: affordability, flexibility, and academic rigor. It is certainly a buyer’s market for those prospecting an online degree, meaning that students can prioritize programs with certain features that offer the most value in the context of an individual’s life and goals. 

RELATED: 25 Fastest Online Associates Degree Programs

For adult learners and working students, flexibility is often as important as any other metric. In the modern economy it is not uncommon for undergraduates to manage side-hustles or even full-time employment while pursuing a degree. And with this in mind, a traditional four year format is not always accommodating. 

RELATED: The 20 Easiest Bachelor’s Degree Online Options

Thankfully our researchers have done the legwork for you and have ranked the 20 best online programs that offer affordability and academic rigor, packaged in a program that offers the utmost of flexibility in order to accommodate even the busiest of the students and the most hectic of schedules. These programs will meet each student on their own terms to ensure that their bachelor’s program enables professional advancement without disabling a comfortable work-life balance. 

1. Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses

By Trine’s own words, excellence is the bedrock of its programs. At Trine University specially trained faculty instruct students in how to aspire to excellence and then achieve it. In recent years, Trine has transitioned its traditional programs with more than 130 years of academic excellence online so that more students can benefit from its programs. 

Trine Online offers a selection of accredited degree programs–associates, bachelors, and masters. Trine’s expert faculty are specially trained in working with online students and non-traditional students. This means that each program’s curriculum is designed to accommodate students of various lifestyles with different goals and expectations. 

Specifically, Trine Online offers a catalogue of Bachelor’s programs in the following areas: 

• Business Administration
• Human Resource Management
• Criminal Justice
• Engineering and Technology
• Information Systems
• Manufacturing Technology
• Healthcare 
• Leadership

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2. LeTourneau University

LeTourneau University offers a modernized Christian-based framework for online education, which translates into program curriculums built around social activism, civic responsibility, and value-based leadership. It is important to note though that these programs do not emphasize any one denomination and are welcome to students from all belief systems–secular or not. 

LeTourneau’s online Bachelor’s programs are ideal for students who wish to elevate online studies with values-based curriculums. Online undergraduate programs are also centrally focused on providing a value proposition based on professional return. That is, instructors constantly rework curriculum formats to reflect current demands of the job market and to offer the flexibility needed to accommodate working students.

LeTourneau University offers a selection of online degree programs, which for the most part are organized under business, healthcare, and faith-based studies departments.

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3. Thomas Jefferson University

Thomas Jefferson University boasts a rich and successful history of offering career-minded programs to students. This tradition has carried forth into the modern day with amazing success–evidenced by the stat of more than 96% of graduates finding employment or enrollment into graduate school, which are ultimately the goals of any undergraduate.

Over the last decade, Jefferson has redoubled its efforts to provide the innovation needed to modernize its degree programs. As such, online students benefit from comprehensive curriculums built with interdepartmental collaboration. This means that students are empowered to pursue unique professional interests and research projects, which might not have been available in programs with more rigid curriculums.

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4. Clarkson College

The story of Clarkson College is the story of adaptability and innovation, which has been brought to fruition with its recent expansion into the online education space. Clarkson has dedicated considerable resources to developing its online programs from the ground up to offer flexibility and academic integrity. 

Clarkson’s online programs make use of the industry’s best technology so that students can communicate with each other and with instructors. This technology also allows students to work on group projects and presentations. Clarkson also offers hybrid course options for students who want to participate in on-campus activities while also shifting a bulk of the workload online. 

Clarkson offers degrees in the following subjects:

• Community Health
• Education & Leadership 
• General Education
• Healthcare Management & Administration
• Health Information Management 
• Nursing
• Physical Therapist Assistant 
• Radiography & Medical Imaging
• Professional Development 

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5. Baker University

Baker University is a premier private university that caters to adult learners and working students by offering online degree programs that emphasize affordability and flexibility, so that students can enroll in online Bachelor’s programs no matter where they are in life. At Baker University, students are encouraged to embrace creativity and analytical thinking to achieve clear perspectives in their careers, so that they can identify and travel the road to success. 

Baker offers a decent selection of online degree programs at the bachelors and masters level. Specifically, students can earn any of the following online bachelor’s:

• Bachelor of Business Administration | Major in Business Leadership
• Bachelor of Business Administration | Major in Management
• Bachelor of Business Administration | Major in Marketing
• Bachelor of Science with a Major in Criminal Justice
• Bachelor of Science with a Major in Psychology

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6. Endicott College

Endicott College delivers affordable, convenient, and professional degree programs which are meant to prime graduates for success in the job market. By narrowing its focus to servicing adult-learners, the Endicott College Van Loan School of Professional Studies is able to raise the bar of its programs and ask more of its students. This allows faculty to deliver academically rigorous programs delivered at a demanding pace.

The Endicott College Van Loan School of Professional Studies employs the latest in online learning technology to keep students engaged throughout their programs. For instance, online lecture technology allows students to collaborate with peers and instructors and to complete group projects. 

Students interested in earning a Bachelor’s degree can earn any of the following: 

• Business Management Program (B.S.)
• Business Program (A.S.)
• Business Program (Spain)
• Computer Science Program (A.S.)
• Criminal Justice Program (A.S.)
• Criminal Justice Program (B.S.)
• Integrated Studies Program (A.S.)
• Liberal Studies Program (B.A.)
• Liberal Studies with Concentration in Educational Studies (B.A.)
• Liberal Studies with Montessori Learning Concentration (B.A.)
• Psychology Program (B.S.)

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7. Liberty University

Liberty University is a fully accredited evangelical liberla arts institution that is quickly becoming one of the largest of its kind. Today Liberty services more than 100,000 students through more than 700 programs, more than half of which are available online to students anywhere in the world (roughly 450 online programs). Whereas faith might take a backseat in some nonsecular universities, the Christian faith is positioned at the bedrock of Liberty University. 

As such, students should expect program curriculums to be framed in such a way as to represent Christian values and the love of God. Beyond a faith-based learning format, Liberty looks to strike the balance between theory, research, and hands-on training. As such, curriculums are built to prepare students to be adaptable above all, so that they will be prepared to adapt to the constantly evolving and changing job market. 

While Liberty University offers an amazingly robust selection of online Bachelor’s programs, here are their self-reported 10 most popular programs:

• Accounting (B.S.)
• Aviation (B.S.)
• Business Administration (BSBA)
• Criminal Justice (B.S.)
• Elementary Education (B.S.)
• History (B.S.)
• Information Technology (B.S.)
• Psychology (B.S.)
• Religion (B.S.)
• Social Work (BSW)

Click here to learn more

8. Trevecca Nazarene University

Since 1901 Trevecca has been cultivating leaders and helping students actualize their professional dreams. In recent years Trevecca has moved more of its programs online, and now offers associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral programs entirely online. A whopping 98% of Trevecca students earn financial aid of some sort, which is a god-send for students looking to earn a bachelor’s on a budget. 

And similarly impressive is the fact that 92% of Trevecca’s instructors hold the highest degree in their respective field. Trevecca invests in its students by hiring qualified faculty who combine high-end credentials with real-world experience, who then pass on their experience to students. 

Trevecca online programs are delivered in an asynchronous format one class at a time, which makes it incredibly accommodating for adult learners and busy students. Students can earn any of the following bachelor’s programs:

• Business
• Business Management (Associate of Science)
• Christian Ministry
• Criminal Justice
• Health Care Administration

Click here to learn more

9. Ohio University

Ohio University is a large public university that has quickly taken the mantle of one of the number one providers of online education in the state of Ohio. Ohio University now services more than 7,900 students through more than 60 degree programs. Ohio’s online programs are built with flexibility in mind with a number of accelerated tracks and malleable specialty options.

Ohio also offers a number of pathways for customizing degree programs, which allows students to choose from an exclusively online format, an on-campus format, or a hybrid format which combines elements of both. Similarly, Ohio offers online students options for independent studies which can empower students to pursue areas of study that might otherwise be unavailable. 

Students for looking a traditional curriculum structure can enroll in any of the following online bachelor’s programs:

• Applied Management
• Communication
• Criminal Justice
• Customer Service Leadership
• Hospitality Management
• Human Services
• Integrated Healthcare Studies
• Interior Architecture
• Psychology
• RN to BSN
• Technical and Applied Studies
• Technical Operations Management

Click here to learn more

10. Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU) is another institution that has brought its rich history of demonstrable Christian values to the online education space. The University is the official educational institution of the East Central Educational Region of the Church of the Nazarene. As such, students can enroll in flexible and affordable degree programs that implement value-based learning based on Christian values. 

MVNU offers liberal arts curriculums that are designed to be accessible to students around the country, if not the world at large (online student body is from 10 other countries). MVNU has been recognized for offering top-tier flexibility and affordability in numerous trusted publications. 

Students can earn of the following Bachelor’s online: 

• Bachelor of Business Administration
  • Finance
  • Human Resource Management
  • Management
  • Marketing
• Bachelor of Arts in Leadership
• Bachelor of Arts in Chrisitan Ministry
• Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration 
• Bachelor of Social Work
• Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education (P-5)

Click here to learn more

11. Saint Joseph’s College of Maine

Saint Joseph’s College of Maine (SJCME) is an intimate, more modestly sized private Catholic that looks to combine faith-based education with academic excellence. SJCME is a premier location for earning a degree for entering the theological industry, and particularly specializes in offering culturally specialized degree programs. 

SJCME applies its philosophy of intimate education to the online environment, where each student is given the care and attention as they would receive on campus. Specifically, students can earn any of the following degrees entirely online: 

• Catechism for Catechist (non-credit)
• Catholic Theology
• Certificate in Catholic Catechesis
• Health Administration
• Long-Term Care Administration
• Pastoral Ministry to Black Catholics
• Pastoral Ministry to Latino Catholics

Click here to learn more

12. Adelphi University

Adelphi University has built a tremendous reputation for catering to non-traditional students over the last 45 years. Adelphi has validated this reputation twofold in recent years, represented in the investing of building innovative online degree programs that cater to non-traditional students. These programs offer the utmost of flexibility and allow students to engage degree programs at any cadence that enables a comfortable work-life balance.

Despite the flexibility offered, Adelphi employs technology to preserve the livability of the on-campus classroom within the context of online education. Similarly, Adelphi’s Faculty Center for Professional Excellence invests in faculty in order to provide them with the necessary resources needed to take their programs to the next level.

Students can earn any of the following undergraduate programs online:

• AS in Emergency Services Administration
• BA in Social ScienceBS in Business
• BS in Emergency Services Administration
• RN to BS in Nursing 

Click here to learn more

13. Chaminade University of Honolulu

Chaminade University is known for its student-centric education programs which prioritize small classrooms where students can receive the care and attention needed to excel in life and career. In addition to its student-centric philosophies, Chaminade offers experiential learning pathways which are designed to keep online students engaged and involved in their program. 

Chaminade offers 10 different undergraduate majors that can be completed entirely online. The online programs are arranged into 10 week terms, which can be individualized to accommodate the needs and expectations of students. The majors available are as follows:

• Business Administration
• Criminology & Criminal Justice
• Education
• English
• Historical and Political Studies
• Liberal Arts
• Management
• Psychology
• Religious Studies
• Secondary Education
• Special Education
• Teaching

Click here to learn more

14. South Dakota State University

South Dakota State University (SDSU) offers a number of online degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. If you are on the fence about online education, SDSU offers a number of resources to aid students in deciding if it is a good match. Specifically, you can take this survey, which will help you identify your goals and figure out if online education can help you actualize those goals. 

SDSU also utilizes a generous credit system, which enables a high level of upward mobility. This means that some online degree programs will offer credits that can be applied when enrolling in a higher level program (particularly for the Laboratory Science program). SDSU’s entire catalogue of online bachelor’s is as follows: 

• Early Education and Care (B.S.)
• General Studies (B.G.S.)
• Geographic Information Sciences (B.S.)
• Geography (B.A./B.S.)
• Human Development and Family Studies (B.S.)
• Interdisciplinary Studies (B.S.)
• Medical Laboratory Science (Upward Mobility) (B.S.)*
• Nursing (RN to B.S.N.)
• Psychology (B.S.)
• Sociology (B.S.)

Click here to learn more

15. Roger Williams University

Roger Williams’ University College is an institution that is built on a foundation of catering to the needs of students. This foundation is built upon so that Roger Williams can offer student-centric degree programs to students from all walks of life that can accommodate even the most demanding of schedules. UC’s online degree programs are so flexible that students can progress through coursework anytime and anywhere. 

In fact, beyond self-paced coursework, students work closely with instructors and advisors shortly after enrollment to design a tailor-made schedule that maximizes the efficiency of the program while offering a comfortable work-life balance. This is an excellent feature for students who might have wildy irregular schedules that require special consideration. 

Consider Roger William’s full catalogue of online bachelor’s: 

• Applied Psychology
  • Bachelor’s Degree
• Criminal Justice
  • Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, Undergraduate Certificate
• Cybersecurity & Networking
  • Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, Undergraduate Certificate
• Emergency Medical Services
  • Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree
• Health Care Administration
  • Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree
• Healthy Communities
  • Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree
• Humanities & Social Sciences
  • Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, Undergraduate Certificate
• Individualized Concentration
  • Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree
• Paralegal Studies
  • Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, Post Baccalaureate Certificate
• Policing, Public Safety and Security
  • Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, Undergraduate Certificate
• Public Administration
  • Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, Undergraduate Certificate
• Technology, Leadership and Management
  • Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, Undergraduate Certificate

Click here to learn more

16. Western Governors University

Western Governors University is one of the world’s premier institutions of online education. WGU was among the earliest adopters of online education technology, and as such was perfectly positioned to offer programs to the rising number of students seeking nontraditional education. This extensive experience allowed WGU to iterate on program structure and curriculums to maximize their effectiveness in the context of online education. 

Similarly, WGU has invested in the best of the best online learning technology as it is the cornerstone of the university. Whereas some universities offer online modes of delivery for programs, WGU offers only online degrees. So you can rest assured that you are benefitting from the best program that the University has to offer. 

WGU offers nearly 30 fully online undergraduate degrees through four different colleges: College of Business, College of Information Technology, College of Health Professions, and the Teachers College. 

Click here to learn more

17. TN Reconnect College Programs

Tennessee Reconnect is a last-dollar grant program that is designed to facilitate the professional advancement of nontraditional Tennessee students who may have decided against college to build real world experience. TN Reconnect grants college credits for this real world experience, provided of course that a student is able to complete the appropriate tests and exams. 

While the program is not free, the costs associated are on average much lower than the typical tuition costs associated with the same number of credits awarded. The example provided is as follows: 

“You could pay $80 for a CLEP examination and earn 3 credit hours [through the TN Reconnect program]. It could cost you $500 or more to earn the same credits in a traditional classroom.”

Click here to learn more

18. Purdue University

Purdue University’s name is one that comes with prestige and academic clout. When earning a degree from Purdue, you can be sure that future employers will look on your alma mater with favor. And thankfully, Purdue Online has recently made many of its most successful programs accessible to online students at a more affordable rate–making it an excellent option for any student considering an online bachelor’s degree. 

Purdue’s catalogue of available online degree programs are offered as a collaboration between the colleges in the Purdue University System: Purdue West Lafayette, Purdue Fort Wayne and Purdue Northwest, to Purdue Global. Each school has its own set of specialties and degree programs on offer. You can explore these options at the link below.  

Click here to learn more

19. Excelsior College

When it comes to distance education, Excelsior College is one of the country’s most veteran and well-established institutions of its kind. Having specialized in distance education as far back as 1971, Excelsior College has fine-tuned its approach over subsequent decades. While newer programs might suffer a lack of iteration, Excelsior’s degree programs are among the most accommodating and flexible of their kind. 

Excelsior is a not-for-profit and fully accredited institution that offers a wide variety of degree programs. Programs start every 8 weeks, which provides busy students with plenty of entry points to accommodate busy schedules. Excelsior also provides a beneficial experiential learning credit system, which rewards adult learners with previous professional experience.  

Click here to learn more

20. Walden University

In 1970 Walden University began its pursuit of building a school to specialize in the education of adults and nontraditional learners. Today Walden has an alumni network of more than 153,000 students who have gone to build successful careers in countless fields and industries. More than 300 of Walden’s faculty have been recognized for ‘Excellence in Teaching and Mentorship.’ 

Meaning that Walden students can enjoy the confidence that they are learning from some of the industry’s best educators. Walden is also accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, which maintains high standards for academic excellence–standards which Walden strives to overachieve. 

Additionally, Walden offers one of the most robust catalogues of online bachelor’s in the world. And each program offers a high level of flexibility, wherein students can progress through asynchronous formats at a pace that best matches their goals and desired cadence of coursework. 

Click here to learn more

The post The 20 Most Flexible Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

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

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

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

1 Harvard University

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

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

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

Net Price: $16,000

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

2 National University

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

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

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

Net Price: $18,319

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

3 University of Houston – Victoria

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

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

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

Net Price: $10,000

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

4 University of Denver

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

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

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

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

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

Net Price: $10,319

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

5 Bay Path University

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

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

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

Net Price: $20,000

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

6 Mount Saint Mary’s University

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

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

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

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

Net Price: $28,000

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

7 Oregon State University Cascades

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

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

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

• Fiction
• Poetry
• Creative Nonfiction

Net Price: $20,000

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

8 University of Texas El Paso

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

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

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

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

Net Price: $9,000

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

9 Bennington College

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

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

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

Net Price: $29,000

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

10 Fairfield University

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

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

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

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

Net Price: $40,000

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

11 Emerson College

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

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

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

Net Price: $44,000

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

12 University of Nebraska at Omaha

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

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

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

Net Price: $14,000

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

13 Lindenwood University

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

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

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

Net Price: $18,000

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

14 Queens College of Charlotte

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

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

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

Net Price: $21,000

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

15 Eastern Kentucky University

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

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

Net Price: $14,000

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

16 Drexel University

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

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

Net Price: $34,000

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

17 Lesley University

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

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

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

Net Price: $32,000

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

18 Fairleigh Dickinson University

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

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

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

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

Net Price: $22,000

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

19 Savannah College of Art and Design

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

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

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

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

Net Price: $42,000

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

20 Southern New Hampshire University

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

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

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

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

Net Price: $40,000

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

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

(In Alphabetical Order)

1. Academic Earth

Curating classes from thirteen of the best universities, including some Ivy League institutions, Academic Earth offers users hundreds of online courses to enroll in. Acting as a directory for all these courses, Academic Earth points students towards the proprietary platforms of different universities from which they can view these courses. Academic Earth also curates different “playlists” which allow students to learn a variety of different topics using different courses from different universities and institutions. Academic Earth is a great place for students to find a multitude of different courses offered by many different institutions.

2. Alison

Offering over six-hundred different courses that have been sources from over two-hundred different countries, Alison was created to honor the UN Declaration of Human Rights that states “education should be available to all”. Sourcing sources from universities and top corporations, students will be able to gain a free education that will prepare them with a variety of skills applicable to the workplace. Students can also use this service to source diplomas for academic purposes. Alison is a great way for students to gain a global perspective and learn from a variety of different cultures.

3. AMSER

Funded by the National Science Foundation and the National Science Digital Library, AMSER (Applied Math and Science Education Repository) provides students with a massive catalogue of educational resources and services for those enrolled in community and technical colleges. Completely free of charge, AMSER is a great resource for students enrolled in other programs. Through AMSER, students will be able to keep up with the latest information in their field of study while making sure that they are gaining additional information and supplemental educational material. While technically it does not offer classes, AMSER is worth a mention due to the sheer wealth of data available to students.

4. Ars Digita University

Originally an intensive post-bachelor’s program in computer science offered by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Ars Digita University is now offered online to students for free. While a bit of a dated program it is still one of the most complete educational experiences offered online that is also offered by one of the country’s premier universities. Students have access to the entirety of this courses lectures, coursework and examine. Through this program students will study a variety of advanced topics including object-oriented programming, artificial intelligence, and a variety of complex math subjects relevant to computer science.

5. Blackboard-Open Education

Leveraging the very popular Blackboard platform, Open Education powered by Blackboard is a service that collects classes and courses offered through fifty different institutions to provide to the public for free. Designed to be used in tandem with courses already being taken through Blackboard, Open Education powered by Blackboard allows students to explore related subjects of study to gain supplemental learning material and coursework that may not be offered by the institution they are currently attending. Using a variety of live and self-paced courses, students are able to access a large library of archived Blackboard lectures.

6. Boston College Front Row

Sponsored by the Boston College Magazine, Boston College Front Row provides students with a large amount of supplemental coursework and educational materials from Boston College. While Boston College Front Row does not provide students with complete access to entire college courses, the program does offer students related resources and recordings of different academic events. Currently, Boston College Front Row offers over 1000 different programs worth of information to students across a massive amount of different subject matters. Boston College Front Row is a fantastic resource for students looking to learn a little bit more about whatever topics they are currently studying.

7. Brigham Young University Independent Study

Providing students with access to a variety of different theological courses and coursework, the Brigham Young University Independent Study program allows students to access over fifty different free online courses. These program cover typical educational topics like mathematics while also specializing in courses in the Bible and Mormonism. This catalog can be expanded for an additional fee allowing students to access to over five hundred extra courses.

8. Caltech Online

Using one of the latest innovations in online education, Caltech offers students access to ten different on-demand or live MOOCs (massive open online course). These courses typically cover STEM-related topics and allow students to participate with an unlimited amount of additional students to partake in massive seminars. Caltech Online uses either Coursera or edX platforms for their broadcasting purposes.

9. Canvas Network

Acting as a repository for a variety of different partner institutions, the Canvas Network collects MOOCs made available from a variety of different learning platforms. The programs are all offered to students initially as a live session that they can participate in and then they are archived for students to view at their own pace. Students can choose to enroll in courses that cover both traditional university course work as well as job training.

10. Carnegie Mellon Open Learning Initiative

Offering students thirty-one different open MOOCs, the Carnegie Mellon Open Learning Initiative is a comprehensive collection of courses and coursework for students looking for free online courses. The Carnegie Mellon Open Learning Initiative focuses primarily on providing students with access to introductory level classes in a variety of fields including STEM, languages, science-related studies, math, and much more. Anyone is able to access the classes for self-pace studies, but students are able to also gain keys from teachers in order to enter into cohorts to learn with groups. The Carnegie Mellon Open Learning Initiative also provides teachers with a higher-degree of control and analytics to allow them to monitor their students progress.

11. Class Central

With over 1500 different on-demand courses offered to students for free, students can sign ups or Class Central to gain access to a courses offered live and pre-recorded from the top universities in the nation. Students can gain insight into academic courses as well as skill-based courses regarding science, social sciences, management, business, education, and much more. Class Central also provides reviews of a large list of different MOOCs to help students determine the MOOC that is right for them.

12. Coursera

One of the largest MOOC platforms available, Coursera works with over one-hundred different partner institutions that range from the National Geographic Society to the Museum of Modern Art to provide students with a vast array of free educational experiences. Students can enroll in over eight hundred different courses offered in over thirty different languages. While most of the courses are offered for free, students are able to pay a small fee to gain a certificate that verifies their completion of a given program.

13. Duke Law Center for the Study of the Public Domain

As one of the first universities to focus on the study of the public domain, Duke Law Center for the Public Domain affords students the ability to study a variety of topics that relate to the public domain. By studying the the various ways that the public domain effects society today, students can take video lectures on topics including science, innovation, and culture. The Duke Law Center for the Study of the Public Domain also offers students in-person lectures that can also be attended for free.

14. EdCast

Partnering closely with almost fifty different institutions including universities, corporations, and startups, EdCast is a great resource for students looking for a rich platform that they can use to communicate with educators. With EdCast, students are in direct contact with educators where they can ask questions as well as discuss their progress and gain access to supplementary content. Offering a variety of free coursework this platform is a great way for students to get in contact with others in the same field of academia.

15. Edx

Offering over 460 different courses curated from sixty-five different member organizations, EdX has grown to become one of the largest online MOOC platforms. Offering courses from some of the world’s best universities, students can view courses in engineering, computer science, business and management, and much more – all for free. Students are able to enroll in live-cohort courses or can choose to take self-paced courses. For a small fee students can required certification upon completion of a course.

16. FreeVideoLectures

One of the largest collections of recorded lectures, Free Video Lectures provides students with over 1000 free courses to choose from as well as a staggering total of 25,000 individual video lectures all collected from top universities. Free Video Lectures offers all these videos in a variety of different audio and video formats in order to provide students with a greater deal of flexibility over their education. Students can sort through this library of videos by topic and institution while also viewing expert-created playlists about certain academic topics.

17. FutureLearn

Partnering with fifty-five different higher education partners, FutureLearn offers students seventy online courses completely for free. Students are able to enroll in a wide-range of topics that cover most of the traditional college course offerings as well as courses designed to help students with career-based knowledge. FutureLearn offers its programs to students live or students can choose to view them on-demand after they have been uploaded to the the site. Students can also request a certification in the given program for a small fee.

18. Harvard Extension School

Offering students access to one of the most prestigious institutions in the world, Harvard Extension School allows students to view over forty different MOOCs offered by the school. Using the edX platform, students can take courses from Harvard University for free and for an additional fee can choose to gain a certification from Harvard. The Harvard Extension School offers a variety of different programs including topics on literature, history, and computer science topics like data analysis.

19. iTunes U

Built upon the popular iTunes music application by Apple, iTunes U is a platform for universities to upload their seminars and courses for free for students across the world. Working similarly to podcasts, iTunes U allows students to take part in courses designed to leverage the variety of capabilities offered on Apple devices including the iPad and iPhone. With iTunes U, students can gain a free education that uses advanced multimedia methods only available with Apple’s products.

20. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Built upon the popular openCourseWare platform, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health offers over one-hundred different online courses for students to choose from. Pertaining to the topics of public health, students can visit the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health MOOC for a variety of courses on topics including Hopkins Masters of Public Health, Ethics, Public Health in Developing Countries and much more.

21. Khan Academy

A popular repository for free academic materials, the Khan Academy offers over 2,400 different free videos spanning almost every academic topic imaginable. Fantastic for test preparation, Khan Academy is a wonderful free resource to allow students to continue their studies outside of the classroom and to ensure that they have a full understanding of the coursework at hand. Students are able to take all of these courses for free and they are also able to access different tracking metrics that help them to follow their progress.

22. Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Offering courses in a variety of different business-related topics, students are able to enroll in the Small Business Development Center of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. This MOOC gives students the opportunity to step outside of the classroom to test their understanding of business-related topics including accounting, planning, government, marketing, and much more. The Small Business Development Center of Kutztown University offers many of its programs in Spanish, as well as English.

23. MIT Open Courseware

At the very forefront of the open online education movement, the Open Courseware program offered by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers a vast collection of the school’s most popular courses for free. While the level of detail and materials provides vary from program-to-program, all of the courses offered on MIT Open Courseware at least provide students with a syllabus, reading lists, and assignments. Many of the programs are more robust, but students are still able to at the very least get an idea about almost all of the programs offered.

24. Mooc-Ed.org

Curated and supported by the William & Ida Friday Institute for Educational Innovation at North Carolina State University College College of Education, Mooc-Ed.org is a project designed to make it easier for educators to offer their programs and courses online for free. Currently, the program is in its infancy and is rather small, containing a collection of courses offered at North Carolina State University. However, these programs that are available are highly fleshed out for students looking to learn online.

25. Massive Open Online English Course

A massive collaboration between twenty-four different international universities and organizations, the Massive Open Online English Course or MOOEC is a program that offers non-native English speakers over fifty different English course. This program is designed to answer practical questions and to provide education to those looking to travel abroad. Students are able to enroll in five different types of programs: general English, lifestyle, pathway to higher learning, IELTS preparation, and English for academia. Massive Open Online English Course is a great resource for non-native English speakers to learn how to use the English language in a practical manner.

26. New York State University Computer Science Department

Offering a large array of different computer science-related materials including book reviews, online courses, tutorials, and lectures, the New York State University at Albany Computer Science Department has curated amassed a large collection of online materials for those interested in learning more about computer science for free. The site is maintained well and is kept up-to-date with new classes and material.

27. oedb.org

Operating since 2006, the Open Education Database has been providing data about online education to students and has now accrued over 10,000 free online classes for its users. The Open Education Database offers courses in the arts, business, education, engineering & computer science, health & medical science, liberal arts, math, and much more. Currently, the Open Education Database has amassed most of its offerings from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Michigan, and Johns Hopkins University. Materials are offered in collections by “iLibrarians” who have created playlists of materials for students regarding different topics.

28. Online Course Report

Offering over 10,000 different courses, most of which are free, Online Course Report is one of the Internet’s largest repositories for free college courses. The courses in this program are cataloged by level of difficulty as well as the different topics covered. Students can uses this site to view reviews of other online learning platforms and also to gain insight into “pathways” that explain to readers how to use the free online materials to gain more business-ready skills.

29. Open Culture

Not a learning platform in itself, Open Culture is a website that offers its users a collection of the best educational and cultural media found around the internet. Compiling over 1100 different piece of media for its users, Open Culture provides its users with free online courses from the top universities. Open Culture goes through great lengths to organize its courses in an easy to understand way for its users. These courses are offered in a variety of different formats that leverage different types of multimedia.

30. Open.Michigan

Supported by the University of Michigan, the Open.Michigan project is a compendium of the educational resources compiled from twenty different departments within the University of Michigan system of schools. Covering a wide range of courses and topics, students are able to access a catalog of additional resources. Having licensed all this information through the Creative Commons, the Open.Michigan project has freed up students to take the courses and information offered and use them however they please.

31. Open University Learning Space

Offering students over 750 different free courses, OpenLearn is a platform designed and maintained by the Open University. On the OpenLearn platform, students will be able to access many different types of supplemental educational materials for free including, audio, video, lectures, readings, and much more. While some of these courses are offered live, most of them are offered in a prerecorded state allowing students to access them at their leisure. OpenLearn also maintains profiles for its users so they can track their progress.

32. OpenUpEd

A collaboration between several partner institutions located in twelve different countries in Europe, the OpenUpEd project is the first pan-European MOOCs initiative. Now, OpenUpEd is currently host to over two-hundred different courses that span a wide variety of different courses as well as languages. OpenUpEd employs a workload system that allows users to see the estimated amount of effort and time that a given course will take, helping students to better understand what they are getting themselves into before they choose to start a program.

33. Open2Study

Another fantastic resource for free online course, Open2Study offers students a variety of free online courses. Spanning courses in general college subjects as well as other areas of career interest, Open2Study offers many of its courses live. Offering a schedule of its upcoming courses, Open2Study encourages its users to plan in advance what courses they’d like to take and to join a cohort that they can take the course alongside with. The courses integrate the usage of forums, assessments, quizzes, and other trappings of online education to give a more complete experience. Students are able to earn certifications and accredited degrees for a small fee if they so choose.

34. Saylor Academy

Offering over 100 different open online courses, Saylor Academy also allows its users to take these same courses for actual college credits at the institutions that the programs are sourced from. Saylor Academy not only offers these courses completely for free online, but they also allow students to use the course materials in anyway they see fit. This allows students to take different lessons and remix them to create new courses. Saylor Academy uses a pathways system to help guide students through different courses of study. This platform has also gained a reputation for being one of the most robust MOOCs.

35. SkilledUp

Quite possibly the largest college of free and paid online courses on the Internet, SkilledUp offers its users over 93,000 free courses to choose from a dizzyingly comprehensive number of online MOOCs. SkilledUp goes through great lengths to provide in-depth organization of the vast catalog of courses in order to make it easy for students to find the classes and courses that they are looking for. SkilledUp also offers many courses that are relevant to people who are already working in business institutions.

36. Stanford Engineering Everywhere

Compiling thirteen of Stanford University’s most popular engineering courses, the Stanford Engineering Everywhere program offers students access to these courses completely free of charge. Through the Stanford Engineering Everywhere program, students are able to view courses in their entirety. That means they have access to the video lectures, handouts, homework, exams, and complete syllabus. Students are also able to interact with one another to discuss the topics they are studying to help further their understanding.

37. Study.com

With the primary mission of helping students to gain a better understanding of the courses and programs they are currently enrolled in, Study.com offers students access to a library of additional resources and guides that will help students to better understand the topics and programs they are currently enrolled in. Offering free supplemental materials on courses ranging from middle school to post-graduate, students can use Study.com to find all the materials that they need to enhance their education.

38. The Writing University

Operated by the industry-acclaimed University of Iowa writing program, the Writing University is a collection of MOOCs designed and delivered by the university. Students are able to choose from different writing courses covering topics like fiction, poetry, and other topics in writing. The courses are designed and operated by writers and scholars from the University of Iowa and offer forums for students to communicate with one another.

39. Tufts OCW

With over 55 free courses, Tufts OpenCourseWare offers students a wide array of courses for students to engage in for free online. For the most part, Tufts OpenCourseWare focuses primarily on providing students with free online medical and veterinary courses and course materials. The materials included in the Tufts OCW courses include exams, video lectures, quizzes, reading, and much more.

40. UC Berkeley Edx

Based upon the EdX platform, UC Berkeley EdX offers students over thirty different MOOCs to enroll in for free or gain certification in for a nominal fee. These MOOCs cover many different topics but what has grown most popular for the UC Berkeley EdX system is their virtual “book club” MOOC. In this, professors dissect one major work of literature alongside a virtual classroom. Programs in statistics, programming, and other computer science topics are also offered to students.

41. UC San Diego Podcast Lectures

Offered in both video and audio podcast form, the UC San Diego Podcast Lectures cover both current and past course offerings at the the University of California San Diego. Offering podcast recordings for every class period for courses included in the program, the UC San Diego Podcast Lectures are one of the most comprehensive offerings in free online college level courses. Students are able to visit the pages for individual courses to find the materials referenced in the podcasts.

42. Udacity

Built by industry leaders as well as major universities, Udacity is a service that offers students what they call nano degree programs. Through the Udacity program, students are able to enroll in programs designed to teach front-end web development, data analysis, iOS development, and much more. The courses are offered to students for free, but the additional accompanying materials require a small monthly subscription fee. Udacity is a great platform for students interested in learning a new technology skill to help them advance in their careers.

43. Udemy

A collection of over 25,000 different online courses, Udemy offers students the ability to gain an education in a vast array of topics for little to no cost. Sourced from a variety of different places including scholars, universities, corporations, and experts, the Udemy courses are offered at a variety of different skill levels. Udemy has had over six million different students making it one of the most heavily used MOOC platform available.

44. Umass Boston

Built on-top of the OpenCourseWare platform, the University of Massachusetts – Boston’ UMass Boston OpenCourseWare offers students the ability to take fifty different courses offered by sixteen different departments at the University. Leveraging the robust features found through OpenCourseWare, students are able to take courses in education development, environmental sciences, mathematics, and much more. Many of these courses also include additional supplemental materials.

45. University of California- Irvine OpenCourseWare

Another program built upon the OpenCourseWare framework, the University of Califronia-Irvine OpenCourseWare program allows students to enroll in over one hundred different free online courses. Many of these programs are programs found within the UNEX education and chemistry departments. The University of California – Irvine organizes its courses into collections in order to help students find programs that are best for them.

46. University of Notre Dame OpenCourseWare

Built upon the popular OpenCourseWare MOOC platform, the University of Notre Dame offers students a few different programs through its edX platform. Students can enroll in programs regarding statistics, wireless technology, mathematics in sports, and much more.  Typically a more nontraditional offering, the courses offered to students through the University of Notre Dame OpenCourseWare are often times much different that what is typically offered by these types of programs.

47. University of Washington OpenUW

The University of Washington’s OpenUW program offers students a variety of free online courses through a variety of different MOOC networks. Offered through Canvas Network, Coursera, and edX< students are able to enroll in a variety of different courses and classes offered by the University of Washington. Students are actually able to enroll in most of the Integrated Social Sciences Bachelor’s program through the University of Washing OpenUW program.

48. Utah State University OCW

Developed upon the OpenCourseWare platform, Utah State University OCW program offers students seventy-five different free online courses from which to choose from. The majority of these courses have to do with Instruction Technology and Learning Sciences but they also offer courses in other topics as well. These programs are accompanied with supplemental materials like lecture videos, exams, and much more.

49. Open Yale Courses

Through a combination of iTunes U and Coursera offerings, Yale University has compiled what they refer to as Open Yale Courses.  These offerings allow students to take a variety of Yale University-quality humanities courses entirely for free online. Students can choose to download either audio or video podcasts of the lessons as well as additional supplemental materials necessary for the completion of the programs and courses.

50. YouTube

One of the Internet’s greatest repository of video knowledge, YouTube is home to a wide-variety of different lectures and videos offered by many different universities, companies, and organizations. Often times if you are unable to find additional supplemental learning materials to aid you with your search for knowledge, YouTube might surprise you with its vast collection of videos on pretty much any topics you can imagine.

The post 50 Best Free Online College Courses appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

RELATED: 25 Fastest Online Associates Degree Programs

Despite the reputation that these two-year degree programs have of being “easier” than a bachelor’s degree program, many community college students don’t graduate on time or at all, Inside Higher Ed reported. While associate’s degrees have traditionally required just 60 semester hours of study – half of what’s needed to earn your bachelor’s degree – the number of credits required to graduate has been creeping up in recent years. In fact, many associate’s degree programs now ask students to complete 64, 70 or even more credits. Those increasing demands translate to an extra semester or two, at least, even for full-time students.

RELATED: The 20 Easiest Bachelor’s Degree Online Options

The harder your program of study, the more difficult it will be for you to earn your degree on time – or even to graduate at all. You can improve your chances of success by choosing one of the easiest online associate’s degrees to earn. Some of these degree programs are easy in that they offer an unusually flexible curriculum, while others prepare you for a growing and well-paid career with half of the work it would take to earn a bachelor’s degree in the same discipline. Of course, how easy you personally find your coursework will depend on your abilities and learning style, and even the easiest online associate’s degree programs will still require your best efforts if you want to succeed.

1. General Studies

Designed for students who haven’t yet decided what they want to do or what they want to study, general studies degree programs focus mainly on coursework that is, well general. Students complete general education courses in a variety of disciplines, including communication, science, math, social science, humanities, history and literature. In some general studies associate’s degree programs, close to one-third of the credits required to graduate are elective courses, which means that students can basically choose whatever class they would like to take. A general studies degree program helps students cultivate important and versatile abilities such as communication skills, analytical and critical thinking skills and problem-solving skills. This field of study also helps students to learn the foundations of college-level concepts in the physical, life and social sciences and mathematics. However, don’t expect an online associate’s degree in general studies to offer much in the way of career preparation. This program is meant as a transfer degree, one that will allow you to explore your interests at community college so that you can go on to earn a more specific, and hopefully more marketable, degree at a four-year institution.

An associate’s degree in general studies is the one degree you can earn if even just choosing a college major is too difficult for you. General studies degree programs have a broad liberal arts focus, and their emphasis on developing communication and critical thinking skills, rather than any sort of in-depth or technical knowledge of a specific discipline, makes the degree seem easy. Having the option to choose nearly a third of your courses based solely on what sounds appealing to you, rather than what fulfills a requirement or quota, adds to the impression that general studies is an easy major. Keep in mind, though, that unlike more specialized majors, students in a general studies degree program can’t just avoid a subject that they are weak in and focus on a discipline in which they are strongest. These students have to perform at least reasonably well in every subject – math, science, literature, art and more – in order to succeed.

What Makes It Easy: A general focus, plenty of electives, no need to choose a major, a reputation for being less practical or career-focused

The Hardest Part: Needing to develop skills and flesh out knowledge in every discipline

Career Opportunities: Just about anything – but only with further studies

2. Liberal Arts

Only slightly more specific than general studies is the liberal arts major. An online Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts degree prepares students mainly for further studies at a four-year liberal arts school or university. Liberal arts programs require students to attain knowledge in a breadth of different fields of study, rather than an in-depth grasp of any one academic discipline. Students who are enrolled in an online liberal arts associate’s degree program should expect to take courses in communications, humanities, mathematics, science, social science, history, computer literacy and diversity. While a liberal arts degree program often includes many semester hours of elective courses, students may not have as much flexibility to freely choose their elective classes as they would in a general studies degree. Often, they have to pick from classes offered in a limited number of academic disciplines or departments, rather than choosing whatever courses they want to take.

Rather than striving to prepare students for a narrow career path, a liberal arts degree program focuses on learning for the sake of learning. In many ways, what you’re studying in an associate’s degree program in liberal arts is how to learn effectively. Students practice their skills in thinking critically and communicating their thoughts. These skills can be useful when learning on the job or going to a four-year school or eventually graduate school. However, because the degree program has such a broad focus and places so much priority on developing these soft skills, it has earned a reputation as an easy degree program. However, online students who major in liberal arts still have to take at least basic mathematics and science courses, so there’s no getting away from formulas, equations and scientific theories. With the writing-intensive coursework you need to complete, you also can’t shy away from open-ended questions and essay assignments. You may not know as much about any one thing as a student who pursues a more specialized major, but you will learn a great deal more about many different subjects and have a more comprehensive educational foundation to build on in the future.

What Makes It Easy: A general focus, a reputation for being less practical or career-focused, an emphasis on building soft skills

The Hardest Part: Needing to develop skills and flesh out knowledge in every discipline

Career Opportunities: Just about anything – but only with further studies

3. Child Care and Education

Different associate’s degree programs in education focus on caring for children at different ages or grade levels. You might choose to study education at the early childhood level, the elementary school level, the middle school level or the high school level. Most of the classes you will take in an online associate’s degree program in child care are likely to be general education courses. You will need to study the fundamentals of subjects such as mathematics, science, social science, communication, history and humanities. However, typically one-quarter to one-third of the courses these students will take are core courses required for the major. In a program focused on early childhood education, for example, students might take classes that cover the roles of an early childhood professional, the historical foundations of education, infant and toddler development, instructional technology in education, the psychology of exceptionality and a practicum or field experience in early childhood education.

As it is, education is widely considered one of the easiest degrees you can earn, especially when your focus is on the lower grade levels. Even at the bachelor’s degree level, students in more rigorous science or math degree programs are likely to scoff at classes that emphasize learning through play, creative educational activities and decorating a classroom. The fact that education majors leave school with the highest average GPAs only reinforces the idea that education is, as CBS News put it, “the nation’s easiest college major.” When you study child care and education at the associate’s degree level, however, you’re still years away from being prepared to attain your license and begin teaching. Without a teacher certification, this program of study prepares you mainly for low-paying child care careers, such as instructional aide, teacher assistant or child care practitioner. Many child care programs at the associate’s degree level do encourage or require students to complete some sort of practicum or field experience. Still, the simple-sounding courses, low-paying associated career paths and need to earn a bachelor’s degree to become a full-fledged teacher combine to give the perception that an associate’s degree in child care is easy.

What Makes It Easy: Fun courses, creative projects, lack of high-paying career options without further studies

The Hardest Part: Completing field experiences in classrooms and child care centers

Career Opportunities: Teacher assistant or instructional aide

4. English

An associate’s degree program in English is usually considered a liberal arts major. Students take their full complement of general education courses in subjects such as basic English composition, science, math, social science, history and humanities. In some English or literature associate’s degree programs, students take few major courses and fill out their curriculum with liberal arts electives, while other English programs have more extensive writing and literature requirements. Some of the classes students in an associate’s degree program in English might take include journalism, Western literature, British literature, 19^th century American literature, 20^th century American literature, Shakespeare, African-American literature, children’s literature, themes in literature, poetry and creative writing. By the time they graduate with their associate’s degree in English, students will learn how to analyze and evaluate written text, produce their own original pieces of writing and express their opinions and assessments through oral discussion and written critical essays.

Delving into and criticizing the work of the English-speaking world’s most celebrated writers might not seem easy. Neither is developing the skills to thoroughly analyze literature. On the surface, though, it’s understandable that outsiders may consider an English degree to be less than demanding. Students pursuing an online associate’s degree in English devote two years to studying the language they’ve been speaking for years, if not all of their lives. They spend time reading materials that were published for entertainment and enjoyment, rather than textbooks that focus on fundamental principles or facts to memorize. As in many other liberal arts majors, the skills you develop in an English degree program might be useful life skills that help you learn and communicate better, but they aren’t marketable job skills in and of themselves. That’s why you often hear critics scoff at the notion of earning an English degree, and why outsiders tend to consider English an easy major despite the reading- and writing-intensive courses you have to take.

What Makes It Easy: A broad liberal arts curriculum, course materials that are fun to read, a focus on soft skills rather than career preparation, a reputation for being less practical or career-focused

The Hardest Part: Analyzing difficult texts and backing up your criticism or point of view

Career Opportunities: Writer, journalist, teacher or lawyer (with further study)

5. Foreign Language

Many community colleges offer online studies in foreign languages as well as English. American Sign Language (ASL) degree programs are common at the associate’s level. Your school may also offer majors in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Latin, Russian or Spanish. Studying a foreign language online can be tricky, according to U.S. News & World Report. Because you don’t have the benefit of regular face-to-face interaction in a physical classroom, you have fewer opportunities to practice conversing in your new language with your fellow students. However, the best online associate’s degree programs in a foreign language strive to be as interactive as possible. As an online student of a foreign language, you might find yourself utilizing learning materials such as video clips, hands-on exercises, interactive textbook materials and face-to-face lessons via Skype video chats. Some associate’s degree programs emphasize learning the foundations of a foreign language in preparation for further study at the bachelor’s degree level, while others focus more on equipping students with the skills to converse as fluently as possible in the language.

To some students, learning a new language really is easy. These students seem to have a natural ear for understanding languages as well as great memorization skills to help them learn the foreign language equivalents of words and phrases. Even though developing true fluency in a language isn’t as easy, focusing your coursework on the study of one language, rather than digging deeper into intermediate studies of a subject area such as science, mathematics or history, can come across as an easy curriculum. However, many students struggle when studying foreign languages, and few ever really become fluent, even after years of study. The fact that an associate’s degree is often not enough to prepare you for foreign language careers such as translator or interpreter adds to the notion that an associate’s degree in a foreign language is an easy field of study.  Still, knowing another language and learning about its culture expands the horizons of your world both personally and professionally.

What Makes It Easy: Learning through memorization, a lack of required science and mathematics courses

The Hardest Part: Developing a thorough enough familiarity with the language to converse and write fluently

Career Opportunities: Interpreter or translator, government intelligence agent, business professional

6. Communication Studies

In an associate’s degree program in communications, you can expect to develop exceptional communication skills of all kinds, from public speaking to media writing. In addition to completing general education courses in subjects such as math, science, social science, history and the humanities, students take a range of courses in communications, journalism and the media. Students complete required coursework in basic composition and public speaking, introduction to mass media and introduction to public relations. Some associate’s degree programs in communications also allow students to choose an academic track or concentration, such as creative writing, communication arts, journalism, public relations and radio, television and film. Though most two-year associate’s degree programs are meant as a stepping stone to earning a bachelor’s degree, students will gain some important skills and knowledge by the time they graduate with their associate’s degree. For example, the conflict resolution skills you develop studying communications can be useful in the business world or in your personal life, and your understanding of media influences and practices provides you with a balanced perspectives that most readers and viewers don’t have.

Since just about every job requires some interpersonal interaction, strong communication skills are important regardless of your college major or your field of employment. However, to students in other disciplines, whose communication skills may be developed just well enough to get by, devoting two entire years of study to improving your writing and speaking skills may seem like taking the easy way out. They don’t realize that you’re studying complex media theories or public relations strategies, rather than taking only general reading and writing courses. A communications degree is versatile enough to help you get started in just about any career field, but it doesn’t particularly prepare you for any one occupation, which adds to the belief that communications degrees are easy and impractical. However, even aspiring doctors, lawyers and business leaders may choose to start off their education in the field of communications so that they will be prepared for the intensive reading and writing work that awaits them later in their college careers.

What Makes It Easy: Focus on versatile skills rather than technical career preparatory knowledge, a reputation for being less practical or career-focused

The Hardest Part: Learning the complexities of media practices and communication strategies, practicing communication skills that are outside your comfort zone

Career Opportunities: Public relations specialist, internal or external communications specialist, journalist or writer

7. General Business

When you study general business at the associate’s degree level, you will take courses in a variety of business topics. Unlike more specialized programs such as accounting, students in a general business degree program will complete a broad curriculum of classes. Coursework in business law, marketing, accounting, management, business communication and microeconomics and macroeconomics are common in online associate’s degree programs in business, according to U.S. News & World Report. General education courses are also typically required, and some online associate’s in business degree programs offer or encourage students to gain hands-on work experience outside the virtual classroom through an internship with a business in their geographical area. By the time business students complete their associate’s degree program, they will understand the inner workings of financial systems, the fundamentals of marketing and sales, the principles of managerial accounting and how to create and present business reports and manage projects and people ethically and effectively.

Degrees in the larger field of business may be some of the most sought-after, but when it comes to general business programs like business administration, they’re also some of the easiest. The broad focus of a general business degree program makes this degree similar to a liberal arts degree. You might need to take elementary statistics and some basic math courses in an associate’s degree program in business administration, but you’re unlikely to encounter the more complex number-crunching needed in advanced accounting and finance courses. Business programs at the associate’s degree level typically require students to take only the small amount of science technology courses needed to meet basic general education requirements. However, this program isn’t as simple as it sounds. Students have to succeed in learning the fundamentals of every aspect of business, rather than focusing only on one in which they already perform well. For students who chose an online education due to their busy schedules with family or work obligations, finding the time to complete an offline internship, which may offer far less flexible hours, can be a challenge.

What Makes It Easy: A broad focus on developing a diverse group of versatile skills, a lack of required science and mathematics courses

The Hardest Part: Gaining hands-on experience as an online student, excelling in different facets of business studies

Career Opportunities: Administrative assistant, office manager, payroll coordinator, executive assistant, operations manager or compliance officer

 8. Humanities

The humanities are the collection of disciplines that study the human experience. Essentially, fields of study that fall into the classification of humanities address questions such as what it means to be human, according to the Huffington Post. At the associate’s degree level, majoring in the humanities means taking a mix of interdisciplinary courses. You might study art and art history, music, theater, classic literature, linguistics, foreign languages and cultures, history, philosophy and religious studies. Humanities is often a subdivision of a liberal arts department or school, and as such, the program of study typically requires students to complete general education requirements in a wide range of subjects, including science and mathematics. While studying the humanities can help you develop versatile skills and valuable insights that can benefit you in many lines of work, this associate’s degree program is typically best for students who plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree.

A humanities degree emphasizes the aspects of a liberal arts education that are more human-focused. Liberal arts already has a reputation for being an easy degree path, but humanities doesn’t even have the focus on science and math that makes the program seem more difficult. Another factor that adds to the perception of an associate’s degree in humanities as an easy education is its lack of focus on job preparation. Broadly studying topics like art, literature, and culture may help students cultivate a variety of skills in how they think about ideas and interact with others, but it doesn’t fit into the requirements for most job descriptions. However, some of the coursework within a humanities degree program can be complex. You will need to delve into religious and literary texts and develop a deep understanding of different cultures and time periods as well as how those factors affect human choices and behaviors. Studying the humanities can require a great deal of reading, writing and thinking.

What Makes It Easy: A broad focus, a lack of required science and mathematics courses, a reputation for being less practical or career-focused

The Hardest Part: Developing familiarity with different cultures and perspectives

Career Opportunities: Politician, business professional, historian, writer or editor, teacher or professor, social services manager or lawyer

9. Social Science

Social science is the application of scientific methods and framework to studying human social relationships and societies. As a liberal arts major, social science degree programs often include general education requirements, such as studies in the physical and life sciences, mathematics and humanities. Your degree-specific coursework might include classes such as basic statistics, psychology, sociology, government, economy, anthropology and geography. Studying social science at the associate’s degree level is a fairly broad course of study. If after earning your Associate of Arts degree in social science you choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree, you will most likely choose a narrower discipline, such as sociology, political science, economics, anthropology, history or psychology. You might notice that there’s a great deal of overlap between the social sciences and the humanities. While the subject matter of these two fields of study is often similar, they explore these disciplines from different perspectives. Studying social science means using a more scientific approach to your studies, including designing experiments based on the scientific method to gather empirical evidence that can be used to explain events and occurrences.

Like related studies into the liberal arts and humanities, degree programs in the social sciences may seem easy. However, the social sciences still require a strong understanding of the scientific method and both quantitative and qualitative research methods. There may not be as many complex formulas and equations in the social sciences are there are in physics, biology and chemistry, but the field is still rigorous in its own way. While the broad focus of a social science degree may make the program seem easier than delving more deeply into a single discipline such as sociology or political science, it’s worth noting that students can find it challenging to divide their concentration between numerous different disciplines. Many careers in the social sciences require a bachelor’s or even a master’s degree, so an associate’s degree in social sciences may not be the most marketable education unless you intend to pursue further studies at the bachelor’s level.

What Makes It Easy: A broad focus, a lack quantitative data and technical formulas in research

The Hardest Part: Learning scientific and research methods

Career Opportunities: Social worker, psychology, sociology or lawyer

10. Psychology

Psychology is, in essence, the study of human thought and behavior. When you earn an associate’s degree in psychology, your coursework typically includes introductory coursework into the fundamental principles of psychology as well as classes in areas of the discipline such as social psychology, abnormal psychology, human growth and development, psychological counseling and psychology of personality. By the time you complete an associate’s degree program in psychology, you will understand the basics of psychological research methods and ethical considerations involved in psychological research as well as different theories of psychological development. A two-year associate’s degree program is often a liberal arts program and typically requires students to complete general education coursework in science, social science, mathematics, composition, history and the humanities in addition to core classes required for the major. If you’re interested in working in the field of psychology or in applying your knowledge of psychology to a marketable field such as business, you should plan to transfer to a four-year school and advance your education with a bachelor’s degree.

Generally speaking, psychology isn’t considered an easy field of study. In fact, graduates of bachelor’s degrees in psychology have one of the lowest average GPAs of all degree programs, on par with students of biology, chemistry, math and economics. This suggests that the discipline is actually one of the hardest college majors, according to CBS News. However, at the associate’s degree level, psychology is a liberal arts major that includes more studies in general education than in psychology subject matters, which makes studying the subject at this level of education somewhat easier. Additionally, an associate’s degree in psychology does not provide much in the way of career preparation. Even with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, most graduates will go on to find careers outside the field of psychology. To actually work in the field of psychology, you typically need at least a master’s degree, if not a doctorate degree like a Ph.D. or Psy.D.

What Makes It Easy: Broad focus, liberal arts degree program, little in the way of career preparation focus

The Hardest Part: Studying psychological research, learning a variety of psychological theories and perspectives

Career Opportunities: Psychologist, school counselor, marriage and family counselor, substance abuse counselor, sociologist or mental health counselor

11. Sociology

Sociology, the study of human society, is a liberal arts major. At the associate’s degree level, completing this two-year program typically leads to an Associate of Arts degree. Students in an associate’s degree program in sociology typically complete a great deal of general education coursework in subjects such as composition, science, mathematics, history, the humanities and computer literacy. They also take core program courses such as introduction to sociology, introduction to social work, introduction to social science research methods, social problems, introduction to marriage and family relationships and social constructions of difference. Students might also have the opportunity to choose from more specialized sociology courses, as well, such as sociology of religion, sociology of crime and sociology of death and dying. Students who complete an associate’s degree program in the field of sociology will develop the skills to begin to understand why people collectively behave in the ways that they do.

Like the social sciences, the humanities and other liberal arts degree programs, sociology has a reputation for being one of the easier subjects of study, especially compared to a degree program in the hard sciences, mathematics or technology. Part of that notion stems from the subject’s perceived lack of scientific rigor. While research and statistics certainly play a role in sociology, social science research methods differ somewhat from the data collection methods used in chemistry and biology. Sociologists need a fundamental understanding of statistics, but they don’t often do the same advanced equations that a physicist or mathematician might do. To outsiders, it may seem that students of sociology are devoting their education to studying something that we all experience every day: society and social interactions. While all students, regardless of academic major, live their lives in the context of society and social norms, most students don’t think critically about how societies work on a regular basis. Finally, many careers related to the field of sociology require a bachelor’s or even a master’s degree.

What Makes It Easy: A broad liberal arts focus, a lack of required science and mathematics courses, a reputation for being less practical or career-focused

The Hardest Part: Developing knowledge of social science research methods, learning to think critically about social constructs, norms and interactions

Career Opportunities: Domestic violence advocate, social services assistant, drug or alcohol counselor, family counselor, human resources specialist, marketer or sociologist

12. Mass Media Studies

In an Associate of Arts degree in mass media studies, you will learn about the history and theory of media communication as well as practical skills like creating text and multimedia content for mass media communication. In addition to taking a broad range of general education courses and basic classes in public speaking and composition, students complete coursework in speech communications, society and mass communications, writing for mass media and mass media design. Generally, students who pursue an associate’s degree in mass media plan to move on to a bachelor’s degree program in a similar subject of study, such as journalism, communications, public relations, advertising or media studies. However, students who choose not to seek a higher level of education have the basic skills to write, design and create content for small media organizations. To advance to higher-level roles or media creation roles in larger media organizations, these students will need either a great deal of work experience or an additional degree.

An associate’s degree program in mass media studies has a slightly narrower focus than a communications or English degree. Rather than devoting their time to studying classic literature or creative writing, students in a mass media degree program are thinking critically about factors such as what print, broadcast and online content is in demand among media organizations and how an audience will interact with that content. This focus makes the degree seem somewhat more marketable than, for example, an English literature degree. However, this educational path is still a type of liberal arts degree program, and it still emphasizes the development of soft skills such as critical thinking, writing and speaking skills. While these abilities are versatile, enhancing your job prospects in just about any career field, the work cultivating these skills often comes across as being far easier than learning advanced technical skills or working on complex scientific and mathematical formulas.

What Makes It Easy: A broad liberal arts focus, a focus on developing soft skills, a lack of required science and mathematics courses

The Hardest Part: Learning to think critically about mass media biases and agendas, developing content creation skills that may be outside your comfort zone

Career Opportunities: Broadcast news analyst, reporter editor, advertising manager, public relations specialist, marketer, writer or advertising sales agent

13. Criminal Justice

Criminal justice is the study of government efforts to prevent, reduce and punish crime. In an associate’s degree program in criminal justice, students study the basic fundamentals of the American criminal justice system. Required courses in an associate’s degree program in criminal justice may include foundations of the justice system, American policing, criminal law, criminology, criminal investigation, criminal procedure, corrections, psychology and ethics and community relations, according to U.S. News & World Report. However, much of a criminal justice student’s coursework at the associate’s degree level will revolve around completing general education requirements in a broad range of subjects, including science, mathematics, history, art and English. It’s not uncommon for students enrolled in online criminal justice degree programs to have to complete a capstone experience such as an independent research project in order to graduate, according to U.S. News & World Report. An associate’s degree can be sufficient to allow you to attain an entry-level job in the field of criminal justice.

Because criminal justice degree programs at the associate’s degree level include a great deal of general education coursework, this degree program can come off as an easy field of study. Even in programs that offer specialized academic tracks or concentrations, students may still spend as much or more time completing general education courses as they do actually taking criminal justice courses. Unlike many of the other degrees on this list, an associate’s degree in criminal justice is marketable and can be all the formal college education you need to begin working in the field. However, that factor almost works to the disadvantage of the degree field. Rather than causing outsiders to value the difficulty of the degree program more, it actually makes them consider the program even easier. Perhaps part of the reason for this reputation as an easy degree is because the jobs that an associate’s degree in criminal justice does prepare students for typically aren’t lucrative. The median salary for graduates of an associate’s degree in criminal justice program is just $37,000 at entry-level roles and $49,000 at midlevel roles, according to U.S. News & World Report.

What Makes It Easy: Broad general education focus, a lack of required science and mathematics courses, a lack of high-paying career options without further studies

The Hardest Part: Learning the inner workings of criminal procedure and punishment

Career Opportunities: Police officer, detective, correctional officer or security guard

14. Paralegal Studies

A paralegal, or legal assistant, is a legal professional who helps attorneys with work such as research, writing legal documents and organizing files. In an associate’s degree program in paralegal studies, you will take classes that teach you practical skills such as performing legal research and drafting legal documents as well as academic courses in different kinds of law, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Your core courses in an associate’s degree in paralegal studies might include introduction to law, legal research and writing, litigation assistant procedures, law office management, family law, bankruptcy law, wills and estates, real estate law, personal injury litigation and trial advocacy. Your degree program may require or encourage you to complete an internship that allows you to gain relevant work experience in an attorney’s office. While students in paralegal studies programs still need to complete some general education courses, they’re likely to spend a great deal more of their studies in program courses than students pursuing a degree in a liberal arts subject would.

Learn more about what degree you need to be a paralegal.

What makes a degree program in paralegal studies easy isn’t so much the coursework or even the career opportunities it prepares you to attain. It’s more a matter of being an easy path into the legal industry. Earning an associate’s degree is paralegal studies is an excellent choice if you want to work in law but don’t want to go to law school. Paralegals have to understand the fundamentals of law, and their work is often fast-paced, deadline-driven and at times stressful. However, the curriculum of an associate’s degree program in paralegal studies doesn’t compare to the rigors of a Juris Doctor degree program. Of course, the cost of an associate’s degree in paralegal studies is also far less than that of a law school education. The $49,500 median salary of a paralegal, too, is just a fraction of what a licensed attorney would earn annually ($118,160, according to the BLS).

What Makes It Easy: A quick and affordable path into a career in the legal industry 

The Hardest Part: Learning the intricacies of different kinds of law and legal research and writing practices

Career Opportunities: Paralegal, legal secretary, licensing examiner or title searcher

15. Health Science and Health Care Studies

If you’re interested in finding a career path that will allow you to work in the booming health care industry, you might look for an associate’s degree program in health science, health care studies or health care management. These associate’s degree programs typically focus on aspects of the health care industry other than direct patient care, including maintaining patient records and medical billing and coding. Some health science degree programs, on the other hand, are intended for working health care professionals who have a certificate and license but no college degree. The courses you might take in an online associate’s degree program in health care management include medical terminology, medical law and ethics and medical document production, according to U.S. News & World Report. You might also take important courses not focused on health care, such as accounting, management and software applications. Some health science programs will require you to take courses such as anatomy and physiology and to complete some sort of in-person work experience requirement, even if the program isn’t clinical in nature.

In many ways, studying health sciences is similar to earning a degree in paralegal studies – and that’s what makes the program seem easy, even if the coursework might not be so simple. The degree program effectively provides a quick, low-cost entry into the health care industry. It doesn’t require the massive time commitment or tuition cost of going to medical school or earning a master’s degree in nursing to become an advance practice registered nurse – but nor does it bestow the same earning potential or level of prestige on the health science graduate. Graduates of an associate’s degree program in health care management or a related field often earn annual salaries in the low to mid-$30,000 range, according to U.S. News & World Report. Earning potential can be significantly higher if the student goes on to attain a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the field as well as years of work experience.

What Makes It Easy: A quick and affordable path into a career in the health care industry 

The Hardest Part: Learning medical terminology

Career Opportunities: Medical assistant, medical secretary, medical records and health information technician or medical and health services manager

16. Dental Hygiene

An associate’s degree in dental hygiene is widely considered the appropriate entry-level credential to work in a dentist’s office as a dental hygienist. These health care professionals work directly with patients in capacities such as cleaning and examining teeth and taking dental x-rays. Most dental hygiene programs at the community college level are strongly career-focused and award graduates an Associate in Applied Science degree. It’s important that students choose a program that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, or they may face challenges in attaining a license. Students in a dental hygiene degree program typically take classes such as anatomy and physiology, head and neck anatomy, pathology, radiography, nutrition, periodontics, medical ethics and patient management, according to the BLS. Unlike a traditional two-year associate’s degree, it often takes three years to earn an associate’s degree in dental hygiene, the BLS reported. In addition to their studies in the (virtual) classroom, dental hygiene students have to take laboratory classes, which can sometimes be completed online, and clinical experiences, which must be completed in person.

Learn more about the best major for dentist: What major do you need to be a dentist?

Does it seem unfair that a degree program that requires an extra year of study – plus laboratory science courses and a clinical field work component – would get a reputation for being an easy subject of study? As associate’s degrees go, a dental hygiene program certainly has its share of challenges. However, like studying health sciences or paralegal studies, studying dental hygiene is a comparably quick and low-cost path into a career field – dentistry – that is often associated with higher earnings and a level of prestige. For only needing three years of school compared to a dentist’s four years of dental school beyond earning a bachelor’s degree, dental hygienists can earn great salaries. The median wage for dental hygienists is $72,910, according to the BLS. Perhaps part of the reason this degree path has a reputation for being easy despite its demanding nature is because people often confuse dental hygienists with dental assistants, a career path that requires about a third of the education needed to be a hygienist and pays about half the salary. While students can earn a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene, it’s often not necessary. In fact, dental hygiene is one field that it’s often better to study at the community college level, according to U.S. News & World Report. If spending just three years in school to attain a job that pays more than twice the median wage for all salaries is easy, at least it’s easy in a good way.

What Makes It Easy: High-paying career opportunities with only an associate’s degree, a quick and affordable path into a career in the dental industry 

The Hardest Part: In-person clinical requirements, an extra year of study compared to most associate’s degrees, required laboratory science classes

Career Opportunities: Dental hygienist

17. Radiation Technology

An Associate in Applied Science degree in radiation therapy or radiologic technology is a career-focused degree program. While students in a radiation technology degree program take some general education courses, they spend more of their semester hours taking required program classes that equip them with practical entry-level skills to work directly with patients as radiographers and medical imaging technicians. Coursework in a radiologic technology degree program include medical terminology, radiologic physics, principles of imaging, clinical radiography, radiographic procedures, patient care in radiologic sciences, radiation biology and protection, advanced modalities and bioethics. Students in a radiation technology or radiologic technology degree program might focus their studies on a specialty of medical imaging, such as abdominal sonography or breast sonography, according to the BLS. By the time they complete the program, associate’s degree holders will understand how to safely use radiography equipment such as the machines used to take x-ray images, computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and ultrasound or sonogram imaging.

What makes an associate’s degree in radiation technology easy is its ability to get graduates into high-paying health care jobs without the need for further college studies. In fact, U.S. News & World Report listed radiation technology and medical imaging as one degree that’s actually better to earn at a community college instead of a four-year college or university. Bachelor’s degrees in this field are available, but don’t currently lead to a big boost in pay or better job prospects, especially with the rapid job growth currently going on in the field. Radiation technology is one example of an in-demand associate’s degree that can quickly lead to a high-paying career. In fact, diagnostic sonographers earn a median salary of $65,860, while nuclear medicine technologists earn $70,180 and radiation therapists earn $77,560, according to U.S. News & World Report. After just two years of study, graduates from a radiation technology degree program can attain a job for which the median salary is $20,000 to $30,000 higher than the median wage for young adults who hold bachelor’s degrees.

What Makes It Easy: A quick and affordable path into multiple high-paying careers in the health care industry 

The Hardest Part: Required science and health care courses, clinical requirements

Career Opportunities: Diagnostic medical sonographer, radiation therapist or nuclear medicine technologist

18. Medical Assisting

 As the job title suggests, medical assistants help medical doctors in their work. These health care workers assist physicians on both the administrative side, scheduling appointments and maintaining electronic patient records, and the clinical side, checking and recording vital signs. An associate’s degree program in medical assisting equips students with the skills needed to do this work in settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and doctors’ offices. Over two years of schooling, if studying full-time, students take course in pharmacology, anatomy and  physiology, medical terminology, clinical procedures, medical coding systems and billing, medical ethics and law and medical office management, according to U.S. News & World Report. Prospective students should be aware that even online medical assisting degree programs can’t be completed fully online, according to U.S. News & World Report. Completing a supervised clinical practicum at a health care facility is an essential part of a medical assisting education.

The coursework of an associate’s degree program in medical assisting may not sound easy, especially when students have to complete mandatory clinical practicum experiences in order to graduate. In fact, most of what makes the degree seem easy is the fact that it doesn’t prepare you for a high-paying career. The faster than average expected 31 percent increase in job opportunities over a decade might seem positive, but the median salary for medical assistants is only $29,000 per year, according to U.S. News & World Report. That’s thousands of dollars below the median salary for all occupations in the United States and a difficult wage to live on in many areas. Of course, since students in an associate’s degree program in medical assisting aren’t putting in the several years of time and hundreds of thousands of dollars of tuition costs for medical school, they can’t expect to earn the large salaries that physicians can eventually look forward to making. However, the low rate of pay can lead to undervaluing medical assistants themselves and the degrees they attained to qualify for the job.

What Makes It Easy: A lack of high-paying career options

The Hardest Part: Required science and health care courses, clinical requirements

Career Opportunities: Medical Assistant

19. Physical and Occupational Therapy Assistant

When a patient suffers an injury or illness that leaves him or her with a disability, that patient may need to undergo physical and occupational therapy to rehabilitate their body and regain functioning and independence. Physical therapy focuses primarily on improving the patient’s mobility, while occupational therapy strives more to help the patient engage in daily activities such as dressing themselves. While the health care professional who oversees rehabilitation is a highly educated physical or occupational therapist, these professionals need help with tasks that are both directly and indirectly related to patient care. Physical and occupational therapy assistants help in direct patient care roles, such as leading the patient through stretches and exercises, while physical and occupational aides handle duties indirectly related to patient care, such as setting up equipment and handling billing paperwork. Associate degree programs in physical therapy typically include coursework in anatomy, physiology, psychology and first aid, according to the BLS. Occupational therapy assistant degree programs require studies in biology, pediatric health and psychology, the BLS reported. Both programs require students to complete in-person fieldwork or clinical work.

Earning your associate’s degree in a physical or occupational therapy assistant program might not seem all that easy. The coursework includes required science courses like biology, anatomy and physiology. Even online students have to complete their fieldwork experiences face-to-face in a supervised clinical setting. A large part of what gives this program a reputation for being easy is that it doesn’t impart the earning potential or prestige of a degree program that would allow you to become a full-fledged physical or occupational therapist. Physical and occupational therapy aids earn wages in the mid- to high- $20,000 range, less than the median wage for all occupations, the BLS reported. On the other hand, physical and occupational therapy assistants – the roles you’re most likely to hold if you have an associate’s degree in these subjects – earn closer to the mid- to high-$50,000 range. This salary may still be a far cry from the low- to mid-$80,000 salary range of physical and occupational therapists, but considering that it takes just two years of study to prepare for the role, it’s not too shabby.

What Makes It Easy: No need for years of further study to get a job, a quick and affordable path into a career in the health care industry 

The Hardest Part: Clinical fieldwork requirements, science and health care courses

Career Opportunities: Physical Therapy Assistant or Aide or Occupational Therapy Assistant or Aide

20. Technical Studies

An Associate in Applied Science degree in a subject like Technical Studies is technical in nature, but its structure and vague degree title are the reason it rounds out our list of the 20 easiest online associate’s degrees. Students may take technical courses to apply toward their degree. However, the program is often intended for students who already have technical work experience and want to apply that life and professional experience to their college education. Students in a technical studies associate’s degree program still take some general education courses, including basic composition classes, public speaking, English, math, humanities, social sciences and introduction to computers. However, technical or occupational core credits make up a good portion of the credits they need to graduate. Students attain these technical or occupational core credits through methods of what’s called prior learning assessment. These are methods of evaluating a student’s knowledge on a subject and may take the form of a professional portfolio or a standardized test.

The point of a degree program that awards credit for competency is to make it easier to earn your associate’s degree – but that isn’t a bad thing. After all, your job training and professional skills are valuable in the real world of the technology or business industry, so why shouldn’t they be valued at the college level, too? When you already know the material you would need to know to be awarded an associate’s degree, it doesn’t make sense to waste extra time – perhaps a year of it, if not more – sitting in a classroom going over the same old subject matter. Instead, you could be out there in the professional world, putting your knowledge to work or even working toward a bachelor’s degree that will give your career a major boost. An associate’s degree program in technical studies is a great choice for smart students who already have a marketable skillset and who would rather work smarter than harder.

What Makes It Easy: Gaining college credit for work and life experience

The Hardest Part: The need for considerable past work experience in technology or business

Career Opportunities: With further studies, any business or technology career path

Editor’s Note: There are all kinds of factors that can lead to a degree being considered easy. Students should always take into account factors such as the required curriculum of a program, any in-person components to an online program of study and, of course, their own career goals, strengths and weaknesses. It’s also important that, even in the easiest associate’s degree programs, students have realistic expectations about what it will take to earn a college degree online.

For Further Reading:

Top 10 Paying Jobs With an Associate’s Degree

15 Affordable Degrees in Dental Hygiene (Associate’s and Beyond)

20 Non-Law Firm Jobs with a Law Degree

What Degree Do I Need to Be a Policy Analyst?

What Degree Do I Need to Be an Intelligence Analyst?

What Degree Do I Need to Be a Crime Analyst?

What Classes Will I Take in a Criminal Justice Degree?

How Long Does It Take to Get an Associate Degree?

50 Highest Paying Associate Degree Jobs

The post Easiest Online Associate’s Degrees appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

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

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

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

1 West Texas A&M University

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

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

Net Price: $13,185

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

2 Purdue University

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

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

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

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

Net Price: $12,527

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

3 University of Missouri

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

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

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

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

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

Net Price: $18,480

4 University of Detroit Mercy    

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

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

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

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

Net Price: $20,415

5 Ohio University

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

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

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

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

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

Net Price: $6,677

6 Johns Hopkins University

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

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

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

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

Net Price: $30,701

7 American University

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

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

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

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

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

Net Price: $9,656

8 Youngstown State University

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

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

Students will complete the following required courses:

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

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

Net Price: $11,595

9 Georgia Southern University

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

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

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

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

Net Price: $15,795

10 University of North Dakota

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

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

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

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

Net Price: $15,970

For Further Reading:

Top 10 Graduate Degree Programs in Criminal Justice

What Degree Do I Need to Be a Policy Analyst?

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

1. University of Delaware

The University of Delaware is a public four year institution located in Newark Delaware. The institution offers associates, bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications. The University of Delaware currently enrolls 23,808 students and maintains a student a faculty ratio of 15 to 1. According to Carnegie, the University of Delaware it’s a doctoral university with very high research activity. To support the success of their students the University of Delaware offers academic and career counseling as well as distance learning opportunities. The institution has been accredited by the Middle States commission on Higher Education.

University of Delaware offers an online undergraduate program in mechanical engineering. In addition to the mechanical engineering majors students may elect to concentrate on aerospace engineering, automotive engineering, or manufacturing systems. Additionally, the University of Delaware offers two minors: biomechanical engineering and integrated design. The curriculum for the mechanical engineering major includes core courses, technical electives minors and concentrations as well as a senior design project. The required coursework is that in the following areas: introduction to engineering, maker series, statics, mechanics of solids, machine design, fluid mechanics, thermal labs and a senior design project. The senior design project is a final six credit capstone design course that is structured to imitate a real world scenario. For more information about this degree and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

2. Arizona State University

Arizona State University is a public four year institution located in Tempe Arizona as well as campuses across the state. The university enrolls over 53,000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 20 to 1. ASU offers bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees and professional certifications. The institution has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. According to Carnegie ASU is a doctoral university with very high research activity. US News and World Report ranks ASU as their 103rd best school in the nation as well as highly for undergraduate teaching, veterans, value, business, undergraduate engineering, computer science, and innovation. In fact, ASU ranks number one in the nation for their innovation score meaning that they have ranked highly for curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology and more. In recent years, ASU has expanded to create one of the largest online universities in the world. In fact, students may select from hundreds of programs both at the undergraduate and graduate level.

Arizona State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Egineering. Students from this program have the option to choose from one of two concentrations: computational mechanics and energy and environment. This is one of several online engineering programs offered at ASU. Some of the critical courses include those in chemistry, calculus, mechanics of particles and rigid bodies, physics, mechanics of materials, and thermodynamics. The program is 120 credit hours in length and includes course material in nano materials, computer control systems, economic analysis, and much more for more information about this degree and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

3. Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University is a public four-year institution located in Flagstaff. There are over 30,000 students enrolled and the student to faculty ratio is 19 to 1. NAU offers bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees as well as professional certifications. The institution has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. According to the US News and World Report, Northern Arizona University ranks highly as a national institution and highly for undergraduate engineering programming. To support the success of their students NAU offers academic and career counseling as well as undergraduate and graduate distance learning opportunities. Some of their most popular online programs are in the fields of business, communications, education, and health.

NAU offers the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. This program includes undergraduate research opportunities as well as hands-on experience. The program has been accredited by the engineer ring accreditation commission of ABET. This program includes course material and design for practice, mechanical engineering, liberal studies, and electives. Students choose electives from the breath and depth electives. The breath electives are courses from engineering, the natural sciences, business and mathematics. The depth electives are mechanical design or fluid/thermal sciences courses. The main chemical engineering courses focus on mathematics as well as computer science and engineering. Additionally, students round out their degree with general elective courses. To complete this degree students must complete 124 units of credit. For more information about this degree check out their website.

• Program Website

4. Siena Heights University

Siena Heights University is a private four-year institution located in Adrian Michigan. According to Carnegie, Sierra Heights is a masters college and university with small programming. The university offers associates, bachelors and masters degrees. Their student enrollment is 2337 and the student to faculty ratio is 12 to 1. Siena Heights university is affiliated with the Roman Catholic church. To support the success of their students the University offers academic and career counseling as well as credit for life experience and distance learning opportunities. According to the US News and World Report, Siena Heights is ranked regionally as the 91st best school in the region and 118th for social mobility. Undergraduate and graduate students may pursue their programming online.

Siena Heights University offers a standalone general engineer in program. Siena heights is partnered with UND to include a bachelors degree in mechanical electrical or chemical engineering. Students are expected to produce a portfolio to show their learning along the way. The program is based on active learning. This is a unique hands-on program. In addition students engage with internship opportunities. Internship opportunities offer students away to apply their knowledge to real-world settings. Along with the University of North Dakota Siena Heights offers a dual degree program. Students graduate with a bachelors degree from Siena Heights as well as an additional bachelors degree from UND. For more information about this program check out their website.

• Program Website

5. University of North Carolina Charlotte

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a public four-year institution that enrolls nearly 30,000 students. UNCC offers bachelors masters and doctoral degree’s as well as professional certifications. The institution has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools SACS. According to Carnegie, UNCC is a doctoral University with high research activity. The US News and World Report ranks the University of North Carolina Charlotte as the 227th best school in the nation as well as highly for business programming, computer science and undergraduate engineering programming. To support the success of their students UNCC offers academic and career counseling as well as distance learning opportunities. Some of their most popular online programs are in the field of education, health, and public administration.

UNCC offers a bachelor of science in engineering technology with a focus on electrical engineering or fire safety. The electrical track includes a curriculums with the following coursework: linear circuits, digital logic and systems, microprocessors microcontrollers and embedded systems, electronic circuits and systems, control systems, power systems. T

hose interested in pursuing the fire safety option will study fire behavior, building fire safety, industrial hazards in electricity, risk management, applied fire engineering design, professional leadership, and more. For more information about these two programs check out their website.

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

• Program Website

6. Indiana State University

Indiana State University is a public four year institution located in Terre Haute, Indiana. According to Carnegie, Indiana State is a doctoral/professional university. The institution offers bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees as well as professional certifications. The current student enrollment is over 12,000 and the students to faculty ratio is 18 to 1. This university has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. To support the success of their students the university offers credit for life experiences as well as academic and career counseling, ROTC options, distance-learning and much more. Indiana State University ranks nationally according to the US News and World Report as well as highly for business and computer science. In recent years, Indiana State has expanded their online presence to offer undergraduate and graduate students online learning opportunities.

Among their online options is the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology. The program focuses on two areas: design and management. The the design portion of this degree focuses on mechanical tools machines and products. Graduates of this program may enter into a career ain design insulation, manufacturing, testing, evaluation, technical sales, maintenance or management of mechanical systems and processes.This program requires course material in the following areas: applied statics, engineering and technology, strength of materials, fluid power technology, manufacturing processes, and science and math required courses. For more information about this online degree check out their website.

• Program Website

7. University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota is a public four year institution located in Grand Forks. The institution offers bachelors, masters and doctoral degree’s as well as professional certifications. The student population is 13,581 and the student to faculty ratio is 17 to 1. According to Carnegie UND is a doctoral university with high research activity. UND has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. To support the success of their students, the university offers academic and career counseling as well as credit for life experiences and distance learning opportunities. According to US News and World Report UND ranks highly for social mobility, business programming, computer science and undergraduate engineering programming.

The University of North Dakota offers a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. This is a 128 credit hour program 36 of those credits must be 300 or above classes. The program is divided into five main areas: essential required courses, mechanical engineering required courses, program required electives, college of engineering and mines requirements, and requirements outside of the college and engineering and mines course including those in calculus and physics. Additionally students have the option to select from the following concentrations: mechanical design, thermal sciences and manufacturing and materials. The aerospace concentration requires 133 credit hours for completion. The main mechanical engineering courses include the following: mechanical engineering, design lecture and design labs, fluid mechanics, design of machinery, thermo dynamics, manufacturing processes, mechanical engineering seminar, and engineering design. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

8. The University of Alabama

The University of Alabama is a public four year institution that offers bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees. It is located in Tuscaloosa and currently enrolls over 38,000 students. The student to faculty ratio is 20 to 1. UA has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools since 1897. According to Carnegie, the University of Alabama is a doctoral university with very high research activity. According to the US News and World Report the University of Alabama is a nationally ranked institution that ranks highly for veterans, value, business programming, computer science, and undergraduate engineering programming. In recent years, the University of Alabama has expanded their programming to include distance learning opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. Their most popular online programs are in the fields of education, business, family consumer science is, health, and public administration.

The University of Alabama Online offers a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. This is a 126 credit hour program that is offered primarily online. The program has been accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology ABET. The curriculum includes general education courses, computer courses, mechanical engineering and technical elective courses, humanities and social sciences courses, writing courses in the mechanical engineering core. The mechanical engineering core courses include the following: engineering foundations, thermodynamics, statics, engineering materials, fluid dynamics, mechanics of materials, heat transfer, mechanical engineering design and much more. Studnets may also choose a number of electives which are approved by their advisor. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

9. University of Massachusetts-Lowell

The University of Massachusetts Lowell is public four year institution located in Lowell, Massachusetts. There are 18,300 enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 17 to 1. The university offers associates bachelors masters and doctorate degrees as well as professional certifications. According to Carnegie the University of Massachusetts Lowell is a doctoral university with high research activity. To support the success of its students the institution offers academic and career counseling as well as distance learning opportunities.UMass Lowell has been accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education since 1975. In recent years, UMass Lowell has extended their programming to include a very large distance learning campus. Their online campus includes course material in education, business, psychology, engineering and more. According to the US News and World Report UMass Lowell ranks as the 176 for school in the nation and highly for veterans, social mobility, business programs, computer science and undergraduate engineering.

UMass Lowell offers an Online Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. The strength of the program is hands-on experience. UMass Lowell uses the methodology of design build test where students build and test their own designs. This program has been accredited by the engineering accreditation commission. The course material includes those in kinetic projects, mechanical engineering, a computer aided design, aerospace, thermodynamics, materials science for engineers, applied strength of materials, kinematics of mechanisms, control of mechanical systems, conduction and radiation heat transfer, and much more. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

10. Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State University is a public institution located in Kennesaw Georgia. They enroll over 37,000 students and have a student to faculty ratio of 21 to 1. The institution offers bachelors masters and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications. According to Carnegie, Kennesaw State is a doctoral university with high research activity. To support the success of the students the institution offers academic and career counseling as well as credit for life experiences, and distance-learning opportunities. In recent years, Kennesaw State has expanded their online offerings to include a wide array of opportunities for undergraduate and graduate the like. Some of the most popular courses by enrollment are in marketing, education, and engineering. According to the US News and World Report, Kennesaw State is a nationally ranked university.

Kennesaw State offers a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering BSME. This program requires training in basic science and engineering principles as well as computer aided design, instrumentation and planning and managing projects. The curriculum includes 42 credit hours of general education courses as well as course material in the lower division major math, and science classes upper division major, and upper division technical electives for a total of 130 credit hours. The upper division major requirements including material and fluid mechanics materials, electronic circuits, machines, dynamic assistance in control theory as well thermodynamics and others. All students are required to complete a senior design project. From our information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

The post The 10 Best Online Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering Degrees appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

The field of marketing is one that has continuously evolved alongside the business world and the world economy. But one thing is certain–it isn’t going anywhere, and in fact the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that management-level marketing positions are growing at a rate of 6% which is nearly double the national average. A skilled marketer will always have a number of professional opportunities to consider. Working in freelance, joining a respected agency, or starting your own marketing agency–these are all viable options for marketers.

And it is this optionality and sheer flexibility that makes the field of marketing an excellent destination for professionals and students of all levels. And for those looking for a quick and affordable entrypoint into the industry, a four year degree may not always be the best answer. 

RELATED: The 20 Best Online Marketing Degrees (Bachelor’s)

Quick and Affordable Online Marketing Certificate Programs

Marketing certificate programs have always been a popular choice for both current and prospective marketing professionals. Certificate programs are often built around key skills and specialized areas of study, so that students can focus all of their attention on what is most beneficial in the context of professional advancement. 

In many cases, employers might enroll their marketing employees in these programs to improve efficiency and productivity. And likewise, independent marketers often enroll in certificate programs if they feel they need to improve in a certain area. Thankfully, the process has never been more simple, and can often be completed while maintaining full-time employment and a comfortable work-life balance. 

Our researchers have compiled the best programs available according to metrics which we believe matter the most to you, the student–affordability, academic integrity, efficiency, and overall reputation (as measured by the program’s performance in rankings of trusted publications).

1. University of Washington-Seattle Campus

The University of Washington Professional & Continuing Education program is designed for working students, adult learners, and other nontraditional students who need results-driven education. The UW Professional & Continuing Education program is designed to propel students into successful careers by building high-value skills that are of high value in the job market. UW distinguishes itself through this commitment to providing career-centric programs, which prepare students to seize on the real-time demands of their industry. 

The UW Professional & Continuing Education Department offers a for-credit Certificate of Digital Marketing. The program’s curriculum has been designed from the ground up to represent the current needs of the industry, and the expectations of future employers. The program can be completed on any schedule that best accommodates a student’s needs–self-paced online, online with real-time meetings, or a traditional classroom format.

The program emphasizes hands-on learning experiences where students will engage projects like the following:

• Learning to leverage Google Analytics to gain exposure
• Learning to use other digital marketing tools
• Developing a paid-media plan and strategy for a mock company
• Creating a comprehensive digital marketing plan for a real local company, which is added to each student’s portfolio on completion

Learn more about the program

2. University of South Florida-Main Campus

The University of South Florida (USF) is a booming university system that ranks as one of the nation’s most prolific research investors with an annual budget of $1.6 billion. As such, USF leverages this extensive network of research facilities and initiatives to offer modern programs informed by USF’s cutting-edge research. The USF Executive Education program takes this to the next level, and specifically designs programs using current industry-data to create pathways for students to become highly competitive and successful professionals on an accelerated schedule. 

The USF Muma College of Business offers a number of business and marketing programs at the undergraduate and graduate level, among which is an online Marketing Certificate. The program is self-paced so that students can earn their certificate amidst full-time employment and demanding schedules. 

Students of the program will develop valuable skills and strategies such as the following:

• Develop strategies applying to your business
• Break through silos in order to bring your unify your organization on behalf of your customers
• Eliminate barriers and develop a customer-centric mindset of innovation
• Gain customer insights, and convert theories into action

Learn more about the program

3. University of California-Los Angeles

The University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) is a name that is recognized around the world, a name associated with academic excellence and professional innovation. No matter your chosen program, at UCLA students work at the forefront of their fields to become future-minded professionals who have the tools needed to build lifelong success. 

The UCLA Extension program was built to bring the University’s most successful programs to more students around the country, and even around the world. Among these is an online Marketing Certificate with a Concentration in Digital Marketing. The program offers a comprehensive introduction into the following areas:

• Digital analytics
• Digital and social media marketing
• Influencer marketing and content strategy
• Advertising in the digital age

Learn more about the program

4. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Illinois Online offers a number of accessible programs that are built with the student and their career in mind. As such, its programs are delivered through a range of modalities in order to meet students where they are, no matter where they are in life. Illinois Online’s certificate programs however, are designed specifically for those wishing to pursue professional advancement. 

Illinois Online offers a Digital Marketing Certificate through the prestigious Gies College of Business. The Digital Marketing Certificate (Coursera MasterTrackTM Certificate) offers a curriculum that teaches students how to engage consumers in a global economy. The program offers one course at a time, so that students can comfortably progress while maintaining full-time employment. 

Specifically, the program is built around the following course schedule:

• Marketing in a Digital World – Spring, 4 weeks
• Digital Marketing Analytics – Summer, 8 weeks
• Digital Marketing Channels – Fall, 8 weeks
• Marketing in an Analog World – Fall, 4 weeks
• Digital Marketing Capstone – Fall, 2 weeks

Learn more about the program

5. University of California-Irvine

Established in 1962, the UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education (DCE) has a storied history of servicing adult learners and working students who want to elevate their career trajectories. Today, the UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education (DCE) offers more than 80 industry-relevant certificates and specialized programs–either on campus, online, or at a corporate site. The Division’s certificate programs leverage the University’s network of strategic partnerships so that online students benefit from hands-on learning experiences. 

The Digital Marketing & Communications certificate program is completed entirely online through coursework which is designed to prepare students to capitalize on career opportunities. Students of the program will polish their skills of research, writing, design, and analytics–all of which are highly sought after by employers in the field of marketing. 

This program differentiates itself in the special attention paid to digital marketing and computing technology. Students of the program will learn how to leverage the latest tools to become as efficient and productive as possible. 

Learn more about the program

6. Ozarks Technical Community College

The Ozarks Technical Community College breaks the mold for what many think of when considering a community college. Ozarks Technical offers an array of future-facing, career-focused degree programs that are designed to propel graduates into successful careers. Ozarks Technical employs a value-based learning paradigm built on the following tenets:

• Quality
• Opportunity
• Accessibility
• Learning
• Inclusion
• Innovation
• Community
• Respect
• Integrity
• Personal growth

If these values resonate with you, you might want to consider enrolling the College’s online Business and Marketing Certificate. The program differentiates itself from similar programs through its focus on business education. Students of the program will be introduced to the foundational concepts of marketing framed within the context of business operations. 

Specially, the certificate program is made up of the following courses:

• Principles of Accounting I
• Principles of Business
• Principles of Marketing
• Business Communications
• Principles of Management
• Technology & Digital Literacy
• Principles of Macroeconomics
• Composition I With Support

Learn more about the program

7. University of Virginia

The University of Virginia Online has earned a national reputation for producing innovators and leaders. The University of Virginia develops its programs to appeal to working professionals and adult learners. As such, students will find that Virginia Online’s programs maintain a high bar of academic rigor, while focusing on coursework that is most valuable in the context of one’s profession. Upon graduation students will be prepared to not only compete in the job market, but to win in the job market. 

The University of Virginia offers a graduate certificate in Digital Marketing that can be completed entirely online. Students of the program will master the various tools of the trade and will build the practical skills needed to retain customers in the modern marketing field.

The program is built upon the following curriculum:

• Digital Marketing Tools & Technologies 
• Strategic Database Marketing 
• Customer Relationship Management 
• Legal Aspects of Digital Marketing 
• Web Marketing: Building Awareness on the Internet 
• Social & New Media in Digital Marketing 
• Mobile Marketing Strategies 
• Introduction to Project Management 

Learn more about the program

8. Hagerstown Community College

Hagerstown Community College (HCC) was founded in 1946 as Maryland’s first community college, and today has become a well-respected provider of student-centric online programs. Today, HCC offers a number of fully online programs designed for university transfer, career preparation, and/or personal development. At HCC students engage curriculums which are designed to reflect the real world needs and demands of the job market, so that graduates have what it takes to win over future employers. 

HCC offers an online Marketing Certificate that combines entry-level college courses with professional experience and skill development. Students of the program will engage course material that counts as credit towards a business or marketing Associate’s degree. 

Specifically, the program is built around the following curriculum:

• Principles of Management (3 Credits) 
• Marketing (3 Credits) 
• BUS 101 – Introduction to Business Organization and Management (3 Credits) 
• Public Speaking (3 Credits) 
• Technical Writing (3 Credits) 
• Introduction to Information Technology (3 Credits)  
• Macroeconomic Principles (3 Credits) 
• Microeconomic Principles (3 Credits)  
• Any Management (MGT) course (3 Credits)
• Any Entrepreneurship (ENT) course (3 Credits)

Learn more about the program

9. University of Vermont

The University of Vermont (UVM) Department of Continuing and Distance Education specializes in offering high-end programs for future-minded students. UVM built its online programs long before the industry began to embrace ‘remote learning’ due to the pandemic, and as such online students at UVM benefit from years of program iteration and polishing. 

Among these polished online programs is an Online Digital Marketing Fundamentals Professional Certificate. The program is led by industry experts who deliver the program in a bite-sized format of just 8 weeks, making it accessible to professionals on any schedule. Despite its short format, students will delve into a variety of topics and projects:

• SEO (Search Engine Marketing)
• PPC (Paid Search & Pay Per Click)
• Web & Marketing Analytics
• Email Marketing
• Social Media Marketing
• Display Advertising
• Mobile Marketing
• Capstone

Learn more about the program

10. Oregon State University

Oregon State University is a prime example of a large public university that has leveraged its success to expand into online learning. Today, OSU Online services nearly 30,000 international students around the world and designs its programs to offer the utmost accessibility to adult learners and working professionals. OSU Online offers more than 100 areas of study that can be pursued online or in a hybrid format that combines on-campus elements. 

Oregon State University specializes in convenient certificate programs that offer a high level of academic rigor and professional integrity. Among these programs is a Digital Marketing Certificate and a Digital Brand Management Certificate. The courses of each are as follows:

• Digital Brand Management Certificate
  • Search Engine Optimization & Search Engine Marketing
  • Digital Brand Strategies
  • Building Digital Content Strategy
  • Developing a Social Media Plan

• Digital Marketing Certificate
  • Audience Segmentation
  • Content Marketing Strategy
  • Transmedia Storytelling
  • Business-to-Business Marketing

Learn more about the program

11. Macomb Community College

Macomb Community College is another College that is shaking up our conception of what a community college is capable of, and in fact, Macomb Community College is demonstrating a level of success that many large universities would like to replicate. Today, Macomb Community College services more than 38,000 students annually through its more than 200 degree and certificate programs. 

Among these programs is a Digital Marketing certificate that can be completed entirely online. The program has a number of amazing selling points, one of which is the partnership with Burning Glass, which empowers students with the most current and relevant industry data. Additionally, the program employs a career-insights tool which allows students to explore promising areas of the job market.  

Learn more about the program

12. Montgomery County Community College

Montgomery County Community College (MC3) earns consistent national recognition for its commitment to academic excellence demonstrated through world class faculty and use of technology. Today MC3 boasts an alumni group of more than 65,000 alumni, many of which have gone on to work at the highest levels of their fields. MC3 invests heavily in each of its programs so that it provides the best chances for each student to actualize their professional goals. 

MC3 offers a marketing certificate that can be completed either on-campus or online. Students of the program will master key marketing concepts within the context of a global business environment. The program is built on the following foundational curriculum:

• Survey of Accounting, Writing for Business and Industry, or Principles of Management (3 credits)
• Legal Environment of Business (3 credits)
• Introduction to Public Relations (3 credits)
• Ethical Decision Making in Business (3 credits)
• Principles of Marketing (3 credits)
• Personal Sales Management (3 credits)
• Advertising and Promotion (3 credits)
• Digital Marketing (3 credits)
• Management, Marketing, or Entrepreneurship Elective (3 credits)

Learn more about the program

13. University of Georgia

The University of Georgia (UGA) is one of the southeast’s most reputable and successful providers of education programs–with degrees and certification tracks available at all levels. And with the University’s expansion into online education, more students can benefit from these programs than ever before. In particular UGA’s Terry College of Business has partnered with industry experts in Silicon Valley in order to create top of the line programs that will prepare students to succeed in the job market. 

Specifically, students can choose from three marketing certificate programs:

• Digital Sales and Marketing Basics (3 month course)
• Digital Marketing for Marketing Professionals (6 month course)
• Digital Marketing for New Media Professionals (6 month course)

These programs are designed to propel students into prosperous areas of the job market, and improves the competitiveness of students’ portfolios by acting as sufficient preparation to sit for the Online Marketing Certified Associate (OMCA) or Online Marketing Certified Professional (OMCP) designation exams.

Learn more about the program

14. Cornell University

Cornell University is a name that confers tremendous academic and professional clout to its alumni, which in many cases is as valuable as the education itself. In short, Cornell University opens doors for its students, which is why it’s an internationally respected destination for pursuing a degree or other form of professional advancement. Over the last decade, Cornell Online has invested heavily in bringing more of its top-tier certificate programs to students.  

Today, students can choose from a robust catalogue of fully online certificate tracks that employ the latest strategies and online learning technologies helmed by some of the world’s most celebrated faculty, who have worked at the highest levels of their fields–both academically and professionally. 

Specifically, students can choose from a selection of online marketing certificate programs–one of the most extensive lists available:

• Digital Marketing Certificate
• Digital Marketing 360 Certificate
• Social Media Marketing Certificate
• Growth Marketing Certificate
• Marketing Strategy Certificate
• Brand Management Certificate
• Product Marketing Certificate
• Marketing AI Certificate
• Marketing Analytics Certificate
• PR Strategy Certificate
• Integrated Marketing 360 Certificate
• Corporate Communication Certificate
• Data Privacy Strategy Certificate
• Hospitality Digital Marketing Certificate
• Strategic Hospitality Marketing Certificate

Learn more about the program

15. Scottsdale Community College

Scottsdale Community College (SCC) provides student-centric programs that engage adult learners and working students with intellectually rigorous curricula. Today SCC has grown to service more than 10,000 students annually through 100 degrees and 60 certificates, many of which can be completed entirely online from the comfort of one’s own home. For three consecutive years, SCC has been eligible for the prestigious Aspen Award for Community College Excellence.

SCC offers two marketing certificate programs, an Online Marketing Certificate and an Online Social Media Marketing Certificate. The Marketing program is made up of the following courses:

• Introduction to Business (3 credits) 
• Principles of Marketing (3 credits) 
• Computer Usage and Applications (3 credits) 
• Survey of Computer Information Systems (3 credits) 
• Workplace Communication Skills (3 credits) 
• Advertising Principles (3 credits) 
• Principles of Sales (3 credits) 

Learn more about the program

16. Community College of Philadelphia

Community College of Philadelphia (CCP) is Philadelphia’s largest institution of higher education and to date has serviced nearly 700,000 of the city’s inhabitants. CCP provides students with a number of flexible pathways to actualize professional and academic development. Its programs are designed to offer the highest level of academic integrity while preserving the flexibility needed to accommodate adult learners and working students.

CCP offers an online Digital Marketing Certificate which begins monthly in order to accommodate students’ of all backgrounds and schedules. The program aligns with the Online Marketing Certified Associate (OMCA) credential, which is a significant accolade in the field of marketing.

Students who enroll in the program will engage a comprehensive investigation of the central tasks of the marketing profession:

• Social media messaging
• Website ads
• Facebook marketing campaigns
• Google Adwords

Learn more about the program

17. Harvard University

Harvard University has always been a pillar of higher education in the United States, and the world at large. Its programs consistently rank as the most prestigious and academically rigorous of their kind, and often produce industry leaders who set the course of markets for years to come. Today, the Harvard University Extension program looks to make their quality programs available to students all over the world.

Among these programs is an online Marketing Management and Digital Strategy Certificate which is typically completed over 1.5 years on average. The program is designed for the working and distance student in mind, with 83% of enrollees working full-time and 29% living outside of the U.S. 

The program’s curriculum is formatted as follows:

• Foundations course (choose one course from select group)
• Digital Tools (choose one course from select group)
• Elective courses (choose two courses from select group)

Learn more about the program

18. University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee

The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (UWM) School of Continuing Education is the largest provider of professional development in the region, and its year-round program structure enables students to engage flexible programs at a cadence that best facilitates learning and professional development. UWM emphasizes lifelong learning, so that its programs instill in students a frame of mind that contributes to success long after graduation.

UWM offers a fully online Digital Marketing Certificate which is based on a skill-building approach, which is meant to offer value to marketing professionals of all levels. Specifically, students who enroll in the program will engage the following curriculum format:

• Building an Integrated Digital Content Strategy
  • $924
• Foundations for Effective Digital Marketing
  • $924
• Improve Marketing Results Using Advanced Analytics Techniques
  • $374
• Introduction to Digital Marketing Analytics
  • $374

ELECTIVE COURSES

• Adobe Illustrator – Basics
  • $250
• Adobe InDesign – Basics
  • $374
• Adobe Photoshop Bootcamp
  • $374
• Advertising on Facebook, Twitter and Other Social Platforms
  • $374
• Email Marketing Best Practices
  • $374
• Google Ads: Getting the Most From Paid Search
  • $374
• Google Tag Manager
  • $374
• SEO: Keyword Research, Link Building and Content Optimization
  • $699
• Storytelling Films: How to Make an Emotional Connection With Your Audience Through Video
  • $374
• Write High-Impact Copy for Your Website
  • $374

Learn more about the program

19. University of San Diego

The University of San Diego’s Division of Professional and Continuing Education (PCE) offers future-minded, career-focused degree programs that aid students in reaching the next level of their careers. The PCE program leverages partnerships on the local, national and international level in order to maintain the most current and career-relevant strategies in each program. 

The PCE program offers a number of certificate tracks that can be completed entirely online such as the Strategic Online Marketing Certificate. The program is designed for entry level to advanced marketers who want to improve their skills of online marketing. Specifically, the program is built around the following courses:

• Building Your Brand and Website Foundation
• Principles of SEO and Onsite Optimization
• Offsite SEO Strategies
• Content Marketing
• Social Media Marketing
• Online Advertising
• Web Analytics
• Capstone Project Presentations

Learn more about the program

20. University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business is one of the world’s premier destinations for business and marketing education. Its programs consistently hit the top spots of rankings in trusted publications, and alumni often go on to work at the highest levels of business–running large international corporations, or heading prestigious marketing agencies. And with its adoption of online education, these top-tier programs are more accessible than ever before. 

One such program is the online Digital Marketing Certificate which cultivates on-demand skills and strategies in students:

• Omni-channel marketing
• Marketing analytics
• Social media strategy and analysis
• Data-driven & customer-centric strategies for customer retention

The program is helmed by some of the industry’s top experts, who employ their specialties to guide and assist the advancement of students. Areas of faculty expertise include: 

• Digital marketing
• Viral marketing
• E-commerce
• Online shopping behaviors
• Sales forecasting

Learn more about the program

The post The 20 Best Online For-Credit Certificates in Marketing appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

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

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

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

1 Texas Woman’s University

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

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

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

2 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

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

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

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

3 The University of Texas at Arlington

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

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

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

4 University of Nevada, Las Vegas

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

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

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

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

5 Stony Brook University

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

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

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

6 Western Governors University

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

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

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

7 Ferris State University

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

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

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

8 East Tennessee State University

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

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

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

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

9 Angelo State University

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

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

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

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

10 Winona State University

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

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

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

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

For Further Reading:

Top 10 Graduate Degree Programs in Criminal Justice

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

As industries become more competitive and needs for ways to differentiate job candidates from one another, new master’s degree programs are now starting to be offered. With this increase in available master’s degree programs comes a sort of choice paralysis for many students. It becomes harder and harder to know which master’s degree program is the best program to choose. With all these added choice comes the downside of market confusion.

For students interested in the best online master’s degrees, DegreeQuery has compiled a list of the best online degree programs. On this list you will find degree programs that we have determined will provide students with an education of value that will also increase a student’s chances of gainful employment. To determine which programs to feature on this list, we took into consideration the projected job growth for a given market sector that a program would be geared towards and the median salaries of those currently working in that industry as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. We also considered which programs lend themselves to online learning versus on-campus learning. These are the fifty best online master’s degrees for students to choose from.

1. Online Master of Internet Marketing

One of the newest and most integral frontiers for marketing endeavors is the internet. As people spend more and more of their time on the internet it has become crucial that marketers learn how to leverage the power of the internet to communicate with their potential customers. If you want to learn how to effectively use the internet to market to potential customers then a Master’s of Internet Marketing degree is the best online master’s degree for you. Through a Master’s of Internet Marketing degree program students will study the trends and best practices regarding digital and internet marketing. Students will learn how to integrate internet marketing into a strategic marketing plan. Through this program, students will develop experience working with a variety of different marketing channels such as social, mobile, email, and video. They will learn how to analyze and interpret analytics data to better understand the ways that their internet marketing campaigns are working. They will also learn how to use internet marketing automation technologies. This degree program will prepare students with the integral knowledge needed to be a successful marketer.

With a completed Master’s of Internet Marketing degree, students will have gained the hard and soft skills needed for a successful career in marketing. By graduating from this program, students will have the marketing knowledge to succeed in a marketing landscape in which internet marketing is becoming more and more dominant. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, marketing managers earn a median annual salary of $144,110/year. (Learn more about how much you can make with a degree in digital marketing.)

If you are interested in a marketing career focused on marketing in the modern era then a Master’s in Internet Marketing degree is the best online master’s degree for you.

2. Online Master’s in Marketing

Want to learn more about marketing? Interested in learning more about what it takes to sell a product and become an expert marketer? If this sounds enticing to you then a Master’s in Marketing degree might be the best online master’s degree for you. Through a Master’s in Marketing degree program, students will expand their knowledge beyond the undergraduate level and understanding to learn more about about more complicated and complex marketing matters and techniques. Students will spend a great deal of time studying the ways that qualitative and quantitative data can be gathered and used to in form the creation and design of marketing plans. Students will also build out their base of knowledge in order to create and execute integrated marketing strategies that leverage different theories of marketing. Students will also be expected to hone their communication skills in order to learn how to communicate more clearly and effectively to potential consumers. They will also learn how to adapt and change marketing plans for a variety of different markets.

With a completed Master’s in Marketing degree, students will be prepared to enter into the job market in a variety of different capacities across many industries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs opportunities in the field of marketing are expected to increase by 9% by the year 2026.  Many of these jobs will be with advertising agencies or marketing firms as marketing or promotions managers. The annual median pay of those working as marketing managers is $127,560/year.

If you want a career as a high-level marketer then a Master’s in Marketing degree is the best online master’s degree for you.

3. Online Master of Corporate & Business Law

Running a big business often leads to a variety of different legal issues. As corporations and businesses get larger, it becomes very important that somebody within the organization has intimate knowledge of corporate and business law to ensure that the company is running in a legal and ethical manner. If you are interested in a career in corporate and business law then a Master’s in Corporate & Business Law is the best online master’s degree for you. Through a Master’s in Corporate & Business Law degree program, students will learn the laws and tax codes that apply to businesses and corporations. They will spend time becoming very familiar with constitutional law and criminal law while becoming experts in other business-related laws and codes. That means they will spend time studying topics like contracts, torts and property, financial accounting, international business, and economics. Through the study of these topics, students will become experts and prepare themselves for work within the corporate and business law world. Students will also develop critical and analytical thinking skills crucial to understanding a variety of legal issues and coming up with solutions to them.

With a completed Master’s in Corporate & Business Law degree students will be prepared to begin work as lawyers or legal counsel within the field of corporate and business law. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of a lawyer is $118,160/year. This industry is expected to experience job growth of 9% by the year 2026. This is indicative of a healthy job market.

If you are interested in working with companies to solve their legal issues then a Master’s in Corporate & Business Law degree is the best online master’s degree for you.

4. Online Master of Computer Science

As demand within the software development field increases so does the demand for highly-educated software developers. If you are interested in software development and want to set yourself a part from the others on the job market then a Master’s in Computer Science degree might be the best online master’s degree for you. Through a Master’s in Computer Science degree, students will gain learn the skills and techniques needed to succeed in the field of computer sciences. In a Master’s in Computer Science degree program, students will study a variety of computer science topics including networking and security, parallel computing, and software engineering.  They will also be able to study topics like database systems, systems software, and artificial intelligence and machine learning. Through familiarization with these topics, students will gain the insight and knowledge needed to solve the computer science problems of tomorrow. By completing a Master’s in Computer Science degree, students will become experts in computer science topics.

With a completed Master’s in Computer Science degree, students will be prepared to enter into a variety of different career paths. Students can take their computer science knowledge into mobile development, network security,cyber security, computer systems design, and much more. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, computer and information research scientists earn a median annual salary of $111,840/year. This industry is expected to experience 19% job growth by 2026.  This is very healthy job growth.

If you want to work in software development or other related computer science-fields then a Master’s in Computer Science is the best online master’s degree for you.

5. Online Master of Data Science

Our world has increasingly become more reliant on massive data systems and caches of data. As analytics and customer data becomes integral to more and more industries, the demand for experts in the management and understanding of large quantities of data has become more prevalent. If you are interested in a career working with these large stores of data then a Master’s of Data Science degree might be the best online master’s degree for you. In a Master’s of Data Science degree program, students will learn how to work with database systems and analytics software. They will gain a deeper understanding of the different types of database systems in order to best understand how to manipulate the data within theses systems. They will also develop an understanding of analytics software in order to use it to make predictions and gain a deeper understanding of user behavior based upon the data already collected. Databases and data systems have revolutionized the way that research is approached and in order to help facilitate the modern era of research those with an education in data sciences have become invaluable.

With a completed Master’s in Data Science degree, students will have developed an education that will have prepared them for a senior-level career in data science and analytics. Many graduates will find themselves in careers as data scientists, research, statisticians, and more. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual median salary of computer and information research scientists is $111,840/year. This industry is expected to experience 19% job growth by the year 2026. This is indicative of a very health job market.

If you want to learn how to work with large databases and analytical software then a Master’s in Data Science is the best online master’s degree for you.

6. Online Master’s in Aerospace Engineering

Fascinated by flight and aircrafts? Interested in designing and building the next-generation of space-faring vehicles? If so, then a Master’s in Aerospace Engineering degree might be the best online master’s degree for you. Through the completion of a Master’s in Aerospace Engineering degree, students will work to tailor their engineering background towards a deeper understanding of aerospace engineering principles. Through this curriculum of study, students will expand their knowledge of topics such as computational fluid dynamics, rocket propulsion, aeroacoustic modeling, and much more. Students will also become experts in concepts including aeroelasticity, nano materials, composite materials, computation structural mechanics, and much more. Not only will students work to learn more about terrestrial flying vehicles, they will also spend time learning how to design vehicles capable of spaceflight. Through this program, students will work to learn about rocket science and gain the understanding needed to design the next-generation of space vehicles.

By completing a Master’s in Aerospace Engineering degree, students will be prepared to start careers working as aerospace engineers in a variety of different careers and industries. Student will be able to use their knowledge to help design spacecraft, aircraft, missiles, and satellites.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the aerospace industry is expected to experience 6% job growth by the year 2026. The median annual salary for an aerospace engineer is $109,650/year.

If you want to work to design the world’s next-generation of flying vehicles then a Master’s in Aerospace Engineering degree is the best online master’s degree for you.

7. Online Master of Human Resources

It is said that the most important asset that a business has are the people working there. To ensure that this important asset is being developed and cared for, it is important that their are people trained in human resources to look after this invaluable asset. If you are interested in a career in human resources then a Master’s in Human Resources degree is the best online master’s degree for you. While earning a Master’s in Human Resources degree students will become experts in the critical skills needed to succeed in human resources. Students will learn how to implement strategic changes within an organization in order to increase the productivity, quality, and employee satisfaction of an organization. They will also learn how to develop effective training and on boarding programs in order to ensure that new employees are able to hit the ground running as soon as possible. In a Master’s in Human Resources degree program students will also learn how to properly structure benefits packages and programs to make sure that employees are being properly incentivized through their pay. Students will also develop soft skills related to financial management and budgeting that can be integral to human resource management.

With a completed Master’s in Human Resources degree students will be ready to enter into a role as human resource manager at a variety of different business and organizations. With a Master’s in Human Resources degree students will be able to command much higher salaries then those with less education. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, human resources managers earn an annual median salary of $106,910/year. This industry is expected to experience 9% job growth by the year 2026.

If you are interested in a career in human resource management then a Master’s in Human Resources is the best online master’s degree for you.

8. Online Master’s in Software Engineering

If you want to advance your career in the field of software development and are looking to take the next steps in your education to gain the skills and insight to do so then a Master’s in Software Engineering degree is the best online master’s degree for you. (Learn more about which degree is best for a software engineer.)

Through a Master’s in Software Engineering degree, students are entering a program that will help them to develop the most advanced skills and learn the most advanced training needed to work in the most demanding software development environments. In a Master’s in Software Engineering degree program, students will learn how to design, architect, and implement the systems required to create massive and intricate pieces of software. They will learn how to properly analyze and understand user data to create applications that can be easily and clearly understood by consumers. They will work to understand how to communicate with clients in order to develop software solutions that meet their software needs. While learning all of this they will expected to learn the industry standards needed to create code and software that works for the future.

With a completed Master’s in Software Engineering degree students will have achieved some of the highest-levels of available education in software development. Through this high-level of education, students will be prepared to enter into high-paying software engineering jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, software development jobs are expected to grow by 24% by the year 2026. The annual median salary of a software developer is $102,280/year.

If you are interested in expanding your knowledge of software development then a Master’s in Software Engineering degree is the best online master’s degree for you.

9. Online Master of Economics

Are you interested in an academic career teaching economics? Do you want to begin a career consulting companies as an economist? If this sounds like you then a Master’s in Economics degree is the best online master’s degree for you. Through a Master’s in Economics degree program students will become experts in all things related to the economy. Taking a scientific approach to the study of economics, students will become experts in economic theory, econometrics, and applied economics.  Through their studies of economics, students will learn about microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, and much more. Students in this program of study will spend time developing their qualitative and quantitative analysis skills as well as their mathematical skills. In a Master’s of Economics degree program students will learn how to develop their research skills while learning more about topics like financial analysis. They will also cover other topics such as computational economics, and financial economics. With a Master’s in Economics degree, students will have gained an expert-level understanding of the forces that drive the economy.

With a completed Master’s in Economics degree, students will be ready to apply their economic knowledge to a variety of different jobs and careers. Students may find themselves continuing their studies to the doctorate-level or they might find jobs acting as consultants for companies in the capacity of an economist. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, economists earn a median annual salary of $101,050/year. This industry is expected to experience 6% job growth by the year 2026.

If you are interested in studying the economy and becoming an expert in economics then a Master’s in Economics degree is the best online master’s degree for you.

10. Online Master’s of Business Administration

In order to run a business successfully business owners and managers must have a great deal of business knowledge and understanding of business principles. If you are interested in working as high-level business professional then a Master’s of Business Administration degree might be the best online master’s degree for you. Through earning a Master’s of Business Administration, students will be taught the necessary topics needed to become successful business leaders and entrepreneurs. In a Master’s of Business Administration curriculum, students will learn important topics including human resources, management, marketing, finance, and much more. Students will also build upon their leadership skills as they become skilled motivators and orators. During a typical Master’s of Business Administration curriculum, students will become more familiar with topics including marketing, strategy, human behavior, finance, and more. Through the completion of a Master’s in Business Administration degrees students will have gained an in-depth understanding of the various knowledge and technical information needed to lead a business successfully.

After completing a Master’s in Business Administration degree, students will have earned a degree that has set them a part from most on the job market. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, those with a Master’s degree earn around 20% more than those with a bachelor’s degree. That number jumps to 80% when compared to those with no degree at all. The annual median salary of those in management is $100,790/year and this industry is expected to experience 9% job growth by 2026.

If you want to become an expert in business operations and management then a Master’s in Business Administration degree is the best online master’s degree for you.

11. Online Master’s of Organizational Leadership

As businesses continue to grow in size and level of complexity, it is important that their are people eight the proper training and education in these organizations to help organize these companies and lead these groups of employees to ensure that the organization functions smoothly. If you are interest in becoming a business leader or want to learn how to ensure the smooth operation of a large company then a Master’s in Organizational Leadership degree might be the best online masters’ s degree for you. Through earning a Masters’ in Organizational Leadership degree, students will develop the skills needed to communicate effectively with large teams of employees in order to properly lead and motivate them towards success. Students will be exposed to a variety of different leadership and management techniques that can be applied to businesses in order to drive up the organizations efficiency of operation. Students will learn how to analyze the organizational structures of businesses in order to streamline their business operations to promote more agility and growth.

With a completed Master’s in Organizational Leadership degree, students will have gained an education that will help to differentiate themselves from other potential hires to to help increase their value as potential employees. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, executive-level positions in businesses and corporations are expected to increase by 6% by the year 2025. The annual median alarm of a business executive is over $100,000/year.

If you want to to learn how to effectively lead employees in a business or organization that a Master’s in Organizational Leadership degree is the best online master’s degree for you.

12. Online Master of Health Care Ethics

As medicine and medical technology advances and grows new issues of ethics and legality arise in the field of health care. If you are interested in learning more about the various ethical concerns facing modern medicine then a Master’s in Health Care Ethics degree is the best online master’s degree for you. Through a Master’s in Health Care Ethics students will learn more about the various ethical issues facing modern medicine. Students will spend time thoroughly studying these ethical dilemmas in health care to gain an understanding of them. They will learn a variety of different theories and principles of ethics to use as a litmus test for health care practices to determine whether or not they are ethical. Students will spend time learning how to think critically and analytically in order to be prepared to debate new concerns in bioethics. Through this program of study students will spend time developing their communication skills so they can work with others to discuss information regarding bioethics in order to facilitate conversations within the field of health care.

With a Master’s of Health Care Ethics, students will be prepared with a variety of different soft and hard skills that can be applied to a variety of different healthcare-related fields. Students can work in insurance, or hospital management. Some students might find work in politics trying to shape public policy as it pertains to health care. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, those working in health services management earn a median annual salary of $96,540/year. This industry is expected to experience 20% job growth by the year 2026.

If you are interested in learning more about the many new issues of bioethics facing modern medicine then a Master’s in Health Care Ethics is the best online master’s degree for you.

13. Online Master of Healthcare Management

Just like any business, a healthcare organizations has may different administrative and management-related tasks that must be completed on a daily basis in order to ensure its smooth operations. If you are interested in learning what it takes to manage a healthcare facility then a Master’s in Healthcare Management degree is the best online master’s degree for you. As the field of healthcare changes quickly and new regulations come and go, it is integral that healthcare organizations are helmed by strong leaders. In a Master’s of Healthcare Management degree program, students will study a variety of different topics related to healthcare management. Students will learn key skills in management in order to learn how to properly manage large groups of employees. They will learn about accounting and finance related issues in order to ensure that the healthcare organization has cash flowing properly. Students will become familiar with regulations and ethics governing the field of healthcare in order to ensure that their healthcare organizations are following proper industry regulations. Through a Master’s in Healthcare Management degree students will gain the skills needed to properly manage a healthcare facility.

With a completed Master’s in Healthcare Management degree, students will have gained the knowledge needed to enter into a variety of management roles within the field of healthcare. Graduates can work as administrators and managers at hospitals or healthcare facilities or choose to take their expertise to the field of insurance. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical and health services managers make an an annual median salary of $96,540/year. This job market is expected to grow by 20% by the year 2026.

If you are interested in a career in healthcare administration then a Master’s in Healthcare Management degree is the best online master’s degree for you.

14. Online Master’s in Electrical Engineering

Are you fascinated by electrical systems and electronics? Want to learn how to design and work with electrical components and systems? If this sounds like you then a Master’s in Electrical Engineering degree is the best online master’s degree for you. Through earning a Master’s in Electrical Engineering degree students will gain the knowledge and information needed to undertake large-scale electrical engineering challenges and projects. Using the bachelor’s-level education as a foundation, students will continue to study topics in science, mathematics, and engineering in order to further strengthen the foundational disciplines needed to be a successful electrical engineer. Through this program of study students will learn. how to design electrical components and systems that can be used for a variety of different engineering applications. They will also learn how to lead large teams of engineers in order to properly delegate work to complete large-scale electrical engineering projects. By completing this program of study students will be prepared with the education needed to work on computer systems, power systems, and electrical systems.

With a completed Master’s in Electrical Engineering degree, students will have the education and experience needed to circumvent entry-level positions within the electrical engineering industry. Graduates will find careers in power generation, radar and navigation, electrical equipment manufacturing, broadcast and communication, and much more. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, electrical engineers make an annual median salary of $96,000/year. This industry is expected to experience 7% job growth by 2026.

If you are interested in learning more about the design, development, and maintenance of electrical systems then a Master’s in Electrical Engineering is the best online master’s degree for you.

15. Online Master of Cybersecurity

As the world becomes more interconnected and more devices connected the Internet, the concern of privacy and safety online has become more prominent than ever. This growing field of cybersecurity stems from the need to make online interaction safer and more secure. If you are interested in a career in cybersecurity then a Master’s in Cybersecurity is the best online master’s degree for you. Though a Master’s in Cybersecurity degree program students will learn the leading techniques and skills needed for cybersecurity. Students will study topics including network management and security to understand the ways that different devices communicate across a network and how different security measures can be implements to facilitate safer and more secure communication. Students will study knowledge management which is crucial for the dissemination of important information regarding the proper use of technology to users. Students will study other topics such as information security management, intelligent agents, distributed decision-making, information security and assurance, as well as multi sensory data fusion.

With a completed Master’s in Cybersecurity, students will be able to take on a variety of high-level IT careers devoted to network and online security. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Information Security Analysts earn a median annual salary of $92,600/year. This industry is growing quickly and is expected to add an additional 28% more jobs by the year 2026. Cybersecurity is a fast-growing and high-paying job market.

If you are interested in an IT career focused on making online communications safer and more secure then a Master’s in Communication degree is the best online master’s degree for you.

16. Online Master of Curriculum & Instruction

Do you want to learn more about teaching? Do you want to study the science, theories, and frameworks behind developing the young mind? If this sounds like you then a Master’s of Curriculum and Instruction degree is the best online master’s degree for you. In a Master’s of Curriculum and Instruction degree, students will go beyond a typical degree in education to learn more than just how to teach. Students will spend time learning the different learning theories as well as the ways that social, cultural, physical, and economic factors can effect the way that students learn. Through this program, students will study how to effectively create curriculum that is best suited for different groups of children. They will learn how to design curriculum and create lessons that leverage different learning techniques. A major component of a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction degree is the study of new technologies. Students will familiarize themselves with new learning technologies in order to determine the best ways to bring them into the classroom environment. Through this program of study students will gain the skills to design and implement effective curricula.

With a completed Master’s of Curriculum and Instruction degree students can begin careers in more senior-level positions within the field of education. Students can choose to apply for jobs as principals, superintendents, deans, or professors at the collegiate-level. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, principals at the K-12 level made an annual median salary of $92,150/year. This industry is expected to grow 8% by 2026. This is indicative of healthy job growth for this market.

If you want to become a leader in education and shape the ways that the future generation learns then a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction is the best online master’s degree for you.

17. Online Master’s Entertainment Business

Do you want to work in the entertainment industry? Are you interested in working with performers and stars to manage their careers? If this sounds like a career that might be interesting to you then a Master’s in Entertainment Business degree might be the best online master’s degree for you. Through this program of study, students will gain the valuable insight and knowledge needed to work with talent and entertainers in order to manage their careers. They will learn how to work with and choose different stars and performers to work with by being able to asses their ability to grow and perform. Students will learn how to properly advocate for their clients in order to help win them roles and opportunities. They will hone their communication and negotiation skills to better ensure that they will be able to make sure that their clients are getting paid fairly for the level of talent and work that they are bringing to a given career opportunity. Though this program of study, students will earn what it takes to properly represent talent and performers in order to ensure that they are happy and getting the type of opportunities that they deserve.

With a completed Master’s in Business Entertainment degree students can enter into a variety of different careers within the entertainment industry. Many students will find themselves working at talent agencies acting as managers or agents for talent. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual median salary of agents and business managers for artists is $86,560/year.

If you are interested in a career working with famous people and talented performers then a Master’s in Entertainment Business is the best online master’s degree for you.

18. Online Master’s in Mechanical Engineering

Are you interested in the way that machines work? Do you want to learn more about the manufacture and design of mechanical systems. If so then a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering might be the best online master’s degree for you. The broadest and oldest discipline within the field of engineering, a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering degree will have students cover a variety of different topics needed to understand how to plan, design, develop, manufacture, and maintain advanced mechanical systems. Through a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering curriculum students will gain expert knowledge of topics including material sciences, thermal-fluid systems, mechanical systems, power and energy systems, manufacturing, and much more. Students will be expected to expand their knowledge of mathematics and science as they prepare for a career in the field of engineering. They will learn how to rapidly prototype and test their designs in order to find the best solution for a given engineering problem. Students will also develop critical thinking, analytical thinking, and communication skills through this type of program.

With a completed Master’s in Mechanical Engineering degree, students will have the skills and education needed to enter into the mechanical engineering industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in mechanical engineering are expected to grow in number by 9% by the year 2026. The annual median pay for a mechanical engineer is $84,190/year. This is healthy job growth for this industry and is also a great median salary.

If you are interest in learning about mechanical systems in order to design and maintain them, then a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering degree is the best online master’s degree for you.

19. Online Master’s in Civil Engineering

Want to become an architect? Love the idea of working in city planning and working to make the cities of tomorrow? Think you might have ideas on alleviating concerns regarding aging infrastructure. If this sounds like you then a Master’s in Civil Engineering degree might be the best online master’s degree for you. In a Master’s in Civil Engineering degree program, students will begin an intense curriculum dedicated to understanding what it takes to plan, design, and construct massively complex civl engineering projects designed to solve a variety of engineering problems. As cities become more expansive and populations continue to grow, civil engineering problems only become more complex. Through a Master’s in Civil Engineering program, students will study topics including material sciences, mathematics, mechanics, and other sciences, as well as developing their leadership and communication skills in order to gain the skills needed in order to prepare them to lead teams of engineers to the completion of massive civil engineering projects. Students will also study other civil engineering topics like structural engineering, construction management, water resource engineering, and more.

With a completed Master’s in Civil Engineering degree, students will have the ability to enter into a variety of different civil engineering positions and command a much higher salary than their undergraduate compatriots. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, civil engineering careers are expect to grow by 11% by the year 2026. The annual median salary of a civil engineer is $83,000/year but with a Master’s in Civil Engineering students should be able to earn higher salaries.

Through the completion of a Master’s in Civil Engineering degree, students will have the best possible online master’s degree to jumpstart their career in civil engineering.

20. Online Master’s in Information Technology

Large-scale information technology networks and structures make up the backbone of almost everything that we do in the modern world. As technology becomes more complicated and integral to day-to-day life , it is imperative that these massive IT networks and systems are cared for by those skilled in information technology. If you are interested in a career in the field of information technology then a Master’s in Information Technology degree is the best online master’s degree for you. Through a Master’s in Information Technology degree, students will work to go beyond basic information technology skills to become even more skilled in the field while learning leadership and management skills. Students will study to take on more complex information technology problems in order to learn how to create more effective information technology solutions. Students will also learn how to manage other information technology professionals in order to delegate tasks out to complete larger projects. They will also become experts in more complicated information technology topics like telecommunication, object-oriented application development, database design, and much more.

With a completed Master’s in Information Technology degree, students will be prepared to enter into high-paying mid-level and senior-level positions in information technology-related fields of work. Some students might find themselves in roles as systems architects, business analysts, directors of information technology, and other high-level information technology positions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of information technology jobs is $82,860/year. This job market is expected to experience 13% job growth by the year 2026.

If you are interested in a career in information technology then a Master’s in Information Technology degree is the best online master’s degree for you.

21. Online Master of Criminology

Do you want to work to improve the criminal justice system? Are you interested in studying crime and criminal behavior trends to find ways that we can adapt society to diminish crime levels? If this sounds like an interesting career path then a Master’s in Criminology degree might be the best online master’s degree for you. Through a Master’s in Criminology degree students will develop a strong research and analytical background in order to work with large amounts of data related to criminal behavior. In a Master’s in Criminology degree program students will learn how to apply criminological research to public policy decisions. Students will learn the latest in data analytics techniques in order to properly interpret large amounts of different criminological data. Using this data they will use quantitative and qualitative methods to draw different conclusions regarding this data to get a better understanding to the causes and trends in modern crime. Though this research it is hoped that a clearer picture of today’s culture of crime will coalesce and from that solutions can be found.

With a completed Master’s in Criminology degree, students will have gained the education required to move into a career in consultancy or government. Many students will find themselves working in research and policy in order to use their education to find ways to mitigate crime. The median annual salary for a criminal investigator is $78,120/year.

If you are interested in studying crime on a macro-scale then a Master’s in Criminology degree is the best online master’s degree for you.

22. Online Master’s in Education

Want to advance your career in the field of education? Want to teach at the collegiate-level? If that sounds of interest to you then a Master’s in Education degree might be the best online master’s degree for you. Through earning a Master’s in Education degree, students will spend time developing a deeper understanding of the different fundamental education and learning theories that effect the ways that students learn. Students in this program will develop the concepts of learning and comprehension to better understand how to teach students more effectively. They will study learning and teaching models to determine their strengths and weaknesses to develop a teaching style that is best suited to that particular students. Through this program of study students will work to become the teachers of the future by determining ways that they can work within the educational system to foster change and reach students that are not as easily reached. A Master’s in Education degree will prepare students will the education needed to move up higher in education organizations.

With a Master’s in Education degree students will be able to enter into a variety of different career paths within education. Students can choose to teach at the collegiate-level or they can work in administration. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, postsecondary teachers earn a median annual salary of $75,430/year. This job market is expected to grow 15% by the year 2026. This is indicative of very healthy job growth and is a good sign for employment opportunities.

If you are interested in advancing your earning potential in the field of education then a Master’s in Education degree is the best online master’s degree for you.

23. Online Master’s in Psychology

Want to become a clinical psychologist? Interested in learning more about the mind and mental illnesses in order to help those in need? If this sounds like you then a Master’s in Psychology degree is the best online master’s degree for you. Through a Master’s in Psychology degree program, students will spend time advancing their education beyond their undergraduate studies to gain a more nuanced and complex understanding of the human mind and the various factors that influence a person’s psychological state and profile. Students will be expected to study a variety of theories of psychology as well as related topics including social psychology, learning theory, and much more. Students in a Master’s in Psychology degree program will learn how to properly diagnose patients with mental illness and create treatment plans to help patients work through their illness. They will also be expected to study a variety of different ethical issues related to the safe practice and administration of psychological care. Students will also learn to develop their communication and interpersonal skills in order to create a level of comfort and rapport with their patients.

With a completed Master’s in Psychology degree, students will be ready to either move into doctoral studies of they can choose to bring their knowledge to the workforce. Most Master’s in Psychology degrees do not come with proper licensing needed to practice psychology, however through completing this degree you will be ready to earn your licensing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, psychologist jobs are expected to grow by 14% by the year 2026. The annual median salary of a psychologist is $75,230/year.

If you are interested in becoming a psychologist then a Master’s in Psychology degree is the best online master’s degree for you.

24. Online Master of Supply Chain Management

Integral and often overlooked, proper supply chain management is critical to the smooth operations of almost every business. To ensure the proper flow of materials and products in-and-out of a business, businesses must employ those who are experts in the field of supply chain management. If you are interested in a career in supply chain management then a Master’s in Supply Chain Management degree is the best online master’s degree for you. Through a Master’s in Supply Chain Management degree, students will learn industry practices needed to properly manage the flow of supplies along the supply chain. Students will learn how to design effective supply chains while learning how to gather and analyze supply chain analytics. They will learn key industry skills like demand forecasting, aggregate planning, and sales and operations planning. Students will learn how supply chain initiatives interact with and effect different financial performance metrics. Through a Master’s in Supply Chain Management degree, students will also learn how to analyze vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the supply chain and learn how to remedy those issues before they become larger problems. Students will learn how to become integral to the logistics strategy of companies and businesses through a Master’s in Supply Chain Management.

With a completed Master’s in Supply Chain Management students will have gained a variety of hard and soft skills necessary for a career in supply chain management. Many students will find themselves working as supply chain managers or logisticians. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, logisticians earn a median annual salary of $74,170/year. The supply chain management industry is expected to experience 7% job growth by the year 2026.

If you are interested in a career in logistics or supply chain management then a Master’s in Supply Chain Management degree is the best online master’s degree for you.

25. Online Master’s in Public Health

Looking to begin a career in epidemiology? Want to learn more about shaping the course of public health  policy on the local or global scale? If this sounds of interest to you then a Master’s in Public Health degree might be the best online master’s degree for you. Through the process of earning a Master’s in Public Health degree students will gain an expert-level understanding of the various topics that are needed to succeed in the public health industry. Students will study public health and policy management while gaining an understanding of related topics such as behavioral sciences, epidemiology, biostatistics, and environmental health sciences. Through the building of knowledge in these subjects students will learn how to understand health emergencies that are currently effecting society. Through an understanding of these topics students will be able to work to analyze current public health policy in order to work towards bolstering it and making it stronger. They will learn how to analyze population data in order to discern what policy decisions must be made to make for a healthier population.

With a completed Master’s in Public Health degree, students will have the skills to set themselves a part as the top candidates in a variety of different career markets. Students can expect to command a much higher starting salary than their undergraduate counterparts. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, epidemiologists earn a median annual salary of $70,820/year. This industry is expected to grow by 9% by the year 2026.

If you want to learn more about public health policy and how it is created then a Master’s in Public Health degree is the best online master’s degree for you.

26. Online Master of Counter Terrorism

As the threat of terrorism has grown in the modern world, the demand for those who are highly-educated in counterterrorism techniques has dramatically increased. If you are somebody who wants to work towards making the world a safer place by helping to stop acts of terrorism then a Master’s in Counterterrorism degree might be the best online master’s degree for you. Through the pursuit of a Master’s in Counterterrorism degree students will become experts in the topics and skills needed to thwart terrorist plots. Students will study intelligence writing, counterterrorism briefing, threat management, anti-terrorism techniques and much more. They will learn how to evaluate a variety of information sources in order to counter terrorist plots and set up strategic security plans. Students will become adept at assessing the quality of gathered intelligence to determine the credibility of such intelligence in order to determine whether the intelligence must be acted on. Through this program of study, students will be prepared with the knowledge to work towards stopping acts of terror.

With a completed Master’s in Counterterrorism degree, students can work in a variety of different counterterrorism fields of work. Many of these jobs are often government-related jobs like working for the Central Intelligence Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Homeland Security. The average salary of a FBI agent is approximately $68,993/year. (Find out more about what degree you need to be an intelligence analyst.)

If you are interested in a career in counterterrorism and want to work to make the world safer from terrorist plots then a Master’s in Counterterrorism degree is the best online master’s degree for you.

27. Online Master’s in Environmental Science & Sustainability

Want to work towards making our environment and planet healthier and safer? Interested in devising ways to make a more sustainable society? If this sounds like a career for you then a Master’s in Environmental Science & Sustainability might be the best online master’s degree for you. While earning a Master’s in Environmental Science & Sustainability, students will study the imminent problems facing our planet and climate. Students will gain intimate knowledge and understanding of the ways that humanity is using the resources of our planet and issues of sustainability that arise out of the rate at which humans are consuming the planets resources. They will also study the impacts that humans have on different ecosystems and natural processes. Through use of the scientific method and research techniques, students will study climate change, overpopulation, deforestation, coastal erosion, sustainability issues and much more. Student will also develop communication and leadership skills in order to lead discussions on how we can create a better and healthier environment. With a Master in Environmental Science & Sustainability degree, students will be prepared to face the environmental issues facing our planet.

With a completed Master’s in Environmental Science & Sustainability degree students will be prepared to enter into the field of environmental science with a higher-level of education then most of their counterparts. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job market for environmental science-related jobs is expected to grow 11% by 2026. Currently the annual median pay of an environmental scientist is $68,910/year. (Learn more about the 5 best careers in environmental science.)

If you want to work to understand the threats that face our environment and work on ways to solve the then a Master’s in Environmental Science & Sustainability degree is the best online master’s degree for you.

28. Online Master of Nursing

Using the information and knowledge gained through a Bachelor’s of Nursing degree, a Master’s in Nursing degree is integral to those who want to set themselves apart from others in the field of nursing. If you are interested in advancing your career in the nursing industry and want to work to help promote the health and wellbeing of patients then a Master’s in Nursing degree is the best online master’s degree for you.  Through earning a Master’s in Nursing degree, students will deepen their understanding of complex medical treatments available today while being taught how to navigate the complicated and massive systems within a hospital. They will also be expected to study and learn all the the various health -related laws and regulations in place to govern the ways in which nurses provide care. In a Master’s in Nursing degree program students will be expected to gain a greater deal of autonomy over themselves while learning leadership skills needed to lead teams of nurses.

With a completed Master’s in Nursing degree, students will have gained an incredible advantage over their undergraduate counterparts on the job market. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most nursing positions require a a Master’s in Nursing degree. This job market is expected to grow by 31% by the year 2026. The median annual salary of a nurse is $68,450/year.

If you are interested in a career in nursing and want to set yourself a part from others in the field then a Master’s in Nursing degree might be the best online masters degree for you.

29. Online Master’s in Accounting

If you are considering a career in accounting then a Master’s in Accounting degree is the best online Master’s degree for you to begin your career. By earning a Master’s in Accounting degree, students will spend time going beyond their undergraduate studies to deepen their understanding of core accounting principles. Students will learn major auditing methods as well as studying topics including cost analysis and quantitative analysis. While learning the application of these skills, students will also spend time going over financial regulations as well as other rules that govern the preparation of both individual and corporate taxes. Students are also able to specialize their Masters’ in Accounting degrees in order to focus on specific aspects of accounting. This means students can choose to specialize in topics including auditing, forensic accounting, taxation, and much more. Through the completion of a Master’s in Accounting degree students will build the knowledge needed to earn their CPA certification. This is a crucial piece of certification that will need to be earned for many careers in accounting.

With a completed Master’s in Accounting degree, students will be able to enter into a multitude of careers within the field of accounting. Students can find work at commercial banking firms, insurance agencies, financial investment companies, and other financial institutions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, professional accounting jobs are expected to grow by 10% by 2026 and earn a median annual salary of $68,150/year. This is healthy job growth and a great annual median salary.

If you are interested in becoming an expert in accounting then a Master’s in Accounting degree is the best online master’s degree for you.

Click here for a list of our top online Master’s in Accounting degrees.

30. Online Master’s in English

Do you love literature and writing? Have you always enjoyed your English courses and found yourself consuming the literary arts outside of the classroom? If you love the English language and writing then a Master’s in English degree might be the best online master’s degree for you. Through a Master’s in English degree, students will expand their knowledge of English literature by studying a variety of different literary texts. Students will then learn how to analyze these texts to gain a deeper understanding of the different literary techniques that the authors and writers employed to make their texts alive and vibrant. Students will be able to choose from different period of literature, affording themselves to the opportunity to study American literature, British literature, Victorian literature or many others. They will also learn how to write about and communicate the different subtleties of texts. A multifaceted degree, a Master’s in English degree will help teach students how to appreciate literature and become better writers.

With a completed Master’s in English degree, students will have learned a variety of hard and soft skills applicable to numerous fields of study. Many students will decide to either work in academia or pursue writing as a career path after completion of this degree program. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, writers and authors earn an annual median salary of $61,240/year. This job market is expected to experience 8% job growth by the year 2026.

If you are interested in learning more about literature or becoming a stronger writer then a Master’s in English degree is the best online master’s degree for you.

31. Online Master’s in Liberal Studies

For a lot of students, gaining an education for the sake of an education can be just as important as an education geared towards a career. With a Master’s in Liberal Studies, students will be able to pursue an education of their own aim and design by creating a curriculum that surveys a variety of liberal arts topics and subjects. If you are interested in scholarly pursuits, or are not exactly sure what Master’s program best suits your needs, then a Master’s in Liberal Studies degree might be the best online master’s degree for you. With a Mater’s in Liberal Studies degree, students will be afforded the freedom and flexibility to study a variety of different social sciences and humanities courses. A more traditional and classic type of education, a Master’s in Liberal Studies allows students to build knowledge in whatever topics they deem important. Students can choose to take courses in English, literature and writing, they could choose to pursue history, psychology, or many other courses. A Master’s in Liberal Studies can be as specific or broad as a student desires.

With a completed Master’s in Liberal Studies degree, students will have gained many hard and soft skills that can be applied to numerous career paths and jobs. However, due to the nebulous nature of a Master’s in Liberal Studies degree, it is hard to forecast a specific median annual salary. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, students who earn a master’s degree tend to make close to $12,000/year more than their undergraduate counterparts.

If you are interested in an education in the arts, humanities, and social sciences then a Master’s in Liberal Studies is the best online master’s degree for you.

32. Online Master of Project Management

Many corporations and companies rely on the skills of trained project managers to ensure the timely completion of large company projects. If you are interested in a career as a project manager then a Master’s in Project Management degree is the best online master’s degree for you. Through a Master’s in Project Management degree students will learn the skills and knowledge needed to help ensure that teams complete projects on time and within budgetary scope. Students in this program of study will learn how to work with employees to determine their strengths and weaknesses in order to place them into roles within project teams to set them up for success. They will learn how to assess the scope of a project in order to accurately forecast how long the project might take and what kind of additional support and help might be necessary to complete such project.  Students will spend time familiarizing themselves with different project-management theories and practices in order to find the ones that work best for them. Through a Master’s in Project Management degree students will develop management, leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills.

With a completed Masters’ in Project Management degree, students will be prepared to start careers as project managers, project management analysts, master schedulers, administrative services managers, and much more.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, project coordinators earn a median annual salary of $67,280/year. This industry is expected to experience 9% job growth by the year 2026.

If you are interested in working with employees to help motivate them to complete projects then a Master’s in Project Management degree is the best online master’s degree for you.

33. Online Master of Biology

Want to advance your education in the biological sciences? Interested in starting a career in biological research? If this sounds like you then a Master’s in Biology is the best online master’s degree for you. Through a Master’s in Biology degree program students will work to expand their knowledge in the different biological sciences. Advancing beyond the undergraduate-studies level, students will be tasked to with learning how to advance the current understanding of the biological sciences. They will develop skills in research and the scientific method that are integral to the generation of new knowledge and understandings of biological processes. Students in a Master’s in Biology degree program will be able to study a variety of different biological sciences. They can choose to take courses in ecology, genetics, plant biology, and many more biological sciences courses. Through a Master’s in Biology degree program, students will develop their critical any analytical thinking skills as they investigate different biological science questions. They will hone their research skills as they prepare to enter into the world of biological research upon graduation.

With a completed Master’s in Biology degree, students will have gain the knowledge and information needed to begin a career as a biologist working in biological research. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, microbiologists earn a median annual salary of $66,850/year. This job market is expected to grow by 8% by the year 2026. This is health job market growth and indicates a promising outlook for job availability over the coming years.

If you are interested in a career in biological research then a Master’s in Biology degree is the best online master’s degree for you.

34. Online Master’s in Finance

Interested in a career in the world of money management and finance? Want to learn more about investment strategies? If this sounds like you then a Master’s in Finance degree might be the best online master’s degree for you. While earning a Master’s in Finance degree, students will gain a deep understanding of the variety of topics necessary for a successful career in the competitive field of finance. Students will study investment banking and security analysis.  They will also work to understand proper financial planning and risk management strategies. Students will spend time becoming experts in commercial banking, insurance, and much more. A Master’s of Finance degree tasks students with learning the multitude of ways that they can work to grow the wealth of their different clients. They will learn how to study market trends and forecast potential market outcomes through the the application of financial theories. In a Master’s in Finance degree program, students will develop their critical and analytical thinking skills as they learn more about the world’s markets and how to apply economic theory to them to forecast their trajectories.

With a completed Master’s in Finance degree, students will have earned the knowledge and training needed to begin mid-level and senior-level positions within financial firms. With this education, students will begin on the path towards becoming financial advisors. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in finance are expected to grow 9% by the year 2026. The median annual salary of those working in finance is $66,530/year.

If you are interested in a career in the field of investment of finance then a Master’s in Finance is the best online master’s degree for you.

35. Online Master of International Business

Are you interested in gaining a business education tailored towards international business? Do you want to learn more about the rules and regulations that govern international business and trade? If this sounds like you then a Master’s in International Business degree is the best online master’s degree for you. Through a Master’s in International Business degree program, students will work to gain the important in-depth knowledge of business functions and principles like marketing, finance, and human resource management. However, students will also study the ways that business is conducted internationally and the different regulations and rules that conduct such business. Students will learn about the international economy and the ways that trade regulations and rules effect how business is conducted across country lines. Through a Master’s in International Business degree, students will prepare themselves to work as business leaders and executives who work with clients and other businesses internationally.

With a completed in Master’s in International Business degree, students will have gained an education that can prepare them for a variety of different careers in business. Students may find themselves working in executive and leadership positions in businesses that specialize in international trade, foreign markets, or international real estate. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for those working in business and finance occupations is $66,530/year. This industry is expected to experience job growth of 9% by the year 2026. This is indicative of a healthy and growing job market.

If you are interested in a career in foreign trade or international real estate then a Master’s in International Business degree is the best online master’s degree for you.

36. Online Master of Public Administration

Interested in working in the public sector? Want to find a career working in the government or for nonprofits? If this sounds like you then a Master of Public Administration degree is the best online master’s degree for you. Through the pursuit of a Master of Public Administration degree, students will study to learn what is needed to work in leadership and management roles in the public sector. Similar to a Master of Business Administration degree, those working through a Master of Public Administration degree will build up leadership and management skills but will learn how to apply them in a different type of setting. Students in this program will learn how to properly manage and lead local, state, and federal government offices. This will also prepare students for work within nonprofit organizations as well. Students will learn the purpose of public administration: to manage and implement public policy. They will study topics like public finance, policy analysis, public management, and much more. With a Master’s of Public Administration degree students will be prepared for a career in public policy.

With a completed Master’s of Public Administration degree students will have the education and skills needed to enter into a variety of management and leadership positions within the government. Whether working at the local, state, or federal level students will have the skills needed to manage and implement public policy. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, those working in public administration make a median annual salary of $62,249/year.

If you are interested in working for the government in implementing and managing public policy then a Master’s in Public Administration degree is for you.

37. Online Master’s of Criminal Justice

Want to work towards making the world safer from criminality? Interested in working within the criminal justice system to improve it and make it work better for the people? If so then a Master’s in Criminal Justice degree is the best online master’s degree for you. Through earning a Master’s in Criminal Justice degree, students will familiarize themselves with the latest research in criminological theory. Through the examination of this information, students will learn to develop new leadership strategies that will shape the direction of our criminal justice institutions and law enforcement agencies. Students will work to become experts in the variety of public policies that govern our criminal justice system. They will use their analytical skills to assess these policies in order to find ways they can be changed or strengthened. Students will study topics including criminology, the judicial process, and much more. Through this program students will become experts of criminal justice and criminality.

Through completing a Master’s in Criminal Justice degree, students will have developed the skills and knowledge needed to enter into a career within the criminal justice system. With a masters-level of education, students will be able to circumvent a variety of entry-level positions and move right into senior positions within a variety of different government and law enforcement agencies. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 40,000 new jobs in criminal justice will be added by 2022. The annual median salary of those working criminal justice is $59,950/year.

If you want to work within the criminal justice system to shape its future and make for a safer society then a Master’s in Criminal Justice is the best online master’s degree for you.

38. Online Master’s in Nutrition

Want to learn the effects of proper nutrition on the body? Want to help others understand their diets and nutrition to help improve their health? If this sounds like you then a Master’s in Nutrition degree might be the best online master’s degree for you. By pursuing a Master’s in Nutrition degree, students will learn the foundational science needed to understand the ways that humans process food for energy and nutrients. In a Master’s in Nutrition degree program, students will study a variety of topics including human biology, nutrition education, the food system, and much more. They will be expected to develop a much deeper understanding of the ways that the body utilized different nutrients to sustain itself. Students will also learn how to work with patients and clients to analyze their diets and habits in order to help asses ways that they can improve their nutrition and overall health. Through a Master’s in Nutrition degree, students will increase their communication and interpersonal skills as they work with patients to improve the quality of their lives.

With a completed Master’s in Nutrition degree, students will have gained the education and training needed to move on to become dietitians and work in clinical nutrition studies. Through the understanding of nutrition and diets, graduates will be able to become registered dietitians to help people develop better eating habits. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, dietitians nutritionists earn a median annual salary of $58,920/year. This industry is expected to grow 14% by the year 2026.

If you want to help promote health through proper nutrition then a Master’s in Nutrition degree is the best online master’s degree for you.

39. Online Master of Public Relations

With the advent of social media and the internet, brands and companies have become subject to much more public scrutiny than ever before. With the intensity of public attacks on brands increasing it is important that companies have a person skilled in public relations working to maintain the brand image. If this sounds of interest to you then a Master’s in Public Relations is the best online master’s degree for you. Through earning a Master’s in Public Relations degree, students will become experts in all things public relations. They will learn the skills needed to build, manage, and maintain a brands value. In a Master’s in Public Relations degree program students will learn how to leverage all the available media channels to control and shape the flow of information between a brand and the public. Students will study how to leverage new technologies of communication in order to properly broadcast knowledge to the public. They will also spend time studying crisis management techniques as it relates to potential brand image crises. Through this program of study, students will learn how to take control of a public relations narrative in order to guide it back to one that is positive and beneficial to the company, brand, or organization.

With a completed Master’s in Public Relations degree, students will be prepared with the skills needed to enter into a fruitful career in public relations. By earning a master’s degree they will have set themselves apart from the rest of the job market helping them to command higher salaries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, public relations specialists earn median annual salary of $58,020/year. Jobs in this industry are expected to grow by 9% by the year 2026.

If you are interested in becoming an expert in public relations then a Master’s in Public Relations degree is the best online master’s degree for you.

40. Online Master of Special Education

Are you interested in adapting your teaching career towards working with those with special needs? Do you want to help to provide those with special needs an education tailored towards their needs? If so then a Master’s in Special Education degree is the best online master’s degree for you to choose. Developing on the education built towards becoming a teacher, students will learn how to work with those with special needs through a Master’s in Special Education degree. Students will study a variety of different disabilities in order to gain an understanding of the ways that they can teach more effectively towards these students. Students in this program of study will study a variety of different nontraditional teaching methods and learning theories that have been found to be successful with those with special needs. Through this program of study, students will learn how to adapt lesson plans and design curriculum that plays towards the strengths of those with special needs in order to ensure that they too are gaining a quality education just like all students.

With a completed Master’s in Special Education degree, students will have gained an education that has prepared them to enter into the profession of teaching with the unique skillset needed to help teach those with special needs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual median salary of special education teachers is $57,910/year. This job market is expected to experience 8% job growth by the year 2026 which is indicative of a healthy and growing job market.

If you want to learn how to work with those with special needs in order to ensure that they are receiving a quality education then a Master’s in Special Education degree is the best online master’s degree for you.

41. Online Master’s in Journalism

Interested in a career in journalism? Want to work in broadcast news? If so, then a Master’s in Journalism degree might be the best online master’s degree for you. By pursuing a Master’s in Journalism degree, students will study the traditional theories of research and ethics that have guided the journalism industry and community since the very beginning. Students will be taught how to properly research stories, find sources, vet these sources for credibility, and compile research in order to author articles. Students will not only be expected to learn the traditional means of journalism, but will also learn how to apply journalistic techniques to modern mediums. That means that students will learn how to write for a variety of different platforms and media including social media platforms like Twitter, and creating digestible pieces of journalism in the form of video, podcasts, or other multimedia packaging. Students will also learn to use data visualization in order to add a new dimension to their journalistic content. They will learn to perform journalism for an increasingly digital world.

With a completed Master’s in Journalism degree, students will be able to enter into a variety of different careers in the journalism community. Students can choose to find jobs as reporters, correspondents, broadcast news analysts, and much more.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of a broadcast news analyst is $56,680/year. This industry is expected to shrink by 10% by the year 2026.

If you want to begin a career in journalism then a Master’s in Journalism is the best online master’s degree for you.

42. Online Master’s in History

Are you interested in becoming a historian? Want a career in collegiate research studying old cultures and teaching college students? If this sounds like you then a Master’s in History degree is the best online master’s degree for you to jumpstart your career. By pursuing a Master’s in History degree, students will expand their knowledge beyond current history and learn how history is made. Students will learn about the process of generating new history through the process of historical scholarship. They will learn how to analyze old texts and primary documents in order to build a clearer more vibrant picture of the past. Using evidence gained through historical research, students in a Master’s in History degree program will take this evidence to advance new arguments that suggest the true record of historical events. Students will learn how to fact-check their assertions against a variety of currently accepted historical records and primary sources to ensure that their assertions lineup with the current understanding of the past. A Master’s in History degree prepares students for the very meaningful role of understanding our past in order to relay it to the world at large.

With a completed Master’s in History degree, students can either choose to continue their education to the doctorate-level or they will choose a career in historical research. According the Bureau of Labor Statistics, historians earn a median annual salary of $55,110/year. This industry is expected to experience 5% job growth by the year 2026. Students looking for other careers in history can choose to work at museums or other research organizations.

If you are interested in studying our past and learning more about humanity then a Master’s in History degree is the best online master’s degree for you.

43. Online Master’s in Communication

Do you have a gift for conveying ideas and messages? Do you want to learn about how people communicate in order to tell the stories of individuals, brands, or companies? If this sounds like a career that you might be interested in then a Master’s in Communications degree might be the best online master’s degree for you. Working to build upon the skills built in undergraduate studies, students in a Master’s in Communications degree curriculum will further examine communication theory and communication techniques. Though a Master’s in Communication degree program, students will study topics including reputation management, marketing campaign design, communication ethics, and much more. Many new Master’s in Communication programs integrate new types of communication methods into their curriculums like social media platforms so students can learn to effectively communicate using these platforms. Through a Master’s in Communication degree students will learn how to become effective communicators across a variety of different media.

By completing a Master’s in Communication degree, students will have ability to enter a variety of different career paths. With this type of educations and skills that come along with it, students will be able to move into careers in advertising, marketing, product development, corporate communication, and much more. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, public relations careers are expected grow by 12% by 2022 and marketing research analysis jobs by 32%.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual median salary of those working in communication is $54,780.

If you are interested in learning more about communication and working with companies to tell their story then a Master’s in Communication is the best online master’s degree for you.

44. Online Master of Hospitality

The hospitality management industry is large and encompasses a variety of different types of hospitality institutions. If you are interested in a career working in hospitality to ensure the comfort of guests then a Master’s in Hospitality degree is the best online master’s degree for you. In a Master’s in Hospitality degree program, students will study a variety of topics necessary for managing a variety of different hospitality-related industries. That means students will gain the skills needed to manage hospitality businesses like hotels, restaurants, clubs, and much more. Through a Master’s in Hospitality degree program students will study a variety of crucial topics necessary to running a hospitality business. Students will study how to hire and manage staff. They will also learn how to carry out other important business functions such was payroll, human resources functions, and much more. Students in this program of study will also learn hospitality principles such as proper food service techniques, lodging, and how to ensure proper guest satisfaction. Through a Master’s in Hospitality degree, students will be prepared for a career managing a variety of different hospitality businesses.

With a completed Master’s in Hospitality degree, students will have the skills needed to manage a variety of different hospitality businesses. Students can take their hospitality skills to managing hotels, restaurants, country clubs, resorts, and much more. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, lodging managers earn an annual median salary of $51,840/year. This industry is expected to experience 6% job growth by the year 2026.

If you want a career in management of hotel, restaurant, or some other hospitality-related business then a Master’s in Hospitality degree is the best online master’s degree for you.

45. Online Master of Social Work

Click here for a list of our top online Master’s of Social Work degrees.

Through a Master’s in Social Work degree, students will gain the invaluable knowledge and insight needed to provide care and support to the most marginalized groups in our society. If you are somebody who is interested in working with people of all ages and backgrounds to help to promote their social welfare then a Master’s in Social Work degree is the best online master’s degree for you. Through a Master’s in Social Work degree program, students will learn more about the topics needed for a successful career in social work. Students will study early intervention, methods of prevention, and wellness in order to help promote healthy lifestyles for their patients. They will also spend time developing their understanding of behavioral sciences, social, sciences, and psychology in order to gain a better understanding of the ways that they can work with and understand different communities of people. With a Master’s in Social Work degree, students will study community organization and public advocacy in order to help empower people to be a force for change within their communities.

With a completed Master’s in Social Work degree, students will be prepared to enter into the workforce in a variety of different social work positions. Graduates can choose to work in child welfare and human services, community development corporations, mental health clinics, and other similar types of jobs.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in social work are expected to grow by 15% by the year 2026. The median annual salary for those working in social work is $42,990/year.

If you are interested in learning how to effect social change and help communities in need then a Master’s in Social Work degree is the best online master’s degree for you.

46. Online Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Mental health is an often overlooked but major component to the healthy well-being of people. If you want to help others work towards building a higher-quality of mental health and work with those in hard times to counsel them through then a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling might be the best online master’s degree for you. Through a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling degree, students will work to gain insight into the principles and techniques needed to succeed as a mental health counselor. In a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling degree program students will build a professional counseling identity that allows them to interface with those in need. They will spend time building social, cultural, and spiritual skills that will allow them to work with clients. Students will learn theories of human growth and development to better understand the causes of different mental illness. Through a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling degree, students will study a variety of different counseling theories and models to become better equipped to help people with mental health issues as they may arise.

With a completed Master’s in Mental Health Counseling degree, students will be prepared to enter into a variety of different careers. In order to work as a mental health counselor, graduates are often required to earn additional licensing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary off mental health counselors is $42,150/year. This industry is expected to experience 20% job growth by 2026 which is indicative of healthy job market growth.

If you are interested in working with people to improve their mental health then a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling degree is the best online master’s degree for you.

47. Online Master of Human Services Counseling

It might seem obvious but life can be quite complicated. Many people suffer through many issues on a day-to-day basis. Whether it be employment problems, or marriage issues, people often times need guidance and counseling through these tough events. If you are interested in pursuing a career in human services or counseling then a Master’s in Human Services Counseling degree is the best online master’s degree for you. In a Master’s in Human Services Counseling degree, students will study how to help provide people with guidance and counseling with a variety of different traumatic life events.  Students will learn how to work compassionately and listen to those who’re going through trying times. They will develop critical thinking and analytical skills necessary to help those in need to create action plans to help improve the quality of their lives. Students will study topics like addiction and substance abuse in order to help those suffering through these issues and to provide them with help and support. Other topics that students might cover include crisis response, marriage and family counseling, life coaching, executive leadership, and more. Through a Master’s in Human Services Counseling degree students will learn how to help guide people through a variety of different life events.

With a completed Master’s in Human Services Counseling degree, students will have gained the education needed to work in a variety of counseling occupations. Graduates can find jobs working as life coaches, wellness coach, life counselors, therapists, and much more. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, mental health counselors earn an annual median salary of $42,150/year. This industry is expected to experience job growth of 20% by the year 2026.

If you are interested in helping people deal with trying life events in order to help improve the quality of their lives then a Master’s in Human Services Counseling degree is the best online master’s degree for you.

48. Online Master’s in Health Informatics

A health care organizations grow more complex and larger, the need to maintain large stores of patient data has become more and more important. At the intersection of healthcare and information technology is a promising career in the field of health informatics. If you are interested in a career in health informatics then a Master’s in Health Informatics degree is the best online master’s degree for you. Within the field of health informatics, it is incredibly important that the data being handled is handled as safely and securely as possible as it contains very sensitive and private patient data. Through a Master’s in Health Informatics degree program, students will learn how to design, plan, build, and maintain massive database and information technology systems designed to store patient data in a safe and secure manner. Through this program of study, students will study the variety of different industry regulations and codes that govern the safekeeping off patient records. Students will learn how to develop systems that follow these codes and ensure the safe record keeping of patient records.

With a completed Master’s in Health Informatics degree, students will have developed the information technology skills and healthcare knowledge needed to work in IT jobs within the field of healthcare. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, health informatics technicians jobs are expected to grow 22% by 2022. The median annual salary of health information technicians is $41,460/year. This is good starting salary in a job industry with high projected job growth.

If you are interested in a career in information technology in the field of healthcare then a Master’s in Health Informatics degree is the best online master’s degree.

49. Online Master of Sports Management

Are you interested in a career in the sports industry? Do you want to gain the skills and insight needed to work in the management of sporting teams or sports talent? If this sounds like you then a Master’s of Sports Management degree is the best online master’s degree for you. Through a Master’s of Sports Management degree program students will study to gain the skills needed to successfully manage a roster of sports players or manage a single athlete.  As the sports industry changes and grows the requirements and demands of sports managers increases. In this program of study, students will learn how to manage the complexities of sports teams. They will learn how to ensure that their athletes are undergoing effective training regimens, while ensuring that they are leading healthy lifestyles. Students will learn about fitness management and athletic administration, two skills crucial to successful sports management. Students in this program of study will also learn business skills that are needed for the proper management of a sports enterprise. Through the completion of a Masters’ of Sports Management degree, students will be prepared to manage athletes.

With a completed Master’s of Sports Management degree, students will be ready to begin a career working in the sports industry. Students will be ready to enter into roles as team managers, work as coaches, or scouts. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in coaching and scouting are expected to increase 13% by the hear 2026. The median annual salary for these jobs is $31,460/year.

If you are interested in working in the sports industry then a Master’s of Sports Management degree is the best online master’s degree for you.

50. Online Master of Gerontology

As people age and grow older it is integral that we have people that are trained and ready to help the aging population. With age new health issues and care taking needs crop up and so does opportunity for work for those interested in helping people are aging. If you are interested in a career working with people in their old age then a Master’s in Gerontology degree is the right online master’s degree for you. Through a Master’s in Gerontology degree students will study a variety of different topics crucial to working with the aging population. Students will study topics in medicine and physical therapy in order to understand how to provide proper medical care to those as they age while also learning how to provide them with physical therapy to them in order to ensure quality of life as they age.  Students will also study occupational therapy and other health related fields in order to ensure their health as well. Through this program of study, students in a Master’s in Gerontology degree will also study law and ethics as it pertains to the aging population in order to ensure that patients are being cared for in a way that is both legal and treats them with dignity and respect.

With a completed Master’s in Gerontology degree, students will have gained the hard and soft skills necessary for a career working with aging populations. Many of these students will find work in jobs managing home health aid and personal care.  According the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of  those working in home health aide is $22,170/year. This industry is expected to experience 40% job growth by the year 2026.

If you want to learn how to care for those who are growing older to provide them with healthcare and comfort as they age then a Master’s in Gerontology degree is the best online master’s degree for you.

For Further Reading:

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Top 10 Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Environmental Science

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What Degree Do I Need to Be a Policy Analyst?

What Degree Do I Need to Be a Crime Analyst?

What Degree Do I Need to Be a Tax Accountant?

How Do I Become a Financial Forensics Investigator?

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

What Salary Can You Expect With a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice?

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

How Long Does It Take to Become a Psychologist?

What Masters in Social Work Salary Can I Expect After I Earn My Degree?

How Long Does It Take to Become an Accountant?

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