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Dig into the world of biomedical engineering. You’ll find it’s easy to get carried away with the Dr. Octopus of it all!

This is, after all, the field that blends engineering with medical science.

How far of a leap is it from improving the fit of a prosthetic foot to the hero-defeating villainy of robotic super appendages?

Pretty far, it turns out. The reality of biomedical engineering (BME) is less “climactic, city-leveling superhero battle.” And it’s more “meticulous study and research.” 

“Biomedical engineering” is an umbrella term that comprises numerous fields. The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts it simply.

Biomedical engineers combine engineering with medical science to design and produce equipment, devices, computer systems, and software used in health care. That generalization overlooks the many specializations within biomedical engineering.

There are medical devices like implants, biomedical sensors, prosthetics, and orthotics.

There’s also:

• bioinformatics (using software to study biological data)
• tissue engineering
• genetic engineering
• neural engineering
• biomaterials
• optics
• imaging
• bionics (i.e., artificial body parts)

The list goes on and on.

Many universities have their own specialties under the biomedical engineering umbrella. This can be further personalized depending on students’ interests and career aspirations.

BME is an interdisciplinary field. It emerged in the past few decades as its own field, and not just a specialization of engineering itself. Many schools’ BME programs are fairly new. For example, the one at San Jose State University only became a separate entity in 2018. 

See Also: 10 Best Master’s in Industrial Engineering

Admissions Requirements for the Top Biomedical Engineering Graduate Schools

For any aspiring biomedical engineering student, being accepted into one of the top graduate schools is essential to success.

Admissions requirements are becoming more demanding due to an increasing number of people interested in the profession. Many of these top schools require test scores such as Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. The top graduate biomedical engineering schools also ask for college transcripts  with a high GPA as part of their admissions process.

These test scores and grades provide universities a snapshot into each applicant’s academic background. They also give them the vital information needed to match up with the right program that coincides with a student’s personal goals.

In many cases, the top BME graduate schools also ask graduate students to submit the following:

• Personal statements
• Letters of recommendation
• Evidence of work experience
• TOEFL scores
• An interview

How Much Money Can You Make After Completing Biomedical Engineering Programs?

Pursuing a career in biomedical engineering can be rewarding. And not just in terms of personal satisfaction.

Biomedical engineers can contribute to the advancement of treatments for health issues from all around the world.

Pursuing a degree in these fields also offers some generous financial rewards. According to analyses from U.S. News & World Report, salaries for biomedical engineering roles are around $92,000 per year. This is an impressive wage that cater to all levels of experience.

From entry-level jobs to those requiring significant expertise and qualifications, biomedical engineers can enjoy access to a  promising profession with ever-increasing potential.

Ready to Earn a Degree in Biomedical Engineering?

There are countless opportunities within the BME subfield. Common engineering fields that you might choose to pursue include:

• Medical and biological engineering
• Molecular bioengineering
• Mechanical engineering and other applied sciences and engineering disciplines
• Medical technology and translational medicine
• Neuro engineering
• Regenerative medicine and artificial organs
• Biological engineering and systems biology

Ready to become a biomedical engineer? Check out our biomedical engineering graduate programs rankings!

Best Biomedical Engineering Graduate Schools

#1 – GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY-MAIN CAMPUS

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING

Engineering is Georgia Tech’s raison d’etre. So it makes sense that this university has one of the best biomedical engineering graduate schools, too.

When the school opened its doors in 1888 as the Georgia School of Technology, it offered one degree. That was engineering. It opened to help bring some industrial knowhow to the agrarian South. It later adopted the name Georgia Institute of Technology in the 1940s. This was to reflect its emergence as a leader in technological and scientific research.

Biomedical engineering fits  into the school’s mission. It makes it the obvious choice for the top spot on our list. And we’re not the only ones who see it this way.

In early 2019, three engineers from its Coulter Department of Biomechanical Engineering won the distinguished Gordon Prize for Innovation in Engineering and Technology Education. The award is from the National Academy of Engineering. It recognized their “pioneering program” of “fusing problem-driven engineering education with learning-science principles.” The school’s biomedical engineering program is on the cutting edge. Even better, it’s affordable. At a net price of $16,950, Georgia Tech in the bottom half of our list for cost. 

The program is fairly new by Georgia Tech standards. It began in 1997. But it is also unique, in that it’s the result of a partnership between public and private universities. This is between Georgia Tech’s College of Engineering and Emory University’s School of Medicine. That partnership has resulted in a curriculum and research focus on six areas:

• biomedical imaging and instrumentation (think MRIs, CT scans, PET scans, ultrasounds, etc.)
• biomaterials and regenerative technologies (working with living tissue)
• cellular engineering and mechanics (working on the cellular level)
• biomedical informatics and systems modeling (developing software for understanding biological data)
• neuroengineering (working within neural systems)
• biomedical robotics (robots!)

The BME degree requires 30 credit hours. There are both thesis and non-thesis options. The latter requires 30 hours of coursework. This includes at least three each in bioscience, engineering, and data science, and at least nine hours of electives. The thesis track limits coursework to 21 hours.

Students take the same courses, except for six hours of electives. There are nine hours of thesis work. Each student designs their best mix of bioscience, data science, and engineering courses with an advisor. This is based on their background, professional goals, and research interests. 

Prospective students must:

• hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• have experience with biomedical engineering, such as a bachelor’s degree or professional work

This master’s degree in biomedical engineering is without a doubt one of the best in the world. With access to countless medical diagnostics research facilities, bio imaging facilities, and much more, it has a lot to offer in the field of biomedical innovation.

#2. SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING

San Jose State’s history dates back to 1857. But its biomedical engineering program may be the newest of the schools on this list. Don’t let its age fool you, though. Even though this school is new to medical and biological engineering, it is one of the top biomedical engineering grad schools in the world. 

The Biomedical Engineering Department was only established as a separate entity in July 2018, and SJSU didn’t offer degree programs in biomedical engineering – at the undergrad or graduate level – until 2011. (Prior to that, students could study bioengineering as an emphasis in an engineering bachelor’s degree.) SJSU has wasted no time since establishing biomedical engineering as a degree, bringing on faculty and building new facilities for the program, which now includes 340 undergrads and 110 graduate students among its 32,000-plus student body. This aggressive forward momentum is part of SJSU’s Transformation 2030, which aims to realize “the university’s potential as a nationally prominent urban public university.” It’s on the way: U.S. News & World Report ranked San Jose State at No. 5 in its Top Public Schools for the western U.S. Its location in the heart of Silicon Valley – the school bills itself as “Powering Silicon Valley” – makes it especially attractive for a tech-minded field like biomedical engineering. The Department of Biomedical Engineering takes a cue from the tech world with its lofty ambitions: “to be a recognized leader in translational biomedical research; to provide hands-on education focused on solving real world biomedical problems; and to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the service of human well being.” Unsurprisingly, it has some fairly rigorous admissions standards. The school has a battery of so-called “transition courses” – general chemistry, calculus-based physics, materials engineering, and more – that either must be present on applicants’ undergrad transcripts (with at least a B average) or taken while at SJSU. If the latter, those students are assigned “conditionally classified” standing at the school until they complete the coursework. Prospective students need a 3.0 GPA to apply for the master’s program, or a GRE score of 315 or higher in verbal and quantitative reasoning, along with a 3.5 or higher in analytical writing. Once in the program, San Jose State requires 30 semester units for a master’s in biomedical engineering, which are accrued via two tracks: thesis or project. The thesis option includes 16 units of coursework (with subjects like “Physiology for Engineers,” “Experimental Methods in Biomedical Engineering,” “Medical Device Design and Principles,” and more), nine units of electives (such as “Tissue Engineering,” “Biomaterials,” and “Orthotics and Prosthetics”), and five thesis units. The project option is the same, except with 12 units of electives. 

#3 – WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING

Where other programs speak in general terms about the applications of their curriculum, Worcester Polytechnic Institute gets into specifics. Its grad students collaborate on projects like designing, producing, and testing biomaterials in engineered blood vessels and creating “a valve-scale 3-D in-vitro tissue model using heart valve cells.” At the foundation of WPI’s curriculum lies advanced, independent research (with advisor guidance) conducted at the school’s 125,000-square-foot Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center. It boasts an enviable list of lab and equipment capabilities, such as biomaterials fabrication, microfabrication, bioinstrumentation, histology, and cell culturing.

Graduate students work on multi-disciplinary teams with faculty and external collaborators, so that it feels less like top-down instruction and more like joint problem-solving.

WPI allows students – who are expected to have an undergraduate degree or “strong background” in engineering, physics, computer science, and applied mathematics – to tailor their curriculum according to their academic background, interests, experience, and professional goals. During the first semester, students create an individualized Plan of Study, which they submit to the BME Graduate Studies Committee. Periodic check-ins with the committee ensure students remain on course to satisfy all degree requirements. Like other programs on this list, WPI offers a master’s via a thesis- or project-based track. Both require 30 credit hours, which comprise 12 hours of BME coursework, a minimum of six credits for a thesis or project, and 12 credits of electives. (Among the electives are courses like graduate-level engineering, math, and physics.) For added flexibility, some courses may be taken online, and coursework and thesis/final project work can be done via internships, co-ops within the industry, or even while the student is employed full-time. 

#4 – GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING

George Washington had a lot of good ideas – loading Dorchester Heights with artillery to end the siege of Boston, establishing a two-term tradition for presidents, making whiskey at his home – so it’s hard to say where “founding a national American university” falls on the list.

One of GW’s biggest strengths comes from its location in Washington, D.C., which means proximity to a variety of renowned research hospitals and government agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the Children’s National Medical Center. Like others, GW’s program – which takes two years to complete if studying full-time or three if studying part-time – uses an interdisciplinary approach to prepare students for the array of potential careers that a master’s in biomedical engineering affords. The school also likes to showcase the breadth of study and research areas for students, such as cardiac electrophysiology, cancer therapy, microfluidics, optogenetics, and robotics, among others.

GW prefers prospective students to have an undergraduate engineering degree (with a minimum 3.0 GPA), though people lacking one may still be granted admission, so long as they take “deficiency courses” during their first semester at the school. The biomedical engineering program requires 30 credits, with the standard thesis and non-thesis options. Both require 18 credits from required courses, though the non-thesis option requires 12 elective credits, with the thesis option comprising six elective and six thesis credits. Among the elective options is the pretty awesome-sounding “Introduction to Human Health in Space.” (Free suggestion, GW: Punch up that name to “Introduction to Human Health…in Space!”) The course may sound fantastical, but GW has produced at least two astronauts and three NASA administrators, so it may come in handy. The regular courses for the BME master’s don’t sound as cool – “Regulatory Law for Medical Devices,” “Image Engineering,” “Biomedical Signal Analysis,” and so on – but they can’t all be about the effects of zero G on cardiac function, now can they? At $39,600 per semester, GW is at the pricier end of the spectrum, but U.S. News & World Report ranks it No. 68 in Best Value Schools. More germane to its BME program, GW is ranked No. 37 on the publication’s Most Innovative Schools list. 

#5 – STEVENS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

MASTER OF ENGINEERING

Located just outside of Manhattan in neighboring Hoboken, NJ, Stevens Institute of Technology goes hard at biomedical engineering: It’s the second of the school’s six “foundational research pillars” and housed at its Center for Healthcare Innovation. 

Like others on this list, SIT’s master’s program is designed to be flexible and tailored toward students’ interests. Full- or part-time enrollment is available, and both thesis and research tracks are offered. Prospective students must have an undergraduate degree in engineering or physics (with a minimum 3.0 GPA); the school suggests that those who do not have one look into its master’s in bioengineering program. The BME master’s degree requires the standard 30 credits of graduate work, though only six of them come in the form of required coursework. The other 24 hours are geared toward students’ research projects or professional development goals. Students on the thesis track earn nine thesis credits, while those who are not complete a six-credit research or design project, in addition to three credits of graduate coursework. The six required credits of coursework are “Strategies and Principles in Biomedical Design” and “Selected Topics in Biomedical Engineering.” Everything else is up to the student (with sage input from their advisor). With so much left to students’ individual preferences, SIT offers a significant array of courses, such as “Biomechanics,” “Natural Polymers in Medicine,” “Movement Control Rehabilitation,” and the science fiction-sounding “Introduction to Brain-Machine Interfaces.”

SIT’s excellence comes at a price. At a net cost of $39,862, SIT is one of the more expensive options on this list, but ask yourself: If it’s good enough for the drummer of Slipknot, isn’t it good enough for me? Okay, maybe that’s a bad example. It’s probably better to take a look at the school’s website for a list of career opportunities (clinical engineer, regulatory specialist, and others) from organizations who have hired SIT students, such as Merck, Johnson & Johnson, U.S. Veterans Affairs, and many others. SIT also touts its proximity to New York City, home to myriad BME companies and powerbrokers, all of whom are just a short PATH train ride away.

#6 – LAWRENCE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING

Lawrence Technological University is located in Southfield, MI, just a little under 20 miles northeast of Detroit. Like seemingly everything else in Michigan, it owes its existence, at least in part, to Henry Ford, who loaned some space next to his Model T plant for the school to get started in 1932. At the time, Detroit was the center of innovation and manufacturing in the United States, and though it has seen hard times the past 40-plus years, it – and Michigan – has found new life in the tech industry.

With four dedicated instructors, LTU has a fairly small biomedical engineering team, but they aren’t the only ones with BME on the brain. For example, Assistant Professor Jinjun Xia, from the school’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, won a $151,000 grant in 2019 to study tissue-engineered blood vessels, which falls squarely in the world of biomedical engineering. Like SIT above, LTU requires an undergraduate degree in engineering (“or a related field”) with a minimum 3.0 GPA to enter its BME master’s program. The curriculum is similar to other programs, with 30 credits required to graduate via a thesis or non-thesis track. Students opting for the thesis route will need 18 credits in core courses, three to six in electives, and six to nine for their thesis. Project-based study also requires 18 credits of core courses, but six to nine elective credits, and another three to six for their design project. Among the core courses, there is a trio of “Engineering Analysis” classes, along with “Quantitative Physiology,” “Bioelectrical Physics,” and “Cell Mechanobiology.” Electives include options like “Biomedical Simulations,” “Surface Chemistry,” and “Applications of Engineering in Orthopedics.” 

The LTU curriculum is highly collaborative, pairing students and instructors for research, and the school strongly encourages co-ops and internships, so students get real-world experience before graduating. The university hosts several job fairs throughout the year for employers with co-op positions and an annual Science & Technology Showcase, where students and faculty discuss their work (which also draws employers from the region). In addition, the school offers workshops and individual coaching to help students prepare for the job market. 

#7 – MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING

A powerhouse in sports, academia, and student-body population (more than 50,000 – 10,000 of them grad students), Michigan State University needs no introduction. Located in central Michigan, in East Lansing, it has long been one of the most well-known public universities in the United States. In short, Michigan State boasts a lot of resources, like the Institute for Quantitative Health Sciences and Engineering (a.k.a. MSU IQ). It’s a huge new research center “dedicated to basic and applied research at the intersection of engineering, human medicine, and natural science.” Unsurprisingly, the Department of Biomedical Engineering calls the IQ home, with separate divisions for BME-related studies in biomedical devices, biomedical imaging, neuroengineering, and synthetic biology, among others. With the new facility, MSU seems to be on a roll; in the spring of 2019, it landed a $1.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study ways to improve brain implants for treating conditions like Alzheimer’s, PTSD, and depression. 

To join MSU’s biomedical engineering program, prospective students need an undergraduate degree in BME or a related field (the university stipulates students lacking a BME undergrad degree may have to complete “collateral coursework,” which may not count toward the master’s degree), along with a GPA “that would indicate success in graduate study” (ideally, 3.0 or above).

Thesis-track students receive four to eight credits for their thesis and must complete the “Biomedical Engineering Seminar.” The program has a suite of lower-level courses such as “Biomaterials and Biocompatibility” and “Biofluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer,” though they can only account for six credits toward the master’s degree. The program has few upper-level lecture courses (“Research Methods” and “Biosensor Principles and Applications” among them), with most graduate credit coming from more independently minded, student-led study (such as “Selected Topics in Biomedical Engineering,” where students examine “special topics in biomedical engineering of current importance”). 

#8 – FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING

Search “Florida Institute of Technology alumni,” and the results will be a bunch of people in space suits and important-looking military uniforms, which makes sense. The university began in 1958 to support NASA, which was also founded in that year. Located in Melbourne, FL, Florida Tech lies just 35 miles south of the Kennedy Space Center, along what’s known as the Space Coast. (The campus itself is only about 20 minutes from the beach, which may help or hinder studying.) 

Like others, Florida Tech’s BME master’s program requires an undergraduate degree in the field or one similar. If a student’s undergrad degree isn’t sufficient, they’ll likely need to complete some preparatory coursework before starting the program. Once admitted, students choose from three areas of specialization: biomechanics; biomedical instrumentation, imaging, and computation; and biomaterials/tissue engineering. Students must complete 30 credit hours to earn a master’s degree, either with a thesis or without one. Interestingly, master’s students earning money through teaching or research assistantships must take the thesis route. As other schools do, Florida Tech allows students to customize their coursework according to their interests, but they must submit a master’s degree program plan before completing nine credit hours. Both thesis and non-thesis tracks demand nine semester credit hours of required courses (“Biomedical Applications in Physiology,” “Biomedical Engineering Analysis 1,” “Applied Physiology”), a “Biomedical Engineering Seminar” each semester (for zero credits), and three additional biomedical engineering credits, for a total of 18 credit hours. The remaining hours are filled by 12 hours of approved electives (for non-thesis students), or six hours of electives plus six hours of thesis work. Florida Tech’s BME site helpfully breaks down the course options for each specialization. For instance, biomechanics requires “Advanced Biomechanics” and “Orthopedic Biomechanics,” then students can choose another class from a list of six, such as “Transport Processes in Bioengineering,” “Tissue Engineering and Regeneration,” and “Biomaterials.” Students planning to write a thesis will need advance approval of the topic from their faculty committee. Non-thesis students must pass a final exam during their last semester in order to graduate. 

#9 – FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING

With nearly 48,000 students enrolled, Florida International University,  in Miami, consistently ranks as one of the largest schools in the United States – U.S. News & World Report most recently listed it at No. 3 – and coupled with its status as a research university, FIU has some serious pull. The Carnegie Commission on Higher Education classifies it as a level R1 school for “very high research activity” in doctoral studies, and the Department of Biomedical Engineering notes that it ranks high for best value and most popular BME programs nationwide. It’s hard to argue about the value part: FIU’s program costs $9,180, significantly lower than the next-cheapest one on our list, and it is tens of thousands less than the most expensive. For price-conscious prospective students, the cost alone would be enough to make FIU the best option, but it has plenty else going for it. 

Unlike other biomedical engineering programs, which simply split the field between thesis and non-thesis options, FIU offers three tracks and specializations: professional, research, and orthotics and prosthetics. The professional specialization is geared toward engineers already working in the field and students interested in a management career within the biomedical industry. It requires 27 credit hours of coursework and a three-hour capstone project. The research track prepares students for continued graduate study or a career in the research side of biomedical engineering. It offers thesis and project-based options and requires 30 credit hours, with a minimum of 24 hours of coursework (15 hours in specialty electives, six in math core courses, and three in a life-science elective), including one semester of the “Biomedical Engineering Seminar.” Students working on a thesis earn six credit hours for it, and the master’s project option offers three. The orthotics and prosthetics track includes training in life science, such as anatomy, kinesiology, pathology, and normal pathological gait, according to the department’s website. It also offers engineering training with biomechanics, material science, research skills, and the production and evaluation processes for orthotic and prosthetic devices. This track differs from the others in that the hours and course requirements are less regimented, and it is but one step in a process toward certification. As FIU’s course catalogue notes, earning a master’s in BME from this track prepares graduates for earning a certificate issued by another organization, such as the International Institute of Orthotics and Prosthetics. A residency follows that, and finally, the Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics Practitioner Certification Exam by the American Board of Certification. For people wanting to get into the field of orthotics and prosthetics, a master’s in biomedical engineering from Florida International University is the beginning of a journey that they will complete somewhere else. 

#10 – VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING

First, no one uses the 18-syllable monster of a name you see above, instead opting for the simpler “Virginia Tech.” Second, its School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences (SBES) is the result of a partnership among three entities: the Virginia Tech College of Engineering, the Wake Forest School of Medicine, and the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. That trio means prospective graduate students have numerous options to pursue here, from an MS or Ph.D. in biomedical engineering to a DVM/Ph.D. through the vet school or an MD/Ph.D. via Wake Forest’s medical school. (Graduate diplomas feature both Virginia Tech and Wake Forest logos.) Students may enter the master’s program in biomedical engineering at Virginia Tech, in Blacksburg, VA, or at Wake Forest, in Winston-Salem, NC. To get in, a 3.5 GPA is “preferred” (sounds like there’s wiggle room on that one) with a BS degree, along with a GRE score of 310 or higher (verbal and quantitative reasoning) and 4.0 or higher in analytical writing. Once enrolled, students will find nine areas of concentration: biomechanics, tissue engineering, biomedical imaging, neuroengineering, nanomedicine and nanobioengineering, translational cancer research, cardiovascular engineering, biomaterials, and automotive safety. While Virginia Tech recommends students stick to the concentration area requirements set by each faculty group, they don’t have to focus on one of those specific areas, and the school affords students some flexibility in mapping out their coursework according to their interests and professional goals. That said, Virginia Tech requires a thesis, which students will need to successfully defend, and they must pass a final exam to earn the master’s degree. Students also participate in the annual SBES Research Symposium each spring and complete an oral research presentation once before they graduate. Beyond that, the MBE program details are pretty typical: 30 credits are needed to graduate, with 21-24 of them coming from coursework, and six to nine from the thesis research. The course load breaks down like this: nine engineering course credits, including “Quantitative Cell Physiology” and “Quantitative Systems Physiology”; three credits of graduate-level mathematics (either pure math or statistics); three credits of life science; six to nine elective credits; and research making up whatever remains to reach 30. There’s also a seminar required for BME graduate students every semester, along with a one-time ethics course.

OTHER NOTABLE PROGRAMS

#11. Carnegie Mellon University

Location: Pittsburgh

Degree: Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering

Net Price: $30,847

Website

#12. Illinois Institute of Technology

Location: Chicago

Degree: Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering

Net Price: $25,814

Website

#13. Duke University

Location: Durham, NC

Degree: Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering

Net Price: $19,785

Website

#14. Drexel University

Location: Philadelphia

Degree: Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering

Net Price: $36,727

Website

#15. University of Wisconsin-Madison

Location: Madison, WI

Degree: Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering

Net Price: $14,169

Website

#16. Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis

Location: Indianapolis

Degree: Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering

Net Price: $9,371

Website

#17. Brown University

Location: Providence, RI

Degree: Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering

Net Price: $27,238

Website

#18. Catholic University of America

Location: Washington, D.C.

Degree: Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering

Net Price: $36,080

Website

#19. Columbia University in the City of New York

Location: New York

Degree: Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering

Net Price: $21,220

Website

#20. Northwestern University

Location: Evanston, IL

Degree: Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering

Net Price: $27,540

Website

Getting a master’s in education can create new and interesting opportunities. In fact, an affordable masters in education can make it possible for anyone to work within a variety of elementary and secondary school settings.

But, like so many degree programs in the modern era, cost can be a huge problem. We’re here to help with the cheapest online master’s in education.

Americans across the board are more educated than ever before. And it’s not just online master education programs they’re completing, either! There are about 21 million master’s degree holders across the nation. That’s 13.1% of adults over age 25 in 2011 versus just 8.6 percent in the year 2000. That’s according to the US Census Bureau.

These degree recipients are spread across a variety of fields. But over 20% hold a master’s in education. This type of graduate degree allows educators to move into administrative positions. You can take on different types of responsibilities. Of course, you can also earn more competitive salaries.

See Also: 10 Best Master’s in Industrial Engineering

Cheapest Online Masters in Education

Why pursue the cheapest online education masters? There are lots of reasons.

First, it’s important that educators continue to learn and grow. That way, you can better serve your communities and student populations. You also deserve to get the biggest bang for your educational buck.

Finishing that online master’s in education will give you a great sense of accomplishment. It can also make you a better teacher. You can fill in gaps that you may have struggled with during years of field work. You may find new and better ways to apply the techniques you were already using in your classroom within your master’s degree.

A master’s degree is still a big investment, though. This is why it helps to save all you can while still learning a lot.

If you’re thinking of pursuing any of the online master’s degree programs on this list, be sure to think about what kind of financial aid is available. We’ll help you find the best online master’s degree programs in our guide.

See Also: Best Affordable Master’s Degree Programs

Cheapest Online Master’s in Education

Teachers aren’t the only ones who can benefit from an online master’s in education. If you’ve ever considered a move into administration, having additional education can only help your case. 

A master’s degree in education may not always be necessary. But having the unique training that goes with an educational administration track will prepare you for anything.

You can achieve your dreams of working for an entire school or district’s population of  students. That is, rather than just a classroom-full. Educational administrators can help shape the future of education on a larger scale. They can help graduate at many different levels. A master’s degree will help you meet any career goals you might have.

Online education provides flexibility for people who are already working in their field, but are seeking to expand their knowledge base. These programs are administered through accredited colleges and universities. You may be relieved to know that there’s nothing different about the quality of learning between an online degree and a seated master’s degree.

Common Admission Requirements

Ready to look into the cheapest education masters online? You probably have a lot of questions before you jump in. Don’t worry, you’re not the only one! 

Here are some common questions about the cheapest education masters and all their answers. Admission requirements vary so be sure to check with your specific school.

How Long Does an Online Master’s in Education Take to Complete?

In the cheapest education masters, you will be able to work at your own pace. Therefore, your program length will depend on how many courses you’re able to complete each term.

Most online programs will take about two years to complete. That’s just like in a seated master’s degree environment. A few schools have accelerated programs. These can be completed in just 18 months.

Will I Need to Take the GRE for a Masters in Education Online Cheap?

The pre-admission testing process varies from school to school. A typical graduate program requires online graduate students to take either the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) or the lesser-known Miller Analogies Test (MAT).

The MAT measures your problem solving abilities using a battery of comparisons. The GRE is more of a general knowledge test. If your school accepts either, it may be worth it to take both as practice exams. You can then choose the one you completed the best as your entrance exam.

Not all affordable online master’s degrees include test scores as part of their admission requirements. Always ask if you’re not sure.

What Do I Need to Apply to an Online Master?

Admission requirements vary between schools and programs. For most you’ll need the following:

• Letters of recommendation
• Official graduate entrance exam scores
• Official transcripts from prior schools (required hours of coursework or credit hours might vary – and some schools accept unofficial transcripts, too)
• Personal statements
• Proof of English proficiency
• Proof of valid teaching license
• Application fee or fee waiver

Some schools may not have this many requirements. Others may have different requirements. Prospective graduate students should always check with the admissions department before they begin their applications. Allow as much time as possible for your application to be completed. It may take some time to collect all of these materials that are needed as part of the admission requirements. 

Keep in mind that admission requirements can vary depending on what sort of advanced degree students applying for might be interested in.

Some popular areas for online graduate students pursuing graduate education include:

• Online master in English education
• Online master’s degree specializing in classroom teaching for elementary school teachers, middle school educators, secondary educators, and even online schools
• Online master in adult education
• Online master in educational administration (school principal, superintendent, CSE chair, etc)
• Online master in mental health counseling
• Online master’s degree in educational research
• Online master in instructional leadership
• Online master in public administration
• Online master’s degree in classroom management
• Online master’s degree with a specialization in math, science, engineering, social sciences, foreign language, etc etc
• Online master’s degree in educational technology
• Online master’s degree in physical education
• Online master’s degree in teacher leadership (often a Master of Arts in Education in Educational Leadership)
• Online master training for curriculum specialists

Many schools offer accelerated online programs. These let you get the necessary coursework and teaching experience in just a year or two. In some cases, you can even pursue teaching licensure after completing an affordable online master’s degree. This is an important question to ask when you’re looking at the many cheapest online master’s degrees out there. If teaching licensure is a goal, ask if it will be possible with the specific affordable online master’s programs you’re looking at.

What to Look for in Online Degree Programs

When you’re looking at online degree programs, it’s important that you consider not only your needs for online learning, but the quality of each online master’s degree.

Most online degree programs fall under the same rigorous standards as on campus master’s degree options.

After you’ve decided which area of study to pursue in your online master’s (educational leadership, curriculum development, special education, etc) think about which affordable online master’s programs are the best. Which will help you meet your goals for professional development the best?

You will want to look at some of the following factors:

• Accreditation – the best online programs are regionally accredited by organizations like the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission
• Online learning technology – what tools are available to help you in your educaitonal journey
• Financial aid – more on this below!
• Support for prospective students – things like advising, career coaching, faculty support, and so on

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Choosing an affordable online Master’s in Education is just the first step. The next is figuring out how you’re going to pay for it. An affordable master’s degree program is still a lot more than nickels and dimes. The good news is that you don’t have to go digging in your couch (and all the neighbor’s couches, too!) to come up with funding. While a master of science in education will almost always be more expensive than. bachelor’s degree, it is possible to find an affordable online master’s. 

Most graduate students need some form of private and federal student aid. When looking at the cheapest masters in education, here are some options for graduate students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree. 

Student Loans

The reality is that student loans are the financial cornerstone of most educational funding. At the graduate level, subsidized loans are seldom offered. You should be able to borrow more than enough to pay for tuition and books without trouble.

Stafford loans do not require a credit check or underwriting in the same way that private sector student loans do. You wouldn’t be in a position where you’d need a co-borrower or to provide any collateral. Your education is your collateral. These loans are accessible to most borrowers.

Scholarships, Fellowships and Grants

There are many scholarships, fellowships and grants available to people seeking a master’s in education. Some, like the TEACH grant, are meant to help bring more high quality educators into schools that are disadvantaged.

Others, like post-baccalaureate Pell Grants, help graduate students who still have financial need despite their employment. They help them earn additional accreditation in education to improve their base pay as an educator. The tuition assistance is a big help, too!

Particular disciplines may offer fellowships or grants for specific subject matter as well.

Grants and fellowships are also available exclusively for minority and female students wishing to pursue degrees in education. These are often offered at your university or local level. There are a number of solid search engines that specialize in graduate school grant funding. These will help greatly expand your search for funding.

Be sure to read instructions with a keen eye for details. Just like admission requirements vary, so, too, do financial aid requirements.

Applying for Aid

Every student should start their financial aid process by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This will let your university see your educational picture and offer supportive aid when needed. Some aid is based on your GPA alone. But a great deal of aid is also need-based. The FAFSA helps your student aid department determine how your need compares to other students at your school.

Follow the application instructions to the letter. When an essay is required, remember to keep your focus on how meeting your educational goals will help others, not just you. Many students fail to treat application essays much the same as resume cover letters. They miss out on aid they would have otherwise been excellent candidates for.

How Much Can I Make With a Master’s in Education? 

No one goes into education for the income alone. But many people in the field do extra educational work in order to increase their earning potential over time.

Some districts will pay for all or some of a master’s in education. But many educators and administrators must foot the bill themselves. Therefore, it’s important to know you’ll be able to pay back what you invested.

Potential Earnings With a Bachelor’s in Education

The National Council on Teacher Quality (NTCQ) is an organization that monitors teacher income and supports teachers in other aspects of their careers. Based on their data, first time educators with a bachelor’s degree earn a median of $40,000 to $44,900.

The very top earners can receive compensation of over $55,000 per year. But these are often limited to high cost of living areas or very high demand fields.

Earning More with the Cheapest Education Masters

Holding a master’s in education gives you more opportunities to earn more. That’s whether or not you intend to stay in the classroom. Most districts recognize the time and effort you put into your profession. They realize that you’re bringing a great deal more to the table as you gain more specialized knowledge.

The master’s in education also gives you more opportunities for working in administrative positions. You can even work in subjects that are harder to fill. You might qualify for an entry level university position. You could even take on a teaching job at your local community college. This would never be possible with a bachelor’s alone.

We’ll cover the top online master’s degree in education options below. But if this list isn’t enough, know that you can find other excellent full time study programs at schools like:

• The University of North Texas
• Western Governors University
• University of Texas Permian Basin
• Kansas State University
• Sam Houston State University
• Arizona State University
• South Dakota State University
• Old Dominion University
• Kennesaw State University
• Wilmington University
• Valdosta State University
• Lamar University
• Southeast Missouri State University
• University of South Carolina

All of these schools offer affordable graduate tuition and the academic excellence you’d expect in a top affordable master degree. These are some of the fastest growing universities in the country and offer top programs in hybrid formats that ensure overall quality without skimping on affordability or accessibility.

What Are the Best Affordable Master’s in Education Degrees?

We know that you have educational goals that you’re itching to pursue. But you may not know where to start. The editors of Master’s Programs Guide utilize a unique ranking methodology based on the following five aspects:

25% Overall Degree Affordability: Average cost of undergraduate and graduate tuition per school

25% Graduation Rate: Number of students who start at the university and actually finish there

20% Earnings Potential: Average mid-career salary of school alumni

20% Selectivity: The number of students who apply versus the number who actually get accepted

10% Online Graduate Offerings: The number of programs offered online in each department

At Master’s Programs Guide, we strive to do our best to guide you and your family toward a fruitful academic career. The pursuit of knowledge is a noble one. We want to help you reach your goals.

Are you ready to earn an affordable online master degree that will take you to the next level?

Check out our ranking of the best affordable online master’s in education!

#1. Texas A&M University – College Station

MEd / MS in Special Education

You’ll find one of the best and cheapest master’s in education at Texas A&M University.

As a student of Texas A&M’s Department of Educational Psychology (EPSY), you’ll learn from some of the strongest educators in the field. EPSY gained national recognition for its academics and research programs. But its focus on diversity, technology and international activity fuel powerful and influential opportunities for all students. 

You will find a top master of science in graduate education here.

Program Overview

Students in the MEd / MS in special education program at Texas A&M – College Station are professionals in education or administration. If you have a background in education, behavior, disability or related fields, this may be the additional training you need. This is a degree that will prepare you for either working in the field. It will also help you pursue additional graduate level work beyond the bachelor’s degree. 

You will spend two years completing this 36 credit hour degree program. Classes you may choose to incorporate include:

• SEFB 618: Applied Behavior Management in the Classroom
• SPED 609: Educating Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
• SPED 620: Bilingual Special Education
• SPED 632: Transition Education and Services for Individuals with Disabilities
• SPED 642: Prevention, Support, and Intervention for Students with Emotional and Behavior Problems

Fellow students will be general and special educators, administrators, counselors, therapists, registered behavior technicians and behavior coaches. They are all professionals like you who want to expand their knowledge base. This cheapest master’s in education will help you better serve diverse student populations. 

Texas A&M – College Station has five online master’s degrees within EPSY. Those are:

• Bilingual education (MEd / MS)
• Educational technology (MEd)
• Educational psychology – specialization in creativity and cognition (MEd)
• Educational psychology – specialization in school counseling (MEd)
• Special education (MEd / MS)

Only educational psychology – specialization in creativity and cognition asks for GRE transcripts. If you’re test-adverse or  don’t have the time to study for and complete the exam, you still have plenty of opportunities here. This is one of the best affordable online master’s degrees in the world. 

This is our top of the best affordable online master’s in education. You can do all your coursework from home or after your teaching day is over. Whatever fits into your schedule best!

#2. Liberty University

Online Master’s in Education (MEd)

Liberty University opened in 1971. It was created by the Reverend Jerry Falwell. This is an accredited Christian liberal arts institution. There are 17 schools and over 100,000 students worldwide. The school’s home campus is in Lynchburg, Virginia. But online students are as welcome on the premises. They are encouraged to participate in a variety of social and educational events throughout the year.

This university also offers in-person intensive study sessions throughout the year. These can be used to fulfill various credit hour requirements or fill knowledge gaps for online students. If you’re looking for a master of science degree program that goes well beyond the bachelor’s degree, this is the affordable online master’s for you.

Program Overview

Liberty University has been doing distance learning since 1985. They started with correspondence courses and adopting technology as it became available. The master’s in education is meant to help working teachers complete or increase their education. This cheap masters in education online can be completed while remaining in the classroom.

The program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). You don’t have to worry that your accreditation will fail to transfer or be useful after graduation.

You can choose from four advanced licensure tracks to meet your credit hour requirements:

• Administration and supervision
• Math specialist endorsement
• Reading endorsement
• School counseling

Add-on licensure in curriculum and instruction in gifted education or early childhood education are available to master’s in education students.

Courses are taught as flexible, eight-week sessions. You can graduate in as little as 18 months. Financial aid is available for these online graduate programs.

This school offers several options for teachers who already hold a license and are seeking to reach their career goals faster. They’re excellent choices for teachers looking to work within private school settings or work in educational administration. These programs only have 30 credit hours of coursework. They still result in a master’s degree.

You have the option of pursuing a non-licensure specialty in educational leadership, instructional design and technology. The educational leadership pathway is an excellent option for graduate students looking for online master’s degrees that will allow them to become administrators.

Beyond the educational leadership affordable online master, there are many other curriculum and instruction programs to help you make up your required credit hour plan. Tracks within non-licensure curriculum and instruction include, but aren’t limited to:

• educational technology and online instruction
• history
• leadership
• special education
• higher education
• curriculum development
• early childhood education
• urban education.

As is the case with the other online master’s degree programs on this list, financial aid is available.

#3. California State University – Fresno

Master’s of Arts in Education – Reading/Language Arts

This school opened in 1911 as Fresno State Normal School. Since then, California State University – Fresno is dedicated to creating passionate educators and other community leaders.

Today, California State University – Fresno’s Kremen School of Education and Human Development’s primary goal is to help educators and administrators reach their full potential. This is carried out in culturally diverse settings. 

If you’re looking for an affordable online master’s degree program that gives you extensive training beyond the bachelor’s degree, this is the one for you.

Program Overview

California State University – Fresno began as a college dedicated to training the best teachers in California. It still holds tight to that goal within the Kremen School of Education and Human Development.

It educates more California primary and secondary teachers than any other in the state. Through its online programs, including the Master’s of Arts in education in reading/language arts, it is now finding ways to achieve those goals well beyond state borders.

The reading/language arts program gives teachers the additional credentials and credit hour plans they need to excel in reading literacy. Or you can expand into this area. You can choose to complete a project, thesis or comprehensive exam as your culminating experience. 

Higher education sessions are eight weeks long. This allows distance learners to focus on one subject at a time. You can take up to two classes per term. You can skip terms as needed. And you can do classroom work at a time that best fits your schedule. You will be required to log into live sessions. But most of the classroom work in this master of science is more flexible.

This higher education program asks for the completion of 30 credit hour unit prior to graduation. These includes a clinical or field experience. You’ll attend courses like:

• LEE 215: Language Issues in Reading
• LEE 224: Assessment and Development of Reading Abilities
• LEE 278: Literacy Process and Practices
• ERE 220: Research in Education
• ERE 268: Educational Measurement and Program Evaluation

Additional credentials and certificates are available with this degree option. These include the California reading/literacy leadership specialists credential and the California reading/literacy added authorization (certificate). Financial aid is available for online graduate programs here. 

#4. University of North Carolina at Charlotte

MEd in Elementary Education

Graduates of the Cato College of Education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte learn from some of the best in their field. The exemplary in-house educators have experience in the field. They’re also invested in moving research in education forward. This school is a product of the post World War II education boom.

UNC Charlotte grew from a few night classes into a premier research institution set on a 1,000-acre campus. Of course, it’s also where you will find some of the top online masters degree in education cheapest options for higher education.

Program Overview

Experienced teachers can expand their educational accreditation in a flexible online classroom setting. You’ll receive exceptional support from the decorated faculty of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s MEd in elementary education program. You can choose your own concentration. You can have substantial career development in just 30 credit hours of coursework.

Choose from these practical areas of study in the affordable online master’s:

• Academically or intellectually gifted (AIG)
• Anti-racism in urban education (ARUE)
• Elementary mathematics
• Literacy
• Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education

Students are prepared for:

• teaching jobs in elementary and pre-K schools
• holding program administration positions
• leading schools as principals or assistant principals

…and many other opportunities. You can apply for a doctoral program created to prepare you for one of many leadership roles.

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a school focused on research. Students are encouraged to complete a significant research-based capstone project under the guidance of experienced faculty. Your own classroom or school can serve as an excellent source of reliable data for work. This can be used for presentation at teaching conferences.

#5. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Master’s of Education in STEM Education

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is located within the North Carolina Research Triangle. This school was destined to become a premier STEM research institution. Its roots were in agriculture and engineering. Today students and facilities work together to innovate in ways that change the world for the better.

Here, education is a driving force behind ever-changing and expansive online master’s of education programs. This school stays ahead of educational trends. It helps to fill needs as they emerge nationwide.

Program Overview

The Master of Education in STEM education is an exciting new program. It shares core coursework with other areas of concentration within STEM education. However, the majority of the 30 hours of coursework you’ll spend in this degree will be dedicated to science education. It is similar to other master of science degree program options in its breadth and depth but allows for more hands-on work. 

You can apply for professional licensure to expand your teaching certifications. Or you can move into areas like conservation science or school administration. Educator preparation courses include:

• BCH 553: Biochemistry of Gene Expression
• FOR 501: Dendrology
• MEA 582: Geospatial Modeling
• NTR 515: Comparative Nutrition
• PHY 552: Comparative Reproductive Physiology and Biotechnology

Most students complete this higher education program in about two years attending full time. Part-time students graduate within four years. Both complete 30 credit hours of coursework. Prospective students may also pursue graduate education in related fields like computer engineering, health sciences, aerospace enginereing,a nd other occupations.

Educators exploring programs in STEM education have a few other options at North Carolina State University at Raleigh. Online higher education specialities include engineering and technology, as well as mathematics and statistics. All three STEM education concentrations share core courses. These could be helpful for students who may be on the fence about their particular area of study. They can ease into the right online program.

Additional online master’s of education programs at this institution include:

• adult and continuing professional education
• agricultural and extension education
• college counseling and student development
• health professions education.

#6. Appalachian State University

Master’s of Arts in Elementary Education

Appalachian State University first opened in 1899 as a college for future teachers. It continues to lead the pack in higher education excellence. The university was recognized several years running as the national leader for graduates who are National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT). This is a credential that takes years to complete. It demonstrates graduates have achieved the absolute pinnacle of educational excellence. The teacher education programs at Appalachian State University also continue to be recognized among the top education programs in the nation.

Of course, you’ll find a top teaching master of science degree program here that will provide you with extensive training beyond the bachelor’s degree.

Online Graduate Program Overview

This education master’s degree is designed for both teachers who are teaching in elementary schools and those who wish to transfer in. The Master of Arts in elementary education at Appalachian State University takes a multifaceted approach to higher education.

This online program takes about two years to complete on a full-time basis. It has a minimum of 39 credit hours of coursework. This includes 12 hours of teaching field courses. Students enrolled online will follow a rolling schedule. It may take a longer time period to complete, depending on where in the cycle they are accepted.

Educator preparation courses include:

• SPE 5045: Advanced Topics in Diversity
• C I 5130: Recent Trends and Issues in Education
• LSA 5585: Teacher Leadership and School Improvements
• C I 5591: Advanced Curriculum Design in Elementary Education
• C I 5630: Instructional Technology

Students without teaching experience in grades K – 6 must complete C I 5900: Internship / Practicum. This can cause them to exceed the minimum of 39 hours of coursework for graduation.

Students that complete this program will be ready to take on additional responsibilities within the schools where they’re already working. These include administrative roles. They will be able to address an ever-changing school environment with a great deal of agility.

#7. William Woods University

Master of Education (MEd) in Teaching and Technology

William Woods University has a long history. This reaches back to just after the Civil War. The school opened in 1870 as a school for orphaned girls. It grew until it finally achieved recognition as a college in 1914. The school trained teachers for generations. But it wasn’t until 1972 that additional liberal arts programs were added. Williams Woods University devoted its 150 years to providing education that educates people from all walks of life.

Here, you will find an education master of science degree program that offers exceptional educator preparation.

Online Graduate Program Overview

William Woods University’s Online Master of Education in teaching and technology meets the needs of both classroom and corporate educators. It combines education courses with the latest in research and technology. Together, they create a program unlike any other. Small classroom sizes are vital to success at William Woods University. They continue to help post-baccalaureate students achieve their goals.

Students in this program are a diverse bunch. They have ranging interests, work experiences and backgrounds. This versatile program allows these very different people to follow their own dreams. Many graduates pursuing work as:

• Instructional technology experts
• Classroom educators (licensed educators) of all grade levels
• School principals
• District and school administrators 
• Superintendents

Educator preparation courses include topics like:

• instructional design
• multimedia production integration
• postsecondary education
• social justice and community engagement
• organizational management
• differentiating instruction
• educating students with exceptional needs
• instructional technology
• a capstone project in teaching and technology

This cohort based program has a total of 30 credit hours for graduation. All students are required to take EDU 543: Teaching and Learning in the New Digital Landscape. This is their first course and may be asked to repeat it before taking other courses if they do not achieve a grade of B or higher.

Anyone interested in the Online Master of Education in teaching and technology will need to submit official transcripts from all former colleges and universities. A GPA of 2.5 is required for admission. Students will need to complete a specific program application (pay close attention to all instructions). Three references are often required for those interested in classroom teaching.

For students who have already received certification in the Enhancing Missouri’s Instructional Networked Teaching Strategies (eMINTs) program, up to nine hours of credits may be granted toward degree completion. This depends on your specific certification. Ask about these additional transfer credits if you feel you may qualify.

William Woods University offers additional study opportunities for educators to expand on their degrees. Reach out to an admissions counselor for one-on-one support and to find which foundational courses and professional studies are best for you. Currently, the programs available online include:

• Master’s of Education in administration
• Master’s of Education in athletics / activities administration
• Master’s of Education in curriculum & instruction
• Master’s of Education in equestrian education
• Master’s of Education in STEM

These programs each have their own requirements for admission. It’s important to check with the school directly before applying. Many will request that you show or demonstrate experience with very specific kinds of work. For example, the equestrian education program needs proof of your field experiences working with horses before you complete courses here.

#8. University of Texas at Arlington

Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction – Literacy Studies

Looking for an online program that’s in your own backyard? OR just want to study at one of Texas’s premier Carnegie Research institutions? No matter what sort of teaching expertise you have, University of Texas at Arlington brings crucial elements of education together in one place. It is one of the best places to gain an accessible education that is also top notch. 

There over 60,000 students between the on-campus and online schools. They can’t be wrong about choosing this university to help start or build on to their education. It’s great for the working teachers of Texas. But it can also be used to expand the knowledge base of teachers from across the country.

Online Graduate Program Overview

If you’re looking for a 30 credit hour program that’s 100% online and doesn’t require a thesis, the Master of Education in curriculum and instruction – literacy studies may be the right program for you.

Students will complete coursework recognized by the International Literacy Association. This helps support the highest quality in teacher education.

This degree offers two certifications. They are reading specialist and English as a second language. The reading certification has to be completed first. But students who pass this certification also have the option of sitting for teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) certification.

The program is intense and focused. It will give you the opportunity to enroll in educator preparation courses. Top courses include:

• LIST 5326: Pre-Adolescent & Adolescent Literacy
• LIST 5354: Multicultural Literature for Children and Young Adults
• LIST 5345: Content Area Reading and Writing
• LIST 5325: Understanding Literacy Research
• LIST 5346: Teaching the Writing Process

Students holding teaching licenses in the state of Texas will be able to complete all certificate options within 30 credit hours. Those from other states may need to do additional work to achieve full certification. These students can request a memo that serves as proof of their degree completion. This is if they wish to attempt certification in a different state and don’t have a bachelor’s degree that qualifies them for that.

Students from all but 14 states are eligible for enrollment in this affordable online master’s.

#9. University of the Cumberlands

Master of Arts in Education

Looking for a cheap masters in education online? Look no further than Cumberland College.

Cumberland College opened in 1888 as the Williamsburg Institute. It was later dubbed Cumberland College after Williamsburg acquired Highland College in 1913. University of the Cumberlands has a rich history of providing quality education to students from across Appalachia.

Today, the school reaches even further to connect online education opportunities to students across the globe. That is along with the seated master’s degree courses that earned it the reputation it enjoys today. It is truly one of the best master of science degree program options in education around.

Online Graduate Program Overview

University of the Cumberlands’ Master of Arts in education program is designed for licensed teachers who are looking for additional education or certification to achieve their career goals. The online courses offered are flexible. They allow working educators to plan their education around their classrooms. Both full time and part-time students are welcome to pursue certification beyond the bachelor’s degree in areas like:

• Literacy specialist
• School counseling
• Teacher as leader

Upon program completion, graduates looking for a change in scenery can pursue careers as:

• curriculum and assessment directors
• instructional designers
• special education teachers

…and others.

Program length varies based on certification area. Many can be completed with as few as 30 credit hours. Students interested in a school counseling specialty must earn 45 credit hours prior to graduation. Teacher as leader certifications are available for a variety of disciplines. These include English, math, and social studies.

Courses for the literacy specialist track include:

• EDOL547: Diversity in a Multicultural Society
• ENOL531: Writing Instruction for the Content Areas
• REOL630: Diagnosis of Reading and Writing Problems
• REOL633: Literacy Leadership
• EDOL647: Teacher Leader in the Professional Learning Community

Students choosing any of the teacher as leader specialties will have to complete area-specific training. Courses include:

• EDOL630: Research Methods
• ADOL653: Assessment of and for Student Learning
• EDOL643: Best Practices for Coaching and Mentoring Teachers
• EDOL647: Teacher Leader in Professional Learning Communities

Counseling students must complete a range of courses in human development and  counseling. There is also a practicum and an internship. They can then earn the Ed.S school counseling degree with only five more classes.

Most students must hold a valid teaching license before applying to the Master of Arts in education program. There is an exception for those applying to the school counseling specialty track. 

A completed graduate application and application fee, as well as official transcripts and three letters of recommendation must be submitted. 

#10. California State University-Fullerton

Master of Science in Education

There’s a lot to love about the Master of Science in education at California State University-Fullerton. Of course, it didn’t happen overnight. This school has been excelling at online master’s programs for educators since 2002. 

This school has world-class online education programs and its dedication to promoting diversity in both seated and online courses. California State University-Fullerton is a model for what today’s post-secondary education should be.

Of course, it’s also where you will find one of the cheapest online masters in education degrees around.

Online Graduate Program Overview

This online graduate program helps secondary level teachers working in the classroom expand their skills and upgrade their knowledge base. The Master of Science in education is a modular degree. It is flexible enough for students both in-state and out. Students can choose from several culminating experiences to complete the required credit hour allotment. Courses include:

• Comprehensive examination
• Research projects
• Thesis
• Comprehensive curriculum project
• Academic article publication
• Submission for National Board Certification

The online graduate program can be completed 100% online. Local students or those spending significant time near campus can also opt for a hybrid format. It offers 49% of classroom content 100% online and the balance partially online.

Students attending the 100% online graduate program must complete EDSC 501: Introduction to Graduate Studies. This is worth one credit unit. The entire concentration online graduate program consists of 31 credit hour units. This includes courses like:

• EDSC 504: Advanced Proficiency in Educational Technologies
• EDSC 506: Graduate Studies in Secondary School Writing
• EDSC 536: Curriculum Theory and Development
• EDSC 522: Family, Community, and Professional Partnerships
• EDSC 524: Assessing Student Learning

Six credit hour units of electives are left to the student to choose with their graduate program advisor. Students can also select an emphasis in either teacher induction or teaching foundational mathematics. That’s beyond the general secondary education concentration.

Student hopefuls for California State University-Fullerton’s Master of Science in education, secondary education concentration program must have an executed application on file. This is within the stated filing period for the term they wish to attend and their fees must be paid in full. They must also provide the following:

• Proof of teaching license
• Current resume
• Transcripts showing a GPA of at least 3.0
• Two letters of recommendation
• An approved major

All applicants must also submit a 500-word statement of purpose. This should explain their interest in the program. The goal of this statement is to give the school a better idea of what you will be like as a student, what kind of academic interests you may have, and your current role as an educator. Emphasizing how you can better help others with your degree will also go far to secure your position in the program.

OTHER NOTABLE PROGRAMS

#11. San Diego State University

Location: San Diego, California

Degree: MA in Education in Educational Leadership

Net Price: $14,568

Website

#12. Northwestern College

Location: Orange City, Iowa

Degree: Master of Education

Net Price: $24,269

Website 

#13. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Location: Champaign, Illinois

Degree: Master of Education

Net Price: $15,808

Website 

#14. University of Alabama

Location: Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Degree: MA in Elementary Education

Net Price: $31,460

Website 

#15. Johns Hopkins University

Location: Baltimore, Maryland

Degree: Master of Science in Education – Educational Studies

Net Price: $27,868

Website

#16. University of Wyoming

Location: Laramie, Wyoming

Degree: Master of Arts in Education in Educational Leadership

Net Price: $17,569

Website 

#17. University of Georgia

Location: Athens, Georgia

Degree: MEd in Reading Education

Net Price: $15,539

Website

#18. West Texas A & M University

Location: Canyon, Texas

Degree: MEd in Curriculum and Instruction

Net Price: $13,325

Website

#19. University of Central Florida

Location: Orlando, Florida

Degree: MEd in Exceptional Student Education

Net Price: $13,016

Website 

#20. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Location: Rio Grande Valley, Texas

Degree: Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction with a Specialization in Elementary Math and Science Education

Net Price: $9,541

Website

IF YOU ENJOYED THAT THEN CHECK OUT OUR ARTICLES ON THE 50 MOST POPULAR ONLINE MASTER’S DEGREES 2020 & 50 BEST ONLINE MASTER OF SPECIAL EDUCATION DEGREE PROGRAMS 2018!

When considering the Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, one must understand that Engineering is the discipline that builds our country’s infrastructure, networks both real (power grid and telephone lines) and virtual (internet and intranets).  Without proper engineering, none of these structures – physical or virtual – would have come into being. Engineering can be the difference between the tallest skyscraper and a large, unusable money pit.

Engineering incorporates many sub-categories or specialties.  Of these is Electrical Engineering, which has traditionally been responsible for the creation of the power grid, assembly line automation and efficiency and components that power devices from miniature cameras to industrial machinery.  While not completely universal in application, electrical engineering plays a highly significant role in today’s environment.

Available salary information for careers within electrical engineering ranges from entry-level positions (technicians) approaching $60,000 per year to $80,000 for credentialed electrical engineers to $120,000 for management positions (2015 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics).  The overall average for master’s degree holders is $95,000 per year (payscale.com). Job positions vary by employer, but there are several large engineering companies from which to gain data from.

See Also: 10 Best Master’s in Industrial Engineering

Masters Program Guide is pleased to offer the Top 50 Online Master’s in Electrical Engineering Programs 2019.  The methodology for this ranking is as follows: available online masters in electrical engineering programs were gathered.  Values were assigned based on data points, which were assigned for each of the following criteria: total enrollment (30%), % of students enrolled online (30%), student-faculty ratio (30%) and net overall cost of the program (5%).  Any tie-breaker was resolved by comparing % online enrollment. The Top 50 Online Master’s in Electrical Engineering Programs 2018 follows:

1. Capitol Technology University

Online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Program Details: Capitol Technology University offers the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering. Unique in the fact that it is one of the few programs in the country designed for practitioners, rather than analysts, Capitol Technology University’s M.S. in Electrical Engineering provides students with advanced knowledge and skills to be able to design, simulate, test, and manufacture electrical systems. Though the program is offered entirely online, Capitol Technology University’s strategic location in the Baltimore/Washington area provides access to one of the highest concentrations of high-tech companies, government agencies, and defense contractors. Approved by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) as a provider of quality engineering education, Capitol Technology University is one of just fifteen colleges and universities to receive this distinction and students can be assured that the M.S. in Electrical Engineering meets the highest industry, national, and international standards.

Capitol Technology University is a private, nonprofit, STEM-focused institution of higher education located in Laurel, Maryland. Committed to providing hands-on, career-relevant learning within an interdisciplinary and interactive environment, the University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Capitol Technology University offers a number of graduate and undergraduate programs in Analytics & Decision Sciences; Computational Systems; Cyber & Information Security; Engineering; Management of Technology; Security, Intelligence & Critical Infrastructure; and Unmanned Systems. The University’s mission is “To educate individuals for professional opportunities in engineering, computer and information sciences, and business.  We provide relevant learning experiences that lead to success in the evolving global community.” A member of the Maryland Green Registry, the University is strongly committed to environmental sustainability, management, and stewardship, taking practical steps to reduce waste, conserve energy, and manage resources wisely.

Admissions

2. Villanova University

Online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Program Details: Villanova University offers a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering through the College of Engineering and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Designed to develop skills and teach knowledge, the M.S. in Electrical Engineering (MSEE) is available with five concentrations in the areas of Electronic Circuits and Systems (ECS); Electric Energy Systems (EES); Microwave, Antenna, and Photonic Systems (MAPS); Signal Processing and Communications (SPC); or System Dynamics and Controls. The MSEE is a strong, research-oriented program taught by highly qualified and caring faculty members whose mission is to help students excel. Available online through the University’s E-Learning program, this option provides a greater level of convenience and flexibility to working professionals. The degree can be earned in as little as two years with a full-time study (with a course load of 2-3 classes per semester) or in three years with a part-time study (one course per semester).

Villanova University is a private, Catholic institution of higher education located in Villanova, Pennsylvania. Though the University traces its roots back to the old Saint Augustine’s Church of Philadelphia, which was started by Augustinian friars in 1796, the University was not formally established until in 1842. Today, Villanova is known for its comprehensive education, rooted in the liberal arts. Committed to Augustinian ideals, the University’s values include truth, unity, and love has the goal of being a community dedicated to the service of others. Villanova University is comprised of six colleges and schools, including the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; Villanova School of Business; College of Engineering; College of Nursing; College of Professional Studies; and the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Villanova offers a wide range of degree programs through these schools and colleges as well as a variety of fully online programs geared towards the non-traditional student.

Admissions

3. Pennsylvania State University

Online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Program Details: Pennsylvania State University offers the Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering through its World Campus. Offered entirely online, the program requires 30 credits and is designed to offer a “solid foundation in both theory and application in the rapidly evolving electrical engineering field.” Committed to equipping individuals with the skills to solve complex programs and to preparing students to achieve their professional goals, all courses are taught by Penn State’s recognized engineering faculty. The curriculum includes core classes which “incorporate advanced technical knowledge, probability theory, research, and applications,” with specific topics including signal processing, power systems, electronics, communication systems, electronic and integrated circuits, electromagnetic, and microelectronics. As part of the program’s graduation requirements, students are expected to write a nonthesis scholarly report or engineering paper (subject to the approval of the student’s faculty advisor) which is suitable for publication at a national or international conference or professional journal.

Pennsylvania State University is a public, land-grant, research-intensive university headquartered in University Park, Pennsylvania. With 24 campus locations across Pennsylvania as well as a teaching hospital, Penn State encompasses over 23,000 acres and 1,784 buildings statewide; this includes 7,343 acres and 947 buildings at its main University Park campus. Penn State’s mission includes embracing “teaching, research, and public service in order to support the citizens of the Commonwealth, collaborating with industrial educational, and agricultural partners to create, disseminate, integrate, and apply knowledge that is valuable to society.” The University offers more than 160 baccalaureate degree programs and over 160 graduate degree programs including doctorates and academic and professional master’s degrees. The University’s reach stretches all across the globe, thanks to its online World Campus which “empowers anyone to pursue an education – anytime, anywhere.” Notable for its research, Penn State reported $836.4 million in research expenditures in 2016.

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4. Ohio University

Online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Program Details: Ohio University offers a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering available entirely online. The program can be completed in as little as two years and has no GRE requirements for qualified students. Featuring curriculum taught by full-time OHIO faculty, the MSEE is available with concentrations in six areas: General, Autonomous Unmanned Vehicles, Communications and Digital Signal Processing, Computer Engineering, Electronic Navigation Systems, and Micro Nano Devices and Systems. Offered through the Russ College of Engineering and Technology and the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, the School’s mission is to “provide outstanding undergraduate and graduate educational programs to students in electrical engineering, computer science, and computer engineering,” and to “contribute significantly to the discovery of new knowledge and methods that enhance the theory and practice of electrical engineering, computer science, and computer engineering.”

Ohio University is a public research university headquartered in Athens, Ohio. A large and primarily residential institution, Ohio University is comprised of several regional campuses and centers located throughout the state. Committed to the core values of Excellence, Integrity, Civility, Diversity, and Stewardship, the University’s vision is “to be the best student-centered, transformative learning community in America,” where students can “realize their promise, faculty advance knowledge, staff achieve excellence, and alumni become global leaders.” Ohio University’s mission is to hold to its “central purpose the intellectual and personal development of its students”, to be “known for its outstanding faculty of accomplished teachers whose research and creative activity advance knowledge across many disciplines.” The University offers a wide range of programs through its several colleges and schools. These include the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, College of Fine Arts, College of Health Sciences and Professions, Honors Tutorial College, Patton College of Education, Russ College of Engineering and Technology, Scripps College of Communication, University College, Graduate College and the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine.

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5. University of Idaho

Online Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering

Online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Program Details: The University of Idaho offers two online degrees in electrical engineering through its Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Engineering Outreach: the Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering and the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering. Both programs are available with several areas of emphasis with options including Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) Circuits; Supercomputing; Microwaves; Communication Systems; Integrated Circuit Design; Electromagnetics; Control Systems; Signal Analysis; Network Synthesis; Digital Systems Design; and Electric Power Systems.  The Master of Engineering degree is a non-thesis degree while the Master of Science does require a written thesis; both programs require a minimum of 30 credits to graduate.

The University of Idaho is Idaho’s flagship, land-grant, and oldest public university, located in Moscow, Idaho. Established in 1889, the University of Idaho is the state’s primary research university, spending $110 million annually on research. Recognized as a national leader in student-centered learning and interdisciplinary research that promotes public service, the University seeks to serve communities and businesses in the advancement of “diversity, citizenship, and global outreach.” The University of Idaho’s mission is to shape the future through “innovative thinking, community engagement, and transformative education.” A wide range of undergraduate and graduate-level degrees and programs are offered through the University’s several campuses, centers, and colleges. These include the Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Arts and Architecture; Business and Economics; Education, Health and Human Sciences; Engineering; Graduate Studies; Law; Letters, Arts and Social Sciences; Natural Resources; and Science. The University of Idaho also offers a variety of online learning options including undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates.

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6. New Mexico State University

Online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Program Details: New Mexico State University oars the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering as a distance education program through its College of Engineering. An excellent option for working professionals, the program is available as a 30-credit coursework-only MSEE degree which may be earned entirely online or with an option involving 27 credits of online coursework combined with a 3-credit technical report and an oral exam which must be taken on-site. Both program options are only available to students based in the US and are not currently offered to international students. Students are recommended to contact an advisor in their area of interest in order to create a degree plan based on planned course offerings.

New Mexico State University is a public, comprehensive, research, and land-grant university. A designated Hispanic-serving institution, New Mexico State University (NMSU) serves a multi-cultural population of students and community members, enrolling over 15,000 individuals from nearly all fifty states and nearly 100 foreign countries. NMSU’s main 900-acre campus is located in Las Cruces, New Mexico; in addition, the University operates several extension campuses, a satellite learning center in Albuquerque, cooperative extension offices located in every New Mexico county (33 in all), a dozen agricultural research and science centers, and also offers distance education programs which reach thousands online. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, NMSU comprises several colleges and a Graduate School including the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences; the College of Arts and Sciences; the College of Business; the College of Education; the College of Engineering; the College of Health and Social Services; and the Honors College. The University’s mission as the state’s land-grant university is to serve “the educational needs of New Mexico’s diverse population through comprehensive programs of education, research, extension education, and public service.”

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7. University of Michigan Dearborn

Online Master of Science in Engineering in Electrical Engineering

Program details: The University of Michigan-Dearborn offers the Master of Science in Engineering in Electrical Engineering through the College of Engineering & Computer Science and the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) department. Taught by tenured and tenure-track faculty members, including two Fellows of the IEEE, the ECE department’s faculty possess a high level of expertise in both electrical and computer engineering to the benefit of students who have the opportunity to participate in faculty-led research. UM-Dearborn’s MSE program is designed to provide students with “a strong background in theories and a good knowledge of the latest technologies in [electrical engineering]” as well as “an ability to conduct research in advanced engineering fields.” Learning outcomes also include the “ability to learn the latest research advancement, use advanced techniques and modern engineering tools in engineering practice, [and] evaluate different strategies to derive a feasible solution.” A 30-credit-hour program, the curriculum consists of required core courses combined with technical electives which provide specialization in the areas of control systems, wireless networks, digital signal processing, embedded systems, image processing and pattern recognition.

The University of Michigan-Dearborn (UM-Dearborn) is a four-year, public, comprehensive university located in Dearborn, Michigan. Established in 1959, the University is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and holds accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission. UM-Dearborn’s mission is to be “an inclusive, student-focused institution.” Its formal statement declares, “We are committed to excellence in teaching, learning, research and scholarship, as well as access, affordability and metropolitan impact.” The University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, available both on-site and online and comprises four colleges. These include the College of Arts, Sciences & Letters; the College of Business; the College of Education, Health & Human Services; and the College of Engineering & Computer Science.

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8. Colorado State University

Online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Online Master of Engineering with Electrical Engineering Specialization

Program details: Colorado State University offers both the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering as well as the Master of Engineering with an Electrical Engineering Specialization. Available through Colorado State University Online and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, the program consists of 30-credit-hours and can be completed in as little as two years. Both program options are specially designed for engineering professionals and features options to customize the curriculum in order to best suit each student’s unique interests and career goals. The online delivery of the courses provides extra flexibility, making it an ideal option for working professionals. Topics of study include optical properties of nano structures; high resolution metrology techniques; engineering concepts of high-power pulsed electronics; analysis of power systems; grid integration of wind energy systems; linear and non-linear optical properties; physics and operation of energy devices (such as solar photovoltaic, wind energy, gas, coal and nuclear plants); and particle beam accelerator technology and engineering.

Colorado State University (CSU) is a public, doctoral, research institution located in Fort Collins, Colorado. Known for its solid academic results, CSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers a wide range of programs through its several colleges and schools. These include the Colleges of Agricultural Sciences; Business; the Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering; Health and Human Sciences; Liberal Arts; Natural Sciences; Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences; the Warner College of Natural Resources; and the Schools of Music, Theatre and Dance; Biomedical Engineering; Education; Global Environmental Sustainability; Social Work; and Public Health. CSU has a strong online presence in the Colorado State University Online, through which its internet-based programs are offered. The mission of CSU Online is to provide “affordable access to exceptional online and distance education from a nationally recognized research and engaged university.”

Admissions

9. University of Arkansas

Online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Program Details: The University of Arkansas offers the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering in a 100% online format. Available with thesis and non-thesis options, a specialization in power engineering is also offered as part of the degree. Though not specifically required, a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) is recommended as a pre-requisite to the master’s in electrical engineering program; deficiency courses may be required for non-BSEE students. Offered through the College of Engineering, the College has been educating engineers for over 100 years and is currently ranked as one of the top 100 public doctoral-granting institutions in the country. Specific topics included in the MSEE curriculum include the design of advanced distribution systems, power systems control, optimal and nonlinear control, electric power quality, and power electronics.

The University of Arkansas is a public research university and the flagship institution of the University of Arkansas system. Located on a picturesque campus in Fayetteville, Arkansas, the University was founded in 1871 as a land-grant institution under the Morrill Act. The University of Arkansas has been classified by the Carnegie Foundation as offering “the highest possible level of research”, placing it in the top 2 percent of all colleges and universities in the nation. The University’s ‘student-first’ philosophy helps it to stand out from among the rest as it is consistently ranked among the top public research institutions in the country. One ‘concrete proof’ of the university’s commitment to students is its unique tradition of the Senior Walk, which consists of more than 3 miles of crisscrossing sidewalks on the campus with the names of over 175,000 graduates dating back 140 years. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, the University offers more than 200 academic programs through its several colleges and schools.

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10. University of Texas Arlington

Online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Program details: The University of Texas- Arlington offers the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering through the College of Engineering. Designed to “satisfy the needs of students pursuing a master’s degree and provide for the student seeking to increase knowledge in areas of electrical engineering related to engineering practice,” the program features coursework that is both advanced and current in the field. Students work with an advisor to plan their course of study, choosing from a number of specialization options. Graduate study and research opportunities are available in areas such as Digital and Microprocessor/Controller Systems; Solid-State Devices, Circuits and Systems; Systems and Controls; Electromagnetic Fields and Applications; Digital Signal and Image Processing; Telecommunications and Information Systems; Power Systems; Optical Devices and Systems; Nanotechnology and MEMS – Materials and Devices; and Renewable Energy Systems and Vehicular Technology.

The University of Texas at Arlington is a four-year, public research institution located in Arlington, Texas. Founded in 1895 as Arlington College, the University of Texas at Arlington (UT Arlington) has had several different names over the course of its existence.  Today, the University offers nearly 200 undergraduate and graduate-level degree programs and has research centers in every discipline. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the University comprises several colleges (each of which house multiple schools and departments), including the College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs; the College of Business; College of Education; the College of Engineering; the College of Liberal Arts; the College of Nursing and Health Innovation; the College of Science; the School of Social Work; and the University College.

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11. Clemson University

Online Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering

Online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Program Details: Clemson University offers the Master of Engineering and Master of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering through its Graduate School and the Holcombe Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Both degrees include optional focus areas in communications systems and networks; digital signal processing; electromagnetic; electronics; intelligent systems; and power. The Master of Science in Electrical Engineering is available as an all-course work option which includes a minimum of 33 credit hours (including a minimum 18 credits which must be at the 800 level) as well as a thesis option which requires 30 credit hours and an approved and written thesis. The Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering features 24 credit hours of graduate coursework and 6 credit hours of supervised engineering design. An approved written engineering report on a design topic is required for graduation.

Clemson University is a selective, public, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina in the foothills of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Established in 1889 by Thomas Green Clemson, the University has become South Carolina’s highest-ranked national university known for its hands-on education and contribution to research. One of the most selective public research universities in the nation, Clemson’s University’s academic programs are designed to “lay the groundwork for innovative research, and real-world experiences [which] carry forward to a rewarding career.” Comprising seven colleges, these include the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences; the College of Education; the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities; the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Science; the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences; the College of Science; the College of Business; the Graduate School; the Calhoun Honors College; and Emeritus College. Clemson University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and offers over 80 undergraduate majors and more than 110 graduate-level degree programs.

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12. North Carolina State University

Online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Program Details: North Carolina State University offers the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering as an online and distance education program. A 30-credit-hour degree, the program does require the GRE for all applicants and is specifically designed for students who already hold an undergraduate degree in an engineering discipline and wish to pursue a graduate degree in electrical engineering. Strengths of the program include power electronics and power systems, nonelectronics and photonics, and communications and signal processing. Of the required 30 credit hours, 21 credit hours (equaling seven courses) must be in electrical and computer engineering and one advanced ECE course at the 700-level is required as well as the completion of at least one course from three specialty areas.

North Carolina State University is a public, leading research, land-grant institution located in Raleigh, North Carolina. NC State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and offers a total of over 300 undergraduate and graduate degree programs across 60-plus departments. Comprising a dozen colleges, these include the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; College of Design; College of Education; College of Engineering; College of Humanities and Social Sciences; College of Natural Resources; Poole College of Management; College of Sciences; College of Textiles; College of Veterinary Medicine; The Graduate School; and the University College. Dedicated to “excellent teaching, the creation and application of knowledge,” the University’s mission is to promote an “integrated approach to problem solving that transforms lives and provides leadership for social, economic, and technological development across North Carolina and around the world.”

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13. Johns Hopkins University

Online Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Program Details: Johns Hopkins University offers the Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering through the Whiting School of Engineering. Designed for working professionals, the program prepares students to “develop systems for communication, computation, information transformation, power generation and transmission, measurement, and control.” Concentrations are available in either photonics or communications and networking. The degree is also available with a number of focus areas/tracks in the areas of communications and networking, computer engineering, electronics and the solid state, optics and photonics, RF and microwave engineering, signal processing, and systems and control. Offered online, onsite, or in a hybrid (combination of the two) format, Johns Hopkins Engineering for Professionals is a part-time program and one of the largest graduate degree programs in electrical and computer engineering in the country. Courses provide a thorough grounding in foundational topics for the purpose of providing students with valuable and necessary skills for career advancement.

Johns Hopkins University is a private institution located in Baltimore, Maryland. The United State’s first research university, the institution is named for Johns Hopkins, a 19th century Maryland philanthropist, entrepreneur and abolitionist. A leading academic institution, Johns Hopkins University reported $2.306 billion in the fiscal year 2015 in medical, science, and engineering research. The University has ranked #1 in higher education research spending, according to the National Science Foundation, for 37 consecutive years. Maryland’s largest employer, the University has a total enrollment figure of 25,000 students and is comprised of nine academic divisions. Johns Hopkins University’s mission is “To educate its students and cultivate their capacity for lifelong learning, to foster independent and original research, and to bring the benefits of discovery to the world.” The University boasts an impressive faculty and has been home to over 35 Nobel laureates, both past and present, including several current faculty members.

14. Old Dominion University

Online Master of Engineering in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Program Details: Old Dominion University offers the Master of Engineering in Electrical and Computer Engineering through ODU Online and the Frank Batten College of Engineering & Technology. Designed for professionals who are ready to assume the duties of a leadership role in their career, ODU’s Electrical and Computer Engineering program provides opportunities to participate in cutting-edge research projects with faculty members who are passionate about the subject they teach and equipping students. Focusing on engineering theory as well as practical application, the program requires 30 credit hours, culminating in a comprehensive exam, all of which are available 100% online through live, regularly scheduled class meetings. Opportunities for career advancement abound and graduates of ODU’s Electrical and Computer Engineering program have gone on to become employed in industries such as automotive, manufacturing, systems integration, shipbuilding, aerospace, defense, telecommunication and more.

Old Dominion University is a public, metropolitan research university located in Norfolk, Virginia. The University prides itself on being forward-focused and is distinguished for its rigorous academics, energetic community and entrepreneurial research and collaboration projects. Old Dominion University (ODU) has a total enrollment figure of nearly 25,000 including over 4,500 postgraduate students with an average student to faculty ratio of 18 to 1. More than 130 graduate programs leading to 54 master’s degrees are available as well as 70 bachelor’s degrees, over 40 doctoral degrees and two educational specialist degrees. ODU comprises seven academic colleges, an honors college, and a graduate school and is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The University’s mission is to be a “dynamic public research institution that serves its students and enriches the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world through rigorous academic programs, strategic partnerships, and active civic engagement.”

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15. Purdue University

Online Master of Electrical & Computer Engineering (MSECE)

Program Details: Purdue University offers the Online Master of Electrical & Computer Engineering (MSECE) program through Purdue Engineering Online and the College of Engineering. A flexible program, Purdue’s MSECE is geared towards working engineers and is designed to provide “the foundation to excel and lead in a global engineering environment.” A 30-credit hour degree, six specializations are offered and the program features online courses which cover the topic areas of automatic controls; fields and optics; VLSI & circuit design; signal & image processing; communications & networking; microelectronics & nanotechnology; and energy sources & systems. Students work closely with an academic advisor who helps to create a plan of study best suited to each individual’s unique career goals and educational needs.

Purdue University is a four-year, public, land-grant institution headquartered in West Lafayette, Indiana. Established in 1869 under the land-grant act which was signed into law by Abraham Lincoln, the University is known for its “scholarly excellence and research contributions in the fields of aerospace, engineering, science, technology and math.” The alma mater of notable figures including Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, the University currently has a total enrollment of over 41,000 with an average 12 to 1 student to faculty ratio. The University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers a wide range of programs through its several colleges and schools. These include the College of Agriculture; the College of Education; the College of Engineering; the College of Health and Human Sciences; the College of Liberal Arts; the Krannert School of Management; the College of Pharmacy; Purdue Polytechnic Institute; the College of Science; the College of Veterinary Medicine; Purdue’s Honors College; and The Graduate School.

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16. Kansas State University

Online Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Program Details: Kansas State University offers the Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering through its Global Campus and the College of Engineering. Designed for working professionals who hold a bachelor’s degree in electrical or computer engineering, the program requires 30 credit-hours and offers a 100% online course delivery format, making it a highly convenient and flexible option for students who are already balancing the demands of a career and personal life. Students may choose an emphasis in either electric power systems or communication and networking.  Offered through the College of Engineering’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, the department’s undergraduate programs are accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) and the same engineering faculty are fully involved in the department’s graduate-level programs. Potential careers for graduates of the electrical and computer engineering master’s degree program include design engineer; project engineer; quality control engineer; reliability engineer; research and development engineer; systems design engineer; process and manufacturing engineer; field engineer; test engineer; and sales engineer.

Kansas State University is a comprehensive, research, land-grant institution dedicated to “serving students and the people of Kansas, the nation, and the world.” Located in Manhattan, Kansas the University’s mission is to “foster excellent teaching, research, and service that develop a highly skilled and educated citizenry necessary to advancing the well-being of Kansas, the nation, and the international community.” This statement continues, “The university embraces diversity, encourages engagement and is committed to the discovery of knowledge, the education of undergraduate and graduate students, and improvement in the quality of life and standard of living of those we serve.” Kansas State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its several colleges.

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17. Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Online Master of Science in Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE)

Program Details: Worcester Polytechnic Institute offers the Master of Science in Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE). Home to the nation’s first building dedicated exclusively to electrical engineering education, Atwater Kent Laboratories, students enrolled in the ECE program have access and opportunity to participate in extensive and rewarding research projects. WPI’s ECE program coursework is offered both on-campus and online, providing working professionals the flexibility necessary to complete their degree while balancing their other obligations. The majority of the courses and research within the ECE program focus on electrical and computer engineering, however, students may also choose from courses in allied areas such as robotics, computer science, systems engineering, physics, and mathematics, tailoring their degree to match their unique interests and career goals.  

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) is a private research university located in Worcester, Massachusetts. Established in 1865, the University was established for the purpose of creating and conveying “the latest science and engineering knowledge in ways that are most beneficial to society.” WPI remains firmly committed to its founding mission of providing “an education that balances theory with practice.” WIP is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and offers over 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its several academic departments in the areas of science, engineering, technology, business, the social sciences, and the humanities and arts leading to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Taught by faculty members who are ranked top in the nation for quality and accessibility, WIP’s curriculum features a flexible, rigorous program that is “project-based and globally engaged, aimed at quality experience and a positive impact for the communities it partners with.”

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18. Mississippi State University

Online Master of Science in Electrical & Computer Engineering

Program Details: Mississippi State University offers the Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering degree through the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Available entirely online, the coursework remains the same regardless of the delivery format (whether offered on-site or online). MSU’s online courses use a number of different technologies to deliver course content including streaming video, websites, interactive video conferencing, etc. Distance students who participate in research are provided the same student-support services offered to on-campus students, including (but not limited to) access to Library resources. Distance students are permitted to conduct their thesis/dissertation research through remote access to the on-campus system and may be granted approval to conduct their research at an off-site location such as the student’s location of employment.

Mississippi State University is a public, comprehensive, doctoral degree-granting institution located in Starkville, Mississippi. Established as the Agricultural and Mechanical College in 1878 under the Morrill Act of 1862, the institution’s original mission was to provide training in “agriculture, horticulture and the mechanical arts… without excluding other scientific and classical studies, including military tactics.” In 1926 the institution gained accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and in 1932 was renamed Mississippi State College; University-status was achieved in 1958. Today Mississippi State College (MSU) is dedicated to the broad purposes of learning, research, and service, seeking to provide “the academic, leadership, and social opportunities to help each person excel.” MSU offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs and comprises the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, including the School of Human Sciences; College of Architecture, Art and Design; College of Arts and Sciences; College of Business, including the Adkerson School of Accountancy; College of Education; Bagley College of Engineering, including the Swalm School of Chemical Engineering; College of Forest Resources; Office of the Graduate School, and College of Veterinary Medicine.

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19. Michigan Technological University

Online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Program Details: Michigan Technological University offers the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering. Offered entirely online, the program’s format is designed to provide maximum flexibility to busy professionals and there are no GRE requirements for applicants. A 30-credit hour degree, the program is divided into 10 courses which can be completed in as little as 5 semesters. Michigan Tech’s MSEE “prepares graduates with the design and analysis skills to take on advanced electrical engineering and communications projects at the cutting edge of technology.” Emphasis is placed on communication and signal processing and the program’s coursework focuses on the transmission, measurement, processing, analysis, and interpretation of all types of information-bearing signals. Featured courses include Mathematical and Computational Methods for Engineering; Digital Signal Processing & Its Applications; and Sensing & Processing for Robotics.

Michigan Technological University is a public research university located in Houghton, Michigan. Established in 1884, the University’s mission is to “create solutions for society’s challenges by delivering action-based undergraduate and graduate education, discovering new knowledge through research, and launching new technologies through innovation.” Its vision is to be “a globally recognized technological university that educates students, advances knowledge, and innovates to improve the quality of life and to promote mutual respect and equity for all people within the state, the nation, and the global community.” Michigan Tech offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs to over 7,000 students through its several colleges and schools. These include the Graduate School; the College of Engineering; the College of Sciences and Arts; the School of Technology; the School of Business and Economics; the School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science; and Pavlis Honors College.

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20. University of Southern California

Online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Program Details: The University of Southern California offers the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering through the Viterbi School of Engineering and the Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical Engineering. The program is designed to equip students with the “professional skills necessary to compete effectively in a world of rapid technological change as well as to assume leadership roles within industrial, entrepreneurial, academic, or governmental environments in the broad context of electrical engineering.” Known for its academic leadership, the Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical Engineering has participated and led in research in several innovative areas including adaptive and reconfigurable mixed signal integrated circuits; antenna networks; bio-signal processing; computer architecture; very-large-scale integration (VLSI) and computer-aided design (CAD); computer networks; control systems; high speed switching architectures; signal, image and multimedia processing; nanotechnology; optical communications; photonics; and quantum information processing. USC’s MS in Electrical Engineering requires a minimum of 28 units for the general degree and a minimum of 20 units within electrical engineering.

The University of Southern California (USC) is a private, four-year institution of higher education located in University Park in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, California. One of the world’s leading private research universities, USC is as an anchor institution in Los Angeles as well as a global center for the arts, technology, and international business, thanks, in part to its diverse curricula offerings. Beginning in 1880 with just 53 students and 10 teachers, today the University boasts over 43,000 students, including nearly 19,000 undergraduates, while maintaining a low student to faculty ratio of 9 to 1. Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the University offers a wide range of programs through its several colleges and schools including the Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences which is located on its main campus as well as several professional schools.

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21. Iowa State University

Online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Online Master of Engineering

Program Details: Iowa State University offers both the Master of Engineering and Master of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering. Offered through the Graduate College, students have the option of choosing an area of emphasis in Communications and Signal Processing, Electric Power and Energy Systems, Electromagnetics, Bioengineering, Microwaves and Nondestructive Evaluation, Microelectronics and Photonics, Systems and Controls, and in VLSI Design. The Master of Engineering degree requires an average 3 years to complete, while the Master of Science median time to complete is less than two and a half years. While both the M.S. and the M. Eng. have online learning options, the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering is the University’s main course-based program designed primarily for online students. Offered 100% online through the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, students may choose a specialized area of study to suit their career goals and interests.

Iowa State University is a public, land-grant university located in Ames, Iowa. Ranked as one of the most beautiful in the country, Iowa State University’s 1,900-acre campus is just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, Iowa’s capital and most populated city and business center. Known for its student-centered culture and excellence in science and technology, Iowa State University (abbreviated ISU) was established in 1858, holding its first class in 1869. Famous alumni include George Washington Carver, Carrie Chapman Catt, and John Vincent Atanasoff. ISU currently offers more than 100 bachelor’s degrees, 112 master’s degrees, and over 80 doctoral programs through its several colleges and schools. The University’s mission is to “create, share and apply knowledge to make Iowa and the world a better place.” A member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, an invitation-only organization of the top 62 research institutions in the United States and Canada, ISU’s research enterprise includes nearly 100 centers and institutes with world-class facilities and award-winning researchers.

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22. Drexel University

Online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Program Details: Drexel University offers the online accredited Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. A high-level graduate program, the degree is designed to provide students with “strong foundations in theory, to equip [students] with the skills necessary to grasp and develop new technologies and trends in the electrical engineering field.” Taught with the intention for students to make immediate contributions to the workplace and become a leader in the industry, the program features courses which cover the areas of Computer Engineering, Power Engineering, Controls, Robotics, Signal Processing, Telecommunications Engineering, Solid State Physics and Electronics, and more. Taught by highly experienced faculty members who are successful professionals within the field, the program features a highly interactive online delivery method which is designed to provide maximum convenience for working professionals while remaining challenging and engaging for students. Students also have the option to take electives from the Engineering Management Program and other graduate disciplines.

Drexel University is a private comprehensive institution located on Chestnut Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Established in 1891, Drexel possesses a global reputation built on its many achievements including leadership in experiential learning through Drexel Co-op. The University offers more than 200 degree programs through its 15 colleges and schools and Drexel Online provides busy students with innovative, internet-based programs that build upon the University’s pioneering efforts in online education which began as early as 1996. Drexel University’s mission is to fulfill its founders’ vision of “preparing each new generation of students for productive professional and civic lives while also focusing our collective expertise on solving society’s greatest problems.” Its mission statement continues, “Drexel is an academically comprehensive and globally engaged urban research university, dedicated to advancing knowledge and society and to providing every student with a valuable, rigorous, experiential, technology-infused education, enriched by the nation’s premier co-operative education program”

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23. Clarkson University

Online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Program Details: Clarkson University offers the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, available through the Wallace H. Coulter School of Engineering and the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering. Designed for both working professionals and recent graduates, the program is ideal for electrical engineers who are interested in advancing both their knowledge and careers and for students whose desire to expand their knowledge by “applying the latest technologies in growing industries in the region and around the world.” The program is available in evening onsite courses, online, and in a hybrid delivery format (a combination of the two) and is offered with part-time study options.  The curriculum is designed to “expand [students] understanding of areas such as modern electric machinery, modeling, control of power electronics, superconductivity, synchronous generation, fuel cell engineering, photovoltaics and more.”

Clarkson University is an independent, nonprofit, nationally recognized technological university located in Potsdam, New York. Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Clarkson University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate program through its several schools, departments, and institutes. These include the David D. Reh School of Business; The Clarkson School (Early College Program); the Graduate School; the Institute For A Sustainable Environment; the Institute For STEM Education; the School of Arts & Sciences; and the Wallace H. Coulter School of Engineering. Clarkson University’s primary mission is to “educate talented and motivated men and women to become successful professionals through quality pre-collegiate, undergraduate, graduate, and professional continuing education programs, with particular emphasis on the undergraduate experience.” This statement continues, “We share the belief that “humane and environmentally sound economic and social development derive from the expansion, diffusion, and application of knowledge.”

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24. Missouri University of Science and Technology

Online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Program Details: Missouri University of Science and Technology offers the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering. Available in a distance education format, the program is designed to prepare students to “provide leadership in the recognition and solution of society’s problems in the area of electrical engineering.” The program includes some specialization in one or more areas of emphasis, with options including circuits; communications and signal processing; computer engineering; control systems technology; electromagnetic; electronics; and power. A 30-credit hour program, the degree offers both thesis and non-thesis options with six hours of research required for the thesis.

Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) is a four-year public research university located in Rolla, Missouri. One of the first technological institutions established west of the Mississippi, the University was founded in 1870. Missouri S&T is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers over 95 degree programs in more than 35 areas of study through its two colleges: the College of Arts, Sciences, and Business and the College of Engineering and Computing. The University’s mission is to integrate “education, research and application to create and convey knowledge that serves our state and helps solve the world’s great challenges.” Its vision is to be “the leading public technological research university for discovery, creativity and innovation.” This statement continues, “We will cultivate curiosity, creativity and confidence in our graduates. We will be the institution of choice for partners around the world seeking a highly qualified, talented and entrepreneurial workforce; innovative research; relevant educational programs, products and services; and technology and ideas to solve the great challenges of our time.”

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25. Stevens Institute of Technology

Online Masters in Electrical Engineering

Program Details: Stevens Institute of Technology offers the Masters in Electrical Engineering. A flexible program, the curriculum is designed to provide students “the ideal mix of theory, applied research and technical knowledge [needed] to pursue a lucrative career in design and development.” Students are given the option to pursue a thesis for both the Master of Engineering and the Master of Science degrees. Several areas of concentration are available in the areas of Robotics and Control; Computer Architectures; Embedded Systems; Microelectronics and Photonics; Communications and Signal Processing; Power Engineering; Software Engineering; Data Engineering; Networks and Security; and Networks: Business Practices. Outcomes of the program include possession of hands-on project experience; a solid mathematical and technological background; possession of knowledge of state-of-the-art modern topics; and the ability to blend hardware, software, and data analytics skills to support a chosen concentration focus.

Stevens Institute of Technology is a premier private research university located in Hoboken, New Jersey, overlooking New York City. Established in 1870, the Institution’s mission is “to inspire, nurture and educate leaders in tomorrow’s technology-centric environment while contributing to the solution of the most challenging problems of our time.” The Institution is known for its unique curriculum which blends technological training, teamwork, design projects, internships, and cooperative education opportunities. A private institution governed by a Board of Trustees, the Stevens Institute of Technology comprises the Charles V. Schaefer, Jr. School of Engineering & Science, the School of Business, the School of Systems & Enterprises, and the College of Arts and Letters. Home to 7,000 students, the value of Stevens’ education is evident as graduates are in constant high demand by both industry leaders and agencies.

Admissions

26. Virginia Polytechnic Institute

Online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Online Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering

Program Details: Virginia Polytechnic Institute offers the Master of Science degree and the Master of Engineering degree in both Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering. Designed to meet the unique and individual needs of graduate students, the Master of Science degree requires a thesis for completion while the Master of Engineering requires a project and report. Several areas of specialized study are offered within the Electrical Engineering program with options including communications; electromagnetic; electronic components, circuits, and systems; signals, systems & controls; power; and photonics.

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, more commonly referred to as Virginia Tech, is a public, land-grant university headquartered in Blacksburg, Virginia. Located on a beautiful 2,600-acre campus, the University’s main site features over 200 buildings and includes an airport. Established in 1872, Virginia Tech’s mission is to serve the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation and the world. Committed to providing a hands-on and engaging education, Virginia Tech offers over 250 undergraduate and graduate degree programs including over 100 majors and 150 masters and doctoral degrees through its nine colleges and graduate school. The University has a total enrollment figure of over 33,000 students who come from all around the country and globe and boasts a student to faculty ratio of 16 to 1. With the motto, “Ut Prosim” (“That I May Serve”), the “discovery and dissemination of new knowledge” is at the core of Virginia Tech’s mission. Its formal mission statement declares, “Through its focus on teaching and learning, research and discovery, and outreach and engagement, the university creates, conveys, and applies knowledge to expand personal growth and opportunity, advance social and community development, foster economic competitiveness, and improve the quality of life.”

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27. Georgia Institute of Technology

Online Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Program Details: Georgia Institute of Technology offers the Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering through the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Designed to provide the “technical know-how to compete in the high tech industry of computer development,” the program’s course work prepares students by equipping them with the skills necessary to face the “project deadlines, technical problems, and creative invention required to succeed in today’s fast-paced world of technology.” Offered online, the curriculum features a high-quality and rigorous academic content that was designed to allow students to learn on their own time from any location around the globe.

Georgia Institute of Technology, more often referred to as Georgia Tech, is a leading public research university located in Atlanta, Georgia. Committed to “improving the human condition through advanced science and technology,” Georgia Tech offers a technologically focused education in fields ranging from engineering, computing, and sciences, to business, design, and liberal arts. Home to over 25,000 undergraduate and graduate students, the University comprises several colleges including the College of Design;  the College of Computing; the College of Engineering; the College of Sciences; the Scheller College of Business; and the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts. Georgia Tech operates under the motto of “Progress and Service” and seeks to fulfill this ideal through “effectiveness and innovation in teaching and learning, our research advances, and entrepreneurship in all sectors of society.” Its formal mission statement declares, “We will be leaders in improving the human condition in Georgia, the United States, and around the globe.” The University’s vision is to “define the technological research university of the twenty-first century,” and to be “leaders in influencing major technological, social, and policy decisions that address critical global challenges.”

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28. Syracuse University

Online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Program Details: Syracuse University offers the online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering through the College of Engineering and Computer Science. Created by Syracuse University’s distinguished faculty, the curriculum is “built around current industry innovations and trends” and is designed to expand students’ field of scientific knowledge and skills, pushing “engineers to the forefront of their field with an immersive and concentrated educational experience.” A 30-credit degree program, a thesis is optional. A bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering is recommended, though not required; students without an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering are required to take specified additional courses in order to make up for any deficiencies in their preparation.

Syracuse University is a private, nonprofit, research university located in Syracuse, New York.  Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the University serves over 22,000 students each year and offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its several colleges and schools. These include the School of Architecture; College of Arts and Sciences; School of Education; College of Engineering and Computer Science; The David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics; School of Information Studies; College of Law; The Martin J. Whitman School of Management; Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs; S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications; College of Visual and Performing Arts; University College; and the Graduate School. Syracuse University’s mission is to support student success through “Encouraging global study, experiential learning, interdisciplinary scholarship, creativity, and entrepreneurial endeavors; Balancing professional studies with an intensive liberal arts education; Fostering a richly diverse and inclusive community of learning and opportunity; Promoting a culture of innovation and discovery; and Supporting faculty, staff, and student collaboration in creative activity and research that address emerging opportunities and societal needs.”

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29. University of South Carolina-Columbia

Online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Online Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering

Program Details: The University of South Carolina offers the Master of Engineering and Master of Science, both in Electrical Engineering, through the College of Engineering and Computing. The latter is a research-oriented degree which requires 24 hours of graduate coursework and a thesis for completion while the M.E. (Master of Engineering) in Electrical Engineering degree is a 30-credit-hour, non-thesis program geared especially towards working engineers who are limited in their access to a research laboratory.  The thesis research requirement of the M.S. in Electrical Engineering may be conducted in nearly any sub-discipline of electrical engineering which coincides with the research interest of the University’s faculties. Specific areas of specialization include Power systems; Power electronics; Simulation environments for power electronics and interdisciplinary systems; Microwave power amplifier and MOS devices based on wide bandgap semiconductors; Growth device processing, and characterization of wide bandgap (SiC and GanN) semiconductors; Nanoelectronics; Electromagnetic scattering; Wireless communication applications; Outdoor and indoor wave propagation; Millimeter-wave integrated circuits; Microwave and antenna design; and Electronic packaging.

The University of South Carolina is a public, research university located in Columbia, South Carolina.

One of only 32 universities to earn the Carnegie Foundation’s top-tier designations in both research activity and community engagement, the University of South Carolina has also been named a Best Value in Public Colleges by Kiplinger’s and Princeton Review. The University was established in 1801 as part of an effort to unite South Carolinians following the American Revolution. Originally called South Carolina College, the school survived the Civil War and in 1906 was re-chartered, growing into the thriving University as it is known today. Its mission is “the education of the state’s residents through teaching, research, creative activity and community engagement.” A wide range of programs are offered through the University’s several colleges and schools.

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30. University of Florida

Online Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Program Details: The University of Florida offers a Master’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering through the Department of Electric and Computer Engineering (ECE). Available as either a Master of Science or Master of Engineering degree, the program is delivered online and designed to provide lifelong support for engineering professional development. The curriculum covers both broad and specific topics with courses such as Foundations of Digital Signal Processing; VLSI Circuits and Technology; Noise in Linear Systems; Reconfigurable Computing; Principles of Computer System Design; Advanced Systems Programming; Cross Layered Systems Security; and much more. Taught through the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, the College’s mission is to foster and provide “world-class programs in engineering education, research and service to enhance the economic and social well-being of the citizens of Florida, the nation and the world.”

The University of Florida is a public, land-, sea-, and space-grant research university located in Gainsville, Florida. Classified as a Research University with Very High Research by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, the University of Florida is home to approximately 5,000 faculty members, many of whom have distinguished teaching and research records, including two Pulitzer Prize-winning members. The University’s origins date back to the East Florida Seminary (established in 1853), the oldest of the four institutions that merged to become the University of Florida (UF). UF is the third largest Florida university (according to student population) and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). UF also holds the distinction of being the only university in Florida to be a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an invitation-organization made up of the 62 premier research universities in North America.

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31. Western New England University

Online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Program Details: Western New England University offers the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering through the College of Engineering. Taking an engineering science-intensive approach, the program is designed to increase students’ understanding and problem-solving abilities. Several concentration options are offered, including mechatronics, electrical, and computer engineering, allowing students to customize the program to match their interests and unique career goals. Catering to both full- and part-time students, the program places particular emphasis on “providing training, experience in performing independent research on topics with theoretical as well as applied interest, and managing projects.” A number of core courses are required to satisfy the requirements for an advanced degree in electrical engineering in Engineering Management or Project Management; Design Experiments; System Integration; and Advanced Electrical Engineering Analysis.

Western New England University (WNE) is a private comprehensive institution located in Springfield, Massachusetts. Established in 1919, the University is proud to uphold a long tradition of excellence in teaching and scholarship and remains strongly committed to service. Comprising the Colleges of
Arts and Sciences, Business, Engineering, Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and the School of Law, WNE is one of a few U.S. comprehensive institutions with an enrollment under 5,000 to be recognized with national and international accreditations at the highest levels in law, business, engineering, and social work. The University’s mission is to provide “an unwavering focus on and attention to each student’s academic and personal development, including learning outside the classroom.” Its formal mission statement continues, “Western New England University develops leaders and problem-solvers from among our students, whether in academics, intercollegiate athletics, extracurricular and cocurricular programs, collaborative research projects with faculty, or in partnership with the local community.”

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32. Auburn University

Online Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Program Details: Auburn University offers the Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering through the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Available online, the Master of Science is a non-thesis degree program which features courses in control systems and robotics, digital signal processing and communications, wireless engineering, electromagnetic modeling and analysis, microelectronics and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), magnetic resonance imaging (MR), and more. Offered through the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, the institution’s vision is to provide “leading research that improves the quality of life and fosters economic competitiveness,” while providing the “best student-centered engineering experience in America.”

Auburn University is a public research university located in Auburn, Alabama. The first land-grant institution in the south, the University began as the East Alabama Male College, established under the Morrill Act in 1872. As early as 1892 the institution became co-educational. Today the University has a total enrollment figure of nearly 30,000 and offers well over 100 degree programs through its several colleges and schools. These include the College of Agriculture; College of Architecture, Design, and Construction; Raymond J. Harbert College of Business; College of Education; Samuel Ginn College of Engineering; School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences; College of Human Sciences; College of Liberal Arts; School of Nursing; College of Sciences and Mathematics; and the College of Veterinary Medicine. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Auburn University also offers several programs which may be earned 100% online or in a blend of on-campus and online delivery methods. Auburn University’s mission is to “serve the citizens of the State through its instructional, research and outreach programs and prepare Alabamians to respond successfully to the challenges of a global economy. “

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33. University of Wisconsin Madison

Online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Program Details: The University of Wisconsin-Madison offers the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering through the Department of Engineering Professional Development. A 30-credit-hour program, on average the degree can be completed in 2-4 years (depending on whether enrolled full- or part-time). The M.S. in Electrical Engineering program is designed to prepare professionals for leading industry positions within the areas of power electronics, electric power, motor drives, and electric machines. The program’s mission is to provide graduate students an “applicable and theoretical knowledge in power electronics, including alternative energy, through research and study of technological and conceptual innovations in electrical and computer engineering.” Each course is developed to be directly applicable in the student’s work within the industry and the program is suitable for both recent graduates as well as seasoned professionals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is a public, comprehensive, research institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. Established in 1848, the University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers a wide range of programs including over 250 master’s, doctoral, and professional programs and over 200 undergraduate majors and certificates through its several colleges and schools. These include the College of Agricultural & Life Sciences; the College of Engineering; the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies; Wisconsin University Law School; the College of Letters & Science; the School of Medicine & Public Health; the Mead Witter School of Music; the Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs; and more.  The University’s mission is to “provide a learning environment in which faculty, staff, and students can discover, examine critically, preserve and transmit the knowledge, wisdom and values that will help ensure the survival of this and future generations and improve the quality of life for all.”

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34. University of Delaware

Online Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Program Details: The University of Delaware offers an online Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering through the College of Engineering. A leader in innovative engineering design and education, UD’s master’s in electrical and computer engineering program is designed to prepare students to “lead in the development of sophisticated engineering solutions proactively designed to repel cyber threats,” as well as to “master advanced information processing concepts and application through a cybersecurity lens.” The program requires 30-credit hours and features courses available via online delivery. The curriculum covers foundational theory combined with hands-on skill building to “challenge [students] to develop efficient designs and algorithms that incorporate defenses against cyber threats during information exchange.”

The University of Delaware is a public land-, sea-, and space-grant university located in Newark, Delaware. Committed to excellence in education, research, and service, UD’s mission is to “cultivate learning, develop knowledge and foster the free exchange of ideas.” This mission statement continues, “the University has a strong tradition of distinguished scholarship, research, teaching and service that is grounded in a commitment to increasing and disseminating scientific, humanistic and social knowledge for the benefit of the larger society. ” Strategically located halfway between Washington D.C. and New York City, the University of Delaware (abbreviated UD) began as a private academy in 1783 and is one of the oldest in the nation. In 1833 the college was chartered by the state of Delaware and in 1921 was officially named the University of Delaware. A “research-intensive, technologically advanced university with a global impact”, one of UD’s interesting historical tidbits is that it claims the U.S.’s first study abroad program which set sail in July of 1923. Today over 30% of students study abroad each year in one of the University’s 100-plus programs in over 400 countries.

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35. New Jersey Institute of Technology

Online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Program Details: The New Jersey Institute of Technology offers an online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering. Designed for professionals, the program’s mission is to strengthen students’ “command of the latest techniques/methodologies in electrical engineering, develop the technological and creative-thinking skills necessary to deliver innovative solutions to real-world electrical engineering challenges, and cultivate the professional development tools needed to become a leader/manager in a world of increasing technological complexity.” Several areas of specialization are offered within the broader degree program, including telecommunications, robotics and control, signal and image processing, and power and energy. Applicants are required to hold an undergraduate degree in a related science field and possess a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.8 on a 4.0 scale. The master’s in electrical engineering degree requires a minimum of 30 credits for degree completion, including six credits obtained by taking two prescribed Core Courses.

The New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) is New Jersey State’s public polytechnic university. Located in Newark, New Jersey, the University is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and offers over 125 undergraduate and graduate-level degree programs. Comprising six specialized schools, these include the Newark College of Engineering; the College of Science and Liberal Arts; the College of Architecture and Design; the Ying Wu College of Computing; the Martin Tuchman School of Management; and the Albert Dorman Honors College. In its mission statement, NJIT declares its intention to “prepare its graduates for positions of leadership as professionals and as citizens; provide educational opportunities for a broadly diverse student body; respond to needs of large and small businesses, state and local governmental agencies, and civic organizations; partner with educational institutions at all levels to accomplish its mission; and advance the uses of sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) as a means of improving the quality of life.”

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36. Stanford University

Online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Program Details: Stanford University Online offers the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering through the Stanford School of Engineering. Designed to provide students with an advanced preparation for either professional practice or junior college-level educators, the program offers a strong foundation in physical science and mathematics combined with a broad knowledge of engineering techniques and the relationship between technology and society. The curriculum is designed to offer “the breadth of education and depth of training necessary for leadership in the profession.” Part-time students generally require an average of 3-5 years to complete the program, which requires 45-units; the master’s degree must be completed within 5 years of beginning the program. The majority of the M.S. in Electrical Engineering program may be completed online, however, on-site requirements may exist, depending on the student’s program plan, the area of focus, and course offerings.

Stanford University is a private, nonprofit institution and one of the world’s leading research universities. Located in Stanford, California in California’s Bay Area, an area known as a dynamic intellect and cultural diversity, the University has a total research budget of $1.64 billion with over 6,200 externally sponsored projects. Known for its entrepreneurial character, due in part to its relationship to Silicon Valley, the University was founded by Leland and Jane Stanford in 1885 in memory of their only child, Leland Jr., who died at the tender age of 15. Stanford University is currently accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission and comprises seven schools which offer a wide range of graduate and undergraduate degree programs. These include the School of Earth, Energy and Environmental Sciences; Graduate School of Business; School of Humanities and Sciences; School of Engineering; School of Medicine; Graduate School of Education; and the Stanford Law School. 

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37. Arizona State University

Online Master of Science in Engineering in Electrical Engineering

Program Details: Arizona State University offers the Online Master of Science in Engineering in Electrical Engineering through ASU Online and the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. The program is designed to prepare students for expanded career opportunities as well as connect them to the challenges of global integration. Several areas of concentration are offered in physical electronics and photonics, electronic and mixed-signal circuit design, signal processing and communications, and electromagnetic, antennas and microwave circuits. Taught by the Schools of Engineering faculty members, all of the 320+ faculty members are passionate about teaching and experts in their field and many have been honored with the highest awards in their fields. Faculty milestones include Nobel Laureate; National Academy of Engineering members; National Academy of Sciences members; National Academy of Inventors members; National Academy of Construction members; and more than 55 young investigator awards received in the last 10 years.

Arizona State University (ASU) is a leading public research university located in downtown Tempe, Arizona, in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. ASU operates several campuses and regional learning centers all across the state and is one of the largest public universities in the country in terms of enrollment. Classified by Carnegie as a research university with the “highest research activity”, the University has been named the most innovative university in America. Established in 1885 by an act passed by the Arizona Territorial Legislature, ASU was originally called the Territorial Normal School at Tempe. In 1945 the school became Arizona State College and in 1958 was renamed Arizona State University. In addition to its traditional campus degree programs, ASU offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its online platform which is headquartered in Scottsdale, AZ. ASU’s online classes are taught by the same faculty and students receive the same diploma as traditional students.

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38. University of Colorado Boulder

Online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Online Master Engineering in Electrical Engineering

Program Details: The University of Colorado Boulder offers the Master Engineering and the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering through the Graduate School and the Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering (ECEE) Department at CU. The Electrical Engineering program is offered with several areas of concentrated study and research in the fields of biomedical and biological engineering; communications and signal processing; computer engineering (including VLSI/CAD) and software engineering; dynamics, robotics, and controls; electromagnetics, RF and microwave engineering; embedded systems engineering; optics and photonics; power electronics and renewable energy systems; remote sensing; and nano structures and devices. GRE general exam scores (no older than 5 years) are required for the Master of Science degree; there are no GRE score requirements for admission into the Master of Engineering program.

The University of Colorado Boulder (CU-Boulder) is a four-year, public, research university located in Boulder, Colorado. One of just 34 U.S. public research institutions to belong to the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), CU-Boulder is the only member in the Rocky Mountain region to hold this membership. The University’s mission is to “directly affect Colorado communities through collaborative research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.” This statement continues, “Our faculty, staff and students work with the broader community to establish unique connections that have lasting outcomes – both across Colorado and around the world.” Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, CU-Boulder offers over 3,800 courses in 150 fields of study through its several colleges and schools. These include the College of Arts & Sciences; the Leeds School of Business; the School of Education; the College of Engineering and Applied Science; the Graduate School; the University of Colorado Law School; the College of Media, Communication and Information; the College of Music; and the Continuing Education and Professional Studies.

39. Texas Tech University

Online Master in Engineering

Program Details: Texas Tech University offers the Master of Engineering through the Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering. A minimum 36-credit-hour program, the online Master of Engineering is an interdisciplinary, non-thesis degree created especially for practicing engineers. Because it does not include a thesis, students are required to pass a final comprehensive examination at the end of the program. The goal for every student is to offer a well-rounded knowledge of the engineering field and students are able to select from several tracks within the various engineering disciplines or design their own program of study to create a program that is uniquely tailored to their educational needs and professional goals.

Texas Tech University is a comprehensive public research university located in Lubbock, Texas. With a heritage dating back to 1923, the University operates under the umbrella of the Texas Tech University System (TTUS) and is one of four component institutions which are governed by the TTUS Board of Regents. Texas Tech is firmly committed to both teaching and the advancement of knowledge and to provide the “highest standards of excellence in higher education, [which] fosters intellectual and personal development, and stimulated meaningful research and service to humankind.” Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the University offers a wide range of programs through its several colleges and schools. These include the College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources; College of Architecture; College of Arts & Sciences; Jerry S. Rawls College of Business Administration; College of Education; Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering; Honors College; College of Human Sciences; College of Media & Communication; J.T. & Margaret Talkington College of Visual & Performing Arts; Graduate School; and the School of Law.

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40. Washington State University

Online Professional Science Master in Electric Power Engineering (PSM)

Program Details: Washington State University offers the Professional Science Master’s (PSM) degree in Electric Power Engineering through its Global Campus. Combining professional management training with advanced technical courses, the program is designed to provide graduates with an in-depth knowledge of electric power engineering as well as the necessary managerial skills to advance in their field. Specific courses include power system analysis, power system economics, and electricity markets for the technical aspect of the program and law, finance, communication, and ethics for the business portion of the degree. Electives are available in areas including power electronics, renewable energy, and high voltage engineering. Offered through the College of Engineering, the program is designed to produce uniquely qualified professionals who are equipped to “meet the increasing demand for power engineering leaders with both technical skills and professional management training.”

Washington State University is a four-year, public land-grant institution located in Pullman, Washington. A top-tier research university, the University began in 1890 as Washington State’s original land-grant institution. Its core commitment is stated as such, “Washington State University is a public research university committed to its land-grant heritage and tradition of service to society.”The University’s mission is three-fold: “To advance knowledge through creative research and scholarship across a wide range of academic disciplines. To extend knowledge through innovative educational programs… To apply knowledge through local and global engagement that will improve quality of life and enhance the economy of the state, nation, and world.” Accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, Washington State offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs both on-campus and online through its several colleges. These include the Colleges of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences; Arts and Sciences; Business; Communication; Education; Engineering and Architecture; the Honors College; Medicine; Nursing; Pharmacy; and Veterinary Medicine.

Admissions

41. Oklahoma State University

Online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Program Details: Oklahoma State University offers the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering. Available through its School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, the School’s mission is to “provide a high-quality, comprehensive electrical and computer engineering education for both undergraduate and graduate degree-seeking students.” The M.S. in Electrical Engineering is available with several major areas of emphasis in both course offerings and research. Specific areas of specialized study include communications, speech and image processing, laser applications, computer systems, digital and analog VLSI design, electronics, control theory, real-time system control, renewable energy systems, electric power economics, microwave remote sensing, expert system development, and parallel processing. Objectives of the program include equipping graduates to be prepared for employment across the range of sub-disciplines within electrical engineering; for graduates to be recognized as leaders, team players, problem solvers, innovators, and entrepreneurs in their profession; for graduates to continue to develop professionally throughout their lives by being adaptive learners; and for graduates to make a positive difference in the world.

Oklahoma State University is a four-year, public, land-grant university located in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, the University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs through its several colleges and schools. These include the Colleges of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources; Arts and Sciences; Education; Health and Aviation; Engineering, Architecture and Technology; Human Sciences; the Spears School of Business; the Center for Veterinary Health Sciences; the Graduate College; the Honors College; the School of Global Studies and Partnerships; and the College of Osteopathic Medicine. Oklahoma State University’s mission is to promote learning, advance knowledge, enrich lives, and stimulate economic development through teaching, research, extension, outreach, and creative activities. Its vision is to “lead in the creation of a better Oklahoma, nation, and world by advancing the quality of life for all, and… fulfill the obligations of a first-class, land-grant educational institution.”

Admissions

42. Illinois Institute of Technology

Online Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Program Details: The Illinois Institute of Technology offers the master of Electrical and Computer Engineering through the Armour College of Engineering. A course-only degree program, the program is designed to “prepare students for leading edge positions in industry in the fields of electrical and computer engineering.” Specific courses within the program include circuit analysis; digital systems; electrodynamics; signals and systems; engineering electronics; multivariate and vector calculus; and differential equations. Students work with an advisor to create a program tailored to meet their needs and career goals, focusing on one or more areas of specialization. Specialization options include communication systems; computer communication, computer engineering, power electronics, electromagnetics, electronics, VLSI and microelectronics, power systems, and signal and image processing.

The Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), located in Chicago, Illinois, is a private, nonprofit, technology-focused research university. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, IIT offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering, science, architecture, business, design, human sciences, applied technology, and law through its several colleges, schools, and institutes. These include the Armour College of Engineering; the Chicago-Kent College of Law; the College of Architecture; the College of Science; the Institute of Design; the Institute for Food Safety and Health; the Lewis College of Human Sciences; the Pritzker Institute of Biomedical Science and Engineering; School of Applied Technology; the Stuart School of Business; and the Wanger Institute for Sustainable Energy Research (WISER). The University’s overarching mission is to “provide distinctive and relevant education in an environment of scientific, technological, and professional knowledge creation and innovation.” Its vision is to be “internationally recognized in distinctive areas of education and research, using as its platform the global city of Chicago, driven by a professional and technology-oriented focus, and based on a culture of innovation and excellence.”

Admissions

43. Texas A & M University

Online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Program Details: Texas A&M University offers the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering through the College of Engineering. Designed to “develop new understanding through research and creativity,” students enrolled in the program have the option of pursuing either a thesis or non-thesis Master of Science degree. A 32-semester-credit-hour program, the degree is offered through the College’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and provides both the depth and breadth necessary for professionals in the field of advanced engineering. Areas of study include analog and mixed signal, biomedical imaging and genomic signal processing, computer engineering, electromagnetic and microwaves, electric power and power electronics, solid state electronics, photonics and nano-engineering, telecommunications, signal processing and controls.

Texas A&M University is a research-intensive, flagship university located in College Station, Texas. Established in 1876, Texas A&M University was Texas’ first public institution of higher education. The University’s mission is to be “dedicated to the discovery, development, communication, and application of knowledge in a wide range of academic and professional fields.” This statement continues, declaring that its goal of “providing the highest quality undergraduate and graduate programs is inseparable from its mission of developing new understandings through research and creativity. It prepares students to assume roles in leadership, responsibility and service to society.” Texas A&M University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its several colleges and departments. These include the College of Agriculture and Life Science; College of Architecture; Mays Business School; College of Dentistry; College of Education & Human Development; College of Engineering; College of Geosciences; Bush School of Government & Public Service; School of Innovation; School of Law; College of Liberal Arts; College of Medicine; College of Nursing; Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy; School of Public Health; College of Science; and the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.

Admissions

44. Rochester Institute of Technology

Online Master of Engineering in Microelectronics Manufacturing Engineering

Program Details: Rochester Institute of Technology offers the Master of Engineering in Microelectronics Manufacturing Engineering through the Kate Gleason College of Engineering. A broad-based education program, the degree is designed for individuals interested in pursuing a career in the semiconductor industry and who already hold a bachelor’s degree in traditional engineering or one of the other science disciplines. A 30-credit-hour program, desired outcomes include the ability to design and understand a sequence of processing steps to fabricate a solid state device; the ability to analyze experimental electrical data; the ability to understand current lithographic materials, processes, and systems to meet imaging and/or device patterning requirements; and to appreciate the areas of specialty in the field of microelectronics, such as device engineering, circuit design, lithography, materials and processes, and yield and manufacturing.

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is a privately endowed, coeducational university located in Rochester, New York. Established in 1829, RIT emphasizes career education and experiential learning. The University’s mission statement is to prepare “its students for successful careers in a global society” through a “unique blend of curricular, experiential, and research programs delivered within a student-centric culture.” Its vision is to “be a great world university whose academic portfolio, research agenda, and educational model align with the shifting needs of a complex planet.” Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, RIT comprises several colleges and schools, including the College of Applied Science and Technology; the Saunders College of Business; the B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences; the Kate Gleason College of Engineering; the College of Health Sciences and Technology; the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences; the College of Liberal Arts; the National Technical Institute for the Deaf; the College of Science; and the Golisano Institute for Sustainability.

Admissions

45. Columbia University City of New York

Online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Program Details: Columbia University offers the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree through the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science. A flexible and customizable program, the degree can be tailored to meet each student’s individual educational needs and career goals. Students have the option of pursuing electrical engineering disciplines in depth as well as choose from a selection of courses from other available engineering majors, including topics such as physical devices, circuits and systems, communications and networking, signal, information and data processing, computer engineering, smart electric energy, systems biology and neuroengineering.

Columbia University is a private, nonprofit institution of higher education located on West and Broadway in New York, New York. Established in 1754 as the King’s College by the royal charter of King George II of England, Columbia University is the oldest institution of higher learning in New York and the fifth oldest in the United States. The University’s mission is to be “one of the world’s most important centers of research and at the same time a distinctive and distinguished learning environment for undergraduates and graduate students in many scholarly and professional fields.” Columbia University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and offers a wide range of programs through its several colleges and schools. These include the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, & Preservation; Graduate School of Arts and Sciences; School of the Arts; Barnard College; Columbia Business School; Columbia College; Columbia Journalism School; Columbia Law School; College of Dental Medicine; Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science; School of General Studies; School of International and Public Affairs; Jewish Theological Seminary; School of Nursing; Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons; School of Professional Studies; Mailman School of Public Health; School of Social Work; Teachers College; and the Union Theological Seminary.

Admissions

46. University of Cincinnati

Online Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering

Program Details: The University of Cincinnati offers the Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering as an 18-month-long, 30-credit-hour, online program. A practical, pragmatic, non-research degree, the program does not require a thesis and is subject to the same rigorous engineering coursework as a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering with the addition of non-technology business courses. The program is designed to offer “the latest in embedded systems technology, providing not only the technical knowledge of advanced microsystems, but also the management of professionals and effective leadership within a technical environment.” Career opportunities for graduates cover a wide range including software engineer, hardware engineer, electronics engineer, research scientist, system designer, system developer, software tester, software designer, hardware designer, system analyst, lead engineer, and lead designer.

The University of Cincinnati is a premier, public, urban research university located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The University traces its origins back to 1819 when the Medical College of Ohio and Cincinnati College were both chartered. In 1870 the City of Cincinnati formally established the University of Cincinnati which eventually absorbed the two predecessor institutions. Classified by the Carnegie Commission as a Research University with Very High Research Activity, the University of Cincinnati (UC) has also been ranked as one of the top 25 public research universities by the National Science Foundation. The University holds accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission and offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate-level programs, including several of which are available in online formats.

In its formal mission statement, the University declares its dedication to “undergraduate, graduate, and professional education, experience-based learning, and research” and a commitment to “excellence and diversity in our students, faculty, staff, and all our activity.” The mission statement continues, “We provide an inclusive environment where innovation and freedom of intellectual inquiry flourish.”

47. Kennesaw State University

Online Master of Science in Applied Engineering (emphasis in Electrical Engineering)

Program Details: Kennesaw State University offers the Master of Science in Applied Engineering with an emphasis in Electrical through its Online Learning department and the Department of Engineering & Engineering Technology. Offered entirely online, the program is taught by faculty members who possess real-world experience in electrical engineering and are skilled and passionate educators. A broad-based program, the degree is designed to “meet the needs of individuals who wish to pursue advanced studies in modern electrical, electronic or computer engineering and technologies in order to fulfill their personal or career goals.” Outcomes of the program include the ability to apply mathematics to advanced engineering related problems; design and conduct experiments and analyze and interpret results; exhibit an ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems; communicate in written, oral and multi-media formats; and design experiments using sound engineering principles.  

Kennesaw State University, located on two campuses in Kennesaw and Marietta, Georgia, is a member of the University System of Georgia and one of the 50 largest public institutions in the nation. A Carnegie-designated doctoral institution, Kennesaw State has been elevated to an R3 classification (a doctoral institution with moderate research activity) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Learning. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, the University offers approximately 150 undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degree programs through its several colleges. These include the Bagwell College of Education; Coles College of Business; College of Architecture and Construction Management; College of Computing and Software Engineering; College of Continuing and Professional Education; Honors College; College of Humanities and Social Sciences; College of Science and Mathematics; College of the Arts; Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering & Engineering Technology; Graduate College; University College; and the WellStar College of Health and Human Services.

Admissions

48. University of Tennessee Chattanooga

Online Master of Science Engineering (concentration in Electrical Engineering)

Program Details: The University of Tennessee Chattanooga offers the Master of Science Engineering with a concentration in Electrical Engineering. Available through the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the Department of Electrical Engineering, the program offers specialized study options in the areas of Power Systems, Control Systems, Communication Systems, and Computer Hardware. Taught by expert faculty, the program is further augmented by the contributions of practicing engineers from local companies. Students are required to complete a series of eight graduate courses with a thesis or ten graduate courses and a project in order to complete the program. Offered in evening classes or online, the program is designed in such a way as to provide flexibility and convenience for working professionals and part-time students.

The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga (UTC) is a public, coeducational institution of higher education located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Established in 1886 by a Methodist Episcopal Church, UTC began as a private school and remained this way for its first 80-plus years. In 1969 the then-University of Chattanooga and a junior college, the Chattanooga City College, merged with the University of Tennessee (one of the oldest land-grant institutions in the country) to form the UTC campus. When it was formed, the new campus was charged with the mandate to “devote a major portion of its resources to the development of excellence in undergraduate education and in selected areas of graduate study.” Today, UTC offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its four colleges. These include the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, College of Engineering and Computer Science, and the College of Health, Education and Professional Studies. UTC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and serves as a national model for metropolitan universities.

Admissions

49. Louisiana Tech University

Online Master of Science in Engineering (concentration in Electrical Engineering)

Program Details: Louisiana Tech University offers the Master of Science in Engineering. Available with a concentration on electrical engineering, the M.S. in Engineering is an interdisciplinary program which provides students the opportunity to specialize in particular areas of engineering while placing a strong emphasis on research. A 30-36 credit-hour program (depending on the student’s chosen track), the Electrical Engineering concentration equips students to “apply the laws of electrical circuitry to design, develop and improve electronics and solid-state devices, and to control, convert and distribute energy and information.”

Louisiana Tech University is a four-year, public, research university located in Ruston, Louisiana. A highly selective institution, Louisiana Tech is a member of the University of Louisiana System and boasts a total enrollment figure of nearly 13,000 students who come from nearly all fifty states and over 60 foreign countries. Committed to “quality in teaching, research, creative activity, public service, and economic development,” the University’s highest priority is the “education and development of its students in a challenging, yet safe and supportive, community of learners.” Its formal mission statement declares, “Louisiana Tech provides a technology-rich, interdisciplinary teaching, learning, and research environment to ensure student and faculty success.” Louisiana Tech University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees and also boasts several program- and school-specific accreditations. The University comprises several colleges and the Graduate School, including the College of Applied and Natural Sciences, the College of Business, the College of Education, the College of Engineering and Science, and the College of Liberal Arts.

Admissions

50. University of Wisconsin Platteville

Online Master of Science in Engineering

Program Details: The University of Wisconsin Platteville offers the Master of Science in Engineering through its Distance Education Department. Available with several areas of emphasis, options include Engineering Design; Applications of Engineering management; Control (Electrical Systems); and Structural/Geotechnical Engineering. An area of emphasis is earned by completing a minimum of 9 credits within the student’s chosen area of study. Several core courses, equaling 12 credits, are also required with specific courses including Engineering Communications; Linear Algebra; Applied Statistics; Simulation Modeling of Engineering Systems; Optimization with Engineering Applications; and Engineering Management. A 30-credit-hour degree program, each core course is worth three credits, unless stated otherwise.

The University of Wisconsin Platteville (UW Platteville) is a comprehensive, four-year, public institution located in Platteville, Wisconsin. Established as the Platteville Academy in 1866, the institution eventually became the Normal College and Mining School before the formation of UW Platteville in 1871. A pioneer in distance education and online learning, the University offers over 40 undergraduate majors, more than a dozen pre-professional programs, two graduate degrees, and five online graduate program options. The University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and operates with a mission to provide associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degree programs in a broad spectrum of disciplines including: science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; criminal justice; education; business; agriculture; and the liberal arts.” This mission statement continues, “We promote excellence by using a personal, hands-on approach to empower each student to become broader in perspective, intellectually more astute, ethically more responsible, and to contribute wisely as an accomplished professional and knowledgeable citizen in a diverse global community.” The University’s vision is to be “recognized as the leading student-focused university for its success in achieving excellence, creating opportunities, and empowering each individual.”

Admissions

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Common Application and Admission Questions

Breaking into a top graduate program is no easy task! Unlike the process for getting accepted to a university as an undergraduate, graduate programs don’t welcome in hordes of new faces. On the contrary, they’re far more selective because they have far fewer seats. That’s why it’s critical to understand the graduate school application process inside and out. 

Another difference is that graduates, unlike freshmen, have four years of college under their belts already. Thus, academic expectations are higher. They need to see how well you did beyond high school and most departments set a minimum admission standard of a 3.0 undergraduate GPA. That’s often the threshold for them just to look at an application, with most admitted students holding a higher-than-minimum GPA. But every program is different, and they do consider other factors. That’s why the fun doesn’t stop with GPA requirements!

Most grad students have a significant amount of work experience and are seeking their master’s in order to advance existing careers or launch new ones. A graduate admissions department wants to see a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) outlining that prior work experience, activities, etc. Pay close attention to the application requirements for the resume or CV, in case you need to customize it for some reason. Remember to keep a “master copy” to work off of and, if using a CV format, include all relevant published works. The school will take all of that into consideration, and in many cases so will the departmental faculty. 

Yes, that’s right, grad school faculty take a keen interest in potential program candidates because they’ll be the ones spending time with the students. It’s a closer relationship than that held between undergrads and their instructors, with more direct mentorship and investment into each student. In a top graduate program, students are expected to be valuable team members contributing to the overall good and output of the program. This is where the all-important statement of purpose comes into play. This document must speak to their curiosity about your intentions and goals, and what you can bring to the table. Carefully review the application guidelines to ensure you answer all their questions. Remember, this document also serves the purpose of marketing yourself to them, so write it in a way that makes them take notice!

The success of the student body reflects directly back onto the program, which affects its reputation…which in turn affects the interest level of future students, program funding and sponsored research, external business partnerships, and even faculty hires. For all these reasons, graduate programs set high bars for admittance. To be competitive, your application has to be about more than you. Just like a job interview, you must demonstrate what you can offer them. They’re looking for people who have proven themselves to be capable leaders able to complete the program while also contributing to it. If you can convince them that accepting you is a benefit to them, you’ll greatly boost your odds!

See Also: 10 Best Master’s in Industrial Engineering

What About Financial Aid & Scholarships?

The point of grad school is to earn more money after you graduate! The catch is that it costs so much to attend that many students can’t afford the investment. Tuition rates at both public and private institutions continue to edge upwards, with average costs ranging from $30,000 and $40,000 a year. Clearly this limits accessibility unless a student acquires a lucrative grant or scholarship or is willing to borrow the money. The first stop for both these areas is the federal government. 

Federal Student Aid doesn’t give out scholarships but it does issue grants. The problem is that most grants are intended for undergraduates, so this doesn’t help students wanting to pursue a master’s. There are a few exceptions, of course, such as Fulbright Grants and TEACH Grants. There’s also the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant for qualified students. But when it comes to federal grants, options are somewhat limited (so we’ll check out non-federal grant opportunities below).

Next up are federal loans. Often a private bank lender can’t match the benefits offered by Uncle Sam, such as lower interest rates, fixed rates, and income-based repayment options. There are two main loan types—subsidized and unsubsidized. Subsidized loans are for undergraduates, so most graduate students consider unsubsidized loans which go up to $20,500 a year. 

These direct loans are applied for via the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid process. Your school receives a Student Aid Report based on information listed on the FAFSA and tallies the dollar amount needed to be loaned. Students can pay interest along the way or defer it for later. All terms are explained in a half-hour Entrance Counseling briefing done prior to accepting a federal loan. Students also sign a Master Promissory Note upon acceptance. 

The federal government isn’t the only entity providing financial aid. Did you know there are state grants as well? They’re not as generous as a federal undergrad grant, but everything helps! Check out the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) website to learn more about state-specific grant opportunities you may qualify for. 

All universities offer some type of grant or scholarship and students often qualify for teaching assistantships or research positions, too. There are even paid internships so you can earn while you learn. As you review our list of MBA programs, don’t forget to read about the department and program-specific financial perks (we noticed one MBA features a summer internship paying $7,000+ per month. That’s ~$17,500 for a 10-week internship). 

Organizations loan millions every year to qualified graduate students. From private companies and federal agencies to nonprofits and professional groups, there’s no shortage of donors waiting to help fund a promising master’s degree candidate. The trick is actually applying. It’s time-consuming but a handful of small scholarships adds up quickly and every free dollar you can get is money you don’t have to work for. Winning a private scholarship also looks great on your resume!

How Much Can I Make With a Master’s in Operations and Supply Chain Management? 

Without Operations and Supply Chain Management, we wouldn’t have the consumer goods we use daily. From sourcing materials to creation of marketable products to selling and shipping them to warehouses and stores, Operations and Supply Chain Management is one of the most vital fields in today’s global economy. That’s why graduate programs put such a strong emphasis on producing qualified graduates ready to fulfill the never-ending needs of businesses. 

Many students elect to complete a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration on the area, providing a strong (and marketable) business core. Such programs are flexible, with options to customize the plan of study. As a result, it’s difficult to track precise income data for graduates due to so many variables. Career paths include everything from industry analysts, warehouse manager, supply chain consultant, purchasing, project management, global logistics, transportation director…the possibilities are endless and so are the ranges of potential pay. Other factors which directly impact income include the size of the company, geographic location, years of experience, and additional training or subject matter expertise. 

With all that said, a general range of incomes is possible to ascertain. The universities themselves are a great source of data. Graduate programs love to track data on alumni because they can turn it into a selling point. (Why should a student pay $40,000 in tuition to pay for XYZ University’s MBA program? Because the average starting salary for graduates is over $100,000, that’s why!) Our list below shows a few of the median reported income for alumni, but keep in mind those are starting offers not including bonuses or other incentives. 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook is another excellent source of income tracking with its comprehensive breakdown of national statistics and details about daily work activities, various traits needed to do well in a job, and how to qualify for one. The only problem is, again, that there are so many types of careers that graduates in this field can qualify for. You’ll need to look into a few different pages on the site. 

Logisticians, buyers and purchasing agents, transportation/storage/distribution managers are a few of the professions to dig into. Per BLS, logisticians working in the highest 10% of the business make over $119,950. We can infer that workers holding advanced degrees (beyond bachelor’s) constitute the higher end of that spectrum. The same holds true for buyers and purchasing agents. In 2018, the median annual salary for a purchasing manager was nearly $119,000, with top earners bringing home over $187,000. Meanwhile, transportation, storage, and distribution managers reportedly make an average of $94,730 a year with a bachelor’s, while the top 10% make $158,370. More resources include Glassdoor and Payscale, which list incomes reported from users. Combined, these stats give us a broad overview of income potential for graduate students holding an MBA or other master’s degree related to operations and supply chain management.  

Notable Statistics

As the saying goes, “If you bought it, a truck brought it.” Supply chain management impacts virtually every aspect of our lives, and these days companies are on the hook more than ever. As retail businesses face store closures, more and more consumers are turning to online shopping to have items shipped directly to their homes. Companies like Amazon have revolutionized the way we buy things and the way businesses sell them. 

According to Learning Hub, half of all manufacturing supply chains use “direct-to-consumption” shipping in one way or another. And 30% of supply chain Logility survey respondents noted the need for “faster, more accurate and unique fulfillment” as one of their main focuses in the coming years, underscoring the need for faster, better technology and more efficient and effective practices at every step of the process. Every cost- or time-saving advantage makes a difference. For example, cutting-edge companies currently using internet of things (IoT) for shipment tracking are already seeing the impact of 5G, the next generation of cellular technology. It’s changes like that which are driving organizations to scramble in search of operations and supply chain experts knowledgeable about current systems and technology, to ensure their business doesn’t lag behind the competition. 

MBAs are, by default, focused on offering business education, however many are now also designed as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs, as well. That’s one reason why MBA programs featuring an operations and supply chain management concentration option should be thoroughly assessed for curriculum currency. It’s important to look for course offerings on the latest technology and innovation topics, due to the increasing utilization of high-tech software and practices across the industry. 

There are several national and international organizations for supply chain management professionals which keep track of such changes, so it’s always a good idea to consider joining a group relevant to your career goals and interests. A few of the biggest organizations include: 

• American Production and Inventory Control Society
• Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME) 
• Association for Supply Chain Management
• Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS)
• Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals
• Institute for Supply Management (ISM) 
• Institute of Business Forecasting & Planning (IBF)
• Intermodal Association of North America (IANA)
• International Society of Sigma Six Professionals (ISSSP)
• International Warehouse Logistics Association
• Lean Enterprise Institute, Inc.
• MHI – “The Industry That Makes the Supply Chain Work”
• National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) 
• National Industrial Transportation League
• Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC)

With the industry exploding, now’s the perfect time to earn your MBA or advanced degree in operations and supply chain management. We’ve offered up some insights into the mysterious world of graduate admissions, slipped in a few application tips, hopefully passed along some useful financial aid advice to get your degree funded, and thrown in some eye-popping statistics on how much income potential is in store for you after graduation. So now it’s time to dig into the meat of the article—our list of the best master’s programs in operations and supply chain management!

Our Ranking Criteria 

We have a time-tested four-part formula designed for ranking the best colleges in the nation that we’d love to share with you. We prioritize four major factors: Earnings Potential, Affordability, Student Satisfaction, and Selectivity. Reliable research and well-harvested data are the main ingredients in our recipe for success. We don’t make recommendations based on personal opinions, or financial incentives. Our revenue and content are completely separate, and sponsored schools have no impact on our rankings. The only way to make it onto one of our lists is to have an incredible academic program! 

What Are the Best Master’s Programs in Operations and Supply Chain Management?

We know that you have educational goals that you’re itching to pursue, but you may not know where to start. The editors of Master’s Programs Guide utilize a unique ranking methodology based on the following three aspects:

40% Potential Salary After Graduation: Average mid-career salary of school alumni 

30% Institutional Accreditation: Regional and National Accreditation for the 2019-2020 school year 

30% Overall Degree Affordability: Average cost of undergraduate and graduate tuition per school

At Master’s Programs Guide, we strive to do our best to guide you and your family toward a fruitful academic career. The pursuit of knowledge is a noble one, and we want to help you reach your goals.

#1.Michigan State University

Supply Chain Management MBA

The founder of Michigan State University’s Broad College of Business began teaching bookkeeping back in 1861. From there the university began developing a business curriculum which has led to its modern acclaimed MBA offerings. One of those is the full-time, 61-credit MBA in supply chain management which takes just 21 months to complete. Graduates of the program are ready to tackle high-level leadership careers in procurement, operations and logistics, demand and supply planning, consulting, and more. 

The curriculum is broken into three parts—the 31-credit hour core, the 12-credit hour MBA concentration, and 18 credit hours of electives. The MBA concentration allows students to select a subject matter focus area in finance, human resource management, marketing, or supply chain management, with an auxiliary concentration in business analytics added to any focus area. Concentration class topics include: 

• Logistics Management
• Strategic Sourcing
• Manufacturing Design and Analysis
• Supply Chain Logistics
• Decision Support Models
• Total Quality Management
• Sustainable Supply Chain Management
• Operations Strategy

Labs and learning centers include the Team Effectiveness Laboratory, Financial Analysis Laboratory, IBM On-Demand Supply Chain Laboratory, and Gast Business Library. Educational opportunities include international trips, exposure to renowned executive speakers, getting a chance to work directly with the most current supply chain tech through partnerships with IBM On-Demand Supply Chain Lab, and enjoying informative industry field trips to companies like Amazon and Amway. The Extreme Green series of experiential workshops is another exciting way for Broad MBA students to learn dynamic new practical skills that they can put to use in their careers. 

Students also have a chance to join the student-led Graduate Supply Chain Management Association and participate in various team-building volunteer projects such as Habitat for Humanity ReStore. They also get to put all of their freshly learned abilities and knowledge to the test through a variety of real-world case study competitions like the Fisher Invitational, the national Net Impact competition, and Broad Vs. Broad, the yearly event that gives teams just 24 hours to analyze a case and present findings to a panel of judges. No pressure! When not immersed in MBA study, MSU attendees enjoy the school’s thriving student life and Spartan Athletics events. 

Forbes listed MSU’s MBA in supply chain management as No. 1 for fastest payback time, while the Economist lists it as No. 1 for return on investment. Clearly such a highly ranked program is going to feature stringent admissions standards. Applicants will submit transcripts (average applicants hold a 3.3 GPA on the last two years of undergraduate work), a resume listing a recommended two years of relevant work experience, and GRE or waiverable GMAT scores (no minimum required, however the average GMAT for 2021 admitted applicants was 674). Two original essays are also required, one written and one in video format. An optional third written essay can be included, as well. Two supervisors should be listed, who may be called for reference checking. Final candidates will be contacted to set up an evaluation interview which can be completed on-campus or over Skype. 

#2. Pennsylvania State University

MBA Supply Chain Management Concentration 

Pennsylvania State University, commonly known as Penn States, is home to the renowned Smeal College of Business which offers graduate students a customizable MBA program. The MBA degree is done with at least one concentration in finance, management consulting, marketing, or supply chain management. Many students opt to take more than one concentration to broaden their knowledge base. After concentrations, students will select up to three options to dive into. Option coursework includes topics such as Applied Leadership, Capital Markets, Corporate Finance, Entrepreneurship, Product and Brand Management, Risk Management, Sustainability, and many more. 

Penn State’s MBA with a supply chain management concentration focuses on strategic procurement practices, manufacturing, and demand fulfillment. The plan of study starts in fall with a week-long orientation, a week-long concentration intensive, a course on leadership communication skills, and coursework covering business fundamentals such as business statistics, accounting, team processes, economics for managers, risk management, and related topics. Spring term jumps into marketing, strategic management, supply chain ops, and global business matters, and much more. The second fall and spring terms focus on electives based on the students’ chosen concentration(s) and options. The curriculum is taught by a core faculty of industry experts, executive directors, authors, and institutional fellows with decades of experience. 

  All Penn State MBAs are painstakingly designed to focus on real-world business needs, training students on the school’s designated focus areas of principled leadership, functional expertise, integrated perspective, and global perspective. Students are able to take advantage of stellar career preparation services and school-corporate connections, as well. Graduates are regularly snatched up by recruiters from major companies during the Smeal Supply Chain Career Fairs. Alumni currently work for industry behemoths such as Amazon, Apple, DuPont, Johnson & Johnson, and Nike. In fact, 89% of alumni report receiving at least one job offer by the time they graduate. The school’s website lists a breakout of alumni employment areas by industry, revealing that 33% of grads work in the technology sector, while 18% go on to manufacturing. 28% work within an operations and logistics function, while 23% are in sales and marketing. 18% shift straight into management roles. 

Admission is competitive. The entire MBA program’s class size for 2020 was just 58 students, with an average of 62 months of previous work experience. Penn State strives to seek a diverse student body, with current percentages listing 34% women MBA grad students and 30% international students. The Smeal College of Business does things a little differently, however, advertising the qualities they seek in candidates instead of just the usual checklist of application materials. The school prizes traits such as integrity, respect, responsibility, discovery, excellence, and community. That said, they still need the applications materials, too, which include transcripts, a resume, a 600-word essay, a video application, letters of recommendation, and GMAT or GRE Scores. The average GMAT for admitted students was 657, and the average GRE scores were 157 on both the Quantitative and Verbal sections. Undergraduate GPA s ranged from 3.0 to 3.95. 

#3. Arizona State University

Supply Chain Management MBA

Since its founding in 1886 as the Territorial Normal School, Arizona State University in Tempe has strived to offer the most innovative higher education while also making it as accessible as possible. ASU’s W. P. Carey School of Business features an entire department dedicated to teaching supply chain management to full-time MBA students, but students also have the option to attend the program online if they can’t make it to campus or live outside the area. ASU realizes that many grad students are working individuals, so it even allows for Professional Flex MBA with a part-time evening attendance option. One way or another, ASU wants to empower you to earn your degree!

The core full-time MBA curriculum takes roughly 21 months to finish and trains students on decision-making using analytics in order to make critical leadership decisions. Thanks to a $15 million investment devoted to students’ careers, the school also assigns seasoned industry mentors to full-time students who are interested in career-building and the future of the field. Innovative lab work is done via interdisciplinary partnerships with other ASU students majoring in diverse areas, paving the way for unique perspectives while engaging on a practical project. 

Part-time flex MBA attendees have up to four years to complete degree requirements, enabling busy students with the option to take classes at a pace that fits into their lifestyle. Courses are taught by the same high-caliber faculty during the evenings. ASU’s online MBA program is also flexible but with a more regimented structure to keep distance learners on track. This option is made to be finished by taking one five-week class at a time, graduating within two years. There are ~15 online electives available. 

Another flexible option for students wanting to bypass the MBA route is ASU’s 30-credit hour online Master of Science in supply chain management. This program, done in conjunction with MITx MicroMasters®, features rolling enrollment and ten classes, each of which are 7.5 weeks long. As a non-MBA degree, this option allows for a fuller exploration of the technical topics pertinent to the field, from data and modeling to logistics and product flow. 

On-campus students will enjoy the fully-renovated Hayden Library and other campus facilities, as well as 1,000+ thriving student associations and Sun Devil Athletics events. All ASU grads can benefit from the extensive alumni network and associated career resources and member discounts. U.S. News & World Report ranks the W. P. Carey School of Business as No. 33 on their 2020 list of Best Business Schools and No. 4 in Best Online MBA Programs! The Part-time MBA program comes in at No. 22. 

On-campus graduate programs have a different application process than ASU Online programs, however both require transcripts showing a 3.0 GPA on the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework. Other materials to submit include letters of recommendation, GMAT or GRE test scores, a resume, personal statement, and answers to question prompts during the application process. The Graduate School also lists several funding opportunities. 

#4. University of Tennessee

MBA Supply Chain Management Concentration 

Ranked #1 globally for Supply Chain Research by Transportation Journal in 2018, #3 nationally among Supply Chain Graduate programs by Gartner (2018), and placed at #4 Graduate Supply Chain program among public institutions by U.S. News & World Report (2020 Best Business Schools), the University of Tennessee’s mission is to enrich the lives of its state citizens. Having opened its doors in Knoxville in 1794, the university’s mission has now expanded to push the boundaries of human knowledge in order to improve the entire world. Through the Haslam College of Business, UT Knoxville offers its world-class, full-time MBA program with a concentration in supply chain management. The program of study can be completed in as few as 16 months. 

The curriculum begins by laying the foundation of necessary knowledge in business through an optional prep week overview. This is followed by “LEAP week,” which allows students to engage in team-building exercises, practice their negotiation skills, and explore career development opportunities. Students take a business skills course devoted to improving writing, making presentations, marketing, and maximizing networks. UT Knoxville’s MBA program launches students right into case competitions during their first year, as well as practical projects for a non-profit organization. Summer internship rounds off the initial year of study. The next year focuses on up to nine credit hours of concentration area coursework in case supply chain management. 

Students are exposed to a broad assortment of expert faculty and industry professionals who impart their global perspectives. Through team-based learning, students also learn vital collaboration techniques which can be put into direct use in their future careers. There are many opportunities for additional career advancement opportunities, including recruiting and network events, career counseling, mock interviewing, and a vast alumni network. Most UT Knoxville MBA student bodies consist of ~58 students, with an average age of 27 and work background of under five years. The school is home to the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals and NeXxus, an organization devoted to women in supply chain. Between 2018 and 2019, graduates reported a jaw-dropping 27% boost in starting salaries compared to the previous year, with average incomes jumping from under $78,000 to over $99,000. 

When not studying and planning for their lucrative new careers, students enjoy all the exciting urban life that the metropolitan Knoxville area has to offer. There is also the nearby Smoky Mountains National Park, and of course all of the on-campus student life and Volunteers Athletics events that University of Tennessee is well-known for. UT Knoxville’s MBA program is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. It is currently ranked No. 5 in Supply Chain / Logistics Programs by U.S. News & World Report. To apply, students should submit transcripts, two letters of reference, a resume, answers to essay prompts, and GRE or GMAT scores. On average, selected candidates hold a 3.48 undergraduate GPA and GMAT score of 656. Apart from academic qualifications, the school specifically looks for students with sufficient work experience of at least three years, a successful track record of teamwork, and examples of leadership, exemplary communication abilities, and international experience. Applicants do not have to hold a business degree, however prerequisite classes such as accounting or statistics are suggested. 

#5. Georgia Institute of Technology

MBA With Operations Management Concentration 

As one of the nation’s leading research institutions, Georgia Institute of Technology, aka Georgia Tech, has a lot of experience in figuring out how to make things work more efficiently and effectively. That’s why it’s MBA program with an optional concentration in operations management is perfect for full-time students ready to learn the innovative, practical problem-solving skills that can be put to use in their careers. Taught by veteran faculty from the Scheller College, this 22-month program of study features just twelve core courses such as:

• Analytical Tools for Decisions
• Business Communications
• Financial and Managerial Accounting
• Leading People and Organizations 
• Managerial Economics 
• Managing Information Resources 
• Marketing Management
• Operations Management 

Eleven electives are also required, and include classes such as:

• Collaborative Product Development
• Operations Strategy
• Service Operations Management
• Pricing Analytics and Revenue Management
• Global Operations and Supply Chain Strategy 
• Supply Chain Innovation Practicum (which allows students to put learned skills to practical use on a sponsored real-world group project)

Georgia Tech’s MBA can not only be customized with a concentration option, but students can also elect to use four electives as an Immersive Track in Leading Innovation. One immersive option is in supply chain innovation, which is an excellent add-on to any operations management MBA. Graduate advisors at the college work closely with students to ensure they map out a concise roadmap to knock out all degree requirements, including optional concentrations and immersive tracks, as expeditiously as possible. They will also take into consideration the educational background of each student to ensure a sufficient foundation in quantitative coursework, since some Georgia Tech MBA classes do require a certain amount of quantitative skills. 

Students will engage in a paid summer internship after their first year, which will not only enhance learning but look great on a resume. Many of the sponsors are Fortune 500 companies like Amazon, American Airlines, Deloitte, Delta, Fiat Chrysler, Georgia Pacific, Goldman Sachs, Google, HD, IBM, Intel, Johnson & Johnson, Michelin, PepsiCo, Porsche, Coca-Cola, and Home Depot. Virtually every student acquires a paid internship, with average wages of $7,120 per month. Many students go on to graduate and get hired by companies within Georgia Tech’s partnership network, which essentially acts as a funnel for training new recruits for good-paying jobs waiting on the other side of the diploma!

Scheller College is dedicated to helping graduates find work and offers numerous resources to assist, such as career development workshops. These help students outline their job search strategies, build critical networks, polish their resumes and interview skills, and develop their own branding. Students also gain access to the MBA Business Buzz job board. Meanwhile, the school proactively sends out student resumes to recruiters who are looking to onboard fresh new talent! Other resources include self-assessment tools, video-centric interview prep and feedback, large career fairs, and diversity conferences. 96% of program alumni report finding work within three months of graduation, with average salaries of $117,492. Applicants must submit two essays, transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and current GMAT or GRE scores.

#6. Stanford University

MBA Focus in General Management

Few names in higher ed stand out like Stanford’s and its Graduate School of Business (GSB) is a large part of the institution’s acclaim. With acceptance rates in the single digits, it’s one of the toughest schools to get into, but the Stanford MBA Program is worth it! This highly customizable master’s program leads to a General Management MBA and demands a full-time two-year commitment. It also features options for joint or dual degree attainment, saving students time and money. The first year of the GSB MBA covers complex, big picture general management core topics, as well as work on developing individual leadership traits and approaches. 

Stanford has a unique, four-week Global Management Immersion Experience requirement involving students participating during summer in various exploratory cultural learning experiences designed to widen international perspectives. The second year of the curriculum consists largely of electives, allowing students ample flexibility in pursuing topics which will help their careers or further educational goals. The school takes care to update and to incorporate new electives in order to keep up with changes in the real world which should be reflected in the coursework. Elective options include: 

• Entrepreneurship
• Global management
• Human resources
• Information technology
• Marketing
• Organizational behavior
• Political economics
• Public management

Other coursework includes compressed special interest classes, plus an opportunity to take up to 12 credits from other departments on topics like computer science, energy, foreign language, politics, and policy. Stanford’s GSB allows students to participate in joint educational programs such as Harvard Kennedy School, Johns Hopkins, Princeton, and other renowned institutions. 

Student life on Stanford’s beautiful 8,100-acre California campus is filled with constant happenings and diverse events. From first-class facilities to an amazing athletics department, Stanford has everything students need to stay constantly engaged. GSB, in particular, has literally dozens of extra-curricular programs and groups, many of which meet at the school’s 360,000-square-foot, LEED-certified Knight Management Center. 

As applicants may guess from the admissions rate, Stanford expects a lot from its students. As a result, it takes a holistic view on evaluating criteria for admissions, considering intellectual vitality, demonstrated leadership potential, and personal qualities & contributions. The program doesn’t have minimum GPAs or GMAT/GRE scores to meet, but the admissions section does need the usual application materials. In fact, the school’s website goes into great detail on each item needed, so review everything very carefully. Materials include transcripts, GMAT or GRE scores, a resume listing professional work experience, two letters of reference, details on activities and awards won, and two personal essays answering the prompts “What matters most to you, and why?” and “Why Stanford?”

U.S. News & World Report ranks Stanford University as the No. 2 Best Business School out of all graduate schools in the country for 2020. The site also lists Stanford internationally as No. 3 for its economics and business global research reputation. Famous alumni include Phil Knight (co-founder and former CEO of Nike), Vinod Khosla (co-founder of Sun Microsystems), and Penny Pritzker (former U.S. Secretary of Commerce). 

#7. University of Wisconsin-Madison

MBA With Supply Chain Analytics Concentration

As technology continues to alter how business is conducted, the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Grainger Center for Supply Chain Management ensures its graduates students are receiving the most up-to-date education in the field. Its full-time MBA with a supply chain analytics concentration prepares students to understand how to utilize data and information systems, enterprise resource planning systems, and other modern methods relevant in today’s supply chain environments. The curriculum includes numerous practical topics, updated based on input from the program’s advisory board and working alumni. 

The Wisconsin MBA uses a cohort model, allowing students to progress together as a team. The first year of study includes classes such as: 

• Data to Decisions
• Financial Accounting
• Integrated Company Analysis
• Leading and Working in Teams
• Logistics Management
• Marketing Management
• Operations Management
• Strategic Global Sourcing
• Supply Chain Analytics

The second year includes a seminar, additional core classes, plus electives in business, marketing, operations, accounting, HR, insurance, and other related subjects to enhance students’ marketability after graduation. Wisconsin MBA students have the option to take a Six Sigma Yellow Belt certification, visit company supply chain sites at home and abroad in countries like the United Kingdom, South Africa, Vietnam, Turkey, China, and others. There are also opportunities to participate in challenging case competitions at universities like Michigan State University or Brigham Young University, work on sponsored industry team projects and “hackathons,” and learn from alumni business leaders. The program’s advisory board is packed with executives and corporate leaders providing invaluable mentorship to students on internship projects, career planning, interviewing tactics, and more. 

The Wisconsin School of Business maintains a strong connection with industry as it produces work-ready graduates, liaisons with recruiters looking for new hires, and accepts company employees as MBA students in order to return them as company leaders. The school’s Grainger Center for Supply Chain Management, founded in 1991, places an emphasis on quantitatives and has earned the prestigious Department of Homeland Security STEM designation. Recent MBA class profile statistics showed that enrolled students were on average 28 years old and had an average of five years of work experience. Diversity figures listed a student body of 35% women and 28% international students. Graduates have gone on to hold a range of leadership and management positions, with average reported starting salaries of six figures. 

University of Wisconsin-Madison is located in the state’s capital and was named the No. 1 College Football Town in America by NCAA. Home to over 45,000 students from around the world, the campus is jam-packed with activities to suit any interests. Admissions to Wisconsin’s MBA program requires no minimum GPA, but those with under a 3.0 are accepted on a probationary status. Applicants aren’t required to hold a business-related undergraduate degree. In fact, only 31% of admitted students were business majors. Applicants should send in transcripts, GMAT or GRE scores, and at least one essay. The average GMAT score was 665. International students must also submit proof of English proficiency, with at least a 100 on the Internet-based TOEFL exam. 

#8. The Ohio State University

Operations and Logistics MBA

The Ohio State University in Columbus has always done things its own way, so it should come as no surprise that its MBA is unique, as well. Offered through the Fisher College of Business, the full-time MBA program uses a customized plan of study with numerous skills assessments given along the way to ensure proper understanding and retention. Over the course of a two-year program of study, students receive personalized attention from faculty and success coaches as they progress. Every student chooses the route they want to pursue, via the MBA Pathways program which lets them decide upon which practical experiences they’ll need to meet the challenges of their future careers. 

Pathways options include the logistics management pathway, with required courses such as Strategic Logistics Management, Logistics Decision Making, Logistics Analytics, Logistics Technology and Application, and optional classes on Lean Logistics, Field Problems, and more. Another pathway is in supply chain management, with coursework covering Global Sourcing, Matching Supply and Demand, Lean Enterprise and Leadership, Product and Process Innovation, and more. 

The College of Business partners with leading companies at home and overseas, ensuring its offerings are the most up-to-date and sought after. As an immersive program, the degree’s cross-functional curriculum features plenty of practical projects and lessons designed to be instantly applicable on the outside. Students will engage in a team-based overseas consultation Global Applied Project or intensive Global Business Expedition, a Business Lab Project in which they serve as either an embedded or external consultant to a real company, and a Social Impact Challenge where they act as a non-profit consultant. Graduates are adept leaders able to define and resolve difficult problems using analysis and critical thinking. They learn marketable business skills and enhance invaluable personal skills in order to make a direct impact for future employers or in their own entrepreneurial endeavors. 

When not roaming the globe, Ohio State’s graduate business students may take courses at several on-site centers, such as the Dice Center for Financial Economics, Center for Innovation Strategies, Center for Operational Excellence, Global Supply Chain Forum, and Keenan Center for Entrepreneurship, amongst several other stellar campus facilities. The College of Business has always been dedicated to working with students from diverse backgrounds to facilitate positive student outcomes. To this end its runs a helpful Office of Diversity and Inclusion Student Services and Corporate and Community Outreach (OD&ISS&C&CO—that’s a long acronym!) program filled with assistive staff ready to offer a myriad of services geared to give students every opportunity to excel, including counseling, tutoring, career help, and more. There’s also an Office of Career Management which serves both students and company recruiters looking to hire some newly minted graduates. 

According to the U.S. News & World Report 2020 rankings, Ohio State’s Full-time MBA program ranks No. 9 in production and operations and No. 6 in supply chain management and logistics. 91% of graduates reported finding a job within three months, with a median starting salary of $105,000. 

#9. Carnegie Mellon University

Operations Management Concentration MBA

Carnegie Mellon has a long-standing reputation as a technology innovator, which is why it’s no shock to see their MBA program has received a STEM designation because of its focus on sophisticated analytics, management science, and data utilization. Crafted to equip modern students for the business needs and challenges of the future, this teamwork-oriented program comes with a ton of flexibility. Students may select to take the MBA operations management concentration, or any other number of concentration options. 

Operations management concentration coursework includes classes such as Service Management, Supply Chain Management, Operations Strategy, and more. This path prepares graduates for important roles in management, marketing, finance, consulting, and even entrepreneurship. It also allows students to choose several electives, including Demand Management, Risk Analytics, Sustainable Operations, Six Sigma Techniques, and others. 

Carnegie Mellon MBAs are offered through the Tepper School of Business and come in three delivery format options: full-time, part-time online hybrid, and part-time flex. The full-time option is 21-months long, taught on the Pittsburgh campus, and features a summer internship requirement and month-long BaseCamp Orientation designed to set students up for success. It incorporates aspects of academic planning, peer networking, faculty introductions, and a variety of engaging activities. 

The 32-month part-time online hybrid is done using a combination of online and in-person sessions. Students will attend live sessions just 6 times a year on the weekends and have an array of locations to choose from other than the main campus. The part-time flex option is similar and takes the same time to complete but features more opportunities for on-campus class attendance. All students receive a customized plan of study and have access to student and career services. 

Classes are taught using a “mini-semester” format, which splits a normal semester into two 6.5-week parts. In addition to the various concentration options, students can choose an optional MBA track using up to 10 electives for a deeper exploration of certain fields of research. Carnegie Mellon keeps its MBA students on the go with learning excursions around the country and overseas, through its Global and Career Trek requirements. Past Global Trek destinations include China, Dubai, Japan, India, Colombia, Israel, Latin America, South Africa, and Morocco. Students have paid visits to several top companies during their Career Trek experiences, such as Amazon, Cisco, Facebook, Google, HP, Microsoft, Salesforce, and Walmart. 

Three intriguing capstone options are available: study abroad, a month-long trip to Germany or China; Management Game, an applied team exercise involving a computer-simulated multinational company; or Strategic Management of the Enterprise, a sponsored experiential learning adventure which tasks students with solving an actual real-world business problem. Graduates of the Carnegie Mellon MBA program report a starting median base salary of $126,250, with 94% of students stating that they had job offers within three months. 

Applicants should submit unofficial transcripts, a resume, one required essay (and one optional essay), one professional recommendation, and GMAT or GRE scores. International students should also send in their official TOEFL or IELTS scores. 

#10. Rutgers University

MBA Concentration in Supply Chain Management

Founded as Queen’s College in Newark, New Jersey, back in 1766, Rutgers University is the eighth oldest university in America. As a public institution it is not a private Ivy League school but remains one of the original colonial schools bearing all of the associated historical clout. Today, through the Rutgers Business School, Rutgers offers a versatile 49-credit hour part-time MBA with a strategic concentration in supply chain management which was built under careful advisement by working executives and seasoned faculty to cover a comprehensive range of courses on topics such as:

• B2B Marketing 
• Contract Management 
• Data Analysis 
• Enterprise Resource Planning 
• Fundamentals of Project Management
• Global Labor Governance 
• New Product Commercialization
• Pricing Strategy 
• Risk and Disruption Management 

Rutgers created its part-time MBA in order to make higher education more accessible for working students, with flexible attendance options such as night-time classes, choice of campus locations (Newark or New Brunswick) or satellite offices in Morristown and Jersey City. Many classes can even be taken online, and the school offers three program start times for eager students to get started during the semester that suits their schedule. 

MBA students work on actual sponsored projects through partnerships with the Rutgers Center for Supply Chain Management and all students will complete internships with some of the biggest companies in the area. The Center for Supply Chain Management, with oversight by academic and industry advisory boards, is a hub of research and collaboration for students to learn current best practices, liaison with top industry executives, and discover invaluable opportunities for career growth. 

Post-graduation, Rutgers alumni are fully prepared to take on leadership roles expertly managing complex industry issues such as contract management, global sourcing, labor regulations, legal affairs, pricing strategy, process design and improvement, risk analysis, technology utilization, and more. 

Rutgers University’s part-time MBA is tied for No. 40 by U.S. News & World Report. Rutgers Business School also happens to be widely hailed as one of the elite “Big Ten” business schools, per the Big Ten Academic Alliance. Competition for entry can be fierce. The 2019 MBA class profile lists an average GPA of 3.3, average GRE score of 311, average GMAT of 594, and average work experience of over six years. Applicants should send in official transcripts and either GMAT, GRE, or executive assessment. This requirement may be waived for those with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better, plus eight years of relevant work experience. The executive assessment option is to review applicant’s readiness for the rigorous nature of the program. Application materials also include a resume, two letters of recommendation, and short essays describing career goals, reasons for wanting to complete an MBA, and specifics related to how Rutgers can help with those goals. International students needing to meet F-1 visa requirements may be ineligible for the part-time MBA option. Rutgers also offers a related Master of Supply Chain Analytics and a Master of Supply Chain Management, for students not interested in pursuing the MBA route. 

Other Notable Programs

#11. Bowling Green State University

Location: Bowling Green, Ohio

Degree: MBA with a Specialization in Supply Chain Management

Net Price: $17,508

Website          

#12. California State University – East Bay

Location: Hayward, California

Degree: MBA: Operations and Supply Chain Management Concentration

Net Price: $11,422

Website

#13. Middle Tennessee State University 

Location: Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Degree: Management, Supply Chain, MS

Net Price: $12,294

Website

#14. Binghamton University

Location: Binghamton, New York

Degree: MBA with a Career Track in Supply Chain Management

Net Price: $16,440

Website

#15. Brigham Young University

Location: Provo, Utah

Degree: MBA with a Track in Global Supply Chain Management

Net Price: $13,120

Website

#16. San Diego State University

Location: San Diego, California

Degree: MBA with a Specialization in Supply Chain Management

Net Price: $14,568

Website   

#17. University of Toledo in Toledo

Location: Toledo, Ohio

Degree: Professional MBA with a major in Operations and Supply Chain Management

Net Price: $16,588

Website

#18. The University of Texas

Location: Austin, Texas

Degree: Full-Time MBA with a Supply Chain & Operations Management Concentration

Net Price: $14,156

Website      

#19. California State University-Long Beach

Location: Long Beach, California

Degree: MS in Supply Chain Management

Net Price: $9,477

Website

#20. University of Michigan in Ann Arbor

Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan

Degree: Master of Supply Chain Management or Full-Time MBA

Net Price: $16,856

Website

IF YOU ENJOYED THAT THEN CHECK OUT OUR ARTICLES ON THE MOST POPULAR MASTER’S DEGREES AND TOP 50 HIGHEST PAYING MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAMS.

The Registered Nurse (RN) is a noble, necessay professional. Much more than the person administering shots or putting band-aids on skinned knees, nurses are part of a fast growing field with high-earning potential, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The profession promises to grow at a much faster rate than the national average over the next decade, and the median wage is around the $70,000 mark. A pretty nice set-up already, the move to pursue the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree is often prompted by a desire to move into administration, education, or a specialized field. For RN’s who want to be a family nurse practitioner (FNP), midwife, mental health/psychiatric nurse, etc., an MSN degree is a must. And it bears mentioning that although it is not always necessary to have a bachelor’s degree in nursing (many RN to MSN programs can attest to that), it is pretty much commonplace for any online MSN program to require applicants to be currently licensed nurses.

We get it–you’re a working nurse, with very little time to spare looking for your perfect online MSN program. Don’t worry, we here at Master’s Programs Guide have got you covered! Since the online Master of Science in Nursing is one of the most popular online master’s degrees, there are a veritable plethora of MSN programs offered online. We waded through many programs to find the ones that really stand out, looking in particular at schools that are accredited. There are currently two main accrediting agencies for nursing programs, the CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Educations) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), which was originally called the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). The “NLN” of the NLNAC is beginning accreditation services again as the NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA), so programs may soon be displaying their CNEA accreditation. We also looked for schools that have National League for Nursing (NLN) Center of Excellence (COE) in Nursing Education designation (less than 100 institutions of higher education in the United States currently hold the designation of NLN COE greatness). All of the information we gathered to rank the schools is publicly available, and in addition to using our Master’s Programs Guide Core Methodology Criteria, we also assigned points based on these features significant to an exceptional online master of nursing program:

• Program accreditation
• NLN Center of Excellence designation
• Coursework that prepares students to take certification exams such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE), and the Commission on Nurse Certification (CNC) exams
• Any unique and extraordinary features that helped the program stand apart

#1. Johns Hopkins University

Online Master of Science in Nursing Health Systems Management Track; Online Master of Science in Nursing Health Systems Management/Master of Business Administration Dual Degree Program

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Program Details: The Johns Hopkins CCNE-accredited School of Nursing (which is also a designated NLN Center of Excellence) provides an entirely online MSN in Health Systems Management degree program that is grounded “in evidence-based practice” and can be customized based on the student’s coursework choices and practicum experience. The 35-credit Johns Hopkins MSN in Health Systems Management degree requires 376 clinical hours and a twelve-hour core of classes like “Context of Healthcare for Advanced Practice Nursing” and “Biostatistics for Evidence-Based Practice.” For students who desire more business coursework with their MSN curriculum, there is a dual degree option provided through the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and Carey Business School online MSN/MBA. This 65-credit hour program requires the same 376 clinical hours and MSN core and additional classes such as “Economics for Decision Making” and “Business Communication.” In addition to the rigorous and practical coursework provided by the “internationally recognized” Johns Hopkins faculty, students benefit from the new School of Nursing Academic Success Center (ASC). The ASC makes available all manner of academic support and resources at no cost.

Admissions website

Named for abolitionist Johns Hopkins, who left money in his will for the establishment of an institution of higher education, Johns Hopkins University was founded in 1873 in Baltimore, Maryland. Hopkins also bequeathed money for a health center, which is the Johns Hopkins Hospital. Johns Hopkins University opened to students in 1876, and the current enrollment now exceeds 24,000 students. Ten academic divisions comprise this coeducational private research university, and Johns Hopkins is one of the original founding members of the prestigious American Association of Universities. Regional accreditation is granted by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

#2. Ohio State University

Online Master of Science in Nursing

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Program Details: Located in The Ohio State University College of Nursing and provided through Ohio State Online, the online MSN degree program trains students to excel in a multitude of clinical settings through rigorous “coursework, clinical experience and evidence based practice.” Offering four CCNE-accredited tracks online, the MSN degree requires a core curriculum, a specialty core curriculum unique to each track, and clinical hours (distance students must find their own clinical site in their area). The Ohio State online MSN specializations include tracks in Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PHMNP), and Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL). The core curriculum shared by all tracks include classes like “Quality Improvement and Informatics” and “Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Across the Life Span,” and the specialty coursework prepares each student to sit for their respective specialty certification exams. Ohio State Online’s “focus on faculty” translates into a winning situation for online students due to the level of expertise demonstrated by the Ohio State online MSN faculty, and all on-campus resources are available to online students as well through Ohio State Online Student Services and Benefits.

Admissions website

The Ohio State University (Ohio State), located in Columbus, Ohio, is a land-, sea-, and space-grant university that was established in 1870 and had its first graduating class in 1878. Additional regional campus locations are spread around the state, and eighteen academic schools and colleges make up this institution of higher education (known for having the third largest campus in the nation). The flagship university of Ohio, this public research institution serves nearly 60,000 students at the main campus in Columbus and over 66,000 students statewide. The Higher Learning Commission has regionally accredited Ohio State continuously since 1913.

#3. Saint Xavier University

Online Master of Science in Nursing

Photo courtesy of Saint Xavier University

Program Details: Saint Xavier University’s online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program provides students with three CCNE-accredited tracks through the SXU School of Nursing and Health Sciences, which is one of only a small collection of schools in the nation to be designated as an NLN Center of Excellence in Nursing Education. Students can pursue the SXU online MSN in Clinical Leadership, Executive Leadership (Nursing Administration), or Saint Xavier’s online MSN Nurse Educator track. The Executive Leadership track requires 35-credit hours, and the other two tracks both require 38-credits—all three require some previous professional nursing experience. There is a practicum requirement for all three as well, and plenty of support is offered to help students successfully complete their hours. All coursework is taught by the SXU Online Master of Science Faculty, who are experts in the field with real-world, practical experience in both nursing and teaching, and successfully prepares students to take certification exams in their chosen area. The ample student resources include a dedicated Student Services Coordinator, and student testimonials attest to the program’s quality and accessibility.

Admissions website

Chicago’s first Catholic university, Saint Xavier University, was chartered in 1846 by the Sisters of Mercy to originally educate women and the economically disadvantaged. Now, approximately 4,000 students are enrolled in the Chicago, Illinois campus, and nearly 100 academic degree programs are offered through the two schools and one college: College of Arts and Sciences, Graham School of Management, and School of Nursing and Health Sciences. Becoming coeducational in 1969, this private institution of higher education sits on over 100 acres in the southwest side of Chicago, and regional accreditation comes from the Higher Learning Commission.

#4. University of Kansas

Online Master of Science in Nursing

Photo courtesy of University of Kansas

Program Details: The KU School of Nursing, located at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC), is one of the elite NLN COE in Nursing Education designated schools of nursing. The School offers an entirely online Master of Science degree program, and three of the focus area options can be completed online:  KU MS in Nursing Informatics, KU MS in Organizational Leadership, or KU MS in Public Health Nursing. The 37-39 credit hour (depending on which concentration is chosen), CCNE-accredited MS in Nursing degree program can be completed within two years on a full-time basis, or in three to four years if pursued part-time. Students engage in a curriculum including a common nursing core, a leadership core, a two-credit hour research project, and their chosen specialty core. The KU Center for Online and Distance Learning supports the impressive KU School of Nursing faculty as they “envision and implement online courses” for the benefit of online students. An online tutorial, the KUMC Student’s Guide to Online Learning, helps prospective students orient themselves to online learning and the KUMC.

Admissions website

In 1864, the University of Kansas (KU) was established in Lawrence, Kansas. Initially a coeducational preparatory school, the first college classes were held in 1869. The main campus in Lawrence is joined by branch campuses around the state. The School of Nursing is located in the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC), which is in Kansas City and also houses the School of Health Professions and School of Medicine. KU is a public research university, and over 345 academic degree programs are offered through thirteen schools. Over 30,000 students are enrolled in this institution of higher education regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

#5. University of Cincinnati

Online Master of Science in Nursing

Photo courtesy of the University of Cincinnati Creative Services

Program Details: University of Cincinnati Online (UC Online) provides an entirely online MSN degree program with four Nurse Practitioner (NP) specialties from which students can choose to customize their academic and career path. The specialties (Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Midwifery, and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner) range from 44 to 57 credit hours and can all be completed within two years at an accelerated pace. All online program tracks strongly encourage applicants to have at least one year of RN experience, but some require specialized work experience. The MSN degree program is located in the CCNE-accredited UC College of Nursing, and the renowned faculty include “professors who are either practicing in the field or are accomplished researchers.” In addition to the CCNE accreditation, the UC Online Master’s in Midwifery program is certified by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME), and all programs prepare students to take their specific certification exams upon graduation. UC Online student support is provided from admission through graduation, and is evidenced by the student testimonials full of high praise.

Admissions website

Cincinnati College and the Medical College of Ohio merged in 1870 to establish Cincinnati College, which would grow to university status and become the University of Cincinnati (UC)–one of the largest in the nation. Multiple campuses are located throughout Ohio, and the Cincinnati campus remains the main location. A public research institution with the Carnegie Foundation’s designation of Highest Research Activity, UC enrolls nearly 45,000 students in more than 350 academic degree programs. UC is a space-grant school and part of the University System of Ohio, and regional accreditation comes from the Higher Learning Commission.

#6. University of Arizona

Online Master of Science in Nursing Clinical Systems Leadership

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Program Details: As a member of both the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the Western Institute of Nursing, the UA College of Nursing provides respected and reputable nursing programs. The UA Online Master of Science in Nursing Clinical Systems Leadership degree is accredited by CCNE and provided as both an RN to MSN program (for students who hold an associate nursing degree—the ADN track) or an MSN program (for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in nursing—the BSN track). Offered entirely online, the coursework is comprised of eleven classes for the AND track and eight for the BSN track, and students can complete the program in as little as fifteen months. Classes such as “Population Health,” “Healthcare Business Dynamics,” and “Healing Environments and Practices” are taught by the invested and caring UA College of Nursing faculty, who are “award-winning educators, motivated mentors, and accomplished scholars.” Student resources (from outreach counselors to enrollment advisors and more) enhance the online student experience, and interested RNs can read about AU MSN in Clinical Systems Leadership graduates and their positive experiences.

Admissions website

Tucson, Arizona was chosen in 1885 to become the location of the University of Arizona (UA or “Arizona”), and construction began on the school two years later. UA is the oldest university in Arizona, and 32 students enrolled in classes the first year the school opened in 1891. More than 44,000 students are now enrolled, and UA offers over 350 academic degree programs through 20 schools and colleges. Designated with Very High Research Activity, UA is a public land-grant institution of higher education, and the school’s regional accreditation is provided by the Higher Learning Commission.

#7. University of North Carolina Charlotte

Online Master of Science in Nursing in Nursing Administration

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Program Details: The UNC Charlotte School of Nursing, which has NLN Center of Education Excellence designation, provides the MSN in Nursing Administration degree program completely online through Distance Education (DE) at UNCC. A CCNE-accredited program, the 36-credit hour degree can be completed in just over two years on a part-time basis, and it prepares students to pursue ANCC certification in Nursing Administration or Nursing Administration Advanced. The UNCC MSN in Nursing Administration curriculum presents core coursework such as “Health Policy and Planning in the U.S” and system core coursework like “Health Disparities and Nursing,” which is followed by specialty courses that cover a number of topics, such as “Health Informatics and Financial Management for Nurses” and “Curriculum and Instruction in Nursing Education.” A final capstone course (“Synthesis in Advanced Nursing Practice”) completes the degree, and students are provided with UNCC Distance Education resources and services throughout the course of their education to help them succeed. Additionally, UNCC School of Nursing faculty are accomplished and connected, and an Advisory Board helps support the program.

Admissions website

Opening as the Charlotte Center to offer college education to returning veterans, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte or UNCC) began in 1946 and officially became UNCC in 1965 when it joined the statewide UNC System. Nearly 30,000 students are currently enrolled, and UNCC offers over 225 academic degree programs through nine colleges. Comprised of three campuses, UNC Charlotte’s main campus is located in University City on 1,000 acres. This public research university is classified as having Higher Research Activity, and regional accreditation is granted by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

#8. University of North Carolina Greensboro

Online Master of Science in Nursing

Photo courtesy of UNCG

Program Details: The CCNE-accredited UNC Greensboro School of Nursing, through UNCG Online, provides two entirely online concentrations for the MSN degree: Nursing Administration and Nursing Education. The UNCG Online Master of Science in Nursing Administration degree requires 37-credit hours and 504 clinical hours—all coursework is delivered online, and the clinical experience is “determined by student interest area and geographical location” and coordinated by the student “in collaboration with the faculty and Graduate Program Clinical Coordinator.” Similarly, the 38-credit hour UNCG Online Master of Science in Nursing Education degree also requires a clinical practicum (210 hours), which students can set up in their area of residence along with assistance. In addition to the support offered by the Graduate Program Clinical Coordinator and various online student services such as the Career Services Center, the UNCG School of Nursing faculty have a wealth of experience and are “involved in collaborative, interdisciplinary research in community and health care settings.” Another stamp of quality on the online MSN program: UNCG is one of the few NLN Centers of Excellence.

Admissions website

Known as the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) since 1964, the school was established as a school for women in 1891 as the State Normal and Industrial School. The school was originally located on donated land in Greensboro, North Carolina, and when the institution opened for classes in 1892 nearly 200 students were enrolled. Having joined the University of North Carolina System in 1971, UNCG now has just under 20,000 coeducational students enrolled in the eight academic schools and colleges of this public university. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges regionally accredits UNCG.

#9. Ball State University

Online Master of Science in Nursing

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Program Details: Ball State Online provides the online programs for Ball State University, including the fully online Ball State MS in Nursing program. The MS degree is located in the CCNE-accredited Ball State School of Nursing (which is also designated as an NLN COE) and offers three concentration options, two requiring 36-credit hours (Nurse Educator and Nurse Administration) and a 47-credit hour Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) focus. The curriculum for all three concentration options share a research core and a nursing core, and a specialized core unique to each. The Nurse Educator and Nurse Administration focus areas both finish with a 180-hour practicum experience, whereas the FNP concentration requires 690 supervised clinical hours (students are responsible for locating preceptors and clinical hours and supervision in their location). Additionally, students who complete the FNP program are prepared to sit for the FNP certification exam. All online courses are taught by the same Ball State School of Nursing faculty, who “are passionate about teaching and mentoring online students,” and online students are able to fully access all of Ball State’s student services to help them succeed.

Admissions website

When a school in Muncie, Indiana closed in the early 1900s, it was purchased by five brothers. The Ball brothers donated the school to the state of Indiana, and a new institution opened in 1918. The Indiana State Normal School Eastern Division was quickly renamed in the brothers’ honor and gained university status in 1965 to become Ball State University. Two campuses join the main campus in Muncie, and almost 350 academic degree programs are provided to the 22,000 currently enrolled students. Ball State is comprised of eight schools and colleges and has regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission.

#10. University of Texas at Arlington

Online Master of Science in Nursing

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Program Details: Several specialty areas are made available for the online MSN student at the UTA College of Nursing and Health Innovation. Students who are already licensed nurses can participate in one of three specific online MSN degree paths: a 36-credit hour MSN in Nursing Administration focus, a 39-credit hour MSN in Nursing Education focus, or an MSN Nurse Practitioner (NP) focus. The UTA College of Nursing MSN Nurse Practitioner Programs are presented as Accelerated Online opportunities, and five specialty areas are offered: Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP), Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PNP-PC), Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (PNP-AC), Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AG PCNP), and Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG ACNP). All programs are accredited by CCNE and provide rigorous, relevant, 100% online coursework that prepares students for certification exams. The caring and committed UTA College of Nursing graduate faculty members are award-winning and share a passion for nursing as well as for teaching, and the small online class sizes allow for lots of individual attention. UTA distance learner testimonials provide insight into the program.

Admissions website

Established as Arlington College in Arlington, Texas in 1895, the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) started out as a private institution of higher education. The school changed names multiple times prior to joining the University of Texas System in 1967, the point at which the name was restructured to UTA. A public research university, UTA has a High Research Activity designation and enrolls more than 40,000 students in over 180 academic degree programs housed with in the nine schools and colleges. Regional accreditation for UTA comes from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

#11. Western Kentucky University

Online Master of Science in Nursing

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Program Details: Designed for students who live in Kentucky or Tennessee, the WKU School of Nursing MSN with a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) concentration is available entirely online. The 43-credit hour online MSN PMHNP program is provided in a part-time cohort format, beginning every spring and summer. Already licensed RN’s will take courses such as “Advanced Physiological and Pathophysiological Concepts,” “Nursing, Politics and Health Policy,” and “Theoretical Foundations of Professional Nursing” and complete 600 clinical hours, and at the completion of the program will be fully prepared to sit for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (across the lifespan) certification exam. All coursework is presented by the accomplished WKU School of Nursing faculty, who have experience in clinical practice, research, and teaching. Additionally, all faculty members have access to specific online resources, such as an “experienced staff of Instructional Designers and online media experts” to help them craft their online courses. The MSN program is offered through WKU Online, which also provides online student services and resources to help the online student successfully complete their program.

Admissions website

A complex and rich history of institutions of higher education moving locations, closing, merging, transitioning and changing names led to the foundation in 1906 of what is now Western Kentucky University (WKU). Sixty years later in 1966, the institution was definitively named WKU, and this public research university located on a hilltop in Bowling Green, Kentucky currently offers more than 300 academic degrees through its five colleges. More than 20,000 students (known as Hilltoppers) are enrolled, and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission provides WKU with its regional accreditation.

#12. California University of Pennsylvania

Online Master of Science in Nursing; Online Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Business Administration; Online MBA in Nursing Administration and Leadership

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Program Details: Through Global Online, Cal U offers two MSN degrees, a dual MSN-MBA degree, and an MBA degree with a Nursing Administration and Leadership concentration. The Cal U MSN in Nursing Education program (36-credit hours) and the Cal U MSN in Nursing Administration and Leadership program (30-credit hours) are both CCNE-accredited and offered entirely online “for busy nurses who are looking to advance their careers.” Both specialty focus areas require 150 practicum hours and the relevant and rigorous curriculum, taught by the experienced and dedicated Cal U Department of Nursing faculty, leads students to successfully sit for their certification exams. Core courses for both cover topics such as “Health Policy in Nursing” and “Information Systems for Nurses in Health Care Organizations.” Students who want a stronger business focus can opt between the MSN-MBA Dual Degree or the MBA in Nursing Administration degree program. Both require 54-credit hours and are ideal for “nurse leaders who want to gain a competitive edge.” Regardless of program choice, graduate nursing students enrolled in Cal U Global Online programs receive full support throughout their education.

Admissions website

California University of Pennsylvania (Cal U) was established in 1852 as a community school by the local residents of California, Pennsylvania. The school would grow to offer college education, and the name changed several times before the school gained its current name in 1983. Almost 8,000 students are currently enrolled at this public university, and more than 160 academic degree programs are offered. Cal U joined the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, and this institution of higher education is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

#13. Monmouth University

Online Master of Science in Nursing

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Program Details: The Marjorie K. Unterberg School of Nursing and Health Studies at Monmouth University offers its MSN program online “to accommodate the working nurse.” The CCNE-accredited MSN program ranges between 36 and 48-credit hours depending upon which focus specialty area is chosen; students can choose between Forensic Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Education, Nurse Practitioner (which also offers three additional tracks), and School Nurse. The 39-credit hour Monmouth School of Nursing and Health Studies MSN in Forensic Nursing is one of only a few programs of its kind offered in the United States. Provided entirely online, students engage in specialty coursework such as “Interpersonal Violence,” “Diagnosis and Treatment of Psychopathology,” and “Advanced Health Assessment for Forensic Nurses” and are prepared to work in a myriad of settings—such as investigations, disaster response situations, and legal consultations. The faculty are caring and committed and have a wealth of creative research to share with their students. Monmouth University Graduate Studies Information Sessions are offered regularly throughout the year to provide insight into the online programs, and prospective online students can attend them virtually.

Admissions website

Monmouth University was originally founded as Monmouth Junior College in 1933. First becoming Monmouth College in 1956, the school became a university in 1995. Located in West Long Branch, New Jersey, Monmouth is conveniently situated within an hour from both New York and Philadelphia and is close enough to walk to the beaches. A primarily residential, private liberal arts institution of higher education with a current enrollment of over 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students, eight academic departments and schools comprise Monmouth, offering over 50 programs and certificates. Regional accreditation for Monmouth comes from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

#14. University of Colorado Denver

Online Master of Science in Nursing Leadership (i-LEAD); Online Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Health Care Informatics

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Program Details: The University of Colorado Denver CCNE-accredited College of Nursing offers two entirely online MS in nursing degree programs: the 30-credit hour i-LEAD Nursing Leadership and Health Systems MS program and the 34-credit hour online MS in Nursing degree program with a Health Care Informatics concentration at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Both specialized programs are supported through CU Online and taught by the award-winning CU College of Nursing faculty. The i-LEAD program prepares nurses to become “effective leaders and managers in a variety of health care settings,” and, in addition to the MS in Nursing core, coursework includes topics such as “Relational Communication,” “Systems & Leadership Theory,” and a three-credit hour administrative internship. The Health Care Informatics program is interdisciplinary and students participate in a curriculum made up of the MS in Nursing core, informatics core coursework, specialty courses, and a practicum in their home area. The program progresses the ideals held by the American Nurses Association’s Scope and Standards of Nursing Informatics to produce competent informatics specialists. Both programs offer flexibility and CU Online student resources.

Admissions website

The University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) and the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (CU Anschutz) in the nearby town of Aurora are the two campuses of CU Denver. In 2011, the name of the school was officially designated as the University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus (CU Denver/Anschutz). With a Carnegie Classification of Very High Research Activity, the Anschutz Medical Campus houses the School of Dental Medicine, the School of Medicine, the College of Nursing, the School of Pharmacy, Colorado School of Public Health, and the Graduate School. The Higher Learning Commission provides regional accreditation.

#15. University of Pittsburgh

Online Master of Science in Nursing

Photo courtesy of University of Pittsburgh

Program Details: The University of Pittsburgh CCNE-accredited School of Nursing has made two concentration areas for the MSN degree program accessible entirely online through Pitt Online. Two distinct tracks are offered: the 42-credit hour Pitt Nursing Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL®) program and the 37.5-credit hour Pitt Nursing MSN with a Nursing Informatics concentration, and both tracks prepare students to successfully sit for their respective certification exams. The core MSN curriculum (which offers classes such as “Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in Culturally Diverse Populations” and “Ethics for Advance Practice Nursing”) is enhanced by both specialty courses and role development courses, and both specialty areas are taught by the same professors as the on-site program. The quality of the educational experience is evidenced by the impressive certification exam pass rates. All students are assigned an advisor to help them navigate the online MSN program and assistance is offered for distance students finding sites for their clinical hour requirement. For prospective students who desire to learn more, Pitt Online Virtual Open Houses (asynchronous online information sessions) are offered regularly.

Admissions website

The University of Pittsburgh was established as the Pittsburgh Academy by Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Hugh Henry Brackenridge in 1787, and the school would grow and move locations to finally become University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) in 1908. A private institution of higher education until it joined Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth System of Higher Education in 1966, seventeen schools and colleges are housed within Pitt. Nearly 29,000 students are currently enrolled in this coeducational research university, and regional accreditation is provided to Pitt through the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

#16. Regis College

Online Master of Science in Nursing

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Program Details: The Regis Richard and Sheila Young School of Nursing, an ACEN-accredited, NLN designated Center of Excellence, offers students with either a BSN or an associate degree a fully online MSN degree program with five Nurse Practitioner focus areas. Students can specialize in Adult-Geriatric Nurse Practitioner (AGNP), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP), Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), or Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP), and the five tracks prepare graduates to successfully sit for their specialty area certification exams. All programs can be completed in about two years (three years for RN’s who hold an associate degree as opposed to a bachelor’s), and range from 46 to 49-credit hours. Regis’ dedication to social justice, equity, and lifelong learning is threaded throughout the curriculum to prepare nurses who will “promote lasting change in the medical field by providing patients of any age the knowledge they need to lead healthy lives.” The MSN degree is provided online through Regis College Online, and students can look forward to multi-layered support system and a nursing faculty that are industry experts as well as caring professors.

Admissions website

Founded in 1927 by the Roman Catholic religious order known as the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston, Regis College is located in Weston, Massachusetts. Named for the Reverend Mother Mary Regis Casserly, who founded the Boston contingent of the Order, the school was a women’s college until 2007. The first classes were held in the fall of 1927, and 55 students enrolled. A private university, Regis College enrolls over 3,000 students currently in the four schools that comprise the institution. A Military Friendly Institution, Regis is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

#17. Thomas Jefferson University

Online Master of Science in Nursing

Photo courtesy of Thomas Jefferson University

Program Details: Thomas Jefferson University’s Jefferson College of Nursing provides a CCNE-accredited online MSN degree program for current RN’s with eight relevant specialty tracks. In addition to the six Nurse Practitioner tracks offered (Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Family-Individual Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care NP, and Women’s Health – Gender-Related NP), students can pursue Nursing Informatics or the Jefferson online MSN with Community Systems Administration (CSA) specialty. The core curriculum for the Jefferson MSN is shared by all programs, which all require 36-credit hours to graduate, and the specialization coursework prepares students to successfully sit for their certification exams. Courses such as “Health Policy, Legal & Ethical Dimensions of Practice,” “Epidemiology for the Health Professions,” and “Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse” are taught by the Jefferson College of Nursing faculty members, who are “outstanding clinicians and exemplary teachers.” Thomas Jefferson University is designated as one of the elite NLN Centers of Excellence, so prospective students can be assured that the online MSN will be a program of high quality and rigorous academics.

Admissions website

With a history that dates back to 1824, the institutions of higher education known as Thomas Jefferson University and Philadelphia University united in 2017 (maintaining the name “Thomas Jefferson University”). Located in Center City and East Falls, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the school is known simply as “Jefferson,” and this private university has a strong focus on “redefining humanly possible.” Sixteen academic schools, colleges, and institutes make up Jefferson, and almost 8,000 students are enrolled in the over 160 degree programs offered. Regional accreditation is provided by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

#18. Florida Atlantic University

Online Master of Science in Nursing

Photo courtesy of Florida Atlantic University

Program Details: Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing (accredited by CCNE) provides a Master of Science in Nursing program with many concentration options and online core coursework. With tracks ranging from Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner to Nursing Administration & Financial Leadership to Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (plus four other concentrations: CNL, FNP, Advanced Holistic Nursing, and Nurse Educator), students have many avenues of study with FAU. The percentage numbers for passing certification exams (such as the Family Nurse Practitioner) are an impressive 100%, so prospective students can be certain they will engage in a rigorous and insightful program within FAU’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. The faculty have an impressive array of awards and research areas of their own, and the philosophy of caring deeply permeates the entire atmosphere at the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, so students are surrounded by support and infused with a caring spirit in their studies. Additionally, the program can be pursued on a flexible full-time or part-time basis to accommodate the schedules of students.

Admissions website

Established in 1961, Florida Atlantic University (FAU) offered senior-level and graduate classes on a former army base in Boca Raton, Florida in 1964 with an initial enrollment of nearly 900 students. In 1984, FAU welcomed underclassmen, and five satellite campuses across the state join the Boca Raton main campus. Now over 30,000 students are enrolled at this member of the State University System of Florida, and FAU has a High Research Activity designation, offering almost 200 academic degree programs through its ten colleges. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges regionally accredits this public research university.

#19. Lamar University

Online Master of Science in Nursing; Online Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Business Administration

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Program Details: Two entirely online MSN concentration options are available through the JoAnne Gay Dishman School of Nursing at Lamar University, as well as an MSN-MBA dual degree in collaboration with the Business Department. The Nursing Education track (Lamar’s online MSNE degree program) and the Nursing Administration track (Lamar’s online MSNA degree program) are both 37-credit hours and share a common MSN core. Classes such as “Theoretical Foundations,” “Advance Nursing Issues,” and “Healthcare Policy and Finance” are taught by faculty who employ “innovative teaching strategies to assist students in gaining new knowledge and skills.” Graduates of Lamar’s MSN program “have high pass rates on national certification exams,” and a great deal of support is offered to current students through Lamar University Online. The Lamar MSN/MBA dual degree is 61-credit hours and can be completed in about three years. Information on the benefits of an LU Online degree are presented via a series of videos, and prospective students can explore topics such as “On-Campus Quality with Online Convenience,” “Why You Will Love Our Faculty,” and “Experience a Week in the Life of an Online Student.”

Admissions website

Established as the South Park Junior College in 1923, Lamar University (LU) first offered classes to 125 students. The school grew so successfully that a contest to rename it was held in 1932, and Republic of Texas President, Mirabeau B. Lamar became the namesake. Located in in Beaumont, Texas and a member of the Texas State University System since 1995, LU currently enrolls more than 15,000 students in over 150 academic degree programs. Seven colleges make up this doctoral research university, and the institution is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

#20. University of South Carolina

Online Master of Science in Nursing Administration

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Program Details: Through USC Online, the University of South Carolina provides an entirely online MSN in Nursing Administration (NA) degree program for students who want to gain the skills to effectively “manage the delivery of nursing and health care services across the spectrum of health care.” Locate in the USC College of Nursing, the 30-credit hour MSN in NA program is completely online but is joined by three other USC MSN program tracks that provide 100% online coursework with some required on-campus clinical course “check-offs” (MSNs in Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner). All coursework prepares students for certification exams and is taught by experienced University of South Carolina faculty who have real-world nursing experience and who genuinely care about their students. The MSN in NA curriculum is comprised of two leadership classes requiring field work hours, which can be completed at the student’s current place of employment. Other classes include topics such as “Theoretical & Conceptual Foundations for Nursing,” “Financing Health Care,” and “Introduction to Biostatistics,” and students can complete the program in twelve to eighteen months.

Admissions website

South Carolina College, the original name of the University of South Carolina (USC), was established in 1801. Located in Columbia, South Carolina, nine students and two professors were present when the first classes began in 1805. The Civil War caused the school to close for a time, but it reopened as USC in 1873. More than 34,000 students are now enrolled in the programs offered by the sixteen academic schools and colleges at this flagship of the University of South Carolina System. A sea-grant institution with High Research Activity designation, USC is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission.

#21. Northern Kentucky University

Online Master of Science in Nursing

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Program Details: The Department of Nursing within the NKU College of Health Professions offers an entirely online, CCNE-accredited Master of Science in Nursing degree program, with no less than six concentration options from which students can choose for a customized degree experience. The NKU Online MSN degree provides a core set of coursework required for all of the concentrations, with classes such as “Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice” and “Healthcare Policy & Economic in Population Health.” The MSN in Nursing Education and MSN in Nurse Executive Leadership degrees both require 33-credit hours, while the other four concentrations (Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gero Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gero Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, and Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner) range from 43 to 47-credit hours. Students participate in NKU’s Online MSN program on a part-time basis, and it can generally be completed in about two-years on a part-time basis, depending on the concentration. All coursework is taught by the experienced and accomplished NKU Nursing faculty “who are focused on student success,” and students will find themselves positioned to take their respective certification exams upon graduation.

Admissions website

Northern Kentucky State College was founded in 1968 after the University of Kentucky’s educational extension classes had been offered in the northern region of the state since 1946. The school’s current location is in Highland Heights, Kentucky, just a few miles southwest of Cincinnati, Ohio.  In 1976, the school became Northern Kentucky University (NKU), and now nearly 15,000 students are enrolled in almost 130 academic degree programs within the eight schools and colleges. NKU is a member of the state university system and is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

#22. Columbus State University

Online Master of Science in Nursing

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Program Details: Students participating in the online MSN degree program at Columbus State University reap the benefit of not one but two prestigious institutions. The online MSN degree is offered in collaboration between Columbus State and Georgia Southwestern University as part of the Georgia Intercollegiate Consortium for Graduate Nursing Education (GICGNE). Offered through Columbus State’s School of Nursing within the College of Education and Health Professions, the online MSN degree program provides three 36-credit hour specialty tracks (Informatics, Leadership, or Nurse Educator), or students could pursue the 44-credit hour Columbus State MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) degree program. ALl MSN programs are accredited by CCNE, and the MSN core curriculum offers some shared coursework in classes such as  “Research for Evidence-Based Nursing Practice” and “Advanced Pathophysiology.” The CSU Online graduate nursing students get to partake in both the online student resources offered by the university, as well as the specialized support provided through CSU ADVISE. Within the School of Nursing, distance learners have access to support and resources such as a Clinical Placement Coordinator to assist them with finding a suitable practicum location.

Admissions website

Columbus State University (CSU) in Columbus, Georgia began as a junior college in 1958. Columbus College welcomed almost 300 enrolled students in its first year, and the school became a four-year institution in 1965. It was in 1996 that the school became CSU when it joined the University System of Georgia, and now two campuses—the main Columbus campus and the RiverPark campus—serve the current student body of over 7,000 with nearly 100 academic degree programs housed in six colleges. CSU is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

#23. William Carey University

Online Master of Science in Nursing; Online Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Business Administration

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Program Details: Through William Carey Online Learning, the CCNE-accredited Joseph and Nancy Fail School of Nursing at William Carey University provides students with two entirely online graduate nursing programs. The 41-credit hour MSN degree with a concentration in Nurse Educator is ideal for RN’s “who are seeking advanced preparation and leadership roles.” Made up of a core curriculum, clinical experiences, and specialty electives (with choices such as “Integrating Holistic Healthcare in Nursing Education” and “Gerontology Nursing and Caring for an Aging Population”), graduates of the MSN program will be prepared to sit for the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) certification exam. The William Carey dual online MSN-MBA degree requires 53-credit hours, and “prepare nurses for administrative roles that facilitate quality patient care in the increasingly complex health care industry.” Coursework includes business classes like “Accounting for the Healthcare Decisions” and “Business Ethics and Leadership”. All online students are assigned an academic advisor as soon as they are admitted to their program, and William Carey Online provides tutorials and guides to help online students find answers and guidance.

Admissions website

With roots that stretch back to 1892, William Carey University has a rich history. Multiple fires and a move led to the Mississippi Baptist Convention establishing the Mississippi Woman’s College in 1911 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. By 1953, the Convention wanted the school to become coeducational, and so the next year men were admitted and the college was renamed after the eighteenth century missionary. The institution gained university status and became William Carey University (WCU or William Carey) in 2006. Nearly 5,000 students are currently enrolled at this private Christian liberal arts school, and regional accreditation comes from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

#24. University of Alabama in Huntsville

Online Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Administration

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Program Details: Only offered online, the UAH College of Nursing online MSN – Nursing Administration degree is a flexible, entirely online program that can be pursued either full or part-time. The College of Nursing is designated as an NLN Center of Excellence, and the CCNE-accredited MSN is aligned with the competencies promoted both by the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) and Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN). Requiring 30-credit hours, the MSN in Nursing Administration is comprised of coursework and 225 hours of clinical experience (which can be completed locally at the student’s place of residence). The asynchronous curriculum is made up of classes such as “Foundational Concepts for Nurse Administrators,” “Scholarly Inquiry for Advanced Practice,” and “US Health Care System,” which are taught by the UAH College of Nursing faculty. The faculty, who bring their own “experience in leadership and administration, research, scholarship, and teaching,” are “dedicated to educating and inspiring individuals to become nurse leaders” who are competent and caring, and who become scholars and advocates who work for the best for their patients and fellow nurses.

Admissions website

The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) started as an extension center for the University of Alabama in 1950. In the 1960s, the University of Alabama Huntsville Center was growing to the extent that a research institute was constructed. By 1969, UAH became an independent university, and now this public research university with a “high” designation from the Carnegie Foundation enrolls nearly 10,000 students. A member of the University of Alabama System and a space-grant institution, UAH is comprised of nine colleges that offer more than 100 academic degree programs, and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges regionally accredits the school.

#25. Liberty University

Online Master of Science in Nursing; Online Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Business Administration; Online Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Science in Healthcare Administration

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Program Details: Liberty University Online offers a fully online MSN degree program, as well as two additional dual MSN programs, also online. The Liberty University online Nursing and Healthcare Administration dual degree program (MSN/MSHA) and the Liberty MSN/MBA degree join the MSN degree, which is housed within the CCNE-accredited Liberty University School of Nursing (LUSON). The MSN degree offers five specializations—students can choose from Community Health, Health Policy, Nursing Administration, Nurse Educator, and Nursing Informatics. The core MSN curriculum requires fifteen credit hours, and students take classes such as “Health Policy & Ethics,” “Managing Population Health,” and “Nursing Issues, Informatics & Technology.” All specialization areas provide concentration coursework, and the Nursing Educator and Nursing Administration tracks have a curriculum aligned with the standards determined by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and CCNE and both require 200 clinical hours via four practicum courses. Students can complete the degrees in one year at an accelerated pace or, more commonly, in two years. Cultivating a warm and inviting virtual atmosphere, Liberty University Online provides many resources for online students.

Admissions website

Founded as Lynchburg Baptist College in 1971, evangelical Christian minister Jerry Falwell started what would become Liberty University. Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty started its distance education offerings in 1985, which is now known as LU Online. Over 110,000 students are enrolled in online programming currently, and they join the 15,000 on-campus students to make Liberty the largest Christian institution of higher education in the world. Seventeen schools and colleges provide over 600 academic degree programs at this private university, and regional accreditation is provided by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

#26. Eastern Kentucky University

Online Master of Science in Nursing

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Program Details: Located in the College of Health Sciences and provided online by EKU Online, two fully online MSN degree programs are offered by Eastern Kentucky University. EKU’s MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) degree is a 46-credit hour program, and the curriculum meets the “requirements of the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation: Licensing, Accreditation, Certification, and Education” and has a “high certification exam pass rate” for graduates. Classes such as “Advanced Nursing Practice Issues,” “Principles of Epidemiology,” and “Advanced Pharmacology” are shared with the 47-credit hour EKU MSN Rural Health Family Nurse Practitioner program. Proud of the graduates’ “100% pass rate on national certifying exams,” Eastern offers not only rigorous coursework and extensive clinical hour requirements, but also “unparalleled staff and faculty access, rich engagement opportunities and every resource possible to succeed.” No on-campus visits are required at any point, and these CCNE-accredited programs are joined by three entirely online Post-MSN certificate options: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Family Nurse Practitioner.

Admissions website

The Eastern Kentucky State Normal School was established by the Kentucky General Assembly in 1906 to train teachers for the area. The school would be located in Richmond, Kentucky on the campus of the former Central University, which had been founded in 1874. Several name changes and expansion would lead to the definitive name change in 1966 to Eastern Kentucky University (EKU or “Eastern”). A public university, Eastern has multiple branch campuses and enrolls nearly 17,000 students in the academic degree programs of its six colleges. Regional accreditation is granted to EKU by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

#27. Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing

Online Master of Science in Nursing

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Program Details: Provided entirely online through Distance Learning, the Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing MSN degree provides working nurses the opportunity to advance their skills and knowledge in a CCNE-accredited program. Four specialty focus areas are offered entirely online—students can opt to focus in Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP), Nursing Educator, Nursing Management Leadership, or Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (there are two additional options—Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and FNP, but these specialty areas require some on-campus visits during the practicum courses). All students receive academic advisors once admitted to help them chart out their plan of study, and the Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing faculty boast a “diversity in teaching experience, community service, clinical background and educational preparation” that they bring to the classroom. There are some shared courses between the specialty areas, such as “Analysis of Evidence-Based Practice” and “Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice,” and each specialty offers unique and specialized coursework as well. The programs are tailored to assure that students integrate the academic components in order to sit for certification exams.

Admissions website

The Saint Francis Medical Center is the University of Illinois College of Medicine’s teaching hospital. Located in Peoria, Illinois, the Saint Francis Medical Center is part of the OSF HealthCare System (Order of St. Francis). The hospital that led to the Center was originally established by the Franciscan Sisters in 1876. In 1905, the St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing was established for the nuns, and in 1918 women who were not members of the religious order could enroll. The Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing, now coeducational, is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

#28. University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston

Online Master of Science in Nursing

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Program Details: All seven of the MSN tracks provided through the UTMB School of Nursing offer entirely online coursework coupled with a two-day on-campus online student orientation. Two of the CCNE-accredited tracks do not require any other on-campus residencies (the other five tracks have varying levels of on-campus requirements): Executive Nurse Leader (ENL) and Nurse Educator (NE). The 41-credit hour UTMB MSN Nurse Educator Program offers a specialized curriculum and shares a common core of MSN coursework with five of the other tracks, with classes required such as “Pathophysiology,” “Innovations in Community Health Practice,” and “The Learning Environment” and finishes with a capstone teaching practicum in the final semester. The UTMB MSN Executive Nurse Leader Program requires 39-credit hours and can be completed in two years on a part-time basis, and classes cover topics like “Public Health Principles in Advanced Practice Nursing,” “Leader as Communicator,” and “Health Care Economics.” The faculty are encouraged to practice, being provided support through the UTMB School of Nursing Faculty Practice Website. MSN graduates can stay connected through the UTMB School of Nursing Alumni Association.

Admissions website

Part of the University of Texas System, the University of Texas Medical Branch is located in Galveston, Texas. Founded as the University of Texas Medical Department in 1891 (an extension of the University of Texas, located in Austin), the school began with 23 students first in attendance and thirteen faculty members. Currently, over 3,000 students are enrolled and over 1,000 faculty work within UTMB’s seven schools and institutes, and there are four hospitals on campus as well as a comprehensive medical library. UTMB is regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

#29. Queens University of Charlotte

Online Master of Science in Nursing

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Program Details: Located in the Queens University of Charlotte Blair College of Health, the Presbyterian School of Nursing provides three entirely online MSN specializations. The CCNE-accredited degree program at Queens offers students a Nurse Educator MSN Specialization, Nurse Administrator MSN Specialization, and Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) MSN Specialization. The Online MSN Nursing Curriculum at Queens requires for each specialization a set of core courses, which includes classes such as “Theoretical Foundations,” “Data Interpretations,” and “Health Policy,” and students can finish the program within two years. The three specialization options all feature specialized coursework that helps prepare students to successfully sit for their respective certification exams. All online classes are taught by the award-winning Queens Online MSN Faculty, who “act as mentors” in addition to providing rigorous coursework and who have an impressive array of collective experience. Current students and recent graduates provide MSN Program Testimonials to give prospective students a glimpse into the program, and the Queens Nursing Resource Center makes resources such as articles, student spotlights, and virtual open house information sessions available to assist students and those interested in the program.

Admissions website

Established as the Charlotte Female Institute in 1857, Queens University of Charlotte is located in Charlotte, North Carolina. Men were first allowed to take classes in the 1940s, and the school became fully coeducational in 1987. The name changed several times through the years, and in 2002 when university status was granted, the school gained its current name. Nearly 50 academic degree programs are offered in the six schools and colleges that make up Queens, and over 2,500 students are enrolled at this private institution affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges regionally accredits Queens University.

#30. McKendree University

Online Master of Science in Nursing; Online Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Business Administration

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Program Details: The McKendree University Division of Nursing in the School of Nursing & Health Professions provides three MSN specialty focus areas as well as a Dual MSN/MBA degree program online through McKendree Worldwide for convenience and flexibility. Students can opt between a focus in Nursing Education, Nursing Management/Administration, or Population Health (Palliative Care) to specialize their degree. The 60-hour online dual MSN/MBA degree program at McKendree is ideal for the  nurse who “desires to achieve an administrative role in health care” and offers classes, in addition to the MSN core, such as “Customers and Competitive Advantage,” “Stakeholder Management and Ethics,” and “Electronic Commerce.” The MSN core offers relevant coursework such as “Health Policy and Advocacy,” “Cultural Diversity in Healthcare Populations,” and “Health Promotion/Disease Prevention,” and each specialty track provides specific classes to enhance the chosen focus area. The CCNE-accredited MSN program faculty has experience in the field of nursing and teaching, and the McKendree Worldwide Online Student Resources offers services and support to help all online students find success in their program.

Admissions website

Both the oldest college in Illinois and the oldest in America to be continuously affiliated with the United Methodist Church, McKendree University was founded as the Lebanon Seminary in 1828. The Lebanon, Illinois institution of higher education welcomed 72 students in its first year. The first U.S.-born Methodist Bishop, William McKendree, became the namesake in 1830 when the school was renamed McKendree College, and university status was granted in 2007. Now nearly 3,000 students are enrolled in the academic degree programs offered by McKendree’s four schools and colleges, and this private university is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

#31. Sacred Heart University

Online Master of Science in Nursing

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Program Details: Offering RN’s who do not have a bachelor’s degree in nursing an avenue to directly enter the CCNE-accredited program, Sacred Heart University’s Online MSN degree program is accessible completely online. The program can be completed in just two years, and requires either 36 or 39-credits hours (depending on specialization chosen). Students engage in core courses like “Theory and Professional Roles for Contemporary Nursing Practice” and choose from four Advanced Nursing Specializations (CNL, Nursing Management & Executive Leadership, Nursing Education, or FNP). The required practicum can be performed in the student’s area of residence, and understanding the need for flexibility and online convenience, Sacred Heart gives online MSN students up to six years to complete the program. All courses are taught by the same on-campus faculty, who have practiced clinically for many years and have participated in scholarly pursuits as well in order to strengthen their experience as professors. The program prepares graduates to sit for their certification exams and has many accolades–prospective students can read the SHU MSN Student Testimonials to learn more about the benefits of the program.

Admissions website

Sacred Heart University was established in 1963 by the Most Reverend Walter W. Curtis as an institution open to all students regardless of sex, race or religion. The progressive university had less than 200 students in its first year, but has grown to become the second-largest Roman Catholic university in New England. Located in Fairfield, Connecticut, Sacred Heart offers more than 70 academic degree programs to 8,500 students through the seven schools and colleges that comprise the university. A private Catholic liberal arts school, Sacred Heart is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

#32. Jacksonville University

Online Master of Science in Nursing

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Program Details: The Jacksonville University Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences Keigwin School of Nursing presents a CCNE-accredited, fully online MSN degree program with three specialization options: Clinical Nurse Educator, Leadership in Healthcare Systems, or Informatics. The eighteen-credit hour MSN core includes classes such as “Organization, Delivery, and Policy in Healthcare,” “Nursing Leadership and Advanced Roles,” and “Information Systems & Technology for Improved Healthcare.” The 33-credit hour MSN in Clinical Nurse Educator specialization provides the skills for RN’s to train other nurses as part of staff development or teach at the higher education level. The other tracks are both 30-credit hours; the Leadership in Healthcare System specialization provides a focus on Nursing Leadership and Management, and the MSN with a Specialization in Informatics offers coursework in “Law, Ethics and Public Issues in Healthcare Informatics” and “Data Analytics and Impact on Patient Care.” Graduates of all three specialization options will be able to pursue certification upon completion of their program. The MSN degree program has not just an experienced Keigwin School of Nursing faculty, but also a full Leadership Team to assure the quality of the program.

 Admissions website

Originally chartered as the junior college William J. Porter University in 1934, Jacksonville University (JU) went through several significant changes before gaining its current name in 1956 and becoming a full four-year institution in 1961. Located in Jacksonville, Florida, the private non-profit university offers nearly 100 academic degree programs to 4,000 currently enrolled students. A member of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF), JU is comprised of four colleges and two academic institutes. This institution of higher education has been continuously regionally accredited since 1950 by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

#33. University of Massachusetts Amherst

Online Master of Science in Nursing Education

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Program Details: The CCNE-accredited College of Nursing provides the online UMass Amherst Master of Science in Nursing Education concentration (MS-NE) for currently licensed nurses who desire to “be a leader in nursing education in academia and practice.” A 33-credit hour MS-NE program, all coursework is offered entirely online with an in-residence practicum required, and students gain the skills to both train nursing students and “provide patient education in healthcare settings.” The UMass Amherst online MS-NE curriculum is aligned with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) for Master’s Education standards, and includes courses such as “Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Reasoning,” “Curriculum Development & Evaluation Process,” and “Advanced Pharmacology,” and students can be confident they will be equipped to pursue NLN Nursing Education certification. The College of Nursing faculty have an impressive list of both academic and practice-based achievements to provide students with both practical and educational excellence. Online MS-NE students benefit both from the UMass Nursing resources and UMass Amherst office for Online Education resources, which include services such as one-on-one academic advising and professional development.

Admissions website

Begun as a land-grant institution, the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst) started as the Massachusetts Agricultural College in 1863 in Amherst, Massachusetts. Classes welcomed 56 all-male students in 1867, and women began being admitted in 1892. The name became the University of Massachusetts in 1947, and UMass Amherst is the flagship campus in the University of Massachusetts System. Over 30,000 students are currently enrolled in nearly 150 academic degree programs offered in the nine schools and colleges of this public research university with Highest Research Activity designation, and regional accreditation comes from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

#34. Samuel Merritt University

Online Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner

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Program Details: The CCNE-accredited School of Nursing at Samuel Merritt University offers the MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track entirely online. Available for RN’s residing in Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Nevada, Ohio, Texas, and Virginia (although authorization for other states may be in process—interested prospective students are encouraged to check the website regularly for updates), the entirely online coursework is coupled with three semesters of clinical practice (totaling 630 hours—and SMU helps with placement). The program provides a “thorough, rigorous 49-credit curriculum,” and students can finish in under two years on a full-time basis. Classes such as “Family Centered Advanced Practice Nursing,” “Health Protection, Promotion & Screening,” and “Analysis of Health Policy Issues” are taught in such a way as to place “an emphasis on meeting the needs of multicultural and underserved populations.” The SMU School of Nursing faculty are “distinguished scholars . . . who conduct research to advance their scientific fields” and pass that experience on to their students. Webinars providing information on the SMU online MSN-FNP program are provided.

Admissions website

Both Samuel Merritt Hospital and the Samuel Merritt School of Nursing opened in 1909 and are named in honor of famed Dr. Samuel Merritt. This was the beginning of what would become first Samuel Merritt College in 1981 and then Samuel Merritt University (SMU) in 2009. This private, degree-granting, health sciences institution of higher education was founded in Oakland, California, but has additional California campuses in Sacramento and San Mateo. Nearly 2,500 students are currently enrolled in the health science degrees offered through two schools and three departments of SMU. Regional accreditation for SMU comes from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

#35. University of West Georgia

Online Master of Science in Nursing

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Program Details: The University of West Georgia Tanner Health System School of Nursing provides the completely online MSN program through UWG Online. A 36-credit hour CCNE-accredited MSN program, tracks focusing on either Education or Health Systems Leadership are offered to customize the degree (within Health Systems Leadership students have additional opportunities to customize through either a focus on Leader/Manager or Clinical Nurse Leader). Students begin the program in the fall with an online orientation and finish in two to three years. Classes are varied, including topics like “Role of Caring Healthcare Professional,” “Curriculum Development in Nursing Education,” and “Epidemiology for Nursing Education and Practice,” and are taught by UWG Department of Nursing faculty, who are comprised of research and practice-based instructors. Additionally, both the Education and Health Systems Leadership focus area tracks are offered entirely online as CCNE-accredited, post-master’s certificate programs (the Post-Master’s Certificate in Health Systems Leadership offers both the Leader/Manager and the Clinical Nurse Leader tracks). Credit hour requirements range from thirteen to sixteen-credit hours, and students can transfer in up to six credit hours.

Admissions website

The University of West Georgia (UWG) was established as the Fourth District Agricultural and Mechanical School in 1906 in Carrollton, Georgia. The school would transition into a junior college, a four year college (in 1957), and finally the university that it is today in 1996. Nearly 100 academic degree programs are offered through the seven colleges and schools of this public doctoral research university, and just under 14,000 students are currently enrolled. UWG is part of the University System of Georgia and regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

#36. Old Dominion University

Online Master of Science in Nursing

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Program Details: ODU Online provides entirely online coursework for the CCNE-accredited MSN Nurse Administrator program. Housed in the Old Dominion University School of Nursing, the 36-credit hour MSN program can be completed in as few as five months on a full-time basis and can lead directly into ODU’s DNP program if students choose to continue their studies. Coursework is made up of relevant classes such as “Evidence-Based Research and Theories,” “Strategic Leadership,” and “Ethical Concepts and Issues in Advanced Practice Nursing.” The program promises “faculty committed to delivering high quality nursing education through the use of innovative teaching methods,” and resources are available for online students both through ODU Online and the School of Nursing (a particular benefit is the ODU School of Nursing Student Clinical Services Coordinator who helps Program Directors and students find the best fit for the student’s clinical practicum experience). The ODU School of Nursing also offers three other online MSN program tracks (with several additional specializations) as online programs with some on-campus requirements: Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Practitioner, and Nurse Midwifery.

Admissions website

Norfolk, Virginia’s Old Dominion University (ODU) had humble beginnings in 1930 as the Norfolk Division of The College of William and Mary. The extension center programs proved popular, and ODU became its own degree-granting, independent institution of higher education in 1962 and then gained university status in 1969. Over 200 academic degree programs are provided by this public research university to more than 24,000 enrolled students, and ODU has a Higher Research Activity designation in addition to being a space- and sea-grant school. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges regionally accredits ODU.

#37. Ferris State University

Online Master of Science in Nursing

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Program Details: The Ferris State University online MSN degree program, fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), is housed within the College of Health Professions School of Nursing and offered entirely online through Ferris Online. Two concentrations are provided with no on-campus requirements: Nursing Education and Nursing Administration (the Nursing Informatics concentration requires some on-campus courses offered by the College of Business). The 37-credit hour program starts with an orientation session (online students may access it virtually) and requires eighteen credit hours of core coursework, including classes such as “Introduction to Advanced Nursing Roles,” “Health Care Systems, Policy, & Advocacy,” and “Clinical Prevention & Population Health.” The remaining courses are determined by the student’s choice of concentration, and all students participate in two capstones: a practicum experience and final academic project. The Ferris MSN curriculum is aligned with the AACN Essentials of Master’s Education and includes the necessary competencies encouraged by the Institute of Medicine and QSEN. Students benefit from online resources, as well as from the highly skilled and caring Ferris School of Nursing faculty.

Admissions website

Ferris State University (Ferris) was established in 1884 in Big Rapids, Michigan by Woodbridge Nathan Ferris. Originally named the Big Rapids Industrial School, the institution would go through several name changes before becoming Ferris State College in 1963 and then gaining university status in 1987. Ferris became part of Michigan’s Higher Education System in 1950, and now this public university enrolls over 14,500 students, making it the ninth largest in the state. Eight colleges provide nearly 200 academic degree programs, and the Higher Learning Commission grants Ferris with regional accreditation.

#38. Herzing University

Online Master of Science in Nursing

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Program Details: Herzing University provides their CCNE-accredited MSN degree program with entirely online coursework for RN’s who currently hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Students can choose from one of three specialty tracks: the Herzing Master of Science in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP) program, Herzing’s MSN – Nursing Education program, or the Herzing MSN in Nursing Leadership and Administration program. All three programs prepare students to sit for their certification exams, and the MSN in Nursing Leadership and Administration curriculum is aligned with the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) core components. The MSN-FNP program requires 48-credit hours whereas the other two programs each require 36 hours. Another requirement of the MSN-FNP program is 675 clinical hours (for which practicum placement assistance is provided). A core curriculum is shared between all three, with courses such as “Health Policy and Management” and “Organizational Systems and Behaviors” taught by expert faculty members who provide individual attention and support. For nurses who already hold an MSN degree, additional online opportunities include Herzing’s post-master’s nursing certificate programs.

Admissions website

Initially a computer training institute, Herzing University was founded in 1965 by husband and wife team Henry and Suzanne Herzing. The original campus was in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and now eleven campuses cover different parts of the U.S.—with corporate headquarters now located in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin (this is also where the online programs division is located). The school became Herzing College in 1996 and Herzing University in 2009, and gained non-profit status in 2015. Regional accreditation for Herzing is granted by the Higher Learning Commission.

#39. Nova Southeastern University

Online Master of Science in Nursing

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Program Details: NSU’s Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing offers a fully online, non-clinical MSN degree program (additionally offered is the MSN Advanced Practice Registered Nurse program, which is a hybrid online degree program requiring some on-campus residencies. Students of this program have several concentration choices).  The 36-credit hour MSN program offers students three non-clinical program tracks: Nursing Education, Executive Nurse Leadership, or Nursing Informatics. All three tracks begin with core courses such as “Health Promotion and Disease Prevention,” “Advanced Nurse Roles,” and “Evidence and Practice,” and they also require a practicum to complete the program. Ideal for nurses who want to advance in their career, “improve the practice of nursing, and support healthier communities,” NSU’s online MSN students will learn from the highly experienced and qualified faculty within the College of Nursing. The promise of successfully completing the program and achieving advancement is evidenced by spotlights on nursing alumni from the College of Nursing at NSU, and once prospective students enter the program the are surrounded by NSU Nursing resources and services.

Admissions website

Nova Southeastern University (NSU) was established as the Nova University of Advanced Technology in in 1964. Thirty years later Nova merged with the Southeastern University of the Health Sciences to officially become NSU. An initial student enrollment of seventeen in 1964 has grown to a current enrollment of over 20,000 students, and more than 150 academic degree programs are provided through sixteen schools and colleges. Main campus is in Davie, Florida, and is joined by campuses across the state and in Puerto Rico. NSU has a High Research Activity designation, and regional accreditation comes from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

#40. Chatham University

Online Master of Science in Nursing

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Program Details: An entirely online, CCNE-accredited MSN degree program is available through Chatham University’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS). The MSN program is housed within the School of Health Sciences, and the three specialization tracks offered to students are in Nursing Leadership, Nursing Educator, and Nursing Informatics. The 33-credit hour “contemporary nursing curriculum” for the online MSN presents classes such as “Introduction to Organizational Leadership in Nursing” and “Health Assessment and Promotion Across the Lifespan” as part of the eighteen-hour core, and each track provides fifteen specialty track credits. All students complete the program with a practicum and a capstone, and are provided guidance as well as academic excellence throughout the program by the Chatham Nursing Faculty. The fast-paced MSN program begins each fall and students progress together as a cohort either as full-time or part-time students. Advisors and orientations help students get acclimated to the rigorous nature of the program, and the Chatham University SCPS Support & Resources (such as the Student Success Center and the University’s PACE Center) provides additional support.

Admissions website

Chatham University was founded in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1869 as the Pennsylvania Female College. The first enrollment numbered over 100, and now the school has grown to become coeducational and has a student body of over 2,200. The name changed several times, becoming Chatham College in 1955 (named for William Pitt, First Earl of Chatham, who was also the namesake of Pittsburgh) and then Chatham University in 2007 when the school was granted university status. Over 60 academic degree programs are offered at this private institution of higher education, and regional accreditation comes from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

#41. University of St. Francis

Online Master of Science in Nursing-Nursing Administration

Photo courtesy of the University of St. Francis

Program Details: The fully online MSN in Nursing Administration (NUAD) degree program at the St. Francis Leach College of Nursing, a CCNE-accredited school, is ideal for RN’s who want to “ethically manage nursing personnel and services in hospitals and other health care delivery agencies.” The St. Francis MSN NUAD curriculum ranges from 36 to 45-credit hours, depending upon a student’s educational history and current goals (students entering the program who have already earned a MS in Health Administration degree receive twelve credits towards the degree, and students can opt for an additional nine-credit hours of optional education courses). The coursework includes the graduate core of classes such as “Advanced Practice Nursing: Roles and Issues” and “Evidence-Based Healthcare” with an advanced core of administration classes such as “Health Care Law and Compliance” and “Management & Human Resources of Health Care Organizations.” There are no clinical hour requirements, but a final capstone completes the degree for all students. USF offers other MSN tracks online with some on-campus requirements: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, or Nursing Educator.

Admissions website

The University of St. Francis was started by the congregants of the Third Order of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate in Joliet, Illinois in 1920. Originally the Assisi Junior College, the school only admitted female members of the congregation. Within five years the school opened to all female students, and men were admitted when the school became coeducational in 1971. The name first changed to College of St. Francis in 1930, and again in 1998 when university status was granted. Nearly 4,000 students are currently enrolled in the four colleges of this Catholic, Franciscan university, and the Higher Learning Commission provides regional accreditation.

#42. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Online Master of Science in Nursing with a specialty in Advanced Population Health

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Program Details: Offering three “pathways” to enter into the online MS in Nursing degree program with a specialization focus in Advanced Population Health, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene provides many opportunities for “future leaders for population health nursing with a focus on Hawaii and the Pacific Region.” Students can begin the 30-39 credit hour program (the program is 30 credits but if students opt for a thesis it is an additional nine credits) as an RN with a bachelor’s or associate degree or as a non-nurse with a different undergraduate degree. Coursework is all offered online, and students complete their fieldwork and capstone within their own resident community. The UH Mānoa School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene faculty have an impressive history of research and active practice (such as community disaster preparedness and response and global health initiatives), and the classes they teach (such as “Leadership, Role, Identity and Organizational/System Change,” “Epidemiology for Advanced Nursing,” and “Global Health”) provide a rigorous and relevant academic experience for students.

Admissions website

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (UH Mānoa) was founded in 1907, making it the oldest of the ten UH campuses. Located in the Mānoa Valley, UH Mānoa is also the flagship campus of the UH System. A land-, sea-, space-, and sun-grant institution, UH Mānoa is a public doctoral research university with Very High Research Activity (as determined by the Carnegie Foundation). Over 17,000 students are currently enrolled in more than 240 academic degree programs offered through seventeen schools and colleges, and regional accreditation is granted by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission.

#43. Kennesaw State University

Online Master of Science in Nursing

Photo courtesy of Kennesaw State University

Program Details: Part of the MSN in Leadership in Nursing program at Kennesaw State, the CCNE-accredited Online MSN Nursing Administration and Transformational Leadership track is a 40-credit hour program that can be completed in just fifteen months on a full-time basis. Located in the WellStar School of Nursing at KSU, the MSN in Nursing Administration degree program offers mostly asynchronous, entirely online coursework, in topics such as “Conflict Management & Ethics of Leadership for Advanced Practice Nursing” and “Global Initiatives in Healthcare, Changing World.” A 135-hour practicum is required within the student’s geographic location, but because the faculty and administrators are “committed to providing guidance and advisement through the academic process,” students feel fully supported. The faculty provide “innovative teaching and scholarship” to enhance the virtual learning atmosphere, and distance learning at KSU provides plenty of online student support and resources. Applying to the MSN program has become even more convenient—the WellStar School of Nursing recently did away with the GRE requirement, and up to nine credit hour may be transferred into the program.

Admissions website

Kennesaw State University (KSU) was founded as the Kennesaw Junior College in 1964 in Cobb County, Georgia with an initial enrollment of more than 1,000 students. Two campus locations in Kennesaw and Marietta, Georgia serve the more than 35,000 students currently enrolled. Over 150 academic degree programs are provided through the thirteen colleges, and KSU is classified as having Moderate Research Activity by the Carnegie Foundation. A public research university and the third largest in the University System of Georgia, KSU is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

#44. Indiana State University

Online Master of Science in Nursing

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Program Details: Indiana State University’s College of Health and Human Services offers an entirely online MSN degree with a Nursing Education concertation through the ACEN-accredited Department of Advanced Practice Nursing within the School of Nursing. The Indiana State Online MSN in Nursing Education degree offers students three culminating experience options (an Evidence Based Practice Course, Culminating Project, or Master’s Thesis), which determines the credit hour requirements of 37 or 40-credit hours. Classes such as “Nursing Theory Development,” “Measurement and Assessment in Nursing,” and “Advanced Pathophysiology” prepare students to meet the NLN certification competencies and are taught by “faculty who are leaders in nursing education, research, and community engagement.” Graduates of the Indiana State MSN in Nursing Education program sing the praises of the program, the faculty, and the curriculum, and current online learners reap the benefit of the ISU Online Students Service Concierge to help them succeed. Other resources include an online-accessible library, Career Center, Time Management Tools, and for prospective students who are considering the MSN program, an Online Education Readiness Quiz is made available.

Admissions website

The Indiana State Normal School was the first incarnation of Indiana State University. Established in 1865 as a teacher training school, the school in Terre Haute, Indiana opened for classes in 1870 to 23 students. Name changes occurred before the institution became Indiana State University in 1965 (Indiana State Teachers College in 1929, and then Indiana State College in 1961). A public doctoral research university, Indiana State offers almost 200 academic degree programs through seven colleges, and more than 13,500 students are currently enrolled. Regional accreditation for Indiana State is provided by the Higher Learning Commission.

#45. University of Arkansas

Online Master of Science in Nursing

Photo courtesy of University of Arkansas

Program Details: The U of A Eleanor Mann School of Nursing, which is housed within the College of Education and Health Professions, provides an entirely online, CCNE-accredited MSN degree program. Offered through U of A Online, the online MSN with a Nurse Educator Concentration offers students both a 42-credit hour thesis option and a 39-credit hour non-thesis option (this option includes a project and final comprehensive exam). The U of A Online MSN-Nurse Educator degree program curriculum is sectioned into a graduate nursing core, a graduate clinical core, the nurse educator concentration core, and the thesis of scholarly project. A practicum experience is required, and students can arrange for it to be within their local communities. The award-winning Eleanor Mann School of Nursing faculty provides the rigorous online coursework but also “recognizes the uniqueness of individual students as adult learners and strives to provide flexible opportunities for learning.” All online MSN students are considered part of the U of A community, and U of A Online provides a myriad of student resources, services and opportunities to succeed.

Admissions website

Located in Fayetteville, Arkansas, the University of Arkansas was established in 1871 as the Arkansas Industrial University. By 1899 the student body desired a name that better represented the expanded scope of the school, and the University of Arkansas (U of A) was chosen. Now over 27,000 students are enrolled in more than 200 academic degree programs offered through U of A’s eleven schools and colleges, and this land- and space-grant institution is also the flagship of the University of Arkansas System. This public doctoral research university is classified with Highest Research Activity, and regional accreditation comes from the Higher Learning Commission.

#46. Lewis University

Online Master of Science in Nursing

Photo courtesy of Lewis University

Program Details: Providing two online specialization options, the Lewis University College of Nursing and Health Professions offers RN’s a CCNE-accredited MSN degree that will help them advance in their career to become an “expert practitioner and innovative leader who will transform practice in an increasingly complex healthcare system.” Students can choose the 40-credit hour MSN in Nursing Education degree program, which offers specialty classes such as “Educational Theory and the Scholarship of Teaching” and “Role Transition for the Nurse Educator.” The 36-credit hour MSN in Healthcare Systems Leadership program provides specialty track classes like “Leadership Strategies for Administration and Nursing Practice” and “Financial Management for Nurse Leaders.” Both programs start with the MSN core courses, covering topics like “Applied Biostatistics for Advanced Nursing Practice” and “Healthcare Organizations, Systems, and Policy,” and the Lewis College of Nursing faculty all “have real world experience” and work with students individually to help them succeed. Online student resources start as early as the first inquiry—prospective students have available to them dedicated Graduate Admission Advisors, and that attention and care continues through to graduation.

Admissions website

Established in Romeoville, Illinois in 1932, Lewis University was begun as the Holy Name Technical School. The Chicago Archdiocese and Bishop Bernard J. Scheil founded the school to train young men in aviation technology, and Frank J. Lewis (a Catholic philanthropist) donated funding to help the school thrive. Renamed in his honor as Lewis College in 1948, university status was gained in 1973, and Lewis University is a coeducational private Roman Catholic with 6,500 currently enrolled students. The 410-acre campus is in the Chicago suburb of Romeoville, and over 115 academic degree programs are provided either on-campus and/or online. Lewis’ regional accreditation comes from the Higher Learning Commission.

#47. Drexel University

Online Master of Science in Nursing

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Program Details: Drexel University Online presents an online MSN degree “designed to prepare nurses for leadership nursing positions in the rapidly growing and evolving healthcare landscape.” The Drexel Online MSN core curriculum offers fifteen-credit hours of coursework such as “Advanced Ethical Decision Making in Health Care,” “Confronting Issues in Contemporary Health Care Environments,” and “Research Methods and Biostatistics.” Located in the Drexel College of Nursing and Health Professions, the program provides six specialty CCNE-accredited MSN concentrations in Clinical Nurse Leader, Clinical Research, Leadership in Health Systems Management, Nursing Education, Nursing Innovation, and Quality, Safety, and Risk Management in Healthcare. The Drexel College of Nursing and Health Professions faculty boast impressive and extensive research and practical experience that they pass on to their students. Some of the concentrations require a clinical practicum experience, whereas some require a final capstone project—the concentrations range in required credit hours as well. Drexel Online support is extensive for online students—with tutorials, resources, and services provided. Additionally, online MSN students whose concentration requires clinical hours will get assistance in placement.

Admissions website

Philanthropic banker Anthony Drexel founded the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1891, although classes would not start for the coeducational student body until 1919. This school would go on to become Drexel University, and the main campus is located in the Philadelphia neighborhood of University City. Almost 25,000 students are currently enrolled in more than 200 academic degree programs offered through Drexel’s fifteen schools and colleges, and this private research university (classified with Very High Research Activity by the Carnegie Foundation) is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

#48. Appalachian State University

Online Master of Science in Nursing

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Program Details: Appalachian State University’s online MSN program provides a concentration focus in Nursing Education and can be completed entirely online on a part-time basis in just two years. Located in the App State Department of Nursing within the Beaver College of Health Sciences and provided through App State Online, the 39-credit hour program curriculum is aligned with the core competencies found in The Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Currently seeking CCNE accreditation, the online MSN program offers classes such as “Contemporary Issues in Nursing,” “Education Tests and Measurements in Nursing,” and “Educational Theories for Nursing Academic and Practice Settings,” as well as a research project, a clinical practicum, and a thesis. Ideal for nurses who desire to move in to “leadership roles as educators in a variety of complex academic or clinical environments,” current students of the MSN program give praise to the caring and supportive App State Department of Nursing faculty, who have extensive experience both in clinical and educational settings.

Admissions website

Founded in 1899, Appalachian State University (Appalachian or App State) was started as the teacher training school Watauga Academy. Established by the Dougherty brothers in Watauga County (now Boone, North Carolina), the school quickly grew to become the Appalachian Training School in 1903. Three more name changes through the years led to Appalachian State University in 1967, and in the early 1970s the school became part of the UNC System. Over 19,000 students are enrolled in 150 academic degree programs within the nine schools and colleges, and regional accreditation comes from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

#49. University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Online Master of Science in Nursing

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Program Details: The Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Beth-El College of Nursing & Health Sciences at UCCS provides an entirely online MSN degree with three Nurse Practitioner (NP) specialty focus options (the online MSN degree is not available in all states—students should check to make sure their state of residence is accepted). Students can choose between the 47-credit hour Primary Care Family NP, the 47-credit hour Primary Care Adult/Gero NP, and the 48-credit hour Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) to customize their education—all three are CCNE-accredited. Core courses such as “Philosophical Foundations in Nursing Practice” and “Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics” are offered through Canvas, the online delivery system, and all students are required to participate in 630 contact hours of a clinical practicum. Students have up to six years to complete the degree, and student resources are provided to assist students both academically and professionally. The UCCS Beth-El College of Nursing faculty has a wide variety of experience, both clinical and scholarly, and students benefit from the interdisciplinary nature of the College.

Admissions website

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) had its earliest beginnings as the Cragmor Sanitarium, which opened in 1905 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Many changes through the years would lead to the facility being purchased by the University of Colorado (UC) in the mid-1960s (extension classes had been offered by UC since the 1920s). The Colorado Springs Center of the University of Colorado would gain independence in 1972, and in 1974 the name became UCCS when the University of Colorado System reorganized. Over 70 academic degree programs are offered in six colleges to over 12,000 students, and regional accreditation comes from the Higher Learning Commission.

#50. Vanderbilt University

Online Master of Science in Nursing

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Program Details: The Vanderbilt MSN in Nursing and Health Care Leadership (NHCL) degree program is new and all coursework will be offered entirely online in a part-time format to accommodate working nurses. Known as the Vanderbilt Master of Science in Nursing degree in the Nursing and Health Care Leadership Program at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, the MSN NHCL degree joins several other specialty tracks, and online students will reap the benefits of the prestigious school’s faculty expertise. The 39-credit hour program is accredited by the NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA), and begins with an on-campus orientation (there may be other on-campus requirements periodically). A clinical placement is an expected requirement, and students receive assistance in finding a practicum site within their local community from both the Vanderbilt School of Nursing faculty and the Clinical Placement staff. The faculty of the Vanderbilt School of Nursing (VUSN) are involved in cutting edge research and practice, and will prepare students to “manage and lead the delivery of nursing and health care services across multiple settings and specialty areas.”

Admissions website

In 1873, “Commodore” Cornelius Vanderbilt, who resided in New York and had never been to the South, donated $1 million to endow a university in Nashville, Tennessee in order to try to heal some of the divisions amplified by the Civil War. Originally imagined as The Central University of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, the school was named Vanderbilt University in honor of The Commodore. Ten schools and colleges comprise the university, and nearly 12,000 students are currently enrolled at this private research institution. Classified by the Carnegie Foundation with Very High Research Activity, Vanderbilt is regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

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The online Master of Business Administration (MBA) is the most popular online master’s degree. The MBA is by far the most in-demand professional degree for good reason–combining business savvy with methodical critical thinking skills produces the competent and driven professionals that companies desire to be at their helm. And with all the specializations students can choose to tailor their degree to fit their career goals, many different jobs are within grasp. Graduates can go on to be chief financial officers, marketing directors, computer and information system managers, and high-end management consultants–just to name a few possibilities. Landing these sought-after jobs shouldn’t be hard either–according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs like these have been growing at a faster than average rate.

In addition to being one of the most customizable and prestigious degrees one can earn, it’s also one of the highest paying master’s degrees. Good news even for MBA graduates who go into the non-profit sector–traditionally a lower paying field than the for-profit business sector or government. U.S. News and World Report discloses that the average non-profit manager salary is still high at just over $81,000 a year, and for MBA graduates who do go into the business sector, salaries were well into six figures within just a few years after graduation.

All Programs are not Equal

We strive to present information on the best, most remarkable online MBA degree programs possible. The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International is the hallmark of excellence for granting accreditation to schools offering online Master of Business Administration degrees. Less than 5% of all business schools worldwide have received the distinction of being AACSB accredited. For your convenience and assurance, all of the online MBA degree programs on our list have earned this renowned recognition.

The Methodology for This Ranking

Looking only at schools that are also regionally accredited and which offer distance learning master’s degree programs in business administration (as verified by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation), we considered multiple factors in which to determine ranking. Each college or university’s MBA program had to have high marks based on these factors to land on our list. Giving equal weight to each factor, we compiled our list utilizing our Master’s Programs Guide Core Methodology Criteria and these additional factors:

• Affordability
• GRE/GMAT not required/waived

Look through our list to find the school that best fits your needs for an online MBA, and take charge of your future!

#1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

MBA@UNC

Program Details: The MBA@UNC at the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School offers academic excellence in an online format. With the same celebrated faculty members teaching cutting-edge coursework, a career service team available for consulting, coaching and guidance, and a network of alumi all over the world, students in the MBA@UNC program are in good hands. Students have their choice of five concentrations in this 66-credit hour degree program that can be completed in as little as two years, and coursework is both asynchronous and synchronous, with the set-time login classes never larger than fifteen students. For experiential learning, students can participate in MBA@UNC Global Immersions that are offered four times a year. Students can go as far as Singapore or as close as Chicago to seek exposure to global business practices. Applicants with more than five years of work experience are exempt from the GMAT/GRE requirement, and once a student becomes a graduate of the MBA@UNC online degree program, they are not on their own–all MBA@UNC coursework is archived and available for as long as a student wants to access it. In addition, graduates can take MBA electives online as they desire.

Admissions website

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill– called UNC or simply “Carolina”–was born when the first cornerstone was laid in the approximate middle of the state. Chartered by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1789 and inviting first student Hinton James to class on February 12, 1795, now the campus incorporates over 700 acres in downtown Chapel Hill.  Additionally, over 250 academic degree programs are offered across fourteen schools and colleges to almost 30,000 students. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges has affirmed its regional accreditation of UNC.

#2. Indiana University

Online MBA

Program Details: A concentrated, week-long required residency called Kelley Connect Week starts both the first and second years of the IU Kelley School of Business online MBA degree program. Students earn credits, meet their classmates and professors, and compete as a team on a real business exercise to be presented to corporate leaders and executives at the end of the week. With a required 51-credit hours, only 39 of them being core credits, students are able to choose twelve electives to customize their degree. For further specialization and unique experiences, students can choose to pursue a Kelley School of Business dual MBA/MS degree in seven different areas, take an immersion course, or participate in a Kelley Direct AGILE course elective (Accelerating Global Immersion Leadership Education) and study business abroad in places such as Botswana, Myanmar, or Brazil. For support and guidance, career coaches who specialize in working with online students are on hand to help navigate the academic choices and create a strategic plan for finding a job post-graduation. GMAT/GRE waiver requests are considered for applicants with at least five years of relevant work experience, an advanced degrees, or a previous degree from the Kelley School of Business.

Admissions website

In 1820 a proposal for a state seminary was passed by the Indiana State legislature, and by 1824 classes were attended by the first ten students in Bloomington. Four years later in 1828 the name was changed to Indiana College, and ten years after that changed to Indiana University (IU).  The largest school in Indiana, IU has sixteen schools and colleges providing over 550 academic degree programs to its nearly 50,000 students. Indiana University at Bloomington is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

#3. University of Florida

Online MBA

Program Details: The Hough Graduate School of Business within University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business offers an online MBA degree entirely online with no required on-campus visits. The 48-credit hour UF MBA at Warrington College of Business online MBA degree program is designed to be completed in 24 months, and the UF MBA Admissions team provides information sessions either online or at one of the UF campuses on a weekly basis to answer any questions a prospective student may have. All courses are taught by the respected UF Warrington faculty members, who provide a “career-focused curriculum” to help their students succeed, with classes like “Global Strategic Management” and “Legal Environment of Business.” For students who do not mind coming to campus, UF Warrington offers both an accelerated hybrid-online MBA for students with an undergraduate business degree that can be completed in just sixteen months, as well as a 27-month hybrid-online MBA for students who have an undergraduate degree in any subject. No matter which format a student chooses, all UF MBA degree programs are the same and impart to students a “well-rounded, rich MBA experience.”

Admissions website

The Gainesville Academy opened in Gainesville, Florida in 1858. In 1866 ownership of the school and land transferred to the state under the condition that the East Florida Seminary be relocated to Gainesville, and the two schools merged. Two more schools were joined with the Gainesville school to become the University of the State of Florida, and with the final name change to University of Florida (UF), the school has sixteen schools and colleges offering over 300 academic degree programs for almost 55,000 enrolled undergraduate and graduate students. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges regionally accredits the University of Florida.

#4. University of Southern California

Online MBA

The USC Marshall School of Business Online MBA (OMBA) is the perfect blend of the University of Southern California’s “heritage of academic excellence with the flexibility of online learning.” Starting with the course called “Role of the Manager,” OMBA students participate in a week of online coursework and discussion and conclude with a six-day on-campus residency to begin the 51-credit hour program. Going through the program together as a cohort, students access the remainder of the coursework entirely online. The curriculum is guided by the capable instruction of the renowned USC Marshall faculty, who work with “instructional technology experts” to infuse “the best elements of the on-campus programs with a variety of new elements built specifically for the online experience.” The rigorous program is supplemented by exceptional online student services and resources, such as the Online Marshall MBA Career Services, and for prospective students, USC OMBA online information sessions are held to allow interaction with the USC Marshall faculty and staff in order to learn more about the program.

Admissions website

Established in 1880 in Los Angeles, California, the University of Southern California (USC) is the oldest institution of higher education in the state and a member of the Association of American Universities. This sea- and space-grant institution houses seventeen schools and colleges to serve more than 45,000 currently enrolled students. Over 200 degree programs are provided at this private research university, and USC is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

#5. Arizona State University

Online MBA

Program Details: The ASU W. P. Carey School of Business online MBA degree program is the same as the on-campus program, with the same core curriculum, elective options, and faculty. The W. P. Carey Online MBA core curriculum classes includes topical subjects like “Statistics for Managers” and “Leading People, Teams and Organization: Organizational Theory,” and the student’s elective choices or opting into one of four MBA emphasis areas (Finance, International Business, Marketing, or Supply Chain Management) allows for customization. A student services team is available to offer assistance to online students through every step of the process, and there’s also a dedicated online tech services team. During the academic journey and even beyond graduation, the W. P. Carey Graduate Career Center provides career coaching and workshops, as well as alumni resources. In addition to the first-rate MBA program through W. P. Carey School, concurrent degrees in online MBA/Master of Legal Studies, MBA/MSE Electrical Engineering, and MBA/MS Industrial Engineering are possible through the Arizona State Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law or Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering.

Admissions website

In 1885, the Territorial Normal School was created in Tempe to educate teachers for the Arizona territory. Thirty-three students started classes a year later in a four-room schoolhouse on twenty donated acres. Growth and multiple name changes occurred through the years, and in 1958 Arizona State University (ASU) was settled upon. Unlike other schools, ASU’s current multiple campuses are seen as “one university in many places” rather than separate schools. Sixteen colleges and schools extend over the six ASU campuses and offer more than 350 academic degree programs to over 80,000 students. The Higher Learning Commission provides ASU with regional accreditation.

#6. The Pennsylvania State University

Online MBA

Program Details: Having been invested for such a length of time in distance learning means that the Penn State Online MBA delivered through the Penn State World Campus is not only the same high-caliber degree as one would get on-campus, but also an intentionally created program that provides a cut above the industry standard for online coursework. Starting with the Penn State Online MBA five-day residency in University Park, Pennsylvania, the 48-credit hour program focuses on real-world business logistics facilitated by the cutting-edge Penn State faculty members and utilizing an approach called ICE (Integration, Collaboration and Engagement). Penn State’s Smeal College of Business online MBA provides an array of opportunities for customization–an interdisciplinary 39 core credits are required, and students dedicate nine electives towards their chosen concentration (there are fourteen dedicated concentrations, and choices range from Negotiation & Influence to Business Sustainability Strategy to Business Architecture). Student support is also highly customizable–the online MBA career services makes available personalized career coaches and many programs and opportunities to assure a successful transition from student to working professional. Applicants with a terminal degree or work experience may request a GMAT waiver.

Admissions website

Penn State is the only land-grant institution in Pennsylvania, but was chartered prior to the Morrill Land-Grant Act of 1862. Its origins were in line with the intentions of the Morrill Act in that Penn State was created as a school to provide liberal arts as a practical education in addition to the scientific, agricultural training most students at the time needed. Now fourteen schools and colleges comprise this public, research intensive university. In addition to the 24 campuses across Pennsylvania, the Penn State World Campus has been offering online classes since 1998. The first students of this endeavor graduated in 2000, but now over 12,000 students are enrolled online. The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools provides regional accreditation to Penn State.

#7. Carnegie Mellon University

Online MBA

Program Details: Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business online MBA degree program is a part-time program that is an exact model of the on-campus MBA program offerings, just provided through the convenience of online flexibility. The Tepper School Online MBA offers the same renowned curriculum taught by the same world-class faculty, with the same start dates and admissions requirements (it is anticipated that the program will be completed in 32 months with a start date in September). There are six opportunities to become engaged in the on-campus Tepper culture and network through “Access Weekends” that set this program apart. The Tepper School reaches out in many ways to present information on the school, culture, and opportunities for prospective students–offering virtual info sessions, meet-ups, webinars and other events. Once a student, Tepper emphasizes a firm foundation in business basics–requiring students to finish coursework in economics, finance, operations, quantitative analysis and organizational behavior before they move on to their electives. Additionally, eleven concentration areas are presented with the Tepper MBA–most students choose three or four for added customization.

Admissions website

Funded by a $1 million donation from Andrew Carnegie in 1900 for the express purpose of starting technical schools in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for both men and women, the Carnegie Technical Schools (the women attended Margaret Morrison Carnegie College) quickly grew into Carnegie Institute of Technology. In 1967 the school became Carnegie Mellon University as it joined with the Mellon Institute, and by 1973 the women’s college closed and the women joined in completely with Carnegie Mellon. Now a private research institution with seven schools and colleges offering over 140 academic degree programs, regional accreditation is provided by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

#8. University of Texas at Dallas

Professional Online MBA

Program Details: The UT Dallas Naveen Jindal School of Management’s online Professional MBA (PMBA Online) degree program is offered completely online with no required residencies. A 53-credit hour program with unparalleled opportunities for customization, there are fifteen UT Dallas Online MBA concentrations and thirteen Naveen Jindal School of Management MBA dual degree options. In addition to the core courses made available online, students can choose from a wide selection of business area electives (such as Finance and Managerial Economic coursework and Organizations, Strategy and International Management courses). UT Dallas online MBA information events are offered regularly for prospective students, and once accepted students can start the PMBA Online program in the fall, spring or summer. GMAT/GRE waivers are provided for applicants with previous terminal degrees and other factors, and most students complete the degree in about four years. Student support is readily accessible for Online PMBA students, with such resources and services as the Jindal School of Management Career Management Center (CMC). Services such as the CMC and many others are specifically provided to online UT Dallas students as well to make sure their experience is just as rewarding as if they were on-campus.

Admissions website

In 1961 the Graduate Research Center of the Southwest was the creation of the three founders of Texas Instruments. Established to foster the talented, tech-savvy young Texans and keep them in Texas rather than going out-of-state, the school changed names in 1967 and then again in 1969 when its assets were transferred to the State of Texas and officially became the University of Texas Dallas. A gift of nearly 300 acres from the the Hoblitzelle Foundation and the Texas Research Foundation in 1973 provided a larger campus to the University. Now over 26,000 students study in nearly 140 academic degree programs provided by eight schools. UT Dallas is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. 

#9. University of Wisconsin MBA Consortium

Online MBA

Program Details: If getting the benefit of four university MBA degrees in one fully online MBA program sounds too good to be true, take a look at the University of Wisconsin MBA Consortium’s 30-credit hour general MBA degree program (the program is up to 47-credit hours if students need to take foundation business courses). A completely online program with no required campus visits, students can begin in the fall, spring or summer (the online, non-credit orientation course is only offered in the fall and spring). Courses are offered in modules and must be completed in sequence, and students usually finish in two and a half to three years but have up to seven as needed. All faculty members are trained specifically to teach online, and class size is kept small to ensure students have access to professors. Additionally, the MBA Consortium Executive Committee oversees the program, assuring that the quality and accessibility of the online MBA remains consistent. Students also have access to MBA Consortium student support services to make sure the online education process is a smooth one, and there are several opportunities to waive the GMAT/GRE requirement due with the application.

Admissions website

The University of Wisconsin (UW) System is a unification in 1971 of two systems of higher education in the State of Wisconsin. Combining the University of Wisconsin (which had its origins in 1849 in the land-grant university at Madison), and the Wisconsin State Universities system (which started as a Normal School in Platteville in 1866), as a single public university system under one board of regents, the UW System encompasses thirteen four-year universities and multiple other two-year colleges and extension programs throughout the state. There are approximately 180,000 students within the statewide System. The collaboration between UW–Eau Claire, UW–La Crosse, UW-Oshkosh and UW–Parkside, with University of Wisconsin Eau Claire serving as the managing partner for the program, is what makes up the MBA Consortium.

#10. Auburn University

Online MBA

Program Details: The Raymond J. Harbert College of Business’ 39-credit hour Auburn Online MBA degree program is made up of thirteen classes and starts with an optional on-campus residency. Students on average finish the nine core business courses and four electives in two and a half years, but students may take up to six years to complete the program if needed. Core classes cover necessary topics such as “Strategic Analysis & the Competitive Environment” and “Information Systems for Competitive Advantage,” and all coursework is taught by the experienced Auburn faculty. Each student benefits from the Auburn MBA Programs leadership team that provides guidance throughout the entire MBA journey, and a final capstone course and project (“Integrated Business Project & Case Analysis“) culminate the program with a three-day on-campus residency right before graduation. Opportunities after graduation are facilitated with help from an advisor in the Office of Professional and Career Development, and there are also available Auburn Online MBA Dual Degree possibilities in Finance, Industrial and Systems Engineering, and Information Systems. Students who already possess a terminal degree are waived from the GMAT requirement.

Admissions website

East Alabama Male College, chartered in 1856 in Auburn, was a private liberal arts college affiliated with the Methodist Church. The school transferred to the State of Alabama in 1872 and took advantage of the Morrill Act of 1862 to become the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama, the first land-grant institution in the South (it also has both space and sea-grant institutional status). In 1892 the first women joined as students and the name was changed to the Alabama Polytechnic Institute seven years after that. In 1960, the school became Auburn University, and today the twelve schools and colleges serve almost 30,000 enrolled students in over 140 academic degree programs. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges provides Auburn with its regional accreditation.

#11. Villanova University

Online MBA

The Villanova School of Business (VSB) now offers the “distinguished” MBA online, providing an identical curriculum taught by the same accomplished faculty. The concepts and skills that are imparted through the online coursework is designed to be implemented immediately at the student’s workplace in tandem with the learning experience, which sets Villanova online MBA students apart. The 48-credit hour program can be completed in just two years, and students participate in several on campus residencies—the Leadership Challenge kicks-off the program, and additional practicum experiences are conducted at the middle and end of the student’s time in the program. Also offered is the VSB MBA program Global Consulting Practicum, an optional week-long international immersion experience available for students who want firsthand exposure to global business practices. The Villanova Online MBA faculty are internationally recognized authorities in the business field, and their expertise helps provide five specializations from which students can choose: Analytics, Finance, International Business, Marketing, and Strategic Management. An array of Villanova webinars and fact sheets are made available to potential students to help them find information on the program.

Started as the Augustinian College of Villanova by the Order of Saint Augustine in 1842, Villanova University is located in Villanova, Pennsylvania. A private research university (the oldest Catholic institution of higher education in the state), Villanova was originally a school just for men (although nuns could take classes beginning in 1918). Fully coeducational since 1968, Villanova is a high research activity institution with nearly 11,000 students enrolled in over 100 academic degree programs in six schools and colleges, and regional accreditation comes from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Admissions website

#12. North Carolina State University

Professional Online MBA

Program Details: Housed within the Jenkins Graduate School of Management at NC State University‘s Poole College of Management, the Jenkins Professional Online MBA degree program is presented mostly in an asynchronous format, which allows for a lot of flexibility. Professors are available to online students “through a virtual collaborative space” in which students can call, email, or seek answers to questions while chatting online. With a choice between the accelerated (21 months) or flexible (up to six years) programs and starting in either the fall or the spring, the 40-credit hour NC State Jenkins Professional Online MBA program is truly adjustable and accessible. Online students receive the same student support as their on-campus counterparts, such as the Jenkins Career Management Center and tech support through the DELTA Department. Concentrations are not chosen by online students, but they do complete an area of emphasis of six credit hours in a specific area of business which is very similar to the concentrations available to on-campus MBA students. There are two three-day required campus residencies in Raleigh (active duty military may waive this requirement) and an optional week-long international Jenkins MBA immersion residency. GMAT waivers are considered on a student-by-student basis.

Admissions website

The North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts was established as a land-grant institution in Raleigh in 1887. Two years later, 72 students and six faculty members held the first class in a single building. In 1914, the passing of the Smith-Lever Act established a collaboration between land-grant colleges and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This partnership, in which colleges sent educators to rural parts of the state to assist farmers by teaching agricultural techniques, helped North Carolina State College (its new name) thrive. Over the years the college grew into the State’s largest university and was officially renamed North Carolina State University at Raleigh (but is known by most as NC State). Over 34,000 students seek their degree in twelve colleges offering more than 300 academic degree programs, and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission grants NC State regional accreditation.

#13. Ball State University

Online MBA

Program Details: An enlivened and exciting 30-33 credit hour program (or up to 51-credit hours for students who do not have an undergraduate business degree and need to take foundational classes), the coursework for the Ball State University fully online MBA degree program is a mixture of both asynchronous and synchronous formats. Five concentration options are available in addition to the general MBA track: students can choose to participate in an Entrepreneurship concentration, Finance concentration, Health Economics, Policy, and Administration concentration, Logistics and Supply Chain Management concentration, or Sales Management concentration. The same Ball State Miller College of Business faculty members who teach the on-campus courses teach the online courses, and moreover Ball State makes a point of providing these professors with specific instruction on creating and implementing online classes. Many of the same services for residential students are available as Ball State Online student support services–career-planning, tech support, The Writing Center, etc.–but in addition online students can receive support from an Online Student Ambassador. Students with previous professional advanced degrees can receive a waiver for the GMAT/GRE requirement.

Admissions website

When a small school to train teachers in Muncie, Indiana closed its doors in the early 20th century, local businessman Frank Ball and his brothers bought the property and buildings and donated them to the State. The Indiana State Normal School Eastern Division became a new teacher’s school in 1918. Four years later the name was changed to Ball Teachers College in honor of the Ball brothers, and then the name changed again in 1929 to Ball State Teachers College. As the school continued to grow and offer more than just teaching degrees, the name was changed a final time to Ball State University in 1965. Now eight colleges serve 22,000 undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled in almost 350 academic degree programs. Ball State University receives regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission.

#14. University of Maryland

Online MBA

Program Details: A 54-credit program that can be completed in as little as twenty-four months, the Robert H. Smith School of Business at University of Maryland, College Park online MBA degree program joins excellence in academics with the ease of flexibility. Two required on-campus residencies (one a three-day experience at the beginning of the coursework and the other a final capstone project) gives Smith online MBA students an opportunity to be in the lead with actual real-world problems to be analyzed and solved through teamwork and innovation. Students can choose a general track or from specializations in Accounting, Finance, Information Systems and Business Analytics, Marketing, or Supply Chain Management. All online coursework is taught by the same “innovators and established thought leaders” who are the Robert H. Smith School of Business faculty, and online students and alumni benefit from the same extensive career services that on-campus students do–services such as peer-to-peer mentoring, career coaching, and interactive interview practice. Students with proven academic excellence and a “successful career trajectory” are encouraged to talk with an enrollment advisor in regards to a GRE/GMAT waiver.

Admissions website

Maryland Agricultural College was chartered in 1856 and 428 acres of farmland was secured to be the site of the institution in 1858. The following year the school opened its doors to 34 students. By 1916 the school became state supported and a public college, with the name changed to Maryland State College of Agriculture. Now the University of Maryland is the flagship in the University System of Maryland and boasts almost 40,000 students enrolled in fourteen schools and colleges. Located in College Park, MD, the University of Maryland is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

#15. Lehigh University

Online MBA

Program Details: The Lehigh University College of Business and Economics’s online MBA degree is available through what they call the “Flex MBA.” The Lehigh Flex MBA is delivered in multiple ways for students to choose the best fit for their needs–on-campus or online, part-time or accelerated, or any combination of those methods. The 36-credit hour program has two required on-campus components regardless of whether a student chooses to complete coursework online or on-campus; a required weekend orientation kicks-off the program, and an on-campus capstone project is the culmination. The core curriculum is comprised of classes such as “Managing Products & Services” and “Introduction to the Organization & Its Environment,” and students have their choice of six Lehigh FLEX MBA program concentrations. For students who need certain prerequisites that weren’t completed in their undergraduate work, Lehigh offers online courses that can be taken at the same time as their MBA coursework. Applicants with academic doctorate, juris doctorate, or medical doctorate degrees are automatically exempt from the GRE/GMAT requirement–others with ten or more years of experience are encouraged to request a waiver.

Admissions website

A donation of around 57 acres and $500,000 from Asa Packer, the President of Lehigh Valley Railroad, was the beginnings of Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in 1865. Packer, an altruistic, enterprising businessman, desired to positively influence the intellect and morality of the men in the Lehigh Valley area, and 39 men were the first students. Now over 2,300 acres provide a campus for the nearly 7,000 coeducational students who are enrolled in this private research university. Lehigh University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

#16. University of Massachusetts Amherst

Online MBA

Program Details: The UMass Amherst Isenberg School of Management online MBA degree program offers an uncompromising education with the benefit of flexibility. The Isenberg Online MBA is the same MBA program as offered on-campus, with the same coursework and distinguished faculty and the same advising and support services available, just with the added benefit of learning at your one’s own convenience. Starting with the admissions process (applicants with a doctoral or master’s degree, and/or ten or more years of professional experience may request a GMAT waiver), there are three application deadlines and four class start dates for added flexibility. The coursework is just as detailed, and there are optional focus areas in Business Analytics, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Healthcare Administration, Marketing, and Sport Management that allow for student customization (the program is 39-credit hours without a focus, and 45-credits with a focus area). For those who are a bit unsure or apprehensive about starting an online MBA, the Isenberg School allows interested parties to Try A Class and take up to two classes before they apply or while their application is being processed, and these class credits can transfer once the student is enrolled.

Admissions website

The University of Massachusetts in Amherst (UMass Amherst), like many other land-grant schools in the mid-1800s, was begun in 1863 as a college of agriculture. Located on 310 acres in the countryside, the first students started classes in 1867. By 1931 the school was renamed Massachusetts State College, but then changed again in 1947 to the University of Massachusetts. This public research flagship of the State’s five-campus university system is now officially known as the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Campus has grown to almost 1,450 acres with nine schools and colleges offering over 230 academic degree programs to more than 30,000 students. UMass Amherst is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

#17. University of Mississippi

Online MBA

Program Details: The 100% online Ole Miss MBA degree program at the University of Mississippi lives up to the reputation of the prestigious institution. The 36-credit hour MBA program is typically completed in two years (a set sequence of classes is suggested to finish in the two year time frame), but students have as many as six to work on the degree at their own pace. The required Ole Miss online MBA core coursework is taught by the same “world-renowned” Ole Miss School of Business Administration faculty, and classes include relevant topics such as “Managerial Economics,” “Leadership and Ethics,” and “Business Planning and Entrepreneurship.” Resources such as the Current MBA Student Calendar and recorded student testimonials are helpful both for prospective students and current MBA participants. The Ole Miss reputation supplies significant support in the form of the MBA Alumni Board’s Professional Development Days (a series offered several times a year), as well as the Ole Miss Alumni Association (a “hallmark of the University of Mississippi”) to maintain ties and network connections after graduation.

Admissions website

Fondly known as “Ole Miss,” the University of Mississippi was chartered by the Mississippi Legislature in 1844. In 1848, eighty students began classes in what would be the state’s one-and-only public institution for higher education for almost 25 more years. Today Ole Miss remains Mississippi’s flagship and largest university with almost 25,000 students earning their degrees in fifteen schools and colleges and four extension campuses. The University of Mississippi has achieved the distinction of being an R-1: Doctoral Universities – Highest Research Activity by the Carnegie Classification. The main campus is located in both Oxford and University, Mississippi. Ole Miss is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

#18. Pepperdine University

Online MBA

Program Details: The online MBA program from  Pepperdine University Graziadio School of Business and Management offers a great deal of customization opportunities through five concentration options. Students can opt for a focus in Marketing, Finance, Leadership and Managing Organizational Change, General Management, or Digital Innovation and Information Systems. Generally completed in about two years, the Pepperdine online MBA program requires the same 52-credit hours but allows for a lot more flexibility than the on-campus MBA part-time and full-time programs. Core courses include topics such as “Prices, Profit, and the Market Economy,” “Integration in Business Operations,” and “Political, Regulatory, Ethical, and Legal Issues of Business,” and as one can imagine with a school steeped in its founder’s faith tradition, there is a “values-centered” approach to the coursework, but it is also very experiential. For example, there are two required on-campus, weekend residencies in which students are given a real-world case-study and expected to work alongside currently-working company executives to solve it. Additionally, the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School faculty are “executives, entrepreneurs, consultants, and published authors,” so students are learning from professionals in the field.

Admissions website

George Pepperdine, an entrepreneur who founded the Western Auto Supply Company and a man of deep Christian faith, determined to create a place of higher education where young men and women could seek solid academics and have their faith nurtured by faculty and administration. In the fall of 1937, George Pepperdine College opened with 167 students in Los Angeles, California. Through the years expansions–the biggest a move into Malibu–and a name change took place to reflect the growth of both the student body and the academic programs offered. Today Pepperdine boasts five schools, 73 degree programs, and over 7,500 students. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges provides Pepperdine with regional accreditation.n

#19. University of e–Lincoln

MBA@Nebraska

Program Details: The online MBA degree program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is ideal for those who do not possess an undergraduate degree in business. Offered completely online in the Nebraska College of Business, the 48-credit hour degree program known as MBA@Nebraska can be completed in as little as eighteen months, though most students complete it in three to four years (but students have up to ten years if needed). Thirty core credit hours and eighteen electives are required, and one can start in the fall, spring or summer (many opportunities are present to allow students to request a waiver for the GRE/GMAT requirement for admission). The relevant MBA@Nebraska curriculum offers core classes like “Strategic Management and Business Policy” and “Organizational Behavior,” as well as applicable electives such as “Talent Acquisition,” “Multinational Financial Analysis,” and “Marketing and Globalization.” Five optional specializations are offered in Business Analytics, Finance, International Business, Marketing, and Supply Chain Management, and there is an UNL online exploratory website that gives prospective students a glimpse of the coursework, faculty contact information, and links to student support.

Admissions website

Chartered just two years after Nebraska was granted statehood in the newly designated capital of Lincoln in 1869, four city blocks became the first campus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Within forty years student enrollment increased to almost 4,000 students. Now, campus encompasses over 600 acres and over 25,000 undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled in nine schools and colleges, and there are over 300 academic degree programs offered. UNL is a public university regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

#20. Florida State University

Online MBA

Program Details: With an expected completion of just over two years and three possible start dates a year, the FSU College of Business online MBA degree program offered online through Distance@FSU provides a quick and flexible degree program for working professionals. Requiring 39-credit hours to graduate and offering core classes such as “Marketing Strategy in the Global Environment,” “Business Conditions Analysis,” and “The Legal & Ethical Environment of Business,” the program also promises quality and rigorous academics taught by the same faculty members as the on-campus MBA offerings. And for students who want a specialization focus, there are 100% online FSU MBA focus areas available in Business Analytics, Management Information Systems, Risk Management and Insurance (with an additional choice between track options of Financial Planning or Risk Management), or Real Estate. Some applicants may be eligible to request a GMAT waiver, and once accepted into the MBA program there is an online orientation to guide students through the process of beginning classes, and there are multiple Distance@FSU student support services to help them succeed.

Admissions website

Florida State University had beginnings as both the Tallahassee Female Academy and the all-male West Florida Seminary. The two schools joined in 1858 but maintained the men’s school’s name until 1863 when it was changed to The Florida Military and Collegiate Institute. Going through several more changes, the final name of Florida State University (FSU) was settled in 1947. Encompassing 1,550 acres, including the downtown Tallahassee main campus of over 450 acres, FSU now has sixteen schools and colleges and over 330 academic degree programs for the more than 41,000 students. FSU is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

#21. University of South Florida St. Petersburg

Online MBA

Program Details: A lot of thought goes into the making sure the coursework is stellar for the Online MBA offered through the Kate Tiedemann College of Business at USF St. Petersburg (KTCOB). Many of the MBA faculty members have received certification in their online course development through the KTCOB designation as a participating institution with the Quality Matters program for online teaching excellence. In addition to offering the KTCOB Online MBA Essential Modules that students will need to master in order to graduate (some students will not need the modules if they have a strong background in undergraduate business courses), there are nine focus areas from which to choose in the 36-credit hour program to customize the degree. Students have the option to integrate two tracks to form a more comprehensive concentration from within the dedicated focus areas in Business Analytics, Corporate Social Responsibility, Finance, Forensic Accounting, Healthcare Analytics, Information Systems Management, International Business, Management, and Marketing Strategy. A waiver is possible for the GMAT/GRE requirement–applicants are encouraged to seek information, and KTCOB Online MBA information sessions are readily available for prospective students.

Admissions website

On September 7, 1965, 260 students first attended class at the University of South Florida (USF) in the barracks of closed down United States Maritime Service Training Station in the Bayboro Harbor waterfront area of St. Petersburg. As the school grew, an expanded 63-acre campus was developed in 1978. This large, public research institution officially became its own separately accredited university within the University of South Florida System in 2002. Offering 41 academic degree programs to its almost 5,000 students, USF St. Petersburg is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

#22. Mississippi State University

Online MBA

Program Details: A 30-credit hour program, requiring 27 hours of core classes and three hours of electives, the Mississippi State University (MSU) Distance MBA degree program through the College of Business can be accessed entirely online. Most students finish the program in as little as two years, but the school allows up to eight years to complete the degree as needed. There are electives within the College of Business to satisfy the three hour requirement, but students can gain approval for other classes outside the College of Business if they choose–some courses that are considered MSU Distance MBA potential elective offerings include “Racism and the US Color Line,” “Elements of Persuasion,” and “Remote Sensing Physical Environment.” For students with an interest in engineering, the MSU College of Business offers jointly with the MSU College of Engineering a fully online MBA with a concentration in Project Management (MBA-PM) degree program. The MSU MBA-PM degree program requires 36-credit hours, covering topics such as “Process Improvement Engineering,” “Law, Business, Ethics, and Dispute Resolution,” and “Leadership Skills for Managerial Behavior.”

Admissions website

The Agricultural and Mechanical College of the State of Mississippi, established as a land-grant university in Starkville in 1878, opened in 1880. The name was changed first in 1932 to Mississippi State College and then again in 1958 to Mississippi State University. Main campus in Starkville now encompasses 4,200 acres, with additional research areas on the Plant Science Farm and the Animal Sciences Farm totaling more than 2,000 more acres, and twelve schools and colleges serve over 20,000 students with over 175 academic degree programs. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges grants regional accreditation to MSU.

#23. University of Wisconsin Whitewater

Online MBA

Program Details: With eleven dedicated emphasis areas possible (in addition to the customized MBA track and the limitless creativity of the student), the online MBA degree program at the UW-Whitewater College of Business and Economics (COBE) is truly whatever a student could want it to be. Choosing from Data Analytics, Finance, Environmental Safety and Health, Marketing, Human Resource Management, Supply Chain and Operations Management, IT Management, Management, International Business, Project Management, Supply Chain Management, or whatever customization a student can devise, students can focus on the very specific business area in which they desire to pursue work. All 36 breadth and emphasis credit hours are provided entirely online, and the same experienced, research-focused faculty teach the online courses so the academic quality is identical to on-campus–just delivered in a flexible format. There are three start dates possible throughout the year and applicants are given several different avenues for seeking a GRE/GMAT waiver. For prospective students, there are multiple UW-Whitewater MBA degree program online information sessions to learn more about the program, and current students have access to many UW-Whitewater COBE Graduate Student Support Resources.

Admissions website

Founded in Whitewater, Wisconsin in 1868, the Whitewater Normal School was begun as one of several teacher education schools that came into being during the late 1900s. The school was successful through fires, wars and a great depression. By the mid-twentieth century, the Whitewater Normal School became part of the Wisconsin State College system and went through several name changes before landing on the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. With over 12,000 students enrolled in about 70 academic degree programs, UW-Whitewater has regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission.

#24. Washington State University

Online MBA

Program Details: Offering the same renowned curriculum and expert faculty as the on-campus MBA program, the WSU Carson College of Business online MBA degree program ensures that distance students receive the best education with the added benefit of flexibility–and they have the student testimonials to prove it. Flexibility extends to when students want to begin their coursework as well: the start date options are unparalleled–WSU online MBA students can opt for three different term starts each in the fall, spring or summer. For students who have a bachelor’s degree in business, the program is 36-credit hours for the general online MBA track (sixteen additional credit hours in foundational business coursework are required for others). All coursework is entirely online, and students can complete the program in just 22 to 29 months. In addition to the general online MBA track, which offers core classes such as “Strategy Formulation and Organizational Design” and “Business Analytics: Transforming Data into Decisions,” students can customize their degree by pursuing one of four concentrations: Finance, Hospitality Business Management, International Business, or Marketing. Each concentration is also offered as a WSU Online MBA nine-credit hour certificate.

Admissions website

In 1890 the newly instituted state of Washington’s Legislature determined to establish a state college. After touring multiple cities, the town of Pullman was chosen and in January of 1892, the Washington Agricultural College and School of Science opened its doors. The name officially became Washington State University (WSU) in 1959, and now WSU has eleven colleges and over 200 academic degree programs on-campus, and 22 degree programs online. With four extension campuses and their thriving online degree programs, Washington State has over 30,000 students enrolled. WSU receives regional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

#25. Arkansas State University

Online MBA

Program Details: A 33-credit hour program located in the Arkansas State University Neil Griffin College of Business and offered by A-State Online (AOS), the Online MBA degree program is made up of 27-credit hours of core classes and six of electives. Core curriculum courses include topics such as “Accounting for Planning and Control,” “Global Strategic Initiatives,” and “Corporate Financial Management,” and electives can be any of the offered classes or (with department approval) a “directed individual study” that has as the student’s goal a research paper or publication. The final outcome must be a presentation that is subject to review by faculty members in the graduate school. Two optional fully-online concentrations are available; students can choose from Supply Chain Management or Finance. Students can be sure they are receiving the best education via their experienced and highly-trained AOS faculty professors, and online students are able to access their additional support through the A-State Online Services for online students.

Admissions website

One of four agricultural high schools founded in Arkansas in 1909 to teach farming and textile manufacturing skills by Act 100 of 1909, the first classes in the Jonesboro, Arkansas “Aggie” school began on donated land in 1910 with 189 students and eight faculty members. On January 17, 1967, the agricultural high school became the public research institution Arkansas State University (A-State) after much advocating by administrators and the Jonesboro community. Now just over 14,000 students are enrolled in the more than 140 academic degree programs within the six colleges of A-State, which is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

#26. University of North Dakota

Online MBA

Program Details: The online University of North Dakota MBA Program in the UND College of Business & Public Administration requires 43-credit hours and can be completed as a part-time program in two or more years. Taught as an interdisciplinary program across the College of Business’ Departments of Accounting, Economics & Finance, Marketing, Management, and Political Science & Public Administration, as well as the School of Entrepreneurship, students are immersed in important and well-rounded coursework. The curriculum features classes such as “The Successful MBA–Executive Skills,” “Accounting Information for Decision and Control,” and “Econometrics,” and students choose from a general MBA concentration track or from the Business Analytics Concentration, Government and Business Concentration, Social Entrepreneurship Concentration, or International Concentration (the International Concentration does require students to study abroad in an exchange with an international university). Student support services come in many forms–career services, online library services, personal counseling, and tech support, just to name a few, and UND online students gain the benefit of “the convenience of online learning with the personal contact and connection” of a caring and supportive faculty and staff.

Admissions website

The University of North Dakota was founded in Grand Forks, ND in 1883 (six years before North Dakota officially became a state). The first graduating class was comprised of eight students, and contained both men and women. On-campus living was very affordable then at only $3.50 a week for room and board, as long as one didn’t mind not having a furnace for heat or windows to open in the summer, and drinking water brought in from town by the barrel. Now the University of North Dakota is a thriving public research institution that enjoys educating almost 15,000 students in over 225 academic degree programs through nine schools and colleges. Regional accreditation is provided by the Higher Learning Commission.

#27. Creighton University

Online MBA

Program Details: The prestigious Heider College of Business at Creighton offers an online MBA degree achieved with only 33 credits taken as eleven classes in eight-week terms. (If students want to finish even more quickly than the prescribed 32 months, they are free to accelerate the program by taking more than one class at a time). The curriculum includes courses such as “Leadership & Organizational Behavior,” “Economic Analysis for Managers,” and “Information Systems Management,” and students can construct a concentration from among electives grouped in the areas of Finance, Leadership, Business Intelligence & Analytics, Accounting, Financial Psychology & Behavioral Finance, or Personal Financial Planning. The online Creighton MBA degree program is open to all undergraduate degree recipients, and students will become engaged in a non-thesis program taught by the “deeply connected” and experienced Heider College of Business faculty members. Most applicants are not required to submit GMAT scores, and the relevant program culminates in a capstone course in strategic management. For students with unrelated bachelor’s degrees and no significant business coursework (specifically in statistics), Creighton offers a noncredit statistics tutorial for a fee.

Admissions website

Creighton University is a coeducational, Jesuit university located in Omaha, Nebraska. Envisioned as a memorial by Mary Lucretia Creighton to her late husband Edward, Creighton College was founded in 1878 with money left in Mary’s will for the purpose of opening a school.  Five Jesuit priests, two lay teachers and 120 students first held class that year. Today, over 8,000 students attend and study over 100 academic degrees and majors in nine schools and colleges in the university. A “Catholic and Jesuit comprehensive university,” Creighton is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

#28. George Washington University

Online MBA

Program Details: A three-year program requiring 55.5 credit hours to graduate, the GW Online MBA degree can be started in the fall, spring or summer, and GW Online Global & Experiential Opportunities provided as optional residencies can really serve to enhance a student’s experience. Students with over seven years of professional work experience may be able to waive the GMAT/GRE requirement, but even then competition for admission to the GW Online MBA degree at the George Washington School of Business (GWSB) is fierce due to the strength of the reputation and character of both the school and the MBA program. Offered online through the GWSB Digital Community, digital sessions and once-weekly live classroom sessions assure that the coursework is lively and rigorous. Faculty members are available to interact with students during online office hours, so there is no disadvantage to being a distance learner. There are six optional concentrations: Consulting, Finance, Global Management, Government Contracts, Information Systems and Technology Management, and Project Management, as well as the GW Online Healthcare MBA, and students may choose up to two if they desire a broader range of specializations.

Admissions website

In 1819, a group of Baptist ministers secured funding to purchase land in the capital and put in a petition to Congress to charter the college that they were in the process of organizing. By 1821 President Monroe signed an Act of Congress, and Columbian College was born. After 60 years, another Act of Congress in 1904 changed the name to The George Washington University (GW).  Now, this private research university located in the District of Columbia educates more than 25,000 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the University’s ten schools on three campuses, and employs over 2,500 faculty members. George Washington has regional accreditation through the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

#29. University of North Texas

Accelerated Online MBA

Program Details: The UNT G. Brint Ryan College of Business presents six different accelerated online MBA degree program focus area options. Students can choose from a concentration in Marketing, Marketing Analytics, Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management, Strategic Management, Supply Chain Analytics, or Supply Chain Management. The 36-credit hour program can be started at five different times during the year and completed in as little as fourteen months, and the UNT accelerated online MBA curriculum is comprised of core course, concentration classes, and electives. Students all participate in eighteen hours of core classes such as “Accounting for Management” and “Intro to the Business Decision Process,” and concentration classes cover fifteen credits of the required 36. Students can choose an elective from a large listing of offered courses, with topics such as “Leadership Research and Development,” “Employment Placement & Personnel Planning,” and “Discovery and Learning with Big Data.” With a commitment to “inquiry and shared discovery,” the UNT College of Business faculty are engaged as students’ “partners throughout the online course process,” so prospective students can be assured they are part of a community of learning, even though they are learning from a distance.

Admissions website

From a space rented above a hardware store to educate 70 men and women to one of the largest public universities in the nation, the University of North Texas (UNT) in Denton, Texas has grown beyond the humble expectations of its origins as the Texas Normal College and Teacher Training Institute. With twelve colleges and schools and over 220 academic degree programs for the 37,000 students who attend, UNT has gone through seven different names in its 125 year history, the final name of University of North Texas being bestowed in 1988. UNT is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

#30. The University of Tennessee at Martin

Online MBA

Program Details: For graduates with at least two years of professional work experience, the UT Martin Online MBA degree program offers convenience, flexibility, and excellence. The online MBA is a cohort-based, eighteen-month program offered completely online with two start-dates each year, and admissions exam requirements of the GRE or GMAT can be waived with a previous master’s degree or seven or more years of professional work experience. Located in the UT Martin College of Business and Global Affairs, the online MBA provides two tracks: the 30-credit hour General Business track and the 42-credit hour Agricultural track. Core courses such as “Organizational Theory and Design,” “Legal and Ethical Environment of Business,” and “Accounting for Managerial Decisions” are required for both tracks, and Online MBA with the Agricultural track option students choose from electives such as “Commodity Futures and Options Market,” “Advanced Econometric Applications in Agribusiness, and “Applied Management Science in Agricultural Systems” to make up the remaining credits of their program. The top-notch UT Martin faculty provides instruction, and the College of Business and Global Affairs online resources to support students are plentiful.

Admissions website

Now a public university in the western part of Tennessee, the University of Tennessee at Martin (UT Martin) was founded as the Hall-Moody Institute in 1900 by local Baptists and the Beulah Association of Northwest Tennessee. Named after two prominent Baptist ministers, J. N. Hall and J. B. Moody, the institute was originally created to provide religious education. By 1927 the school joined with Union University to become the University of Tennessee Junior College. Under its final name of University of Tennessee Martin, the school currently offers twenty-two degrees and over 100 specializations to its almost 7,000 students. UT Martin is regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

#31. State University of New York at Oswego

Online MBA

Program Details: SUNY Oswego offers a completely-online MBA degree program that is “equally applicable to private, public and governmental sectors of management” and can be completed in just two years. The same award-winning SUNY Oswego School of Business faculty as the on-campus MBA programs provides instruction for the 36-credit hour program (there are 21-credit hours required for students who need business foundational coursework, for a total of 57 credit hours). In addition to potential prerequisite foundational coursework, the core curriculum, and electives, students participate in Advanced Tool Courses such as “Futures and Options Market” and “Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management.” Elective choices are varied, and students have options such as “Sales Leadership and Strategy,” “Cyber Law,” and “Loss Control, Contracting, and Housing.” Classes are accessed via the SUNY Oswego Blackboard Learn online system, and online classes are generally available a week before the semester starts to allow students to become comfortable with the online delivery system. Admission is rolling so students can begin the process of admission at their convenience, and the program has start dates in the fall, spring and summer.

Admissions website

The State University of New York–or SUNY– at Oswego, NY was founded in 1861 as Oswego Primary Teachers’ Training School and moved to its current location in 1913. Going through several changes in the 1940’s, the current arts and sciences institution that it is today within the State University of New York system was established in 1962. Now offering over 110 academic degree programs to 8,000 students, SUNY Oswego is one of thirteen university colleges in the SUNY system (which includes 64 campuses in total). SUNY Oswego is regionally accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Higher Education.

#32. Oklahoma State University

Online MBA

Program Details: Housed in the Spears School of Business’ Watson Graduate School of Management at Oklahoma State University and provided online through the Michael and Anne Greenwood Center for Online Excellence, the OSU Online MBA degree program is 42-credit hours and can be completed on a part-time basis. With “twelve tremendous reasons” that the OSU Online MBA is a benefit for the business professional, students can expect tremendous flexibility, affordable quality, many student support services, and connections within the program and beyond. In addition to the stellar core curriculum classes like “Business Intelligence Tools and Techniques” and “Corporate and Business Strategy,” OSU Online students can choose from nine MBA concentrations that are offered entirely online (Business Sustainability, Data Science, Energy Business, Entrepreneurship, Global Marketing, Human Resource Management, Information Assurance, Marketing Analytics, and Nonprofit Management) and will gain a “higher realm of administrative versatility” through the program. Multiple tutorials are provided that cover many aspects of the online learning platform utilized by OSU Online called Brightspace, so before a student has even been admitted the program makes available services to help them succeed.

Admissions website

Classes first began for Oklahoma State University–originally known as Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College–in 1891 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The University has grown from a small A&M school with a first graduating class of only six male students to a coeducational, public research institution that has become the flagship of a statewide university system with extension offices and campuses throughout the state of Oklahoma. Boasting over 37,000 students across the state and ten schools and colleges, Oklahoma State is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

#33. Syracuse University

Online MBA

Program Details: The online MBA program offered by Syracuse University’s Martin J. Whitman School of Management is called MBA@Syracuse, and it doesn’t differ from the quality of the on-campus program in any way. The same Whitman School faculty teach all of the online MBA classes, and online students will “benefit from the scholarly expertise and practical experience” they bring. Offering rolling admission, a GMAT waiver for applicants with at least five years of work experience, and four different start dates a year, the online MBA@Syracuse is a part-time program that can be completed in as little as two years. Once accepted, each new student receives a welcome phone call from their student support advisor who will talk them through the process, expectations, and answer any questions they may have. Requiring 54-credit hours, MBA@Syracuse online students participate in three on-campus residencies, which provide unparalleled interactions and “allow students to apply their skills and network with classmates and professors.” Six optional specializations are provided as dedicated focus areas in which students can concentrate their studies if they choose: Accounting, Business Analytics, Finance, Supply Chain Management, Marketing Management, and Entrepreneurship.

Admissions website

The Methodist State Convention, which was held in 1870 in Syracuse, New York, resolved to found a university within the city. By fall of 1871, seven women and thirty-four men became classical studies students in a four-year program or scientific fields studies students in a three-year program at the College of Liberal Arts in a rented building. Today, this private research university has thirteen schools and colleges that offer over 200 academic degree programs to its approximately 20,000 students.  The Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools gives Syracuse its regional accreditation.

#34. West Texas A&M University

Online MBA

Program Details: Offering the exact same MBA program in which the on-campus students participate, the online MBA degree mode offered through the Department of Management, Marketing and General Business in West Texas A&M‘s Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business delivers distinction with added accessibility. Designed to be completed in two years, and depending on a student’s background and choice in emphasis area (MBA General Business track, Computer Information Systems, Management, Marketing, or Healthcare Management), the MBA program requires between 31 to 46 credit hours. Up to nine credit hours in foundational coursework may be required for students not coming from a business background, and students have their choice of the credits that make up the core curriculum (with a wide selection of class options such as “Social Network and Media Analysis” and “International Human Resource Management”). For students who are having trouble deciding which online MBA class to take, Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business Graduate Course Introductory Videos are made available. Applicants with an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 may request a GMAT waiver.

Admissions website

The establishment of a State normal school by the Texas Legislature in 1909 prompted lively competition between many cities in west Texas to become home to the proposed institution for educating teachers. The town of Canyon pledged 40 acres and just over $100,000, which helped push Canyon into the lead. A year later, sixteen faculty members and over 150 students began classes at West Texas State Normal College. Now West Texas A&M University’s almost 10,000 students are enrolled in nearly 100 academic degree programs in six schools and colleges. West Texas A&M is provided with regional accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

#35. Quinnipiac University

Online MBA

Program Details: The online MBA degree program at Quinnipiac University School of Business marries high quality with a user-friendly program. The MBA program receives the support of the School of Business Dean’s Advisory Council, and additionally students have access to the QU Online technical support team 24/7, financial aid resource counseling, administrative support, academic advising, as well as the dedicated business resources provided by the School of Business. Courses are taught by the same faculty that teach on-campus, and there are three optional professional focus tracks: the Quinnipiac online MBA Finance Track, the Quinnipiac online MBA Healthcare Management Track, and the Quinnipiac online MBA Supply Chain Management Track. Students can also choose their own electives to create a specialized area of focus customized for their specific career goals if desired. Elective choices vary based on the student’s professional focus track (if they have chosen one), and include such topics as “Health Policy and Politics,” “Managing Marketing Channels,” “Corporate Compliance in the Health Care Industry,” and “International Business Negotiation.” Applicants can submit a waiver request for the GRE requirement, and start dates are offered in the fall, spring or summer.

Admissions website

Quinnipiac University (QU) is a private, nonsectarian university with three campuses located in Hamden and New Haven, Connecticut. Originally started as a small college in New Haven in 1929, Quinnipiac has grown to a national institution with over 10,000 graduate and undergraduate students currently enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences or one of eight professional schools. Known for the Quinnipiac University Poll, QU conducts thorough, highly-respected polls on issues of politics and public concern, which are then used by many in the news media to assess and report on public opinion. Quinnipiac University earns regional accreditation by New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

#36. University of Nevada, Reno

Online Executive MBA

Program Details: The University of Nevada, Reno College of Business offers an online Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) degree rather than the more commonly known MBA. Adding the distinction of “executive” to their MBA degree program means this is a rigorous program ideal for professionals who want to finish their degree quickly while continuing to work full-time. Utilizing the University of Nevada, Reno online EMBA cohort structure in which students begin the program at the same time in the fall and move through the sequenced coursework together, the twelve-course curriculum program is completed in two years. Students can have undergraduate degrees unrelated to business but must have at least five years of professional work experience, and the GRE/GMAT admissions requirement is waived for students who already have a master’s or professional degree, or who are currently licensed as CPAs, CFPs, CMAs or PEs. The 37-credit hours needed to complete the program are offered as 21 credit hour core courses and 15 credit hour breadth courses, and range from core topics such as “Economics of the Firm” to breadth topics such as “Personal Branding.”

Admissions website

Founded in 1874 as the State University of Nevada and awarding its first degrees to three students seventeen years later in 1891, the University of Nevada, Reno now boasts over 18,000 students and almost 1,000 faculty members. The school was started due to the benefits the Morrill Act of 1862 and is the only land-grant university in the state. A public research institution offering over 145 degree programs, University of Nevada, Reno has been regionally accredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities continuously since 1938.

#37. Columbus State University

Online MBA

Program Details: Provided completely online through the Georgia WebMBA® consortium of schools (a coalition of six AACSB-accredited University System of Georgia institutions jointly offering the online MBA), the Columbus State Turner College of Business online MBA requires 30-credit hours. There is an option to start the program either in the fall or the spring–both options begin with a two-day on-campus orientation, and students become engaged with their fellow students and the Turner College of Business faculty and staff right from the start. Students can complete the degree in five semesters but have up to six years if needed. The ten required classes are provided entirely online and include topics such as “Human Behavior in Organizations,” “Strategic Marketing,” and “Global & International Business” in order to fulfill Turner College’s mission of preparing “students to add value to their communities and employers in a globally competitive environment, by providing high quality, relevant business and computer science education.” Students can also participate in the online Georgia WebMBA™ program through George College & State University, Georgia Southern University, Kennesaw State University, University of West Georgia, and Valdosta State University.

Admissions website

Established as a junior college in 1958 in Columbus, Georgia with fifteen faculty members and almost 300 students, Columbus State University became a full four year institution in 1965. Now offering more than 90 academic degree programs, the Columbus State has about 8,000 students enrolled currently. Located about 100 miles southwest of Atlanta, Columbus State University has two campuses–main campus and the RiverPark campus–and also offers classes at army base Fort Benning. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges provides the regional accreditation for Columbus State University.

#38. Hofstra University

Online MBA

Program Details: Hofstra University’s Zarb School of Business offers a highly-flexible online MBA degree program. Students can start the 38-45 credit hour program (the credit requirements are determined by the student’s participation in and grade point average of previous undergraduate business classes from an AACSB-accredited institution) as a small, 20-month cohort group in the fall, or they can opt out of the cohort model in order to customize the program to their desired timeline. Two unique concentrations are available in Strategic Business Management and Strategic Healthcare Management, and all coursework is taught by the revered Zarb faculty–an accomplished bunch who have an impressive array of achievements, such as producing “over 350 articles in 190 different scholarly journals” in the span of five years. Online students have full access to Zarb’s Graduate Business Career Services center, and are supported through individualized sessions. In order to address the international needs of business education, an optional Hofstra MBA Global Practicum on Strategy (GPS) in which students travel abroad to get firsthand knowledge on how businesses in other countries are managed (the cost is in addition to the normal tuition).

Admissions website

Located on Long Island in Hempstead, New York and just miles away from New York City, Hofstra University is a private, nonsectarian, coeducational institution that was founded in 1935.  The campus boasts a total enrollment of about 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The faculty to student ratio is 14:1, so students have a great deal of support in the almost 300 academic degree programs that Hofstra offers. Regional accreditation is provided by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

#39. Marist College

Online MBA

Program Details: With rolling admission, two term start dates, the possibility to waive the GRE/GMAT requirement, and the option to complete the 36-credit hour program in as little as four semesters or up to seven years, Marist College School of Management‘s online, asynchronous MBA degree program truly allows students to work on their degree in their own time. A mixture of core courses, electives and optional concentrations also gives many opportunities to customize the degree to each student’s specific academic desires and career goals. Students can choose from the Marist Online MBA concentrations in Ethical Leadership, Financial Management, or Health Care Administration. And for potential students who would like to experience Marist prior to making the commitment to attend, there are multiple on-campus Open House events, online graduate information sessions, and there is even an online sample class tutorial available called Touch the Technology. Support and learning for students and grads continue in the form of the “Leadership Development and Experiential Weekends” that are open to current on-campus and online students as well as alumni.

Admissions website

Founded in 1929 as a training school and seminary for future Marist Brothers in the Catholic Church, Marist College is now a private, coeducational institution. Located on roughly 200 acres in Poughkeepsie, NY, there are over 6,500 students enrolled in seven schools and 75 academic degree programs. Encouraging students to see a vision of community around the world and serve globally, Marist offers students the opportunity to study abroad on the branch campus in Florence, Italy. Regional accreditation is provided by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

#40. Southern Illinois University

Online MBA

Program Details: The SIU College of Business presents an online MBA degree that waives the GRE requirement for applicants who have five or more years of work experience. The 42-credit hour online MBA program starts in the summer and is designed to be finished in just 23 months. Students can choose the general track of the online SIU MBA degree or either the online MBA with a concentration in Agribusiness Economics (offered jointly with the College of Agricultural Sciences) or the online MBA with an Analytics for Managers concentration. Delivered in the cohort format, the online MBA students benefit from a built-in peer group with which to develop group-building skills, support, and future business contacts, and in addition to the collaborative nature of the cohort peer group, at least two teaching assistants are assigned to assist both the faculty and the online MBA students as they do their coursework and move through the program.  The SIUC College of Business faculty are “known nationally and internationally for their contributions in teaching, research and service,” so students can be sure that they are learning from some of the best.

Admissions website

Founded as the state’s second teachers school in 1869 with an impressive first class of 143 students and twelve academic departments, Southern Illinois University Carbondale now has a total enrollment of over 17,000 students and offers more than 300 academic degree programs in ten schools and colleges. The largest campus of the Southern Illinois University system and the flagship institution, SIUC is located in Carbondale, Illinois and has regional accreditation provided by the Higher Learning Commission.

#41. College of William and Mary

Online MBA

Program Details: The 49-credit hour William & Mary’s Raymond A. Mason School of Business Online MBA degree program typically takes two years to complete, and provides a customizable, unique Mason Online MBA learning experience. Starting the academic journey with the William & Mary Renaissance Manager course, students come up with their own experiential “wicked problem” that will be central throughout their coursework, and complete the program with the Revolutionary Leader Practicum.  There are weekend residency opportunities twice a year in which students can attend workshops and hear speakers, as well as benefit from connecting with Executive Partners, who are retired professionals who serve as mentors to both on-campus and online MBA students. Online students are only required to attend one of these residencies, but are invited to attend as many as they like. The level of support provided to Online MBA degree students at Mason is vast and comprehensive. Students are provided with a Student Success Coordinator before classes begin to offer encouragement in developing an individualized plan of success, and other services such as round-the-clock tech support, academic advising and career services are available. Certain applicants to William & Mary’s Online MBA program may be eligible for a GRE/GMAT waiver.

Admissions website

Older than every other institution of higher education in the U.S. except for Harvard, the College of William & Mary was chartered by England’s King William III and Queen Mary II in 1693 and located in an area in the colony of Virginia that would three years later be named Williamsburg. In 1695 (before the town was named), the Wren Building was under construction, and it is still in use today as the oldest college building still in existence in the United States. By 1906, William and Mary became a public university, and now William and Mary currently has over 8,500 students and offers more than 60 academic degree programs. Regional accreditation comes from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

#42. Louisiana State University

Online MBA

Program Details: Prospective students of the LSU Ourso College of Business online Flores MBA degree program are provided with support services from the first inquiry all the way through to graduation. The dedicated LSU Online support specialists guide students through questions regarding the application, financial aid, registration, and finding that work/life balance. Applicants with three years of work experience and an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 can request a waiver for the GRE requirement, and in as little as eighteen months, students can find themselves completing the 42-credit hour program. The coursework builds on each student’s proven experience and is divided into 33 hours of core courses and nine hours of electives and includes classes such as “Understanding International Management Challenges,” “Understanding Financial Information,” and “Negotiation, Persuasion and Influence.” The LSU Online MBA faculty are both engaged and experienced, and LSU information sessions are held to provide information for those who are interested in the Flores MBA. For alumni of the program, the MBA Association offers continued support, socialization, and networking opportunities post-graduation.

Admissions website

Begun as a small, all-male military school beginning in the days leading up to the Civil War and continuing through the early 1900s, Louisiana State University is now the flagship for Louisiana’s college and university system. Located in Baton Rouge, LSU is a land, sea, and space-grant university. A public, coeducational institution, Louisiana State University has over 235 academic degree programs– with more than 120 programs for graduate degrees–and prides itself on the approximately 30,000 students currently enrolled. Regional accreditation for LSU is provided by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

#43. Northeastern University

Online MBA

Program Details: The Northeastern University D’Amore-McKim School of Business fully-online, part-time MBA degree program is designed to help students hone in on their areas of interest and expertise. Offering a 50-credit hour curriculum made up of thirteen core course and five electives, Northeastern gives online MBA students a choice between eight different concentrations: Finance, Healthcare Management, High Technology Management, Innovation Entrepreneurship, International Management, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, and Sustainability. The core curriculum includes relevant coursework such as “Managing Ethics in the Workplace and Marketplace” and “Value Creation Through Financial Decision Making,” and is taught by the esteemed D’Amore-McKim faculty, who “collaborate alongside students to solve the most pressing global challenges facing established and emerging markets.” There are optional residencies for added experiential learning, offered both domestically and overseas. An online video provides a glimpse into what students can expect as they become immersed in their coursework, and the no-GRE/GMAT admission is rolling–students can choose between nine different start dates for ultimate flexibility. There are many Northeastern University Online Graduate Programs resources to assist online students along their way.

Admissions website

The YMCA of Boston, Massachusetts formed the “Evening Institute for Young Men” in May 1896. By the fall of 1898, the origin of Northeastern University was born out of this institute with its first class of students. Over a century later, over 20,000 students are now enrolled within Northeastern’s nine schools and colleges studying over 300 academic degree programs. There are also four regional Northeastern campuses– a southeast campus in Charlotte, North Carolina, two campuses on the West Coast in Seattle and Silicon Valley, and one in Toronto. Northeastern is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

#44. University of South Dakota

Online MBA

Program Details: The University of South Dakota Beacom School of Business states as its mission “to extend the possibilities through the University of South Dakota to learners through online, distance and nontraditional education to become more in their professional careers and personal lives,” and the online MBA degree program lives up to that mission by offering USD Online student support services such as a writing center, disability services, and veteran resources to all online MBA students. In addition to the general MBA track, four MBA specializations are provided in Business Analytics, Health Services Administration, Marketing, and Operations and Supply Chain Management. Eighteen credit hours of foundation coursework may be required for students without a strong undergraduate business background, and core coursework for the general track covers topics like “Leadership Development” and “Business and Its Environment.” Applicants may be able to waive the GMAT requirement and are offered three application deadlines and three program start dates once admitted, and the USD Online MBA program can be completed with as few as 33 core credit hours or up to as many as 51 with all foundation courses.

Admissions website

A flagship public institution located on almost 300 acres in Vermillion, South Dakota, the University of South Dakota (USD) is the oldest post-secondary school in the Dakotas. The establishment of the University was authorized in 1862, but because it was not funded classes did not start until 1882. Almost 70 students by the end of 1883 grew to 500 students six years later, and now over 10,000 students are currently enrolled in nine schools and colleges. The University of South Dakota has been regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1913.

#45. Clarkson University

Online MBA

Program Details: Clarkson’s Reh School of Business online MBA degree is designed for working professionals to obtain their 48-credit degree in less than two years by taking classes part-time. Students are not locked into this model however–Clarkson offers a Hybrid MBA in which students can take classes in a variety of ways–on-campus, online, part-time or full-time. This flexibility allows students to finish at an accelerated rate (in 21 months) or up to five years, and students can begin classes at four different times a year, offering even more flexibility. The GRE requirement is waived for students with relevant work experience or a master’s degree in another field, and the respected Clarkson School of Business faculty teach both the on-campus MBA program and all online classes, so the quality of the online MBA program is intact. Clarkson University’s online MBA program is a real boon for both students with a strong background in business and for those who haven’t done a lot of standard business coursework: Clarkson’s Summer Business Concept Program provides foundational business classes free of charge to incoming students, and the culminating final project before graduation is an actual consulting project with a real company.

Admissions website

Clarkson University is a private research university located in Potsdam, New York. Founded in 1896 as a memorial to Thomas Clarkson by his three sisters and a niece after his tragic death, seventeen young men and women became the school’s first class on September 2, 1896. Clarkson University now educates over 4,000 graduate and undergraduate students with over 50 academic degree programs and a student to faculty ratio of 15:1. Clarkson University is regionally accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

#46. University of Michigan-Dearborn

Online MBA

Program Details: The UM-Dearborn College of Business offers the exact same degree program whether online or on-campus–the only difference is that online students receive priority when it comes to registering for online courses. With rolling admission (and the potential to waive the GRE requirement with either three years business experience or a master’s degree in business or engineering) and start dates in September, January and May, this flexible online MBA program can be completed with 36 or up to 48 credits, depending on whether or not students decide to pursue one of the two fully online concentration options in Finance or International business. There are also two fully online, 57-66 credit hour, dual degree options: UM-Dearborn’s MBA/MS in Finance or UM-Dearborn’s MBA/MSE in Industrial and Systems Engineering (offered in conjunction with the College of Engineering and Computer Science). The online MBA degree program is open to students with any undergraduate bachelor’s degree, and the program offers nine core courses in topics such as “Applied Statistical Modeling,” “Operations Management,” and “Corporate Social Responsibility.”

Admissions website

The University of Michigan-Dearborn is a public institution that was founded in 1959 thanks to a gift from the Ford Motor Co. of over six million dollars. Campus is located on 200 plus acres (another gift of the Ford Motor Co.) in Dearborn, Michigan, within the larger metropolitan area of Detroit. With only thirty-four students in the first class and offering only three degree programs (Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Business Administration) in 1959 to over 9,000 students enrolled in 2016 and over 100 degree programs, UM-Dearborn continues to offer small class size and a student-focused approach. UM–Dearborn receives its regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.

#47. Cleveland State University

Online Accelerated MBA

Program Details: Truly utilizing the online model to its fullest potential, Cleveland State University’s Monte Ahuja College of Business Mobile Accelerated MBA (AMBA) degree program offers multiple apps that allow students to access all coursework, textbook materials, required readings, interactive learning materials and course modules from anywhere they have a web browser. Assignments, tests, and quizzes are also fully online and can be accessed via computer. One of the quickest online degrees available, the AMBA ranges between 32 and 34-credit hours (dependent upon the student’s choice of electives) and is taken in a prescribed sequence over the period of one year. Coursework includes rigorous topics such as “IT for Competitive Advantage,” “Integrative Business Strategy,” and “Management of Innovation & Technology.” Students are required to submit GRE or GMAT scores (unless they have an MD or PhD) and have the option of cohort start dates twice a year, either in the spring or the fall. The CSU Monte Ahuja College of Business online AMBA benefits from the prestigious College of Business and is administered through the CSU College of Graduate Studies.

Admissions website

Located on 85 acres in downtown Cleveland, Ohio and with an extended campus in Westlake, Ohio, Cleveland State University is a public, state-assisted university. Cleveland State started in the late 1800s as free night classes offered by the YMCA in German and French to students who couldn’t afford an education. After reorganization in the early 1900s and again in 1929-1930, Fenn College was established as a private institution. By 1964, Fenn College’s programs, structures and employees were adopted into Cleveland State University. Classes began in fall 1965, and now almost 18,000 students are enrolled in eight colleges. The Higher Learning Commission provides regional accreditation.

#48. Temple University

Online MBA

Program Details: With rolling admission, classes available online at all hours, and the same active-in-the-business-world Fox School of Business faculty members who teach on-campus, the Temple University online MBA degree program checks all the requirements off the list. The 48-credit hour program kicks-off with the seven-day Fox Online MBA residency in Philadelphia, and students become part of an intentionally-fostered online community that continues through to the day they graduate. During a student’s time in the Fox online MBA program, they can be assured that all student services are available to them just as readily as they are to their on-campus peers. Students have twelve online Fox School of Business concentrations from which to choose, and can complete the degree in as little as 20 months or up to six years, and it concludes with a final capstone project called the Enterprise Consulting Practicum–an actual business project in which clients from national or global companies seek assistance with their organization’s needs. Master of Science dual online degrees are also offered with the MBA in Business Analytics, Human Resources Management, Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship, and Marketing.

Admissions website

Started as night-school tutoring in 1884 by altruistic Baptist Minister Russell Conwell, The Temple College was incorporated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1888. . When the school became Temple College and offered admission to both men and women, over 200 applicants sought to be students. In 1892 the first class of eighteen graduated. By 1907 the college became a university, and the following year Pennsylvania recognized Temple as an official institute of higher education. Now Temple has grown to seventeen schools and colleges and educates more than 35,000 students. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education provides regional accreditation to Temple University.

#49. University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Online MBA

Program Details: The University of Colorado Colorado Springs’ College of Business offers an extremely flexible and respected 100% online MBA degree program. The online UCCS MBA program was first introduced in 1996, so it has the benefit of many years of developing and improving upon itself. The program waives the GRE requirement for applicants with a master’s degree or relevant work experience and allows students to start in the spring, summer or fall.  Students can finish the 36-credit hour program in an accelerated 18 months or up to five years (students who do not have sufficient undergraduate coursework in business will be required to take nine credits of foundation courses for a total of 45-credit hours). The same faculty and the same program as the on-campus MBA, plus access to career and placement services and the UCCS College of Business Alumni Association, ensure that the student support and the MBA degree online students receive is identical to their on-campus counterparts. Students can customize their degree to fit their career goals by choosing a general MBA track or an online concentration in one of seven areas of emphasis: Finance, Health Care Administration, International Business, Management, Marketing, or Project Management.

Established in 1965 and built on 80 acres acquired for just $1 in 1964, the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS) has grown to over 500 acres. Originally a satellite of the University of Colorado Boulder campus, UCCS was a modest-sized school for commuters. Now the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs is its own institution with over 70 academic degree programs and around 12,000 students– about 5,000 of which take advantage of online learning opportunities in some measure. UCCS is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

#50. Central Michigan University

Online MBA

Program Details: Housed in the Central Michigan University College of Business Administration and provided by CMU Online, the 40-credit hour MBA degree program can be accessed entirely online. Identical to the on-campus MBA program, the core curriculum offers classes such as “Managing Information Systems in a Global Economy,” “Data Analysis for Managers,” and “Marketing-Based Management,” and emphasis area focus concentrations are available in Human Resource Management, Logistics Management, Marketing, ERP Emphasis using SAP Software, and Value-Driven Organization. Although the GMAT is required for admission, there are several ways in which applicants can seek a waiver, and start dates are offered in the fall, spring and summer. The culture of support and cooperation extends from Central Michigan University to its Global Campus. In addition to the CMU Online Learning Resource Center, other support services available to the online student at Central Michigan include a writing center and a math assistance center, plus what the University calls an “online Ally” who is an “experienced, successful online student who provides personal assistance and advice” to new students still learning the ropes.

Admissions website

The Central Michigan Normal School and Business Institute was founded in 1892 in Mount Pleasant, Michigan to educate 31 young people (many with no more than a middle school education) in teaching, business and stenography. Central Michigan University has expanded to offer over 200 academic degree programs to almost 27,000 students on the 480 acre main campus in Mount Pleasant and around the world. The Higher Learning Commission provides regional accreditation to Central Michigan.

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50 Online Masters That Don’t Ask for the GRE

40 Online Masters That Don’t Ask for the GMAT

Life is an ever-changing journey. Human beings are constantly learning and evolving and seeking new ways to make connections with each other, our past, and what may come. For individuals who not only relish this flow of knowledge and adaptation but also seek it out, an online degree in liberal studies could be an exciting and powerful experience. Liberal Studies (sometimes called Liberal Arts or Interdisciplinary Studies) is a degree that is ideal for the student who loves the idea of learning or wants a broad-based degree that doesn’t pigeon-hole them. The Master of Liberal Studies degree usually offers many choices and cross-discipline coursework in the Humanities, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences and the Arts, usually with great flexibility and a wide range of elective topics. One of the Most Popular Online Master’s Degree Programs, students in these programs range from intellectuals who want to expand their minds and range of experiences to professionals who need a general advanced degree to achieve a promotion in the workforce, and everyone in between. Read on to learn about our picks for top liberal studies online degree programs and our methodology for choosing the schools who made the list.

Our methodology: We approached this ranking by looking at many factors—the most important being regional accreditation. Gathering information from publicly available sources such as the Association of Graduate Liberal Studies Programs (AGLSP), U.S. News and World Report, the U.S. Department of Labor, and the websites of schools that offer Master of Liberal Studies, Liberal Arts, or Interdisciplinary degree programs online, we narrowed down our list by looking specifically at three criteria that helped guide our choices for the ranking. The three criteria were, in no particular order:

• School reputation
• Clear Liberal Studies focus and/or the variety of offerings
• Amount of program accessible online

#50. Saint Leo University

In 1889, Leo Haid, an Abbot of the Catholic Church in the Order of Saint Benedict (O.S.B.), received a donation of 36 acres from Edmund F. Dunne (the founder of the Catholic colony of San Antonio, Florida and an ex-chief justice of the Arizona territory). This 36 acres of land on the shores of Lake Jovita was to be used to establish a Benedictine college. Abbot Haid named the school St. Leo’s College after Pope Saint Leo the Great, Pope Leo XIII (who was pope at that time), and himself. The first Catholic college in the state, Saint Leo held class for the first time in 1890 for seven students. Going through many name changes (and even serving as a military college at three different times), the school became Saint Leo University in 1999. Over 16,000 students now study at this private, coeducational liberal arts university located in Saint Leo, Florida, and regional accreditation comes from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Program Details: Providing a “low-residency” online program, Saint Leo’s Master of Arts in Creative Writing degree focuses on the arts and humanities side of liberal studies and lands in our #50 spot. Starting with an annual eight-day residency on the Saint Leo campus, students experience an immersion of creativity, workshops and lectures. A work plan for the academic year is mapped out with a faculty advisor during this time, and support is continued throughout the year with this same advisor. In addition to that one-on-one faculty support, Saint Leo provides multiple services and resources to both prospective and current online students. Starting with enrollment counselors to guide students through the process, to a page detailing how online learning works, to a Career Services center that continues offering services after graduation, online students have the support they need. Requiring a total of 36 credit hours to graduate, students can complete the program in twenty-four months, and tuition is $615 per credit hour.

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#49. Spring Hill College

Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama claims many distinctions. Established in 1830 by the first Catholic Bishop in Mobile, Spring Hill is the oldest institution of higher learning in Alabama. It is also the first Catholic college in the Southeast, the fifth oldest in America, and the third oldest Jesuit school. Bishop Michael Portier founded the school as a seminary and boarding school on 300 acres he had purchased. In addition to a pair of Jesuits and several seminary students, thirty students were the first student body. Following the European model, male students aged nine and up were admitted. By 1932 women were admitted, and in 1935 the high school portion of the school closed. Pioneering desegregation in the area, the school admitted nine African-American students in 1954 and was mentioned in a positive light in Dr. Martin Luther King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” written in 1963. Now Spring Hill serves almost 1,500 students, and this private, Roman Catholic liberal arts school is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Program Details: The Master of Liberal Arts degree program at Spring Hill is a flexible, thirty credit hour program for students who are “seeking a career change, job advancement, or the opportunity to pursue a lifelong passion.” Core coursework requirements include classes like “Studies in Cultural Diversity,” “The Scientific Revolution,” “Classical Antiquity,” and “Women’s Studies.” Classes are offered mostly in the evening on-campus, but there are always some classes offered online in each semester (students need to plan with care to make sure they are able to take the classes they need to complete the degree exclusively online). Four concentrations are available; students can choose from Literature, Fine Arts, History & Social Sciences, and Leadership & Ethics. Two certificates are also possible–Leadership & Ethics or Studio Arts, and students have up to six years to complete the program. Tuition is listed as $540 per credit hour.

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#48. McDaniel College

Western Maryland College began as the result of three men’s inspiration and hard work in Westminster, Maryland. Teacher Fayette R. Buell was the original visionary who bought land after the Civil War ended to start a school. Methodist minister J.T. Ward (he would go on to be the college’s first president) and railroad owner John Smith (the original president of the College’s board of trustees) raised the financing. In 1867 the school opened with thirty-seven students–both men and women–who studied in eight areas of education. A progressive school, students were admitted from the inception without regard to race, gender, religion, color or origin. The school would remain Western Maryland College until 2002 when the name was changed to McDaniel College in honor of a man who was a professor, administrator, and trustee of the school–William Roberts McDaniel. The Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools regionally accredits McDaniel College.

Program Details: With a Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) degree program that “comes to you,” McDaniel College presents classes both on-campus and online to accommodate the working professional. An interdisciplinary program offered through the Graduate and Professional Studies division, the online classes are accessible in eight-week blocks each semester. Requiring 36-credit hours to graduate, students can choose from specializations in Environmental Literacy, Fine Arts, Language and Literature, and Social Studies, and the program culminates with a six-credit hour final project. Twenty-one credit hours are foundational courses within the MLA curriculum, and they cover topics like “Introducing Modern World Philosophies,” “Our Historic Heritage,” and “Creativity: The Aesthetic Journey.” Graduate tuition for the 2017-2018 academic year is $490 per credit hour (plus fees) regardless of residency.

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#47. University of Richmond

Virginia Baptists in the 19th century thought the way to best prepare the mind to be a minister was to work the labors of the field. To that end, they established a manual labor institute in 1830 in Richmond, Virginia for future ministers. A decade later the school would incorporate as Richmond College. The Civil War influenced the college in an unfortunate way–all students joined a regiment and fought as Confederates, and the campus served both as hospital and barracks for the gray coats. The school also bankrupted itself by investing every penny in Confederate war bonds, but reopened in 1866 with a lifesaving donation of $5,000. In 1914 the school moved from downtown Richmond to the current 350-acre campus, and the name was changed in 1920 to University of Richmond (UR). This private liberal arts institution educates over 4,000 students currently, and regional accreditation is granted by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Program Details: The Master of Liberal Arts degree at University of Richmond’s School of Professional & Continuing Studies can be tailored in almost any way a student desires when “developed in coordination with the program coordinator.” Helping students “acquire an appreciation for global perspectives, traditions, lifestyles and philosophies,” UR promises an outcome in which students become people “well-rounded, knowledgeable in many subjects and able to draw from that knowledge and experience to answer questions, take sides in a debate or solve a problem.” Thirty credit hours are required for graduation–the core coursework is delivered on-campus, but the fifteen credit hours of electives can be fully online with approval from the departmental program coordinator. From Archeology to Mathematics to Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies, the sky really could be the limit with this individualized degree program. Graduate tuition for the 2017-2018 academic year is $600 per credit hour.

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#46. Pacifica Graduate Institute

Started as the Human Relations Institute in Santa Barbara, California in 1976, Pacifica Graduate Institute (“Pacifica”) offered a nine-month, para-professional Counseling Skills Certificate program initially. By 1983 a four-year Master of Arts degree was added with the approval from the state of California to grant degrees. The school continued to grow and evolve, and by the late 1980s established a permanent campus in the town of Carpinteria. In 1989 the name was officially changed to Pacifica Graduate Institute, and now offers nine degrees online and at both the Lambert Campus in Carpinteria and the Ladera Campus in Santa Barbara. With a mission to “foster creative learning and research in the fields of psychology and mythological studies, framed in the traditions of depth psychology,” regional accreditation for Pacifica Graduate Institute has been provided by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission since 1997.

Program Details: The hybrid online program (there are four required on-campus residencies a year–one each quarter) MA in Engaged Humanities & the Creative Life at Pacifica is “specifically designed to enable students to become employees and citizens” in an ever-changing world. Touting the program as transformational, the MA program starts with a tutorial on the Design2Learn (D2L) online course delivery system. Each quarter, students participate in two three-credit hour (or “unit”) courses for the first six weeks to two months–this time is spent on assigned reading and D2L online with faculty and other students. After that, students all gather on-campus for four days to attend face-to-face classes together, and then return home for the remainder of the required ten-week quarter to complete readings and assignments. The 48-unit program includes classes such as “The Complex Nature of Inspiration,” “Creative Influence Across The Humanities,” and “Technology and the Psyche.” Tuition per quarter for the 2017-2018 academic year is $4,975 plus a residential fee of $833 for each residency.

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 #45. East Carolina University

The citizens of two different eastern North Carolina towns both petitioned the NC General Assembly for a Carolina Normal School to train teachers in the eastern part of the state. Wilson residents in 1901 and Elizabeth City locals in 1905 were all denied the school, but the ball was rolling to establish a school in the area. In 1907 the General Assembly passed an act stating “That there shall be established and maintained at some suitable point in eastern North Carolina a teachers’ training school for the training of young white men and women under the corporate name of the East Carolina Teachers’ Training School.” $15,000 was set designated as startup monies to fund the school, and an additional $5,000 was to be appropriated annually. Eight towns put in bids to be the location of the school, but after much debate and several rounds of voting Greenville won with its pledge of $100,000 minus the cost of the land and election bond expenses. This was the birth of East Carolina University (ECU), and now this public research university encompasses almost 1,600 acres and has over 28,000 students enrolled. The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools regionally accredits ECU.

Program Details: The College of Arts and Sciences at ECU offers a Master of Arts in English degree with a fully online Concentration in Multicultural and Transnational Literatures. The degree program’s “approach to understanding and appreciating literatures is interdisciplinary, involving the study of historical, political, artistic, geographic, and environmental contexts.” A 33-credit hour program with a goal of providing students with an “understanding of multicultural and global peoples, arts, traditions, histories, interactions, and issues as represented and interpreted through literature and criticism,” classes include topics such as “Literary Theory,” “World Literatures Written in English,” “Cultural Studies Theory and Method,” and “Folklore.” Students can choose interdisciplinary electives from other departments with advisor approval in order to tailor their degree to their particular academic needs and career goals. The program culminates with a thesis or portfolio project. Tuition and fees for the 2017-2018 academic year per credit hour are $249.26 for residents of North Carolina and $893.92 for out-of-state students.

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#44. Prescott College

In the mid-1960s, a minister in the Congregational Church denomination, Dr. Charles Franklin Parker, envisioned a “Harvard in the West” to be located in the town of Prescott, Arizona. The impetus for the school had come from ideas gleaned at a gathering funded by the Ford Foundation a few years prior. With a rich tradition of social justice and intentionality, Prescott College “is a pluralistic community where respect for differences and dialogue are key aspects of true experiential education.” Even through financial hardships the school has continued, and this private, coeducational liberal arts college has many unconventional approaches to education. Rather than a majoring or minoring in a subject, in their junior year students design a “competence” (major) and a “breadth” (minor) which will be in one of six study areas–Adventure Education, Arts and Humanities, Education, Environmental Studies and Sustainability, Psychology and Counseling, or Cultural and Regional Studies. Prescott College is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Program Details: Prescott College Online offers a “limited-residency format” in which students begin the 36-credit hour Master of Arts in Arts & Humanities degree program with an on-campus orientation. Once a semester, students then return for an on-campus colloquium in which they meet with their professors and fellow students. With many different options to craft the degree to fit their specific needs and goals, students can choose from academic pursuits such as Photojournalism, African-American studies, Mythology or Gender studies–just to name a few. Coursework examples include classes like “Engaging in Place: An Active Introduction to Civic Ecology,” “Worldviews and Sustainability,” and “People and Nature: An Exploration of our Relationships with the Natural World.” Prescott has been offering limited-residency programs since 1978, so students can be assured that they are in a solid program with a proven delivery method. Students can start the program in August or January, and tuition is listed as $845 per credit hour for the 2017-2018 academic year, plus fees.

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#43. Faulkner University

Montgomery Bible College was founded in 1942 by Dr. Rex Turner, Dr. Leonard Johnson and Joe Greer in Montgomery, Alabama. With the original focus of training preachers and offering education grounded in the Christian faith, this private school affiliated with the Churches of Christ denomination grew over the next decade to become Alabama Christian College in 1953. By 1964 the school had outgrown its original campus and moved to its current location. Satellite campuses in Birmingham, Huntsville and Mobile were opened in 1975, and in 1983 the Thomas Goode Jones School of Law became part of the school. In 1984 the school received full accreditation as a four-year university, and the name was changed a year later to Faulkner University after Board Chairman and Trustee Dr. James Faulkner. Five colleges make up the university, and over 3,500 students are currently enrolled. Faulkner University is regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Program Details: The online Master of Arts in Humanities degree program offered through Faulkner University’s Honors College is a stepping-stone program for “students who are intent on pursuing doctoral studies in disciplines like history, humanities, literature, philosophy, and religion.” The 36 credit hour program offers classes such as “Introduction to Humane Letters and Learning,” “Great Ideas, Authors, and Writings: Historical Investigations,” and “Scholarly Inquiry/Writing” at scheduled online times to encourage student discussion and deep-thinking while hearing from the experienced faculty professors. Being “deeply rooted in Christian identity” translates into a great deal of student support whether on-campus or online, and Faulkner offers many student support services to all current students, as well as a Faulkner Online Blog to help with technical questions that online students may encounter. Tuition for the program for all students regardless of residency is $440 per credit hour with a $55 per credit hour online fee.

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#42. Goddard College

This “college for living” dates back to the failed Goddard Seminary, which began as the Green Mountain Central Institute in 1863. In 1938 a band of teachers, headed by Seminary President Tim Pitkin, re-envisioned the school and moved it to a sheep farm in Plainfield, Vermont. Fifty students and a truckload of books and used furniture moved into the farmhouse on campus and begin their education in community with these three guiding principles: the most fundamental fact of life is change; people learn only what they inwardly accept; and education is a moral concern. In 1963 Goddard pioneered the low-residency model, in which students (mostly working adults with families and obligations) came to campus for two-week seminars and then returned home to complete their studies with faculty mentoring from a distance. Since 2002 all programs at Goddard follow the low-residency format, and over 700 students currently are enrolled. Goddard College is regionally accredited as an institution by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

Program Details: Providing the “best of what distance education, online programs and traditional campus learning have to offer,” the Goddard low-residency model of eight-day on-campus residencies at the beginning of each semester gives students in the Individualized Master of Arts degree program a rigorous and flexible education. Requiring 48 credits over a period of four semesters full-time, the intent of the program is to help students “find and hone a focus of inquiry that brings together deep interests with relevant theory and actual practice.” There are two established concentration options: Transformative Language Arts or Consciousness Studies. An accelerated 36-credit hour degree is a possibility for students who have “already conducted much of the exploratory work  . . . where they would like to focus their studies and a developed idea of the final product they would like to complete.” Tuition per semester for the 2017-2018 academic year is $9,146 for full-time students (twelve credit hours) and $5,945 for part-time (six credit hours).

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#41. Hebrew College

Hebrew College, founded in 1921 in Roxbury, Massachusetts as Hebrew Teachers College, was established as a “model of the Hebraist approach to education. Not just for the training of educators, a focus on Hebrew language and literacy was central to the school’s purpose, and all classes were originally taught only in Hebrew (classes are now taught in English with Hebrew for advanced subjects). Twenty-three students were enrolled by the end of the first year of the school’s existence, and enrollment continued to increase. In 1952 benefactors of the school purchased and donated a mansion in Brookline, MA to accommodate the growth of the student body, and fifty years later the school moved to “its first true campus” in the town of Newton Centre. A private, degree-granting institution, Hebrew College joined the Boston Theological Institute, which is made up of ten theological schools and seminaries of different faiths and denominations in the Boston area. Hebrew College is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

Program Details: Hebrew College’s Master of Jewish Liberal Studies (MJLS) degree program is completed mostly online with a required week-long summer on-campus residency. This interdisciplinary thirty-one credit hour program is an “exploration of Jewish culture and civilization, viewed through the lens of the Jewish humanities,” and students can opt to include in their degree a specialization in Global Interreligious Leadership. Courses for the program include a focus on Jewish history and culture through different required texts and electives (topics offered fall 2017 include “Sacred Beginnings: An Introduction to Jewish Mysticism and Spirituality” and “Torah for Transformative Social Change”), and all online students are expected to complete an hour-long synchronous study session with a fellow student. Two start dates a year are offered–in the spring and fall–and students need to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and basic comprehension in the reading of Hebrew. Tuition for the 2017-2018 academic year is $990 per credit hour for enrolled students.

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#40. Regent University

Construction on a new Christian faith-based university on 70 acres in the town of Virginia Beach, Virginia began in 1977. The Christian Broadcasting Network University, the brainchild of Pat Robertson (the conservative evangelical spokesperson of the 700 Club), promoted the idea of a university that would help prepare “capable men and women for the challenge of representing Christ in their professions.” The following year 70 students began their education in rented space nearby the campus while it was still under construction. The university’s name was changed in 1990 to Regent University, in order to show the world that the students were on this earth as regents of Jesus. Now almost 9,000 students study more than 125 academic degree program, and this private, interdenominational, evangelical, coeducational research university is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Program Details: The Master of Arts in Practical Theology degree program with a concentration in Interdisciplinary Studies in offered both online and on-campus at Regent University’s School of Divinity. Students choose classes from the School of Divinity and from other graduate schools to develop a well-rounded and comprehensive degree. The required 48 hours include context classes from the School of Divinity in topics like “Biblical Hermeneutics,” “Intercultural Communication,” and “Theology of Global Missions.” Beyond the coursework, Regent desires a positive experience for all students, and both current and prospective online students are offered resources, tutorials and even a quiz to determine if they would succeed as an online learner. Prospective students can even “testdrive” a course to see what it is like–most classes are offered asynchronously and can be logged into at times that are most convenient for their schedules. Tuition is $495 per credit hour.

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#39. Liberty University

Liberty University was created in 1971 as Lynchburg Baptist College by Pastor Jerry Falwell Sr. and his Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia on Liberty Mountain. With 154 students paying tuition of only $200 that first year, the school was begun to “influence the moral and ethical course of America,” and in 1976 the name was changed to Liberty Baptist College to more accurately reflect that goal. In 1985 the school had grown to university status and the name was changed again to Liberty University–the distance learning program also began that year and has grown to become Liberty University Online. This private, coeducational university is the world’s largest Christian-faith university. Liberty now offers over 550 academic degree programs at its sixteen schools and colleges, and regional accreditation has been granted by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges since 1980.

Program Details: Liberty University Online’s MA in Interdisciplinary Studies degree begins with an introduction course in interdisciplinary studies and ends with a research course to help students “synthesize their education in interdisciplinary studies for professional application.” In the time in between however, students can choose from an array of graduate classes across nine of Liberty’s schools and colleges for a very personalized degree (students can choose from “history, English, psychology, counseling, religion, government, public health and executive leadership”). Offered through The Graduate School, this thirty-one credit hour degree is completely online, and students can transfer up to 50% of their required credits. Liberty stresses the importance of students developing a “Degree Completion Plan” to assure they reach the academic and career goals that have set out to achieve. Tuition for the 2017-2018 academic year is $565 per credit hour for students who are taking classes full-time, and $615 per credit for part-time students.

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#38. Northwestern University

In 1850 nine men, with leader John Evans (who was, among other things, a politician and physician, and for whom the town of Evanston was named) determined to found a university for the Northwest Territory. A year later the Illinois General Assembly granted the men a charter as trustees of the schools. Evans purchased almost 400 acres beside Lake Michigan in 1853 for the school, and the town of Evanston, Illinois was born. Two years later classes began for the all-male student body, and females would be admitted sixteen years later. This highly-competitive private research university has a main campus in Evanston and additional campuses in Chicago, San Francisco, and Doha, Qatar. Twelve schools and colleges make up the university, and over 250 academic degree programs are offered to the 21,000 enrolled students. Northwestern is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Program Details: The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) degree program at Northwestern’s School of Professional Studies is a part-time program that can be partially on-campus or fully online, depending on the classes students choose to take. A degree program with the intent of showing the “intellectual demands of professional life by enriching students’ understanding of a broad array of social and cultural issues while improving their ability to analyze, write and complete research,” nine courses are required to complete the degree. Students choose two core courses from a selection of classes like “Intro to Cultural Analysis” and “From Hamilton to “Hamilton,” six elective classes and a capstone project. Electives run the gamut from “History of Marriage in the U.S.” to “A Modern Look at Jane Austen” to “Black Chicago,” and students can even opt to complete one of six predefined specializations if they choose. Tuition for the MALS degree for the 2017-2018 academic year is $3,153 per course plus a $120 technology fee for online classes.

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#37. Baker University

Founded by ministers in Baldwin City, Kansas in 1858, Baker University has always been closely associated with the Methodist Episcopal Church (now known as the United Methodist Church). Named for Methodist Bishop and scholar Osmon Cleander Baker, the school holds the distinction and honor of being the oldest university in Kansas. With a mission of being “committed to assuring student learning, and developing confident, competent, and responsible contributors to society,” Baker University has been governed by a Board of Trustees since its beginnings. Baker University is comprised of four colleges and schools (College of Arts and Sciences, School of Nursing, School of Professional and Graduate Studies, and School of Education) and has a current enrollment of over 3,000, and this private Christian University in the Midwest is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Program Details: A degree program “for people who want to become better thinkers, writers, and communicators,” the Baker University 36-credit hour Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) is offered online and can be completed in as little as a year and a half. With an “interdisciplinary approach to the study of humanities, science, and the arts within an academic setting,” students are required to take six credits in three key areas: creative arts, history and ideas, and the sciences. In addition, at the beginning of the program each student must take the three-credit hour class “Interdisciplinary Liberal Arts.” The remaining hours can be selected from five predefined concentration areas (Creative Arts, History & Ideas, Natural & Social Sciences, Gender Studies, or Management & Leadership), and each student must design a portfolio and perform a capstone project. Tuition is the same for in-state and out-of-state residents at $400 per credit hour with a $30 per course technology fee.

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#36. University of Maine

Thanks to the Morrill of 1862 (also known as the Land-Grant College Act, it was a federal act that gave states land to sell so that the proceeds could be used to fund a school), the state of Maine received 210,000 acres to be used to fund its land-grant institution. In 1865 the Maine State College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts was chartered in Orono, Maine, and three years later classes began for the first twelve students. For the first few years the school was just for men, but in 1872 women were allowed to enroll–Louise Hammond Ramsdell was the first female student. Five years later the school was renamed University of Maine (UMaine), and this flagship university of the University of Maine System is a land-grant, space-grant, and sea-grant university (one of only nine in the country). UMaine is a public research university with over 11,000 students studying in nearly 200 academic degree programs, and it is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

Program Details: The Graduate School at University of Maine presents a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS) program fully online with a concentration in Maine Studies. Offered full-time or part-time through UMaine Online, the program requires thirty credit hours to graduate. An academic advisor helps students plot out their academic course “through classes in literature, history, folklore, Native American studies, Franco-American studies, woman’s studies, geology, geography, political science, and other disciplines.” Classes start with two interdisciplinary core seminars– “A Sense of Place: Maine and Regional Identity” and “Exploring Interdisciplinary.” Students then choose fifteen to twenty-one credit hours of electives (at least five courses must cover Maine-specific topics), and then they finish with a master’s project. Tuition listed for the 2017-2018 academic year is $429 per credit hour for Maine residents and $536 per credit hour for out-of-state residents.

#35. Wesleyan University

In 1831 in the town of Middletown, Connecticut, residents and leaders in the Methodist church established a school for the community. The first students, all 48 of them, were men and boys. Three professors, a school president and a single tutor were the staff of the newly formed Wesleyan University. The school was named for the founder of Methodism, John Wesley, and claims the distinction of being one of the oldest institutions of higher education in America that was originally founded as Methodist. There was an attempt at making the school somewhat coeducational in the early years–in 1872 women could take classes and earn degrees. But by 1912 some alumni fought to keep women out, and other alumni then helped to start Connecticut College for Women in New London. Through the 1960s there was active recruitment of students of color, and women were finally allowed admission again in 1970. Now there are over 3,000 students enrolled in Wesleyan’s almost 60 academic degree programs, and regional accreditation is granted by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

Program Details: Wesleyan’s Graduate Liberal Studies (GLS) program offers both a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) and a Master of Philosophy in Liberal Arts (MPhil) degree program. The 36-credit hour MALS degree program in particular is “designed with working adults in mind,” so some courses can be found online but may not be offered every semester (students will need to map out their schedule beforehand in order to finish the program at their desired time–Wesleyan allows up to six years to complete the degree). From the exhaustive list of interdisciplinary options, students can choose from classes such as “History of Rock and R&B” and “Life Among Snow and Ice,” and “The Dynamics of Character: 1800s to Present” just to name a few.  For prospective students, there are multiple information sessions offered throughout the year. Tuition for the 2017-2018 academic calendar year is $2,955 per course regardless of residency.

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#34. Adams State University

Colorado legislator and soon-to-be governor William “Billy” Adams tirelessly advocated for a normal school to train teachers for the rural areas of Colorado near the San Luis Valley. After decades of proposing the idea of the school, the Adams State Normal School was officially approved in 1921, and it was located on 60 acres in Alamosa, Colorado. The first group of students numbered over 100, and Harriet Dalzell Hester was the first student to graduate in 1926. She went on to work for the school as a librarian and superintendent. The school grew to educate more than just teachers, and the name was changed first to Adams State College in 1930 and then Adams State University (ASU) in 2012. ASU has about 2,500 coeducational students enrolled on campus and over 10,000 Extended Studies students. This state-supported liberal arts institution is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Program Details: The online MA in Humanities from Adams State University’s Department of History, Anthropology, Political Science, Philosophy, Spanish (HAPPS) offers students the choice of an emphasis in Cultural Resource Management, U.S. History, or Public Administration. Students are assisted as they perform directed research in their specific area of interest. The Cultural Resource Management emphasis is a thirty-credit hour program with classes such as “Philosophy, Laws, Standards,” “Cultural Geography,” and “Religion in U.S. History.” Created for students who want to understand the world as archeologists or anthropologists, or who want to go on to doctoral studies, this degree program requires a thesis which must be defended on-campus to culminate the program. Tuition for the 2017-2018 academic year is only $327 per credit hour for all students regardless of state-of-residency, and scholarships are available.

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#33. University of Oklahoma

A university for Oklahoma was put into motion in 1890 when the first governor of the territory, George Steele, approved the formation of three schools–an agriculture and mechanics college, a normal school, and a state university. The university would be located in the town of Norman, and it was originally named Norman Territorial University. Norman residents donated over 400 acres for the campus, and the first president insisted upon landscaping the barren campus before the first building began construction. Classes began in 1892 in a downtown building because construction was not yet complete at that time. The school existed in the Oklahoma Territory for seventeen years before Oklahoma’s statehood was secured–when that occurred, the name of the school became University of Oklahoma (OU). Now this flagship public research university educates over 31,000 students in over 300 academic degree programs, and regional accreditation comes from the Higher Learning Commission.

Program Details: While not a strictly Liberal Studies program, the interdisciplinary online MA in Museum Studies degree offered through the College of Professional and Continuing Studies at OU is a comprehensive, multi-layered program. Rich with history, culture, architecture and the arts, this degree program prepares students for a world that is “constantly evolving and experiencing new challenges.” Requiring thirty-three credit hours, an advisor is provided to assist students as they craft their individualized course of study plan. Classes are presented asynchronously, so students have extreme flexibility for their coursework. The nine required hours of core courses focus on interdisciplinary studies with classes such as “Intro to Graduate Interdisciplinary Studies,” “Interdisciplinary Foundation,” and “Research Methods in Interdisciplinary Studies.” Students then choose concentration classes and electives, with topics to choose from such as “Museums, Cultures, and Communities” and “Directed Readings in Interdisciplinary Studies.” Tuition per credit hour is $408.14 for Oklahoma residents and military, and $1,018.94 for all others.

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#32. Union Institute & University

In 1964 the president of Goddard College invited eight other liberal arts institution presidents to converge for a discussion on achieving a collaboration in the field of new educational movements and ingenuity. With buy-in from Antioch College, Bard College, Chicago Teachers North, Monteith Masson, New College at Hofstra University, Sarah Lawrence College, Shimer College, Stephens College and Goddard, The Union for Research and Experimentation in Higher Education was formed. Primarily for non-traditional students who would benefit from an off-campus emphasis on academics (distance education), the first president, Dr. Samuel Baskin was a psychologist and involved in education reform. Now known as the Union Institute & University (UI&U or simply “Union”), the school has campuses (“academic centers”) in Ohio, Florida, California, and Vermont–with the main campus in Cincinnati, Ohio. Union proudly claims regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission.

Program Details: Since the Union Institute & University’s main mode of degree delivery is through distance learning, students can be confident that the online MA in History & Culture is a solid degree program with a proven record of excellence. (And with students spread out over varying distances, Union has also perfected distance student support). Allowing students to choose from the disciplines that interest them the most, this interdisciplinary degree is designed for customization. A minimum of 36-credit hours is required, and students can start the program in the winter, spring or fall terms. The program can be completed in as little as two years depending on whether students are pursuing their degree full or part-time. With experimental learning being a key focus, students are “challenged to transform theory into practice in . . . community and in the world.” Tuition is $748 per credit hour for all Master of Arts degrees.

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#31. University of Houston–Victoria

Created as an off-campus center of the University of Houston, the University of Houston Victoria Center opened to 100 students in 1973. It had been desired by the Victoria, Texas residents since the late 1960s, and in development since 1971. The success of the school led to the Texas legislature passing Bill 235 a decade later to allow the school full degree-granting status. The name was changed to University of Houston–Victoria (UHV) and became the fourth distinct university in the University of Houston System. Today, more than 4,000 enrolled students can choose from over 70 academic degree programs at this coeducational, stand-alone state intuition. With an almost 30% Hispanic undergraduate student body, UHV is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education, and regional accreditation is provided to the university by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Program Details: The UHV Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS) degree program is offered entirely online through the School of Arts & Sciences. With the same faculty and academic excellence that the on-campus programs offer but with the added benefit of flexibility, UHV claims the online MAIS degree cuts out any programmatic hindrances but keeps all of the advantages. Requiring at least 36 credit hours to graduate, students start with nine core courses, including the introductory class “Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies.” Students then select from two different groupings of available subjects to pick their two concentrations to complete the degree. Concentration focus areas cover the usual suspects, such as English and History, but there are also some more unique options, such as Publishing or Bioinformatics. In order to be admitted, applicants must include an essay that details why they desire to pursue an MAIS degree and how it will benefit their career goals. Tuition per credit hour is $332.87 for Texas residents and $747.87 for all others.

Admissions website

#30. SUNY Empire State College

Then SUNY Chancellor and soon-to-be United States Commissioner of Education, Ernest L. Boyer, conceived of SUNY Empire State College (SUNY Empire) in 1971. This member of the SUNY system would be focused on a non-traditional application, providing education to adult-learners in a student-centered approach. This approach means a unique way of achieving degrees through self-guided means–students, guided through the process–determine the course they need to reach their academic goals. The mission aims to provide “motivated adult learners with access to innovative, flexible and quality academic programs that empower people and strengthen communities. We build on the diversity of our students, their work and life experiences and their individual personal and professional goals as the cornerstone for each academic program.” With multiple sites, administrative offices are located in Saratoga Springs, New York. This public liberal arts college serves over 20,000 students, and regional accreditation is granted by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Program Details: The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) at SUNY Empire’s School for Graduate Studies requires two to three weekend Residencies (in either Saratoga Springs or Albany, NY) in addition to the fully online coursework. Five courses (Seminar in Liberal Studies, Models of Critical Inquiry, Perspectives on Interdisciplinary Studies, Literature Review, and Methods of Inquiry) are already selected for the student, and six courses of electives (plus the residencies) make up the remainder of the program. This program is “designed for educators, artists, writers, activists, advocates, lifelong learners, and others,” but students are not just left to their own devices to pick their interdisciplinary courses–a suggested enrollment sequence and a guide on choosing your courses help to guide students through the process. Tuition for the fall 2017 semester per credit hour is $453 for New York state residents and $543 for online out-of-state students.

Admissions website

#29. University of Denver

A Methodist school in the beginning, the University of Denver started out as Colorado Seminary in 1864. Denver, Colorado was the home of the school, and it had only been a town for six years before the Seminary was established. The Colorado Territory embodied the wild west frontier lifestyle, and the school didn’t thrive in that environment. Changing names to University of Denver (DU) in 1880, the school moved from its original location to a more sedate and serene location—an old potato farm—which is still the site today, but has grown to encompass more than 125 acres, and the campus is a literal, beautiful arboretum. This private, coeducational university has ten schools and colleges to educate the more than 11,000 enrolled students, and regional accreditation is provided by the Higher Learning Commission.

Program Details: The 100% online Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) degree program at the University of Denver’s University College (for Professional and Continuing Studies) is a thorough program focusing on the Arts and Culture. Twelve courses–making up a total of 48 credit hours– round out the degree and are offered in ten-week quarter terms. Students participate in twenty credits of core courses (including the Interdisciplinary Capstone Seminar), sixteen concentration courses, and twelve electives, and students can customize their degree through the University College Degree Builder tool. And for students who haven’t gotten their application in on time but still want to take a class–University College has them covered with the ability to take a class the quarter before a completed application is submitted. The tuition for the entire program is estimated at $31,680, but fees do apply.

Admissions website

#28. California State University, Northridge

The existence of California State University, Northridge (“Cal State Northridge” or CSUN) is owed to some persistent and visionary residents of San Fernando Valley. In 1952 it was determined by state leaders that a new satellite campus for Cal State Los Angeles (known as Los Angeles State College at that time) would be located in Baldwin Hills, California. In response, community leaders organized to have the four-year school in their San Fernando Valley. Treating twenty-three legislators to a presentation and dinner at the famous Brown Derby restaurant in December 1954. The strategy worked, and the school was established in Northridge. In 1958 the school became independent of Cal State LA and is renamed San Fernando Valley State College, and by 1971 it is renamed again to California State University, Northridge. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges grants regional accreditation to CSUN.

Program Details: Focusing on a “wide range of fields, including history, philosophy, ethics, law and religion,” the Master of Arts in Humanities at CSUN’s Tseng College, in collaboration with the College of Humanities, is an accelerated thirty-three unit completely online program that can be completed in just twenty months. Students generally take one course at a time and move through the program with their fellow classmates in a cohort. In addition to the support and camaraderie from fellow participants in the program, all students are assigned a dedicated program coordinator that is with them from the point of application all the way through graduation. The curriculum includes class topics as “Gateway to the Humanities,” “Science and Magic: The Varied Modes of Knowing and Believing,” and “Nation and Empire, Law and Government,” and all are taught by the same experienced and renowned faculty as the on-campus program. Tuition for the Fall 2018 cohort is $755 per unit regardless of residency.

Admissions website

#27. University of Illinois at Springfield

Sangamon State University (SSU) in Springfield, Illinois was signed into creation by a legislative bill in 1969. Construction began, and a year later the first classes were held for 811 enrolled students–all upper-class or graduate students. Twenty-five years after the first class was held, SSU held its last commencement as higher education in Illinois was reorganized. SSU became one of three of the University of Illinois campuses and was renamed University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS). Remaining an upper-class school until 2001, UIS started admitting freshman first as “Capital Scholars” and finally as regular students after a general education curriculum was recognized and instituted by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees in 2005. Sitting on a 740-acre campus, this public liberal arts university has just under 5,000 students and is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Program Details: The online Master of Arts degree in Liberal and Integrative Studies graduate program at UIS allows students to create their master’s degree by choosing the courses that are most relevant to their goals. Students are not on their own however, just after admission students are assigned faculty and advisors to assist them as they construct a degree plan to best maximize their academics. The idea is that by “designing an individualized curriculum, students develop skills that promote critical thinking and facilitate significant learning,” thereby achieving the goal of developing critical thinking. Some examples of past degrees created by online students include Deaf Material Culture, Applied Existentialism, Storytelling and Folklore, and Philosophy of Ethics in Virtual Worlds. Graduates have used their degrees to either advance in their current careers or seek new ones. Tuition for all students regardless of residency is $362.25 per credit hour for the 2017-2018 academic year.

Admissions website

#26. Albertus Magnus College

In 1924 the Dominican Sisters of Peace, known then as the Dominican Sisters of Saint Mary of the Springs, desired to start a women’s college. They bought an estate in New Haven, Connecticut, and the school became established as Albertus Magnus College in 1925. Classes also began that year and were held in the mansion of the estate property, Rosary Hall (which is now the College library). The school grew through the years, but in 1985 two significant changes occurred–the admitting of male students and the formation of the Accelerated Degree Program (ADP) for adult and distance learners. Now this private, liberal arts coeducation college has over 60 academic degree programs for the approximately 1,500 students who are enrolled both in traditional, resident-college programs, and continuing education students. Albertus Magnus College is regionally accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.

Program Details: Offered as part of Albertus Magnus College’s Online & Flex Programs, the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies degree program can be entirely online, on-campus or a combination of the two. Ideal for professionals and adult learners who want an interdisciplinary approach to broadening their minds, the MALS degree provides a “thematic exploration into social, scientific and humanistic dimensions of human experience as a framework for successful living in our increasingly interdependent world.” The degree is not self-directed, rather there are four themes which students pursue in their coursework: “Society and Culture,” “Arts and Humanities,” “Science, Technology and Environmental Studies” and “Religion, Philosophy and Moral Choice.” Students must complete 33 credit hours and a final project, which can be a master’s thesis or a creative project (or a combination). Tuition for the 2017-2018 academic year is listed by course rather than credit hour–each course is $2,004, plus fees.

#25. University of Massachusetts Boston

The University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston) was founded in 1964 as a response to the overwhelming need of another State university. A wave of Baby Boomers wanted to attend college, and UMass Amherst was not able to admit many qualified Bostonian applicants. Within the following year, State Legislators voted to establish the second university in the UMass System–UMass Boston. In 1965, class was held for the first time in an old building in downtown Boston’s Park Square –1,227 students and 200 faculty members converged for the beginning of the school. Three years after the school opened a decision to move to a new campus was made. UMass Boston’s move in 1974 was somewhat controversial, campus was relocated to Columbia Point in Dorchester, which was a landfill and had been a cow pasture. Another school, Boston State College, was incorporated into UMass Boston and increased the number of students, offered programming and curriculum for the University. The University of Massachusetts Boston is regionally accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.

Program Details: UMassOnline offers a Master of Arts in Critical and Creative Thinking (CCT) degree program offered through UMass Boston. Thirty-three credit hours prepare students to “become constructive, reflective agents of change in education, work, social movements, science, and creative arts.” Students can participate in a general track, or if they are scientifically-minded they can follow the Science in a Changing World track. There are foundational courses required, and students have their choice of electives with topics ranging from “Creativity in the Literature and Arts” to “Biomedical Ethics” to “Issues in Antiracist and Multicultural Education.” A “Reflective Practitioner’s Portfolio” is required of each student during their coursework, and a final Capstone project has a “Exit Self-Assessment” component. For prospective students, there is a course demo in which they can sample a typical class experience. Tuition is $575 per credit hour for all online students (however, potential students from Alabama, Arkansas, Maryland, or Minnesota cannot be admitted into UMass online programs because of certain regulations in those states).

Admissions website

#24. California State University, Dominguez Hills

The 346-acre site that was to be the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH or CSU Dominguez Hills) originally belonged to the family of Spanish soldier Juan José Dominguez. Founded in 1960 as South Bay State College, there would be several changes before the university even made it to the land in Dominguez Hills (an area in a low mountain range in what would become the town of Carson, in the South Bay region of Los Angeles), the name was changed in 1962 to California State College at Palos Verdes. Because campus had not been completed, classes began at a bank for forty students and eleven faculty. After the Watts Rebellion, a race riot to protest police discrimination, a decision was made to move the university to the Dominguez Hills area to provide the “diverse, mostly minority” community with better access to a higher education. The permanent campus would be opened in 1968, and by 1977 the name would officially become California State University, Dominguez Hills. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges provides CSUDH with regional accreditation.

Program Details: The Master of Arts in Humanities (HUX) degree at CSU Dominguez Hills has been offered as a distance education program since 1974. Taking only five terms to complete and completely online, students are immersed in interdisciplinary courses covering history, literature, philosophy, music, and art. Students are organized into cohorts, and each cohort of students is assigned a central theme in which their program is focused–the current theme is “The Self and Technology.” Thirty units are required for graduation, and classes for this cohort theme include examples such as “Foundations of the Humanities,” “Philosophy and Human Being,” and “Music and Hearing Humanity.” Guided by the expert, caring and experienced faculty, a final Capstone paper, project and presentation (or creative activity, with permission) is required alongside the culminating 2018 symposium. All students pay a special tuition rate of $495 per credit (instead of in-state or out-of-state tuition), plus fees.

Admissions website

#23. American Public University

Retired Marine James P. Etter wanted to establish a university that would serve the needs of other military people—primarily degrees focused on relevant topics that would lead to jobs, and with a distance education delivery method since so many in the military move around so frequently. He founded American Military University (AMU) in 1991, and the main administrative headquarters were located initially in Manassas, Virginia and now are located in Charles Town, West Virginia. In 2002, AMU grew into the American Public University System (APUS) and the university became American Public University (APU). Appealing to a broader student base with the transformation led to accreditation. This private, for-profit online institution of higher education serves almost 100,000 students with over 200 online academic degree programs. Since 2006 APU has been regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Program Details: Offered through APU’s School of Arts & Humanities, the MA in Humanities degree program encourages students to explore “humankind’s fundamental topics through courses in humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.” Requiring 36 credit hours, the program allows up to fifteen transferable credits from other institutions. Known for online programs, APU’s MA in Humanities can be completed in two years if students pursue the degree full-time, and for ultimate convenience the program has start dates at the beginning of each month. Twenty-one credit hours of core courses cover curricular topics such as “Evolution of Life and Intelligence” and “Antiquity and Medieval World.” The twelve credits of major electives can be chosen from classes such as “History and Popular Culture,” “Evolution of Earth and Universe,” and “Society, Class and Wealth.” The last three credit hours are made up of the student’s final class requirement: “Humanities Capstone Portfolio Seminar.” Tuition per credit hour is $325 for students with a military grant and $350 for all others.

Admissions website

#22. Wayland Baptist University

Chartered in 1908, Wayland Baptist University (originally Wayland Literary and Technical Institute) owes its existence to the residents of Plainview, Texas, the Staked Plains Baptist Association, and Dr. and Mrs. James Henry Wayland. Dr. and Mrs. Wayland contributed ten acres and $25,000 towards the development of the school, and when classes began two years after the charter, just under 250 students enrolled in what had become known as Wayland Baptist College. Initially a junior college, by 1948 Wayland was a full four-year degree-granting institution, and within the next few years began freely admitting black students prior to desegregation laws–the first four-year liberal arts school in the erstwhile Confederate states to be able to claim that proud distinction. The 1980s brought university status and a new name–Wayland Baptist University (Wayland or WBU), and with the multiple campuses across the United States and beyond (sixteen to be exact), Wayland serves over 5,000 students. A private, coeducational institution, WBU has been regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools since 1956.

Program Details: Four eleven-week terms per year make WBU’s online Master of Arts in Humanities degree program both accessible and convenient. A thirty-seven credit hour interdisciplinary degree program, students choose eighteen credit hours in one discipline within English, history or religion, and then divide the remaining eighteen credits between the other two disciplines. The final credit is made up of a comprehensive exam. This program is ideal for students who wish to go onto doctoral studies–the only required courses depend upon which humanity is chosen for the specialization. For instance, students who choose English must take Literary Theory and Advanced Research classes. With a brief explanation of ways to be successful as an online student (participation, persistence, and patience), WBU helps prospective students determine if online learning is right for them, and provides a Blackboard (the online learning delivery method) tutorial. Tuition is $450 per credit hour for all graduate students regardless of residency.

 Admissions website

#21. Tiffin University

Tiffin University (TU or Tiffin) was founded in Tiffin, Ohio in 1888. Proud of its heritage of nurturing a “student-centered setting and a strong sense of real community,” Tiffin has accomplished the successful transition from a largely traditional school with a mostly on-campus presence to a healthy mixture of both on-campus and online academic programs. Main campus encompasses 130 acres, and there are both graduate and undergraduate programs offered as satellite programs in Ohio in the cities of Cincinnati, Columbus, Fremont, Toledo and Cleveland. Over 4,000 students participate in studies in Tiffin’s three schools: School of Arts & Sciences, School of Business, and School of Criminal Justice & Social Sciences. A private coeducational institution, Tiffin is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Program Details: Providing a “far-reaching exploration of arts, philosophy, literature, language and more,” the online Master of Humanities degree program at Tiffin University is geared towards students who question the “why” of humanity and desire a career in the field of the arts or culture. With concentrations such as Humanities, Art & Visual Media, English, Communication, Creative Writing, and Film Studies, students can further their careers by answering the human question under the guidance of experienced faculty. Focused on ” broad-based background courses,” the Humanities curriculum include courses like “Studies in Human, Political, and Social Sciences,” “Aesthetics,” and “Literary Theory.” Students can start in January, May or August, and this thirty-credit hour program can be taken full or part-time with an estimated completion time of one and a half to two years. Tuition for the 2017-2018 academic year is $500 per credit hour regardless of residency, plus a technology fee of $150 per semester.

Admissions website

#20. Salve Regina University

In 1934 the Sisters of Mercy of Providence were granted a charter by the state of Rhode Island to start an educational corporation to be called Salve Regina College. Being given a lot of freedom to create the school as they pleased, the Sisters took their time in planning the school, and when Ochre Court, a 50-room mansion in Newport, was donated to them in 1947 the school was able to house the first class of 58 female students and begin classes. Stating a mission in which the Salve Regina community “seeks wisdom and promotes universal justice,” this Catholic institution of higher education is named after a hymn (meaning “Hail Queen” in Latin). Male students were admitted in 1973, and by 1991 the school was granted full university status and renamed Salve Regina University. Over 2,700 students now attend this private Catholic university, and regional accreditation is provided by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

Program Details: Salve Regina’s Graduate Studies and Continuing Education department offers an MA in Humanities degree program that students can access completely online. Focusing on an exploration of the human question as it relates to the advanced technology of today, the Humanities degree starts with eighteen-credit hours of interdisciplinary foundational courses in the fields of “arts, ethics, history, language and literature, philosophy, religion” before going on to select their twelve credit hours of electives. The electives are informed by the student’s desired specialization (focus area choices are Humanitarian Assistance, Public Humanities, or Religion, Peace and Justice) with classes offered in topics like “A History of Technology” and “Identity, Harmony, and Meaning.” A six-hour thesis course or field placement practicum/internship complete the degree. The tuition for all master’s degree programs in the 2017-2018 academic year is $565 per credit hour, plus fees, regardless of residency.

Admissions website

#19. Texas Christian University

AddRan Male & Female College (named by and for the founders–brothers Addison and Randolph Clark) started in 1873. Originally the brothers had founded a children’s preparatory school in Fort Worth, Texas, but the area in which the school was located quickly disintegrated into the vice district of the previously quiet town due to the new cattle trails and consequent cowboys who came along. The brothers moved to the town of Thorp Spring and opened their college–the first in Texas to be coeducational. At the beginning of the first year there were thirteen students enrolled, but by the end of that first semester 123 students were enrolled. The school thrived, and in 1889 developed an association with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), was renamed AddRan Christian University, and the Clark brothers relinquished all rights to the school so it could continue as a private university. After a brief move to Waco and a renaming of Texas Christian University (TCU) in 1902, the school relocated to its current site in Fort Worth, Texas. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges regionally accredits TCU.

Program Details: The Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) degree program at TCU is available entirely online. This is a liberal studies, “multidisciplinary program that offers a wide range of educational opportunities” that is ideal for students who have interests in various subjects that were not satisfied in their undergraduate studies. Requiring thirty credit hours–twelve hours of MLA courses under the category “Perspectives on Society,” which cover topics related to American society or cultural diversity, or other world cultures, and eighteen credits of electives. Also an on-campus program, TCU’s Online MLA presents 54 online classes, but not all are available each semester. Some choices include “The Wild West,” “Creative Writing: Advanced Fiction Writing,” and “Science, Scientists, and Society.” This degree does not lead to a specific career, but rather presents students the opportunity to “satisfy their intellectual curiosity and to broaden their knowledge.” Tuition for the 2017-2018 academic year is $890 per semester hour, plus a $125 per online course fee.

Admissions website

#18. University of Michigan–Flint

Flint, Michigan’s Flint Senior College of the University of Michigan was established in 1956, and the local leadership in Flint and Ann Arbor supported through financial contributions and community support this nascent school and its first 167 enrolled students. One of two University of Michigan satellite campuses, the school moved from a two-year (juniors and seniors) degree-granting institution to a full four-year school in 1964, with freshmen enrolling for the first time the following year. Accreditation in 1970 led to the official renaming of the school to University of Michigan-Flint (UM-Flint) the following year in 1971. The campus began moving in the 1970s to the downtown Flint area, but it remained a commuter-campus until 2008 when 300 students moved into the first residence hall. Now approximately 8,600 students study in over 100 academic degree programs in the five schools and colleges at this public university, and regional accreditation is granted by the Higher Learning Commission.

Program Details: University of Michigan’s Rackham Graduate School at UM-Flint is the home of the online MA in Liberal Studies in American Culture degree program. Students can participate as full or part-time students, and a final thesis is required for this program which provides a “critical, multidisciplinary examination of the American experience.” Studying “across a range of disciplines that reveal the intersection of art, literature, politics, history, sociology, business, and more,” students take thirty-three credit hours of core courses, research courses and electives. At this time, twenty-five elective courses are offered online, with the intent that the online curricular offerings will grow–some of the electives currently offered are “Black America Since the Civil War,” “Recent American Film,” “Multicultural Children’s Literature,” and “Law and Administrative Processes.” Students can start the program at three different times during the year, and the 2017-2018 tuition is listed per credit hour as $578.50 for in-state residents and $866.25 for out-of-state.

Admissions website

#17. The College at Brockport, State University of New York

The Brockport Collegiate Institute, which began in 1835 with support from locals and Baptists, offered an education to the many students who had aged out of the public school system after eighth grade in Brockport, New York. Within thirty years, the principal of the Institute, Malcolm MacVicar, saw a need for a larger academic attempt–a teacher-training Normal school system throughout the state.  The Institute became the Brockport State Normal School in 1866. The school was successful for many years, but because it was only a three-year program and did not grant bachelor’s degrees, there was a movement to turn Normal Schools into Teachers Colleges. This movement was influential in Brockport in the early 1940s, and in 1948 the Brockport State Teachers College joined the State University of New York (SUNY) system, becoming SUNY Brockport. Now, this four-year liberal arts institution is officially named The College at Brockport, State University of New York (known as The College at Brockport or Brockport) and regional accreditation comes from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Program Details: The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) degree program at Brockport was recently approved as a fully online program, and students benefit from receiving the same degree as the on-campus program, with the same experienced faculty. Classes are presented asynchronously, so students have a flexible program to fit their schedule, and the required thirty-credit hours are generally completed in about two years. As an interdisciplinary program, students create their own plan of study and choose classes that are of the most interest to them. Each student receives a “Personal Concierge” to act as their point person with any issue or question they may have, and to make sure students are prepared for online learning The College at Brockport through Open SUNY offers both a Readiness Assessment tool and an online class demonstration. Tuition for the 2017-2018 academic year per credit hour is $453 for part-time New York residents and $543 for residents of other states, plus a fee of $163 for both in-state and out-of-state students.

Admissions website

#16. Nova Southeastern University

The regular breakfast meeting of a group of businessmen in Fort Lauderdale, Florida led to the idea in 1965 to start a college or university for the community. The businessmen agreed that the school should be based in the physical and social sciences, and they bestowed the name of Nova University of Advanced Technology on the graduate-level school they had created. Originally located in Fort Lauderdale, the campus would later utilize an old World War II airfield as its home. As Nova offered a more comprehensive curriculum, another school, Southeastern University of the Health Sciences, did as well. The two would merge in 1994, and Nova Southeastern University (NSU) was born. With campuses in Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Miami, Miramar, Orlando, Palm Beach, Tampa and Puerto Rico, this private, research institution has almost 25,000 students. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges grants NSU with regional accreditation.

Program Details: As the title of the degree implies, the online MA in Cross-disciplinary Studies at NSU’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences is an interdisciplinary program which gives students the freedom to “self-design” their degree. Depending on how many classes students take each term, the program can be completed in just over a year and a half to two and a half years. Requiring thirty-three credit hours, students participate in four core courses, two practicum courses, an elective, and twelve credits within a concentration track (students can also opt for an additional three-credit Master’s thesis for a total of 36-credit hours). There are six concentrations from which students can choose: Culture and Society, Health and Society, Information Systems and Society, Coastal Environment and Society, Education and Society, and Institutional Assessment. The two required practicums must be a combined 130 hours of placement within a community setting, and the student has support both obtaining and completing the practicum requirements with the assistance of a Practicum Coordinator. Tuition is $730 per credit hour.

Admissions website

#15. University of Memphis

The year 1909 brought both the title of University of Memphis to several institutions of higher education in Memphis, Tennessee and the establishment that would lead to the West Tennessee Normal School due to the Tennessee Legislature’s General Education Bill. By 1912 the West Tennessee Normal School was opened, and within the year all of the University of Memphis’ departments (except for the law school) were absorbed into the normal school. Two name changes occurred over the decades, and when the school became a full university in 1957 the name was changed yet again–Memphis State University. Two years after university status was granted, the Memphis State Eight (the school’s first black students) were admitted. Purportedly for their own safety, the students had many restrictions–they could not go anywhere on campus other than to class and had to leave as soon as class was over–these restrictions were lifted when the students’ presence was not as new and more black students were admitted. Now known as the University of Memphis (UofM), this public research university is regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Program Details: A thirty-three credit hour, interdisciplinary program, the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) degree at UofM Global gives students the opportunity to customize their degree to achieve both their personal interests and professional career goals. With dedicated faculty and support services designed especially for online students, UofM Global provides assurance that they are devoted to each student’s success. From help with registration to advising and tech support to career services–students are covered from the moment they contemplate applying to the date that they graduate. With asynchronous online courses, students can literally take what course they want when they want–topic choices include anything from “Promotions in Sports Commerce” to “Intro to the Exceptional Learner” to “Museum Practices.” Tuition for the 2017-2018 academic year per credit hour is $603 for Tennessee residents and $755 for residents of other states, but UofM has Cost Reduction Options that prospective students should explore.

Admissions website

#14. The University of Toledo

The University of Toledo (UT) began as the Toledo University of Arts and Trades in 1872 in Toledo, Ohio. Local newspaper editor Jesup Wakeman Scott thought the future of world commerce would be located in Toledo, and to that end donated 160 acres to be used for an institution of higher education. The school faced severe financial troubles and closed in 1878. The city gained control and reopened it as the Toledo Manual Training School in 1884. Despite having continued financial problems, the school expanded and by 1914 became Toledo University. Becoming a member of the Ohio state university system in 1967, financial security and the final name change occurred to secure the name University of Toledo. In 2006 UT and the Medical University of Ohio merged, and now this public research university offers over 300 academic degree programs to the 23,000 enrolled students. UT is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Program Details: The online MALS degree program at The University of Toledo gives students the space to “holistically” become “inspired by a particular course or line of inquiry” in order to find their vocational path in life. Requiring thirty-three credit hours of both core courses and electives, students are expected to coordinate a personalized study plan with the program director. Covering required seminar breadth course topics in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and the arts, the goal of the program (in addition to guiding students in finding courses that pique their interest) is to help students “develop critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and research skills” so they can better work in the professional field of their choosing. A thesis or master’s project is required for graduation, and the approximate cost per three-credit hour course including tuition and fees is listed as $1,916 for the 2017-2018 academic year.

Admissions website

#13. Thomas Edison State University

With the intent to provide education in a flexible and meaningful way for “self-directed adults,” Thomas Edison State University (TESU) was founded by the state of New Jersey in 1972. One of eleven “senior public institutions” established in New Jersey, TESU (originally Thomas Edison State College until 2016) is one of the oldest schools created intentionally for adults. Initially located at the Forrestal Center near the city of Princeton, the school outgrew its space quickly. Moving to Trenton, NJ in 1979, TESU’s administrative headquarters then became located in the historic Kelsey Building. The University has been instrumental in restoring and using historic buildings around the city. Over 17,500 students–with a collective average age of 35–are enrolled in TESU’s more than 100 academic associate, bachelor, master and doctoral degree programs. Thomas Edison State University has been regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education since 1977.

Program Details: TESU’s Heavin School of Arts and Sciences offers a MALS degree program that has the distinction of creating connections between liberal arts and a student’s chosen profession. Requiring 36 credit hours, students can customize their degree by choosing the Learner-Designed Area of Study (LDAS), or they can opt for predetermined focus areas in Digital Humanities, Geropsychology, Industrial Organizational Psychology, Online Learning and Teaching, or Professional Communications. Eighteen credit hours of core courses include topics like “The Liberal Arts and Professional Life,” “Technology and the Human Community: Challenges and Responses,” and “Sense of Community I – Art and Morality.” Once students choose to self-direct their degree program or follow one of the prescribed choices, they select their electives and complete the degree with a capstone. Tuition for the 2017-2018 academic year is $668 per credit hour for all graduate students regardless of residency.

Admissions website

#12. University of South Dakota

Prior to South Dakota’s confirmed statehood, the creation of University of South Dakota (USD) was initiated. The Dakota Territorial Legislature moved in 1862 to have the town of Vermillion be the recipient of a university. Without allocated funding however, it took the school twenty years to be able to raise enough money (through the support of Vermillion locals) to offer classes. On that last day of class that first year in 1882, 69 students were enrolled. Seven years later South Dakota was granted official statehood, and by that time USD had 500 students. A public coeducational research university with approximately 10,000 students and a beautiful 274-acre campus, USD is both the flagship university in South Dakota and an active participant in the sustainability movement in the state, aiming to help make “Vermillion the greenest town in South Dakota.” The Higher Learning Commission provides regional accreditation to USD.

Program Details: Flexibility and student choice are key with USD’s online Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS) degree program. Students choose from two (or an optional third) disciplines from which to take nine to twelve credit hours each to make up the thirty-two credit hour degree. A three-credit course in research methods and statistics, a one-credit applied learning course (Ethical Leadership), thesis, internship, and oral examination are also required to complete the program.  Classes are offered in eight-week sessions, and students work with an advisor to choose from the many online class offerings in order to “create a coherent theme to meet individual educational and professional goals.” The strong USD philosophy of academic excellence and extending possibilities translates into a respected program and dedicated support services for the online student. Tuition for the 2017-2018 academic year is listed as $444.25 per credit hour for all online graduate students.

Admissions website

#11. Utica College

In the 1930s Syracuse University provided extension courses to the town of Utica, New York. The business owners and town leaders wanted a full institution of higher education in Utica, and in 1946 their dream was realized when Utica College (UC) was created as a full four-year school and backed by Syracuse University. Initially on a site downtown, the school moved to its permanent location in 1961. By 1995 the school became independent of Syracuse in many ways (including being independently accredited), but it took thirteen years before complete autonomy would be realized in 2008. With 38 undergraduate majors and twenty-one graduate degree programs, Utica now serves over 5,000 students on-campus and online. This coeducational, private comprehensive college claims over 25,000 alumni worldwide and a student-to-faculty ratio of only eleven to one. Utica College is regionally accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

Program Details: The Master of Science in Liberal Studies degree program at Utica College is interdisciplinary, student-focused, and highly customizable. Catering to students from an array of educational backgrounds, the program presents three disciplines from which students can choose to focus. From the humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences and mathematics, students craft their degree to meet their needs. Requiring a minimum of thirty-one credit hours (and up to thirty-seven), students take six credits of foundational method courses and nine hours of electives, and must complete a six-hour thesis, in addition to the twelve required credit hours in their chosen focus area. Electives can be chosen from one of the other focus areas or from other departments with faculty advisor approval. Tuition for the current 2017-2018 academic year is $650 per credit hour, plus fees.

Admissions website

#10. Rutgers University

Claiming historical distinction as the eighth oldest college in the U.S., Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey (Rutgers or RU) began as Queens College by charter in 1766. After the Presbyterians started College of New Jersey (which would become Princeton) in 1746, ministers in the Dutch Reformed Church desired to also found an institution of higher education. In 1771 New Brunswick, New Jersey was picked as the location of the school, and the school had many troubles in its early years–closing twice. After the Revolutionary War, the school reopened and was renamed Rutgers College after Colonel Henry Rutgers (whose monetary donation allowed the school to reopen). In 1864 the school benefited from the Morrill Land Grant Act of 1862, and it grew and prospered, becoming a university in 1924. With three campuses across the state, Rutgers has over 68,000 students in its 30 schools and colleges. Rutgers is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Program Details: With rolling admission and three possible start dates, accessibility and convenience are just a few of the many benefits of the online Masters of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) degree program offered through Rutgers Online and the Rutgers Graduate School-Camden. A thirty-credit hour, cross-disciplinary program that is designed to entice intellectuals who want something more out of their interests and professional lives, students explore topics in at least three different disciplines, the humanities, the social sciences, and either a class in non-western culture or gender/minorities studies. Class topics range from “Studies of the Age of Revolutions” to “Studies of Culture and Criticism” to “Studies of Women, Gender, and Sexuality.” Stressing that online coursework, though asynchronous, does not mean easy nor solitary, Rutgers MALS online program requires a student who not only can accomplish strong academic work but also can be engaged and self-motivated. Tuition for the 2017-2018 academic year is $900 per credit hour with a $300 per class online fee.

Admissions website

#9. Stony Brook University

The State University College on Long Island was implemented in 1957 in Oyster Bay, New York, as a college to train middle school and high school teachers. The first students—148 of them—were enrolled tuition-free, but there was already a movement for the school to become a full liberal arts institution. A donation from philanthropic local businessman Ward Melville in 1962 of more than 400 acres and funding encouraged a move to the town of Stony Brook. A name change was in order with the new location, and the State University of New York at Stony Brook (more commonly known as Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, or SBU) was born. At the new campus, around 800 students were enrolled initially—which grew to 8,000 students by 1969. This enrollment doubled to 16,000 in 1975, and now 25,000 students are enrolled in this public research university. A sea-grant and space-grant university, SUNY Stony Brook is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Program Details: Stony Brook’s online learning through the School of Professional Development offers an interdisciplinary MALS degree program for “working adults who seek educational enrichment and professional development.” Eleven three-credit hour classes make up the program–fifteen credit hours are devoted to the required liberal studies core curriculum (with topics such as “Effective Professional Global and Cultural Awareness” and “Effective Professional Action and Leadership”) and fifteen credits towards a student’s chosen area of thematically-relevant focus. A capstone research paper culminates the program with the final three credits. Students are given multiple resources and success support services–including tutorials, overviews of the online delivery method, online etiquette guidelines, and webinars. Tuition for the fall 2017 semester was listed per credit hour as $453 for New York state residents and $925 for residents of other states, plus fees.

Admissions website

#8. Removed by editor

#7. Arizona State University

Tempe, Arizona was granted a school to train educators for the area in 1885. The Territorial Normal School welcomed thirty-three students to classes held in a four-room schoolroom the following year. Located on twenty acres of donated land, the school awarded high school diplomas and teaching certificates to those first graduates. By 1925 the school had gone through several changes—name changes, granting four-year degrees, and a new requirement that students had to have a high school diploma to enroll brought about the renaming of the school to Tempe State Teachers College. This new name and focus of the school eventually led to the name Arizona State Teachers College in 1929. By 1958 the school’s curricular focus had expanded, and the new name of Arizona State University (ASU) reflected that expansion. With six campuses that are seen as extensions rather than different universities, ASU offers more than 350 academic degree programs and enrolls over 80,000 students. The Higher Learning Commission provides ASU with regional accreditation.

Program Details: ASU Online offers many high-quality online degree programs, and the online Master of Liberal Studies (MLSt) degree program is no exception as “the largest and most diverse” offering at the school. Through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the program has multiple enrollment periods, and new students have the option of starting the program every seven and a half weeks for ultimate convenience. The program’s curriculum requires thirty credit hours of “transdisciplinary” coursework, eighteen of which are devoted to electives (which must be chosen from at least two different departments). Nine hours of required core classes are chosen from four classes: “Film and Media Studies,” “Ethics, Science and Culture,” “Religion, Health and Culture,” and “Writing About Social Issues.” A multitude of online student services and resources are available to help prospective and current ASU Online students succeed with the rigorous and demanding curriculum taught by the decorated and esteemed faculty. Estimated current tuition is $786 per credit hour.

Admissions website

#6. Johns Hopkins University

Quaker Johns Hopkins of Baltimore, Maryland was known to be influenced by humanitarianism and his altruistic tendencies. When he passed away in 1873 without any heirs, he bequeathed $7 million to the city for the development of a hospital and a university. The school was founded in 1876 and named Johns Hopkins University in his honor—before he died Hopkins had determined that the site of the school should be his home, but because he had stipulated that none of his monetary gift could be used for construction and the site was unsuitable, the school first became located in downtown Baltimore. As it grew, Johns Hopkins University (JHU or Johns Hopkins) needed to expand, so in 1902 the move to a 140-acre site on the former Homewood Estate was formally put into motion. Now, this private research university has campus divisions in Maryland and Washington D.C, as well as international centers. Regional accreditation is provided by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Program Details: The Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) at Johns Hopkins’ Krieger School of Arts & Sciences has been perfecting the degree since 1962 when it was first offered. Presented on-campus or entirely online with no required on-campus residency, the MLA is designed for students who want to “broaden their intellectual horizons or professional advancement.” This “dynamic” interdisciplinary program is comprised of a ten-course curriculum: one interdisciplinary core course called “Exploring the Liberal Arts” (topics covered in recent years have included “Science Fiction Film in the 20th Century,” “Poetry and the Visual Arts,” and “The Self in Question: Readings in Psychology and Literature”), eight or nine elective selections, and a final MLA Capstone (a non-credit portfolio or one-credit graduate project–students who opt for the portfolio take the additional ninth elective). Electives are broad and varied–ranging from “Bioethics” to “Ideas of Justice” to “Evil in Modern Literature” to “Food and Politics.” Tuition listed for 2017-2018 is $2,513 per course.

Admissions website

#5. Kent State University

Due to the need for more training schools for elementary school teachers in Ohio, the Lowry Normal School Bill of 1910 was passed to guarantee two normal schools for the state. One was to be located in the northeastern part of the state and one in the northwestern, and the town of Kent in the eastern part of Ohio was determined it would be the site of one. The famous “blue-gill dinner” saved the Kent Board of Trade reception committee’s miscommunication issues and bad weather, and kept the ensuing frustration of the state commission members from dismissing the 53-acre Kent farm as the site. Thanks to fried chicken, blue-gill fish fresh from the stream, and cigars on the porch, the foundation of Kent State University was secure, and has grown from an initial class of 47 students to almost 40,000 students today. This public research university is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Program Details: Literally allowing students to design a degree program, the online Master of Liberal Studies (MLS) offered at Kent State’s College of Arts and Sciences presents a five-step process for students to create the program that will help them best achieve the degree they desire. Students submit a “Goal Statement” and both a title for the program and a list of courses they would like to take to construct their unique, personalized program. Twenty-seven electives make up the majority of this thirty-three credit hour program–the other credits entail an introductory course and a required essay and research paper. Twelve to fifteen of the electives must be from within one department for a cohesive element, but the remaining twelve to fifteen electives can be from two or three other departments (as a caveat, at least twelve to fifteen of the electives must be from the College of Arts and Sciences).  Tuition varies based on the particular departments in which courses are chosen.

Admissions website

#4. University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Ten acres of donated land and the vision of educator Dr. Charles Duncan McIver brought about the creation of the State Normal and Industrial School in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1891. The first teacher-training classes for the almost 200 female students were held the following year. The school grew and expanded and changed names several times before becoming University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) as the school became coeducational in the early 1960s. The following decade, all North Carolina state-supported schools came under the organization on one University of North Carolina system (each of the sixteen schools in the UNC system remains governed by its own Chancellor and Board of Trustees). Being the largest public research university in NC’s Triad region, UNCG enrolls almost 20,000 students in the more than 225 academic degree programs offered through its nine schools and colleges. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges regionally accredits UNCG.

Program Details: The Master of Arts in Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS) online degree program through UNCG Online is for students who claim “intellectual curiosity, integrative thinking, adaptability, empathy and cross-cultural competence” as part of their academic make-up. Students can complete the thirty-three credit hour program in as little as one and a half years with most courses running in only seven week terms. The “collaborative” and interdisciplinary program first begins with three required courses (“Systems Thinking,” “Design Thinking,” and “Understanding Data”) which students must take before choosing the direction of their degree with electives. Designed with working adults in mind, the program allows up to five years to complete. Tuition and fees for the 2017-2018 academic year per credit hour is $278.58 for in-state NC residents and $534.41 for most other out-of-state students.

Admissions website

#3. Western New Mexico University

The Territorial Legislature of New Mexico passed an act in 1893 to create two normal schools in the territory–one would be in Silver City, which had been advocating for a teacher-training school for the area for years. The Governor appointed a Board of Regents to pick the exact location of the school, and one of the Regents offered twenty acres of his own land to be used for the campus. Simply known as the New Mexico Normal School, classes began in 1894 in a rented Presbyterian church while the campus was under construction. Once campus was complete, the school grew and became New Mexico State Teachers’ College in the 1920s and then Western New Mexico University (WNMU) in 1963. With a 50% Hispanic undergraduate enrollment, WNMU is proud to be an Hispanic Serving Institution, and this coeducation public university is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Program Details: WNMU’s Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies degree program offers no less than fourteen online concentration options. These concentrations can be achieved by focusing nine of the required thirty-six credit hours (or thirty credit hours for students who already have master’s degrees) in one particular discipline.  Students must choose coursework from two or three disciplines, and WNMU encourages students to take eighteen credit hours in one selected discipline. However, students can opt to concentrate in two or even three disciplines for added customization and focus. Midway through the program, when a student has completed fifteen or eighteen credit hours, there is a “Mid-Point Self-Reflection Essay” requirement to assure that the student is making progress in their self-designed program. At the completion of the program students must also submit an Interdisciplinary Exit Essay to culminate the degree. Tuition rates for 2017-2018 per credit hour are $265.62 for in-state residents and $330.77 for out-of-state residents–there is a$40 per credit hour online fee as well.

Admissions website

#2. University of North Carolina at Wilmington

In 1946 and 1947, about 250 students took classes at an extension college center in Wilmington, North Carolina under the direction of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. A tax levy was approved and Wilmington College was officially born in 1947. Five years later accreditation as a junior college was achieved, and a decade after that in 1963 the school was authorized to be a full four-year institution. As part of the University of North Carolina system, the name was changed to University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW) for the 1968-1969 academic year. Over 16,000 students are enrolled at this public, coeducational coastal university. With several extension campuses in rural counties, UNCW is also a military-friendly university. UNCW is regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Program Details: The fully online, Master of Arts in Liberal Studies degree through the Graduate Liberal Studies (GLS) Program at UNCW is a “highly integrated exploration of the liberal arts” particularly ideal for students “who are flexible, creative, and capable of managing complicated schedules and demands.” The general education curricular requirements include the introductory class “Contemporary Issues in Liberal Studies,” the culminating “Final Project in Liberal Studies,” and elective courses selected from three widely-varied discipline focus areas: “Social Concerns and Cultural Systems,” “Environment, Science, and Society,” and “Literature, Arts, and Society.” Four possible certificates are also available for the thirty-credit hour MALS students who want to bridge connections between their interdisciplinary degree and specific focuses. Students can choose “Conflict Management and Resolution,” “Gerontology,” “Hispanic Studies,” and “Women’s and Gender Studies.” Tuition and fee totals for the 2017-2018 academic calendar year per credit hour are $252.46 for in-state students and $899.92 for out-of-state students.

Admissions website

#1. Fort Hays State University

As the Western Branch of what would later become Emporia State University—the Kansas State Normal School– Fort Hays State University (FHSU) was founded in 1902 with 57 enrolled students. Fort Hays, a military base that had been closed since 1889, served as the first location of FHSU as the Western Branch of the Kansas State Normal School. Since the base was a distance away from the town of Hays, there was impetus to move the school closer. A family of prairie dogs had to be relocated first, but by 1904 the school had moved to its present campus site. Through the years the school had many names and incarnations—by 1977 it would finally become FHSU. With five schools and colleges on the main 200-acre campus (plus an additional 3,825-acre University Farm), over 14,000 students are enrolled at this public university. The Higher Learning Commission provides regional accreditation to FHSU.

Program Details: A highly-flexible, distinctive program, the completely online Master of Liberal Studies (MLS) degree program through FHSU’s Virtual College is understandably at the top of our list. Giving students the opportunity to “systematically explore a wide realm of knowledge and wisdom” by participating in interdisciplinary classes, this thirty-one credit hour program supplies many ways to customize the degree.  Ten credit hours of core courses are required covering topics like “Ways of Knowing in Comparative Perspective,” “Information Literacy,” and “Origins and Implications of the Knowledge Society.” A final three-hour culminating project is supplemented by the eighteen credit hours of the student’s chosen concentration. The concentration selections are many, and the academic support for FHSU Virtual College students is also extensive and just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the services provided for online students. Tuition for the 2017-2018 academic year is just $280.73 per credit hour for all students regardless of residency.

Admissions website

Related Rankings

29 Best Online Masters In History

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle once wrote: “While the individual man is an insoluble puzzle, in the aggregate he becomes a mathematical certainty. You can, for example, never foretell what any one man will be up to, but you can say with precision what an average number will be up to. Individuals vary, but percentages remain constant.” 

It’s below the surface of virtually everything we see and do. Complex sets of data. It touches on business aspects of our lives just as much as social aspects. As we computerize our world even more, it only elevates the amount of data collected. 

This data is fascinating. It takes sharp skills to analyze the numbers and translate them into something more meaningful. That’s where our list of the best online Master of Science in Applied Statistics comes in handy. 

Individuals attracted to a career in applied statistics are particularly adept in math. Admission committees for an applied statistics degree look for core statistics coursework along with upper level math courses. Calculus, linear algebra, and probability are all important. Statisticians use this and Hadoop software utilities to look at various sets of data at the same time. Plenty of additional data languages are also essential aspects of these roles. These include SAS, R, C/C++, Perl, and Java.

There’s a lot to learn. It all starts with your bachelor’s degree with an undergraduate major in statistical models or statistics. A bachelor’s degree with an undergraduate major in statistical models can set the stage for this type of knowledge and training. You can get a bachelor’s degree in any topic within the framework of statistics. Many qualified students earn their bachelor’s degree in economics, business analysis, or calculus. The key is to create the strong basis in mathematics and statistical interference in the bachelor’s degree. This is necessary to advance to the online master’s degree level. 

A Master of Science in Applied Statistics can help you present these mathematical understandings on a bigger stage. A good example is the annual World Health Statistics report. This  is presented by the World Health Organization. It offers valuable insights into the status of health across the globe. It takes a granular look into:

• Birth rates
• Death expectancy
• Global health trends
• Sustainable development goals

WHO is a globally recognized organization. Yet there are plenty more opportunities for master’s level statisticians. Careers within:

• research
• academia
• sports
• environmental research
• government
• health care
• manufacturing

Statisticians help organizations optimize effectiveness and profitability. These professionals are essential to every industry. 

If you’ve already earned an undergraduate degree, the next step is to take the high dive. Earn a Master of Science in Applied Statistics. You can even achieve this feat online. An online master’s in statistics or statistical computing (or even earning a data science online degree) can be huge. 

Don’t worry. You don’t have to take tons of tests. Earning an online masters in statistics no GRE required is possible!

COMMON APPLICATION AND ADMISSION QUESTIONS

Admissions processes vary by institution. You can expect some definitive aspects when you apply for a Master of Science in Applied Statistics. You’ll need to have completed a bachelor’s degree in a related field. Undergraduate programs in physics, mathematics, IT, or computer science fit the bill.

A bachelor’s degree in any of these topics is the first box that should be ticked. From there, you’ll have to present a transcript evidencing your bachelor’s degree. This proves that you are well-prepared for the rigors of mathematics and data analysis. 

Calculus and linear algebra are two staple prerequisite courses for any applied statistics program. You should complete these as part of your bachelor’s degree. The completion of these prerequisite courses illustrates  that you have the base knowledge to move into more advanced concepts.

This is master’s level work. So some colleges also expect you to be in a master’s level of life. That means you have achieved some sort of professional experience aside from just earning a bachelor’s degree.  Having a role in the applied statistics field means you already have a strong base knowledge to perform at the professional level. A master’s will only enhance your existing skills in applied statistics.

Don’t happen to have an undergraduate degree in an applied statistics-related field? But still want to get in on the need for data scientists? That’s okay, but you have some work to do. You need this math and science foundation to prepare for the mountain of data. College math and data programming prerequisite courses are essential. Calculus, probability, and linear algebra are must-have prerequisite courses.

For online Master of Science in Applied Statistics, the admission process might look a little different. You won’t report to campus. Most programs do not call for an interview.

Classroom experience is the only area that helps prove your potential. Your Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores provide universities with this information. It will show that your prerequisite courses have adequately prepared you for a master’s degree.

Other materials you’ll have to prepare include a statement of purpose and letters of recommendation. Your statement of purpose should touch on a few key topics:

• long- and short-term career goals
• professional development strategy
• passion for the field. 

Letters of recommendation can come from previous professors, internship supervisors, or other reputable voices. These recommendations can touch on instances of:

• motivation
• achievements
• work experience
• your vision for success once admitted to the program.

WHAT ABOUT FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIPS?

Finding the time to obtain a Master’s is one thing. Finding the money is another. The good news is that even online degrees offer financial aid and scholarships.

One of the biggest blessings of online master’s degrees is that many of them afford out-of-state students the same tuition as in-state students. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking this is standard. Many programs still cater to their home-state students. They may ask out-of-state students to pick up a bulkier tab.

Step one? Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA also offers Federal Work-Study. These jobs can be done on- or off-campus. This is an important aspect of a distance learning program. It can help you chip away at some of the tuition and fees.

The pace at which you learn can affect how much aid you receive. The beauty of earning an online degree is that you can go at your own pace. You may have to learn full time to earn full support.

For master’s-level students, these two solutions may present bigger problems. At this stage in your career—and your life—you may not have time in your schedule for a full-time workload. You may not have time for an additional part-time job. In these cases, you can turn to scholarships. These offer you a reward for your educational commitment.

PROGRAM-SPECIFIC SCHOLARSHIPS

If you have a program in mind, you can always search their internal database for scholarship opportunities. Arizona State University is a great example. It has a built-in scholarship database. You can search it for degree-specific awards. GRE scores aren’t always required.

Your specific qualifications may entitle you to apply for Merit Aid Scholarships. These scholarships often involve submitting an essay. This is much like your statement of purpose. It should be submitted to an organization that’s willing to help. Some notable ones within Data Science include:

• the Gertrude M. Cox Scholarship for women in applied statistics
• the Mary G. and Joseph Natrella Scholarship
• the Richard A. Freund International Scholarship
• the Milliman Opportunity Scholarship Fund
• the Minne Analytics Data Science Scholarship
• the Acxiom Corporation Diversity Scholarship

American universities are also indebted to servicemen and women. It’s common to come across military scholarships. These scholarships, like the Mizzou Online Military Tuition Award are a way of saying thank you. They reduce the cost of tuition by a percentage.  That is, so long as you meet the specifications and remain in good academic standing.

HOW MUCH CAN I MAKE WITH AN ONLINE MASTER’S IN STATISTICS? 

Our world is becoming more digitized. There are sets of data from decades past. These are combined with a tidal wave of new data points that need to be put to use. The Bureau of Labor Statistics charts industry growth at 30%. This is much faster than the average for any field. 

The BLS is not the only one with their fingers on the pulse. Forbes anticipates close to 700,000 roles for data scientists, developers, and engineers. These are jobs that are open and ready to be filled across the country this year. 

This is great news when you’re searching for the best online master’s. The annual demand for data statisticians is rising. There’s a high demand for individuals with graduate studies needed to analyze data. So, too, is the earning potential for incoming professionals. BLS pins the median salary of mathematicians and statisticians at $88,190 per year. The top 10% of professionals earn $140,000. This is just an estimate for the broad spectrum of math and stat professionals.

When you consider related fields, like actuaries, the median salary sits above the line of six-digits. The top 10% earning close to $200,000 a year. That’s not a bad check when you consider that statistician is considered the second-best job to have behind software developer. It is the #1 Best Business job. Mathematicians are in second place. That’s according to the U.S. News and World Report.

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH AN ONLINE MASTER’S IN STATISTICS?

Career opportunities are broad and exist in every state. Statisticians are most often employed in California, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Maryland, and Texas. Colorado and Washington DC offer high concentrations of opportunities. This data doesn’t need an analyst to figure out one very striking conclusion. In states big or small, there is a high demand for these roles.

When it comes to earning potential, the tune changes slightly. The states with the highest annual median wage are:

• Massachusetts
• Washington DC
• Maryland
• Idaho
• New Jersey. 

Other career opportunities with an online master’s in applied statistics include:

• Software developer
• Database administrator
• Computer network architect
• Information security analyst
• Data scientists and other data professionals
• Statistical consulting

You could work with government agencies or in graduate education. The computing skills you’ll gain with these graduate programs will be indispensable. These roles offer a promising job placement and earning potential. Software developers, on average, make $50 an hour. That’s $105,590 annually. These roles are expected to grow at a face and consistent pace. 

Computer network architects fall in the same range. There is a much lower projection for overall career growth. Database administrators make slightly less on average. They also have a higher job outlook than the average industry. If earning and job potential are your top priorities, a role as an information security analyst is among the most promising. There’s a 32% job growth outlook and a median salary of $100,000.

A bachelor’s degree in statistics or statistical computing is a great place to start. But being a top applicant in any of these career roles begins with one of the best online master’s in statistics.

WHAT ARE THE BEST ONLINE MASTER’S PROGRAMS IN STATISTICS?

We know that you have educational goals you’re itching to pursue. You may not know where to start. The editors of the online Master’s Programs Guide utilize a unique ranking methodology. It is based on the following three aspects:

40% Potential Salary After Graduation: Average mid-career salary of school alumni 

30% Institutional Accreditation: Regional and national accreditation for the 2019-2020 school year 

30% Overall Degree Affordability: Average cost of undergraduate and graduate tuition per school

At Master’s Programs Guide, we strive to do our best to guide you and your family toward a fruitful academic career. The pursuit of knowledge is a noble one. We want to help you reach your goals. For questions, comments, badge downloads, or data corrections, please feel free to reach out to us at editor@collegerank.net.

Check out our ranking of the 10 Best Online Master’s in Statistics! 

#1. Texas A&M-College Station

Master of Science in Statistics

You will find one of the best online masters in statistics at Texas A&M University. This accredited institution has a rich history on the front lines of innovation. It secured the state’s only land, sea, and space grant. This public research university also boasts one of the largest student bodies in Texas. The Wall Street Journal touts Texas A&M. It says it is one of the “most likely to help students land a job in key careers and professions.” Given what we know about careers in applied statistics and mathematics, it’s safe to say the online Master of Science in Statistics is a strong program to consider for data-mining prospects. No GRE scores are required. 

This program is one of the most flexible. Even as an online option! Start dates occur every semester. There is no need to report to campus. This flexibility enables you to hold a job. But you will receive the same education as qualified students who report to campus. The curriculum also offers the same resources and opportunities for on- and off-campus learners. Even the pre-recorded lessons provide live Q&A sessions. 

Need to meet with an advisor? You can access office hours online. You can have a face-to-face conversation from a distance. There’s also the opportunity to get real-world experience through applicable coursework. The Consulting Course will present you with a client who has a statistical issue that needs solving. You will create a professional practice experience. 

This program isn’t presented on one track. There are plenty of opportunities to gear your degree toward your own interests. The degree plan maps out your own unique goals within the framework of four universal requirements:

• required courses
• emphasis courses
• electives
• a final project.

This is a non-thesis program. It uses the final project in place of a dissertation. 

One other requirement of the program is the Diagnostic Exam. You are unable to receive your degree without passing it. This exam assesses your basic statistical understanding after passing five applied statistics courses. These include:

• R/SAS Introduction
• Mathematical Statistics
• two levels of Methods of Statistics. 

In this online master’s in statistics, you can take electives in:

• Bioinformatics
• Statistical interference
• Data Mining
• Computer programming
• Bayesian Methods
• Time Series

Emphasis courses in this online master’s in statistics don’t move outside of the major’s core. These include:

• Biostats
• Business Analytics
• Applied courses.
• Financial statistics

Your true unique abilities shine through the final project in this online master’s in statistics. This lets you develop yourself as an enabled professional. You’ll showcase your written and verbal skills for analyzing data and presenting your findings.

Don’t have time for the full program? Already have a degree and want to supplement your knowledge? You can still earn a Texas A&M Applied Statistics Graduate Certificate. This graduate certificate requires 12 semester credits. Instead of a final project, you’ll present a five- to ten-page data analysis report. Applied Statistics required courses in Calculus, Biostatistics, and SAS are suggested for this graduate certificate.

#2. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Master of Statistics

Another one of the best online masters statistics programs can be found at North Carolina State University. For some, North Carolina State is recognizable as the alma mater of athletes like:

• Cullen Jones
• Russell Wilson

Politicians like:

• Jim Hunt
• John Edwards
• Robert Gibbs

For the data-minded? CEO and co-founder of SAS Institute, James Goodnight, was once part of the Wolfpack. He, along with fellow NC State alumni Anthony James Barr, John Sall, and Jane Helwig, began on the track of a 3.27 billion dollar company. That was all while they were still students. Why can’t the same opportunity be afforded to you?

The online Master of Statistics program teaches you the ropes. The online statistics masters provides a solid education in methodology, programming language, and effective communication. It is delivered through pre-recorded courses. There are live-streaming presentations. It doesn’t matter whether you are on- or off-campus. The courses are exactly the same. The only minor set-back is in the electives. Some of these are restricted to students on campus. 

Otherwise, the core is the same. Statistical consulting, methods, and theory are all part of the core requirements for the online master’s in statistics. You’ll also learn some pertinent computer skills. These will teach you to process, analyze, and distribute large quantities of data. It’s all through the industry standard of statistical practice (and close-to-home organization), SAS.

SAS is part of many different courses in this program. You might learn Bayesian Analysis (related statistical inference) and applied statistics for management and social science. SAS is still used. Some other software languages like R and SQL are also used throughout the program. Minimal prior exposure is needed to take those courses.  

Electives offer you the chance to dive into what interests you most. Your options include:

• Applied Time Series
• Applied Bayesian Analysis
• Statistical Programming in SAS
• Data Science for Statisticians
• Data Mining with SAS Enterprise Miner.

There is always a teaching assistant available to help. Faculty members also hold specific office hours.  You can schedule time to talk about whatever you need.

The application process for this mathematical statistics program requires:

• a personal statement
• transcript
• prior coursework in calculus and linear algebra

GRE scores aren’t mandatory. At this time, just North American-based students can apply. It is an online program. In-state and out-of-state tuition rates apply. This online program remains the #2 Top Public University in the state by Niche.

The applied statistics program allows you to work at your own pace in your own space. If you take even one course per semester, you can complete the 30 required credit hours of the applied statistics program in less than four years. Should your life have other priorities—be it work, family, or travel—you can take up to six years to arrive at the finish line.

#3. University Of Maryland Global Campus

Online Master’s in Analytics

The University of Maryland at University College has another one of the best online statistics masters. This accredited institution is one of U.S. News and World Report’s 20 Most Innovative Schools. It’s easy to see why. Just this past year, the school moved from University College to Global Campus. This inspired a renewed belief in boundless education. The name “University College” was meant to signify flexibility for students with time, location, and affordability. Now it’s known as a Global Campus. It introduces even more opportunities for students around the globe. They lack campus fees and offer the second-lowest tuition in the state. This online master’s in statistics will help you gain an edge without going into debt. No GRE scores are required. 

Practical skills, business intelligence, data management, and real world experience. These are just a few choice avenues that lead to a Master’s. The goal of this program is to transform you into a marketable professional. You will be able to visualize and translate data to influence business outcomes. The designers tapped industry experts and leading employers for insights into what makes a graduate student best fit for the workplace. They used this information to create the program. 

You’ll learn the language of programming. You can then translate it into plain language for others to use. You’ll learn to mine, clean, and transform data. You will create your own program in your own chosen industry. You’ll also learn how to think ahead of computers by evaluating the accuracy of predictive technology. And you’ll do it all on your own time. 

All courses are offered online. Courses aren’t presented within strict time slots. Instead, you can access the material when the time is right for you. If you prefer the classroom experience, the opportunity is also there. That’s not just for students living in Maryland. Hybrid classes are taught in over 20 locations around the country. There are several locations in Hawaii, California, Texas, and New York. 

You also won’t have to wait for predetermined start dates. Admissions occurs on a rolling basis. You can start when the time is right for you after the admissions committee has reviewed your application. Open Educational Resources (OERs) swap expensive and cumbersome textbooks for online educational content. It’s a digitized curriculum. 

The full online master’s in statistics involves 36 credits. 30 of them are core coursework. There are 6 devoted to the capstone. Core work is completed in a sequence. Courses include:

• Decision Management Systems
• Data Management and Visualization
• Predictive Modeling 
• Statistical Theory
• Complex Data
• Statistical Methods
• Probability Theory
• Statistical Analysis and Statistical Interference

Each applied statistics course is worth 6 credits. The final capstone serves to integrate this knowledge into an analytics experience. You’ll display your skills through a final report and presentation. 

To enter the program, you must have a background in applied statistics and computer programming. You must also provide a transcript or an industry certification. This confirms you’re well-prepared to meet and succeed in all program requirements.

#4. Arizona State University

Master of Science in Data Analytics 

Build your tool kit with the online master’s in statistics at Arizona State. Join one of the fastest growing industries. All from a university renowned for innovation. Arizona State University is one of the first names in online degree programs. It is U.S. News and World Report’s Most Innovative University, before Stanford and MIT. And for three years running! 

The online master’s in statistics here is ranked in the top ten online MBAs by the Princeton Review. It came in at #6 on the U.S. News and World Report’s ranking of online graduate business programs and online MBAs. It also ranked third for online graduate business programs for veterans. 

It’s not just accolades. It also has numbers. The W.P. Carey School of Business boasts 1,800 graduate students. There are 300 faculty members. It is one of the largest programs in the country. This translates into a large alumni network of  60,000 graduates around the world.

The program consists of a total of 11 classes. Each is five weeks in length. You’ll take a total of 30 credit hours. You can take one course at a time. This is helpful if you are trying to balance other work and life fulfillments as you work toward your degree. The 24 core credit hours cover:

• Enterprise Analytics
• Data Mining
• Analytics Strategy
• Data-Driven Quality Management
• Analytical Decision Modeling.
• Statistical Theory
• Statistical Methods

It’s important to have a base knowledge of calculus, applied statistics, and coding.

The application process includes transcripts from your bachelor’s degree. These should detail your past experiences in collegiate-level math. This program also calls for GMAT or GRE test scores. It only requires one letter of recommendation and a current resume. The resume should detail your experience within the field and your readiness for academic progression. You do not need a  purpose statement. Instead, you’ll submit short-answer question responses. You may also need to submit proof of english proficiency.

It’s common for graduates to pursue data analyst roles with their newfound statistical knowledge. There are also other opportunities for those with a degree. These include:

• Data analysts and managers
• IT specialists
• Network security analysts.
• Business Intelligence Analysts
• Online Merchant
• Marketing Manager
• Business Operations. 

Part of ASU’s innovation comes from recognizing the rise of data analysts. Their online program in MS Program Evaluation and Data Analytics accepts students outside of a STEM background. The purpose is to create managers and leaders who can access and interpret data. This will improve the performance of any organization.

#5. University of Houston

Master of Science in Statistics and Data Analysis (MSDS)

The University of Houston offers a Master of Science in Statistics and Data Analysis. The program is designed for STEM students . It is for those who hope to enter professional roles in data science and applied statistics. You’ll build on foundational skills as you push into more advanced level principles. These include statistical inference. You will also improve your overall programming ability. Some sort of literacy in program language, R, SAS, Matlab, Python, is advised. It is not a concrete necessity. It’s also important to be prepared for the program with calculus and linear algebra courses. No GRE scores are required. 

It isn’t all classwork. There are also plenty of opportunities to get into the meat of industrial, commercial, or biomedical careers. This is often done through research internships.

The format is blended. It calls for some on-campus courses. Many are offered online. In total, you’ll complete 30 credit hours spanning the course of one year. That is inclusive of a summer semester. The program is held full-time. It calls for four courses (three credits each) in fall and spring semester. The final six credits take place in the summer session. 

You will work closely with faculty members. Core courses include:

• Statistical Learning and Data Mining
• Linear Models and Design of Experiments
• Probability Models and Statistical Computing
• Probability Statistics II
• Information Visualization
• Deep Learning and Artificial Neural Networks,
• Genome Data Analysis (also uses R programming language and builds on linear algebra and statistics)
• Hypothesis Testing
• Differential and integral calculus
• Information Visualization 
• Applied Statistics and Multivariate Analysis
• Data Clustering
• Case Studies in Data Science
• Statistical Methods

You’ll also learn:

• Python and R programming languages
• machine learning
• analysis of financial and economic data.

The final semester is the most hands-on. It’s organized to be taken in summer. The very last stage of the program is referred to as the “Master’s Tutorial.” It is an internship in function. This internship is where you can farm your knowledge and interests. It’s the time for you to study a real-world problem. This should be one related to your own professional work. 

Admissions calls for all of the typical materials, and then some. UH asks for three letters of recommendation, a resume, and a personal statement. The program is also quite affordable.

#6. University of Idaho

Master in Statistical Science

Uncovering truth in sets of data is the role of a statistician. The University of Idaho is a great place to become a force of truth to be reckoned with. It has one of the best online master of statistics degrees.

In fact, one of their most infamous alumni hid under a guide for decades. This was after dismantling a particularly scandalous presidential event you may recognize as “Watergate.” Mark Felt, better known as Deep Throat, himself, was one of U of I’s vandals. 

Today, the university maintains a low profile. Yet it is the home of a Division I basketball team and top-notch education programs. The Master of Science in Statistical Science is an example of this strong education with flexible access.

The Master Statistical Science is online. The applied statistics degree is designed for students who have a knack for unearthing influential data. It is perfect for those who want to pursue a career in applied statistics. This type of degree doesn’t follow a single track. They open up opportunities within:

• industry
• business
• agriculture
• government
• biomedical fields

It doesn’t matter where you choose to take it. You’ll leave this program with a strong understanding of the fundamentals of statistics. You’ll also learn the techniques to practice it.

This online program provides flexibility in other check-points of your professional life. That’s even while you’re still at school. It allows you to choose how you want to end. This end-goal can either be a thesis or non-thesis track.

Even if you choose the non-thesis track, there will still be some sort of capstone requirement. In this case, it’s an internship for the statistics degree. The internship requirements 8 weeks of hands-on work. Each week, you’ll log reports that will aid in the final summary report. This summary will be presented for supervisor evaluation. This report helps you to get familiar with industry roles. It encourages its students to find people to engage with while on the job. It requires them to log daily to help keep on top of the most valuable insights. They must also take pictures that can be used for a later portfolio.

Both tracks still involve 30 credits. The core work is presented through 3-credit courses. There is a single credit seminar and a 2-credit consulting practicum. The consistent core courses are in:

• Sample Survey Methods
• Probability Theory
• Mathematical Statistics
• Experimental Design
• Multivariate Analysis
• Statistical Methods
• Regression
• Computer Intensive Statistics.

Applied statistics isn’t just a sideshow at the University of Idaho. They remain very committed to understanding, promoting, and engaging in the field. This is done by coordinating with other universities. You’ll present a Statistics Newsletter. Of course, you’ll collaborate with faculty in other departments. 

Graduate certificate programs, like online graduate statistics programs, allow graduate students to widen their scope of statistical applications.

Certificates and graduate program elective courses can be obtained in:

• Graduate Data Analytics Certificate
• Graduate Academic Certificate of Completion in Statistical Science
• Graduate Certificate of Completion in Enterprise-wide Process & Performance Excellence.

In some cases, these statistics degree options can be used as a standalone graduate certificate. They’ll always call for an individual application process.

#7. West Virginia University

Master in Business Data Analytics

Here comes another hybrid in the list of the top online statistics masters degree programs.

West Virginia University offers a Master of Business online. In this online masters statistics, there is still a residency requirement. When you consider the coursework you’ll embark on with this program, it’s definitely for the best. 

You’ll use statistical techniques and analytical tools to uncover trends and competitive drivers. You’ll sort through big data to enhance decision making. You’ll become a valued professional in a growing field. You’ll have a degree from one of U.S. News and World Report’s best online graduate programs. That’s all without breaking the bank. Niche considers WVU to be the second Best Valued College in the state. 

It takes 30 credit hours throughout only ten courses. Applied statistics courses will cover many of the same aspects as other programs. You’ll learn data mining and program language. Much of the coursework is based in business.

Other courses you’ll cover with an industry scope include:

• Simulation modeling
• Data visualization
• Statistical interference and statistical analysis
• Statistical methods
• Applied statistics
• Computer programming
• Statistical theory
• Linear algebra
• Hypothesis Testing

You’ll also gain perspective into the ethical principles of collecting and storing data. This is a topic all too prevalent in today’s world.

The hands-on experience comes through the analytics practicum. This course is a cumulative examination into what you’ve learned. You’ll present a final project displaying your competency for:

• data mining collection
• management
• predictive modeling
• regression analysis
• statistical analysis
• visualization.

All of this can be presented as it would to a business employer. These statistics master’s degrees are meant to encompass the ethical principles necessary for work in computer programming and applied statistics.

There are several applied statistics careers that fit the framework of the statistics master’s degrees here. Some examples of where graduates have landed in the past (and those with the brightest outlook) include:

• quality control analysts
• business continuity planners
• business operations specialists
• database administrators
• statisticians
• university professors

Admissions into the program is contingent on adequate proper training and experience in applied statistics, analytics, and programming. No particular programming language is required. An easy way to prove your knowledge is through work experience. Part of the application process is submission of a resume. If you can display five or more years, there won’t be a need to submit GMAT or GRE scores.

You’ll also be asked to submit letters of recommendation. These letters will outline your most redeeming qualities as a professional, teammate, and leader. You can submit up to three letters. If you think you have a true standout example then only one is necessary. 

Proving you’re ready for the program doesn’t just come from previous education or successful teamwork. It also comes from you. Your statement purpose will outline your personal ambitions within the program and your career. It will explain why you will represent WVU well. Financial aid is available for this applied statistics program as well.

#8. Iowa State University

Master of Business Analytics

Iowa State University has another best online statistics degree.

This accredited institution opened in 1858 as a land and space-grant university. Today, it remains a recognizable feat of education as the state’s flagship university. It has had years of commitment to science and technology. It earns a ranking in the top 20 Best Statistics Programs. It’s tied with Cornell University, by the U.S. News and World Report.

Analytics for business is the focus. Yet elements of computer science, industrial and manufacturing systems engineering, applied statistics all play a role in the program. The shared foundations surround:

• data reporting and analytics
• statistical modeling
• data mining
• visualization.

The program is heavy on data. It welcomes industry diversity. Internationally known faculty from a wide range of departments including marketing, computer science, and engineering help to round out this program. You’ll become a marketable and hirable professional.

The program is a  21-month program. It is all online except for three campus visits in the beginning, middle, and end of the program. The curriculum involves 30 credits hours. Eighteen of these are core courses. Twelve are elective. Your three campus visits double as one-week seminars to each complete one of the core courses. 

The core begins with your first campus visit. This is when you’ll take the Teams, Projects and BA Leadership course. It will prepare you to tackle the online coursework ahead. Once you go home, you’ll get to take the next phase of the core completely online. This includes applied statistics modeling.

The next trip to campus will be one of those courses that calls on the help of another department. The course marketing analytics with big data is taught then. This is sometime in the middle of the curriculum timeframe. The last course you’ll complete online is in advanced analytics .The last trip you’ll take to campus will be to achieve the analytics capstone. This lineup accounts for your 18-credits of core work. 

What remains are 12 credits in electives. Electives help to give you a sense of control and individualization for your education and subsequent career. Some examples include:

• Knowledge discovery and data mining
• data visualization and analytics
• applied time series
• algorithms for large data sets
• applied modern multivariate statistical learning 

No matter which electives you choose, you remain on track with the rest of your classmates and competitive in the field. They all will help you provide knowledge and insights to any given organization which analyzes big data. In today’s business landscape, that can be just about anyone. 

Admissions does not require GMAT or GRE scores. It does, however, ask for letters of recommendation. This program has cohort beginning once a year. It accepts applications year-round. To secure a spot in the earliest fall-start day, there is a July 1 application deadline.

#9. University Missouri

Online Master’s in Data Science and Analytics

 There are also some great online statistics programs at Mizzou.

Mizzou’s online Master in Data Science and Analytics will prepare you to “turn big data into smart data.” It will teach you online with a mere two required campus visits. This is a blended program that prepares you for roles in any industry. The breadth of the coursework helps you to learn database systems and design. You’ll also learn the latest methods and tools while gaining real-world experience. Built into the core are other topics like:

• Translation and visualization of data
• Ethics of protecting private or critical information
• Applied statistics

This is one of the few programs that offers you an opportunity to specialize. The areas of emphasis cover five different disciplines of data science. These include:

• biotechnology
• high performance computing
• human centered design for data
• strategic communications
• data journalism and the newly implemented area of geospatial.

Biotechnology can offer students who hope to enter medical or healthcare fields a chance to mine genomic data and process it on a large scale. Is your interest in IT-focused companies and roles? Then the High-Performance Computing track is for you.

Human-centered Design for Data helps to put a little personality behind the machine. You’ll study advanced visualization and communication in two parts. This will  help you better understand and guide decision-making that stems from data. 

Data Journalism/Strategic Communication also helps to enhance data visualization. It’s on a larger scale. These data scientists are true story-tellers. They also are highly adaptable, and recognize the constant flux that this industry is in. Social networks, customer behavior patterns, and a strong understanding of open-records law serve as the back-bone of this emphasis. 

The Geospatial track is the newest of the five. It was developed as a response to the industry’s demand for remote sensing data. This is an exciting branch of data that involves varied tools and techniques. You’ll explore sensors of various kinds of geolocation sensors and diverse data sets that feed location-aware applications.

Nineteen credit hours are in universal core curriculum. This covers essentials of data science through courses in:

• Statistical and Mathematical Foundations
• Applied Machine Learning
• Ethics.
• Applied Statistics

You can expect to devote two years to this applied statistics program. A campus visit is required each year. These visits function as core-work intensives. The first is an introduction and the second is a capstone. 

Admissions into the program requires some elements of knowledge and experience. If you’re coming fresh from a Bachelor’s degree, you’ll need to enroll in up to 12 credit hours within Mizzou. In addition to the bachelor’s degree in applied statistics, you’ll also be asked to submit a resume, statement of purpose and transcripts from your bachelor’s degree. GRE scores are not required. It’s also important you know which specialization you intend to pursue. Your designation will be prompted in the online application process. 

#10. Emporia State University

Master of Science in Mathematics

You’ll find another one of the best online masters in statistics at Emporia. Emporia State University is as old as Kansas. It dates back to 1861. The rural campus was given the title of a “College of Distinction” three years running. It a student body harboring the nation’s lowest debt rate. There is a 97% of success in a job or higher education within 6 months. It’s an accredited institution offering a solid foundation on which to grow.

The Emporia State University Master of Science in Mathematics was brought online to allow students to learn with a little flexibility. In fact, none of this program’s requirements call for campus visits to the accredited institution. The only difference in the programs is that the online option calls for a seminar presentation. That’s instead of a thesis as a pre-graduation capstone.

It’s based in mathematics. Yet you can develop the framework. This helps to invite a diverse group of applicants. Students of this program are often those with a background in math teaching. But it’s flexible nature expands to the student body. An array of backgrounds, from engineering to computer science, can find success in this program. To apply, you need to submit transcripts of your bachelor’s degree. No GRE scores are requested.

Those with these backgrounds are often equipped for the rigors of graduate-level mathematics. Emporia State now allows you to take as many courses per semester as you can handle. The online format is inviting to those with a full-time job already. Just one course per semester is the accepted norm. 

There are a few guiding factors to course schedule. All students are required to complete Mathematical Proofs. They must also complete six credit hours each in analysis, algebra, and applied statistics, and a one-credit seminar in Mathematics.

Fulfilling the analysis, algebra, and applied statistics requirements gives you a bit of freedom to play to your strengths. Of the three, Analysis requirements are the most limited. It offers topology, complex variables, and two levels of calculus. Under the category of algebra, you can choose from a wider selection of courses. Most of these explore diverse theories including number, group, ring, or field. There are also opportunities to explore Vector Spaces or Computational Algebraic Geometry.

For Applied Statistics and Applied Mathematics (the area exceedingly pertinent to aspiring statisticians) there are various options for learning more about analysis and technique.

Course options for these statistics master’s degrees include:

• Categorical Data Analysis
• Numerical Analysis
• Hypothesis Testing
• Numeric Linear Algebra
• Statistical Consulting
• Regression Analysis

The total curriculum is completed in 34 credits. An exam within each area is required.

Electives also help to guide your statistics degree to your ideal career outcome after your graduate education has finished. You can choose from the following statistics degree options: 

• Knot Theory
• projective geometry
• applied mathematics
• combinatory logic
• game theory
• technology in mathematics.

OTHER NOTABLE PROGRAMS

#11. University of Oklahoma

Location: Norman, OK

Master’s Degree: Master’s in Data Science and Analytics

Net Price: $21,158

Website 

#12. Dakota State University

Location: Madison, SD

Master’s Degree: Master of Science in Analytics (MSA)

Net Price: $16,863

Website      

#13. Saint Louis University

Location: St. Louis, MO

Master’s Degree: Master’s in Applied Analytics

Net Price: $31,460

Website

#14. Oklahoma State University

Location: Stillwater, OK

Master’s Degree: Master of Science in Applied Statistics

Net Price: $15,009

Website

#15. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Location: Brownsville, TX

Master’s Degree: Master of Science in Mathematics

Net Price: $4,319

Website       

#16. Indiana University Bloomington

Location: Bloomington, IN

Master’s Degree: Master’s in Business Analytics

Net Price: $11,931

Website  

#17. Oregon State University

Location: Corvallis, OR

Master’s Degree: Master’s in Data Analytics

Net Price: $18,625

Website

#18.  University of Kentucky

Location: Lexington, KY

Master’s Degree: Master’s in Applied Statistics

Net Price: $19,762

Website

#19.  Southern New Hampshire University

Location: Manchester, NH

Degree: Master’s in Data Analytics

Net Price: $43,038

Website

#20. Bellevue University

Location: Bellevue, NE

Master’s Degree: Master’s in Business Analytics

Net Price: $9,635

Website 

IF YOU ENJOYED THAT THEN CHECK OUT OUR ARTICLES ON THE 50 BEST ONLINE MASTER’S PROGRAMS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE THE GRE & BEST ONLINE MASTER OF CYBERSECURITY!

We live in a world of technology. But what happens when things are not running smoothly, or when technology becomes outdated? We look to our Information Technology (IT) professionals of course! The Masters of Information Technology degree is one of the most popular online master’s degree programs thanks to this need for cutting-edge technology and the dependence upon it. Another reason making it so sought after is the financial benefits of having a master’s degree in the field–earning potential goes up when one has tangible proof of more training and more experience, particularly if your degree is from a well-known school. And, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, this field is growing at a much faster than average rate, so there are many jobs out there just waiting to be filled. If you are intrigued, read on to discover some of the amazing schools that offer online master’s in IT programs.

See Also: 10 Best Master’s in Industrial Engineering

Quick Links to Our Top 10

1. Virginia Tech
2. Admissions website
3. Florida State University
4. University of Denver
5. Illinois Institute of Technology
6. Florida Institute of Technology
7. University of North Carolina Greensboro
8. University of Michigan-Dearborn
9. George Washington University
10. Kennesaw State University

Methodology: We combed publicly available sources such as the U.S. News and World Report, several accrediting bodies, and the websites of schools that offer online Master of Information Technology or Master of Information Technology Management degrees. In doing so, we noted several recurrent program attributes that enabled us to form a methodology to narrow down the pool of schools to the top 35. Using the methodology and the common program attributes, a point system was assigned to each attribute to then rank the programs. If two or more schools received the same point value we then ranked the school with the lowest out-of-state tuition more highly. The attributes by which the schools were ranked are as follows:

• Degree customization 25%– number of specializations available
• Program flexibility 25%– the extent to which the degree can be completed entirely online
• Faculty achievement and student success 25%– easily accessed information on faculty expertise and recognition and student stories of success and/or achievements
• School reputation and commendation 25%– being ranked or recognized by independent, reputable sources such as U.S. News and World Report

#1. Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech (officially named Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University since 1970) was originally the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College. Established as a land-grant university in 1872 in Blacksburg, Virginia, the school went through several name changes through the years. The main campus covers 2,600 acres, and a teaching farm nearby sits on almost 2,000 more acres. Additional academic centers are located throughout the state, and 280 academic degree programs are offered to over 34,000 students currently enrolled. The third largest university in the state of Virginia, there are ten schools and colleges at this public research institution of higher education. In addition to being a land-grant university, Virginia Tech is also a space- and a sea-grant institution, and one of only six senior military colleges in the United States. Regional accreditation comes from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Program Details: The highly-regarded, entirely online Master of Information Technology degree at Virginia Tech (VT-MIT) is an interdisciplinary program enriched by a “learner-centered approach.” Designed and offered jointly by the AACSB-accredited Pamplin College of Business and the College of Engineering, the 33-credit hour program provides eleven focus areas in which students can choose to specialize. Options range from Analytics and Business Intelligence to Cybersecurity Management to Health Information Technology to Software Engineering, and more. The same core curriculum serves for all students regardless of specialization, and classes include relevant topics such as “Web-Based Applications & Electronic Commerce,” “Fundamentals of Computer Systems,” and “Strategic Leadership in Technology-Based Organizations.” The road to student success and achievement recognition is well-trodden, with many examples of students’ experiences detailed, as well as great detail made of the extensive faculty research and industry contributions. VT-MIT students can complete the degree at an accelerated pace within eighteen months, but most graduate in two and a half years.

Admissions website

#2. Regis University

Regis University was christened Las Vegas College when it was first established in 1877. It was located in Las Vegas, New Mexico at that time, but moved to the state of Colorado in 1884 and then to the current campus location in Denver in 1887. The name was naturally changed when the location changed and would become first Regis College in 1921 and then Regis University in 1991. Named for John Francis Regis, a Jesuit saint, the school has a strong tradition as a Roman Catholic university with a distinct Jesuit identity. This private Roman Catholic university currently enrolls more than 11,000 coeducational students both on-campus in Denver and through online programs. There are five academic divisions (Regis College, the Rueckert Hartman College for Health Professions, the College of Contemporary Liberal Studies, the College of Computer and Information Sciences, and the College of Business and Economics) that comprise the institution, and regional accreditation is provided by the Higher Learning Commission.

Program Details: Regis’ College of Computer & Information Science faculty members provide an online Master of Science in Information Technology Management degree (ITM program) that is ideal for those “who aspire to lead technical teams and expand the value teams bring to their organization.” The 36-credit hour program begins with three core requirement courses (“Information Technology Concepts,” “Enterprise Architecture,” and “IT Research Methods”), followed by four major courses focusing on emerging technologies, ethics, and project management. Students then have their choice of electives and one of ten emphasis areas to customize the degree (Agile Technologies, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Database Administration, Database Design, Enterprise Resource Planning, Healthcare Informatics, Information Assurance Policy Management, Software Engineering, and Systems Engineering). Current student stories provide context and information for prospective students, and an Information Technologies Advisory Board made up of “industry leaders who support Regis University and the College of Computer & Information Science” help to keep the program relevant and rigorous.

Admissions website

#3. Florida State University

Florida State University (FSU) holds distinction as being one of the oldest and one of the largest institutions of higher education in the state of Florida. Dating back to 1851, FSU’s roots began as the all-male West Florida Seminary, which went on to merge with the Tallahassee Female Academy in 1858, thus becoming coeducational. After the Civil War it was divided into three distinct schools based on color and gender. The female institution was named Florida State College for Women, but after many decades the school transitioned into the FSU of today, open to all students regardless of race or sex. The public research university is located in Tallahassee, Florida, and the very high research level (as categorized by the Carnegie Foundation) is joined by space- and sea-grant designation. Part of the State University of Florida System, FSU houses nineteen schools and colleges and enrolls almost 42,000 students currently. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools regionally accredits FSU.

Program Details: Distance@FSU allows up to seven years for online students to complete the 32-credit hour Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) degree program. Provided through the School of Information (iSchool) in the College of Communication & Information, the sought-after program imparts both a “solid foundation” and “expertise” through the rigorous curriculum. Core courses provide the foundation in topics like “Assessing Information Needs” and “Management of Information Organizations,” and electives are varied and offer many opportunities to customize the degree with a selection of classes including “Writing for the Information Professions,” “Information, Technology, and Older Adults,” and “Computers as Persuasive Technology.” The achievements of faculty members, graduates, and current students highlight possibilities for future students, and newly admitted students receive support and resources from the beginning to help them become successful in both their academic and professional journeys. Starting with an online orientation and academic advising, many services are provided to online students.

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#4. University of Denver

In 1864, members of the Methodist church desired to calm the wild west attitude that was dominant in the newly established city of Denver, Colorado. They established the Colorado Seminary, which was initially located in the city that had been formed just six years earlier and was mostly a mining camp. The institution of higher education moved after just two decades to a farm just outside the city proper, and though the school is still officially recognized on the institution’s W-9 form as “Colorado Seminary,” the name by which the school is known was changed in 1880 to University of Denver (DU). Over 300 academic degree programs are provided through the ten schools and colleges of DU, and 12,000 students are enrolled both on-campus and online. A research university with a vision to be a “great private university dedicated to the public good,” DU is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Program Details: University College at the University of Denver provides an entirely online MS in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) degree program that can be completed in just eighteen months. The 48-credit hour program has nine dedicated concentration options for students to customize the degree—with choices such as Database Design and Administration, Information Security Systems, Project Management, and Telecommunications Technology among the choices, students can find the path they need to pursue their career goals. All concentrations share the same four core courses: “ICT Business Foundations,” “ICT Technical Foundations,” “Enterprise Architecture,” and either a Capstone Project or a Capstone Seminar, and offer concentration-specific courses and a selection of electives. Online students share their stories to give insight into the program and online learning through University College, and the faculty have a wealth of knowledge and experience to share throughout the program.

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#5. Illinois Institute of Technology

In 1890, members of the wealthy Armour family were inspired by the “Million Dollar Sermon” delivered by their pastor Dr. Frank Wakely Gunsaulus in the Congregational Church located in South Side Chicago. This led them to form the Armour Foundation, and three years later the industrial arts-focused Armour Institute welcomed students for the first time. In 1895 another school opened on the west side under similar circumstances. Funded by the estate of Allen C. Lewis, the Lewis Institute provided liberal and industrial arts education to coeducational students. By 1939 the schools were in discussion about merging, and this led to the formation of the Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech or IIT) in 1940. A private, doctoral research university with a main campus in Chicago, Illinois, IIT has several campus locations and now enrolls over 7,000 students in eight schools and colleges, and the Higher Learning Commission has provided full regional accreditation since 1941.

Program Details: The Master of Information Technology and Management (ITM) offered through the School of Applied Technology at Illinois Tech provides students with a general track of study, as well as eight different specialization options. The 30-credit hour program allows students to focus in specializations such as Computer and Information Security, IT Management and Entrepreneurship, and Systems Analysis, just to name a few. The curriculum provides an integrated approach with courses offered that cover “IT disciplines of management, development, technology and theory, operations, and security” with many classes offered online. ITM student projects allow students hands-on experience to display the skills they have learned, as well as preparing them to excel in the job market and the field. The focus on student support and success is evidenced through stories of the experiences of current students, and a dedicated IIT Career Management Center helps not just current students but also alumni with resources and services.

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#6. Florida Institute of Technology

During the 1950s, in a time known as the “space race,” when the increase in technology and research in space travel was at its height, a school was established in 1958 in Florida to help provide a location to centralize education in the field. Named Brevard Engineering College, the school would grow to become renamed the Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech) in 1966. Founded in Melbourne, Florida classes focused on science and technology. A private coeducational institution, Florida Tech is part of the United States’ space program with a high level of research activity to “prepare students for entering the global workforce.” Almost 6,500 students are currently enrolled on-campus and online in the five academic colleges: College of Aeronautics, College of Engineering and Computing, Nathan Bisk College of Business, College of Psychology and Liberal Arts, and College of Science. Florida Tech is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Program Details: The entirely online Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) degree program at Florida Tech is a 33-credit hour program that positions students to be leaders of “complex projects from a 21st century information technology perspective.” Required core courses cover topics like “Project Management for Information Technology,” “Organizational Behavior,” and “Advanced Management of Information Systems,” and electives provide customization with a selection of classes that include “Security in the Enterprise,” “Project Tools and Techniques,” and “Strategic Management of Technology & Innovation.” Two specializations are also offered, the MSIT in Cybersecurity program and the MSIT in Database Administration program, and both require 33 credit hours. With the assurance that Florida Tech Online is dedicated to student “success from Day One,” online FAU students have plenty of resources, services and supports from enrollment and beyond graduation. A majority of the faculty members have received the highest level of education in their field, and student success is highlighted.

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#7. University of North Carolina Greensboro

Established as the State Normal and Industrial School in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1891, the school has been the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) since 1964. Dr. Charles Duncan McIver, a local educator, advocated for an institution to educate women in the late 19^th century, and ten donated acres served as the campus location of the school that opened to almost 200 students in 1892. Changing names multiple times, the school began becoming coeducational in 1962 and was fully so by 1964. In 1971 the institution of higher education joined the unified University of North Carolina System (although the university, as does the other fifteen schools within the System, maintains its own Board of Trustees and Chancellor). The largest public university in the Triad region of the state, UNCG currently enrolls almost 20,000 students in eight schools and colleges and is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Program Details: The AACSB-accredited Bryan School of Business and Economics at UNCG offers a Master of Science in Information Technology and Management (MSITM) degree program that can be pursued entirely online through UNCG Online. Crafted with a focus on “today’s technology-driven business environment,” the 30-36 credit hour program is ideal for IT professionals who want to move into management or for current IT managers who want to deepen their knowledge. In addition to relevant required coursework such as “Organizing Data for Analytics,” “App Design and Programming,” “Designing Secure Computer and IOT Networks for Business,” and “Project Management for Dynamic Environments,” students can participate in an optional concentration in Business Analytics. The faculty are recognized leaders and bring “real-world consulting experience to every course,” and the Information Systems and Supply Chain Management Advisory Board advises and provides current trend information to strengthen the program, which is housed within the Department of Information Systems and Supply Chain Management.

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#8. University of Michigan-Dearborn

In 1956 the Ford Motor Company provided the state of Michigan six million dollars and 200 acres in the city of Dearborn for the express purpose of establishing an institution of higher education. The Dearborn campus is one of two regional campus locations for the flagship University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Ford Motor Company was both philanthropic and strategic in funding the school—having a university in the urban sprawl of Detroit would guarantee a supply of well-educated engineers for Ford’s motor car industry. Called University of Michigan–Dearborn (UM–Dearborn), classes began in 1959 for the 34 enrolled students. Three degree programs were provided initially– Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Business Administration were the only choices. Now four colleges provide over 100 academic degree programs to the nearly 10,000 currently enrolled students. A public university, UM-Dearborn is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Program Details: UM-Dearborn offers an MS in Information Systems and Technology (IS&T) degree program that can be completed entirely online through the Rackham School of Graduate Studies. Housed in the Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering department of the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the 30-credit hour program is ideal for “engineers, computer scientists, business people, and other professionals who have responsibility for using, designing, improving, installing, managing, and evaluating integrated enterprise wide information systems.” Five determined concentration options are offered (Information Management Applications, Supply Chain and Information Systems Design, Information Security and Quality, Web Information Management, and Information Systems Engineering), and students can develop a concentration of their own focus area in conjunction with their IS&T Program Advisor. Three core courses are common between all of the concentrations (Database Management Systems, Enterprise Information Systems, and Object Oriented Systems Design). In addition to dedicated advisors, students have the benefit of learning from faculty members with real-world experience and recognition.

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#9. George Washington University

George Washington University (GW) began as Columbian College in 1821. The seed had been planted for an institution of higher education in the Capital when Washington delivered his first State of the Union address in 1790. In 1819, Baptist ministers took up the cause and petitioned Congress successfully for the school. The ministers purchased property in the District of Columbia and the first group of students—all three of them—began class in 1822. Now more than 25,000 students are currently enrolled in GW (the school became George Washington University in 1904). Fourteen schools and colleges comprise this private research university, offering over 70 academic degree programs. GW “values a dynamic, student-focused community stimulated by cultural and intellectual diversity and built upon a foundation of integrity, creativity, and openness to the exploration of new ideas,” and regional accreditation is granted by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

Program Details: Promoting a program that teaches “technology for today and management skills for tomorrow,” the Online Master of Science in Information Systems Technology (OMSIST) degree is offered through the AACSB-accredited GW School of Business (GWSB). An optional on-campus orientation kicks-off the 33-credit hour program, and students can complete the degree in just eighteen months if pursued full-time. The final on-campus residency Integrated Information Systems Capstone course completes the degree, and students have the opportunity to customize the coursework with a selection of electives that are either technical-based (such as “Telecommunication and Enterprise Networks” and “Data Warehousing”) or more managerial (like “Technology Entrepreneurship” and “Information Resource Management”). Student support begins prior to enrollment through info sessions that are offered periodically to answer questions for prospective students, and new students are assigned an advisor that remains with them throughout the duration of the program. A collection of articles on the achievements and recognition of faculty and alum provides insight into the world after graduation.

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#10. Kennesaw State University

Opened in 1964 as Kennesaw Junior College in Cobb County, Georgia, Kennesaw State University (KSU) had an initial enrollment of just over 1,000 students. Several academic expansions and name changes occurred prior to the school becoming KSU in 1996, and now campus covers almost 600 combined acres in two primary locations: Kennesaw and Marietta, Georgia.  Thirteen colleges provide over 150 academic degree programs to more than 35,000 students on the two campuses. There are over 200 student organizations and groups, and as a public, research university KSU “values open, honest, and thoughtful intellectual inquiry, innovative and creative problem solving, professionalism, expertise, collaboration, integrity and ethical behavior, engaged citizenship, global understanding, sustainability, mutual respect, and appreciation of human and cultural diversity.” A member of the University System of Georgia, KSU is the third largest institution of higher education in Georgia with regional accreditation provided by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Program Details: The Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) degree at Kennesaw State is a 30-42 credit hour program housed within the College of Computing and Software Engineering’s Department of Information Technology. The credit hour variation depends upon whether the student’s undergraduate background allows them to waive twelve credit hours of foundational course requirements. All students participate in the required core classes, which cover subjects like “IT Service Delivery” and “InfoSecurity Concepts and Administration,” and there is a choice between a Thesis or an IT Capstone to culminate the degree. Electives are offered as concentration certificates, with four focus areas available in Data Management & Analytics, IT Security, Health IT, and Enterprise Management. Three start dates a year and an online orientation set the stage for flexibility and convenience, and online student support and experienced faculty (who are recognized for their achievements in online instruction) are more of the benefits of a KSU online MSIT.

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#11. Colorado State University-Global Campus

In 2007, Colorado State University-Global Campus (CSU-Global) was established by the CSU Board of Governors to be an online university catering to adult and non-traditional learners. It opened the following year to 200 enrolled students and was legally recognized as an independent institution of higher education in 2009. Part of the Colorado State University System, CSU-Global is connected by governance with both Colorado State University-Fort Collins (the flagship university in the system) and Colorado State University-Pueblo. Administrative headquarters are located in the Denver suburb of Greenwood Village. Nearly 20,000 students are enrolled currently in the two academic schools: School of Management and Innovation and School of Professional Studies. CSU-Global has a mission of being “committed to advancing student success in a global society . . . and enhancing the quality of life for citizens in the state of Colorado and beyond.” Regional accreditation has been provided by the Higher Learning Commission since 2011.

Program Details: As the first fully-accredited, entirely online state university, CSU-Global Campus provides their signature online education with the 100% online Master of Information Technology Management degree program. As with all the master’s programs, students can add to the 24-credit hour MIT degree one or more twelve-credit hour specializations, with choices ranging from Business Intelligence to Healthcare Administration to Human Resource Performance to Strategic Innovation and Change Management. The MIT curriculum is comprised of eight courses, covering topics like “Managing Virtualized Cloud Systems,” “Ethical Considerations in Managing Information Technology,” and “Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery;” a final “Capstone—Information Technology Management” culminates the degree. Students of CSU-Global Campus have praised the “challenging” coursework and the online delivery that “builds skills such as critical thinking, communication, and relating” what is being learned to the real world. All CSU-Global Campus faculty have experience in their chosen industry and are additionally trained specifically as online educators.

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#12. Carnegie Mellon University

Andrew Carnegie established the Carnegie Technical Schools in 1900 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in order to provide institutions offering vocational training to the young men and women of the city. He declared “My heart is in the work,” and many of the students were the children of his mill workers. Becoming the Carnegie Institute of Technology in 1912, the school combined with the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research to form Carnegie Mellon University in 1967. Main campus is a few miles from downtown Pittsburgh on 140 acres, and over 140 academic degree programs are available through the seven schools and colleges. Nearly 14,000 students are currently enrolled, and Carnegie Mellon offers a multitude of degree-granting locations all over the world. A private non-profit research university with a vision to “have a transformative impact on society through continual innovation in education, research, creativity, and entrepreneurship,” regional accreditation comes from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Program Details: Heinz College in Carnegie Mellon University presents a highly regarded, completely online part-time Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) degree program. Designed for IT professionals who want to “add business acumen, management, and targeted problem-solving skills to their portfolios” or professionals in other fields who “wish to pivot toward technology-intensive roles,” the program requires 48 credit hours. Core coursework is determined by the choice of four focus area cores: Information Technology Management, Information Security & Assurance, Business Intelligence & Data Analytics, and Software Design & Management. The elective selection is vast and varied, with choices ranging from “Cryptography” to “Decision Making Under Uncertainty” to “Statistics for IT Managers.” On average, 50 students enter the program each year, and graduates detail the benefits of the online program, both in terms of practical application of the curriculum and the impact it had on their careers. Students additionally benefit from an expert team of faculty members who enhance the learning environment with their own professional accomplishments.

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#13. University of Massachusetts Lowell

Two schools opened within a year of one another in Lowell, Massachusetts that would grow to become the one of the largest public institutions of higher education in the state. Lowell Normal School for women opened in 1894, and the Lowell Textile School for men in 1895—these two schools would merge to become the University of Lowell in 1975. In 1991, the institution of higher education joined the University of Massachusetts System and officially became the University in Massachusetts Lowell (UMass Lowell). More than 200 academic degree programs are offered to the over 18,000 students currently enrolled in the six schools and colleges: the College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, the College of Education, the Kennedy College of Sciences, the Francis College of Engineering, the Manning School of Business, and the Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences. UMass Lowell is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

Program Details: Through the Division of Online and Continuing Education, UMass Lowell’s Department of Computer Science presents a fully online Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) degree program. The online-only 30-credit hour program allows a great deal of customization through choices in several areas of the curriculum. Two courses each are chosen from the within the areas of Systems Infrastructure, Network Infrastructure, and Software Management. Students get their choice of four program electives, and the choices include classes such as “Agile and Iterative Project Management,” “Information Security, Privacy and Regulatory Compliance,” and “Intrusion Detection Systems.” Dedicated academic advisors in the discipline are available to provide support and guidance to MSIT students, and they can be accessed in a number of ways that are convenient to online students. Faculty are specially trained to provide online instruction, and many have won awards for their achievements.

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#14. Arizona State University

Originally established as a school to educate teachers for the territory of Arizona, Arizona State University began as the Territorial Normal School in 1855. The following year there was an enrollment of 33 students on the 20-acre campus located in Tempe, Arizona. Having grown into a comprehensive university with five campuses and a collection of extension centers around the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, ASU serves more than 80,000 students currently enrolled. The main campus is still in Tempe, and this public metropolitan research institution houses sixteen schools and colleges offering 350 academic degree programs. ASU has the highest research activity (as designated by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education) and the charter mission of “advancing research and discovery of public value; and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural and overall health of the communities it serves” still guides the school. The Higher Learning Commission provides regional accreditation to ASU.

Program Details: Offering the MS in Information Technology degree online, the ASU Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering provides pathways for engineering students desiring to “increase their knowledge of today’s cyber system infrastructure” through IT productivity. Mirroring the on-campus program, the online degree program offers ten courses totaling 30 credit hours with classes on a fifteen-week long schedule. Requiring twelve credits of core classes such as “Information Analysis, Modeling, Representation & Communication” and “Software Development for Information Technology,” the program provides customization through two focus areas in which students can concentrate their elective choices: Computer Architecture and Information Security or Information Systems Management and Systems Development. Over 21,000 students are enrolled in programs within the Fulton Schools, and both student success and satisfaction and student achievement are hallmarks of ASU and the Schools. Specific online student support includes extras like success coaches and the ASU Library Resources for Online Students to help online students succeed, and the renowned Fulton Schools faculty hold many distinctions.

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#15. Lawrence Technological University

During the economic chaos of the Great Depression, Russell Lawrence established a progressive (students were admitted without regard to race, color or nationality) college of engineering in Highland Park, Michigan. Opening in 1932 with a student enrollment of a few hundred, classes were held in a space rented from Henry Ford next to his manufacturing facility. Originally the Lawrence Institute of Technology, renamed Lawrence Technological University (Lawrence Tech) in 1989, the school moved to its current location in 1955 and now sits on over 100 acres. Four colleges (College of Architecture and Design, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business and Information Technology, and College of Engineering) offer more than 100 academic degree programs to the over 4,500 students currently enrolled. With a mission to “develop innovative and agile leaders through a student-centric learning environment and applied research embracing theory and practice,” Lawrence Tech is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Program Details: LTU’s AACSB-accredited College of Business and Information Technology offers an online Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) degree program that provides students coursework that imparts “technical knowledge with problem-solving skills.” A 30-credit hour program that can be completed in two years, the core curriculum is comprised of classes such as “Enterprise IT Infrastructure,” “Systems Analysis and Design,” and “Information Technology Integration.” Two optional concentrations in Cybersecurity and Project Management are offered to customize the degree, and the Project Management concentration prepares students with the educational components needed to gain the Project Management Professional (PMP®) credentials from the Project Management Institute. The “interactive” and “intimate” learning platform used for the online delivery provides rigorous curricular content and engagement with both fellow students and faculty members. Online students receive support through services like academic advising and resources such as the LTU Library (with 75,000 e-books and nearly 100,000 full text e-journals).

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#16. University of Texas at Dallas

The founders of the global Fortune 500 company Texas Instruments considered forming an institution of higher education to maintain the technologically-minded and talented individuals in Texas instead of losing them to other universities in other states. They established the Graduate Research Center of the Southwest in 1961, and this Center would grow into the University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) when the school’s assets were transferred to the state. Located in Richardson, Texas—just eighteen miles north of Dallas—the school declares a mission of being “committed to graduating well-rounded citizens whose education has prepared them for rewarding lives and productive careers in a constantly changing world.” Having the highest research activity designation by the Carnegie Foundation, UT Dallas is a coeducational public institution and enrolls more than 26,000 students in almost 140 academic degree programs in its eight schools. Regional accreditation comes from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Program Details: The Master of Science in Information Technology and Management (MS in ITM) degree program at the UT Dallas AACSB-accredited Naveen Jindal School of Management is a 36-credit hour program that can be completed entirely online in eighteen months to two years full-time. The 36-credit hour curriculum requires eighteen credits of core coursework, and students have a choice between five focus area tracks (Enterprise Systems, Business Intelligence and Analytics, Cyber Security Management, IT Consulting and Services Management, Healthcare Systems). Current students share their testimonials as a resource to prospective students, and the many faculty achievements and examples of real-world research assures a meaningful and cutting-edge degree. Additionally, the Information Systems Industry Advisory Board (IAB) serves as a bridge to providing “a mutually beneficial intellectual exchange of ideas between university scholars and their industry counterparts.” And for those considering the program, course demos and other eLearning resources are offered through Education Technology Services.

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#17. Florida Atlantic University

The Florida Legislature voted to establish a public university for the southeastern region of the state in 1961. Begun as a senior-level and graduate college, Florida Atlantic University (FAU) started offering classes on a former army base in Boca Raton, Florida in 1964. Almost 900 students enrolled initially—all juniors, seniors and master’s students. In 1984 the school transitioned into a full four-year degree-granting institution, and freshman and sophomores were allowed to enroll. The main campus is still located in Boca Raton, but there are five satellite campuses across Florida to serve the more than 30,000 currently enrolled students. Part of the State University System of Florida, this public university is designated as having a high level of research activity by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education. Almost 200 academic degree programs are provided through the ten colleges of FAU, and regional accreditation is granted by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Program Details: FAU offers an online Master of Science in Information Technology and Management (MSITM) degree program as a collaboration between two Departments in two different Colleges: the Department of Information Technology and Operations Management (the AACSB-accredited College of Business) and the Department of Computer Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (College of Engineering and Computer Science). This interdisciplinary, 33-credit hour degree program “prepares students for a management career in the area of information technology in business.” Four different concentration areas allow for degree customization; students have their choice of Information Technology Management, Business Analytics, Advanced Information Technology, or Computer Science Data Analytics. Students have three start dates from which to choose, and courses are available entirely online. Faculty in both the College of Business and the College of Engineering and Computer Science are highly regarded experts and have a long list of achievements that can help enhance the online MSITM student’s experience.

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#18. Colorado Technical University

The Colorado Electronic Training Center, Colorado Technical University’s precursor, opened in 1965 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Established by two retired members of the military initially as an institution to provide education and assistance to others in the military who were returning to civilian life, the school was a for-profit institution and first offered classes in an old roller-skating rink. Colorado Technical University (CTU) has outgrown the roller-skating rink—becoming a full university in 1995—and now provides mostly online programming to the 30,000 students currently enrolled. A Virtual Campus, utilizing the Intellipath™ learning format developed solely for CTU, houses six academic colleges and has served an alumni network of over 70,000 individuals. With a mission “to provide industry-relevant higher education to a diverse student population through innovative technology and experienced faculty, enabling the pursuit of personal and professional goals,” CTU has full regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission.

Program Details: The 48-credit hour Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) degree program through Colorado Technical University provides the “technical and strategic leadership skills to design and manage IT systems and programs” through relevant coursework. Classes are held in eight-week terms, and core topics in the curriculum include “Strategic Management in Dynamic Environments” and “Enterprise Systems Architecture.” A general track and three concentrations in Network Management, Project Management, or Security Management allow for degree customization, and electives provide further choice with selections like “Digital Forensics,” “IT Governance and Risk Management,” and “Virtual Systems.” Students who do not have a bachelor’s degree in a field related to technology, computer science, systems, or engineering are expected to complete two additional foundational courses. For student support, CTU’s “distinguished faculty focus on “fostering student success and highly interactive student development,” and career resources are offered further through the CTU Career Services department.

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#19. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) was started by an entrepreneurial husband and wife duo in 1932. Established by Harry A.B. Shapiro and Gertrude Crockett Shapiro as the New Hampshire School of Accounting and Secretarial Science, a for-profit school to train students in business skills, the institution was located in Manchester, New Hampshire. Receiving a charter to become degree-granting in 1963, the school transitioned into a not-for-profit institution in 1968. In 1970 the location was moved to the current campus site on 300 acres on the banks of the Merrimack River, in an area between Manchester and Hooksett, New Hampshire. Several names changes occurred before the school became SNHU in 2001, and now more than 80,000 students are currently enrolled—5,000 on-campus and 75,000 online. There are several satellite campuses and six academic colleges housed within the university, and this private, nonsectarian, coeducational institution of higher education is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

Program Details: Recognized by the national Professional Science Master’s office as a Professional Science Master’s degree program, the SNHU MS in Information Technology degree is an “innovative degree designed to allow students to pursue advanced training in science or mathematics while developing workplace skills valued by employers.” The 36-credit hour program provides a curriculum rich with core classes like “Object Oriented Application Development,” “Telecommunications and Networking,” and “Innovations in Information Technology.” Seven concentrations are available in addition to a general track; students can choose to focus on Data Analytics, Database Design, Healthcare Informatics, IT Management, Information Security, Software Application Development, or Web Design to customize their degree (as evidenced by the praise of recent graduates). All students complete the degree with a Capstone in Information Technology, and the SNHU online experience promises a great deal of support and guidance to assure that online students reach their goals both academically and professionally.

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#20. University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati (UC) can trace its history to two schools that had been established in the early 1800s—Cincinnati College and the Medical College of Ohio. Called Cincinnati College when the two schools incorporated into one in 1870, the school had been in development since 1858, when local wealthy merchant Charles McMicken passed away and left money in his will to fund an institution of higher education. The school has grown to become a comprehensive public research university with nearly 45,000 students currently enrolled in the 350 academic degree programs offered by fourteen schools and colleges. Multiple campuses are spread across nearly 500 acres in the Heights neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio. UC desires to “provide an inclusive environment where innovation and freedom of intellectual inquiry flourish” and is one of the largest universities in the United States. A member of the University System of Ohio, UC is granted regional accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission. 

Program Details: UC Online presents an entirely online Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) degree program that can be completed in just one year on a full-time basis or two years part-time. Designed for professionals with a background in computing, (individuals who want to enter the field have the opportunity to join the program once they have successfully completed a selection of IT bridge courses) the 30-credit hour program focuses on relevant coursework, with offerings such as “Human Computer Interaction,” “Enterprise Security and Forensics,” and “Technologies for Social Networking.” Based on the choice of elective classes, a student can “focus on cybersecurity, IT infrastructure, game development or mobile and social development.” Housed in the School of Information Technology within UC’s College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services, the MSIT program is headed up by award-winning faculty and provides plenty of IT-specific support services.

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#21. University of Maryland University College

The city of Adelphi, Maryland received an institution of higher education when a satellite of the College of Education from the University of Maryland was established there in 1947. It was known as the College of Special and Continuation Studies (CSCS), and it offered academic programming to non-traditional students, most of whom were working adults. The CSCS was one of several extensions of the University of Maryland, and in 1970 it would gain independence as its own institution as the University of Maryland University College (UMUC). Offering some on-campus programs at the Adelphi location, UMUC is member of the University System of Maryland and specializes in online programs. Also specializing in serving active-duty military students, UMUC has 140 locations across four continents. Around 80,000 students are currently enrolled as undergraduate and graduate students, and regional accreditation is provided to UMUC by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Program Details: UMUC’s online Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) offers eight specializations through the online learning platform for which they are known. The specialization options range from Homeland Security Management to Project Management to Systems Engineering, and the 36-credit hour program allows up to six transfer credits. The curriculum is comprehensive and timely, crafted with “input from today’s top employers” and leading, in some cases, to prepare for various professional exams leading to certifications. Required course vary for each specialization, but some common classes include “Computer Systems Architecture,” “Information Systems Analysis, Modeling, and Design,” and “Information Technology Project Management.” Faculty for the IT programs have “real-world experience” from a wide range of professional commitments and appointments and bring “career-relevant” coursework to their students. A vibrant alumni community—the UMUC Alumni Association—provides many opportunities for networking and further academic and career-related services and resources.

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#22. University of Wisconsin-Stout

In 1891, James Huff Stout established the Stout Manual Training School in Menomonie, Wisconsin. Establishing other educational institutions over the next decade, Stout formed The Stout Institute in 1908 to consolidate administration of the various schools. Upon his death in 1911, the State of Wisconsin took over, and under the leadership of the Board of Regents of the State Colleges in 1955, the school was renamed State Stout College. When the Wisconsin State Universities and the University of Wisconsin merged to form the University of Wisconsin System in 1971, the College was renamed University of Wisconsin–Stout (UW-Stout) and recognized as two of the “special mission” universities in the System offering programs uniquely “related to professional careers in industry, technology, home economics, applied art, and the helping professions.” Three colleges and five schools provide more than 65 academic degree programs to over 9,500 currently enrolled students, and regional accreditation comes from the Higher Learning Commission.

Program Details: The Master of Science in Information and Communication Technologies (MSICT) at UW-Stout is an entirely online 30-credit hour program offering four emphasis areas (some emphasis areas require more credits). Students can choose from a general track, Computer Networking CISCO, Computer Networking Microsoft, Digital Marketing Technology, or Enterprise Technology. All areas share the same core curriculum, with coursework such as “Information and Communication Technologies in Organizations,” “Technology Futures,” and “Technology Adoption and Implications,” and all students complete the degree with a “a portfolio of course-related exhibits to align with the program objectives and the student’s selection of emphasis courses.” The program can be finished in just two years, and students can be assured they are learning cutting-edge technology trends at “Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University.” Additionally, the MSICT Advisory Board is comprised of both private sector industry leaders and online educating experts to keep the program in touch with both important IT developments and distance education advances.

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#23. Purdue University Global

The for-profit online university Kaplan University was acquired by the Purdue University System in the spring of 2018. Renaming the institution Purdue University Global, the school is now a not-for-profit institution maintaining many of the same programs and faculty of Kaplan. Two campus sites in Indiana offer both traditional and competency-based programs. Purdue Global educates 30,000 students currently within the seven schools and colleges (School of Business and Information Technology, Concord Law School, School of General Education, School of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, Open College, and College of Social and Behavioral Sciences) guided by the mission to deliver to students “personalized online education tailored to the unique needs of adults who have work or life experience beyond the classroom, enabling them to develop essential academic and professional skills with the support and flexibility they need to achieve their career goals.” Purdue University Global is fully regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.

Program Details: Purdue Global has taken the online Master of Science in Information Technology degree previously offered by Kaplan University and made it their own. A comprehensive program, the online MSIT requires a minimum of 60 quarter credit hours with classes such as “Certified Ethical Hacking,” “Windows Enterprise Administration,” “Systems Analysis and Design,” and “Computer Forensics.” Three concentrations are offered in Business Intelligence and Analytics, Information Security and Assurance, and Project Management. Housed within the School of Business and Information Technology, the extensive IT faculty have many combined years of experience in the field and research credentials, which translates into great benefit for the online student. The dedicated student services are numerous for distance learners, including a career services center that extends services beyond graduation, the Purdue Global Library, free tutoring services and more. Additionally, specific IT resources are provided to MSIT students to help enhance their experience.

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#24. Liberty University

Religious Right evangelist and Baptist minister Jerry Falwell wanted to steer “the moral and ethical course of America” in the 1970s. With the help and support of the congregation of the church he founded and pastored, the Thomas Road Baptist Church, he established the Lynchburg Baptist College in 1971 for that purpose. Renamed Liberty University (LU), this institution of higher education is located in Lynchburg, Virginia. In 1985, the school began offering distance education programs in order to extend its reach—this has been a successful endeavor, for over 110,000 students are currently enrolled in online programs through LU Online. In addition, 15,000 students are enrolled on campus, making this the largest Christian university in the world. Over 600 academic degree programs are offered through the seventeen schools and colleges, and regional accreditation has been granted since 1980 by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Program Details: For students who desire to “understand the effective and efficient convergence of information technology and business processes and how to design relevant associated IT systems using innovative methods that are consistent with business objectives” from a Christian worldview, the Liberty University Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) degree program is ideal. Housed in Liberty’s School of Business, the entirely online MSIT requires 36 credit hours to graduate. Students begin with core courses such as “IT Infrastructure,” “Overview of Computer Security,” and “Statistical Analysis & Data Mining” and then choose a concentration in either Software Design and Management or Network Design and Security. Online students are welcomed into the Liberty University community with many services and resources to help support them. From a video library with inspirational videos to a blog where students and faculty can share their stories and perspective, the Office of Online Student Life helps online students succeed at Liberty.

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#25. Nova Southeastern University

Conceived of by businessmen in 1964 as an institution to serve graduate students in the physical and social sciences, Nova Southeastern University (NSU) began as the Nova University of Advanced Technology in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The first year, seventeen students enrolled. This number has grown to a current student enrollment of more than 20,000. In 1994, the school merged with the Southeastern University of the Health Sciences to become NSU, and now over 150 academic degree programs are offered to undergraduate and graduate students through the sixteen schools and colleges. The current main campus on the site of a former Navy landing field in Davie, Florida is joined by additional campus locations in Florida and Puerto Rico, and this private research