Best Online Master’s in Behavior Analysis Degree Programs
Find top-ranked online master’s in behavior analysis degree programs for students wanting to apply their knowledge in the human resources and education fields and as FBI profilers.
Top 10 Online Master's in Behavioral Analysis
- University of Arizona
- University of Cincinnati
- University of Nevada, Reno
- University of North Texas
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln
- Nova Southeastern University
- Eastern Kentucky University
- University of Southern Maine
- Northern Kentucky University
- William James College
- University of Arizona
- University of Cincinnati
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln
- University of North Texas
- University of Nevada, Reno
- Southeast Missouri State University
- Nova Southeastern University
- Eastern Kentucky University
- Simmons University
- Northern Kentucky University
- Kentucky State University 91%
- Regis College 89%
- University of Arizona 87%
- Southeast Missouri State University 86%
- University of Cincinnati 86%
- University of Nevada, Reno 86%
- Northern Kentucky University 86%
- University of Southern Maine 85%
- University of Houston–Victoria 82%
- Daemen University 80%
- University of North Texas 23 to 1
- Southeast Missouri State University 20 to 1
- University of Nevada, Reno 18 to 1
- University of Cincinnati 18 to 1
- Tennessee Tech 18 to 1
- Nova Southeastern University 17 to 1
- University of Arizona 17 to 1
- Cameron University 17 to 1
- Northern Kentucky University 17 to 1
- National University 16 to 1
- Regis College $46,150
- Simmons University $44,350
- Georgetown College $41,600
- Buena Vista University $38,644
- Nova Southeastern University $36,300
- Shenandoah University $35,170
- Saint Elizabeth University $34,930
- Daemen University $32,760
- William Carey University $14,685
- National University $13,320
- William James College $35,850
- Simmons University $27,152
- Daemen University $25,344
- Regis College $24,968
- Shenandoah University $22,680
- Nova Southeastern University $22,062
- Saint Elizabeth University $18,018
- National University $15,912
- University of Cincinnati $13,224
- University of Arizona $12,348
- Saint Elizabeth University
- University of South Florida Sarasota–Manatee
- Regis College
- Buena Vista University
- University of Houston–Victoria
- Georgetown College
- Daemen University
- William Carey University
- Shenandoah University
- Simmons University
- Saint Elizabeth University
- Daemen University
- University of South Florida Sarasota–Manatee
- Regis College
- University of Houston–Victoria
- Buena Vista University
- William James College
- Shenandoah University
- Cameron University
- William Carey University
- William Carey University 54%
- Eastern Kentucky University 64%
- Saint Elizabeth University 72%
- Georgetown College 72%
- Simmons University 76%
- Nova Southeastern University 76%
- Buena Vista University 77%
- Tennessee Tech 78%
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln 79%
- University of North Texas 79%
- William James College 5 to 1
- Simmons University 7 to 1
- Regis College 9 to 1
- Shenandoah University 11 to 1
- Saint Elizabeth University 11 to 1
- Kentucky State University 11 to 1
- Daemen University 12 to 1
- Buena Vista University 12 to 1
- William Carey University 13 to 1
- Georgetown College 14 to 1
- Cameron University $5,025
- University of Houston–Victoria $5,111
- Southeast Missouri State University $7,761
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln $7,770
- Kentucky State University $7,854
- University of Southern Maine $8,064
- University of Nevada, Reno $8,133
- University of North Texas $8,295
- Tennessee Tech $8,520
- Eastern Kentucky University $9,544
- Cameron University $3,762
- University of Nevada, Reno $5,814
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln $6,138
- Southeast Missouri State University $6,205
- University of North Texas $6,350
- Kentucky State University $6,501
- University of Houston–Victoria $6,618
- University of Southern Maine $7,776
- Northern Kentucky University $9,900
- Buena Vista University $9,936
Featured Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Behavioral Analysis
Students earning a master’s degree in behavior analysis will put theory to practice in postgraduate programs that are constructed to teach best practices for positive behavior outcomes.
Back to TopBoth online and on-campus programs have a range of required credits, but most are a minimum of 30 credits, which take about two to three years to complete.
Back to TopStudents will study positive behavior support, single-subject research designs, and evidence-based practices for helping those with mental, social, or learning disorders. Many programs include a practicum and will prepare students to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam.
Back to TopGraduates commonly enter the workforce as behavior analysts, but students can also apply their knowledge in the human resources and education fields and as FBI profilers.
Back to TopLearn more about what you can do with a master’s in behavior analysis.
Best Online Master’s in Behavior Analysis Degree Programs
- #3 15 Best Online Colleges for Veterans to Start Their Careers 2025 #18 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2025 #20 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #20 50 Best Public Grad Schools 2025
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
87%
Graduation
68%
Student body
54K
Median SAT/ACT
1255/25
Career Outlook for Behavior Analysis degree at University of Arizona
Cost of Degree: $14,389Expenses: $19,500Starting Salary: $54,137Salary after 4 years: $57,601Cost Recoup Time: 7 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
MA in Special Education: Applied Behavior Analysis
- Required Credits: 21
- Completion time: 16 months
- Format: Online
- #10 15 Best Online Colleges for Veterans to Start Their Careers 2025 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Ohio 2025 #2 Best Public Colleges in Ohio 2025 #3 Best Grad Schools in Ohio 2025
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
72%
Student body
48K
Median SAT/ACT
1260/26
Career Outlook for Behavior Analysis degree at University of Cincinnati
Cost of Degree: $14,902Expenses: $19,772Starting Salary: $48,047Salary after 4 years: $51,121Cost Recoup Time: 8 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
M.Ed in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
- Required Credits: 30
- Completion time: 5 semesters
- Format: Online
- #2 Best Public Colleges in Nevada 2024 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Nevada 2024 #2 Best Grad Schools in Nevada 2024 #2 Best Research Universities in Nevada 2024
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
62%
Student body
23K
Career Outlook for Behavior Analysis degree at University of Nevada, Reno
Cost of Degree: $6,584Expenses: $20,270Starting Salary: $54,427Salary after 4 years: $57,909Cost Recoup Time: 6 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
MEd in Education: Special Education
Concentrations
- Mild To Moderate Disabilities K-12
- Intellectual Disabilities- Moderate To Intense Needs
- Applied Behavior Analysis
- Autism And Related Disorders K-12
- Advanced Studies In Behavior Analytic Intervention
- Early Intervention
- Required Credits: 33
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #8 Top 15 Best Online Colleges for Transfer Students in 2025 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Texas 2025 #5 Best Public Colleges in Texas 2025 #9 Best Research Universities in Texas 2024
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
79%
Graduation
59%
Student body
49K
Median SAT/ACT
1120/23
Career Outlook for Behavior Analysis degree at University of North Texas
Cost of Degree: $9,062Expenses: $15,823Starting Salary: $47,660Salary after 4 years: $50,709Cost Recoup Time: 6 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
MA in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Required Credits: 30
- Completion time: 2-3 years
- Format: Online
- #1 Best Grad Schools in Nebraska 2025 #1 Best Colleges in Nebraska 2024 #1 Best Research Universities in Nebraska 2025 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Nebraska 2025
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
79%
Graduation
65%
Student body
27K
Median SAT/ACT
1225/25
Career Outlook for Behavior Analysis degree at University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Cost of Degree: $8,168Expenses: $18,548Starting Salary: $50,947Salary after 4 years: $54,206Cost Recoup Time: 6 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
MS in Special Education
Concentrations
- Behavior Intervention Specialist
- Required Credits: 36
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
MAEd in Special Education Advanced Practitioner
Concentrations
- Behavioral Intervention Specialist
- Required Credits: 36
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #4 Best Private Colleges in Florida 2025 #9 Best Research Universities in Florida 2025 #10 Best Grad Schools in Florida 2024 #1 Best Online Master’s in Forensics Degree Programs 2025
Tuition + fees
$36K
Acceptance
76%
Graduation
62%
Student body
24K
Median SAT/ACT
1175/23
Career Outlook for Behavior Analysis degree at Nova Southeastern University
Cost of Degree: $24,140Expenses: $22,596Starting Salary: $49,875Salary after 4 years: $53,873Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
MHS in Child Protection
Concentrations
- Advocating For The Child As A Behavior Analyst
- Required Credits: 33
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
MS in Counseling
Concentrations
- Applied Behavior Analysis
- Required Credits: 33
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
MS in Developmental Disabilities
Concentrations
- Applied Behavior Analysis
- Required Credits: 30
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
MS in Criminal Justice
Concentrations
- Behavioral Science
- Required Credits: 30
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #12 Top 20 Best Military Friendly Online Colleges Ranked for 2025 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Kentucky 2025 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Kentucky 2025 #5 Best Public Colleges in Kentucky 2025
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
64%
Graduation
49%
Student body
17K
Median SAT/ACT
1062/20
Career Outlook for Behavior Analysis degree at Eastern Kentucky University
Cost of Degree: $10,596Expenses: $14,535Starting Salary: $37,993Salary after 4 years: $40,423Cost Recoup Time: 7 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
MS in Psychology
Concentrations
- Applied Behavior Analysis
- Required Credits: 33
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #2 Best Grad Schools in Maine 2025 #2 Best Public Colleges in Maine 2025 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Maine 2025 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maine 2025
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
85%
Graduation
42%
Student body
10K
Median SAT/ACT
1109/22
Career Outlook for Behavior Analysis degree at University of Southern Maine
Cost of Degree: $9,594Expenses: $15,892Starting Salary: $42,923Salary after 4 years: $45,669Cost Recoup Time: 7 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
MS in Educational Psychology
Concentrations
- Applied Behavior Analysis
- Required Credits: 36
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #3 Best Grad Schools in Kentucky 2025 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Kentucky 2025 #4 Best Public Colleges in Kentucky 2025 #4 Best Research Universities in Kentucky 2025
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
50%
Student body
19K
Median SAT/ACT
1160/22
Career Outlook for Behavior Analysis degree at Northern Kentucky University
Cost of Degree: $10,590Expenses: $14,960Starting Salary: $40,409Salary after 4 years: $42,995Cost Recoup Time: 7 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
MA in Education in Teacher as Leader
Concentrations
- Reading (P-12) — endorsement
- Environmental Education — endorsement
- Instructional Computer Technology — endorsement
- Special Education
- Learning and Behavior Disorders (LBD) — certification
- Moderate and Severe Disabilities (MSD) — certification
- Special Education – non certification
- Autism & Applied Behavior Analysis — approved course sequence for BCBA
- Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (IECE) — certification and non-certification
- English as a Second Language (ESL) – endorsement
- Gifted & Talented Education — endorsement
- Elementary Mathematics Specialist
- STEM Concentration: Computer Science
- Liberal Arts/Social Sciences concentration: Communication
- Liberal Arts/Social Sciences concentration: English
- Curriculum & Instruction
- Required Credits: 30
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$11K
Student body
<1K
Online Degrees
MA in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Required Credits: 34
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
- #8 Cheapest Colleges in Oklahoma 2025 #9 Best Public Colleges in Oklahoma 2024 #1 Best Online Associate Degrees in Oklahoma 2025 #8 Best Online Master's Programs in Oklahoma 2025
Tuition + fees
$7K
Graduation
25%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for Behavior Analysis degree at Cameron University
Cost of Degree: $4,896Expenses: $16,923Starting Salary: $36,929Salary after 4 years: $39,292Cost Recoup Time: 7 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
MS in Behavioral Sciences-Psychology
- Required Credits: 33
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in California 2025 #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Strategic Communications Degree Programs #3 Fastest Accelerated Online Doctorate of Cybersecurity #3 Best Online Bachelor's in Math Degree Programs Ranked for 2025
Tuition + fees
$13K
Graduation
22%
Student body
29K
Career Outlook for Behavior Analysis degree at National University
Cost of Degree: $15,912Starting Salary: $52,925Salary after 4 years: $57,167Online Degrees
MS in Applied Behavioral Analysis
- Required Credits: 45
- Completion time: 2.5-3.5 years
- Format: Online
- #8 Best Online HBCU Doctoral Programs 2025 #15 Best HBCU Online Master's Programs #4 Best Small Colleges in Kentucky 2025 #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Kentucky 2025
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
91%
Graduation
32%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
880/17
Career Outlook for Behavior Analysis degree at Kentucky State University
Cost of Degree: $11,034Expenses: $12,513Starting Salary: $30,259Salary after 4 years: $32,195Cost Recoup Time: 8 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
MA in Interdisciplinary Behavioral Science
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Missouri 2025 #3 Best Public Colleges in Missouri 2025 #4 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #10 Most Affordable Colleges in Missouri 2024
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
56%
Student body
11K
Median SAT/ACT
1075/20
Career Outlook for Behavior Analysis degree at Southeast Missouri State University
Cost of Degree: $7,371Expenses: $17,786Starting Salary: $40,023Salary after 4 years: $42,583Cost Recoup Time: 7 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
MA in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Required Credits: 42
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
- #8 Most Affordable Colleges in Tennessee 2025 #8 Best Public Colleges in Tennessee 2025 #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Tennessee #4 Best Online Colleges in Tennessee 2024
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
78%
Graduation
60%
Student body
11K
Career Outlook for Behavior Analysis degree at Tennessee Tech
Cost of Degree: $11,800Expenses: $17,182Starting Salary: $45,146Salary after 4 years: $48,035Cost Recoup Time: 7 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
MA in Curriculum and Instruction
Concentrations
- Applied Behavior Analysis
- Curriculum
- Early Childhood Education
- Educational Technology
- Elementary Education
- Family and Consumer Sciences
- Library Science
- Literacy
- Music
- Secondary Education
- Special Education
- STEM Education
- Required Credits: 33
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #4 Top 8 Best Online Applied Behavioral Analysis PhDs (Doctorates) #4 Best Online Colleges in Massachusetts 2024 #9 Most Affordable Online Applied Behavioral Analysis PhD Programs #9 Top 15 Most Affordable Online Social Work PhDs (Doctorates)
Tuition + fees
$44K
Acceptance
76%
Graduation
74%
Student body
7K
Median SAT/ACT
1295/30
Career Outlook for Behavior Analysis degree at Simmons University
Cost of Degree: $28,662Expenses: $20,934Starting Salary: $52,387Salary after 4 years: $56,586Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
MS in Behavior Analysis
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion time: 23 months
- Format: Online
- #8 Best Christian Colleges in Virginia 2025 #10 Best Research Universities in Virginia 2025 #12 Best Online Doctorate of Physical Therapy Programs (PhDs) #12 Best Online Colleges in Virginia 2024
Tuition + fees
$35K
Acceptance
80%
Graduation
63%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for Behavior Analysis degree at Shenandoah University
Cost of Degree: $24,646Expenses: $15,900Starting Salary: $46,915Salary after 4 years: $50,675Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
MS in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Required Credits: 33
- Completion time: 16 months
- Format: Online
- #4 Best Christian Colleges in Mississippi 2025 #4 Best Private Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #6 Best Research Universities in Mississippi 2024 #7 Best Small Colleges in Mississippi 2025
Tuition + fees
$15K
Acceptance
54%
Graduation
42%
Student body
8K
Median SAT/ACT
1185/24
Career Outlook for Behavior Analysis degree at William Carey University
Cost of Degree: $12,672Expenses: $16,383Starting Salary: $36,330Salary after 4 years: $39,242Cost Recoup Time: 8 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
MEd in Emotional And Behavioral Disorders
- Required Credits: 30
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$33K
Acceptance
80%
Graduation
55%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for Behavior Analysis degree at Daemen University
Cost of Degree: $25,863Expenses: $16,440Starting Salary: $43,237Salary after 4 years: $46,702Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
MS in Applied Behavior Analysis
Concentrations
- NYS Licensure and Certification
- Required Credits: 31
- Completion time: 2-3 years
- Format: Online
- #24 Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship #6 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky 2025 #7 Best Christian Colleges in Kentucky 2024 #7 Best Small Colleges in Kentucky 2025
Tuition + fees
$42K
Acceptance
72%
Graduation
46%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1130/21
Career Outlook for Behavior Analysis degree at Georgetown College
Cost of Degree: $11,880Expenses: $15,091Starting Salary: $45,300Salary after 4 years: $48,931Cost Recoup Time: 7 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
MAED in Learning And Behavior Disorders
- Required Credits: 36-39
- Completion time: 26 months
- Format: Online
MAED in Learning And Behavior Disorders For Initial Certification
- Required Credits: 42
- Completion time: 2.5 years
- Format: Online
- #15 Best Colleges and Universities for Biology Degrees 2025 #3 Best Online Master’s in Forensics Degree Programs 2025 #4 Best Online Bachelor's in Kinesiology Degree Programs for 2025 #5 Best Online Master’s in Game Development & Design 2025
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
82%
Graduation
23%
Student body
6K
Career Outlook for Behavior Analysis degree at University of Houston–Victoria
Cost of Degree: $8,315Expenses: $15,252Starting Salary: $44,663Salary after 4 years: $47,521Cost Recoup Time: 6 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
MEd in Special Education
Concentrations
- Applied Behavior Analysis
- Required Credits: 36-39
- Completion time: 2-3 years
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$39K
Acceptance
77%
Graduation
58%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1030/22
Career Outlook for Behavior Analysis degree at Buena Vista University
Cost of Degree: $10,170Expenses: $14,589Starting Salary: $38,214Salary after 4 years: $41,276Cost Recoup Time: 7 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
MEd in Special Education
Concentrations
- Mild to Moderate Disabilities
- K-8
- 5-12
- or Both
- Behavior Disorder/Learning Disabilities
- Cognitive/Intellectual Disabilities
- Mild/Moderate
- Intellectual Disabilities
- & Behavioral Disorder/Learning Disabilities
- Required Credits: 30-42
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$46K
Acceptance
89%
Graduation
67%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for Behavior Analysis degree at Regis College
Cost of Degree: $23,688Expenses: $20,350Starting Salary: $50,952Salary after 4 years: $55,035Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
MS in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Required Credits: 39
- Completion time: 20 months
- Format: Online
- #7 Best Online Master’s in Forensics Degree Programs 2025 #10 Best Online Master’s in Executive MBA #15 Best Online MBA Programs in Florida #15 Best Online Master’s in Health Science 2025
Online Degrees
MS in Child And Adolescent Behavioral Health
- Required Credits: 39
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$35K
Acceptance
72%
Graduation
44%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for Behavior Analysis degree at Saint Elizabeth University
Cost of Degree: $19,926Expenses: $18,826Starting Salary: $44,134Salary after 4 years: $47,671Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
MA in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Required Credits: 35
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
Career Outlook for Students with Behavior Analysis Degree
Go to Degree Finder toolApplied Behavior Analysis
Degree Level: Master's
- Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
- Avg. Cost of Degree*: $12,941
- Avg. Expenses*: $18,279
- Avg. Starting Salary*: $54,120
- Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $57,583
- Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 7 years
- Job Growth: 6.08%
- Number of Jobs: 1,467,000
- * denotes ‘annually’
- ** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’
Career Salaries
Career | Job Growth | Avg. Salary |
---|---|---|
Managers, All Other | 5.75% | $133,560 |
Psychologists, All Other | 4.95% | $117,750 |
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | 13.28% | $96,100 |
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | 4.89% | $82,140 |
Coaches and Scouts | 8.76% | $45,910 |
Top Industries
Industry | Avg. Salary |
---|---|
Managers, All Other | $133,560 |
Psychologists, All Other | $117,750 |
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $96,100 |
Looking for online master’s degrees similar to behavioral analysis? Check out our rankings of online degrees in school counseling, human services, or psychology!
Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions
If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require some adjustment. While you’ll generally learn the same content and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, the medium will likely require you to manage much of this experience independently. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, your ability to harness the technology at your fingertips, and your ability to focus on the lectures, lessons, and assignments at hand. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take it upon yourself to build relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.
No. The only part of online education that’s easier is actually getting there. Taking the commute out of the equation means getting to class should be a lot more manageable. But that’s where it ends. In general, your online courses will incorporate the very same materials, concepts, and testing methods as would a traditional classroom.
And in many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning or working with remote learning technology for the first time, online college may even be a little more challenging for you. For a few insights on how to manage this new experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.
Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable institutions and less-than-reputable for-profit schools. Accreditation gives you the power to differentiate between the two. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency which indicates that a college or university is meeting standards of quality, credibility, and currency. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.
Attending a college or university which is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. When seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that students opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree.
As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited, you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer. In many cases, you will be required to navigate a bureaucracy in which some of your credits will be transferred and others will be jettisoned. However, provided that you have attended an online school with the proper regional accreditation, you should have plenty of options for transfer.
In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript or resume differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.
While some employers may express concern about making the adjustment from online education to in-person workplace collaboration, many other employers will view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st Century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.
If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will require some adjustment.
While there is much that can be supplanted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing which can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual classroom setting. As you make the adjustment to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face is overcoming this difference in order to the get the most out of your classes. Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.
The advantages of online classes are many. First and foremost, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.
Resources for Prospective Grad Students
Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.