Best Online Master’s in Sports Management 2025

Badge for BEST ONLINE MASTER'S IN SPORTS MANAGEMENT
By Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Chloe Dembski
Published:
Updated:

Find top-ranked online master’s degree programs in sports management in the US for students who want to further their careers as coaches, sports agents, facilities managers, and more.

Key Takeaways

  • The top programs for online master’s in sports management have partnerships with professional sports organizations, giving students access to valuable internships, networking events, and job placement assistance to advance their careers in sports management.
  • The colleges in our ranking offer robust online support systems, including virtual tutoring, academic advising, and career counseling, ensuring that online students receive the same level of support as their on-campus counterparts.
  • Designed for working professionals, the best online master’s for sports management offer asynchronous classes and flexible scheduling, allowing students to balance their studies with their professional and personal commitments.

Top 10 Online Master's in Sport Management Degrees in 2025

  1. University of Miami
  2. University of Cincinnati
  3. Wayne State University
    +1
  4. North Carolina State University
    –1
  5. University of Louisville
  6. University of Memphis
  7. Adelphi University
  8. Goucher College
    +13
  9. Bob Jones University
    +9
  10. Old Dominion University

2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.

In 2025, the top ten schools in our ranking of the best online master’s in sports management degrees saw a fair amount of change. Goucher College gained the most ranking positions as the college introduced specialized courses in emerging areas such as sports analytics, digital media in sports, and global sports management, aligning with industry trends.

Additionally, the college has strengthened its partnerships with sports organizations, providing online students with more access to internships, networking events, and virtual mentorship programs. Goucher has also enhanced its online learning platform, incorporating interactive tools like virtual simulations and case studies to give students practical, hands-on experience in managing real-world sports scenarios.

Related ranking: Best Online Master’s in Coaching and Athletic Training

Featured Programs

Best Online Master’s in Sports Management Degree Programs

  2. #2

    University of Cincinnati

    Cincinnati , OH
    #10 15 Best Online Colleges for Veterans to Start Their Careers #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Ohio 2025 #2 Best Public Colleges in Ohio 2024 #3 Best Grad Schools in Ohio 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    72%

    Student body

    48K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1260/26

    Career Outlook for Sports Management degree at University of Cincinnati

    Cost of Degree: $14,902
    Expenses: $19,772
    Starting Salary: $46,224
    Salary after 4 years: $52,534
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MS in Sport Administration
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: 1 year
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  3. #3

    Wayne State University

    Detroit , MI
    #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #3 Best Research Universities in Michigan 2025 #3 Best Colleges in Michigan 2025 #3 Best Grad Schools in Michigan 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $16K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    29K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1150/24

    Career Outlook for Sports Management degree at Wayne State University

    Cost of Degree: $20,482
    Expenses: $17,488
    Starting Salary: $48,642
    Salary after 4 years: $55,283
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MA in Sports Administration
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  4. #4

    North Carolina State University

    Raleigh , NC
    #2 Best Public Colleges in North Carolina 2024 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in North Carolina 2024 #3 Best Grad Schools in North Carolina 2025 #3 Best Research Universities in North Carolina 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    47%

    Graduation

    85%

    Student body

    40K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1370/30

    Career Outlook for Sports Management degree at North Carolina State University

    Cost of Degree: $11,819
    Expenses: $17,709
    Starting Salary: $55,339
    Salary after 4 years: $62,893
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MPRTSM in Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Sport Management
    • Required Credits: 12
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  6. #5

    University of Louisville

    Louisville , KY
    #2 Best Public Colleges in Kentucky 2025 #2 Best Grad Schools in Kentucky 2024 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Kentucky 2025 #2 Best Colleges in Kentucky 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    82%

    Graduation

    62%

    Student body

    26K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1170/23

    Career Outlook for Sports Management degree at University of Louisville

    Cost of Degree: $14,418
    Expenses: $20,878
    Starting Salary: $45,201
    Salary after 4 years: $51,372
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MS in Sport Administration
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  7. #6

    University of Memphis

    Memphis , TN
    #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Tennessee 2025 #2 Best Public Colleges in Tennessee 2025 #3 Best Research Universities in Tennessee 2025 #3 Best Grad Schools in Tennessee 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    48%

    Student body

    25K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1080/20

    Career Outlook for Sports Management degree at University of Memphis

    Cost of Degree: $11,214
    Expenses: $17,726
    Starting Salary: $40,179
    Salary after 4 years: $45,664
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MS in Sport Commerce
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  8. #7

    Adelphi University

    Garden City , NY
    #1 Best Online Colleges for Students Who Work Part-Time #1 Best Online Associate in Emergency Management 2025 #3 Best Online Associate Degrees in New York 2025 #7 Best Online Master’s in Emergency Management 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $44K

    Acceptance

    73%

    Graduation

    67%

    Student body

    8K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1210/25

    Career Outlook for Sports Management degree at Adelphi University

    Cost of Degree: $48,075
    Expenses: $24,544
    Starting Salary: $56,604
    Salary after 4 years: $65,571
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MS in Sport Management

    Concentrations

    • Collegiate Athletic Administration
    • Sport Marketing
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  9. #8

    Goucher College

    Baltimore , MD
    #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maryland 2024 #3 Best Small Colleges in Maryland 2024 #3 Best Private Colleges in Maryland 2024 #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $49K

    Acceptance

    80%

    Graduation

    58%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1220/29

    Career Outlook for Sports Management degree at Goucher College

    Cost of Degree: $15,690
    Expenses: $20,650
    Starting Salary: $49,506
    Salary after 4 years: $57,348
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MEd in Athletic Program Leadership and Administration

    Concentrations

    • Athletic Program Leadership and Administration
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  12. #10

    Old Dominion University

    Norfolk , VA
    #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Virginia 2025 #6 Best Grad Schools in Virginia 2025 #6 Best Research Universities in Virginia 2025 #7 Best Public Colleges in Virginia 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    48%

    Student body

    27K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1170/24

    Career Outlook for Sports Management degree at Old Dominion University

    Cost of Degree: $14,848
    Expenses: $19,392
    Starting Salary: $45,294
    Salary after 4 years: $51,477
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MS in Sport Management
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  13. #11

    Hampton University

    Hampton , VA
    #3 Best Online HBCU Doctoral Programs 2025 #4 Best HBCU Online Master's Programs #8 Most Influential HBCUs in the US Ranked for 2024 #3 Best Private Colleges in Virginia 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $29K

    Acceptance

    74%

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1030/22

    Career Outlook for Sports Management degree at Hampton University

    Cost of Degree: $13,134
    Expenses: $16,886
    Starting Salary: $45,013
    Salary after 4 years: $52,144
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MS in Sports Administration

    Concentrations

    • Intercollegiate Sports
    • Sports Business Leadership
    • International Sports
    • Required Credits: 33
    • Completion time: 1.5 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  14. #12

    Liberty University

    Lynchburg , VA
    #6 15 Best Self-paced Online Colleges Ranked for 2025 #9 Top 20 Best Military Friendly Online Colleges Ranked for 2025 #10 Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Doctoral Degrees 2025 #11 Top 15 Best Online Colleges for Transfer Students in 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $23K

    Acceptance

    99%

    Graduation

    66%

    Student body

    131K

    Career Outlook for Sports Management degree at Liberty University

    Cost of Degree: $8,340
    Expenses: $21,458
    Starting Salary: $37,197
    Salary after 4 years: $43,089
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MS in Sports Management
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: 1.5 years
    • Format: Online
    MA in Sports Chaplaincy
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: 1.5 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  15. #13

    Samford University

    Birmingham , AL
    #5 Best CCCU Colleges and Universities 2024 #12 Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Doctoral Degrees 2025 #1 Best Christian Colleges in Alabama 2024 #1 Best Private Colleges in Alabama 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $37K

    Acceptance

    83%

    Graduation

    78%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1175/26

    Career Outlook for Sports Management degree at Samford University

    Cost of Degree: $22,604
    Expenses: $19,312
    Starting Salary: $53,728
    Salary after 4 years: $62,240
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MBA in Business Administration

    Concentrations

    • Data analytics
    • Finance and Sports Business
    • Required Credits: 36-48
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  16. #14

    Southeast Missouri State University

    Cape Girardeau , MO
    #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
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    56%

    Student body

    11K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1075/20

    Career Outlook for Sports Management degree at Southeast Missouri State University

    Cost of Degree: $7,371
    Expenses: $17,786
    Starting Salary: $38,505
    Salary after 4 years: $43,761
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MBA in Business Administration

    Concentrations

    • Sport Management
    • General Management
    • Health Administration
    • Required Credits: 33
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  18. #15

    Western Kentucky University

    Bowling Green , KY
    #3 Best Public Colleges in Kentucky 2025 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Kentucky 2025 #3 Best Colleges in Kentucky 2024 #3 Best Research Universities in Kentucky 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    97%

    Graduation

    51%

    Student body

    20K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1075/21

    Career Outlook for Sports Management degree at Western Kentucky University

    Cost of Degree: $12,140
    Expenses: $15,452
    Starting Salary: $35,900
    Salary after 4 years: $40,801
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MS in Recreation and Sports Administration

    Concentrations

    • Sports Media and Branding
    • Intercollegiate Athletic Administration
    • Athletic Administration and Coaching
    • Facility and Event Management
    • Required Credits: 33
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  19. #16

    University of Southern Mississippi

    Hattiesburg , MS
    #3 Best Public Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #3 Best Research Universities in Mississippi 2024 #4 Best Colleges in Mississippi 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    99%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    16K

    Career Outlook for Sports Management degree at University of Southern Mississippi

    Cost of Degree: $9,618
    Expenses: $17,484
    Starting Salary: $39,714
    Salary after 4 years: $45,135
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MS in Sport Management
    • Required Credits: 33
    • Completion time: 1-3 years
    • Format: Online
    MS in Sport Coaching Education
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: 1-2 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  20. #17

    Arkansas State University

    Jonesboro , AR
    #3 Best Grad Schools in Arkansas 2025 #3 Best Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #3 Best Public Colleges in Arkansas 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    70%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    18K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1090/22

    Career Outlook for Sports Management degree at Arkansas State University

    Cost of Degree: $6,980
    Expenses: $18,472
    Starting Salary: $34,040
    Salary after 4 years: $38,687
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MS in Sport Administration
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: 1 year
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  21. #18

    Mississippi College

    Clinton , MS
    #12 Best CCCU Colleges and Universities 2024 #16 Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Doctoral Degrees 2025 #1 Best Private Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #1 Best Small Colleges in Mississippi 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $21K

    Acceptance

    40%

    Graduation

    62%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for Sports Management degree at Mississippi College

    Cost of Degree: $13,596
    Expenses: $19,667
    Starting Salary: $40,341
    Salary after 4 years: $46,732
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MS in Athletic Administration (Intercollegiate)
    • Required Credits: 37
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    MS in Communication

    Concentrations

    • Professional Communication in Sports
    • Required Credits: 32
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  22. #19

    East Tennessee State University

    Johnson City , TN
    #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #6 Most Affordable Colleges in Tennessee 2025 #6 Best Public Colleges in Tennessee 2025 #7 Best Research Universities in Tennessee 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    85%

    Graduation

    55%

    Student body

    15K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1085/22

    Career Outlook for Sports Management degree at East Tennessee State University

    Cost of Degree: $10,784
    Expenses: $18,550
    Starting Salary: $37,761
    Salary after 4 years: $42,915
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MS in Business

    Concentrations

    • Sports Management
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: 12 months
    • Format: Online
    MS in Medical

    Concentrations

    • Sport Science & Coach Education
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: 12 months
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  24. #20

    Georgia Southern University

    Statesboro , GA
    #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Georgia Ranked for Students in 2024 #4 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #4 Best Public Colleges in Georgia 2024 #7 Best Grad Schools in Georgia 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Acceptance

    89%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    31K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1065/20

    Career Outlook for Sports Management degree at Georgia Southern University

    Cost of Degree: $6,520
    Expenses: $19,667
    Starting Salary: $42,876
    Salary after 4 years: $48,729
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MS in Business

    Concentrations

    • Sports Management
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: 14 months
    • Format: Online
    MS in Medical

    Concentrations

    • Kinesiology
    • Coaching Education Concentration
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: 14 months
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  25. #21

    Southern New Hampshire University

    Manchester , NH
    #11 Top 20 Best Military Friendly Online Colleges Ranked for 2025 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New Hampshire 2025 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in New Hampshire 2024 #2 Best Private Colleges in New Hampshire 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Acceptance

    96%

    Graduation

    41%

    Student body

    224K

    Career Outlook for Sports Management degree at Southern New Hampshire University

    Cost of Degree: $20,469
    Expenses: $24,000
    Starting Salary: $45,103
    Salary after 4 years: $52,248
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MS in Sport Management
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    MBA in Business Administration

    Concentrations

    • Sport Management
    • Accounting
    • Business Intelligence
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Finance
    • Human Resources
    • International Business
    • Leadership
    • Marketing
    • Operations and Supply Chain Management
    • Project Management
    • Public Administration
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  27. #23

    University of Central Missouri

    Warrensburg , MO
    #7 Most Affordable Colleges in Missouri 2024 #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Missouri 2025 #8 Best Public Colleges in Missouri 2025 #10 Best Colleges in Missouri 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    71%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    15K

    Career Outlook for Sports Management degree at University of Central Missouri

    Cost of Degree: $9,954
    Expenses: $14,064
    Starting Salary: $39,621
    Salary after 4 years: $45,030
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MS in Sport Management
    • Required Credits: 30-33
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  28. #24

    Northwest Missouri State University

    Maryville , MO
    #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Missouri 2024 #8 Best Colleges in Missouri 2024 #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Missouri 2025 #9 Best Public Colleges in Missouri 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    10K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1048/21

    Career Outlook for Sports Management degree at Northwest Missouri State University

    Cost of Degree: $7,946
    Expenses: $14,764
    Starting Salary: $40,644
    Salary after 4 years: $46,192
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MS in Education in Recreation

    Concentrations

    • Sports Management
    • Recreation Management
    • Therapeutic Management
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: 12 months
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  30. #25

    East Central University

    Ada , OK
    #4 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #7 Best Small Colleges in Oklahoma 2024 #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Oklahoma 2024 #7 Best Public Colleges in Oklahoma 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    70%

    Graduation

    31%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1019/19

    Career Outlook for Sports Management degree at East Central University

    Cost of Degree: $5,898
    Expenses: $13,408
    Starting Salary: $39,249
    Salary after 4 years: $44,607
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MEd in Sports Administration
    • Required Credits: 33
    • Completion time: 1-1.5 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school

Career Outlook for Students with Sports Management Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Sport And Fitness Administration/Management

Degree Level: Master's

  • Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
  • Avg. Cost of Degree*: $11,319
  • Avg. Expenses*: $17,453
  • Avg. Starting Salary*: $44,730
  • Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $50,836
  • Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 7 years
  • Job Growth: 11.13%
  • Number of Jobs: 709,200
  • * denotes ‘annually’
  • ** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

CareerJob GrowthAvg. Salary
Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary3.09%$75,770
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling10.89%$73,460
Athletes and Sports Competitors10.76%$70,280
Athletic Trainers12.83%$57,930
Exercise Physiologists10.23%$54,860

Top Industries

IndustryAvg. Salary
Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary$75,770
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling$73,460
Athletes and Sports Competitors$70,280
Data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Department of Education College Scorecard, The Department of Education NCES, and The Council for Community and Economic Research.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sports Management Degrees

How long does it take to get a master’s in sports management?

In as few as two years, students can earn their master’s degree in sports management either online or in person.

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What will you learn while getting a master’s in sports management?

This roughly 30-credit degree can help working professionals expand their network, fine-tune their industry knowledge, and advance their careers. Courses in this degree cover topics like sports finance, human resources in sports organizations, and strategic management. Programs also typically have an internship or professional experience component, which can help students network and gain relevant workplace skills. Additionally, a thesis or final project may be required. Specializations, like sports marketing, allow students to align their advanced degree with their immediate career goals.

Related ranking: Best Online Master’s in Coaching and Athletic Training

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What can you do with a master’s in sports management?

Graduates may qualify for careers as sports agents, contract negotiators, coaches, and facilities managers.

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Learn more about what you can do with a master’s degree in business administration (MBA).

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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.

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