Online Master's Degrees
Online master's programs prepare students to change or advance their careers. Some programs seek applicants with specific bachelor's degrees or work experience, while others accept college graduates from all backgrounds.
Online master's programs offer advanced coursework and training in disciplines like business, education, psychology, and computer science. An online master's degree can open the door to higher pay and greater responsibilities in many fields.
The flexibility of earning a master's degree online allows students to balance their studies with personal and professional obligations. Many online programs allow students to view lectures, participate in discussions, and complete assignments on their own schedule. Master's degrees often require capstone projects, comprehensive exams, or thesis papers to demonstrate student mastery of the subject matter.
Featured Online Programs
Figuring out where to apply? These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online degrees. Consider one of these accredited programs, and discover their value today.
This guide ranks the best value online master's programs to help students find the right program for their needs. It also covers other important information for prospective students, including common requirements, concentrations, and scholarships.
Top 25 Best Value Online Master's Program
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Best Value Online Master's Overview
College graduates aiming to change jobs or advance their current career can benefit from earning a master's degree online. Online programs are often more affordable and flexible than traditional, on-campus programs while offering the same high-quality education. Online students save on many of the expenses that on-campus students incur, such as housing and transportation costs. Additionally, many programs allow all online students to pay in-state tuition rates, regardless of where they live.
The flexibility of online learning also allows students to balance school with work, family, and other obligations. Many schools design online programs with working professionals in mind, offering accelerated, full-time, and part-time options.
Graduates with a master's degree enjoy strong job prospects. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2017, master's degree-holders earned 19% more per week, on average, than workers with only a bachelor's degree. They also benefited from a lower unemployment rate.
Online master's degrees offer advanced training in many fields, including education, business, healthcare, engineering, and information technology. Graduate learners interested in business can pursue degrees in areas like finance, accounting, business administration, and nonprofit management. Healthcare, education, and social services students can choose from degrees in teaching, school counseling, public health, nursing, and social work. Depending on the program, graduates may qualify for professional licensure or certification.
Courses in Criminal Justice Programs
The curricula of criminal justice programs vary by institution. Some schools offer broad undergraduate criminal justice programs that allow students to explore a variety of prospective career paths. Learners in these programs typically choose a concentration area to study during their junior and senior years.
Students should examine each prospective program's curriculum to ensure the available courses align with their career aspirations. The foundational courses below are common to many programs from the best criminal justice colleges.
Online Master's Courses
LEADERSHIP Many graduate programs include one or more courses in leadership. Such courses aim to prepare graduates for leadership positions in specific fields, such as business or education. Course topics may include ethics, strategic planning, innovation, organizational behavior, and diversity. Students may explore case studies and apply leadership skills, such as negotiation and motivation, to real-world scenarios. Some courses may include mentorship or fieldwork opportunities.
STATISTICS Online master's programs typically require one or more courses in research methods or quantitative analysis. Students learn the statistical methods needed to conduct research and complete data analysis in their field. Learners may study appropriate uses of statistical techniques, the functions of statistical methods, and methods for interpreting data and research findings. Some programs require a final thesis or research project.
COMMUNICATIONS Master's programs may require one or more courses in communications with an emphasis on the specific skills and strategies needed in a particular field. Students learn how to use communication skills to enhance teamwork, cross-cultural understanding, and customer relationships. Students practice using skills and techniques through social media, public speaking, and writing.
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT Many programs in the social sciences, human services, healthcare, and education include one or more courses in human growth and development. Some courses may emphasize a particular age group, such as children or the elderly. Learners study past and current theories of development and explore the impact of family, culture, and trauma on human development.
PUBLIC POLICY Many master's programs include courses on governmental laws, regulations, and policies relevant to a particular area of study. Public policy courses explore relevant legislative and regulatory processes, key stakeholders in the policymaking process, and current laws and regulations. Students learn how to interpret, implement, and impact policy at the local, state, and federal levels.
Online Master's Program Concentrations
Master's degree concentrations allow students to prepare for specific jobs through advanced coursework in a specialization area. Graduate students earning an online master's in business, for example, can often concentrate in areas such as operations, corporate finance, or nonprofit management.
Some concentrations require internships or other field experiences that online students can often complete at an approved local site. Hands-on projects and supervised work prepare graduates for employment and advanced practice in their chosen field. Education students may complete student teaching experiences, while counselors, social workers, and therapists may complete supervised practice with clients as part of their master's program. Students should seek programs that offer concentrations aligned with their interests and career goals.
Online Master's Program Requirements
Applicants to online master's programs typically need a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Some graduate programs may require a minimum GPA in undergraduate coursework. Programs may also require an undergraduate major in a field related to the master's program or completion of prerequisite undergraduate courses.
Additional application requirements may include GRE, GMAT, or other standardized test scores. Applicants to online master's programs may also need to submit a personal statement, an essay, letters of recommendation, or a resume or CV.
Online Master's Program Scholarships
Forté MBA Fellowship
Forté offers fellowships for women pursuing full-time, part-time, or executive MBAs at partner business schools. Students apply through their business school. Forté encourages schools to select fellows from diverse backgrounds who demonstrate leadership and a commitment to women and girls. Forté Fellows may participate in conferences and other networking opportunities as part of the program.Apply for Scholarship
AAUW Career Development Grants
The American Association of University Women offers $2,000-$12,000 grants to female college graduates seeking their first graduate degree or specialized training beyond a bachelor's degree. The program aims to assist women seeking to change careers, advance their careers, or enter nontraditional fields. Applicants must submit a letter of recommendation, a resume, narratives, and a budget by the November deadline.Apply for Scholarship
Beinecke Scholarship
The Sperry Fund offers up to 20 scholarships to promising college juniors each year to help cover the costs of research-based graduate study in the arts, humanities, or social sciences. Scholars receive $4,000 before entering graduate school and $30,000 while in graduate school. Interested students with a demonstrated history of academic promise and financial need should contact their campus liaison to apply.Apply for Scholarship
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Graduate students of Hispanic heritage may apply for an HSF scholarship. Awards range from $500-$5,000, based on financial need. Interested students from any field with a minimum 2.5 undergraduate GPA who are planning to enroll full time in graduate school may apply, although students in STEM fields are preferred. Applicants must complete the FAFSA or a state-based financial aid application.Apply for Scholarship
