Here are our selections for the 10 schools with the best online Criminal Justice degree programs.

#1. Arizona State University (ASU Online)
#2. University of Cincinnati
#3. Portland State University
#4. Boston University
#5. Regis University
#6. Michigan State University
#7. Washington State University
#8. Florida State University
#9. Penn State World Campus
#10. University of Nebraska-Kearney

The rest of our top 25 and more information about each school can be found below.

How We Selected the Smart Choice Schools for Online Criminal Justice Degrees

Only regionally accredited colleges and universities listed in the National Center for Education Statistics database and offering online associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree programs in Criminal Justice were considered for our ranking. Qualifying Criminal Justice schools were then evaluated and ranked based on publicly available information on market reputation, academic quality, student satisfaction, and cost. We believe all of the top online Criminal Justice programs included in the ranking are a smart choice because they offer marketable, high-quality, accredited Criminal Justice degrees on line and at a good value. Our hope is that you find the list useful on your journey towards the online Criminal Justice degree program that is the smartest choice for you.

#1. Arizona State University (ASU Online)

Founded in 1885, Arizona State University is one institution spread over four campuses around the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. While the university has typically ranked lower than the top 100 in standard lists (such as US News and World Report), recent advances in quality, such as those experienced by the Carey School of Business, have led to ASU’s reputation as an up-and-coming university. An exceptional reputation for its Criminology and Criminal Justice programs, solid completion rates, and highly competitive tuition costs help make ASU Online our choice for the best online Criminal Justice degree program.

Online programs: ASU Online offers accredited online Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies, online Bachelor of Science in Criminology & Criminal Justice, and online Master of Arts in Criminal Justice. The 120 credit-hour BS in Justice Studies prepares students to understand process of justice and social change. The 120 credit-hour Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice offers three areas of emphasis: criminology, courts, and pre-law. The Master of Arts degree is 33 credit hours and offers three areas of emphasis: law enforcement, probation, parole, and corrections.

Accreditation: Arizona State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.

#2. University of Cincinnati

Part of the University of Ohio system, The University of Cincinnati is a Tier 1 public research university located in Cincinnati, OH. UC consistently ranks as one of the top universities in the nation by US News and World Report. The school’s relatively new online masters degree in Criminal Justice has quickly distinguished itself as one the best distance learning Criminal Justice programs in the country.

Online programs: The University of Cincinnati offers an accredited online Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree. Ranked by US News and World Report as one of the top 3 criminal justice programs in the US, the University of Cincinnati MSCJ can be completed in 2 years part-time or 1 year full-time. Students are prepared to take on higher positions in the criminal justice system, law enforcement, or corrections.

Accreditation:The University of Cincinnati is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

#3. Portland State University

Portland State University is a public state university in Portland, Oregon. Founded in 1946, Portland State was originally intended to provide educational opportunities for WWII veterans on the GI Bill. Portland State is the largest of Oregon’s state universities, and has been recognized by US News and World Report as a college to watch. As one of top online colleges offering a degree in Criminal Justice online, as well as one of the most affordable, PSU deserves consideration by anyone looking for an online degree in Criminology or Criminal Justice.

Online programs: Portland State University offers an accredited online Bachelor of Science in Criminology & Criminal Justice. This 180 credit-hour degree provides students with a grounding in criminal behavior and crime prevention. In addition to college core classes, students will take 86 credits in criminology and criminal justice, though credits can be transfered from other accredited programs to complete the degree more quickly.

Accreditation: Portland State University is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges & Universities.

#4. Boston University

Boston University is a private research university in Boston Massachusetts. Founded by the Methodist Church in 1839, Boston University is now nonsectarian. Boston University has the distinction of being open to all sexes, races, and religions from its classification as a university in 1869. Boston University ranks in the top 50 universities nationally according to US News and World Report. The school’s online degree programs are of exceptionally high quality, and it’s online masters in Criminal Justice degree program deserves to be near the top of anyone’s list of the best Criminal Justice degrees on line.

Online programs: Boston University offers an accredited online Master of Criminal Justice (MCJ) degree. This 30 credit-hour program prepares students for the sociological, theoretical, legal and practical aspects of a career in criminal justice. Courses are taught by faculty with practical experience in law enforcement, corrections, and law, and is designed for young professionals to deepen their credentials while still working in the criminal justice field.

Accreditation:Boston University is proud to be a member of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

#5. Regis University

Regis University was founded in 1877 by Jesuit missionaries and located in Denver, CO. Regis remains a private, co-ed Jesuit university guided by Ignatius Loyola’s Spiritual Exercises and the Jesuit principles of intellectual, spiritual, and social development and responsibility. Those looking for a top online bachelors in Criminology or a respected online master’s degree in Criminal Justice can find them both at Regis University.

Online programs: Regis University offers accredited online Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Master of Science in Criminal Justice degrees. The Bachelor’s degree is a 128 credit-hour program designed for working adults to learn the intricacies of criminal psychology and behavior to prepare for employment in law enforcement, homeland security, and criminal justice. The Master’s degree takes 36 credit hours to prepare students for higher levels of management and leadership in criminal justice fields.

Accreditation: Regis University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and the North Central Association.

#6. Michigan State University

Founded in 1855, Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan. With the distinction of a public ivy (a public university with the reputation of the ivy league), Michigan State has the largest study-abroad program in the country and a pioneering reputation. Michigan State is ranked in the top 100, public universities in the US by US News and World Report, and scores highly in international rankings as well. The school’s on line Criminal Justice degree is among the most highly respected programs in the country.

Online programs: Michigan State University offers an accredited online Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice. This 30 credit-hour program mixes theory and practice and prepares students with concentrations in criminal justice, forensic science, or intelligence analysis. Students may prepare for criminal justice research and teaching, or in law enforcement and security.

Accreditation:Michigan State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

#7. Washington State University

Washington State University is Washington’s oldest and largest public university. A top ranked public research university with an outstanding academic reputation, WSU established WSU Online in 1992 to provide distance education opportunities for students unable to come to campus. Graduates of the school’s top online bachelor’s in Criminal Justice program receive the exact same degree as traditional WSU students.

Online programs: Washington State University offers an accredited online Bachelor of Criminal Justice. This bachelor’s degree can be completed with 49 credit hours if students bring in transferable credits for college core curriculum. Washington State has the second-oldest criminal justice program in the nation, founded in 1945, and that long tradition continues with its online degrees. Washington State’s faculty consult with and aid law enforcement professionals and bring real-world expertise to their instruction.

Accreditation:Washington State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

#8. Florida State University

Located in Tallahassee, Florida State University is a comprehensive public university with a space grant (for outer space research) and sea grant (for oceanographic research). The first state university in Florida, Florida State was founded in 1851. Florida State has been named in the top 50 public universities by US News and World Report and rated a best value by USA Today and The Princeton Review. The school’s online undergraduate degree in Criminology and online graduate degree in Criminal Justice offer prospective students two outstanding options for a career-enhancing online degree.

Online programs: Florida State University offers an accredited online Bachelor of Science in Criminology and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice. In addition to core college curriculum, the Criminology major will complete 36 credit hours in criminology, with no need for on-campus work. The Master of Science program is designed for self-motivated professionals who wish to take on leadership roles in law enforcement and criminal justice.

Accreditation: Florida State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

#9. Penn State World Campus

Penn State is one of the largest “public ivy” universities in the nation through its many campuses and robust online program. Founded in 1855, Penn State began mail programs in 1898 and claims over one hundred years of experience in distance learning. Penn State’s online-learning program, The Penn State World Campus, launched in 1998 and now offers over 70 degrees from associate to bachelor.

Online programs: Penn State World Campus offers an accredited online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. This 120 credit-hour full bachelor program prepares working students to take on leadership roles in law enforcement, criminal justice, and other public service careers. Students learn criminology, ethics, juvenile corrections, and other theory and skills to serve and protect.

Accreditation: The Pennsylvania State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

#10. University of Nebraska Kearney

Founded in 1905 as the Nebraska State Normal School, the University of Nebraska at Kearney is one campus of the University of Nebraska system. Located in Kearney, Nebraska, this former teacher-preparation college is today ranked by US News and World Report as a Top 10 Midwestern public university. UNK’s extensive eCampus helps UNK fulfill its commitment to affordable, high-quality education for everyone, including those looking to earn a top online bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.

Online programs: The University of Nebraska Kearney offers an accredited online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Students who have completed core college curriculum coursework may apply for this 54 credit-hour program of Criminal Justice major coursework, designed for working students who wish to complete a BS from an associate’s degree. Students will perform a hands-on internship at a location convenient to them for real-world experience.

Accreditation: The University of Nebraska Kearney is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

#11. University of Massachusetts (UMassOnline)

The University of Massachusetts was established in 1863 as a land-grant research university. One of the largest public research university in New England, and one of the most respected, UMass is also located in Amherst, MA, one of the best college towns in America, and the university is consistently ranked as one of the greatest in the nation. The school offers two of the best online Criminal Justice degree programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level.

Online programs: UMassOnline offers an accredited online Bachelor of Arts degree completion program with concentration in Criminal Justice Studies, and a Master of Arts degree in Criminal Justice. Designed for students who have completed core coursework or who have an associate’s degree, the BA completion program allows students to finish their bachelor’s degree and transfer as much as 30 credits for work experience. The MA in Criminal Justice is designed for students who are already working in criminal justice professions who wish to specialize, or who wish to take on leadership roles that require a higher education.

Accreditation: The University of Massachusetts is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

#12. Loyola University New Orleans

Founded in 1904 as Loyola College, Loyola University New Orleans is a private, coeducational Jesuit college in New Orleans, Louisiana. Ranked at the top of southern universities by US News and World Report, LUNO also ranks highly with The Princeton Review. The school’s highly regarded master’s degree in Criminal Justice is now available completely online.

Online programs: Loyola offers an accredited online Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration. This 36 credit-hour program is specially designed for students who wish to take on administrative and leadership roles in criminal justice, law enforcement, homeland security, and other justice fields. Students learn not only criminology, but administrative skills, budgeting, and media management, the skills necessary for leadership in modern criminal justice.

Accreditation: Loyola University New Orleans is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

#13. Southern New Hampshire University

Founded in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University is a private university in Manchester, NH. Originally an accounting and secretarial school, the university began awarding associates and bachelors’ degrees in the 1960s. SNHU has been ranked by US News and World Report as a regional university. The school offers top Criminal Justice programs on line at both the undergraduate and graduate level.

Online programs: SNHU offers an accredited online Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies, and a Master of Science in Justice Studies. These programs go beyond the criminology and law enforcement focus on the traditional criminal justice degree and educates students in the justice system, law, and research. The BS in Justice Studies includes possible concentrations in Policing & Law, Crime & Criminology, Law & Legal Process, and Terrorism & Homeland Security. The MS Justice Studies can be completed in as little as 18 months by working professionals.

Accreditation: Southern New Hampshire University is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

#14. Drexel University

Founded in 1891 by financier and philanthropist Anthony J. Drexel, Drexel University is known for its cooperative education program, possibly the best in the nation, with a broad range of corporate partners. Students at this private research university in Philadelphia PA follow a unique 5-year track that includes 18 months of real internship, giving them an exceptional degree of experience and a wide network of contacts upon graduation. The school’s top ranked online Criminal Justice program is extremely comprehensive and draws significantly on Drexel’s strengths in technology and computer science.

Online programs: Drexel offers an accredited online Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. This 182 credit-hour program prepares students for employment in many levels of law enforcement, with a thorough grounding in criminology, as well as the history, policy, and administration of the criminal justice system. Drexel also includes a strong foundation for computing in criminal justice settings.

Accreditation: Drexel University is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.

#15. Saint Leo University

A Catholic university founded in 1889, Saint Leo is recognized as a top-ten provider of military education, and a leader in online learning. Grounded in Benedictine education, Saint Leo was the first Catholic institution in Florida, and today operates as a highly-ranked liberal arts university. Saint Leo has a reputation much larger than its small size would suggest, having begun its Center for Online Learning in 1999. The school’s distance learning degrees in Criminal Justice are among the best values we could find.

Online programs: Saint Leo University offers an accredited online Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, as well as a Master of Science in Criminal Justice. The 120 credit-hour BA is also available with concentrations in Criminalistics or Homeland Security. The 36 credit-hour MS can also be completed with concentrations in Critical Incident Management or Forensic Science.

Accreditation:Saint Leo University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

#16. University of Colorado Denver

The University of Colorado Denver is the largest public research university in Colorado, one of three universities in the University of Colorado system. It is also connected to the University of Colorado Hospital, a major teaching hospital on the Anschutz Medical Campus, making it a leading university for medical education. The university has been ranked highly by US News and World Report, the Princeton Review, and Forbes. The school’s online master’s in Criminal Justice is one of the top ranked online MCJ degree programs in the country.

Online programs: CU Online offers an accredited online Master of Criminal Justice degree. This 36 credit-hour program will prepare students for careers in law enforcement and other areas of criminal justice, with electives in such specialized fields as domestic violence, homeland security, and police administration. For students who do not have law enforcement experience, a 3 credit local internship will be required.

Accreditation: The University of Colorado Denver is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

#17. University of Incarnate Word

The largest Catholic university in Texas, University of the Incarnate Word is a private Catholic university founded in 1881 in San Antonio, Texas. The university has maintained a commitment to its mission, that of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, with campus extensions in China and Mexico, 93 sister schools throughout the world, and an unparalleled study-abroad program. Students looking to earn a top online bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice should definitely consider the merits of UIW’s fine program.

Online programs: The University of the Incarnate Word offers an accredited online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. This 120 credit-hour program includes core curriculum and 74 credit hours in criminal justice coursework. Students learn law enforcement, corrections, and practical skills for careers in probation, corrections, and other criminal justice professions.

Accreditation: University of the Incarnate Word is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

#18. Liberty University

Liberty University is a private Christian university located in Lynchburg, VA. Founded by Rev. Jerry Falwell, Liberty is the largest evangelical Christian university, with well-known online education programs and an explicitly Christian worldview. For an on-line Criminal Justice degree program from an Evangelical faith-based perspective, Liberty University is definitely one of the best around.

Online programs: Liberty offers an accredited online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. This 120 credit-hour program provides theory and practical skills in criminology, law enforcement, and other areas of criminal justice. Specializations in Administration and Management, Forensics, Homeland Security, and Youth Corrections are available.

Accreditation: Liberty University is regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

#19. Bellevue University

Founded in 1965, Bellevue University is a private university located in Bellevue, Nebraska intended to provide an educational option for the growing city, Offutt Air Force Base, and students who could not travel to the University of Omaha. A top-ranked online school, BU’s online bachelor’s of Criminal Justice offers students the opportunity to complete their bachelor’s degree without returning to campus.

Online programs: Bellevue University offers an accredited online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. This degree completion program requires 36 credit hours beyond the core college curriculum and prepares students for careers in the criminal justice system with an emphasis on contemporary social issues, ethical principles, and management and policy development.

Accreditation: Bellevue University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

#20. Columbia College

Founded in 1851 in Columbia, Missouri, Columbia College began as the first women’s college west of the Mississippi River. Though it retains a connection to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), since 1970 Collumbia College has been a non-sectarian, coeducational institution. The school offers top online degrees in Criminal Justice at both the bachelor’s and master’s level.

Online programs: Columbia College offers an accredited online Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice. The BA is recommended for students who already have law enforcement or criminal justice experience who wish to deepen their knowledge and understanding; the BS offers more practical, hands-on learning for those who lack experience. The MS is designed for working professionals in criminal justice who wish to enter leadership and administrative roles.

Accreditation:Columbia College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.

#21. Upper Iowa University

Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a small, private university in rural northeast Iowa. Though it has a small residential student body, UIU offers large distance learning, online programs, independent studies, and branches in Asia. This arrangement allows UIU a very favorable student to instructor ratio, and 8-week terms allow students to double their coursework.

Online programs: Upper Iowa University offers an accredited online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. This program prepares students for careers in law enforcement, homeland security, and legal professions.

Accreditation: Upper Iowa University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is a member of the North Central Association.

#22. Keiser University

Originally founded in 1977 as a career college, Keiser University is a private, non-profit institution located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The school’s extensive collection of online degree programs include both a bachelor’s and a master’s program in Criminal Justice.

Online programs: Keiser University offers an accredited online Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Criminal Justice. The BA prepares students for careers in law enforcement, and working law enforcement professionals can receive credit for as many as four courses (12 credit hours) for work experience. The MA prepares criminal justice professionals for management and leadership roles with knowledge of the court systems, juvenile justice, and criminology theory.

Accreditation: Keiser University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

#23. Everest University

Originally Florida Metropolitan University, Everest University is part of the Corinthian Colleges, one of the largest for-profit school networks in the US. Everest’s online bachelor’s and online master’s degree in Criminal Justice both offer multiple specializations.

Online programs: Everest University offers accredited online Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees. Students in the BS program may choose from specialized areas of study such as drug control, gang activity, and management. The MS program prepares students for management and leadership positions, with specialized study in drug abuse and abuse counseling, juvenile justice, and corrections.

Accreditation:Everest University is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.

#24. University of Phoenix

The University of Phoenix was founded by John Sperling in 1976. Catering to working adults who wish to have access to higher education, Phoenix provides its educational programs through various campuses and learning centers located in at least forty (40) states and several foreign countries. It also uses the online portal to offer online programs to students worldwide while providing access to important resources such as an electronic library, textbooks, learning materials and software required for the assigned coursework.

Online programs: The University of Phoenix offers an accredited online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration. This bachelor’s program is updated every 18 months to keep the curriculum up to date, preparing students for the complications of the modern justice system. Students may take on further concentrations in Management, Human Services, and Institutional Health Care.

Accreditation:University of Phoenix is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.

#25. Kaplan University

Originally founded in 1937 as Quest College, Kaplan University is a for-profit distance-learning university named in honor of Kaplan Test Prep founder Stanley H. Kaplan. With one of the largest collections of online degree programs of any school, Kaplan offers two different online bachelor’s in Criminal Justice as well as an online master’s degree program.

Online programs: Kaplan University offers an accredited online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, as well as a BS in Criminal Justice Administration and Management. Students in the Criminal Justice BS may choose an emphasis in computer crime, corrections, crime scene investigation, forensics, homeland security, juvenile justice, or law enforcement. Students may also take a fast track option into a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice, with emphasis areas in corrections, global issues, law, leadership and executive management, or policing.

Accreditation: Kaplan University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).

Here’s a sneak peak at our picks for the top 10 online bachelor’s in business administration programs of 2012. Be sure to read on for more about the ranking and information about all of our top 25 online business degree programs!

#1. Arizona State University (ASU Online)
#2. Florida International University
#3. University of Illinois Chicago
#4. University of Massachusetts (UMassOnline)
#5. Drexel University
#6. University of Florida
#7. University of Iowa
#8. Colorado State University Global Campus
#9. Washington State University
#10. Penn State World Campus

Read on for the rest of the 25 schools with the top bachelor’s of business administration degrees online.

How We Developed our Smart Choice Ranking of Online Bachelor’s of Business Administration Programs

In constructing our Smart Choice ranking of schools for online bachelor’s in business degrees only regionally accredited colleges and universities listed in the National Center for Education Statistics database were considered. Programs that met this initial standard were then evaluated and ranked based on publicly available data related to market reputation, academic quality, student satisfaction, and economic value. The result is a ranked list of twenty five schools we believe to be a smart choice for students looking to earn a bachelor’s in business degree online. We recommend using this list as a starting point on your journey towards finding the best degree program for you, which depends on your own unique set of interests and needs.

#1. Arizona State University (ASU Online)

Founded in 1885, Arizona State University, is one institution spread over four campuses around the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. Recent advances in quality, particularly in the already highly regarded Carey School of Business, have led to ASU’s reputation as an up-and-coming university and our pick as the top college for an online bachelor’s degree in business.

Program Detail: ASU Online offers an accredited online Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) in Organizational Studies, and a Bachelor of Science in Technological and Entrepreneurial Management. The BIS degree prepares students for managerial positions in business, including courses in business ethics, diversity, technology, and managerial styles. The BS prepares students for technology-based entrepreneurial ventures, start-ups, and employment in technology management. Both of these programs are full 120 credit-hour bachelor’s degrees.

Accreditation: Arizona State University (ASU) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). The Carey School of Business is accredited by the AACSB.

[Click here to request more information about Arizona State University's top online bachelors degrees in business]

#2. Florida International University

Florida International University, a first-tier public research university in University Park, Miami, FL, was first planned in 1945, but was not founded until 1965. From there the new university moved quickly, establishing itself as a top university with a desirable student:teacher ratio, competitive admissions standards, and the highest rate of degrees awarded to minorities in the US, leading to accolades from Hispanic Business and Hispanic Trends. It deserves to be near the top of the list for anyone seeking a business degree online.

Program Details: FIU offers accredited online Bachelor of Business Administration degrees in International Business, Management, Marketing, Human Resources, and Finance. Each of these 120-credit hour programs require 60 hours of core courses (including business pre-courses) and 60 hours of specialized courses. Each prepares students for employment in various areas of business – banking, advertising, management, and so on. Courses are taught online, but may require proctored examination.

Accreditation: Florida International University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

[Click here to request more information about Florida International University's top online bachelors degrees in business]

#3. University of Illinois Chicago

The University of Illinois, Chicago, is the largest university in the Chicago area and the second university in the University of Illinois system. Founded in 1867, the Chicago campus was originally a technical branch of the Champaign-Urbana main campus, but became a university in its own right in 1935. Today UIC is considered one of the top 100 regional universities by US News and World Report, and in the top 200 by The Times Higher Education World University Rankings. The school’s online bachelor of business administration program has been recognized by a number of publications.

Program Details: UIC offers an accredited online Bachelor of Business Administration degree completion program. This 60 credit-hour program is designed for students who already possess an associate’s degree in business or any other field to complete a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Students must have at least a 2.5 GPA to enter the program, where they will learn management, marketing, business ethics, conflict resolution, and other business skills.

Accreditation: The University of Illinois at Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The BBA is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

[Click here to request more information about University of Illinois Chicago's top online bachelors degrees in business]

#4. University of Massachusetts (UMassOnline)

One of the most respected public research universities in New England, The University of Massachusetts was, established in 1863 as a land-grant research university. Located in Amherst, MA, one of the best college towns in America, UMass is consistently ranked as one of the greatest in the nation, and its online program is a model to other schools. Their online bachelor’s in business degree program is one their best and most popular programs.

Program Details: UMass Online offers two accredited business bachelor degrees:  a Bachelor of Arts in Business Studies, and a Bachelor of Business Administration. The UMass online program is designed for ultimate flexibility for working professionals who have demanding schedules and cannot take the time for residential requirements of campus visits. The BA requires at least 12 completed credit hours to enter; the BBA requires at least one year, or 27 hours, or completed coursework before entering.

Accreditation: The University of Massachusetts is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. The Isenberg School of Management is accredited by AACSB.

[Click here to request more information about the University of Massachusetts top online bachelors degrees in business]

#5. Drexel University

Drexel University is a private research university in Philadelphia PA. Founded in 1891 by financier and philanthropist Anthony J. Drexel, Drexel’s cooperative education program may be the best in the nation. Drexel students follow a unique 5-year track, including 18 months of real corporate internship experience, leading to an exceptional degree of experience and a wide network of business contacts upon graduation. For a top online bachelor’s of business degree, you may not need to look much further.

Program Details: Drexel University offers an accredited online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. The 180 credit-hour BSBA prepares students for practical aspects of business – decision making, financing – and theory. With ten specializations to choose from, students will concentrate in some functional aspect: Accounting, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Finance, General Business, International Business, Legal Studies, Management Information Systems, Marketing, or Operations and Supply Chain Management.

Accreditation: Drexel University’s educational program is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools (MSCHE).

[Click here to request more information about Drexel University's top online bachelors degrees in business]

#6. University of Florida

The University of Florida is a historic land-grant university founded in 1853 and located in Gainesville FL since 1906. The Warrington College of Business Administration was one of the first colleges of business to engage in distance learning and has been acclaimed by The Economist and US News and World Report. The college’s online degree in business administration enjoys an outstanding reputation for quality and value.

Program Details: The University of Florida offers an accredited online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. This 60 credit-hour degree completion program requires students to enter with an Associate’s degree or two years of college coursework and takes two years to complete. Lectures are available through streaming video; coursework is online but requires proctored testing.

Accreditation: The University of Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The Warrington College of Business Administration is accredited by AACSB International.

#7. University of Iowa

The oldest university in the state, the University of Iowa is a public research university in Iowa City, Iowa. Founded in 1847, the university has a history of firsts – the first university in the US to admit women and men equally, the first to establish a GLBT union, the first to televise lectures, and the first to develop an MFA degree. UI has the distinction of being considered a public ivy and it’s business schools is one of the best in the country, helping make it an outstanding choice for an online bachelor’s in business administration.

Program Details: The Henry B. Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa offers an accredited online Bachelor of Business Administration degree. This degree specializes in Management, with a possible concentration in Entrepreneurial Management to develop managers with an inspiring, entrepreneurial focus. This 120 credit-hour BBA requires 48 hours of business courses and 60 core credit hours, with electives to complete the program. The Tippie College is ranked by US News and World Report as one of the top 25 undergraduate business schools in the US.

Accreditation: Iowa State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The Tippie College of Business is accredited by the AACSB.

#8. Colorado State University (CSU Global)

Colorado State University is a public land-grant research university in Fort Collins, Colorado. The university was founded in 1870, six years before Colorado even became a state, and was originally an agricultural college. Many of CSU’s graduate programs rank in the top 100 in their areas by US News and World Report, and CSU online offers a number of highly respected programs, including a top online bachelor’s in business management.

Program Details: CSU Global offers an accredited online Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management with fifteen different specializations to fit most any student’s interest. All students will learn the basics of business ethics, the legal aspects of business, analysis, decision-making, and strategic planning. Courses can be completed entirely online and at the student’s convenience. No travel is required.

Accreditation: Colorado State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and  is  member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

[Click here to request more information about Colorado State University's top online bachelors degrees in business]

#9. Washington State University

Washington State University is Washington’s oldest and largest public university, Founded in 1890, WSU established the College of Business in 1940, though it offered business degrees from its inception. The College of Business maintains programs at three campuses in Washington state as well as international programs in China, Greece, Italy, Switzerland, and Thailand. Its online business degree programs are among the best in the world.

Program Details: Washington State University offers an accredited online Bachelor of Business Administration degree, with concentrations in Accounting, Management and Operations, or Management Information Systems. Students must complete 60 hours of general curriculum courses, as well as business core requirements and the specialization requirements. Students who concentrate in Accounting will take courses in accounting and economic theory; those in Management and Operations will focus on motivating and leading; and Management Information Systems provides specialized training in business technology.

Accreditation: Washington State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges. WSU’s College of Business is fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

#10. Penn State World Campus

Founded in 1855, Penn State is one of the largest “public ivy” universities in the nation through its many campuses and robust online program. Beginning with mail programs in 1898 Penn State claims over one hundred years of experience in distance learning. Penn State’s online-learning program, The Penn State World Campus, launched in 1998 and now offers over 70 degrees from associate to bachelor. There are few better places for a bachelor of business administration degree program online.

Program Details: Penn State World Campus offers an accredited online Bachelor of Science in Business degree. This full 120 credit-hour program prepares students for careers in management by instructing in management theory, marketing strategies, communication, and financial/accounting expertise. Students may also take an 18 credit-hour specialization in Management and Marketing that emphasizes selling, small business and global marketing, and further management applications.

Accreditation: Pennsylvania State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Penn State’s World Campus business programs are accredited by the AACSB.

#11. Full Sail University

Originally founded as an audio recording trade school in Dayton, Ohio, in 1979, Full Sail University moved to Winter Park, Florida in 1980 and began expanding. Today Full Sail is a private, for-profit trade school owned by TA Associates, and is one of the most highly regarded entertainment and media-focused universities in the world. For online bachelor’s of business degrees geared towards music and entertainment, they’re the best in the business

Program Details: Full Sail University offers accredited online Bachelor of Science degrees in Entertainment Business and Music Business. These degree programs provide a solid core foundation in business theory and practice, with specialized coursework in the particular demands of the entertainment and music businesses. Students will learn to understand copyright and intellectual property laws, marketing, artist management, and other skills necessary for success in entertainment and music.

Accreditation: Full Sail University is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).

[Click here to request more information about Full Sail University's top online bachelors degrees in business]

#12. Regis University

Founded in 1877 by Jesuit missionaries in Denver, CO, Regis University was and remains a private, co-ed Jesuit university. Instruction is guided by Ignatius Loyola’s Spiritual Exercises and the Jesuit principles of intellectual, spiritual, and social development and responsibility. One of the best online bachelor’s of business administration programs for those interested in changing the world for the better.

Program Details: Regis University offers an accredited online Bachelor Business of Science in Business Administration. This 128 credit-hour program prepares students for management with all of the theory and skills necessary for success in the contemporary business world, but with a Jesuit-influenced focus on ethics and service. Students may concentrate in five concentrations: Finance, Human Resource Management, Management, Marketing, and Public Administration, as well as dual and flexible concentrations.

Accreditation: Regis University is accredited by the North Central Association of the Higher Learning Commission.

[Click here to request more information about Regis University's top online bachelors degrees in business]

#13. University of Illinois Springfield

The University of Illinois Springfield is a public four-year university in Springfield, IL with an AACSB accredited College of Business and Management. Originally founded in 1969 as Sangamon State University, it was absorbed into the University of Illinois system in 1995. US News and World Report ranks UIS highly as a regional university for the Midwest, and the university has been offering online degrees since 1999. Their online undergraduate business program is uniquely suited for those interested in business with a social conscience.

Program Details: The UIS College of Business and Management offers an AACSB accredited Bachelor of Business Administration. This 120 credit-hour program includes 13 hours of Engaged Citizenship Common Experience (ECCE), a program designed to encourage social responsibility, ethics, and diversity. BBA students will learn a core curriculum of marketing, financial responsibility, organizational behavior, and other basics of business management.

Accreditation: The University of Illinois at Springfield is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of College and Schools. The UIS College of Business and Management is accredited by the AACSB.

#14. California State University Fullerton

California State University Fullerton (or Cal State Fullerton) is a public state university in Fullerton, California. With the largest enrollment of students in the California State system, Cal State Fullerton is the third largest college in California. Originally founded in 1959, Cal State Fullerton is known for its futuristic Googie architecture and as the home of the Phillip K Dick Science Fiction Collection. It may soon be known for having one of the top online bachelor of business administration degrees around.

Program Details: Cal State Fullerton offers an accredited online Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. This 60 credit-hour degree completion program requires students to have completed the 60 credit general-education requirements before entering the program. This general degree does not have specializations, but is designed for the benefit of students working full time. The program is a three-year cohort program, allowing students to work closely with the same group of peers for support and continuity.

Accreditation: California State University, Fullerton, is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

#15. University of Minnesota Crookston

The University of Minnesota Crookston is a public four-year university in Crookston, Minnesota. A small university, UMC was founded as an agricultural high school in 1905, developing into a two-year college in 1965 and joining the University of Minnesota system in 1968. Known as the first college to issue laptop computers to students and faculty (in 1993), UMC’s commitment to technology is obvious in its online degree programs, including its top rated online bachelor’s in business management program.

Program Details: UMC offers an accredited online Bachelor of Science in Business Management. This 120 credit-hour program offers students a liberal arts core curriculum, and a business management core to learn basic business practices. Students may also choose a Management Emphasis, taking courses directed toward small business, human resources, business writing, and other skills needed for business managers.

Accreditation: The University of Minnesota Crookston is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).

[Click here to request more information from the University of Minnesota Crookston's top online bachelors degrees in business]

#16. Robert Morris University

Located in Moon Township, a suburb of Pittsburg, PA, Robert Morris University is a private, co-ed university. Not to be confused with Robert Morris University in Illinois, both are named for the financier of the American Revolution. RMU has resided in a number of interesting locations, including the William Penn Hotel, the Rust Engineering Building, and the mansion of Oliver Kaufmann. Many of its top ranked degree programs are now available online.

Program Details: RMU offers an accredited Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with two possible concentrations: Economics or Hospitality and Tourism. Students take a core of basic courses, as well as specialized business courses and a group of courses in their concentration. Students who concentrate in Economics will study economic theory, finance, and decision-making theory; students who concentrate in Hospitality and Tourism benefit from the most highly-ranked hospitality and tourism management program in the US, learning the skills necessary for management in hotels, restaurants, country clubs, and such industries.

Accreditation: Accreditation: Robert Morris University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

[Click here to request more information from Robert Morris University's top online bachelors degrees in business]

#17. University of Wisconsin-Platteville

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville is a public university in Platteville, Wisconsin. This small university began offering distance education courses to remote areas of Wisconsin by mail, and began an online program in 1999. Its online bachelor of business administration degree program is quickly establishing itself as one of the best undergraduate business degrees online.

Program Details: UW-Platteville offers an accredited online Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. This 120 credit-hour program (which is also available in print) prepares students for general business skills, and also offers three concentrations: Finance, General Business, or Human Resources Management. UW-Platteville has a larger than average graduation rate of 75%, much higher than the usual graduation rate for online degree programs.

Accreditation: The University of Wisconsin-Platteville is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.

#18. Southern New Hampshire University

Founded in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University is a private university with campuses in Manchester and Hooksett, New Hampshire. Originally an accounting school, SNHU was chartered by the state of New Hampshire as a non-profit institution. SNHU, with its acclaimed business school, is ranked highly by US News and World Report as a regional university and deserves to be high on any list of schools with top online bachelor’s of business degree programs.

Program Details: SNHU offers an accredited online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Students may take concentrations in three fields: Human Resources Management, Organizational Leadership, or Small Business Management. Students in this program receive core instruction in management, accounting, marketing, and human resources, as well as specialized coursework in their concentration areas. SNHU also offers a BS in Business Studies for a more comprehensive study of business, a degree which includes ten concentrations, from Accounting to Sports Management.

Accreditation: SNHU is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

[Click here to request more information from Southern New Hampshire University's top online bachelors degrees in business]

#19. University of the Incarnate Word

A private Catholic university located in San Antonio, Texas, The University of the Incarnate Word was founded in 1881 by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. With campus extensions in China and Mexico, 93 sister schools throughout the world, and an unparalleled study-abroad program, UIW, the largest Catholic university in the state of Texas, has maintained a commitment to its mission. The list of high quality online degree programs offered by UIW’s Virtual University includes its online bachelor’s in business administration.

Program Details: UIW offers an accredited online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. This 120 credit-hour program includes core curriculum courses, 39 hours of major field coursework, and 24 hours of a specialization. Students may choose specializations in Accounting, Finance, General Business, Information Systems, International Business, Management, or Marketing. As a Catholic university, UIW’s program emphasizes the ethics of business, preparing students to be responsible, socially-conscious business-people.

Accreditation: The University of the Incarnate Word is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

[Click here to request more information from the University of the Incarnate Word's top online bachelors degrees in business]

#20. Saint Leo University

Saint Leo University operates as a highly-ranked liberal arts university, with a grounding in Benedictine education. Saint Leo was the first Catholic institution in Florida, founded in 1889. Having begun its Center for Online Learning in 1999, Saint Leo is a leader in online learning and a top-ten military-friendly school with a reputation much larger than its small size would suggest. Anyone looking for a top online bachelor’s in business administration should give Saint Leo a close look.

Program Details: Saint Leo University offers an accredited online Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. This full 120 credit-hour program includes three possible concentrations. For students who wish to pursue a career as a CPA or CMA, the accounting specialization offers coursework in tax, auditing, and business law; for those who wish to go into management, the Management specialization focuses on entrepreneurship, human resources, and labor relations; for students interested in sales, advertising, and consumer relations, the Marketing specialization focuses on selling, consumer behavior, and international business.

Accreditation: The Donald R. Tapia School of Business is accredited by the IACBE.

[Click here to request more information from Saint Leo University's top online bachelors degrees in business]

#21. Brenau University

Brenau University is a private university in Gainesville, GA. A historic women’s college, Brenau was founded in 1878 as Georgia Baptist Female Seminary. Today Brenau’s graduate programs are co-ed, and an online college formed in 2002 offers distance-education for anyone. Its name, a coinage based on the German brennen and the Latin aurum, means “gold refined by fire.” It has been named a best value in the South by US News and World Report and offers a top distance education business degree program.

Program Details: Brenau University offers an accredited Bachelor of Business Administration degree, as well as two concentrations in Marketing or Accounting. These 120 credit-hour programs provide a broad foundation in business theory and practice, while the Marketing and Accounting concentrations provide more directed, focused attention to the skills needed for success in those areas of business.

Accreditation: Brenau University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

[Click here to request more information from Brenau University's top online bachelors degrees in business]

#22. Liberty University

Liberty University has grown tremendously in its short existence into the largest private university in the nation. Founded in 1971 by Rev. Jerry Falwell, Liberty ensures that it meets all standards accreditation entails, as a SACS-accredited institution, as well as continuing its commitment to conservative evangelical values. Liberty is located in Lynchburg, VA, but its online undergraduate business degree programs are available anywhere.

Program Details: Liberty University offers an accredited online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Students may choose specializations in Communications, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Healthcare Management, International Business, Marketing, Project Management, or Public Administration. As a Christian university, Liberty emphasizes business ethics and the integration of faith with professional behavior.

Accreditation: Liberty University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS-COC).

[Click here to request more information from Liberty University's top online bachelors degrees in business]

#23. Bellevue University

Founded in 1965, Bellevue University is a private university located in Bellevue, Nebraska. Located near Offutt Air Force Base,  Bellevue was intended to provide an educational option for students who could not travel to the University of Omaha from the growing Bellevue. It is now one of the most highly regarded schools for online degree programs, including its excellent online bachelor of business administration.

Program Details: Bellevue University offers an accredited online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. This 127 credit-hour program provides students with a grounding in business theory and practice, with specializations in Finance, Human Resources Management, or Marketing. These specializations require 9 hours beyond the core curriculum and major field coursework.

Accreditation: University is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

[Click here to request more information from Bellevue University's top online bachelors degrees in business]

#24. Everglades University

Everglades University is a small, private university in Boca Raton, Florida. Originally American Flyers College, the college was purchased by Arthur and Belinda Keiser in 1998 and changed to Everglades University. It’s small class sizes and solid completion rate help make it one of the best schools for an online bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Program Details: Everglades University offers an accredited online Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. This 123 credit-hour program prepares students for the critical-thinking and problem-solving skills of the modern business world, with small classes for the support and attention that leads to academic success.

Accreditation: Everglades University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

[Click here to request more information from Everglades University's top online bachelors degrees in business]

#25. Spring Arbor University

Spring Arbor University is a Christian university in Spring Arbor, Michigan. Founded in 1873 in association with the Free Methodist Church, Spring Arbor University began as a seminary with elementary and secondary education, growing into a junior college in 1930 and a university in 2001. It’s growing online degree division now offers an excellent online bachelor in business degree completion program.

Program Details: SAU Online offers an accredited online Bachelor of Science degree in Business. This 47 credit-hour degree completion program prepares students who already have 58 credit-hours of transferable credit for employment in business or graduate education. Taught in a cohort model, SAU Online’s program combines a liberal arts education with professional preparation, and as a Christian university teaches business practice with an emphasis on Biblical and ethical standards.

Accreditation: Spring Arbor University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.

Here’s a sneak peak at our picks for the top 10 schools with the best online psychology degree programs. Be sure to read on for more about our online psychology degree ranking and information about all of the top 25 online psychology and behavioral science degree programs!

#1. Penn State World Campus
#2. Arizona State University (ASU Online)
#3. Chicago School of Professional Psychology
#4. Southern New Hampshire University
#5. University of Massachusetts (UMassOnline)
#6. Colorado State University
#7. Drexel University Online
#8. Robert Morris University
#9. University of the Southwest
#10. Upper Iowa University

The Value of an Online Psychology Degree

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the job market for careers in psychology will grow at a faster than average rate. This is good news for those interested in earning a degree in psychology online. Students graduating with a degree in psychology have a variety of different careers they can pursue. Among the fastest growing career positions in psychology are school psychologist, clinical psychologist, industrial/organizational psychologist, genetics counselor, forensic psychologist, career counselor, sports psychologist, and engineering psychologists. All of these positions require at least a bachelor’s degree in psychology or behavioral science, with most positions requiring a master’s degree in psychology or higher.

The Advantages of Pursuing a Psychology Degree Online

For those with significant commitments to work or family who wish to earn a degree in psychology, an online psychology degree program can make a lot of sense. Most degrees in psychology online are designed with working adults in mind, allowing far more flexibility than a traditional degree program and eliminating the need to move or travel to campus for class. Students pursuing their psychology degree online can complete their coursework and other assignments at the time that is most convenient for them and from any location with an internet connection. Most of the best online psychology schools allow students to complete any required internships or practicums in their hometown.

How We Selected the Smart Choice Schools for Online Psychology Degrees

SuperScholar’s Smart Choice online psychology rankings are based on several factors. To begin with, only regionally accredited colleges and universities listed in the National Center for Education Statistics database and offering online bachelor’s or online master’s degrees in psychology were considered. Qualifying schools were then evaluated based on publicly available data related to market reputation, academic quality, student satisfaction, and cost. The resulting list represents the top twenty-five schools offering online psychology degrees we could find, and a great place to begin your search for the online psychology school that is right for you.

#1. Penn State World Campus

Founded in 1855, Penn State is highly regarded “public ivy” (a public university fit to compete with the Ivy League). Today Penn State is one of the largest public universities in the nation due to its many campuses and robust online program. Beginning with mail programs in 1898, Penn State was a forerunner in distance-learning. The Penn State World Campus (PSWC), Penn State’s online-learning program, launched in 1998 and now offers over 70 degrees from associates’ to bachelors’. PSWC is our choice for this year’s top online psychology school.

Programs: Penn State World Campus offers two accredited online psychology degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Each of these degrees gives students a different focus. The BA in Psychology gives a broad, well-rounded education in humanities, social sciences, and science, while the BS in Psychology prepares students for more practical applications in business and management. These 123-credit hour programs can be completed completely online, and help students find entry into social work, public relations, and other professions in which people work with people.

Accreditation: The Pennsylvania State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Click here to learn more about Penn State University World Campus

#2. Arizona State University (ASU Online)

Arizona State University, founded in 1885, is spread over four campuses around the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, but they are one institution. Recent advances in several areas have led to ASU’s reputation as an up-and-coming university and higher rankings across the board. Not only one of the best online schools for psychology we could find, but one of the most affordable as well.

Programs: ASU Online offers an accredited online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. This program is part of the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences and emphasizes critical thinking, methodological flexibility, and diversity. Students learn to approach the mind from artistic as well as scientific perspectives, and communication is foregrounded.

Accreditation: Arizona State University(ASU) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).

Click here to request more information from ASU Online

#3. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (or the Chicago School for short) is the largest non-profit graduate school dedicated to psychology. Founded in 1979 by the nonprofit Midwestern Psychology Development Foundation, the Chicago School gained a reputation for its dedication to diversity and multiculturalism. The Chicago School has campuses not only in Chicago, but also on the East and West coasts, and offers a number of online psychology graduate programs as well.

Programs: The Chicago School offers an online Master of Arts in Psychology degree in several concentrations, including Sports and Exercise, Gerontology, Generalist, Child and Adolescent, International, Organizational Leadership, and BSBA Foundation. Most of these program concentrations can be completed in two years part-time, or in an 11-month accelerated format. Online courses at the Chicago School combine online learning with a virtual residency program, though some programs are blended online/live combinations.

Accreditation: The Chicago campus is accredited by the American Psychological Association.

Click here to request more information from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

#4. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is a private university Manchester, NH. Founded in 1932 as an accounting and secretarial school, the university began awarding associates and bachelors’ degrees in the 1960s. SNHU has been ranked by US News and World Report as a regional university, and its online programs have been recognized for their quality and affordability in a number of publications. Deserves serious consideration by anyone looking for an undergraduate degree in psychology online.

Programs: SNHU offers an accredited online Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with concentrations in Child and Adolescent, Forensic Psychology, and Mental Health. This four-year program gives students a well-rounded grounding in the liberal arts as well as their chosen major concentration. High-achieving students will also have the opportunity to join Psi Chi, the Psychology International Honor Society.

Accreditation: SNHU is accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE) of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

Click here to request more information from Southern New Hampshire University

#5. University of Massachusetts (UMassOnline)

The University of Massachusetts, founded in 1863 in Amhert, MA, is the largest and one of the most respected public research universities in New England. UMassOnline has earned numerous accolades for its distance degree programs, and has earned its spot as one of the top 5 online schools for psychology degree programs.

Programs: UMass Online offers an accredited online Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. This is a four-year programs of 120 total credit hours, with 36-45 credits specializing in psychology. The program offers a theoretical grounding in all forms of psychology, with a special emphasis on application. The program can be taken completely online, or in a blended online/live format.

Accreditation: The University of Massachusetts is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

#6. Colorado State University (CSU Online)

Colorado State University is a public land-grant research university in Fort Collins, Colorado. The university was founded in 1870, six years before Colorado even became a state, and was originally an agricultural college. Many of CSU’s graduate programs rank in the top 100 in their areas by US News and World Report, and CSU online offers a number of highly respected programs, including a unique masters degree in psychology online.

Programs: CSU Online offers an unusual Master of Applied Industrial/Organizational Psychology. This 38-credit hour program prepares students for practical application of psychological research and findings in the business world. Students will learn to recruit employees, manage development programs, survey employee satisfaction, and other real-world business functions that benefit from psychological research. This program emphasizes quantitative research and requires coursework in statistics and mathematics.

Accreditation: Colorado State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

#7. Drexel University

Drexel University is a private research university founded in 1891 by financier and philanthropist Anthony J. Drexel, in Philadelphia PA. Drexel is known for its cooperative education program, possibly the best in the nation, with a broad range of corporate partners. Students at Drexel follow a unique 5-year track that includes 18 months of real internship, giving them an exceptional degree of experience and a wide network of contacts upon graduation. Drexel students completing their degree in psychology online will benefit from the same faculty and academic rigor as on-campus students.

Programs: Drexel University offers an accredited online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. This totally online program prepares students for future graduate education, or for employment in business, law, forensics, counseling, or other professions that benefit from psychological knowledge. Online students get the same instruction as real-world students, and benefit from a mix of research and practical application.

Accreditation: Drexel University is accredited by MSCHE (Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools).

#8. Robert Morris University

Robert Morris University is a private, co-ed university located in Moon Township, a suburb of Pittsburg, PA. (This institution is unrelated to Robert Morris University in Illinois, named for the same historical figure.) Named for the financier of the American Revolution, RMU has resided in a number of interesting locations, including the William Penn Hotel, the Rust Engineering Building, and the mansion of Oliver Kaufmann. A number of its programs now reside on the internet, allowing students to earn a degree in psychology online.

Programs: RMU offers an accredited online Bachelor of Science in Psychology. This 120 credit-hour program includes a required minor and prepares students to apply practical psychological understanding to business and everyday life. Students will learn critical thinking and decision-making skills, conduct research, and practice professional writing.

Accreditation: Robert Morris University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Click here to request more information from Robert Morris University

#9. University of the Southwest

Founded in 1956, the University of the Southwest is a private, Christian university in Hobbs, New Mexico. Originally Baptist, the university is now inter-denominational, with an explicitly Christ-centered approach to higher education. Highly ranked as a regional university by US News and World Report, the University of the Southwest has a growing online distance learning program that includes a bachelor’s in psychology online.

Programs: The University of the Southwest offers an accredited Bachelor of Science in Psychology with four potential concentrations: Applied, Forensic, General, and Religion. The psychology degree prepares students for practical application of psychological principles in business, education, and other fields with research, analysis, and effective professional writing.

Accreditation: University of the Southwest is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Click here to request more information from the University of the Southwest

#10. Upper Iowa University

Upper Iowa University is a small, private university in rural northwest Iowa. Founded in 1857, UIU expands its small residential student body with large distance learning, online programs, independent studies, and branches in Asia. This arrangement allows UIU a very favorable student to instructor ratio, and 8-week terms allow students to double their coursework, helping the school to a top-10 spot in our online psychology ranking.

Programs: UIU offers an accredited online Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. This full 120 credit-hour program prepares students for fields such as business, education, human services, and law, with 36 credit hours of major courses. Students will graduate with a grounding in psychological research and knowledge and may pursue graduate education in clinical psychology, counseling, and other psychological concentrations.

Accreditation: Upper Iowa University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is a member of the North Central Association

Click here to request more information from Upper Iowa University

#11. Bellevue University

Bellevue University is a private university located in Bellevue, Nebraska. Founded in 1965, Bellevue was intended to provide an educational option for the growing city, Offutt Air Force Base, and students who could not travel to the University of Omaha. It has since developed into a comprehensive university with a top ranked online degree division offering an outstanding bachelor’s degree in psychology online.

Programs: Bellevue University offers an accredited online Bachelor of Science in Psychology. This program requires 36 major-field credit hours beyond the core curriculum, and prepares students for graduate study, or for employment in human services and counseling. Students will perform empirical research and may have the opportunity to report their findings at conferences sponsored by the Nebraska Psychological Society, the Nebraska Psychological Association, and regional organizations.

Accreditation: Bellevue University is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Click here to request more information from Bellevue University

#12. Saint Leo University

A Catholic university founded in 1889, Saint Leo was the first Catholic institution in Florida, and today operates as a highly-ranked liberal arts university, with a grounding in Benedictine education. Recognized as a top-ten provider of military education, and a leader in online learning, having begun its Center for Online Learning in 1999, Saint Leo has a reputation much larger than its small size would suggest. The school’s bachelor degree in psychology online deserves serious consideration by students looking for a distance learning psychology degree.

Programs: Saint Leo University offers an accredited online Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. This 120 credit-hour program provides a broad, well-rounded foundation in psychology theory and practice to prepare students for further graduate study, or for employment in fields such as human services and mental health. Students may, but are not required to, take part in field research or internships.

Accreditation: Saint Leo University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Click here to request more information from Saint Leo University

#13. University of the Incarnate Word

Located in San Antonio, Texas, The University of the Incarnate Word is a private Catholic university founded in 1881 by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. UIW, the largest Catholic university in Texas, remains committed to its educational mission with campus extensions in China and Mexico, 93 sister schools throughout the world, and an unparalleled study-abroad program. The UIW Virtual University has earned top national rankings for its online degree programs, which include an online bachelor in psychology.

Programs: UIW offers an accredited online Bachelor of Science in psychology. This 120 credit-hour program offers students a strong theoretical and scientific foundation, with a convenient online format. Students who are interested in applying psychological knowledge to the workplace and management may do a concentration in Industrial and Organizational Psychology.

Accreditation: The University of the Incarnate Word is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Click here to request more information from the University of the Incarnate Word

#14. Ottawa University

Ottawa University is a private, non-profit liberal arts university located in Ottawa, Kansas. Originally founded by the American Baptist Church in 1865 to provide education for the dislocated Ottowa Indians, Ottowa University has adult education campuses in several locations in Kansas and still offers tuition-free undergraduate education for members of the Ottowa Tribe. It’s respected and growing online campus offers a number of excellent online degree programs, including a uniquely values-based online psychology program.

Programs: Ottawa University offers an accredited Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. This 128 credit-hour program is designed to give students a well-rounded liberal arts education and expertise in the discipline of psychology, learning all aspects of human behavior, from physiological to emotional. The combination of psychology and liberal arts emphasizes ethics, self-awareness, and empathy.

Accreditation: Ottawa University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, a Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Click here to request more information from Ottawa University

#15. Ohio Christian University

Ohio Christian University is a private Christian university in Circleville, OH. Affiliated with the Churches of Christ in Christian Union, the university was founded in 1948 as a Bible college for the Churches of Christ. This small university offers numerous degrees in professional fields, including a religiously oriented online bachelor’s in psychology.

Programs: Ohio Christian offers an accredited online Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. This program requires 55 credit hours beyond the Associate’s degree, and prepares students for conducting research and counseling from a Biblical perspective. Designed for working adults, the program is flexible to work around the needs of family and career.

Accreditation: Ohio Christian University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Click here to request more information from Ohio Christian University

#16. Golden Gate University

Golden Gate University is a private, coeducational university located in the South of Market district of San Francisco. Founded in 1901, Golden Gate emerged from reading groups at the San Francisco YMCA to provide a college education to underserved young men and today educates professional students in law, business, and accounting. It has since grown into a comprehensive university with a growing number of internet-based degrees, including a masters degree in psychology online.

Programs: Golden Gate offers an accredited online Master of Arts degree in Psychology with concentrations in marriage and family therapy and counseling or industrial/organizational psychology. This program is designed to provide students with professional skills as counselors, therapists, mediators, and business consultants.

Accreditation: Golden Gate University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Click here to request more information from Golden Gate University

#17. Walden University

Originally proposed in a paper by Harold Hodgkinson, Walden University was founded in 1970 as an experiment to provide working adults an opportunity to complete their higher degrees while also working toward positive social change. Walden was accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, eventually moving from Florida to Minnesota before growing into a unique and acclaimed online university. With one of the largest online psychology schools in the world, Walden offers online psychology degrees at every level, including online psychology doctoral programs.

Programs: Walden University offers accredited online Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD degrees in Psychology. The Bachelor of Science in Psychology offers ten possible concentrations, from Addiction to Workplace Psychology, and focuses on Social awareness, responsibility, and civic engagement as well as decision-making and research. The Master of Science in Psychology offers fourteen concentrations, and may be part of an accelerated PhD program, one of few online Psychology PhDs available from an accredited university.

Accreditation: Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.

Click here to request more information from Walden University

#18. Capella University

Capella University is a for-profit online university owned by the Capella Education Company and based in Minneapolis, MN. Originally founded in 1991 to provide education for underserved adult learners, Cappella became an online university in 1996 and now serves over 37,000 students at any give time. Capella has been ranked as a top online school, and one of the bet colleges in the US. Whether you’re in the market for an online bachelor’s degree in psychology or looking to do a Phd in psychology online, Capella has programs for your consideration.

Programs: Capella University offers accredited online Bachelor’s, Master’s and PsyD degrees in Psychology. The Bachelor of Science in General Psychology can prepare a student for specialization in a master’s program, or for employment in a field that benefits from psychological knowledge. The Master of Science in Psychology offers thirteen potential concentrations, from Child and Adolescent to Sports Psychology. The Doctorate in Psychology (PsyD) provides students with the knowledge they need to pursue instruction positions in higher education, or leadership in research institutions.

Accreditation: Capella University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).

Click here to request more information from Capella University

#19. Liberty University

Founded by Rev. Jerry Falwell, Liberty University is a private Christian university located in Lynchburg, VA. As the largest evangelical Christian university, Liberty combines well-respected online education programs with an explicitly Christian worldview. It is one of the few online psychology schools offering an accredited online associates in psychology.

Programs: Liberty University offers an accredited online Associate of Arts in Psychology and an online Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. The bachelor’s program requires 45 credit hours in the major field beyond the core curriculum, and can prepare students for employment in child development centers, group homes, addiction treatment centers, and Christian counseling. Liberty’s program is designed to instruct students in understanding and influencing human behavior in ways that glorify God.

Accreditation: Liberty University is regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS-COC).

Click here to request more information from Liberty University

#20. Post University

Post University is a private, for-profit university based in Waterbury, Connecticut, offering full-time and online degrees. Originally founded in 1890 as Post College, Post University offers a number of distance degree programs, including a bachelor’s degree in psychology online.

Programs: Post University offers an accredited online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with the potential for a minor in Forensic Psychology. The 8-week, six-term Post format allows full-time students to complete their degree in an accelerated format, but part-time students taking one course at a time can finish in seven years. The skills in human behavior and problem solving obtained can be used for entry-level employment in a number of business and social service fields.

Accreditation: Post University is also accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

Click here to request more information from Post University

#21. Ashford University

Ashford University is a private, for-profit university based in Clinton, Iowa, Ashford was originally founded in 1893 as a boarding school for girls, Mount St. Clare Academy. Over time, the boarding school developed into a college, and finally a university, The Franciscan University. A period of financial hardship led to the university’s acquisition by Brigdepoint Education in 2005, which renamed it. While the university maintains campus courses, the majority of its students study online.

Programs: Ashford University offers an accredited online Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. This 120 credit-hour program allows students to study either a research or human services path, depending on their career goals, and offers a specialized Counseling track. Students study theories of education and personality development, research methods, and ethical standards.

Accreditation: Ashford University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.

CLick here to request more information from Ashford University

#22. Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University is the first private, for-profit Christian university located in Phoenix, AZ. Originally founded by Arizona Southern Baptists in 1949, as a school that would provide Baptist education to students in Arizona, financial difficulties led to its sale in 2004 to Significant Education, LLC. Since its switch to for-profit education, Grand Canyon has expanded its reach and improved its reputation, leading to acclaim from Forbes magazine. It’s one of the few online schools for psychology with both online undergraduate degrees in psychology and online psychology graduate programs.

Programs: Grand Canyon University Online offers an accredited online Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology as well as an online psychology degree Masters and online psychology doctoral programs. The bachelor’s degree is 120 credit-hour program that prepares students to understand human behavior, forge relationships, and obtain employment in institutions that people in need. As a Christian university, Grand Canyon encourages its students to apply their faith to all aspects of the professional and personal life, and teaching psychology students to integrate their faith into their psychological practice.

Accreditation: Grand Canyon University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.

#23. University of the Rockies

University of the Rockies is a private, for-profit graduate school located in Colorado Springs, CO. Originally founded in 1998 as a psychology school, the university was acquired by Bridgeport Education in 2007 and now offers several online psychology graduate programs – Master of Arts in Human Services, Master of Arts in Organizational Development and Leadership, and Master of Arts in Psychology – as well as a rare online doctorate in psychology program. Few schools offer more options for looking for an online psychology graduate degree.

Programs: The University of the Rockies offers an accredited online Master of Arts in Psychology and an online Doctor of Psychology (PsyD). The Master of Arts program offers sixteen specialties, while the PsyD program offers fourteen possible concentrations, including Business Psychology, Criminology, Non-Profit Management, and Sports Psychology. The MA requires 39 credit hours. Both prepare students to use psychological understanding in a business setting, and give students the background necessary to take on management and executive positions.

Accreditation: University of the Rockies is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.

Click here to request more information from University of the Rockies

#24. University of Phoenix

The University of Phoenix was founded by John Sperling in 1976 to cater to working adults who wish to have access to higher education. It provides its educational programs through various campuses and learning centers located in at least forty (40) states and several foreign countries. It also uses the online portal to offer online programs to students worldwide while providing access to important resources such as an electronic library, textbooks, learning materials and software required for the assigned coursework. Easily one of the most well known and identifiable online schools for psychology degrees.

Programs: The University of Phoenix offers accredited online Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Psychology. The BS and MS programs emphasize general rather than clinical psychology, making them useful for students who wish to use their psychological knowledge to pursue employment in business, marketing, and human resources. Both provide a foundation for further graduate education, but not for clinical licensure.

Accreditation: University of Phoenix is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.

#25. Western International University

Western International University is a private, for-profit university originally founded in Phoenix, AZ. In 1995 WIU was acquired by the Apollo Group, a for-profit educational corporation and is part of a global education network through Apollo Global. It offers a several regionally accredited distance degree programs, including a masters degree in psychology online.

Programs: WIU offers an accredited online Master of Arts degree in Behavioral Science. This 126 credit-hour program integrates biology, psychology, sociology, counseling, and management to provide students with a grounding in human behavior that can prepare them for employment in human services, health care, and business.

Accreditation: Western International University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Click here to request more information from Western International University

Now, most poets have writing or literary-related jobs; they are teachers, professors, scholars, editors, publishers, or journalists. Some, if they are well-known and engaging performers, can eventually make a living giving public readings and lectures, or even appearing on television and in documentaries.

But not all poets are cut out for the glamour of the college lecture circuit and PBS. Some prefer the security of a stable, conventional job, writing poetry in their free time. And some of these ordinary people were also great, influential, and timeless poets.

Charles Bukowski: Letter Filing Clerk

It’s probably inevitable that a figure like Bukowski – whose poems romanticized the lives of down-and-out drunks, creeps, and lowlifes – would have a hard time keeping a job. Between his incendiary verse, his uncontrolled alcoholism, and his pugnacious personality, Bukowski could very well be called unemployable. Most of his adult life he spent bumming around the country, working odd jobs, and drinking, until middle age, a bleeding ulcer, and a divorce sent him into writing poetry, and he got a steady job to support himself.

That job: letter filing clerk in a Los Angeles post office. For all the possible jokes about “going postal,” much of Bukowski’s work transmutes simmering rage and self-loathing into bursts of disturbing, vulgar, life-affirming beauty. The tedium of filing letters must have given him plenty of time to stew and ruminate; in fact, only a month after publisher John Martin convinced Bukowski to quit the post office (his longest-term job, over ten years), he published his first novel, not coincidentally titled Post Office. He spent the rest of his life detailing his drunks, his romantic entanglements, and his fury into poetry and novels, but none of it would have been possible without the US Postal Service.

For more information:

Charles Bukowski on Wikipedia
Charles Bukowski homepage

Robert Burns: Tax Collector

Like his father, Robert Burns was born a tenant farmer. Unlike his father, however, Burns had a smattering of education, a talent for writing faux-traditional ballads, and a lot of ambition. So, when his Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect was published in 1786, Burns set off for the big city of Edinburgh. (There was also the matter of three illegitimate children born within a year to two different mothers, but that’s neither here nor there.)

For a year or so, Burns was the toast of the Edinburgh literary scene; but while local literary celebrity may have been enough to get him invitations to exclusive clubs, free drinks, and plenty of female company (all of Burns’ favorite things), sales of his book were not enough to make a living. So, with children to support and a respectable reputation as Scotland’s greatest living bard, Burns took a more stable position: tax collector. Even while he was being hailed as the national poet of Scotland, Burns spent his days in one of the most detested jobs in history – a situation that some argued led to his premature death at 37.

For more information:

Robert Burns on Wikipedia
Robert Burns homepage

Frank O’Hara: Museum Curator

Frank O’Hara’s job wasn’t exactly boring; as an assistant curator of New York’s Museum of Modern Art, he had a key role in setting the canon for modern art. By convincing the museum to buy works by his friends – Larry Rivers, Bunny Lang, and Jackson Pollock, among others – O’Hara’s taste and influence helped ensure that abstract expressionism and conceptual art were treated as historically significant and enshrined in the art establishment.

But if it wasn’t boring, it was still ordinary. O’Hara walked to work every day, answered phone calls, begged donors for money, and snuck out on over-long lunch breaks (where he often wrote his poetry). For the most part, O’Hara was not known as a poet at all in his lifetime; among the hip his small, surprising books, like Oranges: Twelve Pastorals and Lunch Poems, were recognized as sharp, offhand amusements, but not groundbreaking. He himself treated his poems as amusements, writing at the spur of the moment and throwing collections together for friends’ books or his own. Some of his finest work was in letters to friends, never intended for publication. But since his death, O’Hara’s spontaneous poetry has been recognized as some of the most exciting, most influential of the century.

For more information:

Frank O’Hara on Wikipedia
Frank O’Hara homepage

Wallace Stevens: Insurance Lawyer

Wallace Stevens’ poetry is some of the most intellectually challenging, boldly imaginative poetry of his generation. Older than most of his fellow Modernists, Stevens didn’t even begin publishing poetry until his late 30s, and most of his great works occurred late in middle and old age. That poetry deals with the role of the imagination in shaping reality, what Stevens called the Supreme Fiction, and with his witty, erudite voice Stevens made a dense, curious body of work.

He probably took so long to get started in poetry because of his job – insurance law. It’s probably no coincidence that his first poem was published in 1914 – the same year he became a vice-president in the Equitable Surety Company (oh, the romance!). Getting a law degree and working into a high position in a company certainly takes time. And it certainly takes a powerful imagination for an insurance lawyer to avoid losing his mind.

For more information:

Wallace Stevens on Wikipedia
Wallace Stevens at Poets.org

Walt Whitman: Government Clerk

Walt Whitman, the most epic, fearless, and innovative poet America has ever seen, had a lot of jobs: journalist, pressman, and teacher, among others. He was a bit of a jack-of-all-trades, as evidenced by his fascination with occupations in many Leaves of Grass poems. But his most successful and longest-term job was probably the most boring job possible: low-level federal bureaucrat.

Whitman had a hard time keeping work because of his scandalous Leaves of Grass poems, with their frank, pan-sexual eroticism. But a letter of recommendation from Ralph Waldo Emerson (whose praise Whitman included on the first edition of Leaves) helped Whitman get a job as a clerk, first with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, then the Attorney General’s office. These less-than-ideal jobs helped stabilize Whitman so he could pursue what he considered more important: volunteering as a nurse for wounded Union soldiers.

For more information:

Walt Whitman on Wikipedia
The Walt Whitman Archive

William Carlos Williams: Doctor

One of the early Imagist poets, along with his college friends Ezra Pound and Hilda Doolittle (H.D.), William Carlos Williams is best known for his stark, plain-spoken poems like “The Red Wheel Barrow” and “To Elsie.” Williams belief that the American dialect is an inherently poetic language goes hand in hand with his poetic subjects, which are drawn from everyday life in its minutia. Such is the subject of Paterson, his epic-length observational poem on life in Paterson, New Jersey.

He had plenty of time to observe everyday life as a pediatrician and family doctor in Rutherford, NJ. Making house calls to the country and seeing every kind of individual Rutherford had to offer, Williams steeped his poetry in the drama of real life. “The Red Wheel Barrow,” his best-known poem, was famously inspired by an actual wheelbarrow, glimpsed out the window of a dying patient’s bedroom. Arguing that poetry should be “real, not realism, but reality itself,” Williams may not have been the poet he was without his “ordinary” job.

For more information:

William Carlos Williams on Wikipedia
William Carlos Williams on Poets.org

Here’s a sneak peak at our selections for the top 10 schools with the best online computer science and information technology degree programs. Be sure to read on for more about our online IT and CIS program ranking and information about all of the top 25 online IT and CIS degree programs!

#1. Brandeis University
#2. Stanford University
#3. University of Southern California
#4. Boston University
#5. Drexel University
#6. Columbia University
#7. Johns Hopkins University
#8. Virginia Tech University
#9. University of Florida
#10. Southern Methodist University

The Value of a Computer Science or Information Technology (IT) Degree

As the world continues to become increasingly dependent on computers and the internet, the demand for graduates of top computer science and information technology degree programs will continue to grow. The career possibilities in computer science and information technology are numerous and extremely diverse. Almost every conceivable business or enterprise requires people skilled in these areas. In most cases, an accredited bachelor’s degree in computer science or information technology is required for entry into these positions, and an accredited master’s degree for advancement into positions of leadership or management.

The Advantages of an Online Computer Science or Information Technology Degree Program

Not surprisingly, computer science and information technology are among the most popular degrees offered online, since so much of the work already involves using computers and the internet. Many of the most prestigious and highest ranked colleges and universities in the world offer online degree programs in computer science or internet technology. The flexibility of an online degree program allows students to earn their degree while continuing to work and maintaining their responsibilities to their families.

Smart Choice Schools for Online Computer Science and Information Technology (IT) Degrees

Only regionally accredited colleges and universities listed in the National Center for Education Statistics database and offering online degree programs in Computer Science or Information Technology (IT) were considered. Qualifying schools were then evaluated and ranked based on publicly available data related to market reputation, academic quality, student satisfaction, and value. We believe the resulting list is a great place to begin your search for the online computer science or information technology degree program that is best for you.

#1. Brandeis University

A small, private research university just outside of Boston, MA, Brandeis University has established itself as one of the most prestigious and highly ranked universities in the United States. The school’s commitment to innovation in science and technology has been evident from its inception in 1948, when it included Albert Einstein among its group of founders.

Program details: Brandeis offers a 30 credit hour online Master of Science in Information Technology in additions to online master’s degree programs in Health and Medical Informatics, Information Assurance, Software Engineering, Virtual Team Management, and Management of Projects and Programs.

Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.

Click here to request more information from Brandeis University

#2. Stanford University

Stanford is recognized as one of the top research universities in the world, especially in the areas of science, technology and mathematics. The university has produced more Turing award winners (the computer science equivalent of the Nobel Prize) than any other, and graduates have gone on to found such notable tech companies as Google, Yahoo!, Hewlett-Packard, Cisco and Sun Microsystems.

Program Details: Stanford’s online Master of Science in Computer Science is a 45 unit program that can be completed completely online or through a campus/online hybrid format. Students are required to complete the degree within 5 years, with most part-time students taking an average of 3-5 years to finish.

Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities.

#3. University of Southern California

The University of Southern California is a private research institution in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1880, it may be the oldest independent teaching and research university in the western United States and has established itself among the best ranked and most prestigious universities in the world.

Program Details: USC offers an online Master of Science in Global Information Science and Technology. The 28 unit program requires six graduate courses and the completion of thesis. Student who take two classes a semester can complete the program in 16 months.

Accreditation:Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities.

Click here to request more information from the University of Southern California

#4. Boston University

Boston University is among the largest private research universities in the United States, offering a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs both on campus and online. Originally founded as a Methodist seminary in 1839, the school has produced several Nobel winners, including Martin Luther King Jr.

Program Details: Boston University offers an online Master of Science in Computer Information Systems (CIS) with concentrations available in Database Management & Business Intelligence, Health Informatics, IT Project Management, and Security. A total of ten courses are required for the program, which can be completed in less than two years of study.

Accreditation:New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.

Click here to request more information from Boston University

#5. Drexel University

Drexel University is a private research university in Philadelphia, PA best known for its strengths in engineering, technology, and science, and its award-winning co-operative model of education. The school has received national accolades for recent improvements and innovations in academics, faculty, and student life that have only helped to bolster its already outstanding reputation.

Program Details: Drexel offers online Bachelor of Science degrees in Computing & Security Technology and Communications & Applied Technology, as well as online Master of Science degrees in Computer Science, Information Systems, and Software Engineering. Credit hours and length of study varies by program.

Accreditation:Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Click here to request more information from Drexel University

#6. Columbia University

Among the oldest institutions of higher education in the United States, no college or university has graduated more Nobel Prize or Pulitzer Prize winners than Columbia (or more Academy Award and Oscar winners). A private research university that sends more than 90% of its undergraduates to graduate school, few other schools can compete with Columbia when it comes to academic quality and reputation.

Program Details: Columbia offers an online Master of Science in Computer Science degree program with concentration tracks in Computer Security, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Network Systems, Software Systems, Vision & Graphics, as well as a personalized track. The 30 credit program must be completed within five years.

Accreditation:Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

#7. Johns Hopkins University

One of the original research universities in the United States and among the very best in the world, no university has spent more money on scientific and technological research than Johns Hopkins University over the course of the last several decades. It was founded by the Quaker entrepreneur Johns Hopkins in 1873.

Program Details: Johns Hopkins’ online Master of Science in Computer Science degree program requires the completion of ten courses within five years. Concentrations are available in Telecommunications & Networking, and Bioinformatics. An online Master of Science in Systems Engineering is also available.

Accreditation:Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

#8. Virginia Tech University

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) in Blacksburg, VA is one of the leading technological research universities in the United States and internationally. It is a public university, founded in 1872.

Program Details: Virginia Tech’s online Masters of Information Technology requires a minimum of 30 credit hours for completion. Two, three, and four year plans of study are available, with most students able to complete the entire program in less than three years.

Accreditation:Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

#9. University of Florida

Established in 1853, the University of Florida is a public research university and one of the largest single-campus universities in the country. Due to its strong academics, the school has developed a reputation as one of the few public universities recognized as a “public Ivy”, referring to the prestigious Ivy League.

Program Details: The University of Florida offers an online Master of Arts in Urban & Regional Planning with a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) specialization. The GIS degree program requires a total of sixteen courses for a total of 52 credit hours. The entire program can be completed in three years.

Accreditation:Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

Click here to request more information from the University of Florida

#10. Southern Methodist University

Southern Methodist University is a private research university in Dallas, TX owned by the United Methodist Church. SMU is frequently ranked among the top universities in the United States and has garnered several significant accolades for academic teaching and research.

Program Details: Southern Methodist University offers a number of Master of Science degrees online through the Bobby L. Lyle School of Engineering. Aimed especially at international students, majors are available in Computer Science & Engineering, and Engineering Management, Information, and Systems, among other areas. Most of the degree plans require ten courses and 30 credit hours to complete.

Accreditation:Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

#11. Quinnipiac University

A private university in Hamden, Connecticut with a famous polling institute, Quinnipiac University is one of the few schools that can boast of a state park as its back yard. Founded in 1929, the university has been an award-winning pioneer in the area of online teaching and learning.

Program Details: Quinnipiac University offers a 36 credit hour online Master of Science in Information Technology (IT). The 16 course program has been developed in conversation with employers and faculty of the school of business to ensure its ongoing relevance in the marketplace.

Accreditation:New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.

Click here to request more information from Quinnipiac University

#12. Creighton University

Creighton University is a top-ranked Jesuit university in Omaha, NB. The school’s dedication to scientific and technological innovation has resulted in it being recognized as one of the most “wired” schools in the country.

Program Details: Creighton University’s online Master of Science in Information Technology Management was designed to help students combine IT skills with business leadership. The 33 credit hour, 11 course program can be completed in less than two years.

Accreditation:North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.

#13. Northeastern University

Emerging out of the educational programs of the Boston YMCA, Northeastern University in Boston, MA has grown into a comprehensive research university with an international reputation. The school has one of the most extensive and highly regarded selections of online degree programs of any non-profit university.

Program Details: Northeastern University offers online Internet Technology degrees at both the bachelor’s and master’s level. Online bachelor’s degrees are available in Information Technology and Operations Technology. Online Master’s degrees are available in Geographic Information Systems, Information Assurance, Project Management, and Technical Communication.

Accreditation:New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.

#14. Colorado State University Global Campus

The Colorado State University-Global Campus (CSU Global Campus) is the newest campus of the highly regarded Colorado State University System. As the first fully online public university campus, CSU Global Campus has paved the way for online public university degrees, continually expanding and improving its online course and online degree program offerings.

Program Details: CSU Global’s Online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology is a 30 credit hour degree completion program. Students can choose from fourteen different areas of specialization and will be prepared to take many of the major IT certification exams.

Accreditation:North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.

#15. New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)

New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) is the official public technological and liberal arts university of the state of New Jersey. Located in Newark and founded in 1881, the school is best known for its technologically cutting-edge campus and breakthrough scientific research.

Program Details: In addition to several relevant certificate programs, NJIT offers online bachelor’s degree completion programs in Information Systems, and Information Technology, as well as online master’s degree programs in Business and Information Systems, Computer Science, and Information Systems. All programs are designed help students learn the knowledge and skills to increase their value in the job market.

Accreditation:Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Click here to request more information from New Jersey Institute of Technology

#16. North Carolina State University

North Carolina State University is a public research university with a global reputation for leadership and innovation in education, engineering, technology, science and mathematics. The school’s distance education program provides the same quality faculty and instruction as its on-campus programs, at a great value.

Program Details: North Carolina State Distance Education offers online master’s degrees in Computer Science, Geospatial Information Science & Technology, Computer Engineering, and Computer Networking. All of the programs are the full equivalent of their on-campus counterparts.

Accreditation:Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

#17. Regis University

A private Catholic university in Denver, CO, Regis University has an excellent academic reputation and a long history of values-based education. Their College of Professional Studies has been a pioneer in the area of online education, garnering numerous awards and rankings.

Program Details: Regis University’s School for Professional Studies offers online bachelor’s degrees in Business Technology Management, Computer Networking, Computer Science, and Computer Information Systems. Online master’s degrees are offered in Database Technologies, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Information Technology Management, and Information Assurance.

Accreditation:North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.

Click here to request more information from Regis University

#18. Hofstra University

Originally an extension of New York University, Hofstra University came into its own in 1937, and has since developed into a leading national university. The school has been ranked among the best colleges in the country by numerous publications.

Program Details: Hofstra University offers an online Master of Science in Computer Science. The programs is 30 credit hours, requiring ten courses, including a required Capstone Experience which can take the form of a final project or a thesis. The program is designed for computing professionals as well as those interested in doctoral work in computer science or related fields.

Accreditation:Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

#19. University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)

University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) is a public honors university noted for its strengths in engineering and information technology. A part of the highly regarded University of Maryland System, UMBC was recently rated the top up-and-coming university by U.S. News & World Report.

Program Details: UMBC offers a 34 credit hour online Master’s in Information Systems. Designed with working professionals in mind, the program can be completed in less than two years. All courses are taught by same UMBC faculty as the on-campus courses.

Accreditation:Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Click here to request more information from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County

#20. Auburn University

Began as a private Methodist-affiliated liberal arts college in 1856, Auburn University became Alabama’s first public land-grant university in 1872 and began emphasizing science and technology in its curriculum. The university is widely regarded as one of the best public universities in the United States.

Program Details: Auburn offers a 33 credit hour Master of Computer Science and Software Engineering in a distance education format involving online and DVD video technology. The program can be completed at the students own pace, but must be completed with five years. No thesis is required.

Accreditation:Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

#21. Bellevue University

Founded in 1966 as Bellevue College, Bellevue University has since grown to become the largest private university in the state of Nebraska. Bellevue has won numerous awards and distinctions for its online degree programs, including a recent number one ranking in U.S. News & World Report.

Program Details: Bellevue University’s College of Information Technology offers multiple online bachelor’s degrees in Computer Information Systems, as well as online master’s degrees in Computer Information Systems and Management of Information Systems. All of the programs are focused on the development of contemporary workforce skills.

Accreditation:North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.

Click here to request more information from Bellevue University

#22. Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)

A small, private, non-profit university with a growing reputation, Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) has offered career-oriented adult education since 1932. The school’s online degree programs have received several national rankings and awards for their quality and value.

Program Details: SNHU offers associate’s and bachelor’s level online degrees in Computer Information Technology with multiple areas of emphasis, as well as and online Master of Science in Information Technology with several concentrations. All of the programs are designed to enhance both technical and business proficiency in order for students to advance in their chosen careers.

Accreditation:New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.

Click here to request more information from Southern New Hampshire University

#23. Robert Morris University

Robert Morris University is a small, private university in Pittsburgh, PA (not to be confused with the Illinois university by the same name). Recognized as one of the top universities in the northeast, the school offers a number of online degree programs with small class sizes and an excellent completion and placement record.

Program Details: Robert Morris University offers online Master of Science degree programs in Competitive Intelligence Systems and Internet Information Systems through its School of Communications and Information Systems. Both programs required 30 credit hours for completion, with some prerequisites required.

Accreditation:Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Click here to request more information Robert Morris University

#24. Keiser University

Keiser University is a private, non-profit university established in 1977 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Offering primarily career-oriented degree programs, the university tailors itself to the needs of working adults.

Program Details: Keiser University offers an online associate’s degree in Information Technology and an online bachelor’s degree in Information Technology Management. The associate’s program prepares students for positions in network administration and has an emphasis on security support. The bachelor’s program prepares computer technicians for supervisor and management positions.

Accreditation:Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

Click here to request more information from Keiser University

#25. ECPI University

Formerly ECPI College of Technology, ECPI University is a private, for-profit university oriented towards adult career training. The school has campuses in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, as well as a substantial online presence.

Program Details: ECPI offers online associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs in Computer & Information Science with multiple concentrations, as well as an online master’s degree in Information Systems. All of ECPI’s online degree programs are designed to produce well-rounded individuals with the skills and knowledge to succeed in their chosen career field.

Accreditation:Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

Click here to request more information from ECPI University

Here’s a sneak peak at our picks for the top 10 schools with the best online education administration degree programs. Be sure to read on for more about our online education administration program ranking and information about all of the top 25 online education administration and leadership degree programs!

#1. Quinnipiac University
#2. American College of Education
#3. Drexel University
#4. Florida State University
#5. University of Scranton
#6. Keiser University
#7. DePaul University
#8. Concordia University Wisconsin
#9. Arizona State University
#10. University of Nebraska at Kearney

The Value of a Degree in Educational Administration and Leadership

Due to the diversity of jobs, tasks and responsibilities involved in being an education administrator, there are many different paths and experiences that lead people into the position. The vast majority of education administrators begin their careers as teachers and then move into an administrative role after completing a master’s or doctoral degree in education administration or education leadership. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a master’s degree is a prerequisite for most positions in education administration beyond the preschool level.

The Advantages of an Online Degree in Education Administration and Education Leadership

The constraints of time, family commitments, and work often make it difficult for aspiring education administrators to complete a traditional graduate degree program. Most online degree programs in education administration and education leadership are designed with just such people in mind. Students are able to complete their classes and assignments at a time that is convenient for them, and from anywhere with an internet connection. This allows students in online education administration programs to maintain their commitment to family and work while completing their degree.

How We Selected the Smart Choice Schools for Online Education Administration and Leadership Programs

Only regionally accredited colleges and universities listed in the National Center for Education Statistics database and offering graduate degree programs in Education Administration or Education Leadership were considered. Schools that passed this initial criterion were then evaluated based on publicly available data related to market reputation, academic quality, student satisfaction, and cost. We believe the resulting list is a great place to begin your search for the online education administration or education leadership degree program that is best for you.

#1. Quinnipiac University

Quinnipiac University was founded in 1929 in New Haven, CT; today it is located in Hamden. Originally a small commuter school, Quinnipiac University has grown in the last twenty years into a highly respected private university, ranked at the top of its category by US News and World Report and accredited by the AACSB. It is also known for the Quinnipiac Polling Center, a source of public opinion frequently cited by major news outlets.

Program Details: Quinnipiac University offers an accredited online Master of Science in Teaching Leadership program for established, experienced teachers who wish to move into administration, with an eye toward improving education quality. This 30 credit program offers three possible areas of specialization: Literacy, Mathematics, and Program Improvement. Teaching students will learn to improve and transform school culture by studying curriculum development, diversity, and behavior, while practicing administrative roles with real peer colleagues and practicing research skills. The culminating project is a grant proposal designed to meet the needs of a specific school or district.

Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges; National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Click here to request more information from Quinnipiac University

#2. American College of Education

The American College of Education is a private online graduate school offering graduate degrees in education. Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, ACE was founded as Barat College in 1858, a women’s academy. Following a partnership with DePaul University, Barat College was purchased by the American College of Education in 2005 to provide quality, affordable education degrees online.

Program Details: The American College of Education offers an accredited online Master of Education in Educational Leadership degree designed for experienced educators who wish to take on more leadership responsibility at school, district, and state levels. This program will prepare educational leaders to deal with the complexities of social and political pressures on the educational system, to lead with vision for improving educational standards, and to utilize the most advanced teaching technology to make the most of educational opportunities. Students in the M.Ed. program may also work toward a dual degree in Curriculum and Instruction.

Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Click here to request more information from American College of Education

#3. Drexel University

Founded in 1891 by financier and philanthropist Anthony J. Drexel, Drexel University is a private research university in Philadelphia PA. Drexel is known for its cooperative education program, possibly the best in the nation, with a broad range of corporate partners. Students at Drexel follow a unique 5-year track that includes 18 months of real internship, giving them an exceptional degree of experience and a wide network of contacts upon graduation.

Program Details: Drexel University offers an accredited online Master of Science in Educational Administration: Collaborative Learning. Drexel’s program emphasizes collaboration and team leading, in keeping with Drexel’s commitment to cooperative education practices. In addition to the 45-credit hours of coursework, students will also take part in a 4-term, 600 hour internship as an educational administrator, part of Drexel’s uniquely in-depth, hands-on approach to education. This demanding program will provide students with confidence, contacts, and authority.

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Click here to request information from Drexel University

#4. Florida State University

The first state university in Florida, Florida State University is a comprehensive public university with a space grant (for outer space research) and sea grant (for oceanographic research). Located in Tallahassee, Florida, Florida State was founded in 1851. Florida State has been rated a best value by USA Today and The Princeton Review, and named in the top 50 public universities by US News and World Report.

Program Details: Florida State University offers an accredited Master of Science in Higher Education, General Administration. This program is designed for educators who wish to move into intermediate management positions in higher education, but who need to keep their jobs and cannot move or commute for a degree. Part-time students can finish the program in seven semesters with only two courses per semester.

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

#5. University of Scranton

A private, co-ed, Catholic liberal arts university, The University of Scranton was founded in 1888 by the Diocese of Scranton and is currently operated according to Jesuit tradition, the Society of Jesus having taken over in 1942. The university has been positively cited by the Princeton Review, US News and World Report, and Newsweek, being named as an up-and-coming school by US News in 2010. It has also been named one of the Friendliest Schools by the Huffington Post.

Program Details: The University of Scranton offers an accredited online Master of Science in Educational Administration for educators who wish to move into administration, make a higher salary, and gain greater prestige. This 39-credit hour program can be completed in as little as 18 months by full-time students. Students will also complete two 150-hour practicums, one in elementary and one in secondary education. These intensive programs will provide feedback, experience, and the opportunity to gain principal certification.

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education; National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

#6. Keiser University

Keiser University is a private, non-profit institution located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Originally founded in 1977 as a career college, Keiser University was formerly a for-profit school until investigation of for-profit colleges by the Florida Attorney General prompted founder Arthur Keiser to sell Keiser University to Everglades College, Inc, a non-profit organization that also operates Everglades University.

Program Details: Keiser University offers an accredited online Master of Science in Education with specializations in Leadership and Career College Administration for educators who wish to move into administration positions. These programs provide students with a grounding in assessment, curriculum design, governance, and decision-making.

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Click here to request more information from Keiser University

#7. DePaul University

DePaul University is the largest Roman Catholic university in the United States, and one of the 10 largest private universities, with over 25,000 students. Founded in 1898 by the Congregation of the Mission, a monastic group dedicated to St Vincent DePaul, DePaul University was originally intended to educate the children of Catholic immigrants. Today it retains its dedication to serving first-generation college students, low-income students, and students of color, even as it has maintained rigorous admissions standards and grown enormously. US News and World Report has twice ranked DePaul #1 for student satisfaction, and The Princeton Review has also ranked the college highly.

Program Details: DePaul University offers an accredited online master’s degree in Educational Leadership. Students may choose from a Master of Arts or a Master of Education, depending on their field and career goals. This 52-credit hour (13 course) program is for students who desire positions in administration and supervision, not necessarily for certified teachers, but can also be applied to leadership positions in business and human services. The Educational Leadership program prepares students not only in theory and practice, but in understanding the issues and problems facing administrators in contemporary education, and in researching specific administrative and supervisory positions for future employment.

Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

#8. Concordia University Wisconsin

Concordia University Wisconsin is one of the ten-member Concordia University System, a university system overseen by the Missouri Synod of the Lutheran Church. Originally founded in 1881 in downtown Milwaukee, Concordia began as a classical educational institution for the preparation of Lutheran ministers. Originally all male, Concordia is today a coeducational university with five schools and colleges.

Program Details: Concordia University Wisconsin offers an accredited online Master of Education in Educational Administration. The program prepares students for administrative positions in elementary, middle, or high school, and may provide eligibility for a Principal license or Director of Instruction for a school or district. In addition to 33 basic credit hours, students will engage in a 100-hour practicum at the school where the student is already employed, or at another school. Assessment is done by a portfolio system, and students may opt for a thesis or a graduate seminar project to complete their degree.

Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

#9. Arizona State University (ASU Online)

Arizona State University, founded in 1885, is spread over four campuses around the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, but they are one institution. While the university has typically ranked lower than the top 100 in standard lists (such as US News and World Report), recent advances in quality, such as those experienced by the Carey School of Business, have led to ASU’s reputation as an up-and-coming university.

Program Details: Arizona State University’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College offers an accredited online Master of Education degree in Educational Administration and Supervision with two possible concentrations: Principal Leadership or Teacher Leadership. Both programs are rigorous 36-credit hour curricula, that combines coursework with fieldwork. Students in the Teacher Leadership program will also engage in an administrative internship in the school where they work, applying the lessons in curriculum development, testing, and leadership in a real-world setting. The Principal Leadership program meets the requirements for Principal licensure in Arizona; students from other states will have to check with their own state’s department of education.

Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

#10. University of Nebraska at Kearney

The University of Nebraska at Kearney is one campus of the University of Nebraska system. Located in Kearney, Nebraska, UNK was founded in 1905 as the Nebraska State Normal School, a teacher-preparation college. Ranked by US News and World Report as a Top 10 Midwestern public university, UNK uses is eCampus to further its commitment to affordable, high-quality education for everyone.

Program Details: The University of Nebraska Kearney eCampus offers an accredited online Master of Education in Educational Administration with three possible concentrations: School Principalship PreK-8 or 7-12, Supervisor of Special Education, and School Superintendent. The School Principalship and Supervisor of Special Education are both 36-credit hour programs designed for educators who wish to move into positions of greater responsibility; the School Superintendent program is an advanced degree for those who already hold a master’s degree and desire the experience necessary to become a superintendent for a district. Coursework is presented online, with real-world practica supervised by experienced administrators.

Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

#11. University of New England

The University of New England is a post-secondary trade school with campuses in Biddeford and Portland, Maine. Originally founded as a Catholic boy’s high school and junior college, the University of New England grew into a university by merging with the New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1978. The Franciscan order withdrew as administrators in 1974. The University of New England has Maine’s only medical school.

Program Details: The University of New England’s U-Online offers an accredited Master of Education degree with a concentration in Educational Leadership. The 30-credit hour program is designed for K-12 educators who wish to move into positions of leadership and administration, focusing not only on educational theory and practice, but on the skills for motivating and directing educators. Fifteen hours of focused coursework in Educational Leadership prepare students for the challenges of legal, budgetary, and organizational issues in administration. Students should consult the department of education in their states to determine their eligibility for assistant principal and principal certification.

Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

Click here to request more information from the University of New England

#12. University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati is a public research university located in Cincinnati, OH, part of the University of Ohio system. Ranked by US News and World Report as a Tier 1 university, UC consistently ranks as one of the top universities in the nation.

Program Details: The University of Cincinnati offers an accredited online Master of Education in Educational Leadership. UC boasts an impressive 100% pass rate on Principal Licensure exams, and its flexible, convenient online format allows working educators to prepare for administrative positions while retaining their current jobs. This 54-credit hour program can be completed in only two years, while the cohort model provides students with a stable group of peers who can offer support and variety of experience. While the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership meets the qualifications for Principal licensure in many states, students should check with the department of education in their own state.

Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Click here to request information from the University of Cincinnati

#13. University of Massachusetts (UMassOnline)

The University of Massachusetts is the largest public research university in New England, and one of the most respected, established in 1863 as a land-grant research university. Amherst, MA, is acclaimed as one of the best college towns in America, and the university is consistently ranked as one of the greatest in the nation.

Program Details: UMass Online offers an accredited online Master of Education degree in Educational Administration. This 30-credit hour program is designed for certified K-12 educators who wish to take on positions of greater responsibility and leadership. Students should be experienced, licensed educators.

Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges; National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

#14. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is a private university with campuses in Manchester and Hooksett, New Hampshire. Founded in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University was originally an accounting school before being chartered by the state of New Hampshire and reconstituted as a non-profit institution. Today the university remains an acclaimed business school and is ranked highly by US News and World Report as a regional university.

Program Details: Southern New Hampshire University offers an accredited online Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership. This 36-credit hour program is designed for licensed educators desiring an extra endorsement, and can be completed in as little as 18 months with only two courses per 11-week term. Students completing the program qualify for Principal certification in New Hampshire, though requirements differ by state. This program combines theoretical and practical learning in curriculum development, assessment, technology, and leadership.

Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

Click here to request more information from Southern New Hampshire University

#15. Liberty University

Founded in 1971 by Rev. Jerry Falwell, Liberty University, while a young university, has grown tremendously in its short existence into the largest private university in the nation. As a SACS-accredited institution, Liberty ensures that it meets all standards accreditation entails, while also maintaining its evangelical commitment to conservative Christian values. Liberty is located in Lynchburg, VA.

Program Details: Liberty University offers an accredited online Master of Education degree in Administration and Supervision. This 36-credit hour program is designed for educators seeking leadership credentials for K-12 institutions, or as a stepping stone for students pursuing a Doctorate of Education. Students will also take a 3-credit hour internship with an educational institution, practicing in real life the community building, legal, budgetary and administrative skills they have learned theoretically. Students may qualify for principal, assistant principal, and curriculum instructor licensure in their state.

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Click here to request information from Liberty University

#16. Graceland University

Graceland University is a private liberal arts university in Lamoni, Iowa, with a second campus in Independence Missouri. Founded in 1895 as Lamoni College by the Community of Christ (an offshoot of the Latter Day Saints), Graceland University today is nonsectarian institution known for its large Korean War archive and its successful soccer team.

Program Details: Graceland University offers an accredited Master of Education degree with specialization in Management in the Inclusive Classroom, a curriculum based on the William Glasser psychiatric model. This program prepares educators who have a bachelor’s degree or teaching certification to take on administrative and management positions in education. Based on the Glasser model, Graceland’s Master of Education emphasizes personal choice and responsibility to transform student lives.

Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Click here to request information from Graceland University

#17. Concordia University-Portland

Concordia University Portland is one of the ten-member Concordia University System, a university system overseen by the Missouri Synod of the Lutheran Church. This private, Christian university was founded in 1905 as a university-prep school, Concordia Portland now have branch campuses across Oregon and is preparing to open a law school.

Program Details: Concordia University Portland offers an accredited online Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership. This program is designed for experienced educators working full-time to obtain a higher degree while still practicing their skills every day in the classroom. Student educators in K-12 who want to take on managerial responsibility and enter administration will learn about planning, policy, and professional development. Courses are five weeks long, and assignments may be turned in when convenient for students. Students who wish to seek certification or licensure should consult their state’s department of education.

Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Click here to request information from Concordia University-Portland

#18. Jones International University

Jones International University is a for-profit, regionally-accredited university based in Centennial, Colorado. As a pioneer in distance education, Jones International University began as a cable television channel in 1987 offering courses via television. In 1993 JIU became the first all-online university in the world, and in 1999 became the first to be accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Program Details: Jones International University offers a number of accredited online Master of Education degrees with specialization in Leadership and Administration. Students may specialize in K-12 or Higher Education Leadership and Administration, and LIU also offers a Principal and Administrator Licensure track for educators who wish to pursue certification for principal or superintendent positions. Most of these programs are 30 credit hours, with project-based instruction.

Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Click here to request information from Jones International University

#19. University of Texas at Arlington

The University of Texas at Arlington is a public research university located in Arlington, TX, a suburb of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. Founded in 1885 as a military school, the university was first part of the Texas A&M system until joining the University of Texas system in 1965. UT Arlington serves over 30,000 students, the second largest university in Texas, and is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a high-research institution.

Program Details: UT Arlington offers an accredited online Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. This 36-credit hour degree program allows specializations in Principal Certification, Principal Certification in Dual Language, and Higher Education Emphasis and are designed for experienced, licensed educators who want to expand their career with administrative responsibilities.

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

#20. Ottawa University

Ottawa University is a private, non-profit liberal arts university located in Ottawa, Kansas and affiliated with the American Baptist Church. Originally founded in 1865 to provide education for the dislocated Ottawa Indians, Ottawa University still offers tuition-free undergraduate education for members of the Ottowa Tribe. This small university also has adult education campuses in several locations in Kansas.

Program Details: Ottawa University offers an accredited online Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in Educational Leadership. This 39-credit hour program is designed for licensed educators with at least three years of experience who are ready to move into administrative positions. While endorsements and certification vary from state to state, the Educational Leadership concentration will prepare students to deal with the legal, financial, and political complexities of education administration.

Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Click here to request information from Ottawa University

#21. Northcentral University

Northcentral University is a private, for-profit doctoral university based in Prescott Valley, AZ. Founded in 1996 by Dr Donal Hecht, Northcentral was purchased by Rockbridge Growth Equity, LLC in 2008. Northcentral has three schools: the School of Business and Technology Management, the School of Education, and the School of Behavioral and Health Sciences.

Program Details: Northcentral University offers an accredited online Master of Education degree with a specialization in Educational Leadership. This 30-credit hour program prepares students for leadership positions in education with courses in diversity, law, finance, and safety. The program emphasizes a historical perspective to guide useful, appropriate educational reform in the real world. The Master of Education in Educational Leadership can be completed in 21 months.

Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Click here to request information from Northcentral University

#22. Kaplan University

Kaplan University is a for-profit distance-learning university owned by Kaplan, Inc, a subsidiary of the Washington Post Company; Kaplan University is also know as the Iowa College Acquisition Corporation. Originally founded in 1937 as Quest College, Kaplan was bought by the Iowan College Acquisition Corporation and changed to Kaplan College, in honor of Kaplan Test Prep founder Stanley H. Kaplan.

Program Details: Kaplan University offers an accredited online Master of Science in Education degree with a specialization in Educational Leadership. The MS Education degree is designed for both experienced K-12 educators who want to take on administrative responsibilities to improve the school environment, and for new educators who want knowledge and experience in finance, legal issues, curriculum development, and personnel management. The 46-credit hour program offers students a demanding, challenging mix of practical experience and coursework.

Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

#23. University of the Incarnate Word

The University of the Incarnate Word is a private Catholic university located in San Antonio, Texas. Founded in 1881 by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, the university has maintained a commitment to its mission with campus extensions in China and Mexico, 93 sister schools throughout the world, and an unparalleled study-abroad program. The university is the largest Catholic university in the state of Texas.

Program Details: The University of the Incarnate Word offers an accredited online Master of Education degree in Teacher Leadership. This 36-credit hour program is designed for K-12 instructors who wish to continue teaching while also taking on managerial and administrative roles in their schools as department heads, team leaders, or curriculum designers.

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Click here to request information from the University of the Incarnate Word

#24. Arkansas State University

Arkansas State University is a public research university located in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Founded as an agricultural school in 1909, the school became Arkansas State University in 1967 and is the flagship campus of the Arkansas State University system.

Program Details: ASU offers an accredited online Master of Science in Education degree in Educational Leadership. This 36-credit hour program can be completed in as little as 20 months. The Educational Leadership program is designed for licensed educators with at least two years of experience who want to learn skills in curriculum development, leadership, and motivation.

Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

#25. Walden University

Walden University was founded in 1970 as an experiment, originally proposed in a paper by Harold Hodgkinson, to provide working adults an opportunity to complete their higher degrees while also working toward positive social change. Eventually moving from Florida to Minnesota, Walden was accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and grew into a unique and acclaimed online university.

Program Details: Walden University offers an accredited online Master of Science in Education with a specialization in Educational Leadership. This program is designed to help experienced and novice teachers (with a teaching certificate) improve student outcomes and motivate educators to improve learning opportunities. However, the program is not approved to lead to licensure as a principal or assistant principal; students must consult the department of education in their own states for information on salary advancement, licensure, or endorsement.

Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Click here to request more information from Walden University

University of Phoenix offers an online Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education. Even students without previous teaching experience will be prepared for certification and licensure with this program. In addition to coursework, students will engage in 100 hours of field experience in an early childhood education setting. The Phoenix online program can be used for licensure in a number of states; students will need to check to see if their own state is included. This program was developed according to standards set by the National Association for the Education for Young Children (NAEYC), with a mix of theory and practice, field work and student teaching, for a well-rounded education.

Applicants must:

• have an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university
• provide verification of a minimum of three years of significant full-time, post-high school work experience
• be currently employed
• complete all required forms for admission
• submit an official undergraduate degree posted transcript

Tuition is $575 per credit hour; the entire program may cost $17,310– $28,335, depending on the student. In addition to federal student loans and grants, students may be qualified for special scholarships. Military students are eligible for special tuition rates.

National Louis University offers an accredited online Master of Education in Early Childhood Administration. This degree is designed for experienced teachers who already have a Bachelor’s in Education and wish to move into leadership positions. Instruction focuses on curriculum development, assessment, and professional ethics, as well as further development of educational skills. NLU’s program is based on a cohort model, so online students receive the support and stability of having a unified, continuous group of peers to work with throughout the program. NLU’s history at the forefront of early childhood education practice in America extends even today to its online programs.

Applicants will need:

• Application and $40 fee
• Official transcripts
• Teaching certificate
• Professional resume
• 3 references
• Statement of academic and professional goals
• Official test scores

Tuition for the M.Ed. is $744 per credit hour, not including fees. Students qualify for federal student loans and grants, and may be eligible for other scholarships.

Grand Canyon University offers a Master of Education in Early Childhood Education with two possible tracks, one leading to licensure, the other not. The non-licensure track is a 32-hour program for teachers who already have a Bachelor’s degree in education. For students who wish to lead to teaching licensure, a student teaching component is required, increasing the program to 44 credit hours. Designed according to the standards of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the M.Ed. program prepares students with courses in instructional strategies, teaching methodologies, assessment techniques, theories of early childhood growth and development, and the impact of family and cultural diversity on early childhood.

Grand Canyon’s admissions requirements are relaxed and transfer-friendly; students need only

• An accredited degree
• Work experience

Tuition for online programs is $495 per credit hour; the number of credit hours necessary for graduation depends on the program. For the non-licensure track, tuition will be $16,000; for the licensure track, $22,000. Military personnel and veterans qualify for tuition reduction. In addition to federal grant and loan programs, Grand Canyon may offer other grants or tuition assistance.

Western Governors University offers an accredited Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education. This 122 credit program prepares students with Associate certification and no certification at all to teach children from birth to 3rd grade. Students will learn about early childhood education theory, practice, foundations, and general education, and the program includes supervised practice teaching in a real classroom environment. Students with Associate certification may waive some credits to complete their degree more quickly.

Admissions to WGU include:

• Application
• Official transcript(s)
• Must be at least 16 years of age
• Interview with a WGU Enrollment Counselor to determine “fit” with WGU’s expectations

WGU charges tuition at a flat rate per term, often coming to as little as half the cost of other online programs. Tuition is $3,250 per six-month term. WGU student qualify for federal loans and grants, as well as some state grants and scholarships. As a Military Friendly College (ranked by Military Advanced Education Magazine), WGU offers many tuition incentives for military personnel and veterans.