Enrollment in online graduate-degree programs is on the rise, and a good place to jump start your education is one of these top picks from GetEducated.com (opens in new tab). So whether your field is business, computer science or public health, there’s a strong program that fits your needs -- and your schedule.
Included are the site’s top three programs (presented alphabetically) in five graduate-degree categories. GetEducated.com bases its picks on accreditation, national reputation, strength of online degree offerings and use of educational technology.
Cost is total estimated expense for the entire master’s degree for tuition and mandatory distance learning and technology fees as of fall 2009. It does not include costs for campus residencies, travel, room and board, hardware or software, or books. Additional research compiled by Jennifer Connor
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BUSINESS: Duke University -- Fuqua School of Business
Top picks provided by GetEducated.com (opens in new tab)
- PROGRAM: Global Executive MBA
- COST: $119,300
- DEGREE REQUIREMENTS: 15 courses in 5 terms
- TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: Five residencies required around the globe
- WEB SITE: http://www.fuqua.duke.edu/programs/duke_mba/global_executive/ (opens in new tab)
- This MBA is for senior managers with substantial work experience. As part of the program, students are required to travel to cities in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North America for five two-week-plus residential sessions.
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BUSINESS: Indiana University -- Kelley Graduate School of Business
Top picks provided by GetEducated.com (opens in new tab)
- PROGRAM: MBA
- COST: $51,945
- DEGREE REQUIREMENTS: 51 credits
- TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: Two one-week residencies
- WEB SITE: http://kd.iu.edu/aboutkd/default.htm (opens in new tab)
- The online program offers networking opportunities through its two on-campus residencies. The same faculty who teach the full-time and evening MBA programs on campus teach Kelley Direct courses.
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BUSINESS: Thunderbird School of Global Management
Top picks provided by GetEducated.com (opens in new tab)
- PROGRAM: Global MBA
- COST: $56,300
- DEGREE REQUIREMENTS: 46.5 credits
- TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: 25% of coursework delivered face-to-face at local and international sites
- WEB SITE: http://www.thunderbird.edu/graduate_degrees/distance_learning_mba/curriculum/index.htm (opens in new tab)
- The Global MBA program combines online personal study with highly interactive study in a variety of locations around the globe. Students have the option to complete their MBA in 12, 19 or 36 months.
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COMPUTER SCIENCE & IT: Carnegie Mellon University -- Heinz College
Top picks provided by GetEducated.com (opens in new tab)
- PROGRAM: Master of Science Information Technology
- COST: $48,600
- DEGREE REQUIREMENTS: 9 courses
- TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: None
- WEB SITE: http://www.cmu.edu/academics/distance-learning.shtml (opens in new tab)
- The program offers video lectures from campus classes. Students have the opportunity to participate in classroom discussions through live chats and Web conferencing.
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COMPUTER SCIENCE & IT: Stanford University -- Center for Professional Development
Top picks provided by GetEducated.com (opens in new tab)
- PROGRAM: Master of Science in Computer Science
- COST: $48,600
- DEGREE REQUIREMENTS: 45 credits
- TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: None
- WEB SITE: http://www.cmu.edu/academics/distance-learning.shtml (opens in new tab)
- Students gain a broad base of understanding in the computer science discipline, while specializing in one of ten studies -- some of which include artificial intelligence, real-world computing and human-computer interaction. Students can also get creative and develop their own specialization to be approved.
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COMPUTER SCIENCE & IT: University of Illinois – Champaign-Urbana
Top picks provided by GetEducated.com (opens in new tab)
- PROGRAM: Master of Science Computer Science
- COST: $25,632-$28,386
- DEGREE REQUIREMENTS: 36 semester credits
- TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: None
- WEB SITE: http://www.online.uillinois.edu/catalog/programdetail.asp?ProgramID=38 (opens in new tab)
- The Department of Computer Science has a faculty with expertise in parallel processing, data mining, computer graphics and software engineering. Students are allowed five years to complete the degree requirements, giving them optimal flexibility.
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EDUCATION: Columbia University – Teacher’s College
Top picks provided by GetEducated.com (opens in new tab)
- PROGRAM: Master of Arts Computing & Education
- COST: $34,785
- DEGREE REQUIREMENTS: 32 semester credits
- TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: None
- WEB SITE: http://www.tc.edu/academic/ctsc (opens in new tab)
- Students earning a Masters of Arts in Computing in Education chose between concentrations in Teaching and Learning with Technology and Technology Leadership. The online courses are offered during the Teacher’s College three regular terms. A degree can be completed in two years by taking two courses each term.
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EDUCATION: Michigan State University -- College of Education
Top picks provided by GetEducated.com (opens in new tab)
- PROGRAM: Master of Arts Education Technology & Learning
- COST: $18,450
- DEGREE REQUIREMENTS: 30 semester credits
- TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: None
- WEB SITE: http://www.educ.msu.edu/content/default.asp?contentID=1007 (opens in new tab)
- Designed to help experienced educators enhance their professional practice, the online Master of Arts degree in Education at Michigan State University offers flexibility. Concentrations in areas such as special education, science and math education, technology and learning, sport leadership and coaching, K-12 school and postsecondary leadership, and literacy education can be created through student-chosen course electives.
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EDUCATION: Pennsylvania State University – World Campus
Top picks provided by GetEducated.com (opens in new tab)
- PROGRAM: Master of Education Instructional Systems -- Educational Technology
- COST: $21,932
- DEGREE REQUIREMENTS: 33 semester credits
- TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: None
- WEB SITE: http://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/masterineducationaltechnology.shtml (opens in new tab)
- This program emphasizes the use of technology in the learning process. A significant part of the curriculum is real-life course projects, and the program requires participants to have access to kindergarten through 12th-grade students.
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ENGINEERING: Georgia Institute of Technology
Top picks provided by GetEducated.com (opens in new tab)
- PROGRAM: Master of Engineering (Multiple Majors)
- COST: $28,800
- DEGREE REQUIREMENTS: 30 semester credits
- TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: None
- WEB SITE: http://www.dlpe.gatech.edu/dl/degrees/index.php (opens in new tab)
- Georgia Institute of Technology offers multiple online engineering master’s degrees, including aerospace, environmental, industrial and mechanical engineering. U.S. News & World Report ranks the institute’s graduate engineering and computer science program in the top ten.
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ENGINEERING: Stanford University -- Center for Professional Development
Top picks provided by GetEducated.com (opens in new tab)
- PROGRAM: Master of Science Engineering (Multiple Majors)
- COST: $58,950
- DEGREE REQUIREMENTS: 45 quarter credits (equal to 30 semester credits)
- TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: None
- WEB SITE: http://scpd.stanford.edu/publicviewhome.do?method=load (opens in new tab)
- Working professionals can pursue a Stanford University Master of Science degree in a variety of engineering fields part time -- online or on campus. Students may receive a tuition discount if their employers are a member of the Stanford Center for Professional Development.
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ENGINEERING: University of Southern California -- Viterbi School of Engineering
Top picks provided by GetEducated.com (opens in new tab)
- PROGRAM: Master of Science Engineering (Multiple Majors)
- COST: $34,641-$42,339
- DEGREE REQUIREMENTS: 27-33 semester credits
- TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: None
- WEB SITE: http://mapp.usc.edu/ (opens in new tab)
- New, innovative master’s degrees are now being offered in electrical power, financial engineering, green technologies and health systems management -- all available through its Distance Education Network (DEN). Students in DEN can study anywhere, but also have the opportunity to come to campus to interact with other students and attend courses.
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HEALTH: Boston University - Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Studies
Top picks provided by GetEducated.com (opens in new tab)
- PROGRAM: Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
- COST: $38,128
- DEGREE REQUIREMENTS: 32 semester credits
- TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: None
- WEB SITE: http://www.otdegree.com/ (opens in new tab)
- This program, targeted to health professionals, is designed to give students a stronger foundation in critical thinking and problem-solving skills that they can apply to their practice. The curriculum focuses on scientific evidence in clinical reasoning, management skills and educational programming.
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HEALTH: Johns Hopkins University -- Bloomberg School of Public Health
Top picks provided by GetEducated.com (opens in new tab)
- PROGRAM: Master of Public Health
- COST: $69,460
- DEGREE REQUIREMENTS: 80 units
- TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: Students must attend an orientation and two weeks of introductory coursework when they begin their program
- WEB SITE: http://distance.jhsph.edu/ (opens in new tab)
- The Master of Public Health program at Hopkins offers a flexible, part-time schedule to students who generally complete their course work in two to three years.
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HEALTH: Vanderbilt University -- School of Nursing
Top picks provided by GetEducated.com (opens in new tab)
- PROGRAM: Master of Science Nursing Health Management
- COST: $40,590
- DEGREE REQUIREMENTS: 39 semester credits
- TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: None
- WEB SITE: http://www.nursing.vanderbilt.edu/msn/index.html (opens in new tab)
- The Vanderbilt degree is designed to prepare students for management positions in many health care organizations. Students will complete a practicum in their own area during their online studies and after graduation.
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