15 Top Online Graduate Programs

published 24 June 2010

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. 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.

Topics

Lists College Rankings

BUSINESS: Duke University -- Fuqua School of Business

Top picks provided by GetEducated.com

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/
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

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BUSINESS: Thunderbird School of Global Management

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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
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

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COMPUTER SCIENCE & IT: Stanford University -- Center for Professional Development

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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
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

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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
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

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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
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

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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
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

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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
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

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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
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

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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
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

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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/
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

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PROGRAM: Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
COST: $38,128
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS: 32 semester credits
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: None
WEB SITE: http://www.otdegree.com/
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

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HEALTH: Vanderbilt University -- School of Nursing

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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
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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