Wondering whether an online master's degree is right for you? Use our guide to find the best subject for your academic and career goals.
By
Contributing Writer
Bianca Gonzalez is a queer Latina brain cancer survivor who writes career readiness and corporate social responsibility content through the lens of accessibility and inclusion. You can find her at B2Binclusive.com....
Updated on April 16, 2024
Edited by
Managing Editor
Hannah Muniz is a managing editor with BestColleges, specializing in college planning, test prep, student life, and sponsored content. She previously worked as a freelance writer, composing articles on the SAT/ACT, higher education, language learning...
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Reviewed by
Reviewer & Writer
Stephanie DeBord has spent the past eight years working in higher education. She has held various academic advising roles, and she currently works as a quality assurance manager at the College Credit in High School program at the Metropolitan State U...
Learn more about our editorial process
By
Contributing Writer
Bianca Gonzalez is a queer Latina brain cancer survivor who writes career readiness and corporate social responsibility content through the lens of accessibility and inclusion. You can find her at B2Binclusive.com....
Edited by
Managing Editor
Hannah Muniz is a managing editor with BestColleges, specializing in college planning, test prep, student life, and sponsored content. She previously worked as a freelance writer, composing articles on the SAT/ACT, higher education, language learning...
•
Reviewed by
Reviewer & Writer
Stephanie DeBord has spent the past eight years working in higher education. She has held various academic advising roles, and she currently works as a quality assurance manager at the College Credit in High School program at the Metropolitan State U...
Updated on April 16, 2024
Learn more about our editorial process
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Online master's degrees can be more affordable and flexible than their traditional in-person counterparts. From business administration to psychology, you have a wide array of fields you can choose from for your master's program.
An online master's degree can help you advance your career and even earn more money. You'll not only strengthen your skills and knowledge in your area of interest, but also increase your likelihood of standing out to potential employers.
Discover the many types of online master's degrees you can get and learn more about the pros and cons of earning an advanced degree.
Featured Online Master's Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Explore Online Master's Degrees by Subject
Use the jump links below to learn more about online master's degrees that interest you.
Arts & Humanities
A master's degree in the humanities strengthens your communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills by requiring you to analyze and interpret literature, art, and history. It can also prepare you to teach at the high school or community college level.
The humanities cover a broad array of master's degrees, including human services, art, English literature, foreign languages, writing, public administration, communication, theology, and history.
Well-paying jobs for arts and humanities master's degree-holders include art director ($106,500 median salary in 2023), technical writer ($80,050), and editor ($75,020).
- Best Online Master's in English Programs By Staff Writers
- Best Online Master's in History Programs By Courtney Smith-Kimble
- Best Online Master's in Art History Programs By Staff Writers View All Humanities Degrees
Business
If you're passionate about running a company — whether that's through entrepreneurship or by crunching numbers to inform business decisions — a master's in business could be right for you.
A master of business administration (MBA) is a popular degree that develops your skills in business and leadership while preparing you to run a team or organization. There are many MBA concentrations available, such as entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, and management.
Numbers-oriented people may opt for a master's in accounting, which qualifies you to work in tax auditing and financial information systems. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), accountants earned a median annual salary of $79,880 in 2023.
- Best Online MBA Programs of 2024 By Meg Embry
- Top Human Resources Master's Programs 2024 By Meg Embry
- Best Master's in Project Management Online 2024 By Meg Embry View All Business Degrees
Criminal Justice & Legal
Online master's programs in criminal justice and legal studies can help you understand criminal behavior, the legal repercussions of crime, and how law enforcement works.
For example, if you're interested in crime scene investigation and analysis, you might consider a forensics master's degree. Or, with a master's in criminology, you could work in crime prevention and intervention.
A master's in legal studies entails the study of fundamental legal concepts needed to succeed in non-lawyer roles. If your ultimate goal is to become a lawyer, you'll need to attend law school. Legal studies coursework is similar to what a first-year law school student takes. You'll complete coursework on topics such as ethics, legal research, and different kinds of law.
- Best Online Master's in Criminal Justice Programs 2024 By Doug Wintemute
- Best Online Master's in Criminology Programs By Staff Writers
- Best Online Master's in Legal Studies Programs 2024 By Genevieve Carlton, Ph.D.
Education & Teaching
Master's programs in education qualify you to teach in various settings and across various age groups. These degrees — especially a master of education (M.Ed.) — can also prepare you to manage a school, develop curricula, and work more broadly in education administration.
Depending on which age range you want to teach, you could earn a master's degree in early childhood education, elementary education, or secondary education. Many current and aspiring teachers pursue a master of arts in teaching (MAT), in addition to getting state licensure.
Elementary and secondary school teachers typically earn median salaries of around $63,000, according to 2023 BLS data.
- A Guide to Master's Degrees in Education and Teaching By Evan Thompson
- Best Online Master's in Library Science Degrees of 2024 By Evan Thompson
- Online Master's in Educational Leadership Programs By Nalea Ko
Healthcare & Nursing
An online master's in healthcare or nursing will prepare you to work in higher-level roles in healthcare. Depending on what you study, you may have to complete practic*ms in person. Some healthcare master's programs may also require prior medical work experience.
Online master's programs in nursing can qualify registered nurses (RNs) for more specialized — and often higher-paid — nursing roles. With a nurse practitioner master's, you can become a nurse practitioner and perform some of the same tasks as doctors.
Many healthcare roles require a master's degree at a minimum. Examples of such jobs include occupational therapist, physician assistant, speech-language pathologist, and nurse practitioner. All of these roles earn a median salary of more than $80,000 a year, according to the BLS.
- Best Online Speech Pathology Programs of 2024 By Maura Deering, J.D.
- Best Online Master's in Nutrition Programs of 2024 By Meg Embry
- Best Online Nurse Practitioner Programs of 2024 By Gayle Morris, BSN, MSN View All Healthcare Degrees
Psychology & Counseling
Want to apply the study of the human mind in a higher-level role? Or aiming to advance your therapy career? Then consider a master's in psychology or counseling. You can study general psychology or counseling or specialize in a subtype, such as behavioral psychology and human development.
While most clinical psychologist positions require you to have a doctorate in psychology, you can become an industrial-organizational psychologist or school psychologist with just a master's.
An online master's in counseling, meanwhile, can qualify you for licensure and help you open your own practice. A master's degree is a minimum requirement to become a marriage and family therapist, school counselor, or rehabilitation counselor.
- Best Online Master's in Psychology Programs for 2024 By Meg Embry
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- Best Online Master's in Mental Health Counseling Programs for 2024 By James Mielke and Ann Feeney, CAE
Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math
A master's degree in STEM can advance your understanding of specialized areas. Tech and computer science jobs are in particularly high demand as our world becomes more dependent on computer systems and machines.
Engineers are one of the highest-paid roles out there — but job demand varies widely among engineering disciplines. The BLS projects that industrial engineering jobs will grow 12% and petroleum engineering jobs just 2% between 2022 and 2032.
With an online computer science master's degree, you can become a computer scientist, data scientist, or computer network architect. According to the BLS, computer scientists earn a median annual salary of $145,080 — far more than the median for all jobs.
- Best Online Master's in Computer Science Programs of 2024 By Aaron Perkowitz
- Online Master's in Engineering Programs By Heather Mullinix
- Top 10 Online Master's in Industrial Engineering Programs By Staff Writers View All STEM Degrees
Social Sciences
A master's degree in a social science can prepare you to work in a number of key roles in government, nonprofit organizations, and businesses. Social science entails the study of human behavior, societies, politics, and social systems.
Many in-demand social sciences jobs require you to have a master's degree, such as economist, political scientist, anthropologist, and sociologist. More interested in policy work? Consider a master of public policy (MPP) or a master of public administration (MPA).
Some of the highest-paid social sciences roles are political scientist ($132,350), economist ($115,730), and sociologist ($101,770), according to the BLS.
- Best Online Master's in Political Science Programs By Staff Writers
- Best Online Master's in Sociology Programs By Marisa Upson
- Best Online Master's in Public Administration (MPA) Programs By Staff Writers View All Social Sciences Degrees
Social Work
Social work can be challenging work but also highly rewarding. With an online master of social work (MSW) degree, you can work in fields like child welfare, mental health, and public policy.
If you have a bachelor's degree in social work, you may be able to earn your master's in less time. Your master's program may also require fewer field hours.
You must complete an accredited MSW program to become a licensed social worker. Although social workers don't typically take home super-high salaries, these professionals are currently experiencing high demand, with a 7% projected growth between 2022 and 2032.
- Best Online Master's in Social Work Programs for 2024 By Gayle Morris, BSN, MSN
- Best MSW Dual-Degree Programs By Ann Feeney, CAE
- What Classes Will I Take for a Master's in Social Work? By Meg Embry View All Social Work Degrees
How Long Does It Take to Earn a Master's Degree?
Most master's programs consist of 30-60 credits and take roughly two years to complete. Online master's degrees tend to offer more flexible scheduling options than traditional in-person programs.
Online programs with accelerated coursework can typically be completed in less than two years — commonly one year or less.
Is an Online Master's Degree Worth It?
If you're considering a master's degree, it's important that you weigh the pros and cons.
An online master's degree can offer a more affordable, more convenient path toward career advancement and higher-paying jobs. For most people, however, this often means having to balance coursework with a full-time job and family obligations.
Here are some of the biggest pros and cons of online master's degrees to consider.
Pros of Online Master's Degrees
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Gives you the opportunity to upskill and specialize -
Master's degree-holders earn roughly $13,000 more per year than those with only a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS -
Sets job candidates apart from those with only a bachelor's degree -
Increases competition and viability in the job market -
Helps professionals switch careers
Cons of Online Master's Degrees
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May exceed minimum job requirements in some fields -
Highly specialized programs may not emphasize employability -
Not everyone can commit to the workload of a one- or two-year master's program -
Graduate student debt is typically higher than undergraduate debt -
No guarantee of career advancement or a higher salary in saturated sectors
How to Choose the Right Online Master's Program for You
Make sure you consider several factors when choosing a master's program, particularly how the program is set up, whether the school is accredited, and whether the school is a nonprofit or for-profit institution.
Program Format
Schools may deliver master's degree courses through various class formats. Most online programs offer remote learning options with an emphasis on flexibility and convenience for adult learners.
You may prefer a part-time program if you want to complete coursework around existing work and family obligations. Alternatively, you could pursue a full-time degree or an accelerated program to try to graduate faster.
Online master's programs deliver course content either synchronously, asynchronously, or in a hybrid format. Synchronous coursework means you'll participate in live online lectures and classes, whereas asynchronous means you can complete everything on your own schedule.
A hybrid program combines in-person and online courses.
Accreditation
Be sure to check that your target schools are accredited before you apply to any online master's programs.
Accreditation means a school meets certain quality standards set by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the Department of Education (ED). You can check a school's accreditation status using the directories on the CHEA and ED websites.
Beyond institutional accreditation, some online master's programs receive programmatic accreditation for their specialized curricula. Examples include MBAs, which may be accredited by agencies such as the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.
Similarly, master's in education programs often hold accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.
For-Profit vs. Nonprofit Schools
As you search for online master's degrees, beware for-profit colleges. These schools are typically lower quality and costlier than nonprofit schools.
While you may find an online master's program at a for-profit school appealing, understand the potential problems you might face by attending. Issues with for-profit schools can range from earning nontransferable credits, to graduating with high amounts of student debt, to receiving a "bogus" degree.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Master's Degrees
Is an online master's degree respected?
An online master's degree is respected, so long as it's from an accredited school and program. Accreditation demonstrates that a school meets a certain standard of education for its students. An accredited online program is as credible as its in-person counterpart.
What master's degree has the highest salary?
A master's degree in nursing boasts one of the highest salaries for master's degree-holders, with nurse anesthetists earning a median salary of $212,650 in 2023, according to the BLS.
Computer science and technology master's degrees can also lead to a high salary, with computer and information systems managers earning a median annual salary of $169,510.
Which master's degree is the most in demand?
The MBA remains one of the most popular master's degrees among career-focused college students. Other in-demand master's degrees encompass subjects like computer science, accounting, and nursing.
Earning a master's degree can qualify you for management-level roles in the technology, business, and healthcare sectors.
What is the easiest master's degree to get?
While you can't say for sure that one master's degree will be easier to get than another, humanities-related degrees generally provide more flexibility in curriculum requirements. More technical programs may have more rigid structures and rigorous curricula.
Ultimately, the difficulty of a master's degree program will depend on your own strengths and weaknesses, personal circ*mstances, and program requirements.
Note: The insights on this page were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges.
