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The Best Online College in Each of America’s Fifty States
Nationally known online colleges have seen their enrollments explode in recent years, but they now face competition in each state!
Regional campus-based schools across the United States are increasingly providing online degree programs as well.
Local employers often prefer to hire graduates from local colleges. Many students therefore prefer to attend a college that local employers easily recognize, a college that’s in their state or region.
At the same time, students increasingly prefer the convenience and flexibility of an online college. Fortunately, these days their state or region is likely to have a fine public or private school that offers the online degree they desire.
Enrolling in an online degree program from a regional college also makes it easier if the program requires some on-campus attendance, such as an on-campus orientation or an internship.
best-school-seal-2This article lists the best online college or university for each state. Some states have strong competition, while other states have a very small selection of colleges providing enough online degree programs to qualify for this list.
We based our selection of schools on the following factors: academic excellence, faculty strength, online teaching methods, reputation, awards, and the number of online degree programs offered.
The Best Online College for Each State
Texas
Texas Tech University(Lubbock, TX)
Texas Tech University (TTU), the flagship of the Texas Tech University System, provides about 300 programs of study, leading to an array of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees.
TTU Worldwide eLearning offers an array of online bachelor, master and doctoral degree programs and graduate certificates. Some programs require campus visits.
Online classes include lectures, virtual meetings and threaded discussions.
The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education includes Texas Tech University in the Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity list.
Texas Tech University ranks #380 in the Forbes 2016 Top Colleges list and #154 in the Research Universities list. The university tied for #176 in the 2017 U.S. News & World Report list of National Universities and #93 in the Top Public Schools list.
Texas Tech University is accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The university also holds AACSB accreditation, among others.
Utah
Utah State University(Logan, UT)
Utah State University (USU), a coeducational, land-grant, space-grant university and the flagship of the Utah State University System, provides about 300 undergraduate and graduate degree programs through nine colleges.
Through USU Online, Utah State University provides online bachelor and master’s degrees and an associate degree in general studies. The school also provides certificates, endorsements and minors.
Most of the online classes use a semester schedule.
The school provides online students access to library resources, an online writing center, tutoring, and technical support.
Utah State University is included in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education Doctoral Universities: Higher Research Activity list.
Utah State University ranks #324 in the Forbes 2016 Top Colleges list and #135 in the Research Universities list. Utah State University tied for #220 in the U.S. News & World Report 2017 list of National Universities and ranks #125 in the list of Top Public Schools.
Utah State University is accredited by The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Vermont
Champlain College(Burlington, VT)
Champlain College, a private college and the fifth largest institute of higher education in Vermont, offers a variety of online programs, including 100-percent online degrees and professional certificates.
Bachelor’s degree options include business, computer science, cybersecurity, and health care.
The college provides master’s degrees in early childhood education, digital forensic management, law, mediation and applied conflict studies, and more.
Champlain College provides the courses in seven-week sessions.
The New England Association of Schools and Colleges, through its Commission on Institutions of Higher Education, provides accreditation.
Princeton Review included Champlain College in its Best 378 Colleges 2014 list. In addition, U.S. News & World Report ranked Champlain College #14 in its 2014 edition of Best Colleges in Regional Colleges (North), #97 for Best Online Bachelor’s Programs, and #131 for Best Online Graduate Business Programs.
Virginia
Liberty University Online(Lynchburg, VA)
Liberty University, a Christian-oriented school, is the largest private, nonprofit university in the nation. Its online division, Liberty University Online, offers more than 160 online degree programs.
Liberty university has been training Champions for Christ since 1971, and pioneering distance learning since 1985. Today, the university enrolls more than 90,000 students worldwide.
Liberty University Online offers more than 10 associate’s degrees, a variety of bachelor’s degrees, and 17 undergraduate minors. The university also provides a number of master’s degrees in topics including business, communications, counseling, cyber security, education, and more.
Liberty University Online also offers doctoral and certificate programs.
Students can complete many of the undergraduate and post-graduate degrees 100-percent online; however, some online programs require face-to-face class time.
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges provides accreditation.
U.S. News & World Report ranked Liberty University #89 in its 2014 edition of Best Colleges in Regional Universities (South), #141 for Best Online Bachelor’s Programs, #122 for Best Online Graduate Business Programs, #97 for Best Online Graduate Education Programs, and #75 for Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs.
Washington
Washington State University(Pullman, WA)
Washington State University (WSU), a public, non-profit university, offers one of the nation’s oldest and most-respected online degree programs.
WSU’s renowned professors teach and design the courses that are available completely online through the university’s Global Campus division.
WSU Global Campus offers a variety of online programs, including undergraduate degree programs in accounting, management, criminal justice, human development, humanities, social sciences, and psychology, and master degree programs in criminal justice, special education, agriculture, electric power engineering, and more.
The university also offers a number of online certificates and non-degree options.
Online bachelor degree students have access to an academic consultant, 24/7 tech support, free online tutoring, and a writing lab.
WSU Global Campus features Global Connections, a virtual environment which gives online students access to extracurricular experiences. Events include exhibits, musical performances, visiting speakers, and an online career fair.
The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities provides accreditation.
The Carnegie Foundation recognizes Washington State University as a research university with very high research activity.
Princeton Review included Washington State University in its Best 378 Colleges 2014 list, and Forbes ranked the university #328 overall in its listing of America’s Top Colleges, and #140 in research universities.
U.S. News & World Report ranked Washington State University #128 in its 2014 edition of Best Colleges in National Universities list, #21 for Best Online Bachelor’s Programs, #7 for Best Online Graduate Business Programs, #120 for Best Online Graduate Education Programs, and #21 for Best Online Graduate Engineering Programs.
West Virginia
West Virginia University(Morgantown, WV)
West Virginia University (WVU), a public, space-grant, and land-grant offers nearly 200 undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees through more than a dozen colleges.
Through its Online and Extended Campus, WVU offers about 40 online degree and certificate programs. WVU offers a variety of online undergraduate and graduate degrees. The university also offers online certificates.
Some online classes require live sessions and some online classes may include short-term residency requirements.
WVU provides online students access to the bookstore and library resources.
West Virginia University is included in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education includes list of Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity.
West Virginia University ranks #131 in the Forbes 2016 Public Colleges list and #167 in the Research Universities list. WVU tied for #183 in the 2017 U.S. News & World Report list of National Universities. The Princeton Review included the university in the Best 381 Colleges: 2017 Edition. West Virginia University ranks #353 in the nation in the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings 2017 list.
West Virginia University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The university received accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.
Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee(Milwaukee, WI)
The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (UWM), a public research university and a member of the University of Wisconsin System, offers a variety of graduate and undergraduate degrees.
The university offers completely online programs via UWM Online. The online programs feature the same curriculum and the same faculty members as on-campus classes.
Undergraduate programs include history, art history, political science, and more, as well as several undergraduate minor options. The university also offers a variety of master’s degrees, a doctoral degree in nursing, and a number of certificates.
The university’s Flexible Option includes competency-based, self-paced degree and certificate programs. Students make progress based on what they know, whether they acquired the information through life experience, military training, or prior coursework.
The University of Wisconsin’s online students have access to a variety of technology supports, such as online tutoring, a call-in help center, and electronic library resources.
The Higher Learning Commission provides accreditation.
The Carnegie Foundation recognizes University of Wisconsin Milwaukee as a research university with high research activity.
Forbes ranked the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee #600 overall in its listing of America’s Top Colleges, and #242 in research universities. In addition, U.S. News & World Report ranked the university #25 for Best Online Bachelor’s Programs, and #160 for Best Online Graduate Education Programs.
Wyoming
University of Wyoming(Laramie, WY)
The University of Wyoming, a nationally recognized research institution, offers a variety of graduate and undergraduate degrees. The university offers online degree programs which follow the same academic calendar as on-campus courses.
Students can pursue online bachelor’s degrees in business administration and nursing, and master’s degrees in educational administration, instructional technology, business administration, nurse educator, and more.
The university also provides two online doctoral degrees in educational administration and an early childhood program director certificate.
Students have access to services including online tutoring and the writing center.
The Higher Learning Commission provides accreditation.
The Carnegie Foundation recognizes University of Wyoming as a research university with high research activity.
Princeton Review included University of Wyoming in its Best 378 Colleges 2014 list, while Forbes ranked the university #199 overall in its listing of America’s Top Colleges, and #97 in research universities. U.S. News & World Report ranked University of Wyoming #161 in its 2014 edition of Best Colleges in National Universities list.
Source : https://thebestschools.org
The 10 Best U.S. Colleges and Universities by State
The Top Four-Year College and the Top University in Each State
What are the best colleges and universities in America considered geographically by state? In this ranking we present the best four-year liberal arts college and the best full-fledged university in each of America’s 50 states.
Most rankings of colleges and universities are top-heavy with schools from the East Coast (the Ivy League, MIT, etc.), California (Stanford, Cal Berkeley, etc.), and a few schools scattered throughout the rest of the country (University of Chicago, Vanderbilt, etc.).
In this ranking, we make geographical diversity our main focus, looking alas for the best education offered in each state, from Alabama to Wyoming.
Our criteria for putting a school on this list include the reputation of the school and its faculty, its dedication to a broad liberal arts education, its accreditation, and its overall academic caliber compared to other institutions of the same type within the same state.
Hillsdale CollegeSome states have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to institutions of higher learning (such as Massachusetts and California). In those cases, our job was not easy. Where two institutions were dominant—one primarily oriented towards the liberal arts and the other towards science and engineering—we went with the liberal arts school as offering a broader range of excellence across the curriculum (hence Harvard over MIT).
The result is a unique list of schools, two from each state, one a full-fledged research university, the other a college focused on undergraduate education. We believe this list identifies the very best that higher education has to offer across the length and breadth of this great land.
ALABAMA
Auburn UniversityAuburn University (Auburn, AL)
Established in 1856, Auburn University went through four names changes before settling on its current and longest-lasting title.
This public university sits on a sprawling 1,800-acre campus, complete with abundant student housing, dining, health services, counseling, and recreational facilities, among other amenities such as the 300 student-led organizations that meet on campus. Jordan-Hare Stadium, where the Auburn Tigers and mascot Aubie dominate the football field, is also located on campus.
While the school was originally focused on mainly agriculture and the arts, it now offers over 140 majors for students to choose from, 38 in the College of Liberal Arts alone. The university boasts a thriving student body of over 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members. These numbers make it one of the largest universities in the state of Alabama.
Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, auburn is considered one of the best, yet least-expensive, universities in the southeastern United States.
Spring Hill CollegeSpring Hill College (Mobile, AL)
Spring Hill College is one of the oldest Roman Catholic universities in the southeastern U.S. Founded by the Jesuit order and located in Mobile, Alabama, this small liberal arts college was established in 1830, making it the fifth-oldest Catholic college in the country.
Spring Hill College currently offers 49 majors spread out over several Schools. These Schools include Business, Communication Arts, English, Fine and Performing Arts, Foreign Languages, Interdivisional Studies, Nursing, Philosophy and Theology, Sciences, Social Sciences, and Teacher Education.
Situated on 400 acres in Mobile’s scenic Spring Hill neighborhood, the college has enough housing for all undergraduates to have a guaranteed room on campus for the entirety of their undergraduate career. The school currently employs 72 faculty members, who teach a student body comprising approximately 1,300 students. The college takes pride in its small class sizes—which average 16 students per class—and its 12-to-one student-to-faculty ratio.
While the student body may be small, they are spirited and active in clubs and activities of all kinds. There are more than 50 affiliated student-led organizations, including but not limited to fraternities, sororities, academic clubs, ministries, and athletic clubs.
Like Auburn University, Spring Hill College is also accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
ALASKA
University of Alaska AnchorageUniversity of Alaska Anchorage (Anchorage, AK)
The University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) is Alaska’s largest higher education institution and is appropriately located in the state’s largest city, Anchorage.
UAA opened in 1954 as a community college, and began offering some upper-division courses in 1969. In 1976, UAA made the leap to a full-fledged university, offering the complete gamut of lower and upper division courses.
Despite its humble beginnings, UAA is now home to over 17,000 students, who are divided among UAA’s six teaching units or colleges. These colleges include Education, Health and Social Welfare, Arts and Sciences, Business and Public Policy, Engineering and the Community, and a technical college.
The campus itself is situated among some of Alaska’s most beautiful backdrops, surrounded by lakes and integrated into an intricate city-wide system of trails while still remaining a part of the local urban landscape.
The University of Alaska at Anchorage is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Alaska-Pacific-UniversityAlaska Pacific University (Anchorage, AK)
Established in 1960, just one year after Alaska officially joined the United States, Alaska Pacific University (APU) is a liberal arts school specializing in four-year degrees.
Located in the U-Med District of Anchorage, APU’s 174-acre campus is home to 550 students. The school boasts several different unconventional study programs, which allow students more freedom to choose how to approach their education.
APU focuses on small class sizes and an active, kinetic learning environment. This learning method teaches the skills needed to succeed both in the workplace and in life. The academic programs include the Schools of Education, Environment Science, Liberal Studies, Outdoor Studies, Psychology, and Human Services.
APU’s School of Liberal Studies offers concentrations in literature, philosophy, pre-law, pre-med, religious studies, and writing. The campus also contains the recently renovated Mosley Sports Center, and the world-renowned Nordic Ski Club.
Alaska Pacific University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
ARIZONA
University of ArizonaUniversity of Arizona (Tucson, AZ)
The University of Arizona (UA), which first opened its doors in 1885 (30 years before Arizona was even recognized as a state!), has evolved over the years into a first-class—indeed world-renowned—public research university.
The founders bravely decided to break ground on the 380-acre campus in what was essentially the middle of the desert. Today, the UA campus is a part of a flourishing urban city-center. The university now boasts a student body approaching 40,000 students and employs a faculty of 2,500 people.
UA currently offers 334 fields of study organized into 17 different colleges, including the Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Architecture, Planning and Landscape, Education, Engineering, Fine Arts, Humanities, Medicine, Nursing, Optical Sciences, Pharmacy, Science, Social and Behavioral Studies, Letters, Art, and Sciences, Public Health,Law, and Management. The university also has an additional college of medicine, which is located at their Phoenix campus.
Campus life at UA is bursting with possibilities. With a breathtaking 718 active recognized clubs, from sports to the most arcane academic subjects, making friends with other students who share your interests is easy. In fact, the campus is practically a city in and of itself.
The University of Arizona is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission’s North Central Association.
Prescott CollegePrescott College (Prescott, AZ)
Founded in 1966, Prescott College is a liberal arts college located in Prescott, between Phoenix and Flagstaff. The 200-acre campus is perched in Arizona’s central highlands surrounded by a variety of landscapes, including striking mountain ranges, flat desert plains, and abundant forests.
Prescott College is a non-profit organization with a mission statement encompassing liberal arts, the environment, and social justice. They strive to provide programs that are integral to the community of Prescott and allow students to act as participants in the city surrounding their college, while serving the ever-expanding global community. The school’s current student body is approximate;y 1,200 students, which translates into an impressive seven-to-one student-to-faculty ratio—a number that really sets Prescott College apart, even from most other small liberal arts colleges.
The college currently offers programs in arts, creative writing, environmental studies, and interdisciplinary arts and letters. First-year students are given the opportunity to live in the Village, a new sustainable, LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) platinum-certified complex. Upper classmen live with other students in off-campus housing.
Prescott College is accredited by the North Central Association of the Higher Learning Commission. Additionally, all the programs offered are accredited by the Association for Experiential Education.
ARKANSAS
University of ArkansasUniversity of Arkansas (Fayetteville, AR)
The University of Arkansas opened its doors in 1871, just years after the American Civil War left the South devastated, making it the first public university in the state. The 412-acre campus, located in the city of Fayetteville, is perched on a hill overlooking the iconic Ozark Mountains.
The university offers degrees in 214 areas of study and is considered one of the 50 best public universities in the US. The Fullbright College of Arts and Letters encompasses 19 different departments and upwards of 30 programs. It is the most diverse in its offerings of all the Colleges that comprise the university.
The University of Arkansas’s current enrollment is approximately 25,000 students, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 19-to-one, an impressive feat for a university of this size! Campus life is lively. Greek life is in full swing among the 41 fraternities and sororities.
The school’s athletic teams, the Razorbacks—often affectionately referred to as the Hogs—are major competitors in the college football and basketball scene on a regular basis. In fact, no other school in the Southeastern Conference of the NCCA has won more championships. The marching band is known for their intricate half-time routines.
The University of Arkansas is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Hendrix CollegeHendrix College (Conway, AR)
Hendrix College is a private liberal art college that is affiliated with the United Methodist Church, but teaches a secular curriculum. The four-year private college, which opened in 1876, is located in Conway, just 30 minutes from the state capital of Little Rock.
The current student body consists of 1,432 students and employs a faculty of 126 academic staff members. Despite the small size of the student body, diversity is an integral part of the campus dynamic. Students hail from 43 of the 50 states and represent 14 foreign counties.
The average class is comprised of only 17 students. Considered one of the best liberal art colleges in the country, admission is competitive. Incoming freshmen frequently have a grade point average (GPA) exceeding 4.0!
Hendrix College hosts a variety of sports teams, including uncommon options such as field hockey and lacrosse, but if you are looking to join a fraternity, this is not the college for you. The school has no established fraternities or sororities. Despite the lack of a Greek system, campus social life is robust—the school has 65 active clubs and student organizations.
Hendrix College is accredited by North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.
CALIFORNIA
Stanford UniversityStanford University (Stanford, CA)
Stanford University, officially entitled Leland Stanford Junior University, is a private research university located in the Silicon Valley between San Francisco and San Jose. Founded in 1891, the university was established as a coeducational school with no denominational affiliations, which was rare at the time.
The rambling, 8,100-acre campus is located in suburban Stanford, and is a perfect mix of manicured lawns and unhampered vistas. Seeing that the current student body comprises 15,877 souls, each student theoretically has nearly half an acre all to him- or herself!
Speaking of the student body, unlike most of the colleges and universities on this list, Stanford is composed of more graduate students than undergraduates. This academic year’s enrollment included 8,897 of the former and only 6,980 of the latter. Stanford also boasts one of the most impressive faculty-to student-ratios in the county, with just five students to each faculty member.
The campus has over eighty different housing facilities to match the needs of the students. Last year 97 percent of undergraduates and 57 percent of graduate students lived on campus. There are also more than 650 student groups and 35 recognized religious groups to meet each student’s social and spiritual needs.
Stanford University is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Harvey-Mudd-CollegeHarvey Mudd College (Claremont, CA)
Founded in 1955, Harvey Mudd College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college focusing on engineering, science, and mathematics.
Purposely small at only 44.5 acres in suburban Claremont (about halfway between Pasadena and San Bernardino), and with between 700 and 800 students enrolled at any given time, the school is very selective. As a result, those admitted will reap the benefits of a nine-to-one student-to-faculty ratio.
Harvey Mudd College is a part of the Claremont University Consortium. This consortium is comprised of Harvey Mudd, four other colleges and two graduate institutions—respectively, Claremont McKenna College, Pitzer College, Pomona College, Scripps College, Claremont Graduate University, and Keck Graduate Institute for Applied Life Science. These colleges and universities remain autonomous, but allow their students to reap the benefits of the varied classes and amenities available at the affiliated campuses.
Harvey Mudd College offers degrees in biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics, and physics. It also offers a number of joint or double major programs, for example pairing chemistry with biology, computer science with mathematics, and mathematics with biology.
Harvey Mudd College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Source : https://thebestschools.org
The 10 Best Online Associate in Education Programs
An aging U.S. population continues to impact many industries, and education is no exception. As the number of U.S. retirees continues to increase, so does the demand for new teachers to replace them. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for pre-K through grade 12 teachers is projected to grow by 7-10% over the next 10 years. The profession is also known for offering steady employment. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that 80% of public school teachers with 1-3 years of experience remained employed at the same school.
While faculty staffing at public schools often depends on state and local government budgets, the BLS projects that enrollment at elementary, middle, and secondary will increase in the coming decade. According to the BLS, private schools and charter schools will also drive job creation and overall growth. If you’re interested in a teaching career, earning an associate degree in education is a great way to get started.
Educational Paths
An online associate degree in education can help kickstart your teaching career, but schools at the elementary level and beyond require require at least a bachelor’s degree to teach students. Additionally, public school teachers must be state certified, which usually requires an undergraduate degree. While certification isn’t required to teach in private schools, most prefer candidates with a four-year degree in education or a specific subject, such as math, science, or English.
- Bachelor of Education: A general bachelor’s in education prepares graduates for a career in teaching, covering basic concepts such as lesson planning and curriculum development. Those who wish to teach a specific subject, such as math or history, must seek an additional degree in that discipline.
- Bachelor of Arts in English: This degree is designed for those who wish to teach English at the middle or secondary level. Core courses address common instructional methods, with a focus on teaching students from diverse cultural backgrounds and in different educational settings.
- Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood: Sought by prospective pre-K and elementary teachers, this degree focuses on early academic, social, and cognitive development. Its curriculum centers upon theories and methods used to instruct, encourage, and inspire young children while building fundamental skills.
Online Associate in Education Degree Program Ranking Guidelines
We selected the degree programs based on the quality of program and range of courses provided, as well as school awards, rankings, and reputation.
The Best Online Associate in Education Programs
1 Southwestern Assemblies of God University
Waxahachie, Texas
Founded in 1943, SAGU is based on a 70-acre campus in Waxahachie, Texas. The university offers a fully online associate degree in education that emphasizes instructional technology and the foundations of education through coursework in psychology and child development. The program requires 60 hours, including 14 general education hours, 12 hours in the behavioral sciences, and seven hours in the natural sciences and mathematics. SAGU is a Christian university and requires 12 hours of Bible coursework.
Applicants hold a high school diploma with a minimum 2.0 GPA and must submit ACT or SAT scores. SAGU requires students to provide a Christian character reference and evidence of a spiritual experience. Transfer applicants do not need to submit ACT or SAT scores. Students have access to job training at the career center and online counseling services. Employed teachers may be eligible for a teacher enhancement grant.
Southwestern Assemblies of God University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).
2 Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia
Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty offers an associate of arts in education in an asynchronous format. The online associate degree in education provides foundational knowledge in behavior and development, and the curriculum covers a variety of academic theories and teaching methodologies.
Learners study lesson plans and current trends in public and private childcare facilities. Required courses include communication, technology, Christian life, and information literacy. Students complete at least 21 hours in general education and educational theories courses. The 60-hour program requires no practicum, and transfer students may apply up to 45 hours toward the degree. The program follows eight-week terms, and students access online courses through Blackboard.
Liberty offers financial benefits — including reduced tuition rates, application fee waivers, and textbook stipends — for service members and their spouses, DOD employees, and emergency response workers. Liberty awards credit for military training. Applicants must submit previous transcripts.
Liberty University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).
3 Granite State College
Concord, New Hampshire
Located in Concord, New Hampshire, GSC offers inclusive admission requirements and a rolling admission process that is ideal for transfer students. GSC’s online associate of arts in general studies with an education concentration provides a pathway to a paraeducator certification. The 60-credit curriculum includes general education requirements such as writing, math, and social psychology coursework. Students earning the associate degree in education gain knowledge in child development and educational theories. Transfer students can apply up to 44 previous credits toward the degree.
Students have access to career counseling, digital libraries, and research assistance. GSC also offers disability services and an alumni association. GSC admits any applicant with a high school diploma or its equivalent and offers prior learning credit for life experience, military training, and work experience. GSC offers discounted tuition rates for veterans and military members.
Granite State College is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (NEASC-CIHE).
4State Fair Community College
Sedalia, Missouri
Based in Sedalia, Missouri, SFCC enrolls more than 2,000 online students. The college offers an associate of arts in teaching that requires 66.5 credits. The program is available fully online, with the exception of a 30-hour classroom practicum and optional in-person meetings with instructors. The associate degree in education requires general education coursework and major classes in areas such as technology for teachers.
Service members and their dependents qualify for in-district tuition rates. SFCC accommodates disabilities by providing extended test times, alternate testing environments, and Braille texts. Missouri residents older than 65 can enroll free of charge in courses that did not reach maximum capacity. The college accepts transfer credit, but students must earn at least 15 credits through SFCC. Applicants must hold a high school diploma or its equivalent and must submit ACT scores. Applicants must submit to a background check. SFCC accepts applications through the first week of each semester.
State Fair Community College is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
5Hagerstown Community College
Hagerstown, Maryland
Located on 319 acres in Maryland, HCC offers an associate of science in education designed for students planning to transfer to a four-year institution or pursue elementary teaching certification. Students earning the associate degree in education online typically graduate in two years.
HCC students take English and mathematics courses during their first semester. The curriculum also includes coursework in special education, race and ethnic relations in the U.S., educational psychology, and early childhood education. HCC delivers online coursework through Moodle.
Online students receive help securing internships, and student advisors assist with course selection and career planning. HCC awards credit for prior learning, such as industry certifications and advanced placement exams. Online students have access to research services and multimedia resources. HCC students must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA. HCC accepts transfer credits from regionally accredited institutions.
Hagerstown Community College is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission of Higher Education (MSCHE).
6Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, Texas
Based in The Woodlands, Texas, LSC offers an affordable, 60-credit associate of arts in teaching degree. The two-year program requires one summer semester and fulfills the core requirements of most bachelor’s in teaching programs. LSC maintains articulation agreements with four-year universities, which include easy transfer processes, tuition discounts, and waived application fees for its graduates.
LSC’s associate degree in education requires some field-based courses in elementary classrooms. Along with observation and student-teaching requirements, the associate degree includes coursework in special populations and world regional geography. Students can fulfill the English requirement through a course in children’s literature. Per state guidelines, the program requires coursework in Texas government.
LSC provides online services including access to an academic advisor, a student success center, counseling, career services, libraries, and research assistance. Disability services include ASL interpreting and online captioning for lectures.
Lone Star College is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).
7Tyler Junior College
Tyler, Texas
TJC is one of the largest two-year colleges in Texas. The college offers an associate of arts in teaching that fulfils the first two years of requirements for a bachelor’s degree in teaching elementary school, middle school, or special education. The primarily online associate degree in education requires 60 credits, including 44 core credits and 16 major credits. Students take courses in art appreciation, Texas history, and public speaking. The program does require in-person classroom experience.
New students complete an orientation exploring student services, tutoring access, and the Canvas learning management system. TJC offers career guidance, and the college’s alumni association publishes magazines and alumni newsletters. TJC provides 150 hours of free tuition for Texas veterans and their dependents.
Applicants must submit to a background check. TJC does not require an application fee. Applicants must submit transcripts, proof of a meningitis vaccine, and Texas Success Initiative Assessment scores.
Tyler Junior College is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).
8Lehigh Carbon Community College
Schnecksville, Pennsylvania
Founded in 1966 in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, LCCC offers two-year degrees, workforce training, and specialized diploma programs. LCCC enrolls more than six thousand students, including more than a thousand dual enrolled high school students.
Students in LCCC’s online associate of arts in education earn credits that transfer easily to four-year teaching programs. The curriculum includes coursework in educational theory and incorporates more than 60 hours of classroom observation time. Students also complete coursework in mathematics and literature.
LCCC’s accessible admission process does not require standardized test scores. Applicants to the online associate degree in education program must have a high school diploma or its equivalent. LCCC accepts applications on a rolling basis. The college awards credit for military and life experience. LCCC matches transfer students to advisors with expertise in the student’s field. Online students have access to services including tutoring and digital libraries. Students receive excess financial aid in the form of bookstore vouchers.
Lehigh Carbon Community College is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission of Higher Education (MSCHE).
9Laramie County Community College
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Located in Cheyenne, Wyoming, LCCC offers 76 associate degree programs, including an associate of arts in education that includes asynchronous online instruction and classroom observation experience.
The 61-credit online associate degree in education offers concentrations in early childhood education, elementary education, and grades 7–12. The program trains future educators to recognize diverse learning styles and utilize age-appropriate teaching strategies. The curriculum requires courses in human lifespan development, educational psychology, and world geography. Students learn practical teaching techniques during a public school practicum. Prerequisites include courses in English, reading, and writing.
LCCC provides online student services including academic advising, disability accommodations, IT support, and counseling. The college accepts transfer credit from regionally accredited institutions. Applications are due at least two weeks before the start of the semester. The college bases math, reading, and writing placement on the applicant’s ACT scores, cumulative GPA, or placement exam. Applicants must submit to a background check.
Laramie County Community College is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
10Southern Arkansas University Tech
East Camden, Arkansas
SAU Tech, a public community college founded in 1967, offers an associate of science in teacher education. The 61-credit teacher education program helps students develop their own educational philosophy and provides practical tools for future public school educators.
The asynchronous, fully online curriculum includes coursework in American government, state history, and art appreciation. Major courses include educational technology, math for teachers, and Praxis preparation. The associate degree in education also requires courses in college algebra, writing, and child growth and development. SAU Tech delivers online courses through BrightSpace.
SAU Tech’s low student-to-teacher ratio allows instructors to provide students with individualized attention. Online students have access to free tutoring, counseling, mentoring programs, and research assistance. The student success center provides career assessment testing and job placement services. Applicants must provide proof of MMR vaccinations.
Southern Arkansas University Tech is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Source : https://thebestschools.org/
Top 10 Online Gerontology Degree Programs 2017-2018
Nurses who want to be at the forefront of the growing field of gerontological health care can advance their careers by pursuing an online gerontology nursing degree.
As the senior population has steadily grown over the past few decades, nursing jobs that specialize in treating the unique concerns of elderly patients have exploded. Many of the best colleges for nursing now offer online nursing degrees that focus on the special demands of senior patients. Students interested in gerontology specializations can earn an online Master of Science or an online Doctor of Nursing (DNP) degree.
If you’re interested in assuming a leadership position in this field, earning one of the advanced nursing degrees that specializes in gerontology is a great way to improve your nursing resume and get your foot in the door in this important field. Earning an affordable online nursing degree will also help improve your nursing salary; the average registered nurse salary is $67,490, but the average salary for an RN specialized in gerontology is $94,485.
Methodology
To compile our list of the most affordable online nursing schools for geriatric nursing, we first used the NCES College Navigator to find the schools that offered advanced nursing degrees with a geriatric specialization. We next filtered out all of the accredited nursing schools that didn’t offer this type of nursing degree as a distance learning option. Finally, we ranked the online nursing degrees by the total cost of tuition and fees for the average student, using the in-state tuition rate whenever possible to compute the costs of these online nursing colleges. The most affordable program was ranked #1.
10. Johns Hopkins University
Clinical Nurse Specialist Master’s Program
The online clinical nurse specialist program at John Hopkins University is a master’s program with several different tracks, including adult/gerontological health and adult/gerontological critical care. Students of the program will be exposed to a multidisciplinary approach and will learn to work with specialists in a variety of healthcare roles, such as pharmacists and social workers. Graduates of the program will be qualified to assume a number of roles in the gerontological health field, including clinical practitioners, researchers and consultants, and nursing leadership roles. This online program can be completed in as little as 15 months and requires students to have at least a year of professional experience as a registered nurse before applying. Johns Hopkins University is widely considered to be one of the best nursing schools in the country, regularly placing in the single digits in nursing school rankings.
Tuition: $48,710/yr
9. University of Indianapolis
Master of Science in Nursing-Primary Care Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
The University of Indianapolis seeks to meet the healthcare needs of the growing elderly population by offering a Master of Science in nursing with an emphasis on adult/gerontological primary care. This degree equips students with the knowledge to provide care to older adults while working successfully with the patient’s family members. Students will also learn to participate directly in the field at advancing and implementing the latest trends in nursing theory. The program offers both part-time and full-time options and gives students up to six years to complete the nursing degree online.
Tuition: $34,292/yr
8. George Washington University
Master of Science in Nursing
At George Washington University, students can choose from a number of nursing specialties for the Master of Science in nursing degree. Students interested in helping adult populations have two track choices: adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner or adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner. The acute care program prepares students to work with patients with critical needs. Students who choose this track may wish to work in urgent care facilities after graduation. The primary care track prepares students to work as a primary care provider in a number of settings, including private practices and hospitals. Both programs are online with limited on-campus attendance requirements.
Tuition: $27,810/yr
7. Seton Hall University
M.S.N. with Primary or Acute Care Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Specialization
Students desiring advanced nursing degrees related to gerontology can choose from a primary or acute care adult-gerontology nurse practioner specialization at Seton Hall University. Both programs are offered online and require students to spend at least 600 hours in a supervised preceptorship. Those who successfully complete the program will be eligible to take certification exams from the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. Topics covered by the programs include disease prevention and treating chronic conditions in older patients.
Tuition: $20,430/yr
6. The University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Doctor of Nursing Practice
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center offers several online doctoral nursing programs with multiple concentration tracks available. The adult gerontology and acute care nursing program focuses on adults who need lifelong care due to vulnerabilities and chronic conditions. Students will learn about disease prevention, palliative care and managing chronic conditions. This program is a good choice for students who want to work in hospitals or specialized care facilities. Students will need to come to campus several times a year, but most of the program is conducted online.
Tuition: $12,205/yr
5. Concordia University Wisconsin
Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practioner (MSN)
Concordia University Wisconsin offers an adult/gerontology primary care nurse practitioner track as part of its Master of Science in nursing degree. This online course is tailored for nurses already in the field who wish to expand their knowledge of topics related to adult and elderly populations. The program educates students about managing chronic conditions and the role prescriptions play in helping elderly adults deal with diseases and chronic pain. This school’s program utilizes a religious approach to help students connect with their patients on a spiritual level.
Tuition: $9,864/yr
4. Kaplan University
Master of Science in Nursing
The online Master of Science in nursing program at Kaplan University gives student the flexibility to pursue an advanced degree at their own pace. The adult-gerontology nurse practitioner concentration is a specialty track for those who wish to work with adult populations. New programs begin frequently throughout the year, and students will have the chance to work under supervision on a preceptorship. Courses in the concentration track cover elderly care, women’s issues and diagnostic reasoning. Most students can expect to complete this track in two years.
Tutition: $9,240/yr
3. Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis
Master of Science in Nursing
The Master of Science in nursing program at IUPUI is one of the best nursing programs in the country and includes several specialist tracks, including adult-gerontology clinical nursing. Graduates of the program will become clinical practitioners with expertise in the promotion of wellness and the diagnosis and treatment of disease. The program helps students incorporate the latest advances in nursing and healthcare into practical treatment plans, improving the healthcare outcomes of patients. After graduation, which can be earned in two years of full-time study, students can apply for prescriptive authority from the Indiana Licensure Board. This program can be completed online, but it is only open to residents of Indiana.
Tuition: $8,442/yr
2. University of Missouri
Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
Designed for students with a bachelor’s degree in nursing, the adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist program at the University of Missouri is an online course with limited on-campus meetings. This program is part of the school’s DNP program and uses recommendations from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Potential career opportunities for this program include working at long-term care facilities, emergency rooms, research groups and community health organizations. Students will need to spend time working in a clinical setting as part of the course. This requirement can be fulfilled at a suitable site near the student’s home.
Tuition: $8,402/yr
1. University of Louisiana at Monroe
Master of Science in Nursing with Gerontological Clinical Nurse Leader Focus
Students who are ready to take on leadership positions in the adult nursing field may be interested in the Master of Science in nursing program at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. This program offers a concentration track to prepare students to become gerontological clinical nurse leaders. The building blocks of this program include courses about fiscal management and human resource management. Courses are available online, and students will need to spend approximately 400 hours in a clinical setting to gain hands-on experience.
Tuition: $6,106/yr
Gerontology nursing is a growing field, and the demand for nurses who can serve an aging population will only increase in the future. Attending nursing school online can help you become qualified to assume a leadership position in this field while continuing with your current career. Earning an online geriatric and gerontology nursing degree will deepen your understanding of nursing and teach you to apply the latest research into aging and elder care to improve patient outcomes.
Source : https://www.greatvaluecolleges.net
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