Graduate Studies

While DegreeForum.net and this Wiki are mostly geared towards providing options for students wishing to complete an Associate's or Bachelor's degree, especially through one of the Big 3, there has been some interest on alternatives for Graduate level studies in completion of a Graduate Certificate or Master's degree. This page will slowly be evolving to provide some useful information to that end. The purpose of this page is not to provide an exhaustive and comprehensive list of schools and programs that are available at the graduate level but mainly to give students more options than they may currently be aware of.

NOTE:  It is strongly recommended that students check with the state and private schools in their location to see what programs they offer and how best they may meet their career goals.

Helpful Online Resources

 * ClassesUSA - A useful site for information about schools and programs providing graduate level studies online.
 * DegreeInfo.com - The unofficial "sister site" of DegreeForum.net that is mostly dedicated to advanced degree beyond the baccalaureate level.
 * eLearners.com- A useful site for information about schools and programs providing graduate level studies online.
 * GradSchools.com - A useful site for information about schools and programs providing graduate level studies online.

Alternative Sources for Graduate Credit
NOTE:  ''It is critically important that you verify with the school you are going to attend for graduate studies that any courses taken through alternative sources like these will transfer, as well as the maximum number of credit hours that will be accepted. For most of these you might be able to use these courses for electives, but that is determined by your school so check before enrolling!''
 * Advancement Courses for Teachers (ACT) - online graduate courses normally for licensed teachers offered by a private company partnered with California State University, Monterey Bay Extension.  There are unconfirmed reports that anyone can register for these courses.  See this discussion for more.  Cost is $110/credit.
 * American Institute For Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters/The Institutes - ACE-approved business courses and exams (see this pdf for list of graduate level) costing $220 or more (see this page for more information).
 * CMR Institute - ACE-approved business and healthcare graduate level courses that cost approximately $150/credit.  See this discussion for more information.
 * Project Management Professional (PMP) - exam that is accepted at Excelsior College in their business programs for 3 gradute level credits ; check with your school to see if they offer this too.
 * Virtual Education Software, Inc. (VESi) - online graduate video courses normally for licensed teachers.  Cost varies depending upon partner college/university, normally up to $200 each.  See this discussion for more information.

Schools With Online Master's Degree Programs

 * Amberton University - A regionally accredited and private Christian school in Texas with Master's degree programs such as MA in Professional Counseling, MBA in Project Management and MS in Human Resources Training & Development.  Each degree program generally requires 36 credits to finish and may have prequisites that must be completed prior to enrollment.  No GRE is required for admission but having a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited school is.  Tuition cost is $705/course with no state residency requirement.
 * American Public University System - Regionally accredited private schools in West Virginia with Master's degree programs such as Master of Business Administration, MA in History, Master of Education in Teaching and MS in Accounting.  Each degree program generally requires 36-48 credits to finish and may have prerequisites that must be completed prior to enrollment.  No GRE is required for admission but having a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited school is.  Tuition cost is $325/credit with no state residency requirement.  Their website states that students may transfer up to "up to a maximum of 15 credit hours" towards their Master's degree.
 * Boston University - A regionally accredited and public school in Massachusetts that offers Master's degree programs fully online in such areas as Criminal Justice, Computer Information Systems, Management and Social Work.  Each degree program generally requires 24 or more credits to finish and may have prequisites that must be completed prior to enrollment.  No GRE is required for admission but having a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited school is.  Tuition cost is $723-820/credit depending upon degree program with no state residency requirement.
 * Eastern New Mexico University - A regionally accredited public school in New Mexico that offers Master's degree programs such as Master of Business Administration and MEd in Educational Administration.  Each degree program generally requires 36 credits to finish and may have prequisites that must be completed prior to enrollment.  No GRE is required for admission but having a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited school is.  Tuition cost is $199.25/credit for out-of-state residents for 6 credits per semester.  Transfer students may apply up to 6 graduate level credits towards their Master's degree.
 * Excelsior College - One of the Big 3 schools for undergraduate degrees, EC is a regionally accredited and private school that is also "a constituent member of The University of the State of New York", with Master's degree programs such as Master of Business Administration, MS in Criminal Justice, MA in Liberal Studies and MS in Nursing.  Each degree program generally requires between 33-48 credits to finish and may have prequisites that must be completed prior to enrollment.  No GRE is required for admission but having a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited school is.  Tuition cost is $515/credit with no state residency requirement.  Transfer students may apply up to 24 credits towards their Master's degree.  Don't forget that the PMP transfers to EC as 3 graduate level credits!
 * Harvard Extension School -  A regionally accredited and public school in Massachusetts that is one of the "13 schools at Harvard University" .  Master's degree programs are available in such areas as Biotechnology, Liberal Arts and Management.  These programs cannot be completed fully online and require some coursework at the University.  Tuition cost is $1,950/course with no state residency requirement.
 * Morningside College - A regionally accredited private school in Iowa that offers a Master of Arts in Teaching.  No GRE is required for admission but having a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited school is and enrollment is restricted to students who have at least an "intial teacher license".  Tuition cost is $190/credit with no state residency requirement. Up to 18 credits for the MAT degree may be taken through VESi.
 * Thomas Edison State College - One of the Big 3 schools for undergraduate degrees, TESC is a regionally accredited and public school in New Jersey with Master's degree programs such as MA in Educational Technology & Online Learning, MA in Liberal Studies, Master of Business Administration and MS in Nursing. Each degree program generally requires 36 or more credits to finish and may have prequisites that must be completed prior to enrollment.  No GRE is required for admission but having a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited school is.  Tuition cost is $576/credit with no state residency requirement (nursing degree tuition is different; see this page for more information).
 * Western Governors University - Utah-based private school that has both regional and national accreditation with Master's degree programs such as Master of Business Administration, MBA IT Management, MS Information Security & Assurance, MS Nursing - Leadership & Management and MEd Instructional Design.  No transfer credit at the graduate level is accepted but a Bachelor's degree is required to enroll.  You should also note that WGU doesn't use credit hours like most colleges and universities do but instead has "competencies" that must be completed in order to finish a degree program.  Tuition is a flat fee of $2,890 every 6 months until you complete the program (nursing programs cost more).  This means that if you complete the program in 6 months, that's all you pay in tuition!  If it takes you longer than you pay the same fee every 6 months.
 * Western New Mexico University - A regionally accredited public school in New Mexico that offers Master's degree programs such as MA in Teaching, Master of Business Administration and MA in Interdisciplinary Studies.  Each degree program generally requires 36 credits to finish and may have prequisites that must be completed prior to enrollment.  No GRE is required for admission but having a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited school is.  Tuition cost is $190.28/credit for out-of-state residents for 6 credits per semester.  Transfer students may apply up to 6 graduate level credits towards their Master's degree.

Schools With Online Graduate Certificate Programs

 * Amberton University - A regionally accredited and private Christian school in Texas with Graduate Certificate programs such as Change Management, Conflict Management & Resolution and Project Management. Each certificate program generally requires 12 credits to finish and may have prequisites that must be completed prior to enrollment.  No GRE is required for admission but having a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited school is.  Tuition cost is $705/course with no state residency requirement.
 * American Public University System - Regionally accredited private schools in West Virginia with Graduate Certificate programs such as American History, Cybercrime, IT Project Management, Organizational Management and Project Management.  Each program generally requires 18 credits to finish and may have prerequisites that must be completed prior to enrollment.  No GRE is required for admission but having a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited school is.  Tuition cost is $325/credit with no state residency requirement.  Their website states that students may transfer up to "up to a maximum of 15 credit hours " towards their Master's degree, but the rules may differ for Graduate Certificates so check with the school prior to enrolling.
 * Boston University - A regionally accredited and public school in Massachusetts that offers Graduate Certificate programs fully online in such areas as Advanced Information Technology, Clinical Investigation and Project Management.  Each certificate program generally requires 12 credits to finish and may have prequisites that must be completed prior to enrollment.  No GRE is required for admission but having a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited school is.  Tuition cost is $723-820/credit depending upon degree program with no state residency requirement.
 * Excelsior College - One of the Big 3 schools for undergraduate degrees, EC is a regionally accredited and private school that is also "a constituent member of The University of the State of New York", with Graduate Certificate programs such as Cybersecurity Management and Nursing Management.  Each certificate program generally requires 12 or more credits to finish and may have prequisites that must be completed prior to enrollment.  No GRE is required for admission but having a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited school is.  Tuition cost is $515/credit with no state residency requirement.
 * Thomas Edison State College - One of the Big 3 schools for undergraduate degrees, TESC is a regionally accredited and public school in New Jersey with Graduate Certificate programs such as Clinical Trials Management, Educational Leadership, Nursing Administration and Project Management. Each certificate program generally requires 12 credits to finish and may have prequisites that must be completed prior to enrollment.  No GRE is required for admission but having a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited school is.  Tuition cost is $576/credit with no state residency requirement (nursing certificate tuition is different; see this page for more information).
 * Western New Mexico University - A regionally accredited public school in New Mexico that offers Graduate certificate programs in areas such as Biology, Criminal Justice and History.  Each certificate program generally requires 18 credits to finish and may have prequisites that must be completed prior to enrollment.  No GRE is required for admission but having a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited school is.  Tuition cost is $190.28/credit for out-of-state residents for 6 credits per semester.  Transfer students may apply up to 6 graduate level credits towards their Master's degree.