Online School Degree Programs
Find online degrees at online schools and learn more about the benefits of a distance learning program.

What Is an Online School and Distance Learning?
Online schools are academic institutions in which all or the majority of the coursework is completed through a distance learning program. Online schools offer a range of online degrees like online certificate programs, online career training, online bachelors degrees,and even online masters degrees. An online school may refer to the online branch of a college or university that has a physical campus. It can also refer to schools that strictly offer online degree programs and online courses without a college campus or campuses.
Find Online Schools Offering Online Degree Programs
- Online Certificate Programs
- Online Associates Degree - Career Training
- Online Bachelors Degree Programs
- Online Masters Degree Programs
Online Certificate Programs
- Administrative Assistant & Secretarial Science
- Business Administration & Management
- Computer Systems Technology
- Corrections
- Design & Visual Communications
- Early Childhood Education
- Educational & Instructional Media Design
- Elementary Education and Teaching
- General Education
- Health and Medical Administrative Services
- Health Care Administration/Management
- Legal Assistant/Paralegal
- Medical Insurance Coding Specialist/Coder
- Medical Insurance/Biller
- Medical Office Assistant/Specialist
- Nursing - Registered Nurse Training (RN, ASN, BSN, MSN)
- Pharmacy Technician/Assistant
- System Administration/Administrator
- Multimedia Management and Webmaster
- See All Online Certificate Programs at Online Schools
Online Schools Offering Certificate Programs
- Ashworth College Online School
- ATI Career Training Online School
- Charter College Online School
- DeVry University Online School
- Fischler School of Education and Human Services Online School
- Globe University/Minnesota School of Business Online School
- Kaplan University Online School
- Keiser University Online School
- National American University Online School
- Northcentral University Online School
- Post University Online School
- Rasmussen College Online School
- Remington College Online School
- Strayer University Online School
- Sullivan University Online School
- The Art Institute of Pittsburgh Online School
- Ultimate Medical Academy Online School
- University of Phoenix Online School
- Villanova University Online School
- See All Online Schools Offering Certificate Programs
Online Associates Degree - Career Training Programs
- Legal Assistant/Paralegal
- Business Administration and Management
- Clinical/Medical Laboratory Assistant
- Corrections
- Health Care Administration & Management
- Accounting
- General Education
- Medical Insurance/Biller
- Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement
- Early Childhood Education
- Elementary Education and Teaching
Online Schools Offering Associates Degrees - Career Training
- American InterContinental University Online School
- Colorado Technical University Online School
- Everest University Online School
- Harrison College Online School
- Kaplan University Online School
- Keiser University Online School
- Lincoln College Online School
- National American University Online School
- Post University Online School
- Rasmussen College Online School
- Saint Leo University Online School
- South University Online School
- Strayer University Online School
- The Art Institute of Pittsburgh Online School
- University of Phoenix Online School
- Virginia College Online School
- Western Career College Online School
- Westwood College Online School
- See All Online Schools Offering Associates Degrees - Career Training
Online Bachelors Degree Programs
- Accounting
- Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science
- Animation & Video Graphic
- Business Administration and Management
- Construction Management
- Corrections
- Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement
- Design & Visual Communications
- Early Childhood Education
- Finance
- Forensic Psychology
- General Education
- General Psychology
- Health Care Administration/Management
- Hospitality Management
- Human Resources Management & Personnel Administration
- Legal Assistant & Paralegal
- Marketing
- Nursing - Registered Nurse Training (RN, ASN, BSN, MSN)
- See All Online Bachelors Degree Programs at Online Schools
Online Schools Offering Bachelors Degrees
- American InterContinental University Online School
- Argosy University Online School
- Ashford University Online School
- Capella University Online School
- Colorado Technical University Online School
- Everest University Online School
- Grand Canyon University Online School
- Kaplan University Online School
- Keiser University Online School
- National American University Online School
- Rasmussen College Online School
- Saint Leo University Online School
- South University Online School
- Strayer University Online School
- The Art Institute of Pittsburgh Online School
- University of Phoenix Online School
- Virginia College Online School
- Westwood College Online School
- See All Online Schools Offering Bachelors Degrees
Online Masters Degree Programs
- Accounting
- Accounting Technology & Technician Bookkeeping
- Administrative Assistant & Secretarial Science
- Business Administration & Management
- Corrections
- Counseling Psychology
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Early Childhood Education
- Finance
- General Education
- General Psychology
- Health Care Administration/Management
- Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration
- Legal Assistant & Paralegal
- Marketing
- Nursing
- Nursing - Registered Nurse Training (RN, ASN, BSN, MSN)
- Nursing Administration (MSN, MS, PhD)
- Secondary Education
- See All Online Masters Degree Programs at Online Schools
Online Schools Offering Masters Degrees
- American InterContinental University Online School
- Argosy University Online School
- Ashford University Online School
- Boston University Online School
- California University of Pennsylvania Online School
- Capella University Online School
- Fischler School of Education and Human Services Online School
- George Washington University Online School
- Grand Canyon University Online School
- Jones International University Online School
- Keller Graduate School of Management Online School
- Northcentral University Online School
- Norwich University Online School
- Regis University College for Professional Studies Online School
- South University Online School
- Strayer University Online School
- Tiffin University Online School
- University of Phoenix Online School
- Walden University Online School
- See All Online Schools Offering Masters Degrees

Time Requirements for Online Schools
Course requirements and time commitments for online schools and distance learning programs vary depending in part on the type of online degree you're getting, whether you choose to go full-time or part-time, and if you include summer classes in your schedule.
If you want to complete your online degree program as quickly as possible, you may find more flexibility at an online school than at a campus school. Because distance learning programs like online colleges cater to students with busy or inflexible schedules, some online colleges will allow students to accelerate their studies to complete their degree in less time than it would typically take at a campus school.
Is an online degree program right for you?
Students are increasingly turning to online schools and distance learning over campus schools for many reasons; chief among them are flexibility and affordability. Here are some of the main reasons students seek out online programs for their degrees:
- Increased flexibility in scheduling classes.
Many online schools offer more online courses in the evening and on weekends than campus schools do, because these schools tend to cater to working students and students with other obligations outside the classroom. - Saving tuition money.
Enrolling at an online school means you don't have to pay travel, relocation or room and board cost at a college campus. Also, tuition at online schools may be less than campus schools, partly because schools with a campus need more money to fund items such as classrooms, which aren't necessary with online courses. - Independent study.
Distance learning programs allow you to work on your own without the distractions you can find in school settings. You will still be able to interact with professors and other students, but most of this communication will take place online rather than in person. - Studying from home.
Online degrees can be completed mostly or completely via home computer, which is especially helpful for students without transportation or who are caring for kids or other family members. - To study on the go.
Enrolling in an online college requires access to a working computer with Internet access. If you have a laptop computer, you will be able to stay connected to your online classes and teachers anywhere you can connect to the Web.

What types of students pursue online degrees?
Because you can pursue an online degree in everything from certificate programs to masters degrees, a broad variety of students enroll in online programs. Some are recent high school graduates looking for career training or for a more convenient, affordable alternative to a campus college. Others are professionals above the traditional college age who want to expand their skills or develop knowledge in a new area, and some are parents or caregivers who are seeking a degree for future employment or personal enrichment.
Online degrees and online colleges are becoming more prevalent and popular with students' increased access to the Internet. A growing number of students enroll in at least some online courses while studying for their degree.
How do you narrow down your search of online schools?
When choosing an online college, make sure it offers the type of certificate or degree you're seeking, as well as the areas of study you're interested in. You'll then want to review each school's accreditation and reputation, as well as the accreditation and reputation of the certificate or degree you're pursuing.
While location tends to be less of a factor when selecting an online college than a campus school, find out if the programs you're considering require any in-person training or tests as part of their degree requirements. Certain programs require hands-on training as part of the degree program, so if that is required by the schools you're considering, be sure you have the time and financial means to travel to the required campus to complete the coursework.