Online Degrees in Alabama

Online Associate Degrees - These are generally two-year degrees and may qualify graduates for entry-level positions in the state. Individuals looking for basic computer support roles, for example, can earn an associate degree in information technology or a related computer-support program. These programs help students learn to troubleshoot internet connectivity issues, identify potential threats to networks and optimize personal computer performance. The Alabama Department of Labor (ADOL) projects that employment for computer support specialists in the state will grow by roughly 27 percent between 2010 and 2020.

To browse schools offering online associate degree programs in Alabama, click here.

Online Bachelor’s Degrees - Bachelor’s programs generally require four years of study and can provide highly adaptable skills for an assortment of careers. A bachelor’s degree in communication technology, for example, trains students in electronic publishing, multimedia development, business communication, and future trends in communication technologies. Graduates may be better qualified for entry-level roles in public relations or technical writing. The ADOL estimates that public relations specialist positions will grow roughly 26 percent while technical writer positions will increase by about 21 percent statewide from 2010 through 2020.

To browse schools offering online bachelor’s degree programs in Alabama, click here.

Online Master’s Degrees - These degrees typically take anywhere from one to two years to complete with students receiving instruction on both the theory and applications of their chosen field. Training may help graduates advance in their current position, or gain the skills necessary to move to a new one. Online master’s degrees are available in a variety of fields. A master’s in operations management, for example, may suit those interested in fine-tuning the production of goods and services. Students can learn how to budget finances, resolve conflicts, and design business operations that streamline processes to save time and expenditures.

To browse schools offering online master’s degree programs in Alabama, click here.

Online Doctoral Degrees - Online doctorate programs take anywhere from two to three years to complete for most students. The coursework is often followed by a thesis proposal, research and defense. Many earn this degree in order to enter research positions, or to assume roles as postsecondary teachers. Doctorates can also help individuals advance into upper management positions as well. For example, nursing practitioners interested in moving into a leadership role may be interested in a Ph.D. in nursing. Students can learn how to improve the delivery of health care by studying about strategies for productive communication, the globalization of the health care industry, the theories of nursing education and how to evaluate a health care program.   

To browse schools offering online doctoral degree programs in Alabama, click here.

Public Universities

• The University of Alabama has fully online degree programs as well as degree completion programs in a number of disciplines, including a bachelor’s completion program in general business. Students finish their bachelor’s degree with upper-division coursework in the principles of accounting, economics, data analysis, and marketing. Individuals interested in admission to this program will need to have completed the lower division requirements for a bachelor’s in business, and have their official transcripts mailed to the university.

• Troy University offers numerous associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs. The Master of Science in Human Resources Management, for example, helps provide students with skills in planning, staffing, compensation and benefits, as well as employee relations and safety.

Private Universities

• The University of North Alabama offers a few online undergraduate programs, including one in interdisciplinary studies. Because of the versatility of the program itself, the degree is suited for students who want to personalize their own major. There are seven areas of emphasis students can study within this program: arts, business, health, humanities, social and behavioral sciences, technology, and women’s studies. Forty-two of the 128 total semester hours must be from one of the areas of emphasis. Courses are offered both online and on-campus -- the format depends greatly on the specialization chosen.

Continue your research of online schools by browsing the list below. An admissions counselor will contact you to discuss specific online program details.

Sources:
Alabama Occupational Projections, Alabama Department of Labor, 2012
Forging Strategic Alliances: 2009-2014, Alabama Commission on Higher Education
Troy University
University of Alabama
University of North Alabama