Online Degrees in Arizona

Online Associate Degrees - Earning an associate degree typically requires two years of study. This may come in handy for students looking to enter the workforce sooner than those pursuing a bachelor's degree. In Arizona, associate degree holders may qualify for a range of occupations including that of a paralegal or legal assistant. This associate degree teaches students to organize legal paperwork, prepare court pleadings, research intricate legal issues, and more. The Arizona Department of Administration’s Office of Employment and Statistics (EPS) estimates employment of paralegals and legal assistants will grow by about 30 percent statewide from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average occupation growth rate.

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

Online Bachelor's Degrees - A bachelor's degree program typically requires four years of study, offering students a broader knowledge base than an associate degree through additional electives and other general courses. Arizona schools offer a variety of bachelor's degree programs that can be earned online, such as a bachelor's degree in finance. This degree may open the door to work as a financial examiner or personal financial advisor. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov, 2013), financial examiners assess banks and other financial institutions to ensure they are following current regulations, and analyze whether lending is being done safely and fairly. Personal finance advisors, on the other hand, help individuals reach their current and future financial goals through strategies like investing. The EPS projects an above-average statewide growth of 24 percent and 41 percent, respectively, for these occupations between 2010 and 2020.

To browse schools offering online bachelor's degree programs in Arizona, click here.

Online Master's Degrees - Those who have already earned a bachelor's degree might seek out a master's to gain better insight into their chosen field, including advanced theories and techniques that can help enhance their current knowledge and training. For example, a master's degree in psychology can help aspiring mental health counselors gain a better understanding of the human psyche, including behavioral and relationship nuances. BLS.gov states that mental health counselors help individuals work through a variety of mental and emotional problems, such as anxiety and depression. The EPS estimates statewide growth of around 30 percent for mental health counselors from 2010 to 2020.

To browse schools offering online master's degree programs in Arizona, click here.

Online Doctoral Degrees - Doctoral degrees are often a must for those who want to move into postsecondary teaching or research careers. These degrees usually require two to three years of coursework and significant research, as well as a dissertation and defense of that dissertation before a committee of department faculty members. A successful business consultant, for example, may want to transition into a teaching role to share his expertise and research new innovations. To achieve this, he might pursue a doctoral degree in business administration. The EPS estimates a growth of 29 percent from 2010 to 2020 for postsecondary business teachers in Arizona.

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

Public Universities

• Arizona State University (ASU) offers a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate online programs, including a Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program. This program gives nurses who hold an associate degree or certificate in nursing the opportunity to receive their bachelor’s, and is designed to be finished in 14 to 18 months. It is run by the College of Nursing and Health Innovation, ranked the 23^rd best nursing school in the nation by U.S. News and World Report in 2011. Online students have access to all of ASU’s library resources, and students should expect to spend about six hours on coursework per credit they take according to the official program description.

• Northern Arizona University offers dozens of undergraduate and graduate degree programs that can be taken entirely online, including a Bachelor of Science in Technology Management. This program is offered both completely online and in a blended format at several of the university’s extended campuses. Those with a strong interest in IT may gain the technical and management skills needed to rise to leadership positions within the field by taking this program. Courses include Emerging Technologies, and Management of the Information Technology Functions.  

Private Universities

• The Thunderbird School of Global Management offers an online MBA program ranked among the top five distance-learning MBA programs in the world, according to the Economist in 2010. Designed for working professionals, the degree may offer an opportunity for those with very busy schedules to receive an education from a highly-ranked distance learning program while furthering their career. An online post-MBA program is also available.

To learn more about online degree options, take a look at the online colleges listed below. If you have questions or are interested in learning more, a counselor will contact you to discuss specifics.

Sources:
Arizona Office of Employment and Population Statistics
Arizona State University
Career One-Stop.org (sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor)
Education News
Financial Examiners, OOH (2012-13 Edition), Bureau of Labor Statistics
Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce
Lumina Foundation
Mental Health Counselors, OOH (2012-13 Edition), Bureau of Labor Statistics
Northern Arizona University
Personal Financial Advisors, OOH (2012-13 Edition), Bureau of Labor Statistics
The Business Journals
The Economist
Thunderbird School of Global Management
U.S. News and World Report, Nursing Schools Rankings