Online Degrees in Colorado

Online Associate Degrees - Associate degree programs usually follow a focused, two-year path, potentially allowing students to enter the workforce in a faster timeframe than those pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Graduates may better qualify for growing entry-level positions in the state over those without degrees. An associate degree in network systems administration, for example, may help set up students for basic network administration roles in a number of settings. Students in this program learn about IT topics such as local area networks, router configuration, and operating systems like Windows and UNIX. The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) estimates that these positions will grow by 32 percent statewide from 2011 through 2021.

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

Online Bachelor’s Degrees - Bachelor’s programs generally require four years of study, and often focus more on upper-division coursework than associate degree programs do. Students in Colorado can find online degree programs that may help provide the foundational training to compete for growing jobs in the state. A bachelor’s degree in English, for instance, can train students in proper grammar, composition skills, and critical reading, preparing them for positions such as technical writers or public relations specialists. The CDLE estimates that these occupations will expand statewide by 20 and 18 percent, respectively, from 2011 through 2021.

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

Online Master’s Degrees - These advanced degrees are earned through the demonstration of advanced knowledge in a specified topic of study. Online master’s programs can help professionals grow and improve upon their current skill set, or learn new skills to transition into different roles. For example, individuals with a behavioral science background looking to move into counseling positions may be interested in earning a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology with a counseling specialization. Students in this program typically learn about the ethics and standards of professional practice, research theory, psychological assessment, and counseling theory. After earning their licensure, graduates may be qualified for careers as mental health counselors or marriage and family therapists. According to the CDLE, these careers are expected to grow statewide by 34 and 39 percent, respectively, between 2011 and 2021.

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

Online Doctoral Degrees - Online doctorates typically include two to three years of coursework followed by a thesis proposal, research and defense. Doctoral degrees are often used to prepare students for careers in research or university teaching, but they can also be used to help graduates move into other professions. Human services professionals looking to enter a research role may consider an online Ph.D. program in social sciences. Students can learn qualitative and quantitative research methods; how to analyze the current policies that direct social welfare practices; and the ethical approaches to social justice, among other topics. These learned methods and theories may help human service Ph.D. graduates better contribute to the future of social work policies.    

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

Public Universities:

• Colorado State University (CSU) has a few online undergraduate completion programs, including a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts. This program grants students the flexibility to tailor their major to their employment goals, as there are six specializations that individuals can minor in: anthropology, business administration, economics, media studies, political science and sociology. Students interested in pursuing this degree need to have at least 40 credits, or have achieved an associate degree, in order to transfer to CSU.

• The University of Colorado at Denver offers a number of online graduate degrees, including a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education. Students learn about child growth and development, curriculum planning, and measurement and evaluation. Individuals interested in this program need to live more than 60 miles from Denver, unless they petition for exemption from this requirement. Students will also need to attend a one-week seminar in Denver each summer.

Private Universities:

• Colorado Christian University has many online associate, bachelor’s, and graduate degree programs under their College of Adult and Graduate Studies department, including the Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Management, a partially online program that trains students in internet development, system planning, information security, and other IT skills. Students have the flexibility of accessing online course material from any computer that connects to the Internet.

You can request additional information from any of the online colleges below, and an admissions counselor will contact you to discuss specific program details.

Sources:
Colorado, Lumina Foundation, 2012
Colorado Christian University
Colorado State University
Mission Statement, Colorado Department of Higher Education, 2012
Occupation Employment Projections, Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
University of Colorado at Denver