Online Degrees in Florida

Online Associate Degrees - Associate degree programs usually follow a two-year path with a focused curriculum, often allowing students to enter the workforce in a faster timeframe than those pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Associate programs help prepare students for a number of basic careers in the state. An Associate of Science in Computer Information Systems, for example, may help train individuals for entry-level work as a computer systems analyst. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) estimates employment of computer systems analysts will grow 15 percent statewide between 2012 and 2020.

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

Online Bachelor’s Degrees - Bachelor’s programs generally require four years of study and more upper-division major coursework than their associate degree counterparts. Students looking for online bachelor’s degrees in Florida can find a variety of programs that may provide training for many in-demand positions. A bachelor’s degree in psychology, for instance, provides a highly versatile education that can translate well to many careers. Courses such as behavioral theory and cognitive psychology help prepare students for careers such as market research analysts and substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors—which belong to occupational fields that are estimated to grow by about 32 percent and 11 percent, respectively, statewide between 2012 and 2020, based on data from the DEO.

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

Online Master’s Degrees - Those seeking master's degrees receive instruction on both the theory and applications of their chosen field. Among its benefits, online master’s programs can help professionals grow and improve upon their current skill set. A master’s in operations management, for example, helps students learn to track and fine-tune internal and external processes to create a more efficient working environment. Along with experience, this increased awareness of the day-to-day operations of a company can help professionals advance to more senior positions.

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

Online Doctoral Degrees - Online doctorates typically include two to three years of coursework followed by a thesis proposal, research and defense. Doctoral programs are often used to begin a career track in research or postsecondary teaching and administration. Those interested in university-level teaching will require a doctorate in a relevant field. For example, an online Ph.D. in Sociology can help prepare individuals for careers as associate professors in social sciences. According to the DEO, postsecondary sociology teaching positions are estimated to grow 17 percent statewide between 2012 and 2020.

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

Public Universities

• Florida International University has many undergraduate and graduate programs that distance learners can choose from, including an online bachelor’s degree in communication arts. This degree may help prepare students for careers in lobbying, speech writing or labor negotiating, among others. All coursework can be completed online, and students have access to various online portals, such as classroom forums, that better emulate the interactions that occur in traditional campus settings.

• The University of West Florida offers a variety of undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs. Among the degree options, students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, with four possible concentrations offered fully online: allied health, health care professional, medical information technology, and public health. These degrees provide foundational training needed for a variety of work in the growing health care sector.

Private Universities

• Barry University has an online Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management, which trains students who wish to be leaders in emergency response situations caused by both natural and manmade disasters. Courses include leadership development, principles of emergency management, international disaster management, and group dynamics and decision-making.

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

Sources:
Barry University
"Closing the Talent Gap," Florida Council of 100
“Confronting the Public Health Workforce Crisis”-Association of Schools of Public Health, December 2008
“Education Pays,” Bureau of Labor Statistics
Florida International University
Florida Jobs by Occupation
“Florida Ponders Opening an Online-Only Public University,” The Chronicle of Higher Education
Lumina Foundation-Florida, 2010
University of West Florida