Online Degrees in Maryland

Online Associate Degrees - Most associate degree programs require two years of study and are often taken by students who want to enter the workforce in a faster timeframe than those pursuing bachelor’s degrees. Individuals interested in computer technology may be able to achieve entry-level work as a computer support specialist with an online associate degree in information technology or a related field. These professionals provide software and hardware support to end users and help maintain an organization’s computer networks. The Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) expects job growth for computer support specialists to increase by 18 percent statewide from 2010 to 2020.

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

Online Bachelor's Degrees - Bachelor's degrees usually require four years of coursework, and often offer a student more fundamental skills and general academic knowledge than its associate counterpart. Many occupations require a bachelor’s degree, including survey researchers. In general, survey researchers analyze data gathered from questionnaires and other surveys they have designed for various group studies such as public opinion polls. Employment in the field is expected to grow 17 percent from 2010 to 2020, according to the DLLR. A bachelor's degree in business, psychology, or political science can prepare students for work in this field, and may include courses in market research, survey methodology, and economics (bls.gov).

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

Online Master's Degrees - Master’s degree programs typically take one to three years of education beyond a bachelor's degree. An individual looking to build upon their bachelor degree and become a teacher may want to pursue a master’s in education. This degree program trains students to create differentiated lesson plans, build educational leadership skills, and design learning environments that use multiple sources of information for knowledge gathering. Graduates of this program will also need the proper teaching credential prior to becoming an educator. The DLLR expects employment of educators to increase by 12 percent from 2010 to 2020.

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

Online Doctoral Degrees - Doctorates are often a requirement for those who want to enter research positions or become postsecondary educators in their field. The doctorate usually requires two to three years of coursework, a research project, dissertation, and defense of that dissertation before an academic panel. Instruction can also benefit professionals who simply want to maximize their occupational knowledge. A doctoral degree in psychology, for example, may impart a deeper knowledge of mental health issues like addiction, low self-esteem, and stress management. This may help a mental health counselor advance in his or her career. The DLLR expects mental health counseling positions to increase by 30 percent statewide from 2010 to 2020.

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

Public Universities

• University of Baltimore offers web-assisted, hybrid and fully online degrees in a variety of subjects, including a bachelor’s degree in general business. This degree features courses focused on accounting, finance, information systems, management, marketing and more. The university also states that it is one of the early pioneers of online-accredited business education, thanks in part to its webBachelor’s program, which allows students to complete all upper-division courses completely online.

• University of Maryland offers several online education options for those seeking a graduate degree, including a master's degree in health services leadership and management. A sampling of courses in this program includes Science and Research for Advanced Practice Nursing, Administration of Nursing and Health Care Services, and Managerial Health Finance. Students also have the option to pursue a business-oriented dual-degree MS/MBA, a joint effort by the University of Maryland’s School of Nursing and Smith School of Business, as well as the University of Baltimore’s Merrick School of Business.

Private Universities

• Johns Hopkins University opened in 1876, and today, this research institution offers many online classes, including 140 through the Whiting School of Engineering – ranked 26^th on U.S. News and World Report’s 2013 list of top engineering schools in America. One program, the master's in information systems engineering, includes courses in software engineering, information assurance, network engineering, information management, human-computer interaction and more. 

To learn more about the online offerings from various colleges and universities in Maryland, please browse through the list below. A counselor will contact you and answer any questions you may have.

Sources:
Baltimore Sun, 2013
Computer Support Specialists, OOH (2012-13 Edition), Bureau of Labor Statistics
Employment Projections: Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce
Johns Hopkins University
Lumina Foundation
Survey Researchers, OOH (2012-13 Edition), Bureau of Labor Statistics
The Business Journals
U.S. News and World Report
University of Baltimore University of Maryland School of Nursing