Part-Time Online Master’s Programs: Top Schools and Fields

Arizona State University

ASU runs one of the largest online graduate programs in the country, with more than 100 online master’s degrees spanning business, education, engineering, health, social science, and the humanities. Nearly all are available part-time with asynchronous delivery, multiple start dates per year, and no mandatory campus visits.

That breadth is hard to match. Few universities cover this many disciplines in a single online catalog.

Featured Part-Time Online Master’s Program Offerings:

• W. P. Carey School of Business: MBA, MS in Business Analytics, MS in Information Management, MS in Supply Chain Management, Master of Accountancy
• Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College: MEd in Curriculum and Instruction, MEd in Educational Leadership, MEd in Applied Behavior Analysis, MA in Education Policy
• Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering: MS in Computer Science, MS in Electrical Engineering, MS in Engineering Management, MS in Software Engineering, MS in Industrial Engineering
• College of Health Solutions: MS in Science of Health Care Delivery, Master of Healthcare Innovation, MS in Applied Nutrition
• Watts College of Public Service: MPA, MS in Criminal Justice, MSW, MS in Emergency Management and Homeland Security
• College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: MA in Communication, MS in Psychology, MS in Technical Communication

See the full catalog at ASU Online.

Penn State World Campus

Penn State World Campus has been delivering online education since 1998, making it one of the longest track records among major public universities. It offers more than 100 graduate degrees and certificates, and 93% of its graduate students are enrolled part-time.

Your diploma won’t distinguish between online and on-campus completion, which matters for employer recognition. Penn State’s particular strength is the depth of its engineering and technology portfolio, though its business, education, and public administration programs are also strong.

Featured Part-Time Online Master’s Program Offerings:

• Smeal College of Business: MBA, Master of Professional Studies in Data Analytics, Master of Finance
• College of Engineering: MEng in Electrical Engineering, MEng in Systems Engineering, MEng in Industrial Engineering, MEng in Mechanical Engineering, MS in Computer Science
• College of Education: MEd in Curriculum and Instruction, MEd in Educational Leadership, MEd in Learning Design and Technology
• College of Information Sciences and Technology: MS in Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations, MS in Informatics
• Other: Master of Artificial Intelligence, MPA, Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security, MS in Human Resources and Employment Relations, Master of Professional Studies in Community and Economic Development

Browse all programs at Penn State World Campus.

University of Central Florida

UCF is a public research university in Orlando with more than 30 fully online master’s degrees and 70+ online graduate programs overall. Its strongest online areas are education, engineering, criminal justice, and social work.

Term lengths range from 7 to 16 weeks, and most programs are asynchronous with no campus visits required. UCF’s public-university tuition makes it especially attractive for Florida residents, though programs are open to students nationwide.

Featured Part-Time Online Master’s Program Offerings:

• College of Business: MBA, MS in Management, MS in Accounting, MS in Real Estate
• College of Education: MA in Applied Learning and Instruction, MEd in Educational Leadership, MEd in Exceptional Student Education
• College of Engineering: MS in Computer Science, MS in Electrical Engineering, MS in Industrial Engineering, MS in Aerospace Engineering
• College of Community Innovation and Education: MS in Criminal Justice, MS in Public Administration, MSW
• College of Nursing: MSN in Nursing Leadership and Management, MSN in Nurse Educator
• Other: MA in Communication, MS in Data Analytics, Executive Master of Health Administration, MA in Strategic Communication

Explore all programs at UCF Online.

Southern New Hampshire University

SNHU is a private, nonprofit university that has become one of the largest online educators in the U.S., serving more than 170,000 students. Its online master’s catalog spans more than 70 programs across business, education, healthcare, psychology, data science, and the liberal arts — all fully online, asynchronous, and designed for part-time enrollment. 

Ten-week terms with five start dates per year and no application fees make SNHU one of the most accessible entry points to graduate education for working adults.

Featured Part-Time Online Master’s Program Offerings:

• Business: MBA (with 16 concentrations), MS in Accounting, MS in Finance, MS in Marketing, MS in Organizational Leadership, MS in Project Management
• Education: MEd in Curriculum and Instruction (6 concentrations), MEd in Educational Leadership, MS in Higher Education Administration
• Health & Science: MS in Healthcare Administration, MS in Public Health, MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS in Data Analytics
• Liberal Arts & Social Sciences: MA in Communication, MA in English and Creative Writing, MA in History, MS in Criminal Justice, MS in Psychology
• Technology: MS in Cybersecurity, MS in Information Technology, MS in Computer Science

See all available programs at SNHU Online.

Oregon State University

Oregon State is a public land-grant research university with a well-established Ecampus division that has been delivering online education for more than 20 years. Programs run on a quarter system (10-week terms) with four start dates per year, and most are fully asynchronous. 

Oregon State is especially worth a look if you’re interested in STEM, agriculture, or public health — fields where many online competitors have thinner offerings.

Featured Part-Time Online Master’s Program Offerings:

• College of Engineering: MS in Computer Science, MEng in Civil Engineering, MEng in Electrical and Computer Engineering, MEng in Mechanical Engineering, MS in Radiation Health Physics
• College of Business: MBA (online cohort)
• College of Education: MEd in College Student Services Administration, MS in Science and Mathematics Education, MS in Counseling
• College of Science: MS in Data Analytics, MS in Fisheries and Wildlife, Professional Science Master’s in Applied Biotechnology
• College of Public Health: MPH in Epidemiology, MPH in Biostatistics, MPH in Health Promotion
• Other: MA in Interdisciplinary Studies, MS in Natural Resources, MS in Horticulture

Explore all options at Oregon State Ecampus.

Asynchronous vs. Synchronous Scheduling

Asynchronous programs are the most accommodating format for students with unpredictable work schedules, busy family calendars, shift workers, and those living in different time zones. Usually, these programs allow you complete required coursework on your own schedule while meeting set deadlines.

Synchronous programs typically require attendance at online live sessions at set times, which may conflict with work commitments or personal obligations. Some programs blend both formats. 

Before applying, assess your current schedule and responsibilities, and determine which type of structure works best for you. 

• Can you attend live lectures at set times (usually during the day), or do you need a program with recorded lectures that can be accessed at any time?
• Are you able to meet strict daily and weekly deadlines?

Term Structure and Start Dates

Many online programs use compressed terms: 7–8 weeks instead of traditional 16-week semesters. This gives students the advantage of pacing flexibility. Shorter terms usually mean more start dates per year (often six instead of two), so you’re never waiting months to start your education or move on to the next step. 

This also allows you to give your full focus on one course at a time rather than juggling multiple courses simultaneously.

The tradeoff is intensity. An 8-week term compresses the same material into half the calendar time, which roughly doubles the weekly workload per course. For a part-time student already balancing other responsibilities, that pace can be difficult to sustain.

When looking at programs, think about which structure better fits the rhythm of your daily life.

• Would you rather focus on one course at a time over a fast, intensive 8-week sprint, or spread two courses across a more gradual 16-week semester?
• How many start dates per year does this program offer, and can you skip a term without losing your place if you need a break?

Credit Load Flexibility

Some part-time programs still require students to take a fixed number of courses per term alongside a cohort. While the cohort structure builds community and accountability, it reduces scheduling flexibility. If you need to take a lighter load during a busy quarter, a locked cohort pace may not allow it.

Other programs let you choose your own per-term course load, which gives you the freedom to speed up during lighter months and slow down when life demands it.

Consider how predictable your schedule is as you decide between programs with different credit load requirements.

• Does this program allow you to set your own course load each term, or are you expected to keep pace with a cohort?
• If your workload or personal responsibilities spike unexpectedly, can you reduce your course load without falling out of the program?

Residency and In-Person Requirements

In some cases, “online” programs require periodic on-campus intensives, immersion weekends, or in-person capstone events. For a part-time student with a full-time job, even one mandatory campus visit per year can be a logistical and financial barrier.
Fully online programs with no in-person requirements do exist across most fields, but finding them may require carefully reading through the degree handbook or reaching out to an advisor.

It’s helpful to answer the following questions to determine whether a program is offered fully or partially online.

• Does this program require any in-person attendance — orientations, immersions, residencies, or capstone presentations — and if so, how often and at whose expense?
• Can you realistically take time off from work and travel to campus if required, or do you need a program that is 100% remote?

Time to Completion and Maximum Enrollment Window

Most part-time programs set a maximum enrollment window — commonly five to seven years — after which credits expire. This may feel generous at the beginning, but if you encounter any life disruptions along the way, like a job change or a family emergency, you can find yourself in a bind.

Some programs offer extensions or allow students to petition for additional time, while others enforce the deadline strictly.

While you’re still looking for a program, map out a realistic timeline and consider how much margin you’ll have if things don’t go according to plan.

• What is the maximum time allowed to complete this program, and what happens to your credits if that window passes?
• At your expected pace, will you finish well within the deadline, or will you be cutting it close even under ideal circumstances?

Financial Aid Eligibility

Federal financial aid works differently for part-time students. Loan borrowing limits and disbursement schedules are different for full- and part-time students, and some institutional scholarships and graduate assistantships are unavailable to part-time students entirely.

That said, many schools offer aid options specifically designed for working adults enrolled part-time, including: 

• Employer tuition reimbursement partnerships
• Military benefits
• Flexible payment plans

If cost and affordability are a priority, it’s worth contacting financial aid offices to get a clear picture of what’s available to you.

• What financial aid, scholarships, and payment plan options are available specifically for part-time graduate students at this school?
• Does your employer offer tuition reimbursement, and if so, does the program’s billing cycle align with your company’s reimbursement schedule?

1. Business Administration (MBA)

No field has more part-time options than an online MBA, with nearly every accredited business school offering at least one online or hybrid format. Courses are lecture- and case-based with no lab or clinical requirements, asynchronous delivery is standard, and AACSB-accredited online MBAs carry the same weight with employers as on-campus equivalents. 

If any master’s degree was built for part-time online study, it’s an MBA and other business master’s degrees.

Take a look at our guide to the best part-time online MBA programs today.

2. Education (MEd)

Education is second only to business in online availability, and for good reason: most MEd students are working teachers who need a degree that fits around a classroom schedule. Coursework is primarily asynchronous, clinical requirements, like student teaching, are typically waived for already-licensed teachers, and most states recognize online degrees from regionally accredited institutions. 

For educators, this is one of the most straightforward part-time paths available.

3. Data Science/Analytics

Data science has exploded in online availability over the past few years, and the format is a natural fit: coursework is project-based and software-driven, with no labs, clinicals, or in-person requirements at most programs. Employers across virtually every industry recognize the credential regardless of how you earned it. 

One thing to watch for is a program’s focus. Programs vary significantly between statistics, engineering, and business analytics, so dig into the curriculum before assuming they’re interchangeable.

4. Public Administration (MPA) and Public Policy (MPP)

Public administration and policy programs are starting to be increasingly available online. Coursework is seminar-based and case-driven with no clinical requirements, and asynchronous options are common. NASPAA accreditation, the field’s primary quality marker, is available for online programs and recognized by government employers. 

If you’re a working government employee or nonprofit professional, this is a strong fit.

5. Computer Science and Information Technology

Computer science and IT were among the first fields to go online at scale, with Georgia Tech’s OMSCS program setting the precedent and dozens of schools following. Coursework is project-based and remote-native, with no labs or in-person requirements at most programs. Employer recognition is also strong across the tech industry. 

One variable to watch out for: credit requirements range from 30 to 45, depending on the program, which can meaningfully affect how long a part-time student takes to finish.

6. Communications and Journalism

Communications and journalism have grown substantially online, with asynchronous delivery common and no clinical or lab requirements. Programs span everything from media studies and strategic communication to digital journalism and public relations. 

Employer recognition in this field tends to track more closely with the school’s reputation than with whether the degree was earned online, so institutional prestige matters more here than in some other fields. As a journalism student, prioritize programs with ACEJMC accreditation.

7. Psychology and Counseling 

If you’re interested in a general psychology master’s (non-licensure), the part-time online options are plentiful. Where it gets complicated is if you want to pursue a licensure-track. CACREP-accredited programs that qualify you for LPC or LMHC credentials require supervised clinical hours completed in person. For a part-time student with a full-time job, that’s a real scheduling challenge. 

If licensure is your goal, verify the clinical hour requirements and how the school handles site placements before enrolling.

8. Healthcare Administration (MHA)

A growing number of MHA programs are available online and designed specifically for working healthcare professionals. The catch is that most still require internships, residencies, or capstone practicums with some in-person component. Programs with CAHME accreditation, those with the best employer recognition, often include immersion weekends or on-campus intensives. 

Fully online MHA programs do exist, but they’re less common among the accredited options. 

9. Social Work (MSW)

CSWE-accredited online MSW programs are increasingly common, and many try to accommodate employed students with flexible field placement scheduling. That said, the field placement requirement itself is substantial: 900–1,200 hours of supervised work at an approved agency, completed in person. 

For a part-time student who’s also working full-time, that makes the MSW the most structurally demanding field on this list. It’s doable, but it requires planning ahead and communicating with your employer.

10. Nursing (MSN)

Nursing is the most logistically complex field on this list for part-time online students. Clinical hour requirements are substantial — typically 500–700+ hours depending on your specialization — practicum sites need to be arranged in your geographic area, and NP tracks require direct patient contact that simply can’t be done remotely. 

Many programs are designed for working RNs, so part-time completion is absolutely possible, but it requires the most planning and preparation of any field here.