Thinking about earning your master’s degree in Louisiana, but aren’t sure which online program is right for you? Louisiana’s high-quality public and private colleges and universities offer solid master’s programs. The Pelican State is home to Tulane University, Louisiana State University, Loyola University of New Orleans, University of New Orleans, and Louisiana Tech University, among three major university systems.
There are many reasons to enroll in graduate degree programs in Louisiana. Whether you’re finally ready to pursue your dream job, or you’re simply eager to learn more and widen your career options, a master’s degree from an accredited online program in Louisiana can take you right where you want to go. We’ll help you discover the best online master’s programs in Louisiana for 2024.
2024’s Best Online Master’s Programs in Louisiana
Attending an online master’s degree program in Louisiana provides you the flexibility to maintain your busy life while earning a degree. Online master’s degree programs are widely available in Louisiana, providing opportunities to learn at your own pace while saving time and money.
Online master’s programs in Louisiana also let you specialize in a specific area of interest, often resulting in higher earnings and career opportunities once you graduate. Many employers give greater consideration to those with master’s degrees, particularly when seeking candidates for leadership roles.
Students in asynchronous online master’s programs in Louisiana take classes on their own time and in their own space. Students in hybrid master’s programs complete much of their coursework online, with a portion of class time spent on campus.
As you’ll see in our spotlights below, the state of LA hosts standout online master’s programs with affordable tuition rates and optional degree paths for online graduate students.
With more than 40 online master’s programs, LSU Online stands out with its diverse academic offerings. All programs are online, and many classes are asynchronous, so students can complete coursework and attend class any time from any place. The school offers affordable, flat-rate tuition nationwide, and their online courses are taught by the same experts who teach on-campus graduate programs in Louisiana.
All LSU Online students receive student support, including a student success team, university resources, technical support, and an online LSU calendar. Plus, students do not have to take the GRE to enroll. LSU is an established, accredited institution with over 160 years of academic integrity, and a network of more than 250,000 alumni.
Online learning is a priority at The University of Louisiana at Lafayette Online. The school offers seven online master’s programs, including the Master of Business Administration, the Master of Science in Nursing, the Master of Science in Accounting, and the Master of Education in Educational Leadership, a hybrid program. Once admitted, students gain access to online orientation, advising, academic and tech support, and career services.
Online master’s students pay a flat fee of $480 per credit hour, or a packaged tuition rate, depending on the program. With a supportive culture that values all students, whether on campus or online, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s dedicated student support staff connects students to valuable campus resources to help ensure a successful learning experience.
Louisiana’s first electronic campus, Northwestern State University of Louisiana’s eNSU Global Campus hosts more than 20 online master’s programs, including the Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, Master of Science in Health and Human Performance, Masters of Arts in English, and Master of Arts in Adult Learning and Development. Online courses are delivered via a combination of online lectures, term papers and essays, course content and textbook readings, and online class meetings via WebEx and discussion boards.
The school offers competitive, flat-rate tuition for all online students. Graduate online students pay $475 per credit hours up to nine hours, then the rate drops to $100 per credit hour. Northwestern State University of Louisiana is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Different Online Master’s Programs Offered in Louisiana
While most people think of full-time learning when they think of an online master’s program, there are a variety of ways to earn a master’s degree online. From full- or part-time studies to no-GRE and accelerated programs, learn more below to see which is right for you.
Full-Time Online Master’s Programs in Louisiana
Full-time online master’s programs in Louisiana tend to take between two to three years to complete. These are the most common programs spanning many fields, including healthcare, the arts, medicine, business, computer science, and engineering. Two examples of high-quality online master’s programs in Louisiana are the Master’s in Accounting at University of Louisiana at Lafayette and the Master of Science in Nursing at Southeastern Louisiana University.
Part-Time Online Master’s Programs in Louisiana
Part-time online master’s programs in Louisiana tend to take twice as long as full-time master’s programs to complete but are ideal for those who need to work at their own pace. As with full-time online graduate programs in Louisiana, part-time programs span several fields and engage students in advanced coursework and research, often culminating in a thesis. Two popular part-time online master’s programs in LA are the Master of Health Administration (MHA) at Louisiana State University in Shreveport and the Master of Education at Tulane University.
No-GRE Online Master’s Programs in Louisiana
Not everyone wants to take standardized tests to enroll in an online master’s program in LA. No-GRE online master’s programs in Louisiana allow you to apply without GRE scores, so you can focus on creating an amazing application packet without additional time, financial, and energy burdens. Check out the online Master of Public Health at LSU Online and the Master of Music Therapy program at Loyola University New Orleans to learn more about no-GRE programs in the Pelican State.
Accelerated Online Master’s Programs in Louisiana
Accelerated online master’s programs in Louisiana tend to take about half the time to complete as full-time programs, with many allowing you to earn your degree in as little as one year. Prepare yourself to learn at a quick pace as these are the fastest online master’s degrees. Like full-time degrees, these can span many fields while also providing quality education. Two accelerated online master’s programs in LA are the Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction at University of Louisiana at Lafayette and the Online Master of Education in Educational Leadership at LSU Online.
An Overview of In-demand Online Master’s Degrees in LA
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Online master’s of business administration degrees appeal to those who want to improve their business knowledge and leadership skills while finding more career opportunities. Students tend to enroll in MBA programs to transition into a new industry, climb the corporate ladder, or become successful entrepreneurs. The MBA may be a popular graduate program in Louisiana due to the diversity of the state’s economic landscape, which has created a demand for experienced business leaders.
Examples of Quality Online MBA Programs
Master of Science in Engineering
Are you someone who wants to help people improve their well-being? As a social worker, you’ll help vulnerable people with everyday challenges that include personal, professional, and familial relationships. Graduate students enroll in online social work programs in LA to learn how to work as counselors or as social workers creating policy in public administration. These online master’s degrees might be popular in LA due to the state’s poverty, racial, and disaster recovery challenges, which have created a demand for those who can address complex social issues.
Examples of Quality Online MSW Programs
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Are you someone who wants to help people improve their well-being? As a social worker, you’ll help vulnerable people with everyday challenges that include personal, professional, and familial relationships. Graduate students enroll in online social work programs in LA to learn how to work as counselors or as social workers creating policy in public administration. These online master’s degrees might be popular in LA due to the state’s poverty, racial, and disaster recovery challenges, which have created a demand for those who can address complex social issues.
Examples of Quality Online MSW Programs
Healthcare Management
An online master’s degree in healthcare management is designed for students who want to work in middle- and upper-management healthcare positions. Students learn organizational behavior, healthcare systems, health law and ethics, and healthcare management to prepare to become successful leaders in healthcare institutions. The popularity of these graduate degree programs in Louisiana may stem from the state’s diverse and evolving healthcare needs due to historic and ongoing public health challenges.
Examples of Quality Online Healthcare Management Programs
Sports Management
If you’re passionate about sports, you can make it your career by enrolling in an online master’s in sport management program in LA. The degree teaches graduate students the business and management sides of the sports industry, so you’ll gain expertise in areas such as athlete management and sports marketing. Graduates go on to work as event and facility managers, marketing and advertising directors, and sports information directors. Louisiana has a lively sports culture that includes college football and professional football and basketball as well as various other athletic events.
Examples of Quality Online Sports Management Programs
How Much Will You Pay for a Master’s Degree in Louisiana?
Before you enroll in any online graduate degree program in Louisiana, it’s important to develop a plan to pay for your degree, including having some financial aid lined up should you need additional support. Develop a clear financial aid plan that takes in the total financial commitments of earning an online master’s degree in LA before you enroll to help alleviate the overall cost of your education. In the following chart, you’ll find three LA online master’s programs with financial data points listed. The chart includes cost per credit and the approximate total cost of tuition.
| School Name | No. of Credits | Cost/Credit | Est. Tuition Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
39 |
$459/credit |
$17,901 (with fees) |
|
|
30 |
$480/credit |
$14,400 |
|
|
36 |
$500/credit |
$18,000 |
Louisiana Graduate Program Funding Options
If you’re concerned about how you’ll pay for your master’s program in LA, you have a range of financial aid opportunities to help offset the cost of your degree. These include scholarships/grants, fellowships, work-study programs, and graduate research and teaching assistantships.
For example, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette awards assistantships, fellowships, and other funding opportunities like the Teacher Tuition Incentive Program and the McNair Master’s Scholar Program. Similarly, Louisiana State University offers seven fellowship opportunities for master’s students in Louisiana, including an award for graduate research.
You can find national scholarship and fellowship opportunities on the Xavier University of Louisiana website, as well as a host of graduate fellowship and scholarship opportunities at Tulane University, including the Hispanic Scholarship Fund and federal programs that support graduate students.
Louisiana Graduate Programs That Lead to Lucrative Careers
Earning a master’s degree is not only a fulfilling journey — once you graduate, but you can also expect quite a pay bump. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, master’s degree holders earn about $230 more per week than those with bachelor’s degrees on average. That’s nearly a 14% increase in weekly wages.
The University of Louisiana Monroe states that teachers with master’s degrees in Jefferson, Louisiana, earned $500 more annually than those with just bachelor’s degrees. To learn about potential earnings for popular careers that require a master’s degree, take a look at the table below.
Nurse Practitioner
An online master’s degree in nursing enables you to provide high-quality patient care in the state of LA by giving you advanced nursing skills. The degree covers diagnostics, advanced practice, and pharmacology to prepare nurse practitioners for leadership roles, widening each students’ scope of practice. An online master’s in nursing promotes career advancement, including leadership opportunities in healthcare, allowing nurse practitioners to supervise nurses, handle complex cases, and conduct clinical research.
| State Median Annual Pay | National Job Outlook | Related Master’s Degree |
|---|---|---|
| $118,210 | 3.8% | MS in Nursing |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022
Speech-Language Pathologists
According the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA), speech-language pathologists are experts in communication. A master’s degree in speech-language pathology equips professionals with clinical experience to meet licensing requirements and treat patients effectively. The degree creates opportunities for specialization, which can result in career advancement, including leadership and supervisory roles.
| State Median Annual Pay | National Job Outlook | Related Master’s Degree |
|---|---|---|
| $70,590 | 6.4% | MS in Speech-Language Pathology |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022
Healthcare Social Workers
You’ll need a master’s degree to work as a healthcare social worker. Online master’s degree programs in social work in LA prepare students for this profession by teaching them to navigate complex medical systems, care for patients, and engage in research, leadership, and policy advocacy. Healthcare social workers provide psychosocial support to help patients cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illness, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
| State Median Annual Pay | National Job Outlook | Related Master’s Degree |
|---|---|---|
| $50,600 | 10.7% | Master of Social Work |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022
Urban and Regional Planners
Earn a master’s degree in urban and regional planning to gain advanced skills in community development, land use, and infrastructure. You’ll learn strategic planning to address complex urban challenges. Online master’s programs in city and regional planning engage students in the design of equitable communities. Graduates work in transportation, housing, policy planning, international development, urban design, and related fields.
| State Median Annual Pay | National Job Outlook | Related Master’s Degree |
|---|---|---|
| $78,670 | 29.7% | MS in City and Regional Planning |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022
