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Online Master’s Degree Programs in Connecticut

Residents of Connecticut who are interested in furthering their educational and/or career goals by enrolling in a master’s degree program, but who would prefer not to commute to a school’s campus for classes, can explore a range of options for earning a master’s degree online. There are a number of public and private degree-granting institutions within the state of Connecticut that offer online master’s programs in popular areas of study, such as business administration, education, computer science, nursing, and engineering.

In addition, there are accredited colleges and universities outside of Connecticut that offer online master’s programs in these and other fields, many of which accept applicants from out-of-state. In the sections below, we offer an overview of master’s programs in common fields of study that are offered online by schools in Connecticut and by schools in neighboring and regional states.

Schools in Connecticut That Offer Online Master’s Programs

There are 17 publicly funded institutions in the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (CSCU) system, which is comprised of 12 two-year community colleges and five universities that offer undergraduate and graduate degree programs. CSCU maintains a searchable online database of Academic Programs offered by the system’s institutions. Several of the universities in CSCU system offer degree programs online, including online master’s programs in Applied Behavioral Analysis, Business Administration, Data Mining, Library and Information Science, Organizational Leadership, and Sport and Entertainment Management.

In addition to the schools in the CSCU system, Connecticut is home to the University of Connecticut, one of the largest public research universities in New England, with a main campus in Storrs and satellite campuses in Avery Point, Stamford, Hartford, and Waterbury. The University of Connecticut has a broad range of options for graduate studies in dozen of fields and specializations, from biomedical science and chemical engineering to social work and public policy, including online master’s programs in Accounting, Energy and Environmental Management, Human Resource Management, and Neonatal Nursing.

The table below provides an overview of the six public universities in Connecticut that offer graduate degree programs, including information on the location of the school’s main campus and whether or not the school offers online degree programs.

School	Location	Online Degree Programs
University of Connecticut (UConn)	Storrs	Yes
Central Connecticut State University (CCSU)	New Britain	Yes
Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU)	New Haven	Yes
Western Connecticut State University (WCSU	Danbury	Yes
Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU)	Willimantic	No
Charter Oak State College	New Britain	Yes

There are also several private colleges and universities in Connecticut that offer on-campus and online undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Among these institutions of higher education is Yale University, one of the eight Ivy League schools in the Northeast, and the third oldest university in the country. The table below lists the ten largest private, non-profit degree-granting institutions in Connecticut based on enrollment numbers aggregated by the US Department of Education for its Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), along with the location of each school’s main campus and whether or not the school offers online degree programs.

School	Location	Online Degree Programs
Yale University	New Haven	Yes
Quinnipiac University	Hamden	Yes
Sacred Heart University	Fairfield	Yes
University of New Haven	New Haven	Yes
University of Hartford	Hartford	Yes
University of Bridgeport	Bridgeport	Yes
Fairfield University	Fairfield	Yes
Goodwin College	East Hartford	Yes
Wesleyan University	Middletown	No
University of Saint Joseph	West Hartford	Yes

Regional Out-of-State Schools That Offer Online Master’s Programs

There are accredited, non-profit colleges and universities throughout the country that offer online master’s programs in many fields, most of which accept applicants who live in Connecticut. Some of these schools are in states that border Connecticut. For example, Northeastern University in Boston, MA, offers over 30 master’s programs using online instruction, including online master’s programs in analytics, bioinformatics, business administration, computer science, criminal justice, cybersecurity, education, finance, nursing, public administration, public health, and taxation.

To the south of Connecticut, in the state of New York, there are several schools that offer online master’s programs, including New York University (NYU), St. John’s University, and Utica College. Among the online programs offered by NYU are a Master of Science (MS) in Human Resource Management and Development program, an MS in Electrical Engineering program, a Master of Health Administration (MHA) program, and a Master of Public Health (MPH) program. St. John’s University offers an online Master of Business Administration (MBA) program, as well as online master’s programs in accounting, taxation, and information science. And Utica College offers online master’s programs in data science, cybersecurity, nursing, and healthcare administration.

In Rhode Island, the state-funded University of Rhode Island has several fully online master’s programs. These include an online MS in Dietetics program, an online Professional Science Master’s (PSM) in Cybersecurity program, and an online Master of Arts (MA) in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) program.

The 15 Most Common Fields for Master’s Degree Studies in Connecticut

Using IPEDS data on the number of students completing master’s degree programs at colleges and universities in Connecticut, OnlineEducation.com has identified the most common areas of study for students at the master’s degree level in the state. IPEDS provides a breakdown of subject areas using a classification system that does not align directly with specific online master’s degree programs. However, the list below does provide a representative overview of the top 15 areas of graduate study at the master’s level in Connecticut.

Business Administration and Management
Education
Computer and Information Sciences
Social Work
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Management Science
Special Education and Teaching
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
Accounting
Public Health
Mechanical Engineering
Nursing Administration
Computer Science
Financial Mathematics
Elementary Education and Teaching

In the sections below, we offer details on colleges and universities in Connecticut that offer online master’s degrees in many of the fields listed above, as well as information on some of the regional schools that offer online master’s programs in these subject areas.

Online Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) Programs in Connecticut

Quinnipiac University, the University of Hartford, and Albertus Magnus College are three of the schools in Connecticut that offer online MBA programs. The Quinnipiac program features three designated tracks: Finance; Healthcare Management; and Supply Chain Management. Students in Quinnipiac’s online program can also opt to customize their degree through elective coursework in areas like international business and computer information systems.

The Barney School of Business at the University of Hartford offers an MBA program that can be completed through online or on-campus instruction and that has nine designated concentrations: Accounting; Business Analytics; Finance; Healthcare Management; International Business; Management; Marketing; Project Management; and Supply Chain Management. Albertus Magnus also offers an MBA program that allows students to choose between online or on-campus instruction. It features five specializations: Accounting; General Management; Human Resources; Leadership; and Project Management.

Connecticut residents may also want to consider several online MBA programs offered by out-of-state schools in the region. Located in the Boston area, Northeastern University has an online MBA program that is offered through its D’Amore-McKim School of Business. The program gives students a choice of eight concentrations: Finance; Healthcare Management; High Technology Management; Innovation Entrepreneurship; International Management; Marketing; Supply Chain Management; and Sustainability.

Utica College in New York’s Mohawk Valley has an MBA program that is offered fully online and in a blended format that provides a mix of online and campus-based coursework. The program allows students to choose among specializations in the following areas: Finance/Accounting; Insurance & Risk Management; Cybersecurity; Cyber Policy; Data Analytics; Entrepreneurship; and Healthcare Management. And the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland offers an online MBA program that features a general business administration curriculum and optional specializations in five areas: Accounting; Finance; Information Systems & Business Analytics; Marketing; and Supply Chain Management.

Online Master’s in Education and Teaching Programs in Connecticut

There are a number of schools in Connecticut that offer teachers and educators advanced training in various specializations through online master’s programs. The University of Connecticut (UConn), for example, offers an online Master of Arts (MA) in Educational Technology that is designed for professional educators. The program, which provides training and instruction in web-based learning, is fully online and can be completed in two consecutive summer sessions.

The School of Education at Quinnipiac University has several online master’s in education programs, including Master of Science (MS) programs in Instructional Design, Special Education, and Teacher Leadership. The MS in Instructional Design offers three options for specialization: Design & Development of Online Learning; Technology for the K-12 Classroom; and Instructional Design for Corporate & Nonprofit Environments. The online MS in Special Education offers a curriculum that aligns with state requirements for Comprehensive Special Education K-12 certification. And the MS in Teacher Leadership has four specialization tracks that are offered online: Literacy; Mathematics; Science; and Program Improvement.

The University of Hartford offers two types of online Master of Education (MEd) programs: an MEd in Special Education and an MEd with a Montessori concentration. The Special Education program has two tracks, one for teachers who hold their initial certification in special education and one for teachers who hold a Connecticut teaching certification in an area other than special education. The MEd with a Montessori concentration has tracks in Early Childhood Education and in Elementary Education.

The University of Fairfield offers an MA in Educational Technology & School Library media that can be completed mostly online or through a mix of online and campus-based classes. The program requires all students to attend an on-campus summer institute that lasts for a week.

Saint Joseph’s University (SJU) in Philadelphia is one of the regional schools that offers a range of options for earning a master’s in education online. Through SJU, Connecticut residents can earn an MS in Education with specializations in three areas: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education (P-12); Secondary Education; and Special Education. The MS in Special Education program provides several tracks for online students, including Applied Behavioral Analysis, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Wilson Reading System. Teachers who live in Connecticut may also want to explore the online MEd in Teacher Leadership program offered by the University of Delaware.

Note: Some online master’s in teaching and education programs require applicants to hold a state-issued teaching credential in their state of residence or in the state in which the program is offered. Potential applicants to out-of-state programs should examine admissions criteria carefully prior to submitting an application. It is also important to note that teacher certification requirements vary by state and some online master’s programs offered by accredited, non-profit colleges and universities in other states may not meet Connecticut certification requirements. Therefore, potential applicants to out-of-state programs who intend to seek certification in Connecticut once they have graduated should check with the state licensing board regarding certification requirements.

Online Master’s in Computer and Information Science Programs in Connecticut

The University of Bridgeport is one of the few schools in Connecticut currently offering an online master’s in computer science program. The online Master of Science (MS) in Computer Science program offered by the University of Bridgeport is designed for students who have a background in computer science and/or computer engineering and features advanced coursework in computer programing, algorithms, operating systems, database systems, and network architecture. Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) offers an online Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS), which provides training and instruction in information science and technology, information resources organization and management, and the use of information technologies in various types of libraries.

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (UMass Dartmouth) is one of the out-of-state schools in the Connecticut region offering an online master’s in computer science program. The UMass Dartmouth program is a fully online MS in Computer Science program that is designed for students who hold a bachelor’s degree in computer science or engineering. However, students who do not have an undergraduate degree in computer science or engineering can be admitted into the program if they complete four courses in computer science fundamentals offered online by UMass Dartmouth.

Another option Connecticut residents may want to consider for earning an MS in Computer Science online is the program offered by the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). Like the UMass Dartmouth program, NJIT’s MS in Computer Science program requires students to have a strong academic background in computer science or a related field. However, NJIT offers an online bridge program of preparatory classes for applicants who do not have undergraduate training in computer science.

Syracuse University in New York offers an online MS in Computer Engineering that is similar to a master’s in computer science program. The program curriculum includes classes in computer and Internet security, advanced computer architecture, and data structures and algorithms. It includes one on-campus immersion session during which students participate in workshops, attend lectures, and meet with instructors. The program requires students to have basic computer science proficiencies upon entering the program, but Syracuse offers preparatory courses in computer science and computer programming for students who require them.

Online Master’s in Social Work (MSW) Programs in Connecticut

Sacred Heart University is one of the only schools in Connecticut currently offering a fully online MSW program. The Sacred Heart MSW program, which is also offered in a traditional, campus-based format, features a general social work curriculum with optional specializations in direct clinical and direct community practice. This is a part-time master’s program that takes approximately three years to complete. Sacred Heart also offers a 20-month Advanced Standing track for graduates from Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) programs that are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

In the Connecticut region, there are several schools that offer online MSW programs, including Adelphi University in New York, Simmons University and Boston University in Massachusetts, and Delaware State University at Wilmington, DE. The Adelphi program provides clinical and community practice training, takes three years to complete, and includes two campus visits per year. Graduates from CSWE-accredited BSW programs may be eligible for Adelphi’s Advanced Standing program, which can be completed in 15 months.

The School of Clinical Social Work at Simmons offers a clinically focused online MSW program that has flexible enrollment options, allowing students to complete their degree in as few as 15 months or take two or three years to graduate. The Simmons program has four social work specialization tracks: Child and Family; Trauma and Interpersonal Violence; Mental Health and Addictions; and Health and Aging.

Boston University has a part-time online MSW program with a Clinical Practice track and a Macro Practice track. The BU program takes roughly three years or nine semesters to complete, although there is an Advanced Standing track for graduates from CSWE-accredited BSW programs that can be completed in six semesters.

The Online MSW program offered by Delaware State University at Wilmington includes general training in clinical and community practice social work. Full-time students can complete the program in two years; part-time students generally take three or four years to graduate; and students who qualify for the Advanced Standing track can finish their degree in one year of full-time enrollment.

Note: Most online MSW programs require students to complete field education hours in-person at a site approved by the program. Prior to submitting an application to an online MSW program offered by an out-of-state school, it is advisable to contact a program administrator about possible field education placement sites to ensure a convenient site can be found. In addition, students who intend to apply for licensure in clinical social work should be aware that licensing requirements vary by state. While it is likely that an online MSW program offered by a school in another state will meet Connecticut’s licensing requirements, it is not guaranteed. Potential applicants to out-of-state programs should research Connecticut’s licensing requirements to ensure that a program fulfills those requirements.

Online Master’s in Engineering Programs in Connecticut

There are many different types of engineering degree programs at the master’s level, some of which are offered online. In Connecticut, the University of New Haven offers an online Master of Science (MS) in Environmental Engineering, which features training and instruction in water and waste treatment, environmental law, and pollution prevention technologies. The program can be completed in as few as 18 months of year-round enrollment.

Outside of Connecticut, there are schools offering online master’s programs in various types of engineering, including Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Massachusetts, the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) in New Jersey, and Columbia University and New York University (NYU) in New York. WPI offers an online MS in Environmental Engineering that requires applicants to either hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering or complete several undergraduate prerequisite courses. NJIT has online MS programs in Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Engineering Management. The Civil Engineering program offers specializations in Construction Management, Transportation, and Structural Design & Construction. Columbia has an online MS in Biomedical Engineering program, and NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering offers an online MS in Industrial Engineering.

Online Master’s in Nursing (MSN) and Nursing Administration Programs in Connecticut

Registered Nurses (RNs) in Connecticut can choose from several in-state MSN programs that are offered online, including programs offered by the University of Connecticut (UConn), the University of Hartford, and Sacred Heart University. The School of Nursing at UConn has an online MSN in Neonatal Nursing that can accommodate part-time and full-time students. The program is designed to prepare RNs who have a minimum of two years of full-time professional experience in neonatal nursing to become Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (NNPs).

The University of Hartford has an online MSN program that offers specializations in Nursing Education, Nursing Management, and Public Health. RNs who enroll part-time and take two courses per semester can complete the University of Hartford’s online MSN program in two years. And Sacred Heart University offers an online MSN program with four specializations: Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL); Nursing Management & Executive Leadership; Nursing Education; and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP).

Connecticut RNs may also want to consider online MSN programs offered by schools in neighboring states, such as Massachusetts, where several schools offer various types of online MSN programs that accept applicants from Connecticut. The College of Nursing at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst (UMass Amherst) offers two MSN specializations online: CNL and Nursing Education. The CNL program is fully online and the Nursing Education program offers all of its coursework online but requires students to attend a final on-campus practicum. Regis College in Weston, MA, offers an online MSN program with tracks in five Nurse Practitioner (NP) specializations: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP); FNP; Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP); Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP); and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP). And Simmons University in Boston, MA, offers an online MSN program with an FNP specialization.

Note: Most online MSN programs require students to complete a minimum number of clinical hours. While the number of hours varies by program and by specialization, these clinical hours must be completed in-person at a site approved by the program. Prior to submitting an application to an online MSN program, potential applicants should contact a program administrator regarding possible clinical sites. In addition, potential applicants to online MSN programs should be aware that nursing licensure requirements vary by state. RNs who are considering an online MSN program offered by an out-of-state school should research Connecticut nursing licensure requirements in their intended area of practice in order to ensure that an out-of-state program meets Connecticut’s requirements for licensure and/or certification.

Online Master’s in Accounting Programs in Connecticut

The University of Connecticut (UConn) and the University of Hartford are two schools in Connecticut that offer online master’s in accounting programs. UConn has an online Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) program that begins with a four-day residency at the university’s Storrs campus. Student’s in the UConn program must then complete ten fully online courses, which typically takes two or three semesters of full-time enrollment. Students who work full-time are encouraged to complete the UConn program on a part-time basis, in four or more semesters.

The Barney School of Business at the University of Hartford offers an online Master of Science in Accounting and Taxation (MSAT) program with two tracks: Financial and Assurance Services; and Taxation. The program is 100% online and does not require campus visits. Students who enroll in the program full-time may be able to graduate in as few as seven months, but all students are allotted five years to complete the MSAT program graduation requirements.

Connecticut residents may also want to explore online master’s in accounting programs offered by out-of-state colleges and universities in the region. Seton Hall University in New Jersey offers an online Master of Science in Accounting (MSAC) program designed for students who have an undergraduate degree in business, although the program does accept students with non-business bachelor’s degrees provided they complete several prerequisite courses. Seton Hall also offers an online Master of Science in Professional Accounting (MSPA) program designed for students who hold an undergraduate degree in accounting. Both programs can be completed in as few as 18 months.

In New York, both St. John’s University and Syracuse University offer online master’s in accounting programs. The St. John’s Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) program is designed for students who hold an undergraduate degree in business. The program allows students to tailor their degree by taking advanced courses in various accounting specializations, including internal auditing, risk advisory services, fraud examination, and accounting research.

Syracuse University offers an online Master of Science in Professional Accounting program with a flexible format to accommodate three types of students. Full-time students who have a background in business and accounting can complete the program in 12 months by taking two or three courses per term. Working professionals who have accounting experience can take just two courses per term and complete the program in as few as 15 months. And students who hold an undergraduate degree in a field other than accounting can take several prerequisite courses and complete the program in roughly two years.

Note: A master’s in accounting program can provide students with the training required to qualify to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam, depending on state requirements, which vary by state. Prior to applying to an online master’s in accounting program, potential applicants who intend to qualify to sit for the CPA exam should research CPA requirements in their state of residence to determine whether or not the program meets those requirements. Some out-of-state programs may not meet the specific requirements for licensure in Connecticut.

Online Master’s in Public Health (MPH) Programs in Connecticut

While there are several universities in Connecticut that have MPH degree programs, including Yale University, the University of Connecticut (UConn), and Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU), these programs are not currently offered online. However, there are online MPH programs offered by accredited, non-profit colleges and universities in the Connecticut region, including programs offered by Simmons University in Massachusetts, St. John’s University in New York, and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst (UMass Amherst).

The online MPH program offered by Simmons includes two in-person immersion sessions, one at the Simmons campus in Boston and one at a destination where students can explore national and global public health issues first hand. The program can be completed in 21 months over seven 11-week terms. The St. John’s University online MPH program has a community health focus and can be completed in two to five years, depending on the number of credits earned per semester. UMass Amherst offers two types of MPH programs online, a general Public Health Practice MPH program and an MPH in Nutrition program. Students in the UMass programs complete five core public health courses and three public health research courses, followed by six electives in various areas of public health, including nutrition.

Note: Some MPH programs may have an internship or fieldwork component that requires students to spend a certain number of hours working in a public health agency or organization. Students are typically able to complete these work experiences at a convenient location. However, applicants to online MPH programs should examine program requirements carefully to determine when and how internship and/or fieldwork requirements are arranged and whether or not a convenient location can be found.

Online Master’s in Finance and Financial Mathematics Programs in Connecticut

The online MBA programs offered by two Connecticut schools, Quinnipiac University the University of Hartford, have finance specializations comprised of several courses in advanced financial concepts. There are also several schools in the state, including the University of Connecticut, that offer traditional, campus-based master’s programs in finance and financial mathematics. However, there are currently no schools in Connecticut that offer these programs online. Connecticut residents who are interested in earning a master’s in finance through an online program may to consider the programs offered by Northeastern University in Boston, MA, and Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI.

Northeastern’s D’Amore-McKim School of Business offers an online Master of Science in Finance with tracks in Corporate Finance and Investment Finance. The program is fully online and can be completed in as few as 16 months by students who may continue to work while earning their degree. The D’Amore-McKim School of Business also offers an online Master of Science in Taxation program with tracks in Taxation of Entities and Taxation of Individuals. It can be completed in as few as 16 months. The Johnson & Wales online Master of Science in Finance program has tracks for students seeking two types of professional certifications: Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). The program can be completed 15 to 24 months, depending on how many classes students take per term.