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Online Master’s Degree Programs in Florida

Florida residents who are interested in earning a master’s degree in business administration, education, social work, nursing, and others fields through an online program have many options. There are accredited, non-profit colleges and universities in the state of Florida that offer online master’s programs, and online programs offered by out-of-state schools that admit applicants from Florida. Through independent research and analyses of data collected by the US Department of Education, OnlineEducation.com has identified the areas of study in which master’s degrees are most commonly conferred in Florida. This page provides an overview of public and private schools in Florida that offer online master’s programs in these fields, as well as a selection of online master’s programs in other states that accept applicants from Florida.

Schools in Florida That Offer Online Master’s Degree Programs

The state of Florida has a two-tiered system for its public institutions of higher education. The State University System of Florida (SUSF) is comprised of 12 schools, including one of the largest publicly funded universities in the country: the University of Central Florida. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Florida International University, Florida State University, the University of Florida, and the University of South Florida are among the other schools in the SUSF.

The Florida College System is comprised of an additional 28 degree-granting institutions, including community and junior colleges, four-year undergraduate colleges, and colleges that offer graduate degree programs. Miami Dade College, Valencia College, and Broward College are three of the larger institutions in the Florida College System.

To assist Florida residents and others who are interested in exploring Florida state colleges and universities, the state maintains FloridaShines, an online resource that features a searchable database of schools in the SUSF and Florida College System. In addition, Florida’s College Center for Library Automation (CCLA), the Florida Center for Library Automation (FCLA), the Florida Center for Advising and Academic Support (FCAAS), and the Florida Distance Learning Consortium (FDLC) maintain Florida Virtual Campus, an online resource for information about online courses and degree programs offered by Florida state schools. The state also provides information about online degree programs offered by a consortium of public and private schools in the state through Complete Florida, a website that features a searchable database of degree programs by type and by school.

Most of Florida’s public colleges and universities offer online degree programs, and many offer online master’s degree programs. The table below lists the 15 largest public colleges and universities in Florida based on enrollment data from the US Department of Education’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), their location, and whether or not they have online degree programs.

SchoolLocationOnline Degree Programs
University of Central Florida (UCF)OrlandoYes
Miami Dade CollegeMiamiYes
Florida International University (FIU)MiamiYes
University of Florida (UF)StatesboroYes
Valencia CollegeGainesvilleYes
Broward CollegeFort LauderdaleYes
University of South Florida (USF)TampaYes
Florida State University (FSU)TallahasseeYes
Florida Atlantic University (FAU)Boca RatonYes
Palm Beach State CollegePalm Beach CountyYes
St. Petersburg CollegeSt. PetersburgYes
Florida State College at JacksonvilleJacksonvilleYes
Indian River State CollegeFort PierceYes
Seminole State College of FloridaSanfordYes
Florida SouthWestern State CollegeFort MeyersYes

There are also non-profit private colleges and universities in Florida that are active in online education and that offer a range of different types of graduate degree programs, including master’s programs in fields like business, accounting, finance, nursing, social work, counseling, and more. The ten largest private degree-granting institutions based on the latest IPEDS data are listed in the table below, along with their location and whether or not they currently offer online degree programs.

SchoolLocationOnline Degree Programs
Nova Southeastern UniversityDavieYes
Keiser UniversityFort LauderdaleYes
University of MiamiMiamiYes
Saint Leo UniversitySt. LeoYes
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical UniversityDaytona BeachYes
The University of TampaTampaNo
Barry UniversityMiami ShoresYes
Florida Institute of TechnologyMelbourneYes
Southeastern UniversityLakelandYes
St. Thomas UniversityMiamiYes

Regional Out-of-State Schools with Online Master’s Degree Programs

Florida residents may want to consider earning a master’s degree through an online program offered by schools located in other states. Many out-of-state schools admit students from Florida to their online degree programs, including regional schools like Louisiana State University (LSU); The University of Alabama (UA); Georgia Southern (GA Southern); Winthrop University; and George Mason University (GMU). These schools constitute a small but representative sampling of regional and national institutions that offer online master’s degree programs and that accept applicants from Florida.

LSU is the flagship school in the Louisiana State University System. Located in Baton Rouge, it includes the E.J. Ourso College of Business, the Paul M. Herbert Law Center, the Manship School of Mass Communication, and dedicated schools and colleges of Agriculture, Human Sciences & Education, Humanities & Social Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine. LSU also has Health Sciences Centers located in New Orleans and Shreveport. Through LSU Online, the school offers online master’s degree programs in business administration, education, human resource development, and social work.

Bama By Distance is the online arm of UA, a public research university located in Tuscaloosa. UA offers online graduate degree programs in many fields, including commerce and business administration, communication and information sciences, education, engineering, environmental sciences, law, nursing, and social work. This includes online master’s degree programs in Global Business Management, Educational Leadership, Rehabilitation Counseling, Mechanical Engineering, and Health Studies.

GA Southern is a large public research university administered by the University System of Georgia, with a main campus in Statesboro and additional campuses in Savannah and Hinesville. The school features colleges of Engineering and Computing, Arts and Humanities, Behavioral and Social Sciences, Business, Education, Public Health, Mathematics, and Health Professions. Some of the degree programs offered online by GA Southern include master’s programs in business and accounting, teaching and education, and kinesiology and sport management.

Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC, is a public university that offers several types of online master’s degree programs, including a Master of Arts (MA) in Arts Administration, a Master of Social Work (MSW), a Master of Business Administration (MBA), and a Master of Education (MEd) in Special Education Intervention program. And GMU, a public university located in Fairfax, VA, offers online master’s degrees in Accounting, Applied Information Technology, Curriculum and Instruction, Data Analytics Engineering, Health Informatics, Business Administration, Public Health, and other specialized fields.

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

The Department of Education’s National Center for Educational Statistics collects data on enrollment, admissions, and other characteristics of colleges, universities, and other educational institutions, which it makes available through its Integrated Postsecondary Education Data Center (IPEDS). An analysis of the most recent IPEDS data for schools in Florida provides an indication of the areas of study in which master’s degrees are most commonly conferred in the state. The list below includes the top 15 fields based on the number of graduates from master’s programs in Florida.

  1. Business Administration and Management
  2. Educational Leadership and Administration
  3. Accounting
  4. Social Work
  5. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
  6. Public Health
  7. Family Practice Nurse/Nursing
  8. Public Administration
  9. Curriculum and Instruction
  10. Physician Assistant
  11. Counseling Psychology
  12. Business/Commerce
  13. Business Administration, Management and Operations
  14. Finance
  15. Special Education and Teaching

Each of the sections below provides details about online master’s programs offered by Florida schools and out-of-state schools in areas of study that correspond to many of the fields listed above.

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

An MBA or Master of Business Administration degree is the most common type of program for broad based, professional training in operational, administrative, and managerial aspect of business. There a number of schools in Florida that offer online MBA programs, including Florida State University (FSU), the University of Florida (UF), the University of South Florida (USF), Florida Atlantic University (FAU), and the University of Miami.

The Warrington College of Business at UF offers a fully online MBA program that can be completed in 24-months without any campus visits, although applicants to the program who have an undergraduate degree in business may also opt for an accelerated, 16-month program that includes some campus-based instruction and coursework. The online MBA program offered by FSU is designed for part-time enrollment and takes seven semesters to complete. It includes a general track and optional specializations in Management Information Systems, Real Estate Finance, and Risk Management & Insurance.

USF’s Muma College of Business offers an online MBA program that can be completed in four semesters of full-time enrollment. It features two three-day campus residencies, one at the start and one at the conclusion of the program, and three optional concentrations: Cybersecurity; Data Analytics; and Compliance, Risk, and Anti-Money Laundering. FAU’s online MBA program is taught in a team-based cohort format, which means students begin and proceed through the program as a group and graduate together in 23 months. The FAU program includes an optional International Business specialization. And the University of Miami offers a flexible, part-time online MBA program that can be completed in an average of 24 to 28 months, and that features specializations in Corporate Finance, Financial Decision Making, and Accounting Practice.

There are also many out-of-state schools that offer online MBA programs that accept applicants from Florida, including several universities in neighboring and regional states. For example, in Alabama The University of Alabama (UA) and The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) offer online MBA programs that Florida residents may want to explore. The Eller College of Management at UA offers an online MBA program with flexible enrollment options and specializations in Entrepreneurship, Healthcare, Finance, Management and Organizations, Management Information Systems, and Marketing. Students can take up to four years to complete the program and generally graduate in 14 to 30 months. UAB’s Collat School of Business offers an online MBA program can be completed in as few as two years and features concentrations in Finance, Marketing, Management Information System, and Health Services. And Queens University of Charlotte in North Carolina offers a flexible online MBA program that incorporates a weekend-long residency and concentrations in Finance, Healthcare Management, Leadership and Change, and Executive Coaching. It can be completed in as few as 24 months.

Online Master’s in Education and Teaching Programs in Florida

Florida residents who are interested in earning a master’s in education or teaching degree online can choose from several schools in state, including programs offered by the University of Florida (UF), the University of South Florida (USF), and Florida International University (FIU). UF offers an MA in Art Education program online, as well as online MEd programs in Educational Technology, Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership, Reading Education, and Special Education. USF’s online graduate programs include MA programs in Adult Education, Autism Spectrum Disorder and Severe Intellectual Disabilities, Career & Technical Education, Gifted Education, Physical Education, Reading (K-12), and Special Education. USF also offers online MEd programs in Instructional Technology and in Special Education with an emphasis in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). And FIU offers an MS in Curriculum & Instruction, an MS in Music Education, and an MS in Special Education online.

For those looking to earn an MA in Teaching/MAT degree in Florida, Florida Southern College offers a program that can be completed 100% online with the exception of a student teaching internship and course seminar in a Polk County public school.

There are also colleges and universities outside of Florida in the Southeast region that offer online master’s programs in teaching and education. Louisiana State University (LSU) Online offers MA in Higher Education Administration and MEd in Educational Leadership programs online. The University of Alabama’s Bama By Distance has online MA programs in Educational Leadership, Educational Psychology, Elementary Education, and Secondary Education with specializations in English Language Arts, Reading, and Science. And Winthrop University has an MEd in Special Education Intervention that is offered online.

Note: Teacher certification requirements vary by state. While a master’s degree is not a requirement for certification in Florida, it can be a pathway to qualifying for certification. Potential applicants to online master’s in teaching and education programs who have not yet been certified should check with the Florida Department of Education to determine certification requirements. Florida residents who are considering out-of-state options for earning a master’s in teaching or education online should also check to make sure the program accepts applicants from Florida.

Online Master’s in Accounting Programs in Florida

The University of Miami, through its UOnline initiative, is one of the schools in Florida that offers online master’s in accounting degree programs. UOnline has two options for those interested in earning a Master of Professional Accounting (MPrA) online. Students who would like to qualify for licensure as a Certified Public Accountant can enroll in a 40-credit, 20-month online MPrA-CPA Track program, while those who are not concerned with qualifying for CPA licensure can enroll in a 32-credit, 16-month MPrA program. Keiser University is another non-profit private school in Florida that offers master’s training in accounting online through its Master of Accountancy (MAcc) degree program. And the University of West Florida offers its MAcc program in an online format.

Florida residents may also want to explore out-of-state options for earning a master’s in accounting online. The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) offers an online MAcc degree program for students who hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting. However, UAB also offers an online bridge program that can prepare students who do not hold a bachelor’s in accounting degree for its online MAcc program. Graduates from UAB’s MAcc program may meet the eligibility requirements for CPA licensure in Florida, depending on how much professional accounting experience they have. Georgia Southern University offers an online option for earning a master’s in accounting through its WebMAcc degree program, which is designed for students who have completed introductory and intermediate coursework in accounting.

Note: While a master’s degree is not required for CPA licensure, it can be a pathway to licensure. Eligibility to sit for the CPA exam is extended to those who meet state requirements, which vary by state. Those hoping to qualify for CPA licensure in Florida by completing a master’s in accounting program should research programs carefully to ensure they meet Florida’s eligibility requirements, especially if they are considering an out-of-state program. Potential applicants to out-of-state programs should also check to ensure that those programs accept students from Florida prior to applying.

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

There are several in-state options for Florida residents who are interested in earning a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree online. The College of Social Work at Florida State University (FSU) offers a clinically focused MSW program online. Students who hold a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree can apply for FSU’s Advanced Standing track, which takes two years of part-time enrollment to complete. For those who have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than social work, FSU has a three-year, part-time track.

The University of Central Florida (UCF) offers an online MSW program that is similarly structured. Students who hold a BSW degree can complete the program in just four semesters, while those with a non-social work bachelor’s degree generally take nine semesters or three years to graduate. And Saint Leo University’s School of Educational & Social Services offers a flexible online MSW program that can be completed in two years of full-time enrollment or three years of part-time enrollment. Graduates from BSW programs can apply to Saint Leo’s Advance Standing MSW program, which can be completed online in one year of full-time enrollment or two years of part-time enrollment.

Florida residents may also want to explore the many options for earning an MSW online from colleges and universities located in other states, such as Louisiana State University (LSU) and the University of Houston. LSU Online offers an MSW program with a clinical focus that can be completed in two years of full-time enrollment by students entering without a BSW and in one year by BSW graduates. The University of Houston offers an online MSW with concentrations in macro and clinical practice, and specializations in Health & Behavioral Health; Social Work Practice with Latinos; and Political Social Work. The program is designed to be completed in three years of part-time enrollment, during which students proceed through courses together as a cohort. The University of Houston MSW program has an Advanced Standing track for students who hold a BSW degree; it can be completed in two years of part-time enrollment.

Note: Online MSW programs typically require field education hours, which must be completed in person at a site approved by the program. An MSW degree is also a requirement for licensure in clinical work, although specific requirements vary by state. For these reasons, some online MSW programs may not accept applicants from Florida. Residents of Florida who are thinking about applying to an out-of-state online MSW program should examine programs carefully to determine whether or not they accept online students from Florida. Applicants to out-of-state programs should explore placement options for field education hours and examine licensing requirements for clinical social workers in Florida to be sure that a program meets state requirements.

Online Master’s in Nursing (MSN) Programs in Florida

There are several Florida schools with online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs. Jacksonville University, a private, non-profit university located in Jacksonville, has an MSN program with three areas of specialization: Clinical Nurse Educator, Leadership in Healthcare Systems, and Informatics. The program is open to applicants who have an active and unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license and can be completed in 24 months by students who are enrolled full-time.

RNs in Florida can also earn an MSN degree online from the University of Central Florida (UCF), which offers three specializations: Nursing Leadership and Management; Nurse Educator; and Nursing and Healthcare Simulation. And the School of Nursing at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) has a Nurse Practitioner (NP) MSN program with specializations in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care (AGPCNP) and Women’s Health (WHNP), both of which are offered on-site and online. Applicants to the FAMU program must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and an RN license.

Out-of-state options for online MSN programs include Queens University of Charlotte in North Carolina, Baylor University in Texas, and The University of Alabama (UA). Queens University of Charlotte’s MSN program offers three specializations that can be completed online: Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL); Nurse Administrator; and Nurse Educator. The Louise Harrington School of Nursing at Baylor University offers an online MSN program with a Leadership & Innovation specialization that requires applicants to have two years of full-time clinical experience in addition to holding an RN license and a BSN degree. And UA offers three MSN specializations online through Bama by Distance: Case Manager, CNL, and Nurse Administrator.

Note: Online MSN programs generally require clinical hours that must be completed in person at a site approved by the program. Applicants to out-of-state programs should check with a program administrator about the clinical placement process prior to submitting an application. Applicants to out-of-state online MSN programs should also be aware that licensing for nurses takes place at the state level and that Florida’s licensing requirements may differ from those in other states. Some online MSN programs may not accept applicants from Florida for these and other reasons.

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

Florida’s system of public universities provides a number of options for earning a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree online. The College of Public Health & Health Professions at the University of Florida (UF) offers an online MPH program that does not require campus visits and that has concentrations in Public Health Practice and Social and Behavioral Sciences. The College of Public Health at the University of Southern Florida offers students the choice of seven tracks in its online MPH program: Epidemiology; Public Health Practice; Infection Control; Social Marketing; Nutrition and Dietetics; Global Disaster Management, Humanitarian Relief, Homeland Security; and Health, Safety, and Environment. The University of West Florida (UWF) has an online MPH program that includes a formally supervised internship, as well as two curricular options: a general public health curriculum, and a curriculum that focuses on health promotion, education, and behavior. And the Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work at Florida International University (FIU) offers an online MPH program that includes a practicum and a culminating experience.

Florida residents who are interested in exploring out-of-state options for online MPH programs may want to consider the program offered by The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) through its School of Public Health. The UAB program has five areas of concentration: Behavioral and Social Science; Biostatistics and Informatics; Environmental and Occupational Health; Epidemiology; and Health Policy and Administration. In addition, the University of South Carolina offers an online MPH program designed specifically for active practitioners in the field of public health and health policy administration. The school’s Master of Public Health in Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior – Professional Online Program requires applicants to have at least two years of full-time experience working in a health-related profession.

Online Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) Programs in Florida

There are a number of schools in Florida that offer Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree programs, including Barry University, the University of Central Florida (UCF), Florida International University (FIU), and the University of Southern Florida (USF). Full-time students can complete Barry University’s online MPA program in a few as 14 months. The online MPA program offered through UCF is unique in that it has two online dual degree options: MPA with MS in Criminal Justice; and MPA with a Master of Nonprofit Management. FIU offers a flexible online MPA program that allows students to take as few as one or as many as four courses per semester to suit individual learning styles and work schedules. And the School of Public Affairs at USF offers an online MPA program that is designed to be completed in two years of full-time enrollment.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill) is one of the regional schools that offers an online MPA program. The UNC-Chapel Hill program is offered through its School of Government and allows students to choose from five focus areas: International Relations; Local Government; Nonprofit Management; Public Health; and Community & Economic Development. Another out-of-state option is Georgia College & State University (GCSU) in Milledgeville, which offers an online MPA program through its Department of Government and Sociology.

Online Master’s in Counseling and Psychology Programs in Florida

Within the state of Florida there are schools that offer online master’s programs in counseling and in psychology. Hodges University in Naples has an accredited online MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling that can be completed online, on campus, or in a blended format. The program’s curriculum is designed to assist students in preparing for Florida state licensure in mental health counseling.

Nova Southeastern University offers an online MS in General Psychology that can prepare students for a doctoral degree in psychology, as does Keiser University, which offers a research-based online MS in Psychology. Potential applicants to these programs should note that a doctorate in psychology is a requirement in all 50 states for licensure to practice as a psychologist.

Thomas University in Thomasville, GA is among the regional schools that offer online master’s in counseling degree programs. The Thomas University program is an online MS in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling. It is designed to prepare students to sit for the national Certified Rehabilitation Counselor exam. Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, NC, offers an MA in Counseling online that has two tracks, one in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and one in School Counseling. The program is designed to prepare students for professional practice in several areas, including mental health counseling, substance abuse counseling, marriage and family counseling, and college/school counseling.

Note: Master’s in counseling degree programs generally require supervised internships, which must be completed in person a site approve by the program. Students applying to an out-of-state online master’s in counseling program should take this into consideration when researching programs. A master’s in counseling degree is a requirement for many types of state licenses to practice clinical counseling. Because licensure requirements vary by states, applicants to out-of-state programs should check Florida’s licensing protocols to ensure that programs meet Florida licensure requirements before applying.

Online Master’s in Finance Programs in Florida

Finance is a field integral to business management and it is offered as a specialization by many MBA programs, including the online MBA programs offered by Florida State University (FSU) and the University of Miami. In addition, the University of Miami offers a MS in Finance that can be completed entirely online. The program, which is offered through UOnline, includes an optional on-campus orientation session, and it can be completed in 16 months of full-time enrollment.

For Florida residents who would like to consider earning a master’s in finance online from an out-of-state school, there are several options. The University of Georgia (UGA) offers an online MS in Financial Planning that is designed to prepare students to sit for the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) national exam. And Auburn University in Alabama offers an online MS in Finance that has thesis and non-thesis tracks. The programs offered by UGA and Auburn can be completed in roughly two years of full-time enrollment.