Choosing the Right Online Degree in Texas - WORK, TRAVEL & STUDY ABROAD (2024)

With the rise of distance learning and flexible formats, getting a degree online has become a popular option for students in Texas and beyond. There are many benefits to earning an online degree, such as the flexibility to learn from anywhere and balancing work or family commitments with school. However, with so many online programs and institutions to choose from, deciding on the best online degree can feel overwhelming.

Popular Online Degree Levels in Texas

There are several degree levels you can pursue online through Texas institutions. Here are some of the most common:

Online Associate Degrees

Associate degrees, which usually take two years to complete, provide an affordable way to earn general education credits that can later transfer to a bachelor’s program. Popular online associate degree majors in Texas include:

• General Studies
• Business Administration
• Liberal Arts
• Criminal Justice
• Healthcare Administration

Some top associate degree programs available fully online through Texas community colleges include those offered by Alvin Community College, Austin Community College, and Houston Community College. Earning an associate degree is a low-cost starting point for further education.

Online Bachelor’s Degrees

Bachelor’s degrees, which generally take four years of full-time study to complete, provide more specialized job training and open up more career opportunities than associate degrees. Popular online bachelor’s programs in Texas include:

• Business Administration
• Psychology
• Computer Science
• Nursing (RN to BSN)
• Criminal Justice

Well-respected Texas public universities that offer flexible, affordable online bachelor’s completion programs include Texas A&M University, University of Texas at Arlington, University of Houston, and Texas Tech University. Many will accept an associate degree for transfer into a related bachelor’s program.

Online Master’s Degrees

Master’s degrees, which usually require one to three years of full-time study beyond a bachelor’s, allow you to gain expertise in a specific field or enhance your career prospects. Some top online master’s options in Texas include:

• Business Administration (MBA)
• Education
• Nursing
• Public Health
• Information Technology

Residential research powerhouses like UT Austin, Texas A&M, and Rice University all have reputable online master’s programs. Other excellent choices include the online MBA from Texas Woman’s University and master’s in counseling from Tarleton State University.

Online Doctoral and Professional Degrees

For the highest level of education, several Texas schools offer online doctoral (PhD, EdD) and professional degree programs (MD, JD, PhD) in certain fields. Popular flexible options include:

• Doctor of Education (EdD) from Sam Houston State University
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
• Juris Doctor (JD) from Texas A&M School of Law
• Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from University of Texas Medical Branch

Obtaining an advanced online degree from a well-established program gives you impressive credentials for leadership roles in your career.

Choosing a Major for Your Online Degree in Texas

When selecting a major for your online degree, consider your interests, skills, and career goals. Researching popular and growing fields can help you pick a major with strong job prospects. Here are a few options to explore:

Business Administration

One of the most versatile degrees, a business administration major trains you for a huge range of careers in management, marketing, accounting, logistics and more. Many universities offer flexible, online business programs that fit any schedule.

Healthcare Fields

In high demand are nursing, healthcare administration, and other medical support fields that can often be completed entirely online. The RN to BSN and MSN nursing programs at schools like UT Arlington and Texas Woman’s University are top-rated options.

Technology

As tech continues to spread across all industries, online IT degrees in computer science, cybersecurity, and programming are great choices. Popular programs include the online BS in IT from Texas State University and online MS in Cybersecurity from University of Houston-Downtown.

Criminal Justice

For a growing career path, many Texas schools have reputable online bachelor’s and master’s programs in criminal justice, with electives that allow you to specialize in areas like law, forensics or corrections. Sam Houston State, Texas A&M-Commerce, and Texas Tech offer flexible CJ degrees.

With the right research, you’re sure to find an in-demand major that aligns with your online education and career goals through a Texas institution. Focusing on fields with opportunities for remote work also ensures long-term compatibility with your flexible online learning format.

Comparing Top Online Degree Programs in Texas

When deciding between online degree programs, it’s important to evaluate factors like reputation, cost, support services, and quality of instruction. Here’s a comparison of some highly-rated options in Texas:

As you can see, while prestigious research schools like UT and A&M offer top-ranked programs, affordable in-state options like UNT provide excellent value as well. The key is finding a school with quality accreditation, rankings appropriate to your level of study, and affordable cost of attendance.

Important Factors to Consider

When vetting online degree programs, make sure to research key factors beyond just cost and reputation, such as:

• Accreditation status – Look for regional accreditation through a body like SACS to ensure your credits will transfer and your degree is recognized.
• Faculty qualifications – Check that instructors have relevant degrees, industry experience, and good teaching ratings from past students.
• Support services – Make sure online students get access to tutoring, advising, career counseling and other resources for success.
• Degree completion timeline – Programs should clearly define expected graduation timelines to help you stay on track.
• Course formats – Determine if synchronicity is required and if self-paced options exist to maximize flexibility.
• Cost of materials – Inquire about additional textbook and software expenses beyond tuition and fees.
• Career outcomes – Research reported earnings and employment rates of recent graduates to evaluate career impact.

Thoroughly investigating these areas will help you identify online programs designed for your distinctive needs and leading to optimal academic and professional results.

Real Student Experiences with Online Degrees in Texas

To get a more personal perspective, here are the stories of three Texas students who earned degrees online:

Juan’s Story:

Juan works full-time as an accountant in Houston. He chose to complete his online bachelor’s in business administration at the University of Houston based on its affordability and flexible class schedules. Juan appreciated being able to watch lectures on his own time and collaborate with classmates online. After finishing in 3 years while maintaining his job, Juan received a promotion at work thanks to his new credentials and skillset.

Sarah’s Story:

A mom of three in Dallas, Sarah’s priority was finding an accredited nursing program she could complete from home. She enrolled in the RN to BSN program at Texas Woman’s University, which offered self-paced courses and clinical hours that could be done locally. Sarah graduated top of her class in 18 months while raising her kids. She now works as a school nurse, grateful for the convenience and career opportunities her online degree provided.

Michael’s Story:

After serving 8 years in the Army, Michael used his GI Bill benefits to pursue a fully-funded online master’s in education at Texas Tech. From his home in El Paso, Michael appreciated Texas Tech’s dedicated military advisors and student veteran organization. The synchronous course activities allowed him to network with classmates from across the state. Michael graduated in just 18 months and now teaches high school history, remaining committed to serving his community through education.

Stories from real online students in Texas paint a richer picture of the personalized, flexible nature of earning a degree virtually. With the right program selection and time management skills, online learning can be a rewarding path to career advancement.

Tips for Succeeding in Online Coursework

While online education provides more schedule flexibility, it also requires self-motivation, focus and technology skills. Here are some tips for thriving in the virtual classroom:

• Establish a dedicated study space free from distractions like TV and social media.
• Develop time management discipline by blocking out consistent hours each week for coursework.
• Actively participate in class discussions, group projects and other interactive activities.
• Communicate regularly with instructors and classmates via email, video meetings or messaging.
• Use available tutoring and question-and-answer forums for subject help.
• Master the technology aspects like submitting assignments, taking online exams and using multimedia course materials.
• Stay on track by following the course calendar/syllabus closely and annotating all due dates.
• Take short breaks when focused studying for long periods to enhance retention.
• Continually self-assess understanding and don’t be afraid to ask clarifying questions.

By implementing structure, developing strong online learning habits, and using all available support, you’ll set yourself up for success in virtual degree programs.

Financing Your Online Education in Texas

Tuition costs can vary significantly between online programs in Texas. However, many financing options are available:

• In-state tuition: Texas residents are eligible for much lower resident tuition rates at public colleges and universities statewide.
• Employer reimbursem*nt: Some employers will help cover education costs for employees pursuing career-relevant degrees like business or healthcare.
• Scholarships: Search websites like Fastweb.com and individual college pages for opportunities related to majors, future career fields, talents, or background qualities.
• Federal student aid: All degree-seeking students can apply for Pell Grants, Direct Loans and work-study through the FAFSA regardless of credit history or income.
• State financial aid: Texas offers the Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG) for enrolled residents attending eligible public or private schools in-state.
• Institutional scholarships: Many colleges provide additional merit- or need-based scholarships directly through their admissions or financial aid departments.
• Military/veteran benefits: Veterans like the GI Bill or vocational rehabilitation programs can fully fund certain online degrees.

With patience and diligence applying to multiple funding streams, you can very likely fund your entire online education at an affordable monthly cost. Be sure to research all your financing deadlines early on.