Are you an undergraduate thinking about continuing your education? Are you already working in your field but want to upskill for career advancement? Online master’s programs in Connecticut help students meet various education and career goals while allowing them to take advantage of the flexibility of virtual learning.
You may think there aren’t many choices for Connecticut residents since it’s a smaller state but rest assured that you’ll find many opportunities to advance your education online. In fact, the National Center for Education Statistics reports that there are a few dozen colleges and universities around the state offering advanced degrees, and many are available online.
Continue reading to find out about online master’s programs in CT, including schools that offer these programs, popular fields of study, and jobs you can pursue after graduation.
Top-Rated Online Master’s Programs in Connecticut for 2024
If you’ve never taken advantage of online education before, you may be wondering how online master’s programs in CT work. There are numerous benefits to earning a degree online, such as saving time and money since you won’t commute to campus regularly.
These programs are also extremely flexible, which is especially important for busy professionals who are working full-time as well as for those who have family responsibilities. There are several online master’s programs in Connecticut tailored toward students like this. Some schools offer degrees earned entirely online, while others have hybrid programs where you may be required to come to campus for classes and activities (like practicums and orientations).
If you’re concerned that you won’t get the same quality education online as a traditional program, rest assured knowing that online master’s programs in Connecticut offer classes with the same faculty and curriculum as traditional programs. Additionally, students in online master’s programs in CT have many resources to help them succeed, like technical support for navigating the learning management system and access to advising and career services. Below is information about three quality online master’s programs in CT to provide an idea of what schools have to offer.
University of Connecticut
The University of Connecticut offers online master’s degree programs in disciplines like nursing, human resources management, engineering, and education. Students access coursework through HuskyCT, which is housed in the Blackboard learning management system. Although you may do a lot of work independently, the University of Connecticut provides a great deal of support to help students succeed. For example, if you have problems navigating HuskyCT, you can take advantage of the ITS Help Center, available Monday through Friday during business hours. If you need assistance when the help center is closed, you can get it from the IT Knowledge Base and HuskyCT 24×7 Course Support, which provide a wealth of information accessible anytime. Additionally, the school offers resources designed to promote academic success through its Academic Achievement Center.
Southern Connecticut State University
Southern Connecticut State University offers several master’s degree programs that can be completed entirely online as well as hybrid programs with 51 to 99 percent online coursework. From education to library science to business administration, the school has programs to enhance your expertise in a variety of fields. No matter what program you choose, you’ll be taught by the same professors who teach on-campus students. In addition, you have access to a help desk if you need assistance with the school’s learning management system and to academic advisors who can guide you through course enrollment decisions.
University of New Haven
The University of New Haven, accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, offers online master’s degrees in areas like accounting, business analytics, criminal justice, and emergency management. Graduate programs online are generally $1,055 per credit for tuition, but there are exceptions. For example, those getting a master’s degree in accounting pay $823 per credit, but public health and clinical mental health counseling students pay $769 per credit. To help graduate students offset the cost of their education, the University of New Haven offers scholarships and grants as well as research and teaching assistantships.
Types of Online Master’s Programs Available in Connecticut
Online master’s programs in Connecticut provide more flexibility than many realize. In addition to relieving you of the stress of traveling to campus at designated times that can interfere with other responsibilities, these degree programs often allow study on a full-time, part-time, or accelerated basis. In addition, some schools no longer require standardized test scores, which provides further flexibility. Continue reading to learn more about the different options.
Full-time Online Master’s Programs in Connecticut
Some students enroll in online master’s programs in CT to finish their degrees as soon as possible. If you’re in a position where you can dedicate yourself to full-time coursework, you can probably graduate in about two years with some programs. This is challenging, especially while working full-time or raising a family, but the idea of finishing their degree quickly is worth it for many students.
Quality Examples of Online Programs
Part-time Online Master’s Programs in Connecticut
For some students, attending school full time for an online master’s program in CT just isn’t an option. While part-time programs can add another year or more to your studies, many schools like the ones below still allow students to enroll in their programs on a part-time basis.
Quality Examples of Online Programs
No-GRE Online Master’s Programs in Connecticut
It used to be standard practice for schools to expect students applying to graduate degree programs to have a high score on standardized tests like the GRE. However, schools have increasingly eliminated this requirement, and online master’s programs in CT are no exception. This adds one more level of flexibility you can enjoy when you apply and one less thing you must be concerned about.
Quality Examples of Online Programs
Accelerated Online Master’s Programs in Connecticut
If you want to complete your degree in the fastest way possible, online accelerated master’s programs in CT can help you achieve that goal. In some cases, you may be able to graduate in about one year. These programs are extremely intensive, though, so you need to be able to dedicate a lot more time to your studies than may be required in other types of programs.
Quality Examples of Online Programs
Making Your Best Choice: In-demand Master’s Degrees in CT Online
Business Administration
A business administration master’s degree is for people who want to rise through the ranks in their companies, find a higher-level position at a new organization, or even start their own businesses. There are numerous specializations available in this discipline, so you can get the expertise you need in the field you’re pursuing while still learning advanced business concepts. From marketing to international business to operations management to finance, MBA programs provide a wealth of options.
Quality Examples of Online Programs
Engineering
Earning a master’s degree in engineering can boost your salary, increase your access to job opportunities, and establish more career stability for years to come. Online master’s engineering programs in CT also allow you to increase your expertise in a specific part of engineering. Whether your career focus is environmental, chemical, civil, or computer engineering, you can upskill for your current job or position yourself for doctoral studies. Additionally, students can form vital connections with peers and professors, which is a great way to increase professional networks.
Quality Examples of Online Programs
Education Technology
As technology continues to transform the education field and impact the way teachers work in the classroom as well as how students learn, an education technology master’s program can be instrumental in leveraging this trend. You can use this degree to work in the classroom with students or contribute to education outside of the classroom as a curriculum developer, instructional designer, or education specialist.
Quality Examples of Online Programs
Nurse Educator
If you aspire to help train the next generation of nurses, a nurse educator master’s degree is a great investment. An online nurse educator master’s program in CT may also be a stepping stone to landing a managerial nursing position, thanks to the advanced skills you learn.
Quality Examples of Online Programs
Fine Arts
If you are dedicated to your craft, a master’s of fine arts can help you continue to cultivate it as you connect with other like-minded artistic peers and receive invaluable guidance from mentors. There are several concentrations in these programs, so you can choose one that meets your needs whether you want to focus on creative writing, performing arts, design, or fashion.
Quality Examples of Online Programs
How Much Does an Online Masters in Connecticut Cost?
Just as you were probably keeping an eye on the cost of your undergraduate education, it’s important to get an idea of how much you may pay for an online master’s program in Connecticut. Although you can save a significant amount of money by enrolling in a distance learning program, depending on the degree you’re earning and the school you enroll in, it can add up very quickly.
To give you an idea of what tuition may cost and help you plan before you enroll, check out the list below of the tuition rates for a few schools offering online master’s programs in CT.
| School Name | No. of Credits | Cost/Credit | Est. Tuition Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
60 | $740/credit | $44,400 | |
40 | $4,150/semester | $16,600 | |
30 | $895/credit | $26,850 |
Connecticut Master’s Degree Funding Opportunities
Funding a master’s degree can be challenging, but that doesn’t have to keep you from reaching your goals. There are many financial aid opportunities available to those who are enrolled in online master’s programs in Connecticut. Those include scholarships, grants, fellowships, and assistantships. Financial aid can come from numerous sources, such as the federal government, professional organizations that want to support the future of their industry, and private companies.
Also, students earning their master’s degrees can receive funding from the school they attend. For example, the University of Bridgeport offers scholarships of $3,000 and $4,000 for first-year master’s degree students entering the School of Business or the School of Engineering. Similarly, Southern Connecticut State University has several scholarships and grants available to graduate students.
From Master’s Degrees to Dollars: Graduates’ Earning Potential in Connecticut
Online master’s programs in Connecticut not only go a long way toward preparing students for their careers, but they also are excellent ways to help them boost their earning potential after they graduate. On the national level, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, those with master’s degrees earn significantly more than people with undergraduate degrees. On average, master’s degree graduates make $1,661 per week, those with associate degrees earn $1,005, and bachelor’s degree graduates receive $1,432. On the state level, data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey shows that those with a master’s degree in Connecticut made $88,250 in 2021, while people who completed associate and bachelor’s degrees earned $45,344 and $69,915 respectively.
To find salary information about specific careers you may qualify for after completing an online master’s program in CT, review the information below on five professions that require master’s degrees.
Economists
When studying economics at the master’s degree level, students take courses designed to enhance their analytical skills. As a result, graduates can effectively analyze data with the mathematical models and statistical tools that are commonly used in the field. Also, they gain advanced research skills for conducting economic studies and presenting their findings during presentations as well as for publishing in academic journals.
| State Median Annual Pay | National Job Outlook | Related Master’s Degree |
|---|---|---|
| $108,950 | 6% | MS or MA in Economics |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022
Historians
Historians are charged with looking at historical information and determining whether it’s authentic as well as its significance. A master’s degree prepares students for these tasks by providing historical interpretation and comprehension skills, so they know how to look at past events through a holistic lens.
| State Median Annual Pay | National Job Outlook | Related Master’s Degree |
|---|---|---|
| $119,000 | 3% | MA in History |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022
Mental Health Counselors
Mental health counselors treat patients with various psychological challenges, including depression and anxiety. These professionals also help people going through something that has affected their mental health, such as grieving the death of a loved one or dealing with extreme stress. A master’s degree in psychology prepares students for this job through coursework that provides expertise on human behavior and mental health disorders as well as how to conduct assessments, make diagnoses, and create an individualized treatment plan.
| State Median Annual Pay | National Job Outlook | Related Master’s Degree |
|---|---|---|
| $56,980 | 18% | MA in Psychology |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022
Sociologists
The curriculum in a sociology master’s degree program focuses heavily on research, so students learn the qualitative and quantitative methods used to conduct a variety of studies. This prepares students to employ these skills to design sociological studies using different techniques, such as surveying, observing, and interviewing study subjects. Also, sociologists use what they learned in their master’s degree programs to analyze data, come to conclusions, and report on their findings.
| State Median Annual Pay | National Job Outlook | Related Master’s Degree |
|---|---|---|
| $97,230 | 5% | MS or MA in Sociology |
Source: Economic Research Institute, 2024
Statisticians
When a professional problem needs to be solved with a mathematical analysis, statisticians use their knowledge of statistical models to help devise a solution. A master’s degree in statistics provides students with expertise in data analysis, mathematical modeling, survey design, and statistical models so they can perform the duties these professionals are required to do every day.
| State Median Annual Pay | National Job Outlook | Related Master’s Degree |
|---|---|---|
| $128,630 | 30% | MS in Statistics |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022