Graduate students in Utah know all the exciting things their state has to offer, including some of the most beautiful mountainous landscapes in the U.S. There’s just one issue with living in the nation’s 12th-largest state full of unspoiled wilderness — it can make commuting to school a bit tricky!
Enter online master’s programs in Utah. Studying online is a great way to earn a graduate degree with less hassle since you can stay where you’re currently living and study either 100% online or with occasional trips to campus or a local partner site, saving time and money.
Whatever you’re looking to study, there are online master’s programs in UT that can help you either advance in your career or make a change. Below are some online master’s programs in Utah along with considerations to bear in mind as you explore your options.
Preview Utah’s Highest-Rated Online Master’s Programs for 2024
As you begin your journey towards an online master’s in UT, think about your priorities. Are you looking for a career-focused program or one geared toward research and academia? Are you interested in 100% online learning or a hybrid format with practical lessons and periodic trips to campus? Do you want a lot of face time with your professors and classmates, as in a synchronous program, or are you looking for maximum flexibility to fit into your busy schedule?
Luckily, there’s an online program to suit every type of student’s need. While there are plenty of online master’s programs in Utah to choose from, and which one is best for you is a personal matter only you can decide, a few schools stand out due to their course offerings, academic rigor, student support, and more. As you begin making your lists, here are some particularly strong schools for your consideration.
The University of Utah
One of the most prestigious universities in the state of Utah, the University of Utah offers over a dozen online and hybrid master’s programs in fields ranging from Nursing Education to Legal Studies to Business Creation. Although the University of Utah is a state school, all students in fully online master’s programs are charged the same tuition rate regardless of residency status, keeping tuition affordable wherever you live.
The university’s online programs specialize in bridging the gap between the flexibility of online learning and the collaboration and camaraderie of working with professors and fellow students by offering online peer reviews, discussion forums, group assignments, and more. Students are also encouraged to form relationships with their professors through online and phone-based office hours.
Utah State University
With more than twenty largely career-focused online master’s degrees to choose from, Utah State University offers diversity and flexibility in its online graduate programs, which range from MPH programs in Public Health and Nutrition to MEd degrees in Technical Education to a master’s in Aviation Science.
Students at Utah State benefit from a faculty that includes industry leaders in their field of study to prepare them for their post-graduation careers, and each degree program tracks career outcomes for graduates. Classes start at multiple points in the year to ensure maximum flexibility for prospective students.
Although Utah State is a state institution, fully online master’s students are charged a base tuition rate regardless of residency status. Additional financial aid is also available.
Weber State University
Weber State University offers a small but well-respected range of fully online master’s degree programs with a particularly strong emphasis on health sciences and technical degrees. Students at Weber State benefit from programs in fields like nursing education, information systems engineering, and more. One of Weber State’s advantages is that they can offer entirely online programs in hands-on fields like nursing, with residency programs that can be completed in your local community with no need to go to campus.
Weber State charges a per-credit fee for online tuition with an eye toward affordability. In addition, scholarships for online graduate students are available depending on your course of study, which you can see on individual program pages.
Explore the Different Ways to Earn an Online Master’s in UT
Once you’ve decided to explore online graduate programs in UT, it’s time to think about what type of program you want to pursue. There are several different shapes your graduate studies can take depending on your personal needs and circumstances. Here are some of your options, so you can see which is the best fit for you.
Full-Time Online Master’s Programs in Utah
For students who want the traditional structure of an in-person master’s degree with the flexibility of studying online, a full-time online master’s like the MBA or Master of Healthcare Administration at the University of Utah may be a great fit. These programs are traditional master’s programs just like those offered in person on campus and take approximately two years of full-time online study to complete.
Part-Time Online Master’s Programs in Utah
For students who have career or family responsibilities that make extra demands on their time, a part-time online master’s program, such as those offered by Western Governors University in Management and Leadership or Data Analytics, is completed over a longer period with a lower time commitment per week. They enable you to take on less per day and week as you study and take more time to graduate than a full-time program.
No-GRE Online Master’s Programs in Utah
Non-GRE master’s programs, like the online MSW at the University of Utah and the Criminal Justice master’s program at Weber State University, do not require the GRE or any other standardized test scores when you apply. These programs, sometimes called no-GRE master’s, are particularly appealing for students interested in and prepared for graduate study but who suffer from test anxiety or otherwise don’t show their strengths through standardized testing.
Accelerated Online Master’s Programs in Utah
For students who want to complete their online master’s program in UT as quickly as possible, an accelerated online master’s program can be an intense but fulfilling way to graduate early. Accelerated programs like the options offered by Western Governors University in their Accounting and Information Technology programs allow you to complete your master’s degree in less than the traditional two years by studying more intensively for as little as one year.
Consider Popular Majors for UT’s Online Master’s Programs
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
An MBA is a highly popular degree option, particularly for students with several years of experience in the corporate world who are ready to take on a higher level of responsibilities in their careers. An online MBA gives you both mathematical and management skills to use in business contexts in a wide range of fields.
Quality Examples of Online Programs
MS in Information Systems
Information Systems is a vitally important STEM subject like computer science with applications in multiple fields, including both business and more generally IT, as used in both public and private organizations. Earning a master’s in information systems helps bring you to an advanced level and prepare you for a job with numerous responsibilities at a business or public organization.
Quality Examples of Online Programs
Master of Education (MEd) in Art
Arts education, including subjects like music, painting, and theater, is critical to helping students expand their minds and develop their creative sides. A master’s in Education (MEd) with a specialized focus on arts education enables you to teach in these unique and highly specific areas with success in engaging your students.
Quality Examples of Online Programs
MS in Nursing (MSN)
Students with a passion for nursing who want to help train the next generation of Utah nurses might be suited for an online or hybrid MSN with an emphasis on nursing education. This degree combines nursing science with pedagogy to prepare you for a career as a nurse educator and instructor.
Quality Examples of Online Programs
Master of Sports Management
Utah students who love sports and want a career in an athletic field might consider a master’s in sports management. This degree merges business, athletic sciences, and soft skills to prepare you for an exciting career in the world of professional sports on the business and development side.
Quality Examples of Online Programs
Determine the Average Cost of an Online Master’s in Utah
As you plan your online master’s degree in Utah, it’s important to consider the financial aspects of your degree and plan how you’ll pay for it. In addition to filing for financial aid with your school and looking into private scholarship opportunities, it’s a good idea to compare costs between the schools and programs you’re considering.
In addition to questions like whether or not you’ll be eligible for in-state tuition or other discounts, look at the base costs. Costs can vary significantly from program to program and school to school, as you can see in the examples below.
| School Name | No. of Credits | Cost/Credit | Est. Tuition Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
University of Utah | 30 | $1,067 | $32,010 |
Utah State University | 33 | $488 | $16,104 |
Weber State University | 36 | $621 | $22,356 |
Utah Graduate Program Funding Options
In addition to cost comparisons between schools, be sure to explore more individualized options to fund your Utah online master’s. These include a variety of school-specific funding opportunities, like those offered at the University of Utah and elsewhere, such as student-teaching and work-study programs, fellowships, and research assistantships and grants. Further, private scholarships can provide funding to grad students, often specific to their field of study or, if applicable, for minority or historically underrepresented students.
Finally, be sure to investigate state-specific funding opportunities. In Utah, these include a variety of scholarship opportunities funded by the Utah System of Higher Education, including the Adult Learner Grant Program which is specific to students 26 years old or older with demonstrated financial need who are pursuing an online educational program from an eligible institution in a high-need field.
Prepare to Earn Top Dollar in Utah with These Careers
Did you know that in 2022, the average master’s degree holder earned over $1,600 per week? That’s right! Not only can a master’s degree help you advance your personal knowledge base, but it can pay off in real financial terms.
When you begin your online master’s program in UT, you’ll start on a path that can lead to a well-paying career. While salaries vary heavily by industry, and you may also want to consider things like job growth and opportunities to advance, here are a few lucrative careers your potential future master’s degree can lead you to.
Educational Administrator (Postsecondary)
College enrollment is at high levels across the country, so colleges, community colleges, and universities need top-notch educational administrators. This is a complex role that requires organizational, management, and educational knowledge as well as an understanding of the higher-level operations of higher education, all of which you can find in your master’s degree program.
| State Median Annual Pay | National Job Outlook | Related Master’s Degree |
|---|---|---|
| $60,048 | 4% | MEd in Educational Administration |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023; Salary.com, 2023
Nurse Practitioner
For nurses who want a high-level career with exceptional amounts of responsibilities, nurse practitioners function in much the same way as primary care providers. NPs can see patients, prescribe medicine, and more. This means graduate-level training and many school-supported hours of supervised clinical experiences are essential.
| State Median Annual Pay | National Job Outlook | Related Master’s Degree |
|---|---|---|
| $115,610 | 38% | MSN in Nurse Practitioner |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023
Rehabilitation Counselor
Addiction and substance abuse are serious problems and need highly trained people to help those on the road to recovery. Addiction counselors are trained to deal with vulnerable people and sensitive subjects as they aid people in getting and staying clean from various addictions and harmful behaviors.
| State Median Annual Pay | National Job Outlook | Related Master’s Degree |
|---|---|---|
| $46,580 | 2% | MSW in Addiction Counseling |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023
Sociologist
Sociology is the study of human behavior and how humans as a group relate to each other. Sociologists who have a master’s-level understanding of theory and practice work in schools and universities but also in business and corporate contexts, the public sector, and more.
| Oregon Median Annual Pay | National Job Outlook | Related Master’s Degree |
|---|---|---|
| $71,400 | 5% | MA in Sociology |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023; Career Explorer, 2018
Urban Planner
American cities are growing fast, and it’s an urban planner’s job to make sure they grow smart. This is a job that involves making critical decisions about zoning, resource use, and more in a city. An upper-level understanding of the needs of a city, which you get in your master’s program, is essential.
| State Median Annual Pay | National Job Outlook | Related Master’s Degree |
|---|---|---|
| $72,280 | 4% | MS in Urban Planning |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023