Military-Friendly Online Master’s Programs

Whether you are returning to civilian life, or hoping to move up in the ranks, earning your master’s degree can help you meet your goals. If you plan to stay in the military, you might be interested to know that 45% of military officers hold an advanced degree. Completing graduate school might be the ticket to your next promotion. If you’ve been discharged and are ready for your next chapter, a graduate degree can supplement your service experience with the industry-specific skills and knowledge you need to transition into your next career. In either case, you’ll be pleased to know that there are hundreds of programs nationwide that cater to the unique needs of service members who are seeking advanced degrees.

Many active military personnel and veterans opt for online master’s programs because they offer flexible schedules and plenty of program options. This means you can seamlessly integrate your studies into your service commitments or new responsibilities. To help you evaluate your options, we’ve researched top online programs with an eye towards how they support service members. Every school on our list offers additional financial aid, extensive student resources, and dedicated support for military personnel and veterans.

On this page, we’ll look at the details of these top programs and the details of how military-friendly online schools accommodate the particular needs of service members and veterans. Along the way, we’ll talk through the education benefits you are entitled to as a current or former military member and additional ways to fund your education. So keep reading to find your dream school and prepare for the next steps in your education.

There’s no substitute for the experience and knowledge you’ve earned during your time in service. You’ve developed mental and physical strength, unparalleled decision making skills, and the ability to perform under pressure. We could go on, but then we’d be here all day. Because you are used to hard work and hands on learning, many service members find traditional classrooms to be a bit of a letdown. That’s where online learning comes in.

Online master’s programs let you study on your own terms. You decide what to study, when to do it, and how you want to learn. Because you can choose from campuses nation-wide, you have more options when it comes to finding a program that matches your interests and goals. You can also select from a range of learning formats, depending on the school you can opt for synchronous, asynchronous, hybrid or self-paced programs depending on your learning style and schedule constraints. Many fully online programs also offer internships or other in-person learning options so you can gain hands on experience in your own community. Like their in-person counterparts, online master’s programs at military friendly schools offer virtual advising, networking, and community building opportunities.

The best military-friendly graduate schools account for your experience and logistical needs. For active-duty military members, these programs offer flexible coursework, schedule accommodations for deployment and training, and dedicated support. Since you aren’t tied to a physical campus, online programs are a great way to keep your studies consistent amidst frequent relocations. For veterans, these schools help you stay connected with the military community, make space for you to enjoy time with your family and the perks of civilian life, and resources to support your goals.

Every school we feature has military-specific programs, policies and resources designed with the unique position of service members in mind. This includes reduced tuition, strong veteran communities and dedicated military student services. Some programs even award school credit based on your service career. Let’s see who stands out.

First introduced in 1944 as a benefit for World War II veterans, the GI Bill has broadened higher education opportunities for veterans and active-duty military personnel. Over time, the GI Bill has evolved, with its most recent version, the Post-9/11 GI Bill, providing educational benefits to those who have served more than 90 days on active duty after September 11, 2001.

Besides covering tuition expenses, the GI Bill also pays for room, board, and textbooks. Military members who don’t use their GI Bill benefits can transfer them to their spouses or dependent children. As of 2021 over 840,000 veterans and their families have taken benefited from this program since the launch of the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

In most cases, GI Bill benefits are accessible to all active-duty service members, honorably discharged veterans, National Guard or Reserve members, and surviving or dependent family members.

The Yellow Ribbon Program is part of the Post-9/11 GI Bill and offers financial support for military members enrolling in expensive private institutions, graduate programs, and out-of-state schools. It also pays for some fees that the Post-9/11 GI Bill fails to cover.

If you’re interested in securing support from the Yellow Ribbon Program, you must meet certain requirements. Conditions may include serving at least 36 months on active duty, receiving the Purple Heart after 9/11, or serving at least 30 days with discharge because of a duty-related disability. Prospective private colleges or universities must participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, be certified institutions of higher learning, and have room for Yellow Ribbon recipients before reaching their cap.

State universities typically offer tuition discounts for military service members and veterans. This amount varies by school but can be significant. When investigating prospective graduate programs, be sure to see if schools offer financial assistance.

Schools billed as “military friendly” always offer some form of tuition assistance. Still, some schools are more generous than others. Yellow Ribbon school Drexel University offers a 25% discount for tech-based graduate programs and a 50% discount for students pursuing a master in fine arts in creative writing.

Public institutions like Kentucky’s Murray State University provide military members and veterans with in-state tuition, regardless of residence. Like other public schools, Athens State University in Alabama offers a military rate that saves students $75 per credit.

Every state takes its own approach to supporting military students. Some states, like California and Washington offer full tuition waiver programs. Other states may offer scholarships, grants, or other financial aid to supplement the federal funding military students receive through programs like the GI Bill.

Tuition may have the most significant impact on college costs, but the various fees associated with enrollment can add up quickly. Schools such as Albany State University help military students cut costs by eliminating technology, athletics, activities, and transportation fees. Similarly, Liberty University offers technology fee waivers, saving military students $249 per semester.

While some military members have access to waived tuition, others still face high costs when financing their graduate degrees. These students may rely on scholarships to help cover the cost of their master’s programs. Scholarships come in varying amounts and with varying requirements, and some target specific students while others support a broader audience. Additionally, scholarship amounts vary, so it’s a good idea to apply for multiple scholarships to help offset school costs.

Military students will find that there are many scholarships specifically for service members that can help cover the cost of their education. Some popular annual scholarships include the Marines Memorial Tribute Scholarship, AMVETS Scholarship, Army Women’s Foundation Legacy Scholarship, and the U.S. Army Enlisted Commissioning Program, which runs through the Army Medical Department.

In addition to offering generous financial support, many military-friendly schools have staff and departments dedicated to helping military students thrive.

Whether online or on-campus, the best schools provide extensive student support services for active military members and veterans. Military resource centers provide tailored support, such as academic assistance, financial guidance for accessing military education benefits, transition resources from military to civilian life, and career counseling. They also offer resources to support military students manage the stress of grad school including mental health services, stress management workshops, and wellness programs. Additionally, all of the best schools foster a sense of community by connecting students with fellow veterans and advocating for their needs within the university.

For example, Regent University offers a Military Resource Center to assist students throughout their master’s program, from admissions to career support. Similarly, the University of Maryland’s Global Campus provides military students with a military advising team.

While it’s common for schools to provide military-specific admissions advising, some schools go even further to support military students and their families. Syracuse University’s Office of Veteran and Military Affairs offers a one-stop-shop for the academic, financial, personal, and career needs of its veteran population.

Military life can differ significantly from civilian life, and military students have a unique set of academic, personal, and financial needs. From looming deployments to combat-related mental health issues, military students and their families rely on flexible academics and compassionate student services to make the most of their college experience. The most military-friendly schools offer enhanced accommodations and flexibility to bolster academic success.

For military service members, the possibility of deployment is part of the job, but academic and administrative support can help in the process. Before their departure, deployed military students should consider various academic and financial details. For example, if most of a student’s coursework is already complete, top-performing students can ask their professors to post their grade as it currently stands.

Receiving a grade of incomplete is another option and is given at an instructor’s discretion. An incomplete grade allows military students the chance to finish course requirements later. Before being deployed, students should also consult administrators regarding financial aid.

Students serving in the armed forces may face situations when called on active duty or active service that prevents them from attending classes or completing academic requirements. As a result, the most military-friendly schools offer flexible leave policies to ensure students don’t lose money or college credit.

Georgetown University offers clear guidance on its leave policies. If approved, students receive a 100% percent refund and re-enroll later without having to repeat any coursework. Students deciding to re-enroll pay the tuition rate that was applicable when they were originally enrolled.

Most military-friendly colleges and universities accept military experience as college credit. Transfer policies vary among schools and are considered on a case-by-case basis. Military students should share their transcripts from their branch of service with schools they’re considering. To help with awarding credits for military experience, the American Council on Education offers schools recommendations regarding how many credits they should award for military jobs, Army Advanced Individual Training, and Military Occupations Specialty training.