The top colleges for an online degree in Dallas, TX, are remarkable institutions that cater to both online and on-campus students. This is a great thing for working students who have long hoped that the city’s schools would begin to offer online programs in the fields that are of the most interest to them. Now, with such a large number of programs available, it was time to compile a list of the best places for students who want to earn an online degree.
Online degrees have several advantages that on-campus programs do not provide; they are more affordable, more flexible, and provide students with the chance to learn when and where it is most convenient for them. And while bachelor’s degrees were long the most coveted, schools in Dallas, TX, are now providing programs at all levels of education, making it a great time to look into online programs.
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Methodology
This is a points-based ranking, meaning that schools were chosen and ranked based on a points system. In order to create the database needed to whittle down the number of schools, information was pulled from the National Center for Education Statistics and the publicly available College Navigator Database. After the initial group was compiled, more information was curated and reviewed from individual school websites. The points for this ranking are as follows:
Types of online degree options available (associate, bachelor, master’s, doctorate): 1 point per degree level.
Cost per credit hour:
Under $250 – 4 points
$251 – $350 – 3 points
$351 – $450 – 2 points
Over $451 per credit hour – 1 point
Regional Accreditation:
Present – 1 point
Student to faculty ratio:
10:1 or less – 3 points
11:1 to 15:1 – 2 points
Greater than 15:1 – 1 point
The final 10 schools that made this list scored the highest in the database. However, they are not all the same. Students are encouraged to look at each school individually prior to making a decision on which school they will apply to attend.
10. Southern Methodist University
Dallas, Texas
Some of the best online master’s programs available in Dallas, TX, comes from Southern Methodist University. This school offers students the chance to complete online graduate programs in business administration, data science, and more. The school is also dedicated to bringing more online programs to the virtual portal, so students looking for other options will also be taken care of in the future. The school has a variety of online resources, including a bookstore, library, a resources suite, and advising for students interested in career services.
Types of Degrees Available:
Master’s
Cost per credit hour: $1,260
Student to Faculty Ratio: 11:1
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Total Points: 5
9. The University of Dallas
Irving, Texas
The University of Dallas is one of the top colleges for an online degree in Dallas, TX for students interested in online graduate programs. This school confers two master’s programs: Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Cybersecurity. These programs are both 100 percent online and taught by world-renown professors; teaching assistants are never in charge of the classroom. Students can choose between part-time and full-time study options and will take the majority of their classes asynchronously. The school also supports its online students by providing technical support, small class sizes, online tutoring, and online office hours.
Types of Degrees Available:
Master’s
Cost per credit hour: $1,250
Student to Faculty Ratio: 11:1
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Total Points: 5
8. Dallas Baptist University
Dallas, Texas
Dallas Baptist University confers a variety of online bachelor’s programs that are the perfect fit for students interested in a flexible degree. The school confers over 75 degrees, 100 percent online; over 360 courses are also available as well as graduate certificates. Class sizes for online programs are capped at 12 students and are taught by experienced professors and faculty. With a history in online education that dates back to 1998, the school is committed to providing students with flexible study plans, affordable tuition and a comprehensive suite of online services, including technical support, academic advising, a career center, and a bookstore.
Types of Degrees Available:
Bachelor’s, Master’s
Cost per credit hour: $929
Student to Faculty Ratio: 12:1
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Total Points: 6
7. Dallas Christian College
Dallas, Texas
Dallas Christian College provides students with some of the best online programs for undergraduates in the state. The school is home to FLEXCampus, a virtual online portal that is both interactive and flexible. Eight degrees are available online, including programs in business, psychology, and practical ministries. Students will have access to small class sizes, nationally renown professors, and a curriculum focused on Christian ethics. This is also home to accelerated programs; courses last just six weeks in length and can be taken asynchronously or synchronously. Along with technical support, an online bookstore, online library resources and tutoring, students are always set up for success at this school.
Types of Degrees Available:
Associate, Bachelor’s
Cost per credit hour: $557
Student to Faculty Ratio: 11:1
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Total Points: 6
6. Southwestern Assemblies of God University
Waxahachie, Texas
Some of the best online degrees available in Dallas, TX, come from Southwestern Assemblies of God University. This school confers over 50 degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate level of education; associate programs will be available in the fall of 2019. Students can study everything from bible studies and psychology to business and criminal justice. Each program is focused on the school’s Bible-centered teaching philosophy, something that online students will find refreshing. With a class cap size of 18, students will get the individualized attention that they want from an online program. Other services include a bookstore, library, research resources, academic advising, and more.
Types of Degrees Available:
Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate
Cost per credit hour: $575
Student to Faculty Ratio: 16:1
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Total Points: 6
5. The University of North Texas
Denton, Texas
The University of North Texas is one of the top colleges for an online degree in Dallas, TX. The school is dedicated to online education; in fact, the school’s website makes it easy for online students to navigate to the virtual portal straight from the front page. This school offers over 40 degrees and certificates at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate level. No matter what a student wants to study, there is a program available for them. The programs are available have been specifically designed to adapt to an online student’s learning schedule; degrees can be earned part-time or full-time, live or on-demand, and some even come with accelerated term schedules. Support services include technical support, academic advising, online tutoring, and online office hours for professors.
Types of Degrees Available:
Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate
Cost per credit hour: $470
Student to Faculty Ratio: 24:1
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Total Points: 6
4. Criswell College
Dallas, Texas
One of the best places for online master’s programs in Dallas, TX, is Criswell College. Students who are interested in Christian leadership will find two excellent programs at this school: Master of Arts in Christian Studies and the Master of Arts in Christian Leadership. While the online program was designed for online students, they will be able to interact with on-campus students because the school allows for integration in the courses. This school offers eight-week accelerated term schedules, meaning students can complete their courses faster online than on campus. With asynchronous courses, small class sizes and a dedication to a full-service online portal, this college should be one of the top choices for Christian-minded students.
Types of Degrees Available:
Master’s
Cost per credit hour: $455
Student to Faculty Ratio: 8:1
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Total Points: 6
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3. Texas Wesleyan University
Fort Worth, Texas
Texas Wesleyan is one of the top colleges for an online degree in Dallas, TX, for students interested in earning a degree from a top-tier institution. Students can complete their undergraduate degree, earn a master’s degree, or complete their education with a doctorate degree. Programs at this school include nursing and business, but the school has plans to expand its offerings in the coming years. This school has small class sizes, seven-week courses, and seven starts per year, making it possible for students to begin their program in as little as two months from their date of application. Along with a full-service online portal, technical support and more, students have all they need in order to complete their program.
Types of Degrees Available:
Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate
Cost per credit hour: $1,062
Student to Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Total Points: 7
2. Mountain View College
Dallas, Texas
One of the best places to earn an associate degree online is Mountain View College. This school is committed to providing students with 100 percent online degrees and certificates that meet their needs. Students will find that the school has devoted a lot of resources to building the online portal, which includes a map of proctored testing sites, advising, online registration for courses, an online bookstore, an online library, student and technical support, and more. Students will also have the option to choose how they study; full-time and part-time options are available as are courses that can be completed live or on-demand. All courses are offered in the eight-week format, making it a great choice for students who want an accelerated and flexible program.
Types of Degrees Available:
Associate
Cost per credit hour: $177
Student to Faculty Ratio: 26:1
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Total Points: 7
1. Texas Woman’s University
Denton, Texas
Texas Woman’s University is one of the top colleges for an online degree in Dallas, TX, especially for students who are interested in completing dual degrees or who have diverse interests. This school stands out from the crowd due to the fact that it offers a wide variety of options, including over 40 degree programs and certificates, the chance to earn an endorsement in unique subjects, and licensure-track programs for nursing and education. Students will be able to find all the support they need online as well; advising, admissions and registration all happen online with no need for a trip to campus. With small class sizes and a wide variety of online courses, this is a great choice for students ready to begin their professional careers.
Types of Degrees Available:
Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate
Cost per credit hour: $219.50
Student to Faculty Ratio: 18:1
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Total Points: 9
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Career Options for an Online Degree?
Online degrees will pave the way to nearly every career imaginable in the country. Because online programs are becoming common, especially at the graduate and doctorate levels, there are very few careers that are closed to online learners. In fact, more schools are expanding their online options to ensure that all students, whether they are pre-service or in-service professionals, will have the chance to complete their education in the way they see fit.
However, there are some exceptions. Currently, medical doctors, surgeons, dentists, pharmacologists and lawyers are required to attend on-campus specialist programs. This is to be expected; these are professions that require a great deal of expertise, something that cannot be completed through an online program.
What Features are Available with an Online Degree?
Online degrees have several features that are available only to online students. Because schools are creating online schools, which are also known as virtual portals, it is becoming clear that the more features that a school can offer their students, the better those students will be successful at completing their degree.
Online portals are the virtual arm of schools. Since most online programs are conferred by schools with physical campuses, the schools are determined to bring some of the feel of their campus online. This includes online bookshops, online libraries, and technical support, at the very least.
Some schools have gone beyond just what is considered normal for an online school. There are schools that offer students smartphone and tablet apps so they can access their schoolwork anywhere. Others combine the app with smart tablets and computers that are given to the students at the beginning of their program; the cost of these devices is amortized in the fees the students spend to attend the program.
Other services are becoming more mainstream as well. Online tutoring, advising and career services are making their way across the country, ensuring that students will have the support they need to graduate and, if need be, to find new employment that fits their education and work experience. Study abroad programs designed for online learners are also becoming more common, especially in the business sector, and consist of two-week immersion programs all around the world.
What Different Types of Online Degrees Exist in the United States?
Online degrees range from associate and bachelor’s to doctorate and specialist programs within the United States. Students can earn a degree in just about any field, with minor exceptions. In fact, as technology advances, more degrees are being designed for online education.
There is another way to describe online degrees, and that is by the amount of coursework that can be completed online. This is to say that not all online degrees are 100 percent online; students will need to check the school’s residency requirement to see if and when their presence on campus would be required.
The term “residency requirement” refers to the amount of time a student would need to physically be on campus for their online degree. Many programs are offered 100 percent online with no residency requirements while others may require a weekend per term; these are considered “low-residency” programs. Hybrid programs, which are the last of the category that may be considered online, is when a student must earn half their credits online and half on the physical campus.
Most programs will tell students straight out, on the program website, what the residency requirement is for the program. Others have the information hidden with the “degree requirements” page or described separately on a “residency requirement” tab. It is up to the student to double check the requirements prior to applying for any program.
How Do Field Experiences Work Within an Online Program?
Field experiences are defined as work placements required for graduation from a program. This can include internships, practicums, clinical hours, and externships; the exact type of field experience depends on the degree and the school. While on-campus field experiences are straightforward, it can be a concern for online students.
Field experiences are straightforward with online programs as well, which is no doubt a relief for potential online students. These experiences do not take place near campus but happen in a student’s community to eliminate the need for travel. They work the same way as normal field experiences with a few exceptions.
Students in an online program will need to find their own field experiences. Their choice of field experience must fit the criteria set forth by their professors; a suitable proctor must also be approved by the school. After the field experience is set, all a student needs to do is complete it in order to earn that requirement for graduation.
Are Online Degrees Becoming More Accepted in the Workplace?
Yes, online degrees are accepted in the workplace, and their popularity continues to grow. This is because the majority of professionals who are earning online degrees are already working in the field and have work experience to back up their education. With so many professionals going back to school, employers around the country would find it difficult to find qualified candidates without an online degree or certificate.
Another reason that online degrees are becoming more accepted in the workplace is that degrees do not stipulate the method in which the degree was earned. Most schools do not distinguish between online and on-campus degrees, making it harder for employers to know just how a professional graduated. Since what matters is that an accredited degree was earned, knowing the method of delivery is not required.
How Flexible are Online Degrees?
Online degrees can be extremely flexible in a few ways. How flexible they are is determined by the school that confers the degree and the amount of online support the program has. Here are the most common ways an online degree can be flexible.
Online programs can often be earned part-time or full-time. Many on-campus programs, particularly those offered at the graduate and doctoral level, require full-time participation. This is untenable for working professionals, who need part-time options in order to complete their degree. While part-time study can take longer than full-time study, it is often the best way that working students have to graduate.
Some programs offer live or on-demand courses; many have a mixture of both available. Live classes often require participation in the lecture from students, but on-demand courses can be accessed virtually anywhere. As online education technology advances, more schools are offering apps that enable students to download their lectures and listen or view them anywhere, ensuring that students can complete their coursework when it is most convenient for them.
Schools understand how important flexibility is to students, especially when it comes to exams. That’s why so many programs offer open exam dates, which means that students have the option to take the exam any time during that open period. Additionally, many schools enable students to take their exams in their community, either at a predetermined satellite campus or at a place and time where a proctor that is approved by the department can attend the exam session.
Students will also find that some schools have an accelerated term structure, meaning that courses can be anywhere between four to 12 weeks in length rather than the traditional 16-week structure. This enables students to earn credit hours on an expedited schedule and may lead them to completing their degree faster than an on-campus degree; it is thought that some schools may cut the time in the program in half with accelerated term schedules.
Additionally, online programs often have summer sessions that last one or two weeks. This means that online students can complete around four courses during the summer, cutting down their time in the program by at least one term. Students should be aware, however, accelerated and summer terms are intensive courses; studying will be more rigorous during this time.
The last way that online programs are flexible is with the use of tailored programs. While many on-campus schools offer students the ability to tailor their degrees, online programs offer more flexibility in terms of electives allowed and the number of concentrations that can be earned. Online students may also find that it’s possible for them to specialize in a field that is not traditionally recognized by the school, enabling them to seek work in that particular field.
Is it Possible to Find an Online Degree That is Professionally Accredited?
Yes, it is possible to find an online degree that is both regionally and professionally accredited. As online degrees become a mainstream option for working professionals, many professional accrediting associations have ensured that the best programs hold the distinction. However, not all online programs hold professional accreditation.
Professional accreditation is a distinction that is held once a school has done two things. First, the school must have regional accreditation; this is a rigorous process that includes a review of the school’s reputation and history as well as the quality of different curriculums. Second, the school’s specific programs must also demonstrate the academic level of quality that is required by the professional association.
It is important to note that not all schools will hold professional accreditation, even if it holds regional accreditation. Different programs, such as business, nursing, or engineering, will need to hold up the standards set forth by their respective fields. It is possible that a program is undergoing review for professional accreditation and has not yet received an answer, but unless they have already received an official acknowledgment, they cannot claim the distinction.
Professional accreditation is not possible at a school that does not hold regional accreditation. This is because professional associations assume that a school meets the minimum requirements to hold regional accreditation. Schools without regional accreditation are not considered by professional associations; the caveat to this is when a school is in a probationary period with the regional accrediting association but has not yet lost the distinction.
Students should also be aware that a regionally accredited school with professional accreditation in some programs does not mean that the program they wish to attend will also hold accreditation. It is common practice for schools to note on a program’s website what type of accreditation is held and by which association; this is for the convenience of the student.
Online degrees are becoming more common, making it easier for any professional to complete their education in a way that is suitable for them. From associate to bachelor’s, master’s to doctorates, there are degrees available for every career interest. With this ranking of the top colleges for online degrees in Dallas, TX, students will be in a position to find the school that meets their needs.
This concludes our ranking of the Top 10 Colleges for Online Degrees in Dallas, TX.
Sources:
- National Center for Education Statistics
- School Websites