Looking for the best military friendly online colleges for military and their families? If you are a veteran or member of the military , begin your online degree search here. Some of the schools in America offer tuition aids.
Online Colleges for Veterans and Military Personnel
The virtual classroom is a great option for active service members, veterans, and their dependents since online programs can typically accommodate their demanding lifestyles. Online learning comes in a variety of formats, whether supplemental coursework for traditional learners, hybrid courses that split a veteran’s time between home and campus, or fully online programs that provide the same quality education as is offered to in-person learners.
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Additionally, many schools now offer military-friendly incentives and services such as financial support through tuition cuts, scholarships, and grants, to support services designed specifically for military students, or allow service members to transfer credits to participating institutions. We’ve put together this page specifically to outline online colleges for military service members and the variety of benefits offered at these institutions, simplifying the school selection process for former members of the armed forces. Continue reading to find your military online college.
Benefits of Online College for Military Personnel
Attending traditional brick and mortar colleges, universities and trade schools is problematic and impractical for active military personnel. Deployment and re-stationing are facts of life. Constant relocation and transferring from local college to local college can increase time to graduation by several years since transfer students run the risk of losing credits and having to take the same classes over at their new destinations. Institutional members of the Service Member’s Opportunity Colleges (SOC) Consortium help students retain course credits when transferring to participating schools.
However, military students may find that online learning programs move directly with service members when they change locales, preserving their credits and student status without interruption. The flexibility of a distance learning program allows students access no matter their time zone or assignment. The online college website provides round-the-clock access to classes, research libraries and all related class materials.
Consequently, active military, veterans and qualified dependents can complete post-secondary degree programs without traveling to campus. The service branches operate online portals that allow personnel to search for military online colleges, evaluate degree options and request Tuition Assistance Top-Up, Tuition Assistance and guidance.
For example, the GoArmyEd website offers service members access to Military Education Counselors as well as a paperless, virtual registration system available to Army personnel around the globe.
Learning Online and Technology
Two major delivery systems govern the classes in military online colleges; asynchronous and synchronous.
- Synchronous courses take place in “real-time,” requiring students to log on to their classes at a pre-arranged day and time. These are less flexible in scheduling because the learning system requires students and faculty to meet virtually through tools such as direct-broadcast satellite, video conferencing, live streaming lectures and discussions and internet radio. Software such as Skype, Citrix GoToMeeting and Adobe Connect has connected military personnel and veterans to live classes without undue technological issues.
- The other delivery system, “asynchronous,” offers the greatest amount of student flexibility over great distances. Students log on at their convenience, participating in class through 24/7 discussion boards, email, multimedia presentations and podcasts. The coursework is as rigorous as campus-based or synchronous learning, making it a necessity for students to maintain an education routine to keep pace. But the benefits of the asynchronous delivery format have made it the preferred system for active military and veterans alike.
Some 47 percent of veterans taking online courses are married with children and work at full-time jobs or as stay-at-home parents. Parents find time after their kids go to sleep to hit the online classroom or at breaks during the day. Employed veterans appreciate the opportunity to train for career advancement by logging on before or after work, or during the weekends.
Online Education and Combat Soldiers
The transition from combat to the classroom can be intolerable following war-zone service and multiple deployments. A 2008 RAND study reported that 20 percent of veterans returning from the Iraq/Afghanistan region have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
They are unwilling to submerse themselves in a college campus setting with loud noises and throngs of students, many younger than they are. Unlike war veterans with PTSD in previous decades, today’s veterans have the option of attending classes and completing degrees from their homes.
Are You a Good Candidate for Online Learning?
Whether a student is attending campus degree program or one of the online colleges for military personnel, they are responsible for maintaining regular study habits, progressing through their courses and meeting all of their class deadlines. Online students may have to ramp up their focus, especially in remaining motivated to master class materials as well as the delivery system used in the virtual classroom. Students working online tend to require less hand-holding and are typically highly disciplined.
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Service personnel and veterans should examine the following attributes of successful online students before making the leap to distance learning: Competence in computer skills and relevant software. Chances are good that any potential online student reading this article already has baseline skills in online technology. They know how to search, use a browser, create documents in a word processing program and find their way around a spreadsheet.
Skills in technical degree programs may have to learn or improve their abilities with dedicated design or drafting software. Many online schools have course demos and lists of technology requirements. Be sure to test drive a demo to see if the interface is easy to use. Home and School Balance. Entering college for the first time or returning to school following a long hiatus presents challenges to even the best of students. Learning to balance work, family life and a realistic dedication to completing studies is a key to success. Organizational skills are essential components to making it all work. Focus and self-discipline.
Creating a schedule and sticking to it is an indispensable attribute to success. While asynchronous courses may mean each student tackles the material at a different place and time, they all must still tackle the material! Couse attendance may be flexible, but the deadlines for delivering papers, taking tests and completing assignments are firm.
It can be easy to fall behind when you don’t have to report to a seat in a classroom. Routine and constant check-ins with email, online discussion boards and faculty course pages is not only recommended, but required. Educators often grade on participation.
Military-Friendly Online Colleges
Military-friendly colleges may go above and beyond to help both active duty and veteran students transition into a higher education setting. This could mean support of an academic, social or financial nature.
Many schools with fully online programs fall into this category, making it much easier for past and present military members to learn in a flexible, remote environment. Prospective students evaluating online degree programs should ask questions of each school related to five key considerations;
- Principles of excellence
- Accreditation
- Military and non-traditional course credit opportunities
- Fees and tuition (participation in military financial aid programs)
- Funding for qualified dependents
- General course information
Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Daytona Beach, Florida
1 in Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans (tie)
2 in Bachelor’s Programs (tie)
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a private institution, has been offering online bachelor’s degree programs since before-1994-1995. All of the online classes are recorded and archived so students can access lecture material at their convenience. When applying for the online programs at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, it’s important to note that the deadline is rolling.
$375 Per Credit
15,257 Enrollment
Private School Type
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
1 in Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans (tie)
2 in Bachelor’s Programs (tie)
Temple University, a public institution, has been offering online bachelor’s degree programs since 2012-2013. All of the online classes are recorded and archived so students can access lecture material at their convenience. When applying for the online programs at Temple University, it’s important to note that the deadline is rolling.
$595 Per Credit (out-of-state)
247 Enrollment
Public School Type
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ
3 in Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans
4 in Bachelor’s Programs
Arizona State University, a public institution, has been offering online bachelor’s degree programs since 2006-2007. All of the online classes are recorded and archived so students can access lecture material at their convenience. When applying for the online programs at Arizona State University, it’s important to note that the deadline is rolling.
$510 Per Credit (out-of-state)
29,621 Enrollment
Public School Type
Utah State University
Logan, UT
4 in Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans
5 in Bachelor’s Programs
Utah State University, a public institution, has been offering online bachelor’s degree programs since 2005-2006. All of the online classes are recorded and archived so students can access lecture material at their convenience. When applying for the online programs at Utah State University, it’s important to note that the deadline is rolling.
$325 Per Credit (out-of-state)
1,599 Enrollment
Public School Type
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR
5 in Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans
6 in Bachelor’s Programs
Oregon State University, a public institution, has been offering online bachelor’s degree programs since 2000-2001. All of the online classes are recorded and archived so students can access lecture material at their convenience. When applying for the online programs at Oregon State University, it’s important to note that the deadline is rolling.
$208 Per Credit (out-of-state)
5,424 Enrollment
Public School Type
Pennsylvania State University–World Campus
University Park, PA
6 in Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans (tie)
7 in Bachelor’s Programs (tie)
Pennsylvania State University–World Campus, a public institution, has been offering online bachelor’s degree programs since 2000-2001. All of the online classes are recorded and archived so students can access lecture material at their convenience. When applying for the online programs at Pennsylvania State University–World Campus, it’s important to note that the deadline is rolling.
$555 Per Credit (out-of-state)
8,415 Enrollment
Public School Type
University of North Carolina–Wilmington
Wilmington, NC
6 in Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans (tie)
7 in Bachelor’s Programs (tie)
University of North Carolina–Wilmington, a public institution, has been offering online bachelor’s degree programs since 2013-2014. All of the online classes are recorded and archived so students can access lecture material at their convenience. When applying for the online programs at University of North Carolina–Wilmington, it’s important to note that the deadline is rolling.
$668 Per Credit (out-of-state)
1,139 Enrollment
Public School Type
Colorado State University–Global Campus
Greenwood Village, CO
8 in Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans (tie)
9 in Bachelor’s Programs (tie)
Colorado State University–Global Campus, a public institution, has been offering online bachelor’s degree programs since 2008-2009. All of the online classes are recorded and archived so students can access lecture material at their convenience. When applying for the online programs at Colorado State University–Global Campus, it’s important to note that the deadline is rolling.
$350 Per Credit (out-of-state)
11,779 Enrollment
Public School Type
University of Oklahoma
Norman, OK
8 in Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans (tie)
9 in Bachelor’s Programs (tie)
University of Oklahoma, a public institution, has been offering online bachelor’s degree programs since 2003-2004. All of the online classes are recorded and archived so students can access lecture material at their convenience. When applying for the online programs at University of Oklahoma, it’s important to note that the deadline is rolling.
$672 Per Credit (out-of-state)
1,234 Enrollment
Public School Type
West Texas A&M University
Canyon, TX
8 in Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans (tie)
9 in Bachelor’s Programs (tie)
West Texas A&M University, a public institution, has been offering online bachelor’s degree programs since 2000-2001. All of the online classes are recorded and archived so students can access lecture material at their convenience. When applying for the online programs at West Texas A&M University, it’s important to note that the deadline is Aug. 1.
$295 Per Credit (out-of-state)
1,260 Enrollment
Public School Typ
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
11 in Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans (tie)
12 in Bachelor’s Programs (tie)
University of Florida, a public institution, has been offering online bachelor’s degree programs since 2001-2002. All of the online classes are recorded and archived so students can access lecture material at their convenience. When applying for the online programs at University of Florida, it’s important to note that the deadline is rolling.
$500 Per Credit (out-of-state)
2,530 Enrollment
Public School Type
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY
11 in Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans (tie)
12 in Bachelor’s Programs (tie)
Western Kentucky University, a public institution, has been offering online bachelor’s degree programs since 1998-1999. All of the online classes are recorded and archived so students can access lecture material at their convenience. When applying for the online programs at Western Kentucky University, it’s important to note that the deadline is rolling.
$510 Per Credit (out-of-state)
3,775 Enrollment
Public School Type
Cuny School of Professional Studies
New York, NY
13 in Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans (tie)
16 in Bachelor’s Programs (tie)
CUNY School of Professional Studies, a public institution, has been offering online bachelor’s degree programs since 2006-2007. All of the online classes are recorded and archived so students can access lecture material at their convenience. When applying for the online programs at CUNY School of Professional Studies, it’s important to note that the deadline is July 30.
$285 Per Credit (out-of-state)
1,865 Enrollment
Public School Type
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
13 in Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans (tie)
16 in Bachelor’s Programs (tie)
University of Arkansas, a public institution, has been offering online bachelor’s degree programs since 2008-2009. All of the online classes are recorded and archived so students can access lecture material at their convenience. When applying for the online programs at University of Arkansas, it’s important to note that the deadline is rolling.
$246 Per Credit (out-of-state)
799 Enrollment
Public School Type
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL
13 in Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans (tie)
16 in Bachelor’s Programs (tie)
University of Central Florida, a public institution, has been offering online bachelor’s degree programs since 1997-1998. All of the online classes are recorded and archived so students can access lecture material at their convenience. When applying for the online programs at University of Central Florida, it’s important to note that the deadline is rolling.
$300 Per Credit (out-of-state)
11,273 Enrollment
Public School Type
University of Massachusetts–Amherst
Amherst, MA
13 in Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans (tie)
16 in Bachelor’s Programs (tie)
University of Massachusetts–Amherst, a public institution, has been offering online bachelor’s degree programs since 2003-2004. All of the online classes are recorded and archived so students can access lecture material at their convenience. When applying for the online programs at University of Massachusetts–Amherst, it’s important to note that the deadline is rolling.
$390 Per Credit (out-of-state)
1,659 Enrollment
Public School Type
University of Nebraska–Omaha
Omaha, NE
13 in Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans (tie)
16 in Bachelor’s Programs (tie)
University of Nebraska–Omaha, a public institution, has been offering online bachelor’s degree programs since 1997-1998. All of the online classes are recorded and archived so students can access lecture material at their convenience. When applying for the online programs at University of Nebraska–Omaha, it’s important to note that the deadline is rolling.
$442 Per Credit (out-of-state)
175 Enrollment
Public School Type
University of Massachusetts–Lowell
Lowell, MA
18 in Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans
22 in Bachelor’s Programs
University of Massachusetts–Lowell, a public institution, has been offering online bachelor’s degree programs since 1995-1996. All of the online classes are recorded and archived so students can access lecture material at their convenience. When applying for the online programs at University of Massachusetts–Lowell, it’s important to note that the deadline is rolling.
$375 Per Credit (out-of-state)
2,084 Enrollment
Public School Type
California Baptist University
Riverside, CA
19 in Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans (tie)
23 in Bachelor’s Programs (tie)
California Baptist University, a private institution, has been offering online bachelor’s degree programs since 2011-2012. All of the online classes are recorded and archived so students can access lecture material at their convenience. When applying for the online programs at California Baptist University, it’s important to note that the deadline is rolling.
$566 Per Credit
2,235 Enrollment
Private School Type
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO
19 in Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans (tie)
23 in Bachelor’s Programs (tie)
Colorado State University, a public institution, has been offering online bachelor’s degree programs since 1994-1995. All of the online classes are recorded and archived so students can access lecture material at their convenience. When applying for the online programs at Colorado State University, it’s important to note that the deadline is rolling.
$462 Per Credit (out-of-state)
578 Enrollment
Public School Type
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