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Online Master's Degree Programs in Georgia

There are numerous options available to students and professionals in Georgia who are interested in exploring online master’s degree programs offered by public and private colleges and universities in the state, and by schools other states that admit Georgia residents. In the sections below, OnlineEducation.com provides an overview of online master’s programs offered by accredited, non-profit colleges and universities in Georgia in fields such as business administration, nursing, social work, education, public health, public administration, counseling, computer science, and more. We also offer details about out-of-state schools in the Georgia region that have online master’s programs in many fields of study in which master’s-level training is commonly pursued by graduate students in Georgia.

Schools in Georgia That Offer Online Master’s Degree Programs

Georgia is home to the University System of Georgia (USG), a large, publicly funded affiliation of 26 institutions of higher education that includes 17 universities and nine state colleges. The USG encompasses four types of institutions, as delineated by the Georgia State Board of Regents. Augusta University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, and the University of Georgia are classified as research universities. Georgia Southern University, Kennesaw State University, the University of West Georgia, and Valdosta State University are classified as comprehensive universities. In addition, the system includes a number of other degree-granting institutions classified as state universities and state colleges.

Most of the colleges and universities in the USG offer online courses and online degree programs, and many have online master’s degree programs. To assist students interested in exploring online degree programs offered by schools in the Georgia system, the state maintains a searchable online database at Georgia ONmyLINE.

The table below lists the 15 largest USG schools based on enrollment data collected by the US Department of Education for its Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), as well as information on the location of each school and whether or not the school offers online degree programs.

School	Location	Online Degree Programs
Georgia State University (GSU)	Atlanta	Yes
University of Georgia (UGA)	Athens	Yes
Kennesaw State University (KSU)	Kennesaw	Yes
Georgia Southern University (GA Southern)	Statesboro	Yes
Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)	Atlanta	Yes
University of North Georgia (UNG)	Dahlonega	Yes
University of West Georgia (UWG)	Carrollton	Yes
Georgia Gwinnett College	Lawrenceville	No
Valdosta State University (VSU)	Valdosta	Yes
Augusta University	Augusta	Yes
Columbus State University	Columbus	Yes
Middle Georgia State University	Macon	Yes
Albany State University	Albany	Yes
Clayton State University	Morrow	Yes
Georgia College & State University (GCSU)	Milledgeville	Yes

There are also a number of regionally accredited, non-profit private colleges and universities in Georgia that offer graduate degrees through campus-based and online programs. This includes Atlanta University Center, a consortium of historically black colleges in the Atlanta metropolitan area comprised of Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, the Morehouse School of Medicine, and Spelman College. Atlanta is also home to Emory University, a prestigious private research university with nine academic divisions, including the Goizueta Business School, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Rollins School of Public Health, and Candler School of Theology.

The five largest private colleges and universities based on IPEDS enrollment data are listed in the table below, along with their location and whether or not they offer online degree programs.

School	Location	Online Degree Programs
Emory University	Atlanta	Yes
Savannah College of Art and Design	Savannah	Yes
South University	Savannah	Yes
Mercer University	Macon	Yes
Clark Atlanta University	Atlanta	No

Regional Out-of-State Schools with Online Master’s Degree Programs

Georgia residents who are interested in earning a master’s degree online are eligible to apply to many programs offered by out-of-state schools, including The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), a public research university located in Birmingham’s Southside neighborhood. UAB boasts one of the largest academic medical centers in the country (the UAB Health System), as well as UAB Online, which is an affiliate of the Southern Regional Education Board’s Electronic Campus, a consortium of southern colleges and universities offering online degree programs. UAB Online offers online master’s degree programs in criminal justice and sociology, business and health administration, education, engineering, and nursing.

Winthrop University, a publicly funded liberal arts university located in Rock Hill, SC, is another regional institution that accepts applicants from Georgia into its online graduate programs. Through Winthrop University, students who live in Georgia can earn online master’s degrees in arts administration, social work, business administration, and education.

Another state university that offers a broad range of online master’s degree programs is North Carolina State University (NC State), which is located in Raleigh. NC State offers more than 50 online programs at the master’s level, including online master’s programs in applied science fields like aerospace engineering, horticultural science, and nanoengineering. NC State also offers Master of Education (MEd) and Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree programs online, as well as Master of Science (MS) degree programs in computer science and engineering.

Queens University of Charlotte is a private university in North Carolina that houses the McColl School of Business, Wayland H. Cato Jr. School of Education, James L. Knight School of Communication, Blair College of Health, and Presbyterian School of Nursing. Students interested in earning an online master’s degree in business administration, communication, nursing, education, or health administration may want to explore online programs offered by Queens University.

Through Mason Online, George Mason University (GMU) offers numerous online master’s degree programs, including master’s degree in cybersecurity, data science and analytics, educational leadership, health informatics, business administration, public health, systems engineering, and more. GMU, which is a public university located in Fairfax, VA, is also part of Online Virginia Network (OVN), a partnership with Old Dominion University that is designed to provide adult learners who have some college education with a pathway to completing a bachelor’s degree online.

The 15 Most Common Fields for Master’s Degree Studies in Georgia

The IPEDS data collected by US Department of Education includes a breakdown by subject area of the types of master’s degrees conferred by participating colleges and universities in the state of Georgia. Through an analysis of the most recent IPEDS data on graduates from master’s programs, OnlineEducation.com has identified the 15 most common areas in which students attending schools in Georgia earned a master’s degree. IPEDS relies on a classification system for degree programs that may not align directly with online master’s programs. However, the data provides a general picture of the most common areas of study at the master’s level in Georgia. These include:

Business Administration and Management
Family Practice Nurse/Nursing
Business/Commerce
Accounting
Social Work
Elementary Education and Teaching
Public Health
Public Administration
Divinity/Ministry
Secondary Education and Teaching
Registered Nurse/Registered Nursing
Computer Science
Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services
Physician Assistant
Education/Instructional Technology

The sections below contain information about online degree programs offered by in-state and out-of-state schools in most of the fields listed above.

Online Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) Programs in Georgia

While there are different types of business degree programs offered at the master’s level, Master of Business Administration (MBA) are the most common and widely recognized. In Georgia, there are several online options for students interested in earning an MBA degree.

Clayton State University is one of the public universities in Georgia that offers an online MBA program. The Clayton State program is self-paced, which allows students to work toward completing the program in as few as 12 months. It features five specializations: Accounting, Digital Marketing, Human Resource Leadership, International Business, and Supply Chain Management.

The Georgia WebMBA program is an online MBA program offered through six of the state’s public universities: Columbus State University, Georgia College & State University (GCSU), GA Southern, Kennesaw State University (KSU), the University of West Georgia (UWG), and Valdosta State University (VSU). The program can be completed in five consecutive semesters or roughly a year and half and can be accessed through all the participating schools.

Georgia residents who are interested in exploring out-of-state options for online MBA programs have many choices, including programs offered by several regional schools. East Carolina University’s College of Business offers a flexible MBA program that can be completed entirely online, through on-campus courses, or through a mix of online and campus-based classes. Queens University of Charlotte offers a similarly structured MBA program that can be completed on campus, online, or through a combination of online and on-campus courses. It features four optional concentrations: Leadership & Change; Healthcare Management; Finance; and Executive Coaching. And The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) offers an online MBA program with a general track and concentrations in Finance, Marketing, Information Systems Management, and Health Services.

Online Master’s in Nursing (MSN) Programs in Georgia

Registered Nurses (RNs) in Georgia can earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree online in clinical and administrative specializations through programs offered by several schools in the state. Clayton State University offers an online MSN program with a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) specialization. UWG Online offers an online MSN program with specializations in Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL), Health Systems Leadership, and Nursing Education. Albany State University offers an online MSN program with an FNP track and a Nurse Educator track. And GCSU offers an online MSN program with three specializations: FNP; Nursing Education; and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).

RNs interested in an online MSN program with a specialization in Chronic Care Management can explore the program offered by GA Southern. And Middle Georgia State University offers an online MSN program with an NP specialization in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care (AGACNP).

Regional out-of-state options for earning an MSN degree online include the program offered by UNC Charlotte, which has tracks in Nursing Administration, Nursing Education, and Community/Public Health Nursing. The program has pathways for RNs who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and for RNs who received their training in associate degree in nursing (ADN) programs.

Duke University’s School of Nursing in Durham, NC, offers eight online MSN specializations for RNs interested in becoming NPs: AGACNP; Adult-Gerontology Primary Care (AGPCNP); FNP, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP); Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Acute Care; PNP Primary Care; PMHNP; and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP).

Note: Online MSN programs commonly require students to complete clinical hours at a site approved by the program. These clinical hours may also be required for state licensure. For these reasons, students considering an out-of-state program should confirm that the program accepts students from Georgia before applying. For more information on MSN programs visit our Online Nursing Degree Programs page.

Online Master’s in Accounting Programs in Georgia

For Georgia residents who are interested in studying accounting at the master’s level, GA Southern offers an online Master of Accounting degree through its WebMAcc program. The program is designed for students who have some academic training and/or professional experience in accounting. Applicants who majored in accounting as undergraduates or have taken introductory coursework in managerial accounting, auditing, and taxation are eligible for the program, as are applicants who have internship and/or work experience in accounting.

Regional out-of-state options for an online master’s in accounting programs include The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and George Mason University (GMU). The Collat School of Business at UAB offers its Master of Accounting program online for students who majored in accounting as undergraduates and for applicants who have completed up to nine course prerequisites. Students who graduate from UAB’s MAcc program may be eligible for CPA licensure in Georgia if they meet certain additional requirements. The online MS in Accounting offered by GMU is designed for students who majored in accounting in an undergraduate program. However, applicants may qualify for admissions by completing several introductory courses in accounting.

Note: Eligibility to sit for the CPA licensure exam is extended by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) to accountants who meet requirements determined by individual states. A master’s in accounting is typically not required. However, earning a master’s in accounting is one way to gain the training needed to qualify for licensure. Accountants who are preparing to apply for CPA licensure in Georgia should check the state requirements to determine whether or not a master’s in accounting program will satisfy those requirements and check with the program to ensure it accepts applicants from Georgia. For more information, refer to our Online Master’s in Accounting Degree Programs page.

There are a number of schools in Georgia that offer traditional, campus-based Master of Social Work (MSW) programs. However, most of these schools do not currently offer their programs online. For students who want the convenience of online instruction, Valdosta State University’s MSW program is offered in a hybrid format that provides a mix of online and campus-based instruction. To accommodate working professionals, the program schedules online courses in the evenings during the week, and holds five weekend campus-based sessions per semester. Full-time students can complete the program in two years.

For Georgia residents who would like to attend an online MSW program, there are a variety of out-of-state options. Tulane University in New Orleans offers an online MSW program that has four tracks: a general track that provides training in clinical and macro/community practice; specialized tracks in Disaster Mental Health/Trauma Studies and Family Practice; and an Advanced Standing Track that can be completed in 12 months by students who hold a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree. Louisiana State University (LSU) in Baton Rouge has a similarly structured online MSW program that provides general training in clinical and community practice and that can be completed in two years of full-time enrollment by most students and in one year by students who hold a BSW.

The College of Social Work at Florida State University (FSU) offers a part-time online MSW program with two tracks. Students who do not have a BSW can apply to the traditional program, which takes an average of three years of part-time enrollment to complete. FSU’s Advanced Standing track is open to applicants with a BSW and takes an average two years of part-time enrollment to complete.

Note: Online MSW program have field education requirements that students must complete in person at a site approved by the program. Georgia residents who are considering an online MSW program should check with the program to determine whether or not they will be able to complete their field education hours at a convenient location and to ensure the program accepts applicants from Georgia. Students who intend to pursue clinical social work licensure in Georgia should examine the state’s licensure requirements carefully prior to submitting an application to an online MSW program in order to ensure the program meets Georgia licensure requirements. For more information on online MSW programs refer to our Online MSW Programs page.

Online Master’s in Education and Teaching Programs in Georgia

Georgia’s public universities provide a broad range of online master’s degree program options for advanced training in various teaching specializations. GA Southern’s College of Education offers an Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program with a Special Education concentration that prepares graduates for the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) exam. In addition, GA Southern offers online Master of Education (MEd) programs in Curriculum & Instruction; Early Childhood Education; Educational Leadership; Instructional Technology; Middle Grades Education; Reading Education; Secondary Education; and Special Education.

The College of Education at Georgia State University (GSU) offers an online MAT program in English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) that prepares graduates for state certification provided they pass the GACE exam. The school also has online MEd programs in Health & Physical Education; Mathematics Education; Reading, Language, & Literacy Education; Science Education; Educational Research; and Instructional Design & Technology. Valdosta State University (VSU), Columbus State University’s CSU Online, and the Bagwell College of Education at Kennesaw State University (KSU) are among the other options for earning an online master’s in education and/or teaching in Georgia.

Georgia residents who are interested in exploring online master’s in education and teaching programs offered by out-of-state schools have several regional options. UNC Charlotte offers online MAT and MEd programs in a variety of specializations, as well as an online Master of School Administration program. UNC Charlotte’s programs include online MAT degrees in Elementary Education, Middle and Secondary Education, Special Education, and Foreign Language Education, as well as online MEd specializations in Instructional Systems Technologies, Reading Education, and more. NC State also offers a range of online master’s in education and teaching degree programs, including the following online MAT program specializations: Elementary Education; Secondary Education; ESOL; Language Arts – Secondary Education; Mathematics – Secondary Education; Science – Secondary Education; Social Studies – Middle Grades; and Special Education. NC State’s online MEd program specializations include: Curriculum and Instruction; New Literacies and Global Learning; Learning Design and Technology; Science Education; and School Counseling.

Note: A master’s degree is typically not a requirement for teaching licensure in Georgia, although it may be required for some teaching positions. While a master’s in teaching degree can be a pathway to state licensure, online MAT and MEd programs offered by out-of-state schools may not satisfy the Georgia Professional Standards Commission requirements for teaching licensure, and some programs may require applicants to already hold a teaching license. Potential applicants to online master’s in education and teaching programs should make sure online MAT and MEd programs offered by out-of-state schools admit applicants from Georgia.

Online Master’s in Public Health (MPH) Programs in Georgia

The College of Allied Health Sciences at Augusta University offers an online Master of Public Health (MPH) program that features a field practicum, a capstone project, and four areas of concentration: Health Management; Health Informatics; Environmental Health; and Social and Behavioral Sciences. The program can be completed in two years of full-time enrollment and has three- and four-year completion plans for part-time students.

Mercer University and Emory University are two of the other Georgia schools that offer online MPH programs. The Mercer program includes an internship and a capstone project. The program offered by the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory is mostly online, although it requires students to attend two campus visits per semester. The Emory program has three areas of specialization: Applied Epidemiology; Applied Public Health Informatics; and Prevention Science.

Out-of-state schools offering online MPH programs that admit students from Georgia include UNC Chapel Hill, the University of South Carolina, and Old Dominion University (ODU). The Gillings School of Global Public Health at UNC Chapel Hill has an online MPH program with two concentrations: Leadership in Practice; and Nutrition. The University of South Carolina’s online MPH program features a Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior concentration. And ODU, which is located in Norfolk, VA, offers an online MPH with two concentrations: Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior; and Environmental Health.

Online Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) Programs in Georgia

Georgia College & State University (GCSU) is one of several public institutions in Georgia that offer online Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree programs. The GCSU program allows students to choose between completing a final capstone project or a master’s thesis. The University of West Georgia (UWG) offers an MPA program that can be completed 100% online or through a mix of on-campus and online courses. It includes a three-month internship at a government agency. Columbus State University offers an MPA program with a Government Administration track that can be completed 100% online. And Valdosta State University (VSU) has an MPA program with two tracks that can be completed through online enrollment: Public Sector Management, and Public Policy.

The University of Central Florida (UCF), a large state-funded school in Orlando, offers an online MPA program that admits Georgia residents. It allows students to pursue several dual-degree options online, including MPA/MS in Criminal Justice; MPA/Master of Nonprofit Management; and MPA/PhD in Public Affairs. The School of Government at UNC Chapel Hill administers the Carolina MPA program, which can be completed on-campus or through online coursework.

Online Master’s in Divinity Programs in Georgia

Training in Christian ministry and divinity may be offered through seminaries and other religious centers, as well as by accredited, non-profit colleges and universities that offer master’s programs in these areas online. For example, Mercer University has a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry (MACM) program that is offered online in a cohort format, which means that groups of students progress through a sequence of courses together for three years of part-time enrollment. Georgia residents may also want to explore the Master of Arts in Christian Practice offered by Duke University’s School of Divinity. The program is mostly online, although it does require six weeklong residencies during the two years it takes to complete. The Duke program features three optional concentrations: Serving Congregations; Engaging the World; and Forming Scriptural Imagination.

Online Master’s in Computer Science Programs in Georgia

Georgia boasts a number of colleges and universities with strong computer science departments and a presence in the realm of online education. Through its OMS CS initiative, Georgia Tech in partnership with AT&T offers an online master’s in computer science program that is taught through massive open online courses (MOOCs). The program has four specializations: Computational Perception & Robotics; Computing Systems; Interactive Intelligence; and Machine Learning. In addition, Georgia Southwestern State University, a public school in Americus, offers an online MS in Computer Science, as well as an online graduate certificate program in Computer Information Systems. And the College of Science and Mathematics at the University of West Georgia (UWG) offers an online MS in Applied Computer Science that includes training in database systems, software development, and web technologies.

Students looking beyond the state border for a nearby school that offers an online master’s degree in computer science may want to consider the Master of Computer Science-Distance Education (MCS-DE) program offered by NC State, or several other NC State master’s programs in related fields, such as the school’s online MS in Computer Engineering program and its online MS in Computer Networking program.

Online Master’s in Counseling Programs in Georgia

Residents of Georgia who want to pursue a counseling master’s degree online have a couple of in-state options. Fort Valley State University offers and online MS in Rehabilitation Counseling and Case Management program that prepares students to apply to become Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRCs) and/or a Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) in Georgia. Thomas University in Thomasville, GA, offers an online MS in Clinical Rehabilitation & Mental Health Counseling program that is designed to prepare students for CRC and LPC licensure. In addition, Albany State University offers an online graduate certificate program in addiction counseling that consists of six courses approved by the Georgia Addiction Counselors’ Association (GACA) for CAC-II level state certification.

Georgia residents may also want to explore out-of-state options for earning a master’s degree in clinical and mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, or substance abuse counseling online. NC State offers a three-year, part-time, cohort-based online MEd in Clinical Mental Health Counseling that requires a limited number of on-campus sessions in the final year of study, as well as an online MEd in School Counseling program with a similar format and structure. Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC, offers an online Master of Arts in Counseling program with specializations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling.

Note: Georgia residents who are considering an online master’s in counseling program offered by an out-of-state school should take the following into consideration: accredited master’s in counseling programs require supervised clinical internships that must be completed in-person at a site approved by the program; and licensure requirements in counseling varies by state. For these reasons, students residing in Georgia should check to make sure they will be able to find a suitable site at which to complete their internship hours and that an out-of-state online master’s in counseling programs will prepare them for licensure in Georgia.