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Online Master’s Degree Programs in Nevada

Online master’s degree programs provide students who are interested in pursuing graduate studies access to many types of master’s programs in their geographical locale and beyond. Nevada residents who hold a bachelor’s degree can apply for admission to dozens of types of online master’s programs that are offered by schools located within the state. In addition, there are many schools located in other states that offer online master’s programs that accept applicants from Nevada. Thus, there are numerous options for earning a master’s degree online in common fields of study, including accounting, business, counseling, education, medical science, public health, social work, and more.

This page provides an overview of public and non-profit private colleges and universities in Nevada that offer online master’s programs in fields that have the largest number of master’s program graduates in Nevada. These fields were selected based on analysis of graduation data collected by the US Department of Education for its Integrated Postsecondary Educational Data System (IPEDS). The sections below also provide details on schools in the Nevada region that offer online master’s programs in these fields that Nevada residents can enroll in without having to relocate or commute to an out-of-state school’s campus.

Schools in Nevada That Offer Online Master’s Programs

The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) is comprised of eight institutions of higher education, including six four-year colleges and universities that have graduate programs. Many of these schools offer online master’s programs in one or more fields. For example, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), and the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), the second and third largest public universities in the state based on an analysis of IPEDS enrollment data, offer a wide selection of online Master of Arts (MA), Master of Education (MEd), and Master of Science (MS) programs, as well as Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Public Health (MPH), and Master of Social Work (MSW) programs that can be completed entirely or mostly through online coursework.

The six four-year and above colleges and universities in the NSHE are listed below by size on a table that also includes the location of each school’s main campus and whether or not the school offers online degree programs.

School	Location	Online Degree Programs
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)	Paradise	Yes
University of Nevada, Reno (UNR)	Reno	Yes
Nevada State College	Henderson	Yes
Western Nevada College	Carson City	Yes
Great Basin College	Elko	No

Note: The College of Southern Nevada, which is part of the NSHE and the largest college in Nevada, currently offers online associate degree programs but does not have online master’s programs.

There are also several private, non-profit schools in Nevada that are active in offering online degree programs, including online master’s programs. The four largest of these institutions are listed in the table below, along with the location of the school’s main campus and whether or not the school offers online degree programs.

School	Location	Online Degree Programs
Roseman University of Health Sciences	Henderson	Yes
Touro University Nevada	Henderson	Yes
Sierra Nevada College	Incline Village	Yes
National University	Henderson	Yes

Out-of-State Schools That Offer Online Master’s Programs

Nevada residents who are interested in exploring online master’s programs offered by out-of-state schools may want to begin with several schools located in the Nevada region. Arizona State University (ASU), a public research university with five campuses in the Phoenix metropolitan area, is particularly active in offering online degree programs. Through ASU Online, Nevada residents can enroll in master’s programs in a wide range of fields, including Business Analytics, Clinical Research Management, Communication, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Cybersecurity, Educational Leadership, Electrical Engineering, Forensic Psychology, Health Informatics, Indigenous Education, Legal Studies, Medical Nutrition, Social Work, and Special Education.

The University of Arizona (U of A), which is located in Tucson, is also active in offering online programs. Among the many online programs offered by U of A are master’s programs in Accounting, Business Administration, Engineering Management, Healthcare Management, Industrial Engineering, Library and Information Science, Nursing, and Real Estate Development. In Oregon, Oregon State University (OSU) offers online degree programs through its Ecampus initiative. OSU’s Ecampus offers online master’s programs in a variety of business, counseling, education, engineering, healthcare, and science fields.

Utah State University, which is located in Logan, maintains USU Online. Through USU Online, the university offers online master’s programs in over a dozen fields and specializations. These programs include online master’s programs in aviation science, dietetics, family and consumer science, food safety, health education, horticulture, instructional technology, and veterinary health.

The University of Southern California (USC), a large private research university in Los Angeles, offers numerous online master’s programs through its Marshall School of Business, Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism, Rossier School of Education, Viterbi School of Engineering, Susanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, and Sol Price School of Public Policy, as well as through several of its other academic divisions.

The 15 Most Common Areas for Master’s Degree Studies in Nevada

The US Department of Education aggregates vast amounts of IPEDS data, including data on the number of students graduating from master’s programs annually. Based on an analysis of graduation data from colleges and universities offering master’s programs in Nevada, OnlineEducation.com has identified the 15 most common areas of study at the master’s level in Nevada. These areas are:

Business Administration and Management
Curriculum and Instruction
Special Education and Teaching
Social Work
Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services
Educational Leadership and Administration
Accounting
Physician Assistant
Public Administration
Early Childhood Education and Teaching
Higher Education/Higher Education Administration
Hospitality Administration/Management
Elementary Education and Teaching
Public Health
Secondary Education and Teaching

While IPEDS subject area classifications do not align precisely with the designations of actual online master’s programs, an analysis of the IPEDS data provides an accurate overview of the types of master’s programs that produce the largest number of graduates at schools in Nevada. The sections below provide details about online master’s programs in many of these fields offered by colleges and universities in Nevada, as well as information on programs in these fields offered online by schools in neighboring and regional states.

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

The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) offers an online Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) program designed for students who have five or more years of post-baccalaureate professional experience. The program utilizes a cohort model with students progressing through the curriculum in groups and taking two courses per 12-week term, with three times per year. The completion time for the program is two years.

Nevada residents who are interested in exploring a broader range of options for earning an MBA degree online may want to consider several programs offered by regional out-of-state schools. Arizona State University (ASU) is one school in a neighboring state that offers an online MBA programs that accepts applicants from Nevada. Offered through the W.P. Carey School of Business, ASU’s online MBA program is comprised of 11 core courses and six electives. Courses are offered six times per year in five-week terms, allowing students to take one or two course per term. The 49-credit program can be completed in 24 months and offers optional concentrations in finance, international business, marketing, and supply chain management.

Utah State University is another large public university in a neighboring state that offers an online MBA program. Offered through the Huntsman School of Business, the Utah State online MBA program utilizes a seven-week term format and requires the completion of 12 courses. Students in the program typically take two courses per term and can graduate in less than two years.

The University of Southern California (USC) offers an online MBA program through its Marshall School of Business. The Marshall MBA program begins with a one-week campus residency during which students complete the program’s first course. The rest of the program’s coursework is offered online. Students can complete the program in 21 months.

Online Master’s in Elementary and Secondary Education and Teaching Programs in Nevada

Elementary and secondary school teachers and educators in Nevada have several options for earning a master’s degree in education online through programs offered by the state’s public universities. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) has an online Master of Science (MS) in Educational Psychology program with a curriculum that is designed for elementary, secondary, and special education teachers. The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) has an online Master of Education (MEd) in Reading Curriculum and Instruction program that can prepare students for the Nevada Reading Specialist Endorsement, and an online MS in Equity and Diversity in Education program that can be completed in a hybrid format that includes some campus-based classes or a fully online format that does not require campus visits but that offers fewer elective course options.

Sierra Nevada College is one of the private schools in Nevada that offers elementary and secondary school teachers the option of earning a master’s in education degree online. Among Sierra Nevada College’s online programs are an online MEd in English Language Acquisition and Development (ELAD) program that is similar to an English as a Second Language (ESOL) master’s program, and an online MEd in Administration program designed for K-12 teachers who are interested in becoming principals and program administrators.

Touro University Nevada’s School of Education has an MEd in Curriculum and Instruction program that offers six concentrations online: Brain-Based Learning; Differentiated Instruction; Response to Intervention; Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL); School Counseling; and Educational Technology.

National University, a private, non-profit university system with campuses in California and Nevada, offers several online master’s programs for elementary and secondary school teachers. These include three master’s programs that are designed for Nevada state licensure and/or endorsements: an online MEd in Elementary Education program; an online MEd in Secondary Education program; an online MS in Educational Administration program; and an MS in Special Education with Nevada Licensure and Endorsement for Generalist Resource Room program. In addition, National University offers an online Master of Arts (MA) in Special Education program, and an online MS in Educational and Instructional Technology program.

Nevada residents may also want to consider several online programs in teaching and education that are offered by Arizona State University (ASU) and one program offered by Utah State University. ASU Online offers an online MEd in Curriculum and Instruction (Early Childhood Education) program, an online MEd in Educational Leadership (Principalship) program, and an online MEd in Learning Design and Technologies program. Utah State has an online MEd in Instructional Technology & Learning Services program that is designed for elementary and secondary school teachers and administrators who want to learn more about the use of technology in the classroom and the role of technology in the learning process.

Note: Online master’s in teaching and education programs may require students to complete internships and/or student teaching assignments in person at sites approved by the program. Nevada residents who are considering programs offered by out-of-state schools may want to contact program administrators regarding internship policies and placements prior to submitting applications. Nevada residents considering an out-of-state program should also take into account that licensing requirements for teachers and administrators vary by state. Students who intend to apply for licensure after earning a master’s degree should review Nevada licensing requirements carefully before submitting applications to online programs offered by out-of-state schools.

The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) offers an online Master of Social Work (MSW) program that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The program has an advanced generalist curriculum, which means it includes training and instruction in clinical and macro practice social work. Applicants to the program who hold a bachelor’s in social work (BSW) degree may be eligible for the UNR program’s Advanced Standing track, which can be completed in four consecutive semesters, including one summer session. Students who have a non-social work bachelor’s degree can complete the traditional track in eight consecutive semesters, including summer sessions.

Nevada residents who are interested in earning an MSW degree online may want to explore the programs offered by the University of Southern California (USC) and Arizona State University (ASU). USC offers an online MSW program through its Susanna Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. The program has three specialization tracks: Adult Mental Health and Wellness; Children, Youth, and Families; and Social Change and Innovation. Students can complete the program, including field education hours, in two years of full-time enrollment or three or four years of part-time enrollment. Eligible candidates who qualify for USC’s Advanced Standing MSW track can complete the program requirements in one year of full-time enrollment.

ASU’s School of Social Work has an online MSW program with an advanced generalist curriculum that includes training in clinical and macro practice social work. The program consists of twenty courses and 980 hours of field education. Students can complete the program in two years of full-time study or three years of part-time enrollment. (ASU also offers a campus-based MSW program that has an Advanced Standing option for students who hold a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited undergraduate program.)

Note: Online MSW programs require the completion of field education hours. These hours must be completed in-person at a site approved by the program. Potential applicants to online MSW programs may want to contact a program’s administrator regarding potential field education sites prior to submitting an application, particularly if the program is offered by an out-of-state school. In addition, licensing requirements for clinical social workers vary by state. Nevada students who intend to seek a license to practice clinical social work after graduating from an online MSW program offered by an out-of-state school should review state licensing requirements in advance to ensure that a program’s curriculum aligns with Nevada’s licensing requirements.

Online Master’s in Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling Programs in Nevada

The School of Education at Touro University Nevada has a Master of Education (MEd) in Curriculum and Instruction program that offers a concentration in School Counseling. The program is designed for students who have a minimum of two years of teaching experience and requires students to complete an in-person internship in a school counseling setting.

Pepperdine University, a private research university in Malibu, CA, is one of a number of out-of-state schools in the Nevada region that offer online master’s in counseling programs. Pepperdine has an online Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Counseling program with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy. In addition to coursework in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders in individuals, couples, and groups, the program includes four required clinical practicums that must be completed in-person under the supervision of a licensed clinical counselor.

Oregon State University (OSU) offers an online Master of Clinical Counseling program that can be completed mostly online but that requires students to attend in-person classes that are held twice per semester on weekends at the school’s campus in Wilsonville, OR. The program has a track in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a track in School Counseling. And Utah State University has an online Master of Rehabilitation Counseling program that is offered through the university’s Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services, and that does not require any campus visits.

Note: All 50 states required professional clinical counselors and school counselors to be licensed in their state of practice and licensing requirements vary by state. Therefore, students in Nevada should review the state’s licensing requirements carefully in order to ensure that an online master’s program, particular a program offered by a school in another state, offers a curriculum that aligns with Nevada’s licensing requirements. In addition, potential applicants to online master’s in counseling programs should be aware that in-person clinical hours are an integral part of master’s training in counseling. Prior to submitting an application to an out-of-state program, it may be advisable to contact a program administrator regarding potential sites for completing clinical requirements.

Online Master’s in Accounting Programs in Nevada

National University, a private, non-profit university with campuses in California and Nevada, offers an online Master of Accountancy (MAcc) program with a curriculum designed to prepare students for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) exams. The program does not require applicants to have prior training in accounting. The entire program can be completed online, although students can also attend classes at several of National’s campus, depending on availability.

Among the out-of-state schools in the Nevada region that offer online master’s in accounting programs are Sacramento State University, Colorado State University (CSU), and the University of Arizona (U of A). Sacramento State’s College of Business Administration offers an online Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) program that consists of ten courses that are offered in six-week modules. Students in the program can take one course per term and complete their degree in less than two years. CSU Global Campus offers a Master of Professional Accounting (MPAcc) online that requires applicants to have prior experience and/or academic training in accounting. The program has five curricular options, including tracks in: Data Analytics; Fraud Investigations & Forensic Accounting; Auditing & Assurance; Taxation; and Professional Accounting. And the U of A program is an online MSA program that is designed for students who have an undergraduate degree in accounting or, alternately, students who have completed a number of prerequisites in business and accounting subjects. Students can complete the U of A program is roughly one year of full-time enrollment.

Note: Eligibility requirements to sit for the CPA exam and for CPA licensure vary by state. Nevada residents who are considering online programs offered by out-of-state schools should review Nevada’s CPA licensing requirements in order to determine whether a program’s curriculum will provide the training need to meet those requirements.

Online Master’s in Medical Science Programs in Nevada

There are a number of accredited colleges and universities that offer online master’s programs in medical and clinical laboratory science. However, there are currently no fully online master’s programs in medical and clinical laboratory science offered by schools located in Nevada.

Nevada residents who would like to pursue a master’s degree in medical science online may want to explore two programs offered by schools in nearby states: Arizona State University (ASU) and the University of North Dakota (UND). ASU offers two types of online programs that may be of interest to medical science students: an online Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Research Management program; and an online MS in Biomedical Diagnostics program. The Clinical Research Management program requires applicants to have completed undergraduate coursework in anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology. The Biomedical Diagnostics programs is designed for students who hold a bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, engineering, health sciences, life sciences, or a related field. And UND offers an online MS in Medical Laboratory Science program that is designed for students who hold a Medical Technologist (MT) or Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) certification.

Note: Some online master’s in medical science programs may require students to complete in-person clinical hours at a site approved by the program. Applicants to an out-of-state program may want to contact a program administrator regarding clinical placements prior to applying. Licensing requirements for medical laboratory personnel is also administered at the state level. As a result, online medical science master’s programs offered by schools outside of Nevada may or may not offer a curriculum that fulfills Nevada’s eligibility requirements for the licensing of medical laboratory professionals. Therefore, students should review Nevada’s licensing requirements carefully and speak with a program administrator at prospective programs to determine if the program’s curriculum will meet those requirements.

Online Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) in Nevada

There are several universities in Nevada that offer traditional, on-campus Master of Public Administration (MPA) programs, and there is one school that offers an online master’s program that is similar to an MPA program. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) has an online Master of Arts (MA) in Urban Leadership program through its school of Public Policy and Leadership. The 15-month program requires students to attend three campus-based sessions and is designed for public administrators, government officials, non-profit organization managers, and leaders in private organizations that engage in public policy work.

Outside of Nevada there are several schools in nearby states that offer online MPA programs. Public and non-profit sector professionals with a minimum of five years of experience may want to explore the online Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) program offered by Arizona State University (ASU). Students who take one course per 7.5-week term can complete the program’s ten courses in 19 months.

In addition to the EMPA program, ASU offers an online Master of Arts (MA) in Public Safety Leadership & Administration program that focuses on public services administration in three specializations: Emergency Medical Services; Executive Fire Administration; and Executive Police Administration. The program can be completed in roughly two years. And Northern Arizona University (NAU) has an online MPA program that offers five specialization options: Criminal Justice Administration; Educational Administration; Environmental Management; Applied Sociology; and Tribal Government.

Online Master’s in Higher Education Programs in Nevada

National University, which has campuses in California and Nevada, offers an online Master of Science (MS) in Higher Education Administration program. The program is designed to train students for personnel, operations management, and student services positions at colleges and universities.

Nevada residents can also receive training and instruction in the field of higher education from Oregon State University (OSU). Through its Ecampus initiative, OSU offers an online Master of Education (MEd) in College Student Services Administration program. The program includes an internship that students complete at an approved institution, and a related capstone project in which students are challenged to demonstrate their knowledge of student affairs in higher education. OSU also offers an online MEd in Adult and Higher Education program that is cohort based, which means groups of students complete the program’s two-year curriculum together. In addition to the program’s coursework, students complete an in-person internship at a program-approved educational institution.

Online Master’s in Hospitality Management Programs in Nevada

Through its William F. Harrah College of Hospitality, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) offers an online Executive Master of Hospitality Administration (EMHA) program designed for hospitality industry professionals who have three or more years of experience in the field. The program gives students a choice between two tracks: Gaming Management; and Hospitality Management. UNLV’s EMHA program can be completed online in 18 to 24 months, although students who take two courses per five-week session can complete the program in as few as 12 months. And California State University Long Beach (CSU Long Beach) offers an online Master of Science (MS) in Recreation Administration program that is designed for students interested in pursuing careers in the parks, recreation, and tourism fields. The CSU Long Beach program does not require any prior professional experience.

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

The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) offers an online Master of Public Health (MPH) in Public Health Practice program with a curriculum that provides training and instruction in public health policy, finance and budgeting, health informatics, epidemiology, biostatistics, and social and behavioral health. Students who have taken and passed an undergraduate course in statistics can complete the program online in 24 months. National University also offers an online MPH program that has two options for specialization: Health Promotion; and Healthcare Administration.

Nevada residents may also want to explore the online MPH programs offered by Oregon State University (OSU), California State University Northridge (CSU Northridge), and the University of Southern California (USC). The OSU program has a Public Health Practice focus and includes a required internship at a public health organization approved by the program. The CSU Northridge program is offered through the school’s Tseng College of Graduate, International, and Midcareer Education and it has a Community Health Education focus. Students in the CSU Northridge program are required to complete a 300-hour field training practicum at a public or community health organization. And USC’s Keck School of Medicine offers an online MPH program with a general public health curriculum option, as well as five additional concentrations: Biostatistics & Epidemiology; Community Health Promotion; Global Health; GeoHealth; and Health Services & Policy.