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Online Master’s Degree Programs in North Carolina (NC)

There are numerous choices available to North Carolina residents who are interested in earning a master’s degree online in popular areas of graduate study, such as business, computer science, counseling, education, healthcare, nursing, public health, public administration, and social work. Most of the publicly funded universities in North Carolina’s system for higher education offer the convenient and flexible option of earning a master’s degree online, as do many of the private colleges and universities in the state. In the sections below, we provide an overview of the public universities and non-profit private colleges and universities in North Carolina that offer various types of online master’s programs. In addition, there are sections on many of the more common types of online master’s programs offered by schools in the state, and by schools in neighboring and nearby states.

Schools in North Carolina That Offer Online Master’s Programs

The University of North Carolina (UNC) system encompasses 16 degree-granting public universities, including schools with campuses in Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Greensboro, Charlotte, and Durham. The UNC system also contains several of the historically black college and universities (HBCUs) in the state, such as Fayetteville State University, North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, and Winston-Salem State University. While all of the UNC system member schools allow students to take online courses through UNC Online, many of the system’s universities offer a range of online degree programs through their own schools, colleges, and departments, and the majority of UNC schools offer online master’s programs. Indeed, the UNC system maintains a searchable database of online degree programs offered by its schools at UNC Online.

The table below lists the 15 largest public universities in North Carolina, along with information on the location of each school’s main campus and whether or not the school offers online degree programs.

School	Location	Online Degree Programs
North Carolina State University at Raleigh (NC State)	Raleigh	Yes
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC Chapel Hill)	Chapel Hill	Yes
East Carolina University (ECU)	Greenville	Yes
University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte)	Charlotte	Yes
University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNC Greensboro)	Greensboro	Yes
Appalachian State University	Boone	Yes
University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNC Wilmington)	Wilmington	Yes
North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University (North Carolina A&T)	Greensboro	Yes
Western Carolina University (WCU)	Cullowhee	Yes
North Carolina Central University (NCCU)	Durham	Yes
University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNC Pembroke)	Pembroke	Yes
Fayetteville State University	Fayetteville	Yes
Winston-Salem State University	Winston-Salem	Yes
University of North Carolina at Asheville (UNC Ashville)	Asheville	No
Elizabeth City State University	Elizabeth City	Yes

North Carolina is home to an array of accredited, non-profit private schools that offer undergraduate and graduate degree programs, from large research universities like Duke University and Wake Forest University, to smaller liberal arts colleges like North Carolina Wesleyan College and Meredith College. Many but not all of these private institutions of higher education offer online courses and some offer online master’s programs. The table below provides an overview of the largest 15 non-profit private schools in North Carolina, their location, and whether or not they offer online degree programs.

School	Location	Online Degree Programs
Duke University	Durham	Yes
Wake Forest University	Winston-Salem	Yes
Campbell University	Buies Creek	Yes
Elon University	Elon	No
High Point University	High Point	No
Gardner-Webb University	Boiling Springs	Yes
University of Mount Olive	Mount Olive	Yes
Wingate University	Union County	No
Lenoir-Rhyne University (LRU)	Hickory	Yes
Methodist University	Fayetteville	No
Queens University of Charlotte	Charlotte	Yes
Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte	Charlotte	Yes
North Carolina Wesleyan College	Rocky Mount	No
Meredith College	Raleigh	No
Shaw University	Raleigh	No

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

Residents of North Carolina may want to explore online master’s program offered by colleges and universities located in other states. While there may be some restrictions on the admission of out-of-state students to certain online programs, these restrictions are most commonly an issue in fields that require clinical hours and in fields for which professional licensure or certification by state boards is a requirement. Many online master’s programs offered throughout the country are authorized to admit students from North Carolina, including programs offered by schools in the adjacent states of Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

Georgia Southern University, a large, publicly funded research university with campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, and Hinesville, offers a wide range of online degree and certificate programs through its Colleges of Business Administration, Education, Health and Human Sciences, and Engineering and Information Technology. Some of the online master’s programs offered by Georgia Southern include online Master of Accountancy (MAcc), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Master of Education (MEd) in Educational Leadership, and Master of Science (MS) in Sport Management programs. The school also offers partially online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and MS in Computer Science programs.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is one of the schools in Alabama that is active in offering online degree programs. Through UAB, residents of North Carolina can earn online master’s degrees in criminal justice, sociology, engineering, and nutrition. The Collat School of Business at UAB offers an online Master of Accounting (MAc) program and an online MBA program with concentrations in Finance, Marketing, Health Services, and Management Information Systems. UAB’s School of Education offers Master of Arts (MA) in Education programs in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Health Education, Reading, Special Education, and Instructional Design & Development. And the School of Public Health at UAB offers an online Master of Public Health (MPH) program.

South Carolina’s Winthrop University, a publicly funded school located in Rock Hill, offers four types of online master’s programs that North Carolina residents may want to explore: an online MA in Arts Administration program; an online Master of Social Work (MSW) program; an online MBA program; and an online MEd in Special Education Intervention program. And George Mason University in Fairfax County, VA, offers online master’s programs in accounting, cybersecurity, bioinformatics, education, data analytics, and systems engineering, as well as online MBA and Master of Health Administration (MHA) programs.

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

In order to determine some of the more common areas of study for which master’s degrees are conferred in North Carolina, OnlineEducation.com analyzed recent data on the number of students graduating from master’s programs in the state. Using data collected by the US Department of Education’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), we identified areas of study in which the largest number of graduates from master’s programs were reported by schools in North Carolina. These general areas of study are as follows:

Business Administration and Management
Social Work
Accounting
Computer Science
Physician Assistant
Educational Leadership and Administration
Teacher Education and Professional Development
Health/Healthcare Administration & Management
Divinity/Ministry
Public Administration
Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services
Library and Information Science
Family Practice Nurse/Nursing
Education
Public Health

While IPEDS subject area classifications do not align precisely with specific degree programs, the data provides an indication of the types of master’s degrees that are most commonly pursued by students in North Carolina. The sections below provide details on public and private colleges and universities in North Carolina and some of the schools in neighboring and regional states that offer online master’s programs in these fields of study.

Online Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) Programs in North Carolina

There are numerous options for earning an online MBA degree in North Carolina, including programs offered by UNC System schools. North Carolina State offers a flexible online MBA program that can be completed in as few as 21 months but that allows students to take up to six years to complete the program. The program has two required three-day residencies in Raleigh, but all of the other course requirements can be completed online.

The Kenan-Flagler Business School at UNC Chapel Hill offers an online MBA program that can be completed in 18 to 36 months. The program features designated concentrations in Data Analytics and Decision-Making; Finance; Strategy and Consulting; Entrepreneurship; and Marketing. East Carolina University (ECU) offers an MBA program that can be completed on campus, online, or through a combination of campus-based and online courses. The ECU program allows students to take as few as one or as many as five courses per semester.

North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University (North Carolina A&T), UNC Pembroke, and Fayetteville State University are three of the other state schools in North Carolina that offer online MBA programs. The Fayetteville State program features eight concentrations: General Business; Entrepreneurship; Finance; Healthcare Management; International Business; Marketing; Management; and Project Management. The UNC Pembroke program has a general MBA track, as well as three designated concentrations: Business Analytics; Financial Services; and Supply Chain Management. And North Carolina A&T offers four MBA specializations online: Accounting; General Management; Human Resource Management; and Supply Chain Management.

The University of Mount Olive and Queens University of Charlotte are two of the private universities in North Carolina that offer online MBA programs. Queens University has a flexible online MBA program that can be completed in two years or more, depending on the number of courses taken per semester. The program includes two three-day campus-based residencies and optional concentrations in Finance, Healthcare Management, Executive Coaching, and Leadership and Change. The program offered by the University of Mount Olive is 100% online and allows for part-time and full-time enrollment.

For residents of North Carolina who are interested in looking at out-of-state schools that offer online MBA programs, there are many options. Winthrop University, a public university in South Carolina, offers an online MBA program with specializations in Marketing, Strategic Leadership, and Sports Marketing & Revenue Generation. Students who complete one of the program’s 12 courses per seven-week term can expect to graduate in two years. Georgia Southern University’s WebMBA (WMBA) program is a fully online MBA program that that does require students to complete several prerequisite courses prior to enrolling in master’s-level business administration coursework. However, those prerequisites can be completed through online courses offered by Georgia Southern.

Two schools in UNC system offer online programs that may be of interest to those intending to pursue a career in social work. UNC Chapel Hill offers a three-year Master of Social Work (MSW) distance education program that is partially online but that requires that students attend Friday classes from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the first two years of the program. NC State has an online Master of Science (MS) in Youth, Family, and Community Sciences that focuses on social science research and program evaluation in the field of youth, family, and community social services. The program can be completed 100% online and does not require students to attend classes on campus.

Among the many accredited out-of-state colleges and universities that offer online MSW programs, there are several in the North Carolina region. Winthrop University in South Carolina offers an online MSW program that does not require any campus visits. The Winthrop program has a traditional track that takes an average of three years to complete, and a two-year Advanced Standing track that is open to applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

The University of Louisville, a publicly funded school in the Kentucky state university system, offers an online Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) program with an Advanced Standing track for students who hold a BSW and a traditional track for students who have an undergraduate degree in a field other than social work. Advanced Standing students can complete the program in one to two years, while students on the traditional track typically take two to three years to graduate. The University of Louisville’s online MSW program features five designated specializations: Psychosocial Oncology; Mental Health; Alcohol and Drug Counseling; Military Social Work; and Gerontology.

Note: In addition to online coursework, MSW programs generally require in-person field education, which requires students to complete supervised hours at a social services agency or clinic approved by the program. Applicants to out-of-state programs should inquire about potential field placements prior to submitting an application. Applicants to an online MSW program offered by an out-of-state school should also be aware that licensure requirements for clinical social workers vary by state. Students who intend to apply for a clinical social work license after earning their MSW degree from an out-of-state school should examine state licensure requirements carefully to ensure that the program they attend meets North Carolina’s requirements.

Online Master’s in Accounting Programs in North Carolina

There are several schools in North Carolina and in neighboring states that offer students the opportunity to earn a master’s degree in accounting online. UNC Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flagler Business School offers an online Master of Accounting (MAc) program that can be completed in one to three years. The program does not require applicants to bachelor’s degree in accounting. The UNC Chapel Hill program provides students with the opportunity to incorporate an optional winter internship at an accounting firm, which can be helpful for those working toward CPA (Certified Public Accountant) licensure.

Gardner-Webb University is another North Carolina school with an online master’s in accounting program. The Gardner-Webb online Master of Accountancy (MAcc) programs does not require applicants to hold an undergraduate degree in accounting or business. However, students must complete undergraduate-level prerequisite coursework in economics, accounting, finance, and business management prior to enrolling in the program’s core graduate curriculum. Students have six calendar years to complete the program’s 30 credit hours of coursework and can choose a general concentration track or elective concentrations in Taxation or Forensic Accounting.

George Mason University (GMU) in Fairfax County, VA offers an online Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) program that can be completed in two years of part-time enrollment by taking two online courses per eight-week term. The GMU program is cohort based, which means that students progress through a set sequence of courses as a group, and it includes a one-week global residency that involves traveling to a site outside of the country.

The Collat School of Business at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) offers an online Master of Accounting (MAcc) program that can be completed in a few as 18 months. The UAB program requires applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting or to complete up to nine undergraduate prerequisites prior to beginning the master’s-level accounting curriculum.

Note: While a master’s degree is not required for CPA licensure, earning a master’s in accounting can be a pathway to completing eligibility requirements to sit for the CPA exam in North Carolina. Applicants to online master’s in accounting programs offered by schools in other states should examine North Carolina’s CPA eligibility requirements carefully to ensure that the program they enroll in meets some or all of those requirements.

Online Master’s in Computer Science Programs in North Carolina

North Carolina State and Eastern Carolina University (ECU) are two options for earning a master’s in computer science degree online. NC State offers a Master of Computer Science-Distance Education (MCS-DE) program designed for students who have an undergraduate degree in computer science or sufficient coursework in applied mathematics, statistics, and computer programming to begin graduate studies in computer science. Students in the program typically take one or two courses per semester and have up to six years to graduate.

ECU’s College of Engineering and Technology offers an online Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) program that is designed for students who hold an undergraduate degree in computer science, software engineering, information systems, or a related discipline. Students in the ECU program must successfully complete ten required courses in order to graduate.

Outside of North Carolina there are many schools that offer different types of online master’s in computer science programs, including two state universities in Georgia. The University of West Georgia (UWG) offers an online Master of Science (MS) in Applied Computer Science program that is designed to accommodate students with a bachelor’s degree in any field and that can be completed in 24 months of year-round enrollment by students who take two courses per semester. The College of Engineering and Information Technology at Georgia Southern University also has an online MSCS that accommodates students who did not major in computer science as undergraduates, although students who do not have a background in computer programming may be required to take one or more prerequisite courses. Students can complete the Georgia Southern MSCS program in five semesters by taking two courses per semester.

Online Master’s in Education and Teaching Programs in North Carolina

UNC Charlotte, UNC Greensboro, and UNC Wilmington are three of the UNC system schools that offer online master’s programs in education and teaching. Through UNC Charlotte, teachers in North Carolina who hold a four-year undergraduate degree, and who are licensed to teach in the state, can pursue professional development and career advancement through online Master of Education (MEd) programs with specialization in Elementary Education, Instructional Systems Technology, Middle and Secondary Education, Reading Education, and Special Education. UNC Charlotte also offers online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree programs with numerous specializations that do not require applicants to be licensed teachers, although some coursework in education and teaching may be required for several of the MAT programs and the MAT in Middle and Secondary Education requires prior completion of a Graduate Certificate in Middle and Secondary Education program.

Teachers in North Carolina may also want to explore the online MEd in Teacher Education: Elementary Mathematics Education program offered by UNC Greensboro and the online MEd in Curriculum, Instruction, and Supervision offered by UNC Wilmington’s Watson College of Education. The Watson College of Education also offers an online MAT program for students who are seeking a North Carolina Elementary Education certification (K-6) and an online Master of School Administration (MSA) that prepares students to become K-12 principals in North Carolina.

There are several other schools in the state that offer online master’s in education programs, including NC State, Eastern Carolina University (ECU), Appalachian State University, and Western Carolina University (WCU). Among the online programs offered by NC State are an MEd/MS in Learning Design and Technology and an online MEd in Science Education. The online Learning Design and Technology master’s program can be taken as a 30-credit, non-thesis MEd program or a 36-credit MS program that does require a thesis. The MEd in Science Education program requires a bachelor’s degree in science and applicants with at least two years of teaching experience are preferred.

ECU offers an online MA in Education with a concentration in Elementary Education program that is designed for teachers who hold a K-6 elementary teaching license, and an online Master of School Administration (MSA) program for licensed teachers who have at least three years of professional teaching experience. Licensed teachers in North Carolina can also earn an online MA in Education in Comprehensive Elementary or Middle Grades Education from the School of Teaching and Learning at WCU. And teachers who are seeking advanced licensure in K-6 education can earn an online MA in Elementary Education from Appalachian State University.

In addition to the public universities offering online master’s in education in North Carolina, there are private universities in the state that offer online education degree programs. The University of Mount Olive has an online MEd program that prepares teachers trained at the bachelor’s degree level for graduate licensure in three specializations: Birth-Kindergarten; Elementary; and Special Education (General). And Queens University of Charlotte has an online MA in Educational Leadership program designed to prepare graduates for North Carolina principal licensure.

Georgia Southern University and George Mason University (GMU) are two out-of-state regional schools offering online master’s in education programs that North Carolina residents may want to explore. The College of Education at Georgia Southern offers online MAT in Special Education and Elementary Education programs, as well as online MEd programs with the following specializations: Curriculum & Instruction; Educational Leadership; Instructional Technology; Reading Education; Elementary Education; Middle Grades Education; Secondary Education; and Special Education. Through GMU, teachers in North Carolina can earn an online MEd in Educational Leadership degree with a general track and a track in Independent School Leadership, as well as an MEd in Special Education.

Note: Applicants to out-of-state online master’s in education programs should be aware that licensing and certification for teachers is administered and regulated by individual states and that requirements vary by state. Before applying to an online master’s in teaching or education program offered by a school in another state, residents of North Carolina should examine the program’s admissions requirements carefully to ensure they are eligible, and they should review North Carolina licensing policies for educators to determine whether or not the program meets state requirements for licensure.

Online Master’s in Health Administration (MHA) Programs in North Carolina

There are two schools in North Carolina that offer online Master of Health Administration (MHA) programs. Appalachian State University has an online MHA program that offers students a choice between a Health Care Leadership concentration and an Information Systems concentration. The program requires students to attend a one-and-a-half day Friday/Saturday campus sessions once per semester and can be completed in two years of full-time enrollment and three years of part-time enrollment. North Carolina residents may also want to explore the online MHA program offered by Queens University of Charlotte, which is designed to align with the five core health administration competencies outlined by the American College of Healthcare Executives’ Higher Education Network: communication, leadership, professionalism, healthcare knowledge, and business expertise.

The University of South Carolina offers an online MHA program with a specialization in Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior. The program includes a practicum that incorporates fieldwork in a health administration setting. Applicants to the University of South Carolina’s online MHA program must have a minimum of two years of health-related professional experience. Virginia’s George Mason University (GMU) offers an online MHA program that includes a capstone practicum and a weeklong visit to GMU’s Fairfax Country campus and the Health Policy Institute in nearby Washington DC. The GMU program can be completed in 24 months.

Online Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) Programs in North Carolina

The School of Government at UNC Chapel Hill offers an online Master of Public Administration (MPA) program that has five designated areas of focus: International Relations; Local Government; Nonprofit Management; Community & Economic Development; and Public Health. The program can be completed in 18 months of full-time enrollment and includes a Professional Work Experience Practicum that consists of 300 to 400 hours of public sector internships. UNC Pembroke offers an online MPA program that allows students to choose from four concentrations: Public Management; Emergency Management; Criminal Justice; and Health Administration.

Beyond the borders of North Carolina there are two regional online MPA programs that accept applicants from the state. Clemson University in South Carolina offers an online MPA with five concentrations: Regional Sustainability; Non-Profit Management; Local and State Government; Emergency Management; and Homeland Defense and Security. The program is designed for part-time enrollment, with classes meeting online once a week, and a curriculum that can be completed in three years. In Georgia, the state-funded Georgia College and State University offers an online MPA program that allows students to choose between completing a final capstone project or a master’s thesis.

Online Master’s in Counseling Programs in North Carolina

There are several in-state options for residents of North Carolina who are interested in earning a master’s degree in counseling online. North Carolina State offers two types of online master’s in counseling programs: an online MEd in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling, and an online MEd in School Counseling. Both programs are three-year cohort programs that require students to take courses year-round and that prepare students for counseling licensure in North Carolina. Eastern Carolina University (ECU) offers an online MS in Counselor Education designed to prepare students for licensure as school counselors in North Carolina and for the state’s Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) exam.

North Carolina Central University offers an online MA in Mental Health Counseling program designed to prepare students for LPC licensure and for Clinical Additions Specialist licensure in the state. Winston-Salem State University offers an online MS in Rehabilitation Counseling that prepares students for the Clinical Rehabilitation Counselor national exam. And Wake Forest University has an online MA in Counseling program that offers tracks in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling.

Regional out-of-state options for earning a master’s degree in counseling online include programs offered by William & Mary University and Regent University, which are both located in the state of Virginia. William & Mary’s School of Education offers online MEd in Counseling with concentrations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling. The program can be completed in three years of part-time enrollment. Regent’s School of Psychology & Counseling offers an online MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling that requires students to attend two week-long campus residencies in Virginia Beach. Regent also offers similarly structured online MA in Marriage, Family, & Couples Counseling and online MA in School Counseling programs that have campus residency requirements.

Note: Online master’s in counseling programs typically require clinical hours, which must be completed in person at a site approved by the program. North Carolina residents who are considering an online master’s of counseling program offered by a school in another state should check with a program administrator to determine whether or not a convenient site for clinical hours is available. Potential applicants should also be aware that licensing requirements for professional counselors vary by state. Students considering a program offered by an out-of-state school should examine the program’s curriculum to ensure it meets North Carolina’s requirements for professional licensure.

Online Master’s in Library and Information Science Programs in North Carolina

Several of the public universities in North Carolina offer online master’s in library and information science programs, including Eastern Carolina University (ECU), North Carolina Central University (NCCU), and UNC Greensboro. The ECU program is an online Master of Library Science (MLS) program that prepares students for careers as librarians and information specialists in Pre K-12 schools, universities, community colleges, public libraries, and related settings. The program offers professional concentrations for academic librarians, public librarians, and school library media specialists.

NCCU offers an online Master of Information Science (MIS) program that aligns with curricular guidelines established by the Association for Computing Machinery and the Association for Information Systems, and an online MLS program that is accredited by the American Library Association (ALA). And UNC Greensboro offers an online Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) program that is accredited by the ALA.

The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa and the University of Tennessee in Knoxville are two regional options for online master’s in information and library science programs offered by out-of-state schools. The University of Alabama’s Bama By Distance initiative offers an online MLIS program that uses a cohort model, which means students progress through the program as a group and participate together in live online courses. And the University of Tennessee offers an online MS in Information Science that is accredited by the ALA and that has a thesis and a non-thesis track.

Online Master’s in Nursing Programs (MSN) in North Carolina

There are a variety of options for earning an online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree online in North Carolina, including programs offered by UNC Charlotte, UNC Greensboro, and UNC Wilmington. UNC Charlotte offers an online MSN with a specialization in Community/Public Health Nursing. UNC Greensboro offers online MSN programs in Nursing Administration and Nursing Education. And UNC Wilmington has an online MSN Nurse Educator program.

Registered Nurses (RNs) in North Carolina can also earn an online MSN degree through programs offered by Eastern Carolina University (ECU), Appalachian State University, and Western Carolina University (WCU). ECU’s MSN program includes six specializations that are offered online: Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist; Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist; Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP); Nursing Education; Nursing Leadership; and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). Appalachian State University offers an online MSN in Nursing Education. And WCU has an online MSN program with specializations in Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Nurse Leadership, and Nurse Educator.

There are several private universities in North Carolina that offer online MSN programs, including Duke University, which offers 11 specializations. Students in Duke’s online MSN program must attend at least one campus-based session for two to five days per semester, depending on the area of specialization, which include: FNP; NNP; PMHNP; Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner-Acute Care (AGACNP); Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care (AGPCNP); Health Informatics; Nursing and Health Care Leadership; Nursing Education; Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Acute Care (PACNP); Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care (PPCNP); and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP). And Queens University of Charlotte offers an online MSN program with specializations in Nurse Educator, Nurse Administrator, and Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL).

RNs interested in exploring online MSN programs offered by schools in other states may want to consider the programs offered by two schools in the region: Tennessee State University and the University of South Carolina. Tennessee State offers an online MSN program with three concentrations: FNP, Nursing Education, and Holistic Nursing. The College of Nursing at the University of South Carolina offers an online MSN program with four specializations: AGACNP, FNP; PMHNP; and Nursing Administration.

Note: There are two important factors potential applicants to out-of-state online MSN programs should consider. The first concerns practicums and internships, which typically involve clinical hours that must be completed in person at a site approved by the program. RNs from North Carolina should make sure in advance that an online MSN program offered by a school in another state accepts applicants from North Carolina and that a suitable site for the completion of clinical hours is available. Secondly, licensing for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), which includes NPs, Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs), and other nursing specializations is administered by state boards of nursing. The regulations governing nursing licensure vary by state. RNs considering MSN programs that may lead to licensure should examine North Carolina’s licensing requirements carefully prior to applying to an out-of-state online MSN program to ensure the program meets state licensing requirements.

Online Master’s in Public Health (MPH) Programs in North Carolina

UNC Chapel Hill and Appalachian State University are two schools in North Carolina that offer students the option of earning an online master’s degree in public health. UNC Chapel Hill offers an online Master of Public Health (MPH) program designed for students with two or more years of professional experience in a public health field. UNC Chapel Hill’s MPH@UNC program has Leadership in Practice and Nutrition concentrations that can be completed in 20 months of full-time enrollment or 28 months of part-time enrollment, as well as a Registered Dietitian concentration that takes slightly longer to complete (28 months full-time/36 months part-time). Appalachian State offers an online MS in Nutrition with a Public Health Nutrition concentration that may also be of interest to students who want a master’s degree in public health. The program is full-time and takes most students two years to complete.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and George Mason University (GMU) are two out-of-state schools in the region that offer online MPH programs. UAB has two MPH specializations that are offered online – Healthcare Organization; Maternal & Child Health Policy & Leadership – as well as an online MS in Public Health program with a specialization in Outcomes Research. The online MPH program offered by GMU features a Public Health Practice concentration and is designed for students who have at least two years of relevant professional experience in public health.