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Online Master's Degree Programs in Rhode Island

Online master’s programs offer Rhode Island residents a wide range of options for earning a graduate degree and fostering career advancement without having to relocate or commute to a college or university campus. These programs are typically open to college graduates and mid-career professionals who hold a bachelor’s degree and, depending on the field of study, meet other academic and/or professional eligibility requirements. The majority of schools are authorized to admit students from most states and thus accept applications from out-of-state students who intend to remain in their current location while earning their degree. Thus, Rhode Island residents have the opportunity to explore master’s degree programs in many common areas of study, including business, computer science, education, engineering, healthcare, and social work, that are offered entirely or mostly online by accredited colleges and universities located in Rhode Island and in other states.

This page offers an overview of the schools in Rhode Island that are active in offering online master’s programs, and schools in the Rhode Island region that offer online master’s programs in common areas of study, as determined by an analysis of master’s program graduation data collected by the US Department of Education for its Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). The sections below provide details on accredited colleges and universities in Rhode Island and in nearby states that offer online master’s programs, and on specific types of online master’s programs in accounting, business, computer science, engineering, social work, and more.

Schools in Rhode Island That Offer Online Master’s Programs

Rhode Island is a relatively small state with a proportionally sized system of higher education. The Rhode Island Department of Education and the Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner oversee three degree-granting institutions: the Community College of Rhode Island; Rhode Island College; and the University of Rhode Island (URI). While all three of these schools offer online courses, URI is the only publicly funded school in the state that has online degree programs, including several online master’s degree programs. The table below lists the two public institutions of higher education in Rhode Island that offer graduate degrees, the location of each school’s main campus, and whether or not the school has online master’s programs.

School	Location	Online Degree Programs
University of Rhode Island	Kingston	Yes
Rhode Island College	Providence	No

In addition to the two schools listed above, Rhode Island is home to several private, non-profit schools that are accredited to offer bachelor’s and graduate degree programs. The five largest of these schools are listed below, along with the location of each school’s main campus and whether not the school is active in offering online degree programs.

School	Location	Online Degree Programs
Brown University	Providence	Yes
Johnson & Wales University	Providence	Yes
Roger Williams University	Bristol	Yes
Providence College	Providence	Yes
Bryant University	Smithfield	Yes

Out-of-State Schools in the Rhode Island Region That Offer Online Master’s Programs

Rhode Island residents who are interested in exploring the options for earning a master’s degree online from an out-of-state school may want to begin by looking at several schools located in neighboring states. In Connecticut, for example, there are two schools that offer online master’s programs in various fields of study. The University of Hartford, a private, non-profit school located in West Hartford, has online master’s programs in accounting, business administration, business analytics, education, management, nursing, psychology, and prosthetics/orthotics. Sacred Heart University, a Fairfield-based private, non-profit university, has online master’s programs in clinical mental health counseling, nursing, social work, and strategic communication/public relations.

The state of Massachusetts is also home to a number of schools that offer online master’s programs, including Boston’s Northeastern University, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst). Among the online programs offered by Northeastern are online master’s programs in: analytics; biotechnology; business administration; computer science; criminal justice; cybersecurity; engineering management; finance; legal studies; public administration; public health; and special education. UMass Amherst, which is one of five universities in the large, publicly funded UMass system, offers online master’s programs through its University Without Walls initiative. Among the programs offered through UMass Amherst’s University Without Walls initiative are online master’s programs in: accounting; business; education; engineering; nursing; and public health.

Finally, New York University (NYU), which has its main campus in New York City, offers a broad range of online programs. These include online master’s programs that are offered through NYU’s School of Global Public Health, Graduate School of Arts and Science, Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, School of Law, School of Professional Studies, Stern School of Business, and Tandon School of Engineering. Among the online master’s programs offered by NYU are programs in: journalism; health administration; taxation; counseling; cybersecurity; and bioinformatics.

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

Based on an analysis of IPEDS data on the number of students graduating from master’s programs offered by schools located in Rhode Island, OnlineEducation.com has identified the 15 most common areas for master’s degree studies in the state. These areas of study are:

Business Administration and Management
Accounting
Social Work
Architecture, General
Engineering
Computer Science
Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration
Physician Assistant
Public Health
Education
Interior Architecture
Public Policy Analysis
Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services
Library and Information Science
Counseling Psychology

The sections below provide details about schools offering online master’s programs in most of the 15 areas of study listed above. It should be noted that IPEDS classifications do not align precisely with the names of specific online master’s programs. However, the IPEDS classifications provide a representative picture of the most common fields in which students in the state of Rhode Island are pursuing master’s degrees.

Online Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) Programs in Rhode Island

There are several schools in Rhode Island that offer online Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs. Bryant University has an online Professional MBA program that is designed for business professionals who have a minimum of five years of qualifying experience in a business field. The Bryant program consists of ten courses that can be completed in roughly one year.

Brown University in Providence offers an Executive MBA program in conjunction with the IE Business School in Spain. The program is designed for business professionals who have a minimum of ten years of leadership experience in a business field. Students progress through the 15-month IE Brown Executive MBA program as a group or cohort, taking most of their didactic courses online and attending required residency sessions in Providence, Madrid, and Cape Town, South Africa.

Johnson & Wales University (JWU) has a fully online MBA program that does not require students to have prior work experience. The program is designed to be completed in roughly two years of part-time enrollment and has a general business administration curriculum, as well 13 optional specializations: Event Leadership; Executive Communication; Finance; Global Fashion Merchandising and Management; Hospitality; Human Resource Management; Information Security/Assurance; Nonprofit Management; Operations and Supply Chain Management; Organizational Leadership; Organizational Psychology; Project Management; and Sport Leadership. JWU also offers a full-time, one-year online MBA program that does not have specialization options and that requires students to attend classes year-round.

Salve Regina University is another Rhode Island school that offers an online MBA program. The Salve Regina program consists of 12 courses that can be completed in 18 to 24 months by students who have previously taken undergraduate courses in accounting, economics, calculus, and statistics. Applicants who have not taken these courses may choose to take a proficiency test or to enroll in the undergraduate perquisites they are missing prior to beginning Salve Regina’s online MBA curriculum.

Rhode Island residents who are interesting in exploring online MBA programs offered by out-of-state schools may want to consider the program offered by the Barney School of Business at the University of Hartford in the neighboring state of Connecticut. The University of Hartford program allows students to enroll in classes that are held online or on campus and features nine optional concentrations: Accounting; Business Analytics; Finance; Healthcare Management; International Business; Management; Marketing; Project Management; and Supply Chain Management.

Boston’s Northeastern University also offers an online MBA program that Rhode Island residents may want to explore. The Northeastern program is offered through the D’Amore-McKim School of Business. It gives students the choice of eight concentrations: Finance; Healthcare Management; High Technology Management; Innovation Entrepreneurship; International Management; Marketing; Supply Chain Management; and Sustainability.

Finally, Syracuse University in New York has an online MBA program that can be completed in 24 months. The Syracuse program has six specializations: Accounting; Business Analytics; Entrepreneurship; Finance; Marketing Management; and Supply Chain Management

Online Master’s in Accounting Programs in Rhode Island

Bryant University is currently the only Rhode Island school that offers an online master’s program in accounting. The Bryant program is an online Master of Professional Accountancy (MPAc) with an optional Taxation concentration and an accounting curriculum that aligns with Rhode Island’s licensure eligibility requirements for Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). Prerequisites for the program include undergraduate courses in introductory financial and managerial accounting, intermediate accounting, advanced financial accounting, taxation, accounting information systems, auditing, and cost management accounting. Students who have taken these courses can complete the Bryant program in two terms or less than a year.

Outside of Rhode Island, there are several schools in nearby states that offer online master’s in accounting programs. For example, the University of Connecticut (UConn) and the University of Hartford both offer online programs in accounting at the master’s level. The UConn program is an online Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) program. It requires students to attend a four-day residency at the university’s Storrs campus prior to beginning the program’s ten required online courses. Full-time students can complete the UConn program in three semesters, while part-time students can take four or more semesters to graduate from the program.

The University of Hartford’s Barney School of Business offers an online Master of Science in Accounting and Taxation (MSAT) program that has two tracks: Financial and Assurance Services; and Taxation. The program does not require any campus visits and has a flexible enrollment structure that allows students who enroll full-time to graduate in as few as seven months, while part-time students are given up to five years to complete the program’s requirements.

The University of Massachusetts (UMass) offers online master’s in accounting program through UMass Amherst and UMass Lowell. UMass Amherst’s online Master of Science (MS) in Accounting programs is designed for students who majored in accounting as undergraduates. However, students with a non-accounting bachelor’s degree may qualify for UMass Amherst’s online Accounting Transitions program, which prepares students for the MS in Accounting program curriculum. UMass Lowell’s MS in Accounting program is also designed for students who hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting, and it requires applicants who did not major in accounting to take up to seven prerequisite courses prior to enrolling in master’s level courses.

Finally, St. John’s University and Syracuse University are two New York schools that offer online master’s in accounting programs. St. John’s Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) program is designed for students who hold an undergraduate degree in business and features elective coursework in internal auditing, risk advisory services, fraud examination, and accounting research. Syracuse’s online MS in Professional Accounting program has a flexible format, with a 12-month track for full-time students who have a background in business and accounting, a 15-month track for part-time students who have prior accounting experience, and a two-year track for students who hold an undergraduate degree in a field other than business or accounting and who thus require several prerequisite courses.

Note: Online master’s in accounting programs can help prepare students to qualify for eventual CPA licensure. However, CPA requirements vary by state. Students from Rhode Island who are considering an online program should review their state’s licensure eligibility requirements prior to applying, particularly if the program is offered by an out-of-state school.

Currently, there are no online Master of Social Work (MSW) programs offered by schools in Rhode Island. There are, however, online MSW programs offered by out-of-state schools that accept candidates from Rhode Island, including programs offered by schools in the neighboring states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York.

Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT offers an online MSW program that does not require students to attend any campus visits. The program has a clinical social work track and a macro/community practice social work track, both of which require students to complete field education hours at program-approved sites. The Sacred Heart program takes roughly three years of part-time enrollment to complete, although Sacred Heart has a 20-month Advanced Standing track for students to hold a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

New York’s Columbia University offers an online MSW program through its School of Social Work. The program has two designated concentrations: Advanced Clinical Practice; and Social Enterprise Administration. The Advanced Clinical Practice concentration has two subspecialties: Family, Youth, & Children’s Services; and Health, Mental Health, & Disabilities. Students with a non-BSW undergraduate degree can graduate from the Columbia program in two years of full-time enrollment; Advanced Standing students can complete the Columbia program in one year.

The School of Clinical Social Work at Simmons University in Massachusetts offers an online MSW program with a clinical social work curriculum and flexible enrollment that allows students to graduate in as few as 15 months or take two or three years to complete the program requirements. The program has four clinical social work specializations: Child and Family; Trauma and Interpersonal Violence; Mental Health and Addictions; and Health and Aging.

Note: Clinical social workers may be required to attain licensure in their state of practice, and requirements for licensing vary by state. To ensure that a program’s curriculum will fully prepare graduates for licensure in Rhode Island, potential applicants should review the state’s licensing requirements, particularly if they are considering programs offered by out-of-state schools. It is also important to be aware that MSW programs require students to complete field education hours at approved sites. While most programs allow students to find convenient sites near their place of residence, it may be helpful to contact a program representative about potential field placements prior to initiating the application process to an online program offered by an out-of-state school.

Online Master’s in Architecture Programs in Rhode Island

There are currently no online master’s in architecture programs offered by schools in Rhode Island. However, Boston Architectural College (BAC), a private, non-profit school of architecture that is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and by the National Architectural Accreditation Board (NAAB), has an online Master of Architecture program that accepts applicants from Rhode Island. The program is designed for students who have an undergraduate degree in architecture or design and requires applicants to submit a portfolio of their work. Qualified students can complete the BAC program in four semesters. The program consists of nine courses, a thesis project, and a total of 3,000 required architectural practice hours.

Online Master’s in Engineering Programs in Rhode Island

Johnson & Wales University (JWU) and the New England Institute of Technology (NEIT) are two schools in Rhode Island that offer online master’s programs in engineering. JWU has an online Master of Science (MS) in Engineering Management program with a curriculum that includes coursework in engineering finance, leadership, project management, and product design, as well as electives in data analytics, strategic finance, and supply-chain management. The program can be complete in roughly two years.

NEIT has a Master of Science in Engineering Management (MSEM) program that it offers through its College of Graduate and Professional Studies in a hybrid or partially online format. All of the program’s courses are offered in the evenings to accommodate working professionals, and many of the program’s required courses are offered online. The NEIT program is designed for students who hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical field.

Among the schools in the Rhode Island regional that offer online master’s in engineering programs are Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and Northeastern University, both of which are located in the neighboring state of Massachusetts. WPI has online master’s programs in a number of engineering specializations, including: Biomedical Engineering; Electrical and Computer Engineering; Environmental Engineering; Fire Protection Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Power Systems Engineering; Robotics Engineering; and Systems Engineering. While admissions requirements vary by program specialization, all of WPI’s online master’s in engineering programs are designed for students who have a bachelor’s degree in engineering.

Northeastern’s College of Engineering has an online MS in Engineering Management program that offers a mix of technical and industry leadership skills that can be applied in the engineering sector. While the College of Engineering at Northeastern gives admission preference to applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering, the program will accept applicants who majored in mathematics, physics, and other technical disciplines.

Rhode Island residents who are interested in pursuing a master’s degree in environmental engineering may want to explore the online MS in Environmental Engineering program offered by the University of New Haven in Connecticut. The University of New Haven program, which can be completed in 18 months of full-time, year-round enrollment, includes coursework in water and waste treatment, environmental law, and pollution prevention technologies.

Online Master’s in Computer Science Programs in Rhode Island

There are many accredited colleges and universities that offer online master’s programs in computer science, including several schools located in the Rhode Island region. Columbia University in New York City offers an online Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) program through its School of Engineering and Applied Science. The program gives students the option of specializing in Natural Language Processing, Machine Learning, Network Systems, or Software Systems. Syracuse University, another school in the state of New York, has an online MSCS program that provides general training and instruction in computer systems and programming, as well as electives in Android Programming, Computer Security, Machine Learning, Object Oriented Programming, and Software Engineering.

The University of Bridgeport in Connecticut has an online Master of Science (MS) in Computer Science program that is designed for students who have a background in computer science and/or computer engineering. The program includes advanced coursework in computer programing, algorithms, operating systems, database systems, and network architecture.

In addition, there are two schools in Massachusetts offering online master’s in computer science programs that Rhode Island residents may want to explore. The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (UMass Dartmouth) has an MS in Computer Science program with a curriculum designed for students who hold a bachelor’s degree in computer science or engineering. However, students who do not have an undergraduate degree in computer science or engineering can complete four prerequisite courses in computer science fundamentals offered online by UMass Dartmouth in order to qualify for the program.

Boston University (BU) has an online Master of Science in Computer Information Systems (MSCIS) program that is similar to a master’s in computer science program. The MSCIS curriculum consists of coursework in computer applications systems, database systems architecture and management, and emerging information technologies, and offers seven options for specialization, including: Computer Networks; Data Analytics; Database Management & Business Intelligence; Health Informatics; IT Project Management; Security; and Web Application Development.

Online Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs in Rhode Island

Johnson & Wales University (JWU) and Salve Regina University are two Rhode Island schools that offer online master’s programs in criminal justice fields. JWU has an online Master of Science (MS) in Criminal Justice program with a curriculum that features coursework in criminal justice system administration, criminology and crime prevention, juvenile justice, international crime, and homeland security. Salve Regina has an online MS in Administration of Justice and Homeland Security program that features coursework in constitutional law, theories of justice, justice system management, and terrorism and transnational crime, as well as optional concentrations in: Cybersecurity and Intelligence; Digital Forensics; and Leadership in Justice. Both programs have flexible enrollment policies and can be completed in approximately two years by part-time students.

Among the out-of-state schools in the Rhode Island region that offer online master’s programs in criminal justice are two Massachusetts schools: Boston University (BU); and Northeastern University. BU offers an online Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) program with three specialization options: Crime Analysis; Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity; and Strategic Management. The 32-credit program can be completed in 16 to 18 months. The College of Social Science & Humanities at Northeastern offers an online MS in Criminology and Criminal Justice program that can be completed in as little as one year. The Northeastern program has an optional Cybersecurity concentration.

Online Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies Programs in Rhode Island

While there are no online master’s in physician assistant studies programs offered by schools in Rhode Island, Yale University in the neighboring state of Connecticut has an online Master of Medical Science (MMS) program with a curriculum that is designed to provide training and instruction for physician assistants (PAs). The Yale School of Medicine Physician Assistant Online Program utilizes a blend of online classes and in-person clinical rotations, including three clinical immersions at the Yale School of Medicine, in order to provide students who do not live in Connecticut with a convenient means of studying to become a PA. The Yale programs is designed to prepare graduates for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), which is used by most states as a condition for PA licensure.

Note: In most states, PAs are licensed by boards of medicine, and requirements for licensure may vary by state. In order to ensure that an online program offered by an out-of-state school will qualify graduates for PA licensure in Rhode Island, it is advisable to review Rhode Island’s licensure requirements prior to initiating the application process.

Online Master’s in Public Health (MPH) Programs in Rhode Island

The New England Institute of Technology (NEIT) is one Rhode Island school that offers an online Master of Public Health (MPH) program. The program is designed for students who have an undergraduate degree in health science or a minimum of three years of experience working in public health. Students in the program can take two courses per ten-week term and graduate in eight terms (two years), or they can take one course per term and extend the time to completion provided they graduate within five years of starting the program.

Another in-state option for earning a master’s degree online in a healthcare field is the Executive Master of Healthcare Leadership program offered by Brown University and its School of Public Health. The 16-month program is designed for students who have seven or more years of professional experience in the healthcare industry and provides advanced training in healthcare policy, healthcare regulations, health research methods, health information technology, and financial decision-making in healthcare.

Outside of Rhode Island, there are several schools in neighboring states offering online MPH programs that accept out-of-state applicants. Simmons University in Massachusetts has an online MPH program that requires students to attend two campus-based immersions sessions, one of which takes place in the Boston area, while the other involves a trip to another city where students learn about global health issues. The Simmons program can be completed in 21 months.

The School of Public Health and Health Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst) has an online MPH in Nutrition program and an online MPH in Public Health Practice (PHP) program. The MPH in Nutrition program does not require an internship, which means it does not prepare students for professional licensure as a Registered Dietitian. However, students can opt to complete a dietitian internship in Western Massachusetts if they are interested in pursuing professional licensure. Students in the PHP program are required to complete a 200-hour practicum.

St. John’s University and New York Medical College are two schools in New York that offer online MPH programs. The St. John’s program is offered through the university’s College of Pharmacy and Health Science and features two concentrations: Community Health; and Global Health. The program offered by New York Medical College is an online MPH program with four specializations: Behavioral Sciences and Health Promotion; Epidemiology; Environmental Health Science; and Health Policy and Management.

Online Master’s in Education Programs in Rhode Island

The University of Rhode Island (URI) is one school in Rhode Island that currently offers an online master’s program in an education field. URI has an online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) program that gives students a choice of three areas of specialization: Public School English as a Second Language (ESL); Public School Bilingual Dual Language Immersion (BDL); and General Education. The General Education option is for eduators who intend to work outside of the public K-12 school system, including in international teaching fields. The 30-credit TESOL program is designed to prepare Rhode Island teachers for Early Childhood Education (P-2), Elementary Education (1-6), and Secondary Education (5-12) certifications.

Teachers and educators in Rhode Island may want to explore the online programs offered by the School of Education at Connecticut’s Quinnipiac University. There are several online master’s in education programs available through Quinnipiac, including Master of Science (MS) programs in Instructional Design, Special Education, and Teacher Leadership. Students in the Instructional Design program can choose from three specializations: Design & Development of Online Learning; Technology for the K-12 Classroom; and Instructional Design for Corporate & Nonprofit Environments. The Teacher Leadership program has four specialization options: Literacy; Mathematics; Science; and Program Improvement.

The College of Education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst) offers online Master of Education (MEd) programs in three fields: Higher Education; International Education; and Science Education (elementary and middle school). UMass Lowell’s College of Education offers online MEd programs in Education Administration, Reading and Language, and Curriculum and Instruction. Finally, Fitchburg State University, another public university in the state of Massachusetts, offers two online MEd programs:
an online MEd in Curriculum and Teaching program; and an online MEd in Educational Leadership and Management program.

Note: Teaching licensure and certification requirements vary by state. As a result, programs designed to prepare students for state certification or licensure in one state may not meet requirements in another state. Rhode Island residents who are considering online master’s in teaching and education programs should familiarize themselves with requirements for licensing and certification in Rhode Island prior to submitting applications to programs offered by out-of-state schools. It is also important to note that some online master’s in teaching and education programs have student teaching and/or internship requirements that must be completed at program approved sites. It is thus advisable to contact a program administrator regarding student teaching and/or internship placements prior to submitting an application, particularly if the program is offered by an out-of-state school.

Online Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) and Public Policy Programs in Rhode Island

Johnson & Wales University (JWU) offers a number of different options for students who are interested in earning a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree online. JWU has an online MPA program with a general curriculum that includes courses in public policy analysis, personnel management in the public sector, nonprofit administration and management, and public program evaluation. In addition, JWU has online MPA programs in the following specializations: Criminal Justice; Homeland Security; Human Resource Management; and Nonprofit Management.

Anna Maria College in Paxton, MA is one out-of-state school in the Rhode Island region that offers an online MPA program. The Anna Maria program has a general public administration track, as well specializations in Criminal Justice, Emergency Management, Fire and Emergency Services, and Homeland Security.

Northeastern University in Boston, MA offers an online MPA program through its College of Social Science & Humanities. The Northeastern program provides general training in public administration and gives students the options of earning graduate certificates in Nonprofit Sector Administration and Urban Analytics as part of the MPA curriculum.

Finally, the McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies at the University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston) offers an online MPA in Global Comparative Public Administration program. The program’s curriculum is designed to prepare students for public service careers in state, national, and international governments and non-governmental organizations.

Online Master’s in Counseling and Psychology Programs in Rhode Island

The only school in Rhode Island that currently offers an online master’s program in a counseling or psychology field is Johnson & Wales University (JWU). JWU has an online Master of Science (MS) in Organizational Psychology program that is designed for students who have some prior academic training in psychology and business, preferably a psychology major with a minor in business, or a business major with a minor in psychology. Applicants who have not taken introductory coursework in psychology, including abnormal, developmental, and social psychology, may be required to take several prerequisites prior to enrolling in master’s-level courses. The JWU online MS in Organizational Psychology program can be completed in under two years.

Rhode Island residents who are interested in earning a master’s degree in counseling online may want to explore several programs offered by schools in neighboring states. The University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston) has an online MS in Mental Health Counseling program that utilizes a cohort model in which groups of students begin and progress through the program’s curriculum together, completing a two-year sequence of courses. The program requires students to attend a two-week campus-based session at the start of the program, and to complete a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship at a clinical site approved by the program. UMass Boston also offers an online MEd in School Counseling program, and an online MS in Rehabilitation Counseling program with two tracks: Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling; and Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling.

New York University (NYU) has an online Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness program that can be completed in as few as 21 months. While it does not require any campus visits, students in the program are required to complete clinical hours at a program approve site.

Note: Online master’s in counseling programs and some online master’s in psychology programs require students to complete clinical hours at program approved sites. Typically, online programs allow students to complete these requirements at clinics near their place of residence. However, potential applicants to online program offered by out-of-state schools may want to contact a program administrator prior to submitting an application in order to ensure that a convenient clinical site can be found. In addition, licensing requirements for mental health, rehabilitation, and school counselors vary by state. Thus, it is advisable to review Rhode Island’s licensing requirements and to compare these requirements with a program’s curriculum prior to applying to a program offered by an out-of-state school.

Online Master’s in Library and Information Science in Rhode Island

While there are currently no online master’s programs in library and information science offered by schools in Rhode Island, the New England Institute of Technology (NEIT) has an online Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) program that focuses on the business applications of information technology. The 45-credit program allows students to take all of their courses online or to enroll in a mix of online and campus-based courses. Students who enroll full-time in the program and take two courses per ten-week term can graduate in 18 months.

There are many accredited colleges and universities that offer online master’s programs in library and information science, including several that are located in the Rhode Island region. Syracuse University in New York, and Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) and the University of Fairfield in Connecticut are three such schools.

Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies offers an online Master of Science (MS) in Library and Information Science program that has a six-course core curriculum. In addition to the program’s core curriculum, students can tailor their degree by choosing five electives in subject areas such as: Academic Librarianship; Data Librarianship; Historical Materials; Instructional Librarianship; Public Librarianship; School Media; and Technical Service Librarianship.

SCSU has an online Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program that it offers through its School of Education. The 36-credit program has a School Library Media track and an Individualized Program track that allows students to take courses in information technology systems, information management, and various types of library work. Finally, the University of Fairfield has an online Master of Arts (MA) in Educational Technology & School Library Media program with a curriculum that focuses on training educators in the use of classroom and library media technologies. The Fairfield program requires students to attend one weeklong campus-based summer institute.