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Online Master’s Degree Programs in Vermont

Vermont residents who are interested in earning a master’s degree without having to relocate or commute to a college or university campus can do so through online degree programs that are offered by many of Vermont’s accredited colleges and universities, as well as via online programs offered by out-of-state schools that admit students from Vermont. There are several public universities and private, non-profit colleges and universities in Vermont that are active in offering online degree programs, including online master’s programs. There are also many out-of-state schools with online master’s programs that are authorized to accept applicants who reside in Vermont.

This page includes information on Vermont schools that offer online master’s programs in common areas of study, as determined through an analysis of data collected by the US Department of Education’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). The sections below provide details on schools in Vermont that offer online master’s programs in common fields of study, as well as out-of-state schools located in the Vermont region that offer online master’s programs in these fields.

Schools in Vermont that Offer Online Master’s Programs

Vermont is home to the publicly funded University of Vermont (UVM) and to the Vermont State Colleges System, which comprises several other state schools, including Northern Vermont University (NVU), Castleton University, and Vermont Technical College. All of these schools are active in offering online courses and online degree programs, and several have online master’s programs in one or more fields of study. The table below lists the public institutions of higher education in Vermont that offer bachelor’s and graduate degree programs, 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 Vermont (UVM)	Burlington	Yes
Northern Vermont University (NVU)	Johnson and Lyndon	Yes
Castleton University	Castleton	Yes
Vermont Technical College	Randolph Center	Yes

In addition to the public schools run by the state of Vermont, there are a number of private, non-profit colleges and universities in the state, many of which offer online master’s programs. The table below lists the five largest private, non-profit schools in Vermont, based on an analysis of IPEDS enrollment data. The location of each school’s main campus is included, along with whether or not the school is active in offering online degree programs.

School	Location	Online Degree Programs
Champlain College	Burlington	Yes
Norwich University	Northfield	Yes
Middlebury College	Middlebury	Yes
Saint Michael's College	Colchester	Yes
Bennington College	Bennington	Yes

Out-of-State Schools in the Vermont Region that Offer Online Master’s Degree Programs

Vermont is bordered by the states of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and New York. While Vermont residents can explore and apply to online master’s programs offered by schools in any state, provided the school is authorized to admit applicants from Vermont, this section offers an overview of several schools in the Vermont region that offer online master’s programs and that accept applicants from Vermont.

The University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston), one of five schools in the state administered and publicly funded University of Massachusetts system, has online master’s programs in business administration and business analytics, mental health and rehabilitation counseling, gerontology and nursing, and a number of other common fields for graduate studies. Most of these programs are authorized to accept applicants from Vermont, and many of them are 100% online, which means they do not require students to attend any campus visits.

Boston University (BU) is another large university located in Massachusetts that is active in offering online degree programs. Among the online master’s programs offered by BU are programs in criminal justice, financial management, health communication, higher education administration, social work, software development, and other fields of professional and academic interest.

In New Hampshire, there are two large universities that are active in offering a broad range of online programs, including online master’s degree programs. The University of New Hampshire (UNH), a public research university located in Durham, has numerous online degree options that it offers through UNH Online. Among these programs are online master’s programs in business administration, cybersecurity policy, education, health data science, intellectual property law, and social work. Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), a large private university with an extensive array of online degree programs, offers online master’s programs in accounting, counseling, communication, criminal justice, education, finance, healthcare, management, marketing, nursing, public health, psychology, and more.

The State University of New York (SUNY) is a university system that is comprised of 64 campuses located throughout the state of New York. SUNY Online is the distance-learning division of the SUNY system, and it offers a number of online master’s programs. In addition, many of the schools in the SUNY system offer online master’s programs through the Open SUNY initiative. These include online master’s programs in behavioral science, business, computer science, education, healthcare, information technology, liberal arts, public administration, science and technology, and social sciences.

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

OnlineEducation.com analyzed recent IPEDS data on the number of students in Vermont graduating from master’s programs by field of study in order to determine the most common areas for master’s-level studies in the state. The 15 areas of study in which the largest number of students graduated from master’s programs offered by schools in Vermont are:

Business Administration and Management
Organizational Leadership
Creative Writing
International Relations and Affairs
English Language and Literature
Education
Legal Professions and Studies
Information Science/Studies
Military History
Nursing Administration
Sustainability Studies
Public Administration
Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor
History
Health/Health Care Administration/Management

While IPEDS classifications do not precisely match the names of actual online master’s programs, an analysis of the IPEDS data provides a representative overview of the types of master’s programs that graduate the largest number of students per year in Vermont. The sections below provide details on schools in Vermont and in the Vermont region that offer online master’s programs in most of these fields.

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

Vermont residents have three options for earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree via online learning through in-state schools. Castleton University, which is part of the Vermont State Colleges System, has a 36-credit online MBA program that offers courses in eight-week modules year-round, allowing full-time students who are able to enroll in two courses per term to complete their degree in one year. The Castleton program has four specializations that students can choose from: Analytics; Healthcare Administration; Leading Organizational Change; and Media and Communication.

Champlain College in Burlington, VT, offers a 36-credit online MBA program that utilizes eight-week terms and allows students to enroll in one or two courses per term. Students can thus graduate from the Champlain College online MBA program in one to two years. The Champlain program has eight specialization options: Advanced Management; Employment Law; Health Care Administration; Human Resource Management; Information Security; Leadership; Positive Organization Development; and Supply Chain Management

Norwich University offers a 36-credit online MBA program with a general business administration option and seven additional concentrations: Energy Management; Organizational Leadership; Supply Chain Management; Construction Management; Finance; Project Management; and Technology Management. The Norwich program can be completed in 18 months and requires students to attend one weeklong campus residency for the program’s culminating experience.

There are a number of schools in the neighboring state of Massachusetts that offer online MBA programs that Vermont residents may want to explore. For example, the University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston) has an online MBA program that has a ten-course core curriculum, all of which is offered online with the exception of an accounting course that requires students to attend several campus-based classes. The UMass Boston program has nine optional specializations: Accounting; Business Analytics; Environmental Management; Finance; Healthcare Informatics; Information Systems; International Management; Internet Marketing; and Leadership & Organizational Change.

Bentley University in Waltham, MA has an online MBA program that offers eight designated concentrations: Accountancy; Business Analytics; Economics of Financial Markets; Finance; Information Systems and Technology; Law and Taxation; Leadership; and Marketing. And Boston’s Suffolk University offers an online MBA program with three concentrations: Accounting; Finance; and Business Intelligence.

The State University of New York Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Polytechnic) in upstate New York has an online MBA in Technology Management program that features five concentrations: Accounting and Finance; Health Informatics; Human Resource Management; Marketing Management; and Business Management. And the University of New Hampshire (UNH) offers an online MBA program through its Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics that has concentrations in: Finance; Information Systems and Business Analytics; Marketing; Global Business; Growth and Innovation; and Hospitality Management.

Online Master’s in Organizational Leadership Programs in Vermont

Northern Vermont University (NVU), Champlain College, and Norwich University are three schools in Vermont that offer online master’s programs in organizational leadership and leadership studies. NVU has an online Master of Arts (MA) in Leadership Studies program that can be completed in one year of full-time enrollment or two years of part-time enrollment.

Champlain College has two graduate programs in leadership fields: an online Master of Science (MS) in Executive Leadership program with an organizational management focus; and an online MS in Human Relations & Organizational Development program that focuses on human resources and has an Employment Law concentration, a Leadership concentration, and a Positive Organizational Development concentration.

And Norwich University offers an online MS in Leadership program that requires a one-week campus residency and that has four concentrations: Human Resources Leadership; Organizational Leadership; Public Sector/Government/Military Leadership; and Leading Change Management Consulting.

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is one school in a neighboring state that offers an online master’s degree in organizational leadership. The SNHU program is an online MS in Organizational Leadership that consists of six core leadership courses, three electives, and three additional electives that can be chosen from among the many master’s level business courses offered online by SNHU.

Another option for earning a master’s degree in organizational leadership online from an out-of-state school located in a neighboring state is a program offered by Lehman College, a Bronx-based school that is part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system. Lehman offers an online Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL) program that is comprised of ten courses that can be completed in four semesters.

Online Master’s in Creative Writing Programs in Vermont

There are two schools in Vermont that offer low-residency Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing programs: Bennington College; and Vermont College of Fine Arts. These programs require students to attend two campus residencies per year that last from seven to ten days. However, all of the other academic work required to complete these MFA in Creative Writing programs is done via distance education, including online, which is how students check in with instructors and submit work for grading and review.

New England College in Henniker, NH, and Western New England University in Springfield, MA are two additional schools in neighboring states that offer low-residency MFA in Creative Writing programs. Both programs are similar to the Bennington and Vermont College of Fine Arts programs in that they require students to attend two campus-based residency sessions per year and conduct all of their other instruction and mentorship via distance learning.

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) has two online master’s programs in creative writing: an online Master of Arts (MA) in English and Creative Writing program with Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry, and Screenwriting concentrations; and an online MFA in Creative Writing program. Both programs are 100% online and do not require students to attend campus residency sessions. The MA in English and Creative Writing program includes graduate courses in English literature and literary theory; the MFA in Creative Writing program focuses on the business and craft of creative writing but does not include courses in literary theory.

Online Master’s in International Relations Programs in Vermont

Norwich University, which is also known as the The Military College of Vermont, has several online master’s programs in international relations and related fields. Norwich offers an online Master of Arts (MA) in International Relations program with concentrations in Cyber Diplomacy, International Development, International Security, National Security, and Regions of the World. In addition, Norwich offers an online MA in Strategic Studies program with a curriculum that focuses on political and military strategy and policy, global economics, and theories of international relations, and an online MA in Diplomacy program with four concentration options: Cyber Diplomacy; International Commerce; International Conflict Management; and International Terrorism. All three of these programs offered by Norwich require students to attend a one-week campus residency.

Outside of Vermont, Troy University in New York is a school that offers several options for students who are interested in earning a master’s degree in international relations online. Troy has a Master of Science (MS) in International Relations program that offers three distinct areas of focus: Global Studies; National Security Affairs; and Regional Affairs. All three specializations share the same five core courses in international relations, but each program has seven additional courses that do not overlap. Students in the program have the option of completing a master’s thesis, but a thesis is not required to graduate.

Online Master’s in English Programs in Vermont

While there are currently no schools in Vermont that offer a fully online master’s program in English, there are two schools in the Vermont region that do have online master’s in English programs. Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) offers an online Master of Arts in English that provides students with advanced training in literary theory, composition theory, English teaching pedagogy, as well as a selection of electives in literature from various periods and regions. New York’s Mercy College has an online Master of Arts (MA) in English Literature program that includes coursework in the theory and practice of literary criticism as well as the opportunity to select from among electives in literature from various eras and regions.

Online Master’s in Education Programs in Vermont

Two Vermont schools offer online master’s programs for teachers and educators. Northern Vermont University (NVU) offers an online Master of Arts (MA) in Education with a Digital Media Instruction concentration. The program is designed to accommodate a range of educators, including K-12 teachers and classroom technology specialists, college instructors, and others who want to learn how to employ digital media technologies to enhance their teaching. The 36-credit program, which culminates with an applied capstone project, has 12 courses, two of which require students to complete fieldwork assignments in approved educational settings.
Castleton University is the other Vermont school that offers an online master’s program for teachers and educators. The Castleton program is an online MA in Educational Leadership program with a curriculum designed to prepare teachers and other education professionals for principal licensure in Vermont. Students in the program take most of their courses online but must attend a limited number of campus-based instructional sessions. In addition, the program requires students to complete field education hours.

Residents of Vermont may also want to explore the online master’s in teaching and education programs offered by New York University (NYU), the University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston), Boston University (BU), and the University of New Hampshire. (UNH). Through its Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, NYU offers an online MA in Teaching that requires students to complete student teaching hours at a school approved by the program. UMass Boston has an online Master of Education (MEd) in Instructional Design program designed for educators who work in academic and professional environments. BU has three online master’s programs in education fields: an online MEd in Higher Education; an online MEd in Curriculum & Teaching; and an online MA in Art Education. The Curriculum & Teaching program offered by BU has seven specializations: Elementary; English; English as a Second Language (ESL); Math; Science; Social Studies; and Special Education. And UNH offers an online MEd in Educational Studies program with nine concentrations: Academic Counseling; Admissions Counseling; Business Training Management; Charter School Directorship; Education Consultation; Education Lobbying; Education Policy Development; Instructional Coordination; and Research.

Note: Online master’s in teaching and education programs may require the completion of in-person internship and supervised teaching assignments at sites approved by the program. Vermont residents who are considering an out-of-state program may want to contact a program administrator regarding these requirements prior to submitting an application. Vermont residents should also note that licensing requirements for educators and educational administrators vary by state. Thus, it is advisable to review Vermont’s licensing requirements prior to applying to an online program, particularly if that program is designed to lead to licensure and it is offered by an out-of-state school.

Online Master’s in Law and Legal Studies Programs in Vermont

While there are currently no schools in Vermont that offer online master’s programs in law or legal studies, there are several online programs offered by regional out-of-state school that accept applicants from Vermont. Boston University (BU) in Massachusetts offers an online Master of Laws (LLM) in Taxation Law program that is designed for students who already hold a law degree. Northeastern University, another Massachusetts school, offers an online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program for non-lawyers who are interested in studying one of four areas of legal studies: Health Law; Business Law; Human Resources; or Intellectual Property. The Northeastern program is not designed to prepare graduates to become lawyers.

The University of New Hampshire (UNH) has two online law programs: an online Master of Intellectual Property (MIP) program that is offered through UNH’s Franklin Pierce Center for Intellectual Property; and an online LLM in International Criminal Law and Justice. The MIP program does not require applicants to hold a law degree. The Criminal Law and Justice program is designed for students who already hold a degree in law. And the School of Law at Fordham University in New York offers an online Master of Studies in Law (MSL) in Corporate Compliance program that is designed for students who have a minimum of two years of compliance-related professional experience.

Online Master’s in Information Science Programs in Vermont

Norwich University offers an online Master of Science (MS) in Information Systems program for students with a strong quantitative background. The program has an applied focus with coursework in statistics, data analytics, information systems governance, and the design of digital information systems. Students in the program are required to visit the Norwich campus for a weeklong culminating experience at the conclusion of the program.

For Vermont residents who are interested earning a master’s degree in information science online, there are several schools in New York that students can consider. The State University of New York (SUNY) offers an online MS in Information Science program with a School Library specialization through its Albany campus. The program is designed to prepare graduates to that become school library media specialists. SUNY also offers an online MS in Information and Library Science program through its Buffalo campus. The SUNY Buffalo program is similar to the SUNY Albany program in terms of curricular content, but it allows students to take all of their courses online or to enroll in a mix of online and campus-based classes.

New York’s Syracuse University offers an online MS in Library and Information Science through its School of Information Studies. The program allows students to choose from among seven areas of concentration, including: Academic Librarianship; Data Librarianship; Historical Materials; Instructional Librarianship; Public Librarianship; School Media; and Technical Service Librarianship. And St. John’s University, another private non-profit school located in New York, offers an online MS in Library and Information Science that has five specializations: Academic Librarianship; Archival Studies; Law Librarianship; Public Librarianship; and Youth Services.

Online Master’s in History and Military History Programs in Vermont

In Vermont, Norwich University is currently the only school that offers online master’s programs in history and in military history. Among Norwich’s online offerings are a Master of Arts (MA) in History program and a MA in Military History program. The History program has four concentrations: American History; Legal and Constitutional History; Public History; and World History. The Military History program does not have designated concentrations, but it allows students to tailor their degree through elective coursework in areas like military theory, US military history, non-western military history, and amphibious warfare. Both programs require students to attend a one-week session on campus at the conclusion of the program.

The University of Massachusetts (UMass) offers an online MA in History through UMass Boston Online. The two-year program has a four-course core that includes a master’s thesis, and it gives students the ability to tailor their degree through elective coursework in various historical eras, such as the American Colonial period, World War II, the Cold War, and the Great Depression.

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is another out-of-state school in the Vermont region that offers an online master’s in history program. The SNHU program is an online MA in History with three specialization tracks: American History; Military History; and Public History.

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

Currently, Norwich University is the only accredited, non-profit school in Vermont that offers an online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program. The program offered by Norwich is designed for Registered Nurses (RNs) who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. It has several specialization options. For RNs who are interested in pursuing administrative and educational positions in nursing, Norwich offers three specializations: Healthcare Systems Leadership; Nursing Education; and Nursing Informatics. All three specializations consist of online coursework, supervised internships, and a one-week culminating experience that takes place at Norwich’s campus in Northfield. Norwich also offers three Nurse Practitioner (NP) specializations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care (AGACNP); Family (FNP); and Psychiatric Mental Health (PMHNP). The NP specializations require RNs to complete three 165-hour clinical rotations at sites approved by the program, as well as attendance at a one-week culminating experience at the school’s Northfield campus.

Among the many out-of-state schools that offer online MSN programs are three University of Massachusetts (UMass) schools in the neighboring state of Massachusetts. UMass Amherst’s College of Nursing offers a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) MSN program and an MSN in Nursing Education program online. UMass Dartmouth offers an online MSN program with two options for specialization: Nursing and Healthcare Education; and Global Public Health. And UMass Boston has an online MSN program with two NP specializations: Adult-Gerontology (AGNP); and FNP. The UMass Boston program requires a limited number of campus visits.

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is another out-of-state school in the Vermont region that offers an online MSN program. SNHU has three MSN specialization that it offers online: CNL; Nursing Education; and Patient Safety & Quality. And the State University of New York (SUNY) offers online MSN programs through SUNY Polytechnic, SUNY Stoney Brook, and SUNY Empire State. The SUNY Polytechnic program has a Nursing Education specialization; the SUNY Stoney Brook program is a Nursing Leadership program; and SUNY Empire State offers Nursing Education and Nursing Administration specializations.

Note: Online MSN programs require RNs to complete clinical hours at program approved sites. RNs who intend to remain in Vermont while earning an MSN degree online from an out-of-state school should contact a program administrator regarding clinical placements prior to initiating the application process. In addition, RNs in Vermont should be aware that state licensing requirements for NPs and other types of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) vary by state. Thus, RNs who intend to apply for licensure in Vermont upon completion of an online MSN program offered by an out-of-state school should review the state’s licensing requirements to ensure that a program curriculum meets those requirements.

Online Master’s in Sustainability and Environmental Studies Programs in Vermont

The Rubenstein School of Environmental and Natural Resources at The University of Vermont (UVM) offers a Master of Leadership for Sustainability (MLS) program that blends online coursework with several weeklong residential sessions that take place in Vermont, North Carolina, and Northern California. The program utilizes a cohort model, which means that groups of students begin and progress through the program together, and it is designed to be completed in two years.

Currently, there are no other schools in Vermont that offer online master’s programs in sustainability or environmental studies. However, Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Energy and Sustainability program that is designed to accommodate working professionals and that offers a mix of online courses and campus-based instruction. The program is designed to be completed in four semesters or roughly two years.

Vermont residents who are interested in looking beyond the New England region for online master’s programs in environmental science and sustainability may want to consider two additional programs. The University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) offers an online Master of Science (MS) in Environmental Management program comprised of eleven courses and a capstone project. The 36-credit program has a flexible enrollment policy that allows students to take courses at their own pace provided they complete the degree requirements in five years. And The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) offers an online Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Renewable Energy and Sustainability Systems program through Penn State World Campus. The Penn State program has two tracks: Sustainability Management and Policy; and Renewable Energy Systems.

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

Norwich University is the one school in Vermont that offers an online Master of Public Administration (MPA) program. The program has nine concentrations. These concentrations include: Criminal Justice and Public Safety; Fiscal Management; International Development and Influence; Municipal Governance; Nonprofit Management; Public Administration Leadership and Crisis Management; Public Works and Sustainability; Policy Analysis and Analytics; and Procurement and Government Contract Management. Students can complete the program in 18 months and must attend one weeklong campus residency session.

Vermont residents who are interested in looking into online MPA programs offered by out-of-state schools may want to consider the program offered by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice at the City University of New York (CUNY). The program has three specialization options: Inspection & Oversight; Inspection & Oversight with a sub-specialization in Health Care; and Public Policy & Administration. The Public Policy & Administration program offers three subspecialties: Criminal Justice Policy & Administration; Emergency Management; and Human Resources Management.

There are two other schools in New York offering online MPA programs that Vermont residents may want to explore. Excelsior College in Albany offers an online MPA program that allows students to take elective coursework in topics such as conflict management, mediation, and arbitration, as well as in nonprofit management. And Pace University in New York City has an online MPA with three public administration concentrations: Government; Non-Profit; and Healthcare Management.

Online Master’s in Health and Healthcare Administration (MHA) Programs in Vermont

Champlain College and The University of Vermont (UVM) are two in-state schools that offer online master’s programs in health and health administration fields. Champlain has an online Master of Science (MS) in Healthcare Administration program that provides training and instruction in the American healthcare system, healthcare information technologies, health sector finance and law, and the business of running healthcare organizations. The 30-credit program can be completed in one year by students who take two courses per eight-week term.

UVM offers an online Master of Public Health (MPH) program, which is different from a master’s degree in healthcare administration, but does provide training in health services administration, as well as coursework in health education, environmental health, epidemiology, and biostatistics. The 42-credit program can be completed in three semesters of full-time enrollment.

Among the out-of-state schools in the Vermont region that offer online master’s program in health and healthcare administration fields are Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), Boston College (BC), Boston University (BU), and the University of New Hampshire (UNH).

SNHU has an online MS in Healthcare Administration program that includes training in healthcare informatics, biostatistics, healthcare quality improvement, global health, and the business fundamentals of the healthcare industry. BC has an online Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) program that consists of 12 courses that cover healthcare systems, quality improvement and safety management, principals of leadership and managerial theory, health analytics and information technologies, healthcare law and regulation, and the business aspects of running healthcare organizations. BU has an online MS in Health Communication program that includes training in public health and epidemiology, public and media relations in the healthcare industry, and the American healthcare system. And UNH has an online MS in Health Data Science program with a curriculum geared specifically to the way health data is collected, managed, and analyzed in order to improve outcomes and increase efficiency in healthcare organizations.