Colleges and Universities in PA

California University of Pennsylvania offers many degree and certificate programs that can be completed online. Topics of study range from homeland and international security to wellness and fitness, with the most options at the graduate level, where there are over 25 online programs available. Courses are asynchronous, so students can view materials and complete work at their convenience. The school follows a cohort model, where students progress through the program with the same group of 30-40 peers in each courses. Degrees earned upon graduation will not indicate that courses were taken online, and are identical to those earned by on-campus students.

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania offers distance students several programs to further their training and career prospects, including an RN to BSN program and multiple graduate level programs. While courses are completed online, some programs require an in-person practicum convenient to the student's location. Hybrid programs, with some on-campus and some online classes, are also available. Courses use the Desire2Learn learning management platform and aim for maximum flexibility for working adults. Class sizes are small and the school encourages frequent interactions between students and professors. The faculty is expert in their respective fields, many with doctoral degrees and extensive professional experience.

Cedar Crest College provides several online degree and certificate programs through its School of Adult and Graduate Education. The program offers flexibility for working adults and nontraditional students and the same personalized attention that students receive in on-campus courses. Topics of study at the bachelor's level include business administration, health care management and marketing. Education at the master's level includes criminal justice and nursing through an RN to BSN program. Online courses are taught by the same instructors at their campus equivalents. Many classes are offered in accelerated 7-week schedules, which allow students to complete their degrees in as little as two years.

Chatham University has online degree, certificate, and non-credit academic programs for students who require a highly flexible schedule or who don't live local to the school's campus. There are also several hybrid programs that combine distance learning with minimal residency requirements. Chatham offers five areas of study for students enrolled in the College for Continuing and Professional Studies program, including nursing, health sciences, business and communication, creative and design arts and education. All online degree plans are accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. Students residing in Wisconsin, Alabama, Iowa, Minnesota and Arkansas are not eligible to attend Chatham University.

For students who have earned previous credits through community college or other prior schooling, Immaculata University offers several online degree completion programs at the associate and bachelor's levels. Also open to military personnel, the university's programs include subjects like human resources and marketing, as well as an RN to BSN program. Courses are delivered in an accelerated format, allowing students to complete degree faster than in traditional, on-campus classes. The university offers many support services for distance students, including online access to the writing center, math center and career development center, as well as accommodations for students with learning disabilities.

Point Park University offers multiple online programs designed for non-traditional students. Degree offerings include one associate degree, six bachelor's degrees, seven master's degrees and five professional certificates in areas of study including organizational leadership, public administration, information technology and criminal justice. The distance programs at Point Park use a variety of learning methods, including lectures and reading materials, written assignments, discussion threads and group activities. Courses are delivered through the Blackboard learning management system. The Point Park Career Network offers a central place for online students to research and apply for jobs during their schooling and after graduation.

Robert Morris University offers several options for working professionals and nontraditional students who wish to earn their degree online. The school has 10 bachelor's programs, with areas of study including writing, psychology and criminal justice. Robert Morris University also has fourteen different distance master's programs, including instructional leadership, nursing education and business. Distance course are supported via an instructional design team that works with faculty to develop effective and engaging online courses. The Online Student Services Team provides direct assistance to students who need help with registration, planning for graduation or accessing educational resources.

The multiple online degree programs brought to prospective students from DeSales University include those at the bachelor, certification and non-credited levels. Courses are offered in two formats: synchronous, where students and instructors log on at the same time for a virtual class; and asynchronous, where students can log on at any time during the week to complete coursework and review materials. Some courses offer a blend of the two formats. The university accepts transfer credits for many of its degree programs up to 75 transfer credits. Online students may also earn credits through other nontraditional means such as military training, portfolios or College Level Examination Programs (CLEP).