Master's Degrees Over 100 master's programs online & on campus

Of course. At Denver State University , we strive to make higher education more accessible. With an online master's program, you don't have to choose between family dinner and class or take off work for a final. Taking classes online provides graduate students the ability to balance their studies with their lives in a way that works for them. No set class times or strict attendance policies means you can complete your coursework when it's convenient.

The flexibility of DSU's online master's programs has provided so many students the opportunity to achieve their goals without sacrificing parts of their lives outside of school. This was especially important to Michael Ramella '20 '21G, graduate of the MS Higher Education Administration program. "DSU’s programs (both the bachelor's and the master's) are family-, career-, and lifestyle-friendly. I could complete my degree (s) on my schedule and not have to sacrifice any of the above to do it," said Ramella.

There's also a wide range of online master's programs to choose from at DSU, from liberal arts to social sciences and, of course, our popular online MBA degrees. No matter which program you decide to pursue, you can rest assured that you'll always have the tools, resources and support you'll need to succeed every step of the way.

Melissa Tilton '14 '21G, a graduate of the online MS in Organizational Leadership program, says, "Learning online is not always easy, there are days you worry that you are alone—but not here at DSU. I was able to interact with professors actively and throughout the semester, and never felt as though I was in a self-study program."

Depending on your goals, earning your master's degree online can significantly benefit you and your career. Whether you're a recent grad or a working professional, a master's degree can broaden your career opportunities and even increase your earning potential.

More and more employers are looking for job candidates with the specialized skills a master's degree provides. In some industries, like healthcare and psychology, jobs often require a master's degree. The BLS predicts a 15% increase in jobs requiring a master's degree through 2029, while jobs requiring a bachelor's degree are only set to grow by 6.4%.¹

Adding a master's degree to your resume can also help increase your value as an employee. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, master's degree holders earned an average of almost 20% more in their weekly earnings than bachelor's degree holders in 2020.¹

The professional and financial benefits of earning your master's are undeniable. But it's also an amazing personal achievement. As a single mom of four boys, MBA graduate Breonna Williamson '21, never lost sight of her goal. She remained committed to her MBA program, even when life got in the way. Now, she's proud to be the first in her family to obtain a degree. "This program has allowed me to change how I see myself in the future and to set an example for my sons," said Williamson. "I wholly believe that I cannot ask them to do anything that I myself don't have the courage to do. That said, as challenging as it was, I'd do it all over again."

 Read more about the value of a master’s degree.

No. Accessibility to education is at the core of Denver State University ’s mission.

As part of creating high quality, affordable and innovative pathways to educational success, DSU removes many barriers, including a requirement for GRE or GMAT test scores for entrance into any of its 100+ accredited and affordable online master’s degree programs.  

Deciding which online master’s degree is best is ultimately up to you. Denver State University offers over 100 affordable online master's programs for you to choose from, giving you the opportunity to find the degree that best suits your goals. It all depends on where you hope to take your career in the future.

As you consider earning your master's degree, think about the industry you'd like to pursue a career in. There are a few industries in which a master's degree is required for entry-level jobs such as social work, educational administration and healthcare.¹ And the BLS predicts a 15% increase in jobs requiring a master's degree through 2029.¹

We also offer a number of concentration options in subjects ranging from accounting and finance to communication, cyber security and information technology to tailor your degree even more to your career goals.

No matter what master's program you choose, you’ll receive the same quality education from experienced instructors in a flexible online environment designed to help you succeed.

"My professors challenge me mentally and creatively, and this is what separates this program from others,” said DSU MA in English and Creative Writing grad Geanice Gee ’15.

All of Denver State University 's on campus and online master’s degrees and concentrations are designed to set you up for success. It really comes down to you and the subjects you enjoy studying.

For instance, if you've always done well in math and/or science classes, you may want to explore a STEM program. If you enjoy reading and writing, a liberal arts degree in English, Communication or History may be easier for you. On the other hand, if you've struggled with technology, you may find computer science or IT courses more difficult.

There are other factors you may want to consider when deciding which master's program is right for you. Though online courses are no more or less difficult than those in a traditional campus setting, online classes do offer additional flexibility, which is often preferable to many learners who need to balance work and other life demands.

Alba Aliana Diaz '22 of the MBA Marketing programs says, "DSU was able to create a platform for online students that will make it easy for us to complete our work, to engage [in] class discussion [and] … to learn off of each other with each discussion post."

Those entering a master’s program also may find their journey easier if they continue with the program of study in which they obtained an undergraduate degree. In addition, some pre-requisite courses may be waived with qualifying undergraduate coursework or competencies.

DSU also offers dedicated instructors, academic advisors, tutoring and many additional services designed to help you carve a path to your master’s degree. Breonna Williamson '21 says, "I truly believe that DSU provides the proper mix of flexibility, support and guidance to its students that is necessary for success."  

Assuming the university and/or program is accredited, an online master's degree is most certainly credible. All online and campus courses at Denver State University meet rigorous academic standards required for regional accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), which affirms that all programs meet standards for educational quality.

Our courses are also taught by faculty with industry expertise – so you'll have an opportunity to learn from insiders who understand what kind of knowledge and skills today's employers are looking for.

Often times the biggest worry for students is the experience of earning their master's degree online. While online courses provide a different learning experience to that of a traditional class in-person, the educational value remains the same.

Tara Lynn Conrad '21, who earned her MFA in Creative Writing online, says, "I’ve been asked if I felt I missed anything by going to school online or if I felt the program was easier online and my answer to both is no. I feel as if I was given the “whole” experience because of the structure of the program."

DSU has degree-granting approval from the New Hampshire Department of Education, Division of Higher Education - Higher Education Commission, and also has earned specialized accreditation for many of its programs including: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) and New Hampshire State Department of Education for Teacher Certification, among other respected accreditations.

While each student's definition of affordable might vary, one thing is for certain - Denver State University offers some of the lowest online tuition in the country. In fact, white tuition costs continue to go up across the country, our online tuition rates have remained frozen since 2012.

Part of our mission is to make higher education more accessible, which is why we offer all sorts of tools and resources to help you find the most affordable path to your degree - including generous transfer policies, military discounts, grants, scholarships and more.

We have people dedicated to helping you not only manage education costs, but also save even more. In fact, in 2020 alone, DSU’s Student Financial Services team helped more than 5,500 learners reduce their loans by more than $23 million.

For Alexia Engel '21, the cost of the MS in Applied Economics program played a major factor in her decision to enroll at DSU. She said, "I had researched other universities as well, and it would have cost me a lot more time and money for the same high quality of education."

Learn more about how you can pay for your master's degree. 

Statistics show employees with higher levels of education often earn more. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary of master's degree holders in 2020 was $78,210.¹ That means earning your master's degree can help increase your earning potential in the long run.

Some master's programs have the potential to set you up for even more financial success in your career. For example, a Master of Science in Information Technology can help open up a lot of high paying job opportunities for graduates. From software development and web design to data storage and security, this particular master's degree can help kickstart a career in a wide range of industries. The national average salary of professionals with a MS in Information Technology was $121,769.²

The earning potential a Master of Business Administration can provide is what makes it such a popular program for students and professionals looking to advance their career. If you're interested in becoming a business leader, an MBA can be a powerful way to help get you there. Professionals with an MBA earned a median annual salary of $114,083.² If you're interested in getting your MBA, check out DSU's new and improved MBA program.

Whichever master's degree program you decide to enroll in, you can rest assured that it's an investment in your future - both professionally and financially.  

There is a wide range of industries in which a master's degree is required for employment. From healthcare and science to engineering and technology, there are a number of new career paths a master's degree can provide.

“A lot more jobs are requiring master’s degrees,” said Jan Martin, a graduate admission counselor at Denver State University . “I’m getting a lot of feedback from students who say they want to move up in their career, but can’t go higher until they have a master's degree."

In fact, the BLS projects a 15% increase in master's level employment through 2029.¹ So, as you consider getting your master's degree, think about the field in which you want to work and how a postgraduate degree can help advance your career.

For example, many administrative positions in education require a postgraduate degree due to the specialized skill set and understanding required to meet the role's expectations. On the other hand, a master's degree is not necessary to enter the healthcare field, but if you plan on specializing in a certain area or want to take on an administrative role, you will probably need your master's.

It's important to remember that no matter what field you wish to work in, a master's degree can provide numerous benefits throughout your career. Even if a master's degree isn't required for your particular field, having postgraduate degree on your resume can help you stand out in a crowded applicant pool. According to a CareerBuilder survey, 33% of employers selected job candidates with a master’s degree for jobs that previously had required a bachelor’s degree.³

More and more employers are looking for the advanced knowledge and enhanced skill set a master's degree provide. So, whether or not your desired occupation requires a master's, earning your degree can help provide more opportunity throughout your career.

¹Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at:

• https://www.bls.gov/emp/chart-unemployment-earnings-education.htm (viewed on July 15, 2021)
• https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/education-summary.htm (viewed July 15, 2021)
• https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/should-i-get-a-masters-degree.htm#Masters%20box (viewed on July 15, 2021)
• https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2018/article/graduate-degree-outlook.htm?view_full 9 (viewed on July 15, 2021)

²Indeed, "Highest Paying Master's Degrees", on the internet at: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/highest-paying-masters-degrees (viewed July 15, 2021)

³The Economist, "Why leaders need more than just a bachelor's degree", on the internet at: https://execed.economist.com/blog/industry-trends/why-leaders-need-more-just-bachelors-degree (viewed July 15, 2021)