The Best Online Colleges in Michigan | TheBestSchools
Updated September 13, 2022 • 4 min read
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Highlights
- MSU online programs cater to students who already hold a bachelor's degree.
- Online tuition rates are the same regardless of a student's residency.
- MSU is the model for all land-grant universities in the country.
- MSU basketball and MSU football compete in the NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference.
Overview
The Morrill Act of 1862 established the land-grant university model to expand higher education to the masses. Michigan State was the model for how such schools should work. Founded in 1855, the university now educates more than 50,000 learners from 130 countries. MSU provides several online graduate degrees, as well as graduate and undergraduate certificates. However, the university does not offer online bachelor's or associate degrees.
Michgan State University Recognized as an Online College Leader
TBS has recognized Michigan State University as a leader of online education in the area of education & teaching for having several ranking online programs in this area, offered by the following departments:
College of Education
The College of Education, one of 21 colleges and schools at Michigan State University, offers a wide variety of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree and certificate programs for students seeking many different education careers. With four departments, the college covers topics including teacher education, kinesiology, counseling, educational psychology, special education, and educational administration. In addition to traditional programs, the college offers online degree and accelerated options, allowing even the busiest professionals to earn the education they need on their own time and advance their careers. The college's research centers and outreach initiatives serve students and those in need, as well as provide unique experiences for its own students.
The College of Education offers online degree programs featured in the following rankings:
Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Special Education
The Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Special Education, part of the Michigan State University College of Education, offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees in a variety of fields of education. Students may choose to study topics such as special education, educational technology, educational psychology, rehabilitation counseling, and school psychology. With professional experience opportunities, online degree options, and research centers and outreach initiatives, the department serves traditional and nontraditional students alike with flexible approaches to earning a degree.
The Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Special Education offers online degree programs featured in the following rankings:
Department of Educational Administration
The Department of Educational Administration, part of the Michigan State University College of Education, offers graduate, and professional degrees in a variety of fields of education. Students may choose to study topics such as higher education, lifelong learning, adult education, K-12 administration, and education policy. With professional experience opportunities, online degree options, and research centers and outreach initiatives, the department serves traditional and nontraditional students alike with flexible approaches to earning a degree.
The Department of Educational Administration offers online degree programs featured in the following rankings:
Department of Kinesiology
The Department of Kinesiology, part of the Michigan State University College of Education, offers graduate, and professional degrees in educational fields relating to sports and health. Students may choose to study topics such as coaching, kinesiology, and sport leadership. With professional experience opportunities, online degree options, and research centers and outreach initiatives, the department prepares students for a variety of careers promoting health and wellness in educational settings.
The Department of Kinesiology offers online degree programs featured in the following rankings:
Department of Teacher Education
The Department of Teacher Education, part of the Michigan State University College of Education, offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees in educational fields relating to sports and health. Students may choose pursue teacher preparation in elementary, secondary, and special education, as well as degrees in curriculum and instruction. With professional experience opportunities, online degree options, and research centers and outreach initiatives, the department prepares students for to pursue or advance careers as educators.
The Department of Teacher Education offers online degree programs featured in the following rankings:
Michigan State University Tuition, Accreditation, and Admissions Info
Tuition
- Online graduate business courses: $950-$1,700 per credit.
- Online professional certificates from the business school: $3,960-$3,750.
- Online graduate courses in education: $830 per credit hour.
- Nursing master's courses vary slightly by residential status: $776 per credits for in-state students, $801 for out-of-state learners.
Accreditation and Approvals
MSU is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The university's online programs also earn accreditation from numerous specialized organizations.
- Business
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Nursing
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs
- Natural Sciences
- National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory
- Education
- Teacher Education Accreditation Council
- Human Development and Family Studies:
- Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education
- American Psychological Association
- Council on Social Work Education
- Healthcare (other than nursing)
- Liaison Committee on Medical Education
- Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
- Society for Simulation in Healthcare
- Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
- Committee on Allied Health and Accreditation
Admissions
Michgan State University Acceptance rate for undergraduate students is around 72%. The admission requirements vary for online programs at MSU. For example, applicants for the master's certificate in management and leadership must hold a bachelor's degrees from an accredited school, a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and at least three years of supervisory work experience.
Conversely, students who want to pursue graduate degrees in supply chain managements must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution, a minimum 3.0 GPA, and two years of relevant work experience. Candidates who do not meet the GPA requirements may submit high GMAT scores to demonstrate their academic proficiency. Many other programs follow suit.
Other Statistics
- The university offers dozens of hybrid programs, in which learners attend some in-person classes in combination with online courses.
- 534 learners take courses in the online graduate business school.
- 671 students attend the online graduate education programs.
School Profile
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Full-Time Freshman Retention Rate: 91%
- Required Standardized Test: GMAT or GRE for some applicants
- Public/Private: Public
- Acceptance Rate: 66.3%
- Graduation Rate: 78.9%
- Athletics: NCAA Division I, Big 10
- Mascot: Spartans
- Colors: Green and white
- Address: 220 Trowbridge Rd, East Lansing, MI 48824
- Phone Number: (517) 355-1855
- Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
MSU Online Degrees Offered
MSU does not have fully online associate or bachelor's programs. Instead, the school offers more than 100 professional certificates, master's certificates, and graduate degrees with at least some online component. While some of these take place exclusively online, others require some in-person elements.
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