College External & Online Studies

College & University Distance Learning & External Studies Programs

No colleges or universities are recommend or endorsed.  Students should not take any courses until they know the courses and the college meets their educational and professional needs. Ensure the college has the required accreditation and professional recognition to meet your career goals before completing application forms.

Some private vocational colleges offer courses by distance education. Questions about the Alberta accreditation status and Alberta Government recognition of these programs can be answered by contacting the Private Institutions Branch of the Alberta Government. Students living inside Alberta can call the Private Institutions Branch toll-free by dialing 310-0000 and asking the Government Operator to connect you to the Private Institutions Branch.

Affordable Colleges Online provides a service that assists students in finding online degree programs at associate degree, bachelor's degree, master's degree and Ph.D. level.  The website allows students to search colleges and universities by location, by program of study, by degree level, and by affordability.

Acadia University. Canadian public university. Acadia University offers courses by distance learning in areas such as art, biology, business, chemistry,communication, computer science, economics, education, English,geology, history, interdisciplinary studies, nutrition, political science, psychology, recreation, sociology, and Spanish.

Ambridge University. Many undergraduate and graduate courses are available by Internet from Ambridge University. The course schedule lists graduate and undergraduate religion courses, doctor of ministry courses, social science courses, liberal studies, and management courses.

American Intercontinental University. United States university. Degree programs in business administration, criminal justice, healthcare management, information technology, marketing, and visual communication are available online. Graduate degree programs are available in business, information technology, and education.

American University. United States university, offering online master's degree programs related to economics, international relations, nutrition, public administration, communication, business and teaching English as an additional language.

Andrews University. Private United States university. Two and four-year degrees in religion are available by distance learning. A four-year degree in general studies can be completed by correspondence. Andrews University is offering a number of degree programs completely or partially an online.Degrees available online include M.A. in nursing and M.A. in educational administration. Some course work toward the Ph.D. and Ed.D.in educational administration can be completed online. Parts of the masters, education specialist, and Ph.D. degree programs in curriculum and instruction can completed be online. Some courses toward a M.Div.degree can be completed either by distance education or internet.

Athabasca University. Public Canadian distance learning university. Offers one year certificates, and three and four year degrees in a wide variety ofareas. Graduate degrees in business and education are offered. The university has an excellent tutoring system.

Baker College. Private United States college. Undergraduate degrees can be completed in areas related to computer science, business, and psychology. Graduate degree programs are available in the fields of business and information technology. Baker offers a Doctor of Business Administration.

Baptist College of Florida. Private United States college. Through the External Degree Program, the college offers two or four-year degrees in Christian studies, ministry and divinity.

Bethany College. Private United States college. The External Degree Program has two orfour-year degrees, or certificates available in addiction studies,Biblical studies, early childhood development, liberal arts,psychology, and other areas.

Boston College. Boston has a master's degree in pastoral ministry and a couple of religion-related graduate certificates that can be completed during summer studies.

Boston University.  Private United States university.  Boston University offers an M.A. in art education.  The degree can be completed by a combination of online courses and short summer studio sessions and summer courses.

Capella University. United States university. Capella advertises having over 600 online courses. The university offers bachelor and master degree programs in areas related to computer technology; bachelor, master and doctoral degrees in areas related to business; master's, and doctoral degrees inareas related to education, psychology, and human services.

Carey Theological College. Carey, a private Association of Theological Colleges accredited Canadian seminary, offers an M.Div. and an M.A. in Spiritual Formation largely through a combination of short intensive and online courses. Carey also offers an advanced diploma in preaching and a D.Min. degree program.

Charter Oak State College. This public United States college offers a wide variety of two and four year degrees by distance education. There are provisions to earn credit by portfolio assessment.

City University. Private United States university. City University has distance learning courses, with provisions for email and telephone contact. The university offers some courses toward degree programs by distance learning.

Dalhousie University.  Canadian public university.  Dalhousie offers Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Social Work , Master of Science in Nursing, Master of Business Administration and Master of Public Administration degrees online.

DeVry Institute of Technology. Private Canadian university. Offers online programs in business, computer information systems and electronics engineering technology.

Crown College. Private United States college. Two and four-year degree programs in religion are delivered by Internet. Some courses that can be applied toward a master's degree in ministry leadership and intercultural studies can be completed online.

Earlham School of Religion. Private United States graduate school. Many of the courses required forthe Master of Ministry and a Master of Divinity degree programs can betaken online.

e-Campus Alberta. An Alberta, Canada partnership of fifteen post-secondary institutions,including colleges and technical institutes. e-Campus Alberta exists to help improve student access to Internet learning. All members of the consortium develop online courses and offer the courses offered byother e-Campus institutions. On the web site, students can search forcourses by title and subject area.

Emily Carr University of Art and Design.  A Master of Applied Arts can be taken either on campus or in a low-residency program.  The low-residency program combines 4-week summer intensive studies with study completed during the winter in the student's home community.

Excelsior College. United States public college.  Excelsior College was previously known as Regents College,a pioneer in distance education. Recent alumni news information indicates over 148,000 people have graduated from Excelsior degree programs. Two, four-year and graduate degrees are offered in areas related to business, health sciences, liberal arts, nursing, criminal justice and technology.

Felician College. At Felician, students can complete graduate certificates and a master's degree in religious education.

Fordham University. Fordham offers graduate programs in religious education, pastoral studies, pastoral care and Christian spirituality online.

Goddard College. United States college. Goddard College is a pioneer in alternative education. The college offers B.A. and M.A. degrees in a number of areas. Graduate programs include an M.F.A. in creative writing or interdisciplinary studies, and M.A. programs in education, individualized studies, health arts and sciences, psychology and counselling, sustainable business and communities.  Students may need to spend short periods of time on campus.

Gonzaga University. United States Christian college. Gonzaga University offers online graduate degrees in communication, organizational leadership, and nursing.

Governors State University. United States public university.  The university offers credit for portfolio or life experience. Audio, correspondence, and Internet courses are available.

Grand Canyon University. Private United States college. Grand Canyon University offers numerous online degree programs. A few of the programs offered include bachelor's degree programs in Christian studies, pastoral ministry, interdisciplinary studies, psychology, education, addictions counselling, health-science related areas, and business. Some of the graduate programs available include business and leadership-related areas, nursing, addictions counselling, elementary and secondary education, educational administration, special education, and curriculum and instruction.

Grant MacEwan University. Public Canadian college. Some of the programs are either partially or completely available by distance learning or internet.  Such programs include hearing aid practitioner, occupational health, palliative care and a bachelor of applied service administration degree program. Some of the programs have college level prerequisites.

Gratz College. Private United States college. Gratz College offers online courses related to Judaism, Jewish history, and Hebrew. The college has online certificates in Jewish studies, Jewish education, Jewish early childhood education, Jewish non-profit management, Jewish music, and Holocaust studies. A graduate certificate and an M.A. in Jewish studies is available online.

Harvard University. Harvard offers a number of degree and certificate programs that can be completed through a combination of online and traditional courses.  Harvard University Extension School offers graduate programs in fields related to English, drama, journalism, religion, religious education, visual arts, education, management, life sciences, environmental management, social sciences, psychology, government, history and information technology.

Hannibal La-Grange College. Private United States college. Hannibal La-Grange offers a few programs online, such as criminal justice, and courses toward a teaching endorsement in early childhood special education.

Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. Private United States college. The Institute of Transpersonal Psychology offers an online graduate certificate in transpersonal studies, and an online M.A. and Ph.D. in transpersonal psychology. M.A. degree programs in counselling psychology, spiritual guidance, and women's spirituality are offered by a combination of online and intensive courses. 

La Sierra University. Private United States university. La Sierra University offers some specific college courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels with an Internet component that enhances traditional campus instruction. The university offers by internet an M.A. in teaching and an M.A. incurriculum, with an emphasis in technology.

Lee University. Private United States college. Lee University offers a distance education degree program in religion. Some courses are offered online.

Leslie University. United States university. Leslie offers traditional academic programs,degree programs combining distance education, short intensive classes,weekend courses, and online courses at bachelors and masters degree levels.

Lethbridge Community College. Canadian public college.  Lethbridge Community College provides distance learning courses related to business administration, computer information, community newspapers, conservation, criminal justice,early childhood, range management, manufacturing technology, recreation facility operation/management, rehabilitation services, resource management, therapeutic recreation, tourism and travel, and power engineering.

Liberty University. Private United States university. Liberty University offers a variety of distance education degree programs at undergraduate and graduate levels. Two-year and four-year degree programs in business, religion, psychology, criminal justice, and education are offered online. Master's degree programs in business, education, nursing, counselling, and religion are available online. Doctoral programs where the either entire degree or some of the degree can be completed online are available in counseling, education, and religion.

Loma Linda University. Private United States university. Loma Linda University offers an online Master of Public Health degree program and an online graduate certificate in Tobacco Control Methods.

Louisiana State University. Louisiana State is a public United States university offering distance learning courses in areas such as accounting, African and African American studies, anthropology, astronomy, biology, business, classical studies, communications, dairy science, economics, education, English,environmental studies, finance, French, geography, geology, German,Greek and Roman Mythology, history, Spanish, human ecology, information systems, Latin, library and information science, management, marketing,mathematics, mechanical engineering, military science, music,philosophy, physics, political science, psychology, real estate,religion, social work, sociology, theatre, vocational trade andindustrial education, and women's and gender studies.

Medicine Hat College. This Canadian public college offers courses in areas such as travel,physical therapy assistant, occupational therapy assistant, speech therapy assistant, education assistant, early childhood development,and office management.

Memorial University. A Canadian public university, Memorial offers a variety of degree programs which can be completed either partially or completely through online studies. A few of the undergraduate degree programs include police studies, business administration, maritime studies, nursing, and technology. Online courses can be applied toward part of the degree requirements in programs including education, physical education, nursing, and social work.

Montana State University.  United States public university.  Montana State University offers a certificate in addictions counselling and graduate certificates in Native American studies and education.  Master's degrees are offered in the fields of health, nursing, and education.  

Moody Bible Institute. Private United States college. Moody Bible Institute offers a distance education degree program in religion.

Newman Theological College. Newman Theological College. Private Canadian college/seminary. Newman Theological College delivers some graduate religion courses online.

Naropa University. Private American university. Naropa University's extension department offers certificates in authentic leadership, contemplative end-of-life care, and wilderness therapy symposium.  Some of the certificates are available by a combination of online studies and short intensive periods at the university.  A summer writing program is offered by Naropa University.  Graduate degree programs in contemplative education, transpersonal psychology, and creative writing can be completed by a combination of online courses and short campus-based courses.  The number of courses a student needs to complete on Naropa's campus varies from program-to-program.

Northern Alberta Institute of Technology(NAIT). Canadian public college.  NAIT offers some distance education or internet courses in areas related to medical laboratory technology,x-ray technology, dental assisting, emergency medical responder,medical radiologic technology, optician, ophthalmic assistant, pulp and paper technician, water and wastewater technician, anatomy and physiology, computers, food and nutrition, electrical testingtechnician, power engineering, welding, and mathematics.

Post University.  United States college offers online undergraduate degrees in areas related to business, child studies, computer information systems, criminal justice and psychology.  Post University has online master's degrees in business, human services and education. 

Prescott College.The United States college offers B.A. and M.A. degree programs by distance learning. For the B.A. program, credit can be obtained for life experience. Students must be on campus for short residency periods on campus for the B.A. and M.A. degrees. Students in the M.A. program are able to customize studies in areas such as counselling and psychology, education, environmental studies, humanities, and adventure education.

Pacific University. Private United States university. Pacific University offers an Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) degree in writing. The degree program can be completed with short periods spent in residency at Pacific University.

Red Deer College. Public Canadian college. Red Deer College courses taken by distance learning, teleconferencing, Internet or seminars can be applied toward diploma programs such as the early childhood development, pharmacy technician, educational assistant, and the virtual assistant. Distance learning courses can be taken in some apprenticeship areas, such as locksmithing, water well drilling, rig technician, parts technician and plumbing. Courses in business,communications, and computers can be taken by distance learning.

Red River College. Public Canadian college. Some college courses can taken by distance learning, including Aboriginal studies, child care, library and information technology, accounting, math, early childhood education,computer assisted drafting, business, career and employment counselling, child and youth care, computer programming, software development, human resources, web site development, corrections,culinary arts, civil technician, drafting and design, justice and public safety, and hospitality.

Reformed Theological School. United States graduate school. Offers M.A. and certificates by virtual instruction and on-campus seminars. 

Renison University College, which is affiliated with the University of Waterloo, offers an online Master of Social Work degree.

Royal Roads University. Canadian university combines short residency, Internet learning, and peer collaboration. The university says most of their programs allow learners to maintain a full-time career while studying anywhere in the world. The programs the university offers include graduate certificates, graduate diplomas and M.B.A. programs with a number of business specializations, an M.A. in conflict analysis and management,an M.A. in human security and peace building, a graduate diploma in conflict analysis and management, an M.A. in interdisciplinary studies,a B.A. in justice studies, and an M.A. in leadership and training.

Seattle Central Community College. Seattle Central offers distance learning, Internet, and video courses.Students may complete distance education courses toward the two-year associate degree.

Simon Fraser University. Numerous courses that can be applied toward certificates and in nutrition, health, liberal arts, police studies, criminology, toward majors in English and criminology, and toward graduate diplomas in communication, criminology, education, gerontology and community development can be taken by distance learning or online.

Slippery Rock University. Public Pennsylvania university.  Slippery Rock offers online graduate degrees related to criminology and criminal justice, education, history, nursing, and parks and recreation.  

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology(SAIT). The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology has traditionally offered courses, certificates, and diplomas in technical fields. SAIT offers courses and/or programs by Internet and distance education in areas related to management, tourism, carpentry/construction, computer assisted drafting, engineering technologies, gas/oil Industry-related courses, accounting, health records, library and information technology, medical laboratory technology, paramedics, and welding.

Spring Arbor University.Spring Arbor is a United States university that provides a variety of online undergraduate courses. The master of arts degrees in communication and organization management are offered online.

St. Mary-of-the-Woods College.This is a United States private college. St. Mary-of-the-Woods is apioneer in distance learning and external degree programs. Some of the undergraduate majors offered by distance learning include accounting,American studies, business, computer information systems, gerontology,education, English, film studies, history, humanities, human services,journalism, mathematics, writing, psychology, social science,sociology, and theology.

St. Stephen's Theological College.Canadian private college.  St. Stephen's College offers graduate and undergraduate religion and theology degree programs. Some of the courses can be taken by distance education or on the Internet.  Some courses are available in condensed periods on campus.

Starr King School for Ministry. United States private seminary. Starr King seminary offers online graduate certificates in Unitarian Universalist Studies and in Multi-Religious Studies.

Thomas Edison State College.Thomas Edison is a United States public college that offers numerous two and four-year degrees.  Credit can be obtained by portfolio assessment.  Thomas Edison also offers graduate programs by distance learning. 

University of Alaska- Fairbanks. The University of Alaska is a public United States university. The distance education bulletin lists courses and/or degree programs in the area of administration, arts, early childhood education, education, liberal arts, psychology, special education, and social work.  Some programs might be limited to residents of Alaska.

University of Alberta.The University of Alberta is a public Canadian university. The University of Alberta offers an M.Ed. in educational studies. Courses in the degree program are offered online, and in short summer sessions.

University of Calgary. The University of Calgary is a Canadian public university. Graduate certificates, graduate diplomas, and an M.Ed. are offered by distance delivery. The graduate certificates, diplomas and the M.Ed. degree are available with specializations in workplace and adult learning,community rehabilitation and disability studies, curriculum,educational contexts, educational leadership, and educational technology. The Ed.D. degree, with specializations in educational leadership or higher education administration, can be completed by distance delivery.

University of California Los Angeles- Extension. The University of California offers a wide variety of distance learning or online courses. Subject areas offered include architecture, interior design, arts, business, computers, design communication, education,engineering and technical management, English as a second language,entertainment studies, fitness, second languages, humanities, social sciences, journalism, public relations, fund raising, landscape architecture, legal studies, public health, public policy, science,mathematics, and writing. Some of the certificates programs offered are accounting, business, human resources, real estate, taxation, design arts, early childhood education, college counseling, technical management, film-television and digital entertainment, classics, and writing.

University of Colorado - Denver.  United States public university.  The University of Colorado - Denver offers numerous online certificates, B.A. programs in English writing, and sociology, master's degree programs in business, public administration, education, nursing, and criminal justice.  Ph.D. level programs are offered in nursing and education.

University of Manitoba. Canadian public university. The University of Manitoba offers a bachelor of arts and bachelor of social work programs by distance education. Has more than 100 distance education courses.

University of Mississippi.  United States public university.  The University of Mississippi offers online master's degree programs in business, health care administration and education.

University of Waterloo. Public Canadian University. The University of Waterloo has a wide variety of distance education courses, certificate, and degree programs. The university offers a one-year certificate in social workby distance learning. Three-year degrees in Canadian studies,economics, English, French, history, philosophy, psychology, religion,social development, general science, and mathematics can be completed by distance learning. Four-year degrees with majors in Canadian studies, English, and social development can be completed by distance learning. The university also offers a master's degree in management of technology by distance learning.

University of Western Ontario.Canadian public university. The University of Western Ontario delivers more than 60 distance education or Internet courses in 15 different subject areas.

University of Victoria. Canadian public university. The University of Victoria offers bachelor of social work program by distance education.

Vermont College of Fine Arts. Formerly known as Vermont College, Vermont College of Fine Arts is a pioneer in external degree programs. The college offers an M.F.A. degree in music composition, graphic design, visual art, writing and writing for children and young adults.

Walden University. Walden is a United States university offering graduate programs at master's and Ph.D. level in areas related to education, health and human services, management, and psychology.

Washington Adventist University. Private United States college. Two and four-year distance education degree programs are offered in areas, including general studies,psychology, business, and religion.

Yeshiva University . Yeshiva is a private United States university. Course work for Yeshiva University's Master of Social Work program can be completed during summers, with supervised practicum placements during winters.