2020 Best Online Colleges in Texas

The distance education program at Texas A&M University-College Station can be broken down into two parts: web-based on campus and web-based off-campus. Both formats are entirely online; however, off-campus students will pay different tuition fees than those on-campus. Most of the online degrees offered at this school are at the graduate level, with just one undergraduate program in nursing offered online. Remote students have access to a number of resources, including counseling, student assistance, disability services, multicultural services, student activities and affairs, and veteran’s services.

As a division of the Office of the Provost, Texas Tech University’s eLearning curriculum helps students earn their bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees entirely online. All classes are taught by the same instructors that teach on campus, and if students have any technical issues, they will have access to 24/7 chat and online support. Additionally, online classes follow the same academic calendar as Texas Tech’s on-campus classes, which generally includes a fall and spring semester, as well as two summer terms. Fields of study include education, English, engineering, management, and general studies.

The University of Texas Medical Branch specializes in providing students with a robust medical education and offers online degree programs for students who need to study remotely. Both undergraduate and graduate degrees are available online in nursing, and a master's degree in health professions is also offered; programs may require some on-campus attendance. Classes are taught in the Blackboard content management system, which provides access to assignments and class materials. Students pursuing online degrees will have access to all the same services as on-campus students, including counseling and psychological services, and the Moody Medical Library, which offers a large repository of journals and databases.

The University of Houston’s online program offers bachelor's, master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as certificates in specialized fields to provide students with robust opportunities. These online programs are offered in fields like psychology, education, nursing, engineering, and more; over 1,250 online courses are offered. Coursework is typically delivered in UH Sessions, which is an accelerated schedule that offers short sessions during regular semesters and mini sessions between semesters. In these online sessions, classes have the same content, but students have the opportunity to move through that content and complete their program quicker.

At the University of Texas at Arlington, students can earn online degrees in an accelerated format that allows them to balance their coursework with other responsibilities. The college offers a range of undergraduate and graduate nursing, education, business, public administration, and public health programs to choose from. All programs feature multiple start dates throughout the year and are taught through the Canvas learning management system Class sizes are kept small and are taught by industry experts to maximize the learning experience for online students. Distance learners have access to the library’s databases, and tech and academic support.

At Lamar University, distance learners can complete both undergraduate and graduate programs online. Areas of study include subjects like general studies, school counseling, criminal justice, and more. Multiple start dates throughout the year make the programs accessible, and students can customize their schedules by taking classes in either accelerated eight-week semesters or traditional 15-week semesters. All students seeking online degrees have access to a number of student support services, including the Career Center, library, and disability resource center.

Students attending online programs at LeTourneau University can take accelerated courses from home. Each fall, spring, and summer semester can be broken into three separate modules, allowing students to take multiple classes per semester. Classes are taught in Canvas, where students can connect with professors, check grades, and submit homework. Online students receive many support resources, including counseling, disability services, health services, career services, and library access. Fields of study include education, aviation, business, and criminal justice.

The online program at the University of Houston-Clear Lake makes it easy for busy professionals to earn their degrees online with programs available in two convenient formats; 100% online and hybrid, where courses are delivered online and face-to-face. Fields of study include anthropology, business, and engineering. Students enrolled in online programs need to have a computer with internet access. The university's campus and off-campus locations have computer labs that are available to remote students. Courses, which are delivered through Blackboard, are asynchronous, giving students a flexible learning environment while also providing them with the same rigorous content as is delivered on campus.

Prairie View A&M University has several online programs from which to choose, including degrees in juvenile justice, business administration, educational administration, and nursing. Online courses are delivered through the Moodle learning management system. Distance learners receive access to the library and learning resources, the university bookstore, and disability services. If students need to take an exam as part of their online program, they can do so through face-to-face proctoring or two online options: Respondus Monitor and ProctorU.

Online degrees available from Houston Baptist University include bachelor’s and master’s programs in fields like biblical studies, psychology, criminal justice, and more. All classes are available to students whenever they'd like, giving them the freedom to work around their own schedules. Since Houston Baptist University is a Christian institution, faith and reason are integrated into all coursework to reflect a Christian worldview. The academic schedule consists of semesters in the fall, spring, and summer, and each of these semesters is divided into two eight-week sessions for online classes.

Abilene Christian University offers numerous online certificates, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees taught through a foundation of faith. As a Christian institution, Abilene offers non secular programs in fields such as ministry, theological studies, and conflict management for church leaders. They also offer secular programs in fields like business, therapy, and leadership. All online courses are taught through Canvas, which provides 24/7 tech support. Students also have access to the Online Writing Center and an online knowledge base with helpful articles and a list of services.

Delivering one of Texas’ largest online programs, the University of North Texas offers certificates, bachelor’s, master's and doctoral degrees in a broad range of subjects. Because the bachelor’s degrees are completion degrees, students will need to transfer in a number of lower-level credits before beginning the online program. Courses are primarily taught through Canvas, though students will also need to access other relevant information in their MyUNT account. Classes are a mix of asynchronous (students can study on their own time,) and synchronous (face-to-face virtual meetings may be required) formats.

At Amberton University, all online classes are taught by the same professors who teach on campus to provide identical education. Online degrees are asynchronous in nature, meaning there are no set meeting times and students can set their own schedules. Amberton offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees targeted toward working adults in subjects like business, professional development, and human relations. Certificates are also available in fields such as project management, diversity awareness, and executive leadership. Resources available for online students include research and study assistance, an online library, and a robust technical support team.

Western Governors University is an online college with no in-person classes — all students must work online to earn their certificate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree. Because of this, students will have access to one-on-one faculty support throughout their studies. Online programs are available in fields including information technology, education, health and nursing, and business. WGU is the only institution to offer competency-based degrees, so students can move through their courses once they have proven competency in the subject. This allows students the opportunity to complete their degree faster than a typical program would. Coursework is available 24/7 and student resources include study tips, financial aid, and alumni services.

The University of Texas at El Paso provides access to a number of online degrees in subjects such as nursing, criminal justice, and education. All of the online programs are taught by the same faculty that teach on campus, ensuring that all students receive the same rigorous education. Students who enter one of the bachelor’s or master’s degree programs at this college will be able to utilize several online services, including enrollment counseling and a student success advisor. The university also provides students with the ability to access various software programs they may need for their studies through a VPN called MyApps.

Students who enroll in South Texas College’s online programs can choose from over 34 different options, including subjects like English, technology management, computer science, and political science. The associate and bachelor’s degrees are offered through Blackboard, a learning management system that hosts all assignments, course materials, and discussion forums. Nearly all classes are asynchronous, meaning students can study at their own pace — though there are still due dates for assignments and quizzes. Students will be assigned an online advisor to guide them through career development, occupational choices, and more.

Stephen F. Austin State University offers a wide variety of online graduate and undergraduate programs in subjects like nursing, human sciences, education, and public administration. Instructors are certified and specially trained to teach in an online format; this ensures that all students, whether they are on campus or online, will receive a rigorous education. Classes are taught using Brightspace as a course materials repository and ZOOM Web Conferencing for any required face-to-face interactions. To assist in their studies, students will also have access to the Steen Library’s Distance Education online catalog.

The University of Houston-Downtown offers bachelor’s and master's degrees for online students. For the bachelor’s degrees, students will have to complete lower-level coursework on campus before they can enroll in online classes. All online degrees include an interactive learning experience paired with flexible scheduling that allows working professionals to take classes when it is convenient for them. Online students have access to all on-campus and online student services, including academic advising, tutoring resources, and the writing and reading center. Fields of study include business, management, criminal justice, and psychology.

Learning online at Midwestern State University gives students numerous opportunities of study, including bachelor’s and master’s degrees in subjects like human resources, nursing, and health administration. All students pursuing online degrees will have access to a university email account, as well as distance learning technical support. Courses are taught in the Desire2Learn platform, which is powered by Brightspace. Before they can begin their studies, all online students will need to take a distance learning orientation to acclimate them to their new online learning environment.

With the award-winning online degree programs from Sam Houston State University, distance learners can enjoy small class sizes and around-the-clock support throughout their learning experience. SHSU offers over 40 online bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees to students in subjects like criminal justice, nursing, sociology, and history. All courses are taught by accomplished faculty with state-of-the-art learning technologies, including a mix of lectures, discussion boards, text, and video. Students can take courses in the fall and spring, as well as during two summer sessions.

Angelo State University offers numerous online degrees for remote students, including bachelor’s and master’s degrees in subjects like social work, homeland security, and professional school counseling. These programs are taught by instructors in the Blackboard learning management system, which allows students to chat with classmates, take tests, and access their grades. Online students do not have full access to all student services, but they can take advantage of the ASU Porter Henderson Library, online tutoring, and disability services.

There are many online bachelor’s and master’s programs available at the University of Houston-Victoria, including higher education, healthcare administration, business, and more. These online degrees are offered through the Blackboard Learn content management system, which gives students access to their course materials and assignments. If professors want to make use of meeting rooms or face-to-face lessons, these will be offered through the Adobe Connect Pro program. Remote students receive a number of online resources, including tech support and mental health counseling.

Online programs at the University of Texas at San Antonio are taught through the Blackboard platform to give students 24/7 access to assignments and discussion board posts. Course materials will be a mix of documents, videos, and interactive communication tools so instructors can monitor a student’s progress. If students are having technical issues, they will have access to the Office of Information Technology’s support desk for assistance. Other available resources include the Writing Center, UTSA Library, Tomas Rivera Center Tutoring Services, and Counseling Services. Fields of study include business, health, and community nutrition.

Online programs at West Texas A&M University include both undergraduate and graduate certificates and degrees in fields like education, counseling, health sciences, and business. Three formats are available for online classes: self-paced courses, in which students can complete work when it best fits their schedule; semester-based, which follows the traditional school schedule; and accelerated, which allows students to complete classes in a shorter amount of time. Services available to online students include tech support, advising, online exam proctoring, and the university library.

Students attending Texas A&M University-Commerce will have a wide selection of online degrees to choose from, including select bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs focused on subjects like applied arts and science, business administration, education, and more. Students who choose this college will have access to many of the same services as on-campus students, including the University Bookstore, financial aid, career services, and library resources. All online courses are based on a semester schedule and begin and end at the same time as on-campus courses.