Get Connected: 10 Nationally Ranked Online Programs at UCM

With online learning at the University of Central Missouri, you don’t have to compromise the quality of your education for a flexible schedule. Online students at UCM learn from the same expert faculty members who teach in our classrooms. By providing the same instruction through our online courses, we’ve developed online degree programs recognized nationwide for their outstanding quality and value. In fact, 95% of all UCM graduates find a job or continue their education within six months of graduation.

With 22 programs, 10 certificate programs and hundreds of courses available online, UCM offers a wide variety of opportunities to pursue online learning. Here are a few of our online programs that have been recognized as some of the best in the country.

Master Of Business Administration (MBA)

Ranked among the top online Master Of Business Administration (MBA) programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report and College Consensus, UCM's online MBA program is accredited by AACSB International, meeting the highest standards in business education. With online programs in General Business, Healthcare Administration, International Business, Marketing, and Sports Business, our MBA program uses an experiential learning approach to bring real business challenges into the coursework, so students develop the skills they need to make an impact in their field. The program follows a mini-mester system and admits students five times per year, and students who meet specific program criteria can waive the GMAT/GRE, making it a flexible option for professionals looking to advance their career.
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Library Science and Information Services, MS

Whether you’re already a librarian and want to expand your knowledge, or you’re just beginning to explore the world of information resources, our Library Science and Information Services program is designed to help you become a leader in librarianship. The longest-running program of its kind in Missouri, it is recognized as one of the top Master of Library Science programs in the nation by Intelligent.com, and one of the best online master’s degrees for Library Science by Online Schools Report. The curriculum has been approved by the American Association of School Librarians (a division of the American Library Association) through the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). With no GRE requirement, a flexible online schedule and a 93% placement rate for program graduates, you are able to enter the program easily and graduate career-ready in less time
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Criminal Justice MS

UCM’s Criminal Justice and Criminology online programs are recognized at both the graduate and undergraduate level. Intelligent.com lists our master’s program among the Top 30 Criminal Justice programs in the country. This flexible program includes both a thesis and nonthesis option, has no GRE requirement and includes program-specific scholarship opportunities, making it exceptionally accessible. Students also gain access to unique learning experiences, such as an international faculty-led study tour each year.

AffordableSchools.net places UCM’s Criminal Justice bachelor’s program 19th among its 35 Top Value Criminal Justice Studies Online Degree Bachelor Programs. Our bachelor’s program offers a variety of degree options, including minors and certificates, and can be completed entirely online. In addition to receiving expert instruction whether online or on campus, you develop the tools you need to be successful in your search for employment upon graduation.
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RN to BSN Online

UCM’s School of Nursing is ranked among the top 5 nursing schools in Missouri by TopRNtoBSN.com, a leading information source for current and prospective nursing students. UCM’s undergraduate and graduate programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The RN to BSN program is offered entirely online and was created to help nurses with associate degrees bridge to their bachelor’s degree faster. If you have an associate degree in nursing, an active RN license and a minimum 2.50 cumulative grade point average, then you are eligible. Plus, this program can be completed in as little as one year.
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MS Behavior Analysis and Therapy

Our Master of Science in Behavior Analysis and Therapy is designed specifically to prepare you for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam. No thesis or research project is required, and students gain hands-on experience by completing clinical hours. The program is approved by the Association for Behavior Analysis International, and the course sequence is approved by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board, which simplifies the process of applying for the BCBA credential. With courses taught by board-certified behavior analysts who address both the scientific and philosophical foundations of the field, this comprehensive program is ranked 12th in the nation by Intelligent.com, preparing the behavior analysts of tomorrow for a wide range of real-world applications.
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Kinesiology MS - Sport Management Option

UCM’s Sport Management program is listed among the top 10 in the nation by Intelligent.com. Our faculty offers a diverse range of experience, providing a robust course catalog that lays a solid foundation for a successful career in sport management. You can choose between a thesis and nonthesis option in the fully online master’s program. As most students graduate in just three or four semesters, even with undergraduate degrees not related to the field, this is an exciting opportunity for a career change.
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Emergency Management Certificate

A career in the high-demand field of emergency management can lead to a wide variety of high-paying opportunities. UCM’s Emergency Management certificate program was ranked the best in the country by Intelligent.com, and was also recognized as one of the Best Affordable Online Emergency Management programs in Missouri by Affordable Schools. You can earn this 12-hour certificate in as little as one year. It can be earned as a stand-alone certificate or as part of a Bachelor of Science in Crisis and Disaster Management. The flexibility of the program, combined with its high job-placement rates, makes this an incredible value.
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Nutrition MS - Clinical Nutrition Option

By 2024, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics will require all registered dietitians to hold at least a master’s degree. UCM has created a program that is convenient and accessible to anyone in pursuit of an advanced degree in nutrition. Our expert faculty delivers our diverse course catalog online with the same excellent quality as being on campus. UCM’s Master of Science in Nutrition is an opportunity for future dietitians and nutritionists to graduate career-ready, and our Clinical Nutrition option is ranked among the Top 20 programs in the country by Intelligent.com. Students can also choose a sport nutrition option to expand their skill set in this exciting field.
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Elementary Education Curriculum and Instruction, MSE

Our MSE in Elementary Education Curriculum and Instruction is designed to help elementary and early childhood educators increase their skill set with a graduate degree. This flexible program is built with working professionals in mind; it can be completed entirely online and has no thesis requirement. The program is also listed as one of the Best Online Master’s in Elementary Education in the nation by OnlineSchoolsReport.com. With a rich history of preparing educators, UCM is the longest continuously CAEP-accredited public institution in Missouri.
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MS in Actuarial Science and Statistics

Actuarial science is one of the most in-demand fields of the 21st century according to Best Masters Programs, who ranked our Mathematics MS - Actuarial Science and Statistics Option among top 25 online programs of its kind nationwide. Students earning their master’s degree in Actuarial Science and Statistics at UCM can take a wide range of courses in statistics, actuarial science, data analysis and computer science. The curriculum is designed to provide strong training in quantitative and statistical reasoning, preparing students for a wide variety of careers in a data-driven world. The flexibility of this program allows students to concentrate courses in either actuarial science or statistics, and can provide a combination of courses in statistics and computer science for those interested in the field of data science. 
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In addition to high-quality programs, UCM provides online learners access to campus resources like the library and writing lab, as well as academic and financial aid advising, ensuring you have the support you need to be successful. Online learners also qualify for in-state tuition, whether you are just down the road from campus or on the other side of the globe.

Make sure you explore the other online options we offer, view some of our most frequently asked questions about online learning, and contact us to discover how online learning at UCM can help you achieve your academic and career goals. Visit ucmo.edu/online today.