Growing older doesn’t mean that you have to abandon your dreams, and online college degrees for seniors make it possible to achieve your academic goals.
Because of their flexible schedules, online degree programs are beneficial for students who have established careers and families. The digital format of these degrees also means that you can take courses while continuing to work full-time.
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A college degree could allow you to change the trajectory of your career, qualify for a promotion, or explore a new passion.
Online College Degrees for Seniors
Colleges and universities offer a wide variety of education programs for senior citizens. The best degrees for older adults offer a combination of practical skills, in-depth knowledge, and career preparation.
Select the program that most interests you to jump to that section of the guide:
- Accounting
- Art
- Business Administration
- Child Development
- Early Childhood Education
- History
- Human Services
- Medical Billing and Coding
- Nursing
- Psychology
The program that’s best for you will depend on your personal interests and professional goals.
Accounting Degree
Seniors can pursue an associate program or complete a senior citizen bachelor degree in accounting. Both options include coursework focused on subjects such as economics, tax regulations, and financial principles.
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An accounting degree helps you prepare to take the Certified Public Accountant exam and provides a strong foundation for a career as a bookkeeper, tax preparer, or accountant. It’s also valuable for business owners who want to improve their understanding of finance.
Art Degree
If you’ve always longed to explore your artistic side, an art degree is an opportunity to develop your creative skills. You can choose a bachelor’s degree in fine arts that focuses on your preferred art form.
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During an art degree program, you’ll learn about art history and practice your skills in areas such as painting, drawing, or sculpting. This degree may help you begin a career as an art teacher, designer, illustrator, or photographer.
Business Administration Degree
Whether you’re already leading a business or want to advance above your current role, a business administration degree is a valuable credential.
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During this program, you can learn about marketing, accounting, human resources, and ethics. The goal of a business administration program is to teach students how to manage organizations more effectively. After graduating, you may be qualified to work as a human resources specialist, sales manager, or business consultant.
Child Development Degree
Students in child development degree programs gain a deep understanding of the biological and psychological development of children from infancy through adolescence. They also explore how family, social, and cultural influences affect children’s developmental needs.
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Completing a child development degree is especially useful if you work or hope to begin working as a parent educator, youth coach, or social worker. Graduates of these programs also often work as teachers.
Early Childhood Education Degree
During an early childhood education program, you’ll learn how young children develop language, motor skills, and emotional regulation.
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Courses in this degree also focus on helping children and their parents or guardians have more productive and healthy relationships. After completing your degree in child development, you may be well positioned to work in a daycare or preschool. Many seniors in these degree programs go on to open and operate their own childcare centers.
History Degree
As people get older, they sometimes develop a greater interest in how the world has changed and developed over time. A history degree is a strategic opportunity to gain a more thorough understanding of historical figures, time periods, and events.
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In addition to enriching your view of the world, a history degree may also benefit your career. Some gradutes might work as a history teacher, historical writer, or curator.
Human Services Degree
Human services students usually excel at helping others and supporting their communities. During this program, you’ll learn about social structures, public systems, and multiculturalism. Common course topics include sociology, criminal justice, and political science.
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Professionals in human services are often social workers, but there are many other career opportunities available. After earning your degree, you might consider working for an employment agency, housing organization, or disaster relief group.
Medical Billing and Coding Degree
Medical codes are essential in healthcare. They make it possible to record and track data related to a patient’s medical care and conditions.
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A medical billing and coding program trains students in these processes as well as in medical terminology, anatomy, and regulations. Most students pursuing degrees in medical billing and coding plan to become professional medical coders. Your coursework can help you prepare to pass the required certification exam.
Nursing Degree
Seniors who are interested in working in healthcare or who are already employed by a healthcare facility can enhance their professional skills with a nursing degree. Although nursing programs are often intensive, they’re also some of the best 2-year degrees for older adults.
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During a nursing program, you’ll take courses in topics such as anatomy, biology, and pharmacology. After graduating, you might become a registered nurse (RN) or a licensed practical nurse (LPN).
Psychology Degree
Psychology degree programs focus on human behavior and mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
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Students in the field of psychology learn why people behave the way that they do and how to support them during challenging situations. Earning a psychology degree is valuable if you work or plan to work in healthcare, human resources, business, or education. Many graduates of these programs also pursue careers as counselors.
Benefits of Online Degrees for Senior Citizens
Completing a college degree requires an investment of time and money, but an online degree also offers many advantages for older students, including:
- Cognitive improvement. Seniors who engage in learning activities—including reading, problem-solving, and writing—often experience a boost in their cognitive functioning. This may help prevent or delay memory loss.
- Social interactions. As people age and enter retirement, it’s easy to become isolated. College courses are an excellent opportunity to connect with peers with shared interests.
- Accessible programs. Some older students face health challenges or issues with transportation that make it difficult to participate in face-to-face activities. Taking online courses is a way to engage with the outside world without straining your body or negatively affecting your health.
- Learning opportunities. People sometimes realize later in life that they never fully embraced their interests. An online degree program allows you to make up for lost time.
- Professional advantages. Earning a college degree is a strategic way to transition into a new career. It may also help you qualify for a more advanced position within your current field.
Senior students aren’t the only ones who have a lot to gain from their academic experiences. The wisdom, knowledge, and responsibility of older students can be inspiring and motivating to their younger classmates.
How to Choose an Online Senior Citizen College Degree Program
Finding the right college degree program can be overwhelming, particularly if you’ve been away from school for many years. To help clarify your decision, you might consider these factors:
- Course format. Some online courses allow for more interactive experiences, while others are more flexible in terms of scheduling. Asynchronous courses feature pre-recorded lectures or lessons that you can view at a time that works best for you. Synchronous courses require you to attend live, virtual sessions at specific times.
- Other obligations. When students begin degree programs in their later years, they often have to consider their personal and professional responsibilities. You might consider whether the structure of the program would accommodate other important aspects of your life, such as spending time with your children or grandchildren.
- Cost. As you research degree programs, you might look closely at the total cost of attendance, including fees and materials. Some schools offer financial aid programs specifically for senior students.
- Goals. Before enrolling at a college or university, it can help to take stock of exactly what you’re hoping to gain. You can then find a program that will be most beneficial to your intellectual or professional development.
- Interests. As an older student, you’ve had more of an opportunity to discover what subjects are most interesting to you. Many schools offer specialized degrees that focus on the topics that you feel passionate about studying.
In addition to researching degree programs online, it can also be helpful to speak to admissions counselors who can provide more information about the senior student experience.
Accreditation
Accreditation is vital, regardless of whether you’re entering college as a teenager or a senior. Academic institutions with regional accreditation are more likely to offer high-quality programs with trained and experienced faculty.
To achieve accreditation status, a school must meet a set of strict standards. This helps ensure that the curriculum is up to date and reflects current practices in the field. As a result, employers often give preference to job candidates with accredited degrees.
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Accreditation is also important if you end up changing schools before graduating. You may have accumulated college credits over the years and are wondering if there are colleges that accept 120 transfer credits. Credits from regionally accredited colleges are more likely to transfer to other programs but most have a transfer credit limit.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
The high cost of a degree can be problematic if you have other large expenses, such as a mortgage, or are paying for your children to attend college. Financial aid opportunities can help make your educational goals more feasible.
Completing a FAFSA is the first step to identifying what type of aid you might receive. The government will use this application to determine whether you’re eligible for federal loans or grants. Your state government may also offer separate financial aid programs.
Many organizations offer tuition reimbursement or assistance programs to their employees. You can speak to your supervisor or human resources representative about whether your employer offers any funding for a college degree.
Scholarships are another vital source of aid. You can search an online database or contact the financial aid office at your prospective school to locate scholarship programs that align with your field and circumstances.
Tuition Waivers for Senior Citizens
To help support online degrees for seniors, some states offer tuition waivers to older students planning to attend college.
Waiver options differ between states, but most include certain requirements. For example, many states include a minimum age requirement, and some place a cap on how many courses you can take each semester. Your eligibility for a tuition waiver may also depend on your income level and the school you want to attend.
The tuition waivers in certain states only allow you to audit courses. This makes it possible to attend the course but prevents you from receiving college credit.
Is It Too Late to Go to College?
No, it is never too late to go to college. If you have an interest in learning and are willing to dedicate the necessary time and effort to your studies, going to college is just as much a possibility for a senior citizen as it is for a young adult.
Some older students feel hesitant to go back to school because they’ve been out of the classroom for so long. Fortunately, online college courses make it easy to reacclimate to a learning environment. Online bachelor degree programs for working adults and seniors also allow you to build your college studies around your existing schedule.
What Is Online College Like?
In some ways, online colleges are no different from traditional, on-campus schools. Students listen to lectures, take exams, and write papers for their classes.
The difference lies in the way that students engage in these activities. They view lectures and other educational materials through class websites. They chat with their classmates through discussion boards, and they attend virtual office hours to speak to their instructors.
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Students also complete all of their learning activities through an online platform, and they may take proctored exams through special websites.
Best College Programs for Seniors
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer programs online or in a hybrid format for seniors.
Arizona State University offers non-credit courses for adult learners over 50 through its Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Courses are offered online and on campus and there are start dates in the fall, spring, and summer. Courses range from 1 to 5 sessions. Potential courses include The Culture of War and The Human-Animal Connection.
ASU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Retirees and seniors can take non-credit courses through Bellevue College’s Telos program. Courses are available online and on campus. Students of all ages may participate. Courses are 8 weeks long with 1 class meeting each week. Bellevue offers courses in fields like arts and literature, history and current events, and science and technology.
Bellevue College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
North Carolina State University offers several learning experiences, classes, and programs through its Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Programs are online and on campus. Courses are split into half semesters, with several terms offered each year.
North Carolina State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Adults over the age of 50 can continue their education through the University of Arizona’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Courses are online or on campus in Green Valley, Vail, or Tuscon. Courses follow a semester schedule and are 12 weeks long. Potential courses include Twentieth Century Comedians and Samson (And Delilah): a Reassessment.
The University of Arizona is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.
The University of California – Berkeley’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute offers courses, programs, and special events for learners over 50. Courses are offered online or at the Berkeley and Lafayette campuses. Some courses are full-term, while others are in one or a few short sessions. Potential courses include iPhoneography and The Golden State? California’s Future.
The University of California – Berkeley is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Georgia residents who are 62 or older can earn an undergraduate or graduate degree through the University of Georgia. UGA currently offers a BS in Special Education and several undergraduate degrees, including Business Administration and Music Education. Courses follow a semester schedule, and there are start dates in the fall, spring, and summer.
The University of Georgia is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Indianapolis’s Lifelong Learning College offers programs for adults who are over 62 and are retired. Courses are offered online and in a hybrid format. Courses follow a semester schedule with fall, spring, and summer start dates and are 15 weeks long.
The University of Indianapolis is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Maine offers online certificates, degrees, and degree completion programs for adult learners. The program may accept transfer credits and credit for prior learning or experience. Courses follow a semester schedule, with start dates in the fall, spring, and summer. Programs include Engineering Technology and Political Science.
The University of Maine is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Continuing education is available through the University of Massachusetts – Lowell’s Learning in Retirement Association. The program is designed for retired and semi-retired students. Courses are offered online via Zoom and on campus. Most programs are offered in 1 to 4 sessions.
The University of Massachusetts – Lowell is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
The University of Washington’s ACCESS program is designed for Washington residents who are 60 or over. The school offers 1 to 2 courses per semester as long as space is available. Courses follow a quarter schedule, with four start dates per year. Potential courses include African Studies, Ancient and Medieval History, and Environmental Studies.
The University of Washington is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Getting Your College Degree Online
Colleges for older adults are designed to support students who have been away from school for years or decades and who are juggling multiple roles and responsibilities.
Online programs are flexible enough for both busy seniors and older people with physical limitations. Earning a college degree may give you the opportunity to develop new skills and connect with people you never would have met otherwise. Going back to college can also give you a way to enhance or update your professional skills.
When you’re ready to begin this next step in your educational journey, you can start by researching accredited colleges with online degrees.
