Snapshot Card

~15

Online master’s programs

$479

Per credit hour

Public/National

Public university ranking

R1

Public research university

Key policies

Institution type:

Public

Regional accreditation:

SACSCOC

Admissions model:

Deadline-based

GRE/GMAT required:

Not required

Out-of-state premium:

No — same rate for all students

Notable Programmatic Accreditations

  • AACSB
  • ABET
  • CCNE
  • CSWE
Written By - Bob Litt
Last Updated: June 18, 2026
Florida State University Online Master’s Programs

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  • Florida residents seeking in-state tuition at a nationally ranked R1 public university
  • Criminology and criminal justice professionals pursuing a top-five-ranked MS program
  • Social workers seeking a CSWE-accredited MSW with clinical specialization
  • Practicing K-12 teachers needing CAEP-accredited MEd programs for career advancement
  • Library and information professionals wanting an ALA-accredited master’s degree fully online
  • Business professionals seeking AACSB-accredited MBA or specialized business master’s options
  • Students who need every program to be fully asynchronous with zero in-person components (MSW, nursing, and educational leadership programs require field placements or clinicals)
  • Students seeking competency-based or self-paced learning formats — FSU follows traditional semester-based scheduling
  • Students looking for online master’s programs in engineering, computer science, or advanced data science — FSU’s online portfolio does not cover these
  • Students prioritizing the absolute lowest cost above program quality — some Florida peers offer lower per-credit rates
  • Students who need fully rolling admissions with no deadline pressure — most FSU programs use deadline-based admissions cycles

Florida State University Online Master’s Programs

Florida State University is a top-25 public research university classified as R1 (very high research activity) by the Carnegie Classification and regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). FSU’s online master’s portfolio spans roughly 15 programs across education, social work, criminology, business, library and information science, nursing, communication, and information technology — making it one of the more comprehensive online master’s offerings among Florida’s public universities.

What distinguishes FSU from peer institutions is not just breadth but concentrated depth in specific fields. The criminology program is consistently ranked in the top five nationally, the MSW carries CSWE accreditation with clinical specialization options, and the College of Business holds AACSB accreditation across its online MBA and specialized master’s programs. For prospective students weighing Florida’s public university options — or comparing FSU against national online competitors — the evaluation comes down to whether FSU’s particular program strengths, cost structure, and admissions profile align with your specific goals.

The Quick Decision Guide below provides an immediate evaluation snapshot before you dig into program details, peer comparisons, and fit analysis.

Quick Decision Guide

Quick Fit Summary: Florida State University’s online master’s programs are built for working professionals who want an R1 public university credential in specific high-strength fields — particularly criminology, social work, education, and library science — at competitive in-state pricing. FSU is strongest when you’re pursuing a program where it holds national ranking or programmatic accreditation rather than simply shopping for the lowest-cost or most flexible option.

Cost Signal: Most FSU online master’s programs cost approximately $479 per credit hour, with total program costs ranging from roughly $14,370 to $28,740 depending on credit requirements. The MBA and MS in Risk Management and Insurance carry a premium rate of approximately $750 per credit hour.

Learning Model Signal: The majority of FSU’s online master’s programs are delivered asynchronously, though some programs incorporate synchronous elements. Social work, nursing, and educational leadership programs require in-person components including field placements, clinicals, or practicum hours. Programs like the MS in Criminology, MS in Library and Information Studies, and MS in Communication are fully online with no on-campus requirements.

Admissions Signal: FSU uses deadline-based admissions for most online master’s programs. The university generally expects a minimum 3.0 GPA for graduate admission. Most programs do not require the GRE, but the MS in Criminology and MBA may require standardized test scores — with waiver options available for qualified applicants. FSU’s admissions selectivity varies significantly by program, with the criminology and nursing programs being the most competitive.

Flexibility Signal: Most programs offer fall and spring start dates, with several also offering summer entry. Part-time enrollment is available across the portfolio. Completion timelines typically range from 12 to 36 months depending on the program and enrollment pace.

Main Tradeoff: FSU delivers nationally ranked programs in specific fields with strong programmatic accreditation — but its online portfolio has clear gaps in STEM, its admissions cycles are deadline-driven rather than rolling, and several of its strongest programs require in-person components that limit geographic flexibility.

What Florida State University Is Known For

FSU’s online master’s reputation is built on a handful of genuinely distinctive program strengths rather than sheer scale. Understanding where FSU excels — and where it doesn’t try to compete — is essential for evaluating whether it belongs on your shortlist.

Top-Ranked Criminology and Criminal Justice:

FSU’s College of Criminology and Criminal Justice is consistently ranked among the top five programs nationally by U.S. News & World Report. The online MS in Criminology draws from the same faculty and curriculum that power the residential program, making this one of the few cases where an online master’s student gets direct access to an elite-ranked department. For career changers or law enforcement professionals pursuing policy, research, or leadership roles, this is one of the strongest options available anywhere online. Students researching this field can explore our broader guide to online master’s in criminal justice programs.

CSWE-Accredited Social Work:

The MSW program holds accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), which is the gatekeeping credential for licensure-track social work careers. FSU offers both clinical and community/organizational practice concentrations, with an advanced standing track for BSW holders that reduces the program to 33 credits. The field placement requirement means this is not a fully-remote experience, but the accreditation makes it count toward LCSW licensure in most states.

Education Breadth:

FSU offers multiple CAEP-accredited education master’s programs including curriculum and instruction (with content-area specializations), educational leadership, and instructional systems and learning technologies. This breadth matters because it means practicing teachers, aspiring administrators, and corporate instructional designers can all find a relevant program under one institutional umbrella. The education subject hub provides broader context on how FSU’s offerings compare across the field.

ALA-Accredited Library and Information Science:

The MS in Library and Information Studies holds American Library Association (ALA) accreditation — a critical credential for anyone pursuing professional librarian positions in academic, public, or school library systems. The program is fully online with concentrations in information architecture, youth services, and academic libraries.

AACSB-Accredited Business Programs:

FSU’s College of Business holds AACSB accreditation, which covers the online MBA and several specialized business master’s programs. The MBA offers concentrations in management information systems, real estate, and risk management — and the standalone MS in Risk Management and Insurance is a niche offering that very few universities deliver online at the master’s level.

Nursing Programs with CCNE Accreditation:

FSU offers CCNE-accredited MSN programs in nursing education and family nurse practitioner tracks. Both require clinical hours, but they provide the credentialing pathway for advanced nursing practice and academic nursing careers.

The common thread across FSU’s strengths is programmatic accreditation. In social work, library science, business, education, and nursing, FSU holds the specific professional accreditation that matters for licensure and career advancement. This pattern of credentialed depth — rather than broad but unaccredited scale — is what distinguishes FSU’s online portfolio.

Online Master’s Programs at Florida State University by Subject

The table below organizes FSU’s online master’s programs by subject area. Each entry includes credit requirements, estimated cost, accreditation status, and whether in-person components are required. Use this to compare programs side by side and identify which ones align with your career goals, budget, and schedule constraints.

Note that most FSU online master’s programs use a per-credit rate of approximately $479, but business school programs — particularly the MBA and MS in Risk Management and Insurance — carry a higher per-credit rate of approximately $750. All cost estimates reflect in-state rates; out-of-state students should verify whether online programs qualify for in-state pricing.

FSU’s social work program is built around clinical practice and community-level intervention, with CSWE accreditation that makes it a viable path to LCSW licensure.

Program NameDegree TypeCredit HoursEstimated CostAccreditationIn-Person RequiredKey Notes
Master of Social Work (MSW)MSW60$28,740CSWEYesClinical Social Work and Community/Organizational Practice concentrations. Advanced standing (33 credits) for BSW holders. Requires field placement hours.

Looking across FSU’s full online master’s portfolio, a clear pattern emerges: FSU’s greatest strength is concentrated depth in professionally accredited programs rather than breadth across every discipline. Six of its strongest programs carry programmatic accreditation — CSWE for social work, ALA for library science, AACSB for business, CAEP for education, and CCNE for nursing — and its criminology program holds a national ranking that most competitors can’t match. The gaps are equally telling. FSU does not offer online master’s programs in engineering, computer science, data science, public health, or psychology — subjects where competitors like Arizona State University and University of Central Florida have built significant online portfolios. If your target field falls within FSU’s core areas, you’re likely getting a program with both reputational weight and professional accreditation. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

How Florida State University Compares

Prospective FSU online master’s students typically also consider other Florida public universities — particularly the University of Florida (the state’s flagship) and the University of Central Florida (the state’s largest university by enrollment). Some students also weigh FSU against national online leaders like Arizona State University , which offers one of the country’s broadest online master’s portfolios. The comparison below focuses on factors that matter most for online master’s decision-making: cost, program availability, accreditation, flexibility, and selectivity.

FactorFlorida State UniversityUniversity of FloridaUniversity of Central FloridaArizona State University
Tuition Range (per credit)$479–$750$450–$800+$369–$690$555–$1,200+
Online Master’s Programs~15~25+~30+~60+
Key AccreditationsAACSB, CSWE, ALA, CCNE, CAEPAACSB, ABET, CSWE, CCNEAACSB, ABET, CCNE, CAEPAACSB, ABET, CSWE, CCNE
Flexibility ModelMostly asynchronous; some programs require field placements/clinicals; semester-basedMostly asynchronous; some hybrid; semester-basedMostly asynchronous; some hybrid; semester-basedMostly asynchronous; multiple start dates; some programs offer accelerated tracks
Admissions SelectivityModerate to selective; deadline-based; GRE varies by programSelective; deadline-based; GRE often requiredModerate; deadline-based; GRE less commonModerate; mostly rolling admissions; GRE less common

Key takeaways from this comparison:

  • What the comparison reveals: FSU occupies a middle position among these peers. It is more selective and has stronger individual program rankings than UCF (particularly in criminology and social work), but it offers a smaller overall online portfolio than UF, UCF, or ASU. Cost-wise, FSU’s standard rate of $479 per credit is competitive with UF and significantly lower than ASU for most programs, though UCF undercuts FSU at the lower end of its range.
  • The most important distinction is in program strengths. UF brings stronger engineering, law, and general business prestige. UCF offers more STEM-oriented online master’s options and greater scale. ASU offers the broadest selection and most flexible admissions model. FSU’s advantage is focused: if you’re pursuing criminology, social work, library science, or specific education specializations, FSU’s individual program quality and accreditation may be stronger than what any of these competitors offer in those same fields.
  • Florida International University is another Florida public option that serves a different student profile — with particular strength in international business and programs oriented toward South Florida’s professional community. FIU may be worth considering if your goals align more closely with that institutional focus.

Best For

FSU’s online master’s programs are strongest for students whose goals align with the university’s specific areas of depth and accreditation. These are the profiles that benefit most:

  • Florida residents seeking in-state R1 tuition with programmatic accreditation. At approximately $479 per credit for most programs, FSU offers one of the better value propositions among Florida’s top-tier public universities — particularly when paired with CSWE, ALA, AACSB, CCNE, or CAEP accreditation that translates directly to professional licensure and career credentialing.
  • Criminology and criminal justice professionals. There is no clearer best-fit case in FSU’s portfolio. The MS in Criminology is top-five nationally, fully online, and costs under $18,000. If you’re pursuing policy analysis, criminal justice research, or senior leadership in law enforcement or corrections, this is one of the strongest online options available at any price point. See our ranking of the best online master’s in criminal justice for broader context.
  • Social workers pursuing LCSW licensure. The CSWE-accredited MSW with clinical social work concentration provides a direct pathway to licensure in most states. The advanced standing track (33 credits for BSW holders) reduces both cost and time. Students comparing MSW options should also review our guide to the best online master’s in social work.
  • Practicing teachers seeking CAEP-accredited career advancement. FSU’s MEd programs in curriculum and instruction and educational leadership are designed for working educators who need credentials that are recognized by school districts and state certification boards. The breadth of content-area specializations (English, math, science, social science) gives teachers options that many competitors don’t match. For additional program comparisons, explore our best online master’s in education rankings.
  • Library and information professionals. The ALA-accredited MS in Library and Information Studies is fully online, offers three start terms per year, and covers specializations from youth services to information architecture. ALA accreditation is a non-negotiable requirement for most professional librarian positions, making this program a strong fit for career entrants and mid-career professionals alike.

Not a Best Fit For

FSU has clear strengths, but its online master’s portfolio also has clear boundaries. These are the scenarios where a different institution is likely a better choice:

Students who need fully asynchronous, fully remote programs across the board. Several of FSU’s strongest programs — the MSW, MSN, and MEd in Educational Leadership — require in-person components including field placements, clinicals, or practica. If geographic flexibility is your top priority and you cannot arrange local field placements, you’ll face logistical barriers with these programs. Universities like Western Governors University or Southern New Hampshire University offer more consistently remote-friendly options.

Students seeking competency-based or self-paced learning. FSU follows traditional semester-based scheduling with deadline-driven admissions. If you want to accelerate through material you already know or control your own pacing week by week, WGU’s competency-based model or ASU’s more flexible start-date structure would serve you better.

Students pursuing online master’s programs in engineering, computer science, or data science. FSU does not offer online master’s programs in these fields. If STEM is your focus, University of Central Florida , Arizona State University , or University of Florida all have broader STEM-oriented online master’s portfolios.

Students prioritizing the absolute lowest cost. FSU’s pricing is competitive but not the cheapest option. Fort Hays State University and University of the Cumberlands offer significantly lower per-credit rates, and our guide to the most affordable online master’s programs covers additional budget-focused options.

Students who want rolling admissions with maximum scheduling flexibility. Most FSU online master’s programs use deadline-based admissions with fall and spring start dates. If you want to start a program at any point in the year without waiting for an admissions cycle, institutions with rolling or continuous enrollment models will be a better structural fit.

These are the programs where FSU delivers the most distinctive value compared to peer institutions — either because of national rankings, programmatic accreditation, or unique program positioning.

This is FSU’s signature online program. A top-five national ranking, a fully online delivery model, and a total cost under $18,000 make it one of the best values in online graduate criminology. The faculty are active researchers in policing, corrections, juvenile justice, and criminal justice policy — and online students access the same academic infrastructure that drives the program’s residential reputation.

Admissions Snapshot

FSU’s online master’s admissions process follows a traditional deadline-based model, with most programs accepting applications for fall and spring entry and some programs (library and information studies, information technology, curriculum and instruction) also offering summer admission.

General Requirements: FSU generally expects a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 for graduate admission, along with official transcripts, a statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation. Specific requirements vary by program and college — the MSW, for example, requires a personal statement addressing social work values and professional goals, while business programs focus more on professional experience and quantitative readiness.

GRE/GMAT Status: The majority of FSU’s online master’s programs do not require standardized test scores. The two notable exceptions are the MS in Criminology and the MBA. For criminology, the GRE is expected but may be waived for applicants with strong academic records. For the MBA, the GMAT or GRE is preferred but may be waived for applicants with significant professional experience. All other programs reviewed — including the MSW, education programs, library science, nursing, communication, HR management, and IT — do not require the GRE.

Selectivity: FSU’s overall graduate admissions acceptance rate hovers around 35-40%, but selectivity varies substantially by program. The MS in Criminology and MSN programs are among the most competitive, reflecting high demand and limited cohort sizes. Education and business programs tend to be moderately selective. FSU is not an open-enrollment institution — applicants should expect a competitive review process, particularly for the university’s strongest programs.

Deadlines: Because FSU uses deadline-based admissions rather than rolling enrollment, prospective students need to plan ahead. Application deadlines typically fall 3-5 months before the start term, and some programs (particularly nursing and criminology) fill cohorts well before the final deadline. Checking program-specific deadlines early is essential.

Tuition and Cost Overview

FSU’s online master’s tuition structure divides into two tiers. Most programs across education, social work, criminology, library science, communication, IT, and several business specializations use a per-credit rate of approximately $479. The MBA and MS in Risk Management and Insurance carry a premium rate of approximately $750 per credit, reflecting College of Business differential pricing.

Total Cost Range: Across the full portfolio, estimated total program costs range from approximately $14,370 (MS in Management, 30 credits at $479) to approximately $30,000 (MBA, 40 credits at $750). The MSW at 60 credits is the longest program, with an estimated total cost of $28,740 — though BSW holders on the advanced standing track can complete it in 33 credits for roughly $15,807.

In-State vs. Out-of-State: FSU’s online programs have historically offered favorable tuition structures for online students regardless of residency, but this can vary by program. Prospective out-of-state students should verify current tuition policies directly with FSU, as online student tuition policies at Florida public universities have shifted in recent years.

Cost in Context: FSU’s standard rate of $479 per credit is lower than Arizona State University’s typical online rate ($555–$1,200+ depending on program) and comparable to the University of Florida’s online rates ($450–$800+). UCF generally undercuts FSU at the low end of its range (~$369 per credit for some programs). Among Florida publics, FSU occupies a middle cost position — not the cheapest, but competitive given its programmatic accreditation profile.

Financial Aid: FSU online master’s students are eligible for federal financial aid including Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Graduate PLUS loans. Some programs offer graduate assistantships or departmental scholarships, though these are more common in the residential programs. The FSU Office of Financial Aid should be contacted directly for the most current scholarship and aid availability for online students.

Visit Florida State University’s official online programs page

FSU’s online master’s programs appear in several OMC rankings that can help you evaluate specific programs in the context of national competition:

  • Best Online Master’s in Criminal Justice — FSU’s criminology program is one of the most nationally recognized options in this space.
  • Best Online Master’s in Social Work — Compare FSU’s CSWE-accredited MSW against other top-ranked online social work programs.
  • Best Online Master’s in Education — See how FSU’s CAEP-accredited education programs stack up against other online MEd options.
  • Best Online MBA Programs — Evaluate FSU’s AACSB-accredited MBA against other nationally recognized online MBA programs.
  • Best Online Master’s in Nursing — Context for FSU’s CCNE-accredited MSN programs relative to other nursing options.
  • Best Online Master’s in Communication — Additional context for FSU’s MS in Communication against national peers.
  • Most Affordable Online Master’s Programs — Useful if cost is your primary decision factor and you want to see how FSU’s pricing compares across the field.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Florida State University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), which is the recognized institutional accreditor for universities in the southeastern United States. Beyond institutional accreditation, many of FSU’s online master’s programs hold programmatic accreditations that matter for professional licensure: AACSB for business, CSWE for social work, ALA for library science, CCNE for nursing, and CAEP for education.