University of Arizona’s Snapshot
80+
Online master’s programs
Varies
Per credit hour
Mid-range
Public R1 pricing
R1
Public research university
Key policies
Institution type
Public university
Regional accreditation
HLC
Admissions model
Rolling (education) · Deadline-based (most programs)
GRE/GMAT required
Not required (most programs)
Out-of-state premium
None (most programs)
Notable Programmatic Accreditations
- AACSB
- CCNE
- CEPH
- CACREP
- ALA
- ABET
- NASPAA
- CSWE
- NSA/DHS CAE-CD
- Edited By Jeevan D'Souza
Start Here: Compare University of Arizona by What Matters Most
- Compare institutional strengths → Particularly strong in public health, engineering, education, information science, counseling, and nursing
- Compare accreditation → HLC regional accreditation plus AACSB, CCNE, CEPH, CACREP, ALA, ABET, NASPAA, and CSWE programmatic credentials
- Compare flexibility → Most programs use asynchronous delivery with multiple start dates and equal online tuition for in-state and out-of-state students
- Compare student fit → Strong alignment for working professionals seeking a large R1 public university with broad program choice and mature online infrastructure
- Compare alternatives → Arizona State University, University of Florida, Colorado State University, and Purdue University
The University of Arizona has operated online graduate programs since the early 2000s, making it one of the longest-running online graduate operations at a major research university. That maturity shows in the breadth of the catalog: online master’s students can choose from programs across the Eller College of Management, the College of Engineering, the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, the College of Education, the College of Nursing, and the School of Information, among others. Most programs are delivered asynchronously with multiple start dates, and UArizona charges the same per-credit tuition rate to in-state and out-of-state online students for most programs. Regional accreditation is through the Higher Learning Commission, and individual programs carry field-specific accreditations, including AACSB (business), CCNE (nursing), CEPH (public health), CACREP (counseling), ALA (library science), ABET (engineering), and NASPAA (public administration).
What the University of Arizona Is Known For
UArizona’s online master’s reputation rests on a few specific pillars rather than generic prestige claims.
Engineering depth at the graduate level.
The College of Engineering offers online MS programs in electrical and computer engineering, systems engineering, and engineering management. These carry genuine weight in the engineering job market, partly because UArizona’s engineering college holds ABET accreditation and partly because the programs are taught by the same faculty who run the on-campus research labs. For working engineers seeking a graduate credential from an R1 institution without relocating, this is a meaningfully different proposition than an engineering management degree from a primarily online university.
Public health specialization breadth.
The Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health is CEPH-accredited and offers an online MPH with eight distinct concentrations — from epidemiology and biostatistics to health services administration and One Health. That level of specialization depth within a single MPH program is uncommon online. Most competing programs offer two or three tracks at most.
Education portfolio with rolling enrollment.
UArizona’s College of Education offers multiple MEd concentrations (educational leadership, educational technology, special education, language and reading, culture, and more) with rolling admissions and multiple start dates throughout the year. For working teachers and school administrators who can’t wait for a fall start, this flexibility is a practical advantage.
CCNE-accredited nursing pathways.
The College of Nursing offers MSN programs with tracks in nurse educator, nurse leadership, and integrative health. CCNE accreditation matters for licensure and employer recognition, and UArizona’s nursing programs benefit from clinical partnerships across the Southwest.
ALA-accredited MLIS.
The School of Information runs one of a limited number of fully online MLIS programs with American Library Association accreditation. For aspiring librarians or information professionals, ALA accreditation is effectively non-negotiable, and UArizona’s program offers concentrations in knowledge management, digital information management, and archival studies.
Mature online infrastructure.
UArizona Online is not an afterthought bolted onto a traditional campus. It’s a well-resourced institutional unit with dedicated academic advisors, career services, and technical support for online students. Programs use consistent learning management platforms, and most offer asynchronous delivery with 24/7 access to course materials.
The table below covers UArizona’s major online master’s programs grouped by subject area. Credit hours, accreditation, and format details are included where confirmed. UArizona’s online catalog is large — programs not listed here may also be available. Check UArizona Online directly for the most current program list.
The Eller College of Management holds AACSB accreditation and offers an online MBA with five concentration options as well as a highly-regarded MS in Management Information Systems. For students specifically seeking AACSB-accredited online MBA programs, Eller is a competitive option.
UArizona’s MS in Cybersecurity comes from an institution designated as an NSA/DHS Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense. The program is 33 credits and operates on rolling admissions. Students interested in how this program compares to others can explore online cybersecurity MBA programs for a business-oriented alternative.
The College of Education runs the largest cluster of online master’s programs at UArizona, with multiple MEd concentrations and an MA in Educational Leadership. Rolling admissions and multiple start dates make these among the most flexible programs in the portfolio.
Online MS programs in electrical and computer engineering, systems engineering, and engineering management are available through the College of Engineering. ABET accreditation applies to the electrical and computer engineering program. These are 30-credit programs with fall and spring entry.
The CEPH-accredited MPH through the Zuckerman College offers eight specializations and is one of UArizona’s signature online programs. An MHA program is also available. Note that the MPH requires an applied practice experience (practicum), meaning it is not fully asynchronous.
CCNE-accredited MSN pathways are available for BSN-holders through the College of Nursing. Students considering the BSN-to-MSN pathway will find UArizona’s tracks in nurse educator, leadership, and integrative health
The MA in Counseling with a clinical mental health counseling focus is CACREP-accredited — a meaningful credential for students pursuing licensure. At 60 credits with required practicum and internship hours, it’s a substantial commitment. Students exploring this field can also review clinical psychology programs for comparison.
The Master of Legal Studies from the James E. Rogers College of Law is designed for non-lawyers who need legal knowledge in their professional roles. Students interested in related options may want to explore online juris master programs or criminal justice programs more broadly.
The School of Information offers two distinct programs: the ALA-accredited MLIS and the MS in Information (with concentrations in data science, information security, and UX design). These serve different career paths — the MLIS for library and information management roles, the MS for technology-focused careers.
UArizona’s MSW program is CSWE-accredited and requires a field practicum. An advanced standing option is available for BSW holders, reducing time to completion. The program admits in the fall only with deadline-based admissions.
The MA in Applied Linguistics is a 30-credit program available fully online through fall and spring entry.
The MPA is NASPAA-accredited and housed in the School of Government and Public Policy. At 40 credits, it’s a substantive program with deadline-based admissions.
How University of Arizona Compares
UArizona is one of several major public R1 universities with extensive online master’s catalogs. Here’s how it stacks up against the institutions most frequently compared by prospective students.
ASU is the most obvious comparison point — both are large Arizona public universities with massive online presences. ASU’s online graduate catalog is broader in sheer volume, and ASU has invested heavily in marketing its innovation-focused brand. Where UArizona pulls ahead: engineering (stronger traditional reputation, ABET-accredited online programs), public health (the Zuckerman College’s specialization depth is hard to match), and library/information science (ALA-accredited MLIS). Where ASU pulls ahead: scale of support services for online students, speed-to-market for emerging fields, and breadth of professional degree options beyond core academic programs. Cost is comparable between the two.
Both are flagship R1 publics with strong online programs. UF’s online operation (UF Online) tends to be more selective for certain programs and carries strong name recognition in the Southeast. UArizona’s advantages: greater flexibility in start dates for education programs, stronger public health specialization options online, and a dedicated MLIS. UF’s advantages: generally stronger business school brand recognition nationally, competitive tuition through UF Online’s pricing model, and robust STEM options.
CSU’s online graduate programs are well-regarded, particularly in business, agriculture, and specific STEM fields. UArizona has the edge in program breadth — particularly in public health, engineering, counseling, and information science. CSU may be the better choice for students interested in agriculture, veterinary-adjacent fields, or certain business concentrations not available through Eller. Tuition is roughly comparable between the two institutions.
Purdue operates its online programs through Purdue Global (for many professional programs) and through individual colleges (for engineering and other STEM). For engineering specifically, both universities carry strong reputations — but Purdue’s engineering brand is generally ranked higher nationally. UArizona’s advantages over Purdue: public health depth, counseling (CACREP-accredited), MLIS availability, and broader education program variety. Purdue’s advantages: engineering brand prestige, computer science depth, and Purdue Global’s scale for working adult learners.
The takeaway: UArizona holds its own against these peers in specific program areas (public health, information science, education flexibility, engineering) but isn’t uniformly stronger across the board. Your choice depends on which program and field matter most.
Admission Requirements
A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution is required for all programs. Most programs expect a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0, though some programs consider applicants with lower GPAs on a case-by-case basis with additional supporting materials.”, ‘standardized_tests’:
The majority of UArizona’s online master’s programs do not require GRE or GMAT scores. The Eller MBA offers a GMAT/GRE waiver for qualified applicants. Students specifically looking for online master’s programs with no GRE requirement will find most UArizona options qualify.”, ‘program_specific_requirements’: ‘Requirements vary significantly by program. Nursing programs require a BSN and current RN licensure.
The counseling MA and MSW require background checks and have prerequisite coursework expectations. The MPH and other practicum-track programs may require relevant professional experience or prerequisite courses.
Engineering programs may require undergraduate coursework in relevant technical areas.’, ‘application_timing’: “UArizona’s online programs use two admissions models. Many education programs operate on rolling admissions with multiple start dates throughout the year. Most other programs (business, engineering, public health, counseling, social work) use deadline-based admissions with fall and spring entry points. Check individual program pages for specific deadlines.”, ‘documents_typically_required’: ‘Official transcripts, statement of purpose or personal statement, resume/CV, letters of recommendation (number varies by program), and program-specific materials where applicable.’}
Tuition & Costs
UArizona Online uses a per-credit tuition model. For most online programs, the university charges the same per-credit rate regardless of whether the student is an Arizona resident or out-of-state resident — a meaningful cost advantage for non-Arizona students compared to institutions that maintain residency-based tuition tiers for online learners.’, ‘cost_positioning’: “Tuition falls in the mid-range for a flagship R1 public university’s online programs.
It’s generally lower than private research universities like George Washington University or Northeastern University , but higher than budget-oriented institutions or competency-based models. Specific per-credit rates vary by program and college — Eller College programs, engineering programs, and nursing programs may carry different rates than education or liberal arts programs.”, ‘financial_aid_and_benefits’: ‘UArizona online students are eligible for federal financial aid (loans, grants, where applicable).
The university participates in employer tuition assistance programs and offers military/veteran education benefits, including Yellow Ribbon participation. Some programs offer graduate assistantships or scholarships, though availability is more limited for online students than for on-campus students. Students managing loan repayment may want to review student loan forgiveness programs for public service and education-sector options.’, ‘cost_note’: ‘Total program cost varies significantly depending on the program — a 30-credit MEd will cost substantially less than a 60-credit MSW or counseling MA. Always calculate total cost using the specific per-credit rate for your target program multiplied by required credit hours.’}
Visit University of Arizona’s official online programs page