2027 Best Degree Programs for Single Parents
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For a single parent, the best degree program has to work around childcare, income, and the hours available to study - not just lead to an appealing job. Cost makes that choice more urgent: the College Board reports average published tuition and fees of $11,610 for in-state students at public four-year colleges in 2024-25, before living expenses.
This guide compares degree fields and shorter pathways by scheduling demands, career relevance, and total cost. It will help you narrow your options and identify what to confirm with a school before enrolling.
Key Things You Should Know
- Business and information technology programs may offer workable part-time schedules, but check whether required courses are offered when you can attend.
- Public two-year colleges averaged $4,050 in published in-district tuition and fees in 2024-25, according to the College Board; childcare and other expenses can substantially increase the amount you need to cover.
- Registered nurses had a $93,600 median annual wage in 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), but nursing requires clinical training and licensure - not just online coursework.
Top 10 Best Degree Programs for Single Parents
Business Programs
A business administration associate or bachelor's degree can suit parents seeking broad preparation for office, operations, or sales roles. Accounting offers a more defined path, though professional accounting jobs may require a bachelor's degree and CPA licensure involves additional state requirements.
An MBA is generally for applicants who already hold a bachelor's degree and want to advance or change direction; it is not the quickest route into entry-level work. Compare part-time course availability, group projects, internship expectations, and whether your target job actually values the credential.
Healthcare Programs
Healthcare administration and health information programs can appeal to parents interested in healthcare without bedside care. Associate programs may prepare students for records-related work; bachelor's programs can provide broader administrative preparation.
A master's in healthcare administration is usually an advancement option for bachelor's-degree holders, often with relevant experience. None of these credentials guarantees a management position. Check whether the program includes an internship, whether courses fit your schedule, and whether the jobs you want require a specific certification or clinical background.
Information Technology Programs
Information technology associate and bachelor's programs cover areas such as networking, systems administration, and cybersecurity. Labs may be virtual, but scheduled team work or proctored assessments can still limit flexibility.
An IT master's is typically better suited to someone with a bachelor's degree seeking specialization or advancement. For entry-level work, compare a degree with a focused certificate and relevant industry certifications; employers may also expect hands-on experience. Ask how the program helps students build demonstrable skills, not merely whether its classes are online.
Computer Science Programs
A computer science bachelor's degree builds foundations in programming, algorithms, and mathematics for software-related careers. A master's may help bachelor's-degree holders deepen technical expertise or change fields, but applicants without computing coursework may need prerequisites.
Online study can reduce travel while leaving substantial time commitments for coding assignments and projects. Choose this path if you enjoy sustained technical problem-solving; if you primarily want a faster route into technical support, compare shorter IT programs first. Review course sequencing before assuming part-time study will fit every term.
Nursing Programs
An associate degree in nursing or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing can lead toward registered nurse eligibility when the program meets applicable requirements; graduates must also pass the licensing exam and satisfy state rules.
An MSN generally requires prior nursing preparation and, for many roles, an active RN license. Nursing can offer meaningful career options, but clinical shifts, placement travel, and selective admission may strain childcare arrangements. Confirm clinical scheduling and state approval before committing, especially if lectures are advertised as online.
Psychology Programs
A psychology bachelor's degree develops research and behavioral-science skills but does not qualify graduates to practice as psychologists. A psychology master's may support certain specialized or research-related roles; psychologist licensure generally requires doctoral education and additional state requirements.
This field makes sense if its coursework supports a specific career plan or further study. Parents seeking a direct path to licensed counseling should compare qualifying counseling or social work programs instead, including their supervised training requirements.
Education Programs
Teacher-preparation bachelor's programs usually combine coursework with supervised student teaching and state-specific licensure requirements. Some education master's programs serve licensed teachers seeking advancement; others offer initial-licensure pathways for bachelor's-degree holders. Those purposes are not interchangeable.
School-year schedules may appeal to some parents, but student teaching can require full-time daytime attendance and may be unpaid. Before applying, ask whether the program qualifies for licensure where you intend to teach and how placements are arranged.
Criminal Justice Programs
A criminal justice associate or bachelor's degree introduces legal systems, public safety, and corrections. A master's is generally an option for experienced professionals pursuing specialized or administrative study, not a universal hiring requirement. Some roles also require academy training, background checks, physical standards, or shift work.
If predictable hours are essential, investigate specific jobs before selecting the major; the degree name alone says little about an occupation's schedule or entry requirements.
Engineering Programs
Engineering bachelor's programs emphasize mathematics, design, and laboratory work; a master's typically builds on relevant undergraduate preparation. These degrees can require tightly sequenced courses and in-person labs, making part-time progress less predictable.
If professional engineer licensure is a goal, check the program's accreditation and your state's education, examination, and experience rules. Engineering technology is a distinct option with different coursework and potentially different licensure implications. Ask for a term-by-term plan before deciding whether either route fits your childcare schedule.
Social Work Programs
A Bachelor of Social Work can prepare students for some entry-level social work positions, while a Master of Social Work is a common educational route toward clinical practice. Clinical licensure also requires supervised experience, an examination, and state approval.
Accredited programs include field education, which may involve daytime hours even when classes are online. Applicants with an eligible BSW can ask about advanced-standing MSW options; eligibility and remaining field requirements vary. Compare placement support and the hours you can realistically cover.
What Are the Best Degrees for Single Parents Seeking Flexible Careers?
The best fit depends on whether you need a career-entry credential, a route to licensure, or advancement from a degree you already have. This comparison highlights the scheduling constraint most likely to affect completion; it does not imply that every program in a field has the same format.
| Program family | Potential fit for a single parent | Constraint to check |
| Business or accounting | Broad office-oriented options and potential part-time study | Course availability, group work, and job-specific credential expectations |
| Information technology | Technical skills that can be demonstrated through projects | Labs, team schedules, and employers' experience requirements |
| Nursing or social work | Defined routes toward regulated occupations | Clinical or field-placement hours and state licensing rules |
| Education or engineering | Preparation for a specific professional goal | Student teaching, labs, and required course sequences |
If you already have a bachelor's degree, a relevant master's may be more useful than starting another undergraduate degree. Compare the full curriculum and admission prerequisites rather than choosing by advertised speed; even 1-year master's programs may require a demanding course load or in-person components. If you need to enter a new field, an associate degree or certificate may be a less costly first step.
Online degrees can be a good choice when they remove commuting and offer courses you can complete around work and caregiving. Online does not necessarily mean asynchronous: live meetings, fixed deadlines, proctored exams, group projects, and local placements may still be required. A campus or hybrid program may work better if you need hands-on instruction or dependable study space.
Before comparing top 10 online colleges, check the format of the specific degree - not just the school's general online offerings. Ask for a sample weekly schedule, required meeting times, placement expectations, part-time course sequence, and the support available to online students.
Start with the complete cost of attending: tuition, mandatory fees, books, technology, transportation, and childcare during classes, study time, and placements. Published tuition is not the same as your out-of-pocket cost after grants or the amount you may need to borrow.
Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and review the resulting aid offer before accepting loans. Ask the school's financial aid office whether your enrollment level affects grant eligibility, what childcare-related costs it can include in your cost-of-attendance budget, and whether campus childcare assistance or emergency aid is available.
Also check state grants, employer tuition assistance, and scholarships. Aid eligibility and childcare support vary; do not assume a listed benefit will cover care when you need it.
Shorter credentials can make sense when they align with a clearly identified entry-level job. Medical records, IT support, bookkeeping, and some allied-health fields offer certificate or associate pathways, but required training and local employer preferences differ. An associate degree usually includes broader general education than a certificate; that can help if you later pursue a bachelor's degree, provided the credits apply.
Use associate degree online programs as a starting point for questions, not as proof that a new student can finish in six months. Ask how many credits the program requires, what prior credits its advertised timeline assumes, and whether labs, exams, or placements must be completed in person. For regulated healthcare roles, verify state approval and examination eligibility before enrolling.
Look for institutional accreditation from an accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. It is an important quality check and can affect access to federal aid and how other schools consider transfer credit, though accreditation alone does not guarantee that credits will transfer.
Some career goals also make programmatic accreditation or state approval crucial. Nursing, social work, teacher preparation, and engineering are examples where the applicable approval or accreditation can affect licensing, professional recognition, or both. Ask the program which requirements apply to your intended state and occupation; verify the answer with the relevant accreditor or state licensing authority before paying a deposit.
Undergraduate applicants generally need a high school diploma or equivalent and may need to provide previous college transcripts. Graduate programs normally require a bachelor's degree and may specify prerequisites, professional experience, a license, or a minimum GPA. Admission to a college does not necessarily mean admission to a selective nursing, education, or other professional program.
Request an evaluation of previous coursework before relying on a completion estimate. Ask which credits satisfy major requirements, what grades or course ages are acceptable, and how many credits must be completed at the new school. Prior work experience does not automatically earn credit; it counts only if the institution offers and approves an applicable assessment process.
If application charges matter, online colleges with free applications may help you build a shortlist, but confirm the fee policy for your specific program and applicant type.
An associate degree commonly requires about 60 semester credits, and a bachelor's about 120; master's requirements vary considerably by field. Full-time students often plan around two years for an associate degree or four for a bachelor's, but part-time enrollment, prerequisites, accepted transfer credit, course sequencing, and placements can change that timeline. Ask for a plan based on your transcript and available weekly hours.
For a cost comparison, the College Board's 2024-25 averages for published tuition and fees were $4,050 at public two-year colleges for in-district students and $11,610 at public four-year colleges for in-state students. These are annual averages, not prices for any particular program or its total degree cost.
Compare each school's remaining credits and required fees alongside childcare, travel, and potential lost work hours. A lower per-credit price may not be the cheaper route if fewer of your credits apply.
Career fit requires more than matching a major to a job title. The occupational figures below are BLS median annual wages for workers in those occupations, not predicted earnings for graduates or evidence that a degree alone qualifies someone for the role.
| Occupation | 2024 U.S. median annual wage | Important entry consideration |
| Registered nurse | $93,600 | Qualifying nursing education and state licensure are required. |
| Software developer | $133,080 | A bachelor's degree is typical; employers also assess technical skills. |
Both figures come from BLS occupational data. They describe national medians across workers with different experience levels, locations, and schedules. Use the BLS outlook for the specific occupation you want, then compare local job postings for required credentials and hours. A higher-paying occupation is not automatically the better choice if its training placements or eventual shifts conflict with your caregiving arrangements.
How Can Single Parents Choose a Reputable Degree Program?
Choose a program by testing whether you can finish it and use the credential for your intended job. Before enrolling, request answers to these questions in writing:
- Is the institution accredited, and does this specific program meet any applicable state licensing or programmatic accreditation requirements?
- Which classes, exams, labs, placements, or meetings occur at fixed times or in person?
- After a transcript evaluation, which requirements remain, when are they offered, and what is a realistic part-time completion plan?
- What will the remaining program cost after grants, including fees, childcare, travel, and placement expenses?
- What credential or experience do employers require for the particular job you intend to pursue?
Watch for claims of guaranteed jobs or salaries, unusually short completion times without stated transfer-credit assumptions, and descriptions of "fully online" study that omit clinical or field requirements. If a school cannot explain those points clearly, compare another program before committing.
Other Things You Should Know About
Most bachelor’s programs accept up to 90 transfer credits, while associate programs usually accept 30 to 45 credits. Schools require official transcripts, and regionally accredited credits transfer more easily than credits from unaccredited institutions.
Many programs allow part-time enrollment, but required courses or placements may not be offered at convenient times. Ask for a term-by-term plan before assuming part-time study will work throughout the degree.
Grants and other aid can help with education expenses, and a school may include eligible dependent-care costs in its cost-of-attendance calculation. That does not guarantee additional aid. Ask the financial aid office about its policies and available childcare assistance.
Usually not if they lead to initial professional preparation. Nursing clinicals and teacher student teaching require supervised experience. Confirm where placements take place, when they are scheduled, and whether the program meets your state's requirements.
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- Cost of Attendance (Budget) | 2025-2026 Federal Student Aid Handbook https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/fsa-handbook/2025-2026/vol3/ch2-cost-attendance-budget
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- Accreditation | Edgewood University https://www.edgewood.edu/about/accreditation/
- Scholarship Opportunities - Students - Atlanta Metro College https://www.atlm.edu/students/scholarship-opportunities.aspx
- Credit for Workforce Experience | Colorado Community College System https://cccs.edu/workforce-development/workforce-programs/credit-for-workforce-experience/
- Cost of Attendance | Financial Aid | University of Arkansas https://finaid.uark.edu/cost-of-attendance.php
- Cape Fear Community College Catalog https://catalog.cfcc.edu/pages/dhGHDu9lsEK7D9axU7Oh
- Why Is Accreditation Important? | ACE Blog https://ace.edu/blog/why-is-accreditation-important/
- Turn Experience Into College Credit | glenoaks.edu https://glenoaks.edu/current-students/transfer-planning/transfer-options/transfer-to-gocc/credit-for-prior-learning.php
