2027 Best Online Degree Programs for Single Parents
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The hardest part of choosing an online degree as a single parent may be finding enough predictable time to finish it. An online classroom can remove a commute, but it cannot remove fixed deadlines, clinical shifts, or childcare needs.
The stakes are substantial: the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a 2024 median annual wage of $133,080 for software developers, yet a degree alone does not qualify someone for that occupation or ensure those earnings. This guide compares degree paths by scheduling demands, costs, preparation, and career requirements so you can choose a realistic route - not merely an appealing job title.
Key Things You Should Know
- The best fit is often a program with asynchronous coursework, part-time enrollment, predictable course availability, and few required in-person hours - not simply one labeled "online."
- For context, BLS reports a 2024 median annual wage of $93,600 for registered nurses; reaching that occupation requires an approved nursing education pathway and licensure, not just any online healthcare degree. Compare the total cost after aid and accepted transfer credit.
- Eligible independent first-year undergraduates can generally borrow up to $9,500 in federal Direct Loans, but borrowing more is not a substitute for an affordable completion plan.
Top 10 Best Online Degree Programs for Single Parents
Business Programs
An online MBA or master's in management can suit a parent seeking advancement in operations, finance, or administration. Many programs use case studies and team projects rather than field placements, but group meetings and intensive terms can still disrupt evenings.
Admissions may call for a bachelor's degree and, depending on the school, work experience or foundation courses. An MBA is usually a better fit for someone with a defined advancement goal than for someone expecting the credential alone to secure a management job. Compare part-time pacing and the actual availability of required courses.
Healthcare Programs
Online master's programs in healthcare administration or public health prepare students for administrative, policy, or population-health work - not clinical licensure. They may appeal to parents who want to work in healthcare without arranging patient-care shifts.
Some include a practicum or capstone, so ask whether it can be completed locally and outside standard work hours. A master's in healthcare administration may help an experienced professional pursue leadership roles, but applicants without healthcare experience should compare entry-level job requirements before taking on graduate tuition.
Information Technology Programs
An online master's in information technology, cybersecurity, or information systems emphasizes applied computing, infrastructure, and organizational problem-solving. Remote labs may be convenient, but scheduled team projects or security exercises can limit flexibility.
Admission requirements vary: some programs welcome career changers with foundation coursework, while others expect technical preparation. This path makes sense for a parent building on existing IT experience; someone seeking a first technical job should also compare lower-cost certificates, a bachelor's program, and hands-on portfolio projects.
Computer Science Programs
An online master's in computer science commonly covers algorithms, software, artificial intelligence, or data systems. It can support specialization for a parent who already has strong programming and math skills. Applicants from other fields may need substantial prerequisites, which add time and cost.
Coding assignments can often be completed outside business hours, but exams and group work may be scheduled. If the goal is an entry-level software role, compare a bachelor's pathway and demonstrable projects before assuming a graduate degree is necessary.
Nursing Programs
Online MSN programs generally serve licensed registered nurses; they are not a shortcut into nursing for someone without an RN credential. Leadership and education tracks may differ greatly from nurse practitioner tracks, which involve supervised clinical training and state-specific practice requirements.
For a working parent, clinical placement hours and the school's placement responsibilities may matter more than whether lectures are online. An RN-to-BSN program, rather than an MSN, may be the appropriate next step for a nurse who does not yet hold a bachelor's degree.
Psychology Programs
An online master's in psychology can deepen research or applied knowledge, but its title does not establish eligibility to practice as a psychologist or counselor. Licensure rules differ by occupation and state; counseling programs may require supervised practica and a specific curriculum.
A parent seeking clinical work should identify the intended license first, then confirm that the program meets its educational requirements in the state where they plan to practice. A general psychology master's is a different choice for research support or further study.
Education Programs
An online master's in education may focus on curriculum, instructional design, or school leadership. Some tracks are intended for already licensed teachers; initial-licensure tracks can require student teaching during school hours.
Parents should distinguish a flexible, non-licensure graduate program from one that requires classroom placement or a teaching credential. Ask whether your state recognizes the program for your specific goal and whether any required placement can be arranged near home. A master's does not by itself authorize someone to teach in a public school.
Criminal Justice Programs
An online master's in criminal justice can support study of policy, administration, or public safety leadership. Coursework may fit around family commitments better than a placement-heavy degree, though some programs require a capstone or internship.
The credential is not generally required for entry-level law enforcement, where agency hiring standards and academy training apply. Parents considering graduate study should check whether their target employer values the degree for advancement; otherwise, a lower-cost bachelor's route or relevant work experience may be more useful.
Engineering Programs
An online master's in engineering can help someone with an engineering background develop specialized technical skills. Admission often depends on prior engineering or math preparation. Even when lectures are online, laboratory, project, or thesis requirements can affect scheduling; availability varies by specialty and school.
For a parent entering engineering for the first time, an appropriate bachelor's degree is usually the more relevant starting point. For someone pursuing professional engineer licensure, verify how their undergraduate education and state board requirements fit the intended pathway.
Social Work Programs
An online master of social work (MSW) is a professional route toward social work practice, but supervised field education is a major scheduling commitment. Some schools offer advanced standing to eligible graduates of accredited bachelor of social work programs; applicants without that background typically follow a longer route.
Parents should ask who finds placements, when field hours occur, and whether local placements are available. For clinical practice, an MSW is only one step: state licensure generally also involves supervised experience and an examination.
What Are the Best Online Degrees for Single Parents?
There is no single best online degree for every single parent. The strongest choice connects an achievable weekly schedule and manageable total cost to a specific job goal. The master's program families above are most relevant to parents who already have a bachelor's degree; parents starting or returning to college may be better served by an associate or bachelor's program in the same field.
This comparison shows where scheduling - not just subject matter - changes the decision. Individual programs can differ, so treat the format notes as questions to verify rather than promises about every school.
| Degree path | Potential fit | Scheduling issue to verify |
| Business or nonclinical healthcare administration | Advancement for someone with relevant experience | Group meetings, capstones, or practicums |
| IT or computer science | Technical specialization or a planned career change | Prerequisites, scheduled exams, and team projects |
| Nursing, social work, or licensure-focused education | A defined professional practice goal | Clinical, field, or student-teaching hours |
| Criminal justice, general psychology, or engineering | Goals tied to a specific employer, specialty, or further study | Whether the credential actually meets the career requirement |
Before choosing a field, work backward from two or three jobs you would consider. Check their usual entry requirements, then compare the least costly credible credential that meets those requirements.
Start with institutional accreditation: confirm the college's current status through the U.S. Department of Education's accreditation database or the accreditor itself. Then check whether your intended profession calls for programmatic accreditation. For example, social work applicants should examine Council on Social Work Education accreditation, while nursing applicants should check the applicable nursing accreditor and state board requirements.
Accreditation is a starting point, not proof that an online program will work for you. Before applying, take these steps:
- Ask the school for the exact online program page and catalog requirements for your intended credential.
- Request a written review of previous coursework showing which credits satisfy degree requirements, not merely which credits transfer as electives.
- Confirm any state authorization, licensure eligibility, placements, campus visits, and live-session requirements for your location.
- Ask an advisor when every required course is offered and whether you can remain enrolled part time.
A common mistake is trusting an institution-wide "online" claim without checking the specific major or licensure track. Another is assuming that accepted transfer credits will reduce the remaining courses in that major.
Online tuition varies by school, residency status, degree level, and program. Compare the cost to finish, not the advertised price per credit: include required credits remaining, mandatory and program fees, books or software, travel, placement expenses, and any childcare needed for scheduled activities. A lower-priced program with fewer accepted transfer credits may cost more overall.
Start with the FAFSA to learn whether you qualify for federal grants, loans, or work-study; the school determines an aid offer using your circumstances and program. Eligible single parents may be treated as independent students for federal aid purposes when they meet the FAFSA support rules. Undergraduates can also investigate state grants, employer assistance, and school scholarships. Graduate students should ask separately about assistantships and borrowing terms; undergraduate grant eligibility does not automatically carry over.
Use affordable online degree programs as a starting point for comparison, then request a personalized estimate from each school. Ask how aid changes if you enroll part time, take a term off, or transfer credits.
Online describes where instruction happens; it does not tell you when you must attend. Asynchronous classes usually let you view lessons on your own schedule but still have deadlines. Synchronous classes require attendance at set times. Self-paced or competency-based study can offer more control, but only if you can sustain progress without a weekly class routine.
The formats below differ in how easily a parent can plan around work and childcare. Check the actual course schedule and program requirements before relying on a format label.
| Format | Scheduling advantage | Potential constraint |
| Asynchronous, part time | Coursework can often fit around changing daily routines | Fixed assignment deadlines and limited course availability |
| Live online classes | Predictable contact with instructors and classmates | Childcare or work coverage needed at meeting times |
| Short, intensive terms | Fewer courses at once may simplify planning | More work compressed into each week |
| Online courses with local placements | Less campus travel | Clinical, field, or teaching hours may be inflexible |
Build a sample week using the school's expected study time and any live or placement hours. If that week only works when nothing goes wrong, consider fewer courses per term.
Requirements depend on the credential. Associate and bachelor's applicants generally need a high school diploma or equivalent and may submit previous college transcripts. Master's applicants ordinarily need a bachelor's degree; particular programs may also require prerequisites, a minimum GPA, professional experience, a statement, or recommendations. Technical graduate programs may expect prior math or computing courses, while MSN programs generally require RN licensure.
Do not assume a college's general admission policy applies to a selective nursing, education, or other professional track. Ask whether admission to the college also grants admission to the major, whether prerequisite courses can be taken online, and whether testing or conditional admission rules apply to your application. Gather every prior transcript before requesting a transfer or graduate admissions review.
Associate degrees often require about 60 credits and bachelor's degrees about 120; master's requirements vary substantially by field and program. Those credit totals are planning benchmarks, not completion promises. Part-time enrollment, prerequisites, course sequencing, accepted transfer credits, and field placements can change the finish date.
Ask each school for a term-by-term plan based on your transcripts and the number of courses you can reliably take. A shorter advertised timeline may assume full-time enrollment, a prior credential, or advanced standing. If you are comparing graduate options, what is the easiest master's degree to get is less useful than asking which program's workload and requirements fit your preparation and schedule. "Easier" does not necessarily mean faster or better for your career.
Online degrees can support careers in business operations, computing, nursing, education, public service, and healthcare administration. The degree is preparation, however - not a job offer or a salary prediction. BLS occupational medians include workers at many experience levels and do not describe earnings for graduates of a particular program.
These BLS 2024 national median wages illustrate why it matters to connect a degree choice to a specific occupation. They should be weighed against entry requirements, local opportunities, and the cost of completing the credential.
| Occupation | 2024 median annual wage | Important qualification distinction |
| Registered nurse | $93,600 | Requires a qualifying nursing pathway and state licensure; an MSN is not required for entry. |
| Software developer | $133,080 | Employers assess technical skills; a computer science master's is not normally required for entry. |
For criminal justice careers, distinguish agency entry requirements from advanced academic work. Even a search for online PhD criminal justice no dissertation options is a different decision from preparing for an entry-level public safety job; verify the actual degree type and culminating requirements before enrolling.
Computing and healthcare are worth investigating when job demand is a priority, but broad occupational growth does not mean every specialization or local market offers the same opportunities. Nursing also has a clearer licensed entry pathway than many general business or psychology degrees. BLS projections describe occupations, not the payoff from a particular online program.
Compare the job titles you want with current local postings. Note whether employers ask for a license, a bachelor's degree, a portfolio, experience, or a master's degree. This prevents an expensive mismatch - for example, earning a general psychology master's when the intended job requires a licensure-qualifying counseling program.
What Certifications or Licenses Do These Careers Require?
Licenses are government-issued permissions to practice; certifications are credentials awarded by professional bodies or other organizations. Requirements differ by occupation and state. Registered nurses need state licensure, and clinical social workers and public school teachers generally face additional state-specific requirements. Some technology roles value certifications, but the appropriate one depends on the job and does not replace required professional licensure.
Before paying for a degree, identify the credential sequence for your target role:
- Check the relevant state licensing board or employer requirements for the occupation you want.
- Confirm that the exact program and any required accreditation meet those requirements in your state.
- Budget time and money for examinations, supervised hours, placements, or continuing education beyond the degree.
If the goal is a narrower skill upgrade rather than a licensed profession, compare a degree with easy certifications to get. Check employer recognition and costs before assuming a shorter credential will meet the same goal.
Other Things You Should Know About
Sometimes. Business and some computing programs may have no routine in-person classes, but labs, exams, residencies, or internships can still apply. Nursing, teaching, and social work commonly require in-person practice. Confirm the exact program requirements in writing.
It can be if it allows consistent progress without unreliable childcare or excessive borrowing. Accelerated terms compress work; they do not reduce the degree's requirements. Compare weekly hours and total cost, not just the advertised finish date.
Possibly. The school must evaluate your transcripts, and accepted credits may count as electives rather than satisfy your major. Request a degree audit showing remaining courses, residency requirements, and a realistic completion plan.
Most accredited online bachelor’s programs accept up to 60 semester credits from a regionally accredited two-year college and up to 90 credits in a 120-credit degree. Schools usually require a minimum grade of C and a formal transcript evaluation before approval.
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