A Guide to Online Computer Science Degrees in New Jersey

Thomas Edison is based out of Trenton, NJ. The school serves over 18,000 students and was founded in 1972. Thomas Edison has over 100 fields of study and confers Associate, Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Its programming comes through five schools: The Heavin School of Arts and Sciences, which offers degrees in liberal arts, natural/social sciences plus comprehensive degree programs in human services, The School of Business and Management, The W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing, The John S. Watson School of Public Service and Continuing Studies, and finally, The School of Applied Science and Technology, which combines the technical with the practical to birth the next wave of competitive computer scientists, engineers, and more. Thomas Edison was recently designated as a University in 2015, after being a college for years.

Thomas Edison offers several Computer Science degrees entirely online. It confers Associate degrees in Applied Computer Studies, Computer and Information Technology, and Computer Science. Its Bachelor degrees include Computer Science, Information Technology, Computer Information Systems, and Cybersecurity. Thomas Edison continues its Computer Science programming with Master’s degrees in Educational Technology and Online Learning, as well as Information Technology. Thomas Edison also offers undergraduate and graduate certificate programs in Computer Science. In undergrad: Computer Information Systems and Computer Science, and in graduate: Cybersecurity – Critical Infrastructure, and Online Learning and Teaching.

Rutgers is a public research university founded in 1825, but with a history stretching back to 1766 (as Queen’s College). It’s the largest higher education institution in New Jersey. It has locations in New Brunswick, Newark and Camden. Over 50,000 students attend Rutgers. It offers Certificates (in 1-2 years, post-baccalaureate, and post-master’s), Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees. Despite its gargantuan student body, Rutgers offers students a 15:1 student to faculty ratio. In the 2018 U.S. News & World Report ranking of American national universities (both public and private), Rutgers is tied for 69th, and was ranked 25th among public universities.

Rutgers offers one IT program entirely online. It’s a Master’s in Information. This program gives students the theory and practical knowledge required to practice library and information science. Graduates will be able to protect and provide digital records for posterity in a growing and evolving information storage landscape. This program requires 36 credits. There are 3 yearly start dates, and full/part-time options. Students may also choose to focus on Library and Information Science, Data Science, Technology, Information, and Management, Archives and Preservation, or customize the program to reflect their own goals. Rutgers has been ranked ranked #7 in Library and Information Science/Studies and #1 in School Library Media by USNR.

NJIT is a public research university based out of Newark, NJ. It opened in 1881. It offers students 50 undergraduate (Bachelor of Science/Arts) majors and 78 graduate (Masters and PhD) programs, in addition to professional programs in conjunction with Rutgers Medical School and Seton Hall Law School. Over 11,000 students attend the school, which offers a 17:1 student to faculty ratio. NJIT has been highly commended by a variety of ranking sources. In 2015, it was ranked #1 on Business Insider’s list of “most underrated colleges” in America based on the high rate of employment and high average salary of its graduates. Then in 2016, NJIT was ranked in the Top 50 online colleges with the highest student satisfaction by OnlineCollegePlan.com.

NJIT offers Computer Science Master’s and Certificates. Its Master’s include Computer Science, Information Systems, IT Administration & Security, and Professional and Technical Communication. Its Comp Sci Certificates are Data Mining, Information Security, IT Administration, Management of Technology, Network Security and Information Assurance, Software Engineering, Analysis and Design, User Experience Essentials and Technical Communication Essentials. NJIT certificates require 12 credits and are formatted for maximum flexibility. The Master programs require for 30 credits, and can be completed in under two years.

OCC is a co-ed, public, two-year school based out of Toms River, New Jersey. It was founded in 1969. Over 8,600 students attend OCC, which boasts a 26:1 student to faculty ratio. It confers certificates that can be earned in less than a year, certificate programs that take less than two years, and Associate degrees. OCC has programming in Business, Communication, Journalism, Education, Engineering, Computer and Information Science, Foreign Languages, Health Professions, Homeland Security, Legal Studies, Natural Resources, and much, much more. 55% of OCC students receive financial aid.

OCC offers Associate degrees in Computer Science, Computer Science with an Information Technology option, and, unusually, a Game Development & Design option. Additionally, OCC offers a certificate of completion and certificate of proficiency program in Information Technology. Certificates of proficiency at OCC require 30 or more credits, and certificates of completion require less credits. Generally speaking, OCC certificate programs can be applied to an associate degree later on, and Associate degrees can be parlayed towards a Bachelor through OCC or another school, depending on whether the credits or programs are applicable to other programs.

PCCC is a co-ed, two year, public, community college established in Passaic County, New Jersey. It has campuses in Paterson, Wanaque, Passaic and Wayne, NJ. It was founded in the 1970’s, and serves over 8,100 students (over 13,000 when online offerings are considered). PCCC offers students a 21:1 student to faculty ratio. PCCC has more than 60 degree and career programs, an award-winning faculty, and continuing education and community-based programs. It offers certificates and Associates degrees in Business, Education, Computer Science, Communication Technologies, Engineering, Foreign Languages, Homeland Security, Visual and Performing Arts, among other programming. PCCC is also known for its articulation agreements with many four-year colleges and universities, to help graduating students smoothly transfer into their next degree.

PCCC offers an entirely online Associate’s degree in Health Information Technology. The program is aimed at giving students the “knowledge and skills required to collect, analyze and utilize information essential to the health care industry through a mixture of general education, professional course work and clinical experience at local health care facilities.” Courses include Health Care Organization, Health Care Terminology, Professional Practice Experience I (in which students work in a health care facility), Health Record Management, among other courses. A fascinating course in the program, Culture of Healthcare, explores

“quality of care, patient safety, communication, customer service/professionalism, privacy, regulatory compliance, medical ethics, and professional values are discussed. Interrelationships of quality measurement, performance improvement, socio-technological aspects, and reimbursement are introduced.”