A Guide to Online Computer Science Degrees in Pennsylvania

Carnegie Mellon University is a private research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1900 as a technical school, today Carnegie Mellon University enrolls over 13,600 students. Classes remain small at Carnegie Mellon and the student-to-faculty ratio is 13:1. According the U.S. News Carnegie Mellon University is ranked as the 24th best university in the nation, 14th best college for veterans, and 45th best value school. As one of the top 100 schools in the world, Carnegie Mellon ranks highly across departments with particular nod to their business, engineering, and social sciences schools among several others. Their computer engineering program is one of the best in the world and programming aims to tackle problems of the future through robotics, big data, innovative start-ups, brain science and much more. The Middle State Commission on Higher Education accredits Carnegie Mellon University to offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

Carnegie Mellon University offers 3 computer science- related degrees. They are the Master of Science in Information Technology, Master of Science in Information Security and Assurance, and the Master of Science in Business Intelligence and Data Analysis. Since 2005, Carnegie Mellon has ranked number 1 for their information, technology, and management programs. Each degree is 144 unit of coursework which is broken down into 60 units of core material, 84 unite of electives, and 12 units of independent study. We love their programs for their high quality as well as their student support services. In addition to their fantastic online option, Carnegie Mellon provides further support your needs through the Learning for a Lifetime initiative that includes free open source course material (MOOCS) and others that will help you to supplement and further tailor your studies to meet your goals. There are hundreds of additional options for students but some of the computer science-related options we like include music and technology, computational finance, information technology, information networking, and information security just to name a few.

Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is a private four-year university located in the state capital. There are 3,500 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 13:1. The Middle State Commission of Higher Education accredits Harrisburg University of Science and Technology to award bachelor’s, master’s degree’s, and a Ph.D in data sciences. Harrisburg University is home to the Agile Lean Center of Science and Technology, The Geospatial Technology Center, and the Security Center of Excellence among other. Degree programs are centered around the STEM field, and students are equipped to tackle the challenges and demands of the ever-growing STEM job market. These career-focused degrees have placed 92% of graduates into a job in their field. The year-round calendar helps students to accelerated the process and their fixed tuition rate aids in predictable financial planning. HUST offers a wide-range of online bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Harrisburg University of Science and Technology offers four online computer science-related degree programs. Students may choose from the accelerated B.S. in digital marketing, M.S. in Learning Technologies, M.S. in Information Systems Engineering and Management, and an M.S. in Analytics. Harrisburg uses the E2C format for online learners. The instructor-led sessions are broadcast using Adobe Connect. Students must engage with the assignments at the same time as in real-time, but have the added benefit of learning virtually anywhere. Some of the computer science-related programming requires one day per month visits to campus. It is important to check with your head of department before registering to determine which programs require on-campus time. We like these programs for the high quality of classes as well as their immediate relevance in today’s work place. The bachelor’s program features an accelerated format with 7-week classes, practical experience, discussions and projects. This program is offered 100% online.

Lehigh University is a private research university located in Bethlehem. This historic town is just a short drive to New York or Philadelphia. There are over 7,000 students enrolled who benefit from their small classes and a student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1. According to U.S. News Lehigh University ranks as the 44th best school in the nation, 38th best value school and highly for their online MBA and engineering programs. There are five academic colleges offering degrees: Arts & Engineering, College of Arts and Sciences, P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, College of Education, and the College of Business & Economics. There are over 2,300 courses offered. As a research university, all students have the opportunity to engage in research including undergraduate students. In fact, over 1,000 undergraduates take part in research every year, and 55 students engaged in research received funding for their own projects! Lehigh is regionally accredited by the Middle State Commission on Higher Education.

Lehigh offers two computer science-related degrees including a Master of Science in Healthcare Systems Engineering, and a Master of Science in Management Science and Engineering. Online classes are delivered through two learning platforms including Classroom LIVE which delivers classes in real time from Lehigh’s campus, and also through Classroom Online which is an asynchronous online format that allows for further flexibility though web-conferencing and streaming video. As one of the top tier research schools globally, Lehigh University offers excellent quality classes and innovative programming. The world-class faculty are engaged and involved in your learning. Professors interact through email, discussion board, web-conferencing or telephone. We like this program for its academic excellence, flexible delivery methods and student support.

La Salle University is a private Roman Catholic University located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Originally founded as an all male school, La Salle University is now a co-educational institution that enrolls 5,675 students. The student body benefits from their small classes and a the student-to-faculty ratio which is just 12:1. According to U.S. News La Salle University ranks as the 35th best school in the region, 19th best college for veterans, and 16th best value school. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education accredits La Salle University to offer undergraduate and graduate degree programs that range from the bachelor’s to doctoral level. We like La Salle not only for their high quality of classes but also their flexibility afforded through adult education, online/distance learning, and their hybrid courses and distinct programs. There are three colleges and schools offering academic programs including their school of business, school of arts and sciences, and school of nursing and health sciences.

La Salle University offers 3 computer science-related degrees including the M.S. in Information Technology Leadership, M.S. in Instructional Technology, and the M.S. in Computer Information Science. Students participate in asynchronous sessions with discussion boards, blogs, journals as well as sychronously through real-time chat and video or audio web conferencing. The format is entirely online and each course is 8-weeks- allowing for two courses per semester and an accelerated graduation time. Master’s degrees are between 36 and 45 graduate credit hours. The IT Leadership program focuses on managerial, technical, and technology management competencies. While the instructional technology manager degree prepares students for web design, usability, and visual literacy, as well as project management, media production and much more. We like the high quality comprehensive education, flexible course delivery, and level of student support offered at La Salle University.

Immaculata University is a private Roman Catholic university located in Malvern, Pennsylvania. Malvern is one the main line in the western suburbs of Philadelphia. Originally founded as a woman’s college, Immaculata is now a co-educational institution that enrolls nearly 3,000 students. Classes are small and the student-to-faculty ratio is just 9:1. U.S. News ranks Immaculata University as the 152nd best school in the nation. We like Immaculata University for its quality classes and flexible programs that include accelerated and online options as well as the over 60 programs available on campus. Programming is appropriate for both traditional and non traditional learners. In fact, there are more than 900 traditional degree programs available and over 600 adult/ non-traditional programs. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education accredits Immaculata University to offer associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs.

Immaculata University offers a number of online bachelor’s degree programs including the Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management. We selected Immaculata University for its high quality of classes, flexible offerings and generous transfer policies. The total credit requirements for this program are 126 where 54 are related to the major, 27 are liberal arts core credits, and 45 are electives- giving students added flexibility when it comes to tailoring their degrees to match their interests. In addition to health care information systems, and applied research experience, candidate of this program additional learn about the legal and social aspects of health care, organizational ethics, and leadership in health care settings. The program is versatile for individuals seeking employment in health care informatics as well as management. The university boasts as 92% retention rate indicating high levels of student satisfaction. All programs are taught by the same faculty as on-campus and include professional development services.