A Guide to Online Computer Science Degrees in Virginia

Founded in 1949, George Mason University is the largest public research university in Virginia. It is known for its business, economics, law, creative writing and computer science programs, which have all been recognized as top research programs by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. It has consistently been highly ranked both nationally and globally by the Academic Ranking of World Universities, Forbes, and USNR. Mason boasts a 16:1 student to faculty ratio, and serves over 34,900 students. Over a quarter of its undergraduate students are enrolled in some distance education programs, and 11% of its graduate students are as well.

Mason offers a wealth of online Computer Science programs. In Undergrad, students may take Applied Science, Technology and Innovation Concentration (BAS) and Information Technology, Degree Completion Program (BS) entirely online, with a Information Technology (BS) as a hybrid program. Among graduate programs, Mason’s entirely online degrees include Advanced Networking Protocols for Telecommunications (Graduate Certificate), Applied Information Technology, Cyber Security Concentration (MS), Architecture-Based Systems Integration (Graduate Certificate), Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (Graduate Certificate), Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (MS), Digital Public Humanities (Graduate Certificate), E-Learning (Graduate Certificate), Emergency Management and Homeland Security (Graduate Certificate), and Systems Engineering (MS). There are also several related graduate programs that can be taken as hybrid courses. George Mason’s online programs offer classes 100% online, but may require students to attend campus for orientation, tests, final exams, or labs.

Eastern Shore Community College is a member of the Virginia Community College System, which encompasses 23 schools. ESCC offers associate degree programs, certificate programs and career study certificate programs to just over 700 students. The school has a 14:1 student to faculty ratio. It offers services for helping graduates find employment. ESCC accomplishes this goal in part by partnering with businesses to offer customized training, while pairing those efforts with job placement programs. ESCC offers programs in Business, Computer Science, Engineering Technology, Human Sciences, Health Professions, Liberal Arts, Mechanic and Repair Technologies and Precision Production. 91% of ESCC students receive financial aid.

ESCC offers distance learning courses in conjunction with the VCCS. Online students are offered orientation and technical services by ESCC. In Computer Science, ESCC has a General Computer and Information Sciences, Electrical, Electronic and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician, Information Technology and Computer and Information Systems Security (Cybersecurity) Associates. It also offers certificates in the aforementioned programs, in addition to Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design, and Architectural Drafting and Architectural CAD/CADD certificates. Even its Business Administration Associates offers classes in computer science, and is delivered by ESCC’s Business and Computer Information Technology department. The Associates’ can be completed in two years, and the certificates in 30 semester hours.

Virginia Tech is a public research university headquartered in Blacksburg, Virginia. It was founded in 1872. Over 33,000 students attend the school. It offers Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral degrees, in addition to Post-Baccalaureate and Post-Master’s certificates. 64% of Virginia Tech students receive financial aid. Virginia Tech is the third largest school in Virginia, yet offers a 14:1 student to faculty ratio. In 2016, USNR ranked Virginia Tech 70th among national universities and tied for 26th among public universities. Its electrical and computer engineering was ranked 15th in the nation as well.

Virginia Tech offers graduate certificates and Master degrees in Computer Science and Information Technology. Among the Master degrees, its Information Technology program has been ranked second by USNR among “Best Online Graduate Computer Information Technology Programs.” It encompasses Health Information Systems, Software Development, Information Security, Business Information Systems, Decision Support Systems, Networking, and Telecommunications. They also offer Master degrees in Computer Engineering and Systems Engineering. Virginia Tech also offers a graduate certificate in Information Policy and Society. Virginia Tech’s faculty offer practical experience and inside knowledge of the industries they teach, and the program is frequently updated to reflect new technological developments and trends.

Old Dominion is a public, co-ed research university headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia and founded in 1930. ODU offers 168 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to over 24,000 students. It is also one of the largest online distance learning providers in the nation. Old Dominion University has well over 100,000 alumni in all 50 states and 67 countries worldwide. ODU started its distance learning program in 1994 through satellite, and now gives students access to 60 undergraduate and graduate programs through video streaming, satellite, 2-way, web conferencing, and the Internet. Depending on their choice of study, students can take ODU classes online or at one of its 50 partnership locations. ODU also has programs that are designed for military service members they’re deployed on duty..

ODU offers Computer Science programming conferring Bachelors, Masters and Certificates. It offers fully online programs, and programs where students with some credits can complete their degrees through ODU’s online wing. Students can earn certificates in Cyber Security and Cyber Systems Security. Among Bachelor’s degrees, students can take Computer Science or Information Systems & Technology. If they have credits (roughly 60 or the first two years of a baccalaureate program), ODU offers completion degrees in Computer Science, Cybercrime, Cybersecurity, Computer Engineering Technology, Information Systems & Technology, and Modeling and Simulation Engineering. ODU also offers Master’s in Computer Science, and Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Liberty is a private, non-profit Christian doctoral research university. Founded in 1971, Liberty now serves over 120,000 students worldwide. More than 95,000 of those students attend Liberty online. It was founded by Christian fundamentalist Jerry Falwell, and looks to aid the intellectual and spiritual development of its students. Liberty promotes biblical truth as a means of achieving success. According to LU, it’s the nation’s largest nonprofit online university, and has pioneered distance learning since 1985. Its online programs have over 245 different degrees offered with competitive tuition rates.

Liberty offers a wealth of Information Technology programs. There’s an Associates in Information Systems, then Bachelor programs in Information Systems, Information Systems: Accounting Information Systems, Data Networking, Database, Information Assurance. In Information Technology, Liberty offers Bachelor degrees in Application and Database Development, Data Networking and Security, Gaming Design, and Web and Mobile Programming. It also offers certificates in Application Development, Data Networking, Database, Information Assurance, and Web Development. Liberty then allows students to continue their Information Technology education through Master’s in Cyber Security, Information Systems: Information Assurance or Technology Management, and Information Technology in either Network Design & Security or Software Design & Management.