School Details
With three campuses across Mississippi and Louisiana and an extensive online presence, William Carey University seeks to make higher education accessible to all. As a faith-based institution, the school operates by its namesake’s motto: Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.
William Carey University offers 100% online programs in in-demand areas including business, education, nursing, ministry, and more. Students can complete a range of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees through online education. The university has been recognized as a leader in quality and affordability for its online graduate education programs.
Students can compete hybrid and fully-online degree programs through the following William Carey academic divisions:
- Ralph and Naomi Noonkester School of Arts and Letters
- School of Natural and Behavioral Sciences
- School of Business
- School of Education
- Owen and Elizabeth Cooper School of Missions and Biblical Studies
- Donald and Frances Winters School of Music
- Joseph and Nancy School of Nursing
- College of Osteopathic Medicine
Accreditation & Licensing
William Carey University is accredited by:
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
All Programs
Art & Liberal Arts
The BFA in Script Writing at William Carey University explores script writing for drama, television, motion picture, video games, and new media outlets.
Technology only redefines the way communication moves, it does not create it. Students learn the foundation of dialogue as well as innovative ways to look at audience connection through words.
With small student to faculty ratio, the student receives a more personal learning experience.
For students there is an emphasis on publication and performance. WCU faculty and students have published or premiered more than twenty works in the past fifteen years.
The Bachelor of General Studies is a highly customized, interdisciplinary degree that allows you to choose an academic program that fits your educational and professional goals. Two emphasis concentrations can be selected, offering you the option to tailor your degree to your passions. The program provides the necessary coursework to pursue career paths in areas of interest (through participation in an accredited alternate route teacher certification program). The degree is offered 100% online.
The Doctor of Arts in Music (DA) degree is designed to prepare musicians for careers in collegiate teaching as well as help prepare them to become leaders in their current positions as educators and worship leaders.
The philosophy of the program is to integrate in-depth preparation in a primary emphasis, either Music Education or Worship Ministry, with general studies in an interest area. The interest areas include, but are not limited to, Conducting/Performance Pedagogy, Leadership, Theology, and the Marching Arts; these interest areas are required to accommodate the diverse teaching responsibilities found in university instruction today.
The Master of Arts (M.A.) in English extends the undergraduate curriculum and offers expanded study in language, literature, composition theory and practice, literary theory and criticism, literary history, cultural studies, creative writing, and readings in diverse texts. Master’s level study in English, including required competence in a foreign language, prepares students for a variety of possible careers, including doctoral-level study/research and college level teaching. The program prepares students to write with a high degree of accuracy, effectiveness, and fluency gives emphasis to bibliographical study and research techniques at an advanced level, and provides the opportunity to read critically and appreciatively in the best of the world’s literatures.
William Carey University offers the online Master of Education in English degree program, designed to open doors for candidates to become strong professional leaders in the discipline of English. Students receive both advanced study and improved credentials in this highly marketable field of study as they gain knowledge and skills in subjects such as:
- Creative Writing
- Theories & Methods of Teaching Grammar, Literature & Composition
- Shakespearean Drama
- Mythology
- Bibliography & Research
The department of history and social science seeks to provide Master of Education students with an opportunity to expand their methodological, interpretative and factual acumen in social studies. Graduates of this program will be prepared for further graduate work on the doctoral level, teaching in community colleges, as well as a number of other academic and nonacademic jobs.
The Master of Music Education degree program provides an opportunity for music educators to perfect musicianship and enhance pedagogical expertise toward becoming master teachers. The program supports and advances the mission of William Carey University which is to provide quality liberal arts and professional education programs within a caring Christian academic community, encouraging the individual student to develop his or her highest potential in scholarship, leadership, and service. Upon completion of the Master of Music Education degree, students will be eligible for an advanced license to teach in the state of Mississippi.
Business
The Master of Business Administration program balances management theory with practical decision making. The program is available to students with no previous business course work, in addition to undergraduate business majors. Students accepted into the program will complete an individual plan of study ranging from 30 semester hours to 39 semester hours, depending on previous business course work. The M.B.A. degree is offered 100% online as well as on the Hattiesburg and Tradition campuses.
The School of Education offers the Master of Education degree in Interscholastic Athletic Administration (IAA). This degree program has been fully approved for AA licensure by the Mississippi Department of Education and approved by the Mississippi State Board of Education. The IAA degree program, coordinated by the Department of Health Physical Education, and Recreation, is a two-summer cohort program delivered in an executive format. A new cohort begins each summer term. In addition to the summer coursework, requirements include an applied fieldwork project and an online course.
NOTE: This program encompasses graduate hours of PED coursework, which qualifies students as instructors at the higher education level.
Criminal Justice, Safety & Law
The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree prepares graduates to enter career paths and progress within the criminal justice field or to pursue graduate study. At William Carey University you will learn from “top-notch” instructors who have been there, done that. The program provides a solid understanding of the application of constitutional protections in the field of criminal justice. Graduates will be able to apply integrity in criminal investigations, be able to correlate the field of criminal justice to its Biblical foundations, and demonstrate principles of management and investigation in the field of criminal justice through scenario-based exercises. The degree is offered 100% online.
The Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree is a practitioner-based program developed to meet the needs of students employed in the criminal justice field as well as students entering the workforce through the offering of courses designed to address current issues to enhance the students’ marketability and advancement in the workforce. Taking the route with a thesis provides you the opportunity to take the core 24 program hours (without elective course requirements). You will be required to enroll in six hours of thesis work. The program is focused on providing students with the knowledge, skills, and ethical principles to assume leadership positions in their workplaces, communities, and the global environment. The degree is offered 100% online.
The Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree is a practitioner-based program offered fully online with no GRE requirement. The program is developed to meet the needs of students employed in the criminal justice field as well as students entering the workforce through the offering of courses designed to address current issues to enhance the students’ marketability and advancement in the workforce. Taking the route without a thesis provides you with the option of choosing six hours of criminal justice electives in addition to the 24 hours of required courses, instead of a thesis. You will take a comprehensive written exam during your last trimester of study. The program is focused on providing students with the knowledge, skills, and ethical principles to assume leadership positions in their workplaces, communities, and the global environment. The degree is offered 100% online.
Education
The Bachelor of General Studies with Applied Behavioral Analysis & Special Education provides a concentrated focus to prepare students to pursue a future in working with children with autism and related developmental disabilities. The program provides highly specialized coursework in the fields of Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis. Students may have the opportunity to become a Registered Behavioral Technician while enrolled. The program provides the necessary coursework to pursue career paths in the area of Special Education K-12 (through participation in an accredited Alternate Route teacher certification program) or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (once post-bachelorette requirements on the Behavior Analyst Certification Board are met). The degree is offered 100% online.
The Bachelor of General Studies program offers a concentration in Educational Studies for students who are interested in a non-licensure path. This concentration does not qualify students for teaching licensure but provides them with the necessary knowledge and skills to pursue a career in education.
The program allows students to choose from three potential areas of focus: Elementary Education (grades 4-6), Secondary Education (specific discipline grades 7-12), or Special Education (mild/moderate disabilities k-12) through an accredited Alternate Route program. To complete the program, students need to accumulate a total of 128 credit hours, including two concentrations, required university core courses, and electives. The program is offered entirely online through the Canvas platform, offering flexibility and convenience for adult students.
The Bachelor of General Studies program offers a concentration in Special Education to prepare future educators to work with children who have different learning needs. Students in this program will learn how to address the needs of those with learning difficulties, intellectual disabilities, or developmental challenges.
The program is fully online, with courses delivered through the Canvas platform, so you can study at your own pace and fit coursework into your schedule, especially if you’re already working or have other commitments. It’s designed to be flexible and convenient for adult students.
The online BS in Health, Physical Education & Recreation degree program from William Carey University is designed to provide students with the knowledge necessary to educate others about wellness for life. It is the aim of the department to give physical education majors, minors, and coaches a clear understanding of procedures, methods, techniques, and materials for effective, competent teaching and coaching.
William Carey University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Physical Education degree. Students study coursework in any area related to theories of health or physical education. Students of this program can choose a minor in coaching, recreation, or special education. The student may elect either the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.
William Carey University offers an online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership degree. The program allows professionals to become more effective leaders, utilizing strategies and planning visions. The rigorous classes help provide insight into the field and help each individual develop their own leadership style. The program is fully online with coursework which will lead students through visionary planning, strategic utilization of resources, effective management and leadership, and practical application of research.
The Specialist in Education will prepare leaders to be caring, reflective decision makers. This hybrid program will equip candidates to become change agents for positively impacting their students’ lives socially, emotionally, and academically. Please note: This program meets the requirements for applying for a K-12 administrator’s license upon successful completion of coursework, clinical practice, and a passing score on the School Leadership Licensure Assessment exam (SLLA). The rigorous classes will move quickly as they prepare students for leadership roles. Clinical practice is also an integral part of this program.
The School of Education serves to prepare confident, caring, and reflective educators within a Christian environment, from a liberal arts curriculum for pre-service educators as well as advanced preparation for in-service educators. The specific goals and objectives of the Specialist of Education program are to provide students with opportunities to become confident, caring, and reflective educators. The academic requirements for a Specialist in Education for emotional and behavioral disorders degree consist of courses from four categories: (1) professional education, (2) specialized concentration, (3) experiential courses, and (4) research.
William Carey University offers an online Educational Specialist in Instructional Leadership. This program prepares leaders for curriculum instruction and teaching in diverse educational environments. The program is for those with a master's degree, and will build upon that foundation of studying leadership. The program will equip candidates with the knowledge to positively impact students’ lives socially, emotionally, and academically.
Students who have already earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership or related field may seek admission to the Interscholastic Athletic Administration program to earn the Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree. This program includes a minimum of 18 hours of PED coursework. This may qualify a student earning this degree to teach at a university or community college level. The Ed.S. Degree includes 39 semester hours including 33 semester hours in the IAA curriculum plus 2 additional courses in the Education Specialist curriculum. The degree is offered 100% online.
The educational leadership program will prepare leaders to be confident, caring, and reflective decision makers. This hybrid program will equip candidates to become change agents for positively impacting their students’ lives socially, emotionally, and academically. This program meets the requirements for applying for a K-12 administrator’s license upon successful completion of coursework and clinical practice. Clinical practice is also an integral part of this program.
William Carey University offers an online Master of Education in Elementary Education. This program focuses on areas of study for elementary aged children, such as reading, social studies, basic science and math, among current trends in education. The program consists of courses in three categories: (1) professional education, (2) specialized concentrations, and (3) electives. Students will be well-rounded to work in this career path.
William Carey University offers an online Master of Education in Emotional & Behavioral Disorders. Students in this concentration will take a handful of coursework on current research, best practices, assessment and intervention, and more areas necessary for working with students with these disorders. Graduates will be prepared and ready for the field.
William Carey University offers an online Master of Education in Gifted Education. Students in this concentration will take a handful of coursework on trends, teaching methods, performance assessment, and technology in education, all related to the gifted learner. Students will see improvements in their own teaching ability and learn how to better serve their gifted students.
William Carey University offers an online Master of Education in Mathematics. Students in this concentration will take a handful of coursework on mathematics principles related to effective teaching. Graduates of this program will have a holistic outlook of mathematics and how students learn and develop their abilities.
William Carey University offers an online Master of Education in Mild & Moderate Disabilities. The coursework in this program is in areas such as intellectual disabilities, organizational procedures, behavior management, learning styles, and more. Students of this program will gain a holistic understanding of working with disabled children.
The M.Ed. in Physical Education degree program will provide individuals with the knowledge necessary to educate others physically by giving them a clear understanding of procedures, methods, techniques, and materials for effective and competent teaching. The goal of the program is to produce graduates who have strong teaching skills with an in-depth knowledge of the subject and to produce graduates whose skills in planning, implementation, adaptation, and evaluation have been enhanced.
William Carey University offers an online Master of Education in Secondary Education. This program focuses on the learning habits of grades 7-12, and best practices for teaching them effectively. The curriculum covers exceptional children, technology in education, reading and writing, among other topics.
With a history steeped in Christian education, William Carey University brings the classroom to you. Their Master of Education in Teaching and Learning Globally degree can be earned completely online, around your current schedule and teaching commitments. This graduate program will broaden your skills and enable you to teach students as a whole — on social, emotional and academic levels. Carey’s online ME blends its curriculum from three subject areas: a professional education core, teaching and learning electives, and global courses. Classes that are likely to be offered, include:
- Technology of education
- Metacognition
- Creating productive cultures in schools
- Instructional leadership
Psychology & Human Services
Earn your BS in Psychology online from William Carey University. With psychology being a broad academic discipline, graduates can tailor this program to suit their personal interests and graduate with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue careers and/or graduate degrees in a number of specialties. Graduates of this program are prepared to pursue careers such as:
- Case Manager
- Behavioral Analyst
- Psych Technician
- Residential Counselor
- Wrap Around Facilitator
Religion & Philosophy
William Carey University offers the fully online Doctor of Arts in Music with a concentration in Worship Ministry. The Doctor of Arts in Music (DA) degree is designed to prepare musicians for careers in collegiate teaching as well as help prepare them to become leaders in their current positions as educators and worship leaders.
The philosophy of the program is to integrate in-depth preparation in a primary emphasis, either Music Education or Worship Ministry, with general studies in an interest area. The interest areas include, but are not limited to, Conducting/Performance Pedagogy, Leadership, Theology, and the Marching Arts; these interest areas are required to accommodate the diverse teaching responsibilities found in university instruction today.
The program Mission of the M.A. in Christian Theology is to expose you to a broad spectrum of Christian Theology and integrate theological truths into reflection and practice. Strong independent research skills will be required while receiving intense work evaluation from the professor, weekly lectures, and peer review via WebEx or Microsoft Teams. The program blends seminars and colloquia with independent research. Seminars cover a range of theological disciplines while reading colloquia focus on theology from major eras of church history.
A Master of Music degree in Worship Studies is offered online with William Carey University. Courses are available in synchronous and asynchronous formats, making it a flexible program for the working church music professional. Graduates with this degree are equipped to serve in a diverse global society, through the local church communities or denominational and missional settings.
Individual performance artistry concentrations include:
- Voice
- Piano
- Guitar
- Band
- Orchestral instruments
Develop advanced composition, arrangement, and conducting skills in a caring Christian academic community. Learn to serve the church in a variety of contemporary ways through the use of electronic studio technology. Study trends of worship, develop advanced research skills, and work with expert faculty at William Carey University online.