Online Science Master's Programs: The Complete 2023 Guide

If your interest leads you to wonder about the physical world, you may be a perfect candidate for one of the many online science master’s programs offered by universities and colleges across the US. Whether you already work in a science-related profession or want to switch careers, many outstanding programs allow you to get a graduate degree in science while continuing in your everyday life and job.

Whether you want to teach science, explore the chemical properties of physical materials, look at how physics helps in health sciences, or study geology or insects, there is an affordable and convenient master’s in science online that can get you there. For some, a science master’s degree is a way to qualify to teach advanced or specialized science courses in a high school, middle school, or community college. You might seek a master’s degree to advance your professional knowledge in your current science career, whether you work in data science or another applied science. Or you may be looking to prepare yourself for a doctoral science program. Online master’s science programs on our list make it easy for you to get your graduate degree and also advance to the next stage in your career.

ARTICLE NAVIGATION:

• Choosing Among the Best Online Science Master’s Programs
• Online Science Master’s Programs Accreditation
• Admission and Costs for Online Science Master’s Programs
• Online Science Master’s Programs Careers

Area of Focus

Online master’s degree science programs run the gamut from specialized degrees for those who work with textiles to more general science degrees that can advance your knowledge of the broad reaches of science. Your career goals and your interests should be your primary guide in choosing a program, as the variations in exact subject and career outcomes will help you narrow down your choices. All the programs on our list are primarily or 100% online, offer a high quality education, and offer good value for your money.

The subjects that you may study in online science master’s programs can include the following:

• Science education
• Chemistry
• Geology
• Applied science
• Data or computer science
• Research management
• Physics
• Physical sciences

With such a wide range of online science master’s programs, there is no single career goal that applies to all programs. For those who work in science or wish to move towards a science profession, the online master’s in science will expand your knowledge and provide you with a credential that can get you a higher salary.

Degree Types

Most online science master’s programs are Master of Science (M.S.) degrees, as you might expect. But there are also Master of Education (M.Ed.) degrees for teaching science and Master of Arts (M.A.) in some subjects. Look further than the title of the degree to find out what the focus and coursework will entail. For instance, the Master of Applied Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln focuses on agriculture and food production, with concentrations in education or community development. In contrast, Could not look up degree for "Unity Environmental University" using "336136"! Master of Professional Science degree covers environmental science and sustainability.

Some of the online master’s science programs are geared towards a particular industry and will require students to have some experience or study in the area of focus. The M.S. in Textile Chemistry from North Carolina State University at Raleigh prepares students for positions in textile, chemical, medical, and environmental industries and requires a bachelor degree in textiles or a related topic.

Science Education Degrees

Science education degrees can come in many subjects, such as chemistry, physics, biology, food science, and more. Getting a master’s in science online is a great way to prepare for teaching advanced high school courses, specializing in one area of science, or teaching at the community college level. However, if you plan to teach in public schools, you will be required to get a teacher’s license, issued by the state where you teach.

In Nevada, for just one example, it may be possible to use your master’s degree to gain a higher-level teaching license. Not all online science master’s programs prepare you for state licensure, as many students at the master’s level may also  hold their teaching license already. Check with both your state board of education and the program you are considering to find out if it will help you qualify for a license. For example, the Master of Science Education / Chemistry from Fort Hays State University helps meet requirements for college and community college chemistry teachers but does not lead to state licensure for K-12 teachers.

Curriculum

The courses in online master’s science programs can vary depending on the focus of the program you choose and your area of concentration (if any) within the program. Here are some of the classes you might take for your graduate science degree online:

• Data Analysis & Assessment
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Polymer Synthesis
• Color Physics & Applications
• Research Methods
• Quantum Physics
• Applied Radiation Safety
• Image Processing & Computer Vision
• Leadership for Research Management
• Scheduling Requirements

You can complete your master’s in science online in two years for most programs, though many offer the option to take courses at a slower pace to accommodate your current work and personal obligations. Some online science master’s programs have accelerated options that can take just over a year. Most programs are entirely online, although a few require short campus visits for intensive lab courses. Online science master’s programs usually require 30-36 credits and may also require a culminating exam, capstone project, or thesis to complete.

Resource:

• State of Nevada Department of Education

Getting your degree from an accredited school ensures that employers or future schools will recognize your education. Institutional accreditation examines the whole university or college for academic quality, fair procedures and practices, good governance, financial stability, and also student experience. All the online science master’s programs on our list carry institutional accreditation by an agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

In some fields, there is also programmatic accreditation performed by bodies specializing in the subject area. This type of approval studies the curriculum of the specific program to ensure that it meets industry standards for knowledge and also skill in the subject. For most online science master’s programs, no programmatic accreditation agency exists. An exception is science education, where the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accredits some master’s programs. An example is the M.A. in Teaching High School Education (8-12) / Science from Campbellsville University.

Though not accredited by a programmatic accrediting group, some online science master’s programs have approval from or are associated with professional societies. For instance, the online MS in Chemistry from Ohio University is approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS). Professional associations exist for many sub-fields in science. Although not all work with school programs, they may be terrific resources for students who plan to enter that profession.

Resources:

• CHEA - About Accreditation
• CAEP
• ACS

While each program carries its own requirements, the most common admission requirements include:

• Bachelor’s degree transcripts from an accredited college or university
• A minimum GPA of 2.75-3.0
• Letters of recommendation
• Statement of goals

For most online science master’s programs, GRE or GMAT scores are not required. However, some programs will allow students with GPAs below the minimum requirement to submit exam scores to qualify them for the program. International students may need proof of English language proficiency and may need to have their transcripts assessed before application.
online science master’s programsoften require that applicants have a bachelor's degree in a related subject and good grades in prerequisite science and mathematics courses. A few programs accept students with any undergrad major but may require additional classes for those with limited credits in science topics. Some science education master’s programs require that students have teaching experience and a license. In addition, some degrees in the health sciences require a nursing license for admission.

Online degrees are some of the most affordable ways to get your master’s in science. The average cost of programs on our list is $30,176. The least expensive program is the University of North Carolina at Wilmington's M.S. in Chemistry, at a cost of $9,252. The highest-cost program is the Master of Science in Applied Physics from Columbia University in the City of New York, at $64,490.

Career choices and also salaries are quite varied for graduates of science master’s programs online. A master’s degree can qualify you for a raise, allow you to move to a different job, or get a promotion. Science jobs can include everything from a data scientist to a wildlife biologist, from a geologist to a middle school science curriculum specialist.

Natural science managers make a median of $137,900, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Chemists and materials scientists command a median salary of $79,760, and geoscientists bring home slightly more than that, at $83,680. These scientific professions all have average expected job growth, keeping up with the economy as a whole.

According to Salary.com, a high school teacher with a master’s degree earns between $59,727 and $67,193 on average. The states that pay science teachers the most are Hawaii, Minnesota, South Dakota, Washington, and New York, according to ZipRecruiter.com. College teachers earn a median of $79,640, according to the BLS, with job growth projected to be much faster than the average for all professions.

Resources:

• Natural Sciences Managers (BLS)
• Chemists and Materials Scientists (BLS)
• Geoscientists (BLS)
• Salaries for High School Teacher with a Master's Degree or MBA
• What Is the Average Science Teacher Salary by State?
• Postsecondary Teachers (BLS)

There are many types of online science master’s programs, allowing you to follow your interest in science to help you change jobs, hone your expertise, or get a pay raise due to your knowledge and education. Online science master’s programs are highly valuable in our increasingly technologically and scientifically complex world. We need more people with advanced scientific competency to keep businesses humming, launch innovations, teach the next generation of scientists, and help protect people and the environment from damage while satisfying society’s needs. Research your options with the degree lists on GetEducated.com and submit your information to get started today!