School Details
Stark State College is a student-centered, comprehensive community college with transferable higher education and career development programs. Stark State is the largest among the five colleges and universities located in Stark County and maintains satellite centers and off-campus sites in Alliance, Barberton, Downtown Canton, Carrollton, Massillon, and Portage Lakes to better serve students. It is dedicated to providing students with a high-quality education at an affordable cost.
The College offers more than 230 associate degrees and one-year and career enhancement certificates, many of which are available online. Stark State online degrees improve skills and provide students with a competitive edge. Online learning is characterized by a dedicated faculty, convenience, efficiency, and affordability.
Accreditation & Licensing
Stark State College is accredited by:
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
All Programs
Art & Liberal Arts
The online Associate of Arts in English degree program from Stark State College will help you build a solid foundation for bachelor and graduate degrees in English while you explore different types of writing including creative writing, technical report writing, grant writing, scriptwriting, writing for media, writing for the Web, and business communications writing. Graduates may pursue careers such as:
- Proofreader
- Editor
- Instructional designer
- Social media specialist
- Writer
- Educator
The online Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degree programs from Stark State College are designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions or to transfer into baccalaureate degree programs.
- The Associate of Arts degree offers an excellent foundation for bachelor's degrees in communication, education, business, social and behavioral sciences, and the arts.
- The Associate of Science degree provides a solid background in mathematics and natural sciences.
The online Certificate in Grant Writing from Stark State College will help you grow in your current profession and expand your future employment opportunities. The curriculum covers:
- College Composition
- Technical Report Writing
- Grant Writing
- Technical Editing & Layout
- Technical Grammar & Style
Business
With online classes and flexible scheduling, you can complete this Associate of Applied Business in Accounting in as little as two years. You can also easily transition to a bachelor’s degree program and then a career as a CPA.
This online Accounting degree offers multiple choices of majors, including:
- Health Administration: You’ll concentrate on essential accounting courses but also add knowledge about medical terminology, the basics of healthcare delivery systems, the complex world of reimbursements and insurance, and the legal aspects of the medical profession.
- Computer Information: Get skilled in the most widely used software applications – including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, and QuickBooks – and their accounting functions. Not only will you get a foundation in accounting theory and other business areas, you’ll graduate with a highly developed computer competency.
- Corporate: You’ll be ready for jobs in corporate accounting in financial information preparation, reporting and analysis, or cost accounting; governmental accounting; nonprofit accounting; and accounting for partnerships or sole proprietorship.
- CPA: With this degree you’ll have many of the tools and skills necessary for a successful accounting career, and you’ll be familiar with the technical material on the CPA exam.
- Tax: Tax code changes are requiring more tax forms and knowledge than ever. You can fill the needs of businesses and certified public accounting firms for employees who have outstanding knowledge of accounting, business transactions and tax law – and are able to convert it into tax return preparation and tax savings.
Gain all the skills you need to join the fast-growing work-from-home community with an associate degree in Administrative Office Professional focusing on the virtual office environment. As a Virtual Office Professional, you can provide support to small businesses, serve as a consultant, or coordinate special projects for larger organizations.
In this online business administration degree program, you will receive training in the latest office software and emerging technologies. Whether you choose to work in industry, manufacturing, education, or government, you will have the skills necessary to be a valuable member of your team. Graduates will be qualified to sit for certifications including Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS), Certified Administrative Professional (CAP), Organizational Management (OM), and Technology Applications (TA).
Classes cover topics such as:
- Document development and website maintenance
- Editing, proofreading, and language skills
- Virtual assistant fundamentals
- Computer applications for professionals
With six majors to choose from, the online AAB in Business Management provides a valuable introduction to the business world with topics focused on your primary area of interest. Graduates will have the skills necessary to land management positions in the area of their choice.
Choose from the following options:
- Entrepreneurship: Students will have opportunities to learn firsthand what is needed to start a new business venture that will add economic and cultural value to the community, and to run an existing business with an entrepreneurial mindset.
- Health Services: This major blends together management skills with a basic understanding of the healthcare industry, anatomy, physiology, insurance, and medical terminology.
- Human Resources: Learn how to be a leader in hiring, training, and the development of corporate culture with this online Human Resources degree major.
- Kent State University BBA Degree: The school has teamed up with KSU to provide seamless transition into their business program with this special option in business management.
- Sports Management: Seamlessly blending together sports, finance, management, and leadership, the Sports Management major prepares you to work in the business side of the sports world, with great career opportunities in intercollegiate and professional sports organizations.
With the Associate of Applied Business in Finance, you will have the high-level skills employers seek to gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Coursework will prepare you to work for corporations of all sizes, investment firms, insurance companies, accounting firms, and government organizations.
This online Finance degree offers you a flexible way to achieve your degree on your own schedule. With the skills you gain from this program, you can pursue employment as an accounting clerk, financial analyst, or financial advisor.
Courses cover a variety of topics, such as:
- Fraud examination
- Personal finance
- Money and banking
- Taxation
- Business finance
For a rewarding career combining creativity with business, consider the Associate of Applied Business in Marketing and Sales Management. Marketing managers help companies by determining and promoting products, prices, and distribution. They work to identify potential customers and examine the demand for goods and services.
Coursework in this online Marketing degree prepares you to develop strategies to solve specific marketing problems, determine target markets, provide value to buyers, and create comprehensive marketing plans. You will be a valued member of your company, collaborating in getting goods and services to market.
Some of the topics covered in this degree program include:
- Business law and ethics
- Principles of marketing
- Sales
- Advertising
- Market planning
- Principles of management
The online Career Enhancement Certificate in Entrepreneurship helps you grow in your current profession and expand your future employment opportunities with a short-term, credit-bearing certificate. The curriculum will verify your proficiency and help you develop a specific set of skills to qualify for a career milestone or improve your performance in your professional setting.
Students can expect the following courses:
- Managing Entrepreneurial Growth
- Business Administration
- Global Entrepreneurship
- Entrepreneurship
The online Certificate in Banking Associate prepares individuals for entry-level positions in the banking industry. Students will gain knowledge of basic accounting, financial services, and mathematical applications relating to payments, annuities, and future value. This program meets the needs of banking employees who want to advance by pursuing certification in securities sales.
The online Certificate in Bookkeeping prepares students for entry-level accounting positions such as bookkeeper, accounts receivable specialist and accounts payable specialist. Graduates will also be eligible to take the certified bookkeepers exam administered by the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers. Get on the fast track with this one-year certificate that is stackable toward an associate degree in accounting.
The online Certificate in Computer-Integrated Accounting gives you the software skills you need as an accounting assistant to integrate business and accounting practices with manufacturing practices such as design and engineering. The certificate is stackable toward an associate degree in accounting.
This is a sample of some of the courses in the program:
- Database Applications – Microsoft Access
- Computer Applications for Professionals
- Computerized Accounting Applications
- Business Law & Ethics
- Financial Accounting
- Payroll Accounting
This online Certificate in Enrolled Agent helps you get the training you need to enter the tax field. Preparing tax returns is becoming more and more complicated, creating a need for qualified tax preparers. Only three professions – attorney, certified public accountant and enrolled agent – can represent a taxpayer before the Internal Revenue Service.
If you want to prepare tax returns without taking all the additional courses required to become an attorney or a certified public accountant, earning this certificate and passing the Enrolled Agent Exam administered by the IRS satisfies that need. Your curriculum will cover individual tax, corporate and business taxes, non-profit taxation, and estate and income tax planning, and you will be prepared to sit for the Enrolled Agent Exam.
Computer Science & IT
The online Computer Programming and Database degree teaches database management systems in coordination with computer software know-how in order to allow students to determine best practices for data organization and storage.
Learn how to:
- Identify user requirements
- Set up computer databases
- Test and coordinate modifications to computer database systems
The AAB in Computer Technology encompasses studies of both business and technology and how the two are interrelated. Computer Technology specialists can use information technology to solve common business problems.
Courses provide students with a foundational knowledge of computer hardware, operating systems, networking, programming, and database management systems. Students learn about issues related to technology management and system implementation.
The curriculum of this computer science online degree program includes topics such as:
- Data analysis and decision making
- Advanced Microsoft SQL server database
- Data mining and data warehousing
- Internet design and development
- Data modeling and database design
The online Web Design & Development Technology program at Stark State College equips students with knowledge and skills for ever-in-demand careers in Internet design and programming. Courses target the latest techniques such as CSS, AJAX and more.
Objectives include:
- Design and develop Web-based applications
- Develop user interfaces for internet/intranet applications
- Design and develop databases
- Create multimedia applications
The online Career Enhancement Certificate in C++ Assembly Programming is designed to help students optimize their current employment as well as expand future employment opportunities with a focus on C++ Programming.
Career enhancement certificates are perfect for students who need to develop specific sets of skills to qualify for or improve their performance in a given career setting.
The Computer Science certificate allows students to go behind the scenes and apply their creativity to high-tech items. Students in this program learn how to design and operate hardware and software systems.
The curriculum increases students’ awareness of contemporary issues in both social and global contexts in the field. Students will understand the professional and ethical responsibilities of Computer Science professionals. Graduates can find employment opportunities such as electronics engineering technician, computer repairer, telecommunications equipment installer, computer systems analyst, computer user support specialist, and more.
Topics covered in this Computer Science online degree program include:
- Java programming
- C++ programming
- Data modeling and database design
- Mobile development architecture
- Internet design and development
- .Net development
The Certificate in Data Analytics from Stark State College equips students with skills and knowledge necessary to examine data sets, find new trends, and draw data-informed conclusions to benefit their organization.
Students learn how to acquire data, generate reports, and analyze data for decision making. Courses in this online data science program also cover the fundamentals of information systems, database design, programming logic, and problem solving skills. All courses in this program can be applied toward the online Associate of Applied Business in Computer Technology.
The Career Enhancement Certificate in Java Programming allows students to learn one of the world’s most widely used programming languages. This online programming certificate program from Stark State College consists of three focused courses to allow students to enhance their job skills part-time, online while they work. Courses provide an introduction to programming logic and problem solving, as well as basic and advanced coursework in Java Programming topics.
The online Career Enhancement Certificate in Microsoft SQL Server is designed to help students optimize their current employment as well as expand future employment opportunities with a focus on SQL Databases.
Career enhancement certificates are perfect for students who need to develop specific sets of skills to qualify for or improve their performance in a given career setting.
Learn the basics necessary to pursue a career in the in-demand video game industry with a Career Enhancement Certificate in Video Game Design. Students will gain a strong foundation of skills with this four-course online program.
The curriculum introduces programming logic and problem solving, as well as game programming and 2D game design and development. The program can be completed part-time over the course of two semesters.
The online Certificate in Database Systems combines database management systems with computer software to determine ways to organize and store data.
Students who complete this certificate will be able to add the Oracle or Microsoft logo to one’s resume which symbolizes a higher degree of knowledge and competence using these products.
The online Certificate in Web Design offers students state-of-the-art training in the exciting and lucrative field of online Internet design and programming.
This program focuses on creating the backbone of a website with the latest techniques such as CSS, AJAX and more.
This certificate program will provide incoming and current web designers and information professionals with the curriculum to become employed in this growing and expanding area.
Engineering
The online AAS in Computer Science & Engineering degree program from Stark State College provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to operate, describe, and design state-of-the-art hardware and software systems. Graduates are prepared to:
- Develop software using the major software development languages
- Maintain an awareness of contemporary issues in computer science and engineering in a global and societal context and an understanding of the professional and ethical responsibilities of their profession