Accredited Online Degrees and College Programs
Grand Canyon University supports your learning no matter how you choose to attend school. Our online college courses, offered through many of our distinct colleges, provide a faith-integrated curriculum developed so you can access a well-rounded education. We offer a variety of accredited degree programs online to help you position yourself for potential career advancement.1
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GCU’s online education is personalized with a flexible schedule so you can earn a degree as you continue to meet personal and professional responsibilities.1 Our instructors are available to help every step of the way in your online courses.
Our e-learning platform is designed to be intuitive and collaborative in nature, connecting you to a diverse group of peers hailing from all backgrounds and geographical locations. Enjoy the same quality of instruction and access to knowledgeable professors as our on-campus students while you engage in academic discussions with fellow learners who bring a diverse range of perspectives to the table. Furthermore, since you can access the course materials online whenever you wish,1 you can revisit key academic concepts as many times as necessary to reinforce knowledge retention.
GCU’s online degrees offer:
As a private university, GCU’s tuition rate is the same for in- and out-of-state students.
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Explore Online Degree Programs at GCU
GCU’s flexible degree programs can enable you to pursue higher education at every level. Whether you’re working toward earning your first degree at the baccalaureate level or pursuing graduate-level education with a master’s or doctoral degree, you’ll find a range of options to suit your academic interests and career intentions.
Online Program Options
Whether you’re looking to enroll for the first time, or are pursuing your doctorate degree, explore our different online program offerings to decide which one is best for you.
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Areas of Study
At GCU, you can choose from a wide range of online school programs.1 Take courses in the arts and media, business, humanities and many more. Some of the areas of study you can choose from include:
- Theology and ministry
- Communications
- Government
- History
- Business administration/management
- Behavioral health sciences
- Education
- Psychology
- Finance
Accreditation
Many of our flexible degree programs have received accreditation from various accrediting bodies. Please refer to our accreditation page to view programmatic accreditations.
GCU has been institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968. We embrace our longstanding tradition of prioritizing academic excellence and quality of instruction. We believe in preparing our students to become confident, capable and ethical leaders of tomorrow, prepared to serve their field and communities with integrity. Our colleges share the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
Coursework and Curriculum
As an online student at GCU, you’ll log into the Learning Management System — your digital classroom.1 You’ll have the ability to access your coursework and curriculum, including videos of lectures, discussion forums and digital projects. Each of our degree programs, whether online or on campus, is designed to provide enriching coursework that encompasses a broad scope and ideal depth of competencies and concept areas in their respective fields. All curriculum is built from the Christian worldview, with faith-integrated courses that encourage students to consider concepts through the lens of the Christian faith.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements for online programs can differ depending on the degree level and specific program you are pursuing. Please refer to our admission requirements page and fill out the form on this page to consult a university counselor who can help determine your eligibility to apply.
Online Degree Program FAQs
GCU’s online college platform is a great option for you if you’re looking to make a change and need your educational path to fit your busy lifestyle. You don’t have to pause your life to pursue an education. Take a look at our list of frequently asked questions to learn more about our online school programs.1
Education can serve as a gateway to new career opportunities and advancements. Understandably, many prospective students want to harness new opportunities but are unsure of whether an online college degree will be respected by employers or their peers. Some considerations to make when choosing an online education include:
University’s Reputation
Our online classes are designed to provide students with the same education as traditional students through our advanced online learning resources,1 interactive courses and knowledgeable faculty. A student graduating with an online degree from GCU will have the traditional campus’ reputation and heritage as reinforcement for the degree’s credibility.
Accreditation
To be sure that your online education meets academic standards,1 you must also verify that the university is properly institutionally accredited. GCU is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and has been so since 1968. Many of our flexible degree programs have received additional accreditations.
Online learning resources can make education a viable option for the thousands of students earning a degree while working. Whether you’re looking to enter the workforce or position yourself for potential advancement within your career field, an online education can provide opportunities for vocational growth and eligibility.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), occupations that need more education for entry are “projected to grow faster than average.” Over 24% of all occupations require at least a bachelor’s degree for an entry-level position, and these jobs are projected to grow by 6.7% from 2022 to 2032. Occupations that require at least a master’s degree for an entry-level position are projected to grow by 1.9% from 2022 to 2032, and occupations that require a doctoral or professional degree for an entry-level position are projected to grow by 2.7% from 2022 to 2032.2 An online education from GCU can help prepare you to pursue your intended career.
As of Fall 2023, GCU has nearly 93,000 online students.3 Accredited online degrees can offer you control over your own schedule, empowering you to achieve balance in your academic, personal and professional life. The online format can allow you to forgo the commute in favor of investing time in work, family life and personal goals.1
Online bachelor’s degrees vary in length depending on the chosen program. To view program length, select your desired online college degree from our bachelor’s programs page and view the degree lengths for that program. For more information, complete the form on this page to speak with a university counselor.
Most online college classes and programs require access to a computer, Wi-Fi and a word processor like Microsoft Word. These are necessary to access the student portal and complete your assignments. Some programs may require different resources.1 Check with your university counselor for specific expectations upon applying for your online college degree.
GCU also provides a variety of online learning resources for students, including tech support and virtual tutoring services for new students.
Online higher education may be associated with lower tuition rates.1 At GCU, we’re proud to offer a competitive tuition rate for our online students to make higher education more accessible and affordable. Please visit our tuition page to learn more.
Many of GCU’s online college degrees can be completed entirely online, with no need for an onsite presence. Certain programs may require practicum or field experience hours for degree completion, such as teaching degree programs. These requirements can often be fulfilled locally. Doctoral students can expect to complete the majority of their work remotely, with two required on-campus residencies to facilitate the dissertation process.
Career Paths for Graduates With an Online Education
With an online college degree, you’ll have the option of pursuing a number of different career options in your chosen field. If you earn a bachelor’s degree, you can generally expect to apply to entry-level positions after graduation. Or, if you’re earning a bachelor’s degree after having already gained work experience in your chosen field, you might be prepared to position yourself to pursue potential advancement. Our graduate degree programs are designed to prepare you to emerge as confident and capable leaders in your respective field.
Online Learning Resources
Get access to a host of GCU online learning resources to support your academic journey, including access to student service counselors, the GCU library, technical help and web-enhanced learning tools.
Explore our flexible degree programs to find the right course of study for you.
Visit our Majors and Programs page to research all our offered degrees
View All Programs1 While all courses are completed online, you will need to attend clinical, practicum and immersion hours in person locally.
2 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2022 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2023, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook Employment Projections, retrieved on March 6, 2024.
3 Includes students who have participated in an online class in August or September 2023 and does not include students in a cohort program.