north carolina online phd programs

Online and Distance Education

You can be a Tar Heel from all over the world through a growing selection of online graduate programs and undergraduate classes, as well as a variety of additional distance ed credit or noncredit offerings from professional schools or UNC-Chapel Hill Digital and Lifelong Learning.

Of the public, for the public – in North Carolina and beyond

At its core, and fundamental to its future, Carolina is “of the public, for the public.” Historically, distance and continuing education has been a foundational part of this mission, serving as the “Gateway to Carolina” for the community. Looking ahead, this service mindset drives UNC-Chapel Hill’s planning via its strategic plan, Carolina Next: Innovations for Public Good.

Online and distance education look very different than they did even one year ago, but they are still ultimately about the students. We’re working to extend Carolina learning opportunities to those who might not otherwise have access, removing barriers to a great education. Along the way, we’re bringing the best of current standards and emerging trends to our online offerings.

We hope you’ll join us.

Facts & Figures

18 online degree programs
66,750 enrollments in online courses (2019-2020 academic year)
4,315 sections offered online (2019-2020 academic year)
46 departments/programs with online courses (2019-2020 academic year)
539 instructors teaching online courses (2019-2020 academic year)

Fall 2021 Online Courses

To support students as they make degree progress, the University continues to provide limited online course options for undergraduate students who need to attend remotely. We have carefully selected a range of courses that are likely to help most undergraduate students, and we will reserve seats for those students who have been identified as needing this flexibility before opening registration to all students.

Graduate Level Online Programs

Eshelman School of Pharmacy

Master of Science Degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Graduate School

Professional Science Master’s in Biomedical and Health Informatics

Kenan-Flagler Business School

Master of Business Administration
Master of Accounting

School of Government

Master of Public Administration

School of Media and Journalism

Certificate in Digital Communication
Master of Arts in Digital Communication

School of Information and Library Science

Professional Science Master’s in Digital Curation and Management

School of Public Health

Certificate in Community Preparedness and Disaster Management
Certificate in Core Public Health Concepts
Certificate in Field Epidemiology
Certificate in Global Health
Certificate in Occupational Health Nursing
Certificate in Public Health Leadership
Executive DrPH in Health Leadership
Master’s in Health Administration in Public Health Policy and Management
Master’s in Public Health in Public Health Leadership
Master’s in Public Health in Public Health Policy and Management

Allied Health Sciences

Master of Clinical Laboratory Science
Master’s in Radiologic Science
Transitional Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy

Programs at other UNC institutions

Visit online.northcarolina.edu for current information about all online academic programs offered through the University of North Carolina System.

State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA)

The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement is a voluntary agreement among member states, districts and territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs. It is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state. SARA is overseen by a National Council (NC-SARA) and administered by four regional education compacts.

North Carolina is a member state of SARA, through the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB). UNC-Chapel Hill is a participating institution of SARA and authorized to offer distance education courses and programs to students located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories.

Student Complaints about Delivery of Distance Education

Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act includes regulations regarding the delivery of distance education to out-of-state residents. The United States Department of Education requires that institutions comply with any applicable state approval or educational requirements in each state to which distance education instruction is delivered.

Students have the right to file a complaint against an institution when these requirements are not followed or regarding the loss of tuition and fees as a result of unfair business practices. Institutions must provide both current and prospective students with contact information for filing complaints with its accrediting body and the appropriate state agency for handling complaints in a student’s resident state.

Examples of consumer protection complaints for SARA purposes include, but are not limited to:

Accuracy of recruitment and marketing materials;
Accuracy of job placement data;
Accuracy of information about tuition, fees and financial aid;
Complete and accurate admission requirements for courses and programs;
Accuracy of information about the institution’s accreditation and/or any programmatic/specialized accreditation held by the institution’s programs;
Accuracy of information about whether course work meets any relevant professional licensing requirements or the requirements of specialized accrediting bodies;
Accuracy of information about whether the institution’s course work will transfer to other institutions; and
Operation of distance education programs consistent with practices expected by institutional accreditors (and, if applicable, programmatic/specialized accreditors) and/or the Council of Regional Accrediting Commissions (C‐RAC) Guidelines for distance education.

If you have a complaint about UNC-Chapel Hill’s distance education programs and the issue could not be resolved internally, read more and learn about options and resources related to student complaints about delivery of distance education.

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Spartan Alert

Business administration, ph.d..

The PhD in Business Administration is an innovative, online research program that can be completed in five years time. It is designed to prepare students for careers as faculty in academic institutions as well as professionals in research organizations and government institutions.

Program Distinctions

This online program provides you the flexibility to stay in your current location and job while earning your degree.
The program is available to students with a master’s in a business field or related area such as economics, sociology, political science, psychology, or public administration.
Core coursework includes major courses, field courses, and courses in research methods.
Students can select a focus on Strategy, International Business, or Organizational Behavior.

The Student Experience

Students will demonstrate knowledge regarding conceptual and empirical research methodologies, design an original substantive research project, apply advanced knowledge in a global context, and understand specialized knowledge and scholarly literature in their field in order to contribute to academic, government, and private sector environments through their research.

After Graduation

This program prepares students for academic careers at major universities and colleges. It is intended for faculty members in business schools who do not have a PhD but are interested in a research based doctoral degree, and individuals in government or industry who would like to grow in their understanding of conceptual and empirical research methodologies as they apply advanced knowledge in a global context and design an original, substantive research project.