Online College Courses in Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania has one of the largest public university systems in the country with the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, which is comprised of 14 state-owned schools serving nearly 120,000 students. Separate from that, the Commonwealth System of Higher Education consists of four state-related public schools – Lincoln University, Pennsylvania University, Temple University, and the University of Pittsburgh. In addition to these public school systems, Pennsylvania also has 15 public, two-year community colleges and technical schools, and many private colleges and universities, including Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pennsylvania, the latter of which is the state's sole Ivy League institution. These schools can reach students outside of the state too, thanks to online college courses in Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia. Known as "The City of Brotherly Love," Philadelphia has cultural and historical significance, attracting tourists for its cheesesteaks, vibrant arts scene, and historical landmarks such as the Liberty Bell. It is the most-populous city in Pennsylvania and the fifth most-populous city in the country, home to many colleges and universities that also offer online college courses in Philadelphia and to students in cities all over the world.

• Community College of Philadelphia. The largest institution of higher education in Philadelphia, this two-year school has more than 38,000 students enrolled in more than 70 degree and certificate programs. More than 2,000 of those students take advantage of the school's Distance Education program, which offers online courses, as well as hybrid courses that combine both classroom and online teaching.
• Drexel University. This nationally lauded private school awards a range of degrees, from certificates to doctorates, and is recognized for its focus on experiential learning. Through Drexel Online, students can attend the school through online degree programs, designed with professionals in mind looking to complete or advance their education. Certificate programs, bachelor's degrees, and master's degrees are offered online in areas including nursing, communications, psychology, and public health.
• La Salle University. A four-year, private Catholic institution, La Salle offers more than 40 undergraduate majors, 15 graduate programs, and 37 certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, nursing, and health sciences. In addition to courses at two regional campuses and aboard, the school offers distance learning opportunities through its College of Professional and Continuing Studies. Programs include instructional technology management, pathology, and organizational leadership.
• Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. This private school may be affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church, but it has students from more than 28 denominations working towards advanced education, from postbaccalaureate certificates to doctorates. The seminary's theological education prepares students for work in a variety of public ministries. Many courses include some online component, with distance learning options including the Distance Learning Collaborative Program, a partnership with Lancaster Theological Seminary that launched in fall 2011 offering courses in Christian theology and history.
• Peirce College. A four-year, private school, Peirce awards certificates, associate degrees, and bachelor's degrees while catering to "career-oriented, non-traditional students," according to the school's website. No surprise, the school offers workshops for continuing education, as well as several associate and bachelor's degrees online in areas including business, health care, information technology, and paralegal studies, the latter including a mix of online and campus-based courses.
• Philadelphia University. At this private institution, students can pursue more than 60 areas of study, including architecture, design, engineering, textiles, business, and the health and sciences, working towards bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees. Some areas, such as the a href="http://www.philau.edu/midwifery/midwifedistanceed.htm">Midwifery Institution, also offer online course options.
• Saint Joseph's University. A Jesuit university, Saint Joseph's offers undergraduate and master's degrees in the humanities, business, and natural and social science disciplines. Several of its graduate school offerings, including certificates in behavior analysis, health care ethics, and homeland security, as well as a professional MBA, are also available online.
• Temple University. Students can choose from more than 300 academic degree programs on the associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral , and professional levels offered at nine campuses. Four online/blended degree programs are also offered through the school's Online Learning Program: Doctor of Physical Therapy, Clinical Doctorate of Occupational Therapy, RN-BSN Completion Program, and an MBA program.
• The Art Institute of Philadelphia. As the name implies, this private institution awards degrees in artistic endeavors, including bachelor's degrees in fashion design, graphic design, interior design, and photography. Associate degrees and diploma programs are also offered in culinary arts. Through the institute's Online Division, students can take select courses online, alongside courses offered on campus.
• Thomas Jefferson University. This health sciences university trains future physicians, nurses, scientists, and allied health professionals at its six constituent colleges and schools. Through its distance learning program, Jefferson also offers online courses in nearly every department of its Continuing Medical Education program, including entire advanced degree programs for its nursing and occupational therapy schools.
• University of Pennsylvania. The state's sole Ivy League institution, Penn, as it's commonly called, awards a wide range of degrees, from certificates to doctorates. It is noted for its medical, dental, business, law, communications, nursing, and veterinary schools, as well as its social sciences and humanities programs, many of which feature online courses through Penn's distance learning program.
• University of the Sciences. This private institution awards degrees in 25 majors, as well as several MS, MBA, MPH, PhD, and certificate programs, all with a focus on the health sciences or health-care policy.

Pittsburgh. The second-largest city in Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh is known as "The City of Bridges," thanks to the more than 440 that crisscross the region, and "The Steel City," another nod to its many bridges, as well as its history as a steel manufacturing hub. Today, though, its economy relies on the healthcare, technology, robotics, and financial services sectors. It also is home to several renowned colleges and universities, many of which offer both campus-based and online college courses in Pittsburgh.

• Carlow University. This Catholic masters university offers more than 50 academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Its Adult Degree Center allows working adults to pursue an associate or bachelor's degree online through Blackboard and an e-learning hub.
• Carnegie Mellon University. A consistently top-ranked university, Carnegie Mellon is renowned for its arts and technology programs. It was named one of the "New Ivies" by Newsweek in 2006 for its competiveness and elite status. Committed to lifelong learning, professional and distance learning initiatives include management training, entrepreneurial education programs, and graduate and certificate programs for professionals in the management of technology, information security, education, and human resources, some of which are offered online in a hybrid distance/on-site format.
• Chatham University. A top master's-level institution, Chatham is a fast-growing, graduate-intensive school that offers more than 21 master's and doctoral degree programs at its College for Graduate Studies, as well as degree and certificate programs through its College for Continuing and Professional Studies. The latter also provides online undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including an RN-to-BSN, interior architecture, nursing, and creative writing, and a graduate certificate in infant mental health.
• Community College of Allegheny County. This two-year institution offers more than 170 programs that prepare students for the work force or continued advanced education at four-year colleges and universities. In addition to flexible schedules, there are several programs that can be completed entirely online through its Online Learning initiative, including associate degrees and certificates in accounting, business management, and software development, among others.
• Duquesne University. Duquesne is the largest Catholic university in Pennsylvania currently with more than 10,000 students and counting in 10 schools of study. Undergraduate and graduate degree programs are offered in natural and environmental sciences, leadership, business, nursing, health sciences, pharmacy, law, education, music, and the liberal arts. Select courses are also available via distance learning using Blackboard.
• Everest Institute – Pittsburgh. Career training is the name of the game at this private, for-profit, which awards certificates in less than two years as well as associate degrees. Programs include business administration, criminal justice, massage therapy, paralegal, medical assistant, and pharmacy technician. For students looking for a more flexible option, distance learning is also available through Everest in associate, bachelor's and master's programs.
• ITT Technical Institute – Pittsburgh. Those looking for technology-oriented, career-focused degrees will find just that at this institution. Students can earn associate and bachelor's degrees on campus, or, for some programs, online through the ITT Technical Institute based in Indianapolis, Ind.
• La Roche College. A private Catholic institution, La Roche offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and three graduate programs in such popular career fields as interior design, graphic design, criminal justice, education, and nursing. Many undergraduate and graduate offerings are also available through distance learning, including a bachelor's in medical imaging and criminal justice; an MSN in nursing administration and in nursing education; and more than 75 individual courses in a variety of subject matters.
• Mercy Hospital School of Nursing. Students interested in becoming nurses can earn a diploma in 21 months through this hospital-based school. The majority of the program is completed on-site, with credit and clinical hours required, though select courses, such as pharmacology, are also available online.
• Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science Inc. The focus of this institution is fairly narrow, as the name implies, awarding a diploma in embalming and funeral directing, as well as an associate degree in specialized technology. PIMS, as it is abbreviated, also offers students the opportunity to earn these credentials through PIMS Online, though in addition to the online funeral service education, students are required to attend an accelerated laboratory class on campus.
• Point Park University. A private university in downtown Pittsburgh, Point Park has a strong liberal arts tradition, awarding certificates, bachelor's degrees, and master's degrees in nearly 90 undergraduate degrees and 13 graduate programs through its schools of arts and sciences, business, and communication, and its performing arts conservatory. Recently, the school branched out into distance learning, offering certificate programs in adult education and administration; public administration; and intelligence and national security completely online.
• Sanford-Brown Institute – Pittsburgh. Students interested in career-focused, health-related programs that provide practical experience and training have turned to Sanford-Brown Institute. Areas of study include anesthesia technology, massage therapy, medical assistant, paralegal studies, radiography, and veterinary technology, with certificate, associate degree, and bachelor's degree levels offered. As part of its flexible learning mission, the school also offers online courses in a variety of programs.
• The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. As the name implies, this private institution awards degrees in artistic endeavors, including bachelor's and associate's degrees in fashion design, graphic design, interior design, and photography, among others. Associate degrees and diploma programs are also offered in culinary arts. Through the institute's Online Division, students can take select courses online, alongside courses offered on campus.
• University of Phoenix – Pittsburgh. Much like other University of Phoenix locations, the Pittsburgh Campus is geared towards nontraditional students, from working adults to stay-at-home moms, looking to complete their undergraduate degree or acquire advance credentials beyond a bachelor's. To that end, courses are offered year-round, on weekends and evenings, and often online, in areas such as education, nursing, business, and technology.

University Park. This area, located near the geographic center of the state, shares the same name as the flagship campus of the Pennsylvania State University, and is dominated by the school. As such, the area is largely a college town.

• Pennsylvania State University. This esteemed research university, commonly referred to as Penn State, is considered among the nation's "Public Ivies," offering undergraduate, graduate, professional and continuing education to about 94,300 students across 24 campuses and online through its World Campus. Through the school's extensive distance learning program, students can choose from more than 70 online degree and certificate programs in a number of areas.