Find out more about University of Northern Colorado

Enroll in this online foreign language degree and advance professional opportunities. With society becoming more globalized, there is a growing need for educators to teach a second/world language. You can focus your studies on such languages as:

• Arabic
• Chinese
• Italian
• Japanese
• Russian

Of course, Spanish and French are also offered. Gain the knowledge and skills needed to introduce students to a second language and culture.

These online teaching degrees are offered 100% online. In addition to studying wherever it is convenient, you can complete your field experience in your own community.

Enroll in this online English degree and advance your professional opportunities. Throughout this program, students will develop skills related to language and literacy acquisition, as well as implement strategies for working with linguistically diverse students. These online teaching degrees prepare students to engage in authentic, classroom-based research.

Flexibility is a key component of this English degree. This includes educational and schedule flexibility. Complete your coursework at your own pace and on your own schedule, studying whenever and wherever it is convenient. Customize the degree by building your own course of study that supports your teaching philosophies and your students’ learning.

Enroll in this online music degree and advance your professional opportunities. This program was designed for those who aspire to gain musical competencies and qualities for success in the field. The curriculum was designed to be in-depth and deepen an understanding of music and how it is taught. These online teaching degrees are intended for those who are already teachers of music.  

This music degree offers the flexibility needed to tailor your studies to match your career goals. Plus, since it is online except for three weeks each Summer, you can earn your degree without quitting your job.

Complete your graduate degree in as little as 12 months with the Master of Science in Sport and Exercise Science. Students in the Sports Administration concentration will study topics necessary to prepare for careers in professional sports organizations, university athletic departments, and more.

The curriculum covers sport finance, program management, marketing, law, events and facilities, and fundraising. You will learn about current issues facing the sports industry. Internship opportunities allow you to bridge the gap between theory and practice, preparing you for the road ahead. Both thesis and non-thesis options are available to complete the program.

Prepare for a leadership career in a variety of roles, including P-12 district leadership, applied research, advocacy, and higher education, with this online doctorate in education leadership. The curriculum emphasizes critical reading, analysis of data, and original research. Customize your degree by choosing one of three areas of concentration:

• Principal Licensure
• Administrator Licensure
• Research

You may also work concurrently on a principal or administrator license.

This EdD is different from a PhD program because it requires fewer research courses. It also focuses on the application of theory and research to practice while a PhD program emphasizes pure theory and research.

Become an advocate for exceptional students with this online special education degree. This program is for experienced educators who are seeking leadership and further growth opportunities within the field.  

The curriculum combines theory, research, practice, and policy on different special education teaching methods and how to best serve individuals with disabilities. You will work in collaboration with an advisor and committee on individualized instruction, pursuing your specific interests and goals in the field of special education. This online special education degree is based on the concept that learning is an “active, self-regulated process.”

This online education administration degree prepares students, who already have a master’s degree, for leadership roles. There are two concentrations to choose from:

• Director of Gifted Education
• Principal Licensure for Grades K-12

The Director of Gifted Education concentration provides expertise to develop all facets of the programs that prepare and engage gifted learners through an in-depth knowledge base in all areas of gifted education. This highly individualized degree builds on your gifted education background, ensuring you will graduate and take on the role of a gifted education administrator.  

The Principal Licensure for Grades K-12 concentration provides the vision and skills students need to successfully lead K-12 educational organizations. Study both leadership roles and responsibilities and contemporary educational issues.

Prepare for a leadership role at the school or district level with this online education administration degree. This interdisciplinary program ensures graduates are ready to assume roles as building principals, special education directors, and/or central office administrators.  

This online special education degree provides dual licensure, allowing students to pursue a diverse range of fields as they graduate. One license is for the Principal and the other is for the Special Education director. This program, which teaches students how to create positive change and successfully lead high-achieving, culturally responsive schools, covers such topics as:

• Program planning
• Applied research
• Policy and budget development
• Contemporary education issues

Earn your degree and principal licensure with this online master’s in education administration. Students will develop organizational skills to lead K-12 school systems while affecting change and growth. The curriculum provides knowledge and skills in working with external environments, policy development, and contemporary educational issues.  

An important piece of this education is also the collaboration with other professionals in the field and developing the networks to succeed. Share ideas, problems, and successes with others who face similar daily challenges.

Advance your knowledge and skills with this online education administration degree. Prepare for a career as a leader working with a growing part of the student population, those with special needs. This program provides dual licensure, allowing students to pursue a diverse range of fields as they graduate. With this online special education degree, graduates will be Principals and Special Education Directors.  

The curriculum covers such topics as:

• Program planning
• Applied research
• Policy and budget development
• Contemporary education issues
• Parent and community engagement

Learn to optimize teaching and learning processes in the classroom in this online educational psychology degree that is designed specifically for teachers. This strategically-designed program covers such topics as:

• Research in the field
• Developing assessments
• Addressing diversity
• Student motivation

Study how the brain works, the role of society and culture in learning, and how to foster deep-level learning and 21st-century skills.  

The curriculum is designed to let you apply your studies immediately to your classroom and use your classroom as a context for studying, learning, and teaching. With interactive courses, you will have the opportunity to build relationships with instructors and fellow students.

Enroll in this instructional design degree online and advance professional opportunities. In today’s world, it is hard, if not impossible, to escape technology. The same is true for the field of education, bringing a need for professionals who are able to successfully bring technology into the school and classroom. This program provides experience for that innovative educator.  

Coursework teaches:

• Modern technologies
• Social practices
• Delivery methods for K-12 or higher education settings

The goal is to better the future of instruction.

As you earn your online instructional design degree, you will have the opportunity to publish research and present in scholarly venues. Collaborative research and other scholarly projects are encouraged.

Prepare for or advance a career in higher education and student affairs with this online masters in higher education. The curriculum features a practitioner-scholar model and focuses solely on higher education, unlike other programs that are broad educational leadership programs. Courses connect theory, practice, and research.  

There are multiple advantages to earning this higher education degree online. It combines collaborative, interactive online learning with practical field experience. You will benefit from individualized mentoring and advising by experienced higher education and student affairs leaders.

Enroll in these online literacy programs and advance professional opportunities. Literacy is the building block upon which almost all other learning is built. Learn about traditional and modern literacy practices as you prepare to make a difference in students’ lives. You will help students experience the competence and pleasures of literacy. Unlike many literacy programs that are a mix of generalist core classes and some literacy classes, the curriculum in this online literacy program is comprised entirely of literacy courses. You may pursue career tracks involved in curriculum development, school leadership of reading programs, and literacy specialists.

Designed by experts in the field, this online STEM teaching degree helps the aspiring math teacher take the next step toward his or her dream. The curriculum prepares individuals for secondary and higher education math practice. The focus is on improving math education across different types of schools and organizations as well. Become a leader in mathematics curricula within your school as you also become a curricular, instructional, and assessment expert in the classroom.  

This online math degree can qualify you for community college teaching opportunities but does not lead to an initial K-12 teaching license or an added endorsement in Mathematics Grades 7-12.

Enroll in this master's in ESL online degree and advance professional opportunities. Prepare for a career working with foreign students as a teacher and administrator. Gain advanced knowledge, skills, and cross-cultural competencies to work with, not only EFL students of all ages internationally, but also adult students in the United States. Learn to design curriculum and assessments for students of other languages.  

Immersive learning opportunities are available in the form of internships, practicums, and/or student teaching in language education both in the U.S. and abroad. This may include teaching in school, university, or community settings.

Prepare for or advance a career in higher education and student affairs with this online masters in higher education. The curriculum features a practitioner-scholar model and focuses solely on higher education, unlike other programs that are broad educational leadership programs. Courses connect theory, practice, and research.  

This is an online STEM teaching degree, providing students with a great deal of flexibility. In as little as two years, without interrupting your teaching career, you are able to earn this STEM teaching degree.

Prepare for a career working with a growing part of the student population, those with special needs, with this online special education degree. In particular, you will learn to meet the communication, academic, social, and emotional needs of students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Study speech, American Sign Language (ASL), and sign systems. Students will also participate in field-based experiences so they can get the most out of their education.

Before practicum placement, all students are required to complete a sign language proficiency test.

Prepare to make a difference in the lives of children with and without disabilities from birth to age 8 with this online special education degree. This program is beneficial to anyone who desires to work with children and families with unique educational needs. Study different service approaches, intervention practices, collaborative experiences, and more. The focus is on promoting families as partners.  

Coursework includes extensive experience working with three age groups:

• Infant/Toddler
• Preschool
• K-3

Students do not need to be licensed teachers but can become eligible for their teaching license and endorsement through this program.

Help ensure all of your students receive a quality education with this online special education degree. This interdisciplinary program addresses instruction of topics such as literacy and mathematics, but also teaches behavior management and utilizing technology in the classroom. Discover strategies that show how your teaching impacts your K-12 students.

This program is designed for practicing teachers. Students may pursue an endorsement with this program so they can become more qualified in the field.

Prepare for a career working with students who are gifted and talented, meeting their unique needs, with this online special education degree. The curriculum addresses the new standards for educators of gifted and talented students. Courses will likely include:

• Assessment & Identification in Gifted Education 
• Program Strategies and Services for Gifted Learners 
• Communication, Collaboration & Leadership in Gifted Education
• Advocacy in Gifted Education 
• Action Research & Reflective Practice in Gifted Education

With the flexibility of this online special education degree, you are able to study wherever it is convenient. Advance your degree and career without quitting your job.

This online special education degree is specifically designed for educators who wish to work with young visually impaired children. The skillset these children need to learn requires specific training, which the curriculum is prepared to provide. Learn to make a difference in the potential academic and social areas of students from birth to age 21 who have visual impairments.

While this program is designed for teachers and paraeducators, it may also be open to those who are looking for a career change. Regardless of your background, this special education degree online allows you the flexibility needed to continue working while obtaining your degree.

Work to ensure that all students receive a quality education after earning this online special education degree. Become a leader in special education. Through this program, teachers will gain more training and understanding of behavioral and social success among students. The research-based curriculum provides a high-quality and accurate approach to special education intervention. Prepare to meet the needs of diverse students and their families as a mentor and instructional coach.

All students deserve a quality education and with this online special education degree, you will take the first step in ensuring that this occurs. This program utilizes Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and leadership to provide advanced education to teachers working with special education students. The coursework includes teaching on: 

• Ethics
• Management and supervision
• Problem behavior
• Experimental design

This applied behavioral analysis program online offers a great amount of flexibility. Students are able to earn their degrees without quitting their current jobs.

Advance your coaching career with a degree in this rapidly growing field. This online physical education degree covers popular coaching practices combined with research and theory. Some of the program objectives include:

• Teaching sport and injury prevention
• Sport psychology
• Coaching research
• International coaching methods

The curriculum advances knowledge and skills in all facets of coaching. Regardless of the sport you are coaching, this online physical education degree can be applied to your career.

Enroll in this master's in ESL online degree and advance professional opportunities. As the population of multilingual learners grows, there is a corresponding need for teachers who are able to meet the educational needs of emergent bilingual learners. Prepare to teach all culturally and linguistically diverse students.

Designed for specialist and general K-12 classroom teachers, this online ESL degree ensures you learn how to integrate language and content area instruction to promote academic, social, and personal growth among students. Graduates have strong knowledge in the field of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) education, skills in planning and implementing instruction and assessment, and the ability to collaborate and advocate for the academic success of CLD learners.

Advance your knowledge and career with this online masters in curriculum and instruction. Designed with the K-12 educator in mind, this program allows educators to continue learning about the curriculum development process. Analyze contemporary practices and theories relating to knowledge acquisition as a means of enhancing student learning. Students will do teacher research and learn about practices and approaches that help enhance teaching and learning.  

Customize this online degree in curriculum and instruction by choosing from a variety of electives, including:

• Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education
• Educational Technology
• English Education
• Literacy
• Special Education

Help students become healthier with this online physical education degree. This program is designed for educators seeking roles as physical activity leaders. The curriculum focuses on teaching students to implement health and physical activity promotion in K-12 schools. Learn to design, coordinate, and champion comprehensive school physical activity programs that will: 

• Promote school-wide physical activity
• Advance physical activity opportunities before, during, and after school
• Increase staff, family, and community involvement

Graduates are prepared to act as leaders of physical activity.

Enroll in this master's in ESL online degree and advance professional opportunities. Prepare for a career working with growing parts of the student population, those with special needs and those who bring cultural and language diversity to the classroom. For students who wish to develop classroom skills related to multicultural studies, this program may be a good fit. The curriculum enhances the knowledge of cognitive and linguistic teaching skills for currently licensed teachers. It ensures you will be able to enhance the learning experience of every student in your classroom.  

Graduates will have completed the coursework and field experiences necessary to receive endorsements in both Special Education Generalist and Culturally Linguistically Diverse (CLD).

Earn an exceptional education with this online Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology. This program boasts a 100% job placement rate and 100% pass rate on the Praxis exam in speech-language pathology.

Students will have access to clinical training opportunities, professional mentoring, and evidence-based skills development. Courses also prepare you to work with clinical research design, scientific writing, and data analysis. Online students will complete one two-week campus visit for in-person laboratory experiences and academic advising.

Some of the class topics you can expect in this master’s in speech pathology online include:

• Assistive technology for communication disorders
• Feeding and swallowing disorders
• Acquired disorders of language and cognition
• Articulation and phonological disorders in children
• Voice and resonance disorders

Teach others how to incorporate good nutrition into their health plans with a Master of Science in Dietetics. Graduates of this program can create positive change in people’s lives by providing the tools they need to live healthy lifestyles, meet nutritional and performance goals, and recover from illness.

After completing this master’s in nutrition online, professionals can become Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. All academic coursework can be completed in two years online, while an internship track can be completed in three years with the addition of in-person hands-on learning opportunities. Through this program, students will develop advanced skills in critical thinking and leadership valuable in the nutrition field.

Classes cover topics such as:

• Nutrient metabolism
• Public health nutrition
• Nutrition counseling methods
• Nutrition communication
• Research methods

Join a tight-knit, noncompetitive, and nurturing learning community that will promote your success in bio-medical-related programs with this online biomedical science degree. You will enhance your academic credentials and prepare for your career. The rigorous curriculum provides a firm foundation in biomedical coursework that underlies and supports medicine.

Study such topics as:

• Biological and cellular processes
• Genetics
• Principles of clinical and lab research
• About careers in biomedical sciences

As you prepare for a future in medicine, dentistry, pharmaceuticals, veterinary medicine, or biomedical-related Ph.D. programs, you will be a part of a small group that ensures you benefit from strong personal support and advisement.

This flexible online biology degree offers two options, the on-campus thesis option, and the non-thesis option which is also available online. This non-thesis option still focuses on specific subject-matter expertise that supports professional development but instead of a thesis, you will complete a written evaluation.  

Learn about:

• Laboratory techniques
• Research design and methodology
• Academic writing and oral presentation
• In-depth content knowledge in a chosen area of biological sciences

All students benefit from supportive relationships with faculty who act as teachers, mentors, and colleagues. Regardless if you are using this degree as a stepping stone to a Ph.D. program in biological sciences or as advanced knowledge for biology or science teachers, this online biology degree will set you up for success.

The online RN to BSN degree completion program from the University of Northern Colorado is designed to provide working ADN-graduate registered nurses with a flexible, convenient format in which to earn their BSN. Coursework builds upon nurses' existing knowledge and experience, exploring topics such as:

• ​Health Assessment
• ​Evidenced Based Practice
• ​Patient-Centered Care Concepts
• ​Current Issues in Health Care
• Population-Based Practice

The online DNP degree program from the University of Northern Colorado, designed for practicing MSN / APNs, prepares students as clinical experts with a focus on the critical thinking, leadership, and political policy skills needed to advocate and create changes in healthcare practice at the individual, population, and organizational systems levels. Coursework explores topics such as:

• Population Centered Health Care
• Philosophical Underpinnings of Nursing Science
• ​Design, Methods, and Analysis in Health Care Research
• ​Leadership in Health Policy
• ​Healthcare Finance

The online PhD in Nursing Education from the University of Northern Colorado is designed to extend content acquired at the baccalaureate or master's levels to emphasize knowledge development, education strategies, leadership, and research. Coursework covers topics such as:

• ​Evidence-Based Teaching
• ​Nursing Curriculum Design and Program Evaluation
• ​Cognition and Instruction
• ​Qualitative Research

​Graduates are prepared for nurse educator positions in academic settings and health care organizations.

The Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Northern Colorado prepares special educators, psychology professionals, and behavior analysts with knowledge and skills in the area of ABA. Coursework is verified by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) and fulfills educational requirements to take the Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) examination.

This online special education certification enables students to work in schools, homes, and in the community to assess children’s behavior issues often related to developmental disabilities, develop interventions, and measure outcomes. Graduates can work with children with autism as well as general school populations, in businesses and organizations dealing with employee issues, or in individual practice.

UNC’s certificate involves a combination of special education and school psychology coursework including:

• Identifying problem behaviors
• Measurement and experimental design
• Designing, implementing, and evaluating interventions
• Behavior change systems
• Ethics
• Management and supervision
• Application of ABA among populations with diverse needs