Auburn University

Initially founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church as the East Alabama Male College in 1856, Auburn University has evolved dramatically into a public institution with land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant status for high research activity. As one of the state's largest colleges, Auburn serves over 20,600 undergraduates and 5,200 post-graduates in its 13 academic colleges. AU specializes in polytechnic education to focus its over 140 degrees in the sciences and agriculture. Auburn University is based on a sprawling 1,843-acre urban campus in a lively college town near the Georgia border. Thanks to Auburn Online, students can now attend classes from anywhere with high-speed Internet access too.

With an illustrious history of academic excellence, Auburn is currently ranked as the 103rd best university and 48th top public school in the country by the U.S. News and World Report. In particular, it's recognized for having the 6th best online business programs, 6th best online computer science degrees, and 8th best online graduate education programs in America. AU was named the nation's 73rd best master's-level institution in Washington Monthly for service and ethics. Auburn University was the only Alabama school included in the inaugural Peterson's Guides to America's 296 Most Competitive Colleges. The Times Higher Education has even placed Auburn among the world's top 400 best universities.

Auburn University Accreditation Details

As a whole, Auburn University is formally accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), which is one of the approved regional accrediting agencies of the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). In addition, several academic departments have pursued discipline-specific accreditations for their programs. Online business degrees are approved by the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Engineering and computer science programs are given the stamp of approval by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Online teaching degrees are accredited for meeting the standards of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) too.

Auburn University Application Requirements

Even though Auburn has an acceptance rate of 82 percent, graduate admissions are more selective and competitive. For finding your spot in AU's online master's programs, you'll need to possess at least a four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or an approved foreign equivalent. Graduate degrees at Auburn generally require a minimum upper-division undergraduate GPA of 3.0, but some may require higher grades. Graduate students must submit satisfactory scores on the GRE or GMAT using the institutional code 1005. Foreign students must demonstrate English proficiency by scoring 550 or higher on the TOEFL paper-based exam. Course prerequisites will vary greatly based on the master's degree chosen.

At least 45 days before the semester begins, interested applicants must submit an admissions application to Auburn University's Graduate School with the following materials:

• Official transcripts from each college attended
• Certified graduate entrance exam score results
• Three letters of professional recommendation
• A one to two-page statement of career goals
• Payment for the $60 application fee (unless waived)

Tuition and Financial Aid

Auburn University has been ranked among America's top 50 affordable colleges with a stellar 15-year return on investment of over $1 million. Graduate students enrolling in one of AU's online programs can cash in on this value. Alabama residents will pay $477 per credit hour, whereas non-residents should expect to pay $1,431 per credit hour. If you enroll full-time with nine credits, you'll need to afford $4,293 or $12,879 each semester based on your residency. Along with tuition, certain graduate students must budget for the $200 business fee, $225 honors college fee, $200 nursing fee, $246 music fee, and $804 student services fee.

To afford these costs, Auburn University makes it simple to qualify for a helpful financial aid package after completing the FAFSA form. Graduate students may wish to borrow money through Direct loans, PLUS loans, Perkins loans, or non-federal private loans, but this should be cautious to avoid interest-accruing debt. Financially needy students are considered for the Pell Grant, FSEOG Grant, TEACH Grant, and Alabama Student Assistance Grant. Scholarships are mostly offered to undergraduates, but master's-level students could receive AU's Graduate Tuition Fellowships, Graduate Research Grants, Cantey Fellowships, or Meriwether Fellowships. The President's Graduate Opportunity Program is also available.

Online Degrees Available

Through Auburn Online's virtual learning classroom, there are hundreds of undergraduate online classes and several fully online graduate programs to choose from. Auburn makes it more convenient for busy working adults to earn one of its 39 master's degrees, eight specialist degrees, and six graduate certificates online. Drawing on the same high-quality curricula and award-winning faculty, Auburn Online gives flexible educational experiences conveniently accessible from home or work. The top-notch online master's programs include a:

Master of Software Engineering

As a non-thesis, asynchronous online program, the Master of Software Engineering (M.Sw.E) at Auburn University allows graduate students to build in-depth knowledge in computer systems, artificial intelligence, operating systems, databases, networks, and programming languages like C++. There's also a unique Information Assurance option offered for budding engineers seeking entry into cyber security fields. The program is offered fully online for accommodating non-traditional learners, but significant class interaction and a culminating design project is required.

Master of Education in Agriscience Education

In a convenient 100 percent online format, the Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Agriscience Education at AU is designed to prepare graduate students for serving as certified secondary agriscience technology educators in grades 6-12. Within the 30-credit curriculum, future teachers will explore courses in animal science, horticulture, forestry, soil science, environmental science, aquaculture, agricultural economics, agronomy, and more. Field-based teaching experiences can be arranged in students' local community. Graduates will be qualified to pursue the Alabama Class A professional educator certificate.

Master of Science in Finance

With no work stoppage, the AACSB-accredited Master of Science in Finance (MSF) program is available to broaden professionals' knowledge on the allocation of financial resources within the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Finance majors have the unique chance to gain hands-on practice managing a $50,000 investment portfolio in the Student Investment Program. Students will also have access to the state-of-the-art TIGER Lab and extensive Bloomberg databases. This 30-credit online program at Auburn University will cover everything from calculus and business analytics to financial management and cost analysis systems.