Online Master’s Degrees at KU
Advance your career with flexible, fully online master’s degrees at KU. As a top-tier research university, we design programs for working professionals ready to build expertise, expand opportunity, and move forward with purpose.
Earn Your Master’s Degree Online from KU
KU offers accredited online master’s degrees built for working professionals who want to keep moving in their careers. You can build expertise, expand your options, and take the next step without stepping away from your work or your commitments.
Our online master’s programs cover fields like engineering, business, education, healthcare, public service, and the social sciences. Many are designed to be completed part time, so you can stay in the workforce while you earn your degree.
As a member of the Association of American Universities and a Carnegie R1 research institution, KU brings the strength of a leading public university to online graduate study. You learn from the same faculty, follow the same curriculum, and earn the same KU degree as on-campus students.
KU offers online master’s programs in more than one format. The right option depends on how you prefer to learn and what experience you bring.
Traditional online master's programs: Most KU online master’s degrees follow a structured format with weekly modules, set deadlines, and a defined course schedule. This approach works well if you want consistency, clear expectations, and a steady, guided path through your coursework.;
Jayhawk Flex (competency-based master's programs)Jayhawk Flex is KU’s competency-based format for select master’s programs. Instead of following a fixed course schedule, you progress by demonstrating mastery of the material.
If you already have experience in your field, you won’t spend time relearning what you already know. You can move forward when you’re ready and take more time where you need it. Work is assessed through applied, real-world projects rather than traditional exams. Explore Jayhawk Flex
Explore online master’s programs by area of study
Browse KU’s online master’s degrees across high-demand fields. Search by program or academic area to find the option that fits your goals, experience, and career plans.
Engineering, Construction, and Technology
Explore KU online master’s programs in aerospace, architectural, civil, petroleum and environmental engineering, as well as construction and engineering management.
Aerospace Engineering
Pursue focused study in aerospace systems and propulsion to position yourself for senior engineering leadership roles.
Architectural Engineering
Study building systems, including HVAC, electrical, energy management, and acoustics, to prepare for engineering roles in design, construction, and facility performance.
Civil Engineering
Study structural, environmental, geotechnical, and infrastructure engineering to advance engineering practice across private and public sectors.
Construction Management
Develop advanced leadership, project delivery, and risk-management expertise for complex construction environments with industry-aligned coursework and applied problem solving.
Engineering Management
Build leadership, project management, and systems optimization expertise to guide engineering teams, improve processes, and lead complex technical projects.
Environmental & Water Resources Engineering
Build advanced expertise in water systems analysis, watershed management, and environmental engineering principles to address complex water quality and infrastructure challenges.
Petroleum Engineering
Study reservoir, drilling, and production engineering while developing skills in subsurface energy systems and data-driven analysis to advance engineering practice across the energy sector.
Business, Management, and Project Leadership
Explore KU online master’s programs in business administration, business analytics, organizational performance, project management and sport management.
Business Administration
Learn strategic leadership and analytical decision-making through a flexible online MBA serving global business environments.
Business Analytics
Move from analyzing reports to setting strategy by building practical skills in data storytelling, predictive modeling, AI strategy, and business decision-making.
Human and Organization Performance Effectiveness (HOPE)
Strengthen leadership and organizational performance by learning to align talent, strategy, and systems to improve results across complex organizations.
Human and Organization Performance Effectiveness (HOPE), Jayhawk Flex
Build organizational capability by demonstrating mastery of applied skills in people, processes, and strategy through KU’s competency-based Jayhawk Flex format.
Project Management
Build applied expertise in project planning, risk and resource management, and leadership through structured coursework that prepares you to lead complex initiatives and teams.
Project Management, Jayhawk Flex
Demonstrate mastery of project leadership, risk management, and strategic execution through a flexible, competency-based format designed for working professionals.
Sport Management
Strengthen leadership and operations expertise for careers in sport business, event management, and athletic administration.
Communication, Marketing, and Organizational Leadership
Explore KU online master’s programs in digital marketing communications and organizational communication.
Digital and Integrated Marketing Communications
Advanced study in digital marketing and analytics equips you to lead integrated campaigns and data-driven brand strategy.
Organizational Communication
Develop strategic communication, leadership, and change-management skills to strengthen internal and external engagement, decision-making, and culture in complex organizations.
Public Service, Policy, and Administration
Explore KU online master’s programs in public administration and homeland security, law and policy.
Public Administration
Study leadership, policy, and management to strengthen public service impact and guide ethical decision-making in government and nonprofit sectors.
Homeland Security: Law and Policy
Study homeland security strategy, law, and policy to lead planning, risk assessment, and emergency management across government, nonprofit, and private sectors.
Education and Human Development
Explore KU online master’s programs in curriculum and instruction, educational administration, higher education, TESOL and special education.
Curriculum and Instruction
Focus on instructional leadership and curriculum design to drive educational innovation and improved learning outcomes.
Curriculum and Instruction - TESOL
Specialize in TESOL, second-language acquisition, and culturally responsive curriculum design for diverse learners.
Educational Administration (M.S.E.)
Prepare for school or district leadership through focused study in policy, supervision, and instructional leadership.
Higher Education Administration
Build practical expertise in student development, policy, assessment, and institutional practices to advance your career in colleges and universities.
Secondary Special Ed & Transition
Focus on transition services and instructional planning for secondary students with disabilities.
Special Education - Autism Spectrum Disorder
Advance autism-focused instructional design and intervention planning in educational settings.
Special Education - High Incidence Disabilities
Develop evidence-based instruction and assessment for learners with high-incidence disabilities in inclusive settings.
Social, Behavioral, and Community Impact
Explore KU online master’s programs in applied behavioral science and social work.
Applied Behavioral Science
Graduate study in behavior analysis aligned with BCBA preparation supports leadership across autism services and human services systems.
Social Work (M.S.W.)
Build advanced clinical practice and leadership skills grounded in equity, evidence-based intervention, and community-centered systems to improve outcomes across diverse human services settings.
Environment and Sustainability
Explore KU online master’s study in environmental assessment, monitoring, data analysis and sustainability.
Environmental Assessment
Learn applied skills in environmental assessment, monitoring, and data analysis to support decision-making and environmental solutions in consulting, industry, and public sector settings.
Accredited online master’s programs for your goals
The University of Kansas offers accredited online master’s programs designed for working professionals who want to continue advancing in their careers. As a Carnegie R1 research university and member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), KU delivers graduate degree programs online with the same faculty, curriculum, and credential as on-campus study.
KU’s online master’s programs span fields including engineering, business, education, healthcare, public service, and the social sciences. Many programs can be completed part time, allowing you to stay in the workforce while you earn your degree.
You can choose from structured online programs with a set schedule or competency-based options through Jayhawk Flex, depending on how you prefer to learn and how much experience you bring.
What can you do with an online master’s degree?
Earning an online master’s degree from the University of Kansas can help professionals deepen expertise, expand leadership opportunities, and move into more specialized or strategic roles within their field.
KU online master’s programs are designed to build applied skills that translate directly to the workplace. Students often pursue career advancement in areas such as:
- Engineering and infrastructure leadership
- Business strategy and organizational management
- Digital marketing and communication leadership
- Public administration and policy analysis
- Education leadership and instructional design
- Behavioral science and human services
Many KU programs incorporate applied coursework, real-world case studies, and faculty expertise drawn from professional practice, helping students develop skills they can apply immediately in their organizations.
Graduates leave KU prepared to take on greater responsibility, lead teams, and solve complex challenges across industries.
Salary Potential
Graduates of KU’s online master’s programs pursue leadership and specialized roles across engineering, business, communication, public service, and behavioral science fields.
Lightcast labor market data shows strong demand and competitive salaries for many careers aligned with KU graduate programs.
Engineering, Construction, and Technology
| Master's Degree | Median Annual Salary |
| Aerospace Engineering | $127,000 |
| Architectural Engineering | $120,000 |
| Civil Engineering | $119,000 |
| Construction Management | $80,000 |
| Engineering Management | $93,000 |
| Environmental & Water Resources Engineering | $153,000 |
Business, Management, and Project Leadership
| Business Administration | $77,000 |
| Human and Organization Performance Effectiveness (HOPE) | $85,000 |
| Project Management | $111,000 |
| Sport Management | $48,000 |
Communication, Marketing, and Organizational Leadership
| Digital and Integrated Marketing Communications* | $90,100 |
| Organizational Communication | $75,000 |
Public Service, Policy, and Administration
| Public Administration | $100,000 |
| Homeland Security: Law and Policy | $93,500 |
Education and Human Development
Social, Behavioral, and Community Impact
| Applied Behavioral Science: | $79,000 |
| Social Work (M.S.W.) | $58,000 |
Environment and Sustainability
| Environmental Assessment | $80,000 |
Common Career Paths
Graduates of KU’s online master’s programs often pursue roles such as:
- Engineering Manager
- Project Manager
- Digital Marketing Director
- Public Administrator
- Organizational Development Leader
- Instructional Leader or Curriculum Specialist
- Clinical Social Worker
- Behavior Analyst