Online Master’s Degrees at KU

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.

Explore KU’s online master’s programs below to find the option that fits your goals, your experience, and how you want to learn.

Two ways to earn your KU online master’s degree

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 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 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 

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

Business, Management, and Project Leadership

Communication, Marketing, and Organizational Leadership

Public Service, Policy, and Administration

Education and Human Development

Social, Behavioral, and Community Impact

Environment and Sustainability

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