Michigan State University

In addition to more than 100 individual online courses, Michigan State University offers fully online bachelor's and master's degrees in biomedical laboratory operations, electrical and computer engineering, adult and lifelong education, and youth development. The university also hosts hybrid doctoral programs in education and nursing. Students in most programs can watch lectures, collaborate with their classmates, and complete assignments entirely on their own schedule. However, some classes may require live participation in lab work or exams. Online students can access all of the same resources available to on-campus learners, including the university's Spartan Success internship and mentorship program. First-year applicants must have a high school or GED diploma and submit either ACT or SAT scores. While MSU does not set strict academic requirements for admission, the average incoming student has a high school GPA between 3.5 and 4.0 and an ACT score between 23 and 29 or an SAT score between 1130 and 1310.
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Admissions Breakdown
Acceptance Rate Insight
26% of students
were accepted during the 2020-2021 school year. Sometimes schools
with midrange acceptance rates have higher standards of entry but
are still accessible to many students who apply.
Retention Rate Insight
96% of full-time
students stayed to continue their studies the following academic
year. These students started in Fall 2019 and returned in Fall
2020.
Graduation Rate Insight
93% of students
graduated out of all full-time, first-time students who began their
studies in Fall 2014. Keep in mind many students who enroll are
not typically first-time students, as most are adult learners.
Therefore, the number of first-time students is traditionally low.
Application Considerations
Test scores: | Considered (not required) | High school transcript: | Required |
High school rank: | Considered (not required) | Letter of recommendation: | Required |
High school GPA: | Required | Open admission: | No |
Completion of college prep program: | Required | Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL): |
Transfer Credit Policy
Dual enrollment: Yes
Advance placement (AP) credits: Yes
Credit for qualified life experience*:
ⓘ
*This can include previous jobs, trainings, licenses/credentials,
or seminars. You may need to complete an exam or provide a
portfolio to earn credit.
Learning Environment
48k
Students enrolledOnline student enrollmentStudent to faculty ratio
91%
Online student enrollmentStudent to faculty ratio
11:1
Student to faculty ratio
Degrees Awarded by Program
Degrees given for the 2020-2021 academic year.
# | Programs | BA | MA | Doc |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Architecture And Related Services | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
2 | Area, Ethnic, Cultural, And Gender Studies | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
3 | Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, And Group Studies | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
4 | Biological And Biomedical Sciences | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
5 | Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
6 | Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs | ✔ | ✕ | ✔ |
7 | Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
8 | Education | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
9 | Engineering | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
10 | English Language And Literature/Letters | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
11 | Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
12 | Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
13 | Health Professions And Related Programs | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
14 | History | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
15 | History | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
16 | Legal Professions And Studies | ✕ | ✔ | ✔ |
17 | Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
18 | Mathematics And Statistics | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
19 | Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
20 | Natural Resources And Conservation | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
21 | Parks, Recreation, Leisure, And Fitness Studies | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
22 | Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, And Kinesiology | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
23 | Philosophy And Religious Studies | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
24 | Physical Sciences | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
25 | Psychology | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
26 | Public Administration And Social Service Professions | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
27 | Social Sciences | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
28 | Visual And Performing Arts | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |