Schools as a way of organising subjects
Universities usually divide their teaching into schools or faculties, each covering a family of related subjects. Online providers follow the same habit. The archived profile of Branton University listed a long set of schools, and the list is a useful sample of how a broad distance-learning catalogue is laid out.
The groupings named in the archive
- Business and management, including human resources, marketing, accounting, finance and project management
- Computer science and information technology, including networking, software engineering and web development
- Psychology, from general and clinical to counselling and organisational
- Engineering, such as civil, electrical, mechanical and industrial
- Health sciences and nursing
- Law and legal studies
- Criminal justice and occupational safety
- Education, from early years to adult and special education
- Performing and applied arts, including music, design and architecture
- Natural sciences, social sciences and political science
- Social services and human services
The archive described these as supporting roughly seventy majors in total. That figure is the institution’s own and has not been checked here.
Choosing a field of study
A few practical questions help narrow the choice:
- Is the field regulated? Nursing, law, psychology practice and engineering licensing usually require a programme recognised by a professional body. A generic online certificate will not substitute.
- What do employers expect? Search job advertisements for the roles you want and note the qualifications they request.
- How much is practical? Some subjects need laboratory, clinical or placement hours that cannot be completed entirely online.
- Can credits move? If you may later transfer to another university, ask which schools accept the credits.
Flexibility is not the same as quality
Studying at any hour from any place is the main attraction of online schools. It tells you nothing about teaching quality or recognition, so look at accreditation, faculty credentials and graduate outcomes before comparing convenience. See accreditation and memberships for a verification guide.