The low residency MFA in creative writing is one of the more common distance learning degrees. One of the first low residency MFAs was offered by Goddard College in Vermont. At a low residency MFA, students do most of their study at home, communicating with faculty and fellow students over the internet. They then gather on campus for one to two weeks a year. Other graduate arts degrees that can be done through distance learning include the MFA in studio art. One program that offers a medium residency option for this degree is the Main College of Art.
Graduate degrees in humanities subjects are not commonly offered in a fully distance learning capacity, though many schools are beginning to offer some course online. The College of Saint Elizabeth in New Jersey offers a low residency masters in theology for which students are required to be on campus only for three weeks each summer and two weeks each January. Skidmore College in New York offers a low residency masters degree in liberal studies. This program is designed for working adults. The only required residency is one week at the beginning of your studies.
New England College offers a master of science in sports coaching and recreation management. This degree allows students to do most of their work of campus so is ideal for those already working as coaches. It has two residencies a year that take place during the off season so you never have to miss a game. Boston Architectural College offers a distance masters of architecture degree. This is the first NAAB accredited online low residency program of its kind in the United States.
Some universities, like Burlington College in Vermont, have individualized study programs through which students can plan their own courses of study and receive a master's degree in that field. Burlington College offers a low residency individualized study masters for which students must attend two residencies. The first residency occurs at the beginning of the program and the student meets with his or her advisor to plan a course of study. The second residency occurs at the end of the program and the student presents his or her final project at Burlington College.