Rio Salado College is a community college based in Tempe, Arizona, with locations in Phoenix, Avondale, Mesa and Glendale. The college has 40 online associate's degree and certificate programs available. Some programs such as Early Childhood Education and Dental Assisting have in-person components, practicums or internships, while others like eLearning Design and Retail Management can be completed entirely online. Classes start 48 times a year and last eight or 16 weeks each. Rio Salado College is regionally accredited. As opposed to national accreditation, regional accreditation ensures that degrees earned are recognized when applying to graduate school in case the student goes back to school for additional education at a later date.
Although well-known in the United States for its online degree programs, the University of Phoenix is a private university based in Phoenix, Arizona, that offers both on-campus and online programs. Its campuses in Arizona are located in the cities of Phoenix, Mesa, Tucson, Chandler, Nogales and Yuma, but the school has 204 campuses worldwide. Bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, as well as non-degree programs, are offered in fields such as business, education, nursing, criminal justice and information technology. Enrollment is available year-round. The school emphasizes team-based learning as a learning tool.
Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Grand Canyon University is a private Christian university. The school offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs on campus in Phoenix as well completely online. However, all the online programs are to be completed online only. There are no in-person requirements or opportunities. Students take online courses one at a time (three credits each) for eight weeks to earn six credits per semester. The university is regionally accredited.
Northcentral University is a private online university based in Prescott Valley, Arizona; all of the university's academic programs are offered online only. Studies are available in marriage and family therapy, psychology, business administration and education and lead to bachelor's, master's or doctoral degrees. The university is regionally accredited.