UNC-CHAPEL HILL ONLINE

ONLINE PROGRAMS AND COURSES FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL

Expanding Access and Propelling Careers

UNC-Chapel Hill’s online programs and courses bring the advantages of a Carolina public education to engaged citizens, professionals and leaders all over the world. Our goal is to provide everyone with equal access to academic and career success — regardless of your location, race, experience, worldview, abilities or identity.

Offered through several professional schools, centers and institutes, UNC-Chapel Hill’s online programs and curricula help you turn your academic and professional interests into enriching experiences at any stage of your career.

YOUR FUTURE STARTS HERE

Advance With UNC’s Online Degree Offerings

Develop New Skills With UNC’s Online Non-Degree Offerings

CERTIFICATES

UNC’s online certificates provide a path to career advancement for those who need a specific set of skills in a short amount of time.
These offerings feature:

  • Coaching from experienced, skilled instructors.
  • Project-based assignments.
  • 100% online instruction.
  • A completion certificate.

FIND YOUR SPECIALTY

WHY CHOOSE UNC-CHAPEL HILL ONLINE?

UNC-Chapel Hill is a global leader known for its innovative teaching and groundbreaking research. As the oldest public university in the United States, Carolina has played a pivotal role in building a stronger, more diversified economy for the people of North Carolina and beyond.

UNC’s online learning experiences are designed so that regardless of where you live, you can expect unmatched educational opportunities and the culture of interdisciplinary collaboration that unites the Tar Heel community.

Let’s Plan for What’s Next

At UNC-Chapel Hill, we’re invested in cultivating a community that empowers all members to discover their talents and challenge their limits. Our mission is to teach a diverse network of undergraduate, graduate and professional students to become the next generation of leaders. 

Wherever you’re located, whatever your goals are, you can be a part of the University’s legacy of inquiry and innovation that began in 1795. Join us.

Find the UNC-Chapel Hill online program that fits your needs:

DOCTORATES | MASTER’S | CERTIFICATES

FAQs About UNC Chapel Hill’s Online Graduate Programs

  • Technically, no, the Ivy League is a specific group of eight private universities in the Northeast. However, UNC-Chapel Hill is widely considered a “Public Ivy.” This means you’re getting the academic prestige, world-class research opportunities, and employer respect associated with an Ivy League education, but with the accessibility and mission of a public institution.

  • It’s helpful to think of the UNC System as the broad umbrella that governs all 17 public higher education institutions in North Carolina, including NC State and UNC Charlotte. UNC-Chapel Hill is the flagship campus within that system: the historic research university founded in 1789 known for its deep “Tar Heel” traditions and top-tier graduate programs.

  • Absolutely. You don’t have to be on campus in Chapel Hill to be a Tar Heel. Through a growing list of online graduate programs, undergraduate courses, and professional development certificates, the university provides a way for working professionals and global students to earn a legitimate Carolina credential from anywhere in the world.

  • UNC offers a broad range of 100% online programs designed for working professionals. This includes Master’s degrees in fields like Business (MBA, MAC), Public Health (MPH, MHA), Data Science (MADS), and Social Work (MSW); Doctoral programs in Education (Ed.D.), Nursing (DNP), and Health Leadership (DrPH); and various Professional Certificates in areas like Paralegal Studies, Digital Communication, and Entrepreneurship.

  • Yes. Whether you study online or in person, the curriculum, faculty, and academic rigor remain the same. Most importantly, your diploma and transcript typically do not distinguish between delivery methods. Employers view a UNC degree as a mark of excellence, regardless of whether you attended class in a lecture hall or through a digital platform.

  • UNC uses a “high-touch” digital model that blends live interaction with self-paced work. You’ll use platforms like Canvas and Zoom for your coursework and live discussions. The goal is to mirror the traditional classroom experience, meaning you’ll still engage in group projects, deep-dive debates, and direct Q&A with your professors, just with more flexibility.

  • Synchronous refers to “real-time” learning where you meet with your professors and peers at a scheduled time for live lectures and discussions.
    Asynchronous is self-paced, allowing you to watch recorded lectures and complete assignments on your own schedule, provided you hit the weekly deadlines.

    Most UNC online programs use a mix of both to ensure you get both the community of a live class and the flexibility you need for your career.

  • While most programs are 100% online, many include in-person ‘immersions’ or summits. For some programs, such as the online MBA, these sessions are now a required part of the curriculum. Others, like the MPH, offer optional weekend events. These are excellent opportunities to build face-to-face connections with your cohort, faculty, and alumni that go beyond the digital classroom.

    While most programs are 100% online, many offer optional (and occasionally required) in-person “immersions” or summits. For example, programs like the online MBA often host weekend events in various cities to help you build face-to-face connections with your cohort. These are great opportunities to network with faculty and alumni that go beyond the digital classroom.

  • Yes, in fact, the majority of our online graduate students are working professionals. These programs are specifically built with flexibility in mind, allowing you to balance a 40-hour work week with your studies. While it requires strong time management, the ability to apply what you learn in class to your job the very next day is one of the biggest benefits of the online format.

  • You are a full member of the UNC community from day one. This means you have the same access to University Career Services as on-campus students, including virtual coaching, the Handshake job board, and the Heels Engage Network. After graduation, you’ll join a massive global alumni network of over 300,000 Tar Heels.

  • You’re never on your own when it comes to tech. The UNC ITS Service Desk provides 24/7 support for everything from VPN setup and email issues to navigating the Canvas learning platform. You can get help via phone, live chat, or their online portal whenever a technical hurdle pops up.