Online Programs at GCU
GCU participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), enabling its online programs to enroll students across most of the country under a shared standard of state oversight.
Why Online at GCU
Accredited
GCU is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, with additional specialized accreditation from organizations including the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Accessible
Most online programs are asynchronous, with no set login times. Complete your weekly work on your own schedule.
Affordable
GCU is one of the more affordable independent universities in New Jersey. There is no separate online-course surcharge, and financial aid is available to eligible students.
Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs
These programs are available as degree-completion programs for students with existing college credit and as full four-year programs for incoming students.
Business Administration, B.S.
Business moves fast. GCU's B.S. in Business Administration is built to keep you ahead of it — with an ACBSP-accredited curriculum, a guaranteed internship, and the flexibility to specialize in whatever direction your career is headed. Ready to lead? This is where it starts.
Interdisciplinary Studies, B.A.
Not every student fits neatly into a single major — and at GCU, that's not a problem. The B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies is built for students who want to pursue a rich, customized liberal arts education that crosses disciplinary boundaries. Choose your focus area, build depth across related fields, and graduate with a degree that's genuinely yours — and a professional skill set that's hard to replicate.
Psychology, B.A.
Understanding why people think, feel, and behave the way they do is one of the most powerful and practical forms of knowledge there is. GCU's B.A. in Psychology prepares you for careers in counseling, social services, research, education, and healthcare — or for graduate study in clinical psychology, counseling, school psychology, or applied behavior analysis. With optional concentrations, an elite honors program, and a direct path to GCU's graduate programs, this is a Psychology degree that opens doors.
Online Undergraduate Certificates
Fully online undergraduate certificate programs at Georgian Court University offer a flexible way to build specialized knowledge and career-ready skills without putting your education on hold. With accessible, asynchronous coursework and the same Mercy-rooted academic quality as on-campus programs, you can earn a certificate on a schedule that works for you.
Integrative Health & Wellness Coaching, Certificate
Health and wellness coaching is one of the fastest-growing credentials in healthcare — and GCU's 12 credit certificate is built on the same four-course foundation the university is advancing toward national board program approval.
Online Master’s Degrees
Fully online master’s degree programs at Georgian Court University offer the flexibility to advance your education and career from wherever you are. With accessible, asynchronous coursework and the same Mercy-rooted academic quality as on-campus programs, you can earn a graduate degree on a schedule that works for you.
Administration & Leadership, M.A.
Ready to step into school leadership? GCU's Administration & Leadership M.A. prepares working New Jersey educators to earn their principal's Certificate of Eligibility, build confident leadership skills, and make a lasting impact on students and schools.
Autism Spectrum Disorders, M.Ed.
More students with autism are being educated in general education settings than ever before — and teachers and specialists need the preparation to serve them well. GCU's Autism Spectrum Disorders program gives you that expertise, leading to a GCU Certificate, an M.Ed. degree, and eligibility for the New Jersey School Supervisor endorsement.
Educational Leadership, Ed.D.
GCU's Ed.D. in Educational Leadership is built for aspiring and current leaders who are ready to drive real change in PreK–12 systems. Complete your degree — including your dissertation — in just three years.
Integrative Health, M.A.
Health is more than the absence of disease — and GCU's M.A. in Integrative Health is built on that belief. This program prepares health and wellness professionals to bridge Eastern and Western approaches to healing, bringing mind-body-spirit integration into their practice, their teaching, and their leadership.
Business Administration, M.B.A.
Whether you're accelerating your career or pivoting into management, GCU's ACBSP accredited M.B.A. gets you there on your schedule — evenings, Saturdays, fully online, or fast-tracked in one calendar year. Choose a general M.B.A. or add a concentration in Marketing or Healthcare Administration.
Integrated Marketing Communication, M.S.
Brands are built across channels — and the professionals who know how to unify those channels are the ones getting hired. GCU's M.S. in Integrated Marketing Communication gives you the strategy, the digital skills, the creative tools, and the data fluency to lead marketing and communication in today's fast-moving landscape.
School Counseling, M.Ed.
You don't need a teaching background to become a school counselor — you need the right preparation. GCU's School Counseling M.Ed. gives you the skills, the 600-hour internship experience, and the NJ state certification to support students at every stage of their academic and personal journey.
Reading/Literacy Specialization, M.Ed.
Reading is the foundation of everything else a student learns. GCU's Reading/Literacy Specialization M.Ed. prepares certified NJ teachers to become reading specialists — experts in diagnosing literacy difficulties, designing targeted interventions, and leading literacy programs that work for every learner.
Online Graduate Certificates
Online graduate certificates from Georgian Court University provide a focused, flexible way to deepen your expertise or build new skills. Designed for working professionals and lifelong learners, these programs offer convenient online coursework grounded in GCU’s Mercy values.
Mercy Spirituality, Online Graduate Certificate
GCU's Online Graduate Certificate in Mercy Spirituality is a unique, five-course program exploring the history, theology, and living practice of the Sisters of Mercy charism. Fully online and rooted in GCU's founding mission, it's designed for Sisters of Mercy, Mercy Associates, ministry professionals, and anyone called to a deeper engagement with Mercy spirituality and Catholic social thought.
Theology, Graduate Certificate
GCU's 18-credit Graduate Certificate in Theology is designed for anyone who wants to deepen their theological knowledge at the graduate level — from lifelong learners and ministry professionals to educators and parishioners seeking a more rigorous engagement with Scripture, tradition, and Christian thought. No prior theology background required.
Autism Spectrum Disorders, GCU Certificate
Need specialized expertise in autism — without committing to a full master's degree right now? GCU's 15-credit Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders gives you focused, practical knowledge across five courses, each with clinical experience built in. And every credit counts toward the full M.Ed. in Autism Spectrum Disorders if you choose to continue.
Online New Jersey Education Certification and Endorsement Programs
Georgian Court University’s online New Jersey education certification and endorsement programs help educators expand their qualifications and prepare for new roles in schools and communities. Flexible coursework supports working professionals pursuing specialized endorsements, advanced credentials, and graduate-level preparation.
School Administrator (Superintendent), Post-Master’s Endorsement
The superintendency is the highest leadership title in a New Jersey school district. GCU's postmaster's School Administrator (Superintendent) endorsement pathway is built for principals and administrators who are ready to make that move — adding the additional coursework, internship, and Praxis examination required for NJ School Administrator certification.
School Business Administrator, Post-Master’s Endorsement
School districts run on budgets — and the School Business Administrator is the professional responsible for making those budgets work. GCU's 18-credit post-master's program prepares educators and business professionals for New Jersey certification as a School Business Administrator, the chief financial officer of a school district.
School Supervisor, Post-Master’s Endorsement
Already have your master's degree in education? The School Supervisor endorsement is the next step toward a formal leadership credential in New Jersey — authorizing you to supervise instruction, lead curriculum initiatives, and serve as Athletic Director in schools where you don't hold a principal's endorsement.
Bilingual/Bicultural Education Endorsement
New Jersey's multilingual classrooms need teachers who can serve students in more than one language. GCU's 12-credit Bilingual/Bicultural Education Endorsement prepares certified teachers to teach content to English learners in bilingual settings — earning the NJ endorsement that formally authorizes that work.
Early Literacy Specialist Endorsement
Early literacy intervention is one of the highest-leverage skills a P–3 or elementary teacher can develop. GCU's 19-credit Early Literacy Specialist Endorsement builds that expertise — covering the science of reading for young learners, Wilson Reading System introduction, assessment, and screening — and leads to NJ early literacy specialist certification for teachers with three years of experience.
ESL Endorsement & M.Ed. Option (w/Supervisor Endorsement)
New Jersey's growing multilingual learner population needs more ESL-certified teachers — and GCU's ESL Endorsement program prepares you to be one. Complete 15 credits for the endorsement alone, or continue for 18 more to earn a full M.Ed. and eligibility for the NJ School Supervisor credential. Three credentials. One program.
Multisensory Literacy with ESL Certification, M.Ed.
New Jersey's multilingual student population is growing — and so is the need for teachers who can serve them with both ESL expertise and structured literacy skills. This M.Ed. combines two high-demand credentials: NJ ESL teacher certification and Wilson Level 1 credentials, woven together in a 31-credit master's degree.
Multisensory Literacy with Reading Specialist Certification, M.Ed.
Reading specialists are the most sought-after literacy experts in schools — and GCU's Multisensory Literacy M.Ed. gives you the most powerful combination available: NJ Reading Specialist certification eligibility, the full Wilson Reading System Level 1 credential, and a master's degree. All in 34 credits.
Multisensory Literacy with TOSD Certification, M.Ed.
Inclusive classrooms need teachers who can serve learners with disabilities — and who can also address their specific literacy needs. GCU's Multisensory Literacy with TOSD M.Ed. gives you both: New Jersey TOSD certification and Wilson Level 1 Dyslexia Practitioner credentials, in a 31-credit master's degree built for early childhood and elementary teachers.
Director of School Counseling Services
Ready to lead your district's school counseling program? GCU's 9-credit Director of School Counseling Services program is built for experienced, certified school counselors who want the formal credential to step into program leadership — authorizing supervision, administration, and curriculum development across a district's counseling services.
Student Assistance Coordinator (SAC) Program
Every New Jersey school district needs a Student Assistance Coordinator — and GCU's 21-credit SAC program prepares you for that role. Whether you're entering the SAC program directly or completing it as a School Counseling M.Ed. graduate (who only needs one additional course), this credential opens one of the most impactful student support roles in K–12 education.
Wilson Reading System
Georgian Court University is proud to be the only university in New Jersey offering an exclusive partnership with the Wilson Reading System, a nationally recognized leader in structured literacy instruction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an online GCU degree the same as an on-campus degree?
Yes. Online students take the same courses, earn the same degree, and are held to the same academic standards as on-campus students. Diplomas do not distinguish between online and on-campus study.
Do online students pay more?
No. GCU charges no additional fee for online courses. Financial aid is available to eligible online students, just as it is for eligible on-campus students.
What technology do I need for online classes?
You will need a reliable internet connection and a computer capable of running GCU’s learning management system. Any specific course materials or software requirements will be listed in your course syllabus.
Can I transfer credits into an online program?
Yes. GCU accepts transfer credit for online programs in the same way it does for on-campus programs. Contact Admissions to have your transcript evaluated.
Are online programs accredited?
Yes. GCU’s institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education covers online programs. Program-specific accreditations, including ACBSP for business and CAEP for education, apply equally to online and on-campus programs.
Do I need to log in at a specific time?
Most GCU online programs are asynchronous, meaning you complete weekly coursework on your own schedule rather than attending live class sessions at a set time. Review your specific program’s format before enrolling, as a small number of courses may include synchronous components.
