2017 Most Affordable Online Colleges for Students with Disabilities

Cleveland State University was founded in 1965 and has a total of over 17,000 students. The school offers online undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates. Students can enroll in the university’s online accelerated MBA or RN to BSN programs. Students can also earn degrees in fields like community health promotion, health sciences, and organizational leadership. Online students should make requests for accommodations through the university’s Office of Disability Services. ODS notes that individual needs are unique even among people with the same disability. The office, therefore, facilitates equal access through individualized accommodations and referrals to resources such as assistive technology based on student needs.

The University of North Georgia's learning community includes over 18,000 students representing nearly 100 countries. The school offers online degrees at the associate, bachelor’s, and graduate levels. Students can choose from graduate specializations such as international affairs, nursing, or criminal justice. At the bachelor’s level options for online students include a RN to BSN degree or a teacher certification. Students can also earn an associate degree in fields like political science or social work. The Disability Services at the university coordinates accommodations and services for students with temporary and permanent disabilities. Online students should register with the Center to gain access to accommodations such as e-texts, assistive technology for testing, course substitutions, and excused medical absences. The university also provides all students with access to free online tutoring.

The University of Arkansas offers bachelor’s, master’s, specialist degrees, and certificates through its award-winning online programs. Online students can choose from majors in fields such as communication, education and teacher licensure, human environmental services, social work, engineering, operations management, and nursing. The university’s Center for Educational Access (CEA) facilitates education access for students with temporary or long-term limitations whether they take classes on campus or online. Students with disabilities should register with the CEA for access to accommodations and assistive technology options.

Cedarville University is a Baptist institution that has a total enrollment of 3,760 traditional and online students. Cedarville online students can earn their MBA, MSN in Nursing, or Master of Ministry degree. Other online study options include a graduate certificate in global public health nursing. Ohio-licensed teachers can also earn a graduate reading endorsement through Cedarville University online. Enrolled Cedarville students should apply to Disability Services for an evaluation to determine which online accommodations and resources can help them through their studies.

Hamline University ranks as one of the top private schools in Minnesota and enrolls approximately 4,500 students. Hamline online students can earn their Master in Public Education or Master in the Study of Laws. Other online programs include a Master of Arts in Education and several education certificates. Online students who need learning or testing accommodations for their coursework should register with the Disability Resources Office. Students are responsible for providing the Office with documentation of their disability as the office does not perform evaluations or impart a diagnosis. Accommodations for Hamline students include captioning, interpretation, reading materials in alternative formats, and extended time for exams.

Distance education at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania is primarily focused on graduate programs. Students can choose from over 20 online graduate degrees in fields such as education, social work, communication, counseling, and nursing. The university’s Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) has a 40-year history of facilitating equal access to education. Students who need accommodations while they attend Edinboro University of Pennsylvania should begin the process by registering with the OSD.

Texas Tech University offers more than 60 fully-online degree and certificate programs through its Worldwide eLearning division. Online students can choose from a variety of subjects including education, engineering, political science, plant and soil sciences, and technical communication. Student Disability Services (SDS) at Texas Tech advocate for about 2,000 registered students. Assistance through SDS includes testing accommodations, tutoring, counseling, and career services.

The University of Colorado at Boulder is renowned as a leading public-research university. Students taking courses through the university’s distance education division learn from the same instructors who teach traditional students on campus. Online graduate students can study fields such as aerospace engineering, computer science, and telecommunications. Disability Services at the University of Colorado at Boulder works to facilitate an integrated learning community with universal access for students. Online students should complete the registration process with the Office in order to receive services that include test-taking accommodations, mentoring and notetaking. Disability Services also promotes disability awareness on campus through an annual awards ceremony for students who make exceptional contributions to the student community.

Humboldt State University (HSU) boasts an extended array of resources and services to online students with disabilities. ELearning at HSU uses a hub to keep students connected with their studies and with each other. HSU’s Student Disability Resource Center, a department for students who require assistance for their studies, has resources available for students working online, too. Alternate media is available in the form of larger text, braille, tactile diagrams, and Electronic Text (e-text). E-text is used to read text out loud and it is only available to students who attend an orientation to the program and software. HSU has an On-site Learning Disabilities resource specialist available for students to consult with regarding their specific needs and strengths.

Online students at University of North Carolina at Greensboro who require assistance are asked to register with OARS (Office of Accessibility Resources & Services) after enrolling. OARS provides support to students in the form of textbook conversion to alternative formats, testing accommodations, and more. UNCG also provides the Student Success Center where students may receive peer tutoring and special support services. UNCG offers online undergraduate and graduate programs with flexible schedules. All courses offered online are taught by faculty with real-world work experience in the same areas as the courses they teach.

The University of Montana offers liberal arts, graduate, and professional training to over 13,000 students through traditional and online delivery methods. UM Online students can earn degrees such as an AAS in Energy Technology or a BA in Media Arts. Graduate level students can earn their master’s degrees in several fields including public administration, public health, or music education. Disability Services (DS) works with faculty and staff in departments throughout the university to facilitate equal access to education for students with disabilities. Online students who register with DS have easy access to the center’s online services and staff through the “accommodate” database on the University of Montana website.

UConn offers several online degree and certificate options from a Master’s of Educational Technology, to an Occupational Health & Safety post-baccalaureate certificate program. UConn’s Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) offers many resources to students who sign up for the program, including those who will not be attending campus classes. This includes a transition-accommodations meeting where an outline is crafted towards making the transition to attending the university. CSD also hosts an annual national scholarship essay competition for students with disabilities. In addition to these resources and opportunities, CSD also provides students with alternative media aids, notetaking, and other useful accommodations.

Endicott College is a private college that offers select online associate, master’s, and bachelor’s degrees. Students have the option to choose from a 100% online course load or complete a blended course load. Academic accommodations pertaining to online studies include extended time for tests and alternative text materials. Additional resources may be available on a case-by-case basis. Students are responsible for self-identifying and interfacing with support staff to request accommodations.

Utica College is a liberal arts university that promotes professional study through a community of diverse learners. The school has a total enrollment of about 5,000 students. The school’s Office of Learning Services provides resources and guidance for both traditional and online students with disabilities. Some examples of accommodations offered by Utica College include textbooks in alternate formats and counseling to improve learning and time management strategies. UC online students can earn degrees and certificates in fields like business administration, cybersecurity, health administration, nursing, criminal justice, financial crime, data science, physical therapy and liberal studies.

Located in western Philadelphia, Saint Joseph’s University has a total enrollment of about 8,400 traditional and online students. The school offers online bachelor’s degrees, master’s, and certificate programs specially designed to meet the needs of adult learners. Online students can choose from specialized fields in areas such as business intelligence, health administration, business, education, and financial services. Saint Joseph’s University’s Office of Student Disability Services coordinates assistive services and accommodations for students with short- and long-term disabilities. For example, students with disabilities can request accommodations such as extensions for assignments and extra time for timed tests. Students may have access to textbooks and other course materials in alternate formats.

At Lesley University, creativity is at the forefront. It is a focus of the university to facilitate creativity within their students. Students looking to take online degrees have plenty of options with Lesley University, including programs in fields such as psychology, design for user experience, language and literacy, as well as business management, to name a few. Additionally, a plethora of learning options are available for students with disabilities. Academic and testing accommodations, including extended testing times, assignment deadline adjustments, and alternative course materials, make studying online at Lesley University an ideal option for many students.

Upon enrollment at Slippery Rock University, students seeking accommodations are encouraged to contact the Office for Students with Disabilities as soon as possible to begin the registration process. Each service is provided to students on a case-by-case basis and can require up to four weeks of preparation before it can be implemented. Available services include extended time limits for exams, assistive technology tools, and priority registration. Beyond the services that are listed on SRU’s website, online students with disabilities can request specific accommodations, however they must be approved by an OSD staff member.

The University of Arizona has an enrollment of over 40,000 students and ranks as a top public research university. Online students can earn bachelor’s degrees in over 20 majors including administration of justice, informatics, intelligence studies, retailing and consumer science and psychology. The school’s Disability Resources Center (DRC) facilitates access for all students by offering dedicated support and guidance to online students with disabilities. The DRC also makes it easy for registered students to request accommodations as needed. Students can also work with DRC access consultants to find course substitutions and negotiate with professors regarding attendance issues.

SUNY College of Technology at Canton is appealing both from an on-campus and an online perspective, especially to students with disabilities. Their Accommodation Disability Services (ADS) department is available for students regardless of online or on-campus status. For online students, a skype session or telephone conversation is the best way to reach faculty and get the accommodations required for success. Students can also find online course tips located on the college’s website as well as exam and test rescheduling forms. At SUNY College, 13 majors are available online as well as 450 courses ranging from legal studies and homeland security, to agribusiness and finance.

Students looking to study online at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) will find a variety of degrees to choose from including undergraduate studies in health and wellness and graduate studies in data science or natural resources. The Disability and Assistive Technology Center (DACT) offers many accommodations to UWSP students including testing accommodations and assistive technology options. Attending an annual Leading Edge seminar before the start of the fall semester gives online and on-campus students the best opportunity to learn about the individual assistance provided by DACT.

With over 200 courses offered to online students including summer sessions, the University of Nevada - Reno has set an impressive standard for distance learning. Students with disabilities can sign up for peer mentoring programs within the university via the Disability Resource Center (DRC). Here, students are matched with graduate students with disabilities and receive assistance, guidance, and support. All reasonable accommodations or modifications are made on an individual basis in order to meet the needs of each student and foster success.

University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) is home to an online-only accelerated nursing program that is designed specifically for working Registered Nurses who are looking to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. In addition to the BSN option, UNCW offers degrees in subjects such as elementary education, liberal studies, educational leadership, and instructional technology, among others. For students with learning disabilities, UNCW provides the Read & Write Gold literacy software which works with a variety of common computer applications to help students with reading and writing comprehension. For additional accommodations, students are asked to meet with the Disability Resource Center to discuss reasonable options based on student disability documentation and individual necessity.

Carnegie Mellon University offers several courses online covering subjects such as information technology and software engineering. CMU takes pride in their easy-to-use web platform that keeps students connected to their peers and faculty. Additionally, the Office of Disability Resources is available to make accommodations for students with disabilities. By contacting the disability resource team, students can work with staff to create a Student Individual Accommodation Plan to help ensure a successful learning experience.

Central Washington University (CWU) offers online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in several subject areas including sociology, paramedicine, and special education, among others. Students with disabilities can receive formal accommodations after filing documentation and meeting with a Disability Services professional to identify and discuss possible study strategies. Additionally, students have access to multiple resources on the CWU website including organizational apps, study websites with flashcards, and more.