Education is evolving—so is The Graduate School at Hood College. We offer a variety of unique programs with the convenience of remote learning. Perfect for working professionals, our online programs are designed to advance your career and boost your credentials. The online factor makes Hood College's education program stand out from others.
With some of the lowest tuition rates in the nation, we are committed to making graduate school accessible, with some of the most affordable tuition rates in Maryland. We use the latest technology to bring the classroom to you. Our expert faculty will guide you through cutting-edge curricula, while you collaborate with diverse students in both synchronous and asynchronous models.
Business Programs
Business Administration (MBA) Hood’s fully online MBA program is geared to students who want to understand their organizations — and their roles — in the larger context of current affairs, the economy, politics and society.
Business Certificates - Take advantage of area-focused business graduate certificate program options to meet today's industry's needs. The business certificates can be taken independently or in conjunction with the MBA program. Learn more here:
Curriculum and Instruction (M.S.) - Designed to enrich the certified teacher’s knowledge of research-based teaching and learning. Please note that this program does not lead to initial teaching certification.
Educational Leadership (M.S. or Certificate) - Qualifies current teachers to earn the State of Maryland Administrator I license. Please note that this program does not lead to initial teaching certification.
Elementary STEM (Certificate) - Prepares current elementary-level teachers to deepen their pedagogical knowledge of STEM learning. Please note that this program does not lead to initial teaching certification.
Mathematics Education (M.S. or Certificate) - Boost your pedagogy in middle or high school mathematics with an in-depth exploration of the discipline. Please note that this program does not lead to initial teaching certification.
Mathematics Instructional Leadership (M.S.) - Designed for current elementary and middle school teachers of mathematics who strive to become leaders in their schools. Please note that this program does not lead to initial teaching certification.
Multidisciplinary Studies in Education (M.S.) - Allows you to take cross-disciplinary courses in curriculum and instruction, reading specialization and educational leadership for broad pedagogical competence. Please note that this program does not lead to initial teaching certification.
Reading Specialization (M.S.) - Qualifies current teachers for licensure as a reading specialist through the Maryland State Department of Education. Please note that this program does not lead to initial teaching certification.
Computing Programs
Cybersecurity (M.S. or Certificate) - Increase your competencies as an IT professional or consider switching careers to the growing field of cybersecurity.
Information Technology (M.S.) - Ideal for IT professionals working in business, government, education, healthcare and more.
Additional Programs
Thanatology (Certificate) - Our certificate in thanatology is a unique program that prepares you to work in fields that encompass death, dying and bereavement, such as healthcare, ministry, counseling, senior care and more.
Hood College has been approved by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education, which allows Hood to offer our online degrees beyond state boundaries.
State Authorization Requirements & Complaints Resolution
Online and distance education is an important part of The Graduate School at Hood College per the above list of programs. Hood does not currently offer any undergraduate degree programs online.
State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA)
State regulations require legal authorization for post-secondary institutions to offer distance degrees, certificates, and courses to students who live outside the institution's home state. This may also include online or campus-based courses that include activities such as internships, field experiences, student teaching and clinical placements in state's outside of the institution's home state.
Hood College is an approved institutional member of the National Council of State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA). Membership in SARA is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses/programs offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state. For more information about SARA, including the states currently participating in the agreement, visit http://www.nc.sara.org.
SARA membership allows Hood to accept and deliver our programs/courses online to students in 49 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Students who reside in California, currently the only state not a member of SARA, should contact the admissions office prior to application to verify if you are eligible to participate in the online program of interest.
Distance Education Consumer Complaint Policy
As a part of the SARA regulations, institutions must provide current and prospective students with contact information for filing complaints with its accrediting body and the appropriate state agency for handling complaints in a student's state.
A complaint may include allegations that the institution engaged in:
Dishonest or fraudulent behavior, including giving false or misleading information to a student. Examples may include, but are not limited to:
Veracity of recruitment and marketing materials
Accuracy of job placement data
Accuracy of information about tuition, fees and financial aid
Complete and correct admission requirements for courses and programs
Accuracy of information about whether course work meets professional licensing requirements.
Hood College makes every effort to resolve student complaints internally. If you have a complaint about any of the above, please contact Associate Provost April Boulton at 301-696-3619 or boulton@hood.edu.
If your complaint is not resolved, you may file a complaint with the Maryland Commission on Higher Education, Maryland’s SARA “portal agency.” Information about how to file such a complaint can be found on MHEC’s website.
To file a complaint in a state outside of Maryland visit the SARA Website for information about filing consumer complaints in those states. You can also click this link to find out more about the process and/or to submit a complaint directly to NC-SARA: https://nc-sara.org/student-complaints.
Please note: this policy does not apply to complaints related to course grades, academic sanctions, or discipline/conduct matters. Those matters should be handled by Hood College's grievance procedure s outlined in our catalog: www.hood.edu/catalog.
Professional Licensure Disclosure: Hood College offers degree programs both on campus and online that meet the educational requirements students need to apply for professional licensure and certifications in Maryland. These programs may not meet educational requirements for licensure or certification in other states regardless. Please read our professional licensure disclosure.
Hood College Accreditation
Hood College is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The Commission has authorized Hood College to offer baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral degrees, along with post-baccalaureate and professional graduate certificates. For information about filing a complaint with Middle States, visit the Middle States website.
