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Director of distance learning education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a director of distance learning. Directors of distance learning usually study business, education, or psychology. 58% of directors of distance learning hold a bachelor's degree, and 27% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 261 real director of distance learning resumes to see exactly what director of distance learning education sections show.

The most common colleges for directors of distance learning are the University of Maryland - College Park and the University of Maryland - College Park.

There are also many online director of distance learning courses to help get the education required to be a director of distance learning.

What education do you need to become a director of distance learning?

What degree do you need to be a director of distance learning?

The most common degree for directors of distance learning is bachelor's degree, with 58% of directors of distance learning earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 27% and master's degree degree at 7%.
  • Bachelor's, 58%
  • Master's, 27%
  • Doctorate, 7%
  • Associate, 6%
  • Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become a director of distance learning?

You should major in business to become a director of distance learning. 17% of directors of distance learning major in business. Other common majors for a director of distance learning include education and psychology.

Most common colleges for directors of distance learning

Directors of distance learning often get their degrees at University of Maryland - College Park, University of Phoenix, and University of Florida. Here are the most common colleges for directors of distance learning in the US based on their resumes.
Director of distance learning common collegePercentages
University of Maryland - College Park12.50%
University of Phoenix8.93%
University of Florida7.14%
University of South Carolina - Columbia7.14%
Houghton College5.36%

Best majors for directors of distance learning

RankMajorPercentages
1Business16.6%
2Education13.1%
3Psychology8.3%
4History6.9%
5Political Science6.2%

Best colleges for directors of distance learning

The best colleges for directors of distance learning are University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, and Harvard University.

A director of distance learning with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for directors of distance learning. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become directors of distance learning.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

4. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

5. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

6. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

7. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

8. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

9. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

10. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

20 best online courses for directors of distance learning

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5. Introduction to Technical Support

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Top 10 most affordable universities for directors of distance learning

The most affordable schools for directors of distance learning are Baruch College of the City University of New York, california state university - long beach, and california state university - bakersfield.

If the best universities for directors of distance learning are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for directors of distance learning.

1. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

2. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

3. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

4. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

5. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

6. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

7. Lehman College of the City University of New York

Bronx, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,210

Cost of attendance

14,359

8. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

9. Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$4,831

Cost of attendance

19,559

10. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Cost of attendance

25,527

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for directors of distance learning

The hardest universities for directors of distance learning to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, and Harvard University.

Some great schools for directors of distance learning are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for directors of distance learning based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

4. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

5. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

6. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

7. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

8. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

9. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

10. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for directors of distance learning

The easiest schools for directors of distance learning to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, barry university, and gwynedd mercy university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a director of distance learning without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for directors of distance learning.

1. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

2. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

3. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

4. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

5. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

6. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

7. Ottawa University

Ottawa, KS • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,024

8. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

9. Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, CA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,053

10. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,026

Average director of distance learning salary by education level

Directors of distance learning with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $127,321 annually. With a Master's degree, directors of distance learning earn a median annual income of $108,252 compared to $86,012 for directors of distance learning with an Bachelor's degree.
Director of distance learning education levelDirector of distance learning salary
Master's Degree$108,252
Bachelor's Degree$86,012
Doctorate Degree$127,321

Director of distance learning education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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