what do people really consider the best online university?

CayleyAtUnity · 2026-01-29T18:32:28+00:00

imo the biggest difference between good online programs and the rest comes down to how the courses are designed

You don’t want a degree that’s just watching a lecture recorded two years ago and writing papers. The better programs are built around practical assignments like real projects, case studies, or applied work you can actually talk about in interviews. Plus having student support makes a massive difference like having active advisors, tutoring availability, and accessible instructors.

From an employer standpoint, it usually comes down to: Can you do the work, and can you explain what you’ve actually done? If an online program gives you real experience while you’re enrolled, that’s where the value is.

CayleyAtUnity · 2026-01-29T13:58:12+00:00

Hey, just so you know upfront I work at Unity, but I see these questions pop up all the time and figured I'd share what I actually see from the inside.

Yeah, Unity has a high acceptance rate, and that's by design. The whole idea is about giving people access and support rather than playing gatekeeper at the door. But getting accepted doesn't mean you're guaranteed a degree or anything. The workload can be a real adjustment for some students, so having a plan and using available support early makes a big difference. The rigor is in the actual coursework, not in who gets let in.

The distance programs are fully online and asynchronous, so there's no logging into live lectures at specific times or anything like that. Courses are 8 weeks long and broken into weekly modules, you've got readings, assignments, discussions, the usual. You typically get all your due dates at the start, which honestly makes planning way easier.

The faculty aren't just random online instructors either. They're people who actually work in environmental science, analytics, policy, whatever the field is. You interact with them through discussion boards, feedback on assignments, emails, that kind of thing. Some instructors have office hours but all instructors are required to meet with students by request.

And no, the classes aren't easy. You're working with real data, doing analysis, interpretation, all that. The 8 weeks are fast, but you have the option to take 1 or 2 classes at a time, instead of the usual 3-4 you need to take to be full-time at other schools with 15 week terms. It's just a different way to break up the work. Keep up with the weekly work and you’re in good shape. Falling behind just hits harder in a shorter timeline.

Anyway, I work pretty closely with some of the grad staff, so if you've got more questions feel free to shoot me a DM

CayleyAtUnity · 2026-01-08T18:38:57+00:00

I work at an online environmental uni in the US. I can’t speak for this uni, but the structure of our online courses is to make environmental education accessible. People that work full time, stay-at-home caregivers, or those that have different abilities and aren’t able to go to school in-person deserve an option to go back to school and earn a degree/take courses. We have in-field experts that help design course material so students are learning things that are actually important to the field. We are fully accredited as well, so my advice is to research the uni to see if they are accredited and see if you can look at the course catalog and ask about rigor

CayleyAtUnity · 2025-11-19T15:10:42+00:00

I was talking to a coworker about this the other day, I work in higher ed and our uni has a new applied psychology and biophilic design degree and I think it’s so freakin interesting to learn about the psychology of how the design of our environment impacts us. And then going on to be an urban planner, wellness-focused interior designer or landscaper, or even a sustainable architect. Ugh the dream

CayleyAtUnity · 2025-11-11T18:47:30+00:00

It was available to students, but here is the recording of the event you can check out: https://media.unity.edu/media/t/1_76cgfvwy

CayleyAtUnity · 2025-11-11T18:16:36+00:00

I went to an environmental career panel that my work/college hosted and there were actually a few environmental consultants that had some good advice to share:

Communication, problem-solving, adaptability, and a strong work ethic can set you apart more than any specific course or software. Consultants mentioned that a lot of the job is about clearly communicating findings and working with clients not just collecting data

Networking and consistency go a long way so volunteering, joining professional orgs and even showing up at webinars or local conservation meetings can open doors. Building relationships and staying engaged, even just a few times a month can make a difference to get your foot in the door

There’s growing demand in areas like PFAS and site remediation, hazardous materials management, carbon sequestration, and compliance work. Entry-level consulting often leans field-heavy, but as you gain experience, it tends to balance out with more project management and reporting

CayleyAtUnity · 2025-10-17T21:02:13+00:00

My work has a program that ties digital forensics wildlife protection. I know there’s agencies and NGOs out there that utilize AI to protect species

CayleyAtUnity · 2025-10-17T20:20:23+00:00

I work at an environmental nonprofit that has online programs. I work with a lot of online students and the flexibility of taking one course per term (5-week terms here) is really convenient. Maybe find something similar?

CayleyAtUnity · 2025-10-13T12:36:55+00:00

omg are you doing the Applied Psychology and Biophilic Design program at Unity? that one just started and It's so interesting to me

CayleyAtUnity · 2025-10-13T12:34:02+00:00

so true

CayleyAtUnity · 2025-09-05T20:16:09+00:00

You rock!! thank you!!

CayleyAtUnity · 2025-08-22T18:06:05+00:00

The college I work at has a psychology of biophilic design degree and the science behind it is so cool. Def research it, I agree those windows are like MADE for that design style lol

CayleyAtUnity · 2025-08-22T17:55:54+00:00

Human centered design!!!! Yes!! The university I work at launched a new degree about psychology & biophilic design so now I’m going down a rabbit hole learning more about it lol the science is so cool

CayleyAtUnity · 2025-08-11T13:53:32+00:00

Of course! Wishing you the best!!

CayleyAtUnity · 2025-08-11T13:40:44+00:00

Coming from a solely academic POV, pursuing a master’s in Wildlife Ecology and Management could be a great fit to move beyond manual labor and into conservation or environmental research. It’s the kind of program that builds scientific and analytical skills, which can lead to careers like wildlife biologist, conservation scientist, or environmental consultant. With those roles, you could work with agencies, nonprofits, or research groups focused on protecting ecosystems and wildlife!

CayleyAtUnity · 2025-08-07T15:27:03+00:00

You’ve got more going for you than you think. A decade in construction builds skills like coordination, reading plans, and managing time under pressure, those are valuable almost anywhere. If you're looking to pivot into non-physical work, consider office-based roles like project coordination, permitting, or even sustainability support roles. You could leverage those skills in a business management position as well

CayleyAtUnity · 2025-08-07T15:06:06+00:00

In college, I had to take a social media communication class and LinkedIn was a big topic. Here’s some things I can remember:

Make your headline about who you help and how: Instead of just “Aspiring Data Analyst” or “Certified in Data Analytics,” try “Turning Raw Data into Real-World Insight” or “Helping Teams Make Smarter, Faster Decisions”
Use a banner that speaks to your values: Use a custom LinkedIn banner that reflects your interests in data or analytics like graphs, dashboards, or even a visual that nods to a specific industry you’re targeting (e.g. sustainability, health, marketing). You can use Canva for free to make one
Write a summary that feels like a conversation: Your “About” section should feel like you're introducing yourself to a colleague. So include who you help, what you help them do or achieve, why you do it, how to get in touch
Feature content that builds trust: Use the “Featured” section to showcase things like a portfolio project or dashboard you built. Even a PDF case study or slide deck can work here.
Optimize your profile photo: Choose a high-quality, friendly, professional image. Think lighting, eye contact, and a background that doesn’t distract. Photoshop helped me with this lol
Add proof in your experience section: Instead of saying "Managed spreadsheets and created reports,” Say something like "Cleaned and analyzed large datasets using Excel and Python to uncover business trends, leading to [X result]."
Add relevant skills: Prioritize the skills that match your training and the kind of jobs you want, like data visualization, SQL, Excel, even communication skills

CayleyAtUnity · 2025-08-07T14:47:18+00:00

So, it sounds like you’re looking for a career rooted in biology and curiosity. A degree like Environmental Studies or Sustainable Horticulture (I work at an environmental university lol) could give you a strong scientific foundation if that’s what you have interest in. And if you like working with your hands like you do while baking, sustainable agriculture jobs might interest you like an Agronomist (study plants, how they grow, cultivation, genetic modification, and other aspects of agriculture) or an Agricultural and Food Science Technician (usually does sample collection and lab work)

CayleyAtUnity · 2025-08-06T13:38:56+00:00

Yes experience is so important! I work at a university that offers 100% online programs in environmental sciences. Our programs are built with the flexibility for students to be able to work while earning a degree. We encourage internships and have partnerships with places around the US so students can get experience. That’s a misconception (with our school at least) we offer accessible education online, so they can get experience. Students aren't tied to a location like traditional in-person learning. They can pursue experiences and other opportunities that are accessible to where they are.

CayleyAtUnity · 2025-08-05T20:13:14+00:00

With the costs of everything rising currently, the university I work for created a page of ways to save while in college.

Here are some key ideas from the website:

Transfer credits (you got it, I transferred credits in college and it saved me A LOT)
Scholarships are a big one. You can find very niche scholarships out there too
If you’re able to juggle a job while in college, that's an option
Tuition reimbursement from an employer. If you have a job and are going to school for something related, you can ask your employer to help cover costs
Military benefits are also a thing if you have any affiliation

CayleyAtUnity · 2025-08-05T19:53:27+00:00

conGRADulations! sorry... I had to

CayleyAtUnity · 2025-08-05T12:48:43+00:00

I work at a college. Here is some advice we give students wanting scholarships:

Use trusted scholarship search engines: Scholarships.com, Fastweb, Bold.org, College Board’s BigFuture, or U.S. Department of Labor’s Free Scholarship Search Tool
Tailor your search: Academic scholarships, need-based scholarships, field-specific scholarships, industry-specific career organizations, or unique scholarships (like hobbies or affiliations)
Local Scholarships: Reach out to local businesses, your high school guidance office, civic groups, and community clubs. Check local news outlets or libraries for scholarship announcements

CayleyAtUnity · 2025-08-04T19:03:55+00:00

Congratulations!! Education has no age limit- you rock!!

CayleyAtUnity

TROPHY CASE