The Best Online College Degrees for GED Graduates

1. Game Design

With the popularity of video game entertainment, the industry has become both exciting and highly competitive.

Employers will expect a bachelor's degree in Game Design or Development.

Designers have the responsibility of writing the blueprint for the game and deciding the mission, theme, and rules of play. Game Designers learn to create games using programming languages. Duties include code programming, mapping story lines, rule systems, and team coordination.

Game Artists learn to use the animation and graphic design tools of the trade. Animators are just as important as Game Designers for the final product to reach production.

Game Design degrees are usually within the Bachelor of Science degree type, whereas Game Art degrees are Bachelor's of Fine Art degrees.

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2. Graphic Design

Employers usually look for a bachelor's degree in graphic design, however other degrees with technical training in graphic design may also be acceptable.

Internships in the field are highly encouraged. Analytical skills and artistic abilities should be strong qualities for applicants. Graphic Designers meet with clients and other team members, creating visual elements, design layouts, illustrations, and using various design software.

Approximately one in five graphic designers are self-employed. For those who were employed by companies, 10 percent worked for specialized design companies, 8 percent for advertising or public relations, 7 percent for newspapers and other publishers, 7 percent for printing and related technical support, and 6 percent for wholesale trade.

3. Animation

Animation involves learning how to create 2D and/or 3D images for commercial purposes. Some animation studios have their own software and computer applications, and will provide on-the-job training. Most Animation studios require a minimum of a bachelor's degree.

Duties include researching and animating projects, team collaboration, and developing storyboards. Strong applicants will have a bachelor's degree, a diverse portfolio, and good technical skills. Additional qualities include artistic talent, communication skills, time management, and creativity.

The majority of animators, over 50 percent, are self-employed, while only 12 percent are employed by video industries. An additional 6 percent were employed in computer systems design and related services, 5 percent were employed as software publishers, and 5 percent were employed in advertising or public relations. An average 4 percent growth is expected for the field.

4. Computer Science

Best Online Bachelor's in Computer Science

Employers will typically look for a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a computer or information science field, however most will look for a graduate degree such as an MBA. Different managerial positions include Chief Information Officers, Chief Technology Officers, IT Directors, and IT Security Managers.

Industries that employed the majority of Information Managers include computer systems design and other related services at 20 percent, Finance and Insurance companies at 12 percent, and manufacturing companies at 9 percent. With the increase in network speeds, telecommuting is becoming more common. About two out of five managers work over 40 hours per week.

5. Software Development

For Software Developers in 2023 the median pay was $130,160.00 per year. The growth rate is projected to increase 25%, adding an additional 451,000 positions by year 2032.

Employers will look for a minimum of a bachelor's degree in computer science or software development. A background in computer programming is also beneficial.

Computer systems design and related services employ 33 percent of IT Software Developers. Other employers include Software Publishers, Finance and Insurance companies, and Computer and Electronic Product manufacturing companies. Job increase is projected to be faster than average at 17 percent.

6. Cyber Security: Information Security Analysts

For Information Security Analysts in 2023 The median pay was $120,360.00 per year. The growth rate is projected to be 32%, adding an additional 53,200 positions by the year 2032.

Employers will look for a minimum of a bachelor's degree in cyber security, information assurance, or other security-related fields.

Duties include monitoring networks for security breaches, and developing, testing, and implementing new security measures. Continuing education with the most recent security technology and possible cyber-attacks is necessary. One in four security analysts will work over 40 hours per week.

Computer systems design industries employ the majority of IT security analysts at 26 percent, other industries include depository credit inter-mediation and technical consulting services.

7. Business Administration

Employers will typically look for a Bachelor's degree in business, project management, or business management. Business Administration is the most popular online degree. More students are enrolled in Business Administration bachelor's degree programs than any other degree field. This is because of the large and varied versatility of a Business Administration degree.

Chief Executive Officer is actually the highest paying career with any or among all online bachelor's degrees.

8. Hospitality Management

The Leisure and Hospitality field consists of two major divisions, Arts/Entertainment and Recreation, or Accommodations and Food Services.

Various careers in the field include Actors/Actresses, Fitness Trainers, Gaming Supervisors, and Musicians for Arts and Entertainment or Cooks, Hotel Clerks, and Waiters/Waitresses for Accommodations, Food Services, and travel liaisons for sports teams.

Professional sports franchises also hire hospitality degree graduates to manage their travel. In November of 2015 there were over 15,000 persons employed in the Hospitality industry. Meeting, Event and Convention Planners earned $51,560.00 in 2020, with a projected employment growth of 8% by 2029.

See our The 25 Best Hospitality Colleges in the US

9. Accounting

Most positions require a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Accounting. In some instances a Master's degree in accounting or business administration is preferred. About one in five work over 40 hours per week. During times such as tax season overtime hours should be expected. Still, most accountants consider burning seasonal midnight oil to be well worth the field's substantial compensation.

Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services hired the majority of applicants at 26 percent, Government was eight percent, Finance and Insurance companies eight percent, and Manufacturing companies six percent. Job outlook is expected to be average at 4 percent.

10. Finance

Financial occupations cover a wide scope of professions including Financial Analysts, Financial Managers, Personal Financial Advisers, Financial Examiners, and many other positions.

The entry level education requirement for the majority of positions is a Bachelor's degree.

Though duties will vary based on position, employees will be expected to perform tasks such as organizing finances, analyzing data, evaluating applications, and advising coworkers or clients.

Those who manage other people's money embrace a high stakes job that requires successful transition between theory and practice, and pays accordingly.

11. Criminal Justice

The Criminal Justice field includes a variety of occupations: Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Police and Detectives, Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists, and many others.

The majority of positions requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree.

Median annual wage ranged from $54,290.00 to $86,030.00 The majority of criminal justice careers will require applicants to be at least 21 years old, to be U.S. citizens, and to submit to background checks.

Once hired, many employers will provide some on-the-job training. Overall employment growth is expected to be respectable at four percent.

12. Homeland Security

Homeland Security also covers a broad spectrum of occupations from Immigration Services and Border Protection to the U.S. Coast Guard and Secret Service Agency. No matter what the occupation, the duty of all Homeland Security personnel is to protect the nation from any potential threats.

Most applicants for any homeland security position must undergo security clearances or background checks. It is a requirement for any applicant to be a U.S. citizen. The Department of Homeland Security has employed over 240,000 persons. This number does not include private security agencies.

The Homeland Security website, (www.dhs.gov), provides direct information for citizens looking for security tips or how to become involved.

13. Health Informatics (Health Information Specialist)

There are 37,900 jobs for Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars. The median salary was $62,990.00 in 2023.

Employers will look for applicants with post-secondary certification or an Associate's degree. Duties include reviewing, organizing, and maintaining data for clinical databases, tracking patient outcomes for quality assessment, and maintaining confidentiality.

The majority of Health Information Technologists are employed by Hospitals at 38 percent, physicians offices employ 21 percent, while other administrative and professional services employ 11 percent.

In an era when the baby boomer generation is reaching retirement, it is not surprising that employment opportunities in this health care related industry are expected to increase faster than average at 15 percent.

14. Healthcare Administration (Medical and Health Services Managers)

Healthcare Administration organizes the staffing of a business, compared to the Healthcare Management which deals with the overall operations of a business. Medical and Health Services Managers earned $110,680.00 in 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Employers will look for a minimum of a Bachelor's degree.

The Health Services Manager is responsible for duties such as the hiring and training of staff members, organizing staff scheduling, managing finances such as patient fees and billing, and maintaining open lines of communication. Future employment opportunities are expected to grow much faster than average at 17 percent.

The Best Online College Degrees for GED Graduates