Top 30 Online Trade Schools / Vocational Trade Schools 2024 [Accredited]

Published February 23, 2023 · · Updated May 12, 2024 · 10 minutes · by Kamerpower ·

30 Best Online Trade Schools / Vocational Trade Schools [Accredited]. Online trade schools blend virtual coursework with practical, hands-on training. These programs prepare you for popular roles like licensed practical nurse, HVAC technician, plumber, and electrician. 

Some trades may require additional training in the form of an apprenticeship. Students interested in convenient job training should consider the increasing number of degree programs and career certification options offered by online trade schools. These programs give individuals the opportunity to build the skills and experience they need to enter a variety of different fields and industries without leaving the comfort of their homes. 

Accreditation for Online Trade Schools

Accreditation can help ensure that an online trade school offers the same educational quality as a traditional program. Your trade school must also be accredited so that you can qualify for professional certification and receive federal financial aid. Potential employers will want your trade school to be accredited, too. Accreditation verifies that the curriculum meets certain professional standards.

List of Best Online Vocational Trade Schools

• Forsyth Technical Community College. 
• North Dakota State College of Science.
• West Kentucky Community and Technical College.
• Dakota College at Bottineau.
• Wentworth Institute of Technology
• Northcentral Technical College.
• Taft College.
• Wake Technical Community College.
• Apollo Career Center (non-degree school).
• Susquehanna County Career and Technology Center.
• Pinellas Technical College-St. Petersburg
• Gateway Community and Technical College.
• Washburn Institute of Technology.

What kind of degree do you get from a trade school?

• Associate Degree: This two-year degree offers a more comprehensive education and sets you up to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
• Licensure or Certification Prep: A trade course that specifically prepares you for state licensure or professional certification.
• Apprenticeship: A structured work experience program that includes education and training so you can become a certified professional.
• Diploma or Certificate: You’ll learn a specific skill or trade and be certified for professional work, usually in a year or less.

What Trade Programs Are Offered In Trade Schools?

Today’s career diplomas cater to a wide range of interests and career paths. Some programs are:

• Construction Trades
• Dental Assistant.
• Desktop Publishing and Design.
• Drafting With AutoCAD
• Dressmaking & Design.
• Security Guard.
• Small Business Management.
• Small Engine Repair.
• Electronics Technician
• Furniture & Cabinet Maker. 
• Gunsmith.
• Physical Therapy Aide
• Plumber
• Private Investigator
• Hotel and Restaurant Management.
• Home Health Aide
• Paralegal.
• Pet Grooming.
• Pharmacy Technician.
• HVACR Technician
• Legal Secretary
• Auto Repair Technician. 
• Bookkeeping.
• Caterer.
• Child Care Professional
• Computer Graphic Artist. 
• Residential Electrician.
• Retail Supervisor.

Best Online Trade Schools

1. Maysville Community and Technical College

At Maysville Community and Technical College, students can choose to pursue associate degree and certificate programs in one of 13 different fields of study. Trade school programs include those in Fire Science Technology, Culinary Arts, Industrial Maintenance Technology, and Welding Technology. Online courses and programs are also available.

2. Craven Community College

The school has a robust distance learning program and offers a variety of technical-vocational school programs. Enrolled students can choose from almost two dozen areas of study, including Manufacturing Technology, Computer-Aided Drafting, Esthetics Technology, and Welding Technology. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges has accredited the school to award these certificates and degrees.

3. Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College

Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College is home to dozens of academic degrees and vocational certificates for students who want to advance their education and improve their employment opportunities. Many of these offerings can be pursued online through the Kentucky Virtual Campus (KYVC). SKYCTC is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

4. Georgia Piedmont Technical College

Georgia Piedmont Technical College is home to over 100 degree and certificate programs in 17 broad academic and vocational fields. Specific plans of study include those in Auto Maintenance, Computer System Design, Pipe Welding, and Air Conditioning Maintenance, for instance. Roughly half of the school’s offerings can be completed entirely online.

5. Wentworth Institute of Technology

The school’s virtual programs offer a wide range of master’s and bachelor’s degrees in technical fields like construction management and project management. These courses are uncompromising in terms of instructional quality, and they are conducive to a busy schedule, which is ideal for working adults. In as little as two years, students have the potential to complete graduate programs and enter the workforce with diverse and high-demand skill sets.

6. Owensboro Community and Technical College

In this trade school, students can select career certificate and academic degree programs in two dozen fields of study. Students eying trade school programs should consider the college’s offerings in Automotive Technology, Computerized Manufacturing and Machining, Industrial Maintenance Technology, and Electrical Technology, for instance.

7. Hopkinsville Community College

A smaller online trade school, Hopkinsville Community College offers numerous degree and certificate programs across 14 different fields of study. Students interested in trade school programs can consider the school’s options in Computer-Aided Drafting and Design, Construction Technology, Engineering and Electronics Technology, and Truck Driver Training.

8. Big Sandy Community and Technical College

The school is a member of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System and offers degree and certificate programs in 15 different fields of study. For students pursuing trade school careers, the options include plans of study in Collision Repair, Diesel Technology, Surveying and Mapping Technology, Construction, and more. Distance learning options are available for some programs.

9. North Dakota State College of Science

The North Dakota State College of Science is one of the foremost institutions for career training in its state. It caters to students from all walks of life and even offers a variety of online courses for distance learners and working students. These programs provide comprehensive career training in fields relating to healthcare, business, informational technology, construction, hospitality, and even law.

10. Dakota College at Bottineau

The school’s globalizing career training initiative has resulted in the operation of over 100 virtual courses that students can access anywhere, anytime. This format is ideal for distance learners and working adults because of its easy accessibility and scheduling flexibility. Online courses focus on fields ranging from medical assistance to small business management or bookkeeping to paraprofessional education.

11. Gateway Community and Technical College

This school provides opportunities to pursue technical careers in fields like office technology administration, computer and information technologies, mining technology, and many more. The online programs even award associate’s degrees and professional certifications.

12. West Kentucky Community and Technical College

For students seeking professional, personalized instruction, this is the place for you. WKCTC offers more than 300 online classes, and virtual students have opportunities to master specializations like digital photography, desktop publishing, computer literacy, and many others. These courses provide students with valuable skills in their respective areas of interest, equipping them with work experience that will make them competitive in the job market and successful in the field.

13. Clovis Community College

Clovis Community College offers online programs for students interested in receiving degrees or certificates in a number of different fields. Program options include Behavioral Science, Early Childhood Education, Industrial Technology, Welding, Cosmetology, Emergency Medical Services, and more. Applicants must submit official transcripts when applying to any programs.

14. Taft College

Taft College has been committed to the furthering of career training for goal-oriented individuals in the greater Taft region, as well as the global community. That is why its virtual learning programs operate with the highest level of credibility, accessibility, and comprehensiveness.

15. State Fair Community College

State Fair Community College offers professional and skill certificates. Some programs include Medical Coding, Medical Assistant, Nurse Aide, and Pharmacy Technicians. Many of the programs require students to complete Clinical Rotations to graduate. Students at the school may receive a Personal Student Success Navigator to help plan their academic journey.

16. Madison Area Technical College

Madison Area Technical College offers 21 different certificate programs for students. Program options include Ethnic Studies, Supervision in Business, Retail Management, Early Childhood Education Administrator, and Business Plan. Application requirements vary based on the student’s program of choice.

17. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College offers programs for students interested in receiving a Diploma or TCC. Programs of study include Accounting, Fire Science Technology, Entrepreneurship, Payroll Accounting Specialist, Quality Assurance Professional, and more. Those interested in attending the school may submit an online application through the school’s website.

18. Northwood Technical College

Northwood Technical College offers 26 different online programs for Certificates and Technical Diplomas. Some program options are Accounting Assistant, Customer Service, Drafting Technician, Group Child Care Essentials, Management, and Nonprofit Essentials. The school offers admissions advisors to help those interested in applying.

19. Metropolitan Community College

Metropolitan Community College offers a number of different Certificates of Achievements, Career Certifications, and Special Certifications. Students may choose to study Information Technology, Business, Bookkeeping, Financial Studies, General Management, Global Perspectives, and more. Online students may choose to start studying in September, December, March, or June.

20. Lake Area Technical College

Lake Area Technical College offers a number of E-Degrees that blend both online and on-campus learning options. Options include Agri-Business, Photography, Electronic Systems, Law Enforcement, Practical Nursing, Robotics, Precision Machining, and many others. Applicants must submit high school transcripts and ACT test scores.

21. Central Community College

Central Community College offers an online schooling option for those interested in receiving certificates or diplomas. Students may study Business, Technology, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Medical Assisting, and more. Students enrolled in the programs may complete classes on their own time.

22. Francis Tuttle Technology Center

The Francis Tuttle Technology Center is a service and career training center that has been providing high-quality industrial instruction to the local community. Its online programs include cybersecurity and network defense, advanced manufacturing, medical office technology, and even welding. These courses are specifically designed for career-oriented individuals who are striving toward building and maintaining lifelong careers.

23. Alexandria Technical & Community College

The school offers virtual instruction in fields like accounting, business, medical administration, and many others. Students who participate in these online programs have the flexibility to transfer their credits to full-time universities and pursue additional training and higher-level degrees if they so choose. 

24. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a small public community college serving less than 3,000 students annually. The college offers an impressive array of degree and certificate programs in numerous career and technical fields. Some of its online trade school programs include those in Business Graphics, Health Information Technology, Web and Software Development, and Medical Coding.

25. Morgan Community College

Morgan Community College is a small two-year school serving just over a thousand students each year. The school offers an impressive array of technical certificates and academic degree programs spanning ten distinct fields of study. Students interested in trade school careers can consider the school’s offerings in Welding, Electromechanical Technology, and Automotive Collision Repair.

26. Southwest Tennessee Community College

Southwest Tennessee Community College’s offerings include certificates and degrees in a dozen different areas of study. Trade school programs include those in Architectural Design Technology, Electrical Engineering, Graphic Arts Technology, and Culinary Arts. Online courses and programs are offered through TN eCampus.

27. Ultimate Medical Academy

The Ultimate Medical Academy is one of the top-ranking career-training schools in the state of Florida. This school is designed for those who aspire to build a career around helping others and administering service. The school’s specialized courses enable students to earn associate’s degrees and become medical administrative assistants, pharmacy technicians, medical billing and coding specialists, and many other types of medical professionals.

28. Guilford Technical Community College

Guilford Technical Community College has been committed to furthering its students’ technical training and career preparedness. The school operates an entirely virtual set of programs through which working adults and distance learners can find the vocational opportunities they seek. These programs specialize anywhere from business to office administration to information technology.

29. Jefferson Community and Technical College

Jefferson Community and Technical College has been serving the local community of Louisville, Kentucky. Jefferson Online is one of the very best options for working adults, full-time employees, and distance learners looking to further their career training and enhance their specialized skillsets.

30. Minnesota West Community & Technical College

Minnesota West Community and Technical College is committed to the advancement of career training for students from all walks of life. That is why its online programs are formatted to accommodate adult learners’ busy schedules and provide them with every possible opportunity, even from a distance. A few of the courses focus on fields like biofuel technology, emergency medical technology, pharmacy technology, and many others.

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