Earning your Masters
degree adds to your knowledge base and the skills you need to succeed
in your chosen field of work and may increase your earning potential. Masters degree programs generally focus on coursework or research and require that you've already obtained your bachelor's degree.
More than MBAsAlthough a Masters
in Business Administration (MBA) is one of the most common online
degree programs you'll find, you'll also see program offered in health
care, education and engineering with new areas of study, like
psychology, starting to appear to meet the demands of the job market.
Online Masters
degree programs are also becoming more specialized within fields of
study. For example, if you do choose to pursue an MBA, you may have the
option of focusing on international business. This trend is starting to
take hold in areas as well and as more employers begin recognizing the
value of online education, these specialized programs are likely to
increase in number.
What it Takes to Earn a Masters DegreeJust
because you're pursuing your degree online doesn't mean the program is
easier than attending regular on-campus classes-you'll need to apply the
same dedication, self-discipline. What you won't have to do is be a
slave to the school's class
schedule.
Getting your degree online affords you far more flexibility when it
comes to when you do your work, although you'll still be held
accountable for any deadlines set by your instructors.
It can take as little as two years to complete a Masters
degree online, which is on par with traditional degree programs. Your
work obligations and other responsibilities as well as your ability to
pay for the courses you're taking will all influence quickly or slowly
you want or need to go. Some programs may set a maximum time frame
during which you're required to complete your coursework in order to
receive your agree. Before you commit to a program, be sure you
understand what, if any limitations, the school has set.
Most online Masters degree programs require you to complete a thesis or other research paper. Your chosen field of study for your online Masters
degree will determine whether you write a paper, complete a project or
take a specialized exam to complete your coursework. If you're pursuing
an online master's degree in health care or education, you may also be
required to complete an internship.
Residency RequirementsNot all online
Masters degrees can be earned 100 percent online, although there are plenty of online Masters degrees that can. Period campus visits-up to two to three times per semester, for a week at
a time in some cases-are often a requirement for online Masters degrees offered by schools that feature both on-campus and distance learning.
Usually, the online Masters degrees
that require campus visits fall into more scientific or technical
applications where you need to access the school's labs or other
equipment. If you have the flexibility in your schedule and the desire, then you have the option of earning your Masters degree by taking a combination of online and on-campus courses.
Paying for Your DegreeTuition for online Masters degrees
is generally less than in-class tuition, but that doesn't mean your
dream program will be more affordable because it's online. However,
financial aid sources don't distinguish between online and on-campus
schools; education is education when it comes to student loans.
Some
online schools are approved for federal student aid, while others offer
their own financial aid packages. Unlike traditional graduate programs,
online Masters degree programs don't include paid fellowships as part
of their student aid. Do your research and get an average estimate of
the cost per credit for the kind of online Masters degree you want to
earn. If you're already working, especially in your chosen field of
business, you should check your company's tuition reimbursement policy
to see which online master's degree programs may be covered.
Check the School's AccreditationBefore you commit to any online Masters
degree program, be sure you understand whether the school is accredited
and then take it step further: determine if the accreditation agency is
reputable and recognized. The accreditation process is unregulated and
guidelines vary among states. Look for online Masters degrees offered by
school with an accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department
of Education or the Council on Higher Education.
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