How to Earn a Masters Degree Online
There are many masters degrees available online for people wishing to continue their education after earning an undergraduate degree. Online masters degree programs are ideal for students who recently graduated. After graduation, students are excited to begin working but still have the college mindset. Beginning work towards a masters degree shortly after graduation helps keep motivation high and lets students stay in the college frame of mind that can be lost once a career is started. If you finished your bachelor's degree on campus, then earning your masters degree online will be a refreshing change.
Not every degree will offer an online option. Some degrees require too much field experience or participation to be done effectively online. One of the most popular majors is a Masters degree in Business Administration. There are reputable colleges and universities that offer top-notch MBA programs completely online. This program is ideal for people in management, human resources, consulting and real estate. This degree is also a great option for professionals that need to continue working while going to school.
Other masters degree options include education, social services, journalism, library science, healthcare administration and psychology. All of these majors require that you hold a bachelors degree from an accredited university. Some masters degrees also require that you are already working in your chosen field in order to be eligible for online classes. If your employment field requires certification or registration, you will find it easier to obtain those credentials first before applying to the online masters program. For example, educators have an easier time of being accepted to online masters degree programs if they have teaching certification and experience. You will need to send transcripts and GRE test scores to the university where you are applying. Once you are accepted, check the course schedules and enroll in an online course.
Some schools will offer certain classes toward a masters degree online. This option is ideal for students who can manage to make it to the campus for classes, but desire the scheduling freedom that online classes allow. If you are trying to finish your masters degree in as little time as possible, integrate on campus classes with online classes for more freedom. Other masters degrees will offer all classes online with the exception of field experience classes. Even then, some schools will setup your field experience and keep in contact with you via email. Your professor may then setup a convenient appointment time to meet and discuss your performance.
With professionals putting in more hours at work and desiring to advance in their careers much sooner than in the past, online masters degree programs give professionals the needed edge. In highly competitive job fields, some employers may agree to cover tuition for an online masters degree program for employees they do not want to lose. If you employer has not mentioned this, you may be able to negotiate an agreement towards some tuition reimbursement. Either way, your education does not need to be put on hold just because you start a career.
