Getting a Masters Degree is a great way to open the door to promotion at work, or to make a career change. But for those who are already working, or those who have families, attending school full-time just isn’t practical. Previously, these people would have to suck it up and attend night classes or another alternative style of education, but nowadays the Internet has made it much easier to get a Masters without having to quit your job or leave your family during the day.
Online courses are often offered by the same universities that offer traditional courses (over 2/3rds of schools now offer online programs), and utilize the same materials and professors, which means that you can get the same level of education without having to actually be on campus. There are some significant differences between traditional school and online schooling, though. That’s why we’ve compiled this helpful guide.
Accreditation
The biggest thing people worry about when considering online Masters programs is how legitimate the final degree is. Will employers view it favorably? How about other schools, if you decide to get a doctorate? Will your qualifications count? As long as you do your homework before settling on a program, yes—an online degree can qualify you for exactly the same positions as a traditional degree. In fact, many online programs offered by traditional universities result in the exact same end result. The school doesn’t even mark the fact that you attended school online on your degree certificate after graduation. According to the Sloan Corporation, about 20% of the currently studying student population are enrolled in online programs, which includes about 3.48 million students.
But even though online schooling has gained respect and prestige, there are still scams out there. That’s why it’s important to thoroughly research your program before fully enrolling. You have to pick a school that’s accredited, meaning that it’s been approved by the federal government to grant degrees. There are several websites dedicated to helping you choose a reputable program. Take a look at the CHEA Initiative, which provides a comprehensive database of online schools and programs that have been accredited by one of the five official accreditation agencies in the United States. Even after you pick a program here, you should run it by the Bureau of Consumer Protection, which provides a great checklist for vetting an online program.
Cost and Duration
There are a couple advantages online schooling has over traditional programs, and they are the most important factors for many working people: cost and duration. Online schools tend to be much cheaper than traditional programs because they do not require room rentals or facilities of any kind. Because the material is online, often the book requirements are cheaper, too. That makes your Masters degree far more affordable than it would be if you went the traditional route.
Additionally, online programs often take less time than traditional programs, although the duration of your program often depends on your own working pace and abilities. Because you don’t have to make concessions to other students in your class, you can focus on the parts of the material that don’t make as much sense, thereby getting through the material much quicker and more thoroughly.
For an example of the differences between online and traditional schools, take a look at Penn State’s online program and compare it with its regular graduate school. You’ll see that the online program is cheaper and the estimated duration is shorter. A word of caution, though: online programs require much more self-discipline than traditional programs, because there’s nobody to mark you down if you’re absent or if you fail to turn in your homework on time. Only enroll in an online program if you have good self-discipline.
Academic Standards
Finally, online students do better than student enrolled in classic college programs. This is partially a result of the way online programs are designed to target the needs of specific students, rather than just throwing information out in blanket-fashion. Plus, students who enroll in online programs tend to have better self-discipline than traditional students, which means that they are more committed to their program and working harder to do well.
If you’re considering getting a Masters online, you no longer need to worry about how your degree will be perceived. Before you settle on a school, learn all you can about the benefits of online schooling. Maybe it’s the right style for you.