If you’ve ever considered getting your master’s degree online, now could be the time to think more seriously about it. With the coronavirus pandemic, colleges and universities around the world are primarily online anyway.
It could be a good time to boost your career prospects and earning capabilities while you’re spending time at home.
There are different types of master’s degrees, but in general, they are advanced graduate degrees that are designed to improve how much money you earn in your career and help advance you professionally.
Most master’s programs take two to three years to complete, and you might build on your undergraduate studies or perhaps use your master’s as a way to get into a completely new field.
Some jobs require a master’s degree, and others don’t necessarily require it, but it’s important to have if you want to progress into a leadership role.
There was a Bureau of Labor Statistic report from 2019 that found that people with master’s degrees earn a median of $249 more a week than people with only a bachelor’s.
The following are some other key things to know about getting a master’s degree online.
Types of Master’s Degrees
A master’s degree goes into depth in the content you’re learning. You usually need 30 or more credits to earn a master’s degree, and they can fall into some broad categories.
Some of the most common types of master’s degrees include:
- Master of Arts (MA)
- Master of Science (MS)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Education (M.Ed.)
- Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
- Master of Public Administration (MPA)
To be admitted to an online master’s program, you will need a bachelor’s degree. Some programs require your bachelor’s degree is related, and others don’t. Most programs also require that you have certain prerequisite coursework and a minimum undergraduate GPA.
You may also need to show scores from standardized tests, such as the GRE or GMAT.
Why Get Your Master’s Degree Online?
If you’re thinking about getting your master’s degree online, there are some significant upsides.
Convenience and flexibility are two of the most important for many people. If you pursue your degree online, you can likely keep working at your day job at the same time.
Also, you might have commuting or child care issues, which could again make an online program the best option for you.
Along with general flexibility, a lot of online programs will let you work on an accelerated schedule so you can get your degrees faster than you would otherwise.
You might not have to wait for a new semester to start once you enroll—you may be able to start right away, depending on the program.
You have access to more options when you go to school online, and it’s usually going to be less expensive. Sometimes, getting your master’s online can be significantly less expensive than going to a traditional school.
Are There Downsides of Online Master’s Programs?
Of course, there are going to be possible downsides to consider with anything.
One important thing to realize is that you’re going to have limited opportunities for interpersonal interaction when your program is online. Some people learn better when they’re face-to-face and also when they’re talking to classmates about what they’re learning and putting it into context.
You have to be honest with yourself about your learning style and what works best for you.
Also, not every program or major will be available because some types of programs simply don’t work in an online format.
For example, if you need access to specialized equipment as part of your education, you aren’t going to be able to do your full master’s program online.
You need to have a good sense of time management and personal responsibility. It’s entirely up to you to find the intrinsic motivation to complete your work. If you’re someone who needs a lot of structure to be productive, you might consider a traditional in-person program.
You aren’t going to be able to network either. That means you can’t meet professors, guest lecturers, or other people who could be important to your career.
For a lot of people, an online master’s program’s pros do outweigh the cons. At the same time, not every style of learning and education is right for everyone.
If you do decide an online master’s program is right for you, you get freedom and flexibility, and when you complete your program, you may have more career opportunities available.
