Moving towards a management position in your career may require
additional training and education, and earning your master's degree
online can open up multiple opportunities. An online master degree
program allows you to grow and specialize within your industry, and
depending on the field of study, can help you earn a much higher
salary than holding a bachelor's degree. Career advancement is just
one benefit after completing a master degree education online. Not
only will you have a chance to compete for a higher-paying job, but
you can secure your educational future to pursue doctoral studies or
further training. Since an online master degree program is delivered
over the internet, you will have the flexibility to work and study
at your own pace.
Is A
Distance Learning Master Degree Program A Good Fit?
A
distance learning master degree program is very different from
campus-based learning, and will require a strong commitment to learn
independently, as well as balancing a fast-paced schedule. Many
online masters degree programs are offered at an accelerated pace,
making it easy to complete your distance education master program
within months. Combined with work experience and continuous study, a
distance learning master degree program can be a valuable addition
to your educational career goals.
Learning to work independently is a big part of a distance education
master program, and you will be responsible for regular
communication with professors and classmates. Since all of the
curriculum is delivered over the internet, it also helps to have a
strong and consistent internet connection, along with the necessary
software and an up-to-date computer. A master degree online program
offers an innovative curriculum and new set of standards for
master's studies and continuing education.
Pursuing a masters degree education online offers you a chance to
complete a course of study while you work at a job, or if you have
family commitments that do not allow you to attend a campus on a
regular basis. A distance learning master degree program is a good
fit for:
-
Full-time professionals who wish to increase their chances of
career growth
-
Stay at home moms interested in furthering their education
-
Recent graduates with bachelor's degrees who hope to move to a
different state or location
-
Retirees or returning adult students interested in increasing
their knowledge and education
Types
of Online Master Degree Programs Available
An
online master degree program is a specialized form of education that
allows you to focus on one area to increase skills and knowledge.
There are two types of master's degree programs available through
most colleges and universities:
-
Master of Arts (MA) which specializes in the social sciences,
business, and some health industries
-
Master of Science (MS) which specializes in the sciences and other
professional training programs
Both
of these require 30 semester hours of graduate credits that can be
completed in 30-60 hours. With a master degree online program, this
equates to approximately 1-2 years of study, but it may take up to
four years if credits in the master degree program online are not
completed on a full-time basis.
The
most common courses of study for online masters degree and distance
education master degree programs include:
-
Master of Arts in Education
-
Master of Business Administration
-
Master of Science in Computer Information Systems
-
Master of Science in Nursing
-
Master of Arts in Organizational Management
-
Master of Public Administration
-
Master of Science in Psychology
What
Are The Benefits Of A Master Degree Education Online?
Pursuing a masters degree education online offers multiple benefits
for students and researchers, and can help you find a balance
between work and study life. Since an online masters degree program
can be more extensive than a standard degree program, it is
important to stay ahead of assignments and learn effective time
management skills. As a result, you can enjoy the freedom and
specialized form of study that an online master's program offers. A
few benefits of a distance education master degree include:
-
The ability to work full-time will continuing your online master
degree course of study
-
Taking part in online presentations, teleconferences, and seminars
-
Collaborating with students around the world who are enrolled in
the same program
-
Networking with professors and experts in your industry via e-mail
and teleconferencing
-
Picking up key technology and internet research skills that are
not applicable in a classroom environment
-
Self-paced and independent learning environment
How Can A Distance
Education Master Degree Help My Career?
Career advancement is
the primary reason many students pursue ongoing education after a
bachelor's degree, and a distance education master degree program
can help your career in a variety of ways. Completing an online
master's degree will help you apply for managerial positions, take
on additional responsibilities, and may even lead to doctoral
studies.
A distance education
master program will help you develop key skills in communications,
leadership, and professional coaching at the executive level. These
are areas that can help you develop into a long-term career in your
chosen industry. An online master's program can be a combination of
research-based programs and solely course-based programs.
With a distance
education master program, you will have the freedom to finish the
course of education at your own pace, and explore various career
options with your employer as you complete each semester.
How is a Distance
Education Master Program or Online Masters Degree Accredited?
An accredited online
masters degree is important for determining the credibility and
value of your education. The majority of colleges and universities
are accredited by a minimum of one accrediting agency, but an online
format should be accredited by at least two. It is best to ask about
accreditation before sending in the application and admissions fees,
as these are generally non-refundable. Contact the admissions office
for accreditation statistics and history; in most cases, an online
campus will be accredited by one of the six regional accreditation
boards and/or the Distance Education Training Council (DETC).
Accreditation ensures
that the school and program has met specific standards and criteria;
in turn, your employer or prospective schools can affirm that you
have received the appropriate education should you choose to
continue.
What Are Some Key
Reasons People Choose An Online Master's Program?
A masters degree
online offers students a fast-paced and technology-focused form of
study. You can find a variety of programs that include a masters
degree education online, and these can help you gain a comprehensive
understanding of a specific field. A masters degree online offers
many advantages over a campus-based program, including:
-
Collaborating with
professionals and experts from around the country
-
Picking up key
technology skills as you learn
-
Learning in an
accelerated format, on your own time
-
Pursuing
specializations that may not be offered in an offline campus
-
Studying at your own
pace and collaborating with your instructor when needed
With a distance
education master program, you will also have the chance to pursues a
technology-oriented specialization that has a higher value when
earned online. These specializations include e-commerce,
international business, and information technology.
What Additional
Information Do I Need To Know To Pursue A Master Degree Online Or
Distance Education Master Degree Program?
When you are
considering a master degree online or distance education master
degree program, here are some tips for success:
1. Learn how to use
online software, technology, and conduct web research.
These are all basic skills needed for online master's program
curriculums, and you will have a higher chance of success when you
are comfortable and proficient with the tools available.
2. Keep track of your
progress.
Whether you are communicating with your professor, or simply
referring to your grade book online, making sure you are on track
and up-to-date with assignments is helpful in managing your
workload.
3. Take regular and
comprehensive notes.
Note taking is a skill, and even though much of your time will be
spent on the computer, it's a good idea to take ‘physical' notes as
you review lectures and presentations. You can always type these up
for reference at a later date, and they will help you study for
offline examinations and tests.
4. Learn to
participate constructively on discussion forums.
You may need to work on research projects and group assignments on a
regular basis, and using discussion forums as a platform for your
communications will help you succeed.
5. Keep track of your
assignments.
Most distance learning master degree instructors will publish due
dates and assignments at the beginning of the semester. It is in
your best interest to plot out a calendar as soon as you can so that
you can keep up and submit all projects on time.
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