Online Masters Degree Programs

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Online graduate degrees by state: Information about degrees that are offered by universities or colleges within that state.

Distance graduate degrees by subject: Information about masters degree programs organized by the subject or specialization.

Accredited online graduate programs: Comprehensive directory of organizations that accredit online graduate degree programs.

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Education is a key to success: Facts about earning an online masters degree.

by Chris Brady

Many people would like to seek advanced degrees to further their careers and fulfill their dreams, but their lives are so hectic they do not have the time. They are forced to choose between improving themselves through education, their commitment to work and family and the need to find time for rest and relaxation.

There is a solution. One which allows people to work towards their advanced degree at home during their free time. Many colleges and universities now offer students the chance to work towards their Masters degree online.

Many Majors Available Online

Just about any major can be pursued online. Students can choose majors in management, education, languages, history, sociology and many other areas in the Humanities. The internet now makes it possible to get Masters work done from the comfort of your own home. Some other areas available for master’s work online include:

The Cost of an Online Masters Degree

Cost is another reason many people choose to do their masters degree online. An online degree costs a fraction of what students who earn their degree in the classroom pay. That gives potential students a great incentive to register for classes online. Courses cost less and they don't have to pay for housing, meals and the other expenses associated with being on campus.

Online masters programs are offered in colleges and universities all across the country. There are schools in all 50 states and Washington DC. With distance study you do not have to live anywhere near the school where you are attempting to earn your degree. People are free to find the university which offers the major they want and can earn their Masters degree without ever leaving home.

Not long ago online degrees were only being offered by little known schools. Today many of the best schools in the country give graduate students the opportunity to earn their degree online. Some of the major colleges and universities offering online Masters programs include:

The Changing Perception of Online Degrees

The perception and acceptance of online degrees has gone through a major shift in the last two decades. Not long ago online degrees were seen as almost worthless pieces of paper from small for-profit colleges and universities which seemed to have popped up overnight. Degrees from these institutions were seen as a fraudulent short-cuts designed to pad their graduates' resumes and make them eligible for jobs for which they could not otherwise qualify.

Today things are dramatically different. There are a number of fully accredited colleges and universities that have very small campuses and work with the vast majority of their students online. Respect and acceptance of these schools and their degrees have grown exponentially driven by the growing number of working professionals who need to further their studies.

Online degree programs are no longer solely the domain of so-called 'degree mills' with no physical campuses and no respected professors. Many of the most respect colleges and universities in the country now offer students the opportunity to earn their graduate degrees online. An online graduate degree is now acceptable in even the highest echelon of business and industry.

This rise in and acceptance of online graduate degrees has allowed many people to improve their ability to earn a living. Today it is not unusual for laid-off professionals and homemakers preparing themselves to return to the workforce to pursue their graduate degrees online. The availability and acceptance of graduate degrees earned online benefits both the graduates and the companies that hire them.

An Analysis of Online Masters Degree Programs

Insightful information regarding the positive and negative aspects of earning a masters degree through distance learning.

Studying to earn an advanced degree online provides the best of both worlds for many people.

Potential benefits:

Convenient Class Locations - By eliminating the need to attend class in person, this opens up a whole world of opportunities. Looking past the most obvious benefit of no longer needing to travel to and from a college campus after putting in a full day's work (Which can be stressful and time consuming. By the time you make it into the classroom you are tired and may find it difficult to concentrate, participate in the class discussions or retain the material presented). You now have the opportunity (assuming you can afford out of state tuition) to take classes anywhere in the country to complete your masters degree. Online study eliminates the need for the additional driving expenses and time away from home.

Being able to pursue an advanced degree online democratizes the education process. It means no matter who you are or where you live you can work on getting your advanced degree online. Whether you live and work on a farm or a high-rise in the inner city you have easy access to fully accredited universities all over the country.

Scheduling Convenient Class Times-Students who take classes towards advanced degrees online can schedule classes during hours when they do not have any distractions and can focus on the material being presented. Many students find they get more out of the online classes than they ever got in the classroom.

Non-traditional Students - Some non-traditional students may feel uncomfortable in a large classroom filled with students much younger than themselves. They may feel self-conscious and this can be distracting. Taking classes online eliminates the distraction of being in close proximity to a classroom full of people (overly energetic 20-somethings). Additionally, the students no not need to worry about arriving to class early to get a seat close to the instructor to be able to hear or see them better. It can make the difference between struggling to keep up and easily understanding the information being presented.

Studying online does not mean there is no interaction between students and the professor. Communication just takes place online and via telephone. Some students work together in small study groups or on joint projects. This limited interaction is usually enough for most mature students.

Potential drawbacks:

Limited social interaction - Even though most online courses are presented through an interactive system (Blackboard). Students miss out on the face to face interactions with other students and instructors. Socializing is a skill that must be practiced and fine tuned. Some of the friendships you make in college last a lifetime.

Networking - College is often just thought of as a place where you go to get educated, however it is also an important place to make business associates. When you attend class regularly, you have the opportunity to interact with other professionals (who are also masters students), professors and instructors, as well as other college staff. I have been in the business world long enough to personally attest that often it is not what you know, but who you know.

Hidden benefits and opportunities: Looking beyond the obvious

Did you know that most colleges and universities offer medical insurance to students?

Medical Insurance - This may not be high on your priority list if you have a full time job with benefits, but if you are like many students who are returning to school because they are out of work. Insurance is a huge benefit. I was able to insure myself and three children through the university for less than half of what the cobra insurance payments were.

Did you know that colleges and universities often have teaching, research and other paid employment positions for grad students?

Student Teaching, MA (Masters Assistant), Research Fellows - Positions hired by the University that are filled by graduate students. The positions usually have a modest stipend, insurance benefits, and sometimes tuition reduction.

The dire shape of the economy has forced many people who are currently employed to seek further education to improve their skill set in an attempt to secure their position in the workplace. Many of these people work fulltime and have families. Earning an advanced degree online enables them to fulfill their current responsibilities while preparing for their futures.

Online learning is here to stay. This genie cannot be put back into the bottle. Each year a growing number of students see online learning as their only viable option. Many prestigious universities are now making it possible for them to get a high quality education online.

The world has changed dramatically. Many of the services which formally required a visit to a brick and mortar location have now moved online. Education is one of them.