Why you need a Master’s degree

Thinking of getting a master’s degree but worried that you don’t have the time or money? Consider getting a master’s degree from an online school. 

 

 

There was a time when simply having an undergraduate degree was enough to get a good job. Times have changed. In the current economic climate, competition for jobs is tough. You need any advantage you can get. A master’s degree is a postgraduate qualification that can set you apart from the crowd. It normally takes two years to complete and can be done in a traditional classroom setting or online.

 

Doing a master’s online

The main advantage to doing your master’s online is financial. While fees vary from one institution to the next, online degrees are usually cheaper than traditional classroom-based ones. You can save money by not having to commute to campus, or having to relocate for the duration of your study. Online degrees are also more flexible. You can choose when and where you want to study. This makes online studies especially appealing to parents of small children and people in full-time work. You can even do a master’s while travelling, as long as you’ve set aside sufficient time to do the coursework. All you need is a computer and access to the internet.

 

Video: Advantages of Online Degrees

 

What subjects are available?

You can do an online master’s degree in a wide range of subjects including teaching, engineering, computer science, criminal justice, accounting, mathematics, IT, finance and more. You can even get an MBA online. The curriculum for these degrees isn’t very different from classroom-based ones. Instead of giving a lecture in person, the professor uploads the lecture and notes for the students to download.

 

Video: Friends Discuss Online Degrees

 

What you need to apply for a master’s

The process of applying for an online master’s is similar to applying for a conventional degree. You will need to have an undergraduate degree in a related subject. Also, most reputable online schools require you to submit standardized test scores. If you thought you could get out of taking the GRE by going online, you may be disappointed. 

 

The cost of doing an online master’s degree

When calculating the cost of doing a master’s degree online, most people focus on the fees. These can range from as little as $3,000 to over $100,000. The more expensive price tags go with traditional bricks and mortar universities that also offer degrees online. The cheaper ones have “virtual” campuses. In some cases, you can save a fortune by choosing a school in your state. For example, an online master’s degree in criminal justice at University of North Carolina at Pembroke costs $3,925 for North Carolina residents. Everyone else pays $21,898.

 

In addition to tuition fees, there are many other costs associated with doing a masters degree online. Here are just a few:

 

• Application fees
• Computer
• Printer
• Internet access
• Textbooks
• Copying
• Stationery (paper, pens, notebooks, binders, folders)
• Test fees

 

These may seem like minor things, but they can add up to thousands of dollars over the course of two years. Do not forget to include them in your budget.

 

Top online master’s degree programs

Penn State
The George Washington University
Duke
University of Phoenix
DeVry University
University of Liverpool
Grand Canyon University
The Art Institute Online