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What Can I Expect from an Online Master’s Degree Program?
An online master’s degree is ideal for individuals with a bachelor’s degree who want an advanced degree to help them qualify for high-level roles within their industry or pivot to a new career without earning another undergraduate degree. Master’s degrees typically require 30-60 credit hours and are more academically rigorous than bachelor’s programs. The curriculums for online master’s degree programs are often similar to those for on-campus programs, with classes taught by the same professors. However, online master’s programs offer students more flexibility and accessibility, including self-paced and accelerated learning opportunities.
Available degrees
There are a variety of master’s degrees available. Some are available for a wide range of topics, while others are specific to a field or area of study. Popular master’s degree options include:
Master of Arts (MA): One of the most common master’s degrees, students typically earn an MA in fields like liberal arts, social sciences, and education, preparing them for roles as teachers, administrators, political scientists, sociologists, and more. This degree emphasizes theoretical concepts and research and usually involves fieldwork and a thesis or capstone project.
Master of Science (MS): An MS degree focuses on technical preparation and research in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and healthcare. Students who earn an MS go on to be engineers, scientists, IT analysts, and more.
Master of Business Administration (MBA): Students who have an undergraduate degree in business and want to pursue management or leadership positions typically pursue an MBA. This degree has numerous specialization options, including finance, accounting, human resources, and marketing, and prepares students for C-suite and other management roles.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): This degree is designed for experienced nurses who want to advance their education to take on new, more advanced roles, including nurse practitioner, midwife, or nurse anesthetist.
Master of Social Work (MSW): Individuals who want to become licensed clinical social workers must obtain this degree to be eligible for state licensure. MSW concentrations usually include micro, which focuses on diagnosing and treating mental health issues; macro, which concentrates more on community development and social services; and mezzo, a generalist pathway that combines the previous two.
Master of Education (M.Ed): This degree is typically considered the educational minimum for community college professors and high school teachers. It’s also looked upon favorably for elementary and middle school teachers as well. Depending on your desired age group and education field, there are many concentrations available.
Common degree curriculum
The curriculum for a master’s degree program will depend on the specific area of study and type of master’s degree you’re earning. Master’s programs generally combine lectures and seminars covering theoretical concepts with hands-on experience that lets students apply their knowledge in the real world.
For example, students earning an MSN have coursework focused on advanced nursing practices, concepts, and clinical rotations that allow them to work with patients in medical settings. Students in an M.Ed program learn about different teaching methods and complete a student teaching practicum to give them classroom experience. Students should be aware that even if they can complete all their coursework remotely, they may be expected to complete experiential learning in person at a specific site.
Many master’s programs, particularly MA and MS degrees, require a research thesis or capstone project in which students synthesize their theoretical and practical knowledge as a culmination of their education.
Certification and license preparation
The certifications and licenses you’ll earn with a master’s degree depend on your chosen field. They vary widely from state to state and field to field. Master’s programs for teachers, for instance, typically lead to licensure in whatever state the teacher plans to practice. Medical-related master’s programs, such as those for nurse practitioners, physician’s assistants, and nurse anesthetists, all require a state license to practice. Before enrolling in a master’s program, confirm that it meets the education requirements for licensure in the state where you plan to work.
Program accreditation
Confirming that a school is accredited is a top priority when researching master’s programs. Accreditation is a comprehensive vetting process during which individual educational institutions are evaluated according to academic curricula, faculty credentials, campus resources, student outcomes, and other criteria related to the legitimacy of a master’s degree program.
Students can check if the schools they’re considering are accredited by using the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) database. Many programs also have individual programmatic accreditation for independent accrediting agencies. Accreditation can affect a student’s financial aid eligibility, the ability to transfer credits to other schools or apply for doctorate programs, and future employment opportunities, as many companies won’t hire individuals who haven’t completed their education at an accredited institution.
Program completion timeframe
The time it takes to complete your online master’s degree depends on several factors, including the type of program you’re enrolled in, the required coursework, and your lifestyle. Master’s programs generally range from 30 to 60 total semester credits (or 60 to 90 quarter credits), depending on the field of study and institution. This equals approximately 12 to 20 courses, which the average student can complete in two years of full-time study. However, many programs offer alternative-paced programs, including part-time options that may take three to four years to complete or accelerated programs, which students can finish in as little as 18 months. ,
Employment Outlook for Master’s Degree Graduates
According to the NCES, the number of people attaining a master’s degree has risen steadily over the last 20 years. Between 2016 and 2027, enrollment in master’s degree programs is projected to increase by 3 percent. It’s considered the minimum educational attainment level for various career pathways in business, health care, education, and other professional fields.
In addition to more job opportunities, a master’s degree can help boost your earning potential, especially in fields where a bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational requirement, such as information technology, social work, and criminal justice. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, individuals with a master’s degree earn a higher salary and face a lower unemployment rate.
Lifetime earnings are often higher for individuals with a master’s degree, according to a study from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce. Median lifetime earnings for employees with a master’s degree are $2,671,000, compared to the $2,268,000 median lifetime earnings for individuals with a bachelor’s degree.
Earning a master’s degree in your chosen field of study opens up many job opportunities, especially in education, health care, and business. Below are some popular careers that individuals obtain with a master’s degree.
These professionals, who often have an advanced degree in business, operations research, management science, analytics, mathematics, engineering, computer science, or another technical field, use advanced mathematical and analytical methods to help organizations investigate complex issues within their company to help them solve problems and make better decisions.
The many jobs of a Human Resources Manager include planning, directing, and coordinating an organization’s administrative functions. They often oversee recruiting, interviewing, and hiring of new staff. They typically serve as a link between a company’s management and its employees.
Typically employed at colleges, universities, or other postsecondary institutions, these administrators oversee specific departments, such as student services, academics, admissions, and other faculty research areas. Their job duties vary depending on the department they work in.
These types of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) coordinate patient care and provide primary and specialty health care to patients. The scope of practice varies widely from state to state.
PAs practice medicine on teams with physicians and surgeons. They examine, diagnose, and treat patients in clinical environments, including physicians’ offices, hospitals, outpatient clinics, and other healthcare settings.
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Professional organizations
Belonging to professional organizations is an important part of career growth. Many professional organizations exist to support you in your chosen line of work, and their functions and operating procedures will vary widely depending on your field of study.
Professional organizations generally offer professional development opportunities, provide career support, maintain active job boards, and host networking events or conferences that allow you to meet people in your industry and form valuable connections.
Many professional organizations have student chapters you can join while earning your master’s degree. When researching schools, find out if your program has affiliations with any professional organizations, as this can be a crucial way to start building your network and creating post-graduation opportunities for yourself.
Financing Your Online Master’s Degree
Earning an online master’s degree can save money by eliminating travel and living expenses associated with attending an on-campus program. The flexible nature of online programs also means obtaining a full-time job and income while completing your degree may be more manageable. However, students may still need financial aid to help them cover the cost of their master’s program.
Students who need financial assistance should start with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Schools use the information from this application to determine how much federal financial aid students are eligible for, including federal student loans, grants, and work-study. They also use this information to award institutional aid, like scholarships, assistantships, and grants.
Another option to explore is employer tuition assistance benefits. Many nonprofit organizations and private companies also offer scholarships and grants. Students who are veterans or active-duty military service members should inquire about military discounts and GI Bill benefits.
Student Finance Resources and Guides
Many options are available to help you pay for a master’s degree, including student loans, scholarships, grants, fellowships, and more. As you research schools and programs, find out their financial aid process. You can also use the resources below to help you find ways to pay for your master’s degree.
Learn more about online degrees, their start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
