Professionals that Value Higher Education Drive Online Masters Programs
Years ago, online degrees were looked upon with skepticism. Now, an online degree holds as much weight and credibility as a bricks-and-mortar school degree. Online degrees have achieved legitimacy in part due to schools of higher education creating distance learning programs with valid accreditations. Top name universities offer curriculums for online degrees that do not differ much from the school’s traditional degree coursework. This has added status to an online degree and eliminated the stigma of such a degree.
Online graduate degrees have become much more popular than many people may have thought. One of the myths associated with online degrees is that they are predominantly vocational in nature, deliverables for students that couldn’t find the time or academic wherewithal to attend college. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
There are plenty of professional certificates and workforce courses designed for working adults, but there is plenty of evidence to suggest that online Masters degrees now generate big business.
Who Pursues an Online Degree?
It used to be that individuals who wanted to obtain a degree of higher education, but had to work to support themselves and/or their families had to find a local college or university and determine if they offered an evening program. That meant evening that schedules had to be arranged, time spent away from families, and travelling from home to another location to get the degree. Or it meant deferring the dream to improve themselves and their futures.
One of the reasons for the increase in demand for online degrees and distance learning is that a busy adult can fit learning into their schedules by having 24 hour access to coursework 7 days a week. Everyone is looking for convenience in their busy lives. Pursuing a degree in higher education no longer means sitting in a classroom listening to a lecture. Online degrees are self-paced and the technology exists to attend lectures, interact with classmates, and meet with learning advisers right from an individual’s home.
Just like the person who attends a bricks-and-mortar college or university must have dedication and drive, so must the person pursuing an online degree. Coursework is just as demanding, and attaining the degree in the program allotted time requires self-motivation and discipline. That being said, an online degree can substantially affect a person’s earning potential, career levels of achievement, and self-esteem and status. Any individual from any background and circumstance can obtain an online degree.
In order to pursue a Master’s level degree program, an individual must have obtained a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school of higher education. Colleges and Universities will require that the student score a relatively high grade on a Graduate Records Examination (GRE), or entry exam into a Master’s program based on the discipline of study. For example, law schools require that potential students take the LSAT examination. Graduate exams are similar to the SAT or ACT examinations required for entry into a Bachelor’s degree program, as they test general knowledge and thinking abilities.
Types of Degree Programs Available Online
There are many degree and certificate programs available for distance learning online. Degree programs range from Associates Degrees, to Bachelor Degrees and Master’s Degrees. These degrees are equivalent to the degree programs offered at colleges, universities, and local community colleges.
There are certificate degree programs in areas such as medical technology, nursing assistant, and phlebotomy. Certificate programs can last anywhere from nine months to two years.
Professional certificate programs are also offered online for the individual desiring additional credit educational units in their area of work or study.
There are three things anyone pursuing an online degree should do:
- Make sure the online degree program is licensed in the state where the person is residing.
- Make sure the online degree program is accredited by a recognized organization offering accreditation in that field of study.
- Contact the local Better Business Bureau to the determine status of school and to see if legitimate complaints have been filed.
Accreditation
It is important for the potential online degree program student to understand what accreditation of a school means. According to the U.S. federal government, accreditation is important to “…ensure that education provided…meets acceptable levels of quality.” There are local accrediting agencies, but for online schools the national accreditation agency is the Distance Education and Training Council. Regional accreditation agencies also exist, which some institutions feel is more rigorous than national accreditation. The reason to attend an accredited school is important is because an individual will want the degree and credits earned to be accepted by other institutions of higher learning.
Online Masters Degrees
The online Master’s Degree is a very popular and highly sought out degree program. According to Online Degrees, the Master’s program is the leading online degree program. The Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) program still leads the pack, but education, nursing, and health services administration are among the top online degree programs.
The popularity of online Master degree programs is driven by the demand for more education in a career-related field of study and it is, in part, related to the economy. When the competition for jobs is greatest due to the lack of jobs in the marketplace, the more education the job applicant brings to the table could mean a higher degree of success in finding employment. Jobs that used to require Bachelor’s degrees are now stating that a Master’s degree is preferred. And the individual who is climbing the corporate ladder will find that an advanced degree will make her more competitive. Obtaining a Master’s degree in a particular field is also a respected way for an individual who is looking to change career directions to demonstrate knowledge in the new field.
A Master’s degree is for the person who has already completed the equivalent of four years study in his discipline. All the theoretical knowledge has been obtained, and internships and clinicals have been completed. A Master’s program will focus mainly on textbook learning along with peer interaction.
Professional Demands Drive Degrees
Consider the fact that one of the biggest advantages to distance learning is the convenience. No other group of individuals savvy to the value of higher education is more mindful of “convenience” than that of working, professional adults. This population of business and industry employees, healthcare specialists, and education and technical workers comprise the largest statistical chunk of the online degree pie chart. They are in mid-career, intrigued by upper-level administrative and leadership opportunities, excited by technical innovations, and hungry for fresh, career challenges.
Curriculum-wise, Masters degrees pose a more malleable medium within the constraints of distance learning paradigms. Bachelor and Associates degrees may require internships, clinicals, apprenticeships and otherwise tangible skills work. But grad degrees conform more readily to textbook and lecture learning—more theory and concept. This is not to say that online students do nothing but keep their heads buried in their books—not at all; in fact Masters level students are often required and encouraged to collaborate online with degree classmates. This type of learning promotes the kind of collaboration and communication necessary for professional, real world environments. Class members may comprise an interdisciplinary population, a perfect accompaniment to rigid curriculums.
Online Schools for Masters Degree
There are several top quality online schools that offer students the opportunity to earn a Master’s degree. These schools include:
Master of Business Administration (MBA), University of Phoenix Online – cost $23,970
Applicants must have Bachelor’s degree and at least three years work history. Coursework includes Accounting, Global Management, Healthcare Management, Marketing, Technology Management.
Applicants must have Bachelor’s degree and at least three years work history. Coursework includes Accounting, Global Management, Healthcare Management, Marketing, Technology Management.
Master of Business Administration (MBA), Grand Canyon University Online – cost $20,090
Applicants must have Bachelor’s degree to apply. Coursework includes Distribution, Ethics, Financial Reporting, Communications, Strategy, Leadership, Analysis.
Applicants must have Bachelor’s degree to apply. Coursework includes Distribution, Ethics, Financial Reporting, Communications, Strategy, Leadership, Analysis.
Master of Business Administration (MBA), Kaplan University Online – cost $31,920
Degree programs designed for student to gain knowledge of leadership, innovation, and corporate social responsibility. Coursework includes Distribution of Goods and Services through Supply Chain, Business Knowledge in Diverse Situations, Leadership, Ethical and Social Implications of Business Decisions.
Degree programs designed for student to gain knowledge of leadership, innovation, and corporate social responsibility. Coursework includes Distribution of Goods and Services through Supply Chain, Business Knowledge in Diverse Situations, Leadership, Ethical and Social Implications of Business Decisions.
Master of Science, Education, Walden University - cost $14,976
Applicants must have Bachelor’s degree. Coursework includes Teacher Professionalism, Cultural and Linguistic Diversity, Supportive Learning Environments, Teacher Facilitation.
Applicants must have Bachelor’s degree. Coursework includes Teacher Professionalism, Cultural and Linguistic Diversity, Supportive Learning Environments, Teacher Facilitation.
Master of Education / Administration and Supervision, University of Phoenix – cost $19,510
Applicants must have Bachelor’s degree, 3 years full-time work experience, minimum of 18 months instructional experience in P-12 setting. Coursework includes Education Finance, School Law, Roles and Responsibilities of a Principal, Community Relations, Supervision of Personnel.
Applicants must have Bachelor’s degree, 3 years full-time work experience, minimum of 18 months instructional experience in P-12 setting. Coursework includes Education Finance, School Law, Roles and Responsibilities of a Principal, Community Relations, Supervision of Personnel.
Master of Arts in Teaching, Grand Canyon University Online – cost $11,900
Coursework includes Classroom Engagement and Management, Current Classroom Methods and Strategies, Educational Action Research, Legal Issues in Education, Data-Informed Decision Making for School Improvement, Instructional Leadership, Collegial Coaching.
Coursework includes Classroom Engagement and Management, Current Classroom Methods and Strategies, Educational Action Research, Legal Issues in Education, Data-Informed Decision Making for School Improvement, Instructional Leadership, Collegial Coaching.
Master of Distance Education, University of Maryland Online – cost $13,636
Coursework includes Setting up Appropriate Technology Configurations, Selecting Tools, Managing the Technology Related Aspect of Media Integration, Course Design, Development.
Coursework includes Setting up Appropriate Technology Configurations, Selecting Tools, Managing the Technology Related Aspect of Media Integration, Course Design, Development.
Master of Art, History, University of Nebraska Online – cost $17,568
Applicants must submit undergraduate GPA, letter of intent, letters of recommendation, writing sample. Coursework includes Modern War, Film and Memory, Readings in U.S. Military History, Readings in Medieval Europe, Readings in American Indian History, Gilded Age, Sea Power, Environmental History, Great Plains Studies, War of Religion.
Applicants must submit undergraduate GPA, letter of intent, letters of recommendation, writing sample. Coursework includes Modern War, Film and Memory, Readings in U.S. Military History, Readings in Medieval Europe, Readings in American Indian History, Gilded Age, Sea Power, Environmental History, Great Plains Studies, War of Religion.
There are many areas of study for a Master’s degree program, with costs ranging from the low teens up to the mid-twenties for a complete program. Online Master’s degree programs’ costs are comparable to bricks-and-mortar schools, which is a testament to the rigorousness of the programs and studies.
Top Online Master's Degree Programs
The most popular graduate programs remain Business and Nursing related. Online Masters of Business Administration degrees still lead the way among business professionals, but there are granular versions, niche specializations that pave a new way in the field. Human resources management and financial management are examples of MBA specialties. Business, like every other field is showing signs that professionals with these types of micro-specializations are in growing demand. Nursing graduate degrees are similar, and indicate the industry needs: educators, health systems administrators, and nurse practitioners in women’s health.
Online Degree Reviews rated top programs for degree attainment. It is not an advertisement-based site for degree programs; rather it is a site that collects ratings from students. For 2010 the top rated online masters degree programs are:
- Seton Hall University, located in New Jersey, where the master’s degree program rated 4.5 stars out of 5. Students say the online program is very immersive; they felt like they were part of a classroom and had good interaction with other students.
- Henley-Putnam University, located in California as a school for Protection and Intelligence Management, also received a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5. The master’s degree program in counter-terrorism and terrorism ranked highly, especially for military personnel.
- Columbia Southern University, located in Alabama is a relatively new school, but two of their master’s degree programs rated highly. The program’s low cost was emphasized.
- Grand Canyon University is a non-denomination private Christian school located in Arizona. It is ranked a top online school due to its master’s degree program. Students give the program top reviews.
- Norwich University in Vermont ranked as a top-notch school and offers several master’s degree programs online, including programs in diplomacy, military history, business, civil engineering, and nursing.
Other schools in the top seven did not specifically mention master’s programs, but probably do have such programs. They are:
- Columbia Southern University
- TUI University
- American Military University
Top Bricks-and-Mortar Schools for Master’s Degree Programs
Colleges and Universities are also ranked for their offline master’s degree programs. The 2010 ratings according to US News and World Report rank programs conferring master’s degrees by major and discipline within the major. Top two schools for selected majors include:
- Business MBA – University of Pennsylvania, Wharton and Northwestern University, Kellogg
- Education, Administration and Supervision – Vanderbilt University and University of Wisconsin at Madison
- Engineering, Civil – University of California, Berkeley and University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
- Public Affairs, Public Management Administration – Syracuse University and University of Georgia
Careers that Require Master’s Degrees, Median Salaries
Some careers require master’s degrees to reach the top levels of employment in that field. It is a general assumption that a master’s degree in a person’s career discipline will assist them in getting the jobs that have management and decision-making capacities. For example, a teacher’s salary will increase just by obtaining a master’s degree. The same holds true for social workers, as some jobs in public health and policy requires a Masters in Social Work.
Physician’s Assistants require a master’s degree, and earn approximately $80,000 per year. A physician’s assistant assists medical doctors, and the field is expected to grow by over 35 percent in the next ten years.
Physical Therapists must also have a master’s degree, and median earnings in the field are $72,000. A growth of 30 percent is anticipated over the next ten years.
Environmental Scientists and Specialists help protect the environment, and this field should experience a 20 percent growth in coming years. At a minimum, an individual needs a master’s degree to work in this field, and median salary is close to $60,000.
A person with a master’s degree in psychology can work as an Industrial-Organizational Psychologist and earn a median income of $77,000. The field should experience a growth increase of around 20 percent in the next ten years.
Benefits of a Master’s Degree
Earnings with a master’s degree can be significantly higher than what an individual can earn with a bachelor’s degree. Women benefit more than men, with a woman averaging a 32 percent salary increase with a master’s degree and a man averaging a 22 percent salary increase. Over a lifetime, the difference in earnings can be substantial.
Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) and Master’s of Education are the most awarded master’s degrees. Both degrees advance careers and salaries significantly. For example, a teacher with a bachelor’s degree earns, on average, $30,000. But a teacher with a few years experience in teaching and a master’s degree can earn, on average, close to $60,000.
The average annual earning based on post-secondary school degrees show a significant difference.
- Associate’s degree - $38,200
- Bachelor’s degree - $52,200
- Master’s degree - $62,300
Over a lifetime, a person with a bachelor’s degree will earn approximately $2.1 million; a person with a master’s degree will earn approximately $2.5 million.
Is taking the time to earn a master’s degree worth it? Learning and gaining knowledge is always a benefit. Adding the credential of a master’s degree to a person’s resume gives that person more legitimacy in their career. The additional money is beneficial, as well. So, taking the time to gain a master’s degree should be considered a worthwhile endeavor.
Graduate Certificates: Powerful Add-ons
Unique to distance learning are graduate certificate programs. These hybridized programs give professionals additional career boost by providing sub-specialized curriculums. These educational tools function in two distinct ways: some are designed specifically for graduate degreed students and provide an extra level of expertise. In other programs Bachelors students may earn graduate certificates that may be good toward a Masters degree at a later date, but serve to satisfy career development requirements in the short-term.
Specialization is the key among graduate online programs. Gone are the days of general degrees, niche degrees, especially in leadership and administration indicate new movement in business and healthcare, strong leaders in distance learning.