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Image sourceYou’ve done your homework and determined that a master’s degree is a must for your career goals, but how do you find the time to actually work on earning that degree? If you are like many, you look to online learning opportunities. Online master’s degree programs are gaining in popularity, and it’s not hard to understand why. Offering more flexibility than traditional programs, but not decreasing the quality of the coursework or the caliber of the degree earned, an online master’s degree program seems like the best of both worlds for today’s busy professional who wants to advance in his or her field.
Why Choose an Online Master’s Degree?
Maybe you have a full time job that you would like to keep while you study, or you have family obligations that prohibit you from moving to the city of your preferred college–whatever the reason, an online master’s degree allows you to maintain your current job and home responsibilities while furthering your education. And there’s no need to be concerned about getting the coursework done in a short period of time if that doesn’t work for you and your lifestyle–most programs offer at-your-own-pace learning, some allowing up to 7 years to complete. And if speed and efficiency is your desire, the fastest online master’s programs can even be completed in under a year. Imagine getting that degree and snagging that perfect job by this time next year!
What are the Numbers?
From an impressive 1.5 million students enrolled in online classes in 2002 to over 7 million just a decade later, it’s clear to see that more and more students are discovering the wonderful world of online learning. And why not? With online master’s degree programs that are just as rigorous as their on-campus equivalent–offering the same faculty, coursework and student services–online graduates get the same education and opportunities as those who spent their time at the physical campus. And as hiring managers are becoming more familiar with online degrees, over a third are stating that they see no significant difference between traditional degree holders and those with online degrees, and almost 80% said they hired online graduates within the past year.
Getting Started
You can essentially start the admissions process as soon as you are ready (many programs offer rolling admissions or admission deadlines at several times throughout the year). It’s not too good to be true–a good, quality education earned through flexible coursework finished in your time-frame. Experience the benefits that many others have discovered through online learning, and take charge of your future. Now that you have the facts, it’s time to check out the best online master’s degree programs and find the right program for you.