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Going into the criminal justice field should be no mystery–a good online master’s degree program is a great start. And because a criminal justice degree is one of the most popular online master’s degree programs, there is no shortage of good online programs from which to choose. That means you don’t have to give up your current job to move to the best program that fits your needs–the program comes to you. But don’t think this degree means a one-size-fits all approach to gaining a career in criminal justice–the many programs offering the degree guarantees that lots of different careers could be possible. From the expected law enforcement jobs to the more surprising loss prevention specialist jobs to the really unusual forensic entomology jobs–these are just a few of the many possibilities that could open up when you graduate from one of the best online master of criminal justice degree programs currently available.

Action Oriented

The role most people probably associate with the criminal justice professional is the police officer, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. From FBI to DEA to CIA agents, victim services directors to private investigators, the action and protection or crime-solving potential is great with these action-focused jobs. These are the jobs that require the legwork and a methodical approach to figuring out how a crime has occurred, who did it, and how to stop it. It also houses the corrections and confinement aspect of criminal justice–the corrections supervisors, probation officers, treatment specialists and child protection services professionals.

Leadership, Law and Psychology

With the mind of a criminologist, the careers on this end of the criminal justice scale require forethought and knowledge of society. These are the jobs of understanding the “why” behind crime and working on institutional changes to predict and prevent future occurrences. Here stand your forensics professionals, your profilers and your criminal sociologists. By studying how behavior dictates action and how society works, the jobs which can be found here are housed inside research organizations, district attorney’s offices, universities, state and local government, and beyond. Also here are the counselors and the psychologists–the ones to help pick up the pieces of broken humanity and try to provide healing.

You Do What?

Some of the lesser known jobs possible with a criminal justice degree are no less important or necessary for a functioning society–they are just, well, less well known and quire unusual. Many require very specific concentration areas or specializations in a criminal justice master’s program (or even further education for some). Polygraph examiners (those who administer the lie-detector test), bloodstain pattern analysts (for those who have a good background in chemistry and physics), forensic entomologists (the scientific study of insects, entomology examines the relationships of bugs to the environment in which they are found–for example a body in the woods), and major sports investigators (professionals who investigate allegations of misconduct or rule-breaking in professional sports).

So you could be a police officer with a master’s of criminal justice. Or you could work for a major league baseball team to make sure all the players are on the up-and-up. The point is, with the large selection of solid, online degree programs in criminal justice–the choice really is yours to make.

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50 Best Online Masters In Criminal Justice

The times they are a-changing. Law enforcement personnel are “officers of the law” or more commonly “police officers”–no longer simply lumped into one gender category and called “policemen.” Since the early 1900s, women have been serving in the police force, and they are not going away any time soon–nor should they. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, women make up about 14% of patrol officers, 18% of supervisors, and 44% of detectives and investigators. As online master’s degree programs in criminal justice, criminology, and criminal justice administration are becoming more plentiful, more and more woman (and men) are advancing into positions of leadership and authority in the criminal justice field–evidenced by the Bureau of Labor’s statistics. The easiest way to get those advanced degrees and move up in the job hierarchy is to pick one of the best online master of criminal justice degree programs available and continue working the beat at home while studying at your convenience.

Though the numbers of women across the board in criminal justice and law enforcement jobs are not increasing at a very rapid rate, the numbers are not dropping. A good way for female officers to stand out from their male counterparts is to seek out those positions that require more education and training. Positions of leadership, academia, or specialized focus, for instance, all require advanced degrees that can be obtained online from a myriad of reputable programs. In leadership roles women can be, among other things, special agents or administrators, and these sorts of jobs require the training one would get in an online master’s degree program. Skills like analytical processing, critical thinking, new methodology, and learned best practices–these are the skills that set people apart and help them achieve those leadership jobs. Academia is another field in which women can excel. Ideal for individuals who want to help train those in the field but may not want that path for themselves, there are many jobs in community colleges, universities and police academies, just to name a few. And the countless specialized jobs include professions in things like offender services, victim services, mediation and probation. And if they so desire after receiving a master’s in criminal justice, the transition into law school to become an attorney is not a large one.

So even though the area of criminal justice has been traditionally seen as a male-dominated field, women are proving they can hold their own and enter the field on all of the same levels as their male counterparts. The key seems to be a good education and reputable training, so make sure the program you choose has what you need to be a leader in this field.

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50 Best Online Masters In Criminal Justice

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50 Best Online Masters in Liberal Studies

29 Best Online Masters In History

The Liberal Studies master’s degree is one of the most popular online master’s degree programs available today. It’s no wonder–what is not to love about a degree that you can pursue on your own timeline and lets you craft a personalized academic path to take the classes that interest you the most? Study what you want, and come out of it with a master’s degree? Sign me up! There are many good online master’s degrees programs (check out our list of the best online master of liberal studies degree programs) that have similar sounding degrees–liberal studies, liberal arts, and humanities–but what exactly are they, how do they differ, and how do they intertwine? Read on as we demystify what these amazing degrees can do for you!

Liberal Studies

Individuals who go into Liberal Studies (sometimes called Interdisciplinary Studies) degree programs generally choose two or three related subject matters that appeal to them the most and construct a personalized degree from those subjects. The degree’s beauty is its ability to encourage learning across disciplines and to enable students to conceive of connections from different academic departments. Students can have a more-than-average and highly meaningful experience because the degree has been crafted by their own interests and way of thinking.

Liberal Arts

Many Liberal Arts programs are interdisciplinary and serve to broaden rather than specialize a student’s experience. But rather than being individually designed from two or three disciplines, students take courses across a broad array of topics and subjects–curricular offerings usually include classes in history, religion, literature, philosophy, political science, music, art history and the performing arts. The degree can still be individualized with the choices that are made, but in general students do not form a personalized graduation plan as they would with the Liberal Studies degree.

Humanities

Also considered an interdisciplinary degree, a master’s degree in the Humanities is comprised of courses specifically in–you guessed it–the humanities. The humanities are a discipline in which students study how society reflects upon and documents itself. Courses in philosophy, literature, religion, art, music, history and language are the usual suspects in a humanities program. Students read or write literature, examine and interpret art and theatre, look at languages, dissect religion, and learn from history. These classes are from across disciplines and departments, so students are still experiencing a broader program rather than a specialized degree focus.

Regardless of which way a student decides to go, any of these degrees can be immensely fulfilling and easily achieved through an online program. Follow your path to find the best fit for you!

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50 Best Online Masters in Liberal Studies

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When people hear the terms criminal justice and criminology, they often think of police dramas or sensational whodunits. But are the terms interchangeable, or are there nuances specific to each? For prospective students thinking of going in to a master’s degree program in criminal justice or criminology, what are the key differences of each program that need to be known in order to pick the best fit for the desired career? Read about the details of each below, and then look over our list of the best online master of criminal justice degree programs to pick the program (and degree) that’s right for you.

Criminology

People with the job title “criminologists” are essentially sociologists who study the causes of criminal behavior, such as predictors of violence and incidents that can lead to criminal activity. The ranges of jobs possible include, for example, forensic psychologists, military intelligence personnel, victim services specialists, and profilers. These are the individuals who try to get inside the criminal mind to unravel the mystery of why some people are capable of committing acts of violence and harming others either directly or indirectly. Through observation and psychological examination of indicators such as gender, socioeconomic status, childhood history and trauma, etc., criminologists hope to discover how to prevent individuals from going down a dark path in order to protect both the potential agent of harm and the individuals he or she may harm in the future. Individuals in these positions must have earned a master’s degree to pursue their careers. It’s a high-paying career field potentially, but according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Handbook, it is a popular field with no real expected growth within the next decade.

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Since the passage of IDEA–the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (known as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act from 1975 to 1990)–more children with special needs are being educated and receiving the care and instruction they need. And to fill these roles, more special education teachers and advocates are needed. According to the US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in special education are expected to grow 6% through 2024. This career growth is increasing right at the national average, which means there are many jobs, but they are pretty competitive. In order to be the most attractive to potential employers, teachers should make sure they have the edge by achieving a master’s degree. Our list of the best online master of special education degree programs should help prospective students pick the program that best fits their needs.

Although the trend in special education is an integrated classroom, many teachers who just hold a bachelor’s degree in education only took a single course–if that–in special education. In addition, as children are being screened and identified as having intellectual and/or physical disabilities earlier, more and more children are being recognized as needing special education resources. Needing dedicated special education teachers, many schools are trying to fill in the gaps. This means more teachers, but it also means more Early Interventional Specialists, more Educational Diagnosticians, and more Special Education Administrators.

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, professionals in the field of special education had a median salary of $53,860 in 2016. The range is great however–younger children being diagnosed earlier means the need for preschool special education teachers. The salary in this field is in the $30k range. As students age and move into needing transitional services, upper level school special education teachers make closer to $60,000. And those working on policy change and/or funding sources for advocacy programs–professionals in this line of work make salaries of the mid-$60s to upper $80s.

Going into the field of special education is for dedicated, caring individuals who want to make a difference in the lives of exceptional children. It’s a growing field due to the recognition of needs, both through the early detection of these children with special needs and through the research of methodology and best practices in providing education to them. A true calling, and these children don’t deserve anything less.

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50 Best Online Masters in Special Education

50 Best Online Masters in Education- Leadership

50 Best Online Masters in Education

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What does it take to be a teacher? Patience, love of children, ingenuity and creativity are attributes that probably top that list. Certainly any good teacher needs those tools in his or her resource kit, but what about special education teachers? Are the skills needed by educators who work with children with special needs so different from mainstream teachers?

Teachers need to be organized! Whether working with exceptional children or children who are more mainstream, teachers need to have their gameplan for the day mapped out. For special education teachers, this is a necessity for their kids as well–a daily schedule with predictability and order can often help children with special needs understand what is expected of them and be more readily able to participate. That being stated, adaptability is also an important characteristic of both the teacher and the special education teacher. Things happen–all children have energy and minds of their own. Meltdowns, defiance–these things happen. Being able to adapt to whatever a child throws at you and respond in an even-tempered way and keep order is important both as a way to maintain a calm classroom for the children but also as a way to model appropriate responses. Having a sense of humor doesn’t hurt! All children can be silly, funny and full of enthusiasm. Having a teacher who shows them it’s okay to laugh at the appropriate times and have fun together is good for both the teacher and the students.

Our list on what it takes to be a good teacher is without question not exhaustive. To a certain extent there is a tension between the field of education and special education–the trends in special education currently are leaning into inclusivity and integration in the classroom. For teachers who did not specialize in special education as undergraduates but are faced with an integrated classroom, the need for an advanced degree in special education may become evident. A solution to that potentially overwhelming realization could be an online Master of Special Education degree, and finding a solid online program is key to achieving a reputable, respected master’s degree and having the flexibility to maintain current employment and family obligations while studying. We’ve done the homework to discover some of the best online master in special education degree programs offered currently, so check out our list to find a program to best fit your needs.

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50 Best Online Masters in Special Education

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50 Best Online Masters in Education

It wasn’t until the 1970s that children with special needs were guaranteed by law the right to attend public school in the United States. The passage of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act in 1975 (EHA) was the beginning of viewing intellectually and/or physically differently-abled young people as just as deserving of a good public education as children without disabilities. From simply allowing them to attend class to the practices today, what are the philosophies and methodologies for teaching children with special needs? And how does a teacher learn these best practices for special education instruction? Read on to find out what the most recent trends in special education are, and check out our list of the best online master of special education degree programs to find a school to gain these skills.

Two key words in the special education movement are inclusion and collaboration–working within the system and working with the children, families and administration. Prior to the IDEA–the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (what the EHA became after a revision in 1990), children were excluded from public schools as a regular practice. In a shocking display of discrimination before this law, there was the case of Beattie vs. Board of Education (1919) in which the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that a young boy with cerebral palsy was not allowed to go to public school because he drooled and this disgusted the other children and teachers. Now, children are included in public schools and their teachers work as part of a team with the parents to make sure the child is getting the education and education delivery that he or she needs. Integration in classrooms is also important–gone are the days of sequestering differently-abled children in classrooms away from other children all day. Depending on the child’s abilities, spending time each day in both a classroom with their active peers and in a classroom geared towards their specific learning plan makes for a much more comprehensive and normalized experience.

Also important is the use of technology. As is true in general, technology in the classroom is increasing as our world becomes more immersed in technological practices, and this is no different in the field of special education. Assistive technology ranges from the simple, as in using a tablet device rather than a traditional book to help students read, to the more interactive, such as a computer that responds to movement or has special software that can anticipate a child’s next tap on the keyboard. These practices and assistive elements all serve to bring to students with special needs what was so lacking for much of the 20th century–the chance for a normal, appropriate, free and supportive public education. We’ve come a long way in meeting the special needs of these children, and chance are we will continue to find new and even more inclusive and constructive ways of helping them reach their full potential.

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50 Best Online Masters in Special Education

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When picturing a special education teacher, images of a calm and competent educator working diligently with children and young adults with special needs to help them learn skills and gain knowledge come to mind–but that wasn’t always the case. Until fairly recently, young people with disabilities were not allowed to attend public school on a consistent basis. Many were institutionalized, and derogatory and discriminatory clinical terms such as “moron,” “imbecile,” and “idiot” were actually used freely by psychologists and others to denote their intellectual abilities. Thank goodness those insensitive and prejudiced ways of working with differently-abled young students are not the norm today, and new, more effective and inclusive ways of teaching children with special needs are being taught  to future educators.

There were dedicated schools for children with disabilities, such as the 1817 Connecticut Asylum for the Education and Instruction of Deaf and Dumb Persons, which opened due to the persistence of the parents of children who has special needs. Most children were excluded from public schools simply because of their intellectual or physical disability–such as a young man with cerebral palsy who was not allowed to attend school in Wisconsin in the early 20th century because the teachers and other students didn’t like having him there, as they claimed he drooled and “produced a nauseating and depressing effect” on the classroom atmosphere (Beattie vs. Board of Education 1919). It is estimated that by the 1970s, only about 50% of the 8 million children with disabilities were being educated in the American public school system.

In 1975, a revolutionary law was passed: the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Originally known as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (Public Law 94-142), this law guaranteed, among other things, “a free appropriate public education which emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs.” Prior to this legislation, children with disabilities and their parents had little chance at a public education–some schools had partial programs, but nothing comprehensive was offered. Now, access to education is a civil right, and children with special needs not only have a law to protect their right to attend a public school free of charge, but also have dedicated teachers who gain specialized knowledge and skills to address their specific needs. To see some of the programs that special education teachers take advantage of to learn the most up-to-date research and appropriate methods of teaching these special young people, check our our list of the Best Online Master of Special Education Degree Programs, and join this growing moving of caring educators today!

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50 Best Online Masters in Special Education

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50 Best Online Masters in Education

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The role a good educator plays in the development of a child with special needs is undeniable. Helping children and young people excel to the best of their abilities is the heart of what a special education teacher does. Many current educators are seeking an advanced degree in special education as a way to ensure they have the most recent research and teaching methods at their disposal. But because life can’t be put on hold, the online Master of Special Education degree is one of the most popular online master’s degree programs out there. Going to school online is an excellent way for current educators looking for a more specialized career in special education to continue working and get their degree at the same time. And for those who don’t have a prior history in the field of education but realize their call to work as special education instructors, many programs also offer degrees that help students achieve initial teacher licensure. For some of the most reputable and affordable programs, check out our list of the 50 Best Online Master of Special Education degree programs, and read on see what it takes to be a special education teacher.

A special education teacher must have a certain temperament. The need for certain key qualities, such as patience and a peaceful demeanor, are pretty evident. Special education teachers work with children with a variety of special needs. To a certain extent teachers are able to choose focus areas, specializations, or concentrations while pursuing their master’s degree that can help very specific special needs, but many teachers find they must be prepared to work with children who have very different needs and are at very different stages of development. Due to the wide range of children they encounter in their classrooms, adaptability and creativity are also a must for these teachers. Every child, regardless of needs, has a unique personality and may learn differently than their classmate. Educators who can take the same lesson plan and present it to a differently-abled child in the most appealing way possible to and stimulate his or her mind–that is the mark of a good special education teacher.

In addition, a teacher’s background education or the current pursuit of an online degree in special education is a necessity. There are always going to be new research findings in the field of education, so to be as cutting-edge as possible, an advanced degree in special education is the way to go. Teachers must gain initial certification or licensure before they can have their own classroom. Through student teaching while in school and supervised by knowledgeable mentors, students gain the practical skills they have been learning as theory in their classes. Both the methodology learned from books and the real-world, applicable skills gained in the field practicum experience are equally important, and these are the two key elements that make up a good online master’s degree program.

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50 Best Online Masters in Education- Leadership

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Leadership comes naturally to the brightest and the best in the U.S. Armed Forces. Military order and success depends on strong leadership that inspires followers and shapes a positive trickle-down effect. As explained in the Harvard Business Review, when “followers have trust and confidence in a charismatic leader, they are transformed into willing, rather than merely compliant, agents.” Therefore, it makes perfect sense that these military men and women who have become “charismatic” leaders through their training and experience in the field would want to achieve a Master of Organizational Leadership degree to further their careers. And because they only accept excellence in academics and demand the ability to study at their convenience, they pursue a degree at one of the best online Master of Organizational Leadership degree programs.

Many schools provide tangible support in order to honor our service men and women for their commitment to our country’s protection. Some universities, such as Brandman University, were created specifically for those coming out of military service and transitioning to civilian life. Brandman provides general support such as Military Services Specialists and academic coaching, as well as transferable credits for military experience. The Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership (MAOL) degree can be obtained in just seven classes–Brandman allows military service persons to transfer up to fifteen credits towards the degree. Other programs, such as the new online Master of Science in Organizational Leadership at Johns Hopkins University, was not created solely for military students but is certainly geared towards them. Offered through Johns Hopkins’ Division of Public Safety Leadership, the MSOL degree is “specifically designed for adult learners, with adult responsibilities,” so leaders who want to serve and protect can advance their careers on their own time at their own pace. For military professionals who are looking for a program that can help “transition . . . military skills to the boardroom,” the Master of Arts in Strategic Leadership (MSL) degree program at St. Bonaventure University Online is a great option. In addition to the benefit of earning a tactical degree, St. Bonaventure gives active military a 30% tuition discount for this MSL degree. St. Bonaventure also states that their “core values of discovery, community, and individual worth align with the core values of the military,” so it’s a natural fit for the military student. With tuition discounts of 10% for spouses, active and former military members, the online MSOL at Quinnipiac University is also a good choice. Promising a program that helps “active duty military, veterans, reserves, retirees and their spouses achieve their educational goals in a completely supportive environment,” Quinnipiac prides itself on being a “Military Friendly® school.”

Because of the commitment of members of the military to our country, many schools see the importance of providing resources for them to help further their education. For those in the military who are either currently active or veterans, and for their spouses as well, tuition help and programs geared towards them (such as the online Master of Organizational Leadership) are just a small way many schools can say thank you.

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50 Best Online Masters in Organizational Leadership

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There’s no question that a solid education can be achieved through online learning–and there are many reasons for wanting to pursue a degree online. One of the most popular online degree programs, the Master of Education (MEd) degree, offers a variety of career advancements both in the traditional classroom setting and even beyond the classroom. For current teachers and others who wish to specialize in a particular education area, find a non-traditional education job, or advance further in the field of education can find wonderful scholastic opportunities at any of the best online master of education degree programs.

Certainly a good education is expected out of a respected online master of education degree program, but there are a myriad of other positive and perhaps serendipitous outcomes of going through an online MEd program–particularly in the arena of student support and counsel. Some programs, like the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) online degree program at the University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education, actively assist students who need to achieve their teacher certification in another state. USC has a student services team that will “provide support and direction to identify the most direct and efficient path to local certification” for the out-of-state student. This above-and-beyond support is in addition to the guidance already provided to students seeking their certification in the state of California. The Stony Brook University School of Professional Development Higher Education Administration program puts an emphasis on practical student experience, requiring a 150 hour internship in a higher education setting. The student can complete the required Practicum at Stony Brook or another institution. If the student opts for a school other than Stony Brook, the faculty and staff of Stony Brook will work with the other school to make sure the student is getting the supervisory requirements they need to successfully complete their field education. The Master of Special Education degree program at Indiana University Bloomington’s School of Education offers coursework that is “designed to be completed in a practicum setting with the support of an experienced teacher.” This teacher-mentor stays with the student throughout the entire online program, providing continuous support and instruction.

You know you will get a quality education when you choose a good online master’s of education degree program. But beyond that, whether you seek guidance in obtaining your certification (even in a different state), well-supervised practical experience, or a consistent mentorship throughout your program of choice, many of the best schools will make sure you have all the support you need and more!

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Teachers today have little time to pursue specializations or advanced degrees in their field. The online master of education (MEd) degrees presented by the best online master of education degree programs makes any teacher’s goal of furthering his or her education obtainable. By offering coursework that can be completed on one’s own time and the development of pedagogical skills that are not only helpful in a current educator’s classroom but also expected to be applied on a daily basis (turning the teacher’s class into a hands-on teaching lab), online MEd programs truly equip teachers to advance to the next level.

Students know that online master degree programs are the way to go, but what do potential employers think? The good news is that online education degrees are highly accepted. Most hiring managers value the reputation of the school over the coursework delivery method, and many schools don’t even indicate that a degree was earned online. What is crucial, according to a report by the US News and World Report, is that the school be appropriately accredited and that the degree program prepares students for their specific career goals. For instance, if a student needs licensure to become a teacher, that student needs to pick a school that will help them achieve the license they need to teach in the state in which they reside. It’s not impossible to pursue an online master of education degree in a state other than the state in which one lives and will teach, but there will be additional steps to secure teacher certification. And again, it is highly important that students pick a school that will help them work towards that goal.

So students needs to pick a reputable, respected school that will provide the training and guidance they need to pursue their desired career goals, but as mentioned previously, the school must also be accredited through the appropriate accrediting institution. What should online students look for to know if their school is suitably accredited? There were three accepted accrediting bodies for postsecondary schools in the field of education. Two of them, the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC), were superseded by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) in 2016. Any school that has accreditation by these three institutions is considered appropriately accredited. Accreditation needs to be renewed periodically, so eventually the schools accredited by either NCATE or TEAC will need to be accredited by CAEP.

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Good teachers are always in demand. In order to teach in a classroom setting, an educator must be licensed or certified in the state in which they wish to teach. It’s not a hard process–the traditional path requires majoring in education as an undergraduate, completing a supervised student teaching experience, passing the teacher exams in your state, and finally applying for certification. If you find yourself drawn to the field of education but have an undergraduate degree in a different field, have no fear–there are alternative paths to certification! Many of the best online master of education degree programs provide degree programs for the non-traditional education student that can help make your dream of becoming a teacher into a reality.

While an online Master of Education (MEd) degree program is geared towards offering current educators a way to advance in their careers, an online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree program offers students an alternate way to certification. According to US News and World Report, these online MAT programs can help workers in other professions become educators in the classroom within eighteen months. These programs focus on the basics of teaching–starting with such topics as teaching methodology, pedagogy and curriculum design. And because the programs are crafted to supply the fundamentals of teaching, MAT students are expected to teach in the area in which they are already proficient. The degrees tend to be quickly obtainable–the MAT Online Program at the University of Mississippi for instance prepares students to be licensed, employed teachers in the state if Mississippi in grades 7-12 after just one summer training session. This added bonus of quick licensure is beneficial in two ways–obviously, it is a plus to become certified in just a short period of time, but also it’s beneficial because it allows students to become employable within a school system and complete their student-teacher requirements in an actual classroom prior to graduation.

The most important aspect to becoming a licensed educator is picking the right, fully-accredited online degree program to fit your needs and goals. Make sure to pick a school that will give you the tools you need in your state–start by looking over our list of the top 50 online master of education degree programs to begin your search.

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If you would like a career change that guarantees an increase in your salary, look to the world of business. On average, MBA degree recipients can expect a starting salary in the six figures. But what if you are currently working in the food service industry, or as an artist, a telemarketer, or a teacher? How do you make the transition to a completely different field than the one for which you prepared and/or studied while an undergrad? Have no worries–there are many top online MBA programs that cater to students whose undergraduate degrees were not in business.

What do Online MBA Degree Programs Require?

The admissions requirements for each school differs, but there are certain common requirements that cut across the board. Having an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university is an absolute necessity when applying to any MBA program. In general at least two years of professional employment experience is required, and often seven years of professional full-time work is desired.  Often the required GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) or GRE (Graduate Record Exam) can be waived for applicants who have had this seven years of professional experience. Other requirements range from personal interviews to letters of recommendation to essays, but of course the schools’ websites should be checked for additional requirements.

Programs For All Backgrounds

Even though a majority of institutions have a preference for applicants with an undergraduate business degree, many schools not only make accommodations but also actively appeal to students without a business degree. Some schools, like the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Oklahoma State University and Penn State, don’t require business degrees, but do require things like prior coursework or knowledge in statistics, accounting, economics and calculus. Other schools offer non-credit classes to catch up for a fee, while others allow students to take the prerequisites at the same time as the business coursework–such as Lehigh University or University of South Florida at St. Petersburg. Some universities, like Clarkson in Potsdam, NY, even offer a tuition-free summer business concepts program to incoming students who need the foundational coursework. Most schools require a certain number of credit hours in addition to their normally-required credit hours. The additional credit hour requirements range from just nine at West Texas A&M University to up to 21 at SUNY at Oswego, with the average additional required credit hours at around sixteen or eighteen. And finally, some schools offer two different programs, such as University of Florida, which offers a one-year accelerated online MBA for business grads and a two-year online MBA for all others.

Which Program is Right For Me?

Now that you are equipped with the knowledge of what you can expect from an online MBA degree program, look into this year’s Best Online MBA Degree Programs ranking to help you take the next step in getting that degree!

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There’s no question that a Master of Business Administration degree is advantageous to the working professional. With salary increases of at least over 50% expected upon graduation, the MBA degree makes sound financial sense. The real question then becomes how does one find the time to work on achieving an MBA? Well, if you’re like many already in the business world, you seek out an online degree from one of the best online MBA degree programs.

Why Would You Want an Online MBA?

In a recent study by the Higher Education Research Institute at the UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, it was discovered that almost a third of college seniors missed classes due to their employment responsibilities. With online learning, missing class is a non-issue. Online programs are tailored to accommodate professionals who are working full-time, so the coursework is made available, in most cases, 24/7 to students. This added flexibility is a real draw for students who want to continue working or who have family obligations that keep them from moving to the school or going to class during the day.

How Online Compares to On-Campus

Many online MBA degree program websites make the claim that their online MBA program is the same as their on-campus program, but with flexibility as an added benefit. In addition, many schools give online students priority over on-campus students in registering for online classes. The delivery of the coursework is of course the biggest difference, and schools vary in the ways that their classes are offered. One of the most common ways to take online classes is asynchronously. Asynchronous means the coursework is made available online at all hours, and students are welcome to sign on and complete the assignments on their own time, just within a specified deadline. Another common method is synchronous coursework. These classes are at set times in which all students sign on together for a live class. Dialogue and student interaction with each other and the professor are possible in this delivery method.  Some programs also offer (and in some cases, require) on-campus residencies. Residencies have many different presentations. They range from week-long orientations to weekend gatherings throughout the program. There are also some programs that have “global immersions” at some point during the program, and many have a final, on-campus capstone project that completes the program.

So as you can see, an MBA from one of the best online MBA programs online has many benefits in addition to the achievement of earning the distinguished degree. Priority registration, classes that are both on your own time and live with classmates, and on-campus or international study options–this is what the online MBA looks like today. Check it out!

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For all of you professionals who are questioning whether or not you really need a Master of Administration in Business degree, consider this: the average return on your investment is only four years. Imagine getting your MBA degree in as little as a year, paying it off within four years, and then making a six-figure salary that continues to increase for the rest of your professional career. Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? There’s no doubt that an MBA is a strategic choice in regards to salary opportunities, but having an MBA doesn’t just mean you are locked into a desk job crunching numbers all day–with the myriad of concentrations and specializations available at some of the best online MBA degree programs, there are many different job possibilities that await you.

But What Can An MBA Graduate Really Do?

The short answer is: pretty much whatever they want! For those MBA graduates that completed a finance-related concentration, it’s very common to come out of school with many job prospects. Some of the highest paying possibilities are Chief Financial Officers and Finance Directors. Other jobs that may be appealing to finance-minded graduates are those in managing corporate finances, accounting or capital markets and investment consulting. And for the outside-of-the-box financial job-seekers, job titles such as FBI Finance Expert or Military Finance Officer may be intriguing.

If you’re a people-person, other MBA jobs that put you in teamwork leadership roles really run the gamut. The newcomer to the MBA world, the real estate concentration, offers a specialization that many are not yet taking advantage of–so the few who are can really sink their teeth into such jobs as Capital Acquisition Manager, Institutional Investor or Public Policy Developer. There is also the human resource track, which can mean large salaries as a Senior HR Generalist, Chief of Staff or Chief Talent Officer. And for those who really like a fast-paced and exciting life, Entertainment Accountants help create budgets for the producers of major films or serve as the liaison who develops the contract between a star athlete and sports team.

And a Whole Lot More

To really open up possibilities, graduates who specialized in entrepreneurship can start their own businesses or organizations, literally doing whatever they want. For those who don’t want the potential complications of a start-up business, becoming part of a franchise is another option to do what you want with not as much risk. The list of possibilities could be exhaustive, and we’ve just scratched the surface. Computer information systems, sustainable energy enterprise, and international business–the list could go on and on. Now that you know the sky could be the limit with an MBA, look at some of this year’s best online MBA degree programs to find the school that will open up the world’s possibilities to you!

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