If you are considering enrolling in a master's degree program, you likely have a general idea of the subject area you'd like to pursue. While some of the more popular programs involve master's degrees in business, science, education and psychology, requirements for these programs vary widely depending on the school, the program and your undergraduate major. For instance, if you hold an undergraduate degree in science but want to pursue a master's degree in engineering, it might take you longer to earn your degree than someone whose undergraduate degree is also in engineering, because the school may require additional prerequisites. The first step in pursing a master's degree is finding a quality, accredited program that suits your needs, your lifestyles and your goals. Primarily, you want to ensure that the schools you are researching are accredited by a nationally recognized accreditation institution like the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (chea.org).
Hundreds of different programs and majors are available, so you must carefully research the requirements, prerequisites and estimated length of time to complete your degree. Most graduate degrees can be completed in two years or less if you attend full-time (12 to 15 credits a semester); if you attend part-time, you can expect to spend four years or more completing your master's degree. A site such as Peterson's (petersons.com) can help you narrow down your choices by school, type of program or preferred delivery (on-campus or online).
On-campus graduate students who hold full-time jobs typically have to schedule classes around their jobs. Many classes are held during inconvenient times, requiring you to leave work early or stay late, skip your lunch hour, or sacrifice time with your family. Distance learning can be much more time-efficient, as most programs allow you to log on when it’s convenient for you. As long as you fulfill the requirements of the course, you can usually work during the day, at night or in the early morning hours. Moreover, the flexibility of online schooling makes it more likely that you'll be able to remain working, at least part-time.
You also save time by not having to commute back and forth to class. The only commuting you’ll have to do is back and forth to your computer, and you can do that in your fuzzy slippers and cat pajamas.
Distance-learning programs are typically cheaper than on-campus programs for a number of reasons. First, you are eliminating the need to pay for room and board, and secondly, you eliminate all of the fees associated with on-campus living. According to The College Board, at the time of publication, the average on-campus college student’s living expenses are nearly $18,000 for a full year; that amount drops dramatically if you earn a degree online.
Since you’re attending class online, you save money on gas, wear and tear on your car, parking fees or bus passes. Considering that fuel costs keep rising, keeping your car parked in the garage can save you a great deal of money per year.
Graduate programs typically cost more than bachelor’s degree programs, so finding the program that will provide you with the best return on your investment is essential. Unfortunately, no standard system exists to calculate tuition costs at any given school; some online schools charge by the credit hour, while others charge by the course. How much you will pay, and whether you will save tuition costs by attending an online university, depends upon the school, the program and the length of time it takes you to complete your degree. A website like Online College (onlinecollege.com) can provide you with a starting point when to begin researching the costs of online master’s degrees.