To decide to go back to school is a major decision. One that requires a lot of thought. There is a great benefit to going back to school, especially if you decide to use an online University. The benefits are of course, you can increase your value at your current job or increase your value when competing in the current job market.
If you are looking to make a complete career change, then furthering your education is a great way to open new doors. Online masters degrees can open new doors in a variety of ways as mentioned above. To go back to school online is very convenient and can be cost effective. You can usually work at your own pace and on your own schedule. Usually you will need to keep in contact with your classmates and your professor through out the week, but you can typically work 24/7 around the clock. This is great if you already have a busy schedule, and have a full family schedule to work around.
Online Masters Degrees are usually affordable in comparison to going to a traditional school. By going online, you can virtually cut out all of the costs for gas, parking permits, meals out, etc. any extra costs you have going to the traditional nearby campus.
When looking for an online program, you should make sure it is accredited by an educational accrediting entity. If you are looking for financial aid of any kind this is extremely important. You can have the most interesting degree program, but if it is not accredited and approved, it will not help you with your career or certification if needed. Also, the credits might not transfer if you decide to go for additional schooling.
Look for colleges that are accredited by the Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges or the Higher Learning Commission. These schools also offer a varied assistance program to help those that qualify with financing there higher education. Some universities also offer financial aid to those that qualify. This is a great place to start your research.
Some universities will offer after graduation placement assistance. You can find this out by talking with the admissions office of the university you are researching, most are very helpful to answer your questions. This is a great help in today’s market.
It is unfortunate, but in today’s world it seems that more and more people are needed in the healthcare field and in the criminal justice field. Both of these areas are expected to continue to rise in the job market arena. If someone is looking at a complete career change, these are some of the areas to look at. These degrees are also available 100% online.
Along with online degrees in the health care field and criminology, there are many more options available. You are able to get degrees in finance, teaching, a variety of technical degrees are available, as well as web design, IT, illustration, and a variety of artistic degrees are available as well. Another option available is a degree in legal or paralegal.
Many of these degrees will help you advance in your current career field if you are wanting to move into a managerial position within your current scope of employment. Not only will it look good on your resume that you took it upon yourself to further your education, but a lot of these degrees will lead you to develop critical thinking skills and problem solving skills on a higher level. A legal degree can prepare you to become a paralegal, or help prepare you for law school.
A business degree will teach managerial skills as well as business efficiencies projects and ways to cut costs. Someone in the business world graduating with a masters in business with a completed portfolio on how they have been successful in finding ways for a business to be efficient and cut costs will be very valuable indeed.
The masters degree in teaching is valuable to someone interested in becoming a principal or getting into the field of development of learning tools and curriculum. Human Resource Managers are always looking for people who will take initiative, and going back to school to receive your masters degree is something that will increase your value greatly. Whatever the reason you are contemplating getting a degree online, it will only benefit you with your career change or advancement, a very wise first step!