Online Master Degree Programs

Choosing Between Online Master Degree Programs

Welcome to OnlineMasterDegreeProgram.org!

This comprehensive site will not only help you decide whether you should pursue an online master’s degree but also provide the information necessary to pinpoint the school that best fits your needs.

Online master degree programs, also called graduate or post baccalaureate programs, are great for working professionals who want to specialize in an area of knowledge in their current job, move into management, get ready to pursue a doctorate degree, change careers by acquiring new skills, or fulfill personal educational aspirations–or all of the above.

The biggest advantage to online programs is that you can continue to work full-time while taking classes, although the fact that you’ll also save money (online programs cost less than traditional university courses) is also a great benefit.

No matter your concentration, chances are that you will be able to find an online master degree program to match your criteria. Programs are available in many disciplines and can take anywhere from one to three years to complete, but entrance and graduation requirements vary widely, so do read descriptions carefully.

If you’re ready to investigate online master degree programs, read on.

What kinds of online master degree programs are available?
The variety of online master degree programs available is wide and always expanding to meet the sheer volume of students interested in pursuing online degrees; the number of students taking online courses doubled to 3.9 million from 2003 to 2007, which outpaced growth in traditional college settings by 12 percent. Partially because of this student interest, distance learning degrees continue to gain more respect from employers as well.

So what are your choices of online master degree programs?

The two general types of online master degree programs are the Master of Arts (MA) in social sciences or humanities and the Master of Science (MS) in the hard sciences. Both require about 30 credit hours of study and usually involve heavy research components, particularly the MS. A thesis presenting research findings is also usually required, and a student is often obligated to defend the assertions in the thesis in front of a panel of professors.

What are the most commonly pursued online master degree programs?
The three listed below are some of the most common online master degree programs:
 

MBA (Master of Business Administration): Both general MBA programs and specialty MBA programs such as those in e-business, entrepreneurship, finance, entrepreneurship, health care management, human resources, marketing, management,  project management, real estate, and more.

• MEd (Master in Education): Specialties include early childhood education,  special education, adult education, secondary education, higher education, and English as a Second Language (ESL). Also may be known as MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching) or MSEd (Master of Science in Education).
  

MSN (Master of Science in Nursing): There are special RN to MSN online programs for current RNs and also “direct entry” or “graduate entry” programs for those interested in nursing but who haven’t yet studied or practiced as a registered nurses. MSN degrees also offer the chance to specialize as well as to become advanced practical nurses (APN), including clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, or nurse midwife.

Other common online master degree programs include:

• MAR (Master of Architecture)
• MEN (Master of Engineering)
• MFA (Master of Fine Arts)
• MJA (Master of Justice Administration)
• MLS (Master of Library Science)
  
• MPA (Master of Public Administration)
• MPH (Master of Public Health)
  

• MSW (Master of Social Work) 

Am I qualified for online master degree programs?
While specific program requirements vary, in general you will likely need to have earned a bachelor’s degree to enter an online master degree program; sometimes your bachelor’s degree must be in the same or related field, but other times it is not necessary so check requirements carefully. You may also need to submit standardized test scores, e.g., GRE, GMAT, etc., and some schools may also require or prefer work experience.

What are online master degree programs like?
As mentioned above, you will need to complete around 30 hours of credit, which will likely include both classwork and independent research; internships may also be required.

The material covered in graduate programs is more advanced and in depth than that covered by most bachelor’s degree programs; you will also likely find that your fellow students are more interested and involved in the coursework than you might remember from your undergraduate experience.
 

What are the advantages of pursuing an online master degree program?
 

The benefits of choosing online master degree programs over their traditional university counterparts are many, including:

• The ability to work full-time while earning your degree.
• The convenience of studying and taking courses on your own time, schedule, and budget.
  
• The chance to save money as online master degree programs are less expensive than traditional programs; you’ll also save on travel, book, and other miscellaneous expenses involved with taking courses on campus.
  
• The option to earn your degree in less time than it would take in a traditional program.