The Online Degree Dorm Room

Online Degrees - Don’t forget these important points to getting your degree online

Posted by bposton on March 4th, 2009 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

In today’s down job market, one way to make your resume stand out is to have an advanced degree.

But you have to realize that it’s now as easy as some schools make it sound.

While it is true that Online masters programs are often less expensive and  more convenient than traditional degree programs there are several issues that you need to think about.

Regardless of how you earn your degree, remember that it’s not a ticket to six-figure paycheck or job security — consider the slew of MBA casualties on Wall Street in recent months. But if you think it will give your career a kick, here are a few points to keep in mind.

The first one is the fact that you have be self-motivated. This is a MUST.
An online degree program doesn’t force you to sit in a classroom and because of that you don’t always have social support group.

THe next one is picking the right school.

Many traditional universities also offer online courses. At some schools, such as Duke and Columbia universities, select masters programs are entirely online.

If you’re not set on getting a degree from a traditional institution, online-only schools can be viable options. For instance, the University of Phoenix offers master’s programs in business, education health care and psychology. Other career-focused schools, such as DeVry University, also offer masters programs online.

But be vary wary of any online school that promises a quick and easy time to get your sheepskin. They may ask for only a fraction of the total cost of a traditional degree in tuition and have names that echo those of prestigious universities. But when their mailing addresses is a P.O. box - run away - FAST

Always remember that the U.S. Department of Education maintains a database of accredited schools on its Web site (www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation) and you can also check the site of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation at www.chea.org.

Also, the admissions process for an online program at Duke or other traditional universities is the same as their on campus programs, while online-only schools have admissions that are typically on a rolling, monthly basis.

Another issue is your courses and cirriculum.

It you think that course work will be easier because it’s online - forget it, it won’t…

In fact, at traditional schools the online materials are usually the same or at least comparable to what’s taught in classrooms.

As with any degree related course, you’ll be expected to hand in periodic assignments - on time

So if you are more accustomed to the structure and disipline that a physical classroom provides, then meeting these deadlines with an online class might be a struggle.

Of course, the benefit to all of this is that you can study when and where you please.

Another beneft is the fact that you might actually interact with classmates and professors more with an online class than if you were in a lecture hall packed with hundreds of students. Chat rooms, frequent e-mail exchanges and online message boards are often integral elements of online courses.

Also be aware that for certain degrees, like those in the medical profession, you’ll likely need to complete some courses in person at some type of facility.

Another issue is cost - and with that - financial aid. Online degrees are typically cheaper than traditional programs, but tuition is still considerable.

At the University of Phoenix, for instance, tuition for full-time graduate students was $13,500 in 2007, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. At the American Intercontinental University Online, it was $21,300.

But that doesn’t mean you have to pay the full price. If you’re getting a paycheck that will limit how much federal aid you can qualify for, but by all means, still fill out the FSAFA application. Another (and often better) resource for aid might be your employer. Professional associations also offer scholarships and stipends, and don’t forget the instituion itself - there are a lot of universities and online-only schools that offer scholarships.

You really should not worry about how a potential employer will accept your degree from an online program, so long as it is accredited by the right institution, especially if it is comes from a traditional university.

But ultimately, the decision to get a master’s degree boils down to whether you think an advanced degree of any sort will boost your career.

Here’s something that might help in that decision: According to the Census Bureau, median earnings for people with a graduate or professional degree was $61,000 in 2007. That’s compared to $47,000 for people with just a bachelor’s degree.

If you are currently employed, make sure that one of the first things you do is to talk with your human resources department. Ask what new opportunities additional schooling could open up or how it could affect your pay.

And don’t forget that even if your currently employer doesn’t offer you more money or a better position because of your new degree, any edge you can get is worth considering in this job market.