| So that leaves those of us with undergraduate | | | | what additional education you need to pair with your |
| degrees that are not business focused at a | | | | professional experience. If you've been in construction |
| disadvantage. What many professionals who are | | | | and want to move into project management in the |
| quality employees do have is a wealth of experience | | | | field, find out what computer skills you'll need. If you |
| and the support of an employer. People in this position | | | | have a liberal arts degree and want to teach, there |
| can find part time master's degree programs that will | | | | are streamlined degree programs that will allow you to |
| fit into their existing busy schedules. And people who | | | | make up any academic deficiencies during the course |
| see a mid-career change necessary due to the shifts | | | | of the master's program. You don't have to abandon |
| in the job market can also earn a new degree and | | | | all you've done in order to start over. |
| learn new skills while remaining on the job. Here are | | | | Include the School in your Part Time Program |
| some suggestions for getting yourself a mid-career | | | | Part time graduate students are common today so |
| boost. | | | | colleges are accustomed to meeting their needs. Make |
| Focus on the Skills you Need | | | | an effort to connect with your instructors even if |
| The MBA is a showcase degree but it takes two | | | | you're in an online program. They expect email |
| years of high powered concentration or a dedicated | | | | correspondence. Get to know your fellow students so |
| part time program. You may not need all of it. If you're | | | | that you have some colleagues to consult with on |
| in accounting, there is a one-year Master of | | | | difficult assignments or projects. Many part time |
| Accountancy program at many schools. There are | | | | masters degree programs utilize teamwork as a |
| one year Master in Management programs that | | | | teaching method despite the nature of the program; |
| provide all of the basics for handling people and | | | | you'll find that it pays off to have part of that college |
| budgets. These one year programs are going to take | | | | experience included in your professional advancement |
| longer on a part time basis, but you'll be done with | | | | program. |
| them sooner and with less cost than an MBA. | | | | Review Today's Degree Options |
| Find a Program the Fits your Schedule | | | | In the last fifteen or twenty years the book on |
| Many universities and colleges have developed part | | | | master's degree programs has been rewritten. There |
| time programs designed for professionals returning to | | | | are the part time programs, of course, but there are |
| school. There are weekend class options, weeknight | | | | also one year programs, accelerated programs for |
| class options, online degrees, and programs that blend | | | | certain degrees, and an enormous number of |
| all of these elements. If you have evening obligations | | | | variations that simply didn't exist in the recent past. |
| like young children an online program may be the most | | | | There is the Master of Science in Nursing available for |
| sensible choice, but take at least one online course first | | | | non-nursing college graduates. There is the Master of |
| to see if the format works for you. Privacy at home | | | | Arts in Teaching, a fast-track teaching program. You |
| and personal discipline are important elements for a | | | | can obtain degrees in supply chain management, in |
| successful online master's degree program. | | | | global economics, in management accounting and in |
| Don't Discount your Experience | | | | e-commerce that weren't in the catalog when you |
| If you are finding it necessary to get a graduate | | | | went to school. Consult a source where you can |
| degree in order to switch professions you should talk | | | | browse all of the options open to you. |
| to college counselors and employment recruiters about | | | | |