| The education world is changing fast! Twenty years | | | | Management |
| ago the idea of online education was in its infancy. The | | | | Ministry (DMin) |
| first opportunities to earn degrees online were | | | | Philosophy in Counseling |
| welcomed by adventurous students, while most | | | | Psychology (PsyD) |
| students, especially adult learners who were seeking | | | | How long does it take to earn your master's or |
| master's or doctoral degrees, stuck to tradition by | | | | doctoral degree online? Less time than you think! Many |
| attending programs on campus. | | | | master's degree programs can be completed in as |
| But times are different now. Quality online degree | | | | few as eighteen months. Doctorate programs may |
| programs have the same credibility as their | | | | take as few as two years. Some may require an |
| campus-based counterparts. Adult learners, who have | | | | on-campus classroom component - be sure to read |
| work and family responsibilities, are embracing the | | | | the course catalogs carefully. |
| convenience and accessibility of distance learning | | | | For working adults, flexible schedules are important. |
| programs and are earning their master's and doctoral | | | | Many online master's and doctoral degree programs |
| degrees from home and on their own schedule. They | | | | allow you to complete the work at your own pace, |
| are changing their lives in ways that they never before | | | | with milestones to gauge your progress. But just as |
| imagined. | | | | flexibility is important, you also want a program that |
| How do you choose a degree program? | | | | provides one-on-one interaction between students and |
| On a reputable college directory website, adult | | | | instructors, and among students who are involved in a |
| students who want to earn their advanced degree | | | | group project. |
| can quickly and easily compare programs and schools. | | | | Is there financial aid available? In many cases, yes, |
| Typically, you enter a search term (such as "master's | | | | even for online programs. Most accredited colleges |
| degree - psychology") and you are presented with a | | | | are approved to offer federal Title IV financial aid |
| variety of colleges and programs that satisfy your | | | | programs that include grants and loans. Prospective |
| search term. Then you choose four or five schools | | | | students should contact the financial aid offices of the |
| and carefully compare programs and features. In the | | | | schools to which they have been accepted and apply |
| new online education environment, the selection and | | | | for financial aid. Decisions about which school to attend |
| variety are impressive! Advanced degree programs | | | | are often made on the basis of the financial aid |
| offered by quality accredited colleges and universities | | | | package offered by a school to the individual student. |
| include: | | | | How do you get started? With an increasing number |
| Master's Degree Programs | | | | of online degree programs available for adults, finding |
| Accounting | | | | the one that's right for you may seem like a daunting |
| Business Administration | | | | task. The best way to research your options is to go |
| Criminal Justice | | | | online to a free college directory website like the one |
| Human Services | | | | below. You can enter the search terms that are |
| Divinity | | | | appropriate for you (such as "online psychology |
| Education and Teaching | | | | doctorate," or "online MBA"). You'll be presented with |
| Marriage and Family Therapy | | | | free information about the programs that meet your |
| Nursing | | | | criteria. Compare features such as financial aid, career |
| Professional Counseling | | | | services, and flexible schedules. Narrow down your |
| Religious Education | | | | choices and make your application. In less time than |
| Social Work | | | | you think you could be earning your degree, working at |
| Doctoral Degree Programs | | | | home on your schedule. |
| Education | | | | |