| ng a graduate degree might not be as difficult as you | | | | same position if the employee has a graduate degree, |
| think. If you already have a Bachelor’s degree, | | | | making going back to school an attractive prospect, |
| an advanced degree is easier than ever to achieve | | | | despite the inconvenience of it. |
| with the help of the Internet. With online graduate | | | | For these reasons and more, online graduate degree |
| degree programs, students are easily obtaining their | | | | programs are increasing in popularity as a convenient, |
| MA, MS, M.Ed., and MBA without sacrificing a lot of | | | | inexpensive way to earn an advanced degree. |
| precious time and resources in the process. | | | | Working adults are finding that they can earn their |
| It is often the case that students enter the workforce | | | | graduate degree at their own pace, and without having |
| after obtaining their Bachelor’s degree, leaving | | | | to sacrifice their full-time jobs and time with their family. |
| little time for graduate studies. Let’s face | | | | Most of the online programs offer flexible payment |
| it—after working all day, who has the time to | | | | plans as well, allowing students convenient options of |
| devote to writing a thesis or reading a 500-page | | | | paying in addition to convenient options for studying. |
| advanced level textbook? | | | | Students of online degree programs can receive the |
| As if these hurdles weren’t difficult enough, | | | | same individualized attention given to students at |
| graduate studies have always been notoriously | | | | traditional universities. Professors at online programs |
| time-consuming, involving extensive library research | | | | are available by phone or email, and incorporate new |
| and consultations with faculty mentors regarding | | | | technology in the learning process to make a |
| research proposals and projects. | | | | student’s experience as educational as |
| Most traditional university graduate programs are highly | | | | possible. |
| competitive and involve a full-time commitment, making | | | | Online graduate degrees aren’t limited to |
| it difficult for nontraditional students with full-time jobs to | | | | Masters programs—some colleges also offer |
| earn an advanced degree in that setting. If a student | | | | Doctorates in limited fields. While these programs |
| has family obligations as well—which is often the | | | | aren’t as common as Master’s |
| case—obtaining a graduate degree could seem | | | | programs, they are available, and a viable option for |
| to be an impossible dream. In addition, traditional | | | | students wishing to earn a Ph.D. without enrolling in a |
| university graduate programs are more costly than | | | | traditional university. |
| undergraduate programs, making the commitment of | | | | Some online Master’s and Doctoral programs |
| earning an advanced degree not only time consuming, | | | | are run in conjunction with traditional universities, |
| but costly as well. | | | | allowing students to complete their graduate work in a |
| Yet, it is becoming a growing trend for companies to | | | | combination of online and on-site studies. |
| require MBAs for certain upper-level positions, forcing | | | | If you are a nontraditional student wishing to advance |
| employees to either continue their education or accept | | | | your career to the next level, online graduate programs |
| the fact that they have hit the “ceiling” | | | | might be the best option for you. Their convenience |
| within their company as far as their salary and position | | | | and cost-effective approach can mean the difference |
| is concerned. Even jobs that do not require an | | | | between attaining your graduate degree and only |
| advanced degree often offer a higher salary for the | | | | dreaming about it. |