The Benefits of Obtaining a Master’s in Education Online

Time is an important factor for all of us.  The ability to work from home is one plus that an online master’s program offers. Whether you are shy, or simply enjoy setting your own time to study and do homework, online course offer you these options to control your study environment.  You would also have the advantage of  studying lectures without distraction, allowing you to focus on your work for better understanding.  In traditional education you would also be faced with traveling time or relocation which is eliminated if you attend a online program.

In today’s economy, chances are you are already working a full time job.  You may be considering a Master’s program so that you may further your career, or be able to earn more money in the field that you are already in.  The challenges of attending school while working a full time job are enormous.  Attending an online school can not only save you time and money, but also adds the advantage of you determining your schedule of when you do your course work.  This freedom  will take off the extra stress and burden you may face by attending school and working full time.

Pro: The Military and Education

You may be in the military or have a job that requires you to travel more than 50% of the time.  If you are in this position, you are already aware that a traditional education program would not work for you.  However, you may be sacrificing that advancement in your career or the ability to earn more money by not furthering your education.  Online education programs offer you the advantage of attending school and keeping your busy, traveling career.    In Veterans Weigh Pro’s and Con’s of Online Education, author Devon Haynie outlines some of the advantages and disadvantages of being in the military and online education.

Con: Course Requirements

The course requirement for most online courses tend to be more involved with online education rather than traditional studies.  Most online programs have more lectures and study requirements per week.  You are also quizzed and tested more in online programs than you are in traditional programs.  With online programs, since the professors are not able to see you complete your work and attend the lectures, they are required to look for alternative ways to prove that you know the material, which results in additional work on your behalf.

Con:  Discipline

Online courses require a lot of discipline.  If you are not a person that can independently and proactively take charge of your requirements for your school work, online learning is probably not for you.  You also need to be able to problem solve through material that you do not understand since professors are not usually as accessible in online education.

There are a lot of accredited and respected schools out there that offer great online education programs.  As reported in “Going the Distance: Online Education in the United States, 2011, there are 6.1 million students engaged in online learning”, which certainly proves that online education is quickly becoming the preferred method of education.  Look for programs that employ strong professors who have done good research within the field and make sure to study hard for the Graduate Record Examination.  Once you find a school that is right for you, the decision to take the online route will provide you with the most satisfaction as you pursue a new career.