Adults have many options for pursuing postgraduate degrees online.
Prior to the early 2000s, working professionals who wanted to advance their careers with a graduate degree had to give up their jobs to achieve their educational goals. Today, such a sacrifice is simply an option, instead of a requirement. Many colleges and universities offer graduate programs online, making it easy to earn a graduate degree without setting a foot on campus.
Finding The Right Program
The prospective graduate student has many distance learning programs to choose from, so finding the right program to apply to can be difficult. According to Gradschools.com, there are over 7,000 online graduate degree programs, which could make finding the right program confusing for potential applicants. Everyone thinking of continuing their education online should choose their program wisely and consider the cost of the program and how their desired degree will impact them professionally. Applicants should also research the reputation of the schools they're considering, along with the strength of their alumni networks, career placement programs and the availability of financial aid.
Financing The Degree
Getting financial aid for an online graduate program is similar to, if not exactly the same as getting aid for traditional programs. Applicants should start their search for funding by submitting a FAFSA application, which will determine what kind of aid they are eligible for and how much assistance they can expect to get. Applicants should also inquire about scholarships, grants and other financial aid awards their prospective programs might offer. Lastly, online sources such as FinAid.org can help applicants find various scholarships to help fund their studies.
Benefits
Perhaps the most significant benefit to pursuing a graduate degree online is the personal convenience attending such a program provides. Many students find that having the ability to attend class on their own time incredibly helpful, especially if they are working professionals with busy schedules. There are no physical classrooms, so students can study and work at home, a coffee shop or an airport. Lastly, students in these programs can get more individualized attention from their instructors, who are often just an e-mail or phone call away.
Drawbacks and Conclusion
For all its benefits, pursuing a graduate degree online can also have its share of detriments. Students who chose this option often forfeit the ability to meet their classmates for study sessions and instead have to study alone. Also, because online graduate programs are less structured than traditional programs, students can lose their focus and not manage their time wisely, miss assignments and deadlines, and end up performing poorly in their classes.
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