A Practical Plan for Your Future

If you've been considering earning a master's degree, now is the time. There are more options available now than ever before, and with an online master's degree, it's never been easier.

Your Online Master Degree Options

Returning to school is tough. Giving up the income your current job provides, along with the cost of tuition, books, and supplies, and the sheer investment in time, shouldn't be taken lightly. But earning your degree from an online school makes a lot of sense.
Approximately 50% of colleges and universities currently offer some form of online learning. That means your choices are wide open. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the largest master's degree fields are education and business. That holds true online as well.
An online university can offer business students a wide variety of MBA programs, ranging in specialty from marketing to health care to technology. You can also earn a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), a Master of Education in a number of specialties, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), a Master of Public Administration (MPA), and many other degrees.

The Benefits of Online Learning

The costs of earning an online master's degree are significantly less than that of a traditional degree program. Not only are the savings viable, but you can complete the program from home, without having to step away from the job market--a risky move, for some. Complete your studies on your schedule, and put your skills to work immediately for your current employer, without losing out on your income. Depending on the program, you may have your degree in a year or 18 months.
The U.S. Census Bureau says that master's degree holders earn at least $3 million more over their lifetime than those with just a bachelor's degree. Now that's a degree of satisfaction.
Sources:
"A Higher Degree the Key to Higher Pay?" - Salary.com
"Do Master's Degrees Really Pay Off?" by Minauti Dave - Umagazine
National Center for Education Statistics

Jessica Groach-Santina is a freelance writer with a background in media and promotions. She also teaches first-year writing courses at the University of Nevada, Reno.