Furthering Your Education and Career with an Online Master’s Degree

Furthering Your Education and Career with an Online Master’s Degree

According to a survey conducted by Sloan Consortium in 20101, there has been a spurt in demand for both face-to-face and online college degree programs. With the economy slowly showing signs of sustained, robust growth, investing in college education to secure a stable and well-paying career is perhaps not a choice any more—it has become a necessity.

More Education = Higher Earnings

Bureau of Labor Statistics findings also show that there is evidence that education is directly related to higher earnings and lower instances of unemployment. According to data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics2, those who had a master’s degree earned more than those who held a bachelor’s or lower degree in 2010. Similarly, the rate of unemployment among those who had completed graduate degree programs was much lower than those who had joined the workforce with undergraduate degrees.

What this data seems to suggest is that more education doesn’t only lead to higher earning potential, but can also make individuals more employable.

So if you want to increase your chances of securing the possibility of a stable and high-paying career, then now is the time to start thinking about online graduate degree programs.

But don’t be under the misconception that an online master’s degree is an instant recipe for success; there are a few do’s and don’ts when it comes to choosing online degree programs that could determine how far you get with them.

Choosing Online Degree Programs

The first and most important parameter for selecting an online master’s degree program is accreditation. If the school you earn your degree from does not have valid accreditation, then all your efforts will come to naught.

Second, make sure the education path you choose has positive job outlook for the next few years. If the current or projected job prospects don’t look impressive, you could very well be hitting a dead-end after completing your graduate degree program.

Third, graduate school can be expensive; it needs to be treated as an investment expected to yield good returns. To increase your chances of success, consider an online graduate degree program that yields higher starting salaries.

Some examples include:

1. Business Administration: It’s still perceived as one of the most prestigious graduate degrees, plus online MBA programs have become extremely popular among full-time professionals looking to increase their chances of rising up the ranks by enhancing their business knowledge and building leadership skills.

2. Healthcare Administration: According to Payscale.com, hospital administrators with a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration degree may earn up to $150,308 per year.3Now that’s serious food for thought for professionals in this field.

3. Nursing: Nurses are among the most sought-after healthcare practitioners in the country. By pursuing graduate degree programs, registered nurses can look forward to the possibility of rewarding careers as advance practice nurses, nurse educators, or nurse managers.

Sources:

1. http://sloanconsortium.org/publications/survey/survey05.asp

2. http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2006/fall/art03.pdf

3. http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Hospital_Administrator/Salary/by_Degree

Beng - About Author:
Independence University (IU) has been delivering career-focused distance learning programs for over 30 years. IU gives you the opportunity to advance your career 24/7, offering associate’s, bachelor’s, and graduate distance education programs in a variety of fields. Independence University is a branch of the Stevens-Henager College, Ogden/West Haven main campus.

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