Perhaps you are one of the many people who wish to give their careers a boost or immerse themselves in a subject they love by studying for a graduate degree, but you feel that your life circumstances are preventing you from doing so.
Maybe you can’t move locations to attend college due to family or work commitments.
Or perhaps you can’t afford to quit your job or reduce your hours to find the time to study.
In the past, this might have been an insurmountable issue; however, there are ways around it these days.
The clearest solution is to undertake your graduate studies through online or distance learning, enabling you to earn your degree from the comfort of your own home.
If this is an option that you are considering, here’s an overview to help you decide if it’s right for you.
An introduction to online education
Although the current COVID-19 pandemic has caused a surge of interest in online learning, it has actually been a growing industry for several years.
Approximately 75% of colleges in the US offer online courses, with the industry as a whole projected to be worth some $350 billion by 2025.
Digital education is used by everyone from college undergraduates to industry professionals, with courses aimed at both career advancement and personal interest.
From learning different languages to studying computer programming or completing an accounting degree online, the variety of subjects on offer is phenomenal.
The same can be said for the methodology.
Thanks to advances in technology, online learning can now be done from phones, tablets, or laptops, using a range of different software.
You might find yourself watching pre-recorded lectures or live ones, contributing to discussion boards and forums, or completing quizzes and other assessments.
Virtual learning environments are becoming more and more advanced, hosting a wide variety of course materials, enabling you to easily access your tutors’ feedback, and meticulously tracking your progress.
Don’t worry about not being able to visit an on-campus library – books, journals, and papers can also be accessed digitally nowadays.
What are the advantages of studying for a graduate degree online?
There are plenty of advantages to studying online, with the most obvious probably being flexibility.
You can study with an institution anywhere in the country – or even the world – from home, a coffee shop, your local library, or wherever suits you.
This opens up access to education in a fantastic way.
It’s also flexible in terms of time – and not just by providing the option for part-time attendance.
You can study at a time that suits you, on the days that suit you.
This makes it far easier to fit your studies around other commitments such as work, looking after children, or caring for elderly relatives.
The specifics of this will vary from course to course, but some offer you 100% control over your timetable.
So, whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, you can get your work done at the time that’s most convenient for you.
There’s also an added financial bonus to this flexibility – you can earn while you learn.
Many graduate students who study online choose to do so around their job, whether it’s full-time or part-time, helping you to pay your way through college.
This is especially good for getting a doctorate in education or an MBA, as you can put the knowledge and techniques you learn into practice in a real-world setting right away.
If you’re lucky, your employer might even fund your studies.
Digital learning is also a great way to improve your technology skills, as you’ll constantly be using a range of different software to complete your course.
This is sure to be of help in your future career, whatever subject you’re studying.
Finally, some online courses have lower tuition fees and less stringent entry requirements in comparison to in-person programs.
This is not always the case, though, so check with the institutions you’re interested in to find out more.
Are there any disadvantages?
There are definitely certain things to be aware of when it comes to studying for a graduate degree online.
Firstly, you need to be self-disciplined, as you will be in charge of organizing your own time and workload.
Both this and the style of learning itself might take some getting used to, as it will be quite different to what you’ve experienced previously on campus.
However, with practice, you’re sure to get used to the way things work.
You might even find that you prefer a greater level of independence.
One potential downside is that there are fewer choices when it comes to courses.
Not every on-campus program is available as an online course, so you might find your options more limited.
This will vary depending on the type of course and subject that you want to study, so do your research and see what’s available in your field.
You should also make sure that any institution you’re considering studying at is a reputable and accredited one.
In addition, studying online doesn’t offer as many opportunities for social interaction as learning in person does.
You will still be working, communicating and collaborating with your fellow students, but this will all be done digitally.
Naturally there won’t be a chance to go to the library, coffee shop or pub after lectures or join societies and attend events.
If this is important to you, then a traditional course might be preferable.
You may have to put in more effort to bond with your cohort and professors; however, these days, connecting online is becoming easier and easier, so it’s nothing to worry about.
Final thoughts
Enrolling for a graduate degree is a big commitment in terms of time and money, so it’s a good idea to get a taste for online learning before making your decision.
Try signing up to a short course in a relevant subject and seeing how you find it – these days, there are plenty available, many of which are completely free and require little to no coursework.
Then if you find the experience positive, you can start researching where you’d like to do your online graduate degree!