Are Online Master's Degree Programs a Good Choice

Are Online Master's Degree Programs a Good Choice?

There was a time when a high school education was an acceptable norm. From there, the trend advanced to many professions requiring an associate or bachelor's degree; this was before a new hire got any realistic on-the-job-training under his belt. These days, education is a standard expectation--in some fields, earning a master's degree is a requirement. 

What is the Best Time to Get a Master's Degree?

While there is no bad time for self-improvement and educational advancement, many people seek employment right after earning their bachelor's. It's only later that they realize how advantageous a higher level of education can be. Many employers even partner with universities and may offer tuition matching or scholarship programs to help employees reach higher levels of education. 

The two biggest problems with this plan are logistics and time. Depending on the student's geographical area, there may not be an appropriate university campus located within a convenient commuting distance. As far as time goes, what happens if the student has started a family or has a work schedule that doesn't permit committing to class times that have been chiseled in stone? The ideal solution to either of these issues is enrolling in an online master's degree program.

Are Online Master’s Programs Respected?

Online education may have gotten a bad rap in the past, and perhaps with good reason. When distance learning was strictly via the US Postal Service, it didn't lend itself to very serious topics; subjects such as locksmithing and taxidermy come to mind. Before the Internet, the communication tools were too limited for reputable institutions to take the plunge.

Once that obstacle had been overcome, some bad actors entered the field but now finding a reputable educator that works for the student is easy when the following things are considered:

  • Verify that the learning institution and their online programs are accredited. This is important with any educational program and is the first thing that separates the wheat from the chaff.
  • Finances are a priority with any commodity; a high-quality education is no different. Is the price per credit hour reasonable? Are scholarships available? How about financial assistance? What about "buried" fees or costs?
  • How are classes structured? Are mandatory online lectures the norm or is there a degree of flexibility built-in? This can be a deal-breaker or a deal-maker depending on the student's work schedule.
  • Are the professor and other staff members readily available? Being able to ask questions or seek clarification always becomes more important in the absence of real face-time.
  • What about supplemental reference material? Does the university provide an online library or something comparable?
  • How long will it take to finish the program? For many students, time is of the essence and the opportunity to keep moving along is a huge plus. Accelerated master’s degree programs can be a smart choice for those already employed full-time.

Online Degree Programs Focus on Bread-and-Butter Majors

Obviously, virtual education works better with technical subjects rather than creative arts. The online master's degree programs at ECPI University are a good example of this. Our degree programs include:

  • Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Our College of Nursing offers concentrations in both Nursing Education and in Health Systems Leadership. This program is available either entirely online or half online and half in the classroom.
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA). The MBA has long held a reputation for being the workhorse of the post-undergraduate world. We offer concentrations in Information Technology Management, Business Management, and Healthcare Administration. All three are offered completely online.
  • Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS). The speed of technological innovation keeps accelerating - we make it a point to keep up. This master's degree is an excellent preparation for a future spent focusing on security administrator, mobile or desktop application developer, and cloud administrator, just to name a few.

ECPI University is a student-focused institution that is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The class sizes are small enough for attention on an individual basis and the online library is always available. Contact our admissions team today—it could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

Learn more about ECPI's Online Degree Programs

DISCLAIMER – ECPI University makes no claim, warranty or guarantee as to actual employability or earning potential to current, past or future students or graduates of any educational program we offer. The ECPI University website is published for informational purposes only. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information contained on the ECPI.edu domain; however, no warranty of accuracy is made. No contractual rights, either expressed or implied, are created by its content.

For more information about ECPI University or any of our programs click here: http://www.ecpi.edu/ or http://ow.ly/Ca1ya.