More than 15% of college students studied for their degrees exclusively online. It’s a popular method of learning and advances in technology are set to increase in popularity.
There are so many benefits to studying for a master’s online. But lots of people aren’t sure about the benefits of online master’s in education programs.
If you’re keen to learn more about the course and how it works, we’re here to help. We’ve put together this guide to explain the details of the course and allow you to make an informed decision.
What to Expect
A master’s in education will help you take your career as an educator to the next level. It will also equip you with the tools you need to provide top-quality education in a variety of settings and circumstances.
With that in mind, you’ll learn high-level skills relating to teaching itself, as well as the management and improvement of educational settings. This could include linguistics, planning, and leadership.
There’s also a strong focus on the soft skills you’ll need to excel as a top-quality educator. Expect to learn more about the important role of communication in the educational sector.
Preparing for the Program
Preparation is important when embarking on something as important as a master’s degree. Before taking the plunge, you’ll need to ensure you meet the course requirements. Ensure you have the available funds, and the time required to put into earning a master’s.
Take your time. It’s better to think things over carefully than rush into a decision you might regret later.
Program Accessibility
One of the main advantages of learning online is its increased accessibility. When you can study from the comfort of your own home, it takes away many of the accessibility issues. Disabled people, parents, and others with time or mobility constraints enjoy much better access to higher education.
Online learning options allow students to be more flexible with their time. A traditional master’s degree requires students to attend scheduled lectures and other events in person. Much of an online degree’s content allows more flexibility, since lectures are recorded, and can normally be accessed flexibly.
However, there are likely to be some in-person events on occasion. It’s a good idea to choose a school that’s accessible to you for those occasional in-person events.
Program Structure
The exact structure of an online master’s degree can vary heavily based on your chosen specialization, the college you’re attending, and the length of time you want to take to complete the degree.
The average program is likely to be split between lectures, exams, and coursework.
Specializations
If you’re studying for a master’s degree in education, it seems you already have a pretty good idea of your future career goals, and your academic interests. But there are lots of different specialties available which can help you carve out a niche from yourself and bulk out your resume.
Below, we’ve listed a few common specialties. But there are so many different types available and many colleges are dedicated to offering specific kinds.
STEM
STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) is one of the most important areas of education. Schools are always short of STEM teachers, and specializing in this subject will give you a major advantage over the competition.
Schools and colleges are increasingly focusing on STEM education, since it’s a key performance indicator and can help them improve their stats in a range of key areas.
Technology and Innovation
The use of technology is increasing everywhere, and many educational institutions are looking for staff with a robust knowledge of the latest technology.
Specializing in technology and innovation allows you to gain a better understanding of educational technology and understand the best ways to bring it into your classroom.
This is an ideal specialization for those looking to stand out from the crowd and position themselves well for future changes.
School Leadership
Looking for a career as a principal or as a department head? The school leadership specialization could be the right one for you.
This will equip you with everything you need to be a leader in your field. You’ll learn about forming productive relationships with staff, students, and parents, as well as the latest developments in data-driven decision-making and instructional leadership.
Inclusive Learning
An inclusive learning specialization helps those looking to make a career in special education.
If you choose to focus on inclusive learning, you’ll learn how to provide the most inclusive learning environment, along with techniques for helping students with various additional needs.
This is a useful specialization for all kinds of educators since students with extra needs are often present in conventional schools and colleges. Many public schools require a teacher with training or qualifications in inclusive learning. That makes it ideal for accessing more employment opportunities.
Graduation Requirements
Graduation requirements vary strongly depending on the degree program you’ve enrolled in. Generally, you’ll need to complete several coursework assignments and attend a specific number of classes.
It’s important to understand the requirements of your degree before you enroll in the course. If they aren’t suitable for your needs, it may be a good idea to wait a while before jumping in.
If you struggle to meet the requirements and have to delay graduation, not only will you be in danger of failing the course or falling behind in your studies, you could be out of pocket when spending money on extra tuition and retaking classes.
Enrollment Options
There are lots of different enrollment options for students. It’s important to think carefully about your needs before you proceed. While it may be tempting to try to lock down your master’s as quickly as possible, jumping the gun and flunking the course won’t help you.
A standard full-time degree should see you awarded your qualification after around one and a half to two years. Part-time, it will take around three to four years.
If you’re looking to get your qualification extra quick, you can even take an accelerated course. This should allow you to secure a degree in around six months. Be warned, accelerated programs can be punishing and you should think carefully before enrolling.
Instruction Methods
There are lots of different instruction methods which can be used in an online master’s program. Classes will often be delivered online. Students will have the choice of either following along live and asking questions as they go, or watching the recording later in their own time.
A good online education course should also allow its students access to faculty. To progress, you’ll need the help of expert academics. So, you’ll likely get the chance to communicate regularly with your professor by video call.
Education degrees require plenty of collaboration and communication. So expect to take part in various group sessions with your fellow students. These may be conducted over Zoom, Teams, or some other software, with the supervision of a professor.
State Authorizations
Doing research into an online graduate school’s credentials is important when choosing to study for a degree. But it becomes extra important when you’re studying online. There are plenty of diploma mills out there, keen to take your money and give you an essentially worthless qualification in exchange.
Luckily, there are plenty of different ways to establish if an institution offers a legitimate degree. NC-SARA is one of the key authorizations you should look for when choosing an online course. This is a form of accreditation that demonstrates an online school meets certain standards.
Institutions in 49 states, as well as the District of Colombia and several overseas territories, participate in the program. The NC-SARA website can tell you if a particular university is a member of the program or not.
Cost
Advanced degrees might not cost as much as you think. While it’s certainly a fair expense, you can find courses for $10,000 or less. Most colleges will offer you the opportunity to spread the cost out, making it even more affordable.
Please note, depending on where you choose to study you might need to pay an out-of-state student surcharge. This can considerably up the cost, so try to find a university that doesn’t charge this fee or find a suitable place to study in your home state.
Check with your employer if they have any initiatives for subsidizing education. Many schools will help their teachers pay the cost of a master’s degree.
Choose From Online Master’s in Education Programs to Suit Your Needs
There are so many different options for online master’s in education programs. The excellent variety means there’s something to suit everyone, but the more research you do in advance, the better decision you’ll make.
Want more information? Check out our website today for more details on master’s degrees.