Today, about 43 percent of college freshmen say they
expect to earn a master’s degree once they’ve finished college, and about 33 percent want to go on to earn a doctorate or a degree in medicine or law. If you’re a college student contemplating going to grad school, you may wonder whether to choose a traditional or online program. These days, there are so many reputable, accredited universities offering online master’s degrees in so many fields that, for many students, there’s really no reason not to go to grad school online.
But, choosing between a traditional or an online grad school program is a personal choice. Whether or not online grad school is right for you will depend upon several factors, including your finances, your ability to self-motivate, the flexibility of your schedule and even your geographical location. Let’s take a look at some of the things you should consider when deciding whether or not to go to grad school online.
Online Grad School Could Be Cheaper… Or Not
Grad school tuition isn’t getting any cheaper, and for some students, going to school online could cost more than attending a traditional program. If you’re looking at a specific school’s online master’s program, make sure you compare the cost of tuition with that of the traditional program. In some cases, online programs are more expensive than traditional programs, so you want to make sure you’re paying the same amount as on-campus students. Traditional programs may offer a range of scholarships and work-study options to defray the costs as well that you should research.
Of course, it’s not always true that online programs are more costly than traditional programs. Sometimes, tuition for online graduate degrees is cheaper than for traditional programs, especially when it comes to out-of-state tuition prices. But in many cases going to school online is the same price per-credit-hour as going to school in a classroom on campus.
That doesn’t mean you won’t save money, though. Most of the savings from going to school online won’t show up on your tuition bill. Instead, it’ll manifest in all the other things that you won’t have to pay for to attend school. There’ll be no costly move to another city or state, no coming up with a deposit for a new apartment, no commuting to campus every day, no buying gas and no paying for parking. It all adds up.
You’ll Be Able to Go Right Into the Work Force
If you plan on working full or part-time during grad school, juggling work and study is far easier with online programs, especially as many courses are asynchronous (lectures are recorded and can be watched anytime during the week). Because you can do your coursework as your schedule allows, you don’t have to show up to classes at specific times, and you can do your work from anywhere. If you’re torn between getting a job right away and finally earning some real paychecks or furthering your education, online grad school could be for you because it’ll let you do both.
Of course, if you do get a job, your employer might cover some or all of your tuition costs, making your graduate degree even more affordable. An online grad school is also a great option if you want to get some work experience before going back to school or even if you want to earn a graduate certificate that will help advance your career, especially at your current employer. For example, earning an autism certification online could be a relatively simple way to bolster your credentials as a teacher without derailing or delaying your teaching career.
You Can Work on Your Degree from Anywhere
As has already been mentioned, when you go to grad school online, you can do your coursework from any location, even thousands of miles away from the school in which you’re enrolled. This might mean you’ll have to travel to attend short residencies as part of the program or walk at graduation, but it can make attending a top-tier graduate school much more feasible for a student who can’t or doesn’t want to move.
You’ll Need a Lot of Self-Discipline
While going to school online has a lot of benefits, it’s not for everyone. Strong writing skills are essential as you’ll be communicating with classmates and professors in writing much of the time. You’ll need to be capable of motivating yourself to log in to course materials and complete assignments without regular class meetings or a professor breathing down your neck. You’ll also have to work harder to network with classmates, faculty, and alumni. If you’re a disciplined, hard worker, you shouldn’t have too much trouble, but make sure any program you enroll in has robust student support services that are available outside of traditional working hours.
In short, online grad school can be a great option for students who want to join the workforce as soon as possible or who want to benefit from the convenience of studying online. Think carefully before enrolling in an online grad school program, so you can make the most of your post-graduate study.
