Distance Masters Degree
A Distance Masters Degree Is Within Your Reach
Obtaining a distance masters degree normally requires one to three years of postgraduate or graduate study. The two main types of masters degrees available in the U.S. are the Master’s of Arts and Master’s of Science.
People who have earned their master’s degree (some of them are a distance masters degree) earned an average of $1,102 per week, almost $200 more than those with bachelor’s degrees according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
A distance masters degree is a graduate, or post-baccalaureate, degree obtained by candidates who completes one to three years of concentrated study. A master’s level education can mean entering into a profession, the chance for promotion in a position you already have, or personal enrichment and achievement.
It’s a degree merely 3% of Americans ever attain, so the letters M.A. or M.S. on a business card or letterhead command respect.
Graduate education is different from undergraduate schooling in that the coursework is considerably more challenging–and more intriguing–and the students are more driven and goal-oriented. Those who do not have this self-discipline quickly fall by the wayside; those who remain can form connections and develop wisdom that lasts a lifetime.
Networking is structured into the master’s degree experience, as students form professional connections with peers, professors, and experts in their chosen field. In fact, the social benefits of master’s degree programs come as a pleasant surprise and welcome support to students who get their distance masters degree.
At the master’s level, graduate students take advanced courses, some write a thesis (a significant scholarly work based on independent research), and others have internships or practical work experience, depending on their field of study.
Distance Masters Degree
Though some distance master degree programs lead directly to a career, others do not. An M.A. in Family Counseling qualifies the holder to serve an internship leading to testing and a counseling position. An M.A. in History, by comparison, prepares its holder to go on to doctoral study and a university career, but the association between the degree and a career path is indirect. That History master’s won’t qualify its holder to teach, unless they have added teaching credentials and experience.
Some master’s degrees are deemed to be “terminal degrees”. This means no additional degree is expected or required to advance in that field. The Master of Fine Arts, is a terminal degree for painters, photographers, sculptors, and creative writers.
Many campus-based M.A. and M.S. degrees require three to four semesters (about 30 semester hours) of full-time study to finish. Some master’s degrees can require up to 60 semester hours, especially those such as the Masters of Social Work, which lay the ground work for their holders to intern in their profession when their program is completed.
Advantages To Distance Masters Degree
In technological fields of study, a distance master’s degree can be an asset. Degrees aimed at teaching with technology; corporate-training degrees; and MBAs with specializations in technology, e-commerce or international business, garner additional esteem when gained online.
You can shop around for the distance masters degree program that is best suited for you. Once in, you’ll be able to study at the times that are most convenient for you, but be advised that distance masters degree study is fast-paced.