The Best Ways to Start Your Search for Online Graduate Program

In today’s challenging economic climate, job applicants are searching for ways to stay ahead of the competition; for many, this means looking for a masters programs online. Graduates of Master’s  degree programs not only have an advantage in the job search, they can also expect to earn significantly more than professionals with less education. A recent U.S. Census report states that master’s programs can add up to $400,000 over a lifetime. Yet for many individuals, work and family obligations can make it difficult to go back to school. In particular, traditional programs may disallow individuals from continuing their studies. Online Master’s degree programs provide an excellent alternative.

Choosing the right degree-granting institution can be a daunting task and evaluating online programs presents its own unique set of challenges. The course content and the quality of teaching is extremely variable among different institutions. Even more important than assessing the quality of a program is avoiding those online schools that fall under the category of diploma mills, fraudulent institutions that award degrees to students who complete little-to-no work.

Before initiating the search for a Master’s degree program to suit your needs, it’s extremely helpful to clarify goals, strengths and weaknesses in regard to obtaining a degree. After thinking through the process and setting expectations, you will be better equipped to investigate particular programs, eliminating those that do not provide what you want.  In an article for The New York Times, online learning expert John Bear says that his first advice for prospective Master’s degree students “is that you have to be as comfortable as you can that the degree will meet your needs.”

While this may seem obvious, many individuals enter a Master’s program without a post-graduation plan. Mr. Bear refers to the CSI phenomenon as an example, explaining that many prospective applicants decide to pursue a Master’s degree and simply choose something that sounds interesting without regard to their career goals and post-graduation plans. The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook is an excellent resource for statistics-based information on different careers. It can help individuals to define job goals, based on both financial and personal needs.

Having gained a clearer understanding of your goals and preferences, you can move on to evaluating programs that match these goals. One of the primary indicators of quality educational programming is accreditation. Various regional and national accrediting agencies offer accreditation to educational programs that meet specific guidelines for quality. Any legitimate online school will provide this information. The U.S. Department of Education maintains a database of accredited schools and additional information on each accrediting agency’s requirements.

Regardless of accreditation, educational programs are only as good as the quality of instruction. Online colleges generally provide faculty profiles, which can give you an idea as to their areas of concentration and teaching experience. Online student forums and professors’ ratings websites can give prospective students additional insight into specific programs.

Master’s degree programs, whether delivered online or in a traditional campus-based format, are challenging and require a significant commitment of time and money. The payoff comes in terms of increased earning power and knowledge that makes Master’s degree holders stand out from other job applicants. Therefore, the amount of time spent on choosing the right online program is a wise investment in the future.