online master’s degree
If you are considering undertaking a master’s degree, you may feel put off or intimidated by the commitment of time, energy, and resources involved. Taking on a master’s degree in a traditional, in-person learning environment can mean years of dedicated work and juggling rigid class schedules with the demands of everyday life.
This is why so many people are now turning towards online education in order to pursue a postgraduate degree. The COVID-19 pandemic forced all education to transition to digital platforms and one of the unforeseen results was that millions of students realized that online learning is not much different from learning in-person, except it is much more convenient.
Keep reading to learn about the professional and personal benefits of pursuing postgraduate education online.
Personal benefits to online education
One of the most obvious benefits of an online postgraduate degree is the fact that it is very convenient. In a traditional school setting, students need to attend lectures, seminars, and labs at particular times and in certain locations. While this is great for students who have the flexibility and freedom to meet these demands, many other students struggle to follow such rigid schedules due to the demands of work and family.
Learning online gives students the opportunity to learn at their own speed and in their own time. This means that if you need to do a school run in the morning and work into the afternoon, and you can only make time to watch a lecture in the evening – you are not missing anything. In the past, postgraduate education has been off limits for people working hard to support themselves and their families but now with the rise of online education, master’s programs are more accessible than ever before.
Another oft-overlooked benefit to online education is the lower expenses involved. Many universities have facility fees, which online universities and programs do not. On top of that, online learners can avoid the costs associated with daily commutes, buying food on campus, and last-minute school supply purchases.
Professional benefits to online education
There are many professional benefits to online education but the biggest is likely to be the time management and organizational skills which distance learners develop. Learning online means that you do not have a rigid schedule to follow and professors continually reminding you about due dates. Instead, you need to learn how to manage your time, work to deadlines, and stay on track regardless of the distractions around you.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic led to many workplaces going fully remote, having experience with remote learning will likely help applicants. Employers want to see that an employee can manage their time effectively, that they do not need to be micromanaged, and that they are essentially able to get their work done when left to their own devices. Completing a postgraduate degree online demonstrates to employers that the individual has the organizational and time management skills – to say nothing of discipline – to work towards a goal alone.
Another professional benefit is that online learning helps students develop digital social skills. Anyone who has ever been on a Zoom call knows that they are not the same as meeting in person – that there is a different type of engagement, humor, and discussion which happens on Zoom compared to ‘real life’. Engaging with fellow students, administrators, and professors is a great way to develop these skills and learn how to connect with other people remotely. This is especially important as so many companies are now introducing remote and hybrid options for workers.
Finally, distance education is great for learning how to adjust to new technology. Most of us have no experience with educational technology, or ‘edutech’ and so figuring out these platforms for the first time is a new experience. Being able to try out new platforms, get comfortable, and troubleshoot issues is an important skill for professionals. Companies are constantly trialing new platforms and software applications and being able to dive right in without feeling intimidated is an important ability.
Upskilling and learning something new
If you have not considered taking an online course, you might think that all the online courses are related to project management or language skills. This could not be further from the truth. There are now thousands of different online programs for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and for professional certificates.
One example of a program that balances academic interests and professional development, is the Online Master’s of Computer Science offered by Worcester Polytechnic Institute. This program is a postgraduate degree in computer science which allows students to study exactly what they want through their degree specialization option. This means that students can design a course that will help them to upskill in exactly the way they want.
Is distance education right for you?
If you have never taken an online course, you might be wondering whether it is the best way for you to learn. It is worth taking the time to learn more about remote learning so that you can get the most out of your degree.
While there are many benefits to online learning, it does not work for everyone, and for some, the transition to digital learning platforms can be difficult. If you are not sure whether you would like online learning, why not try one of the many online courses that are offered for free online?
There are thousands of different courses taught by professors and professionals which can be accessed on platforms like YouTube and Coursera on nearly every topic you can think of. You can gain access to even more courses by paying small fees for courses or subscribing to an online learning platform.
Another step you should take is reaching out to the recruiters at the universities you are interested in, and asking them for any additional information they may have regarding online learning, student experiences, and the available support.
