The Role Of Online Degrees In Empowering Professionals
Since 2020, online degrees have rocketed into the public lexicon. Far from being a flash-in-the-pan moment born out of pandemic-induced necessity, remote learning is now a viable and often preferred alternative to brick-and-mortar learning. When it comes to leadership credentialing in particular, it is a helpful way for established professionals to learn new skills and develop their resume while holding down other responsibilities. In this article, we take a look at the role of online degrees, where you can get them, and in what ways they are best suited for working professionals.
Overview: What We Have In Mind
To begin with, it’s important to understand who the ideal audience is for this particular learning format. While online degrees can be a viable option regardless of what stage you’re at in your education, the context of finding leadership work is a little more specific. Most leadership roles can be attained only on the other side of, if not a graduate degree, then at least a leadership management-specific certification. For that reason, the person most likely to take advantage of these programs probably already has an undergraduate degree. There is a reasonably high chance that they are also already working in their chosen profession.
Many people who are several years into their careers might be considering an advanced credential because they realized that they have hit a ceiling at work—they can’t go higher without an additional degree. Often, these people will already have a partner or even children at home, which further complicates their ability to consider continuing their education.
Obviously, people in this position have been going back to school long before the online format widely proliferated. Nevertheless, it’s very hard to find the time. In the next few sections, we will look at how the role of online degrees is to negate so many of the challenges that are typically experienced by people who are looking for a graduate degree or advanced professional credential.
The Role Of Online Degrees In Opening Up The World
One of the biggest issues is that you are geographically limited in terms of your options. When you’re 18 years old and going off to school for the first time, that’s not as big of a barrier. You’re more willing to move to the university and give it a try. But if you’re 28 years old, engaged, and already working, that’s less of an option.
Online learning allows you to choose from more than just the universities within driving distance of your house. With a remote education, you can choose from programs all over the country or even all over the world. Not only will this let you be more discerning in terms of, say, what educators you’re willing to work with or what kind of course loads you’re interested in taking, but it could be a vital asset in finding niche or obscure programs. For example, not every school is going to have a doctoral program in educational leadership. If you’re limited only to schools that you can drive to, you might have a very hard time finding something that works. This is not an issue for online programs.
Online Programs Come In A Wide Variety Of Formats
Online programs also give you more options in how you learn. Some curricula will, in nearly every way, replicate the experience of a physical learning environment. You won’t meet in the same room as your peers, but you will attend live lectures, answer questions in real time, conduct group projects, and get to know your professors and classmates in a dynamic learning environment. This is an excellent option for lots of people, and in fact, maybe your ideal learning style.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for something more flexible, there are suitable alternatives often commonly found in online programs. Some remote learning curricula will consist of prerecorded lectures and flexible timetables that allow you to complete work when it’s convenient for you. If you want to wait until your kids go to bed before you watch your lecture, you can do that in these classes. The ability to choose from a wider range of learning options is very helpful for people who are balancing multiple responsibilities.
Online Learning Options Are Comprehensive
It’s also worth pointing out that online learning programs are much more comprehensive than they used to be. You can now get education degrees, nursing certifications, and even law degrees online. With all of the options available, the vast majority of students will be able to find something appropriate to their needs.
Cost Considerations
It’s also worth noting that online learning can be a cheaper alternative to brick-and-mortar options. It’s hard to make broad statements about the affordability of any college program because they will vary significantly based on tuition fees specific to the universities and also lots of subject considerations, including grant and scholarship eligibility.
All of that said, it’s generally true that online-only programs are more affordable than brick-and-mortar options or online offerings provided by universities with an in-person component. This is largely a consequence of the fact that virtual universities have less overhead than other options.
That said, when determining the cost of learning, it’s really important to explore all of your options. Give the process a few months. While that may feel like an excessive amount of time, it can literally amount to tens of thousands of dollars in savings.
Is Online Learning Right For Everyone?
No, it’s definitely not. Some people will learn better in the more structured environment of a traditional college. If that’s you, it’s okay. Here’s a good litmus test you can use to determine what style of learning will work best for you: under what circumstances am I most likely to complete my degree? Everything else is secondary.
If you are a busy professional, you most likely stand to benefit quite a bit from the flexibility of a remote education. However, if you’re ultimately more successful learning in person, that’s a subjective consideration that bears a lot of weight. The key is getting the degree. How you do it doesn’t really matter. Figure out what option works best for you and go for it.
