For many people earning a master’s degree would be a daunting concept and it’s natural to wonder if a course can mesh with their current lifestyle or if it’s worth the investment. Approximately 10 million students are currently enrolled in at least a single online course. That number has grown consistently because virtual learning is flexible and the education can be undertaken around existing commitments.
There are many benefits to consider and some of the most popular courses are in the computer science, cybersecurity and nursing sectors. This is understandable; we live in a digitally connected world and we have an aging population to take care of in the coming decades. So, it’s important to know how online degrees work and the benefits of earning a degree to help you decide if they could be the right choice for you.
What Are Online Degrees?
For some people a brief primer on what an online degree is and how it can be useful to prepare them for an increasingly technically orientated and globalized working environment. Most adult students will need to overcome a significant challenge to continue learning after they graduate high school. There are responsibilities to consider, such as family, work and other commitments.
Gaining the skills needed to impress potential employers and kick start a new career isn’t an easy proposition. But, it’s well worth the effort for those that can rise to the challenge. Those with a master’s degree are likely to earn significantly more than a bachelor’s degree holder. There tend to be more job options and jobs that require a master’s degree are set to rise by around 17% over the coming decade. Gaining a master’s degree online is often the best compromise for students that want to learn and they earn and build skills for their futures.
Is an Online Degree Worth the Effort?
The short answer is yes. Approximately 10 million students in the U.S. are currently earning a degree online so it must have some validity. It is important to note that students are not going to get the exact experience that they would on a campus. But, the flexibility of virtual learning may be the right fit for you and it’s worthy of your consideration.
Those new to online learning are often surprised that the volume of work is the same as they would find in-person. The main difference is the flexibility, but the main requirement is that the work must meet the deadlines. The student can still communicate with instructors and their peers, but beyond that, you need to be self motivated to succeed. Every week, the instructor will expect you to review the learning objects, complete reading assignments, submit your assignments, follow the lecture materials and take part on discussion boards. The first three of these requirements will be familiar to those that have taken an in-person degree. The final two are more prevalent in online courses to ensure that the student remains connected to the course.
Virtual learning has become more popular since the Covid-19 pandemic forced many people to work at home. Although there have been concerns about the efficacy of online learning, it has an appeal for some students that prefer diverse learning methods. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution and some prospective students may not take well to this style of learning. There are four ideal characteristics that an online student will need in order to succeed.
- A willingness to adapt their learning style to a virtual education format.
- Self-discipline to plan and organize their schedule.
- A willingness to take part in online discussions.
- Familiarity with online environments.
Some students will thrive in an online learning environment and others may struggle. There are certain challengers to overcome, but the rewards are well worth the effort.
10 Virtual Learning Benefits
There are ten key benefits for those that adjust to a virtual learning environment.
Self-Paced Learning and Flexibility
Most working people won’t have the time to take off from work to complete a full-time degree program. There are some that live in more remote locations or that need to travel frequently for their jobs. Others will be trying to re-start their education after taking time off to raise children. For these potential students, a virtual learning program to earn a degree may be the solution. That said, the only way to take full advantage of this opportunity is to adapt to self-paced learning to meet deadlines.
Students must be more direct when they need more detail on a specific topic. In a classroom, they may be reluctant to ask a question or rely on another student to ask it for them. But, when you are taking a lesson on your own and you can pause it at any time, it’s a very different experience. But, this flexibility can work to your advantage too, you can do more research, organize your notes and repeat a lesson at any time to clarify a specific point. You can move through the coursework at your own speed as long as you meet those crucial deadlines.
Learn From Virtually Anywhere
Most people don’t have a well respected university in their home town or close enough to commute there on a daily basis. This is especially true if they have work and other commitments to meet. This is why students tend to enroll from all over the U.S. to attend a prestigious university. When you participate in an online degree course, there’s no need to relocate to a different city and uproot your entire life. You can log into your classes remotely from virtually anywhere with your instructors and classmates.
Lower Education Costs
A traditional education can be very expensive and the Return on Investment (ROI) can take a long time to recoup. When you consider the ancillary costs of travel, food, accommodation and more, expenses can spiral out of control quickly. An online degree program tends to cost less than a traditional course. You can also save money in other ways, you won’t need to commute, you can stay in your current accommodation and eat your usual meals. Even the books could be cheaper if you stick to a digital format.
Proven Self-Motivation
When a student has proven that they have the self-motivation and fortitude to earn their degree online, this has value. Any employer will understand that you can manage your time, set priorities, adapt to changing conditions and meet your goals. These are all qualities that an employer values and you’ve demonstrated that you’re committed to success. People that can self-motivate are far more likely to succeed in their chosen career and be an asset to their employer.
Learning to Communicate and Collaborate
When you choose to learn in a virtual environment, you will need to improve your communication skills and learn how to collaborate. Future leaders will need the leadership skills they learn when they start to work in this way. Making key decisions, prioritizing what needs to be discussed and engaging in best communication practices are all useful in a future career.
When you study online, you will learn how to collaborate with a variety of software and interact with your peers on discussion boards. As time passes you may start to notice that you’ve learned how to communicate efficiently. Your ideas can be pitched in a clear and concise manner and you can respond to differing perspectives. This is all excellent experience to work as a strong leader or team member.
Improving Your Time Management Skills
We’ve already touched on this briefly, but time management is so important that it deserves to be discussed here. In an asynchronous virtual learning environment, you won’t find set classroom times to follow. You are solely in charge of your schedule and you need to be proactive in your time management efforts to get everything done efficiently.
This will include planning, completing assignments on time, reaching out to faculty and creating your own schedule that works around your existing commitments. This can be challenging, but there are many resources to help you to prioritize, plan and find a system that meets all your requirements. If you can master time management, you will get more done and you can prove that you would be a valuable asset to a potential employer.
Enhanced Technical Skills
To take part in an online degree and succeed, you will develop strong technical skills that can help you in your future career. A key part of your coursework will involve interactions with digital learning material in the form of software and tools. You will learn how to troubleshoot a problem and overcome challenges.
By the end of your course, you will have a good grasp of how content management systems work and the tools needed for efficient collaboration with others. As we move forward an increasing number of companies are using virtual teams in a remote, hybrid and on-site capacity. Some team members may be working in other parts of the world in different time zones.
If you understand how to collaborate in these conditions to share files, work on a project and perform status updates, it can enhance your profile with a potential employer. Some of the most common tools you may become familiar with, include Dropbox, Zoom, Skype, Trello, Slack, Basecamp and many others. Most companies will use a combination of these various tools and if you’re comfortable learning how to adapt to new technologies quickly it can be a real advantage for your future career.
Critical Thinking Skills
Any good degree course will teach the student how to develop critical thinking skills. But, when you learn in a virtual environment you will be challenged to think in a different way. You will need to be self-motivated and self-paced to succeed and thinking critically will play a key role in your success.
Potential employers are always searching for employees that can use critical thinking skills to excel in their assigned role. If you can master this skill, you will stand out from the crowd and prove that you can be a valuable asset.
Gaining a Global Perspective
As an online student, it’s highly likely that you will be studying alongside people from all over the world. This offers some interesting networking opportunities for the future and it can help you to gain a global perspective. Most modern companies are looking for employees that can innovate and a lot can be learned from differing perspectives. Professionals from other cultures can be a source of creativity and inspiration that could be valuable for your career.
An Improved Learning Environment
This benefit is debatable, but for some people it is true that a virtual degree course is the best option for their future. If you’re the kind of person that finds themselves drifting off in a traditional class and you’re missing key information, you may be frustrated. This is not an issue in an online course when you can simply take a break and watch the part of the lecture that you missed again.
A significant portion of students have reported that they find it much easier to learn complex course material when they can work at their own pace. As an added bonus, many online courses provide study guides and supplemental reading materials that improve engagement and retention. The best online courses are accredited and certified for potential employers.
4 In-Demand Online Degree Programs
If you don’t have a clear idea about the direction of your future role here are four in-demand degrees that can be a route to a well paid career.
Cybersecurity
A degree in Cybersecurity represents a good ROI because this role is going to be in high demand over the coming decade. It’s estimated that around 3.4 million cybersecurity professionals will be needed to fill open positions. The average pay is $128,000 and certain salaries can be much higher than that. This is a fast growing industry that’s prepared to pay for talented professionals.
A 2023 Forbes article has predicted that cyber crime may rise to $10.5 trillion annually by 2025. There is an urgent requirement for qualified professionals with a cybersecurity master’s degree. Many programs are in their earliest stages of development and others have benefited from the input of seasoned cybersecurity professionals.
A good balance of theory, education and experience are highly desired by most employers in this industry. Although a master’s degree is not required for every job, it will be needed for those seeking job security, expanded career opportunities and a higher salary.
Nursing
Some healthcare degrees are reliant on in-person training, but this isn’t always the case and you may be surprised to know that you can earn a degree online. A prime example is the RN to BSN program that’s offered by many institutions. There are virtual learning programs that are completely online to teach registered nurses to obtain a bachelor’s degree.
To qualify for entry, the nurse must have undergone their training and licensure. Because they already have relevant work experience they may benefit from an online course. This is a great way to continue as a nurse and work towards a more advanced career in the healthcare industry. Some of the more popular BSN courses are healthcare policy, leadership training, pharmacology, research and more.
Computer Science
According to the ROI Report carried out by Payscale in 2024 a computer science major could provide a 20-year ROI when compared to other degrees. A Bankrate study in the same year revealed that students majoring in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects such as computer science have an employment rate under 1.9%. The earning potential is considerable and a computer science degree carries weight with potential employers.
The main reason why these degrees are so valuable is that they are versatile across a number of fields that are always in-demand. A computer science degree can provide a solid foundation for a career in cybersecurity, robotics, cloud computing, video game design, data science and artificial intelligence (AI).
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) have stated that the most common occupations for computer science graduates include computer programmer, management analyst, software developer, computer and information systems manager, computer user support specialist, computer systems analyst and information security analyst.
Business Administration
A bachelor’s degree in business administration could be the ideal qualification for those that have dreamed about running their own start up or building a career in an established corporation. This is a foundational asset, it can be an important milestone to succeed in business and it can be completed entirely online.
The focus of a solid business degree program should be entrepreneurship to help the student develop professional and tactical skills. These will be vital to stand out from the crowd in a competitive job market. A student will learn how to build a team, manage relationships with customers, conduct market research and develop marketing strategies. To qualify for most online business administration courses, the prospective student typically needs college-level English and math.