Online Graduate Schools
Do you already have an undergraduate college or university degree? If so, then you may be eager to expand your learning potential and future career opportunities by enrolling in a graduate degree program. But what if you simply don’t have the time to attend full-time graduate classes? Then an online graduate school might be just the option you have been waiting for! Here is all the information that you need to know when deciding about online graduate schools.
What is an Online Graduate School?
An online graduate school is an institution that offers graduate courses, certificates, and degrees to students, which are then completed over the internet. Unlike traditional brick and mortar colleges and universities, these online graduate schools do not require students to attend classes on a physical campus. Instead, students complete their class work and attend all lectures using their computer and an internet connection.
What Happens at an Online Graduate School?
As with other online schools, online graduate schools allow the vast majority of coursework to be completed over the computer. These distance learning schools have created specialized computer programs and internet websites that allow you to access all of your lecture materials, books, and readings online. If you decide to attend graduate school online, you will:
- access all of your textbooks and reading materials online
- participate in virtual lectures
- participate in online chats with fellow students regarding coursework and tests
- complete all tests and exams online
- communicate with your class instructor and program advisor online, during virtual office hours
What Types of Programs do Online Graduate Schools Offer?
As more and more people decide to head back to school for continuing education, the list of available online graduate programs continues to grow. There are a number of different graduate degrees that you can earn online, including:
- Master’s Degree
- Doctorate Degree
There are also many schools that offer graduate certificates and diplomas designed for those who wish to supplement a graduate degree that they have already earned.
Are Online Graduate Schools Popular?
As more and more men and women are choosing to return to school later on in life, the demand for online graduate schools in growing by leaps and bounds. There are literally thousands of online graduate schools located throughout the United States, and even more worldwide. Many online graduate degree programs are offered by existing online universities, who also offer undergraduate and certificate programs. However, as the popularity of online education grows, more and more traditional schools are also beginning to offer online degree programs, including graduate degrees. As of last year, more than four million American men and women were attending some type of graduate course or program online.
Why Attend an Online Graduate School?
There are many reasons that students choose to continue their education by attending an online graduate school:
Flexibility
Flexibility is the single greatest benefit offered by online graduate schools. As with other online courses and degree programs, students don’t have to travel to and from school. This leaves you with the flexibility you need to go to work, take care of your home, or look after family members. Many traditional graduate schools only offer full-time courses, which can greatly interfere with these other responsibilities. Online graduate schools focus on providing lots of part-time opportunities, allowing students wonderful flexibility.
Financial Benefits
The cost of attending university is continuously rising and the price of a year at graduate school is becoming increasingly out-of-site for most students. When you add course fees to the cost of living expenses, books, and materials, attendance at a traditional graduate school is often impossible for most students. By attending an online graduate school, students can actually save a lot of valuable money.
Because online schools don’t require you to live away from home, you can save on residence costs or boarding fees. And because all textbooks and materials are provided online, students can also save quite a bit of money by attending a graduate school online. The flexibility of online schooling is also an added benefit of distance learning. Many students choose to work part-time throughout the year, in order to pay off their school expenses.
Applying to an Online Graduate School
Applications for most online graduate schools are submitted over the internet. In order to be accepted, you will have to meet some minimum academic requirements. Depending upon the school and program you are interested in, these requirements may vary. For admission, most online graduate schools require:
- a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- a minimum 2.5 to 3.0 grade point average
- passing scores on the GRE or the GMAT
Some online graduate schools also conduct on online or telephone interview in order to determine if a student is a suitable candidate for a particular program. Be sure to contact the admissions board of your online graduate school for information regarding admissions and enrolment.
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