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How to: Pursue an Online Advanced Degree

To get ahead in their careers, today’s professionals are pursuing online degrees at both the masters and doctorate level. Pursuing a degree online allows them to balance work, higher education and family more easily than ever before. If you would like to advance in your career or even switch to a different one, follow these steps to find the appropriate school for your situation:

1) Search online by your field.

For example, if you are in the public health field and want to see which schools offer online programs in your field, search “online public health degrees.” Make a list of the top 10 schools that pop up in the results.

2) Research each school fully.

Start by ensuring the school holds the proper accreditation. If you have any questions about what that may mean within your given industry, inquire with the human resources department at your current employer.

Next, explore the coursework offered. Using the above field and the University of Sciences as examples, you would find courses such as Public Health Management, Social and Behavioral Health, Scope and Methods in Public Health, Biostatistics and Epidemiology, plus field practice and cumulating experience opportunities, if the program were a right fit for your goals. In fact, cumulating experience credits are required for all graduates of a degree program of its kind, and the school’s website lets you know that within the curriculum description. Again, if you have questions about what courses to expect, talk with your supervisor or a mentor in your field.

Finally, look at the program’s faculty. Each school should list bios of its faculty members. Look at each and determine whether or not their backgrounds cumulatively will meet your needs. Faculty members should have extensive research credits, plus practical experience.

Using University of Sciences as an example again, the school lists extensive information about each of its members. The bio for its Master of Public Health program director, Glenn Beamer, PhD, reads:

“Dr. Glenn Beamer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Policy and Public Health and Director of the Master of Public Health program. Dr. Beamer’s research interests include health policy issues related to children and community health politics. He has written articles for numerous scholarly journals, including the ‘Journal of Health Politics, Policy, and Law;’ ‘Policy Studies Journal;’ ‘State Politics & Policy Quarterly;’ ‘Labor History;’ and the ‘Review of Policy Research.’ His first book, ‘Creative Politics: Taxes and Public Goods in a Federal System,’ was published by the University of Michigan Press. Prior to coming to University of the Sciences, Dr. Beamer was director of the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center at the University of Maine, served as assistant professor of public policy at Rutgers University and as an assistant professor in the Departments of Politics and Health Evaluation Sciences at the University of Virginia. He earned a BA from the College of William & Mary and a MA and PhD in political science from the University of Michigan.”

Expect equally impressive credentials for any online degree program catering to your field.

3) Make a short list and inquire about financial aid.

Choose your three favorite programs and determine whether or not they offer financial aid and that you qualify. You won’t want to get into your dream program only to find out you can’t afford it. Also inquire with your employer as to whether or not your company offers tuition reimbursement. Whether partial or full, it will help as you pursue your degree. Make sure you understand any conditions of the reimbursement fully before accepting it, though. Certain reimbursement programs require a commitment of three years post-graduation or repayment is required upon leaving the company.

4) Apply to your top three choices.

By applying to multiple programs, you have a better chance of starting your higher education pursuits ASAP. If you only apply to one and don’t get in, the timing might require you to wait another semester before starting at your second or third choice. Also, as a working adult, you know how easy it is to lose momentum for an idea when life and day-to-day work responsibilities increase. Get into an appropriate program and start matriculating as soon as you can.

I hope you found this information on how to pursue an online advanced degree helpful and inspiring. I wish you the best of luck to you as you pursue your higher education and your career goals.