If you want to be an educational administrator, either in primary and secondary schools or in higher education, you need a Master of Education Administration. But traditional grad school isn’t for everyone; if you’ve already started your family or your career, or simply want to join the work force, you may want another option. These days, many teachers are turning to online Master of Education programs.
Some are hailing online learning as the future of higher education, and it’s easy to see why. Many reputable schools are now offering online Master of Education and Education Admin programs, and students in these classes are taught by the same professors and are held to the same high standards as students who attend class on campus. Earning your degree online saves you all the hassle of attending courses in person, and it can be cheaper, too. And it’s extremely common for professionals in the education field to earn a master’s degree online, so much so that most hiring staff don’t think twice about it.
Online Classes Fit Your Schedule
Getting an online master’s in education administration has plenty of advantages over getting the same degree in-person. These degrees are designed to benefit working adults who have other responsibilities, like kids, a spouse, a mortgage, and a full-time job, so courses typically have enough flexibility built in that you can complete your assignments on your own schedule.
With online learning, you don’t need to worry about making time to attend scheduled classes during the week, because lectures and other material are made available online for you to look at when your schedule allows. Whether you need to get up at 4:00 a.m. to go over course material and do your work before heading out to your full-time job, or can only get to it late at night after the kids are in bed, an online master’s program will work for your schedule.
You’ll Get the Same Education as You Would on Campus
The same professors that teach on campus teach online classes, and you’ll still get plenty of mentoring with faculty and plenty of time to participate in class discussions and network with other students. Online chats, email threads, and discussion forums can be even more valuable for getting to know your classmates than attending classes in person, since many people, especially shy or quiet students, are more forthcoming in these venues.
You may not see your professor in person, but he or she will be there to participate in online chats and class discussion boards. You’ll also have the opportunity to get individual attention from your professor through video chats, email, and other forms of communication. Through interacting with classmates and professors online, you’ll get the chance to hone your virtual communication skills.
Online Learning Saves You Money
Going to school online generally works out cheaper than going to a traditional program, and not just because tuition may cost less for some online MEd programs. For one thing, you’ll save the opportunity cost of leaving, or staying out, of the workforce for two years while you attend classes full-time in a brick-and-mortar program.
You’ll also save the costs of moving to a new city to be close to your school, taking an apartment close to campus, and all the costs associated with transportation to and from classes – like gas, parking, or bus fare.
Lots of Education Professionals Are Doing It
Online education once carried a stigma, but those days are just about over, especially in the education field. These days, lots of educational administrators, teachers, and others have earned their master’s degrees online. Online degrees are so common in the education field that most employers won’t even blink at yours, not least of all because hiring staff probably have online degrees of their own! In any case, they’ll understand that it’s your current licensure, knowledge, skills, and fitness for the position that really matter.
If you want a career as a primary or secondary school administrator, university registrar, or other university administrator, you’ll need the appropriate post-graduate degrees. Fortunately, these days it’s easy to go to grad school online, and so many teachers and administrators are doing it that you don’t need to worry about any lingering stigma. Just choose the program that works best for you, and get started on the road to success!
