Many students interested in enrolling in a Master of Science in Education online program hold full-time jobs. They often wonder how they can manage coursework, their jobs and their personal commitments. An online MSEd. gives them the flexibility to do coursework on a schedule that complements their busy lives.
Most students working toward a master’s degree in education online complete the program in two years, according to U.S. News & World Report. The time frame depends on the program and the length of the courses. For example, Northwest Missouri State University offers three tracks in its online Master of Science in Education program. Students can complete the required 30 hours of coursework in as few as 12 months.
What Is the Difference Between an Online MSEd. Program and a Traditional Program?
Most accredited online MSEd. programs offer the same content and rigor as traditional on-campus programs. The key difference is in how students access the content. Students receive their content through online resources instead of commuting to a campus and attending class.
Online MSEd. programs supply the content using a mix of these resources:
- Community forums.
- Emai.
- Chatrooms.
- Videos.
The quality of the program at universities offering both online and traditional programs is often the same. In many cases, professors teach classes in both formats. Both programs lead to an MSEd., an asset that educational institutions value.
A typical on-campus course offered in the fall and spring semesters runs for 16 weeks. The length of an online session ranges between five and 16 weeks. For instance, Northwest’s calendar contains six sessions per year, each lasting seven weeks.
A new student who works full-time might want to start by taking one course. This allows the student to get a feel for how the workload meshes with current commitments.
What Are the Benefits of Earning an MSEd. Online?
As stated before, online programs do not require a commute. The time spent on commuting can be devoted to assignments. Students are not constrained by having to be on campus at a certain time every week. This is a boon for teachers who may need to attend evening meetings or events.
Online programs can be self-paced. Teachers can complete the program at a pace that works for them. For example, they could take one class at a time during the school year and two during the summer.
Master of Science in Education programs like those offered by Northwest Missouri State University build the curriculum around state requirements to ensure the students meet their state’s certification specifications. The programs may also include field experience to help students apply their new knowledge in their jobs and be ready to move into new roles after graduation.
Learn more about Northwest Missouri State University’s online Master of Science in Education programs.
Sources:
U.S. News & World Report: How Long It Takes to Earn an Online Master’s Degree
