Earning Your Masters Degree Online Is Easier Then Ever
Rising numbers of students have reportedly set out to advance their credentials in a shrunken and increasingly competitive job market, contributing to an increase in master’s degree enrollments, according to Inside Higher Education. And new and expanded master’s university degree programs were being established to accommodate them, the publication last year reported.
Earning a master’s degree could put you in solid company, since rising numbers of adults since the 1990′s have reportedly been obtaining them. In 2006-2007, more than 600,000 master’s degrees were awarded, up 44 percent over those awarded in 1996-1997, National Center for Education Statistics show. The majority of those who received master’s degrees in 2006-2007 were women, and the number of minority graduate students is said to be increasing.
Online degree programs might make it easier for students pursuing master’s degrees to schedule their studies. Online degree programs overall are reportedly growing fast, and students can study for a master’s online between work and family responsibilities and from wherever they have Internet access. Students might also find accelerated online master’s degree programs where they can accomplish their goals in less time than they otherwise would. Earning a bachelors associates degree can also be easier with the help of tuition assistance.
There might especially be incentives for students pursuing online master’s degrees in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) subjects. As a January 2009 article in an educational magazine known as Converge tells it, the Obama administration as well as business groups and state governments have been working to enhance STEM study incentives and programs.
Debra W. Stewart, Council for Graduate Studies President, has been quoted as saying that master’s degree programs train highly skilled science professionals who significantly contribute to the country’s economic competitiveness. STEM careers exist in fields such as nanotechnology, wind and solar energy and space exploration.
Students pursuing online master’s degrees in the STEM subjects have a great variety of programs from which to choose. Professional science, environmental engineering, cybersecurity and bioethics are a few of the online master’s degree programs currently available. And industries in the STEM subject areas are looking for qualified applicants, the Converge article reported.
So far, at least, a low percentage of American college students have been majoring in STEM studies as compared with students in other countries, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. And a National Center for Education Statistics report seems to back this information up. Master’s degree recipients in the United States in 2006-2007 apparently majored most often in education, business and health science degrees, the Center for Education Statistics report suggests. The fewest master’s degrees that year were awarded in mathematics and statistics-and while master’s degrees in security and protective services enjoyed the largest percent increase between 1996-1997 and 2006-2007, master’s degrees in physical sciences and science technologies saw the smallest percent increase, the Center for Education Statistics report shows.
Tuition costs for students interested in pursuing online master’s degrees can be offset by scholarships and fellowships that colleges, universities, organizations and non-profit foundations provide. Students can find fellowships available in the areas of teaching, the humanities, theology, western civilization and more. Some scholarships and fellowships are intended specifically for women and minorities. Students pursuing distance learning masters degree in the STEM subjects might look toward groups such as NASA, the National Science Foundation, the Environmental Protection Agency, the American Society for Microbiology and the U.S. Departments of Energy, Defense and Homeland Security for master’s level fellowships.
Grants, scholarships and fellowships are all aids that help the student in the pursuit of their online diploma. With the encouragement being offered for students to enter STEM fields, starting with a bachelor masters degree and working your way up might be one of the most productive courses.