Thanks to rapidly advancing technology, more universities are making it possible to complete a master’s degree 100 percent online and knowing what the most popular online master’s degrees are can help you choose the right program.
Courses are typically asynchronous so that working adults can conveniently log in anytime based on their schedule. Online master’s programs will provide greater room for advancement without disrupting your full-time career.
The U.S. Census Bureau reports that master’s degree holders will benefit from a 30 percent salary increase yearly. For in-demand fields, online master’s education offers a solid ROI.
Below are four popular online master’s degrees that you may want to consider.
Master of Business Administration
Online MBA programs are granted through graduate business schools to give students in-depth management training for pursuing mid- to upper-level administrative jobs. The principles learned with an Online Master of Business Administration can easily be applied to virtually any industry.
Most programs will offer customized MBA concentrations, such as finance, marketing, supply chain management, entrepreneurship, international business, or energy.
Online MBAs can take anywhere from one to three years. MBA holders earn a median starting salary of $100,000.
Master’s in Psychology
Whether leading to a Master of Arts (M.A.) or Master of Science (M.S.), online master’s programs in psychology are popular.
Graduate students majoring in psychology are trained on empirical-based theories about the human mind and behavior. Since understanding people is always crucial, online psychology graduates work in various fields.
Online master’s in psychology programs may be generalist or offer concentrations like clinical, school, counseling, and forensic. Industrial/organizational psychology is currently listed in America’s 20 fastest-growing professions.
Master of Accountancy
Online Master of Accountancy (MAcc) programs are designed to help working accountants further their specialized knowledge in organizing and examining financial records. Completing this online master’s degree will fulfill the 150-hour requirement to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in just one or two years. Specializations could be offered in auditing, taxation, accounting information systems, or corporate accounting. According to Becker, master’s degree holders with CPA licensure have a $1 million dollar advantage over their peers.
Master’s in Education
Many states now mandate that initially certified teachers further their education to the master’s level. Online Master of Education (M.Ed.) programs introduce advanced pedagogical theories to prepare teachers for teacher leadership roles. Licensed educators can earn their online M.Ed. without missing a beat in their classroom. Online universities may offer specialties in special education, literacy, elementary education, educational technology, school administration, ESL instruction, and more. More than 164,000 master’s degrees are awarded in education annually.
Selecting your online master’s program should involve considering your interests, experience, job outlook, and potential return on investment. Make certain that your online university is approved a regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Along with these four most popular online master’s degrees, other widely offered online master’s programs include the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Master of Health Administration (MHA), Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Science in Finance (MSF), Master of Engineering (MEng), and Master of Computer Science (MCS).