Earning your Master’s in Education degree can help you advance your career in teaching and education services. If you’re wondering whether or not an online Master’s in Education degree program is the right choice for you, consider these five reasons to choose distance learning. 

1. Shorter Time

The average master’s degree program takes a couple years to complete, but when you study online, you have options that traditional students don’t. You can choose a program like Liberty University’s, which offers accelerated term options so students can work through their required courses faster. At Grand Canyon University, you can earn your online master’s degree in as little as 15 months.

2. Frequent Start Dates

You don’t have to wait to start earning your degree when you choose to study online. Several of the top (and most affordable) programs make it easy to begin your education right away. Benedictine University offers six terms per year, while St. Joseph’s University starts new online terms every month. If you’re a habitual procrastinator or if you have planned to back to school for a long time but never acted on those plans, choosing a school that offers numerous start dates can help you take initiative and finally begin earning your degree.

3. Plenty of Concentration Options

Do you want to study educational leadership and move into a high-level administration role? How about special education or English as a Second Language (ESL)? Online Master of Education programs offer a wealth of possible specialization and concentration options, including elementary education, secondary education, science education, mathematics education, instructional design and literacy. Whatever your academic interest, you’re likely to find an online program to match.

4. College Credit for Your Work Experience

Most college degree programs are credit-based. They calculate progress toward earning your degree based on the number of semester hours you spend in class. However, some online programs are turning to a cutting-edge new curriculum model. Competency-based programs gauge readiness to graduate based on achieving proficiency in relevant subject areas. They allow students who already have knowledge gained from their experience working in education to test out of classes if they display competency in the course material. The result is a more personalized program that saves students money and helps them graduate faster, the United States Department of Education reported.

5. A Great Value in Education

Not all online college degree programs are cheaper than traditional programs, but you might be surprised at the number of affordable distance learning options. Some highly-ranked online schools charge students just $400 to $500 per credit. In-state students at the University of Nebraska pay less than $300 a credit – and that works out to less than $1,000 per class.

Of course, online education isn’t for everyone. However, if you don’t mind learning independently without the consistent face-to-face contact of a traditional college course, choosing online learning can come with many advantages.

Also see:

Top 10 Affordable Online Master’s Degrees in Education