Online degrees are a powerful and popular way for students to advance their knowledge and careers. In fact, in 2021, 26% of advanced degree seekers studied exclusively online. Graduate students, in particular, enjoy the flexibility, affordability, and wide range of online degree programs available.

Furthermore, online learning lets candidates work and manage their home lives while earning their master’s degrees and furthering their careers. Plus, employers now recognize and respect the value of online education just as much as traditional, in-person programs.

Read on to learn about a variety of valuable online master’s degrees, with a special emphasis on the ones offered at Goodwin University.

What is an online master’s degree?

Much like traditional master’s degrees, online master’s degrees allow students to build advanced knowledge in their field of interest. Through a master’s program online, students develop a specialized body of theoretical and applied knowledge, forge a deeper understanding of their area of study, and develop a range of skills that can help advance their careers.

Unlike traditional master’s degrees, however, an online master’s degree is a graduate degree that students can complete from the comfort of their own homes or anywhere with an internet connection. It adds incredible flexibility to the graduate student’s life, enabling them to balance their education with other priorities like a career or family at home.

With a master’s degree, graduates have more opportunities to qualify for advanced positions or promotions in their field or pursue further postgraduate education, such as a doctoral degree.

Online master’s degree programs teach course material through a series of online lectures, with forums for online discussions and assignments.

Students should also look for online graduate programs that offer:

• Collaboration tools: Discussion forums (Blackboard) and video conferencing software allow you to connect with classmates and professors.
• Course reference materials: Access a variety of resources, such as audio and video files, PDFs, presentations, syllabi, and readings.
• Exams and quizzes: Take exams, quizzes, and assignments online.
• Grades and progress reports: Track your progress and see your grades easily.
• Live or recorded lectures: Depending on the program, you may have access to live or pre-recorded lectures.
• Technical support services: Many online programs offer technical support to help you navigate the online learning environment.

What are the benefits of a master’s degree online?

There are many benefits to pursuing your master’s degree online.

At a high level, some industries require candidates to get their master’s education — and online learning makes this requirement more accessible. For others, an online master’s degree helps them reach the top positions in their field.

Online master’s degrees benefits include:

• Flexibility: Students can earn their master’s degree online and still work full-time. Online master’s degrees allow you to read, view lectures, take tests, and communicate with your instructor virtually, saving you extended time commuting or sitting in class. Students choose when to sign up, sign in, and study based on their needs and schedule.
• Higher salaries: Master’s degree holders earn a median weekly average of $1,574, whereas bachelor’s degree holders earn a median weekly average of $1,334. Additionally, online programs are often more affordable than traditional, on-campus graduate programs, making the ROI of a master’s degree even greater when earned digitally.
• Proper professional growth: Online master’s degrees are a great way to specialize in your chosen area of study and often lead to higher positions and titles. Additionally, in fields like education or nursing, candidates are required to have their master’s degrees to obtain advanced roles.
• Stand out: Employers want qualified, skilled, and educated employees, and a master’s degree proves you are an elite, hirable individual.

Four valuable online master’s degrees

There are many valuable online master’s degrees available to students at colleges and universities of all shapes and sizes.

Students will need to do their research to find a program that meets their needs, interests, and goals, however, as each institution offers different master’s degrees online.

1. Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Teacher Leadership

A Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Teacher Leadership degree is designed for creative and analytical advocates and educators.

Students develop the skills, techniques, and experience to provide access to learning by reducing and removing physical, cognitive, intellectual, and organizational barriers for their students.

At Goodwin University, this flexible, 30-credit program is offered entirely online and is therefore optimal for those who teach full-time or care for their families. Additionally, up to six credits can be granted to students entering the program from prior learning as part of the Alternative Route to Certification.

Goodwin graduates find fulfilling careers as educational administrators, school principals, university professors, curriculum specialists, corporate trainers, and more.

2. Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Nurses looking to advance their knowledge and continue moving up the ranks in the healthcare system can do so in as few as 20 months, part-time, with an online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree.

The online MSN program at Goodwin combines nursing and population health, broadening professional nurses’ knowledge, perspective, and capacity to serve larger populations and demographics in need.

It also prepares aspiring nurse leaders for management and supervisory roles, such as Nurse Administrator.

Goodwin University’s Master’s in Nursing online program covers topics such as Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, Leadership Practices, Research, Policy, Politics, and the organization of healthcare.

3. Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL)

A Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL) is best suited for individuals looking to achieve management and leadership roles – whether for a non-profit, government, manufacturing, education, or corporate company or organization.

Popular courses include:

• Data-Driven Decision Making for Executives
• Leading Organizational Change
• Negotiation and Conflict Response
• Performance management
• Sustainability of Innovation and Strategic Advantage

This fully online degree program can also be completed in as few as 20 months, part-time, making it easy to maintain a career while completing your graduate education.

4. Master’s in Public Health (MPH)

Online Master’s in Public Health (MPH) programs offer candidates the ability to grow their voice and impact in health care and carry out work that will improve the greater good.

Students in these programs can focus on a specific area that meets their personal and professional development goals. At Goodwin University, our Master’s in Public Health (MPH) students can specialize in community health, global health, or health policy and management.

Graduates of this fully online master’s degree go on to rewarding careers as:

• Biostatisticians
• Community health nurses
• Congressional staffers
• Environmental health officers
• Epidemiologists
• Public health officers
• Health promotion specialists
• Non-profit executive directors
• Public health traveling nurses
• Researchers

Earn your online master’s degree at Goodwin University

At Goodwin University, our career-focused and online master’s degree programs are designed to put your professional growth first.

Plus, they are meant to get you exercising your skills and get you working fast. In addition to gaining career-specific knowledge sets, and connecting with like-minded peers and faculty, pursuing these online master’s degrees gives you the chance to hone your time management skills, technical aptitude, and remote work skills that can carry through to your future career.

Contact us today for more information about our online master’s degree programs and see how we can help you carve a path toward a career you love (at a flexible and achievable pace).