On Campus Versus Online - the Masters of Education Experience

A "Different" Education

Receiving your master's in education online will be different than, but not inferior to, receiving a campus-based degree. While you won't have face-to-face interaction with your professors or classmates, access to them won't be barred by time of day or location. Many online instructors require that students participate in group projects, and students often find online group projects easier than classroom ones.

For one, emails and discussion boards allow for interaction whenever inspired, not under the constraints and anxieties of the classroom. Yet, regular participation in your online master's of education should be a key determination in your grade.

Online Classes--What to Expect

To be successful in an online class, you should anticipate the following requirements:

Supplying ongoing (at least weekly) contributions to an online class discussion board.
Maintaining regular email communication with your instructor.
Fulfilling all examination and paper obligations.
Providing thought-provoking responses to writing prompts while displaying competent grammar/writing skills.

Such requirements help to maintain the online degree's integrity.

Online Degree Credibility

Online degrees can carry the same weight as campus-based degrees, as long as the online institution is accredited. Up to 90% of traditional institutions provide distance learning degree programs, and many of these make no distinction between courses earned online and those earned on-campus. And credibility of online degrees is rising.

Employers increasingly provide tuition reimbursement to their employers who attend online classes. For teachers pursuing their master's in education, online degree programs offer the best of both worlds for both employer and employee: teachers gain more expertise and credentials through an advanced degree, while remaining in the classroom.

Online Master's Degree in Education Programs

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