Online Masters Degrees

Online master's degrees are widely available and help working professionals increase their knowledge base and improve career options. Online masters degrees, like on-campus ones, usually require 1-2 years of full-time study. But many students, especially at online colleges, attend part time so they do not have to leave their current jobs. Part of graduate studies programs of colleges and universities, masters degrees typically involve demanding coursework and greater student participation.

Masters Degrees & Career Earnings

Earning a master's degree can benefit you intellectually and personally. But there are practical benefits, too. As the Bureau of Labor Statistics points out, those with masters degrees typically earn more money and suffer less unemployment than those with lower degrees. Consider these 2009 statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics concerning average weekly earnings and unemployment rate by degree-level:

• Associate's degree: $761/week, 6.8 percent unemployment
• Bachelor's degree: $1,025/week, 5.2 percent unemployment
• Master's degree: $1,257/week, 3.9 percent unemployment

Earning your master's degree communicates to your employer that you have advanced thinking skills and are serious about your career.