As I drove to work a couple of mornings ago, the radio station I listen to daily was discussing with a listener about online degree programs. As I listened to their conversation (the mother was discussing how her daughter wanted to leave college because there was too much partying and she was considering an online degree), I couldn’t believe what the words that came out of the DJ’s mouth. The DJ uttered the words, “Online degree programs are a joke and a waste of money.”
I’m a longtime listener of this particular station, and I immediately turned it off. It takes quite a bit to offend me. But this hit a nerve. Why? Because I chose an online graduate program for my Master’s Degree. And for me, it was the best decision I had ever made.
As a freshman in college, I knew I wanted to go to graduate school. Not because I needed too. But because I wanted too. I planned to finish my undergraduate degree, take a year off and start my journalism career, and then begin a Master’s program in the field of Journalism.
Fast forward to 2009.
After learning that print journalism may not be the best career choice, or one that would be around for much longer, it was time to look at my options. What could I do for a career that could incorporate my love for writing and creativity, into a job that would be useful? I landed on Marketing. A major that would open me to up to numerous career choices, companies and industries. I knew I couldn’t afford to attend a school in Boston, or closer to the city, even though it was my dream to go to Emerson. I also knew commuting all the time for classes wasn’t going to feasible and I would be pretty likely to call my program quits if that was my only option. I needed to work AND focus on school. As I searched, I discovered Southern New Hampshire University. They were close enough that I could get to campus if I needed too, but my classes would be solely online. Exactly what I was looking for.
Why did I choose to go with an online graduate school when I was only 40 minutes outside of Boston? Here’s why.
Convenience
I didn’t want to live by a schedule, other than my work schedule. I didn’t want to have to commute. I didn’t want the hassle of a classroom setting again. I wanted to be able to get up in the morning, log in to my courses, and begin my work for the week, from the comfort of my home. Or be able to do some of my discussions during my lunch break.
Cost
Graduate school is expensive. And since I was paying for it on my own, I didn’t want to go someplace where I wouldn’t be able to pay my loans back. I wanted a good ROI. Southern New Hampshire University fit that bill (no pun intended).
Real-Life Experience
As many of you know, a lot of your undergraduate coursework is a lot of classes you just don’t care about with information that you’re just not ever going to worry about again. At least until you get deep into your major’s classes.
I wanted a graduate school experience where I was in charge of my own learning. I wanted a school where my classes weren’t just about teaching the material, but rather applying it to real situations. Much of my coursework involved creating Marketing Plans for Mock Companies, Social Media Platforms, Contracts and so forth. I even had the opportunity to create my own company and all of the marketing that would be involved, as well as my own sports team.
These exercises not only prepared me for a future career, my assisted me with my own goals of a creating and running a business. And much of it I got to use, while I was taking my classes, at my real-life careers. Not internships. CAREERS. Yep, I was creating marketing plans before I even had my Master’s degree completed.
Discipline
Going to school online taught me a lot about time management and discipline, even more so than my undergrad. It prepared me for ‘adulthood’ and managing a work/life balance. I had to make time for my classes, and make sure I was checking in throughout the week. No one was going to make me do it. No one was going to check in with me. It was all on my shoulders. If I didn’t do it, the only one who would suffer would be me.
Learning On My Terms
You’re probably reading this thinking “Yeah, well you can get that even at a school with in person classes.” Yep. You can. The difference? Each class is different and they run three days a week (depending on the school and major of course). My classes began on Sundays and ran through Saturdays. Each week was a new module, or theme, and we had readings and assignments for the whole week. Discussions? Oh, we had them. And boy could they be intense. How you ask? Discussion boards.
“But that’s not very personal. You don’t get a feel for your classroom and your classmates.”
Sure you do. Each of my professors had their own teaching style, even online, and you learned your classmates nuances. Even over the computer. Believe it or not, I still keep in touch with friends from my courses, who for the record, were all over the country and world.
If I wasn’t going to be around for the weekend, I made sure to get all of my work done with plenty of time. My posts in the forums happened at the beginning of the week instead of spread throughout the week. If I didn’t feel like studying on a particular day, I didn’t have too. Purely because I didn’t have to be at class the next day.
I was responsible for every bit of knowledge I acquired. If I didn’t do the readings, or the discussions, I wasn’t going to succeed. Just like if you were to go to class. You go to class, listen to the lectures, take notes, do the readings and assignments, and then go back to class. My difference was my classroom, was at home in my bedroom, or on my screened in porch, or on the beach. I could learn from anywhere.
In fact, here is a video I had to create for one of my online classes my final year of graduate school. I was asked to use it as a tool to recruit other potential online students as well.
Still not convinced about online programs? That’s fine. This post wasn’t meant to convince you. It was simply to show you why it was the best option for me. And for all those online-program haters out there? It’s not a joke. I have a Master’s Degree in Marketing with a Social Media Marketing Graduate Certificate. I have a fantastic career where I utilize my knowledge daily.
And Southern New Hampshire University?
Yep, they’re getting coverage all over the country now for their cutting edge and affordable online programs. The amount of people I’ve met in recent years who have told me they did their program online at SNHU is amazing.
Do I wish I had been able to go to a large school in Boston for my Masters? Of course. And I easily could have.
Do I regret choosing an online program? Absolutely not. At the time, it was what was best for me. And I am now a huge supporter and encourager of online programs.
So I ask you: Have you ever taken courses online? Have you considered furthering your education online? If you already have, what was your experience like?
