Top Online Degrees for Marketable Careers
July 15, 2009
With the plethora of degrees and programs available through online distance education, the choices seem many and confusing! Researching the programs can be daunting! The questions that run through the students mind range from: Are these degree programs accredited? What does it take to be a successful online learner? Can I get a job with my online degree? What online degrees are marketable?
One growing trend is for people who had already started their degree program but have not completed it, online programs are a worthwhile mention. They offer flexibility for people who have full time jobs or families. For these students this is a great way to complete their degrees at their own pace. Another trend is for campus-based universities and colleges to offer online degree programs and courses to cater to students who can take some classes on campus and others online.
Studies and online surveys seem to suggest that while the trends in online degrees fluctuate each quarter and within different degree levels some areas of study remain very popular: These are: Business, Healthcare (Nursing, Psychology, Medical Billing and Coding); Education, Engineering and Computer Information Systems, and Criminal Justice.
More research and evidence also suggest that increasingly, more graduate students at both the masters and doctoral level are enrolling in online degree programs given their need for flexibility and continuity in their professional endeavors.
Business administration studies remain popular at both the masters and bachelors levels. The MBA (Masters in Business Administration) for instance is almost a requirement for most mid-level and upper-level management positions. What this means is that more and more students are seeking to complete their MBA online. It also means that more universities are observing this trend and responding to the need by offering online learning options. Areas of study that include project management, risk management, accounting, finance, human resource management and marketing are marketable areas of study for the students.
Certain areas in the health care profession have continued to grow, yet there is still a demand for certain professions. These areas are medical coding, medical billing, medical transcription, health administration and management and nursing. Nursing in particular continue to experience acute shortages, for example life care planning, legal nurse consulting, and forensic nursing. Much of the shortage has been a result of retirement of the aging baby boomer generation and medical technology advancement.
Another area that continues to have a need especially at the graduate level of study is teacher education. Special education, mathematics education, and science education for example fall under teacher education and do continue to experience a need for trained certified teachers. Other areas are educational administration, educational technology, and educational leadership.
We live in the information age and as you can imagine the field of technology is one that continues to develop and grow exponentially. Programs that continue to experience a need are information systems, computer technology, and software engineering. Employment in these areas is not industry specific as most industries incorporate technology in one way or another.
Criminal justice online degree programs are popular regardless of whether it is at the masters, bachelors, or associates degree level. The need for trained professional remains in many areas of practice including law enforcement, homeland security, forensics, investigation, paralegal and legal services, corrections, and law enforcement.
When deciding on your future career, several things need to be considered. One is the fact that while some degrees that are not every popular with students, there is an industry need in certain areas. These areas also tend to pay quite well. A second consideration is to ensure that the college you will to attend is accredited. This consideration is paramount; otherwise you will waste a lot of time and money. Finally, determine whether the financial elements and scheduling issues will work for you.
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