Top 7 Factors When Choosing an Online Graduate Program

No matter how long it’s been since you finished your bachelor’s degree, pursuing a graduate program is a big decision. How do you pick the right degree for your rising career as well as your budget, schedule and experience you need as a graduate student?   

The University of Nebraska at Kearney eCampus offers some insight about what you should consider as you shop for online graduate programs and make a decision.

3. Delivery Format – Is the program offered fully online, on campus or a combination of both (blended)? If you live close enough to commute to campus or your schedule allows you to take daytime courses on campus, then an on-campus or blended program may be feasible. If you need a more flexible, asynchronous program (with set course start/end dates and assignment deadlines, but you choose when you study and work on coursework), then you can benefit from fully online graduate programs.

4. Prerequisites and Qualifications – Before you apply to a program, be sure you qualify to be accepted. If you do not have the prerequisite degree or certification to start a program, check if the institution provides educational options as a pathway to complete those prerequisites as quickly as possible. For example, UNK’s online Post-Baccalaureate Transitional Certification Program helps people enter the teaching profession as well as seamlessly continue into an education-based master’s program. 

5. Credit Hour Requirements – It’s typically easy to identify the amount of credit hours in an online graduate program to calculate how many courses you need (and therefore what it will cost—see next point). But some online graduate programs, such as endorsements, require courses that can also be applied to a master’s degree if you choose to continue further. Be sure to look at all online programs offered by an institution to see if any can be paired up, and ask university staff all your questions.

6. Cost Per Credit Hour – Online programs can have a different tuition rate than on-campus programs. Find the cost per credit hour as well as the technology and other fees listed, and then calculate an estimate of what your degree will cost. Some institutions, such as UNK, offer payment plans to split the cost of tuition into monthly installments throughout each semester.

7. Thesis or Non-Thesis – While some online programs are coursework-only (non-thesis) or require a thesis, others may give you the option to complete a thesis project. Program faculty and coordinators can help you decide which option to take based on what you’d like to do with your degree or research. If you’re not sure whether a program requires a thesis, contact the university to ask your questions.

8. Support Services and Resources – As an online student, you still need university services and resources that you can access no matter where you live. Take a look at the online student support options at the institution that offers your graduate program. At UNK, online student resources connect you with tutorials, technology support and other information to help you academically, professionally and personally while in your online program.

9. What Graduates Are Saying – Sometimes the most powerful deciding factor about an online graduate program is what other students are saying about it, either through word-of-mouth or through video or feature story testimonials. What did those students experience from the coursework, faculty and the university in general? How did the degree help their skills and career? What was the most challenging and rewarding aspect of their experience? View this story about Lina Cordia, whose experience in the online M.A. in History program helped her give a voice to her community.

As you continue researching online graduate program options, think about the program information you learn as well as the feeling you get about whether something will be the right fit. Most importantly, if there’s anything you need to know, be sure to reach out and ask, even if you have lots of questions. At UNK eCampus, you can request information about any online program or contact us for assistance at ecampus@unk.edu or 1.800.865.6388.

Congratulations to UNK’s graduating Class of 2019, and we hope to see you continue your studies on campus or online as a graduate student!