When thinking about a master degree online you should simultaneously be thinking about the residency requirements of the program. You would be interested to know that despite their name, most online degrees are not just internet-based. Some time is needed to be spent in the lab or classroom.
You might be wondering why you should even consider these types of online programs. These programs actually appeal for many reasons. Obviously where there is physical interaction between students of a master degree online, there is better scope for networking.
Face-to-face interaction is of course the best method for networking. This is the distinct benefit of programs that allow for this. Students also benefit academically from this.
After all, when your peers and professors are within reach, it is easier to ask queries relating to your subjects. This can speed up the exchange of knowledge, among other things. Because there is less urgency online, the response time is a little slower.
Residencies just seem to be a perfect fit for some courses. The emphasis on experience and practice is a reason for this. There is great focus on practical experience in some programs and so the programs that offer online students a fair amount of lab opportunities would be ideal.
Knowledge sometimes is the prevailing factor; and where this is the case then physical class time is not a priority. Online delivery of all information is entirely possible for some programs. Residencies are not important in these instances.
Should you see the benefits of a residency, you need to consider just how much time you can commit to it. There are varying residency requirements across schools. For some you might perform up to half the course offline.
People whose commitments limit the time they have for campus study need to seek out courses with low residency expectations. It's possible to find programs with just a few days in a semester as part of their residency component. Others have single-semester requirements for the entire program.
These programs also have 'big brother' versions that demand a lot of time on campus. Be sure that whatever you choose is in line with your realistic capabilities. Remember that the intention of these programs, as far as students are concerned, is to avoid having to go to a campus.
Your location in relation to the actual classrooms of the institution are a critical concern when considering the residencies associated with master degree online programs. The greater the distance, the fewer residency requirements you are likely to take. You can then be spared to cost of your effort and also the travel.
