When thinking about a master degree online you should simultaneously be thinking about the residency requirements of the program. Unbeknown to many, not all online degrees are exclusively online. Some time is needed to be spent in the lab or classroom.
At this point you might be thinking that it is not necessary to even explore the ones that require this time commitment. There are a couple of reasons actually, why these programs should be of interest. The number one reason is of course improved networking among master degree online students who engage occasionally in a physical classroom.
Networking is more easily facilitated by face-to-face interactions. Programs that allow such networking opportunities are advantageous for this reason exactly. In addition, students also benefit academically.
In relation to the subject being studied, it is easier to get assistance from classmates and teachers who are in reach. Ideas and knowledge are shared quickly. People often take a while to answer when you interact with them online, because the call for response is not as urgent.
Residencies just gel well with some courses. This is due to their emphasis on experience or practical learning. If you are taking up a course in a field where practical experience is valued, you should look for programs with a good deal of laboratory opportunities even for online students.
Some fields are knowledge-based, making class and lab time less urgent. Some really are capable of producing all information online. In cases like this students don’t worry too much about residencies.
If you do find that a residency can enhance your education, think about how much of it you want to do. The requirements vary for each school. 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. You can get away with just a couple of days per semester in some courses. Others offer single-semester residencies throughout all your years of study.
The hybrid versions of these residencies are those that have a high on-campus course component. You must take your limitations into account though, no matter what program you choose. Remember that the intention of these programs, as far as students are concerned, is to avoid having to go to a campus.
When thinking about the master degree online program and its residency, a major consideration is of course the distance you need to travel to the physical location of the institution. The greater the distance, the fewer residency requirements you are likely to take. Not only will this spare you all the effort, it will also help you avoid the travel costs.
