There are a myriad of choices to be made once you’ve finally committed to continuing your higher education. Now that you’ve decided “I will,” where should you go? Is a traditional or online grad program the best one for you?
Making a Distinction
At least for the purposes of this post, I’m defining traditional graduate programs as those offered through brick-and-mortar institutions. Most traditional graduate schools have been in existence for decades, if not hundreds of years, require that you take classes on-campus in a traditional classroom environment, and should have proper higher education accreditation.
Online graduate programs don’t require that you step foot on campus. Getting your graduate education on is as simple as logging into your computer. There are several “traditional” universities that offer online extensions of their programs to cater to the preferences of their students (also called “distance learning programs”).
And then there are online graduate programs that do not operate as an off-shoot of brick-and-mortar institutions. The university is online. Many of these types of programs are delivered through for-profit institutions of higher education.
Traditional Grad Programs: The Pros
- Graduate education doesn’t exactly come cheap, but for many, going the traditional route is the least expensive option.
This is mostly the case when compared to online programs. There’s a price to pay for convenience.
- One-on-one interaction with classmates and professors
Obviously, you get to interact with your classmates and professors online, but dare I say, there’s nothing like face-to-face communication and social networking. You may not think this matters much at first, but if you’re looking to snag a job or start a new career path, those connections that you solidify could mean everything.
- Hands-on experiential component
I’ve said this countless times – grad school isn’t just about the grades. Many courses of study require some type of hands-on experience, whether it’s an internship or practicum, and heck, even just research or teaching experience. This may be hard to come by (and what gives you an extra advantage in the job market) through online programs.
Traditional Grad Programs: The Cons
- If you have a spouse, kids, and are mid-stream in your career, you already know how difficult it can be to add yet another activity to your already-busy schedule. You need a grad program that will easily fit into your lifestyle constraints and going to class on campus several times per week may be the biggest con you’ll face with traditional programs.
Online Grad Programs: The Pros
- Flexibility.
Being able to complete coursework with 24/7 hour access is, of course, one of the biggest draws to online programs. (Although, this may not exactly be true – there are often instructor-set deadlines that must be met).
- Self-paced.
Some online programs also offer self-paced programs. You start and finish it as you please because there are no specific program lengths. You complete your program by “competency,” testing out of certain courses, and if so motivated, can complete an entire “course” in several weeks rather than your standard four-month semester, thereby shaving months or even years off of time required to receive your degree.
Online Grad Programs: The Cons
- Expensive, expensive, expensive.
Convenience comes at a price and you will pay it through online programs, especially those offered through for-profit institutions.
- Self-paced.
This huge degree of flexibility may be a “con” by another name. Getting a graduate degree in record time may seem like a good idea in theory, but if you’re the type of student that needs set structure, defined deadlines, and a semester-by-semester course of study to keep forward momentum, this is probably not a great option for you.
- Lowered prestige.
Many online grad programs have faced criticism as “degree mills.” Shopping around, there are several programs with little to no admissions requirements. If you apply, have a bachelor’s degree, and are eligible for financial aid, you’re in! Although the idea of “avoiding rejection,” not writing admissions essays or taking entrance exams may seem like a win, getting into grad school “the easy way” may end up being a big fat negative at the end of the day, because of a lingering stigma toward many of these programs which may affect your career options later down the road.
Which Type of Program Is Best?
I’ll be honest and say that when determining “best,” there are many factors to consider, and it’s difficult to break it down into a single “quick-and-dirty” post. When it comes to graduate education, all programs are not created equal. Traditional programs vary in quality of education, bang for the buck, and professional prestige just like online programs. And certainly, when it comes to going to grad school, you have to determine what works best for you and your particular lifestyle, situation, and learning preferences.
Are there any more pros and cons that you can think of for going the traditional route to grad school? Online programs?
