When looking for a master degree online you should be thinking about whether or not you want one with a residency requirement. Unbeknown to many, not all online degrees are exclusively online. There are quite a few with actual class time requirements.
At this point you might be thinking that it is not necessary to even explore the ones that require this time commitment. Quite a few valid reasons come to mind. Increased networking opportunities are definitely an advantage of a master degree online that entails classroom engagements.
Networking is more easily facilitated by face-to-face interactions. This is the distinct benefit of programs that allow for this. In addition, students also benefit academically.
It is easier to ask for help from your peers and professors if they are within your reach. There is speedy exchange of knowledge. Because there is less urgency online, the response time is a little slower.
Residencies just seem to be a perfect fit for some courses. This is due to their emphasis on experience or practical learning. You would definitely look for a program that allows for lots of time in the laboratory especially if the course you have chosen values practical experience.
Some fields are knowledge-based, making class and lab time less urgent. Online delivery of all information is entirely possible for some programs. Residencies take a backseat in such cases.
Just how great a residency component you wish to include in your studies is the next consideration for those who have deemed it necessary. The requirements vary for each school. You could be expected to do half the course online, the other half practically on site.
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. Some offer as little as a single-semester residency commitment for your entire study duration.
The hybrid versions of these residencies are those that have a high on-campus course component. Whatever you decide, a primary consideration should naturally be your own limits. It is after all to avoid going to institutions that people pick the online route.
Of course one of the biggest concerns with regards to the residencies offered by master degree online programs is your distance from the actual 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.
