Education is the key to most people’s success. For optimum results, quality learning should begin during early childhood. A good teacher can help to instill a love of education in pupils that will continue to inspire them for years to come. In fact, positive teacher interaction with students is one of the highest ranking motivators for academic success.
Educators who want to influence young students to complete secondary education and consider college for a future career may want to earn a graduate degree. A masters or doctorate degree in education does not require long years of campus classes that can compete with job and family responsibilities. Many teachers begin their graduate studies in a variety of ways designed to fit their lifestyle needs and preferred learning methods. Here are some of the more popular ways to earn a graduate teaching degree without spending excessive amounts of time.
Evening and weekend classes
College coursework is often available during evening hours and over the weekend. Many students who have other weekday responsibilities choose this option for earning a degree after their regular day jobs or weekly on Friday or Saturday, with Sunday classes also available. Students can progress at their own pace, enrolling in one or two classes at a time, although some take more classes if they can manage it. Evening and weekend students tend to be among the most dedicated and successful due to their efforts to include advanced education in schedules that are already busy with various commitments.
Online education courses
More higher education programs now offer online studies for those who prefer to work from the comfort of their home rather than attend campus classes. Online master degree programs are readily available and can be taken at the student’s convenience as long as assignment due-dates are met and course policies are followed. Learning from home is an easy and flexible way to earn an advanced degree in education while juggling other duties or studying at a personal preferred time of day or night. Virtually every learning activity can be shared online, including discussion groups, peer feedback, writing assignments, and exams. Earning a degree online is one of the fastest growing ways to earn college credit.
Distance learning options
For those who live far from university campuses where graduate classes are offered, distance learning sites may be located in a nearby community for convenient access. A proctored classroom with a wall-size screen can combine several classrooms across various locations to facilitate study for those who cannot get to the main campus. Not only does distance learning make study more accessible, but it also provides the opportunity to join learning groups from diverse regions and demographics for an expanded education experience. Some or all program courses may be available via this format.
With alternate options like these to consider instead of the traditional classroom format, more educators are choosing to earn advanced graduate degrees in order to help young students become successful learners. A graduate degree can help educators to become more specialized or update their teaching skills with cutting edge methods that increasingly include technology and the Web.
Competing with video games, cell phones, and Internet access to provide a quality learning experience is more challenging than ever for teachers today. Earning a master’s degree in the traditional classroom may not be feasible, but the options mentioned above provide other ways to work toward advanced credentials as a teacher of young minds. With time at a premium for busy people, earning a graduate degree is now available through other means. Consult a local university graduate program for more information on how to earn a degree at your convenience.