6 Good Reasons to Earn Your Master’s Degree Online

If you're ready to get your master's, you'll need to decide how to do it. While some students may prefer to pursue their degree in person, there are plenty of reasons that might lead you to earn your master's online — especially if you already have a busy life.

What Are the Benefits of an Online Master's Degree?

Here are some of the top reasons to get your master's through an e-learning program:

Accessibility — Study Anywhere

"Online learning is ideal for working professionals, parents, military personnel and anyone who needs flexibility," said Dr. Jessica Rogers, a senior associate dean of business programs at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) with over 15 years of marketing and management experience. "It’s also a great option if you live far from a university."

No matter where you are or where you travel, you can keep up with your courses as long as you have an internet connection.

No Set Class Times — Do Your Coursework Any Time of Day

"Online programs often provide asynchronous options, so you can learn on your time, whether that’s early in the morning or late at night," Rogers said. "For adult learners or first-generation students, the ability to learn without uprooting your life can be a game-changer."

These programs can be particularly beneficial if you have a busy schedule that prevents you from attending in-person classes.

Learn more about how online classes work.

Affordability — Lower Costs, No Lost Income

An online master's might be cheaper than an in-person program — particularly if you're earning your degree from a nonprofit university like SNHU. And with a virtual learning environment, you don't have to sacrifice your income to advance your education. In fact, many students earn their master's degrees while working.

More Degree Options — Find Your Perfect Match

An in-person degree limits you to the programs available in your area. But many online schools offer dozens of different master's degrees with options to specialize with a concentration in many cases. For instance, SNHU's Master of Business Administration (MBA) offers 17 different concentrations for you to choose from, including finance, human resources, business analytics and more.

Global Networking — Make Connections Around the World

When learning remotely, you can make connections all over the world. You may even have the opportunity to interact with peers from other countries or military learners who are studying while deployed. This can give you a chance to diversify your professional network and practice communicating with people who have different experiences from your own.

All The Same Benefits — New Skills, More Opportunities

"A master’s degree is more than a credential; it’s a sign to employers that you have deep expertise, resilience and a growth mindset," Rogers said. "It sharpens your ability to solve problems, lead teams and think strategically."

And a master's that you earn virtually offers all the same career benefits as an in-person degree, according to Rogers. "What matters most to employers is your skills and how you apply what you’ve learned," she said. "As long as the degree is from an accredited and respected institution, whether it was earned online or in person is increasingly irrelevant."

Learn more about if a master's degree is worth it.

Can You Get Your Master's While Working Full Time?

You can absolutely get your master's degree while working a full-time job — and many online learners do just that.

For example, Nicholas Patterson '22 ’25MFA earned his Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing from SNHU while working full time.

"My advisor was always there to check in," he said. "Just making sure that I was able to handle the workload, especially working full time while going to classes full time."

He said he felt very supported throughout his program and was even able to write and revise a novel during his thesis courses.

"It is possible to manage your full-time role with taking classes online and continuing to better yourself in both fields," said Patterson.

With the flexibility of an online degree, getting your master's doesn't have to mean putting your life on pause. You can advance your education and level up your employability whenever and wherever it makes sense for you.

Mars Girolimon '21 '23G is a staff writer at Southern New Hampshire University where they earned their bachelor's and master's, both in English and creative writing. In addition to their work in higher education, Girolimon's short fiction is published in the North American Review, So It Goes by The Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library, X-R-A-Y and more. They're currently writing their debut novel, which was Longlisted for The First Pages Prize. Connect with them on LinkedIn.