According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a graduate or master's level degree holder can expect to make $55,000 annually. A bachelor's degree holder can earn approximately $46,000 annually. A graduate degree is a benefit that can increase a person’s income by approximately $225,000 in 25 years. It is clear that online graduate degrees are a smart investment. Graduate degrees in online education are available for busy adults who want to get a higher education but still have a job to support their family.

The Requirements for an Online Education Graduate Degree. To be able to earn an online graduate degree, students must be organized and self-starters who are able to manage their time and independently review course material. Online students must have access to an Internet connection with at least 56kbps speed and antivirus protection. Online students should be able use email and basic Internet functions to communicate and take exams and communicate with their professors. Graduate programs in online education are available in a web-based format, which is accessible 24 hours a days for working students who want to succeed.

Validity of online education. R. Clark's 1994 study and Carol Twigg's 2001 Pew Learning and Technology Study titled "Innovations in Online Learning" concluded that online courses should be designed with the same rigor and professionalism as those taught in a classroom setting. The Seven Principles of undergraduate education were developed by Chickering & Gamson (1991). These principles were revised to reflect how to apply these ideals to online education (Chickering & Ehrmann, Graham, et. al. 2001). The Ohio Learning Task Force published a report in 2002 that suggested principles derived form Chickering & Gamson to be used for designing, approving, assessing, and reviewing all courses. The Seven Principles encourage interaction between students and faculty, b) encourage active learners; c) encourage cooperation among students; d) provide timely feedback; e) communicate high expectations; focus on the task; f) acknowledges different learning styles and talents; and g). Online education graduate degrees are therefore equally viable. They follow the same criteria that they do at physical colleges.

Online Education: The Cost. Online education can be cheaper than going to a campus college because you don't have to pay for transportation and housing. An online resource site examined 120 online master's degrees programs. It found that an accredited degree could cost between $2,760 and $110,000. Graduate degree students have several options for tuition aid, including:

Tuition reimbursement. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, almost 20% of graduate students receive financial aid from their employers. Online education graduate students should speak with their human resources director to learn more about the tuition reimbursement programs available and any company scholarships that may be available. For more detail visit https://sadiaries.com/sassa-grants-how-to-apply-and-who-qualifies/