Top 5 Online Programs

Today’s job market is tough. If you are thinking about going back to school but don’t want to waste your money on degrees that won’t help you find a career that is in demand, take a look at some online programs that will pay for themselves. One major benefit of taking classes online is that anyone from almost anywhere can have access to a computer these days. Case in point, in the picture below, a young Brazilian man checks out the new computer center in the city of Cabrália, Brazil. The center provides broadband access, 3G mobile Internet, and custom applications for managing fishing businesses, equipment, and training. Once trained and properly equipped, local fishermen, including those from the Pataxó indigenous ethnic group, will be able to broker deals with buyers, access weather information, and manage economic activities, all in real-time.

1. Business Administration

Online programs in business administration start at the associate degree level and go all the way up to the MBA, or Masters of Business Administration. If you have never attended college or didn’t earn a degree when you did, the two-year degree is a great place to start. You can always continue working toward a more advanced degree one step at a time. Expect to take classes in all areas of business for these degrees, including management, economics, and accounting to develop a broad knowledge base. According the the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Catalog a wide variety of jobs require an MBA, including everything from Financial Analysts, to Top Corporate Executives, Atmospheric Scientists and museum curators.

2. Education

If you love children, a teaching career could be a great fit for you in a growing field. It’s no secret that the world population is growing at an exponential rate, leading to an increase in demand for educators to teach the growing number of children. Bachelors degrees in education can be earned online, but many states require that you also spend a certain amount of time in a classroom to earn your teaching certificate. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) the number of jobs for teachers is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through 2018.

3. Computer Science

Computer science degrees are perfectly formatted for online learning because you are learning in the environment you will need to know inside and out to complete your degree. Whether you are interested in web development, computer programming or software engineering, you can find a specialized degree that you can complete 100 percent online. According to the BLS positions like software developers is projected to grow 30 percent from 2010 to 2020, much faster than the average for all occupations.

4. Psychology

The median salary for psychologists is over $90,000 per year, making a degree in psychology an attractive choice for many people who want to return to school. Almost half of all psychologists are over the age of 55, which will leave many openings in the field as older workers retire. You can pursue a bachelors degree in psychology to find a position as an assistant, or continue on for a doctorate to become a practicing psychologist. You will need some clinical hours to complete your degree, so look for an online school that can assist you. Employment of psychologists is expected to grow 22 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations.

5. Nursing

The healthcare field is booming as the general population ages, so nursing is a field that offers a lot of job stability. You can earn your bachelor of science in nursing online or opt for a masters degree. Like other science fields, expect to have some clinical hours that you will complete in a hospital setting for some hands-on experience. You wouldn’t want to draw someone’s blood at work without any practice beforehand. Employment of registered nurses is expected to grow 26 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations while medical and health services managers is expected to grow by 22 percent and employment for medical assistants is expected to grow by 31 percent.

There is no time like the present to return to school for your degree. Earning your degree online can give you the flexibility you need while learning about the career you want.

About the Author:

Christine Bennett is a freelance writer who blogs about educational opportunities. If you’re looking at going back to school, Christine recommends getting a masters degree in education online.