How to Get a Master's Degree at Home

In step-by-step instructions, this article will teach you how to earn a master's degree from an accredited university in the comfort of your home.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• internet/computer access
• a way to finance your education
• drive/determination
• 2-3 hours a day/an evening

1. 1. Choose the Degree Program- Typically, business, education, finance, and administraton degrees are easy to find online. Liberal Arts degrees a little harder to find but not impossible. It just takes a lot of research to find them.

2. Research Individual Universities- Many universities are now offereing several degrees online. In your search engine, type "(your state) universities" and you'll get hits for lists of universities in your state and links to their Web sites.
   
   Once on the Web site, find a link for "distance learning/education." This will take you to a list of courses and programs the university offers online.
   
   Try to stay away from private universities that are considered "alternative schools" which cater to the working adult. These schools are very expensive and, although they claim to be accredited, most of their courses are not acceptable. As a result, most employers do not accept degrees or hire candidates from these schools. Your best bet is to stick to state schools, such as University of _______ (Texas, Florida, Washington, etc.).

3. Financing- Once you find a degree program, make sure you apply for financial aid. As a graduate student, you will not be elligible for free money, but you will be able to receive governement loans that can be paid after you graduate. My loans were only $50 a month.

4. Set Aside a Time/Space for Learning- Once a student, make sure you have time for your education. I usually worked on classwork during my lunchbreak (for abour an hour) and after 8:30 pm (for about 2 hours) when my kids went to bed. I also made sure I worked in a room with no television or other distractions.

5. Stay Focused, Committed, and Positive- Remember to always keep your goal in mind. It can be very easy to become distracted when you're learning at home. Also, work closely with your advisor and track your progress. Ask for a degree plan, and mark off every class you finish. This will help you stay motivated and positive.

Tips & Warnings

• Can't find your degree?- Don't worry. Call the dean of the department you want, and ask if there is a degree that may be completed via distance learning (correspondance, transfer from other universities, special project courses, etc.). There is virtually always a way around things. Nothing is impossible.
• Carry your materials with you at all times, i.e. the doctor's office, work, the park, the pool, etc. You'll never know when you'll have time to study.
• Another reason not to use private/alternative universities is that they are sometimes scams. An easy way to determins this is to type "(university name) scam" into your search engine. Spend a few minutes researching.