Whether you are looking to a residency program or not should also be on your mind when you consider a master degree online. Unbeknown to many, not all online degrees are exclusively online. Some time is needed to be spent in the lab or classroom.
Of course you are probably wondering whether you should even waste your time with such programs. These programs actually appeal for many reasons. The increased networking that this allows is definitely on such reason.
Networking is more easily facilitated by face-to-face interactions. This is why it would be favorable to get into a program that makes such provisions. Students also benefit academically from this.
In relation to the subject being studied, it is easier to get assistance from classmates and teachers who are in reach. The interchange of knowledge and ideas happens at an increased rate. Because of the convenient and self-paced online environment, people tend to take their own time responding to you.
Residencies just seem to be a perfect fit for some courses. This is because they have a strong focus on practical learning. If you are taking up a course in a field where practical experience is valued, you should look for programs with a good deal of laboratory opportunities even for online students.
Take note that this may not be as urgent if you are in a field that is knowledge-based. Some programs really can deliver all the information you need online. Residencies are not important in these instances.
If you do find that a residency can enhance your education, think about how much of it you want to do. The residencies are different for each school. For some you might perform up to half the course offline.
Those who cannot afford to spend too much time in a campus due to other commitments should look for courses with lower residency needs. You can get away with just a couple of days per semester in some courses. Just one semester out of the whole course is the full residency requirement for some programs.
Then there is the hybrid version, which demands almost as much time in campus as off it. Be sure that whatever you choose is in line with your realistic capabilities. Online programs are after all, attractive because of the lack of campus attendance requirements.
When thinking about the master degree online program and its residency, a major consideration is of course the distance you need to travel to the physical location of the institution. The greater the distance, the fewer residency requirements you are likely to take. This spares not only time but also cost.
