The Best Online Degree Programs For Working Adults
INTRODUCTION
“Should I go back to school?” If this question is on your radar, you may have mixed emotions. Going back to school can help you advance your career and achieve your personal goals, but it can also feel daunting if you’ve been out of the academic world for some time. The good news is that your professional experience is incredibly valuable, and there’s never a bad time to build your skills through an online degree program. At Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU), we understand that working adults have different needs when it comes to educational programs. The best online degree programs should cater to these needs while delivering high-quality education. Let’s explore some important considerations when choosing the best online degree programs for working adults.
Chapter 1
Why You Should Feel Confident in Your Decision to Go Back to School
Getting a degree can allow you to:
Chapter 2
What to Look for in an Online Degree Program
Although going back to school is a smart move in many cases, not all online degree programs will serve you equally. Let’s look at three major factors to consider when you’re comparing online degree programs: affordability, flexibility, and quality.
1. Affordability
One critical concern for many adults looking to further their education is cost. First, it’s important to keep in mind that going back to school isn’t just a cost, it’s an investment.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), workers can earn more with each level of education they obtain. Workers with an associate’s degree earn approximately 19 percent more than those with just a high school diploma. A bachelor’s degree has the most impressive return on investment, helping high school graduates increase their earnings by 67 percent! If you have a bachelor’s degree and want to pursue a master’s, this is also a smart move because you could increase your earnings by 20 percent.
Even if you’re confident you’re making a good investment, funding that investment can still be a concern. Fortunately, adult learners can take advantage of resources to help pay for higher education. This includes grants, scholarships, and other payment options. In some cases, employers may even be willing to sponsor your education.
2. Flexibility
College for working adults can come with some unique challenges. Working adults often have many priorities to juggle, including jobs, family, and activities. A program built with adult learners in mind will be flexible enough so you can make the program fit around your schedule without having to radically alter your life.
Online programs tend to be the most flexible because they give learners more autonomy over their time. As long as you’re keeping up with coursework, it doesn’t matter when you’re getting the work done. You can carve out time to study on the weekends or evenings after work. If you want to carry on with all your existing responsibilities and activities outside of school, you may want to take just one class at a time. This option can help you earn your degree in a way that fits your lifestyle.
Alternatively, if you want to expedite the process and put more focus on school, you can seek out an accelerated program—or fast-track a program. This approach allows you to double up on classes to graduate sooner.
3. Quality
When you’re investing your time, attention, and finances into a degree program, you want to make sure you’re getting a quality education in return. Ultimately, the quality of your education is what matters most in helping you learn and build new skills.
First, make sure the program is accredited. Accredited online degree programs have been evaluated by an outside agency and confirmed to meet rigorous academic standards. Academics aren’t the only aspect of quality to pay attention to though.
The best online degree programs for working adults will:
- Equip adult learners with practical skills they can start applying now—not just a degree.
- Build community in the online environment through cohorts or other methods.
- Offer robust student services to help adult learners succeed, including academic advisors and tutoring services.
- Treat adult learners as whole people, not just students, even providing opportunities to help them build themselves spiritually.
Chapter 3
Top Degree Programs to Consider
Ultimately, the best online degree program is the one that fits your needs and helps you achieve your personal and professional goals.
If you want to go back to school but aren’t sure what you want to study, consider these top degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education levels.
Undergraduate Programs
There are many undergraduate programs to consider. If you aren’t sure which career path you want to take, consider these programs, which can all help you land a fulfilling career.
Social work is an in-demand and rewarding career. As a licensed social worker, you can help people deal with difficult life situations and challenges such as stress, anxiety, and addiction.
- Estimated program length: 27 months
- Job growth, 2020-2030: 12%
- Median annual salary: $50,390
If you enjoy working with children, consider a degree in elementary education. Elementary teachers can work in various educational settings to instruct and inspire young children.
- Estimated program length: 27–48 months
- Job growth, 2020-2030: 7%
- Median annual salary: $61,350
A business administration degree is extremely versatile, helping learners increase their business acuen in various ways. If you want to concentrate on a certain area, you can choose one of six majors to accompany your business administration degree:
- Digital Marketing
- Finance
- Human Resource Management
- Management
- Marketing
- Project Management
Here's what you can expect with this degree:
- Estimated program length: 27–48 months
- Job growth, 2020-2030: 7%
- Median annual salary: $61,350
You may also choose to continue your education with a Master of Business Administration. Keep reading to learn more about how a Master of business Administration can drive your career forward.
The online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Public Administration toward busy working adults already pursuing a government or nonprofit career who aspire to a management or leadership role. Ideal for individuals who have worked in public environment or first responder positions, the 100% online bachelor’s degree program encourages holistic personal development through an engaging, flexible curriculum that blends an ethical foundation with MVNU’s biblical worldview and expands upon the financial, political, and sociological sides of public policy.
- Estimated program length: 21 months
- Median annual salary: $52,000
- Estimated program length: 26 months
- Job growth, 2020-2030: 33%
- Median annual salary: $116,000
The Bachelor of Arts in Leadership degree program is intentionally designed for working adults—it’s convenient, affordable, and flexible. The program prepares ambitious students for leadership roles in organizations across all fields and industries.
- Estimated program length: 21 months
Graduate Programs
If you already have a bachelor's degree and you want to expand your knowledge or qualify for a more advanced position, you should consider programs at the graduate level. Here are some top graduate programs to consider:
A Mast of Business Administration (MBA) can open doors to advanced positions in the business world. Choose from the following concentrations to hone the specific skills you're interested in:
- Accounting
- Business Data Analytics
- Logistics Management
- Finance
- Marketing
- Organizational Management
- Human Resource Management
- Human and Social Services Leadership
- Ministry Leadership
In any of these concentrations, professionals can increase their leadership potential and business expertise.
- Estimated program length: 19 months
- Job growth: Varies by occupation
- Median starting salary for MBA graduates: 115,000
Healthcare professionals interested in pursuing leadership and management roles in their field should enroll in a health care administration (HCA) graduate program. An MBA-HCA equips clinicians with business and health care courses.
- Estimated program length: 19 months
- Job growth, 2020-2030: 32%
- Median annual salary: $101,340
The mission of the Master of Social Work (MSW) Program at Mount Vernon Nazarene University is to develop students into advanced social work practitioners, equipped with the specialized knowledge required to serve individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations in their chosen areas of practice, as well as a strong adherence to the core values and ethics of the social work profession.
Students choosing to pursue an M.A.Ed at MVNU can choose from three programs.
- Professional Educator’s License (PEL)
- Individuals seeking a career in teaching can choose can pursue to an initial license in one of 11 content areas. This program includes study in the practice of teaching as well as two field experiences and a student teaching internship in a PK-12 classroom aligned to the desired area of licensure.
- Intervention Specialist–Initial License (ISM)
- Individuals seeking a career in teaching and wanting to work with students with disabilities should consider the ISM program. This program includes study in the practice of teaching with a specific emphasis on the unique needs of this student population, including developing, implementing, and evaluating Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
- Intervention Specialist–Full License (ISP)
- Also preparing students to work as an Intervention Specialist for Mild/Moderate Disabilities in grades K-12, the ISP program is ideal for teachers who already hold a license in one content area and/or are working with students with disabilities and want to expand their practice.
The doctor of nurse practice degree prepares nurses to lead and deliver quality healthcare through the translation of evidence into practice. Start where you are. Enter as a Bachelor of Nursing (BSN) graduate or transfer up to 27 graduate credit hours from a Master’s program! Complete your Doctor of Nursing practice in 3 ½ years or less. Choose your concentration:
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – Doctoral degree in nursing that focuses on systems leadership to address global healthcare needs. This degree allows registered nurses to assume leadership roles and advance their practice working to improve the quality and safety of nursing.
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – DNP – Registered nurses who provide mental health care to individuals, families, and communities across the lifespan. PMHNP’s are advance practice nurses who are equipped to assess, diagnose, prescribe, and coordinate care. Upon completion of the DNP program graduates are eligible to sit for national certification exam. According to Grey Associates (2023), Market Research Report: Doctor of Nursing Practice – Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Concentration — there are only two other schools that offer this degree at the doctoral level in the state of Ohio.
- Family Nurse Practitioner – DNP – Registered nurses who provide primary care to individuals, families, and communities across the lifespan. FNP’s are advanced practice nurses who are equipped to assess, diagnose, prescribe, and coordinate care for common, acute, and chronic illness while promoting health maintenance and disease prevention. Upon completion of the DNP program graduates are eligible to sit for national certification exam.
Graduate Programs
Not all college programs for adults are necessarily degree programs. If you don't want to undertake a whole degree program, you can still further your education through MVNU's continuing education opportunities. Attending a workshop or earning a certificate or endorsement can help you stay sharp and can be a valuable stepping stone in your career.
The Best Online Degree Programs for Working Adults from MVNU
The right online degree program can help you achiever your personal and professional goals in a way that fits your lifestyle as a working adult. Want to learn more about how to further your education and sharpen your professional skills?