In life, things do not always play out according to the original plan. Society likes to instill the idea that there is an order to things that must be followed, but that is an unrealistic reality, especially for mothers who have spent their time raising their kids in place of higher education. However, thanks to technology, moms can now pursue an online degree while still caring for their children. But what are the best online degrees for them to pursue?
The best online degrees for moms will be in fields such as education, healthcare, business, or the liberal arts. These degrees provide great stepping stones into having a formidable and stable career.
Online education may be the most accessible choice for multitasking mothers to simultaneously further their education while also being present for their children, but there are a few factors to be mindful of. What types of stigmas are attached to online degrees? How much harder is it to study while being a parent? Continue reading below to find out the answers to these questions in detail.
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Why Should Moms Pursue an Online Degree?
Many people fail to realize how all-consuming college can be. Mothers, in particular, balance so many different responsibilities already. That is why online schooling is such a great tool for moms to multitask to the best of their ability; it is the perfect solution for parents struggling to juggle childcare, financial responsibility, and personal goals.
In addition, learning online is extremely convenient in terms of schedule flexibility. It also is a much more independent form of learning, which will make students who go through online courses more adept at adapting easily to fast-paced work environments.
Nevertheless, online education is still a fairly new kind of education. Online degrees, in particular, may be met with more skepticism because some still prefer the tried and true method of being in a physical classroom with an instructor present at all times. With that said, you may be wondering just how valid online degrees are to potential employers.
Are Online Degrees Taken Seriously?
When online education was first introduced, many educators, employers, and parents were skeptical of the concept. How were people supposed to learn and absorb information online to the same extent and level as being taught in person?
As society has become more technologically advanced and the use of devices in the classroom the norm, the reputation of online education has improved exponentially. Consequently, employers are also beginning to view online degrees seriously, considering them just as reputable as their traditional counterparts.
This shift in perspective is partially due to more prestigious universities partaking in the trend of online education. In fact, most colleges and universities offer a variety of online courses and degrees that can be completed entirely online.
Now that we have established the type of accessibility that online degrees provide and the acceptance that the public has begun to express, all that is left is to decide which degree is best for different types of mothers.
What is a Good Degree for a Single Mom?
Deciding to pursue a college education holds even more weight when the potential student is a single mother.
Women who are single mothers bear the responsibilities of child-rearing and financial support all on their own, so the best degrees to pursue should offer flexibility as well as future job stability, such as one in education.
- A career in education usually involves working with children; this would allow more leniency for those days you may have to stay home to look after a sick child or even bring them along to work when no one else is available to watch them.
- Careers in education are also typically dominated by women and mothers, so it could be an empowering and validating degree to take on in that way as well.
Obviously, education is not the only degree available to single mothers. Another type of degree to look into for moms everywhere are those that can be started and finished 100% online.
What Degrees Can You Get Entirely Online?
The belief that the quality of education decreases if it is completely taught online is untrue. There is a huge assortment of degrees you can get entirely online, and all of them will help mothers everywhere balance their personal and professional lives effectively.
The following degrees can be achieved entirely online:
| Degree | Jobs Available | Estimated Salary | Estimated Tuition | Universities Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare: bachelor’s degree required, takes about 2 years to complete | • Physician’s Assistant • Dental hygienist • Optometrist | $100,000+ | $15,000-$20,000 | • Strayer University • Southern New Hampshire University • Capella University |
| Business Administration: takes about 4 years to complete | • Business Advisor • Financial Consultant • Project Manager | $120,000+ | $15,000-$30,000 | • Arizona State University • Rice University • University of Florida |
| Psychology: can take anywhere from 4-8 years to complete, depending on level (BA or MA) | • Business Consultant • Occupational Psychologist | $70,000-$120,000 | $10,000-$30,000 | • Purdue University Global • Southern New Hampshire University • Arizona State University |
| Teaching and Education: can take anywhere from 4-8 years to complete depending on level (BA or MA) | • Teacher • Professor • Department Head | $30,000 | $15,000-$30,000 | • Purdue University Global • Arizona State University • Grand Canyon University |
Healthcare (Physician’s Assistant)
The first degree that mothers can complete fully online is one with a constantly growing and expanding job market: healthcare. Healthcare degrees actually encompass a wider range of specific areas of study. You could choose to become a dental hygienist, optometrist, or the most popular and well-paying option—a physician’s assistant.
To become a physician’s assistant, you must complete a master’s degree in physician assistance online. According to College Consensus, people who get a physician assistance degree online can earn over $100,000 a year. Obtaining this online degree would cost approximately $15,000-$20,000 and take about two years.
Some schools that offer physician’s assistant programs online include Pennsylvania State University, Stony Brook University, and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Yale also offers an online PA program as well.
However, this option is only viable for those who have already completed an undergraduate program. The path of a physician’s assistant would be ideal for mothers who have children close to their graduations or have put their careers on pause to raise them. For mothers who were not able to enter college at all, there are other degrees available.
Business Administration
A degree in business administration is one of the most versatile degrees out there. Studying business administration will allow you to learn several skills essential in a majority of today’s workplaces. Some of these skills include:
- Management
- Communication
- Organization
- Analysis
Getting this degree and the skills that come with it open up doors to countless well-paying careers. In addition, your personal interests and talents come into play when narrowing down the options and choosing the job most suitable for you. For example:
- If you are more of a people person and enjoy exchanging ideas, becoming an advisor or manager may be a better choice.
- On the other hand, if you are more logical and analytical, the titles of consultant or analyst may be more interesting to you.
Getting a bachelor’s in business administration online typically takes four years and costs $15,000-$30,000. Jobs in this degree usually pay upwards of $120,000. Programs are available at Southern New Hampshire University, Purdue University Global, and California Baptist University Online.
If the medical and business fields are not of interest to you, there are a couple more options for online degrees that may be more appealing to you.
Psychology
Do you enjoy learning about the inner workings of the brain? Has the mind and how it navigates the world around us always been of interest to you? Then a psychology degree may be the right path for you to take.
Although psychology may initially seem like a field of study that solely leads to becoming a psychologist, that is not the case at all. In fact, people with degrees in psychology are increasing in desirability within the workforce. This is because understanding the way minds work is an essential part of understanding business measures like consumption and algorithms.
A psychology degree is also a good choice if you enjoy having more options available to you. You could go straight into work with just a bachelor’s in psychology with entry-level consulting positions. You could also choose to go a step further and get a master’s degree in a more specific area of psychology and become a practicing mental health professional.
Because of the diverse range of options that this degree offers, the salary also ranges widely. Although there is no set salary for psychology majors searching for entry-level positions, those with a master’s in psychology could make anywhere from $70,000-$120,000. Tuition ranges from $10,000-$30,000, and the top schools that offer this program are the University of Arizona Global Campus, University of Maryland Global Campus, and Los Angeles Pacific University.
Teaching and Education
One of the biggest benefits of getting a degree to become an educator is that your schedule will most likely match up with that of your children if they are still of school-age. Moreover, teaching is great because there is such a wide variety of subjects you can pick and choose to take on the responsibility of instructing, and it is a rewarding and timeless career that shapes the experience of youth in their formative years.
One downside to a career in teaching is that it is not very lucrative. Most teachers make close to $30,000 a year. This degree, and the subsequent job, is definitely more of a passion-driven career that is often overlooked. However, teaching is a job that is available anywhere in the world. There is also the option of teaching in a different country if a change in scenery is something you are craving.
Tuition for a degree in teaching usually ranges from $15,000-$30,000. The cost also heavily depends on whether you decide to pursue a master’s after getting a bachelor’s for career advancement. Some accredited universities that offer this degree are Purdue University Global, the University of Arizona Global Campus, and Grand Canyon University.
Final Thoughts
Contrary to popular belief, education is something that can be continued at any point in an individual’s life. Starting a family and having children no longer needs to be viewed as an obstacle to mothers completing their education because there are bountiful resources and specific degrees available to help them.
One of these resources is the extensive online degrees that can be fully pursued anywhere there is Wi-Fi. With more flexible hours to accommodate your hectic and unpredictable schedule, your existing superpower of multitasking becomes even easier, and you can grow without missing out on watching your loved ones do the same.
