7 Benefits of Online Learning
Perhaps you’ve earned an undergraduate degree and are now years into your career. You realize that an advanced degree can help you in your professional journey, but you don’t want to walk away from your job to return to school full-time. Exploring options in online learning is one route toward earning the degree you want.
In 2022, 10.1 million college students took at least one class online, or 54% of all college students, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics. And more students are expected to take advantage of remote learning in the coming years because of the numerous benefits of online learning, including how it prepares learners for a workforce powered by digital technology. Read on to explore the key advantages of pursuing your advanced degree online.
1. Flexibility and Convenience
One of the most popular benefits of online learning is its flexibility and convenience. This is especially true for working professionals seeking to improve their skills and broaden their education. A full-time, on-campus graduate program may not be feasible for a student with a full-time career.
However, online learning platforms offer the opportunity to learn on a self-paced basis without giving up your day job. Likewise, when it comes to family and personal commitments, online education programs fit your schedule — allowing the flexibility to balance your work, personal life, and graduate school studies.
2. Reduced Costs
An online program can offer lower tuition fees compared to traditional in-person programs. This makes it easier to find an online graduate program that not only meets your career goals but also fits into your budget.
Perhaps the biggest advantage in terms of cost savings, though, is that students do not have to give up their current employment to take part in online learning programs. This means you’re not losing out on income as you’re earning an education.
Students also save money by avoiding daily commuting expenses, campus housing fees, or even the cost of moving if they don’t live near their desired school. In addition, many online courses use digital materials instead of physical textbooks, which can significantly cut down on the cost of required course materials. Altogether, these savings make online learning a more affordable option for many students.
3. Wide Range of Programs and Courses
The expansion of digital and online media exposes us to a diverse group of people across the globeIn contrast, a traditional campus program relies on fairly limited instruction options.
Online education programs offer the advantage of learning from schools, experts, and even fellow students from all over the world, without needing to live near a college campus to attend in person.
Many renowned, well-established universities (like Boston University) now offer online graduate classes. It’s just another way of expanding the options available to you to achieve your goals.
4. Personalized Learning Experience
Online learning also can offer a more personalized experience compared to traditional classroom settings. Many online platforms use adaptive learning technologies and interactive content that adjust to a student’s pace and learning style. In turn, students can spend more time on areas they find challenging and move quickly through topics they already understand. Interactive tools such as quizzes, simulations, and discussion boards also help reinforce learning in a more engaging way.
Another key advantage is the ability to revisit recorded lectures and course materials at any time. This flexibility allows you to review complex concepts as often as needed, which can improve understanding and retention. Additionally, customizable study schedules make it easier to balance coursework with other responsibilities, such as work or family. Together, these features can create a more tailored and flexible learning environment that will support your individual success.
5. Enhanced Digital and Technical Skills
The workforce has evolved drastically over the past decade. Today, more employers demand digital and technical skills to adapt to the new workforce. Most workers in 2024 either worked remotely (26%) or on a hybrid basis (55%) with some days in the office, according to Gallup. As more employers pivot to remote and hybrid work, employees must prepare for the technologies and digital platforms that many employers currently rely on to succeed.
Learning online offers excellent exposure to these new technologies and tools. It also teaches time management without relying on direct supervision. Online education programs use different collaboration software (like Zoom, Slack, or Google Meet) that help students master these tools. You can become skilled at navigating your course’s learning management system along with digital learning materials within a range of applications and programs.
6. Broader and More Global Perspective
Online education programs attract students from all over the world with distinct experiences and diverse abilities. This allows online students to broaden their viewpoints and to appreciate more diverse experiences and cultures. Online learners can experience different perspectives through exposure to new ideas from professionals in other countries. Many employers promote collaboration and team-building among workers from varying backgrounds. The global perspective offered by online learning helps prepare workers for such collaboration. According to studies by McKinsey & Company, organizations that prioritize diversity have been shown to outperform those that don’t — both financially and in terms of innovation. Innovative initiatives led by workers often require stepping outside of your comfort zone to learn from other people.
7. Preparation for Online Work
As you hone time management skills without direct supervision, learning online is an excellent way to prepare for the continual shift toward a predominantly virtual landscape. Online education programs center the experience of collaborating with others in a virtual work environment — thereby improving your digital literacy and making you a more effective leader for the modern workplace. Students have the opportunity to practice their leadership skills, for instance, by making decisions about project processes or communication strategies.
Online programs also enable you to participate in discussion boards with classmates, which can be much like working on a virtual team. Communicating and promoting ideas
clearly, receiving responses, and presenting a professional image are necessary skills in a remote workplace. Instructors (like managers) will require you to engage in respectful, thoughtful, and polite communications via email or elsewhere — as well as respond to different perspectives and build a rapport with peers. An online environment can help refine this skill quickly.
Start Your Online Program
If you’re a mid-career professional seeking an affordable, flexible, 100% online MBA from a top business school, the Online Master of Business Administration (OMBA) through Boston University (BU) can reveal the benefits of online learning. Here, you have the chance to earn your MBA from a top-ranked business school at a competitive price point.
Learn more about what you can expect in our Online MBA curriculum. Then, apply or request more information about the Online MBA program at BU today.
