Ready to Earn a New Degree? 3 Simple Steps

You’ve decided you’re ready to pursue your degree. That’s great! You’ve already cleared the first hurdle on your education journey. So, what happens next? You need to figure out which degree program is going to put you on the path toward your goals.

3 Steps to Choosing a Degree Program

Whether you’re going back to school to start or complete a bachelor’s degree, or you recently determined you need to earn a master’s degree to advance in your field, you will find continuing your education to be both rewarding and challenging. You also will find that you have many options to consider, including the type of degree, the program of study, the university, and even if you want to attend classes online or on campus.

With all the decisions ahead of you, the key is to focus on your personal and professional goals. Here are three steps to honing your plans and options to ensure your degree program puts you on the right path.

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Step 1. Consider Your Goals―Both Personal and Professional

What’s motivating you to advance your education? What do you hope your degree will help you achieve?

Everyone’s reasons are different, and there is no right or wrong answer. But to decide which degree program to pursue, you must first truly understand your personal “why” for going back to school. Think about what you hope to achieve in your career, then think through what you need to get there. This can help you define your program of study.

For example, if you hope to move from a contributor-level role to a manager level, you should determine which skills you will need to gain to manage a team. Then you can look for programs that teach those skills. 

It’s essential to focus on programs that align with your long-term aspirations.

Do you want to move into a new field? Think about the career you ultimately wish to have and whether your current trajectory will get you where you need to go. You may want to consider a similar field for your degree program or move on to something entirely new.

Do you need new skills to advance in your role? If you are feeling stalled in your career, earning a degree can be a great way to learn new skills that you can use to push through to the next level. In this case, you may consider earning a degree that can give you specialized knowledge within your current field, which can help you stand out at your company.

Do you want to pursue leadership positions? Knowing if you hope to eventually manage people or move into an executive position can help you narrow down not only your field of study but also the level of degree you will need to pursue.

No matter how you answer these questions, a degree can help you advance or make changes in your career. Doing some strong self-reflection to get to your personal “why” can help you determine the best path to give you the advantage you’re seeking. 

Step 2. Evaluate Degree Program Options and Costs

Once you’ve evaluated your motivations and goals for earning your degree, it’s time to consider program options. There are many types of degrees, and institutions like Walden University offer a range of degree programs, in varying formats and completion times.

Type of Degree

Today there are specialized degree programs for just about every possible field of study. This is great because it allows you to really focus your learning in areas of interest and build valuable connections with other professionals in your specialized field. A more generalized degree program, however, may leave more doors open to you as you move forward in your career.

Deciding if you want to earn a broad, foundational degree or a specialized degree will help streamline your options. 
You can also compare other program features:

• Time to complete
• Part-time or full-time options
• Tuition rates
• Flexible scheduling
• Field placement opportunities, when applicable

Online vs. Traditional Degree Programs

Almost all degree programs that were once only offered in person can now be found online from an accredited college or university. Considering both online and on-campus programs may feel like an overwhelming undertaking, as you will be faced with a multitude of options. Determining if you want an online or on-campus degree program from the start can simplify the decision-making process. 
There are pros and cons to both online degree programs and on-campus programs. Some questions to think about include:

• How close is the nearest campus offering the degree I wish to pursue?
• When will I be available to attend classes? Do I need evening and weekend options?
• Have I ever tried learning in an online environment, and was I successful?
• Are the costs of the online and in-person options comparable?
• Which programs will offer me the best transfer-of-credit policy for my academic and professional experience?

University Support

Getting access to the right support and resources can make a huge difference in the success rate of adult students, especially those who are working while earning a degree. As you think about choosing a degree program, be sure to ask about the kind of academic, financial, and tech services available to non-traditional students. 

• Academic Support: Who are the faculty and how dedicated are they to offering student mentorship and guidance?
• Funding and Financial Aid: Does the university offer scholarships to adult students, and how transparent is information about tuition and fees?
• Tech Support: Will the university help if I can’t access coursework or have other IT questions?
• Career Services: What does the university offer adult students who are in need of career resources and coaching

Comparison and Evaluation

Once you decide which features and options are most important to you, find the degree programs that meet your criteria. Do your research: Make a list that compares all the programs you’re considering and note how each can benefit you. Being able to compare and evaluate your options in one spot will help you analyze opportunities, risks, and challenges with each program. 

Step 3. Create an Individualized Education Plan 

Walden University offers all prospective students access to a tool that lets you create your own personalized education plan. After completing a three-minute quiz, you will have a downloadable guide to the Walden programs that meet your needs.

Once you answer a few questions, the personalized education planning tool can gather all the information you need to make a thoughtful decision about the programs that may be right for you:

• Time to complete
• Tuition and fees
• Financial aid, including scholarships
• Transfer credit policy
• Admissions criteria
• Student services

Earn Your Degree at Walden: Get Started Today

Ready to take the first step into your future? Visit the Walden personalized education planner to get started. Enrollment Specialists are available to help if you have questions.

Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), www.hlcommission.org, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.