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How to Change Careers with a Master’s Degree

Balancing classwork alongside your current job and family commitments can be a challenge for many professionals. That’s where an online master’s program becomes the ideal option for changing careers. The convenient format, skill-building curriculum, and unique opportunities offered are all very relevant to preparing to enter another role or field. Learn more about how an online master’s degree can help you change careers, especially if you have no experience in your desired profession.

Convenience of an online master’s degree

An online master’s degree often features some unique aspects that are designed to foster skill building and prepare those who are interested in a career change. These curriculums are often streamlined to maximize the impact of your education while still offering helpful access to a cohort of peers and supportive faculty. Skill-building components are often strongly embedded in online programs through project-based learning, connecting with professionals already in the field, or even a brief in-person residency in certain cases. These opportunities are important for career changers who likely have no or minimal experience in their new field. 

For those switching professions and who need to build a new skillset more quickly, an online certificate program may be a better option. With a certificate program, students can experience graduate-level education for less investment of time and budget while fostering in-demand skills. 

Furthermore, working your way through an online master’s degree program builds a variety of transferable skills that your future employers in your new field will find attractive. Completing an online program demonstrates your strong self-motivation, time management, and ability to learn independently. In addition, you have the opportunity to connect with a unique, diverse group of people collaboratively utilizing technology. It’s an exciting way to build professional relationships in your new field. For online coursework, writing is often the primary mode of communication, which offers the space and time to foster this skill crucial to success in the modern workplace. In today’s workplace, where remote work is becoming commonplace, these are excellent skills to nurture and grow.

For career changers, pursuing an online master’s degree focused on advanced, more specialized skills and professional growth is one of the best ways to prepare for their switch to another profession.

Online Graduate Programs at Miami

Miami University offers several online master's degrees and graduate certificates.

Skill building for a career change

An online master's degree often features some unique aspects that are designed to foster skill building and prepare those who are interested in a career change. These curriculums are often streamlined to maximize the impact of your education while still offering helpful access to a cohort of peers and supportive faculty. Skill-building components are often strongly embedded in online programs through project-based learning, connecting with professionals already in the field, or even a brief in-person residency in certain cases. These opportunities are important for career changers who likely have no or minimal experience in their new field. 

For those switching professions and who need to build a new skillset more quickly, an online certificate program may be a better option. With a certificate program, students can experience graduate-level education for less investment of time and budget while fostering in-demand skills. 

Furthermore, working your way through an online master's degree program builds a variety of transferable skills that your future employers in your new field will find attractive. Completing an online program demonstrates your strong self-motivation, time management, and ability to learn independently. In addition, you have the opportunity to connect with a unique, diverse group of people collaboratively utilizing technology. It's an exciting way to build professional relationships in your new field. For online coursework, writing is often the primary mode of communication, which offers the space and time to foster this skill crucial to success in the modern workplace. In today's workplace, where remote work is becoming commonplace, these are excellent skills to nurture and grow.

For career changers, pursuing an online master's degree focused on advanced, more specialized skills and professional growth is one of the best ways to prepare for their switch to another profession.

Empower Your Professional Growth

Expand your transferable skills and marketability with a master's degree.

A master's demonstrates your commitment to switching careers

By earning an online graduate degree, you have an opportunity to demonstrate your abiding interest in this new field and your willingness to commit to your career change. By removing geographic or commuting limitations, you can select an online master’s or certificate program that aligns most closely with your prospective career plans. In addition, certain online programs have options to focus your studies or tailor your electives in a way that best prepares you to switch careers. 

A graduate program also has the benefit of providing formal time and space to immerse yourself in the new field. If you were to research and learn about these things yourself, it would be an enormous undertaking. Through your coursework, you will grapple with exciting topics, build crucial vocabulary and ways of thinking, explore new trends, and learn about leading-edge innovations. Building connections with people in your targeted field is another way to demonstrate your commitment to this new path.

Online master’s degrees at Miami University

Miami University offers a wide range of online master's degrees and certificates in business, education, management, technology, and nursing. We welcome all types of online students, including veterans, recent graduates, working professionals, career changers, and advancers. Our graduate courses are designed to build in-demand skills for flourishing industries here in Ohio and beyond. The emphasis on flexibility and skill building makes our online programs perfect for those switching careers. 

Our high-quality online programs are taught by the same faculty who teach in person at Miami University's Ohio campuses. As a well-ranked public institution, we've received recognition for both our affordability and the quality of our online programs. Our accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and Ohio state authorization allows us to offer online programs that lead to professional licensure and helps students access federal financial aid grants and loans.

At Miami Online, we pride ourselves on providing exceptional academic, financial, and technical assistance to our students to have the resources they need to succeed. For working professionals who have not been a student in a long while, this support serves students' needs so you can focus on your schoolwork. Career changers should feel confident that an online master's degree from Miami University equips you to switch to a new profession.  

Request information to learn more about Miami Online's graduate programs.

Learn More About Miami’s Online Graduate Programs

From streamlined master's programs that efficiently offer career-advancing knowledge to certificates that make an impact on your skill set, Miami University offers an online graduate program to meet your needs. Learn more about our online graduate degrees and certificates to find out why Miami Online is the right fit for you.

Apply to Miami University

Take the next step toward career success through graduate online courses from Miami University. Submit your online graduate application today.