You know you’re ready to pursue additional education, and you have specific career objectives in mind— but actually selecting a degree program can still feel daunting.

You need to choose the type of degree you want to pursue and which specific programs you want to apply to. You also have to balance desired programs against factors like cost, location, and average completion time.

The good news, though, is that simply knowing how to select programs that are a good fit for your specific goals and circumstances can make the process much easier. In this post, we’ll discuss how to choose the right degree program for you.

Choosing Your Degree Path 

When choosing your degree path, the most important thing to consider is your career goals. Determine what you’d like to do and work backward from there.

Think about both your immediate and long-term career goals. If, for example, you already work as a manager of a restaurant and know that you want to become a regional general manager, you may want to consider the following:

• A master’s degree in hospitality would be a good option if you want to manage larger properties like hotels or even theme parks that include restaurants.
• A master’s degree in restaurant management would be ideal if you want to become a general manager of a restaurant chain or open a series of restaurants yourself.

If you don’t have a specific job title in mind but know that you want to upskill for career advancement opportunities, you may want to consider the following:

• Degree flexibility. Some degrees may offer more easily transferable skills than others. A degree in communications or finance, for example, may have skills that can benefit you in a variety of different roles. 
• Job security. Industries and job roles each offer different levels of job security. Some industries may be facing talent shortages, are less likely to lay off employees, or may have so much demand that you can easily find another job if laid off from your current employer.
• Potential salary. A common reason adult learners pursue additional degrees is for the potential earnings increase. Certain degrees may open more doors to help you boost your earning potential throughout your career.
  For example, you can become a registered nurse (RN) with an associate’s degree in nursing, but obtaining a bachelor’s of science in nursing (BSN) can increase your salary by an average of $8,000 a year and open doors to new job opportunities.

Choosing Your Degree Program

Once you have a good idea of the type of degree you want, you need to choose which programs you’ll apply to. Let’s review the factors adult learners should consider when choosing their degree programs.

1. Program Relevance

The first thing to consider is how much a specific program aligns with your long-term goals. Are there degree concentrations or certain classes that would be particularly helpful? And do you have options to take classes within that program that interest you?

Software engineers who eventually want to become team managers, for example, may benefit from taking a class that discusses cybersecurity best practices or teaches a particular computer language they may need.

Sometimes a general education is perfectly fine, but if you have detailed career goals, see if you can find a program that can best prepare you.

2. Program Location  

Many adult learners don’t have the flexibility to pick up and move just for additional schooling, especially if they’re already working or have a family. As a result, location is a crucial consideration when choosing degree programs.

Fortunately, many programs today now allow for remote learning. This makes it much easier for continued education students to select degrees that align with their goals without having to relocate.

However, check the program and class details carefully. Remote classes may have requirements to take proctored exams at limited approved locations, for example. You also want to ensure that there aren’t requirements of in-person attendance for labs, training, or testing at any point, and that if there are, they’re accessible based on your location and schedule.

3. Tuition Costs & Funding Options

One of the most stressful parts of continued education is finding ways to pay for that new degree. Tuition costs and potential funding options, as a result, are key considerations for adult learners.

Keep the following in mind:

• Public colleges often have lower tuition costs than private colleges.
• In-state colleges cost less than out-of-state programs.
• Some community or state colleges may offer specialized degree programs that may have lower tuition costs than public universities.
• Some programs— especially those for more advanced degrees— may offer stipends or scholarships.
• Third-party scholarships are always an option, though they can be competitive.

When you’re considering potential costs, ask your current employer about employee education assistance benefits. Employee education programs may cover a set amount of tuition funds annually for qualifying employees; others may offer student loan reimbursement programs.

If your employer uses EdAssist to manage their employee education program, you may also have access to financial and career coaches. These expert coaches can help you ensure that you have a realistic financial plan in place for any education costs that tuition reimbursement doesn’t cover.

4. Potential Flexibility

Certain degree programs may be much more rigid than others, so look for a school that offers the flexibility you need.

If you need to take a semester off, for example, will you have the option to do so easily? What about two semesters?

How much control do you have over the classes you take? Many master’s degree programs, for example, may have a set of core required classes and a list of relevant electives you can take.

Finally, look into flexibility around classes and lectures. Many online-only programs allow you to watch lectures on your schedule and may give you the option to take quizzes or tests at a time of your convenience within a certain time period. For many adult learners who are working and have busy lives, this can make all the difference in their ability to complete their degree.

5. Program Success

Certain programs may have clear metrics for success, like job placement rates or the percentage of students who passed licensure or certification exams. While not every program or industry offers this kind of information, it’s worth paying attention to those that do.

High-performing programs may increase your odds of success through improved education, additional resources like interview or test practice, or networking opportunities. Those additional factors are worth considering.

6. Entry Requirements

While that are program acceptance requirements that may be consistent across certain degree types, each school can choose their own. For example, some master’s of fine arts (MFAs) in writing require GREs even though others don’t.

When choosing degree programs, look at the following:

• Do they require any prerequisite classes or specific degrees for acceptance?
• Are there certain exams that you need to take, and minimum scores on those exams?
• Does the program require or prefer past work experience?

Some MSN programs, for example, may want students to have some real-world nursing experience. Many require you to have an active nursing license and a BSN with a minimum GPA. However, some don’t require any prior work experience, and there are bridge programs that are open to ADN RNs.

Final Thoughts

Choosing a degree program can feel overwhelming since there’s so much at stake. It’s important to keep in mind that there are likely multiple great options available to you.

Here are a few final tips to help you choose the right program:

• Take your time to choose a school, and don’t forget to allow time for application processes.
• Look holistically at the entire program, including the faculty, curriculum, program requirements, costs, and success rates to determine if it’s a good fit.
• Ask any questions you have before officially enrolling.
• Eliminate schools that aren’t a good fit, even if they seem promising; these programs may take two to four years on average (potentially longer if you’re completing them while working), so the total program needs to right for you across the board.
• Get advice from experts with EdAssist’s career and financial coaches.