How to Succeed in an Online Master's Degree Program While Working Full-Time

Going back to school can help you get a promotion, change career fields, or just make you more valuable to your employer. Many universities now offer Master's degree programs which are fulfilled completely online or with minimal on-campus time. The problem for most working adults is not finding a suitable program but finding the time and energy to complete the program. Since I finished a 30-month online MA program while working full-time, I want to share some of my success tips.

1. Make a schedule. Even if you, like me, don't care much for schedules, this is one time you'll be glad you have one. Use a calendar or day planner that shows the hours of the day to map out each day, Monday through Sunday, from morning to bed time. You'll need to block out the hours you spend working. Don't forget to include commute times. Now, start blocking out recurring activities whether that includes date night with your spouse or your child's soccer games. My experience (and that of my classmates) was that I spent 20 to 30 hours a week on school. Block out hours each day to create at least 20 school-dedicated hours each week. Many students schedule the bulk of their school time on the weekends. Others adjust their schedules to get up earlier or stay up later in order to complete their assignments. When you're done, you'll have a rough weekly schedule.

2. Treat your course syllabus like gold. At the beginning of each course you'll receive a syllabus outlining all of your assignments, reading material, project due dates, etc. Your task is to take the syllabus, a calendar and your weekly schedule and plan when you're going to do the work. The syllabus should always be handy so you can use it as a checklist as you complete your work. Each day, the syllabus and schedule will tell you what you need to be working on and keep you on track. Don't forget to schedule time in advance of the due date to work on major papers and research projects.

3. Be an active class participant. Most online courses utilize special classroom software, such as Blackboard, which includes a discussion forum. An integral part of the class is the discussion that takes place each day or week between the instructor and the students. For me, this regular interaction was one of the most rewarding aspects of an online education. The forum setting gives each student equal opportunity to participate. So, even if you normally would not jump into a discussion in a traditional live classroom setting, you should take this opportunity to join in. You'll learn more and, in most classes, your participation will add points to your grade.

4. Complete assignments on time. Most instructors deduct points for each day your assignment is late. Some professors will give you a break on one late assignment if you have a valid reason for not completing the work on time. However, most have little tolerance for chronically late assignments. You'll find your instructor's late policy in that all-important syllabus.

5. Ask for clarification if something doesn't make sense to you. Professors are human and I've found more than one syllabus that contained conflicting information. Most classes provide a special forum to ask these types of questions. If not, email the professor with your question. Many times after I asked for clarification other students chimed in wanting the same question answered.

6. Have a contingency plan. Your power could go out. Your computer could break. A family emergency could arise. Think about how you will handle these disruptions in your schedule. You may need to find free WI-FI spots where you can work if you can't get online at home. You may need to have access to a second computer. Keep your professor's office phone number and email handy (these should be on that syllabus) in case you're unable to participate in class or complete an assignment. Letting him or her know up front is better than simply disappearing for a few days. Finally, back up all of your work, including research and papers. I used a thumb drive so I could plug it into any computer and have everything I needed. And I needed it more than once over the course of 30 months. I experienced power and cable Internet outages and spent time sitting in a hospital waiting room (which fortunately had free WI-FI).

7. Keep your employer up-to-date on your school progress. Your schoolwork should not interfere with your job. Ideally, the things you're learning in school should enhance your work. Talk to your boss about your classes and how they benefit to you on the job. Even if that MA will eventually mean you move onto another career, your current employer shouldn't be given any less effort on the job. As you better yourself, be a better employee.

Just a little planning and scheduling can mean the difference between successfully completing your online Master's degree program or dropping out due to schedule conflicts or burnout. The success of your online education simply requires some discipline and commitment.