Distance learning has its roots in the old correspondence courses—education via snail mail where the student filled in problem sheets and tests, dropped them into the mailbox, and waited several weeks for the instructor to mail back grades.

Technology now makes distance learning almost instantaneous. The student logs into a virtual classroom, posts to discussion boards and attaches assignments, and gets feedback from the professor and fellow students via message board and email.

Technology puts earning a master's degree within reach of anyone living anywhere. You need a computer and an internet connection—and the commitment to finish your degree online.

Your Distance Learning Classmates

Other students will also be enrolled in your online courses. What are they like?

• About three-quarters work a full-time or part-time job in addition to going to school.
• About three-quarters are earning an online degree by taking courses in sequence.
• About two-thirds of your classmates are female.
• Half of your classmates are probably 35 or older—getting an online master's degree so they can change careers or get a promotion.
• Only about 20 percent of distance learners are brand-new students who have never taken a college course.

You may also take distance classes with active members of the military, U.S. citizens living abroad, and people from all over the U.S. It's fun and fascinating to meet new people with interesting perspectives on life and earning a degree online.

Your Distance Learning Instructors

Who teaches online courses? Faculty characteristics vary widely depending on which online university you attend, but they all have some traits in common.

• They may be tenured university faculty, but more likely they'll be adjunct faculty—professionals who step into the teaching role for particular courses. They have done the work they're teaching about. This is especially true in online MBA programs, the sciences and engineering, and education degree programs.
• Distance learning faculty are very comfortable using technology. They deliver lectures via online video, through webinars, through PowerPoint slides, and through interaction with students on discussion boards.
• Distance learning teachers know how to find resources for students. All online universities have access to virtual libraries. Teachers go beyond the basics and locate resources on the world wide web, and they create original materials specifically for online courses. And each distance learning course uses textbooks, either real books you hold in your hand or virtual textbooks you store on the computer.

Earn your master's online through distance learning no matter where you live. All you need is an internet connection and a computer—and the commitment to finish your degree and graduate. It's much faster and more satisfying than the old correspondence course days!

Read more about essential strategies to getting a graduate degree online, or learn about business schools that offer online degrees.

Ready to search for a distance learning masters degree program? Use the GraduateSchools.com graduate school finder to request free information!