There was a time when earning a bachelor’s degree was all it took to firmly set yourself apart from your peers in the workplace, but today a master’s is what it takes to stand out. Fortunately, online learning has evolved to meet this demand, making it easier than ever before for an ambitious professional to earn a master’s degree from the comfort of their home, and in their spare time (if there really is such a thing). These are some of the most popular choices for a master’s program, including what makes it worthwhile:

• MBA: Few people will be surprised to learn that a Master’s of Business Administration is the most sought-after master’s in the U.S. Not only are MBAs in high demand, but it’s the highest-paying master’s degree as well.
• MEd: The Master’s of Education degree is very flexible, and can be used to meet a variety of needs. For those currently working as educators, the MEd can be earned part-time in only a year, and it’s often completely online. Examples of MEd degrees include School Counseling, Administration and Supervision, Curriculum and Instruction (which can be specialized even more to focus on STEM ed, technology, health science, and more), Special Education, and Career and Technical Education. All programs should be certified through the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) through the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
• MEd in Educational Leadership: Principals and administrators earn a special kind of MEd, which can take a bit longer than other Master’s of Education programs. However, the cost-to-value ratio is impressive: for about 15 months of study and tuition costs that can be as low as $15,000, you’ll average just under six figures annually.
• Master of Organizational Leadership: Often involving a skills-based approach to molding the leaders of tomorrow, this degree can be a Master of Arts or a Master of Science program. Through practice and academic research, students become experts in ethics, technology, teamwork, and motivation. Once earned, this degree leads to people becoming corporate recruiters, education administrators, health services managers, CEOs, and more.
• MPA: The public-sector twin of the MBA, the Master of Public Administration prepares women and men for nonprofit and government work, or a role in the private sector as well. The curriculum is often interdisciplinary, ranging from policy analysis to human resource management and criminal justice. The emphasis is on implementing programs, managing projects, and solving real-world problems.
• MCJ: The Master of Criminal Justice understands what factors lead to crime, how to put safeguards in place to protect communities from those factors, and how to follow up to see that these checks and balances are serving the cause of justice. Concentrations allow students to focus on specific career goals, such as leadership roles in government or law enforcement. This degree can also be a bridge to law school.

While not easy, earning a master’s degree has never been easier, and the rewards more than outweigh the investment. A master’s might be just what you need to take your career journey from good to exceptional.