Flexible Degrees You Can Earn On the Go

Looking for a flexible degree that can match your busy, on-the-go lifestyle? Check out these six online options.

By Lisa Manterfield

Want to go back to school to earn your degree, but not sure if you can handle adding it into your busy lifestyle?

"Between work schedules and family schedules, it's not easy for some people to take classes on a traditional schedule," says Dr. Michael Mills, director of distance education and learning technologies at Montgomery College in Maryland.

The good news is that an online education could allow you to earn a degree on the go. In fact, online classes "afford students the opportunity to access material at convenient times," says Mills.

Intrigued? Check out these six flexible degrees busy people could earn on the go.

On-the-Go Degree #1 - Education

Want to learn how to mold the minds of young people? With an online bachelor's degree in education, you can. And you could earn this degree on the go, too.

In fact, earning your education degree online can be a great option, especially if you want to change careers and need to fit school around a busy work schedule.

"We see a lot of future teachers taking online classes to fulfill the requirements for an education degree," says Tammy Peery, online teacher and chair of the English department at Montgomery College.

Click to Find the Right Online Education Program.

Degree Details: "Education majors study how people learn and how to best teach them," notes the College Board, an educational organization that administers tests like the SAT. "Classes cover such topics as educational psychology, school health and safety issues, and the planning of classroom activities."

Potential Career: If teaching is your dream, you'll want to keep this in mind: A bachelor's in education, coupled with a state-issued certification or license, is required to prepare to pursue a career as public kindergarten or elementary school teacher, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

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On-the-Go Degree #2 - Health Care Administration

Do you want to earn a health care degree, but always find yourself on the run? No problem. An online bachelor's in health care administration could catch up with your hectic life - and fit nicely into it, too.

"Students can access course information before or after work, when it's convenient for them," says Mills.

So even if you have a full-time gig that consumes most of your day, earning a health care administration degree could still be possible online.

Click to Find the Right Online Health Care Administration Program.

Degree Details: A bachelor's in health care administration generally includes courses in accounting, human resources management, health care law, as well as anatomy, physiology, and epidemiology, says the College Board.

Potential Career: According to the U.S. Department of Labor, "prospective medical and health services managers have a bachelor's degree in health administration." A master's degree in health services administration is also common.

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On-the-Go Degree #3 - Business Administration

Are you set on earning a business degree, but don't know how to fit school into your on-the-go schedule? Look into earning your bachelor's in business online.

This degree could be great "if you have the motivation, but need the flexibility," says Peery. In other words, if you're determined to hone your business skills - even with a busy schedule that rivals the president's - then earning this flexible degree could be right for you.

Click to Find the Right Online Business Administration Program.

Degree Details: A business administration degree could help you develop your business skills by teaching you how to plan and coordinate a company's business activities, notes the College Board. Typical classes might include operations management, marketing, accounting, and business ethics.

Potential Career: If you're interested in a career as a personal financial advisor, here's something you should know: Personal financial advisors are generally required to have a bachelor's degree, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, which notes that a degree in business, finance, and economics - among others - is good groundwork for the gig.

On-the-Go Degree #4 - Criminal Justice

Want to learn how to fight crime - on your own time? With an online bachelor's degree in criminal justice, you could develop your law and justice skills on the go.

"You're not limited by geography," says Peery, which means you could access your classes almost anywhere. "We even have actively-deployed military personnel taking online classes," Peery says.

Click to Find the Right Online Criminal Justice Program.

Degree Details: In a criminal justice degree program, you could be studying more than the law, according to the College Board. You could take commonly offered classes in criminology, policing society, and victimology, as well as learning the workings of the judicial system and how best to rehabilitate offenders.

Potential Career: Thinking about one day pursuing a career as a probation officer? The U.S. Department of Labor notes that a bachelor's degree in social work, criminal justice, psychology, or a related field is often required.

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On-the-Go Degree #5 - Accounting

If you're interested in the financial aspect of business, and want to earn a flexible degree that could help sharpen your numbers talent, consider an online bachelor's degree in accounting.

The best part? "Online courses can be more flexible and help you to fit school into your schedule," says Peery. That's right, whether you have PTA meetings or a demanding career, online programs conform to your schedule, not the other way around.

Click to Find the Right Online Accounting Program.

Degree Details: "Accounting majors learn how to gather, record, analyze, interpret, and communicate information about an individual's or organization's financial performance and risks," according to the College Board. It adds that typical classes might include business law and specific aspects of accounting, such as tax accounting or cost accounting.

Potential Career: According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the majority of accountants are required to have at least a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field.

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On-the-Go Degree #6 - Communications

Think of all the ways you like to communicate with people - conversation, writing, texting, and even social media. If you're looking to develop your chatty tendencies for the professional world, an online bachelor's degree in communications could be a great option.

And for those of you who are already juggling a million and one things, you don't have to necessarily add on a ridiculously demanding class schedule that cuts into your work or family obligations. Why? Because earning your communications degree online means you can chit-chat with your classmates via email and discussion boards when it's most convenient for you.

Click to Find the Right Online Communications Program.

Degree Details: Through courses in business communication and media analysis and criticism, a bachelor's in communications could offer you the opportunity to "learn how to write, edit, and speak professionally," notes the College Board.

Potential Career: If you're interested in pursuing a career as a public relations specialist, you'll want to know this: Public relations specialists generally need a bachelor's degree, with employers often wanting applicants "who have studied public relations, journalism, communications, English, or business," notes the U.S. Department of Labor.

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