Stay at home moms have a lot on their plate. Between watching the kids and running their households, busy moms don’t have a lot of free time on their hands. So, the idea of commuting to school to take a few classes just seems out of reach. Attending college in person can be expensive, so stay at home moms may not be able to afford school on a limited budget.
You may have different reasons for studying — maybe you want to switch careers, find an online job, or just learn something new.
Thanks to technology, stay at home moms can get the education they desire without leaving their home. Online courses offer flexible schedules – you can take classes and study at your own pace. With so many schools offering online classes, hopefully it’s not hard to find courses that fit into your budget.
Benefits of Online Degrees for Stay at Home Moms
Being a stay at home mom can be rewarding, but it's not a role you'll play forever. So, if your plan is to get a job or start a freelance business once the kids are in school, you might want to start distance education classes now.
An education can open the door to career paths with more job opportunities and higher pay if you are looking for financial stability. Whether you have continuing education requirements or want to learn something new, the knowledge you gain from an online degree can be fulfilling and useful.
Getting an online degree doesn't mean you have to get a corporate job. You can apply what you've learned from your online courses and start your own company or work as a freelancer.
Pursuing an online degree now allows you to start a career when the time is right. So, even if you wait to launch your career after your kids start school, earning a degree online positions you for the future
Going back to school can be stressful for busy moms, but the good news is there are plenty of best online degrees you can get on your own schedule. The time you invest now in higher education can pay off with lucrative job opportunities and improved job satisfaction. Or, leverage your online courses to earn money by starting your own work at home or freelance business.
Overcoming the Challenges of Online Degree for Stay at Home Moms
Even though you can get an education from home, returning to school as a SAHM is challenging. With some planning and support, you can get past these challenges. Before you begin, sit down with your family, and talk through what life looks like when you go back to school. You may need extra help with chores or family schedule changes.
Keep the lines of communication open with your family and friends. A sound support system helps when you feel overwhelmed. Seek guidance from the school's advisor when choosing your coursework to know you're on the right track. Finally, be realistic with your goals. You don't have to load up on your coursework. Consider taking one class at first and see how it goes.
As a stay at home mom, pursuing a higher education can seem like a monumental task. When your children are younger, it's tough to find the time in your day to commute to school. Plus, you'd likely need to pay someone for childcare, which can get expensive.
Online degrees for stay at home moms are flexible, so you can get an online education at your own pace. Online classes usually cost less, and you don't have to pay for childcare or gas for your car.
However, taking online classes may require some planning on your part. While you can take classes on own schedule, you might consider knocking out your courses during naptime or after you've put your kids to bed. Plus, having a good internet connection and a quiet place to learn that is free from distractions is helpful.
Online Associate Degree
Depending on the online program, an associate's degree usually takes two years to complete. As a stay at home mom, you can expand your opportunities when you pursue such online degree programs;
- Accounting: As a stay at home mom, you could work as a bookkeeper or accounting assistant from home. Or, if you plan to start a virtual assistant business, consider an associate degree in business administration. Visit accounting.com for a list of the online degree programs in accounting.
- Finance: With a finance degree, you could land a financial analyst or personal financial advisor position.You can get an online Associate Degree in Accounting and Finance at Brunswick Community College. In-state tuition rates apply if you live in North Carolina.
- Early childhood education: Pursue an online associate degree in early childhood education, and you could care for other children in your home. Depending on how much time you can devote to your schooling, you could complete an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education in just five months at Penn Foster.
- Creative or professional writing: If you enjoy writing, an associate degree in creative or professional writing can help launch a career as a freelance writer.
Online Bachelor's Degree Programs
An online bachelor's degree provides a more targeted focus on your field of study. A bachelor's degree program usually takes four years to complete. If you already have an associate degree under your belt, you may get credit for some of the courses you've taken.
As a SAHM, you may be looking for a job with flexibility or a business opportunity where you can work from home. If this is your goal, there are several online bachelor's degrees for stay at home moms that could be a good fit, such as:
Education: With an online bachelor's degree, you can get a job as a teacher. You can work during your kids' school hours yet be home on their days off. Purdue University offers eight Bachelor's Degree Education programs ranging from early childhood education to secondary education.
Business or finance: Depending on your degree, you could get a corporate job in management, business administration finance, or human resource management. You could leverage a business degree to start your own company or work as a consultant from home. Examples include WGU's Bachelor's Degree in Finance that can be completed in as little as 42 months or an online program like the Purdue Global Online.
Technology: If you are a techie at heart, you'll find a host of online degrees in information technology. Stay at home moms can pursue a cybersecurity or network security degree to help companies keep their data safe. Or earn a website design and development degree and start your own business.
Medical field: Consider an online degree program in nursing if taking care of people is your passion. Or pursue a health services management degree to oversee a medical facility. Online nursing programs may combine distance learning with on-site healthcare facilities in your area.
Online Master's Degree Programs
You can expand your earning potential and improve your career prospects with an online master's degree. With a master's degree in business administration, you could land a position as a marketing manager, business operations manager, or public relations manager. Here are BestColleges.org to find the top 25 most affordable online MBA programs.
Choose a master's degree in nursing for such jobs as a nursing consultant, clinical nurse educator, or a nurse practitioner. You can find the 10 online master's degree programs in nursing at NurseJournal.org, under the advertising section.
Resources, Financial Aid and Scholarships
You may decide to enroll in an online degree program if you want to pursue a fulfilling career, have personal development goals, or wish to earn money with a part time job. Many online courses come with an affordable price tag, but you still need to figure out how to pay for your college degree.
If you can't afford to pay cash for your online classes, you can likely get financial aid. You'll need to complete a FAFSA application to see what financial aid options are available:
- Scholarships are funds awarded based on merit or other criteria that you don’t have to pay back. Do an online search for scholarships or check your school’s website for scholarship opportunities.
- Grants are usually need-based awards that don’t require repayment. Check with your school’s financial aid office for grant opportunities.
- Student loans are often the last resort for financial aid. You must pay back whatever you borrow.
- Ask your online school if they offer payment plans. Perhaps they would be willing to let you break up your payments over a few months.
Are There Free Online Courses for Stay at Home Moms?
As a stay at home mom, you can sharpen your skills or start your own business with free courses online. You can take free classes in computer science, website development, medical billing, criminal justice, or social media marketing. Women in Technology offers a free Cybersecurity Certificate program for low-income single mothers who qualify.
Sometimes you can learn by doing – for example you might start your own freelance business designing websites or working as a social media manager.