Earning an Online Degree
Many careers in public service require a bachelor's or higher degree, and even professionals in occupations that do not require a college education should consider the many benefits of attaining their higher education. Most persons interested in public service careers will benefit considerably from additional education. Although the cost of education is skyrocketing - including living costs and school supplies on top of tuition - online options are making it more feasible for working professionals to pursue their higher education with lower costs and more flexible learning.
Earning an Advanced Degree - Return On Investment (ROI)
Average worker salaries increase with education, and unemployment rates decrease. According to the U.S. Bureau of the Census, in 2007 the median annual income of individuals holding a master's degree was $52,390 to $9,247 higher than for individuals with a bachelor's degree. In most cases, a person who earned a master's degree would recover the cost of the degree through increased earnings in less than a decade after graduation. Adults with advanced degrees earned four times more than those with less than a high school diploma. In 2006, workers 18 and older with a master's, professional or doctoral degree earned an average of $82,320, while those with less than a high school diploma earned $20,873. In 2012, the average increase in salary between those with an associate's degree and those with a bachelor's was by 74 percent, while the average increase for those with a bachelor's to those with a graduate degree was by 64 percent.
Top 10 Degrees for Public Service Professionals
1. Bachelor's in Fire Science
Online degrees in fire science provide strong foundations in technical aspects of fires and hazardous materials and emphasize professional skills, ethics, service, and leadership. While most firefighters have a high school diploma, workers with an associate's or bachelor's degree in fire science are often preferred, and an associate's degree is required for executive fire officer certification from the National Fire Academy. Some departments offer incentives such as tuition reimbursement or higher pay for advanced degrees or training. Online bachelor's or master's degrees in fire science (or related fields such as public administration) can also help firefighters move up the career ladder - helping them reach higher positions in their field, such as fire captain, chief or investigator.
Many careers in public service require a bachelor's or higher degree, and even professionals in occupations that do not require a college education should consider the many benefits of attaining their higher education. Most persons interested in public service careers will benefit considerably from additional education. Although the cost of education is skyrocketing - including living costs and school supplies on top of tuition - online options are making it more feasible for working professionals to pursue their higher education with lower costs and more flexible learning.
Earning an Advanced Degree - Return On Investment (ROI)
Average worker salaries increase with education, and unemployment rates decrease. According to the U.S. Bureau of the Census, in 2007 the median annual income of individuals holding a master's degree was $52,390 to $9,247 higher than for individuals with a bachelor's degree. In most cases, a person who earned a master's degree would recover the cost of the degree through increased earnings in less than a decade after graduation. Adults with advanced degrees earned four times more than those with less than a high school diploma. In 2006, workers 18 and older with a master's, professional or doctoral degree earned an average of $82,320, while those with less than a high school diploma earned $20,873. In 2012, the average increase in salary between those with an associate's degree and those with a bachelor's was by 74 percent, while the average increase for those with a bachelor's to those with a graduate degree was by 64 percent.
Top 10 Degrees for Public Service Professionals
1. Bachelor's in Fire Science
Online degrees in fire science provide strong foundations in technical aspects of fires and hazardous materials and emphasize professional skills, ethics, service, and leadership. While most firefighters have a high school diploma, workers with an associate's or bachelor's degree in fire science are often preferred, and an associate's degree is required for executive fire officer certification from the National Fire Academy. Some departments offer incentives such as tuition reimbursement or higher pay for advanced degrees or training. Online bachelor's or master's degrees in fire science (or related fields such as public administration) can also help firefighters move up the career ladder - helping them reach higher positions in their field, such as fire captain, chief or investigator.