For the life of many in the Military, it is often a lifetime commitment to serve their country and expand their knowledge as they fight for what they believe in. Some stay in the armed services for one tour, while others continue year after year for decades long. Whatever the case may be, there is a sense of pride to serve. However, once they finish, or sometimes while serving, the need to advance their career in the military becomes relevant to obtain either a promotion or to simply enter back into civilian life.
Many people in the military have received a basic education; however, earning an online master’s degree can help improve the odds of more advanced career opportunities. Below we will discuss the Best Online Master’s for Military Veterans. This is what we found to be the most relevant and often chosen career path for military personnel and veterans.
1. Accounting and Finance
The first type of degree that many military veterans earn is an accounting and finance master’s degree. It provides several benefits to the veteran and offers the knowledge and skills to become a CPA once graduated. Most schools that offer this degree will provide an advanced exploration of both theory and practice of accounting, budgeting, reporting, and auditing.
Members of the armed forces that take this program will also increase their strong communication, research, and problem-solving skills. Students will probably be required to take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam to graduate. However, requirements for the CPA exam itself may vary by state. Military Veterans who earn an accounting and finance master’s degree may receive a discount on tuition costs, depending on the school.
2. Computer Science
A master’s degree in computer science is also a great option for military personnel and veterans. In fact, it is one of the most sought out degree program among veterans in the US. This program allows students to customize their concentration within the degree itself. The top concentration options are Data Science, Software Engineering and Computer Security.
Other common options are Artificial Intelligence, Game Development or Intelligence Robotics. Some veterans may also find employment in areas such as information technology and bioinformatics beneficial to their education goals as well. Many companies will hire recently retired military personnel in this field because of the knowledge they learned while serving.
3. Cybersecurity
Another great career option for military veterans is getting a master’s degree in Cybersecurity. Many doors are open to those who have retired from the military and moved into cybersecurity. In fact, it is one of the most sought out careers for military service members and veterans. People with a cybersecurity degree may work for a variety of employers, which includes the FBI, CIA, NSA, or even private companies for advanced career opportunities. In this career path, veterans can learn to develop high level computer technology and information security. The master’s degree will touch on topics such as cryptography, operating systems, intelligence analysis, and computer software engineering. Most people in the military have obtained this hands-on experience while serving, so it makes sense for them to continue once they enter civilian life.
4. Criminal Justice
The online master’s degree in criminal justice is also considered another career option for military veterans. The degree can teach the theory of criminology, policy design, and guide students to become criminal justice leaders. Most master’s degrees in criminal justice can be completed in less than two years. In addition, the job options of those with a master’s degree are vast as well, from criminal investigators to forensics experts in all areas of the armed forces. Once they leave the military, the career path can lead them to a variety of opportunities. Weather joining the police force, becoming a private investigator, or enter the court system. There are endless job paths.
5. Engineering
For those who serve the military or are veterans, earning an engineering masters degree can give that person many career opportunities once their tour is over. In fact, Engineering is part of STEM, a collaborative term used for education purposes. It stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. For those who excel in all four areas, there are more chances to build a great career after the military. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, STEM jobs are increasing. This is great news for military veterans who have earned this experience while serving in the military. Jobs include mechanics, construction engineers, electronic engineers, plant managers, and more. Depending on the specialty, the salary for an engineer will vary. However, the average pay is $90,000 per year.
6. Homeland Security
One of the Best Online Master’s for Military Veterans is a Homeland security degree. This degree program will prepare military veterans for a life career in a variety of job paths. Many will be available for management-level career fields that focus on protecting every aspect of who we are as a nation. From our nation itself; to government entities, communities, organizations and citizens. The master’s degree in Homeland security will help students understand the need to study important topis related to homeland security. These include homeland defense, threat prevention, emergency management and disaster preparedness, and constitutional law and ethics. The average degree will take 18 months to two years to complete. Students may need to complete a thesis or capstone project to graduate.
7. Legal Studies
Our next Best Online Master’s for Military Veterans is a degree in legal studies. Earning this degree is a great opportunity to expand your knowledge of the legal system for military veterans. A degree like this is not just for attorneys and lawyers, but paralegals will also benefit from this degree. Military personnel whose career is with JAG (Judge Advocate General), then a master’s degree in legal studies (MLS) is the way to go. The degree will help students learn how to be an effective communicator among lawyers, judges, and other legal staff members. Most MLS programs will feature five concentration options: Business Law, Health Law, Human Resource Law, Intellectual Property Law, and Public Law and Policy. The average salary is $75,000 per year.
8. MBA
Earning your MBA degree is one of the best online masters for military veterans. The course will help veterans excel in several fields of interest, such as business, finances, and entrepreneurship. An MBA degree provides strong leadership skills, interpersonal skills, and how to become an effective public speaker. The MBA degree can benefit many types of people in the armed forces, whether you are a military veteran, on active duty, or in the reserves. The MBA master’s degree can be completed in 12-18 months, depending on the curriculum. Once graduated, military veterans will also learn how to effectively create, launch, and operate a business.
9. Nursing
In the military, there is always a need to have a medic available for when emergencies happen. They are there to help the sick and injured to get back on their feet. Once their tour is over, going into the nursing field is often an easy transition to take for many medic veterans. Some will take their basic knowledge of medical care and become registered nurses(RN), licensed practical nurses(LPN), or a nurse practitioner, which is similar to a doctor. Nursing salaries will vary state by state. For example, a RN in California is more likely to make close to six figures compared to one that lives in the plains of Kansas. According to the BLS, the annual average salary is $81,220.
10. Psychology
A master’s degree in psychology can also be a huge benefit for military veterans once they are done with their tour or serving their country. Many military personnel come home with mental health problems, such as PTSD. Having a counselor or psychologist that they can relate to them and offer support is a huge relief. With a Master of Psychology, a military veteran can determine the right treatment and relieve some stress that many experience from going from combat mode to civilian life. At most schools, a student may need to take a GRE exam to be accepted in the program. Depending on the school of choice, the average degree could take approximately two years to complete. Earning a counseling degree along with the psychology degree can also benefit the military veteran taking the course.
Does the VA Help Veterans Find Jobs?
Yes, it is called the transition assistance program or (TAP) for short. This program provides tools and resources to help veterans transition from military to civilian life. The (TAP) program will educate veterans and assist them in finding employment and financial stability. This is a programming language used in excel. Each year about a quarter of a million service members transition to civilian life after leaving the military. Military Veterans can begin TAP a year prior to leaving or two years prior to retiring. To begin the process, first they need to go to their nearest VA in person, and then start the course called VA benefits and service. The TAP and VA benefits and service courses are also available online.
There is also another program as well. If you’re a wounded vet, there is a program that will assist service members in finding employment. It is called warrior training advanced course (WARTAC). WARTAC will help wounded vets learn VBA training, which stands for visual basics for applications. The program is available for active-duty service members with less than six months left in service. There are 55 VBA Regional Offices nationwide.
Is there Financial Aid for Veterans in Grad School?
For military personnel, service members, and veterans, there are ways for your education endeavors to be completely paid for. One way is through the GI Bill; officially known as the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944. This bill provides a benefit package that covers funding for low-rate mortgages, veterans’ hospitals, and education goals for people in the armed forces. This includes paying for all levels of education, whether it be an associate degree at a community college or a master’s degree for higher learning. There are other types of VA assistance as well. In fact, the GI bill has been amended over the years. For example, there is now a Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Forever GI Bill, and the Yellow Ribbon program. The Post-9/11 GI Bill is a program that gives veterans money to pay for grad school. It is known as the Montgomery GI Bill. The bill states that the VA will pay up to 36 months of the full cost of in-state tuition and fees to the military student. The Forever GI Bill is similar to the Post-9/11, except that it removes the 15-year limitation put on veterans to use the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Last is the Yellow Ribbon program. This considers all the above Bills but makes it available to those who desire to go to a private university or out-of-state public school. However, there is a slight difference. The Yellow Ribbon works like a matching function, meaning the participating universities pays half of tuition, while the VA pays the other half.
Does the VA pay for master’s programs?
As stated above, any one of these GI Bills can help in financial aid to veterans and those on active duty and want to continue their education goals. However, the Post-9/11 GI Bill is specifically geared to veterans who are taking a master’s program. Along with the Bill, the VA will then pay for the master’s degree on their behalf. This benefit may be available to military spouses as well.
Are there Benefits for Military Spouses as well?
Yes, to some extent. The GI Bill and the other forms of discount programs are available to veterans and their spouses. However, spouses may not have the tuition completely paid for through the VA. They may only receive a discounted tuition cost for the course programs they want to take, compared to their active duty and veterans’ members spouses. It also depends on the type of GI bill program chosen to use toward their education goals.
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