11 Great Online Degrees for Working Moms

Thinking about returning to the workforce after a stint as a stay-at-home mom? No matter how long you’ve been raising your family at home, finding employment in a rewarding career could be a great way to pursue your interests while boosting your household income. It also might be encouraging to know that, according to the United States Department of Labor (DOL), 74% of moms with children under 18 now work in the labor force.

As part of their preparation for the workforce, many moms pursue online degrees to formalize their education and build the skills needed for their chosen line of work. So, what are some of the best online degrees for moms looking to get back to work and how might you set yourself up for success in this next chapter? Read on to discover the best degrees for moms returning to school right here at Bryant & Stratton College.

Going Back to School While Raising a Family Is Achievable

No matter the age of your child(ren), the thought of returning to school and work may feel daunting. After all, you are the backbone that holds your family together, and you’ve grown so accustomed to being there for everybody else that doing something for yourself is a foreign concept.

At the same time, the prevalence of accessible and flexible online degree programs makes going back to school as a working mom or stay-at-home mom more feasible than ever. While the list of degree options below is by no means exhaustive, it could serve as an excellent starting point as you brainstorm your next steps.

What Makes an Online Degree a Good Fit for Working Moms?

For full-time and part-time working moms, as well as stay-at-home moms, online degrees are a practical option for a number of reasons.

Flexibility of Format

For starters, the very nature of online degree programs makes them easier to work into a busy schedule than any “traditional” on-campus program. Even within the realm of online degrees, different learning formats may be available to suit your exact needs.

For those who need maximum flexibility with scheduling, for example, an asynchronous program allows for learning at your own pace and entirely on your own time. With no set class meeting dates or times, this option is often ideal for working parents who need to focus on schoolwork during evenings and weekend hours.

Meanwhile, synchronous online learning still offers the flexibility of a 100% online format, but with set dates and times for interactive class discussions, lectures, and other live components. This option may be ideal for busy parents who prefer a little more structure built into their schedules.

Time to Completion

Because online coursework can reduce the time spent commuting to campus, some busy parents may find it easier to fit their studies into an existing schedule. This is especially true when you consider that completing online coursework saves the time, cost, and hassle of a physical commute to campus several days per week.

At the same time, many online degree programs offer stackable credentials for working adults, as well as the possibility to transfer credits earned in a previous program for even more efficient completion.

Career Demand and ROI

It’s important to understand that having a degree alone doesn’t guarantee employment. However, factors such as program length, tuition, transfer credits and scheduling flexibility may influence the overall value of a degree program. Before enrolling, students should consider how a program aligns with their individual goals, budget and availability. As a result, they may be able to start seeing the return on their education investment sooner rather than later. 

Business and Management Degrees

For those interested in roles as business administrators, accountants, HR professionals, or any role in between, online business and management degree options may be a practical starting point for busy moms. To add to that fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “employment in management occupations is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations from 2024 to 2034.”*

1. Business Administration

A business administration degree aims to build foundational skills in such business-related topics as management, finance, marketing, and human resources. This type of program (which is offered at both the undergraduate and graduate levels) could be a great option for those interested in working as management analysts, operations managers, or in other leadership-oriented business roles.

2. Human Resources

Another in-demand degree option to consider online is one in human resources, such as Bryant & Stratton College’s Associate of Applied Science in HR. In this program, students explore coursework in accounting, business principles, organizational behavior, and compensation/benefits — all with the goal of preparing for dynamic HR roles across a variety of industries. 

In addition to an AAS in HR, Bryant & Stratton College also offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resources.

3. Accounting

Accountants play an important role in keeping businesses and organizations running smoothly and efficiently. At Bryant & Stratton College, you’ll find both an AAS and a BBA in Accounting to suit your needs, both of which are designed to build practical skills in financial reporting, taxation, and auditing. These are the same skills needed to pursue not just roles in accounting, but in auditing and budget analysis as well.

4. Digital Marketing

Today, businesses across all industries rely on knowledgeable and skilled digital marketing professionals to build brand awareness and grow online followings. An online degree, such as a BBA in Digital Marketing from Bryant & Stratton College, empowers students to build competency in SEO practices, web data analysis, and media marketing to prepare for a variety of positions within the marketing field.

Healthcare Degrees

According to BLS data, employment in healthcare occupations is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2024 to 2034, making now an ideal time to consider pursuing an online healthcare degree. *

5. Health Services Administration

Offered at Bryant & Stratton College as both an AAS and BS, a degree in health services administration could be a great way to build knowledge and skills in such essential topics as medical ethics, healthcare administration, electronic medical record management, and more.

6. Medical Reimbursement and Coding

Healthcare facilities rely on medical reimbursement, coding and billing specialists to support accurate billing processes for insurance claims and patient care. An online AAS in Medical Reimbursement and Coding from Bryant & Stratton College is designed to be completed in less than two years and includes coursework in medical terminology, medical records and health information systems.

7. Nursing

While many nursing programs have at least some in-person components (for good reason), some RN-to-BSN programs are offered in an online format. If you already have an unencumbered registered nursing (RN) license, this type of program may be worth exploring as you consider your return to the healthcare workforce.

Human and Social Services Degrees

Interested in a career where you can directly improve the lives of others by promoting wellness and helping people access the services they need? According to BLS projections, employment in community and social service occupations is expected to grow much faster than the national average for all occupations between 2024 and 2034.*

Within this field, there is a diverse range of career paths worth exploring based on your unique strengths and interests.

8. Human and Social Services

Whether you’re interested in clinical or non-clinical roles in the field, an AAS in Human Services or a BS in Human & Social Services from Bryant & Stratton College could be an excellent starting point for building skills needed in many mental health, counseling, and family services positions.

9. Early Childhood Education

Eager to make a difference in the lives of young learners? Bryant & Stratton College offers both an Early Childhood Care and Development Diploma and an online Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education to support your academic and professional goals. These online programs are ideal for those interested in pursuing roles as childcare workers, daycare assistant teachers, and preschool teachers.

10. Paralegal Studies

You don’t necessarily need a full-fledged Juris Doctorate to get involved in the legal field. With an online AAS in Paralegal Studies, you may build practical skills and knowledge in client interaction, case preparation, legal research, and more. Upon completion of this program, graduates may also choose to pursue their Certified Paralegal and/or Certified Legal Professional (CLA) designations by sitting for their respective exams.

11. Criminal Justice

]Last but not least, online degrees in criminal justice (such as Bryant & Stratton College’s AAS in Criminal Justice Studies) introduce students to topics relevant to areas such as law enforcement, corrections, security and juvenile justice. Coursework may cover subjects ranging from homeland security and forensics to legal studies and criminology.

A Few Tips for Working Moms Returning to School

As you can see, there are plenty of online degree options to choose from across a variety of disciplines. No matter which path calls to you, there are a few last-minute tips to keep in mind as you prepare for your return to school:

• Start with financial aid. Take advantage of any financial support for which you may be eligible (especially aid you don’t have to pay back in the form of grants and scholarships).
• Consider stackable programs. Options that include stackable credentials (like certificates or other designations) help you build momentum while enhancing your resume.
• Be realistic about your bandwidth. Don’t take on too many credit hours at once, especially at the beginning of your program as you find your bearings.
• Find your support system. Family members, friends, and even resources at your school could make all the difference as you navigate college as a busy parent.
• Talk to an advisor. An academic advisor may not only help you choose a program that aligns with your goals, but assist you with registering, choosing classes, and taking advantage of the resources available to you.

Start Your Degree on Your Terms at Bryant & Stratton College

Whether you’re drawn to a career in healthcare, business, human services, or any field in the between, a formal education could be a great way to build foundational skills and knowledge as you prepare for a return to the workforce. Of course, where you decide to earn your degree also matters, so choosing a flexible and supportive online college for working mothers is a must.

At Bryant & Stratton College, we’re proud to offer a wide range of online degrees for working parents. These programs are specifically designed to work around the demands and busy schedules of moms who are juggling multiple responsibilities at once, with flexible class options, personalized support, and stackable career pathways to suit your needs.

We currently offer more than – 30+  different degree options, including online degrees in such in-demand fields as healthcare, education, legal services, and business. Contact our team to learn more about any of our programs or get the ball rolling with your free application for admission.

*Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.