One of the questions a professional may have when debating whether or not to begin a graduate program may be “How will I ever balance my responsibilities of my job with graduate school?” Teachers already often feel overburdened and tight on time.
The everlasting tug-of-war with the resource of time should be one that is considered, yet it should be understood that the programs at Concordia University Irvine allow you the flexibility and support to balance your demands.
Our society has recently and quickly morphed into one that allows for more flexibility in the workplace as to where, when, and how we work; you will also find this in the world of graduate studies. This is managed by your personal choices that fit your lifestyle and learning style.
Find the Format for You
As professionals, we learn how to be efficient in the way we find information and collaborate. At Concordia University Irvine, you have the choice of which format of learning is best for your communicative and learning styles, as well as your priorities. All formats will incorporate writing, presenting, and engaging with course material, peers, and professors.
Online
Being an online student may be a combination of synchronous and asynchronous classes if you elect a credential program. The benefits include no commuting and the most flexible schedule. This is a favorable option for those who need to individualize their learning time as much as possible; however, it is necessary for the student to have dedication to personal time management. Suppose you crave some in-person content and connection, and your program requires you to complete a limited amount of Saturday seminars. In that case, students have the opportunity to engage with the programming through livestreaming or in-person on campus.
Hybrid
The hybrid option involves a student meeting with the cohort and instructor face-to-face every other week. During the alternating weeks, students work asynchronously. This avails the student to receive in-person networking and support. Additionally, it includes limited commuting and is not conducted in-person weekly, which grants the student some flexibility with their time.
In-Person
The traditional in-person pathway is especially accommodating if you are a learner who benefits from a more structured schedule to assist in the management of time since you will commit to an in-person class weekly. Moreover, it allows you to network professionally in your local area. Lastly, due to the face-to-face time, you will be discussing much of the course content within class so you may not be required to participate in weekly discussion boards.
Regardless of your chosen format, your classes will meet on the same night and at the same time each week or every other week; this allows for consistency to your schedule. It also affords you the possibility to adjoin with your group members before or after your class since most students have some flexible time adjacent to class time.
How to Use Your Time Wisely
Course elections are varied and available to a myriad of schedules. If you work a job that requires you to be available in the day during the week, you will have the options of evening classes and weekend classes or seminars. Additionally, if you are an educator and have the summer to have freedom from your typical schedule, it may be the perfect time to take summer classes. The ability to take summer classes allows you to complete your program at a faster pace if that is a goal.
In addition to how, where, and when you want to access your courses, you will also need to manage time to devote to your coursework.
Knowing the syllabus and upcoming assignments permits students to balance their graduate and professional work more effectively. Regardless of when you take your courses, it is important to determine when you will do your independent or collaborative coursework. Oftentimes, if you schedule the workload of the syllabus at the beginning of the eight-week class, you will be more successful in being organized with your assignments and managing your studies.
Full-time teachers reviewing the calendar may be delighted to learn that they still will be able to enjoy some of their normal time off, including holidays and part of the summer. Concordia’s calendar does observe and does not hold class during Thanksgiving week, a few weeks at Christmas, Spring Break, and even some weeks in July. Even with these educational breaks to rejuvenate, you can complete your program in two years or less. Some graduate students may be able to have an accelerated one-year completion rate!
Communicate with Professors and Cohort
Graduate students at Concordia University Irvine will find that when they communicate effectively and regularly, their professors and cohort will be a strong support to their success.
My communication with professors at Concordia was reliable and encouraging. Professors were quick to respond to emails, which is incredibly helpful if you are working on your papers and projects on weekends or at night. Thankfully, professors recognized this as the timeframe when working professionals would need the most support and would make themselves available.
As within your professional world, most professors will give you courtesy if there is a difficulty with your deadline if you are communicative. Professors are human; they understand that life does not stop once you enroll in a program. A Concordia University Irvine graduate student will discover that professors are reasonable and encouraging in order to support you in achieving your goals.
Although your professors are your resources, so is your cohort; they will become your extended support network. Regardless, if you are an online or in-person student, you will communicate with your cohort via texts, emails, Zooms, etc., regarding topics from APA formatting to understanding the expectations of an assignment. However, knowing that your peers are also concurrently teaching, there is a mutual understanding of time constraints and priorities.
How Concordia University Irvine Made This Easy
Prospective students may be overwhelmed with how to schedule their classes, so their studies are balanced, and the coursework is logically sequenced. Easy, let your academic advisor guide and plan with you!
Concordia University Irvine set the path for my degree completion with suggested courses in a sequence so I could complete my degree with a supportive cohort. Having a cohort allowed me to choose partners I knew with similar pacing and communication styles.
Additionally, an academic advisor regularly kept in touch with me to be sure I registered and was on track with completing my courses successfully in order to graduate within my personal goal’s timeline.
Knowing that the flexible choices and multiple supports are there to help you balance graduate school with work, why not make some room in your schedule to earn a degree and open different doors?
Interested in continuing your education? Check out Concordia University Irvine education graduate programs and take your next step today!