Maybe it’s my imagination, but wasn’t there a time when online degree programs were looked down upon? A time when it was the general consensus that getting an online degree didn’t match or equal up to the traditional college degree or college experience for that matter?

Frankly, I was never attracted to the “traditional college experience.” Living in a small dorm with someone I didn’t know; having to deal with loud parties and obnoxious drunk people was just not what I was interested in. I’m not knocking you if that’s the route you took, but for me, that atmosphere totally doesn’t match my personality.

I went the community college route – taking my time through my courses, working, moving into my own apartment at the age of 22, paying bills, you know - life. I started it and it was awesome. However, with life's distractions comes setbacks.

I found myself only two courses away from my associate’s degree and I just couldn’t bring myself to finish. I had no idea what I wanted for a career and I didn’t think paying for one more semester of books was worth it. I needed a break to figure it all out.

I took two years off and within that time found my calling for arts administration and finished my associates degree.

When looking for universities offering arts administration programs, I stumbled upon the University of Massachusetts Amherst and their University Without Walls program. Applying to UMass was literally the best decision I’ve ever made. Any time anyone asks me what school I graduated from, I proudly say UMass Amherst – that my entire undergrad was online and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Most are intrigued by my enthusiasm and want to know more.

The University Without Walls (UWW) program at UMass Amherst is designed to help adults start and complete their bachelor’s degree. You are able to design your own program of study and take all of your courses 100% online. They offer the only online, undergraduate program for arts administration in the country among many other fields of study.

UMass Amherst’s UWW program, partners with the Arts Extension Service, a national arts service organization offering courses, certifications, and consulting in the field of arts management. This allowed me to not only receive my B.A. in Arts Administration but a professional certification in Arts Management as well. I learned from arts administrators from all over the country who had years of non-profit arts experience to share. My classmates chatted with me from across the globe and most of them were already working in the arts field. This allowed for me to hear first-hand real life scenarios and see the diversity of arts communities. It was an experience that was so fulfilling and something I could have never gained in a traditional college classroom.

Of course, the flexibility with which I was able to take my courses was something I really enjoyed too. People’s lives nowadays don’t always allow for that in-classroom time. Between jobs and family commitments, sometimes it just fits your life better when you’re able to do your homework after dinner from your kitchen table or have a discussion about creative communities in the morning before work as you sip coffee on your porch.

Take it from me; my online degree program experience was phenomenal. Sure, it was hard and of course you have to be very disciplined to not let homework at the kitchen table turn into Netflix binging on the sofa. But, if it's something you are passionate about – go for it! Don’t let anyone tell you that your degree is anything less than a “traditional” one. Whether you’re thinking about applying for an online program, working your way through one, or graduated from an online degree program, be proud of yourself. You’ve earned it!

Interested in applying to UMass Amherst? You're in luck! The deadline to apply for Spring semester is October 31st. Classes start in January. Apply now!