Air Force college set to expand online masters program

Air Force college set to expand online masters program

Air University, an air command and staff college located in Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama, will begin to offer mid-level Air Force captains an opportunity to enroll in an online masters degree program, the school has announced.

Since the program's inception two years ago, a total of 348 majors have graduated with their masters degree in military operational art and science, but beginning in December a select group of approximately 100 captains will also have the opportunity to take advantage of the online program.

"This is an amazing opportunity," said Lieutenant Colonel Robert Lass, the university's vice dean of distance learning.

"To offer captains this level of targeted professional military education this early in their career, says a lot about how seriously the Air Force takes [continuing education]," he added.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that educational requirements in all branches of the armed forces will continue to rise in the coming years. It predicts that almost every officer will eventually need at least a bachelors degree and, in a number of cases, a masters degree as well.

Online education can be a flexible and cost-effective option for busy professionals.