Neuroscience is studying all things related to the brain and the nervous system, how they are structured, and how they develop and function. A Master’s in Neuroscience online gives students a solid understanding of normal human brain function, affective disorders, addictive behaviors, and several other functional and pathological changes that accompany neurodegenerative diseases as well. Students of this program also go on to build their communication and cognitive skills, which are invaluable in most neuroscience careers. In today’s world that lays emphasis on health and improving the quality of life, the research and study in areas such as the electrophysiological underpinnings of the development, function, plasticity, pathology, and repair of the nervous system, along with cognitive psychology, psychobiology, and neural substrates of cognitive processes and behavior, become powerful in industries of medicine, public health, sports medicine, and pharmaceuticals. This guide will walk you through all aspects of masters in neuroscience online programs.
To be a potential candidate for good careers in the field of Neuroscience, students should have graduated with a Master’s in Neuroscience online program from a reputed college. Apart from the crucial programmatic or regional accreditation that is required by the job market, factors such as the experience and quality of faculty members, structure of the program, effective delivery, and of course, value for money have to be considered to label a college ‘one of the best’. OMC has drawn up a list of colleges that are the best in the country and offer the best way to learn neuroscience:
<a href="https://www.onlinemasterscolleges.com/masters-in-neuroscience-online/">Neuroscience Online</a>
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College Name & Address | Tuition | Graduation Rate |
---|---|---|
#1 University of Florida 341 Tigert Hall 300 SW 13th St, Gainesville, Florida 32611 | $10,770 | 88% |
#2 Parker University 2540 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, Texas 75229 | $12,870 | 71% |
#3 University of South Florida 4202 East Fowler Ave, Tampa, Florida 33620 | $8,350 | 75% |
#4 Northwestern University (on-campus) 633 Clark St, Evanston, Illinois 60208 | $56,067 | 94% |
#5 Columbia University (on-campus) West 116 St and Broadway, New York, New York 10027 | $49,024 | 95% |
#6 Tulane University (on-campus) 6823 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118 | $59,090 | 86% |
#7 University of Nevada, Reno (on-campus) North Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada 89557 | $5,657 | 61% |
#8 Loyola University Chicago (on-campus) 1032 W. Sheridan Rd, Chicago, Illinois 60660 | $18,594 | 74% |
#9 Hartford University (on-campus) 200 Bloomfield Ave, West Hartford, Connecticut 06117 | $14,292 | 59% |
Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available
A Master’s in Neuroscience online program is ideal for individuals who want to work in research-intensive fields and have excellent analytical, investigative, and problem-solving skills. This degree prepares students to study how simple microscopic operations affect complex behaviors, such as linguistic abilities, social experiences, and emotional feedback, while also examining the structure of the brain and its functions and the working of the nervous system.
Additionally, Master’s in Neuroscience programs also teach theoretical and quantitative methods to solve issues facing today’s neuroscientists. Exams, journals, and oral presentations help students improve their professional communication skills, which are essential in neuroscience-related careers. Students will also gain an understanding of clinical and ethical responsibility, as well as an awareness of current problems and the ability to comprehend the effects of neuroscience research on human and animal behavior. All these skills, coupled with multidisciplinary subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, and Neurobiology, will prepare students to seek employment in health-related sectors and work as language therapists, psychiatrists, neurosurgeons, etc.
Working professionals who want to progress in their current careers or transition into new careers in neuroscience-related fields, as well as postbaccalaureate students pursuing admission to health-related graduate schools, will benefit from a Master’s in Neuroscience online program.
Being a highly technical subject, a Master’s in Neuroscience online program largely has only one type of degree – the Master of Science or MS. A Master of Arts or MA Neuroscience also exists but can scarcely be found and/or is redundant.
The Master of Science or MS Neuroscience establishes a strong academic foundation coupled with diverse research experiences by combining biological, cognitive, and computational neurosciences, which assist in the scientific understanding of how the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system function.
There is a wide gamut of specializations for students to consider when pursuing a Master’s in Neuroscience online degree. Specializations prepare students for a subfield or subcategory of Neuroscience, such as cognitive, behavioral, cultural, linguistic, computational, and developmental neuroscience, each of which focuses on different pathways in learning.
Students can choose a specialization program in the various branches of Neuroscience, some examples of which are:
Since a Master’s in Neuroscience online takes a multidisciplinary approach, the program usually covers topics related to Neuroscience subjects. These subjects include Biology, Neurobiology, Immunology, Pharmacology, Physiology, Psychology, Psychiatry, Chemistry, and more. Therefore, many of the Neuroscience courses stem from these subjects and increase the depth and scope of the Masters in Neuroscience program. From a long list of available courses across various programs, concentrations, and specializations, here are a few examples:
Graduates of a Master’s in Neurology can expect the following learning outcomes and acquired skills:
To build up a healthy career and work in the field of Neuroscience in the United States (and even overseas), students should always enroll for Masters in Neuroscience online programs that are accredited. Accreditation is a seal of approval that conveys to jobseekers and employers that the degree in question is of good standing and quality, meeting or exceeding predefined standards. Programs can be programmatically accredited by organizations such as the International Academy for Professional Development (IAPD), or the International Council on Perioperative Neuroscience Training (ICPNT), or even regionally accredited by organizations such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
The comprehensive Accreditation Guide illustrates how and why accreditation is important for students.
As with most other Master’s programs, such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA), or Master’s in Psychology, most students will complete their Master’s in Neuroscience online degree within two to three years. However, students who find the need to balance out their work and study have the option (in most cases) to extend their studies up to a maximum of 7 years. A few Master’s programs are accelerated, allowing students to complete them in about a year or even combine an undergraduate and graduate program to complete them within five years instead of the expected six years.
In addition to a Bachelor’s degree in the arts and sciences, students are called to meet certain admission requirements to apply for a Master’s in Neuroscience online graduate program. Some colleges may even ask for prerequisite coursework in biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, psychology, biochemistry, anatomy, computer science, etc., and publication reprints or research papers, along with an interview as well. But in general, the list below largely covers all standard Masters in Neuroscience requirements:
Note: Since the 2020-2021 academic year, many colleges have done away with asking for the standardized test score of GRE. However, students are advised to consult the admissions office at the college being applied to or read the program guide for exact and more information on all admission requirements, as they vary by college and program.
There is nothing like doing Neuroscience online courses free! But in almost all cases, free courses do not award a degree to participants and can, at best, only assist an individual when pursuing a Master’s degree in Neuroscience. Nevertheless, options such as free Neuropsychology courses can help students build a better understanding of such specializations or subjects and boost their academic performance. Here are a few places to find free online Neuroscience Courses:
Unfortunately, there are no one-year Neuroscience Master’s programs available in the United States. The quickest and earliest students can earn their degrees in one and a half years is by taking on more courses. But this can be taxing and stressful. If a degree from the US is not of significance, then looking at online Master’s programs from other countries may be considered. For example, CQUniversity Australia offers a Master of Educational Neuroscience that can be completed in 1 year. Having said that, it is important to note that cross-border degrees may not be well recognized by the job market in the United States.
Scholarships are usually merit-based and offer financial assistance that does not require repayment. Most Universities offer in-house scholarships, but there are private agencies, individuals, alumni, and foundations that offer them.
Grants are funds provided by the federal, state, or private sectors covering the tuition fee and/or other associated student expenses, such as study materials, transport, equipment, etc. They are generally based on financial need and not necessarily on merit.
Graduate Teaching Assistantships allow a graduate student to assist the college or program either with teaching or other non-teaching work while studying simultaneously. For the part-time work that they do, students are compensated monetarily.
Some universities allow students to work part-time on their campus against a reasonable salary. Such work may or not be academically related, but the money earned from it can certainly meet some educational expenses.
Student Loans are funds that are borrowed on interest from the federal government, banks, or private organizations, to help pay for education. Students should note that irregular, delayed, defaulted payments can compound interest and add to student debt.
The best Financial Guide outlines all there is to know about how to finance advanced education.
As with most healthcare-related programs such as a Master’s in Public Health, Master’s in Occupational Therapy, or Master’s in Counseling Psychology, the tuition fee of a Master’s in Neuroscience online program is markedly expensive to pursue. Unfortunately, the cost of Master’s programs, including in Neuroscience, only head northwards with each passing year. Seeking external funding goes a long way in alleviating the high cost of education, which is why students should consider the following funding mechanisms when applying to grad schools
For most students, applying for a scholarship is the first option to pick for funding their higher education. Scholarships can be merit-based, alumnae-funded, privately awarded, or given out by cultural, religious, and commercial organizations. Typically, academic performance, community service, cultural heritage, religious affiliation, etc., form the basis for scholarships.
Note:Avoid being scammed and conned by reading aboutScholarship Scams
For students looking to cover their many educational expenses such as study material, books, stationery, travel, accommodation, etc., a grant is a very good option. Grants are often need-based and can pay for these expenses as well as for tuition.
For Neuroscience studies, assistantships come in two flavors – Graduate Teaching Assistantships and Graduate Research Assistantships. A stipend is given to students who take up these assistantships, which can assist in offsetting some of the cost of education.
Working on campus as an employee of a University is one more viable funding mechanism for higher education. Students can work as part-time employees and earn money to cover some of their tuition fees or pay for educational expenses.
For those who do not mind paying an interest, federal loans, bank loans, and private loans are good options to raise funds. But borrowers should bear in mind that late payments will translate to increased student debt.
TheFree Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is a simple way of checking students’ eligibility for seeking aid. More information on FAFSA can be found here.
Scholarships for Master’s in Neuroscience online programs are often awarded by internal University initiatives. Some scholarships from outside organizations are available but may be hard to come by. A few to explore are:
The Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation, and Education conference (I/ITSEC) offers a scholarship of $5,000 for students enrolled in a full-time Master’s program in several disciplines. Application Deadline: June 25, 2023.
The Davis-Chambers Scholarship provides a scholarship for academically promising students from diverse backgrounds who demonstrate financial need. The typical award is between $2,000 and $4,000 a year. Application Deadline: Closed for 2023; TBA for 2023.
The Novus Biologicals Scholarship Program is for students interested in pursuing their education in a science-related field. A scholarship of $1,500 is awarded twice a year to one student for the fall and spring semesters. Application Deadline: June 16, 2023 (Fall 2023) | December 8, 2023 (Spring 2023).
National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) supports graduate students in NSF-supported STEM disciplines pursuing research-based Master’s degrees at accredited colleges within the US. The fellowship includes an annual stipend of $34,000 each year for three years. Application Deadline: May 1, 2023 for 2023 | TBA for 2023.
The Neuroscience of learning, simply put, is the study of how learning happens in the brain. It deals with establishing an understanding of how the human memory encodes, consolidates, retrieves, and reconsolidates information, along with cognitive, linguistic, and behavioral functions that the brain handles.
Graduates of a Master’s in Neuroscience have three wider options available to them – (a) go on to pursue a doctoral program (Ph.D.), (b) go on to further specialize or study a lateral field of Neuroscience, or (c) go on to teach in educational settings, or work in healthcare and other settings.
For those who choose to pitch themselves on a career path, a Master’s in Neuroscience online can lead to a wide range of career disciplines with heavy focus or reliance on Neuroscience. These careers include but are not limited to:
Besides the above-listed career disciplines, there is employment in other sectors that Master’s in Neuroscience graduates can consider, that are of career relevance, such as:
Touching upon the points of career outlook and salary, the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the demand for Physical Therapists between 2019 and 2029 will increase by a whopping 18%, much faster than the average of other sectors in healthcare. Physical Therapists earn a median annual salary of $91,010. This, of course, is only an example of the potential Neuroscience graduates have in the job market.
Some other examples of Neuroscience-related jobs and their mean annual salary (reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics) are:
There are two types of certifications that students tend to get confused with. One of them is a graduate certificate in Neuroscience online, which is essentially a program similar to a Master’s in Neuroscience online program but does not confer a degree. These graduate certificate programs are shorter in duration and apply to those who are not interested in a degree or already have one and are more interested in taking up additional courses to gain knowledge and develop required skills for a particular profession.
The other variant of certification is the one that acts more like an endorsement at a granular level. These certifications are awarded by private, public, or government agencies and are designed to meet industry-specific needs. Certifications add value to a Master’s degree and qualify graduates to work in niche areas, in this case – a subfield of Neuroscience. Here are a few such certifications:
In the United States, working in most clinical and medical settings in neuroscience could require licensure. Graduates should check with state regulations to see licensing norms, as they vary from one state to another. Those who interact medically with patients will almost certainly need a medical license to work.
The field of Neuroscience is quite a vast one, requiring students and working professionals to connect with others in a variety of related sciences, to understand how they intersect with each other, and what approaches can be used to address the many real-world issues that fall within the scope of Neuroscience. Graduates of a Master’s in Neuroscience online program should ideally stay abreast with the latest developments, increase their knowledge through scientific journals and publications, and engage with like-minded peers through various online communities. The list below has a few resources that Neuroscience students and professions could use:
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