Although most college attendees are young adults, there’s nothing stopping you from achieving your educational goals, even if you’re a senior. Thanks to an abundance of online courses, it’s easier today than ever to apply and complete your degree, all from the comfort of your home. Here’s why an online social work degree is a great choice for seniors.
1. You Can Earn More Money
Living costs seem to be always rising, at least steadily, so very few people will turn down the opportunity for extra income. One way to boost your earnings as a senior is to finish a degree in social work.
The latest reports from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics [1] show that social workers earn a median salary of $49,470 per year or $23.79 per hour, but you can earn even more while doing rewarding work. Moreover, social work is a growing field with excellent long-term job security.
2. You Keep Your Mind Sharp While Learning
Besides being physically active, seniors should also exercise their minds to stay in good health. Solving mentally challenging tasks on a regular basis can help reduce the risk of getting illnesses such as dementia or Alzheimer’s.
While studying to earn an online social work degree, you will need to read, follow coursework, and retain as much information as possible to pass classes, all of which help stimulate your brain. In fact, people who learn a new skill help slow cognitive aging, so doctors always recommend that seniors keep themselves as mentally stimulated as possible. [2]
3. An Online Social Work Degree Is Affordable
Many people who didn’t attend college as young adults simply couldn’t afford it. Luckily, there are many discounts and programs that can help you financially if you’re 60 or older. Moreover, some online colleges can waive your tuition fees if you’re a senior citizen, so you’ll be studying at practically no cost. Lastly, you can take advantage of tax deductions. [3] There are also numerous non-profit programs aimed at seniors that will be glad to help you out. [4]
4. You Can Connect with Your Community
With an online social work degree, you can serve and connect with your community, thus giving you a sense of purpose. You will be meeting lots of new people on a daily basis and have plenty of company. Social work is also a field with many opportunities, so you can work in schools, or even other older adults. Your tasks may vary from helping people get medical care to finding housing.
5. You Can Inspire Your Friends and Family
Earning an online degree in social work is not just a personal accomplishment, but often an inspiration to family and friends to better themselves and help others. Sometimes all it takes for people to get motivated is to be led by example.
Conclusion
As you can see, applying and studying online a social work degree has many benefits. With so many different resources for learning, there’s never been a better time to study online.
[1] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm
[2] https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/learning-new-skill-can-slow-cognitive-aging-201604279502
[3] https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/life/college/free-college-courses-for-senior-citizens/