A New Year. A Fresh Start. A Chance to Invest in You.
The start of a new year often brings reflection — on where you’ve been, and where you want to go next. If you’ve been thinking about advancing your career and earning your master’s degree, this could be your moment.
There’s rarely a “perfect” time to go back to school. But for many working professionals, a new year offers the clarity and motivation to take that next step — especially when flexible, 100% online graduate programs make it possible to learn on your own schedule.
If your goals for the year include professional growth, financial stability, or personal fulfillment, a graduate degree from Rowan University can help you turn those goals into lasting results.
Every January, millions of people set resolutions that fade by February. But the ones that last usually have a clear “why.” For working professionals, that “why” often comes down to creating more opportunity — for themselves, their families, and their careers.
Maybe your goal is to:
Step into a leadership role and make a bigger impact in your organization.
Pivot to a new career that aligns more closely with your skills and passions.
Strengthen your expertise to stay competitive in a rapidly changing field.
Invest in yourself — and set an example for your children, students, or colleagues by continuing your own learning journey.
Whatever your motivation, pursuing graduate education gives those resolutions real structure — and a long-term payoff that goes far beyond the calendar year.
Is January a Good Time to Start Grad School?
Absolutely — for many working professionals, January can be one of the best times to begin. The start of a new year often comes with renewed motivation, clearer goals, and the drive to turn intentions into action.
Online graduate programs make that transition even easier. With flexible course schedules and multiple start dates throughout the year, you don’t have to wait for fall to begin. Starting in January means you can build early momentum — and by the time next winter arrives, you could already be halfway through your first year.
How Much More Do You Earn with a Master’s Degree?
This is a question many professionals ask when considering graduate school — and the numbers speak for themselves. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, full-time workers with a master’s degree earn a median weekly salary of $1,840, compared with $1,543 for those holding only a bachelor’s degree — about a 19% increase in typical earnings.
Over time, that difference adds up to thousands of dollars each year — and even more across a career — making graduate study one of the most consistent ways to invest in your long-term financial growth.
Here’s why the New Year, New You moment pairs so well with online learning:
1. You control the timeline.
With flexible, asynchronous courses, you can learn when it fits your life — after work, on weekends, or during quiet moments between responsibilities.
2. You start seeing results quickly.
Because you can apply what you learn right away in your current role, the benefits of graduate study begin showing up long before graduation — from sharper problem-solving to stronger leadership and communication skills.
3. You can focus on meaningful growth.
Instead of temporary goals, earning a master’s degree helps you develop advanced expertise and leadership skills that continue to grow in value — in education, business, healthcare, and beyond.
Making the Decision: Is Grad School Part of Your “New You”?
If you’ve been waiting for a sign to make a change, this could be it.
Ask yourself:
What would change in my career if I had an advanced degree?
Am I ready to grow into the leader, educator, or expert I’ve imagined becoming?
What would it mean to look back a year from now and realize I actually did it?
For many students who enroll at Rowan, the answer is simple: the right program finally aligned with the right time — and the right reasons.
Why Working Professionals Choose Rowan University
Rowan’s online graduate programs are designed for people balancing full-time jobs, family responsibilities, and future goals.
Highlights include:
Flexible online coursework you can complete anytime, anywhere.
Nationally recognized faculty who bring real-world expertise to every course.
Transfer-friendly pathways for students returning to finish what they started.
A supportive academic community that guides you from application to graduation.
Programs that reflect Rowan Online’s pillars: flexibility, quality, affordability, and career advancement.
As one of the fastest-growing public research universities in the nation — and the fastest in the Northeast, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education — Rowan has also built a national reputation for innovation, hands-on learning, and workforce relevance. Its expanding portfolio of online graduate programs reflects that same forward-thinking spirit, preparing today’s professionals for tomorrow’s opportunities.
Whether you’re pursuing an MBA, M.E.M., MSN,or another online master’s program, each is designed to help you level up your career — on your timeline.
What Rowan Online Graduate Students Are Saying
“Online learning has been just as great as in-person learning, if not better. I can learn and retain the information at my own pace, while still having the guidance and support of my professors.” – Christina F.
“What’s great about Rowan’s online program is that you can complete the weekly assignments at your convenience as long as you submit them by the due dates.” – Tajauna S.
“I like the flexibility of an online program. I can send emails to faculty at any time and get a quick response, instead of working with limited office hours.” – Jamal S.
A Year From Now, You’ll Wish You Started Today
It’s easy to let another year pass waiting for the perfect time. But your “new you” doesn’t start with a resolution. It starts with a decision.
Choosing to invest in your education this year could be the most transformative choice you make — for your career, your confidence, and your future.
Check out Rowan’s online graduate programs today and see where this new year can take you.
If you’re ready to take your next step, several of Rowan University’s 100% online graduate programs are still accepting spring applications through December 15:
MBA – AACSB accredited, built for working professionals.
