You can get just about everything online these days. From furniture, to household items, to a college education, you can find it on the internet. And, if you’re considering an online education, then you’ve come to the right place!

I always planned on going to grad school; however, I opted to get a job straight out of undergrad and delayed my graduate degree by a few years. By our third duty station, I realized I was tired of part-time jobs, and I was more than ready to go back to school.

But of course, as a military spouse, things are always just a little more complicated.

Depending on the program and your duty station, you may be able to complete a degree at a brick-and-mortar school. However, if you’re thinking about this option, make sure that you ask in advance about the potential of transferring credits should you have to PCS.

Because we knew a PCS was inevitable in the time it would take me to complete my program, I realized a traditional school was out and online education was going to be my best option.

Fortunately, it ended up being a great decision. Challenging at times, most certainly, but I have been able to complete my degree despite a couple major life events (a 3rd PCS and the birth of our baby!), and I’m now less than a year from graduating.

Here are six things you should know about an online degree:

1. You have options.

Many not-for-profit public and private schools (traditional brick-and-mortar universities) and for-profit schools (American Military University, for example) have online programs. Do some research and figure out what best suits your needs. For-profit schools may be more affordable and have shorter programs, but if you’re looking at going into a career requiring licensing, an accredited not-for-profit school may be a safer choice.

2. You have money.

There are several groups that offer financial aid for spouses, which is amazing because college is expensive! Look into MyCAA or have a conversation with your spouse about using some or part of their G.I. Bill. Also, most spouses’ clubs offer annual scholarship programs, and many other private scholarship programs are eager to hear from military spouses as well. Of course, student loans are always an option, but please understand how to use these, as the debt can be crippling post-graduation. If you take out student loans, please be sure you have a solid repayment plan in place before you begin coursework.

3. You have a lot of responsibility.

Online coursework requires some serious discipline. You don’t have a lot of face-to-face contact with people, you don’t have a daily class to keep on track, and much of the coursework is self-directed. Personally, I think this is an added benefit of doing online programs, because these are also excellent skills for the workforce, but it’s a challenge and takes some practice.

4. You will need time.

On that note, remember that even though you can do an online program at your house and in your pajamas, it takes time. Just like a regular degree program, there are classes, papers, readings, and exams. My program recommends at least 15 hours a week for coursework, and others may be slightly less or slightly more. Set aside dedicated time for schoolwork to ensure success. If you have kids, consider hourly care or trading child care with a friend for a day or two each week.

5. You should have a plan.

Make sure you know your program’s policies ahead of time. What are the rules if you need to take a leave of absence or drop a class to PCS? How much flexibility will you have in setting your course load if your service member deploys and you’re suddenly a solo parent? What are the financial penalties if you have to extend your program timeline for some reason? It’s almost a given in military life that you will encounter some major life change while working on a degree, so make sure you’re prepared for it ahead of time.

6. You should be aware of any other requirements of your program.

My degree requires 1,200 hours of field placement, broken into two internships. Make sure you know about these requirements ahead of time, because you may need to make some serious adjustments to fit it all in.

My greatest piece of advice is do your research. Programs vary widely, so focus on what you want and need to get out of the program, and choose the one that will best help you get there. Online school can be a wonderful opportunity for military spouses, and if you choose with your vision in mind, you’re much more likely to be happy with your choice.

Did you attend an online college? Share your experience with us!