Overview of Online MA Course

The online Master of Arts (MA) is a PG program delivered digitally to students in various subjects, such as English, Psychology, Political Science, and Journalism. UGC-DEB approved the online MA course to provide top-notch education to every Indian. The 24-month PG program is the primary choice for fresh graduates and working professionals to strengthen their critical thinking, creativity, and research capabilities in the domains of humanities, education, arts, and social sciences.

The online MA course offers a personalized learning pace that allows working professionals to align their personal and professional lives with their career goals and professional commitments. Learners can access live lectures, recorded videos, and the e-library through their laptops and smartphones.

In recent times, the online education sector in India has experienced a boom driven by a rise in learner enrollment in online courses, demand for flexibility, the development of digital infrastructure, and the adoption of skill-based learning. The online universities sector, being the leader in this growth, is expected to reach US$1.51 billion by 2029 with a CAGR of 11.9%.

The MA online course is focused on the latest curriculum, interactive learning pedagogy, and skill-based learning to ensure learners stand out from the competition. After completing an Online MA Degree, the learner is efficient for administrative, teaching, and research roles in various private and government sectors.

Why Choose Online MA Course

An online MA course comes with unmatched convenience over traditional PG courses:

• Learn on the go: An Online degree program offers flexibility to access study materials and recorded lectures from anywhere and anytime. It helps working professionals to maintain a work-life balance and leverage a personalized learning pace.
• More affordable than a Traditional Course: The MA Online degree in India usually costs around ₹ 20,000 to ₹ 2 lakhs, and eliminates the burden of travel expenses, accommodation away from home, and other related bills. These factors make the online degree lighter on your pocket as compared to traditional MA courses.
• Accessible to All Learners: Learners from even remotest villages can now access higher educational digital content through their smartphones and laptops, eliminating the need to relocate to metro cities for top-tier universities.
• Global Networking Opportunities: Online universities conduct networking and virtual meetups to connect with peers, alumni, industry leaders, and recruiters across the globe.

Top Affordable Universities for Online MA Courses (Accreditation & Rankings Overview)

Here’s the list of some top online universities you should prefer for an Online MA course:

Who Can Pursue Online MA Course

Working Professionals

Who want to strengthen their knowledge in humanities, arts, journalism, social science, and related fields, to grow in their careers.

A Fresh Graduate

Who want to gain real-world insight and kickstart their career in teaching, research, and media facilities in major private and government companies.

Government Job Aspirants

Looking for a flexible degree to balance their higher education and job preparation.

Career Changers

Looking to grow in more creative roles, or an administrative role, through a flexible degree with a deep focus on creative writing, literature, humanities, and arts.

Key Highlights of Online MA Course

Eligibility Criteria of Online MA Course

Here are some of the common eligibility criteria for MA online programs in India:

• Bachelor’s degree from a UGC-recognized university/institution.
• 10+2+3 degree from a recognized university/institution.

Duration of Online MA Course

The Online MA course in India follows a duration of 2 years, divided into four semesters of 6 months each. Online universities conduct examinations, projects, and dissertations at the end of every semester.

UGC allows students to leverage a flexible timeline for the online courses, whether they want to accelerate or extend it to 4 years in case of failure, or as an inevitable condition to continue the programs.

Additionally, UGC also allowed multiple entry and exit points to ensure a flexible and seamless learning process. It lets students exit at any point in the program and are eligible to continue at the same point or opt for the final degree if they fail to continue under certain unfortunate circumstances.

Source: Guideline for multiple entry and exit points in Higher Education

Syllabus & Subjects of Online MA Course

The online MA course in India offers a wide range of specializations to learners that enhance their skills in research, critical thinking, project management, and script writing.

The Online MA programs provide multiple specialization options, including Economics, English Literature, Political Science, Sociology, History, Psychology, and JMC (Journalism and Mass Communication).

Each semester of the MA Online Program focuses on a different set of courses and skills. The first year (first two semesters) focuses on the core concepts of literature, media research, algorithms, and digital publishing. The second year ( third and fourth semesters) focuses on a practical approach to news analysis, script writing, critical thinking, project management, and related fields.

The MA degree focuses on the latest curriculum that balances both technical and soft skills, including time management, team bonding, networking, interpersonal skills, and leadership skills.

Given below is the semester-wise Online MA program syllabus:

Note: The above table showcases the curriculum for the MAJMC (Journalism and Mass Communication), and subjects may vary as per the specialization you choose.

Fee Details of Online MA Course

The Online MA program fee usually costs around ₹ 20,000 to ₹ 2 lakhs in India. Students can save around 60% by enrolling in an online course because of lower tuition fees, and reduce the need for relocation, accommodation, and travel-related costs.

Learners can pay by semester, yearly, or full course fee using the preferred method, including education loans, credit cards, UPI, and No-cost EMI options. Online university also offers up to 20% scholarship to selected students based on merit and reservation.

Top Online MA Colleges in India and Course Fees

Given below are the Online MA course fees at the top universities in India:

Note: Online MA Fee, scholarship, and no-cost EMI may vary based on payment method, available seats, and specialization.

Admission Process for Online MA Course

The admission process for the online MA program in India is simple:

• Registration: Visit the university’s official website and register yourself.
• Fill Basic Details: Fill your academic, personal, and work experience details.
• Upload Documents: Upload identity proof, academic certificate, signature, photograph, and work experience letter.
• Pay your online MA program fee.
• Confirmation from the University: After completing the basic process, you will receive admission confirmation from the university via sms and email.

Documents Required for Online MA Admission

Given below is a list of some documents required for online MA admission in India:

Note: While uploading, ensure the documents are in the right format (JPEG, PNG, PDF) and size as requested.

Is an Online MA Course Worth It?

An MA online degree combines digital learning flexibility, credibility, and real-world skills to ensure you secure a balanced career path. It covers the latest curriculum, modern tools, virtual research stimulation, and techniques to ensure learners stand apart from the competition.

The course focuses on the all-around growth of learners in both personal and professional fields. It helps learners leverage modern tools, AI, VR, and qualitative analysis tools for real-world assessment, along with soft skills, like problem-solving, critical thinking, strategic thinking, and understanding cross-cultural practices to ensure sustainable development planning.

A learner can study and implement concepts in real-time for their case studies and projects, which helps them exponentially succeed and enhance domain expertise. Additionally, the online MA program has a better career scope compared to the traditional one:

• 90% Online MA degree graduates experience better ROI on higher education.
• 70-90% of online graduates secure a job within six months of completing their degree.
• Working professional with an experience hike of around 30% on their current CTC.
• 61% of HR professionals preferred online graduates across the globe for their superior learning quality, critical thinking, and readiness for real-world challenges as compared to traditional MA graduates.

Career Opportunities & Job Roles After Online MA Course

Learners after pursuing an online MA course in India are eligible for a wide range of job opportunities in both private and government sectors. A skilled online graduate can secure a job position of Research Analyst, Content Writer, Journalist, Educational Consultant, Media Researcher, Psychologist, and News Reporter for administrative, media, and entertainment industries.

Even as a fresher, 70-90% of online graduates secure a job within 6 months of completing the degree. An online MA graduate can secure an average package of ₹ 3 – 15 LPA. The package may vary depending on skill sets, specialization, experience, domain expertise, and familiarity with modern tools and techniques.

Online universities conduct networking events and virtual groups to connect with peers, alumni, industry leaders, and global recruiters. It also offers placement assistants, including mock interviews, placement drives, and workshops for resume building.

Some online universities also offer apprenticeship and internship programs for learners to build professional skills and ensure seamless transition from virtual classroom to the boardroom.

Job Profiles After Online MA Courses

The table below contains the list of Online MA job profiles and the average package:

Source: Ambition Box

Top Recruiters of Online MA Course

The Online MA. Graduates are preferred by MNCs, Government bodies, and startups for their excellent analytical, research methodology, and domain expertise.

The table below contains the list of Online MA’s top recruiters:

Source: Ambition Box

Is attendance mandatory in the Online MA degree?

No, you can access recorded lectures through your LMS. However, we advise you to sincerely attend live lectures and workshops to gain a better understanding of key concepts and research methodology.

What specializations are available in an Online MA?

An MA online course in India comes with multiple specialization options:

• JMC (Journalism & Mass Communication)
• Economics
• English Literature
• Political Science
• Sociology
• History
• Public Policy
• Psychology

But before choosing any specialization, it must align with your interests and career goals.

Can I do an MA online?

Yes, you can pursue an online MA digitally through your laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

Can I pursue two online courses at the same time?

Yes, you can pursue an MA online degree and a traditional degree at the same time, but make sure the timelines don’t conflict.

Is an online MA worth it?

Yes, an Online MBA is worth it; it is flexible, covers the latest curriculum, offers a practical approach, and is widely accepted for jobs in private and government sectors.

Is an online MA degree valid globally?

Yes, an online MA degree graduate is valid for jobs and higher education for their enhanced learning quality, critical thinking, and readiness to shine in the real world.

Is the Online MA approved by UGC?

Yes, online MA courses are approved by UGC-DEB.

Is an online MA degree equal to a regular MA?

Yes, the online MA is accredited by UGC and is equivalent to a regular MA course.

Can I extend the online MA duration?

Yes, you can extend the online MA course duration to 4 years in case of failure or any other unavoidable circumstances.

Can I complete an online MA in 1 year?

No, however, UGC allows you to continue the Online MA program from the same point if you are unable to continue the degree due to some circumstances.

What is the duration of an Online MA program?

The online MA program has a duration of 2 years, divided into four semesters of 6 months each.

Can a working professional enroll for an Online MA?

Yes, the MA online program is designed for working professionals, so they can study, work, and succeed simultaneously.

Who is eligible for an online MA course?

Any graduate, working professional, government job aspirant, or fresher is eligible for the MA online program.

What are the eligibility criteria for Online MA admission?

You must have a bachelor’s degree from a UGC-recognized university to enroll in the online MA admission.

Can I enroll in the Online MA without an entrance test?

Yes, you can enroll in the Online MA without an entrance test

Does the online MA program offer lateral entry?

No, an online MA course does not provide lateral entry.

How long does confirmation take for online MA admission?

Based on the university, it usually takes up to 7 days to confirm online MA admission.

Is there any scholarship for an MA online course?

Yes, online universities provide scholarships of up to 20% in the MA program on a merit and reservation basis.

Is there a No-cost EMI option in the Online MA course?

Yes, you can avail the No-cost EMI option for MA online admission with the university’s education loan partner.

How can I pay the online MA fee?

You can pay the semester fee or the full online MA fee through Netbanking, UPI, EMI, or debit/credit cards.

What is the online MA course fee in India?

The average MA course fee is from ₹ 20,000 to ₹ 2 lakhs, depending on the university status and specialization.

Can I study an online MA on my phone?

You can access live classes, recorded lectures, workshops, and the e-library on the phone. However, we recommended you use a laptop for a better learning experience.

When will I get an LMS login for the MA online course?

You will get LMS credentials via sms and email within 7 days of MA admission confirmation.

Is the MA online examination conducted online or offline?

The MA online examination is 100% online. You can also book your preferred exam slot through your student account portal.

Is an online MA degree valid for government exams?

Yes, online MA graduates have an advantage in various government exams, like UPES, NTPC, RRB, BPSC, SSC CGL/CHSL, and IBPS PO, with a superior learning experience and critical thinking.

Do companies even value online MA degrees?

Yes, 61% of HR professionals preferred online graduates across the globe for their critical thinking and readiness for real-world challenges over MA graduates.

What is the average salary after an Online MA.?

The average of the online MA graduates is:

• Fresher: ₹ 3 – 5 LPA
• Experienced: ₹ 6 – 15 LPA

Your average package also depends upon your domain expertise, problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and experience.

Will I get a job after completing an online MA course?

Yes, you will definitely get one! More than 70% online MA graduates are placed within 6 months of completing their degree.

What is the career scope of an Online MA?

After completing an online MA degree in India, graduates are eligible for various job roles:

• Content Writer
• Journalist
• Professor
• Psychologist
• Educational Consultant
• Market Research Analyst
• Public Relationship Manager
• Political Consultant
• Media Researcher
• Content Strategist