More business-minded individuals are looking to start their own companies, but many of these budding entrepreneurs lack the education necessary to ensure that their ventures comply with state and national regulations. As a result, many campus-based and online colleges are developing masters programs that can help students develop successful businesses.

Several of these programs encourage students to develop business plans while they are still in school. Through this process, degree seekers are able to benefit from the guidance of faculty members and experienced business professionals before they present their ideas to potential investors.

Furthermore, classroom-based and online college degree programs can put prospective entrepreneurs in touch with these investors. Many business educators have a great deal of experience in the field, so degree seekers may have the opportunity to network with their professors' acquaintances and former colleagues.

These types of programs have already proven quite successful. For example, student-run businesses that were developed in an entrepreneurship concentration at a North Carolina-based business school have attracted more than $200 million in investment capital since the program's inception 15 years ago, TechJournal South reports.