As formal education has become a prerequisite for career advancement, many professionals have found that their lack of a higher degree has stunted their development. As a result, many campus-based and online colleges are creating web-based programs that are intended to help these individuals overcome some of the hurdles that stand between them and their dream jobs.

In many instances, individuals who have completed a masters program at a campus-based or online schools have the potential to land better jobs and earn higher salaries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that holders of these degrees can earn up to $200 more per week than workers who halted their education after undergraduate study.

However, some individuals may worry that leaving their jobs to enroll in a full-time degree graduate program could affect their ability to move up in their current companies. As a result, many educational institutions are creating flexible graduate-level courses of study that are designed with working students in mind.

For instance, two online colleges recently launched a collaborative effort to make masters programs available to students at both schools. Enrollees are now able to earn graduate degrees in business administration, healthcare administration, nursing administration and nursing education.