While a bachelors degree is a sufficient qualification for most positions in the social work field, individuals who wish to advance quickly may need to earn campus-based or online masters degrees. However, professionals who have already established close relationships with their clients may worry that their progress will be reversed if they leave their current positions to pursue an advanced college degree.

Consequently, many campus-based and online colleges are tweaking their offerings to cater to working students in this industry by offering online degree programs.

For example, Bluffton University recently announced some changes to its college degree programs in social work, which are intended to help social workers enhance their qualifications without letting their clients down, the Bluffton Icon reports. These alterations include more convenient scheduling options and more efficient coursework – characteristics that are typical of most online degree programs.

An online degree program could help social workers land the high-paying jobs that are expected to become available in the coming years.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the demand for these professionals is slated to increase by 16 percent over the next eight years, and individuals who hold advanced college degrees are likely to see the best career prospects.