Innovations to the healthcare industry have increased the need for qualified medical assistants who have specialized skill sets. As a result, many campus-based and online schools are tweaking their offerings in an effort to help degree seekers make themselves more valuable to employers.

For instance, a Kansas-based school has announced the launch of an associate’s degree program in respiratory therapy, the Salina Journal reports.

This course of study, which was recently approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care, was created in response to students’ growing interest in the field, according to school officials.

The rising desire to launch careers in respiratory care can be attributed to the comfortable wages that these professionals are typically paid. According to PayScale.com, a research company, respiratory therapists typically earn between $19 and $27 per hour.

Individuals who wish to gain experience in this field while they are working toward a degree may want to consider enrolling in online college courses, which can enable them to complete their homework around a busy schedule.