Employers value additional job-related training. So give it to them. For free. Distance Learning: Moocs May Be Key To Pay Rise And Promotion | BusinessBecause
Just last week I got an "exceeds" in the category of professional development on my evaluation at work. Getting an exceeds is somewhat rare below senior management at my company. It ensures you receive an additional 1% boost (in addition to whatever the annual merit increase is across the board). The reason I got the exceeds? Because I took so darn many courses (most of them MOOCs) this year in professionally relevant subjects. Degrees are great, but there is more to impressing an employer than earning degrees.