There's nothing like a good education, right? Try telling that to a boss who's concerned about how your higher learning endeavors may impact your job performance. Even if your company has a tuition reimbursement policy, it doesn't mean your immediate supervisor will accommodate your new schedule or focus.

"You have to put yourself in your boss's shoes," says Debra Pestrak, CEO of Success UNleashed, Inc., a leadership consultancy, and author of, Playing with the Big Boys: Success Secrets of the Most Powerful Women in Business. "It all depends on how large the corporation is, what kind of budget constraints it has, if the company is downsizing and the environmental issues within that business."

The bottom line is that if you're set on earning that post-graduate degree or certification, it is to your advantage to get the support of your boss. It'll help you successfully navigate through the educational process and your changing career.

Get Your Boss Involved

Before you check out programs at the local college or professional organization, sit down with your boss. Tell him that you'd like to improve your skills or transition into a different area. Chances are he will appreciate the openness and welcome the opportunity to help you adapt your capabilities to the company's needs. "Most people will first call the school, get the curriculum, and calculate the cost and hours," says Gregory Nelson, vice president of leadership development at Development Dimensions International, Inc., a consulting firm in Bridgefield, Pennsylvania. But don't initially talk to your boss about cost. "Rather than it being a creative conversation about how to develop [your] talent, it becomes a push and pull."

Share the Benefits

Most supervisors are concerned with one thing: Getting the job done. You'll be most successful in earning support if you show your boss how these educational endeavors will help you do a better job and, in effect, benefit the company as a whole. "Show them how what you're doing has applicability," Nelson says. "That way, you're not talking about apples and oranges. Figure out ways to integrate the entire learning process into the workflow."

Alleviate the Fear

Remember that your boss is afraid you'll use your degree to land another job, or worse: You'll check out mentally. Address those fears head on. Meet with your boss to discuss opportunities that may be available to you once you've completed your new training. Don't hold back if your degree is taking you in a completely different direction. "You never know where within a company, particularly a large one, there may be opportunities to apply different skills sets," Nelson says. "I would think there would be more opportunities to be very open about your development and demonstrate initiative than there would be to be purposely silent about it."

The general rule of thumb is really quit simple: Communicate your educational aspirations clearly and directly. Don't mince words or hold back. You and your boss can make the learning process work for everyone, says Pestrak. "You have to take responsibility for your choices and accept the path you've decided upon."