OAT-Texas,
The main issue is not taking a job from a U.S. Citizen. If you have an employment position which cannot be filled by anyone already in the country, then you can go abroad to get someone. This is over simplified, just to give you an idea of what INS is looking for.
As for the Degree, you will need to get someone with a University Degree, without it you will have greater difficulty getting someone a Visa.
You will also be able to use a person's experience in the field to show them as a professional. They will need to show two years experience for every degree year, i.e. 8 years "in field" experience for a 4 year degree.
Hope this Helps,
Capt. Richard J. Gentil, Pres.
Naples Air Center, Inc.