Five Things to Consider When Choosing Online Graphic Arts Colleges

Are you interested in pursuing a career as a graphic artist? Based on data from Bureau of Labor Statistics or BLS, a bachelor’s degree is typically required for one to be able to work in the field of graphic design. If you are already working full-time, or already has a family to take care of, or long travel times pose as a challenge for you to be able to attend school, then you might want to consider attending online graphic art classes.

Five Things to Consider When Choosing Online Graphic Arts Colleges

1. Are you able to work with minimal supervision? Self-motivation and discipline should be at the top of your list if you’re planning to attend online courses. You will enjoy a lot of flexibility and freedom since you are on your own to monitor your own progress and no one will be there to bug you to finish your homework or to confirm if you have read your lessons or not. If you feel that this is something you might be able to handle well, then taking online graphic art courses might not be suited for you.

2. Do you enjoy in-person interactions? If you do, then a traditional classroom setup might work better for you. If you like interpersonal interactions but would prefer taking arts courses online, then you need to search for online schools that cater to open discussion and interactions, as well as giving and providing feedback to your online classmates and facilitators.

3. Do you wish to save money? The New York Times mentions that nowadays, the tuition fee of online schools is just as expensive as that of traditional schools. This means that even if you don’t spend a lot on transportation and renting or if you are a working student, qualifying for and availing of scholarships can help you further in saving money. Two free websites that you can start with are the College Board web site and .

4. Have you confirmed if your preferred online graphic arts school is accredited? Be wary of online schools that charge a high price for diplomas and yet they are not accredited. Don’t take chances and validate if your online graphic school is accredited by checking its accreditation status at the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Post secondary Institutions and Programs or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

5. Do you feel that you’ll be able to achieve your career goals when you enroll in your preferred online school? If you are just aiming for basic graphic design courses, then you might not really need to spend so much time looking for the right school. However, if you want to specialize in a certain field of graphic design such as magazine layout, advertising or art direction, then you might want to take a closer look at what online arts schools offer especially when it comes to your secondary field.

Once you have finished researching, have finalized your career goals and know what type of learning environment would suit you best, you must now be prepared to take your first lesson in graphic arts through your preferred online school. Don’t lose focus and strive to get good grades, and in no time you’ll find yourself in a graphic arts job that pays really well.