Online Graphic Design Degrees: How to Find an Accredited Design School

One of the best ways to earn a degree while working full-time in the field is by enrolling on an online graphic design degree program. Work experience in the field as an assistant designer or other entry-level position adds more weight to your resume, gives you more earning power, and it places you ahead of the pack.

Whether online or on-campus, a degree in graphics and multimedia design will help prepare you for a career in graphic design, multi-media art, animation, or advertising. Other acceptable degrees for entry into this field include animation, fine art with a focus in multimedia design, and art with a focus in graphic design.

In addition to online graphic design degrees, students may opt for traditional learning formats (entirely on-campus) or a blended format. The blended format offers a combination of online and on-campus courses. The types of courses available online are determined by each individual institution.

Accredited on-campus and online programs should have the same course requirements. Online programs also give students the opportunity to work on their graphic design skills in a virtual lab setting. Most graphics students in particular, whether attending school on-campus or online, will have access to virtual labs which allow students to work on class projects 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

While online programs are an excellent choice for working students, students with other obligations that would make commuting difficult or students who would prefer not to relocate, there are several things that might not work for some students. The online learning format might be difficult for some students for several reasons.

Students must be extremely disciplined and organized. They must also work very well unsupervised. It is the student's responsibility to check for assignments, keep up with discussion groups, download lectures, review the syllabus carefully, log onto class for a specific number of hours per course, to turn in assignments on or before set deadlines, and to post to discussion boards in a timely and professional manner. A significant portion of the online students grade depends on class participation. This is not really the case in on-campus environments where the student is not required to respond in class with 300-500 word comments.

Some students might also miss the face-to-face interaction with instructors and peers. However, many veteran online students see this as a distraction. Fortunately, when it comes to choosing an online program over an on-campus program, you can rest easy knowing whatever your choice, both types of learning formats are valid in the academic and career world.

When applying for online graphic design degree programs, there are several additional steps you must take if you are not familiar with the school. It is important to check to make sure the school is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency. Some of the top accrediting agencies include:

-Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)

-Distance Education Training Council (DETC)

-Council on Occupational Education (COE)

-Accrediting Commission for Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT)

-Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)

-National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)

Regional Accrediting Agencies include:

-Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

-New England Association of Schools and Colleges

-North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

-Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

-Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

-Western Association of Schools and Colleges

Visit the U.S. Department of Education at Ed.gov for additional listings.

In addition, accredited online programs should have the same curriculum requirements as traditional programs. Review the graphics curriculum for a top technical school such the MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). Compare MIT's curriculum to the program you have chosen. If the curriculum for the program you have chosen omits many of the courses listed in MIT's website, think twice before applying.

If you would like more information about online graphic design degrees, including curriculum and program info, visit Best Art Schools. To learn more about graphic design careers, visit the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics.