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Thinking about going to art school, but don't want to put your life on hold?
Online art school just might be your answer. Earning your degree online is one of the fastest-growing educational paths today. Students no longer need to sacrifice their responsibilities in order to chase their dreams.
Here's the breakdown…
You can still get an amazing education from an art school online. The quality of instruction you'll receive is just as good as what you'll find on campus. But the online format allows students to complete their degree with unparalleled flexibility.
Let's take a look at why art programs online are booming…
Why Art School Online Is Booming
The Top Benefits of Online Art Programs
What Makes Online Art Schools Different
How to Choose the Right Program
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, over 30% of postsecondary students took at least one online course during the 2018 school year. That's up from just 9% ten years prior.
But here's the fun part…
Creative programs have been at the forefront of this growth. Students are finding that art and design majors can thrive in an online format. Whether you want to study illustration, graphic design, animation…
You can learn it online.
An online art school opens the doors of professional education to anyone with an internet connection. No relocation. No expensive commute. And learn at a time that works with your schedule.
So what's caused this boom? Pretty much everything about the way we work and live nowadays.
Technology has finally reached a point where online education can compete with in-person classes. Modern digital tools create an immersive learning environment that rivals a physical classroom.
The nature of creative careers today require digital skills. The majority of art careers already involve displaying your work online, or working remotely.
Adults simply have other obligations. Students nowadays aren't able to relocate to attend school like they could in the past.
Online programs are perfectly designed to handle these needs.
Online art education is booming right now. But why? Let's break down the top benefits…
If you had to choose one word to summarize the benefits of art programs online, it would be flexibility.
Online classes allow students to complete their degree whenever and wherever they want. Big night class? No problem. School at midnight? Done.
Traditional art schools force students into a set schedule. But anyone who's worked a full time job knows that's not how life works. Online schools understand that students need flexibility.
Online art programs generally cost less than traditional college. How much less? Many students report savings of at least $10,000 over four years.
And here's why…
Students don't need to pay for housing or move to where school is located. No daily commute means saving money on gas. Online schools have lower overhead, so they don't charge for campus facilities. Digital courses rely less on printed materials.
When you add it all up, those are savings that really matter.
You may think that online schools don't offer the same quality education that on-campus programs provide. And historically, you'd be correct.
But not anymore.
Many online art and design programs now use the exact same faculty as their on-campus counterparts. The curriculum is identical. Classes are simply taught online instead of in a physical classroom.
You are no longer required to live near a top art school in order to receive a high-quality education. Thanks to online education, some of the best art instructors are now available at the click of a button.
Online programs employ working professionals from all over the industry. Because they're not required to live near the school, online programs can pull from a larger pool of instructors. You learn specific skills that help you stand out after graduation.
Online art students build their digital portfolios with every single class they take. From research to critiques to finishing your final projects, everything is done online.
Students learn how to navigate art software. They learn how to present work online. They become comfortable with digital tools that employers want.
You understand that online art education is pretty darn great. But how do programs actually teach art online?
Because most online schools offer self-paced course work, students can learn at a speed that matches their abilities.
Stuck on a particular skill? Take your time to master the material. Advanced in certain areas? Move forward without waiting for the rest of the class.
Online programs have leveraged technology to improve how students receive feedback. Critiques can now be given via video annotation and digital markup. Some programs even allow instructors to live stream as they critique your work.
Art is about community. Sharing your work with classmates and having them give you feedback is one of the best ways to improve your skills.
Online art schools know this. That's why they build community with virtual critiquing sessions, student forums, and group projects. Just because it looks different doesn't mean it's not there.
Online programs are continually improving their quality of education. So how do you find a great online art school?
Make sure that the schools you're looking into are properly accredited. Without accreditation, your degree will be nearly worthless on the job market.
Review the programs curriculum beforehand. Make sure that you'll be learning both foundational skills, in addition to modern tools required to work in the industry.
Look into who teaches the classes. Quality online programs attract professionals who are working in the art industry full-time.
Online doesn't mean you'll be studying alone. Look for online schools that offer student support through academic advising and career counseling.
There was a time when attending art school online was vastly different than getting your education on campus. These days, that's no longer true.
The quality of education you'll receive from online programs is just as good as that of their traditional counterparts. Yet you still reap the benefits of the flexibility that online schools provide.
Online education has come a long way. And for artists who couldn't attend traditional school, online programs open doors that were previously locked.
If you're worried about whether online art school is right for you, don't be. Your options are waiting.
The real question is, which online school will you choose?
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