There is a lot to be said for self education, especially within the graphic design community. There are millions of resources readily available, many of which are free, where you can school yourself on the latest in website design, graphic design, design trends and the like. Between the video tutorials, blogs, e-books and paper books being produced by the second, it’s hard to say any educational institution would have the resources available to remain as progressive as the design community itself.


The problem, and the reality, is that employers seek and value the all-mighty degree. If you can follow instructions and thrive within a graphic design school, you will be able to do the same within their business institution. A very important question to ask, however, is what do prospective employers think about online educations?

The answer is, that there is no black and white answer. Studies have found that the online degree is valued less, but that it’s becoming increasingly acceptable. The ballpark figure is that eighty percent of employers consider the degree to be of equal value to one from a brick-and-mortar school. Unless you plan on freelancing entirely, your best bet is to find a flexible, affordable and reputable online design school.

Online graphic design degree schools offer the same learning opportunities and experienced design professors that you would find at a brick and mortar campus. The benefits to an online design school vs. a conventional school are endless, consider the time and money involved in commuting and parking alone.

SCORE A BACHELOR IN SCIENCE FROM AN ONLINE GRAPHIC DESIGN SCHOOL

With a Bachelor Degree in Science can fine tune your skills for use in print design, photography, animation, website design and overall digital production design. Again, the value of the degree, in our opinion, depends entirely on your own game plan. If you plan on working for a design firm, your best bet is to obtain the Degree. Below, we have included a list of legitimate online design schools and their specific offerings.

ACCREDITED ONLINE GRAPHIC DESIGN SCHOOLS

The most important aspect of choosing an online graphic design school is to make sure you are spending your time and money on a degree which is worth more than the paper it’s printed on. Below is a list of “Accredited” online educational institutions, which means they are regionally accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

1. George Washington University (yes, the George Washington University)
1. Full Sail University Online
2. University of Phoenix Online
3. The Art Institute of Pittsburgh Online
4. Westwood College Online

ACCREDITED ONLINE WEBSITE DESIGN DEGREE PROGRAMS

Bachelor of Science / Web Design and Interactive Media – The Art Institute of Pittsburgh – Online Division

Combine your individual artistic abilities with complex technological skills online. This program was designed to prepare you for a career in web design and technologies that make the Internet come to life. Enter the fast-evolving field of Web Design. It integrates the elements of audio, video, still images, animation, text and data for the delivery of interactive content. Web Design & Interactive Media focuses on web site design, visual design, digital image manipulation, digital audio and video, animation, text, business and project management.
At graduation, you will have an individualized digital portfolio to showcase the practical and technical skills you have acquired. You’ll be prepared for entry-level career opportunities with corporations, organizations, educational institutions, government agencies, entertainment and advertising agencies in the field of multimedia and Web design.

ACCREDITATION

The Art Institute Online is a division of The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, which is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). ACICS is a national accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Visual Communication / Web Design -  American InterContinental University Online

AIU Online’s Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication degree completion program with a concentration in Web Design can help prepare students to become creative and technically proficient professionals with industry-current knowledge and skills. Employment prospects are bright for individuals that pursue a BFA in Visual Communication with a concentration in Web Design online.
AIU’s BFA in Visual Communication degree completion program with a concentration in Web Design can help prepare students interested in developing and advancing such interesting, in-demand careers as: Web Designer, Digital Artist, Flash Designer, Web Producer and Internet Marketing Designer.
At AIU Online, the BFA degree completion program in Visual Communication with a concentration in Web Design features industry-relevant coursework taught by faculty members with real-world experience in the field. Learning from experienced instructors, you can absorb applicable, relevant knowledge which can immediately be applied to today’s dynamic web design industry.

ACCREDITATION

American InterContinental University is a member of the North Central Association and is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission to award Associate, Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.

Bachelor of Science in Web Design and Multimedia – Westwood College

The Internet is here to stay – and so are careers in web design. This 21st century vocation combines creativity, technology and traditional design skills, and there’s no better place to master the field than Westwood’s web design and multimedia degree program*. You’ll learn by developing strategic web site projects, where you’ll become adept at industry-standard software such as HTML, JavaScript, CSS, PHP, HTTP and Actionscript. In the process, you’ll be mentored by working professionals who draw upon invaluable experience and insights to give you real-life perspectives rather than just textbook theories. Coursework includes topics such as web marketing, new media, search engine optimization and design classes in composition and layout. By the time you graduate, you will have built a professional web site using e-commerce elements and compiled a final student portfolio to showcase your skills to prospective employers. If you’re a creative type who loves computers and electronics, you and web design could be a match made in heaven! Start creating an exciting future now – with Westwood College, A Place Where You Can Succeed.® *This program only available through Westwood College – Online Campus.

ACCREDITATION

Westwood Online is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).

Bachelor of Science in Web Design & Development – Full Sail University

Full Sail University’s Web Design & Development Bachelor of Science online degree program explores one of the most rapidly developing industries in our society, with coursework that balances design and aesthetic techniques with programming and coding. Develop a holistic vision of web design and development, create your own websites, and build the highly demanded skill set needed to start a career in this expanding field. Coursework includes instruction on design and programming technologies like CSS, XHTML, JavaScript, XML, Flash, and ActionScript.

ACCREDITATION

Full Sail University is accredited to the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.