Should I Get My Art Degree Online?

Getting an Art Degree Online Introduction
Today there are many colleges and programs which offer distance or e-learning education to degree-seeking students. It is important that any prospective student considering obtaining a degree online do the proper research in order to make an informed decision. An online school's accreditation status, reputation, and cost are all elements to consider when making your choice. However, if the type of degree you wish to pursue online is an art degree, there are special factors to contemplate when weighing the pros and cons of getting your degree online.

What Employers Think About Online Degrees
In general, online degrees are still not considered as prestigious as those earned at residential institutions, but opinions are slowly changing. In a 2005 study about online degrees, a higher education research firm called Eduventures surveyed 500 companies and found that about half of the employers believed the value of an online degree equaled that of a traditional degree, with 10 percent saying an online degree was more valuable. In 2006, Vault Inc., a for-profit career-information company, interviewed more than 200 human resources personnel and hiring managers and found that 55 percent of managers favored degrees from traditional institutions over online universities. Forty-one percent of those surveyed said they would give equal weight to an online and traditional degree.

Several studies suggest that the reputation of the online university is a key factor. If the online program is associated with a traditional college or university, employers are much more likely to accept the degree. The Vault survey found that 77 percent of HR managers preferred a degree from an online school that is associated with another accredited institution, such as the University of Maryland, rather than a degree from an Internet-only venture.

Finding Employment with an Online Art Degree
An online degree can be an asset in certain fields. According to the Vault survey, employers in new media or marketing are more likely to accept candidates with online degrees. Artists looking to work in fields associated with the Internet, such as graphic design, animation or some types of illustration, may have an easier time finding a job in the field because they can demonstrate experience and comfort with working online.

On the reverse side, employers in traditional fields that heavily rely on credentials, such as medicine or architecture, are less likely to accept online degrees. Because of this, artists working in fields related to those careers, such as medical illustration, may find that an online degree puts them at a disadvantage.

The Cost of Obtaining Your Degree Online
While receiving a degree via the Internet usually eliminates commute time and allows the student to have more freedom with regard to scheduling and the pace of the coursework, many online only degree programs cost considerably more than publicly funded or state universities and community colleges.

What About Accreditation?
Accreditation is another factor to consider when choosing an online degree program. The United States' Department of Education offers a searchable database whereby prospective students can research a school or program's accreditation status. It is important for students to understand the differences in the types of accreditation that schools may receive. While many e-learning programs are nationally accredited, this may present a problem for a student later on if he or she is planning to apply to a graduate school that is regionally accredited.

The Learning Process
While many students find online learning to be a good fit for the pursuit of purely academic majors, in a very hands-on and visual field such as art, it is often helpful for students to have teachers and mentors close at hand in order to provide criticism, structure, and assistance with techniques. In an online or virtual environment, it may be nearly impossible to receive the benefit of that one-on-one approach that art instruction demands. In addition, peer feedback and working in a creative environment are two very important elements to many students who are pursuing studies in art. In an online learning environment, these aspects are lacking and may affect the student's ability to fully appreciate and develop his or her knowledge in the field.

Article Resources:

Chronicle of Higher Education
New York Times
U.S. Department of Education: Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs