Question about online art or design schools...

Does anyone find it peculiar that many schools offering design or digital art BA and BFA degrees don't require a portfolio for entry?

I've started to wonder about the quality of these schools if they let ANYONE with a fistfull of cash join a supposedly artistic field of study. This came up by talking to a friend who's an accomplished web designer. She's skeptical of these programs because the entry requirements seem so easy. However, she is coming from a perspective of traditional fine art, so I'm not sure if the same measurement applies to digital arts.

By the way, the "easy entry" schools that I looked were:

Academy of Art University
Westwood Online
Capella: they look development oriented, not design oriented
MtSierra: they require just an essay
Kaplan: no mention of requirements, I read that as none
American Intercontinental University: They don't like to reveal much on their website, so I don't like to send them my info to find out.
Sessions: certificates only (no BA)

Art Institute Online: none required for Graphic design but is for Game Art & Design.

The only real exception is Savannah College of Art & Design, online master's program. They want a portfolio and 2-3 recommendation letters. I've seen someone mention Syracuse U, however all I can find for DL that's remotely relevant is BA of liberal arts (blech--too general) and Thomas Edison for a humanities BA (also too general).

If anyone has any recommendations for BA/BFA programs not listed here for graphic design, visual communications, digital media, etc, I'd like to hear them. I'd try that degree finder, but it's broken.

Right now I'm leaning toward Art Academy, however my search has only just begun. As for AIO, the yahoo group antiartinstitute has scared me away from them.

I have a comp. sci. BS from RIT looking for a BFA in visual comm, digital arts, or graphic design with a focus on web. Also, I'm not interested in certificates or associates.

Any pertinant comments?

 

The only two Bachelors degree level programs of which I am aware are at 1) Caldwell College and 2) University of South Africa. The former is a traditional fine arts program and I would be a bit surprised if it included any digital arts coursework. The latter is, I believe, more flexible in its approach to visual art. You will require some patience in perusing the website but it may be worth it seeing that you don't appear to have many options available to you at this time. In any case, good luck.
Jack
(If you decide to move forward on UNISA, don't forget to visit www.iaci-canada.com)

 

my favourite art school

Here it is:
http://www.uiah.fi/frontpage.asp?path=1866
OK, OK, so you'd likely have to learn Finnish.
If you wuss out on that, Swedish would do nicely as well.
UIAH does offer some DL, but it's a bit unclear what.
And, and, best of all,
if you've actually got some sisu and stick it out for the long haul, they offer a DA degree!
Who could ask for anything more?

 

I don't know... my impression is that what's necessary to get out of a program is probably more important than what's necessary to get in. Especially in the art world, a strong portfolio (and contacts) are more important than a fancy degree.

I suppose that any less-selective program could be criticised for not being selective enough.

But if we forget the highly competitive prestige art schools for a moment and look at credible journeyman programs, you find things like San Jose State. They require a portfolio for admission to their BFA programs. But the way it works is that all freshmen are admitted to the BA program and then they can transfer to the BFA as juniors, after completing two years of work. That's when they have to show their portfolio.

http://info.sjsu.edu/web-dbgen/catalog/departments/ART-section-5.html

This isn't DL of course, but it's an illustration of a credible BFA that doesn't require a portfolio for initial entry.

SCAD is probably the class of that bunch.

My No.2 would probably be Academy of Art University, but I'm an old San Franciscan and am kind of used to them. They aren't prestigious certainly, but they are a real art school and they do have a history in computer arts.

 

Thanks for the info guys.

I spoke to someone from Westwood and I believe the rumors about them are true, that they're pushy. Boy.. once they get you in their radar sites, they really want to get you signed-up, on-board, and into the system.. all IN 1 DAY from your inquiry email. However, to be fair, they have seemed very professional so far--just very aggressive.

I haven't heard from Acad. of Art U. yet, but... their non-RA status does bother me.

Since those were the only two that I was seriously considering, I think I'm going to consider a local comm. college that I passed over. (Yep, I'm back-peddaling )

I'm thinking now that maybe an associates deg. at a local school (which is RA) may be worthwhile afterall for transfer credit. If I work on an AS in graphic design for now, I could delay figuring this out for a while. Maybe there'll be more options in 1-2 years. Or maybe I can work on getting situated in another city.