suggestion for graphic design associates

Does anyone know of an associate degree option in graphic design via distance learning?

 

Here ae a few:

Online Graphic Design - Associate Degree | Penn Foster College

Semester-based Online Learning Associate programs offered at Columbus State

Online Degree Programs | Hodges University

Military Friendly Online College of Art and Design - Sessions College for Professional Design

https://www.aionline.edu/degrees-in-graphic-design/

 

Thanks Kizmet! That's a great start. My son has an option through our local CC but they hardly accept any alternative credit, so I'm exploring options. Much appreciated!

 

No problem. I'm sure there are lots more. There are two distinctions I've noticed. The first is that there are some that seem geared more directly to advertising careers and some that are more general. Also, there are some that emphasize "digital" and some that don't.

 

I'm generally a fan of PF. I took the liberty of checking which courses in their Graphic Design curriculum are currently Ace recommended (which I have bolded):

Semester 1

Basic Skills Assessments
GRD101 Graphic Design Orientation 1 credit
CSC104 Computer Applications 3 credits
GRD105 Color Theory 3 credits
GRD110 Introduction to Graphic Design 3 credits
ENG100 English Composition 3 credits
GRD115 Graphic Design and Production (Illustrator®) 3 credits
Proctored Examination
Semester 2

ENG103 Information Literacy 1 credit
GRD130 Photo Image-Editing 1 3 credits
GRD135 Photo Image-Editing 2 3 credits
GRD220 Web Graphic Arts Design 3 credits
ENG121 Business and Technical Writing 3 credits
GRD201 Typography 3 credits
Proctored Examination
Semester 3

SSC130 Essentials of Psychology 3 credits
GRD205 Electronic Publishing 3 credits
GRD208 Electronic Publishing Projects 3 credits
GRD212 Corporate Design 3 credits
Arts and Humanities Elective (Choose one) 3 credits
Proctored Examination
Semester 4

MAT115 Intermediate Algebra 3 credits
INT120 HTML Coding 3 credits
Science Elective (Choose one) 3 credits
INT205 Introduction to Internet Multimedia 3 credits
INT238 Streaming Technology, Multimedia Development, and Animation 3 credits
GRD225 Portfolio Development 3 credits


So, for an associates degree you're looking at 22 credits if he ever wanted to upgrade to a bachelors (likely at one of the Big 3). That's not the best transfer, but it also isn't terrible considering it's an NA to RA leap. Also, PF might have some better deals with the schools they have articulation agreements with (which includes Charter Oak and WGU and, less preferably, Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Argosy and American InterContinental).

Alternatively, you might consider not getting the associates degree but instead getting two Penn Foster undergrad certificates in Graphic Design and General Studies. None of the credits from the Graphic Design would transfer (based upon ACE recommendation, again, articulation agreement may alter this and credits from portfolio assessment are also a possibility) but you'd get about 12 credits from the General Studies and only pay for two semesters rather than 4 and use the money saved to knock through a bunch of credits by exam.

 

Yes, but don't worry about that! He will be taking a boat-load of GD courses at our local community college (they are free) but rather than completing his degree with them, I'm looking at all the options. Furthermore, I don't think he knows enough about the field to narrow at this point- so the more the better.

 

you're awesome- that was SO INCREDIBLY generous of you to look up for me!! THANK YOU!!:flowers1: I really appreciate it. At this point (he's in high school) ACE would be a minimum qualifier for us to choose the course.


EDIT to add: I honestly have analysis paralysis when it comes to my own kids. The child in question is in 9th grade. I've reconfigured square pegs and round holes all day today, and I just can't make a nice-easy-streamlined process that gets him an AA with classes he is interested in and that will also hold some resemblance of transfer value if he attended one of our state's public universities. I *think* that one avenue I might consider is to skip all this bulldukie, have him rock out a BA Liberal Arts simultaneously with his high school curriculum and he can study GD in grad school. I'm still not sure, mainly because he has no idea what I'm talking about lol. But, there is some angst in knowing more than the average bear.