The Academy of Art University, located in San Francisco, offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in the fine arts. Founded in 1929, the university began offering online courses in 2002 to students seeking associate, bachelor's and master's degrees. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges, National Association of Schools of Art and Design and the Council for Interior Design Accreditation accredit both in-person and online degrees at the school. Students have the option of completing their degrees entirely online, in person or as a combination. Online students participate in class discussion through a web-based system in which they post questions and comments to the instructor, as well as upload assignments for review.
The California State University system offers more than 50 online degrees through 20 of its 23 campuses. These schools, located in southern, central and northern California, offer the degrees through their Extended/Continuing Education programs. Each campus offers different bachelor's, master's and certificate programs that you can take online anywhere. The degree you will obtain will come from the specific campus of the school you attend. Online learning classes through the CSU system use a course-management web service called Blackboard. You attend classes online by clicking on the link for each class, which counts as your attendance. For each, you will find links to the syllabus, assignments, readings, website links and the class discussion area.
Foothill College, located in Los Altos Hills, California, is a community college that offers over 500 online courses. As the first community college to offer online degree programs in California, Foothill allows students outside of the Bay Area to earn their associate degree or complete a certificate program. Foothill College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Online students can complete their degrees completely online; students can log in and complete work at any hour of the day. Some classes require students to work online at specified times, and most assignments have completion deadlines.
When looking at online learning programs, think about the time and effort you must put into each class. Online classes require strict time management to complete assignments on time and participate in class discussion posts. The California State University East Bay website recommends that students allow for three hours of study and online participation time per online credit, so a three-credit class would require nine hours per week. You must have Internet access and a computer to attend classes. Foothill College and schools in the California State University system offer residents of California discounts on their tuition. Whether you live in California or not, online classes can save transportation costs and time, allowing you to complete a degree without setting foot on a campus.