The Art Institutes have locations all over the United States, but the Pittsburgh school offers full associate and bachelor's degree programs online in graphic design and web design. The courses are accelerated and needs-based, allowing working adults to finish a degree in as little as one year. Students gain access to a wide variety of tools to help them collaborate and connect with teachers. Financial aid and payment plans are available.
Through DeVry University's College of Media Arts and Technology you can earn a bachelor's degree in graphic and multimedia design in three years, or an associate degree in web design in less than two. Rated A+ by the BBB, this school provides full community and teacher support, chat and financial aid as well as the option to receive course materials through the mail on CD-ROM.
Full Sail is a fully accredited school focused exclusively on art degree programs ranging from graphic design to game art. They are one of the only schools to offer master's degree programs online, which include media design and education in media design technology. Students can expect to learn brand strategy, production work flow and design fundamentals, which can prepare them for a career in advertising, publishing or film.
Westwood College online programs are taught by industry professionals. Westwood uses real-world projects and techniques as the foundation of its graphic design curriculum. The associate degree program is intended to give students a well-rounded skill set in order to be successful in the job market immediately after graduating. Courses include audio-video, web design and 3D animation -- disciplines often separated into their own degree programs at other schools. Like the other schools, Westwood offers a fast-track program, allowing completion of study in less than two years.
Distance learning and self-study for graphic design do not necessarily require a lot of money or the need for a degree. There are many resources online to help you pick up basic skills, learn a specific application or keep up on industry standards. Sessions College and W3Schools offer a selection of free graphic design courses. Product manufacturers such as Adobe, Quark and Corel also offer free online training for their graphic design products. Websites dedicated to tutorials are also sources of free education, such as Smashing Magazine, Planet Photoshop and Designer Today.
The Academy of Art University in San Francisco offers an online award of completion in graphic design. The program is designed for students interested in building a foundation of skills used in the graphic design industry and is intended to enhance a current career path or provide a start for future degree studies. Subscription-based courses are also available from industry professionals such as Carsonified's Think Vitamin, Graphic Design School and W3Schools, which may offer different levels of certification.