Look for online schools that offer art programs. Decide what focus area you want to study, such as art education or fine arts areas including sculpture, printmaking, or painting and drawing. Online schools offer a one-year certificate/diploma, two-year associate degree, four-year bachelor's degree and two-year master's degree programs.
You also should choose between a Bachelor of Arts/Master of Arts (BA/MA) degree or a Bachelor of Fine Arts/Master of Fine Arts (BFA/MFA) degree. A BA or MA will include more traditional liberal arts courses such as English, while a BFA or MFA typically includes more hands-on creation of art. In addition, a master's degree program is designed for students who want to become college-level art educators or seek management roles in the art industry.
Check to see that your chosen institution is regionally accredited and also accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Choosing an industry-accredited school will make you more employable, as the NASAD's goal is to improve educational practices and maintain high professional standards in art and design education.
Apply to the art school of your choice. An undergraduate degree program will require you to submit your high school diploma or GED. You also might have to submit scores on standardized tests such as the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT) when applying to a four-year school. A graduate degree program will require you to submit your transcript from your bachelor's degree program.
Check to make sure you meet the technology requirements to complete your online program. For example, you will need access to a computer with high-speed Internet. You also should check to make sure your computer will work with any art programs you will have to use in your classes.
Take online art classes on topics including realism-based drawing, color and composition, and design concepts and form. Learn how to develop your own unique style, how to build a compelling portfolio, and how to market your work and talent. Complete classes such as jewelry design, art production and art historical awareness. If you are in a graduate degree program, be prepared to additionally complete a final thesis project, which might include producing a few artistic pieces and analyzing these pieces along with other relevant works.