<p>Hi All, I am a 28 year old guy who has decided the time has come to go to college. I want to obtain my degree in Digital art with a focus on Game art. Living in central florida, you would figure this would be easy right… Well my problem is I work full time to support my family. This seems to have stuck me in a rock and a hard place. here are the schools I know of:</p>
<li>Fullsail - Cannot maintain a full time job while attending, classes are 24X7</li>
<li>University of Central Florida - would LOVE to go, but they offer only a few of the total required courses at night, so I can’t attend while keeping my job.</li>
<li>Stetson University - ??? still trying to contact admissions to find out if they have a night school or enough night courses</li>
<li>Ringling - Looks like a fantastic school, but its 2 hours away from me, and doesnt appear to have an online course.</li>
<li>Rollins College - does not appear to offer any digital art programs</li>
</ol>
<p>Does anyone know of any other central florida schools I can look into? Apart from this, online programs look to be my only answer. So far I have looked into:</p>
<li>SCAD - getting conflicting accounts on whether it is a good school, or a horrible school. Very hard to confirm.</li>
<li>Art Institute Online - my god these guys are like used car salesmen. I called them ONCE to get info about the school, and they have proceeded to call me every day, without fail, for 3 months, and each time I told them I was not ready to make a decision and would let them know. Any school that has to try this hard makes me VERY nervous. They also will not give me any idea if their degree is transferable - whereas schools such as UCF will tell me up front that it can be transferred to any accredited school.</li>
<li>Westwood Online - a lot like the art institute, but not so car salesman-ish. Their degree is major focused - no real general education required, and is a staggering 8K a semester. Holy Cow - oh and there is little financial aid available for me, since I make more than 75K a year and its an online program.</li>
<li>UAT (University of Advancing Technology) - looks like a good program, looks like a good school, but I am unable to really get any information on how their program is viewed, what their reputation is, etc. They are somewhere around 5K a semester, so my financial aid problem re-surfaces.</li>
</ol>
<p>Does anyone have any other ideas? I really really want to go to school, and preferably be able to obtain an MA degree. It’s starting to seem like someone who works full time will be unable to do so in the Digital Art field without mortgaging their house.</p>
<p>Signed,
Frustrated</p>
<p>I'd be very cautious about any online program for art, even if it is for digital art. There is much to be gained from being in a classroom setting, seeing other students work, and getting critiques in person. </p>
<p>One particular issue to consider if you want to go on for an MA (I'm assuming you want to get a bachelor's first) is that typically schools which are considered "trade schools" such as Full Sail, Art Institute, UAT, will not be viewed favorably by traditional MA/MFA programs. It is VERY important to look at the accreditation, and ask a lot of questions. Unfortunately, you're going to face the financial aid situation at most schools --- so make sure you end up choosing a school that has a good reputation, accreditation (preferably by NASAD), and transferrable credits. </p>
<p>My vote would be for either Ringling or UCF. Ringling has a SUPERB program in game design, and many of the top game companies recruit there. They also have a relatively high percentage of students who are over 25. Of course, if you're unable to move closer, it probably won't work. </p>
<p>Here's another thought: check out what is offered at community colleges in your area. For digital design, you might find an AA degree, or even a certificate program that will get you the skills you're looking for, and you will be paying FAR less than the Art Institute or Full Sail. You would then have credits that can transfer to UCF or any other reputable four year school, should you decide to continue on for a bachelor's and ultimately a masters.</p>
<p>Ringling is better than SCAD. I know many people associated with the arts (including my mother, who is a professor), who doubt SCAD's quality.
Ringling is a good school. It's expensive.
Full Sail has open admission, so anyone can pretty much go!</p>
<p>But if you haven't maybe I can be a little help when it comes to UAT. </p>
<p>UAT is a 4 year accredited school. When you graduate you will receive a diploma that says Bachelors of Art (or Science depending on degree) in Game Design (or whatever you major in). </p>
<p>UAT is not a Tech School. There are core elements you must take, such as, English, Math, Science, History as well as a Foreign Language.</p>
<p>Hope this helps.</p>
<p>Is UCF not accredited yet, the BFA in Emerging Media? Because I’m stuck between UF and UCF, and UF is accredited. (I plan to double major in advertising and emerging media/graphic design)</p>
<p>Let me tell you something about Full Sail though, They cram all 4 years of instruction into 2 years, their schedule is insane. Ringling has the most amazing alumni credits. They don’t offer online courses cause it’s impossible to get a really good arts education online (in my opinion)
I never understand why people are so into SCAD because if you just look at the art on their website it’s pretty sad compared to a lot of other schools, and they are known to many as a “diploma mill”
There is another school that has cropped up recently, something like “Davie’s school” or “Daves digital arts” I’m pretty sure it’s in Orlando, I don’t know anything about them but you can look it up
Ringling is hella-exspensive (I’m going there this fall) but well worth it, and I have heard of at least one person who commutes about 2 hours there
Just realized how old this is…Well that’s my opinion, don’t know if it’ll help or not</p>