<p>I am a non traditional student that graduated in 2010 from a local community college, with an Associates of Fine Arts. I applied to a few schools (one in state, the rest out of state).</p>
<p>I was accepted to University of North Texas, and Rhode Island College. I just don't know which school offers a better curriculum. UNT offers a BFA in Visual Communication, and RIC offers a BFA in Graphic Design. </p>
<p>Attending Rhode Island College will cost about $7,000 a year, University of North Texas would be about $17,000 a year.</p>
<p>The problem is this will take 3 years to complete if I go full time taking 4-5 courses a semester. They want me to take several courses that are not relevant to Graphic Design such as painting, drawing, literature, and science classes (even though I already took a good deal of General Ed. classes in Community College).</p>
<p>If I go to to a technical school it will take about 18 months, and I will be taking courses that are revelant and more direct to Graphic Design.</p>
<p>Here are some other schools I was thinking of applying to....
Academy of Art University
Platt College San Diego
New England Institute of Technology</p>
<p>What is a better option? What will prepare me more for the work force?</p>
<p>[Visual</a> Arts and Film Majors - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/visual-arts-film-majors/]Visual”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/visual-arts-film-majors/)</p>
<p>you might ask this question in the visual arts majors forum</p>
<p>beware of the for profit “schools”!</p>
<p>I can only comment on the Academy of Art University, I live in SF and have taught at AAU for 17 years. The best thing about it is that professionals teach the classes and they are connected within the industry, networking is a real advantage. The technology in graphic arts is cutting edge. It is now a fully accredited college so to receive a BFA you must take all the required courses to complete the degree, including liberal arts and all foundation courses. If you’re seriously considering AAU come to SF and make an appointment with the director of the department (email would be second best) to get all the correct accurate info. I hate to say it but the general academic advising is not always correct, double check with the department!</p>
<p>why? a good deal of them (not all) seem to offer courses more geared to your major.</p>
<p>I think zobroward was making that comment (#3) because of all the news lately about the for-profit schools that make big promises, and then have low graduation rates and poor job placement records. The students often take out big loans to attend and then can’t find jobs that pay enough to cover their student loans, it’s a real problem. Not all for profit schools are bad, just be careful and do your homework.</p>
<p>@bopambo thanks, it is a school to consider, the only thing that makes it tough is the cost of living in SF is very high. It is still something to think about though and they having rolling admission so there is not as much pressure.</p>
<p>@music thanks for letting me know, I also posted the question in the proper visual arts majors forum as well since there was no way for me to move my post. I read other peoples art questions on this forum so that must have confused me a bit.</p>
<p>I’m not surprised that it will take you 3 years to complete a BFA. It really is a five year program crammed into four. All the courses you listed such as painting and drawing are as crucial to your development in the design field as the actual design classes. Science? Maybe not so much :). I did have to take a bio course too during my BFA program and took genetics. Fascinating. </p>
<p>I will also caution against any for-profit schools. Ask a lot of questions about where people are getting jobs and how does the school help. Ask to see a slideshow of the most recent senior projects. Ask if they teach on Macs or PCs (if they teach on PCs, steer clear!).</p>
<p>[Academy</a> of Art financial aid fraud alleged - SFGate](<a href=“http://www.sfgate.com/education/article/Academy-of-Art-financial-aid-fraud-alleged-3703847.php]Academy”>http://www.sfgate.com/education/article/Academy-of-Art-financial-aid-fraud-alleged-3703847.php)</p>
<p>It’s getting harder and harder to find a “for profit” school that has not been accused of fraud. Be very careful.</p>
<p>Have you considered Accd in Pasadena? Expensive, but a real value when it comes to a great art education.
<a href=“Admissions Overview - ArtCenter College of Design”>www.artcenter.edu/accd/admissions.jsp</a></p>
<p>musicamusica, you’re right, the Academy isn’t perfect, but it’s art education actually is highly regarded in the industries it serves. There are very close relationships between AAU and dozens of animations studios that everybody’s heard of, including Pixar and Dreamworks. Video gaming companies have tons of Academy grads. Art Center IS a great school and you’d be amazed how many former Art Center faculty and alums teach at the Academy. I know there are warts. Yes, the Academy has open enrollment and that means there are people who probably shouldn’t be there and who are getting loans to boot. Yes, it’s a for-profit school which means it probably succumbs to temptations more than it should. However, the classes are taught by seasoned professionals with passion for art, and the standards for graduation are very high. If a student comes in and works very hard, taking advantage of everything it has to offer, that student will leave with valuable marketable skills.</p>
<p>My suggestion would be to thoroughly investigate the opportunities to do internships through each school. A professional portfolio will be crucial to land that first paid job. I used to work in a department that hired graphic artists, and a portfolio of paid work was the first step to even getting an interview. </p>
<p>Also, check out career placement opportunities at each school, and if possible, talk with some grads.</p>
<p>@Walker1194 Sometimes I wonder if these courses are required just for money from the students. If Biology, Literature, and History are so important than why are they not taught at art colleges like traditional art schools like RISD, or CalArt? I always though the point of going to college was to take classes for something you enjoyed, not having to take mandatory classes for subjects you hated as a child. </p>
<p>@katliamom Thanks, I will try to check career placement as well. It would be nice if more states were listed in the “state forum” section. Then I would be able to ask local residents that have attended these particular schools mentioned.</p>