Guide to Online Associate's Degrees in Graphic Design

If you’ve always wanted to be an artist but never really loved the idea of struggling, perhaps forever, to make any money, you might want to consider getting a graphic design associate degree.

The great thing about graphic design is that your opportunities are wide open. If you’re a creative, artistically minded person, then there are dozens of different directions you could go with a graphic design associate degree. Graphic designers work in just about every field you can imagine: health care, entertainment, publishing, finance, education, and much more.

It’s definitely an out of the box career choice. Many creative people end up “settling” for a career simply because they don’t know what else they could do besides being an independent artist. And although that lifestyle sounds fun, it’s very hard to pay the bills and put food on the table.

With a graphic design degree, however, you would be making great money using your creative skills on a daily basis. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the growth in this field is expected to keep pace with the national average so you shouldn’t have trouble finding a job once you’re out of school, especially if you live close to a big city.

There are many different careers you could find yourself in with this degree. For example, if you love gaming then you could go into video game design and put your love of Halo 3 to work in an exciting, high tech career that your friends could only dream about.

If you’d like a more hands on career, then you could go to work as a graphic designer creating ads, logos, or other marketing material. Advertising agencies and design firms employ graphic designers to help build up a brand or ad campaign for their clients. Iconic symbols like the Golden Arch or the Apple icon were created by graphic designers. Sounds pretty interesting, right?

Now, it’s important to realize that if you’re interested in getting a graphic design associate degree, you’re going to have to build a portfolio if you want to find employment. The nice thing is that you’ll be creating samples to put in there while you’re in school, so by the time you graduate you’ll be ready to find an entry-level job in this field.

You’ll also be taking some really fun classes with this degree. You’ll learn things like color theory, design fundamentals, computer aided drawing, advertising, web page design, typography, and much more.

Graphic designers have a pretty wide range of income levels. Entry-level designers start at around $25,000, but as you gain more experience your income can go up much higher. With a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, you could do very well for yourself. Income levels also vary with location, so if you live in a big city you’ll make significantly more than a rural area.

If you love the idea of being an artist, but don’t love the idea of always struggling to make ends meet, then getting a graphic design associate degree might be the perfect fit for you.

Guide to Online Associates Degree Programs

Associate degree holders generally have better job prospects than those with only a high school diploma. Earning an associate degree usually takes two years, and doing so in at an online school can be much more convenient than at a traditional campus. Below are the top accredited online schools offering associate degrees in the US.

	With one of the largest offerings of accredited online associate degrees, Post University is consistently highly rated by its students because of its flexibility and affordability. All associate degrees offered are fully accredited. Post was founded in 1890 and has been providing highly-rated degree programs to students ever since with an emphasis on practicality and application. Read full school profile » Request Information
	The University of Phoenix was one of the first accredited colleges to offer online degrees. Today, it has grown to become one of the nation's largest universities through its online division and campuses coast to coast. They remain one of the top choices for students looking for an associates degree online because of the broad array of choice and affordability they offer students. Read full school profile » Request Information
	With perhaps the largest number of online associates degrees offered, Kaplan University's degrees are fully accredited, affordable, and offer a flexibility that many other online schools cannot match. This unrivaled selection spans several industries, hundreds of specializations, and all degree levels of education, empowering students to choose their own path to a career. Read full school profile » Request Information
	One of the nation's leading Christian universities, Liberty offers a broad range of accredited associate degrees online. Their incorporation of moral and ethical considerations into study make them a popular choice for students seeking a well-rounded education built on academic integrity. Established in 1985, Liberty University has one of the longest-standing online education programs in the country. Read full school profile » Request Information
	The online associates degrees at Everest University can be completed in under 2 years, making this a great way for students to quickly works towards their life goals. An associates degree can give you a jump-start on your career and open opportunities around every corner. Many of the programs help students pursue positions in ever-growing fields. Read full school profile » Request Information
	Virginia College offers a wide range of accredited associates programs. VC takes several steps in helping students pays for college by offering financial aid to those who qualify, including textbooks in the tuition cost, and providing online programs that can be completed under two (2) years, giving students a quick way to jump start their careers. Read full school profile » Request Information
	DeVry University is a highly-regarded leader in education with campuses across the nation and several online degrees available. DeVry focuses on providing degrees centered in the technology industry or fields that require a broad understanding and need for technical skills. DeVry has several highly popular degrees like Accounting, Web Graphic Design, Health IT, and Network Systems Administration. Read full school profile » Request Information
	Strayer University has over the last decade become one of the most respected schools offering accredited online associate degrees. Their strong reputation among employers, broad course offerings, and over one hundred years in education make them consistently a top choice for students. Strayer has over 85 campuses and 60,000 students currently attending online or at one of its campuses. Read full school profile » Request Information