Guide to Online Associate's Degrees in Visual Communications

If you like the idea of having a creatively challenging job but want to actually make money instead of being a starving artist, then you might want to consider getting a visual communications associate degree.

Thanks to computers and television, we’ve become a very visual society. As a result, fields like graphic and web page design have really taken off and are expected to keep growing at a steady rate through 2014. If you love working on computers and have a creative spirit, then this is good news for you.

With a visual communications associate degree you’d have the opportunity to put your creative talents to work for businesses, non-profits, and other organizations to create letterheads, logos, packaging, websites, ads, and other marketing materials.

Students with a visual communications associate degree can expect to find work in advertising or publishing houses, graphic design firms, web design firms, or in pretty much any corporation that’s big enough to have its own design staff.

This is also a very easy field to start your own business in. If you love the idea of being an entrepreneur, you could use your visual communications associate degree to start your own design firm. You can use sites like Elance.com or Guru.com to find work all over the world, and if you’re good you’re practically guaranteed to get referrals from your previous clients. You can make significantly more owning your own business than working under another firm.

If you decide to go to school for a visual communications associate degree, you’ll learn things like:

Graphic design fundamentals
Digital graphics and animation
Web page design and programming
Advertising design
Corporate design
Illustration
Computer programs for illustration and design
Color theory
Composition and style
Textures
Photograph and digital image manipulation
And much more!

Now, it’s hard to say jut how much you can make with a visual communications associate degree. A lot depends on where you’re located, who you’re working for, and how much experience you have.

The average pay range for graphic designers is $37,000 to $57,000. Web designers are about the same, $40,000 to $52,000.

It’s important to point out that, again, you’ll make much more in some areas of the country. You’ll also make much more if you’re in business for yourself. Yes, you’re assuming more of a risk, but you also get a bigger slice of the rewards. If you’ve always wondered what it would be like to be your own boss, this is a great field to find out in.

Another great thing about getting a visual communications associate degree is it’s in a field where it’s easy to tele-commute. For example, you could live in New York, and work for a firm in Toronto. Or, you could own your own firm in California, and have clients that do business in the U.K. In this field the whole world is your market, which makes it a great option for people who don’t want to depend on their local economy.

Getting a visual communications associate degree is a great way to blend a creative career with one that will actually make money. Plus, if you can work from home then it’s even better!

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