The Art Insitute?

[AmazingGrace0385]

Okay, I really don't need the "photographers don't really need a degree" spiel. I get that. I've been self taught up to this point. But I feel like PERSONALLY I will learn even more and better with a degree program. And the degree is a nice thing to have. I work for a university, so I'm just a "college" kinda gal. LOL


I've applied to the Art Institute online for an associates degree. I've dug through their entire website and really like their curriculum structure... This is the only school I've found that is precisely what I'm looking for in a program. I may get my bachelors, and maybe even the masters so I can fall back on teaching if I need to.


My question is has anyone here taken classes there, and what is your opinion of them?



Thanks!

 

[2WheelPhoto]

I looked at them and they are $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. Plus I already have a Bachelors in my proffession.

I'm attending the state university (Florida's) photography certification program for a fraction of the cost. Even the whole bachelors at USF is a fraction of what I priced Art Institute's program.

 

[AmazingGrace0385]

I've looked at all of my state schools (Georgia) and couldn't find a university with a good online program. We have another art school in Savannah, but they are even more expensive!

 

[vtf]

I have found the same thing, that the local college is less expensive. I would suggest that if you do take the "Art Institute" courses, that they be transferable to other colleges should you decide to seek continuing the education beyond what they offer. Not all courses offered are transferable or accredited even though required to be taken for the degree.
I have found that in many cases online programs at University's are meant primarily for PACE students or are not accredited courses.

Silly me, you work at a college so you know this stuff. Sorry, maybe someone might not know.
Good luck. :thumbup:

 

[shmne]

I understand that the pricing of S.C.A.D. is scary but if you are going to go to college for your career wouldn't it be worth going to the best college for states around? There are ways to work off much of that debt while in college if you know you are motivated enough to do it I went to Full Sail for Digital Arts and Design, and to be honest after seeing people graduate from many different top colleges I know that my money was much better spent. Sure I'll be a slave for some time, but I'm already half way through my loans after 2 years. Worked my butt off though! All of it was paid by me, no help from family what-so-ever. I also didn't have anything saved up prior to attending the college.

Personally programs like Art Institute online scare me a bit, the entire point of going to college is to get the group experience. You will not enhance you creative output by staying alone. Art is a group / community based skill (mindset?), by being involved with a group of artist your skill increases much faster than by working alone. There is no online experience that can bring you the hands on experience of talking to other people in real time, and even more importantly bouncing ideas off of people immediately while working on projects (just friendly banter tends to lead into more brainstorming)

What does this associates really offer? How many creative classes are there in the program? Photography is only so much about the technical execution, much of it is the creative execution. I don't mean to sound like I'm attacking you about this either, this is a big decision and I'd like you to see all sides of the coin.

Here are some quick tips / considerations
- Mentorship is often free, and counts towards work experience
- There are many photography groups that are both free, and highly experienced
- Consider hosting photography events yourself (smaller cost, and potentially much better networking)

If college is really the route you want to go, just make sure you are getting everything you need from it. I know online classes are much more convenient when you have a full time job, but understand also that you will not come close to what you would get in the class. Many colleges are pushing it as "better alternatives" because they spend almost no money on the class, it is a much higher return on investment for them than standard classes.

Just some thoughts! hope that helps a bit lol

 

[e.rose]

I honestly don't know how I feel about them.

They sort of gave me the impression that they're like... McDonald's... for art students. They're a national chain, so that says something... and when I was looking into them, I specified *Photography*... but the person I was on the phone with was going on about how some students will come in for... whatever the photoshop type degree that they have is... and do *that* program because most people don't have any photoshopping skills whatsoever, and they prefer to take that course and "just learn lighting and everything else from youtube."

So wait.

I called about getting a degree in photography... and you recommend that I just take a photoshop course and learn "everything else" from YOUTUBE?!

I mean... don't get me wrong... I'm self-taught... You tube has been a valuable resource... at times... but if you ask me it should be the OTHER way around. For photographers anyway.

If I'm going to drop big bucks on school all over again because I want to learn photography... then I want to learn PHOTOGRAPHY. Not photo manipulation.

She may have said that as an alternative to their photography program because money was definitely a factor... but it still rubbed me the wrong way.

And then I ultimately decided I didn't need a degree for photography anyway.

I got a degree in recording (Shmne, let me tell you how much I regret NOT going to Full Sail... but my mother refused to let an 18 year old live in FL on her own where the school populous was mostly male and there were no designated dorm buildings :roll: ::sigh:: ) and look what I'm doing with that. Yeah.

Yet my husband's best friend who dropped out of high school is working full time in a studio as an engineer in Nashville.

So... I ultimately decided... I'd just take Kyle's lead and do it on my own this time around.

 

[flea77]

Okay, I really don't need the "photographers don't really need a degree" spiel. I get that.

Actually there is noting wrong at all with photographers having a degree, wish I had one. That being said, I think a professional photographer would gain more with a major in business and a minor in art than anything else. More photographers fail because they stink at business than fail because of lack of talent.

Allan

 

[e.rose]

Okay, I really don't need the "photographers don't really need a degree" spiel. I get that.

Actually there is noting wrong at all with photographers having a degree, wish I had one. That being said, I think a professional photographer would gain more with a major in business and a minor in art than anything else. More photographers fail because they stink at business than fail because of lack of talent.

Allan

Honestly... if I *do* ever take classes somewhere... it's gonna be at the community college and it'll be business courses, like you said.