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Studying Design Online FAQs. You asked. I answered!

This post is part of the DND Partner Program. It contains sponsored links from Sessions College for Professional Design. 

Studying Design Online FAQs

My first article on design school, 5 Ways Graphic Design School Changed My Life, received such a positive response, I wanted to write a follow-up post to address many of the questions you all asked about attending design school online.

But before I address your questions, let me start by sharing a few of the reasons I opted to study online. For starters, I already had two degrees. I obtained my undergraduate degree in a traditional manner, and I did my graduate degree exclusively online. When I decided I was going to go to school for the third time for Graphic Design, I  met with a local college before deciding Sessions College for Professional Design was the best option for me.

3 Reasons I Love Online Design School

Flexibility

For my graduate degree, I was working full time, so an online program allowed me to work around my HR Management job hours.

When I decided to go back to school for an Advanced Certificate in Graphic Design with Branding Concentration at Sessions College,  I was 31 years old with three small kids (ages five months old, two and a half, and four years old). So, again, the flexibility of attending design school online was a must. I could attend my classes online in my PJs, at home, whenever it fit into my day. All while being surrounded by babies and mounds of laundry.

Price Point

If you compare traditional programs with online programs, you’ll often find the online programs to be more affordable. Sessions College was so helpful in helping me understand how using part of my husband’s military Post-911 GI Bill to fund going back to school would work! I also never had to pay a babysitter or waste gas sitting in traffic driving to school. All those little things can add up fast.

Our degree level tuition has been recognized for three years in a row by the College Affordability and Transparency Center as ranking in the tenth lowest in the United States in our category (for-profit, 2-year college). The tuition for our entire 2-year Associate degree is lower than the average graduating student’s loan debt in the United States in 2016. Now that’s affordability. -Sessions College

Textbooks are often a huge expense. But there are no textbooks at Sessions. Yep, you read that right! You can read more about why textbooks are so passé and all the additional reasons Sessions College’s is so affordable here.

Focus on Design

Since I already had two degrees before attending Sessions, I wanted my coursework to focus exclusively on design, and I also wanted the option to add specific areas of interest. Online schools are often more specialized and allow you to focus on what you’re passionate about learning. I opted to add a Branding Concentration to my Graphic Design certificate coursework.

It’s worth noting, that, that the Sessions Associate Degree program consists of predominantly design courses with very few general electives. Courses like English and Psychology are written with a designer in mind.

Hey look, it’s me on the Sessions College website!

Your Studying Design Online FAQs

I sourced all of these questions via my social media to be sure we’re helping answer the things you want to know about studying design online!

Does studying this way result in a recognized qualification?

Yes, Sessions College has accreditations and approvals. You can check them out here.

Sessions College has been an accredited school since 2001. For our staff and faculty, accreditation provides us a process to ensure we meet or exceed the standards set for post-secondary institutions in the U.S. Accreditation gives us a structure for continuous improvement and the tools to serve our students better.

-GORDON DRUMMOND, President, Sessions College

Can the instructors see, correct, and critique work? 

Yes, you’ll work in an online forum where you interact with your classmates and complete your lessons. You’ll also submit your coursework so you can receive feedback from working instructors who give real world critique and guidance. The assignments are mostly project-based so that you leave school with a portfolio of work.

How do the instructor’s lectures work?

You’ll be able to watch these in a video format, whenever it’s convenient for you. In each week of the semester, you are expected to complete a scheduled academic assignment in each class – completing an exercise, discussion, or a critique – by the end of the week.

I’m a busy wife/mom/employee. What kind of time commitment can I expect?

You can elect to attend full-time or part-time. Part-time schedules are available for students with busy work/life commitments. Part-time programs have a longer time frame. I chose a part-time program, as it fit best into my busy life!

What technology/supplies will I need for online school?

The necessary supplies will vary depending on what program you chose. At the minimum, you’ll need access to a computer/laptop and reliable internet. You may also need certain design programs (such as Adobe Illustrator). As a student, you’ll be eligible to get these at the student rate (which is a primary reason I opted to go back to school)!

I’m not sure I want to take a full program just yet. Can I start with individual courses for programs like Adobe Illustrator or InDesign?

Yes, Sessions offers an impressive selection of individual courses. You can check out the full list of different courses offered here.

How do I know which program is right for me?

You can schedule a virtual tour that will answer the following questions:

• What program is a good fit for my goals? Receive a personalized educational plan.
• What’s the student experience? Peek behind the curtain of our state-of-the-art learning platform.
• Who’s teaching? Meet our faculty of industry-leading designers and artists, working professionals who love to both mentor aspiring talent.

Pretty cool, right?

NEW FOR FALL 2018!

In an ongoing promo with Sessions College for Professional Design, my readers can get a 5% Tuition Discount for All Vocational Programs. Just visit the promo page here and scroll down to enter your info and promo code DAWNNICOLE in the section that looks like this:

Sessions is an Online Design school that offers certificates and degree programs in the following areas:

• Graphic Design
• Web Design
• Digital Media
• Illustration
• Advertising Design
• Digital Photography
• Fine Arts

I was compensated to write this Studying Design Online FAQs post on behalf of my design school, Sessions College for Professional Design. I graduated from the school in 2013 and have since stayed in touch and began working with them to share my story. All opinions expressed are 100% mine.

Do you have any additional Studying Design Online FAQs Sound off in the comments below and we’ll be more than happy to answer your questions!

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