Best Online Master's Degrees in Graphic Design

Although the educational requirements for a career in graphic design start with a bachelor's degree, a master's degree can give you an edge over the competition. Master's programs incorporate teamwork and leadership skills into the curriculum so you can be prepared to take on more advanced or supervisory positions.

Some universities even allow those with a master's degree to teach graphic design courses. Additionally, many master's programs require an internship and a final portfolio, which is a great way to gain job experience and advance your artistic skills.

How Long Does It Take to Earn an Online Master's in Graphic Design?

On average, a master's degree program can take from 1.5 to 2 years to complete, with a requirement of around 35-60 credits, depending on the school. Online programs, however, can be completed a little faster, since they aren't limited to a physical classroom and can therefore meet over the summer semester.

Online classes may follow a different format than campus classes. Many online classes have a more condensed schedule where a class will last for 8 or 15 weeks at a time. If an internship is required, it will usually last one or two semesters and is typically done in the last year of the program.

The curriculum for an online master's degree in graphic design is usually split between core foundational courses that everyone must take and elective courses that students can choose to specialize their education. Students also usually take at least one portfolio course or seminar.

The curriculum in an MA graphic design program usually requires general liberal arts courses, while an MFA program has more courses that are focused on building skills. Additionally, most MA and MFA graphic design programs require an internship, a final portfolio review, and a culminating project or thesis.

Graphic Design Foundational Courses

Foundational courses in graphic design are made to give all students core skills that are integral to their success as graphic designers, no matter their discipline. Although these courses are part of an advanced master's program, they teach basic skills that can be applied to many elements in graphic design. Foundational courses may introduce or give further knowledge and skills on techniques and equipment such as graphic design software and drawing methods.

Courses may also cover common business practices, analytical skills, and the history and discussion of graphic design as a whole. A few courses include:

• History of Graphic Design
• Typography
• Visual Design

Graphic Design Specialist and Elective Courses

Specialist and elective courses in graphic design programs allow students to choose courses that will tailor their education to fit their personal, academic, and professional goals. These courses can be theory and skill-based. Depending on the school, elective courses don't always have to be focused on graphic design, as long as they are focused in an art-related discipline, like painting, illustration, or sculpting. Other elective courses may focus on topics related to the business of art, such as business and social media branding, or they may focus on art history in specific eras, such as Italian baroque or ancient Greek art.

Licensure and Certification in Graphic Design

Graphic designers don't need a license or certification to work, and there aren't many professional associations that offer certification the way other industries would. However, graphic designers can become certified in the type of design software that they use.

The field of graphic design relies heavily on software programs that allow individuals to create. If an individual is certified in this software, it means their training and skills are exceptional; this can lead to more clients or higher paying jobs. A popular software for graphic designers is Adobe Creative Cloud. They offer several Creative Cloud Certifications that include:

• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe InDesign
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Premiere Pro
• Adobe After Effects

It is significantly more difficult to get into a graphic design master's program than a bachelor's since master's degrees are more advanced. Most students will need:

• A bachelor's degree from a nationally or regionally accredited school. The bachelor's degree does not have to be in graphic design, but it is better if the degree is art focused or if art courses have been taken
• A resume detailing professional and educational experience, particularly if any of it is art-related
• A portfolio of 10-20 pieces that showcase artistic skill and focus

Many programs also require an essay or statement of intent, and some require Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores.

The first step to finding an online graphic design master's program is to look at College Navigator. This tool allows you to search for colleges by state, major, degree level, and institution type, including online. It's also a great tool for comparing statistics like tuition, graduation and retention rates, how many students receive financial aid, and student to faculty ratio.

Once you've made a list of potential colleges, look at what each graphic design program has to offer its online students. You may want to ask yourself:

• Do they supply me with the software and equipment I'll need?
• What learning platform do they use for classes and is it accessible to me?
• Are online students still able to connect with their peers and professors the way campus students are?

It may also be beneficial to look at student testimonials and, if possible, see where alumni have gone to work after earning their degree. This information can usually be found on the school's website.

There are many careers available to those with a graphic design master's degree that span across several industries. Some of these industries can include:

• Business
• Advertising
• Animation
• Sales
• Education
• Public relations

A graphic design degree can give students many skills that are useful for a number of jobs, not just as graphic designers. A few jobs that graduates of a graphic design program can pursue are:

• User Experience (UX) Designer
• Creative Director
• Product Developer
• User Interface (UI) Designer
• Production Artist
• Multimedia Artist or Animator
• Art Director
• Marketing Specialist

Those with a graphic design degree can also freelance as well, using their combined skills for clients in a range of jobs. Every position requires a strong portfolio, but it's especially important for freelancers to have a strong portfolio because it acts as a part of their resume and attracts clients.

Job Outlook for a Master's in Graphic Design

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for graphic designers is expected to decline by 4% from 2019-2029. Graphic design can be a very competitive field with many talented individuals. Since most jobs in graphic design require a bachelor's degree, a master's degree may set an individual apart from other applicants.

However, talent and experience are valuable as well. Although jobs in graphic design as a whole are on the decline, it's not the case for every graphic design job, particularly when divided by industry. For example, employment for graphic designers in computer systems design is projected to grow, while it's expected to decline in newspaper, book, periodical, and directory publishers.

How to Become a Graphic Designer

Different from digital artists, graphic designers use computer software to create visual concepts that communicate messages to audiences in order to inform, persuade, or entertain. They can work in a variety of industries such as advertising and social media and their work is featured in magazines, brochures, advertisements, and reports.

Graphic designers can work as part of a company or they can freelance. Their typical job duties may include meeting with clients to discuss a project, using software to create logos, illustrations, and images, designing the layout of their work, and talking to clients to make sure the end result is suitable for printing or publishing. Graphic designers work with a lot of software, and may specialize in one type of software or design, such as 3-D graphic design.

Graphic designers with experience can advance to lead designer or senior designer positions, as well as art director. The minimum educational requirement for graphic designers is a bachelor's degree in graphic design or a related field, but experience and a strong portfolio are also essential. The BLS states that the median annual wage for graphic designers is $52,110 as of 2019.

How to Become an Art Director

Art directors are in charge of the overall visual style of magazines, product packaging, newspapers, and movie and television productions. Their roles are more supervisory, as they direct a team of artists and other designers on what work needs to be done. It is their responsibility to convey their vision to the artists and ensure it communicates the overall message well. Depending on the industry, art directors may create work for clients or collaborate with directors and producers.

Art directors need at least a bachelor's degree in an art and design subject, such as graphic design, fine art, or photography, and relevant work experience in a certain industry. For example, an art director who works in advertising will need experience as a graphic designer. The BLS states that the median annual wage for art directors is $94,220 as of 2019. The profession is expected to decline by 2% from 2019-2029.

Professional organizations can help members in a certain industry advance their careers, meet other professionals, gain knowledge, and advance the education and innovation of the field. There are graphic design associations, some of which include:

• The American Institute of Graphic Arts is the largest professional membership organization for design and members have access to professional development resources, continuing education, discounts to industry events, leadership opportunities, and networking with mentors, peers, and educators.
  
  
• Association Typographique Internationale is a global organization with members of typography and design backgrounds. The organization promotes typography and design innovation, education, and protection of designs. Individual, corporate, and academic membership is available and members hold conferences, seminars, and workshops.
  
  
• The Graphic Artists Guild is an organization that advocates for graphic artists across the U.S. Members can receive benefits such as resources for growing their businesses, access to networking opportunities with constructive feedback on designs, and advocacy for any legal matters related to the industry.

A master's degree in graphic design may be great for skills and career advancement, but what undergraduate degrees are there that can prepare students for it? Common degrees that may precede a master's degree in graphic design are a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration, or a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Computer Animation. While graphic design is the most direct program, illustration and computer animation teach similar artistic and technical skills that can be applied to a master's graphic design program.

There isn't much more advanced education in the field of graphic design once an individual completes a master's program. However, continuing education for graphic design professionals is important because the software and technology they use in their jobs is always changing.

In order to stay up to date on the latest software improvements, graphic designers can pursue formal software training classes. The American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) offers formal training for its members.

The first step everyone must take when applying for financial aid is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. This lets students see what federal aid, such as grants, loans, and scholarships, that they are eligible for based on financial need. Applicants for financial aid must meet the following criteria:

• Be enrolled or planning to enroll in an accredited 2-year or 4-year college, university, or technical program
• Have a valid social security number
• Be a legal U.S. citizen or have non-citizen status

FAFSA is not the only way to get money for school. Plenty of colleges, organizations, and individuals have scholarship funds for students who need them, although some do request a FAFSA form to be sent to them for verification. Many of these scholarships are general, but some are tailored towards students in a specific major or who are attending school online. A few of these types of scholarships include:

• The AIGA Worldstudio Scholarships program helps underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students who are attending college for illustration, photography, and graphic design disciplines in the U.S. The amounts awarded range from $2,000 to $5,000 with several winners picked annually.
  
  
• The Get Educated Online College Scholarship awards $1,000 to students who are attending an accredited online college and can write a 500-word essay about what distance education means to them.
  
  
• The College Raptor Scholarship is open to any U.S. resident attending or planning to attend an accredited college or university. The amount awarded is $2,500 and applicants must submit an essay.