Should I get a Masters degree or another Bachelors?

Question

I recently graduated with my BA in Child Development from a really good school, with a really good GPA, but have decided that I want to be a graphic/web designer instead. Since my husband's in the navy and we'll be moving around a lot, I've been looking into getting another degree online. The problem is that no online schools offer Masters in graphic design or web design or anything even remotely related. Should I get a second Bachelors in the subject instead? Or should I go for an online Master's degree in a subject that doesn't interest me as much?

Answer 1

"The problem is that no online schools offer Masters in graphic design or web design or anything even remotely related."

Savannah College of Art and Design does indeed have master's online in graphic design and related areas. They have both an MA and an MFA. http://www.scadelearning.org/graphic-design/

They also have an MA in Broadcast Graphics http://www.scadelearning.org/broadcast-design-and-motion-graphics/ and an MA in Interactive Design http://www.scadelearning.org/interactive-design-and-game-development/

Academy of Art University in San Francisco also has related master's online. http://online.academyart.edu/degrees.html They offer an MFA in Graphic Design http://online.academyart.edu/degree_certificates/mfa/mfa_graphic_design.html

These are probably the only two online at this level and both are very well respected in the field as well as regionally accredited. Neither is inexpensive.

Answer 2

The last thing you should do it settle. If you aren't interested, or just marginally interested, in the subject don't spend the time, effort, and money to get the degree. You will not put forth your best, as much as you think otherwise now, and you likely will have several bouts of drop-out-itis.

As for the second BA, I'd caution you on that as well. My wife graduated with her BFA in graphic design and she has said on many occasions that what she learned in her degree classes wasn't worth the money she spent on tuition. If she had to do it over again, she said she would have taken classes from a tech school, because they are more focused on the actual field and are a better cost/benefit.

Talk to people that are in the field and are working for companies you'd love to work for and see what they suggest. If they all say you need the BA (or BFA), then by all means go get it, but don't spend excess time and money if it isn't necessary.

Answer 3

If you want to do graphic design or Web design, you don't necessarily have to get another Bachelors...plenty of schools offer diplomas and certificates. You can also get an Associates from a local tech school.