Art Institute or University? Choosing the Right Graphic Design Program

by Sarah Clark
sarah.clark@graphicdesignschoolreview.com
Graphic Design School Review Columnist

Does it matter whether you attend an art school or a university for your graphic design training? You bet it does. These tips will help you decide which institution is right for you.

If You're Not Sure About Art School

Your first consideration in choosing an art school should be your commitment to an artistic career. If you should decide after enrolling in a graphic design program that it's not for you, it's easier to transfer to a non-art related major if you're already enrolled in a university. As a student of an art institute, you'll have to go through the entire admission process to transfer to a university. What is more, your art school credits may--or may not--be accepted by a four-year liberal arts college.

Art School is More Narrowly Focused

Art institutes are more narrowly focused, meaning that you won't get the traditional college experience characterized by frat parties, tailgate bashes, and football games. Additionally, in a college art program, you're more likely to get non-art students in your classes, co-eds looking to fill an elective credit or other degree requirement. These differences are not necessarily good or bad; it all depends on what kind of academic environment you're after.

It's also likely that a graphic design program at a two or four-year art school will be more narrowly focused than those in universities. At an art institute, you may not (or likely will not) be required to take general courses, such as those related to science, math, and politics. The curriculum will likely be more practical than theoretical, focusing on giving students skills they can apply to making a living as a graphic design or some other type of artist.

Dedicated art schools also generally have a lower teacher to student ratio, which in practice can mean more opportunities to interact with professors. You're less likely to have a class that is made up of hundreds of students. In general, your classes will be smaller and taught by a full-fledged professor, rather than a graduate student.

Choosing a Graphic Design Program

Whether you enroll in a graphic design program at an art institute or university is up to you. Be sure to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each type of school to choose the one that's best for you.

About the Author
Sarah Clark is a freelance writer who often writes on topics related to education and career development.