School Details
Academy of Art University is a private institution delivering high-quality, arts centered education to students from over one hundred countries. Each student is encouraged, through challenging academics and technology, to develop their own styles. The Academy helps to blend talent, technical skills, and professional knowledge so that students may reach their highest potential in today’s competitive marketplace.
With students from all around the world, Academy of Art University online is made of a diverse and progressive community. Earn online associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or fine arts degrees through the same rigorous academics as are offered on-campus. Programs include fashion, industrial design, photography, web design, and more. Online courses and tools are designed by industry experts, exclusively for the Academy.
Online formats at the Academy:
- Lecture
- Video conferencing
- Interactive slideshows
- Hands-on work
- Student-run facebook group to progress socialization and interaction of peers
Accreditation & Licensing
Academy of Art University is accredited by:
National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
All Programs
Art & Liberal Arts
The Associate of Arts in Animation & Visual Effects is an online art school. This is one of the most dynamic programs in the country with amazing opportunities for aspiring storyboard artists, visual effects artists, 2D or 3D Animators. You will be taught by the same expert faculty to gain the same hands-on training and real-world industry expertise as onsite students while interacting with engaging online coursework. Instructors are animation and visual effects industry veterans who help bridge the needs of the industry with the curriculum and experience students receive.
The Academy of Art University offers an online fashion degree, the Associate of Arts in Fashion Journalism. This program, which features a special focus on Social Media, prepares students with subject-area expertise to help communicate the increasing complexity of the global fashion industry. In addition to a fashion degree, this is also an online writing degree that will help students gain the journalistic skills needed to succeed in media of all forms, from traditional print platforms to the growing world of online journalism and social media. The curriculum forms a foundation enabling students to ask informed questions, convey fashion news in a larger context, and evaluate fashion collections with a critical, well-informed eye. You will gain technical skills that help you work effectively with industry standard software and learn to research and develop material appropriate for print, online, broadcast, or social media. Graduates are prepared to produce basic materials required for entry-level jobs, including being able to intelligently discuss major fashion movements and the work of key stylists, designers, photographers, and magazines.
The Associate of Arts in Fashion Marketing is an online fashion degree that prepares students for entry-level jobs. Students will learn skills to balance both creative and analytical aspects of the fashion industry from one of the top fashion schools. You will gain consumer and market insights to plan and develop concrete fashion marketing and promotional strategies for brands, products, and services in the global marketplace. Students learn through collaborative, hands-on, and project-based lessons that provide various marketing and promotion techniques to successfully develop, manage, and promote fashion products. With this fashion degree, students will provide a foundation in business, marketing, and promotion for fashion organizations and their marketing partners.
Graduates will be able to:
- Conduct basic market and consumer research
- Identify changes, trends, and opportunities in global fashion business, consumer, and products
- Work effectively with industry standard software
- Develop competitive business and marketing plans for various fashion businesses
- Communicate professionally and effectively
The online Associate of Arts in Fashion Merchandising is a degree in fashion from one of the top fashion schools. The program focuses on the functions necessary to run a successful operation that develops, promotes, and sells fashion products. Students will gain an introduction to the business of fashion with this online fashion degree as well as a firm foundation in the concepts and problem-solving skills of Fashion Merchandising. You will develop techniques and a unique personal style that is necessary for a successful career in Merchandising. Graduates are able to source, edit, and select the appropriate product for a target customer and can merchandize a retail selling floor. In addition, they will be able to create professional presentations in various forms of media and will have the fashion industry vocabulary necessary to clearly express their ideas in written form.
Academy of Art University offers the Associate of Arts in Fashion Product Development, an online fashion degree. The program at the associate degree level provides entry-level employment skills that are appropriate for assisting with developing technical designs and production packages, communicating with vendors and suppliers, and assisting various designers and developers. With this fashion degree students learn to identify changes, trends, and opportunities in global fashion business, consumer, and products and to analyze this information to develop products for target markets and consumers. You will learn to work with industry-standard product development related tools and software and to present and communicate your findings clearly and effectively. Students learn to identify materials, sourcing, and manufacturing processes appropriate for the product market which includes the brand, the consumer, and the price point; and they learn to produce accurate and detailed technical drawings and patterns using different mediums.
The Associate of Arts in Fashion Styling is an online degree from one of the best fashion schools, Academy of Art University. This is a highly collaborative degree that builds creative and technical skills that showcase professional, imaginative, and visually engaging fashion imagery. This fashion degree focuses on creating outfits and fashion imagery based on a concept. The curriculum teaches students how to select concepts appropriate for their market and customer and to generate ideas related to the chosen concept and to each other. You will gain skills in pinning, steaming, folding, and propping fashion products; creating professional presentations; photography; composition; lighting; make-up artistry; and hair styling. Graduates will be able to intelligently discuss major fashion movements and the work of key people in the industry throughout history and to design the visual aesthetic of pictures for fashion photo shoots.
The Associate of Arts in Fashion Visual Merchandising is an online fashion degree from one of the top fashion schools, Academy of Art University. With this degree, students learn how to become master visual storytellers using color, texture, and accessories. The curriculum will help students tell the story of a brand and persuade customers to purchase products by physically promoting fashion products and services to increase brand visibility. By the end of the program, you will be able to find entry-level positions with skills in window display, product placement in retail space, and basic competency in utilizing tools and materials. Graduates are able to create and work within a budget to produce presentations, propose display concepts that are possible to translate from 2D to 3D, utilize fashion industry vocabulary and work with industry standard software, and communicate design concepts and philosophy two-dimensionally by creating professional presentation boards either digitally or manually.
Academy of Art University is one of the best fashion schools and offers a degree in the Associate of Arts in Fine Art, an online fashion degree that helps students tap into their true potentials. The curriculum provides creative, technical, and business skills that are needed for success in the modern art world and improves both technical and conceptual skills. You will gain a strong introduction to the core principles of creating fine art and then choose an area of emphasis from:
- Drawing and Painting
- Printmaking
- Sculpture
Students will learn about two main areas, visual communication and technical execution. The technical execution area prepares students to demonstrate proficiency in the six major components of printmaking: etching, lithography, silkscreen, monotype, relief, and book arts. The visual communication area will help you learn to demonstrate basic composition skills; effective use of color theory, proportion, gesture, and perspective; and appropriate style and techniques to effectively execute ideas while showing craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Academy of Art University, a top fashion school, offers the Associate of Arts in Graphic Design, an online fashion degree. This program provides a strong foundation in art and design principles across a broad range of media. You will study print, traditional, digital, interactive, product, and emerging media and develop problem-solving skills to design critical and thoughtful messages, interfaces, and public spaces. The curriculum guides students through the nuanced skill-development process required to achieve excellence in typography, print, packaging, branding, user experience, and motion graphics. Students will learn the resourcefulness needed to conceive appropriate design solutions, create visual communications appropriate to the audience, and make sure visual communications have the correct:
- Composition
- Balance
- Hierarchy
- Harmony
- Contrast
The Associate of Arts in Illustration is an online fashion degree for students interested in telling stories through pictures. Available from one of the best fashion schools, Academy of Art University, this degree is the first step towards becoming a graphic novelist, comic book artist, concept artist, interactive illustrator, advertising illustrator, and more. Designed for those with imagination, the curriculum offers modern technology and keeps current with industry standards and needs for those interested in developing skills of ideation, drawing, and composition. Students learn the fundamentals of illustration with an approach that balances classical and digital illustration techniques and ideation skills. You will take courses that focus on figure drawing, anatomy, rendering, and traditional media.
Graduates are familiar with:
- Charcoal
- Paint
- Vector tools
- Bitmap
- Creating thumbnails
Academy of Art University offers the Associate of Arts in Industrial Design, an online fashion degree. Industrial Design is at the intersection of culture, technology, and business, transforming future visions into short-term tangibles. This fashion degree develops an understanding of the fundamentals of physical design while focusing on trends and requirements in the industry. Coursework covers the art, science, and business of the discipline along with research, ideation, problem-solving, and the evolution of function and aesthetics in everyday life.
Students can divide this degree into two main areas, fundamental skills and design skills. Fundamental skills help students with their craftsmanship, including the use of traditional and digital tools, perspective accuracy, effective composition in visual communications, orthographic drawings and accuracy, well-crafted 3D models, and the use of appropriate materials and processes. Design skills focus on collecting and using data for projects, identifying problems, setting design criteria that is relevant, applying design principles, demonstrating creativity and refinement in designs, and completing designs that meet all design criteria.
The Associate of Arts in Interior Architecture & Design is an online interior design degree. Accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, this is one of the most prestigious interior design schools. The curriculum looks at the conceptual, theoretical, and practical with a focus on aesthetics, application, and business as students learn to produce functional and beautiful spaces. You will learn to fulfill human expectations while incorporating innovative technologies and sustainable perspectives in a program that integrates theory, design, and technology with industry standards. Graduates have the intellectual, artistic, and ethical abilities needed for professional practice.
Courses teach students about:
- Design solutions through ideation sketches, bubble diagrams, and more
- Basic Construction and Non-Structural Systems
- Principles of 2D and 3D Design
- Laws, Codes, and Standards for Fire and Life Safety
- ADA and Universal Design Principles
- Social, Economic, and Cultural Influences
The Associate of Arts in Jewelry & Metal Arts is an online fashion degree that emphasizes creative metal works. This program is designed to help students grow their artistic voices while creating innovative pieces. Students will learn various techniques ranging from traditional jewelry skills to modern techniques involving laser cutters, electronics, and 3D modeling. You will develop the skills, expertise, and craftsmanship needed to shape you as an artist and designer in a program that emphasizes technical theory and core metal design principles. Courses also offer a creative and intelligent approach to innovation through an in-depth exploration of metals combined with various other materials including plastic, wood, ceramic, stone, textiles, rubber, cement, resin, paper, and found objects.
Graduates will be able to demonstrate skills in:
- Trialing and Self-Evidence
- Executing Design Concepts
- Conceptual Development
- Critical Analysis
- Presentations
- Managing Workloads to Meet Deadlines
Academy of Art University, a top art school with various liberal arts degrees, offers this online architecture degree, the Associate of Arts in Landscape Architecture. This degree is a combination of art and science, rural and urban, living systems and sculptural form, historical precedent and innovative vision as it prepares students for a future profession. Students learn design and technical content and skills that allow them to create beautiful, viable, and innovative outdoor places both at home and around the world. You will gain the skills needed to meet contemporary design challenges of all sizes and to create relevant, innovative, and artistic solutions for all kinds of outdoor places. Courses teach research and design processes, alternative solutions as part of the design process, and to be technically accurate and ecologically sensitive when designing grading and drainage plans and irrigation systems.
Graduates are prepared to:
- Identify the Indigenous Components and Processes Found on a Site
- Effectively use Plants to Provide Beauty and Function
- Demonstrate Knowledge of Historical Precedents
- Visually Communicate Ideas and Solutions
- Use a Range of Social Media to Communicate
The Associate of Arts in Motion Pictures & Television is an online art degree. Focusing on entertainment, this program offers a solid grounding in the art and business of entertainment. The curriculum offers an overview of key film production skills. You will learn about visual storytelling, directing, producing, production design, editing, and cinematography while gaining an introduction to the creative part of entertainment. Courses cover technical skills and general filmmaking stills, providing an understanding of the process from beginning to end.
Students can choose from six specializations:
- Directing
- Cinematography
- Editing
- Producing
- Production Design
- Screenwriting
The Associate of Arts in Music Production is an online music degree from the Academy of Art University. This program provides a focused introduction to music production and the technical skills involved. Courses are taught by professional musicians and sound designers in a top music program. You will learn about workflows, music creation software, virtual instruments, music editing, and standard practices for creating music for visual media. The program emphasizes music creation and editing principles with a further emphasis placed on virtual instruments. Students are introduced to recording principles and modern studio techniques such as recording, editing, and mixing along with the language of music which is harmony, melody, and rhythm. Graduates are prepared to construct effective music for different visual environments including film, television, animation, games, and commercials.
Academy of Art University offers the Associate of Arts in Photography, an online liberal arts degree. With this degree students study both a way of seeing and a visual language that lets them tell their stories and communicate their unique points of view through a new medium. You will learn the fundamental skills of photography while gaining technical competence in the field. Courses cover these skills:
- Conceptual and Problem-Solving
- Lighting
- Camera Capture
- Digital Imaging
- Digital Printing
Graduates will be able to produce professional quality prints, understand industry trends and professional practices, use photoshop, utilize proper lighting for maximum effectiveness, and integrate key conceptual elements with technical elements to suggest a story or elicit an emotional response from the viewer.
The Associate of Arts in Sound Design is an online music degree program from Academy of Art University. This program offers a focused introduction to soundtrack creation for visual media using contemporary sound production techniques. Courses emphasize recording, editing, and mixing soundtrack elements like dialog, sound effects, and ambiences. In addition, you will gain foundational skills in digital audio workstations and layering and mixing techniques to create sonic worlds for visual media and bring original music and sound designs to life.
Graduates will be prepared to create effective sound for such visual environments as:
- Film
- Television
- Animation
- Games
- Commercials
The Associate of Arts degree in Studio Production for Advertising & Design equips aspiring production artists with the skills to succeed in ad agencies. The online marketing degree program is designed to teach core marketing competencies and develop a fundamental body of knowledge and skills in studio work.
This online digital marketing degree offers hands-on experience. You will work on digital ad campaigns, create email marketing messaging, create web and social media assets, and design web pages. Production artists will work with design teams to produce the essential work of marketing: print, packaging, advertising, and digital graphics. Students will be given essential skills in software suites such as FlightCheck, the Adobe Creative Suite, and Microsoft Office.
The Associate of Arts in Visual Development is an online art degree that focuses on scene setting for productions. This program teaches students to set the artistic design and moods for the images that entertain viewers of movies or view gamers. The core curriculum emphasizes photography, figure modeling, form analysis, figure drawing, and other design disciplines, providing a strong introduction to the art of scene setting.
You will gain knowledge in these areas:
- Visual Development
- Artistic Ability
- Technical Skills
- Presentation Skills
- Collaboration
Graduates are proficient with animation technology and software, are flexible in illustrative styles to accommodate project needs, and can effectively communicate narrative and theme through their design choices.
Academy of Art University offers an online architecture degree, the Bachelor of Architecture. Offered as a first professional degree, this program provides an intense online design education, developing each student’s capacity to synthesize critical thought, artistic vision, and responsible leadership. With passionate professional faculty, diverse collaboration teams, emerging technologies and fabrication labs, and sensitivity to sustainable methods, this degree prepares students to help shape our physical world.
You will learn about:
- Conceptual Thinking and Process
- Fundamental Design and Drawing
- Presentation
- Leadership
- Community
- Integrated Design
Academy of Art University offers an online architecture degree, the Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Design. This online program is grounded in environmental design, providing a strong undergraduate education. Students will experience and gain skills in architectural design, art, architectural history, and urban history and theory. You will also learn about the fundamentals of sustainability, materials, building construction, and structures. Courses teach students about design representation and advanced tools used for this as well. By studying the world from an architectural point of view, you will have the chance to examine culture through the spaces and buildings that were created.
The Bachelor of Arts in Communications & Media Technologies is an online liberal arts degree from a top art school. This program offers a dynamic education of essential modern media skills. You will gain a foundation in storytelling, broadcasting, journalism, and mobile platforms. As a result, students are able to shoot, edit, write, and host their own productions using the latest technologies to stream and broadcast them. The curriculum features a dual emphasis in interpersonal and mass communication, focusing on employable skills.
The Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Journalism from Academy of Art University is an online fashion degree that also acts as a type of journalism degree with a special focus on social media. This program emphasizes the principles and practice of the written journalistic form while also covering fashion design. Coursework offers historical knowledge of fashion as well, preparing students to intelligently discuss major fashion movements and the work of key stylists, designers, photographers, and magazines. You will learn to clearly express your ideas through the written word in competent, 1,000-word features while using fashion industry vocabulary. In addition, students learn to pitch their ideas and to research and develop compelling material, so it is ready for print, online, or broadcast media.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation & Visual Effects is an online art program from one of the best and most comprehensive online art schools. Through this program, students learn the skills needed to master modern digital technology, preparing them to become professionals in the animation industry. The curriculum covers both technical skills and visual communication and problem solving so students can demonstrate knowledge of digital media, animation, and VFX technology and software that allows them to make effective design choices.
You will choose one primary area of emphasis from the following:
- Visual Effects
- 3D Modeling
- 3D Animation
- 2D Animation and Stop Motion
- Storyboarding
This choice will determine the path that your education will take. There are several career interest options to choose from as well, including Rigging, Animation Generalist, Animation Producing, Puppet Fabrication, Compositing, Dynamics, and Lighting.
Academy of Art University, a top online art school, provides an online art degree that merges with an online history degree in the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art History program. Art history theory and criticism is paired with the study of the fine and applied arts in this special program, ensuring students have the skills needed for positions in the arts sector and elsewhere. The curriculum offers a well-rounded education that produces passionate and determined thinkers capable of discussing history’s enduring and inspiring works of art and their place in our own historical narrative. As a result, students are able to speak, read, and write in a foreign language on a basic level; research and persuasively analyze art historical issues and theoretical positions; interpret Western art and architecture; and work within a specialized discipline of fine art such as painting and printmaking or sculpture using a basic command of color, drawing, and compositional choices.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Costume Design is an online fashion degree that helps students realize their creative visions. This program combines a rigorous sewing program with design courses that provide key technical skills, preparing students to work in numerous positions in theatre or film. The courses offer opportunities to gain practical experience creating costumes that support the needs of a play while collaborating with the director, fellow designers, and the actors. In addition to collaboration skills, you will learn to work effectively with industry software, communicate your design concepts through two dimensional visual presentations, conduct design research, produce creative and original designs that translate from 2D to 3D, and clearly express your ideas using fashion industry vocabulary. Graduates will have advanced skills in alterations and the quick rigging of costume pieces for theatrical productions along with the ability to alter costumes to support evolving character needs while maintaining consistency in the costume looks and actors’ hair and makeup for the entire production.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Marketing online fashion degree teaches both the creative and analytical aspects of the fashion industry. Taught at one of the top art schools, Academy of Art University, this program uses a collaborative, hands-on and project-based approach to learning with faculty experienced in marketing and brand management in various fashion and marketing organizations. Students gain insights on global customers and marketplace, marketing, and business trends in fashion industry. You will also learn various marketing and promotion techniques so you can develop, manage, and promote brands, products, and fashion businesses.
Graduates are able to:
- Identify changes, trends, and opportunities in the industry
- Use industry-standard research tools and methods
- Work effectively with industry standard software
- Create professional presentations
- Develop competitive business and marketing plans
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Merchandising is an online fashion degree from one of the top art schools, Academy of Art University. This degree provides a foundation in fashion merchandising and management. The curriculum focuses on the functions necessary to run a successful operation that develops, promotes, manages, and sells fashion products. Courses cover buying, planning, product management, and retail management.
You will gain skills and knowledge needed for success in modern global retail operations, including:
- Conducting research and analysis
- Producing creative and original merchandising concepts
- Visual presentation skills
- Selecting appropriate products for target customers
- Creating effective business plans
- Merchandizing a retail selling floor
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Product Development, an online fashion degree, encompasses the process of fashion product development requiring understanding and knowledge of the consumer, market, and trends. Students also learn about textiles and raw materials, product concept and line development, and sourcing and manufacturing. Drawing from design courses, students will apply a high level of design aesthetic to develop products appropriate for a brand and their target customers. You will learn hand drawing and drafting skills along with technical skills needed to work with industry standard software to produce detailed and accurate technical drawings and flat patterns. Graduates are prepared to work in various roles in a product development team.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Styling is an online fashion degree from a top art school, Academy of Art University. This program is about creating outfits and fashion imagery based on a concept. Students learn to style, produce, and art direct. You will learn to work for and with:
- Print and Online Fashion Magazines
- Ad Campaigns
- Commercials
- E-Commerce
- Look Books
- Fashion Shows
- Fashion Videos
- Personal Clients
Courses teach skills in personal and product styling that will help your look mature as you produce and direct your own photo shoots.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Visual Merchandising is an online fashion degree available from Academy of Art University, a top art school. This degree teaches students about the physical method of promoting products and services to customers to increase sales, helping students learn to become master visual storytellers. With this program, you will learn about the use of color, texture, and accessories when telling the story of a brand and to persuade customers to purchase the brand. In addition, students learn to work with and develop floor plans, window displays, in-store presentations, store lighting, and graphics. The curriculum includes training in technical and conceptual skills to plan, design, and manage visual merchandising and brand presentations for various fashion businesses.
Other skills learned include:
- Working collaboratively with retailers
- Oral and visual presentation skills
- Current software applications
- Material selection and manipulations
The Academy of Art University, a top art school, offers an online art degree, the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fine Art degree. With this program students gain creative and technical skills that help them thrive as career artists. Courses will provide advanced instruction in non-figurative and figurative fine art, including painting, sculpting, and printmaking, but also encourages students to let their imaginations take flight. The courses focus on the foundations necessary to compose, design, draw, paint, and sculpt, beginning with the fundamentals before moving on to the advanced instruction. Graduates will have an artistic point of view developed while learning about the artistic and commercial aspects of fine art; have worked on perfecting their techniques in painting, sculpture, jewelry making, and printmaking; and have the business savvy necessary to make a living.
Emphasis is available in:
- Drawing and Painting
- Printmaking
- Sculpture
The bachelor’s in Graphic Design online equips students with skill sets in typography, print, packaging, branding, user experience and motion graphics. Learn how to incorporate critical and creative thinking in order to find design solutions and produce effective visual communication products. Studies for this fine arts program combine major coursework with liberal arts, electives and core areas. Courses include topics in digital publishing, composition, web design, photography and much more.
- Academics equal to on-campus counterparts
- Livestream lectures, media, written work, class interaction and more classroom tools
- Available support
Academy of Art University offers an online art degree in the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration from a top art school that inspires students to inspire the world through their imaginations. This program embraces the art of visual and conceptual storytelling in any medium while providing the skills needed to create a professional body of work and the business and marketing savvy required to succeed. Courses take a contemporary approach to traditional techniques while emphasizing drawing, composition, and storytelling and focusing on the subtleties of color, expression, and environment to show creativity. You will learn the latest technology along with timeless skills of ideation, drawing, and composition.
Graduates are skilled in portrait, clothed figure, and live animal drawings, understand anatomy and design, and are prepared for work with:
- Comics
- Children’s books
- Advertising
- Editorial illustrations
- Interactive illustrations
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Industrial Design is an online art degree from Academy of Art University, one of the top art schools. This degree combines culture, technology, and business to enhance and enrich human life by translating the future into short-term tangibles. The curriculum fosters and guides creativity in the studios and collaborative classes as students create experiences through the tangible and intangible components of design. In addition, students have the freedom to pursue their personal design visions in a structured and supportive environment. Graduates will approach their work with equal regard for aesthetic, business, and societal considerations.
The online Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture & Design is an interior design program from the Academy of Art University, one of the top art schools. This fine arts degree is a serious professional program for professional designers and is guided by experienced faculty in the area. Courses are practical with a focus on aesthetics, application, and business. Students delve into both the conceptual and theoretical and the practical in their coursework. You will learn about theory, design, technology, and the standards of the industry along with developing intellectual, artistic, and ethical abilities that are necessary for professional careers.
Graduates are prepared to succeed in a variety of careers, including:
- Project designer
- Visualization specialist
- Building information management designer
The online Bachelor of Fine Arts in Jewelry & Metal Arts is a fine arts degree from one of the top art programs available. This program is designed to develop a student’s expertise, craftsmanship, and aesthetic skills that will shape them as artists and designers. The curriculum begins with the basics of fabrication and casting techniques and then moves onto more challenging jewelry making projects. You will gain in-depth experience with metals combined with such materials as plastic, wood, ceramic, stone, textiles, paper, rubber, cement, resin, and found objects, preparing you to work with them creatively and intelligently. Graduates are prepared to work with a variety of metal design principles and techniques to explore concepts, analyze strengths and weaknesses of projects, and find appropriate solutions.
Studies will cover topics that include:
- Sketching
- Color theory
- Soldering
- Stone-Setting
- Welding
- Casting
- Enameling
Students looking for an online fine art degree program should explore the Academy of Art University’s online Bachelor of Fine Arts in Landscape Architecture degree. This program offers design and technical content and skills that help students enter the landscape architecture profession. Students learn to create beautiful, viable, and innovative outdoor places both at home and around the world. This includes areas from urban plazas and parklets to tidal marshes and bike trails; you will gain the skills needed to resolve all types of contemporary design challenges. The curriculum focuses on developing flexible design processes for landscape and urban design with an understanding of ecological systems, sustainable practices, and the use of materials, site planning, and advanced drafting and rendering techniques.
The Academy of Art University offers a special online fine arts degree, the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Motion Pictures & Television. This is the students’ opportunity to immerse themselves in the filmmaking world at a top art school. In this film school you will study with professionals from the entertainment industry, including Academy and Emmy Award winners. Faculty teach students through hands-on filmmaking experience. The curriculum features a solid foundation in creative process and the business skills of entertainment.
Students will choose to specialize in one of the following key areas of filmmaking:
- Directing
- Producing
- Cinematography
- Editing
- Production design
- Screenwriting
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Production is an online music degree from a top art school, Academy of Art University. This program provides the skills that contribute to the overall presentation of visual images. The curriculum offers a more in-depth study of the principles introduced in the AA program through hands-on, narrative-driven courses. You will gain a complete overview of the music production process, learn the latest in music production software, recording, editing, and mixing. Courses are taught by professional musicians and sound designers. Graduates are able to produce music that appropriately supports the emotional content of the visual image and will be able to make informed editorial decisions about effective music for different visual media genres.
For those seeking an online music degree, the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Scoring & Composition is available from Academy of Art University. This top art school features courses taught by professional musicians and sound designers who are prepared to help students contribute to the future of visual media.
Visual media, whether it is found in full-length features, short clips on a cellphone, immersive video games, or somewhere else, is enhanced by accompanying music, which is where these students come in. You will gain the creative skills and technological knowledge needed to become a music industry professional. The curriculum balances musicianship training with production skills reflecting a changing music industry while also teaching music theory, composition, harmony, orchestration, and arranging. Students use computer-based production workflows, digital audio workstations, and virtual instrument libraries while emphasizing composing using virtual instruments. The focus is on “…creating emotion through music in synchronization with visual media.”
The Academy of Art University offers an online fine arts degree, the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography. With this online art program, students learn the knowledge and skills needed to turn their passion for photography into professions. You will work with a faculty of working artists and professionals who are experts at helping you learn the language of the photography medium, allowing you to tell your stories and communicate your point of view through this visual language. The core curriculum focuses on fundamental principles while emphasizing the aesthetic and conceptual skills necessary for students to share their unique stories in beautiful new ways. Students study both traditional and digital photography while expanding their technical abilities across various tools and platforms.
You will be able to choose to focus on courses in one of these areas:
- Commercial
- Editorial
- Fine Art
- Documentary
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sound Design is an online music degree that builds on principles introduced in the AA program. This program is where creativity meets innovative technology, providing students with the ideal mix of art and science to prepare them for music careers. You will gain a complete overview of the soundtrack creation process and gain the skills needed to create the overall aural concept for TV, video games, movies, and other visual media. Courses will teach the latest in digital audio workstation workflows, recording, editing, and mixing. In addition, you will be able to bring your original music and sound designs to life, preparing you for life beyond the classroom.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Development is available from one of the top art schools, Academy of Art University. This online art degree offers a dynamic education in a key area of visual production, setting the artistic design and moods for the images that entertain viewers. This degree prepares students to design movie characters, compose video game environments, and more by teaching the fundamentals needed to create the aesthetic concepts shaping modern media. The core curriculum emphasizes photography, figure modeling, form analysis, figure drawing, narrative principles, visual development for animation, and character design. You will also learn about concept paintings, advanced exploration of perspective for video game design, and other critical design disciplines.
Graduates are prepared to:
- Follow industry-standard processes to generate functional designs in 2D and 3D
- Maintain a consistent “language” or “signature style”
- Show both unique personal style and accommodate style to project needs
- Draw and paint convincing poses, designs, storyboards, and more
- Use relevant animation technology and software proficiently
A digital art emphasis is also available.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Writing for Film, Television & Digital Media is a combination online fine arts degree and online creative writing degree that teaches visual storytelling from the ground up. With this program, students have the opportunity to tap into their imaginations, find their unique voices, come up with great ideas, and take their writing skills to the next level while working with Academy and Emmy Award-winning writers, producers, and development executives. The curriculum provides the skills needed to develop engaging characters and scripts while also teaching basic production realities such as how directing and acting enhance the writer’s work. You will receive personalized attention to your ideas with an emphasis on industry expectations and standards in a rigorous, supportive writing workshop environment. Students will explore original and adapted feature films, television comedy and drama, short films, and writing for other forms of digital media, learning how to option and package projects for the creative development marketplace.
Graduates are prepared to:
- Research to create authentic story worlds, characters, and dialogue
- Develop fresh and imaginative stories
- Apply essential screenwriting tools
- Identify story/script problems and find creative solutions
- Demonstrate proficient screenwriting skills
- Complete polished scripts in the proper format
The Academy of Art University is a top art university with a unique online architecture program available through the Master of Architecture degree program. This architecture degree offers two tracks to students, one that is solely designed to provide advanced standing options for applicants with a background in architecture or related fields. Both tracks prepare students to provide meaningful contributions to our build environment through the practice of architecture and urban design. Coursework uses critical thinking, designing, and making to prepare students while also developing their capacity through critical thought, rigorous exploration, and personal design vision.
Graduates are prepared to:
- Visually communicate ideas through hand drawing or digital architectural drawing
- Produce accurate physical models of design ideas
- Effectively summarize the project and process in a proposal and thesis book
- Demonstrate understanding of material and building systems
- Demonstrate understanding of building codes
- Apply sustainability concepts in projects
The Master of Arts in Animation & Visual Effects is an online art program from one of the top art schools, the Academy of Art University. The program provides skills needed for careers as visual effects artists, 2D and 3D animators, and storyboard artists. This unique program features a studio production learning environment with courses taught by industry professionals at the heart of the animation industry.
The Master of Arts degree allows students to work in 2D Animation and Stop Motion, 3D Animation, 3D Modeling, or Visual Effects while focusing on storytelling. Coursework emphasizes the exhibition of technical skills and learning to elicit emotional responses. You can choose from the following areas of emphasis:
- Emphasis in 2D Animation and Stop Motion
- Emphasis in 3D Animation
- Emphasis in 3D Modeling
- Emphasis in Visual Effects
The online art history degree, Master of Arts in Art History, is available at Academy of Art University, a top art school. This degree provides an advanced understanding of western art history with specializations in:
- Ancient Art
- Medieval Art
- Renaissance Art
- Baroque Art
- 18th and 19th Century Art
- Pre-War Modern Art
In addition to art history courses, you will take fine art studio courses so you will be familiar with traditional methods of fine art production, including painting, printmaking, and sculpture. Through this unique approach that combines art history and fine art studios, students gain a perspective through which art and its historical trajectory can be evaluated and appreciated in a new way. Graduates will complete a thesis in their chosen area of art historical specialization which demonstrates independent scholarly research and highlights the joint understanding of art and its creative process.
The Master of Arts in Communications & Media Technologies is an online creative writing degree that also incorporates journalism, technical writing, and creative writing. The objective is to help students tell compelling stories on every multimedia communications platform. This includes everything from broadcasting and streaming to mobile and social communications, so students learn to shoot, edit, and produce stories that inform, entertain, and engage.
The Master’s degree offers advanced study for those interested in careers in multimedia communications. You will study short-form production, on-camera performance, multimedia writing, and journalism for broadcast, streaming mobile devices, and entrepreneurship. Students will be able to concentrate on working in front of the camera or behind the camera.
The Master of Arts in Costume Design, an online fashion degree, is available from one of the top art schools, Academy of Art University. This degree prepares students to become artisans and designers with key technical skills. This program provides the opportunity for you to practice your craft in active production environments, so you are able to design theatrical productions while collaborating with the director, fellow designers, and the actors. By the end of this process, you will be able to create costumes that support the needs of the production. Coursework combines a rigorous sewing program with industry specific design courses, so students are ready to work in multiple positions within either the theatre or film. Graduates have portfolios that showcase their range of talents in design and construction of garments and specialty items including jewelry and millinery work.
The Academy of Art University, a top art school, offers the online fashion degree Master of Arts in Fashion Marketing. This MA degree prepares students to work in the marketing and brand management area of fashion. Students will learn to create, market, and manage global fashion brands by offering insights on global consumers, developed and emerging markets, and business trends in the industry. Courses teach creative and analytical methods of marketing and brand development that are necessary to build these areas. You will learn management tools to help develop innovative fashion marketing strategies through research and analysis in macro and micro perspectives.
The Master of Arts in Fashion Merchandising is an online fashion degree from a top art school, the Academy of Art University. This program provides the professional skills needed for success in today’s fashion merchandising and managing environment. Students learn how to plan, manage, and sell fashion products. You will also gain the focus and strategic capabilities needed to run a successful operation.
Graduates are able to:
- Gather and organize data to support projects
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills
- Make assumptions using quantifiable research and statistics
- Identify key points in the supply chain
- Identify trends to determine what can be developed, marketed, and sold
The Master of Arts in Fine Art is an online fine arts degree from Academy of Art University, one of the top art schools available. This degree is designed to help students tap into their true potentials as painters, sculptors, or printmakers. The curriculum offers the creative and technical skills needed to succeed in the modern art world. You will learn to work with advanced level skill in your chosen medium or mediums, conduct project-related research, and choose appropriate materials and techniques.
This program can be completed with one of three emphases:
- Drawing and Painting
- Printmaking
- Sculpture
The Master of Arts in Graphic Design & Digital Media is an online graphic design degree from Academy of Art University, a top art school. This program emphasizes professional and career development with advanced study of graphic design and digital media. It also encourages students to extend their design skills into content creation, authorship, entrepreneurialism, and social innovation. Courses teach students to conduct research to identify problems and potential solutions and to create compelling and engaging visual communications that convey messages and ideas. You will cultivate strong problem-solving skills and an appreciation for how sustainability affects design.
The Master of Arts in Illustration is an online art program from Academy of Art University, a top online art school. This program teaches both representational and stylistic approaches for print and web. The innovative curriculum blends digital technology with classical training to meet the growing need for trained artists in both areas. Students will learn to pay attention to detail, gaining portrait, clothed figure, and live animal drawing skills along with an understanding of anatomy and design. You will be able to develop portfolios with samples in Children’s Book, Editorial, Licensing, Package Illustration, Concept Art, Book Covers, Preliminary Art, Advertising, or Institutional Art portfolios. Graduates will have their own personal style and medium of choice appropriate for the market.
The Academy of Art University offers an online art program, the Master of Arts in Industrial Design. This program offers professional study within focused fields of physical design. The curriculum translates future visions into short-term tangibles by studying culture, technology, and business. Courses cover everything from research and ideation to problem-solving and development in a field that is the evolution of both function and aesthetics in everyday life. Graduates will have professional portfolios that can be used to launch their careers in Industrial Design.
The Academy of Art University, a top art school, offers the Master of Arts in Interior Architecture & Design, an online interior design degree. Through a dynamic learning environment, students prepare for professional practice. Courses cover all aspects of design, including programming, design analysis, and understanding human social and spatial interaction. You will also study space planning, use of color and materials, and preparation of construction documents and specifications. The curriculum teaches students about site observation, professional business practices, methods of interior construction, building systems and components, codes and regulations, and more. You will also understand how to work with fixtures, furnishings, and equipment through the practical, conceptual, and theoretical.
The online Master of Arts in Jewelry & Metal Arts is an art program available from Academy of Art University which offers an online art school. This degree introduces professional practice into studio coursework, design, and concept. You will continue to cultivate your artistic voice by creating innovative pieces but at a more advanced level. The curriculum focuses on fabrication and casting skills, laser-cutting techniques, and exploring material choices. This may include plastic, wood, ceramic, paper, rubber, cement, resin, or some other material.
Graduates are able to critically discuss their work using objective criteria, including:
- Describing facts
- Analyzing techniques
- Interpreting content
- Evaluating results
- Discussing within the context of historical movements
- Looking at contemporary trends
The Master of Arts in Landscape Architecture from the Academy of Art University is an online architecture degree from one of the top art schools. This program includes an introduction to landscape architecture. The curriculum then goes on to emphasize the essential factors involved in creating outdoor spaces.
You will learn to:
- Identify key elements of design
- Conduct research and explore alternatives
- Identify key processes on the site (soil types, plant species, wildlife, climate, hydrology, etc.)
- Look at how human behavior affects outdoor space in designs
- Apply principles of sustainability
- Demonstrate awareness of design traditions, ideas, and influences in design proposals
This degree is intended for students who want to learn about the profession but who are not planning on practicing as landscape architects in the future.
The Master of Arts in Music Scoring & Composition is an online music degree from one of the top art schools, the Academy of Art University. This degree offers focused training in music composition and production. Students learn about production workflows, digital audio workstations, virtual instruments, and industry standard practices in music scoring for visual media. The curriculum builds on a foundation of musicianship, teaching contemporary scoring techniques. You will learn the skills necessary for success in the changing music industry, including how to create emotion through music, MIDI orchestration, and synchronization with visual media.
The Academy of Art University, a top art school, offers the Master of Arts in Photography. This online art program involves intensive study of the photographic medium. In addition to professional practice, students will focus on developing signature styles to showcase their personal voices. The core curriculum covers historical perspective and advanced theoretical and conceptual development. Coursework looks at traditional, experimental, and digital photography capture, post-production, and output.
You can choose from these areas of interest:
- Fine Art Photography
- Documentary
- Art for Commerce
The Master of Arts in Sound Design is an online music degree with a focus on studio training. Offered at the Academy of Art University, a top art school, the curriculum covers sound design, digital audio workstations, and industry standard practices in creating sonic worlds for visual media. With this degree, creativity mixes with innovative technology in another form of art. Courses emphasize creative sound design techniques and help students learn to layer sounds in synchronization with visual media as they learn to bring their original music and sound designs to life.
Graduates will be able to:
- Think critically
- Show an advanced understanding of sound design elements
- Create sounds that creates an emotional impact on visual imagery
- Demonstrate software proficiency
- Show technical knowledge of modern sound production
The Academy of Art University offers an online graphic design degree, the Master of Arts in Visual Development. This program provides professional development a field that is key to production, setting the artistic design and moods for images in entertainment. The curriculum offers advanced coursework in still life painting, figure drawing, character design, concept painting, and more. Students are able to take advanced courses in animation design layout and also learn other core skills needed by professional visual developers.
Graduates are able to:
- Demonstrate strong drawing and compositional skills
- Understand lighting, composition, and space
- Conduct visual research for design solutions
- Apply color and design elements consistent with the film’s overall look
- Demonstrate continuity in visual storytelling
- Create professional presentations to pitch ideas
An emphasis is available in Entertainment Art.
The Master of Fine Arts in Animation & Visual Effects is an online fine arts program from one of the top art schools, the Academy of Art University. This program provides the skills needed for careers as visual effects artists, 2D and 3D animators, and storyboard artists. You will learn about all aspects of animation and visual effects, from ideation to postproduction. Courses emphasize communication, collaboration, and time management skills throughout the program, so graduates are prepared for the intense professional culture they are entering. This unique program features a studio production learning environment with courses taught by industry professionals at the heart of the animation industry.
Students can choose from the following areas of emphasis:
- Emphasis in 2D Animation and Stop Motion
- Emphasis in 3D Animation
- Emphasis in 3D Modeling
- Emphasis in Visual Effects
The Master of Fine Arts in Costume Design is an online fine arts degree coupled with a fashion degree. This degree prepares students to become artisans and designers with key technical skills. This program provides the opportunity for you to practice your craft by designing costumes for short and feature length films while collaborating with the director, fellow designers, and the actors. By the end of the process, you will have created costumes that support the needs of the film. Coursework combines a rigorous sewing program with industry specific design courses, so students are prepared for careers in multiple positions within either the theatre or film. Graduates have problem solving skills and advanced skills in sewing, pattern drafting, draping, and specialty construction skills like millinery, tutu, and jewelry making. This differs from the regular Master of Arts in Costume Design degree because of the extra attention paid to problem solving, work in films, and advanced sewing and construction skills.
The Master of Fine Arts in Fashion Marketing & Brand Management is a combination of an online fashion degree and fine arts degree. The curriculum is designed to develop expertise in creating, marketing, and managing fashion brands in the global marketplace. Courses provide insights on global consumers, developed and emerging markets, and business trends in the fashion industry. Students gain skills and knowledge in fashion business management that helps them build marketing and brand strategies using analytical and creative methods. You will also learn management tools that help develop innovative marketing and brand strategies using in-depth research and analysis in macro and micro perspectives.
The Academy of Art University offers an online fashion degree combined with fine arts in the Master of Fine Arts in Fashion Merchandising & Management. This program, which is only available at the master’s level, develops knowledge and specialized skills that are needed in the modern fashion merchandising and managing environment. The fashion industry is operating at the global level and students need to be able to manage on the global level as well. In preparation, you will learn to perform the major functions necessary to run a successful operation, including planning, managing, and selling fashion products. Students also learn to gather, analyze, and use market research so they are prepared to operate fashion businesses in various formats. Graduates are prepared to identify consumer trends to determine what merchandise can be developed, marketed, and sold, and establish realistic financial goals to meet their strategic plans.
The Master of Fine Arts in Fashion Product Development is a fine arts degree combined with an online fashion degree from the Academy of Art University. This degree focuses on developing and managing all aspects of the fashion product development process. The curriculum emphasizes aesthetics, design, and product development strategies that are specific to companies and their target markets. Courses teach students to use market and trend research, textile and raw material sourcing strategies, manufacturing strategies, and shipping logistics. You will learn to use this information to create product concept and lines and to deliver finished products to stores and consumers. Students also learn drawing, design, construction, technical, and industry standard software skills. With this information, they are prepared to launch new product lines and apply high level strategic thinking to hold key positions in fashion organizations.
The Academy of Art University offers an online fine arts degree, the Master of Fine Arts in Fine Art. This degree provides a framework for advanced study in the fine arts. This includes drawing and painting, printmaking, and sculpture. Unlike the Master of Arts in Fine Art degree that focuses on creative and technical skills, this degree focuses on technical and conceptual development in figurative, abstract, or landscape work. The Master of Fine Arts program also emphasizes skills in communication and critical analysis and requires a thesis project that is a body of professional-level artwork that demonstrates personal vision, rigor, and cohesiveness in style, group, and concept.
Students can choose from the following emphases:
- Drawing and Painting
- Printmaking
- Sculpture
The Academy of Art University offers an online graphic design degree, the Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design. This program emphasizes the advanced study of graphic design and digital media. It also encourages students to extend their design skills into content creation, authorship, entrepreneurialism, and social innovation. This degree, like the Master of Arts degree, cultivates strong problem-solving skills and an appreciation for how sustainability affects design. Unlike the Master of Arts degree, this degree emphasizes formal skills in the field and requires a thesis for graduation.
The Master of Fine Arts in Illustration is an online art program from one of the top art schools, the Academy of Art University. This curriculum emphasizes visual communication and a mastery of technical and conceptual abilities. The program involves intensive education in the formulation of ideas, problem solving, and artistic skill. You will learn to stretch your talents and refine the skills that will enhance your art, broadening your career opportunities. Focus is on the development of the individual’s style and viewpoint in illustration. Students receive both classical art instruction and an exposure to new media while developing their own styles and professional skills.
The online art program, the Master of Fine Arts in Industrial Design program is available from Academy of Art University, one of the top art schools. This program offers professional study within focused fields of physical design. The curriculum translates future visions into short-term tangibles by studying culture, technology, and business. Courses cover everything from research and ideation to problem-solving and development. Unlike the Master of Arts degree, this program requires a thesis project that is an approved body of work representing an advanced level of achievement in their area of focus.
The Master of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture & Design is an online interior design degree offered by one of the top art schools, the Academy of Art University. This program, unlike the Master of Arts degree which focused on all aspects of design, focuses on advanced techniques and theory of interior architecture and design. The curriculum covers research, concept and design development, and traditional and digital media. Students will also learn about global issues that affect interior architecture and design. You will also learn innovative ideas in the field as well as other, more traditional, aspects of design. For example, the degree also covers codes and regulations, building systems and components, methods of interior construction, space planning, and the understanding of human social and spatial interaction.
The Academy of Art University offers online art programs including the Master of Fine Arts in Jewelry & Metal Arts. This online art degree emphasizes advanced studio coursework and thesis concept development. Courses focus on mastering fabrication and casting skills, teaching digital techniques, and exploring cross-cultural themes. This differs from the Master of Arts degree which introduces professional practice into designs and concepts while cultivating students’ artistic voices at an advanced level. The Master of Fine Arts degree also emphasizes individual directed study, or thesis paths, which lead to visually powerful and conceptually cohesive professional portfolios. Both degrees help students learn to critically discuss their work using objective criteria and have students working at advanced levels with their chosen mediums and techniques.
- Track 1 is for students with undergraduate professional degrees in landscape architecture, architecture, or something similar. This curriculum emphasizes theories of open urban spaces, collaborative and interdisciplinary methods of design and implementation, sustainability, and advanced digital rendering techniques.
- Track 2 is for those students who have limited or no experience with art and design but who have completed a bachelor’s degree in some other area. This degree focuses on establishing the fundamentals of drafting, site engineering, planting design, ecological systems, site analysis and design, and regional planning and analysis.
The Master of Fine Arts in Motion Pictures & Television is a fine arts degree available from the Academy of Art University, one of the top art schools. This is an in-depth program with advanced training in the various areas of film and television production. It is a terminal degree, designed for those planning to work or teach in this industry.
Students are able to choose the area of study they wish to specialize in from:
- Directing
- Producing
- Cinematography
- Editing
- Production Design
- Screenwriting
Your specialization determines the direction your coursework will take as you work to complete a thesis film or professional reel or portfolio, depending on the specialization. Regardless of the specialization, all students gain skills in problem solving, critical thinking, communication, major trends, and the professional terminology and behaviors required in this field.
The online music degree, Master of Fine Arts in Music Scoring & Composition, is a fine arts degree available from the Academy of Art University. This program provides the highest level of training in music composition of scoring for visual media including film, television, and games. The curriculum balances musicianship training with production skills to reflect changes in the music industry. You will learn music theory, composition, harmony, orchestration, and arranging. Courses focus on creating emotion through music in synchronization with visual media. In addition, students learn to use the latest computer-based production workflows, digital audio workstations, and virtual instrument libraries.
Although similar to the Master of Arts degree, this degree requires a thesis project in your final year.
The Master of Fine Arts in Photography is an online art program from a top art school, the Academy of Art University. This degree involves intensive study of the photographic medium. The curriculum offers professional practice with a focus on developing a signature style to showcase your personal voice. Courses cover such areas as historical perspective and advanced theoretical and conceptual development. You will also look at traditional, experimental, and digital photography capture, post-production, and output.
Unlike the Master of Arts degree, this degree culminates in a formal thesis project including a complete body of work that supports the thesis and showcases that student’s unique vision and talent.
The Master of Fine Arts in Sound Design is an online music degree focusing on advanced sound design training. Available from the Academy of Art University, a top art school, this program focuses on the sound design for film, television, games, and other visual media. Courses provide an overview of the audio postproduction process, recording and editing dialog, sound effects, and ambiences. The goal is for students to be able to create sonic landscapes which support and inform the narrative, from initial recording to final mix. You will also gain a working knowledge of professional workflows to prepare you for success in the soundtrack industry.
The Fine Arts degree emphasizes critical thinking and analyzation more than the Master of Arts degree and requires students to complete a thesis project that represents an advanced level of achievement in the sound design for visual media field.
The Master of Fine Arts in Visual Development is an online graphic design degree from the Academy of Art University, a top art school. This program provides professional development in a field that is key to production, setting the artistic design and moods for images in entertainment. The curriculum offers advanced courses in still life painting, figure drawing, character design, concept painting, and more. You will take advanced courses in animation design layout and learn other core skills needed in the visual development field. An emphasis is available in Entertainment Art.
Unlike the Master of Art degree, the Master of Fine Arts in Visual Development requires each student to complete a signature thesis book which showcases design work for a story-based project. Project collaboration and creating effective timelines for production pipelines are also emphasized in the fine arts degree.
The Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Film, Television & Digital Media is a combination of an online fine arts degree and an online creative writing degree that increase visual storytelling knowledge and skills. This program builds on the bachelor’s degree, helping students fine-tune their abilities to deliver compelling stories, characters, and scripts. Working with Academy and Emmy Award-winning writers, producers, and development executives at a top art school, you will learn how to grab the reader’s attention with your stories and unique voice. This is an intensive program that concentrates on writing, pitching, and the business side of professional writing. Students complete portfolios of feature and television scripts that can be used to market their skills after graduation.
Business
The Associate of Arts degree in Advertising prepares students for entry-level jobs in advertising agencies. This online marketing degree provides hands-on instruction in creative strategy, art direction, and copywriting.
In this program, you will learn how to apply your technical skills to advertising projects across all types of media. With support from faculty and staff, you will work in a student-run ad agency with real-life clients. This will be foundational to creating a network of peers and clients. Upon graduation, you will have assembled a portfolio that will be essential to creating and advancing a career in advertising.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Advertising gives aspiring art directors, copywriters, and creative strategists the artistic and technical skills they need to enter the advertising field. Through the completion of this online marketing degree you will learn how to solve problems creatively, communicate your ideas through both speech and visual aids, and acquire the professional skills you will need to succeed.
In this online marketing degree, you will apply your technical skills to advertising projects across all types of media. With support from faculty and staff, you will work in a student-run ad agency with real-life clients. This will be foundational to creating a network of peers and clients. Upon graduation, you will have assembled a portfolio that will be essential to creating and advancing a career in advertising.
The Master of Arts in Advertising & Branded Media Technology builds on your fundamental technical skills to support your career in the art of advertising. In this online marketing degree, you will learn from accomplished advertising professionals to solve the challenges inherent in modern advertising.
This online digital marketing degree allows students hands-on experience. For example, you will work on digital ad campaigns, create email marketing messaging, create web and social media assets, and design web pages. You will work in a design team to produce the essential work of marketing: print, packaging, advertising, and digital graphics. You will build advanced skills in software suites such as FlightCheck, the Adobe Creative Suite, and Microsoft Office.
The Master of Fine Arts in Advertising builds on your fundamentals with advanced artistic and technical skills. This online marketing degree program is designed for those pursuing careers as art directors, creative strategists, or copywriters.
This program focuses on a range of communication: strategic, verbal, and visual. You develop a unique voice and visual style to effectively communicate with key stakeholders. By course completion, you consider diverse points of view and reach well-reasoned conclusions as part of the design process. You build your portfolio through a combination of independent work and collaboration. This portfolio will be essential to creating and advancing a career in advertising.
Computer Science & IT
The Associate of Arts in Game Development is an online game design degree from the Academy of Art University, one of the top art and design online programs in the world. This degree serves as an introduction to the fundamental concepts of game construction and game engine technology and can be used as a stepping stone for advanced game development degrees. The curriculum, which is taught by top industry professionals using custom-built content, provides a strong liberal arts foundation as part of a well-rounded education. In addition, you will learn to integrate environments, characters, or props for cohesive game experiences and become familiar with industry standard terminology. Students completing this online game design degree program benefit not just from the flexible schedule and the Academy of Art University’s dedication to providing a rigorous program that is equal to an on-campus experience, but also from the University’s desire to keep up with advancements in game development technology and industry practices. Graduates are prepared to work with the latest technology as they use the professional skills, knowledge, and behaviors to compete in the global marketplace for art and design.
The Associate of Arts in Web Design & New Media from the Academy of Art University is an online web design degree that offers the flexibility students need to meet their professional and personal obligations while studying for the future. The curriculum is comprised of liberal arts courses and courses that offer a comprehensive education in principles of web design. The liberal arts courses highlight connections between the general education topic and the web design field, providing context to the larger world of art and design. Coursework introduces you to core visual and user experience principles, web design, and motion graphics. You will complete studio courses that develop creative and technical awareness, helping you to master user experience design. With the Academy of Art University’s desire to remain current in the latest technology and industry trends, you will always be studying the latest software and technology.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Development from the Academy of Art University is an online game design degree program that prepares students for entry-level careers or to earn their Master’s degree in the field. This is the largest, fastest-growing media industry in the world, so students need to stay current in the latest technology and trends in the industry. As a student at the Academy of Art University, you will benefit from the flexible online schedule and from the school’s dedication to keeping up with advancements in game development technology and industry practices. Students complete courses with custom-built content that are taught by top industry professionals to gain a solid grasp of fundamental game art principles. You will study game engine technology and pre-production and production environments in a program that emphasizes understanding and applying such techniques as 3D modeling, animation, and lighting in video game production.
Students can choose to specialize in:
- 3D Modeling
- Concept Art
- Game Design
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Web Design & New Media is an online web design degree from the Academy of Art University for students that need the flexibility of studying at home on their own schedules but also want to advance their education. This program offers a comprehensive education in the principles of modern web design and new media. The Academy of Art University is dedicated to keeping current with technology and industry trends, which is a bonus for students who need to be up to date in a constantly changing field. Plus, you will be taught by professionals in the creative industry, allowing you to learn from those immersed in the field. While you are developing creative and technical acumen, this online web development degree focuses on visual design, user experience, design strategies, web design, and motion graphics.
The Bachelor of Science in Game Programming from the Academy of Art University is an online game design degree program that guides students through the game development process. The curriculum provides a strong, holistic liberal arts foundation while highlighting connections between these subjects and the major fields of art and design, providing context to the larger world of art and design. Courses introduce specialized aspects of design, including monetization, unique control types, rapid development via iteration, and production methods. You will gain skills in problem-solving, learn to write efficient computer code that runs and controls the game, and work with artists and designers to produce optimized solutions for game design. Emphasis is placed on data structures, algorithms, and software architecture techniques that are used to create games and fix bugs found through testing. With the Academy of Art University’s desire to keep up with the latest technologies and trends in the field, graduates of this online web design degree are prepared to begin their careers immediately.
The online Master of Arts in Game Development from the Academy of Art University is an online game design degree program that prepares students to work in the largest, fastest-growing media industry in the world. This rigorous program synthesizes traditional art and design fundamentals with groundbreaking technologies. Academy of Art University is dedicated to keeping up with the latest advancements in game development technology and industry practices so you will always be working with and studying the latest developments in the field. Working with instructors who are top industry professionals, students complete courses that offer custom-built content. You will complete coursework on your own schedule as you build your career skill set through the hands-on prototyping of game mechanics and art creation.
You can choose to specialize in:
- Character Modeling for Games
- Concept Art for Games
- Environment Modeling for Games
- Game Design
The Master of Arts in Web Design & New Media from the Academy of Art University is an online web design degree that offers professional study in the field. Students will gain a comprehensive education in the principles of modern design, including web design, motion graphics, and the latest software and technology. Courses, taught by professionals in the field, are designed to culminate in a final project portfolio that measures student progress. Along the way you will learn to develop design solutions centered on target users and to create interactive architecture that supports the needs of the projects’ functionality. Students will learn to use typography, color, composition, and hierarchy to implement and show interactivity in projects and will be able to use the latest interactive technologies and technical tools.
The online Master of Fine Arts in Game Development from the Academy of Art University is an online game design degree program that prepares students to work in the largest, fastest-growing media industry in the world. This rigorous program synthesizes traditional art and design fundamentals with groundbreaking technologies. Academy of Art University is dedicated to keeping up with the latest advancements in game development technology and industry practices so you will always be working with and studying the latest developments in the field. Working with instructors who are top industry professionals, students complete courses that offer custom-built content. You will complete coursework on your own schedule as you build your career skill set through the hands-on prototyping of game mechanics and art creation. Students are required to complete a thesis project.
You can choose to specialize in:
- Character Modeling for Games
- Concept Art for Games
- Environment Modeling for Games
- Game Design
The Master of Fine Arts in Web Design & New Media is an online web design degree from the Academy of Art University that offers advanced study in the field. Students will gain a comprehensive education in the principles of modern design, including web design, motion graphics, and the latest software and technology. Courses, taught by professionals in the field, provide a focused learning environment and culminate in a final project portfolio and comprehensive thesis project. Progress will be measured through a rigorous process and evaluated at the midpoint and at the end of the program. Along the way you will develop creative and technical acumen, paying special attention to user experience design.
Education
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education, an online STEAM teaching program, provides training in a wide range of design media and visual art. If you are passionate about both art and teaching, this online program teaches you how to teach others, serving as a pathway to becoming an art teacher in classrooms, museums, and community-based art programs. The coursework teaches you how to develop curricula for a range of audiences and how to make your instruction relatable and relevant through emerging technologies. This fine arts degree can serve as a basis for teaching credentials.
The program culminates in a comprehensive capstone project: a presentation that educates the public as to the importance of arts education in the modern era. This capstone project can serve as an example of your work as you begin your career.
The Master of Arts in Art Education builds your skills as both an artist and an educator. This master’s in stem education online degree showcases art education programs in a variety of settings and explores their ideas through a global perspective.
As part of the coursework, you will design curricula for diverse audiences with consideration of the needs of different learners. You also build on your ability to articulate the content, meaning, and purpose of works of art. Students in this fine arts degree program gain advanced levels of analysis, insight, and design. Additionally, you gain proficiency in the knowledge of human development, allowing you to create lesson plans that compensate for both accelerated learners and those with special needs. The program culminates in a capstone project where you ideate, create, implement, and document your own education arts program.
The Master of Arts in Art Education / Studio Emphasis builds your skills as both an artist and an educator. This master’s in stem education online program is intended for students with limited studio experience.
As part of the coursework, you design curricula for diverse audiences with consideration for the needs of different learners. You will also build on your ability to articulate the content, meaning, and purpose of works of art in this fine art degree. Additionally, you become proficient in the knowledge of human development, allowing you to create lesson plans that compensate for both accelerated learners and those with special needs. And, as part of the studio emphasis, you will gain experience through rigorous studio courses at the Academy of Art University. The program culminates in a capstone project where you ideate, create, implement, and document your education arts program.
The Art Education Master of Arts in an online STEAM teaching degree is designed to prepare you for a career as an art teacher in classrooms K-12. You will learn how to make material understandable to students, maintain a productive learning environment, and support students of diverse backgrounds. At the completion of the program, you will have a professional portfolio to begin your career as a credentialed art educator. The program culminates in a comprehensive capstone project: creating a video that advocates for arts education in the twenty-first century.
There are two tracks in this fine arts degree: one for people who received their BFA from the Academy of Art University, and one who received their BFA from another institution.