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[loriw]

looking for some insight on schooling...

 

I finished my undergraduate degree 2 years ago - B.S. in Architecture - and have been working in the 3-d Viz field since then. I love my current job, but I have always intended to get a Master's Degree.

 

I've been looking into some programs that offer a Master of Fine Arts completely online... you can choose concentrations in 2-D, 3-D aninimation and/or 3-D modelling.

 

Can anyone offer me any thoughts on doing this? It's difficult to find student feedback for such programs online.. or, as an employer, does this type of online degree seem valuable? I am somewhat skeptical about getting any type of "art" schooling in the form of online classes.

[Vince Paske]

Half the fun of being in college is the creative interaction among your fellow students, especially in a Fine Arts program. I can see getting an accounting degree online, but in my opinion you'd be missing out on a once in a lifetime experience pursuing it online. I don't know any of your personal reasons why you'd want to do this (life responsibilities) but I feel there are some things you just can't learn sitting behind a computer.

[Paul Griger]

Good for you for wanting to expand and grow!

 

I'd be curious why you want the Masters Degree. Better pay? Move to another employer or field? Purely for personal satisfaction because you always intended to get it?

 

Once we know it may be easier to give input.

 

Cheers

[loriw]

Many reasons like you mentioned - mostly to learn more, but also to bring the knowledge to my current company and hopefully eventually better pay. I was originally going to go straight through the school process... but now that I have had a little working experience, I want to finish up school before another 5 years goes by and makes it much harder to return...

 

I agree that there is a lot you cannot learn sitting behin a computer screen... Which is why I am curious about online degrees. There is still a level of interaction, but it seems that it is still "through the computer" via forums and postings with the other students, very similar to what we are doing now.

[Vince Paske]

Well...

You're young, go have fun in a real Grad School, with people and professors you can actually see and have a human experience with. You have the rest of your life to sit behind a computer at a job. Forums are great and all, but there are friendships formed person to person that you may find more substantial over time than what you find online. Many of these become valuable contacts.

 

As for the hope of making more money at your existing company, my experience has been you need to change jobs to get the pay jumps you think you deserve. There are rare occasions where someone gets a nice bump, but it's usually associated with a large increase in responsibility, or bringing in a large amount of business and money to the company.

 

Best of luck, sincerely.

[Frosty]

Half the fun of being in college is the creative interaction among your fellow students, especially in a Fine Arts program. I can see getting an accounting degree online, but in my opinion you'd be missing out on a once in a lifetime experience pursuing it online.

 

I couldnt agree with this more strongly. You would miss most of your education by pursuing any design education online. You will learn more from fellow students at the pub and coffe house than you will in lectures. Graduate School is far less about going through the motions and more about expanding your critical thinking. I dont think you can do that online.

[Paul Griger]

I would agree with Vince. The knowledge gained in a studio setting vs. online would be incomparable. I also agree that a pay hike is not likely unless, A) Your employer is encouraging you to do this and agrees to pay you more upon gaining your Masters, B) You look for employment elsewhere.

 

FWIW, I am currently a full-time architecture student going for my BSAS, and then immediately for my M. Arch. I was on this forum for a few years before going to school, and while the skills that I learned here were of value and worth, putting myself into the pressure tank of a studio setting helped me grow exponentially from where I was prior to school. I reacted well to that environment, perhaps yourself or others may respond better to an online setting. For me, the intense but typically friendly competition from my peers pushed me to ramp things up. Plus, these friends will be valuable contacts in my network as I grow in the field of architecture. I work full time to support myself while I am a full-time student and there are times that my school/work/social life is challenging to balance, but it's all well worth it!

 

You're young [alot younger than me ], so go for it!

 

Best wishes!

 

Paul

[vizwhiz]

Lori

 

here is a google search result for 'masters arch degree online'

 

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GWYF,GWYF:2006-50,GWYF:en&q=arch+masters+degree+online

 

Results 1 - 10 of about 957,000 for arch masters degree online.

 

**

 

for some of us The focus on learning does not require social interaction

(Thats me) at least i cant afford To go back To school while still working

 

an online degree might help but also are willing To consider specific Training?

and not necessarily pursue a degree just To have a degree? There is VizMasters

 

which has vray, mental ray and other Training

i am sure That There are other Training available

 

it depends upon what you are looking for

 

just something To Think about

 

i hope This helps

 

Randy

[chiquito]

Lori: The same happened to me. I finished architecture school, and went for a masters degree, I did it in real estate development and feasibility study, I found that at least for me, it was a nice way to cobine both, while continuing to do 3d, I could get a wider spectrum of work and apply this to a much more focused area. Go for the masters course, do not doubt for a second, if in the future you want to make a change in your goals you will be proud of yoursel for taking a chance when you have the oportunity. Today you can... tomorrow you dont know.