You can choose a certificate program, an associate degree program, a bachelor’s degree program, or a graduate program - there’s ample choice. These programs all have their good and bad qualities. The right one for you is the one that fits your personal career goals and sets you up to meet them. We’ll go over key aspects of associate and bachelor’s graphic design programs so you can figure out what works best for your objective.

Professional status: Some people think that having “only” an associate degree is a negative stigma, which is, in actuality, plain unfair and unfortunate. Many employers believe that the most intelligent and most talented candidates attend four-year schools and anyone who did not attend a four-year school could not possibly be intelligent or talented enough to be able to work for them. This evaluation, while unfair and inaccurate, happens and the results are real. There’s a good chance that a job or project will go to the other person if you only have an associate degree as opposed to the other interviewee that can present credentials showing that he has earned a bachelor’s degree. Education wins every time if all other things are equal.

Career path: By obtaining your associate’s degree you are able to start your career two years faster than those working toward their bachelor’s. Also, more than likely, you will be capable of maintaining the same career as a graduate that holds a bachelor’s degree.

Cost: A bachelor’s degree program requires an exorbitant expenditure of money when compared to an associate degree program. The student is expected to pay for a fewer years of education and is therefore less costly.

Choosing either an associate degree or a bachelor’s will allow you to pursue a stimulating career and keep up with emerging technologies.