Which Schools Offer a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree Online?

Have you been considering a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, also called a BFA?

You may think this professional degree is only for fine or studio art and design, but many people don't realize that you can earn a BFA in many creative fields such as:

• graphic arts
• theatre and dance
• music
• creative writing
• film and photography
• fashion design
• interior design

Read on to learn about the current best Bachelor of Fine Arts programs that you can earn online.

Keep in mind that accreditation standards across the country require bachelor's degree programs to be at least 120 credit hours.

1. Academy of Art University

The Academy of Art University in San Francisco, CA, offers many online BFA degrees. Here's the concentrations you can pick:

• advertising
• animation and visual effects
• art education
• art history
• fashion
• fine art
• game development
• graphic design
• illustration
• industrial design
• interaction and UI/UX design
• interior architecture and design
• jewelry and metal arts
• landscape architecture
• motion pictures and television
• music production and sound design for visual media
• photography
• visual development
• writing for film, television, and digital media

Features include a choice between traditional online courses (asynchronous learning) and virtual onsite courses (synchronous learning) taught by industry professionals.

You'll also have access to tools and resources including a free subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud, an online library (books and periodicals), and a music library.

Tuition per credit hour is $1,072 for U.S. students and $1,156 for international students.

2. Berkeley College

Berkeley College has the following online BFA degrees:

• interior design
• graphic design
• 3D digital visualization

Features of Berkeley College's programs are:

• small classes with personalized attention
• hands-on projects
• advanced 3D modeling software
• internships
• networking opportunities

The school also offers a game design certificate program.

Tuition per credit hour is $890 plus fees and the cost of supplies.

3. Liberty University

Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA, offers an online Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design.

Features include:

• a university mission to 'Train Champions for Christ' through tools rooted in biblical ethics and values
• courses in an eight-week format
• military benefits for active duty service members, Reserve/National Guard, veterans, military spouses, and current Department of Defense employees

Tuition per credit hour is $390 to $455 plus fees.

4. Regent University

At Regent University, you can earn an online BFA in graphic design.

Features of the Regent University program are a Christian worldview through which to learn design, web design, digital photography, corporate branding, illustration, drawing, logo development, and more.

Tuition per credit hour is $395 to $450.

5. Savannah College of Art and Design

Savannah College of Art and Design (which has campuses in Savannah, GA; Atlanta, GA; and LaCoste, France) offers quite a few online BFA degree programs in:

• advertising
• dramatic writing
• fashion marketing and management
• graphic design
• photography
• sequential art
• social strategy and management

Features of SCAD's programs include courses streaming in real-time and accessible anytime.

Tuition per credit hour at SCAD is $891 plus fees.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Bachelor of Fine Arts Degrees

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about online BFA degrees.

What's the Difference Between a BA and a BFA Degree?

The distinction between the Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, according to the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, is that one is a professional degree and one is a liberal arts degree.

The professional degree (BFA) educates through intensive work in the arts supported by a university's program of general studies.

The liberal arts degree (BA) focuses on the arts within the context of a broad foundation of general liberal arts studies.

Can You Earn a BFA Online?

Since most arts disciplines have traditionally required a great deal of hands-on, studio-based teaching and learning, the transition to online modes of learning has been slower to develop than in many other fields.

This has been especially true with BFA degree programs. However, with the increasing demand for online educational opportunities, many universities are beginning to find ways to offer online courses and degree programs.

Currently, all the online BFA programs are from private universities, either nonprofit or for-profit.

What Can I Do with a BFA Degree?

There are many different careers you can pursue with a BFA degree. It all depends on which concentration you decide to focus on.

You could be a music director, an animator, or a photographer. You could also be an interior designer, art curator, or actor. The creative possibilities are near endless.

Find an Online Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree

If any of these programs sound like they may be a good fit for you, the next step is to reach out and gather more information.

Talk to representatives from the programs themselves and learn what they need, then apply.