Online Education

At the Academy, online learning is just as immersive, hands-on, and career-focused as the on-campus experience. No matter where you are in the world, your creative journey starts right here.

For over twenty-five years, our fully accredited online programs have been taught by the same industry pros who teach on campus. Each class is crafted to give you the skills, critiques, and community you need to level up.

Whether you’re at your kitchen table, in your office, or in a café across the globe, you’ll gain professional skills without having to hit pause on your life.

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Studying art and design online at the Academy of Art University offers you the same hands-on education you’ll receive on campus, and you can do it from anywhere in the world and on your schedule. Online classes are taught by the same instructors who teach on campus—most are working professionals employed in the disciplines they teach.

The Academy’s online classes provide you with:

Written class content
Live and taped demos
An online portal for uploading your coursework for critique
Video and written critiques from your instructors and fellow students
Opportunities to collaborate on projects with classmates

How Our Online Program Works

Academy of Art University is ranked as one of the top online art and design schools in the world. Our accredited online courses feature custom-built content taught by working industry professionals. You can study from anywhere in the world, on your schedule, giving you the flexibility to earn your degree on your terms.

Two Ways to Plug In Online

On-Demand (Asynchronous Learning)

On-demand classes are built for working professionals, busy parents, and anyone who wants to set their own pace. They’re a dynamic mix of video lectures, written and audio content, interactive slideshows, and virtual libraries. Discussion sessions are available to exchange ideas and network with peers.

You submit your work—images, words, sound, and motion graphics—and receive layered written, visual, and oral feedback. You’ll have incredible flexibility to achieve a work/life balance while building your professional portfolio.

Synchronous Online Classes (OS+ Classes)

Live virtual courses close the gap between remote and on-campus learning. Through Zoom, you’ll step directly into Academy classrooms in San Francisco and learn alongside peers in real time. You’ll join workshops, studios, and sound stage shoots, working on the same curriculum, in the same creative space, building invaluable connections, no matter where you are in the world.

See How Online Education Works Across a Selection Of Our Schools

Animation & Visual Effects

Fine Art

Foundations

Game Development

Graphic Design

Industrial Design

Interaction & UI/UX Design

Motion Pictures & Television

Photography

Minimum System Requirements

As an online student at Academy of Art University, you will need a personal computer that meets the minimum system requirements to access our Learning Management System.

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