From Social Work to Graphic Design

<p>I currently have a BSW and want to change my career. I am leaning towards Graphic Design. After doing some research I found that a Bachelors seems to be the requirement for most jobs in the field. Should I get a second Bachelors or a Masters in Graphic Design? </p>

<p>I’m not familiar with the art world, but I know that in the majority fields, you shouldn’t get a second bachelor’s. Most of the time you can get a master’s degree with a little extra effort. The exception to the rule, though, is often professional degrees and degrees where there are a LOT of undergrad prerequisites or an undergrad major in the field is required. For example, a person who majored in biology who wanted to switch to political science shouldn’t go back for a second bachelor’s; they could just take some non-degree political science courses and apply for the MA. But someone who wanted to be a nurse would have to get a second bachelor’s (or an RN) because all nursing MSN programs require you to have an RN first, even the RN-to-MSN programs. Or for someone who wanted to switch to engineering from a non-physical science field, taking the prereqs would be so onerous that one would likely just get a second bachelor’s anyway.</p>

<p>I’m not sure where graphic design falls on that spectrum. What you should do is investigate the admissions requirements for reputable MFA programs and see where you are with that. I checked out BU’s, for example, and they don’t describe prerequisites but you do need to have a competitive portfolio. The Vermont College of Fine Arts requires proficiency in the appropriate computer software (Adobe Creative Suite and others) to do the design, as well as familiarity with “design history and contemporary visual culture studies…[that] may come from previous coursework in art history, visual culture, communications, design, and/or professional experience in the field of graphic design or equivalent.” UIC doesn’t require any specific undergraduate major but says that you must demonstrate proficiency through your portfolio, and says “Prerequisites and/or technical experience specific to this field of study may be required prior to entrance.” Pratt says “applicants must be highly motivated individuals who hold an undergraduate degree in graphic design or related design field such as industrial or interior design, architecture, fine arts or media arts” but “exceptional individuals from disparate disciplines may be admitted provisionally and required to take design foundation courses.”</p>

<p>So it appears that it varies. Some of the more competitive schools will expect you to have a background (undergraduate major) in an artistic field and/or significant professional experience in the field. It seems like pretty much all programs expect a level of facility with the software programs and design elements required to be a graphic artist. And all programs require a portfolio.</p>

<p>So it looks like a second bachelor’s may be the way to go here, unless you have some work experience in graphic design already and/or could pull together an excellent portfolio independently.</p>

<p>One last thing: it concerns me that you said you’re “leaning towards” graphic design. I know you might just be gathering information before making a firm decision, but do you have any experience with the field? If you don’t, you probably should try to get that first before returning for a degree in it. Second bachelor’s typically don’t come with funding attached, so you will be financing this with loans primarily (unless you or your family is wealthy). Otherwise, you can make the same mistake: having a degree that you no longer plan to use.</p>