B.F.A or Certificate Program of Illustration?

[Koromo]

Hi, this is my first time joining here!

Anyway, I have a question. I'm planning on going back to school/college after almost a 2 year "break". Before, I went to school out of state and only did one semester (B.F.A). It only lasted that quick because money was an issue (I couldn't finish school because of loan, or something like that).

So, I'm thinking about attending to SMFA (School Museum of Fine Arts) and taking the Certificate Program in Illustration instead of the Bachelor of Fine Art.

Is that a good idea? Or should I just attend to a community college?

I really don't know what to do with myself...so I hope someone would give me an advice. Thanks!

[Storyboard Dave]

I guess ultimately it would depend on how these pieces of paper are going to help you in the long run. The certificate just proves you attended as does the BFA. Neither one of these documents shows your proficiency or skills- your portfolio will do that for you.

Now if in the long run, you plan on applying for a corporate job that looks highly at degrees (some do), then go for the BFA. The last thing you'd want happening at that company during a downturn is for some uneducated bean counter to fire you because you don't have a BFA.

If you plan on teaching later on, a BFA is going to be needed.

But if you just want to get into the creative field and pursue that, it will always be the portfolio that is king.