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Online Learner Profiles: Ron S.

Profiles of Real Online Learners

Guide to Online Education > Online Education In-Depth > Meet Real Online Students > Ron S., Master's in Illustration Design

Unfortunately, after 16 years serving as a deputy for the county and doing graphic design and illustration on the side, Ron was injured while on duty.

Realizing that he might have to retire early for medical reasons, he found new motivation to finish his bachelor's degree, so that he could further his teaching career at the local college.

Though already an adjunct instructor, he knew that to achieve a higher rank in his teaching he would have to get his master's.

This was when he was confronted with a problem. Since art is visual rather than textual, it seemed nearly impossible to get a degree online in studio art or even design.

Living in Antelope Valley, the closest programs in studio art/design were about 75 miles away, a commute that Ron couldn't fit into his already busy life.

"I'm in the desert, so traffic going into L.A. is just a killer," he says. "You're talking two hours in, two hours out."

So Ron started his master's in education at CalState Bakersfield, which offered online courses. Some time into the program, however, he realized that the degree was geared toward K-12, which wasn't in line with his higher education goals.

While researching his switch of disciplines, he discovered the online offerings at Savannah College of Art and Design, which offered a degree in Illustration and Design. "Now this was right up my alley—a traditional medium, illustration, combined with cutting-edge graphic design instruction."

His enthusiasm for the school, which is ranked among the top art schools in the country, is palpable. "The instructors were fantastic, everything I've done there so far has increased my knowledge both as a designer and an instructor."

Another thing Ron likes about his program is that his diploma won't differentiate him as an eLearner rather than a traditional student.

At SCAD, many traditional students take online courses to supplement the courses they take on campus. "I am not in a so-called ‘online program,'" he clarifies. "I am an eLearner within a program."

As an eLearner, Ron watches via streaming video the same lectures delivered to his classmates physically in Savannah.

Ron photographs and emails his artwork, but because fine technique matters so much in painting, he also has to mail in originals.

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