Online Bachelor of Arts Degrees

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Overview

Ignite Your Creativity: Online Bachelor of Arts Degrees

Grand Canyon University offers a suite of online Bachelor of Arts programs through its College of Arts and Media, tailored for individuals passionate about blending technology with creativity. Designed to help refine your critical thinking, technical skills and artistic expression, our online BA degrees in digital design, digital film and advertising and graphic design can help empower you to craft remarkable work.

With GCU's commitment to excellence in online education, you have the opportunity to benefit from small class sizes led by knowledgeable faculty, fostering engagement and collaboration in the virtual classroom. With classes starting regularly, seize the opportunity to pursue your passion and earn the degree you've always envisioned.

95,800

Estimated number of jobs to open for careers in arts and design from 2022 to 2032^{(See disclaimer 1)}

Programs

Explore Degrees

Digital Design

The Bachelor of Arts in Digital Design is ideal for individuals with a knack for technology and a passion for the creative arts. These programs offer the chance to refine your skills in motion analysis, typography, visual arts, creative thinking and problem-solving, providing a robust foundation for a career in the field of digital design.

You can specialize in our animation emphasis program to explore opportunities in fields like animation, graphic design or illustration. Alternatively, choose a web design emphasis to help develop skills suited for roles in web design within advertising agencies or media outlets.

Digital Film

Prepare for a career in the film industry with the skills taught in GCU's Bachelor of Arts in Digital Film programs. Our film production degrees can equip you with essential skills in filmmaking, narrative storytelling, videography and film editing, laying a strong foundation for roles such as director, cinematographer or videographer.

If you have a passion for crafting stories and developing characters, or cinematography and film language, our screenwriting emphasis and editing and visual effects emphasis may be a good fit for you. For those interested in the business side of filmmaking, including financing, budgeting and distribution, our production emphasis can provide the specialized knowledge needed to work behind the scenes.

Advertising

For those aiming to strategize for advertising brands, the Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Graphic Design offers an ideal pathway. This program is tailored for individuals looking to make contributions to marketing departments and advertising agencies through innovative advertising solutions. You'll work toward developing your skills in collaborative creative thinking and strategic problem-solving, working on diverse projects that can help build a compelling portfolio.

The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including digital photography, advertising copywriting and web design. This broad foundation can help prepare you for opportunities in industries such as marketing, public relations, radio and television, production and fundraising.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for careers in arts and design is $51,660, as of May 2023.^{(See disclaimer 2)}

GCU in Film

GCU's campus was the backdrop for every scene in the hilarious sci-fi film, “Identity Crisis,” shot in January 2022, offering students a unique opportunity to interact with the filmmakers visiting campus.^{(See disclaimer 3)}

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Why GCU

Why Choose GCU for Your Online Degree?

Deciding to go back to school to earn your bachelor’s degree is both a financial and time commitment. Before you make the decision to further your education, you may be wondering if the program and the institution are right for you. There are plenty of reasons to choose GCU for your online education.

In addition to earning a degree with convenience and flexibility, you can also enjoy the following distinct benefits of being a GCU student:

Learn from knowledgeable and experienced faculty

GCU’s experienced leadership delivers online education to help you find your purpose. Courses are taught by faculty members and adjunct instructors who are committed to helping you pursue your professional goals.

Take one course at a time

Earning your online degree is more accessible than ever. By taking one course at a time, you can focus on mastering each subject before progressing to the next.

Earn an accredited education

GCU is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Take advantage of resources

When you earn an online Bachelor of Arts from GCU, you can take advantage of online learning resources and tools, technical support, academic counselors and an online community of support.

$66,600

Median annual wage for film and video editors as of May 2023^{(See disclaimer 4)}

$92,750

Median annual wage for web developers and digital designers as of May 2023^{(See disclaimer 5)}

What Our Faculty Are Saying

"We have students employed in the gaming industry, in app development, lots of advertising agencies, digital media and social media airlines. You can’t have a company and NOT be pushing your message out.^{(See disclaimer 6)}"

Sheila Schumacher

Director of Digital Design Programs

"We have students employed in the gaming industry, in app development, lots of advertising agencies, digital media and social media airlines. You can’t have a company and NOT be pushing your message out.^{(See disclaimer 6)}"

Sheila Schumacher

Director of Digital Design Programs

Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree Online

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COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2022 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2023, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Arts and Design Occupations, retrieved on May 28, 2024.
The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Arts and Design, Occupations, as of May 2023, retrieved on May 28, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as arts and design occupations, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
Gonzales, M. (2023, Sept. 13). Hollywood Returns To GCU for Film's Premiere on Thursday. GCU News. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Film and Video Camera Operators, as of May 2023, retrieved on May 28, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as film and video camera operators, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2022 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2023, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Film and Video Editors, retrieved May 28, 2024.
The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Web Developers and Digital Designers, as of May 2023, retrieved on May 28, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as web developers and digital designers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
Sweeten-Shults, L. (2023, April 27). Students Have Their Designs On Jobs. GCU News. Retrieved on May 30, 2024.
GCU News. (2024, March 26). Design Students, Faculty Honored By Ad Group. Retrieved May 30, 2024.