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Fashion Bachelor Degree Colleges Online and On Campus

October 21, 2016/in Blog /by Lisa Parmley

Understanding the fashion design industry involves taking into consideration several industries that overlap with the fashion industry, and how these interactions take place. There is a great deal involved in a fashion design career, from things you should know to techniques you should practice, as well as the various tasks you will take on within several jobs you pursue. A fashion designer has several basic skills and should be able to utilize today’s latest technologies in order to create fashion, market fashion, produce fashion, and sell fashion. All these tasks are just the basics and can expand into several different industries from marketing to television, film, and even retail.

Desired Education

Believe it or not, there is an education required to take on several positions within the fashion industry. Many employers are willing to accept experience, but will desire some type of degree. Even without experience, a bachelor’s degree is more favorable with employers than having experience and no degree. Fashion bachelor degree colleges are located throughout the U.S. and Canada as well as abroad to offer the education you need to enter the industry with full potential. You can utilize these schools to earn the education needed to get a top position within the field.

Getting a Bachelors in Fashion

When you begin your bachelor’s degree fashion design program, you will begin by learning the fundamentals of the industry, including the start of all projects with pen and paper. You will learn several other aspects of the profession including:

Material blending
Colors and patterns
Development of fashion design projects
Manufacturing
Marketing

You will also learn the various techniques that are used within the various types of fashion, with several different specialties as well. Whether you are seeking to create beautiful evening gowns, couture, or ready-to-wear garments, there is a great deal to gain from a fashion design bachelors degree.

Where to Attend School

Even if you live in a state without a great deal of focus on the fashion industry, there are schools available both online and on campus to provide you with the bachelor’s degree you pursue. You can utilize online programs from several top colleges that are found in the more prestigious states within the industry, or even from online only schools that are offering the computer based instruction that is becoming a prime educational source in today’s world. You want to understand the hardware and software components of the position, which is now even more possible with these online classes.

If you aren’t sure whether a bachelor’s degree would help or not, you have to look at the facts. Employers want employees that are well skilled and educated, even if there is experience involved. Even the most well-known fashion designers obtained an education in order to get to the top tier of the industry, as there are several elements that go much further than putting together a style with clothes. You will need the technical skills as well, as art is easily acquired through talent, but the technical aspect of the profession must be learned in a school.

Using Online Fashion Schools to Go Far in the Fashion Industry

Online fashion schools can really offer a wealth of opportunity towards a bright future in a high demand industry that can top $100,000’s in earnings, and more with the appropriate experience and drive. Although the fashion industry is a very challenging industry, the right education could equip you with the skills you need to make it to the top with the right attitude and mind frame. Getting your fashion design degree is very beneficial to you if you wish to go further than a local retail position, or even if you simply want more responsibility within the retail industry in fashion management and other related fields.

Types of Programs Offered

There are several online fashion design schools that offer several different programs in fashion design to assist you in getting to the level appropriate to join the industry in the sector you most desire. This could be runways or large clothing operations, or even the design of visual fashion marketing and more. Various programs offered include:

Fashion management
Fashion design
Merchandising management
Visual fashion development

There are several new programs always emerging, with the possibility to earn various degrees such as:

Fashion Associates of Art
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Master of Fine Arts

There are several courses involved in the various programs offered which will cover a variety of aspects of the industry including:

Fashion design
Merchandising and marketing
Knitwear design
Visual merchandising
Active sportswear design

There are several different sectors of the industry in which you may enter, including specialty fashion design for various industries including:

Business/Uniform Design
Costume Design
Military Design

There are various trends that you will learn, as well as the understanding of fashion and following the various factors that affect trends, including seasons and age groups. Earning your fashion merchandising degree online will provide you with the ability to produce fashion lines, expanding upon the skills required to create fashion lines.

Choosing the Right Fashion Design School Online

If you are ready to get your fashion design degree online, there are several internet based schools from which you can choose. These schools will offer a variety of online fashion design programs, ensuring that you are able to follow the field you are most interested in. As you begin your courses online, you will find that the experience is extremely beneficial, replacing the hands-on instruction with detailed computer based instruction with several resources utilized to provide the highest quality education possible.

Online fashion design programs are necessary if you wish to go to the highest levels of the fashion design industry. There is a great deal of competition within the industry, with several employers seeking fashion designers to establish the latest trends, including Macy’s, Target, and Three Dots. You can even make your place in the magazines as a fashion journalist if you so wish, as there are several careers you can pursue with a fashion design degree from an accredited college or university.

Pursuing a Fashion Design Online Masters Degree

When you are considering an online education in fashion design, you will be presented with several degree options including certificate, associate of arts, bachelor’s, and at the highest scale the fashion design online masters degree. There is a large difference between the various degrees, with the master’s degree serving as the highest credentials possible within the field. Typically, the decision to pursue a master’s degree comes after the completion of undergraduate studies, when you have decided that you are ready to take your skills to the highest level possible in order to access the highest positions available in the industry.

Types of Fashion Online Masters Degree Programs

Just as you would find several bachelors degree programs, you will find several different masters degree programs to choose from, offering a different niche within the industry. Such programs include:

Fashion and apparel design
Fashion and merchandise management
Retail management and development
Fashion marketing management

Each of these programs will delve into a different section of the fashion industry, allowing you to make the choices of where you want to work and in which exact industry, whether film, television, fashion media, journalism, or any other industry fashion design integrates within.

Elements of Masters Program

A master’s degree in fashion design consists of several elements, with skill building instruction in many different subjects including:

Apparel design
Flat pattern design
Men, women, and children’s clothing design
Accessory design
Concept planning
Fashion marketing and development

You will take on several courses over a 24 month period, after which you will graduate with the highest degree in the field, offering the highest level of employment opportunities and wages that can range between the $70,000’s to the $100,000’s. Each course will expand on previous learning, offering a strong foundation by which to build a strong career.

Possible Careers with Master’s Degree

There are several different careers you can take on with a master’s degree in fashion design. You will be learning the skills to take on the more advanced and upper level positions such as:

Fashion journalist/magazine publisher
Trend forecaster
Fashion director
Costume creator

There are many other careers that can be taken on, many of which can be within very high profile companies including:

Macy’s
Abercrombie & Fitch
Banana Republic
Ralph Lauren

There are several different clothing lines that are always recruiting new ideas, as well as many different freelance opportunities available for you to explore.

If you are interested in entering the fashion design industry, there are many different ways you can begin a new profession, however an education can develop the skills and instill the knowledge that you will need to build a long-term career you can enjoy and take pride of. Even if you are already in the industry and have realized the need for a further education in order to advance your opportunities, a distance education fashion master’s degree can definitely bring you to a further level.

How Fashion Design Schools Can Help Your Career

October 21, 2016/in Blog /by Lisa Parmley

Some people get the wrong idea about the fashion design industry, many thinking that there is no education needed to be a strong professional within the industry. The fact is that you can definitely enter the industry without an education, but there will be road blocks that prevent you from getting any further than a lower level position due to the lack of knowledge in the most essential aspects, which surprisingly may have little to do with the actual fashion world such as business and marketing. You will also need to be up to date with the many techniques that are utilized within the field, ensuring that you are able to prosper with accurate practices that are within the guidelines of the field.

Attending Fashion Design College

There are many aspects of attending fashion design programs, from the basic levels of pattern drafting to the various techniques utilized within the industry in design, marketing, production, and manufacturing. Fashion design colleges provide the latest resources by which to instruct you on the most appropriate processes and techniques in the field, ensuring that you are able to prosper in the field following the most used and most successful practices and strategies in the many levels of your career. Finding the right college for fashion design isn’t difficult, as there are many that offer high quality programs and several different degrees.

Programs for Fashion Design

There are many different fashion design and merchandising degree programs offered to provide you with the strongest skill base with which to enter the fashion design industry. You will have the option of choosing that which follows you career path the closest from a list of many programs including:

Accessory Design
Sewing and Dressmaking
Apparel/Fashion Design
Fashion Design, Merchandising, and Foundation for Design
Fashion and Retail Management
Fashion Marketing

Each program is designed to provide the fullest curriculum to ensure you understand every element of the profession you wish to enter, giving you the best advantages over your career.

Choosing the Best Fashion Design and Merchandising Schools

There are several top schools to choose from, many of which are located within New York, California, and other high profile states in the U.S. There are also several programs abroad through many U.S. colleges and universities, which enable you to learn and understand foreign fashion and many of the influences of U.S. fashion today. Finding the best college should be within your price range, and a school that is accredited and participates in financial aid programs to ensure you are able to afford your education.

There are many colleges with fashion design majors that you may choose from, allowing you to learn the basic and most essential practices utilized within many different levels of the industry. Whether you are after a small scale or large scale position in the field of fashion design, or even within the many different sectors such as marketing and management, you can get a great deal of knowledge and learn the most important skills utilized in the industry from the colleges that offer fashion design.

Choosing a Fashion Design School

Getting a degree in fashion is one of the best choices you can make if you plan to work in the fashion industry. Not only will your education give you a chance to hone your skills, you’ll also get the chance to make connections and receive critiques from real people working in the field. However, not all fashion programs are created equal. Choosing the right fashion design school for you depends on many factors, including your individual career goals, your budget and your unique skill set.

Parsons School of Design and the Fashion Institute of Technology – both based in New York City – are considered to be two of the most prestigious fashion design programs in the country. Admission to these programs is highly competitive, so you’ll need to have a well-developed portfolio of designs to even be considered.

If you’re lucky enough to be admitted to one of these programs, you’ll not only be able to take advantage of top-notch instruction, you’ll also make great connections within the industry that can lead to coveted internship spots and potential post-graduate job offers.
But don’t worry if you don’t get into one of these programs – spots are extremely limited, so you may need to consider other options.

Fortunately, many community colleges, technical schools, and four-year universities offer degrees in fashion design and management. When deciding which programs to apply to, keep in mind that a four-year fine arts degree in fashion offers you the best spring-board for starting your career, since you’ll have four years to develop the basic skills you’ll need when you enter the working world.

Budget matters

However, four year programs aren’t for everyone. Typically, these programs are conducted during the day-time hours, which can be difficult for students who work full-time or have families to support. In addition, the cost of attending a four-year program tends to be much higher than the tuition at a two-year community college or technical school program. If you need to take out student loans to attend a four-year program, be sure to balance the loan’s repayment plan with what you can reasonably expect to make in your first few years out of college. Fashion is a competitive industry, so you may have to spend several years as a starving artist before you start to earn a good salary.
Consider your career goals

Even if finances are a concern, if you’re serious about becoming a fashion designer, you really should do everything possible to enroll in a four-year program. For example, look into student grants, scholarships or work-study programs that will enable you to attend a bachelor’s degree program. A four-year fine arts degree has become something of a baseline standard in a fashion industry, and the field is so competitive that it can be extremely difficult to find work with anything less than a bachelors.

However, if you’re interested in fashion design, but aren’t totally committed to the idea of becoming a full-fledged fashion designer, you may want to consider a more affordable two-year program. Graduates of these programs often find work as design assistants, pattern makers and seamstresses – all of which are great ways to be involved in the industry without the pressure and stress that comes along with a career as a fashion designer.

How Fashion Designer Courses Can Propel Your Career

Attending fashion designer courses will bring you to a new world of art and science combined to build creations that are appeasing to the eye in various forms of apparel and accessories. The skills you learn in the course needed to become a fashion designer will be looked for by every employer or firm you take on, allowing you to join the industry with great opportunity ahead of you. Your career can go to many great levels within this high profile industry, with the average earned income of fashion designers reaching the $60,000, with the highest earners making ranges in the $100,000’s.

Types of Fashion Design to Study

There are several schools that offer online fashion design classes to teach various types of fashion design including:

Haute Couture
Ready-to-Wear
Mass Market

Each of these represents the main industries in the field that offer fashion design careers, each requiring the appropriate education to maneuver within the field appropriately. There are different levels within these specialties, including the marketing, design, manufacturing, and mass production of several industries. Attending courses fashion designer programs offer will ensure that you are well capable of performing the many high level duties required in the position as you take on a team or individual work setting.

What Types of Courses?

A program in fashion design will consist of several fashion design classes that focus on a specific aspect of the position you plan to take on. Whether you are seeking an assistant position or the upper level director that delegates the production and design of various products, you will need to understand the curriculum offered in fashion design programs. Such classes will include:

• Design techniques
• Business management
• Marketing and communication
• Computer based design
• Manufacturing
• Pattern drafting

The online fashion design courses will provide various technical resources and tools by which to gain the fullest instruction in the classes you attend, ensuring the quality of the education is as great as with campus schools.

Why Fashion Design?

If you are interested in creating fashions and trends, being part of the production of mass market clothing or accessory lines, or just want to be part of the fast-paced and versatile world of fashion, fashion design is an excellent career to pursue. You will find that there is a bit more to it than creating fine clothing, such as the production of the pieces and the use of materials with others. The combination of styles and creation of trends is a main part of the industry and you must get the education that will enable you to take on the career with full comprehension and the most skills.

Stop spending your time dreaming of the future and begin pursuing a future in fashion design, allowing you to enter the upscale lifestyle that you read about in magazines. Even if you want a more modest career that allows you to take on various specialties in the industry, you can gain a great deal of opportunity from attending fashion design school online.

Choosing from the Top Fashion Design Colleges

There are several fashion design colleges out there offering high quality programs to begin a prosperous fashion design career. The top fashion design colleges are found throughout the United States and Canada, as well as various campuses that are also found abroad, with programs collaborating colleges between countries. So where do you go if you want to attend the best fashion design college? Follow the trends, the money, and the spot light, while keeping your eyes open for those small schools that can also offer great opportunities.

Parsons, New York

Located in New York City, Parsons the New School for Design offers a BFA, Bachelor of Fine Arts, in design, which provides you with the skills you need to enter the field with the highest abilities. You will be given several chances that aren’t offered to other graduates with a degree backed by Parsons, as employers recognize the high quality of the school. There are many notable alumni of this college, including:

Zang Toi
Derek Lam
Behnaz Sarafpour
Claire McCardell

With just over 500 students enrolled and over 100 years of experience in providing top quality curriculum to students that flock from all around the world, Parsons provides the most elaborate and precise education possible in fashion design.

Pratt, New York

Another one of the U.S. top 10 fashion design schools, also located on the East Coast, is Pratt Institute, found in Brooklyn and offering a variety of degrees in various programs, including fashion design. The bright point of Pratt is the rare offer of fashion editorial and magazine publishing, broadening your choices when it comes to the fashion design career you are seeking. The school even offers classes in jewelry repair and design, offering a wealth of coursework to ensure you are prepared for a full time, strong career in the industry.

FIDM, California

FIDM, or the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, is one of the most famous fashion design schools due to the curriculum and success of the school, as well as notable alumni, one of which is a hot topic in many households today. Lauren Conrad from the MTV show “Laguna Beach” is currently a student, which gives you an idea of just how important furthering your education is, even when you may have reached great heights in the industry. FIDM offers a Bachelor of Science or an Associate of Arts degree in fashion design, with four different campuses located in California:

Los Angeles
Orange County
San Francisco
San Diego

Getting your fashion design degree from one of the best fashion design schools will open up doors in your career where other colleges just won’t. You want the greatest advantages from your career, and that means choosing one of the top colleges offering a fashion design degree in order to ensure that you are able to take your career as high as you really want. Even if you need help financially, these schools offer financial aid options to help you afford the best education possible.

Careers in Fashion Design

October 21, 2016/in Blog /by Lisa Parmley

If you’re a fashion trendsetter, then a career as a fashion designer may be the perfect fit for you. Careers in fashion design may include designing as well as fashion merchandising so there’s more than one mode of entry into this industry.

A career in fashion design or merchandising requires at least an associates or bachelors degree. With a little experience, you can be making well over $60,000 a year doing something you love.

Fashion designers are responsible for coming up with new designs for everything from department store brands to haute couture fashion houses. Fashion designers research trends in colors, shapes and styles, in order to come up with design sketches that balance innovation and conceptual design with the restrictions of the production process.

Designers choose the specific fabrics that will be used and may be responsible for overseeing a support staff of seamstresses and pattern-makers. Fashion designers typically specialize in a particular area of design, like shoes, lingerie or haute couture design.

Duties of a Fashion Designer

The life of a fashion designer is filled with the study of fashion trends. They help create all types of clothing and accessories for men, women and children. Fashion designers frequently meet with clients, sketch designs, research new trends, and meet with manufacturers.

Fashion designers typically work from a comfortable office setting. They schedule time to meet with clients which may mean evening or weekend work is necessary.

Overtime is also frequent due to deadlines. Some travel may be required to trade and fashion shows as well as to meet with suppliers.

Careers in Fashion Merchandising

Fashion merchandisers are responsible for determining which brands and styles of clothing a store will carry during any given season. They must stay on top of upcoming design trends and determine which styles of clothing best fit with the stores marketing perspective. For example, a fashion merchandiser for Macys will choose different styles and price-points than a buyer for Wal-Mart.
Fashion merchandisers must also understand principles of consumer psychology in order to create a store layout and collection that encourages customer buying. Some merchandisers are responsible for negotiating deals with suppliers, while some stores hire separate buyers to perform this task.

Careers in Fashion Marketing

There are a number of different careers within the field of fashion marketing. For example, a fashion writer might review the latest styles for publications like Vogue or Marie Claire, while a fashion photographer might take the images that appear in these publications. Fashion promoters are typically employed by designers and fashion houses to attract media attention to their brands. They may solicit celebrities to wear a designer’s gown to a major awards show or advertise a fashion house’s upcoming runway show.

Support Careers

The fashion industry can’t survive on designers alone. Once a designer has come up with a new sketch, a whole team of seamstresses, pattern-makers and other assistants is needed to translate the design into a physical garment. Seamstresses are responsible for putting together test garments and fitting finished products to models’ measurements. Pattern-makers work from test garments to put together the blueprints that manufacturers will use to mass-produce garments, and assistants work to take care of the designers administrative responsibilities so that they can focus exclusively on design.

Costume Designers

If you have an eye for fashion, but don’t want to spend your days in the pressure and stress-filled world of high fashion, you might want to consider a career as a costume designer. Costume designers are employed by regional and national stage productions, TV shows and Hollywood movies, and are typically in charge of selecting outfits for actors and their characters. Depending on the production, they may need to research the historical authenticity of a particular costume piece, or design and produce new costumes if the right piece can’t be found. Costume designers must also take a number of different factors into consideration, including how a costume will appear from a distance and whether or not it can be removed quickly for a fast-change scene.

Steps to Become a Fashion Designer

So you say you love clothes? Or that you just can’t get enough of Fashion Week coverage? If you spend your spare time flipping through fashion magazines or catching Gossip Girl reruns, you’ve probably already considered a career as a fashion designer. However, don’t think it’s as easy as throwing together your first collection and waiting for the big bucks and celebrity endorsements to roll in – making a name for yourself in the cutthroat, competitive world of fashion can take years of hard work and dedication.

There are many different ways to enter the fashion industry, but the generally accepted path is to complete a four-year fine arts degree in fashion design. There are many colleges that offer these degrees – and just like the Ivy League schools for business or medicine, there are some programs that are better than others.

Whether or not you get into a program is largely based on a portfolio of your designs that you submit during the application process. Your portfolio should be creative and expressive, and should demonstrate your unique fashion point of view. Given the weight that’s attached to your portfolio, it’s not a bad idea to invest in some drawing lessons or in professional photos of your finished creations.

Whether you graduate from a prestigious program like the Fashion Institute of Technology or Parsons School of Design, or from a state college in your hometown, attending school will give you a chance to hone your skills before you enter the working world. In college, you’ll take classes in color composition, pattern making and sewing skills – the building blocks you’ll need to start your career. After all, it doesn’t matter how brilliant your designs are – if you can’t wield a pair of sewing scissors, you’ll never make it in the fashion industry! Attending fashion school will also give you the chance to showcase your work in student fashion shows and get feedback from your professors and fellow classmates – a key part of becoming a better designer.

Another major advantage of attending a fashion design program is the connections that you’ll make within the industry. Even if you don’t attend a top school, the fashion industry is small enough that almost everyone knows someone who knows someone important. These connections can pay off big time when it comes to applying for internships during your summer months or after graduation. It’s almost always easier to get a job when you have a personal recommendation from a respected professor, so take the time to cultivate these relationships while you’re in school.

Once you graduate with your fashion degree, you can start to look for entry-level careers or internships in the specific field you want to work in. If you want to work in high end couture design, you’ll likely be competing with several thousands of other applicants for one of a very few spots at the major fashion houses. On the other hand, you might find it easier to snag a job working for the house brands of fashion retailers like JC Penney’s or Macys. Even if they aren’t haute couture designers, they still need new collections for every season – plenty of young designers have been able to use these positions as spring-boards to careers with more prestigious designers.

Of course, you don’t have to attend school to become a famous fashion designer. A very few gifted designers will be able to penetrate the fashion world without any formal education, while others will work their ways up from lowly intern positions s to become full-fledged designers. In addition, if your career aspirations revolve more around assisting with seamstress or pattern-making work – not running your own Bryant Park tent show – you may be able to find a job in fashion without a fine arts degree. However, the increasing competitiveness of the industry makes these cases few and far between. If you’re serious about becoming a fashion designer, you need to be serious about putting in the time to finish your formal education.

The Stages for Becoming an Entry-Level Graphic Designer to a Creative Art Director

October 21, 2016/in Blog /by Lisa Parmley

Four Steps to Becoming an Entry-Level Graphic Designer

Whether you’re a recent high school graduate or a seasoned professional yearning for a more rewarding career, getting an associate’s degree is a great place to begin the journey to your first or second (or tenth) career. If you are passionate about art, a natural visual communicator and want a career where you can exercise your creativity, an associate’s degree in graphic design may be your best option.

How do you go about becoming an entry-level graphic designer? Just follow these four steps!

Assess Your Artistic and Creative Skills

If you can’t draw to save your life, the field of graphic design is probably not for you. The ability to draw, or at least sketch, is generally a reliable indicator of raw artistic talent. If you always lose at Pictionary you’ve either had bad luck in partners or you should choose a less artistic field than graphic design. On the other hand, if you’ve carted a sketchbook around for most of your life, spend significant amounts of free time creating “art” and are a Pictionary champ, you should proceed to step two.

Enroll in Graphic Design School

An online associates degree graphic design can be obtained at many colleges, universities and private art schools as well as 2-year and 3-year professional schools. While an associate’s degree in graphic design can be a practical educational choice for a recent high school grad who wants to begin his or her career without spending years in college, it can also be a practical choice for someone who has already obtained a bachelors degree in a related (or unrelated) field.

Complete the Required Coursework

According to AIGA, the professional association for design, most graphic design programs consist of educational seminars and projects. Graphic design students learn to analyze problems and come up with solutions using composition, space, typography and images. Some hand work is still done, but much of modern graphic design is completed on computers. There is a great deal of emphasis placed on learning to use the latest design software programs including Quark, Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop. Design students learn by doing, and often get quite a bit of one-on-one interaction with their instructors.

Prepare Your Portfolio and Interview for Jobs

You will complete many design projects as you earn your associates degree in graphic design. As you complete your education, you will assemble the best of your designs into a portfolio. Your portfolio can be used as a tool to prove to potential employers that you have the skills and creativity required to benefit their company. Bring your portfolio with you to every job interview. It can also be a good idea to create an online portfolio (as part of your professional website) and include the html address on every cover letter and/or resume you send out to potential employers.

What Kind of Job will an Associate’s Degree in Computer Graphic Design get me?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, graduates with an associate’s degree in computer graphic design are often employed as assistants to senior graphic designers or in positions where technical design skills are the main requirement. Graphic designers are employed within many industries; basically anywhere visual communication is needed. Industries that employ graphic designers include printing, publishing, software, marketing, advertising, public relations, financing, banking, insurance, healthcare, retail and more.

Meet the Growing Need for Graphic Designers with a Bachelors Degree in Graphic Design

Are you artistic and creative? Do you want a career where you can earn a good salary while doing what you’re passionate about? If so, you should consider getting your bachelor degree in graphic design.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of graphic design positions in the U.S. is expected to increase at least 13 percent by 2018. Graphic designers are in demand in industries such as marketing, advertising, public relations, packaging, publishing, financing, software, broadcasting, movies and any other industry where visual methods of communication are used.

While you can obtain employment in the exciting field of graphic design with a graphic design certificate or diploma, a bachelor of graphic design degree will open doors to more responsible positions and greater pay. An individual with a certificate or diploma in graphic design will likely need to begin their career as an assistant or entry-level designer. An individual with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design may be able to enter the field higher up on the employment ladder.

An online bachelors in graphic design can facilitate a career in freelance or contract graphic design. While advanced degrees may not directly correlate to advanced talent, a number of companies and individuals may be more comfortable outsourcing their design work to a graphic designer with a bachelors degree in graphic design than to a designer with a only certificate or diploma.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that graphic designers with education and experience in website design and animation will have the greatest number of employment opportunities. The demand for these skill sets is expected to increase dramatically as the demand for interactive media increases. The demand for graphic designers is also expected to increase with the growing need for online and print advertising of products and services.

While the demand for graphic designers is expected to increase, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there will be keen competition among designers for the best positions. Graphic design is a popular career choice for artistic, creative individuals. If you want to place yourself among the cream of the crop, you may greatly benefit from a bachelor degree in graphic design.

The average bachelor degree program for graphic design will take four years for completion. When you consider the leg up a bachelor of graphic design will give you in your career, it is obviously time well spent.

Advancing with a Masters Degree Graphic Design

While the field of graphic design is a creative one, it also offers advancement potential for those who wish to increase their level of responsibility and salary. Further education in graphic design, such as a masters degree in graphic design, can be helpful to those designers who desire to advance to the highest paying positions in the field.

How Much can I Earn with a Masters Degree in Graphic Design?

A graphic designer employed as an art director or creative director (two of the highest positions for graphic designers), can expect to earn a median salary of $95,000 according to the American Institute of Graphic Arts. Masters in graphic design are often required for these high-level positions. These positions are also most common at larger graphic design firms and companies employing teams of designers.

Can I Enroll in Graphic Design Masters Programs?

The answer would be “yes,” if you have completed your bachelors degree studies. Some masters programs may require you to have completed previous coursework in graphic design and/or to have real world work experience in the field. Others may offer additional coursework to make up for a lack of experience. The most obvious choice of bachelors degree for someone eventually planning to enter graphic design grad school would be one in graphic design. However, bachelor’s degrees in journalism, marketing, advertising, public relations and art can also be good stepping stones to a masters degree in graphic design.

What can I Expect to Learn in the Masters Program?

When studying for your masters degree in graphic design, you can expect to take advanced coursework in design principles, color theory, typography, printing styles, and the philosophy and science of communication as well as learn the latest graphic design software programs. There may also be coursework in the management or direction of graphic design teams.

How Much Will an Advanced Graphics Degree Cost me?

According to the National Center for Education Services, tuition and fees for graphic design masters programs average about $7,000 per semester at public universities and about $18,000 per semester at private universities. Most masters programs in graphic design take two to three years for completion. You’ll also need to figure in the cost of books, software and supplies, which can vary from program to program depending on the coursework involved. On average, the cost of these items for a graphic design masters student is estimated at $2,400 per year.

Whether you have a bachelors degree in graphic design or are just entering college and thinking about future advanced degrees, consider the possibilities of a masters in graphic design. If you’re a creative individual with a passion for art, it could be an ideal educational path for you.

Graphic Design Degree Types

October 21, 2016/in Blog /by Lisa Parmley

Graphic Design Diploma

A diploma is a certificate issued by an educational institution, testifying that the recipient has completed a particular course of study. Diploma is used in some countries, such as the UK and Australia, to refer to a level of academic award, also called testimonium or testamur. In other countries such as India and Pakistan, a diploma is the equivalent of an associate’s degree. In the US, a diploma is usually a document received at the end of higher education or a specific academic award.

Graphic design diploma programs are developed by professionals in advertising, marketing and printing; the three skills essential for success in the field.

A diploma in graphic design prepares students for a wide range of careers, including the following titles:

Web Page Designer
Illustrator/Page Layout Artist
Production Manager
Marketing/Advertising

Students learn how to prepare designs for print, websites and other sorts of interactive media. They receive a hands-on practice on different software, such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Adobe Flash, Adobe InDesign, Dreamweaver, Quark Express and many others. They also learn all types of layout and composition techniques to build high-quality visual presentations, through print or electronic media, for organizations as well as marketing and advertisement agencies.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook, issued by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2010, indicates that 38 percent of graphic designers work for newspapers, periodicals and directory publishers, while almost 60 percent are self-employed. Competition in this field is expected to rise, as the arts usually attract many creative, talented individuals.

Earning a diploma in graphic design is a good step towards career advancement and skills and knowledge development. It is an excellent way for fresh graduates to increase their knowledge on their area of study.

Graphic Design Certificate

Professionals seeking career advancement, career change or simply a bigger paycheck can do so by increasing their knowledge and skills through certifications or academic degrees. Choosing a certification program comes in handy to individuals who have already obtained an academic degree and simply wish to sharpen their skills and keep up-to-date with the latest technologies in their field of expertise. The course of study in a certification program is usually short, taking anywhere between 3 months to one year.

A graphic design certificate program is designed specially to help students become efficient in using the latest design technologies. It covers many areas in the field of graphic design, including print, the web, color systems and image manipulation and production. Students learn how to use the basic programs used by every graphic designer, including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.

Some graphic design certificate programs also concentrate on Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), XHTML, JavaScript and Flash to design and develop media-rich websites. Extra emphasis is usually put on website architecture, user interface design and content management systems such as WordPress. After completing the course of study, students should be able to assemble content into aesthetically appealing and interactive websites.

Annual incomes vary among graphic designers, depending on the title, region and industry. Other factors influencing the earning power of a graphic designer include training and experience.

Graphic Design Associates Degree

Most students nowadays realize that getting more education after high school will significantly increase their chances of building a successful career. An Associate’s degree is an undergraduate academic degree obtained after completing a course of study at a community college, junior college, technical college or university, typically for two years.

An Associate degree in graphic design can open the opportunity for a career as a graphic designer, graphic artist or illustrator. The course of study usually includes illustration in color theory, design fundamentals, digital imaging, and typography. Other classes might include design for corporations, advertising and computer aided drawing. By the end of their study, students should be able to use color and design theory to design and produce documents, advertisements, webpages and more.

The focus in this associate’s degree program is on how graphic design theory and techniques can be the tools used towards having a professional career as a graphic designer or artist. Students learn the basics of art, color theory and design. They also learn how these basic elements can be used in the corporate and business world, mainly through designing logos and advertisements.

The income for graphic designers depends mainly on the place of employment and level of responsibilities. The employment of graphic designers will stay about the same at least until 2024. The demand for fine artists, illustrators, and multi-media artists is also expected to stay about the same.

Many educational institutions nowadays are offering online degrees for those students who prefer to pursue their degree from the convenience of their own home.

Graphic Design Bachelor’s Degree

Graphic design is an interesting creative combination of visualization and concept building. It describes the printing of images on material, and creating images for web pages. The Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design degree program is a four-year program which provides students with the opportunity to gain an understanding of design, color, composition and typography. Students in this program will receive intensive training in creative problem-solving. They learn how provide effective solutions in the business and corporate world.

This program typically includes instruction in both traditional and digital images. It provides students with a great opportunity to join the fast-growing field of graphics, seen in layouts, labels, brand name signatures and, of course, web designing. During their course of study, students will create and develop a portfolio of professional quality work and projects, including posters and web images.

The coursework of a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design degree program will mainly focus on three important computer programs: Photoshop, Illustrator and Quark. By the end of their study, students should be able to prepare sketches, either by hand or using a computer. They will also be able to work with fonts, images, photos, animation and other elements of design.

Students nowadays have a great opportunity of pursuing their academic degrees online, with the extra advantage of joining a very prestigious educational institution from the convenience of a home.

Graphic Design Master’s Degree

Working in different technical and advertising fields, professionals with a Bachelor’s degree in graphic design seeking career advancement can improve their skills and further their education by joining a graduate program in order to gain a Master’s degree in the field. A Master’s degree in graphic design is a program that is specially designed to prepare individuals to use their knowledge of artistic and computer techniques to the interpretation of technical and commercial principles. This program trains students to utilize design, art, photography and other software or tools.

The course of study in this program includes the various aspects of the application of the tools mentioned above, either through theory or coursework. While some graphic designers still use manual tools, such as pencils and papers, a graphic design master’s degree program aims at enabling students to integrate graphic technologies with core skills and techniques.

A master’s degree in graphic design will most likely command a higher pay rate and a better job status and career prospects. A report released by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicated that the demand and new career opportunities for holders of master’s degrees in graphic design will increase at an average rate – about 10 percent through 2016.

In addition to becoming a better graphic designer, obtaining a master’s degree in graphic design opens the possibility for a student to pursue career opportunities in art, graphics-related journalism and animation.

Many accredited art schools and colleges offer online master’s degree programs in art and graphic design. A master’s degree in graphic design is considered nowadays as one of the most prestigious and best paying positions in the sector, including creative director and design manager.

Graphic Design Education

October 21, 2016/in Blog /by Lisa Parmley

If you want to work as a graphic designer, you’ll probably first have to undergo education and training at a graphic design college. Almost every job in the field requires an associate’s degree at least, although many entry-level positions require a bachelor’s degree to be hired.

Some of the things that you’ll study in your graphic design degree are the fine arts, computer programs, and the importance of spatial design – all of which are important aspects of a career in graphic design.

Educational Options for Graphic Designers

If you’re trying to decide which school or program you should attend, or which of the online graphic design degrees you should get, look up the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. They list roughly two hundred and fifty graphic design colleges and schools from anywhere around the country that offer programs in graphic design. However, be sure to check into the school’s requirements, since many of the programs require prospective graphic design students to complete prerequisite courses and a year of basic art and design classes before they can enroll in the specialized graphic designer degree.

If you have past experience in these fields, look into programs or a graphic design online degree that allow you to place out of introductory courses.

Also, in the current competitive job market, it’s imperative that you be fluent in computer skills as well as design methods. You’ll probably learn how to use graphic design programs like Illustrator and Quark in your regular classes, but you may find it helpful to take additional classes in computer technology. Enhancing your resume with these classes makes you a much more appealing candidate to graphic design firms.
Most entry-level positions in the field of advanced graphic design require that employees have graphic design degrees (bachelor’s degrees) or a degree in a related program.

The education that’s involved in getting a graphic design degree generally includes art, the principles of design, designing with computers, commercial production, printing techniques and web site design. Many times the college or institute that you’re attending will also require general education courses that revolve around history, psychology, English, marketing, business, and sociology. It’s the combination of all of this useful information that will help you put the study of graphic design into actual real world practice.

If you plan to get an associate’s degree or certificate from a technical school instead of a bachelor’s, check into these programs to see exactly what you’ll be studying and what, if any, requirements the program has. Many times, postsecondary schools consider a degree in graphic design to be part of the school’s art program, so you may have to submit drawings, sculptures, or other examples of your art in order to be admitted into the program.

When you begin your entry-level position as a graphic designer, you’ll learn that one of the most important aspects of the career is being as detail oriented as possible. It’s important that you have an eye for details and that you use this talent for the benefit of your graphic design career. You’ll need to make sure that you’ve kept all of the best examples of your work in a portfolio so that you can easily demonstrate to potential employers the range of your work and what you are capable of.

Graphic Design Schools

Many colleges and universities offer degrees in graphic design, but which university you’ll want to attend really depends on what area of graphic design you want to get into.

If you’re looking to create graphics for advertisements or marketing publications, you may want to select a graphic design school or college with a good marketing program, as well as a good graphic design program. However, if your goal is to work in animation or film, you’ll want to look for colleges that have a strong program in those areas.

Choosing a Graphic Design School

However, no matter what you do, you’re going to need at least a bachelors degree for most entry level jobs – although some positions will only require an associate degree. You’ll probably want to get the four year degree, though, because you’ll be able to learn more about graphic design and command a higher salary when you do complete your all your graphic design courses.

A few decades ago, graphic designers did most of their work using pencil and paper, while today, nearly everything is done on computers. As such, one of the things you’ll want to look at in choosing a graphic design program is how many classes in computer design you’ll be taking.

To really get the most out of your degree, you’ll need to learn as many different graphic programs as you can. The programs you’ll want to learn may also depend on the career path you plan to pursue – check with a firm that specializes in your field to see what programs they use regularly.

However, that’s not to say that you’ll want to find graphic design courses that focus solely on computer graphics. You’ll most likely be required to take at least a few standard art classes during your first year in school. If you have a specific field you want to work in, it’s a good idea to find a few elective classes to supplement your program, or even consider minoring in that area. If you’re thinking about going into business for yourself or doing freelance graphic design work, a minor in business may be helpful.

As a graphic design student, you’ll take classes on principles of design, computer-aided design, commercial graphics, and possibly even web site design or a class specifically focused on creating graphics for websites. Since you’ll be working closely with your clients and colleagues, it’s not a bad idea to take a basic writing course – especially one that focuses on technical or business writing – to improve your communication skills.

Don’t expect to stop taking classes once you finish your degree. Graphic designers have to stay current with the newest graphic software, so you may need to do some continuing education classes during your career or take courses from an online graphic design school. Fortunately, most companies will pay for your training. However, if you’re a freelance graphic designer, you’ll either have to learn the new programs on your own or pay for the classes yourself.

With most colleges offering associates, bachelors, or even masters degrees in graphic design, chances are you’ll find a program that you enjoy and that suits your specific career goals. You may even be able to find online graphic design courses that meet your needs. Several online graphic design schools offer online degrees in graphic design and related fields that allow you to work full-time while pursuing your goal of building a career in graphic design.

Graphic Designer Career Description

October 21, 2016/in Blog /by Lisa Parmley

When it comes to jobs and career paths, graphic design career options are numerous. You could go into advertising and create various ads and promotional pieces for large companies. You can work as a photographer, utilizing your skills in digital photography and image manipulation. Many people also choose to build their graphic designer careers in TV and cartoon animation or working in the film industry. Becoming a graphic designer requires special skills and creativity.

Did you know that live action films often require graphic designers?

You can also go into the more traditional graphic design work and create business cards, brochures, packaging, and other visual pieces for businesses. As you can see, careers with graphic design offer limitless potential.

Creative needs in publishing, journalism, film, business, government and more, graphic designers are in high demand. No matter what field you choose, knowing your way around computers and graphic design software is a must these days, so be ready to be in front of a computer for a good portion of your work day.

With the internet becoming more and more important to businesses, many graphic designers – especially those working for companies – are often asked to create graphics for their company’s website. It’s very helpful for future graphic designers to have an idea of how graphics on the web work; and learning website design isn’t a bad idea, either. In fact, if you’re interested in doing website design as a career, a graphic design degree is one option you can pursue.

While graphic designers spend a lot of time in front of their computers, they also spend time attending meetings with clients. Before you can create the graphics, you’ll first have to meet with your employer to work out what kind of graphics they want. In some cases, this may be your boss or fellow co-workers. In others, it may be a client who has solicited the services of your company. In any case, you’ll need to have good communication and people skills. One of the biggest challenges you’ll encounter in your career as a graphic designer is figuring out what your client really wants and then creating it for them.

There are a few more graphic design career options. As you advance in the field of graphic design, you may find yourself moving more into a managerial position. Senior graphic designers often supervise the junior designers and only take on graphic work for important clients or for large projects. In ten years or more, those with great careers in graphic design might find themselves reviewing others’ work and making decisions on final design rather than doing the actual designing themselves.

Another career option for graphic designers is to freelance. Instead of working a regular job, freelancers take on work on a contract basis. Some pick up work from companies who don’t have enough graphic designers on staff to handle the load. Others start their own graphic design businesses and take on work from clients they solicit. In fact, almost a fourth of all graphic designers are self-employed. The fact that you can be your own boss is certainly a great career selling point for graphic designers!

Graphic design is a booming industry and profession in recent times. Professionals love the creativity involved in the work of a graphic designer as well as the entrepreneurial opportunities in the field. It also helps that there is an ever present need for graphic and web designers now that almost everyone in the country has a website or other web presence.

However, a career in graphic design is not one to be taken lightly. If you want to seriously pursue the possibilities in this field, it’s important to build on your skills and work to become the most capable graphic designer you can be. Reputation and quality of service are essential to your career success.

Graphic Designer Job Description

Graphic designers use their abilities to create visual images that solve a problem or communicate a message. These days, graphic designers use computer software to create electronic versions of their designs to be used in online media and print. Graphic designers are employed in a wide range of different industries for a variety of purposes. The practical skill of the graphic designer is their ability to use design software to produce images. But the most important skill of a graphic designer is their ability to create unique, effective designs that meet the needs of the project.

Benefits of Becoming a Graphic Designer

The benefits you enjoy as a graphic designer are many, which is why so many established and rising professionals pursue it as a career. Most graphic designers love the creative aspect of their job. Many graphic designers are artists and creators in addition to professionals, and graphic design is an opportunity to apply their passion to their career.

Also, there are numerous employment options in graphic design. You have the freedom to choose which area of graphic design you’d like to pursue as there are many different ways for graphic designers to apply their talents.

Graphic design also affords you a great deal of independence. While some graphic designers secure full time jobs with advertising firms and other employers, many graphic designers as many as 25%–are self employed. As a freelance graphic designer, you can work remotely from almost anywhere and work with clients all over the world. You aren’t necessarily limited to one geographic location.

You can also pursue graphic design as a lucrative side job for extra income. Many graphic designers have full time jobs in other fields, but work as graphic designers in their spare time. Graphic design is a valuable skill that can be applied in many ways.

Moving up in a Graphic Design Career

Entry level positions in graphic design employment offer lower salaries and less responsibility. However, your early graphic design jobs are great opportunities to benefit from on-the-job training and hone your skills. Real work experience is where you really improve to become a more marketable professional.

Advancement in your graphic design career can take many forms. If you work for a graphic design firm, good performance and job promotions could lead to a position as creative director or other design supervisor. Moving up could also mean a successful career as a freelance graphic designer. With a substantial portfolio and years of experience, you could have the expertise to launch your own design firm or freelance design career.

Graphic Designer Job Duties

Depending on the nature of the work, graphic designers typically interface with clients to determine their needs for the project. If designing a website, you’ll select colors, images, textures and shapes to create the layout and look of the website. Using computer software, you will design a template for the website based on your designs.

However, website design is just one industry in which graphic designers can work. Others include:

Video game design
Advertising
Branding
Journalism
Textiles
And many more

Many graphic designers work in standard office environments on a typical, five-day work schedule. Freelance graphic designers will have the opportunity to work whenever and wherever they want.

Getting Started as a Graphic Designer

Salaries in graphic design vary greatly as does job availability. Competition is steep in this industry. However, you can jumpstart your graphic design career by getting a good education as part of your foundation.

A Bachelor’s degree in graphic design is an important first step to launching your graphic designer career. Most employers will require a four-year degree to consider you for an entry level position. While many two-year graphic design programs are out there, professionals with this level of training are likely to find jobs as assistants to graphic designers rather than starting out as graphic designers themselves.

A Bachelor’s degree also helps you develop other skills that are important to a successful career such as creativity, conceptualization and communication. It’s important to communicate with team members and clients in order to deliver a quality product. Overall, well-rounded, skilled, and talented graphic designers have the most options and you can build these traits through training and diligence.

A Day in the Life of a Graphic Designer

If you’re thinking about beginning a graphic designer career you will need to know how to solve problems and put the solutions in print. The perfect example would be a magazine that is sold around the country. The management has an idea of how they would like the magazine laid out. It is up to the graphic designer to be able to construct the layout and the design. You will need some sort of imagination when you go into this field because, you want to be able to vision whatever you are designing before you actually put it in motion.

You will have clients that you are working with and meeting with throughout the project. You have to be able to hear what they are asking for then you will use all your resources in order to give them the best design or layout. In the graphic designer career you will learn that there is a certain audience target that the client is trying to pull in to their business in order to purchase their products. The audience target is what you will have to do some research on in order to see what they are interested in so you can design something that will grab their attention and pull them to the company.

Once you have decided on what the best approach is for the client you will be ready to put your skills to use. As a graphic designer, you will sketch your visions on paper so you do not forget anything. Once you have a sketch going and are feeling good about it you know get to bring it to life. This is done with a computer that has the proper software installed. You will now take the sketch and draw it on the computer screen where you will add color, sounds and any other visual elements. Once everything is put together on the computer then you will have to present it to your client. The client will give their approval for proceeding forward or could even ask you to add a little more to the product. There might be times in your career that you will help the press operators decide on the ink and the paper that should be used in order to capture the best picture in print.

When you are working for a company there is no end to where they might need you to apply your skills. It could be to a website, a magazine, banners on the Internet, brochures, T-shirts, etc. Sometimes these skills could even be used for making video games come to life on the screen.

If you have always wanted to make your visions come to life and are able to come up with solutions to problems, then a graphic designer career may be for you. Sometimes you will work alone while other times you will work with a team and be in charge of people under you. This career choice is always in demand.

Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam

October 16, 2016/in Blog /by Lisa Parmley

The Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam (PE Exam) is the last step on the road to becoming a licensed engineer. Before you qualify to take the PE exam, you must pass the FE Exam (or successfully waive the requirement) and gain at least 4 years of engineering experience under your belt. Your state licensing board will review your experience to determine if you qualify to sit for the PE exam.

You can choose to take one PE Exam based on your engineering specialty. The PE Exams you may choose from include:

PE Agricultural
PE Architectural
PE Chemical
PE Civil
PE Control Systems
PE Electrical and Computer
PE Environmental
PE Fire Protection
PE Industrial
PE Mechanical
PE Metallurgical
PE Mining and Mineral
PE Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
PE Nuclear
PE Petroleum
PE Structural I
PE Structural II
PS (Principles and Practice of Surveying)

The exams vary from 6-8 hours. They are all divided up into morning and afternoon sessions regardless of the length. The exams contain between 80-100 multiple-choice questions. The exception to this is the PE Structural II exam, which instead consists of 8 essay questions – 4 of which must be answered.

All exams are open book. Only specific, approved calculator models may be used. You may not bring any pagers or cell phones into the exam room.

Once you pass the exam, you will be licensed in your jurisdiction. You can apply for a license in other jurisdictions by contacting each licensing board. The PE Exam was first administered in 1966. The uniform, national PE Exam that is used today was adopted in the U.S. by 1984.

What Counts as Acceptable Engineering Experience for the PE Exam?

In order to qualify for the Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam (PE Exam), a candidate will need to work as an engineer for 4 years.

Some of this experience may have been accumulated during college (i.e. an internship). And in some states, an advanced degree (i.e. a Ph.D) may count for a portion of the experience. You will need to check the specific rules in your state.

There are several criteria that must be met for a specific position to count as acceptable engineering experience for the PE exam. Firstly, the work experience must be in a major recognized branch of engineering and it must also be in the specific branch of engineering the individual is claiming as his or her specialty. The experience must also have been conducted under the supervision of a more qualified engineer.

Further criteria include that the work experience should allow the individual to develop his or her technical skills. Lastly, the experience must progress from simpler tasks to more complex tasks with more responsibility and be considered “well-rounded”. It is important that the individual has performed independent decision making skills and accountability during the work experience.

You will have to communicate that your work experience meets these criteria to the state board when applying for your engineering license. Therefore, you should document your work experience as clearly and specifically as possible. Keep records of all the individuals who can verify your experiences. Take care when filling out the work experience portion of your licensing application as the board will review it carefully.

While gaining your engineering experience, it is wise to tell your employer that you plan to become a licensed engineer and they will usually be happy to ensure that your work experience meets the criteria for licensing.

What is the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (FE Exam)?

October 16, 2016/in Blog /by Lisa Parmley

The Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (also known as the FE Exam or EIT Exam in some states) tests your basic understanding of engineering.

You may take it right after graduating from a 4-year college or university engineering program. You may also choose to take it while still completing your engineering program (usually during your last year in school).

The FE Exam is basically a measure of your competency to enter engineering as a profession. It assesses your college education. Many employers will not hire a recent graduate who has not yet taken the FE Exam.

Please note that if you are interested in becoming a surveying engineer, you would take the FS Exam rather than the FE Exam.

It is possible to waive the requirement to take the FE Exam if you are an engineer with an advanced degree (Ph.D.) or decades of work experience.

The FE Exam is 8 hours in length and is entirely multiple-choice. You will have two sessions of 4 hours each, one in the morning, and the other in the afternoon. The exam is closed book, but you will have access to limited reference material.

During the exam, you may not bring in cell phones or pagers. Only calculators specified by National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), the entity that governs the engineering licensure exams, may be used during the examination.

You must score a 70 or above to pass the FE Exam. After the successful completion of the FE Exam, you will need to gain at least 4 years of qualified engineering experience after which then you will take the Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam (PE Exam).

The PE exam delves into engineering details you would gain from real-world experience and is the last major step for becoming a licensed engineer.

The In’s and Out’s of the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (FE Exam)

The exam is closed book, but you will be supplied a copy of the FE Supplied-Reference Handbook for your use.

The FE Exam contains 180 multiple-choice questions. The morning session contains 120 questions relevant to all engineering disciplines. The afternoon session contains 60 questions.

You will have a choice to make during the afternoon session. Your 60 questions may either consist of more general engineering questions or those pertaining to your area of interest. These may include questions related to chemical, civil, electrical, environmental, industrial, or mechanical engineering.

You must answer all the questions you are administered during the FE Exam. The 120 questions in the morning session are broken down into 12 different topic areas. These include the following…

Question Topic (Approximate % of Test)
Mathematics (15%)
Engineering Probability and Statistics (7%)
Chemistry (9%)
Computers (7%)
Ethics and Business Practices (7%)
Engineering Economics (8%)
Engineering Mechanics (10%)
Strength of Materials (7%)
Material Properties (7%)
Fluid Mechanics (7%)
Electricity and Magnetism (9%)
Thermodynamics (7%)

You can see a further breakdown of the topics in the NCEES publication. The afternoon session includes 60 questions in one of the 6 specialty areas (chemical, civil, electrical, environmental, industrial, or mechanical) or further general engineering questions.

The FE Exam was first administered in 1965. Since 1985, all licensing boards have used the same national exam. The specialty option was offered beginning in 1996.

Why Become a Licensed Engineer?

October 16, 2016/in Blog /by Lisa Parmley

Often a degree alone is not enough for many engineering positions. As you can imagine, practicing as an engineer often requires strict adherence to safety and public health issues.

Therefore, licensing is a necessity to prove that a particular engineer understands all the concepts and the code of ethics involved with working as an engineer.

Licensing will help an engineer prove that they have the highese level of qualifications and professional competency.

For all these reasons, licensing will enhance your status and professionalism as an engineer. Getting licensed may also help you gain employment, demand a higher salary and qualify for more prestigious positions and projects.

A licensed engineer may use the initials P.E. after their name (Professional Engineer). As you probably recognize, with the uncertainties in this day and age, the more credentials you have, the better your chances of finding employment are. You need to position yourself properly for employment. You need to be prepared to adapt to changing workforce. Taking the extra steps to becoming a licensed engineer will only put you in a better position.

Many companies make it a requirement to become a licensed engineer and provide rewards for those that take the steps toward licensing. Some companies will help their employees with licensure by providing review courses and even reimbursement of the application and required fees.

A few advantages on becoming a licensed engineer…

Only licensed engineers may pursue careers as consultants or private practitioners.
Only licensed engineers may put in order, present, sign and seal engineering plans and drawings to a public authority for approval.
In some states, only licensed engineers may teach.
Some higher level government engineering jobs can only be filled by licensed engineers.
Only a licensed engineer may use the title “engineer” to the public.

Enhance your credibility and open up new doors for your career. Rise to the top of your company or department!

How to Get Your Engineering License?

When you are ready to begin securing your engineering license, you will need to review your states laws. Licensure is governed by individual state legislatures and may vary from state to state.

Fortunately, the laws governing professional engineers are similar. The basic steps include graduating from a college or university, gaining experience in the field of engineering (4 years) and passing the required written exams.

Once you graduate, make sure you start the licensing process (if you have not already begun) by gaining the pre-license certificate known as the Engineers in Training (EIT) certificate. This certificate is also called Engineer Intern (EI) in some states.

The EIT (or comparable certificate) signifies that you have completed the engineering degree requirements and have passed the Fundamental of Engineering Exam (FE Exam). In order to gain an EIT certification, the degree requirements must be met as well as a successful score on the FE exam. After that, the candidate will have to pay a small fee (between $10 and $100) depending on the state.

However, gaining the EIT certificate does not mean you are a licensed engineer; you still need to meet the engineering experience requirements (usually 4 years of experience are necessary) and pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam (PE Exam). In most states, you may not take the PE Exam until you have gained at least 4 years of qualifying engineering experience.

The EIT is usually good for ten years and in most cases, your state will transfer it to another if you move before you take the PE Exam. In addition, most states will transfer the PE Exam without further examination.

To summarize, most states require the completion of an engineering degree and the passing of an 8-hour Fundamentals of Engineering exam. Upon completion of the degree and the passing of the FE Exam, the candidate will qualify for the EIT certificate. Once the engineer completes the engineering experience requirements (usually 4 years of experience is required) and an 8-hour Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam in the engineer’s specialty, they qualify for official certification as a Professional Engineer and may use the initials P.E. after their name.

Who is in Charge of Licensing Engineers?

The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) prepares all the FE and PE exams for engineering licensure. The NCEES is in charge of the licensure of all engineers, regardless of the state the engineer resides in.

The General Steps for Becoming a Licensed Professional Engineer…

Graduate from a college or university engineering program (must be ABET-accredited).
Take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam – usually right after graduation (or you may take it right before). The FE exam is offered every April and October and lasts 8 hours. The FE exam rules may vary due to the state you are in. Most states allow individuals to take the FE exam before they gain experience.
Get a job in engineering and gain 4 years of experience (again this can vary from state to state, but most require 4 years).
Take the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam in your specialty. This is the second and last exam in the licensure process. This exam is also offered every April and October and is an 8 hour exam.

Please recognize that these steps are only a general overview of the steps required to become a professional engineer. The rules can vary from state to state. Therefore, you will need to contact your state licensing board for details on licensing in your jurisdiction.