To choose the best art history distance learning program, determine whether you need a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree or whether you simply want continuing education for your own edification, then find the program that delivers most of what you need. For any degree program, the first step is to make sure that the program you choose is from a fully accredited college or university, particularly if you are planning to earn your living in this field. Not every university has an art history distance learning program. That will make your job of wading through all the options somewhat easier.
If travel is an issue, don’t pick a school that’s too far away if the program requires you to make periodic campus visits. Be sure to take into account just how often campus visits are required and how many are required. This requirement, coupled with the distance to the campus, must be weighed as all of the options are taken into account.
Next, research the colleges and universities in the geographic region you are considering. Start a spreadsheet to compare the schools that offer an art history distance learning program. On the spreadsheet, list each pertinent fact about the university and about the art history distance learning program itself. Be sure to include the basics about each school, including accreditation information, tuition costs and other fees, retention and graduation rates, enrollment numbers, financial aid information and other facts that are important to meeting your needs.
Then, add to the spreadsheet each feature of the art history distance learning program that each of these colleges offer. By listing all of these facts about each school and each art history program on the spread sheet, you should be able to see their strengths and weaknesses at a glance. Now, analyze all the data on the spreadsheet and begin eliminating the programs that are least likely to fulfill your needs.
From this shorter list, make a detailed comparison of each remaining school and its art history distance learning program. Begin by making a list of the pros and cons of each remaining school and each art history distance learning program. Include a step-by-step list of the application process for each program. Determine from this comparison which programs are the ones to which you will apply.