Norm W. Loc: Southern CA

I’m a retired high school educator of graphics including photography.
In my early 30s with a family I faced the same delema you have expressed.
Of course a degree is required for a teaching credential but in addition I found the acquisition of a degree an enriching experience. Education provides a broader perspective of life’s issues and usually increases ones employment options and earning power. The ancillary courses required, which some consider superfluous, contribute broading ones horizons. Acquiring a degree also demonstrates one has the ability to pursue a challenging process to completion.
Because knowledge is power, in the US during the days of slavery educating a slave was punishable by death. Those in power wanted to prevent competition, this illustrates how important knowledge can be.
I was able to go from a machine operator to designer, planner and teacher. I was able to enrich the lives of my students, teach them a saleable skill and contribute to the improvement of my community.
My suggestion for you is go for the degree. I predict that after you go through the effort to acquire a degree you will never regret it.
Think of how many people wish they had a degree vs those who have a degree and regret having gotten a degree.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Norm, well said! My guess is that most that poo-poo a degree don’t have one.
I’ve always said that NO education is wasted. Even if you never use it, at least you can speak intelligently, even if only about one subject!!!
SS

Darkroom317 Loc: Mishawaka, IN

Throughout my time in undergrad I endured several different levels of critiques. These were physical in person critiques with prints on the wall. Every class I took had around 13 students and our critiques often took up nearly the whole 3 hour a day allotted class time.

In addition to those critiques as part of the BFA program, I had to have BFA critiques/ evaluations each semester. These were 30 minute critiques with faculty members from different areas, other BFA students and MFA students. The student would talk about there work, then the critics would ask questions and make comments about the work. The student would also attempt to defend and explain their work during this time.

My first BFA critique was awful. The faculty were the two of the toughest people in the department, a painting professor and an art historian. They tore my work apart for at least 20 minutes, telling me that my work did not reflect my intentions and needed to printed better. They were correct. The next semester my work was far better and the critique went far better.

I also was one of the few BFA students that sat in on the end of semester MFA critiques. These were similar to our BFA critiques but far more intense and BFA/ MFA students were prohibited from comments. The faculty would critique the students work and they would answer questions and defend their work and concept.

These highly intense and critical discussions are the crux of art school. They are certainly not for those that are thin skinned. One cannot receive such feedback through videos and it is difficult to get it through forums such as this.

Here is the description of the BFA program that I went through: https://fulbright.uark.edu/departments/art/degrees/bachelor-of-fine-arts-art-studio.php
https://fulbright.uark.edu/departments/art/areas-of-study/photography.php

Here is the description of the MFA program I will be starting this fall: https://soaad.indiana.edu/academics/graduate/mfa.html
https://soaad.indiana.edu/academics/areas/photography/index.html

Darkroom317 Loc: Mishawaka, IN

While I believe that art school is highly beneficial I agree with several others about the AI schools. These are institutions that are expensive and are essentially degree mills. They don't have the best reputation in the academic art community. They are similar to other for profit schools such as Corinthian Colleges, which recently went under. However, it appears that many of the AI schools are starting to be connected to state institutions. If I recall they had financial difficulty which has prompted this change.

I would personally steer clear of them and attend a community college or state university. These institutions allow people to audit a certain number of classes I am not sure if the AI schools allow this.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Yep.

dbfalconer Loc: Salida CO

I’m all for education and trying new things, but I am a little leery of this particular path. I have not yet read the many pages of responses you have received. My big question is: What is your goal? If you are aiming to make a career of photography, I’d encourage you to consult some pros in your area of interest—weddings, commercial, travel, etc. You might find a mentor would be the most help. Or an apprenticeship. Volunteer as an assistant to get a feel for the real-world experience. At the very least, discuss the AI program with several graduates as well as instructors. But defining your goals needs to come first, I think.
Perhaps UHH members who are AI grads will share their experiences with us all. Good luck!

fotoman150

I am overwhelmed with all the responses.

What I’m getting is a wide degree of differing opinions.

Each one is a little different and adds another nuance for me to consider.

I think I’m going to look into NC State. If they have a photography program I think I will try to go in the fall. But if they have a master of fine arts that includes a bunch of painting and drawing I’m not interested.

A lot of people are asking me my goals and basically I have quite a bit of knowledge and have done a lot of paid work but have never felt like I was well-versed in the basics. As I said before I feel like I have been flying by the seat of my pants all the time. I want that to end. I want to approach a job and not have to think about the technical Issues and focus on composition and pleasing the client.

Darkroom317 Loc: Mishawaka, IN

A BFA will likely require studies in other areas. For my degree I was required in taking one class in the following areas in addition to photography classes, painting, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, graphic design and sculpture. Also, several art history classes, philosophy of art and color theory were required. Programs do vary greatly so it is likely very different at NC State.

Also, are you in the Raleigh area or are you outside of it. If you are close to Greenville NC, I can recommend East Carolina University. I visited there in March to check out their MFA program. They have a fantastic program and some of the nicest faculty I've ever met.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I am all for advanced education and the structure of degree producing programs, but I am very skeptical of no-name for-profit schools with poor (or no) accreditations and no public information on the details of the curriculum, background / credentials of the faculty and an extremly low matriculation percentage when there are solid universities and community college courses and programs where their credentials are public knowledge and their certificates/degrees are universally recognized and accepted for their value. I've seen too many worthless "Phoenix online type degrees" and the crushing debt accompanying them.

fotoman150

A lot of the responses are telling me that I don’t need a degree in order to make money. I agree and I’m well aware of that since I have been making money without a degree for a long time in photography, but as I said, I’ve been just muddling along. I don’t have a good feeling about the basics and having some formal training wouldn’t give me more confidence

Yes, I could get that experience free on YouTube but I won’t sit in front of YouTube for 4 to 5 hours a day three or four times a week and learn because I don’t have that kind of discipline, and I think I can be in love with photography and passionate about it and still be undisciplined.

A lot of my laziness and undiscipline has to do with the fact that I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I think my laziness has to do with the fact that I get depressed and I don’t know that I’m getting depressed I just feel like I’m being lazy.

fotoman150

I’m beginning to see that theme a lot in the responses and I think it’s very valid. I’m going to check into a state school.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

I did a math and statistics degree. I also spent a lot of time with friends at the local art school. I helped run the University photography club, but learned a whole lot from my art school friends. It has all been extremely helpful in my career. My degree says statistics, although that has been a minor component in my career. The communication components have been much more useful, but having a degree has definitely been valuable.

The more I've learned, the more that I have valued what I have learned from indirect things such as art history classes, philosophy of art and color theory. You never know when you are going to need them, or when they can help you build a relationship with somebody. Whether it is visual art, music, or quantum computing, it all comes in useful at some point, and you never know when.

However, a piece of paper from a degree mill may be of questionable value. Education is good, but it really is about the experience and what you learn, and can then turn to productive use.

I would choose carefully between the options and what you expect to gain. As with others, I believe the OP will benefit more from a different approach or institution to his goals and objectives.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Oh, yes!

Darkroom317 Loc: Mishawaka, IN

Agreed. I went on to take other courses in graphic design, painting and printmaking that were required. Painting greatly changed the way I look at things and very helpful in the way I approach photography. Art is often the sum of our life experiences. When I was younger I was interested in history, physics and metaphysics. I realized a while ago looking at the work I have been making that these interests are evident in my work.

As far as the paper degrees go, my undergrad mentor hung all of his diplomas and certificates in his studio bathroom above and around the toilet.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Ouch! It takes courage to disclose something like that. It also makes decision making harder. Are you in a manic or depressive phase? I have a close friend in that situation, and it is not easy.

Education is definitely a good thing and it helps provide focus if you mind is 'volatile'. I would definitely be careful about what courses you pick, but in this situation I would suggest a local community college or state university that would provide the stability and discipline that you may need. Your condition can be managed without doubt, but a support infrastructure may be very helpful. Casting yourself into hyperspace could be a problem.

Perhaps some of us on UHH can help.