Applying for January classes? Act now to complete your registration by December 22nd.
Earn Your Illustration Degree Online
Bachelor’s, Associate, and Certificate Programs
Registration Ends: December 22
Request info today—or call us at 800-258-4115!
Request Information
By submitting this form, you consent to an Admissions Advisor contacting you about our educational programs via email, phone, or SMS text. Message & data rates may apply. You can opt out or unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy.
About Our Programs
Unleash Your Artistic Talent
Are you dreaming of a career in illustration? Our digital media landscape has brought new opportunities in branding and storytelling, revitalizing creative genres like children's books, editorial, concept art, and graphic novels.
At Sessions College, you can take advantage of a wide array of illustration programs, from our intensive Undergraduate Certificate to our award-winning BFA. Mentored by a faculty of professional designers, you will gain industry-relevant skills and credentials—and enhance your creative portfolio.
Registration Deadline. Register by December 22 to join classes starting January 2025.
Program Length: Certificate to Bachelor's
Tuition: $300 per credit
Next Start:
January 6, 2025
App Deadline:
December 9
“Our students focus on advancing their artistic aesthetic, technical and conceptual skills, expanding their view of visual languages and storytelling, and examining the history and global impact of illustration and image-making.”
Jordon Schranz
Department Head of Illustration, Sessions College
Program Curriculum
Choose from an exciting range of degree level programs. Credit transfer and part-time schedules available.
The Undergraduate Certificate in Illustration provides a thorough foundation in digital and traditional illustration for computer artists. In just two semesters, you’ll gain an understanding of the fundamentals of vector graphics, still life and figure drawing, color theory, composition, painting, and how to implement these concepts using today’s digital arts software tools Photoshop and Illustrator. Students gain a valuable introduction to the practices and workflows of commercial illustrators.
- Intensive 24-credit program completed in 2 semesters.
- Gain in-demand art, design and software skills.
- Earn a stackable credential to advance your career.
- Financial aid for students who qualify.
The Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) in Illustration is an intensive two-year degree program for students seeking to enter careers in traditional and digital illustration. Developed for high school graduates and adult learners, the program offers a strong foundation in traditional drawing and painting and vector illustration, as well as a working knowledge of software and production techniques used by contemporary illustrators.
- Rigorous 72-credit program completed in 2 years or less.
- Provides a thorough foundation with a focus on building a portfolio.
- Includes Illustration Capstone and Portfolio Review.
- Financial aid, credit transfer, and creative scholarships for students who qualify.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in IllustrationB program prepares new and current illustrators for their careers as professional creatives. This online BFA program is designed to produce graduates with the skills and attributes for tomorrow’s challenges: resourceful, adaptive critical thinkers who are prepared to excel in a professional environment, and whose work is based on effective research, problem-solving, and design methodology.
- Comprehensive 120-credit program, completed in 3.3 years or less.
- Builds from an art/design foundation to individualized projects.
- Real world applications include work experience.
- Financial aid, credit transfer, and creative scholarships for students who qualify.
Program Outcomes
Students in each program can expect to develop core competencies:
Drawing
Draw and paint utilizing traditional media and classic techniques, demonstrating a command of proportion, perspective, value contrast, and the human figure.
Technology
Create images and graphics by effectively and efficiently using creative software including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and other industry technologies.
Illustration
Conceptualize, create and provide illustrations for a range of commercial applications in traditional or digital media.
Art/Design Principles
Demonstrate the ability to produce visually compelling artwork by applying knowledge of color, typography, and composition.
Projects
Produce and present a variety of illustration projects editorial illustration, sequential art, infographics, and portraits.
Portfolio
Apply creative problem solving and constructive feedback to conceive, produce, and present an impactful body of work that showcases your skills to employers and potential clients.
Illustration Associate Degree Program Outcomes
About Sessions College
Sessions College has been inspiring creative professionals for 25 years.
 Accredited since 2001, we have a unique and proven approach to online education.
Accredited by Distance Education Accrediting Commission since 2001
Recognized as top design school by GDUSA
Winner of four USDLA awards for distance education
A Better Way to Learn
- Fully Online and Asynchronous. Our programs are fully online and asynchronous, allowing you to fit learning into your life. We provide weekly deadlines to keep you on track, but there are no mandatory login times and our learning platform is available 24 hours a day.
- Project-Based Learning. Our curriculum is designed to be highly interactive and project-based from the ground up to improve learning outcomes and keep you engaged.
- Feedback from Creative Pros. Our program is taught by industry experts who provide 1:1 feedback on all of your work.
Career Outlook for Illustrators
Illustrators produce a wide range creative work for a myriad of industries including illustrating for editorial, books, concept art for games and animation, technical and medical illustration, advertising, logo design, packaging, cartoons, digital art, and more. Illustrators need to demonstrate technical expertise, artistic ability, business skills, creativity, customer-service skills, dexterity, and interpersonal skills.
Job Titles
Graduates could be employed as Editorial Illustrator, Children’s Book Illustrator, Concept Artist for Games and Animation, Technical and Medical Illustrator, Product Design and Licensing, Freelance Illustrator, Production Artist, Graphic Designer, Assistant Designer, Concept Artist, and User Experience (UX) Designer.
Median Annual Wage
According to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics the median annual wage* for craft and fine artists including illustrators was $59,300.
In May 2023, the median annual wages for craft and fine artists including illustrators in these top industries they work within:
| Federal government, excluding postal service | $105,640 |
| Motion picture and sound recording industries | $95,970 |
| Personal care services | $49,170 |
| Independent artists, writers, and performers | $45,970 |
Job Projections
Employment opportunities for illustrators are projected to grow 4 percent from 2022 to 2032.
There are about 5,500 projected openings for craft and fine artists including illustrators each year, on average, over the decade.
Based on Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics and Indeed Job Outlook data.
Truly Accessible and Affordable Education
Our simple, convenient online admissions process sets you up for success in your program.
Our truly affordable tuition is:
$7,200 per academic year (24 credits) – $3,600 per semester*.
Significantly more affordable than other online design or digital media colleges.
So affordable that 100% of tuition costs may be covered for eligible students.* Find out today if you qualify.
* Federal student aid and military education benefits available for eligible students.
What Students Gained from Our Illustration Courses
I truly enjoyed studying online. I am an independent learner and I like going at my own pace. I loved having the freedom and flexibility to work on my studies when it best fit my schedule.
My goals are to use what I have learned at Sessions College and apply it to my personal business as a digital illustrator. I have already gotten a few clients throughout the school semester and I am currently in the process of working on a book deal with a self-published author as an illustrator.
I had thought about a degree in Digital Arts for a long time but couldn’t commit to another BA or an AA degree. The Sessions Professional Certificate has been perfect for me so far in terms of timing, flexibility, and cost.
Featured Student Work
Student work on this page by: Grace Mahovsky, Tamara Lance, Lori Wyre.
Advance your career with our 100% online design and digital media programs today!
Sessions College
Main Office
404 S. Mill Avenue, Suite 201
Tempe, AZ 85281
Contact Us
800-258-4115 (US)
480-212-1704
admissions@sessions.edu