Serious Advice Needed: Diploma or Degree???

[Mike Burnett]

I've been looking at several programs in photography, and am not sure if a two-year college diploma program is better/worse than a four-year degree from a university. I fully intend to do some course auditting and additional research, but I thought I would "get the ball rolling" here.

If you have any experience with any academic photography programs (university or college), please share them. Also, prod me; ask any questions that you think may help me decide what kind of schooling is best for what I want to do (I don't have a specific niche in mind, however).

Oh, and posters, ONLY RESPOND IF YOU HAVE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THIS TOPIC.

Cheers in advance.

[Murtasma]

I would probably go with a diploma, it will cost less, take less of your time, and you can get out quicker into the work force with less debt over your head.

Your creativity, will power, ambition and portfolio will land you a job not where your piece of paper was signed.

I have a friend that got a diploma, toward the end of her studies she realized she just didn't have what it took to be a professional advertisement photographer. She is now going into another area of advertising with a background in photography. She's upset she didn't have what it took but shes also happy she didn't waste untold sums of money and time in a 4 year program at a University. With her diploma and experience with photography she managed to land a job at an advertising firm.