Attending the Design Academy as a high school student offers the opportunity of purchasing college credits at a low-cost through from some 2-year colleges.

Additionally, the coursework in the Design Academy is structured based on articulation agreements and dual credit opportunities which allows student to further their education in the career pathway for Visual Arts. Agreements with colleges and universities are anticipated in the future and are renewed annually. In the past agreements have been arranged with Ozarks Technical College (OTC); Art Institute (AI) of St Louis and Schaumburg, Illinois (Chicago); and East Central College (ECC).

In order to enter the career field of visual arts, students entering the Design Academy are expected to continue their education after high school. It is anticipated, but certainly not required, that the student will do so with a school the Academy is articulated.