Our Fine Art Certificate Programs Help You Discover Your Focus in Fine Art
The League’s intensive Certificate Program is designed to cultivate growth of the individual’s talent within The League’s renowned atelier system. The Certificate Program consists of a Prescribed Course of Study leading to a Certificate of Completion. The Prescribed Course of Study is a dedicated two- or four-year plan of intensive study, tailored to meet professional and personal artistic interests. This semester-based program allows for two starting periods: September or January.
Two- or Four-Year Certificate Program
In the Two- or Four-Year Certificate Program, students concentrate in one of the following fine arts disciplines: Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, Drawing or Mixed Media. Students in the program fulfill core requirements that consist of a primary class in their discipline, plus a secondary, class in any discipline. Students select their core classes from the League’s schedule of classes. Additionally, students may elect to take supplemental League workshops, lectures, and sequential courses, as part of their Certificate Program. In either Certificate Program, students enroll in a required minimum 22 hours of instructed class and independent studio time per week. Students accepted into the two-year program must have at least two years of previous fine art study (see eligibility and requirements).
Students in the Certificate Program benefit from:
- Ongoing educational and professional development support from The League’s Student Affairs Department.
- An official certificate authenticating successful completion of a formalized art curriculum.
- A gallery exhibition with all students completing the Certificate Program that year.
- A wealth of other programs at The League, including intensive workshops; 12-week, goal focused “sequential” classes; exhibition and public art opportunities; and free art history lectures, artist talks, and critiques.
Applications for the Fall 2022 semester are now being accepted.
To apply for early decision for the Fall 2022 semester, please submit your materials by July 10. The final deadline to apply is August 14.
Core Requirements for a Certificate of Completion
Four-Year Certificate of Completion
- Eight semesters of a primary class in a chosen area of concentration: Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, Drawing or Mixed Media. (Note: Drawing and Mixed Media concentrations are not available to students with F-1 status or students using VA Education Benefits.)
- Primary class must be full-time, meeting in-person Monday to Friday in the morning, afternoon, or evening sessions, or online with two classes meeting twice weekly
- Secondary classes may be selected from any full time or part time class offerings in areas other than the concentration
- Satisfactory progress reports from class instructors each semester over the 4 years.
- Satisfactory attendance reports each semester over the 4 years.
Two-Year Certificate of Completion
- Four semesters of a primary class in the chosen area of concentration: Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, Drawing or Mixed Media.
- Primary class must be full-time, meeting in-person Monday to Friday in the morning, afternoon, or evening sessions, or online with two classes meeting twice weekly
- Four semesters of a secondary class in any discipline.
- Secondary classes may be selected from any full time or part time class offerings in areas other than the concentration
- Satisfactory progress reports from class instructors each semester over the 2 years.
- Satisfactory attendance reports each semester over the 2 years.
- Note: The two-year certificate program is not available to students in F-1 status or students using VA Education Benefits.
The Certificate of Completion is not a degree or a diploma.
Tuition & Fees
Tuition is a calculation of your primary and secondary core requirements and varies based on your class selection. Tuition does not include non-refundable school fees. Both tuition and school fees are subject to increase. Students are responsible to register and pay tuition at the start of each semester. An administrative fee of $275 is charged for each semester of enrollment. The student is responsible for all other fees not included in tuition, such as monthly locker rental, class material fees, studio fees, and art supplies.
Certificate Program Advising
The League’s Office of Student Affairs provides the opportunity for prospective students to meet with an advisor to discuss the program and to guide students through the application process. To make an appointment for either in-person or remote (telephone or Zoom) meetings, please click here.
Certificate Program Application Requirements
A certificate program student with instructor Barney Hodes in our clay sculpture studio.
Statement of Intent and C.V.
A Statement of Intent describes your reason for pursuing a Certificate of Completion with the Art Students League. You are encouraged to include information about yourself, your objectives, and your interests that may not be immediately apparent from a review of your portfolio and application.
Letters of Reference
Provide three (3) written references from individuals other than family members or relatives. Letters of reference should attest to the applicant’s fine arts studies and abilities.
Prior Studio Art Studies & Transcripts
- An official transcript is required to show your previous studies in the fine arts.
A degree or diploma is not necessary. Official Transcripts from the Art Students
League are accepted. - Applicants to the two-year Certificate Program must demonstrate a minimum of
2 academic years of study from a post-secondary Fine Arts Program - Applicants to the four-year Certificate Program must demonstrate previous fine
arts study from studio classes in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking or
mixed media.
Artwork Submission
Online artwork submission of 6–10 jpg images should be included in the application. It is advised that applicants choose work appropriate to their chosen program.
Application Fee
A non-refundable application fee of $50 is required.
Applications for the Fall 2022 semester are now being accepted.
To apply for early decision for the Fall 2022 semester, please submit your materials by July 10. The final deadline to apply is August 14.