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How to apply for the Certificate Track
Applications are now open
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Access the Certificate Program application via Submittable.
Core Requirements
The League offers a two-year and a four-year version of the Certificate Program. Regardless of the duration of their selected program, students must enroll in a minimum of 22 hours of class time per week.
International Students and Veterans who use VA Educational Benefits are only permitted to concentrate in the Four-Year Painting, Printmaking, or Sculpture Certificate Program. Concentrations in Mixed Media, Drawing, and the Two-Year Certificate Program are not approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). More information about the Certificate Program for International Students and Veterans is available below.
Four-Year Certificate of Completion
- Eight semesters of one primary class in chosen major discipline: Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, Drawing, or Mixed Media. The chosen primary class must be a Monday–Friday class offered in the AM, PM, or EVE session.
- Eight semesters of secondary class in any discipline, selected from any full-time or part-time class offered at the League.
- Satisfactory progress reports from class instructors each semester over the four years.
- Satisfactory attendance reports each semester over the four years.
Two-Year Certificate of Completion
- Four semesters of one primary class in chosen major discipline: Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, Drawing, or Mixed Media. The chosen primary class must be a Monday–Friday class offered in the AM, PM, or EVE session.
- Four semesters of secondary class in any discipline, selected from any full-time or part-time class offered at the League.
- Satisfactory progress reports from class instructors each semester over the two years.
- Satisfactory attendance reports each semester over the two years.
Comics and Narrative Arts Certificate
- In addition to the requirements of the other Certificate Program disciplines, students in the Comics and Narrative Arts Certificate Program are expected to attend supplementary workshops and events hosted by industry professionals that will focus on career-building skills, including conventions and networking, portfolio development, publishing, and exhibitions.
- In this two-year program, students will work one-on-one with instructors to select appropriate classes for a first year of foundational skill-building with a heavy emphasis on drawing, and a second year of concentrated study and mentorship that culminates in the creation and publication of an anthology.
Tuition & Fees
Tuition fees for the Certificate Program are based on your primary and secondary core requirements and vary based on your class selection. Certificate students must register for an entire semester (four months) of classes each term (Spring and Fall). Tuition and fees are due upon registration.
A Certificate Fee of $300 is charged for each semester of enrollment, and international students pay an additional International Student Fee of $300 per semester. Tuition does not include non-refundable school fees that the student is responsible for, such as monthly locker rental, class material fees, studio fees, and art supplies. Both tuition and fees are subject to change.
Eligibility & Application Requirements
To apply for the Certificate Program, please include the following materials:
I. Statement of Intent and C.V.
A Statement of Intent describes your reason for pursuing a Certificate of Completion with the Art Students League of New York. 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.
II. Artwork Submission
A portfolio of 10 images, submitted online (jpeg file format preferred), is the most important aspect of your application. We advise applicants to submit work that is appropriate to their chosen program.
III. Transcripts
- Applicants to the two-year Certificate Program must demonstrate a minimum of two academic school year’s 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.
- An official transcript is required for applicants who need to show evidence of previous study in the fine arts.
- A degree or diploma is not necessary to be accepted into the League's Certificate Program. Official Transcripts from The Art Students League are accepted.
IV. Application Fee
A non-refundable application fee of $50 will be charged for each application submitted.
For Domestic Students
US citizens, permanent residents, and individuals in a non-immigrant category who are able to pursue a full course of study may apply to the 2-year or 4-year Certificate Program. Domestic students are eligible to apply for concentrations in Drawing, Comics and Narrative Arts, Painting, Printmaking, Mixed Media and Sculpture.
If you’re interested in attending the League as a certificate student, please make an appointment for either an in-person or remote (Zoom or phone call) meeting here.
For Veterans
The Art Students League of New York is approved by New York State Division of Veterans’ Affairs to accept students who wish to use their Veterans Education Benefits. To be eligible to use your VA Education Benefits, students must be accepted to the full-time Certificate Program and submit their official acceptance letter and League Student ID number to the VA.
To make an appointment for either in-person or remote (telephone or Zoom) meetings, please click here.
VA students are subject to the specific refund policies of the Department of Veterans Affairs regulation [38 CFR 21.4255].
For International Students
The Art Students League of New York is authorized under Federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students.
International Students are permitted to concentrate only in Four-Year Painting, Printmaking, or Sculpture Certificate Programs. Concentrations in Mixed Media, Drawing, and the Two-Year Certificate Program are not approved by SEVP.
Form I-20: Certificate of Eligibility for F-1 Student Status
International students who wish to attend the Art Students League of New York must apply and be admitted to the Four-Year Certificate Program. The Form I-20 will be issued upon acceptance and satisfactory proof of financial capability by completing the I-20 Application Form.
Language Proficiency
If you are an international student, a good working knowledge of English is required. This will be determined through an interview and written correspondence. TOEFL scores are not required.
International Student Advising
The League’s Office of International Student Services provides the opportunity for prospective students to meet with the Principal Designated School Official. To make an appointment for either in-person or remote (telephone or Zoom) meetings, please click here.
FAQs
What are the deadlines for applying to the Certificate Track?
During the League’s annual Regular Session (September-May), the Certificate track functions on an academic calendar of two semesters per year with start dates in September for the Fall term, and February for the Spring term.
Applications for the Fall term are due July 15th.
Applications received before May 31st will be given early decisions for the Fall term.
Applications for the Spring term are due December 15th.
Applications received before October 31st will be given early decisions for the Spring term.
International students currently in F1 status considering a transfer to the League, or students who must apply for a new F1 visa, must allow for sufficient processing times and are highly encouraged to apply early.
Can I study whatever discipline I want in the Certificate Program?
Students who wish to earn a Certificate must concentrate in one of six disciplines: Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, Mixed Media, or Comics and Narrative Arts (CNA). Students in all disciplines are admitted through the same application (which can be found on our Submittable page), but please note some concentrations, such as CNA, have unique requirements for completion.
International students and students using VA education benefits through the GI Bill can only concentrate in Painting, Printmaking, or Sculpture. (See information for International Students and Veterans, above.)
For more information about your unique circumstances, or how students select which discipline to concentrate in, please make an appointment to speak with an advisor here:
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH AN ADVISOR HERE
What are the enrollment requirements for the Certificate track?
Students have great flexibility in creating a curriculum each semester based on personal goals and interests. The core of the program is concentrated study in one discipline through enrollment in a class meeting five days a week. Additional classes are required to meet minimum enrollment.
Full-time students maintain a minimum registration of 22 in-class hours per week, consisting of one class in their chosen discipline that meets Monday–Friday, and at least one part-time class (which may be outside the area of concentration). Part-time enrollment is a minimum registration of 11 hours per week.
* Part-time enrollment in the Certificate Track is not available for international students in F1 status or veterans utilizing GI Bill education benefits.
Students will be awarded their Certificate of Completion based on their ability to complete enrollment requirements, satisfactory attendance, and an assessment by their advisor that establishes they’ve made progress toward their artistic goals.
The Four-Year Certificate requires a minimum cumulative enrollment of 2,816 hours.
The Two-Year Certificate requires a minimum cumulative enrollment of 1,408 hours.
Certificate students must register for the entire 16-week semester. Month-to-month registration is not permitted.
Can I change my concentration after starting the program? Can I change my class selection?
Fulfillment of program requirements is based on cumulative class hours within one area of concentration. Changing concentrations may result in a change in your program end date.
There is an add/drop period in the first three weeks of each semester. Students may transfer to different classes during this period. When the add/drop period has passed students are no longer able to make changes to their schedules for the remainder of the semester.
What are the fees and tuition rates for the Certificate Program?
The following chart details approximate tuition costs and fees per semester based on full-time enrollment:
These amounts are based on monthly tuition rates as listed on the League’s website. Full tuition and fees for the semester are due at the time of registration prior to the start of each semester. Prices are subject to change. International students should review the I-20 application for details about annual financial capability requirements
DOWNLOAD I-20 APPLICATION INFORMATION PDF HERE
I took classes at the League in the past and/or have been taking classes recently. Can my current or previous enrollments count towards earning a Certificate?
Unfortunately, no. This is because you were not matriculated into the Certificate track, and your attendance and progress were not recorded. Your previous study was within the League’s general open enrollment.