How to apply for the Certificate Track

Applications are now open

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Applications are submitted via Submittable.

To join our new Comics and Narrative Arts Certificate Program, you must apply by December 15. Our first cohort of artists is assembling—we encourage you to apply today!

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. Students are responsible for registering for their own classes and paying their own tuition fees at the start of each semester.

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 6–10 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.

V. International Student Language Proficiency

If you are an international student, good working knowledge of English is required to apply.

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

When is the best time to apply for the Certificate Program?

The Art Students League Certificate Program accepts applications from interested students on an ongoing basis without a set deadline. However, students who wish to join the Certificate Program and begin classes at the start of a particular session should take note of the below timing:

Applications should be submitted by mid-August to join the Fall Session.

Applications should be submitted by mid-December to join the Spring Session.

Can I study whatever discipline I want in the Certificate Program?

Generally, students in the Certificate Program may choose to concentrate in one of five disciplines: Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, or Mixed Media. As of fall 2023, we now offer a Certificate of Fine Art in Comics and Narrative Arts. This new iteration of the program has some unique requirements for completion but can be applied to via Submittable, in the same application as the other disciplines in the program.

Additionally, your education benefits may require you to choose your discipline from a more limited list. For example, VA education benefits can only be used to fund the study of Painting, Printmaking, or Sculpture. For more information about how your unique circumstances, or how students select which discipline to concentrate in, please email Tom Tacik at tom@artstudentsleague.org.