Certificate Program

The School offers a three year full-time Certificate program in either painting or sculpture, which focuses on intensive studio work. Students enrolled in the Certificate Program work alongside M.F.A. students in their respective ateliers. This close relationship between the two programs encourages a higher level of commitment, dedication and rigor for everyone involved.

Students can choose from a number of different ateliers that will serve as their major concentration each semester. The direction of each class is determined by the instructor, giving students the opportunity to choode from a wide variety of stylistic concerns.

As with the other programs offered, drawing is an integral part of the Certificate program. It is expected that whatever direction a student may wish to follow, they may gain the particular consciousness, visual literacy and insistence on clarity that drawing can promote. Drawing reflects the contemporary awareness of the artist who is teaching, yet the essential premise is that it is an indispensable stimulus to seeing.

The Certificate Program does not require the attendance at or completion of any Critical Studies courses. However, the Certificate program does require students to attend the lunchtime and evening lectures and participate in any discussions to supplement their studio classes.

This program is ideal for those students regardless of age and skill level who desire to further their understanding and artistic development within a program concentrated purely on studio practice.

Painting during summer session

Certificate candidates are reviewed by a committee on a yearly basis and evaluated according to their own progressive development and their commitment to the program. After successfully completing the three-year program, the student is eligible to receive a New York Studio School Certificate. A commencement ceremony is held for certificate candidates at the end of the school year.

Credit

While the Certificate is not considered an accredited program, art departments of colleges and universities throughout the country have granted credit for time students have spent at the School. Credit has been granted on a transfer basis for studio and art history courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels for work done during the regular school year and for summer sessions. Arrangements should be made through the student's home college or university art department.