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Certificate Program at the Academy

The four-year Certificate program is the most historic of the academic programs at the Pennsylvania Academy. In the first two years, students receive a thorough training in traditional and contemporary techniques of painting, drawing, sculpture and printmaking.  Under the mentorship of master artists, students take classes in cast drawing, life drawing and painting, anatomy, color, still life, figure modeling, perspective, etching, woodcut and art history. In their second year, students choose to focus study in the majors of drawing, painting, sculpture or printmaking. Third- and fourth-year students receive private studios while continuing an intensive mentoring relationship with critics chosen from a large faculty of professional working artists, representing a wide range of aesthetic viewpoints.

 

The Certificate program emphasizes excellence in studio art-making skills and abilities, and drawing is a requirement at all levels of the curriculum. All students attend critiques and lectures given by visiting artists and critics, and are in daily contact with the Academy's outstanding collection of American art. At the conclusion of their studies, students mount a thesis exhibition within the galleries of the Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building.

 

Academy students also can obtain a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) at the Academy with the Academy BFA or through the coordinated program with the University of Pennsylvania.



Admissions Early Decision Option


We are happy to announce that the Academy offers an Early Decision option for our Certificate and BFA candidates.  The Academy's Early Decision option is non-binding and is designed, simply, for those applicants for whom the Academy is a clear first choice for the study of art.  The Early Decision deadline is December 1.  To apply for this option, simply have your completed application (including portfolio) in the Office of Admissions by the December 1st deadline.  Be sure and check the Early Decision box on the application.  Early Decision applicants get early merit scholarship consideration and first choice if they elect to be housed at the International House, Philadelphia.  Please contact the Office of Admissions if you have any questions about this option.  
 
Please note that our application-- early decision or regular decision--is self-managed.  This means that the Office of Admissions recommends that you submit your completed application in one envelope.  This includes your completed and signed application form, the application fee, your personal statement, letters of recommendation (in sealed envelopes with the recommender's signature across the seal) and final, official transcript(s) (in sealed envelopes) along with your portfolio slides.  By self-managing your application, you will know that-- once we receive it-- your application is complete.  Naturally, we will also accept loose credentials sent directly to our office and will notify you when materials are missing.

 



Application
A non-refundable $40 application fee
Portfolio (see requirements)
Statement of Purpose
Two letters of recommendation
Sealed official high school transcript(s)
Official transcript from each college or university attended

International Students (in addition to items above)

Official translated school transcripts
A minimum TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
score of 500 (written) or 173 (computerized)
Affidavit of Support along with a notarized bank statement


Documents

Application (PDF file)

Links

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Academy BFA web site >
UPENN web site >