Admissions

The Fine Arts Certificate program at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) is a three-year career training program designed to prepare students for entry-level professional roles within the visual arts and related creative industries. This comprehensive curriculum emphasizes sequential skill development, technical mastery, and professional readiness through direct, hands-on instruction in painting, printmaking, digital art, and sculpture.

Program Length: 

Full-Time Enrollment
The length of the program is 3 years (90 weeks). The academic year consists of 30 weeks (15 week Fall Semester and 15 week Spring Semester). A full-time student is expected to register for 12.0-18.0 credits, 270-564 clock hours, per semester and complete 30.0 credits during the academic year.

• Foundation Year (30 weeks) - 30.0 credits, 819 clock hours 
• Intermediate Year (30 weeks) - 30.0 credits, 855 clock hours
• Advanced Year (30 weeks) - 30.0 credits, 948 clock hours

• TOTAL Program Length: 3 years (90 weeks) - 90.0 credits, 2,622 clock hours*

  *Note: Program completion in 3 years is contingent on full-time enrollment for all 3 years.

Half-Time Enrollment
Half-time enrollment is considered on a case-by-case basis for the Foundation Year and Intermediate Year. The Advanced Year is full-time enrollment only. The length of the program is 5 years (150 weeks). The academic year consists of 30 weeks (15 week Fall Semester and 15 week Spring Semester). A half-time student must register for 6.0-10.0 credits, 180-270 clock hours, per semester and complete 12.0-18.0 credits during the academic year.

• Foundation Year: 1 of 2 (30 weeks) - 12.0 credits, 369 clock hours
• Foundation Year: 2 of 2 (30 weeks) - 18.0 credits, 450 clock hours
• Intermediate Year: 1 of 2 (30 weeks) - 12.0 credits, 360 clock hours 
• Intermediate Year: 2 of 2 (30 weeks) - 18.0 credits, 495 clock hours
• Advanced Year (30 weeks) - 30.0 credits, 948 clock hours (full-time enrollment only, but schedule is flexible)

• TOTAL Program Length: 5 years (150 weeks) - 90.0 credits, 2,622 clock hours*

  *Note: Program completion in 5 years is contingent on half-time enrollment for the Foundation and Intermediate Years and full-time enrollment for the Advanced Year.

Graduation Requirements
PAFA grants a Certificate of Completion to students who have met the following requirements:

• Satisfactory completion of 90.0 semester credits, 2,622 clock hours.
• Achievement of a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.
• Fulfillment of all financial obligations, the return of PAFA property and proper maintenance of private studios.
• Completion of a portfolio consisting of documentation of their visual work.
• Participation in the Annual Student Exhibition.

Fine Arts Certificate:  
Learn More & Apply →
 

Admissions Requirements: Applicants must meet the following requirements to be considered for admissions into the Fine Arts Certificate. 

1. Completed application form, accessible through PAFA's website. Completed application forms include:
   1. $40 application fee
   2. Statement of Purpose
   3. Two References
   4. Portfolio of images of 12-15- pieces of original work
   5. Image inventory
   6. Optional supporting material
2. Proof of high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) credential is required.* Submit an official high school transcript, diploma, or GED. Graduates from a foreign high school must also provide a copy of the certificate. Documented proof of completion of secondary education from a foreign country must be officially translated into English and formally certified as the equivalent of high school completion in the United States.
   *Post-secondary degree will be accepted in lieu of high school diploma/GED.
3. ESL test scores (required for international applicants who are non-native speakers). ESL requirement – TOEFL iBT minimum score 80, IELTS minimum score 6.5, Duolingo English Test minimum score 105.

Admissions Procedures: Students are encouraged to schedule a school visit or attend information sessions hosted by the Office of Admissions. To schedule a visit or to contact Admissions staff with any questions, students should call 215.972.7625 or email admissions@pafa.edu. The Admissions Committee reviews all applications and reaches an admissions decision based on the overall strength of the application to include a comprehensive assessment of the applicant’s portfolio of images as referenced under Item 1.d. above. 

Sending Transcripts: Transcripts must be sent directly from an applicant's academic institution to be considered official. PAFA accepts electronic transcripts via Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, and other verified transcript servicers. Electronic transcripts may also be emailed to admissions@pafa.edu from the institution you attended. Mailed official transcripts must be in a sealed envelope and should be mailed to:

Office of Admissions
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
128 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102   

Admissions timeline for the Fall 2026 semester. 

All Priority Admission applications will include merit-based grant review.

Regular Admission merit-based grant review will be based on grant availability.

Program Cost: Tuition and fees are due on the first day of classes.

Variable cost per year

*Tuition is $800 per credit for students enrolled half-time.

*The Academy Service Fee covers student services and programming (student activities, including orientation, welcome breakfast, visiting artist speakers, end of semester gatherings), secure access to the building, access to technology through PAFA’s Arcadia Fine Arts Library & Media Lab, and graduation activities. Students enrolled half-time for the Foundation and Intermediate Years will have the Academy Service Fee prorated to $125 per semester.
 

Terms of Payment:

Tuition Due Date: Tuition and fees are charged per semester and are due on the first day of classes.  

Tuition assistance is available through institutional grants, which are awards that do not have to be repaid. Institutional grants are generally merit-based and reward students for artistic excellence.

Applicants must present an official transcript from a collegiate institution accredited by an agency or association recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. Credit decisions are based on the contents of the portfolio submitted for admission, on previous transcripts, and, if applicable, on course descriptions and letters of support from institutions or instructors. The Chairperson will review and formally approve all transfer credits.  

Transfer Credit Policy  

• Only course work that is equivalent to PAFA offerings and carries a grade of “C” (2.0), or better, will be considered. (This may require additional portfolio work and documentation from college catalogs and/or personnel.)  
• Credits earned more than 10 years prior to entrance to PAFA are not eligible for transfer.  
• A maximum of 30.0 credits are transferable into the Fine Arts Certificate program.  
• Classes taken for credit in PAFA’s Continuing Education Programs are transferable into the Fine Arts Certificate with approval from the Chairperson.
• Advanced Placement (AP) Art scores of 4 or higher may be eligible for credit with approval from the Chairperson.  

Earned credits and hours are units of measure and are not necessarily an indicator of transferability to another institution. The receiving institution, rather than the providing institution, determines whether to accept earned credits and hours for transfer.