Certificate Programs
The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) offers three Certificate Programs: Foundation, Studio Residency, and Post-Baccalaureate. These rigorous, accredited programs are designed for both undergraduate and graduate students to refine their skills across various media, including painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, and digital media. Whether you're starting your artistic journey or advancing your practice, our programs provide expert mentorship, personalized studio space, and the opportunity to engage with world-class collections. For more information, contact Maddy Schierl, Admissions Counselor.
Towards Undergraduate Credit
Our Certificate Programs towards Undergraduate Credit are designed for students who want to build a strong foundation in the fine arts or deepen their studio practice. These programs are perfect for artists seeking immersive, hands-on training with options for part-time or full-time enrollment.
- Foundation Certificate (30 credits): Build foundational skills in a range of media, including painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking and digital media, while gaining critical context through Art Seminars.
Learn More & Apply → - Studio Residency Certificate (30-60 credits): Focus on building an independent studio practice with personalized faculty mentorship and participation in critiques, exhibitions, and PAFA’s renowned events.
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Towards Graduate Credit
The Certificate Program towards Graduate Credit is designed for artists looking to refine their practice and develop a competitive portfolio in preparation for a professional career or graduate study.
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate (30 credits, 1 year): Strengthen your portfolio, refine your artistic vision, and engage in critical dialogue with faculty and peers through studio work, seminars, and group critiques.
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Our Certificate Programs provide flexible pathways for career development while granting access to PAFA’s collections, archives, cast hall, and fine arts library. Studio Certificate and Post-Baccalaureate students can take advantage of opportunities such as prize competitions, Open Studio Nights, and, upon fulfilling requirements, participation in the Annual Student Exhibition (ASE).
What Alumni Say About Their Certificate Experience
JAMES LYNES (Cert '95)
"The PAFA certificate program gave me a thorough grounding in drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpting and more than that, a fundamental understanding in art-making and process in general that has translated into all art-making in the plastic as well as the performing arts (theatre, music and dance). This has been of invaluable service to me in my nearly 30-year career in arts fundraising over which I have raised more than $100 million for multiple institutions including successful capital campaigns that helped build three major new theatres in Philadelphia and New York City.
Because of my training at PAFA, I have a deep understanding of how art is made across disciplines and have developed the facility to share this with donors, foundations, corporations and government sources, as well as the positive impact of the arts for the citizens, communities and the education of young people for cities I have lived in. And I still paint and draw and show occasionally, which greatly enriches me personally."