Procedures & Policies

View policy information by topic below, or download the Continuing Education (CE) Policy Guide.

See our Fall 2023 policy guide here

See our Winter/Spring 2023 policy guide here.  Registration opening soon!

Office Hours and Contact Information

Please don't hesitate to contact us for questions, concerns, or advice on course selection.

  • Phone: 215-972-7632 (Please leave a message with an email address for a faster response.)
  • Email: continuinged@pafa.edu
  • Visit: The Continuing Education Programs is located on the 3rd floor of the Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building. Enter the building through the School Entrance on Lenfest Plaza and check in at the Security Desk. 
  • Winter/Spring 2023 office hours (January 2 - May 19; subject to change for holidays and based on course needs):
    • Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
    • Saturday, 9 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. (when classes are in session)
    • Sunday, closed
  • Winter Interim (December 23 - January 1): The CE office will be closed.  Please email continuinged@pafa.edu for questions or register online via our course catalog.

ID Requirements for On-Campus Classes

To enter PAFA’s buildings and participate in on-campus classes as a CE student, the following documentation is required, per the directives of PAFA’s Office of Safety and Security.  

  • CE students enrolled in multi-week classes must present a new or updated PAFA photo ID card.  Enrolled students will be emailed instructions on how to submit a photo to obtain new ID; returning students with an ID from a previous course should reuse the same card, which will be updated for the current semester by PAFA security (always save your card!).  Note:  Your PAFA ID confers school access and benefits for the length of your semester course(s), from the start date to the last day of your classes.
  • Students enrolled in workshops or courses running one-week or less are not eligible for PAFA ID cards but must check/sign in at the Security Desk with alternate identification to enter PAFA’s buildings for the length of their courses.  Semester access privileges are not issued to students enrolled in workshops or one-week intensives.  
  • Students enrolled in online or off-campus/outdoor courses are not eligible to receive a PAFA ID card.
  • There is a $15 replacement fee for lost or damaged IDs. Contact the Continuing Education office at continuinged@pafa.edu to arrange to pay the fee before obtaining a new card.

COVID-19 Campus Safety Policies

PAFA no longer requires COVID vaccination as of May 4, 2023, based on current science and City of Philadelphia regulations.  However, PAFA and the CDC strongly recommend full COVID vaccination and booster shots for all students and employees who are eligible, including the bivalent booster. We will continue to monitor campus policies for COVID-19 safety and prevention, in accordance with local, state, and federal guidelines.  

  • Masks are encouraged. 
  • Hand sanitizer is available throughout PAFA’s buildings. 
  • All individuals who receive a positive COVID-19 test must follow current City of Philadelphia guidelines (https://www.phila.gov/media/20221208093546/IE-Calendar-12.221.pdf) for isolation. 
  • Students and staff must inform Jimmie Greeno III, Senior Director of Safety, Security and Facility Services, at jgreeno@pafa.org if they test positive for COVID-19. PAFA will treat information regarding the identity of staff or students with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 as confidential to the extent practicable and will comply with applicable laws regarding the handling of such information.

Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to a safe and productive campus.

Payment, Withdrawal, and Refund Policy

  • Full payment is due at the time of registration.  PAFA cannot prorate courses for late registration, withdrawals or missed classes.
  • Withdrawals must be made in writing via email (continuinged@pafa.edu) to the Continuing Education Programs office.
  • Fees are incurred for withdrawals at any time after registration (including same-day). See refund schedule below. The minimum charge covers fees incurred to the CE program by registration and credit card processing. Increased tuition deductions apply for withdrawals less than one week before course start dates and after courses have begun. 
  • In lieu of a withdrawal before a course start date, a student may transfer into another course within the current semester.  Payment of additional tuition must be made at time of transfer if a balance is due; there is no transfer fee.  No further refunds are available for a subsequent withdrawal from the transferred class. 
  • Credits are available on a limited basis when serious illness or injury prevents continuation of a class in-progress.  Credits are not available for withdrawals prior to course start dates or for non-medical reasons.  A doctor’s note or other documentation may be required.  Credits may not be transferred to another individual.  
  • Exceptions cannot be made to the refund schedule below, and refunds/credits cannot be issued, for withdrawals or missed classes due to illness/injury (except by doctor’s note), personal emergencies or scheduling conflicts, transportation/traffic issues, or other events beyond PAFA’s control.    

Withdrawal refunds will be adjusted according to the following schedule (regardless of course attendance):

Multi-Week Courses Six Weeks or Longer

  • Prior to one week before the 1st class:  90% tuition refund
  • After the above, prior to the 2nd class:  50% tuition refund
  • After the above: No refunds

One-Week Intensive Courses and Multi-Week Courses Less Than Six Weeks in Length 

  • Prior to one week before the first class:  90% tuition refund
  • After the above: No Refunds

Workshops (One- to Three-Day Courses other than Master Classes) 

  • Prior to one week before the first class:  90% tuition refund
  • After the above: No Refunds

Master Classes 

  • Prior to two weeks before the first class:  90% tuition refund
  • After the above: No Refunds

Open Academy Program

  • Prior to one week before the first class:  90%
  • After the above, prior to the 2nd class:  50%
  • After the above:  No Refunds

CE Studio Rental Program 

  • Prior to one week before the first rental day of the program (by January 8):  90%    
  • After the above: No Refunds  

Course Cancellations

If minimum enrollment is not met, a class will be canceled on or shortly after its registration deadline date.  Students will be notified by phone and may choose to transfer into another class or receive a full tuition and fee refund.  Please register early to help prevent course cancellations!  Travel insurance is recommended for students attending from a distance for onsite classes.

In the rare event that COVID-19 or another urgent issue requires PAFA's cancellation of a course in progress, a prorated refund or credit will be issued to enrolled students for all missed sessions.

Academic Credit & Transcripts

PAFA is accredited through the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).  PAFA is a member of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD). 

UNDERGRADUATE CREDIT

Courses meeting contact hour requirements (30 hours minimum, not including lunch breaks) are available for 1.0, 1.5, or 3.0 undergraduate credits as marked.  If taken for credit, you may incur additional coursework, and will receive a course grade and appropriate credit that will appear on an official PAFA transcript, if requested.  For an official transcript, please submit a completed Transcript Request Form to PAFA's School Registrar with appropriate payment.

Changes in credit status (for both non-credit to credit and credit to non-credit) must be completed through the CE office (not the course instructor) by the following deadlines:

  • Fall/Spring Twelve- to Fifteen-Week Courses - Prior to the third class.
  • Fall/Spring Short/Condensed Courses (fewer than 12 weeks) - Prior to the second class.  
  • Summer Multiple-Week Classes and One-Week Intensives - Prior to the second class. 

Email continuinged@pafa.edu to arrange changes in credit status and payment of associated tuition fees, if applicable.  No refunds are issued for changes from credit to non-credit.

GRADUATE CREDIT (Summer Only)

The Summer Studio/Critique Program is available for 3.0 graduate credits.

Professional Development Credit for Pennsylvania & New Jersey K-12 Educators

PAFA is approved to provide Pennsylvania Act 48 hours and New Jersey Department of Education Professional Development Credit for its courses and workshops.  Courses and workshops are eligible for the number of contact hours for which they meet (excluding lunch breaks). Courses need not be taken for PAFA undergraduate academic credit to be eligible for professional development credit hours (see credit options and tuition pricing on individual courses).  Educators electing to receive PA Act 48 or NJ Professional Development Credit should notify the Continuing Education Programs office when registering.  PA educators must provide their six-digit Professional Educator Identification Number. 

Classroom Policies

Access to PAFA’s classroom facilities is granted only to students enrolled in in-person on-campus courses, with appropriate ID/vaccination requirements, for the length of their courses.  Students enrolled in online courses are not approved to access PAFA’s classroom and shop facilities.

  • Students are required to use odorless solvents, i.e. Turpenoid.  NO TURPENTINE.
  • Spray fixatives must be used outdoors or in the 10th floor spray booth.  No indoor spraying allowed.
  • Please do not empty solvents and/or paints into sinks or trashcans.  Use appropriately-labeled barrels, located near each floor’s utility sinks.
  • Students are responsible for cleaning up after themselves before leaving class.
  • Students may not touch, move, or place anything on/against the bases or any part of the antique cast collection in the Cast Hall.
  • PAFA is not responsible for artwork or other belongings left in any PAFA studio or classroom.
  • Only students currently enrolled in printmaking or sculpture classes are approved for access to PAFA’s Print and Sculpture Shops.  Students enrolled in sculpture or printmaking courses must abide by the rules established by the Shop Managers. 

Complete information about the policies, procedures, and services offered at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, including general campus policies, expanded classroom regulations, disciplinary procedures, and sexual harassment and misconduct policies and resources is outlined in PAFA's Student Regulations and Policies

By registering for a CE class, students agree to abide by PAFA's policies and regulations.  Failure to comply with school policies and procedures may result in disciplinary action and possible dismissal with forfeiture of tuition and fees.  

Inclement Weather & Emergency Closing Procedures

The closure, delayed opening, or early dismissal of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts will be determined jointly by the Dean of the School and the Museum Director, with approval of the President. Such closing or delay would include the school, galleries and administrative offices. Decisions regarding the cancellation of special events and evening classes may be made later in the day.  To find out if PAFA is closed or delayed, check one of the following:

  • PAFA's homepage
  • PAFA’s main number, 215-972-7600 – An outgoing message advising of a close or delay will be recorded by 6:30 a.m.
  • KYW-TV (CBS 3)  – Lists the school by name
  • WPVI-TV (ABC 6) – Lists the school by name
  • CAU-TV (NBC 10) – Lists the school by name

Transportation & Parking

PAFA is conveniently located near the SEPTA Market East and Suburban train stations, bus and trolley stops and PATCO Hi-Speed Line station stops.  For maps and directions, please see PAFA's Visitors' Information page.  Discounted parking is available at the Parkway Corporation Garage at the southwest corner of Broad and Race streets and at their outdoor lot at the northeast corner of 15th and Cherry streets. Wheelchair accessible spaces available on the 3rd level of garage and in the outdoor lot. To receive discounted parking rates, please obtain a validation sticker from the Security Desk at the Lenfest Plaza (Student) Entrance of either the Hamilton or Historic Landmark Buildings.  Look up location and rate information at Broad & Race | ParkwayCorp and 15th & Cherry | ParkwayCorp.  Students with validation stickers receive 20% off the posted rates.   


Contact Continuing Education

Thank you for your interest in PAFA's CE programs. Join our community of dedicated artists of all ages and skill levels:  Continuing Education offers exceptional studio art classes and workshops for beginner to advanced artists outside of PAFA's degree programs, available to both museum members and the general public.

Telephone: (215) 972–7632

Email: