Certificate Programs

The Art Education Certificate program is a sequence of 10 courses, providing intensive study in art education for individuals who already hold a BA, BFA, MA, or MFA in Fine Art / Design / Media Art. Offered in collaboration with Otis’ Artist, Community and Teaching (ACT) Program, the certificate program offers two tracks to choose from. The Teacher Credential Preparation Track is designed to prepare individuals who wish to obtain the California Single Subject in Art Teaching Credential needed to teach in California grades K-12 public schools, by fulfilling the CA Commission on Teacher Credentialing Subject Matter in Art requirements. The Teaching Artist Track is designed to prepare students for positions that do not require a credential such as teaching artist in K-12 public or private schools, artists in residence programs, correctional facilities, museum education departments, non-profit arts organizations, etc. (SOC-25-3099*)

The Ten Course Sequence:
• 4 Core courses
• 6 Elective courses

Estimated Program Cost:

Teacher Credential Preparation
Certificate Application: $175
Tuition: $20,740
Fees: $195
Supplies & Books: $1600
Total: $22,710

Teaching Artist Track
Certificate Application: $175
Tuition: $5,140
Fees: $195
Supplies & Books: $1600
Total: $7,110

The Digital Media Arts Certificate program is a sequence of 18 courses, providing intensive study in media arts for individuals who are beginning a new career, making a career change, or seeking to enhance their existing art, design, or teaching skills. The program combines the theoretical study of digital media with the acquisition of technical knowledge. The program intends to prepare students to enter and be competitive in the below digital media arts fields, or to augment their current design practices and experience in: • Animation • Digital Imaging and Illustration • Digital Media Arts Education • Motion Graphics • Video Editing • Web Design.

Students use software applications most commonly used by design professionals. Practical training leads to the development of a professional portfolio. All digital courses are taught hands-on in the computer lab, and include additional lab time on a sign-up basis at no additional cost.

Estimated Program Cost:

Animation (SOC 27-1014):
Certificate Application: $175
Tuition: $10,669
Fees: $351
Supplies & Books: $2,000
Total: $13,195

Digital Imaging & Illustration (SOC 27-1014)
Certificate Application: $175
Tuition: $10,389
Fees: $351
Supplies & Books: $2,000
Total: $12,915

Digital Media Arts Education (SOC 25-3099)
Certificate Application: $175
Tuition: $10, 949
Fees: $351
Supplies & Books: $2,000
Total: $13,475

Motion Graphics (SOC 27-1014)
Certificate Application: $175
Tuition: $10,389
Fees: $351
Supplies & Books: $2,000
Total: $12,915

Video Editing (SOC 27-4032)
Certificate Application: $175
Tuition: $11,229
Fees: $351
Supplies & Books: $2,000
Total: $13,755

Web Design (SOC 15-1134)
Certificate Application: $175
Tuition: $10,949
Fees: $351
Supplies & Books: $2,000
Total: $13,475

Please note: Certificate program courses are open to all students. Students, interested in taking certificate program courses for professional growth or personal development, are welcome to attend.

For further information, or to speak with a counselor, please call (310) 665-6850.

The Fashion Design Certificate Program is intended for individuals beginning a new career, augmenting an existing career, or seeking to enhance their existing art or design skills. The program is geared for the adult learner and is designed to prepare students for an entry level position in the fashion industry as a fashion designer (SOC 27-1022), designer’s assistant (SOC 27-1022), or patternmaker (SOC 51-6092). The program meets the professional industry standards outlined by Otis School of Fashion Design, the leading educational program nationwide.

Study begins with the development of an understanding of design in dress and leads to a translation of that knowledge into practical manufacturing requirements. Courses provide intensive, practical training leading to the development of a professional portfolio.

The 18 Course Sequence:
• 4 Foundation courses
• 12 Core courses
• 2 Elective courses

Estimated Program Cost:
Certificate Application: $175
Tuition: $8,020
Fees: $351
Supplies & Books: $2,400
Total: $10,946

Please note: Certificate program courses are open to all students. Students, interested in taking certificate program courses for professional growth or personal development, are welcome to attend.

For further information, or to speak with a counselor, please call (310) 665-6850.

The Fine Arts Certificate Program provides an introduction to the fundamentals of fine arts as a vehicle for creative self-expression. Taken together, these courses provide an overview of the concepts, language and skills of fine art practice. A strong emphasis is placed on enabling students to develop their personal artistic vision. That vision is facilitated by a close working relationship between faculty and students. This program is designed to prepare students as fine artists including painters, sculptors, and printmakers (SOC 27-1013).

The program includes the six core courses outlined below, plus two elective courses. Advisors are available to help students choose elective courses from the Continuing Education catalog. Additional courses are also available for students who wish to pursue their interests beyond the Certificate program.

The Eight Course Sequence
• 6 Core Courses
• 2 Elective Courses

Students may select one-unit courses from the Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, or Photography programs to fulfill elective credit.

Estimated Program Cost:
Certificate Application: $175
Tuition: $3,440
Fees: $156
Supplies & Books: $2,000
Total: $5,771

Please note: Certificate program courses are open to all students. Students, interested in taking certificate program courses for professional growth or personal development, are welcome to attend.

For further information, or to speak with a counselor, please call (310) 665-6850.

The Graphic Design Certificate Program is designed for individuals who are developing a new career, augmenting a current career, or seeking to enhance their existing art or design skills. The program is geared for the adult learner and is designed to meet the needs of the graphic design industry. Programs stress creative problem-solving and provide intensive practical training. All courses are taught by professional designers and fine artists. The program is designed to prepare students for an entry level position as a graphic designer or production artist (SOC 27-1024).

The 16 Course Sequence
• 12 Core courses
• 4 Electives courses

Students may select full-unit courses from the Digital Media Arts program to receive elective credit.

Estimated Program Cost:
Certificate Application: $175
Tuition: $8,560
Fees: $312
Supplies & Books: $2,000
Total: $11, 047

Please note: Certificate program courses are open to all students. Students, interested in taking certificate program courses for professional growth or personal development, are welcome to attend.

For further information, or to speak with a counselor, please call (310) 665-6850.

The Interior Design Certificate Program is intended for individuals beginning a new career, augmenting an existing career, or seeking to enhance their existing art or design skills. The program is geared for the adult learner and is designed to meet the professional industry standards. Study begins with the development of an understanding of foundational design theory and leads to a translation of that knowledge into practical interior design requirements. Courses provide intensive, practical training leading to the development of a professional portfolio. The program is intended to prepare students for an entry level position as an interior designer or decorator (SOC 27-1025).

The 18 Course Sequence
• 4 Foundation Courses
• 12 Core Courses
• 2 Electives

Students may select full-unit courses from the Lighting Design Certificate program to receive elective credit.

Estimated Program Cost:
Certificate Application: $175
Tuition: $8, 020
Fees: $312
Supplies & Books: $2,200
Total: $10,746

Please note: Certificate program courses are open to all students. Students, interested in taking certificate program courses for professional growth or personal development, are welcome to attend.

For further information, or to speak with a counselor, please call (310) 665-6850.

The Lighting Design Certificate program provides intensive study in lighting design for individuals who are beginning a new career, making a career change, or seeking to enhance their existing art or design skills in a related field. The program combines the theoretical study of lighting conditions and effects with the acquisition of technical skills about the design of lighting systems in both indoor and outdoor spaces. The program intends to prepare students to enter and be competitive in the field of lighting design (SOC 27-1025) or to augment their current design practices and experience.

Students must complete the following three courses prior to beginning the core courses, or have equivalent knowledge:

The Nine Course Sequence:
• 3 Pre-requisites
• 6 Core courses

Estimated Program Cost:
Certificate Application: $175
Tuition: $5,410 ($3, 840 without prerequisites)
Fees: $156
Supplies & Books: $1,000
Total: $6,741 ($5, 171 without prerequisites)

Please note: Certificate program courses are open to all students. Students, interested in taking certificate program courses for professional growth or personal development, are welcome to attend.

For further information, or to speak with a counselor, please call 310 665 6850.

The Photography Certificate Program offers training in the technical and creative skills necessary to enter both the commercial and fine art fields of photography (SOC 27-4021). Entry-level positions, such as an assistant in the studio, gallery, or academic environment are possible after finishing this program.

Students are also prepared to start freelance work with the knowledge of cameras, lighting, aesthetics, printing, editing, promotion, and presentation formats needed for their specialized area of photography.

10 Course Sequence
• 5 Core courses
• 5 Electives courses

Estimated Program Cost:
Certificate Application: $175
Tuition: $4,580
Registration/Insurance Fees: $195
Lab Fees: $315
Supplies & Books: $2,300
Total: $7,565

Please note: Certificate program courses are open to all students. Students, interested in taking certificate program courses for professional growth or personal development, are welcome to attend. For further information, or to speak with a counselor, please call (310) 665-6850.

Product Design Certificate Program is a sequence of 18 courses intended for individuals beginning a new career, augmenting an existing career, or seeking to enhance their existing art or design skills. The program is geared for the adult learner and is designed to meet professional industry standards. Study begins with the development of an understanding of foundational design theory and leads to a translation of that knowledge into practical product design requirements. Courses provide intensive, practical training leading to the development of a professional portfolio. The program is intended to prepare students for an entry-level position as a product designer (SOC 27-1021*).

The 18 Course Sequence
• 4 Foundation Courses
• 12 Core Courses
• 2 Electives

Estimated Total Program Cost:
Certificate Application: $175
Tuition: $9,140
Fees: $351
Supplies and
Books: $2,600
Total: $12,266

Please note: Certificate program courses are open to all students. Students interested in taking certificate program courses for professional growth or personal development are welcome to attend.

* Department of Labor Standard Occupational Code Location:

The Textile/Surface Design Certificate Program offers training in the technical and creative skills required to begin a career in the textile/surface design field as a colorist, repeat artist, designer, or stylist.

This comprehensive program of study has been designed to prepare students for an entry level position as a textile production artist (SOC 51-6099) as it relates to areas of applied design including home furnishings, fashion apparel, wall coverings, floor coverings, decorative papers, and greeting cards.

The 8 Course Sequence
• 2 Prerequisite Courses
• 6 Core Courses

Estimated Program Cost:
Certificate Application: $175
Tuition: $3,440
Registration/Insurance Fees: $156
Supplies & Books: $1,500
Total: $5,271

Please note: Certificate program courses are open to all students. Students, interested in taking certificate program courses for professional growth or personal development, are welcome to attend.

For further information, or to speak with a counselor, please call (310) 665-6850.