A Guide to the Benefits and Perks of Being an Extension Student at Otis College

Enrolling in Otis Extension courses and certificate programs grants students access to campus facilities, career counseling, and more. 

Students from all levels of creative experience enroll at Otis Extension for the expert instruction of our working professional faculty members and the opportunities a new skill affords. Our extensive class offerings—fine arts, fashion design, graphic design, game design, and many more—cater to a wide range of interests but also aspirations, from personal growth to professional development. 

That alone is the value proposition behind our tuition costs—scaled for one-day workshops, 10-week courses, and certificate programs. Being an Otis Extension student also comes with a host of other benefits and perks. 

Labs, Shops, and Studios Access

Depending on class enrollment, Extension students have access to an impressive array of facilities that blend traditional craft with cutting-edge technology, including a photo lab and lighting studio, the Wood and Metal Shop, Printmaking Lab, Laboratory Press, painting and ceramics studios, and the Model Shop. Each lab, shop, and studio is staffed by experienced technicians ready to help students master new skills and push the boundaries of their chosen medium.

Millard Sheets Library 

Otis College’s state-of-the-art library contains a collection that includes 40,000 books,130,000 e-books, online databases with millions of articles, special collections that include 3,000 artists’ books, and active subscriptions to over 90 print journals and magazines. There also is a unique collection of materials—everything from sustainable and renewable surfaces like bamboo and cork and various types of metal, to glass tiles and polymer fabrics like spandex and nylon. This juxtaposition of tactile items is meant to conjure ideas and creativity. While certificate students have certain borrowing privileges at the library, non-certificate Extension students can utilize the online resources and visit the library for in-person research and work. There are several PC and Mac workstations, printers, scanners, copy machines, and other useful tools available. 

Certificate Student Discount 

Students enrolled in one of Otis Extension’s eight certificate programs receive a 15 percent tuition discount upon acceptance into their program. This discount can be applied to all certificate courses and a variety of non-certificate short courses and workshops. After graduation, certificate program alumni are entitled to a 10 percent discount on any subsequent Otis Extension course they take. 

Career Counseling

Otis Extension certificate students can take advantage of lifetime access to Career Services, starting as early as six months before their certificate program culminates. This includes career counseling, internship and job search assistance, and access to Otis College’s robust job board. This access to Career Services aligns with Otis Extension’s goal to help you grow in your profession, gain insights into a new field or technique, and work with practitioners at the top of their discipline. 

Academic Resources 

The hands-on work involved in Otis Extension courses requires resources. Digital courses, such as Scripting for Game Design, AutoCad for Interior Design, and Adobe Illustrator Techniques for Fashion all necessitate specific hardware and software requirements. Otis Extension enrollees can take advantage of student discounts offered by many of these software and hardware providers to purchase what they need. And for the more physical supplies—clay, paint, sketchbooks, etc.—art supply stores like Blick and Graphaids (which has a satellite branch on-campus), offer student discounts when you show your supply list and/or proof of class enrollment upon checking out. 

Academic Advising 

Otis Extension advisors are on-hand from day one to help certificate students navigate course selection and their curricular journey. Each student is assigned an advisor who tracks their progress and assists with course planning, making sure prerequisites are being met and that classes work with an individual’s schedule. 

Learn more about Otis Extension.

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