FAQ

You can register online at continuingstudies.saic.edu.

• Select Certificate Programs under Adult Continuing Education.
• Click Add to Cart.
• Choose at least one course and pay the $100 nonrefundable certificate fee and your tuition.

If you're unable to register online, email cs@saic.edu or call 312.629.6170.

You don't need a portfolio to enroll.

No degree is required. You must be 18 or older and have a high school diploma or equivalent.

You'll pay a $100 nonrefundable certificate fee when you join, plus tuition for each of the six courses as you register for them.

• Courses cost $675–$810 each.
• The estimated certificate cost (including the fee) is $4,150–$4,960.

You don't have to pay for the entire program upfront. Pay as you go, per course.

Most students spend $50 to $200 on supplies per course, depending on materials and projects, or $300 to $1,200 for the full certificate.

There are no other fees besides the $100 certificate enrollment fee.

Yes, limited financial assistance is available:

• Madeleine Stanley-Jossem Scholarship (need- and merit-based)
• Remission benefits for SAIC employees, art education student teacher supervisors, and art therapy fieldwork supervisors

Scholarships apply to individual courses, not the full certificate. Learn more.

You set the pace. Most students finish in about 18 months by taking two courses per term (fall and spring). You can also take classes in winter and summer to stay on track.

We don't recommend taking more than two courses per term if you work full-time.

No. Not all required courses are available online; some will need to be taken in person to complete your certificate.

You can see all Adult Continuing Education course offerings at continuingstudies.saic.edu.

Some classes have prerequisites or need to be taken in sequence. Check the course description online to see if any are listed.

If you think you're ready for a course but don't meet the listed prerequisite, email saic-ace@saic.edu to request permission.

You can't take a course and its prerequisite during the same term.

Each certificate includes six 30-hour courses: five required courses plus one elective.

You can see the specific requirements on the Certificate Programs page.

Regardless of your certificate, any 30-hour Adult Continuing Education course can fulfill the elective requirement.

Yes. You can apply one SAIC course (from either Adult Continuing Education or a degree program) that you completed within the past year toward your certificate.

Students may not apply a course toward their certificate coursework requirements more than once unless it is topically based and taken for a different topic in a different term.

Don't worry. Required courses are offered at least once a year (fall, spring, or summer), and many are scheduled more often.

Visit continuingstudies.saic.edu to peruse current and future offerings, or email saic-ace@saic.edu for suggestions on organizing your course sequence.

If you don't take a class for a year, your status becomes inactive.

When you return, you'll pay the $100 certificate fee again, and you'll follow the current curriculum requirements at that time.

We recommend no more than two courses per term. Your progress depends on your schedule and when courses are offered.

Yes. Email saic-ace@saic.edu with your full name, seven-digit ID number, current certificate, and the one you'd like to switch to.

Our staff will review your completed coursework and let you know which requirements you've already fulfilled, along with any remaining courses needed for your new certificate.

Your portfolio is a collection of your creative work, a living document that shows your growth and skills as an artist, designer, or maker. It can include finished pieces, works in progress, and even sketchbooks.

Your portfolio might be a PDF or a website. Use the format that best represents your creative practice. You'll build and update it as you complete your coursework, then participate in a final portfolio review.

The portfolio review is your chance to reflect on your creative journey, get feedback, and discuss your goals with faculty.

All certificate students must participate in a final portfolio review, but you're encouraged to participate in Portfolio Review Day as often as you like.

Visit the ACE Portfolio Review Day website for more information.

To officially earn your certificate, you'll need to:

• Finish all required and elective coursework, tracking your progress along the way.
• Submit the Certificate Completion Form with at least five images of your work and a signed consent form.
• Take part in Portfolio Review Day (fall or spring).
• Complete a short exit survey.

Continuing Studies staff will review your materials and confirm your completion by email.

You'll receive your certificate after you've:

• Completed all coursework
• Participated in your final portfolio review, and
• Submitted the exit survey

Visit the Certificate Program website for details on Portfolio Review Day, the completion process, and timeline.