Instructor-Led Art Certificate Programs
Fine Arts Certificate
Expand your drawing, painting, and photography skills
Program Overview
In the Sessions College Certificate in Fine Arts program, students gain a foundation in art theory and artistic technique. Students enjoy a wide-ranging training in drawing and painting that instils a rigorous, traditional approach to representing still life and human figure subjects with attention to critical concepts of line, mass, form, perspective, value, and composition.
- Learn painting, drawing, and photography studying entirely online.
- Follow a rigorous, traditional approach to representing still life and human subjects.
- Explore critical concepts of line, mass, form, perspective, value, color, and composition.
- Enrich your vocabulary in the visual arts.
- Gain feedback on your work from trained artists.
Instructor-Led Program
- Project-based courses from industry-leading design and digital media professionals.
- Learn at your own pace—no mandatory logins or preset meeting times.
- Build skills through mentoring and critique from expert instructors.
Program Curriculum
Designed for the busy adult learner, the Certificate in Fine Arts is a 360-hour program completed in nine months or less studying part time, at your own pace.
Level 1
4801: Intro to Visual Arts - 30 Hours
What makes a painting work? What inspires a sculptor to create? Artists are influenced by the language of art and visual communication, historical and social forces, and the evolution of new modes of expression. In this online visual arts course, you'll deepen your art knowledge by exploring your own artistic creativity. You'll look at paintings, sculptures, experimental pieces, and more, learning to critique composition and decode their social or political purpose. Course projects include art themes and creating your own art pieces that demonstrate your grasp of course concepts in the medium of your choice. Intro to Visual Arts course syllabus
4018: Intro to Drawing - 30 Hours
Think drawing is a gift that has to come naturally? Drawing is a skill that can be developed with practice. In this online beginner drawing course, you'll learn how to draw with proper techniques, discovering how to represent what you see through studies in contour drawing, perspective, positive/negative space, and value. With feedback from an expert instructor, you will improve your drawing and develop a deeper understanding of any subject you are trying to capture as an artist or designer. Intro to Drawing course syllabus
4800: History of Art - 60 Hours
What essentials do artists and designers just need to know? In this online art history course, you'll build a foundation in art and the artists who created it. You'll explore profound themes that have concerned artists for centuries: nature, the human body, society, religion, and politics. Through engaging lectures and projects, you'll learn how to identify the mediums, materials, and techniques artists use and discuss the styles of important artists, art movements, and historical periods from antiquity through the mid-20th century. History of Art course syllabus
4501: Drawing I - 60 Hours
Many people are afraid to draw, but the truth is that drawing is not as hard as it seems. If you can relax, get your mind around the task, and begin to understand what you see, you can draw. In this online drawing course, you'll learn how to analyze what you see in the world around you and communicate it on paper. Guided by a professional artist, you will explore the critical concepts of line, mass, form, perspective, value, and composition, building a solid foundation for all your art and design work. Drawing I course syllabus
Level 2
7002: Digital Photography I - 60 Hours
In this course, you'll build a foundation in fundamental photography techniques. You will gain control over your camera's manual settings, learning how to balance the elements in the Exposure Triangle (ISO, Shutter Speed, and Aperture/F-Stop. You will discover how to set White Balance appropriately, create depth of field, and capture motion. We will explore composition concepts to help you make your photographs more interesting and effective and equip you for the types of adjustments photographers make to adjust to different lighting conditions. To give you experience in some important genres, you will gain practical experience in shooting different kinds of portrait photographs and sports/motion photographs. Digital Photography I course syllabus
4502: Figure Drawing - 60 Hours
Life drawing is a fundamental artistic challenge. Capturing the human figure in all its infinite, intricate variations requires both a mastery of technique and a thorough understanding of the body. In this online life drawing course, you'll make your figure drawings come to life with guidance with feedback from an expert instructor. Following traditional methods, you'll learn the standard measures and proportions artists use to achieve naturalistic and expressive figure drawings. The course builds progressively from the fundamentals to the challenges of portraiture, three-dimensional form, composition, and expression. Figure Drawing course syllabus
4700: Painting I - 60 Hours
For centuries, artists have used paint to represent the physical world. Now you too can learn how to paint online. In this online painting course, you'll learn a traditional approach to oil painting or acrylic painting. Working with a professional artist, you'll study a time-honored approach to painting that enables you to capture proportion, perspective, and lighting in the world around you. You'll learn how to build a foundation with preparatory sketches and underpainting, find out how to mix your paints correctly, and gain control over value through monochromatic painting and color studies. Painting I course syllabus
Program Outcomes
By completing the program, Certificate in Fine Arts students develop the following competencies:
Drawing
Draw utilizing traditional media and classic techniques, applying the use of proportion, perspective, value contrast, and drawing the human form.
Painting
Paint employing traditional media and classic techniques, demonstrating a command of proportion, perspective, value contrast, and painting the human figure.
Photography
Demonstrate effective and efficient use of a digital camera to create photographs applying well considered framing, exposure, composition, perspective, distance, and lighting.
Art/Design Principles
Demonstrate the ability to produce visually compelling work by applying knowledge of color, typography, and composition.
A Better Way to Learn
Online
Study 100% online from anywhere with 24/7 access to classes.
Self-paced
Complete your program on your own time in 9 months or less.
Industry Relevant
Develop in-demand skills for your creative field.
Customizable
Customize your program with added courses and concentrations.
Build Your Own Learning Path
This program is adaptable to a wide range of experience levels. Choose the option(s) below that best meet your learning goals.
Option 1
Specialize
New to the field? Simply complete all required courses in the certificate program.
Option 2
Customize
Already have some industry and/or software experience? Customize up to 50% of your programChoose from courses in Graphic Design, Software, Motion & Video, and more by choosing alternate courses.
Option 3
PLUS
Need more training? After you've completed your program, add concentrations at reduced tuitionChoose from concentrations in Graphic Design, Digital Photography, Illustration, and more to enhance your creative skills.
Sessions Student Work
Student Work
Career Outlook for Fine Artists
Fine artists create art for sale and exhibition using a variety of concepts, techniques, and materials. Artists need to demonstrate artistic ability, business skills, creativity, customer-service skills, dexterity, and interpersonal skills.
Job Titles
Graduates could be employed as Cartoonists, Fine-Art Painters, Illustrators, Public Artists, or Sketch Artists.
Median Annual Wage
The median annual wage for craft and fine artists was $52,910 in May 2023.
In 2023, median annual wages for craft and fine artists were as follows:
| Artists and related workers, all other | $74,750 |
| Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators | $59,300 |
| Craft artists | $36,600 |
Job Projections
Overall employment of craft and fine artists is projected to grow 4 percent from 2022 to 2032.
About 5,500 openings for craft and fine artists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Based on Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics and Indeed Job Outlook data.
What Students Say
Sessions College provided exactly what I was looking for. They were willing to help me even though I wasn’t an “artist” with a portfolio. I wanted to better educate myself in the fine arts and learn the basics of drawing and painting. Sessions College is doing that for me. I have also been able to travel and take my studies with me. I really like that I can go online anytime and work on one of my courses!
Getting Started
Our Fine Arts Certificate online application process makes getting started easy, fast, and convenient.
What's the Admissions Process?
Open Admissions.
The Professional Certificate is open admissions, with classes starting each month. To apply for the program, simply complete our free, no-obligation application and select your program options. Applicants are expected to have graduated high school.
How Long is the Program?
Nine Month Program.
The program can be completed in nine months studying on a part time schedule. Since you study at your pace, you may complete it sooner! If you need more time to complete, there is a painless extension policy for an additional 6 months of access for students who qualify based on academic progress.
Will the Program Fit My Schedule?
There are no set login times, so you can complete your program at your own pace in our most flexible program. A designated Student Advisor will track your progress from class to class, providing you support and motivation.
What Software or Supplies Do I Need?
To take this program, you’ll need the following:
- Mac or Windows computer with an Internet connection.
- Basic drawing and painting supplies including pencils, paints, charcoal, newsprint, and sketch paper.
- A digital camera, adjustable ISO and adjustable white balance features recommended
- A digital imaging application such as Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom recommended.
- Your computer must meet any software manufacturer requirements.
There are no textbook or course material costs to participate in this online program. Student discount on Adobe Creative Cloud software is available to enrolled students.
What are the Program Costs?
Sessions College programs are flexible and affordable. There are no textbooks required; tuition costs include all digital materials.
| Tuition and Fees | Professional Certificate | Professional Certificate PLUS |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $2,550 | $3,550 |
| Registration Fee | $200 | $200 |
| Total Cost | $2,750 | $3,750 |
Paid in Full Discount: Total cost is $2,700 (regularly $2,750) for Professional Certificate students who pay in full. Total cost for Professional Certificate PLUS students who pay in full is $3,700 (regularly $3,750).
Enrollment in any certificate program requires a $200 registration fee (non-refundable after 5 days of enrollment in the program). All tuition and fees must be paid on time, including those paid by third parties.
Can I Use a Payment Plan?
Most definitely. Affording your education is easier with our Payment Plan.
- Pay for your Professional Certificate with 11 monthly payments of $250, or pay for your Professional Certificate PLUS with 13 monthly payments of $288.
- Once you’ve set up your plan, your payments are automatic.
- Your first payment which includes a $200 Registration Fee.
Accreditations
