Art Studio Graduate Certificate
- Graduate Certificate
- Hybrid
- Greeley Campus
- Online
1 Year
Fall Term (Aug.)
$668/Credit
Enhance Your Artmaking
You May Also Qualify to Teach College-Level Art Courses
Do you want to hone your skills in the studio? Do you have a master’s degree and want to teach college-level art classes? Our Art Studio Graduate Certificate can help you reach your goals.
Studio Practice: This certificate focuses on studio practice, meaning you will get to set aside time to enhance your artmaking skills.
Teaching College-Level Art Classes: If you have a master’s degree, the 18 graduate credits of Art coursework can also qualify you to start teaching college-level art classes to high school students (known as dual or concurrent enrollment) or at a community college.
The graduate certificate classes can even count toward our Art and Design MA program if you decide to continue your studies later.
Mostly Online Plus Studio Coursework on Campus
This is a hybrid program, which means there are some in-person requirements.
- For most of the year you’ll take classes online and manage your own studio time.
- During the summer term, you’ll join us for a short, required session on our campus in Greeley, Colorado. See the Course of Study section below for details.
Who Should Take This Program?
K-12 Art Teachers
Teach dual / concurrent enrollment art classes, where students can earn both high school and college credit. You may also qualify for adjunct positions at some community colleges.
Artists
Enhance your skills and open up new career pathways. You may also qualify for adjunct positions at some community colleges.
Course of Study
Online + 1 Summer Greeley Intensive
You can complete the Studio Art Graduate Certificate in one year (three academic terms).
This program starts each fall term and most students will take two courses per term.
Fall and Spring Terms
- Courses during the fall and spring terms can be completed via distance learning.
- You will complete online course activities, including occasional synchronous course sessions when students and instructor meet online at the same time.
- You will need access to appropriate studio equipment / facilities for your chosen fall and spring courses.
- If you are not near our campus, you will need access to these resources near you. This can often be equipment you already use at home or at work. The Program Coordinator can help you determine if you have the proper setup available.
- If you are near our campus, you can come to on-campus studios to complete activities. There is a required safety training for each studio that is delivered at the beginning of the term.
Summer Intensive
- Summer coursework consists of art studio courses taken on-campus in Greeley, Colorado. You will be here for approximately two weeks in June, and complete follow-up coursework online.
- During summer courses, you will use artistic research and studio practice to develop new skills, themes and purposes for your artmaking. Build your skills while immersed in a community of artists.
To see specific course offerings, visit an example current students page for this program.
Courses and Requirements
This is an 18-credit graduate certificate program.
You can choose your art studio focus in this flexible program. Art studio elective options (see the options via the button below) are repeatable up to nine credits, or you can combine a personal mix of studio course options.
Master's Degree Option
Art and Design MA
The Art and Design MA includes the graduate certificate coursework and has the same delivery schedule. The master’s degree is a great option if you do not already have a master’s degree or if you would like to apply for federal financial aid.
Have Questions? Get in Touch!
Jori Moore
Enrollment Counselor
Lauren Eisen
Program Coordinator
Tuition Rate
Simple Per-Credit Tuition Rate
You pay the same rate whether you are in-state or out-of-state.
Per Credit
Rate for the 2025-26 academic year (fall, spring and summer terms).*
No Student / Technology Fees
Certain courses, e.g., field experiences, may include course fees to support added services and materials.
*Tuition for the 2026-27 academic year will be decided mid-June 2026.
Estimates of additional costs: For the purposes of determining financial aid, UNC follows Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) and federal guidelines to develop an estimated, average Cost of Attendance (budget) for different student classifications. For your personal tuition estimates, we recommend using the program-specific tuition information above. But UNC’s official Cost of Attendance/Student Budgets page can help you identify other estimated expenses for which you may be responsible while completing your program.
Scholarship Opportunity for Students Pursuing Dual/Concurrent Enrollment Teaching Eligibility
If you are a K-12 teacher in a rural Colorado school district, you might qualify for the Concurrent Enrollment Educator Qualification Scholarship for this program. The scholarship supports rural high school teachers who want to offer college-level classes to their students.
Financial Aid and Support
- The federal government only awards financial aid for courses that count toward completion of a UNC degree, so federal aid is not available for this stand-alone certificate.
- If you will need financial aid, please work with UNC Office of Financial Aid for information about non-federal loans.
- UNC also offers a monthly payment option.
Program Eligibility
General Admission Requirements
- Possess a baccalaureate degree from an institutionally accredited college or university.
- Have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or better, on a 4.00 point scale, for the most recent degree earned or current degree in progress.
- If you are in the process of completing a previous degree or have special GPA considerations, please read the specific requirements for this program type.
- Note: the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is NOT required for graduate school admission.
Program-Specific Admission Requirements
- An undergraduate degree in art, art education or the equivalent. If your degree is not in one of those topics, you may be required to complete specified coursework or demonstrate competency in specific areas of study before beginning the program.
- Are you seeking to meet credential requirements for teaching dual enrollment/undergraduate Art courses? If you choose the Art Studio Graduate certificate, you will need to hold a master’s degree in addition to the certificate. If you do not hold a master’s degree, you should choose the MA degree instead.
Eligibility for Out-of-State Students
Eligibility by State
UNC can offer distance learning in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the major U.S. territories. We check for changes in state rules as needed. Some states may have extra rules for internships, clinical placements, and student teaching. Visit the State Authorization page to learn more.
International Student Eligibility
No student visa: F-1 and J-1 student visas are not available for this program. However, if you are a non-U.S. citizen who will be in the U.S. under another visa category, you may be able to enroll in this program. Before you apply, please check for enrollment or employment restrictions for your visa category.
If you do apply to this program, you will need to provide proof of your English language ability or complete the UNC Intensive English Program. Please visit the International Admissions page for information about:
- Minimum English language requirements
- Applying as an international student
Meet with an Enrollment Counselor
Meet the Program Faculty
Visit the Academic Department
Are You Ready to Apply?
Thank you for your interest in this UNC program! Here are some elements you can check to be sure you are eligible and ready to apply to this program.
Program Eligibility
See the Program Eligibility section above.
International Applicants
Please see the International Student Eligibility section above to check your eligibility for this program.
Recommended Application Deadlines
- Priority Application Deadline: Feb. 15. Admission is competitive and completed applications received by this date will be reviewed as a group.
- Standard Application Deadline: April 15. If the cohort is not filled with the initial review of priority applications, additional applications will be accepted until this date. Completed applications received by this date will be reviewed as a group. We will post notice here if no additional spots are available.
Application Process Details
On the application, you will choose:
- Art Studio Graduate Certificate
- Start term: Fall Term (Aug.)
View the full program-specific application details in the UNC Graduate Catalog.
Apply to This Program
Register & Start Your Application
Submit a Started Application
Application Checklist & Status