clay sculpure of male head
painting
painting of building

Certificate in Fine Arts

The Certificate in Fine Arts is a 36 credit credential awarded by the College of Visual and Performing Arts at UMass Dartmouth. This interdisciplinary program centers on development of skills and concepts in the areas of Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, and Sculpture.

This certificate is intended for students without a bachelor's degree. It provides not only coursework in art theory and practice but also a foundation in art history and literature or composition.

It is expected that students who complete the Certificate Program will have gained mastery of certain specific technical skills in one or more areas, an awareness of current trends and various historical precedents of that media area, and an understanding of their own focus and the professional paths available to them.

A maximum of 15 of the credit requirements can be met through transfer of prior educational experience, which can include advanced prior learning at a recognized institution or workshop venue where no formal university credit was available, i.e., Haystack, Arrowmont, Penland, Vermont Studio School, Skowhegan, or a center of learning in foreign countries.

At least 21 credits, including part of the introductory studio requirement, all intermediate and advanced level studio requirements in the student's chosen field, and the adjunct Fine Arts studio course requirement must be taken in residence at UMass Dartmouth.

Certificate students will be integrated into regularly scheduled undergraduate classes. They will be expected to perform on similar technical and aesthetic level, and must be willing to work within the established curriculum and semester schedule of class meetings, projects, field trips, critiques, and student exhibitions. Certificate course requirements may be completed on a full-time or a part-time schedule.

For application procedures, click here.