Q. How does it work?

At Sessions, every course is taught completely online. There aren't any special plug-ins that need to be downloaded or special software required, other than you must provide your own design software for select courses. Students interact with their instructors and other Sessions students entirely online. Courses consist of lessons, exercises, quizzes, critiques, and discussion boards. Students upload their assignments and receive personal instructor feedback and mentoring all in our online learning environment. Learn more

Q. What is the difference between the Foundation, Advanced, and Masters Certificate Programs?

Foundation programs consists of 10 core courses (240 study hours). The courses give you what you need to get you started in your field by covering key concepts and skills that you can build upon with advanced courses and experience. The final course in the program is a recommended elective that can be substituted with an alternate course.

Advanced and Masters Certificate Programs give you the option to expand your understanding of your design field. You'll choose either one or two of our 15 career-focused concentrations, and you'll finish the program with a faculty-guided portfolio review.

Q. What are my choices for Concentrations with the Advanced and Masters Programs?

Concentrations are 105-hour study tracks focused in one discipline. These concentrations will allow you to specialize in the design world, making yourself more attractive to potential clients and employers. Available Concentrations include: Advanced Portfolio, Corporate Identity, Digital Illustration, Digital Imaging, Digital Photography, E-Commerce, Flash, Graphic Design, Web Business, Web Coding, Web Design, and Visual Identity.

Q. How does the Portfolio Review work?

During the portfolio review students receive two rounds of feedback with the goal of honing a stack of work into a professional, polished presentation for potential employers. In this session, students receive a tougher critical evaluation than in most other classes, gaining an understanding of how employers or other professionals are likely to react to their work.

Q. What's the benefit of enrolling in a Certificate program?

1. Comprehensive Program. Sessions certificate students benefit from a comprehensive program that enables them to focus in a specific field while selecting courses that complement their career objectives. Certificates are invaluable if you're searching for a new job or promotion and need to document a broad understanding of a field.

2. One-to-One Feedback. Sessions gives you private faculty mentoring and critiques in each of your graphic and Web design courses. Unlike online tutorials or even a traditional brick and mortar school where one instructor teaches a course to many, at Sessions you receive personal one-on-one feedback from your instructors for every assignment.

3. Flexibility and Choice. The final course each Foundation program is a recommended elective that can be substituted with an alternate course (list below). Students with software proficiency may elect to substitute basic software courses with advanced where available. The Introductory course may be waived by students with professional experience in the field. All students must graduate the Foundation level having completed 240 hours of coursework.

Advanced and Masters Programs offer the option to expand your field of study with the inclusion of 16 career-focused concentrations to choose from. Program Concentrations are 105-hour study tracks focused on one discipline. These concentrations will allow you to better hone your educational experience to better reflect your career goals. Advanced Programs include one concentration and Master Programs include two.

4. A Portfolio you can show the world. One of the most important factors in getting a job in the design industry is an online portfolio that you can show prospective clients and employers. Assignments in your courses are geared toward creating professional-looking sophisticated works that you can use in your portfolio. Sessions Advanced and Masters Programs include a portfolio review by a faculty panel to help you better edit your work to guarantee that you are showing clients your strongest work.

5. Cost-effective Programs. The Sessions certificate is also a very cost-effective program. Enrolling in a certificate program saves you up to 30% off the combined individual course tuition. Payment plan options allow you to pay for your certificate in monthly installments, and employer-assisted tuition is easy to set up.

Q. Who creates Sessions courses?

Courses are created by professionals carefully selected for their design skills, industry or teaching experience, or publishing track record, working in conjunction with members of our Education department. Our Course Developers and Faculty include accomplished artists and award-winning designers who have taught at prestigious art schools worldwide, worked at design firms and studios in New York, Milan, Oslo, Paris, or Turin, and authored books for leading design and technology publishers such as New Riders, Peachpit Press, Cybex, and Sam's. Each course goes through a multi-phase development process to ensure consistency and quality control. Learn more about our Faculty.

Q. How will Sessions courses help me learn the art of design?

Courses are built around hands-on projects designed to simulate the challenge of a professional project. Design briefs establish the creative parameters of each exercise just as your client or employer would. You might find yourself designing a company logo, or building a Web site, or putting together a demo for a CD-ROM. Each project gives you the opportunity to learn and apply software and design skills "on the job." In addition, you will be able to generate strong portfolio pieces that you will be able to show potential clients.

Q. How will I interact with faculty?

All Sessions courses involve private faculty mentoring and critiques, with students receiving personal feedback on each assignment. Throughout your course experience, you will receive guidance, constructive criticism, and creative inspiration from instructors and classmates. Our course developers and instructors are design professionals who teach not only fundamental design principles but also impart practical tips and techniques that are important for the design professional.

Q. How will I interact with other students?

Interacting with other Sessions students is one of the greatest benefits of enrollment. The chance to exchange thoughts and ideas is invaluable in the design world and Sessions provides you with the opportunity to do just that. Student interaction takes place via email, chat rooms, a virtual bulletin board for student comments, and a place for bios and pictures. In addition, students have the opportunity to review and critique each others work in Peer view in each class thus adding to the learning experience.

The Sessions learning environment is also the perfect opportunity to network as Sessions immerses you into an international community of up and coming designers. Sessions also offers Student Competitions for students to compete to produce work for New York based non-profit organizations, interact with a real client, and gain a valuable piece for your portfolio.

Q. How long does it take to complete a course?

Each Sessions course is 3, 6, or 9 lessons in length. We estimate that you can expect to spend approximately 5 hours on each lesson, including lectures, exercises, quizzes, and interaction with the instructor. You study at your own pace, but on average, our students complete one lesson per week. At that pace, you might expect to complete a 3-lesson course in 3 weeks or a 9-lesson course in 9 weeks.

You'll receive 3 months of access to each course. Monthly extensions are available up to 6 months for students with busy schedules.

Q. How long does it take to complete a certificate program?

It is possible to complete a program in as little time as 6-9 months, but you have up to 24 months to complete a Foundation Certificate Program, 30 months for an Advanced Certificate Program, and 36 months for a Masters program, all at your own pace. Further extensions may be requested. Our Student Advisor will work with you helping you set up a schedule that works for you and your life making it easy to meet your education goals.

Q. How do I choose my Advanced Elective or my Concentrations for my certificate program?

Upon enrollment you will be required to take a free orientation course. During this course you will be introduced to your student advisor who is available to guide you through your studies while attending Sessions. The student advisor will help you choose which courses or concentrations are appropriate for you to take to match your career and personal educational goals. Also, it I not necessary for you to choose your advance elective or your concentration(s) until you complete your foundation courses so you do have time to familiarize yourself with the program before having to make this choice. Please email advisor@sessions.edu if you have any questions.

Q. Can I place out of a required course in a certificate program?

To waive a required course, you need only provide either a transcript of previous coursework, a sample of your work demonstrating proficiency in the subject, or a resume indicating relevant work experience.

Any of these can be emailed to advisor@sessions.edu or faxed to 212.239.3084, ATTN: Course Waivers.

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Enrollment, Payment, and Tuition

Q. How do I enroll?

To register for a course or program, simply complete our secure online registration form or contact our admissions department and register by phone, by mail, or by fax. Our admissions advisor will help you with the enrollment process or answer any questions you might have. Call 1.212.239.3080, 1.800.258.4115 or email admissions@sessions.edu.

Q. After I've registered, how soon can I start?

Once you register and pay, you start immediately with a free Orientation Course in the Sessions online environment.

Q. I don't have a credit card; how do I pay by check, money order or bank wire?

You can pay by check, money order, or bank wire for the full tuition. To pay by check or money order here's what you need to do:

1. Write a check or money order for the total amount.
2. Make your check or money order payable to Sessions, Inc.
3. Print and fill out the PDF document here
4. Mail the check or money order along with the form to:

Sessions, Inc.
350 Seventh Avenue, Suite 1203
New York, NY 10001
USA

If you wish to pay by bank wire fill out this form and fax it to the Admissions department.

If you have any questions, please contact us at 1.800.258.4115 or admissions@sessions.edu.

Q. I'd like to take a certificate program. Can I pay in monthly installments?

Sessions offers the Easy-Pay Payment Plan to all Certificate Program students. No credit check is required. You can schedule your payment plans for duration of 3 to 15 months. You can also enroll with the Easy-Pay Payment Plan via our secure online registration form. Contact admissions@sessions.edu to find out more.

Q. Do you offer financial aid?

Sessions offers a number of financial aid options including Easy-Pay Payment Plans, SLM Financial Student Financing Loans, DANTES for Active Military Personnel, the Workforce Investment Act and Workforce Rehabilitation Act, as well Employer Tuition Vouchers.

Q. My employer would like to pay for my education at Sessions. What do I do?

Sessions.edu accepts tuition payments directly from most companies or corporations. To have your tuition invoiced to your employer, please fax the company voucher or purchase order to us: 212.258.3084.

If you do not have a company voucher, we can also invoice your company if you are able to provide the following info:

1. Authorizing manager
2. Purchase Order number
3. Billing contact

Please have your company mail the check to:

Sessions.edu, Inc.
350 Seventh Avenue, Ste 1203
New York, NY 10001
USA

Please call our Admissions Office at 800.258.4115 or 212.239.3080 if you need any assistance.

Q. Do you have a refund policy?

Sessions has an equitable refund policy that allows students to withdraw or switch from classes if they are not fully satisfied. Full or partial refunds may be assessed, depending on duration of time in class. For more information please review our Refund Policy.

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Certificate Programs / Careers / Credits

Q. What kind of certificates can I expect to earn?

When you have completed the requirements of your Certificate Program you will receive a signed letter of completion, a complete transcript of courses, and a certificate bearing the mark of Sessions accreditation and licensure.

Q. How widely recognized is the Sessions certificate?

Sessions is accredited by the DETC (Distance Education and Training Council), and licensed by the State of New York Department of Education. Accreditation is a recognition that Sessions meets the high educational standards set by authorities in distance learning. In addition, the Sessions certificate is fast becoming recognized and acclaimed in the design industry as an indicator of a high level of design skills, technical proficiency, and self-motivation.

Q. What's your grading policy? What's your failure policy?

Each Sessions course is assessed on an O/S/U system, where O = Outstanding, S = Satisfactory, and U = Unsatisfactory. To pass the course, students must complete and pass all graded exams (Midterms and/or Final Exams) with a score of 65 or higher (S or O) and achieve a course average of 65 or higher (S or O). Course exercises that are deemed (U) Unsatisfactory must be resubmitted for instructor evaluation (a maximum of 3 times) with a goal of achieving a passing grade for the exercise. Students that score less than 65 on a Midterm or Final Exam may retake the exam.
 
The Sessions grading policy takes into account the following factors:
 
1. Did the assignment fulfill the learning objectives of the exercise?
2. Was the assignment a creative solution to the design challenge?
3. Did the assignment demonstrate a satisfactory level of research and preparation for the project?
4. Was the assignment presented with adequate communication skills?

Q. How does Sessions help students find design career opportunities?

The Sessions Career Center is a valuable resource for designers that want assistance in finding full-time or freelance design jobs. You will find on a directory of organizations and design community websites that will aid you in making career choices, establishing legal credentials, and general design business management. Also part of the Career Center is a listing of Design Field Career Descriptions. Here you will find a list of the most popular design-related careers as well as which Sessions courses will get you there.

Because the key to the right career is your portfolio, Advanced and Masters Degree programs include a portfolio review upon completion of the program. During the portfolio review students receive two rounds of feedback with the goal of honing a stack of work into a professional, polished presentation for potential employers. In this session, students receive a tougher critical evaluation than in most other classes; gain an understanding of how employers or other professionals are likely to react to their work.

In addition, Sessions offers the Design Business Development Kit, a comprehensive pairing of two of our more popular, career-focused courses; Graphic Design Business and Web Portfolio Design. These courses will teach you the essentials of setting up and managing your graphic design business or going freelance. We'll guide you through everything from how to present your portfolio, find work, and market yourself, to the more daunting tasks of registering a company name and establishing an accounting system. In the Web Portfolio Design Workshop, you'll learn how to identify your strengths and weaknesses as a designer, selecting works that best showcase your talents. Through feedback and critique, you'll be guided through the process of creating and launching your design portfolio online so the whole world can see.

Q. What else can I do to prepare myself for the design industry?

While a certificate from an accredited design school and a professional design portfolio are two important elements when looking for a job, experience helps as well. Many students choose to build their portfolios by doing pro-bono work for friends or small business. You might want to consider contacting some non-profit sites during the course of your program and volunteering to do some projects for them for their web sites/flyers/brochures, and so on.

Sessions also hosts Design Competitions in collaboration with leading New York-based companies and organizations. These competitions offer our students the opportunity to design a professionally-produced project that is used by a leading company or organization.

Q. I am enrolled in a technical college. Can I take courses at Sessions, and earn transferable credits?

Sessions has partnered with many technical and community colleges around the country, and we offer our curriculum to their students as part of the continuing education program on a non-credit, non-degree basis. Many of our students are taking advantage of the opportunities these partnerships provide.

We have been awarded accreditation by DETC, the Distance Education and Training Council. DETC is the premier accreditation organization for distance learning institutions. Ultimately, the registrar or dean at your college or university has the final word on whether your studies at Sessions could be transferred, but DETC accreditation makes a favorable decision more likely.

Q. What exactly is a CEU?

A CEU (or Continuing Education Unit) is a measure of completion for non-credit learning activities -- it's sort of like a college credit for non-credit courses. CEU's are a nationally recognized measure of a student's non-credit accomplishments.

Q. What can I use CEUs for?

1. Get a raise or a promotion at work
2. Transfer CEUs into "life experience" college credit
3. Provide employers with a history of your professional development activities.
4. Apply for relicensure or recertification (as defined by professional organizations or state agencies)

Q. Sounds good. How can I get CEUs?

1. Print out and complete the CEU Application Form.
2. Figure out how many CEU's you're elligible for.
3. Mail your application, your Sessions.edu certificate, and a check payable to Ohio University in the amount of $20.00 for each course or program to:

Community and Professional Programs
Ohio University
115 Haning Hall
Athens, OH 45701

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Hardware & Software Requirements

Q. What hardware do I need?

Sessions courses can be taken on a Mac or a PC. Hardware requirements vary depending on the required software in each program and your choice of elective or concentrations.

The Graphic Design Foundation program, for example, requires Adobe Photoshop CS, CS2, or CS3 and Adobe Illustrator CS2 or CS3.

Important: When purchasing any software program, especially bundled software packages such as the Adobe Master Collection, please check that your computer meets the manufacturer's listed system requirements. The requirements are listed at the manufacturer's site or sites of approved vendors.

Links to sample system requirements pages:

Adobe Photoshop CS3

Adobe Creative Suite

Adobe Creative Suite Web

Adobe Master's Collection

Q. Do I need a lot of plug-ins or broadband access to take classes with Sessions?

No. We don't use streaming media or Flash in our classes because not everyone has high-speed modems or broadband access. All you need is basic Internet access. We do offer classes, though, in producing Flash and other high-end Web applications.

Q. What software programs will I need for my courses?

Check the syllabus page for each individual Sessions course you intend to take to find out what software is required. Major applications include Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Dreamweaver, Adobe Flash, and Quark.

Q. What kind of software discounts are Sessions students eligible for?

Sessions does not sell or distribute software. However, for many software titles, enrolled status as a Sessions student can result in deep educational discounts. Many students and professionals also find discounts on design software through local resources or auction sites such as eBay. Also bear in mind that Career Training Loans proceeds can be applied to not only course tuition, but also purchase of software and hardware.

Q. Do I need to buy textbooks in addition to your courses?

Sessions courses do not require you to buy any textbooks. Our courses have been developed by a team of designers, educators, writers and programmers with dozens of years of combined experience and are designed to be completed without supplementary texts. At the same time, however, we do recommend that students utilize books from leading design and technology publishers to keep abreast of the field. Enrolled students are eligible for a discount on selected New Riders books via the Student Store.

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For International Students

Q. Can I pay in my own currency?

We only accept payment in U.S. currency. Normally, if you pay by credit card online, or if you write a check in US dollars, the bank will automatically make the currency conversion for you.

Q. Can I get a visa to travel to (or stay in) the U.S. through Sessions?

Sessions does not provide visas. But, because we're completely online, Sessions can be accessed from anywhere in the world. You don't need to be in the U.S. to study with us, so no travel is necessary.