years of inspiring online art/design education
Online Digital Arts Certificate
Professional Certificate in Digital Arts
Expand your creative drawing and design skills
CLASSES START: SEP 01 ENROLL NOW
UNLEASH YOUR CREATIVITY. LEARN ONLINE, AT YOUR OWN PACE
What You’ll Learn
FEATURES INCLUDE
- 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.
- Expert Instructors. Receive feedback on your work from industry pros.
- Customize. Customize your program with added courses and concentrations.
WHAT MAKES SESSIONS COLLEGE DIFFERENT
Study at your own pace
Learn by doing
Connect with pros
Grow your portfolio
Professional Certificate in Digital Arts COURSES
PROGRAM FLOW
Designed for the busy adult learner, the Professional Certificate in Digital Arts is a 360 clock hour program completed in nine months studying part time.
Level 1
- 4218 Photoshop Basics - 60 hours
- 4017 Color Theory - 30 hours
- 4226 Illustrator Basics - 60 hours
- 4018 Intro To Drawing - 30 hours
Level 2
- 4227 Illustrator Advanced - 60 hours
- 4501 Drawing I - 60 hours
- 4222 Digital Illustration Advanced - 60 hours
7 COURSES
4218 Photoshop Basics
Get a thorough grounding in Adobe Photoshop, the premiere image-manipulation tool for print design, Web design, and photography. You'll learn to choose and use the best techniques for common Photoshop jobs including selecting and isolating objects, creating image composites, masking and vignetting images, setting typography, and improving images with retouching and effects. Every designer must tame this creative powerhouse of a program. Learn more
4017 Color Theory
Focus on developing appropriate color systems for graphic design projects. Projects explore the principles, terminology, and applications of color theory, with an emphasis on manipulating color. A working knowledge of the expression and perception of color, and color interaction, lends credibility and sophistication to a designer’s work. Learn more
4226 Illustrator Basics
Build a working knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, the graphic designer’s vector program of choice. Course projects explore selection tools, drawing tools, layers, the Pen tool, transformations/distortions, type tools, and modifying paths and shapes. Tapping the power of vector software allows you to produce detailed and scalable art for almost any application. Learn more
4018 Intro To Drawing
Learn how to draw with proper techniques, learning how to represent what they see through studies in contour drawing, perspective, positive/negative space, and value. As you progress through this class, you will develop a better understanding of the forms you are observing and become more skillful in representing those forms. Learn more
4227 Illustrator Advanced
Create photo-realistic illustrations, complex patterns, rich designs and learn how to speed your efforts with helpful workflow features. You'll build on your existing Illustrator skills to tackle high-end projects with depth, dimension, and wow-power. Learn more
4501 Drawing I
Learn how to analyze what you see in the world around you and communicate it on paper. Through hands-on projects, and 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. Learn more
4222 Digital Illustration Advanced
Learn advanced illustration and Adobe Illustrator techniques for communicating your creative concepts. This course explores how a professional illustrator approaches creating editorial illustrations, icons, retro poster designs, illustrations with depth, and identity designs. Open-ended projects will help you develop portfolio-quality illustrations, and peer discussions and critiques will provide valuable interaction opportunities. Learn more
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, Web Design, 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, Digital Media, and more to enhance your creative skills.
OUTCOMES
Program Outcomes
By completing the program, Professional Certificate in Digital Arts students develop the following competencies:
1. Drawing
Draw and paint utilizing traditional media and classic techniques, demonstrating a command of proportion, perspective, value contrast, and the human figure.
2. Technology
Create images, animations, and movies by effectively and efficiently using creative software including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and other industry technologies.
3. Illustration
Conceptualize, create and provide illustrations for a range of commercial applications in traditional or digital media.
4. Art/Design Principles
Demonstrate the ability to produce visually compelling work by applying knowledge of color, and composition.
Sessions Student Work
Student Work
Visit the Student Gallery
what students say
I am beyond pleased that through a series of circumstances I ended up taking the Digital Arts Certificate course through Sessions. The courses were thorough, informative, educational, interesting, challenging and very rewarding. After they viewed my portfolio on my website I've been contacted by prospective clients to design logos and book covers.
FACULTY
Michael Hamm
is a senior visual designer, Web developer, and all-round Illustrator guru.
Jordon Schranz
is an audio/visual artist and designer.
Andrew Shalat
is an author, designer/illustrator, educator, and Mac expert.
VIEW ALL PROGRAM FACULTY
Get expert feedback in classes taught by our industry-leading faculty.
| Instructor | Biography | Degree(s) Earned |
|---|---|---|
 |
Andrew Shalat is an author, designer/illustrator, educator, and Mac expert who is a regular speaker at Macworld and has written several books on design for McGraw-Hill and Peachpit Press. |
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 |
Bruce Bicknell is a writer, instructor, illustrator, animator, Web designer, video editor, marketing pro, and graphic designer based in Tampa, Florida. Bruce has worked on projects for Adobe Systems, ATI, Photoshop Elements Techniques, MacTribe, Yellow Machine, and Mac Design. |
|
 |
Jordon Schranz is an audio/visual artist and designer whose work has been exhibited internationally in New York, Chicago, El Paso, Berlin, Bogotá, and Ciudad Juárez. |
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 |
Piper Nilsson is a graphic/Web designer and educator. Piper has been working with the Web since 1997, working in various roles as a designer, programmer, and information architect, Piper blueprinted sites for such global clients as MetLife, Pepsi, ETS, and Citibank. |
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View all faculty.
Job Facts
Is a digital art certificate worth it? Career opportunities are projected to continue to grow into the foreseeable future. Here are some career statistics to keep in mind:
Facts are sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. Facts are sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. For more information about art and illustration careers and the community visit: National Cartoonists Society, Association of Illustrators, or AIGA.
30%
Average income for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators in May 2017 was $49,160 a year, 30.4% higher than the median for all workers.
7 in 10
About 7 in 10 Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators were self-employed or independent artists in 2016.
GETTING STARTED
Our 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.
- A digital camera for photographing drawing work.
- Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator CC.
- Your computer must meet 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.
Get Info Now
An Admissions Advisor will contact you to discuss program options. We will never share your information and you may choose to opt out at any time. Privacy Policy.
