RISD : Rhode Island School of Design : CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS

Preparing for Careers
Although any course may be taken for personal or professional enrichment, many may also be taken as part of a certificate program. Most RISD|CE certificate programs encompass a specific body of knowledge and practice that prepares candidates for rewarding positions in art and design fields. A background in art and design is helpful but not necessary for any of these programs.

For Young Adults
Click here for information about our certificate programs for young adults in Animation, Art School Preparation, Comic Art, Fashion Design, Game Design, Movie-Making and Photography.

Who May Enroll
Courses are open to anyone interested in pursuing certificate subject matter for professional or personal growth. Certificate programs address specific professional training needs of adult students, many of whom have college and professional experience but want to upgrade their skills or make a career change. Certificate program courses prepare students for work in their chosen fields, and part-time evening study allows people with career or family commitments to come back to school. Non-certificate students may take certificate courses provided they meet applicable prerequisites.

How to Enroll
Read the Certificate Program Guide for the specific program(s) of interest to learn about program objectives, requirements and prerequisites, and then submit the Application for Candidacy at any time during the academic year. Courses taken prior to declaration may be applied toward a certificate within a one-year grace period, but only with retroactive payment of applicable fees.

Academic Advising
Should you have questions not answered in the Certificate Program Guides, please request an academic advisement appointment at 401 454-6200. Students interested in our certificate programs for young adults should call 401 454-6201 for more information (see also Certificate Programs for Young Adults).

Graduation
Candidates expecting to graduate in June of any given year should petition to graduate by the end of the previous November. Call 401 454-6201 to request a Petition to Graduate form.

A Note about Electives
Courses other than those listed here or in the Certificate Program Guides may qualify as electives with permission of the certificate advisor. Students who have very specific professional needs should also discuss their requirements with the relevant advisor.

CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS AND CODES [return to top]
Courses that apply to one or more of RISD|CE’s certificate programs are noted with the following codes. Please consult the Certificate Program Guides for each program’s prerequisites. Please note: The codes below may differ from those used in the RISD degree programs. Contact hours are given for elective courses only.

Adult Programs
Advertising Design (AD)
Animation (AN)
Apparel Design (AP)
Appraisal Studies in Art + Antiques (AS)
Children's Book Illustration (CB)
Comic + Sequential Art (SA)
Digital Photography (DI)
Digital Video Production (VE)
Drawing + Painting Studies (DS)
Graphic Design (GR)
Interior Design (ID)
Jewelry + Light Metals (JM)
Natural Science Illustration (NS)
Web Design + Development (WE)

Required course code: -R
Elective code: -E

Young Adult Programs
Animation (YA)
Art School Preparation (AT)
Comic Art (YC)
Fashion Design (YF)
Game Design (YG)
Movie-Making (YM)
Photography (PH)