Print and Web Certificate Program FAQ

Program Duration
How often are classes held?
How quickly can I complete the Certificate Program?
Can I take more than one class at a time?
Is there a time limit to complete the Certificate Program?

Program Requirements
What are the program prerequisites?
What is the homework load like?
Can I earn both the Web and Print Design Certificates at the same time?
Can I take a non-digital course as my elective?
Do I have to take classes for credit to earn the Certificate?
What is the difference between credit and non-credit?

Hardware/Software
Are classes taught on PC or MAC?
Are Certificate Students required to purchase software/hardware?
Is there a student discount for software/hardware for Certificate Students?

Financial Information
How much does the Certificate Program cost?
Is Financial Aid available for Certificate Students?

Career Services
What advantages does the Certificate Program offer as compared to a degree program?
What is the typical starting salary for a graphic designer/web designer?
What percentage of Certificate Program graduates have gone on to work in their chosen field?
Can I talk to former Certificate students?
Does the Certificate Program provide job placement?

Q. Do I have to be enrolled in a Certificate Program to take digital courses?
A. You do not have to enroll in the Certificate Program to take digital technology courses. If at some point you do decide you'd like to enroll in the Certificate Program, you may do so at any time. Please be advised that effective September 1, 2008 all Certificate students must take Certificate courses for credit.
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Q. Do I need to decide now whether I would like to participate in the Certificate Program, or could I wait until after my first class?
A. Some students choose to complete one class before enrolling in the Certificate Program, to get a sense of the program before making a decision. Please be advised that effective September 1, 2008 all Certificate students must take Certificate courses for credit.
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Q. Can I sit in on a class to determine if the program is right for me?
A. University policy allows only registered students to attend class. Most questions regarding the Certificate Program can be answered by the Program Advisor. Digital technology class structure and content are addressed in the course description, syllabus, and faculty bios, all available on the Continuing Education website at www.uarts.edu/ce.
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Q. Do I need to submit a portfolio or transcripts to enroll in the Certificate Program?
A. Portfolios and proofs of degree are not required, but you must have a high school diploma or equivalent to enroll in the Certificate Program.
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Q. How often are classes held?
A. Digital technology courses are offered year-round in three semesters:
 
Fall – September through December
Spring – January through April
Summer – May through August
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Q. How quickly can I complete the Certificate Program?
A. The program can be completed in between 1-2 years.
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Q. Can I take more than one class at a time?
A. The number of classes you can take in one semester depends on whether or not you have any prior experience. Typically, those without prior experience register for CE 1404 Adobe Creative Suite Overview as their first course. This course is the base prerequisite for the rest of the program. After completing Adobe Creative Suite, you can start taking more that one at a time, provided you meet the course prerequisites. Prerequisites are listed in each of the course descriptions.
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Q. Is there a time limit to complete the Certificate Program?
A. Required courses should be completed within three years of enrollment in the certificate program. If more time is needed, arrangements must be made through the Program Advisor.
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Q. What are the program prerequisites?
A. Course prerequisites are listed in the course description. You may be allowed to waive courses due to prior experience, however, waived courses must be substituted with advanced classes or electives. Course substitutions must be approved by the Certificate Program Advisor.
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Q. What is the homework load like?
A. Homework load varies from class to class. Instructors are sensitive to the fact that this is an adult population with jobs and outside responsibilities. An attempt is made to balance this knowledge with homework exercises that aid the learning process.
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Q. Can I earn both the Web and Print Design Certificate programs at the same time?
A. The Print and Web Design Certificate Programs are separate programs. Therefore, in order to earn both Certificates, students must pay the non-refundable enrollment fee of $50 for each program. All required courses and two unique electives must be completed. A required course from one Certificate cannot be used as an elective for the other Certificate.
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Completion Requirements

Web Design Curriculum
The following courses are required:

CE 1404 Adobe Creative Suite
CE 2421 Photoshop for Print and Web Design
CE 2411 Web Design I
CE 2413 Web Design II
CE 1420 Macromedia Flash: Basics
Plus one elective: Student choice with permission of advisor

Print Design Curriculum
The following courses are required:

CE 1404 Adobe Creative Suite
CE 2421 Photoshop for Print and Web Design
CE 2407 Adobe Illustrator
CE 2424 InDesign
CE 2404 Digital Design Studio
CE 1444 Print: Job
Plus one elective: Student choice with permission of advisor
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Q. Can I take a non-digital course as my elective?
A. Certificate students are required to choose their elective from the digital course offerings. Any length course, including weekend courses can be used as an elective. If you wish to take a course outside of the digital course offerings, the course must relate to how you plan to use your Certificate in your future career. For example: Students have been allowed to take photography courses in order to learn how to take professional photos for printed publications or websites, and avoid paying for stock photos.
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Q. Do I have to take classes for credit to earn the Certificate?
A. As of September 1, 2008, anyone entering the Certificate Program must take classes at the credit level to complete the certificate requirements. An official graded transcript can only be issued for classes taken at the credit level. A certificate is awarded upon successful completion of all required courses.
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Q. What is the difference between credit and non-credit?
A. A letter grade and an official graded transcript are only issued for classes taken at the credit level.

Students who take a course for noncredit receive a “pass” or “fail” grade only. Continuing Education (CE) Credits are earned at the rate of one credit per every ten contact hours. CE Credits are not equivalent to undergraduate or graduate credits at UArts. Since all degree programs have specific course and curriculum requirements, many institutions do not automatically recognize courses taken for Continuing Education Credit. To determine if your credits will be accepted at UArts or elsewhere, you should contact the appropriate office of the recipient school to determine which, if any, will be accepted.

The credit option is often utilized by students participating in tuition reimbursement programs. Many employers require a letter grade in order to provide tuition reimbursement.

As of September 1, 2008, anyone entering the Certificate Program must take classes at the credit level to complete the certificate requirements.
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Q. Are classes taught on PC or MAC?
A. Most digital Continuing Education courses are taught in full MAC labs. Some courses are taught in MAC labs using all laptop computers. We cannot guarantee that a class will have PC's available, however, Adobe software (Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign) operates in the same way on both PCs and MACs and files transfer flawlessly from one platform to another. The only significant difference between a PC and a MAC is the appearance and structure of the desktop.
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Q. Are Certificate Students required to purchase software/hardware?
A. Continuing Education students are not required to purchase software or hardware. Assignments are completed during class and during open lab time on the University campus. A schedule of open lab times will be available at the start of class.
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Q. Is there a student discount for software/hardware for Certificate Students?
A. Certificate students are qualified to purchase software/hardware at an educational discount through the Penn Computer Connection and the Apple Web Store. Students must present a Web/Print Design Certificate registration statement and an enrollment letter to obtain the discount. Registration statements and enrollment letters are available upon request from the Continuing Education office.
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Q. How much does the Certificate Program cost?
A. The Certificate Program is pay-as-you-go. After completing the Certificate Application and submitting the one-time, non-refundable $50 enrollment fee, students register and pay for each class per semester.
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Q. Is Financial Aid available for Certificate Students?
A. Continuing Education Certificate Programs do not qualify for financial aid or scholarships from UArts or Federal Student Aid. Educational loans may be available through private lenders not affiliated with the University.

The PNC Bank Continuing Education Loan is available to UArts Continuing Ed students. For more information please visit http://www.pnconcampus.com/ or call 1-800-851-2892.
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Q. What advantages does the Certificate Program offer as compared to a degree program?
A. Certificates of Completion are intended to certify that students completing all required courses for a program are prepared to meet specific occupational needs, upgrade skills, or for advancement in an existing career.

Reasons for pursuing a degree differ according to each individual's goals, financial position, and point in life. The most common reasons for a Continuing Ed student to pursue a Certificate in Print Design or Web Design are: low cost, less time, and high quality. Certificate programs are prime examples of highly desirable just-in-time learning. The core of required courses in each program allows students to benefit from a full curriculum of software, design training, and usability issues. Students also benefit from faculty that are currently working in the field and possess real-world knowledge of their business. A portfolio can therefore be generated out of the projects from each of the six core classes and one elective.
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Q. What is the typical starting salary for a graphic designer/web designer?
A. Several resources are available online regarding salary information. The AIGA|Aquent Salary Survey offers salary statistics through an annual survey at www.aiga.org/content.cfm?contentalias=salarysurveypage.
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Q. What percentage of Certificate Program graduates have gone on to work in their chosen field?
A. Student employment tracking is not a component of the Certificate Program, therefore this statistic is not available.
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Q. Can I talk to former Certificate students?
A. Unfortunately, privacy regulations prohibit us from sharing contact information of current or former students.
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Q. Does the Certificate Program provide job placement?
A. Certificate Students are entitled to one advising session with UArts Career Services upon completion of the program. Students are also entitled to a username and password for unlimited access to the UArts online job board.
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