Getting Started with a Credit Certificate Program

Certificates are awarded after successful completion of all required courses.  Completion generally takes between four and six semesters, depending on course availability, the certificate requirements, and the rate at which you take courses. 

Note: Some programs have courses with prerequisites, which require you to have taken courses that are not actually a part of the certificate program—or have knowledge and experience in the prerequisite area that allows the program chairperson to waive the prerequisites.  Additionally, all clothing construction and sewing certificates require strong sewing skills.

Details

Entering a credit certificate program at FIT is easy:

  1. Register for classes    
  2. Complete your coursework
  3. Apply to receive your certificate 

» Certificate Registration Instructions

FAQ

These are the questions we receive most about credit certificates. Need more help? [email protected]

See: Credit Courses

Virtually all certificate courses are offered on evenings and weekends, with a small number offered online in the CAD for Fashion Design-Art program.  Courses are usually offered once per year, so you need to register for them as they become available.

No, the federal government requires that a student be in their first degree-granting program to receive financial aid and a certificate is not considered a degree program.

This depends on several factors, including the rate at which you take the classes and when they are offered.  Most certificates are designed to be taken in a fairly sequential manner, so the average student can expect 4-5 terms at a minimum.  Note that some programs have courses with prerequisites not included in the certificate, which require the student to have taken courses that are not actually a part of the certificate program, or have knowledge & experience in the prerequisite area that allows the chairperson to waive the prerequisites.  Additionally, all clothing construction & sewing certificates require strong sewing skills.

A certificate is not a substitute for a degree program, it is an additional credential that demonstrates expertise in a given field.  However, some students may do a certificate program instead of a degree, depending on their personal goals and interests.

Take a look at the website for your certificate program of choice to determine how many credits you will need to take, then multiple by the appropriate tuition rate and add in fees to get an idea of what the cost will be for you.  Credit certificate courses are considered associate or bachelor level courses for the purposes of tuition.

No, though visiting a faculty member during one of our Advisement and Registration Sessions to discuss your experience and show them your work could be valuable.

To study credit courses in the United States, a student must have a visa that allows credit study, which does not include tourist visas.  However, FIT is only able to assist a student in obtaining a visa if they apply and are accepted to a degree program.  Certificate programs are not degree programs.  Read more about International Students and visas.