Frequently Asked Questions
Certificate Programs
Applying Communication Completion
Cost Coursework Enrolling
Expectations Grades Locations
Schedule Changes Schedules Students
Talent Technology Transferring
Applying
1. How do I apply to a certificate program?
● Complete the online application at
http://www.kcai.edu/continuing-education/programs/professional-development/certificate -program-online-application.
● Pay the application fee at www.kcai.edu/artforeveryone, then click on “enroll.” Put “application fee” in the search field.
● Submit an official transcript from your most recent educational institution (High School, college, etc…) to KCAI-School for Continuing and Professional Studies.
Communication
1. How does CPS communicate with certificate program students?
Students may email or call the advisor (Director) or one of the two coordinators. The Director will periodically email certificate students alerting them to enrollment deadlines and other important information.
2. How do instructors communicate with students? This is at the discretion of each instructor.
Completion
1. What do I do when I complete all of my coursework? 1. Contact the Director!
2. The Director will send a letter along with instructions and an Application for Completion form.
3. Complete all forms and return them to the Director.
4. Once everything has been cleared, a certificate will be sent to your address. 5. Congratulations!
Cost
1. Is financial aid available?
Financial aid for certificate programs is currently unavailable. However, the School for Continuing and Professional Studies does accept the following sources for tuition payments:
● Full Employment Council
● Department of Secondary Education
● WIA
Tuition reimbursement may also be available through your employer. Consult your human resources/benefits department or supervisor for more information.
2. How much does a certificate cost?
Each course in a certificate program costs $400. Additionally, lab fees and material fees may apply to certain classes.
● Graphic Design $4800 (12 classes) plus fees
● Integrated Design $8800 (22 classes) plus fees
● Multimedia Studies $5200 (13 classes) plus fees
● Photography $5200 (13 classes) plus fees
Coursework
1. Are there required textbooks?
Most textbooks are recommended, but some are required. Student should check the master course outline for each class or ask their instructors.
All of this information is available on the website, but should a student need advising contact the Director who will gladly help them plan accordingly. Students may reach out to the Director at anytime for help.
3. Will I need to take notes?
Yes! Students are expected to take their own notes and should not expect instructors to give them everything.
4. Are there other avenues to supplement my education?
Yes, students are encouraged to get help outside of class if they are struggling. Do not expect the instructor to slow the class down for you. The Jannes Library has resources available such as the online library guide and Lynda.com training. Additionally, your textbooks will be of tremendous help. Students should talk to their instructors to ask what they recommend as well.
5. How can I get more detail on each class?
Each class has a master course outline attached to it on the website. Students can go to
http://www.kcai.edu/continuing-education/programs/professional-development and click on the appropriate program then click on “required courses.” All classes are listed and the title is linked to the outline. Additionally, all outlines are attached to the classes through the “enroll” side of the website.
The outlines provide the following:
● Title
● Description
● Textbooks
● Prerequisites
● Software
● Course Objectives
● Example agenda
● Example assignments
● Assessment criteria
● Practical application
Instructors use these outlines to develop the syllabus, but will add their own ideas and creativity to the class.
6. What are the requirements for each program?
Each class in the certificate programs is worth 1 credit hour.
● Graphic Design: 12 credits/12 classes
● Multimedia Studies: 13 credits/13 classes
● Integrated Design: 22 credits/22 classes (combination of Graphic Design and Multimedia Studies)
● Photography: 13 credits/13 classes
7. Do I have to enroll in the certificate in order to take a class in the certificate program?
No, you do not, but you will not have the same amount of attention and communication from the department. Should a student decide to do the certificate after taking a few classes, they may do so by filling out the online application and paying the $25 fee. An official transcript from the most recent education institution is also required.
8. Is there an option to get deeper training in a particular area?
A Directed Studies option does exist for such a purpose. Should a student want to pursue this contact the Director for the appropriate paperwork.
Enrolling
1. When can I enroll?
Whenever classes become available for enrollment. Sessions are offered five times per year. 2. How do I enroll?
Create an account online at www.kcai.edu/artforeveryone, add courses to your cart, and complete payment..
3. Do classes ever fill?
Yes! Some of our classes are very popular and fill fast. Students cannot guarantee a spot unless they pay for the class.
4. How many students are in a class?
Anywhere from 3 to 15 or more. Lab classes are capped at 10. 5. What if my class is cancelled?
CPS will notify you of the cancellation. Additionally, suggestions for other classes will accompany the cancellation. Students can discuss options with the Director as well. Classes only need three students to “go” so students should enroll and pay as soon as they are able
Expectations
1. What should I expect in the certificate program?
A complete list of Expectations of Students is available online. Students should read this thoroughly.
Grades
1. Are there any grade requirements?
Yes. Students are required to a grade “C” or better to pass the class. If a student receives a “C-” or below, they must retake the class at their own expense. If a student fails the second time, a meeting with the Director will be required to discuss whether remaining in the program is ideal.
2. How will I find out my grade?
Students will receive a welcome letter with a login and password to access grades. Once you have these items you can check grades by doing the following:
1) Go to kcai.edu
2) Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on MYKCAI. 3) Use your login and password to access the website. 4) Click on the “student tab”
5) Click on unofficial transcript
3. How soon may I check my grade after a class ends?
Instructors turn in grades two weeks after a class has ended. CPS staff then manually enters the grades into the system. Please allow at least three weeks before checking a grade.
4. Is attendance required?
Although instructors understand that life happens, attendance is required. Should a student need to miss a class for a good reason, he/she should contact the instructor and discuss how to make up the class.
Locations
1. Where are the classes located?
Classes are located at The School for Continuing and Professional Studies at the Kansas City Art Institute. The building address is 32 E. 46th St. Kansas City, Missouri. Students must check the website for the exact room location which may vary depending on the course. The website has the most up-to-date information regarding locations.
2. How do I get in the building?
Students enrolled in the certificate programs must receive a student ID from the Security office. The process for how to do this is in the welcome letter. You will not be able to gain access to any building unless you have a student ID access card.
3. When are classes offered?
Monday through Thursday from 6 to 8:30 pm and Saturdays from 9 to 11:30 am or 1 to 3:30 pm. Additional classes may be added depending on need.
Schedule Changes
Per our policy, refunds for classes are calculated based on the date the School for Continuing and Professional Studies is notified of a schedule change. All schedule changes are assessed a $25 processing fee.
Refunds: If CPS is contacted 5 business days before the class is scheduled to start, a full refund minus a $25 processing fee will be issued. If CPS is contacted within the 5 business days the class is scheduled to start, a refund of 50% of the tuition minus a $25 processing fee will be issued.
Schedules
1. How are schedules created for the programs?
All classes, days of the week, times and locations are set. Students should refer to the session schedules to plan classes for their respective program. The only items that change from year-to-year are the actual dates of the class and the instructor teaching the course, otherwise students can plan in advance and ascertain when a class will be offered.
2. When can I access the schedules?
Certificate program students will be sent the next year’s schedule in late/summer early fall to help them with planning. If students check the website, they should find classes available for enrollment during the following timeframes:
● Fall: Mid-June
● Spring: Mid-October
● Summer: Mid-February
These are approximates and can vary from year-to-year. 3. How often are classes offered?
Certificate program classes are offered five sessions per year. Each session lasts eight weeks and classes meet once a week for 2.5 hours each time. All classes are offered at least twice per year. A few of the most popular classes are offered more frequently.
4. How many classes do I have to take in a session?
CPS gives students the flexibility to determine their course load. Students may take one class or more based on what they believe they can manage. Students may also take a session off if needed, but are encouraged to continue to work on the certificate each session to remain fresh.
Consider other obligations when signing up for classes. Additionally, students should look at all of the sessions and try to make a program plan that will help them complete the program.
Students
1. Who are the students enrolled in the certificate programs?
Most students in the programs fall into the “adult learner” category. This term means adult students who are pursuing their education later in life, already have a degree and are adding credentials or are career changers. The approximate ages run from mid-twenties to mid-fifties. All adult students are welcome in the program!
Talent
1. How do I know if I have the talent/aptitude for the program in which I am enrolled?
KCAI-CPS prescribes to an “art for everyone” philosophy. Because of this philosophy all students are welcome to take our classes. That said, students should understand that the instructors are talented and accomplished in their fields and will not accept sub par work. Students should expect to be pushed and critiqued on a regular basis. Your instructor will be honest with you about your progress. It is the student’s responsibility to push hard and grow. Should a student cease to do this the instructor might recommend a meeting to discuss the continuation in the program.
Technology
1. I am unfamiliar with iMAC’s. Can I still enroll in a certificate program?
Yes, you may, but it is highly recommended you take one of the iMAC Preview classes to learn basic navigation. All of our computer labs use iMAC’s so you will be expected to learn and navigate them. Instructors will not hold up a class for students unfamiliar with iMAC’s.
2. What software is available?
KCAI uses the most up-to-date Adobe Suite software in most cases. To find out what software will be used in a class, students can look up the master course outline available on the program page or under the enroll heading if you click on “more.”
KCAI has a campus license for the Adobe Suite of products. This licensing enables the campus and CPS for-credit certificate programs students use of the suite on institutional and personally owned computers. To access the Creative Cloud, please contact Sarah McClark at [email protected] to set up a KCAI email account (allow 1-3 weeks for processing) and she will contact you with steps to complete the process.
4. Will I need any student accounts to access information?
Yes, after you complete your application and fee process, you will receive a letter giving you your student ID number and information on how to access your grades.
Additionally, you will set up an account to enroll for classes. Students are expected to manage their own accounts.
5. May I bring my own computer?
If a class has filled and a student has their own computer with the correct software, a request may be made to bring the computer and participate in the class, otherwise students are expected to use the computers available in the labs.
6. Are there any classes required before I can begin the program?
Students are highly encouraged to take the Introduction to Fundamentals of Technology Organization class offered five times per year. This course will introduce students to our labs and how to access everything.
Additionally, if a student does not have a basic understanding of the iMAC computer, the iMAC Preview class is highly recommended.
Transferring
1. Will my credits transfer to another college?
Students should contact any institution in which they may transfer and ask what credits will be accepted. KCAI cannot guarantee that credits will be accepted.
2. Will my credits transfer into the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at KCAI?
certificates can apply to the B.F.A. program. Upon acceptance, students may transfer in the 12 or 13 credits to the program:
• Six credits will be applied to open electives. • Six credits will be applied to studio electives.
• One credit (for multimedia studies and photography) would be applied where needed.
Students completing the integrated design certificate may also apply to the B.F.A. program. Upon acceptance, the above criteria would apply. The remaining credits would be considered and applied based on major choice. Students will work with admissions and the department chair for final articulation. Grade level entry will vary based on each department.
3. Are any forms required to request transfer credits?
Yes, contact the Director to obtain the form or locate it on the website under the respective program.
4. Are the certificates accredited?
Yes, KCAI is accredited by two national bodies. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.
