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Program Information

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Art & Design Essentials

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CERTIFICATE

  • School of Academics, Applied Arts & Tourism
  • Duration: Two Years, Part-Time

Applications closed to International Applicants.

 APPLY NOW 

LOCATION/DELIVERY MODES & DATES
Show Legend Definitions
Hide
Delivery Legend:
C
On Campus
close
On Campus: All courses in this program will be delivered onsite at a CNA campus or at an approved location. Some courses may have online elements.
 | 
B
Blended
close
Blended: Some courses, or parts of courses, in this program will be delivered onsite at a CNA campus or at an approved location, while other courses, or parts of courses, will be delivered online or virtually to students at another location.
 | 
OA
Online - Asynchronous
close
Online - Asynchronous: Delivered fully online with no scheduled classes, and allows students to learn on their own schedule, in a flexible environment, within a certain time frame.
 | 
OS
Online - Synchronous
close
Online Synchronous: Delivered fully online with live, scheduled videoconference classes. The instructor and the students in the course engage with the course content and each other at the same time, from different locations.
Online - Asynchronous - September 2025
Prince Philip Drive - On Campus delivery - Alternate Year Intake - September 2026

  • Overview
  • Admission Requirements
  • Courses
  • Careers & Pathways
  • Tuition & Fees

Overview

Show me more about...OBJECTIVES

LOCATION/DELIVERY MODES & START DATES
Show Legend Definitions
Hide
Delivery Legend:
C
On Campus
close
On Campus: All courses in this program will be delivered onsite at a CNA campus or at an approved location. Some courses may have online elements.
 | 
B
Blended
close
Blended: Some courses, or parts of courses, in this program will be delivered onsite at a CNA campus or at an approved location, while other courses, or parts of courses, will be delivered online or virtually to students at another location.
 | 
OA
Online - Asynchronous
close
Online - Asynchronous: Delivered fully online with no scheduled classes, and allows students to learn on their own schedule, in a flexible environment, within a certain time frame.
 | 
OS
Online - Synchronous
close
Online Synchronous: Delivered fully online with live, scheduled videoconference classes. The instructor and the students in the course engage with the course content and each other at the same time, from different locations.
Online - Asynchronous - September 2025
Prince Philip Drive - On Campus delivery - Alternate Year Intake - September 2026

Woven through its rich and vibrant history, the arts in Newfoundland and Labrador are an integral part of its culture. Performance, media, literary, visual and other arts enrich this province’s cultural heritage and contribute significantly to the economy. Studies in art and design promote creativity, flexibility, problem-solving, innovation, critical thinking and other invaluable skills needed in the world today. The Status of the Artist Act recognizes the important contribution professional artists make to the economic and social well-being of our province. Art also contributes to personal well-being. Studies show that art-making and design improve the health and well-being of an individual, and these areas are recognized for their tremendous benefits to individuals and society as a whole.
 
To remain on the leading edge of offering programs that are current and in demand, College of the North Atlantic is pleased to offer Art & Design Essentials, available both on campus and online through its Distributed Learning Services. Courses in this program will be accessible to students over a two-year period. Students can choose to complete all 16 courses and receive the post-secondary educational credential of a Certificate in Art & Design Essentials or select courses that are of interest to them. For further information on Distributed Learning Service, please visit dls.cna.nl.ca.
 
Art & Design Essentials, developed in consultation with industry professions, provides an opportunity to explore a variety of disciplines in the arts. Courses include traditional practices in drawing, two and three-dimensional design, photography, color theory, art history, and the use of contemporary technologies for digital imaging, time-based media and webpage development. The study of portfolios and their design/function will assist with future application processes related to subsequent post-secondary programs, employment, awards, competitions and professional development within the arts.

 
OBJECTIVES
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to: 
  1. Apply design skills using traditional and digital technologies in art. 
  2. Create a thematic series of artworks demonstrating sustained exploration of concepts and technical processes. 
  3. Create a portfolio of artwork for application to specialized studies in art, media and design programs at the post-secondary level. 
  4. Represent themselves and their artwork using effective oral and written communication skills. 
  5. Utilize portfolio development as a continuous process of personal growth, reflection and self-assessment. 
  6. Demonstrate knowledge of art history concepts and the development of contemporary art. 
  7. Demonstrate professional practices that exhibit the entry-level entrepreneurial, innovative and collaborative skill sets that are not only necessary within either an independent or team-based environment but are also required for further study within post-secondary art, media and design programs. 
  8. Develop effective networking and critical thinking skills necessary for working with professional affiliations within creative industries.  

Admission Requirements


1.  High School
Provincial High School Graduation Certificate with a 60% average in eight level 3000 credits or equivalent.
2.  College Transition (prior to 2024, students would have completed Comprehensive Arts and Science (CAS) Transition)
College Transition Certificate.
3.  Adult Basic Education (ABE)
Adult Basic Education (Level III) Graduation with General College Profile (or Business-Related College Profile or Degree and Technical Profile) with an average pass mark of 60%.
4.  Mature Student Requirement
Applicants who do not meet the education prerequisites for this program, are 19 years at the time of application and out of school for at least one year may be considered on an individual basis under the Mature Student Requirements. For more information regarding the Mature Student Requirements, please refer to Procedure AC-102-PR: Admission.

Courses


  Year 1    
COURSES    
CODE TITLE Hrs/wk
FALL   Cr Le La
CM1450
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Writing Fundamentals 3 3 0
VA1110
close
Drawing Methods & Media 3 2 2
VA1115
close
2D Design 2 1 2
VA1400
close
Colour Theory 3 3 0
         
WINTER   Cr Le La
HY1120
close
Prehistory to Renaissance 3 2 2
PD1120
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Portfolio Development I 2 1 2
PY1150
close
Photography 3 2 2
VA1140
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Figure Drawing 3 2 2
         
INTERSESSION*   Cr Le La
*course offerings to be determined based on student demand
         
  Year 2      
COURSES    
CODE TITLE Hrs/wk
FALL   Cr Le La
CM1520
close
Writing for the Arts 3 3 0
PD1125
close
Portfolio Development II 3 2 3
VA1120
close
Digital Imaging 3 2 2
VA1170
close
3D Design 3 2 2
         
WINTER   Cr Le La
HY1130
close
Renaissance to 20th Century 3 2 2
PD1135
close
Final Portfolio 3 2 2
VA1180
close
Time-based Media 3 2 2
VA1185
close
Studio Practice 3 2 3
         
INTERSESSION**   Cr Le La
**course offerings to be determined based on student demand

Careers & Pathways


CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
The Art & Design Essentials program prepares students for entry-level employment opportunities. For example, the following relates to the employment potential and possible opportunities available for students who complete the program:

Self-Employed Artist:  All courses in the program help develop the creative, technical, communication and critical thinking skills required for the production of artwork as a self-employed artist.
 
Gallery Assistant: Through completing the Portfolio Development I and Portfolio Development II courses, students will develop skills for the evaluation and selection of artists’ proposals for exhibition. The Photography course will help students develop skills for the photo documentation of exhibitions in artist-run and commercial galleries.
 
Freelance Writing:  Academic courses such as Writing Fundamentals and Writing for the Arts will help develop writing skills required for review of exhibitions. The Art History courses, Prehistory to Renaissance and Renaissance to 20th Century, will enable students to assess and critique artwork as it relates to contemporary art practices. The E-Portfolio course will develop skills for webpage development and the use of blogs as a platform for writing art reviews.
 
Assistant for Community Festivals: Community festivals often incorporate an art and cultural component. Writing for the Arts develops skills for writing grant proposals for community-based festivals. Art History courses develop an understanding of the value of contemporary visual culture and the significance of art and craft as cultural artifacts of a community.  The E-Portfolio course develops web page design skills for the promotion of community festivals.
 


FURTHER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
The program also prepares students for future post-secondary studies in the areas of Arts/Applied Arts, Media and Design.

Graduates who have completed the Art & Design Essentials program from CNA with a minimum of 75% may apply for admission to the Bachelor of Fine Arts, degree program at Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD) with advanced standing. Graduates will be granted up to a maximum of 36 credits toward the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at NSCAD.


Tuition & Fees


Canadian Students

The confirmation fee is due within two weeks of receipt of your Letter of Acceptance. It is required in order to hold your seat in the program.

Base Fees

Mandatory Fees

  • Application Fee - $30.00 per program (non-refundable) | Application Page
    Applicants must pay a non-refundable fee for each application to the College.
  • Confirmation Fee - $103.00 per program annually (non-refundable)
    Student must pay a non-refundable fee on confirmation of acceptance to each program at the College. The fee covers registration and student association fees and is paid annually for the duration of the program.
  • Academic Audit Fee (once per program) - $50.00
  • Technology Fee (per semester) - $79.00
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Full-Time Student Fees

Certificate & Diploma Programs:

Regular Term (15-weeks)
Academics, Applied Arts & Tourism (per semester) - $1,140.00

Intersession (up to 7-weeks)
Academics, Applied Arts & Tourism (per semester) - $545.00
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Part-Time Student Fees

Certificate & Diploma Programs:

Tuition Fee (per course) - $305.00

Regulations

Regulations Governing Payment of Fees & Charges

  1. All student fees must be paid by the date specified in each term.  The dates are listed in the Academic Calendar on page. Students receiving Student Aid must present their notification of Student Aid form on the first day of classes. These students are permitted to have fees outstanding until receipt of the Student Aid, at which time these students must pay their accounts in full.
  2. Students who have not paid all fees within the time limits given in these regulations may have their registration cancelled by the College.
  3. Students with outstanding accounts will be ineligible for a subsequent term, will not be awarded a diploma or certificate, access to register, and will not be issued a certificate of standing (transcript), grade report, or access to on-line grades until the outstanding account has been paid in full. It is the student’s responsibility to address outstanding balances and to work with their respective campus student services office on inquiries related to their account balance.
  4. Should the College cancel a program, all tuition and fees paid will be refunded.
  5. Out of sequence students registering or withdrawing within a term will pay a prorated tuition and equipment and materials fee per week.
  6. Students taking courses above their normal term load (requires application to extend normal course load per semester) will pay tuition for each additional course taken.
  7. Senior Citizens, 60 years and older, are required to pay 50% of confirmation fee and tuition.
  8. Students wishing to audit a course will pay 50% of the tuition and 100% of the technology fees (if applicable).

 

International Students

A fee, which is applied toward program tuition and compulsory fees and includes a deposit fee, is due within two weeks of receipt of your Letter of Acceptance.

Base Fees

Mandatory Fees

  • Application Fee - $100.00 per program (non-refundable) | Application Page
    Applicants must pay a non-refundable fee for each application to the College.
  • The following fees are due during confirmation of acceptance to each program at the college:
    • Confirmation Fee - $103.00 per program annually (non-refundable)
      Student must pay a non-refundable fee on confirmation of acceptance to each program at the College. The fee covers registration and student association fees and is paid annually for the duration of the program.
    • Deposit fee - First semester tuition of which $1500 is non-refundable
  • Academic Audit Fee (once per program) - $50.00
  • Technology Fee (per semester) - $79.00
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Full-Time Student Fees

Certificate & Diploma Programs:

Regular Term (15-weeks)
Academics, Applied Arts & Tourism (per semester) - $4,363.00

Intersession (up to 7-weeks)
Academics, Applied Arts & Tourism (per semester) - $2,182.00
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Part-Time Student Fees

Certificate & Diploma Programs:

Tuition Fee (per course) - $1,046.00
Exceptions:
  • Heavy Equipment Operator (per week) - $337.00
  • Commercial Driver (per week) - $337.00
  • All other Trade programs (per week) - $298.00

Estimated Program Costs

The document below is meant to highlight estimated program costs for the intake of 2024-2025. The estimates apply only to International Student. All costs shown are subject to change without notice.

Estimated Program Costs for International Students (2024-2025) 


Making Payments

Application fee:
If applying online, the application fee must be paid via credit card when completing and submitting your application to College of the North Atlantic.

For all other tuition payments:
College of the North Atlantic has partnered with PayMyTuition for international tuition payments. All tuition payments, unless otherwise noted, can be paid via PayMyTuition. With PayMyTuition, you can pay your tuition payments from any bank, in any country in any currency at better than bank exchange rates. PayMyTuition is fast, simple, and cost effective.
Please note that you can only use PayMyTuition once you have being assigned a CNA student number.
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Regulations

Regulations Governing Payment of Fees & Charges

  1. All student fees must be paid by the date specified in each term.  The dates are listed in the Academic Calendar on page. Students receiving Student Aid must present their notification of Student Aid form on the first day of classes. These students are permitted to have fees outstanding until receipt of the Student Aid, at which time these students must pay their accounts in full.
  2. Students who have not paid all fees within the time limits given in these regulations may have their registration cancelled by the College.
  3. Students with outstanding accounts will be ineligible for a subsequent term, will not be awarded a diploma or certificate, access to register, and will not be issued a certificate of standing (transcript), grade report, or access to on-line grades until the outstanding account has been paid in full. It is the student’s responsibility to address outstanding balances and to work with their respective campus student services office on inquiries related to their account balance.
  4. Should the College cancel a program, all tuition and fees paid will be refunded.
  5. Out of sequence students registering or withdrawing within a term will pay a prorated tuition and equipment and materials fee per week.
  6. Students taking courses above their normal term load (requires application to extend normal course load per semester) will pay tuition for each additional course taken.
  7. Senior Citizens, 60 years and older, are required to pay 50% of confirmation fee and tuition.
  8. Students wishing to audit a course will pay 50% of the tuition and 100% of the technology fees (if applicable).



 APPLY NOW 
College of the North Atlantic reserves the right to cancel or alter the delivery date and location of any program offering and delivery method, and will do so in a timely manner in order to minimize the impact on applicants.
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