Is Certification For You?

This is an outstanding program, but it’s not for everyone. Check out these FAQ to make the best decision for you.

CERTIFICATION OVERVIEW

The IAS Arts Integration Certification Program is an intensive, online program of study for educators who want to become Arts Integration Specialists.   The workload is similar to a master’s program but you’ll be finished much sooner. This is split into (4) sprints.  Sprints cover:

  • Foundations of Arts Integration
  • Lessons and Assessments
  • Connecting with Other Initiatives
  • Leading Change Efforts

Everything is online — no travel is required.

You also have lifetime access to the program.  So you’ll be able to come back for updated materials, ideas, and the incredible community whenever you need.

The core program is self-paced. As soon as you apply, are accepted, and enroll, you’ll receive access to all 4 sprints, bonus materials, and resources to complete the program. The tuition for this core program is $2150.

If you are someone who learns better with a dedicated 1:1 coach/teacher, as well as a cohort of others working together during a set period of time (more like traditional “online classes”), we do have the option to add this model to each Sprint. We call these “Sprint Intensives”. These Intensives run throughout the year and are available for each Sprint. These Intensives are optional, but provide you with a dedicated coach and cohort that meets regularly over 8-weeks to help you complete the project for your selected Sprint. Each Intensive is an additional $250, as we hire coaches specifically for our Intensive groups.

Should you take all 4 Sprint Intensives, it would add an additional $1,000 to your program tuition (making your total investment $3150). Keep in mind that these Intensives are optional – we’ve had many successful graduates move through the program on their own. It’s really just your preference for how you learn best.

This is unlike anything else we provide on our site.  Through this program, you’ll have unparalleled access to the entire IAS team and community, direct mentorship from our founder Susan Riley, and a supportive community of like-minded educators committed to arts integration.

Additionally, there’s a “live” component to this program if you select to add on optional 1:1 coaching for any Sprint with our staff.  These 8-week sessions will push you while simultaneously inspiring you to go further than you’ve gone before with integrating the arts.

Simply put, this is our flagship program and we’re incredibly honored to support the selected applicants throughout the year.

This is not a quick and easy online program. We are dedicated to certifying exceptional arts integration specialists, and our program intensity reflects that. There are 4 sprints and a final portfolio submission. You have up to 3 years to complete the program on your own. So you can move through as quickly or as slowly as you need.

If you’d like to complete the program within a year, we recommend adding on the 1:1 coaching sessions (called Sprint Intensives) for each sprint. While optional, these coaching sessions are designed to help you complete a full sprint in just 8 weeks.  We offer these Intensives year-round.

During the 8 weeks of an Intensive, we recommend that you commit to 10-15 hours per week to review the video-lessons, complete the assignments and work on your culminating sprint project. Think of each sprint like taking a master’s degree course.

If that time outlook seems daunting, don’t worry.  Most of our students have full-time jobs and families. This experience is designed to stretch you, but it can also be customized to your life.  Our coaches are seasoned pros in helping you keep on track and will work with you to ensure you’re not overwhelmed.

The more focus and dedication you put into this program, the more you’ll get out of it. Other factors that affect how much time you’ll need to complete certification include:

  • How much you’re already using arts integration
  • Your own organization skills
  • Your comfort level with technology
  • How much time you commit to conversations and connections in the community
  • Whether you complete each assignment (optional but recommended) or just the sprint project (required).

No. This is a certification from our organization, IAS, and is not connected to any institution of higher learning.  When certified by our organization, you carry the outstanding reputation of our internationally-recognized leadership in Arts Integration and STEAM, along with accreditation from the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (the gold standard for CEUs).  Think of this like being Google Certified.  Your certification means that we have personally trained and support you as a certified arts integration specialist through our organization.

That said, you are eligible to add up to 6 graduate credits through our University partner, California State University San Marcos, should you take all 4 Sprint Intensives.

WHO THIS IS MEANT TO SERVE

This program has been designed for K-12 educators who are currently familiar with and using arts integration in their classrooms and schools.  This is meant to help you take arts integration to the next level and lead that effort with a school, district or organization.

From the arts teacher who is integrating and collaborating with other teachers, to the team leader or principal trying to bring arts integration to the whole school, this program will help you make your goals a reality.

This program will help you to:

  • Learn proven strategies in and through the arts
  • Confidently make connections across the curriculum
  • Create models of success for arts integration and STEAM
  • Build buy-in and maximize your impact
  • Collaborate with teachers, administrators and community members
  • Design inspiring and innovative learning opportunities for all students
  • Assess maker-centered approaches and use data to make meaningful change.

This is an advanced program of study.  If you’re not currently using arts integration or STEAM and are looking for an introduction, this is not for you.  We’d recommend our Accelerator membership option instead.

This is also not for anyone who already has an overload of responsibilities.  This program takes a true commitment of time and energy.  We want you to succeed – not burnout.  If you are already stretched thin with graduate work, doctoral studies or additional teaching duties, this is not the right time to pursue this certification.

No!  We have had many international students join us in the program.  Keep in mind that the live video chats (held once per sprint) may need some time flexibility since our instructors are based in North America.  But we always record each video chat so you won’t miss anything.

Everything in the program is adaptable to your standards and programs.  It’s based on timeless strategies and best practices for arts integration which work regardless of where you teach.

If you can open a web browser and click “play”, you’ll be fine.

The certification program is an individualized program of study.  If others in your district are accepted, you are welcome to collaborate to get peer feedback and support on sprint projects.  However, you will each need to submit your own project which will be graded separately and provided with individual feedback.

TUITION INFORMATION

Your total investment is $2150 (if paid in full) for the core program. You can also make 6 monthly installment payments of $395, and we do accept School POs. 

Keep in mind that other certification and advanced study programs can cost up to $5,000-10,000 and they do not provide the practical focus of this arts integration program.

Not for this program.  We do support arts integrated classrooms through Donors Choose and Adopt-a-Classroom programs throughout the year, and many of the selected grants are for enrollees and graduates of the program.

We accept all common credit cards including Visa, Mastercard and American Express. For pay-in-full orders ($2150 USD), we can also accept checks and school purchase orders. To pay via a purchase order, please contact us here.

FINAL DETAILS

That will be completely up to your school or district.  The total time investment in this program is 520 clock hours.  At the end of your certification program, you will be provided with a certificate of completion for those clock hours, along with 20  CEUs, and a certificate stating that you are a Level I Certified  Arts Integration Specialist through IAS.  We definitely recommend you check with your district if you plan to use this program for CEU/PD hour requirements.

There is also an opportunity to earn 6 graduate credits (for an additional fee of $594 plus $12 transcript fee) from our accredited partner, CSU San Marcos.  That will be made available to anyone who completes all 4 Sprint Intensives.

Yes and no. The core program is designed to be completed within a year as an independent study (on your own). You do have up to 3 years to complete everything, just in case life happens.

If you choose to take a Sprint Intensive, you’ll have a dedicated 1:1 coach and a small cohort of others in your group for 8 weeks. Each sprint is delivered to you in its entirety at the beginning of your 8-week period. You can work ahead within those 8 weeks if you’d like, but you won’t be able to work on the other sprints until this Sprint Intensive is completed. This is so that you have the opportunity to really dig into the content of each sprint, connect with your cohort and have adequate time to work on your project submission.

We have had several schools choose to go through the program with multiple members of their staff at the same time. This is completely fine! Please note: each person in the group must apply and be accepted into the program prior to paying for a group.

Set yourself up for success

Apply today for the Arts Integration Specialist Certification Program.  It’s could be the first step towards your best future.