1 & 2 Year Certificate Admission Requirements

Applying to Certificate Programs at NYFA

Our intensive and project-based conservatory-style 1 & 2 Year Certificate programs are designed to provide practical experience in the film, media, and performing arts. As these programs are hands-on and immersive, prospective students should have dedication and enthusiasm for visual storytelling within their chosen discipline. To apply and enroll in a 1 & 2 Year Certificate program at NYFA, prospective students must submit a creative portfolio that illustrates their ability to pursue creative goals in the visual arts.

Submitting Applications

To begin the process, prospective candidates must submit an application. We recommend that students allow 20-40 minutes to fill out the application. This does not include the curation and submission of required creative materials, which will be uploaded through our online portal. Please note that students must submit a non-refundable $75 application fee. This is payable as part of the online application.

Required Application Materials

Applicants must submit the following materials for admission:

  • Completed Program Application
  • Application Fee ($75)
  • Proof of High School Completion
  • Creative Portfolio
  • Proof of English proficiency

The following sections provide detailed information regarding each required application material.

Proof of High School Completion

All students pursuing a certificate from the New York Film Academy must show proof of high school graduation. To fulfill this requirement, applicants must submit ONE of the following documents:

– Copy of a high school academic transcript
– Copy of high school diploma
– Copy of state-issued high school equivalency certificate
– Copy of Associate’s degree or college transcript from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university (for students who have completed partial undergraduate coursework.)
– Copy of a fully-completed Department of Defense form DD-214 indicating that the applicant completed high school prior to or during his/her armed forces service
– Home school transcript accredited by the state

Students completing high school in a foreign country, where a language other than English is the official language, and who are able to produce an original transcript, must have it translated into English by an education evaluation service that offers translation services.

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Creative Portfolio

To demonstrate their interest and investment in their chosen discipline, certificate students must submit a creative portfolio.

Requirements by Discipline: Each discipline has different requirements for their creative portfolio submissions, which range from writing samples to short films to photographic series. Collaborative work may be submitted, but applicants must detail what role they had in the creation of the work. To see the requirements for a discipline, please visit the Certificate Creative Portfolio Requirements page.

Portfolio Submissions: All creative portfolio materials must be submitted digitally. Applicants should consult with their admissions representative for guidance on acceptable formats (such as pdf, text files, web links, etc.). All video submissions must be uploaded by the applicant to a streaming video site (such as Vimeo or YouTube), and a link to the site must be provided in the application materials. All portfolio materials must be submitted with an accompanying description contextualizing the nature and purpose of the project.

Please note that portfolio materials will not be returned.

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Proof of English Proficiency

Non-U.S. residents or international applicants, for whom English is not the first or native language, are required to submit proof of English proficiency, in the form of:

– TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 520 or higher (190 for computer-based test or 68 for internet-based test); IELTS 5.5 or the equivalent.
– A report from a valid English Language School verifying completion of course level equivalent to a 520 Paper-based TOEFL Score.

Students might be eligible to receive an English proficiency waiver under the following conditions:

– Verification that the applicant has been studying in a college or university where the sole language of instruction is English for at least 1 full year at the time of their application

– Verification that the applicant studied in a high school where the sole language of instruction is English for at least 3 full years at the time.

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English Proficiency | COVID-19 Special Circumstances

For international students whose first language is not English, or are not eligible for an English language test waiver based on the below*, New York Film Academy has temporarily approved the use of the Duolingo English test in place of the in-person **TOEFL or IELTS English proficiency exams. Duolingo English tests taken between December 31, 2021 and August 2024, will be accepted.

The exam portion of the Duolingo English test contains a series of speaking, reading, writing and listening exercises. Following the exam, there will be an interview portion that will ask you to respond to various prompts in 30 to 90 seconds. The exam will take about 45 minutes to complete and you will need either a passport, driver license, or other national or state identification to show the camera. The score results are generally received within a few days of exam completion.

If you choose to take the Duolingo English test, the access information is linked here: Exam Preparation and here: Test Your English. A verification email will be sent to you a few days after completing the exam containing a link to send your score to NYFA. For additional information, please review the frequently asked questions.

Please note that in order to gain admission to a NYFA certificate program, students will need to score the following on the Duolingo test:

Certificate Programs: 90

*Verification that the applicant has been studying in a college or university where the sole language of instruction is English for at least 1 full year at the time of their application; or
Verification that the applicant had studied in a high school where the sole language of instruction is English for at least 3 full years.
** NYFA prefers students to submit TOEFL or IELTS English Proficiency Scores – please note that TOEFL is now offering ‘at home’ testing.

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Tuition Deposit

Once admitted to NYFA, students must pay a required deposit to secure their place. The deposit is $500, which is applied toward the first term’s tuition payment. Students who do not enroll and attend NYFA may have most of their deposit refunded. $100 of the deposit is non-refundable under any circumstances for an administrative processing fee.

Admission Stipulation

Please note that admission to any NYFA program is based upon applicant information received during the admissions process. If, however, a student, after having been admitted but before starting classes, demonstrates that they are not fully prepared to commence studies at the Academy, NYFA will meet with the student to determine a proper course of action. This may include additional testing or instruction, deferring enrollment to a later semester, or enrollment in a different program of study better suited to the student.