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Q. Who should take an Online Course?

Students join our online courses for a variety of reasons and come from diverse backgrounds, professions, and age groups. With online courses, you can Advance your skill-set or begin a career change. Take the next step in your formal education. Ease the transition before entering a full-time academic program. Enjoy learning a new topic. Whatever the reason, our online courses are a flexible way of learning about the art world without disrupting your daily life.

Q. How do I select a course?

Visit the course catalog to browse our offerings. In addition to searching by course duration and availability, you can also search by subject to ensure you find a course that reflects your interests. Though it is not required, we encourage those who have not studied art before to consider taking an art history course first to get a solid grounding in the discipline before exploring more specific disciplines. Our art history courses are the perfect first step before moving on to art market courses.

Q. Are there prerequisites or language requirements?

There are no prerequisites. Our courses are open to students of all backgrounds who are 18 years of age and older. All courses are conducted in English. Video lectures include English subtitles and the option to slow-down, pause, or replay lectures for better retention. Discussion boards are a critical component of each of our courses; therefore, we suggest students have a conversational knowledge of English when pursuing a Certificate of Completion. For any of the art writing courses, students need to be 100% proficient in written English.

I am a high school student, can I join?

Courses are open to all students 18 years or older. If you are under 18 years old, please contact us (online@sothebysinstitute.com) to discuss further.

Q. Can I take more than one course at a time?

If you are new to online learning, we recommend that you begin with one course. As our courses are offered frequently throughout the year, you can always come back and continue your studies with one or more topics.

Q. What should I do if I need to start the course late?

It is recommended that you begin your course promptly. If you do need to start the course a few days late, contact your instructor as soon as possible after the course has opened to discuss your options. Registration closes on the Friday after the course begins.

Q. How do I register?

Registration is available on our website. Just follow these simple steps: Click the “Apply Now” button in the top right corner of your screen. Select “Online Courses.” Choose your course(s).

Q. When should I register?

Most courses are offered at least 3 times during the year. Certain courses can fill up quickly, so be sure to register early.

Q. My payment did not go through. What do I do?

We apologize for this inconvenience. We encourage you to reach out to your financial institution as further permissions may be needed to complete the payment. You are also welcome to write to online@sothebysinstitute.com for further guidance. Please wait a full 24 hours before trying again. A strong Internet connection and up-to-date browser are strongly recommended.

Q. Do you provide financial assistance or payment plans?

As noncredit courses, our online courses are not eligible for state or federal financial aid. Some students seek professional development support from their employer or from external scholarships. In the United States, fees paid for professional development are deductible from your personal income taxes to the extent permitted by current law. While we do not offer automatic payment plans at this time, please reach out to online@sia.edu to discuss payment alternatives, such as wire transfers.