Appraisal Studies Certificate Program

Course Descriptions (all)
Academic-Year Courses (Fall, Spring)
Summer Courses
About the Instructors
How to Register for Courses

Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

Purchase College is proud to
partner with the American Society
of Appraisers (ASA) to offer the Appraisal Studies Certificate Program. Develop the skills necessary to build a career in the appraisal of personal property and the collecting of fine art, decorative art, antiques, furniture, jewelry, coins, stamps, and more. Through lectures, optional field trips, and the use of the College’s Neuberger Museum of Art—among the 10 largest university museums in the country—learn the history and skills necessary to appraise and/or collect a wide range of items with assurance and competence.

Take courses individually or earn a certificate by completing all certificate requirements. All required courses are taught by ASA-certified instructors. Upon completion of the certificate, you will have taken the first step toward (a) becoming an appraiser or working as an appraisal expert in a gallery, auction house, or insurance company and (b) qualifying for eventual accreditation and membership in the ASA. Students who successfully complete the four required courses are awarded a certificate by Purchase College and may earn 10.8 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

Program Prerequisites
No previous experience is required. Students are expected to have a bachelor’s degree or some professional market experience relevant to the objects typically examined in current appraisal practice.

To qualify for the certificate, students must:

1. Submit a Form of Intent.
2. Achieve a “Pass” designation in coursework from the instructors.
3. Submit a Certificate Request Form after all requirements have been met.
4. Submit a Professional Certificate Program Survey.

Required Courses

1. Introduction to Personal Property Valuation (PP/GJ201)
2. Personal Property Valuation Methodology: Research and Analysis
   (PP/GJ202)
3. Personal Property Valuation Report Writing (PP/GJ203)
4. Personal Property Valuation: The Legal and Commercial Environment
   (PP/GJ204)

Electives

1. Native American Arts of the Southwest: Collecting and Connoisseurship
2. Art Deco and Machine Age Collectibles: History and Market
3. Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP)
4. The Art and Antiques Market
5. Understanding the Art Market

Costs
In addition to the tuition, there is a $25 nonrefundable registration fee paid once per semester.

Textbooks and Reading Materials
Textbooks are required. Sources for acquiring those texts will be made available to registrants.

Purchase College E-Mail Accounts
Students who are registered for Personal Property Valuation Methodology: Research and Analysis (PP/GJ202) and Personal Property Valuation: Report Writing (PP/GJ203) should activate their Purchase College e-mail account.

Updated Oct. 25, 2011