Language Study Certificates
2-Year & 3-Year Certificate Programs
Language Study Certificates are designed to provide adult language learners with a rigorous and comprehensive education in their target language of study outside of the university system.
Created by a PhD candidate and licensed educator, these certificate programs aim to replicate the rigorous environment of a university program within our school for community members for whom university programs may be time or cost prohibitive. These certificates are designed to be completed in either 2 or 3 part-time academic years and are suitable for working adults. Tuition may be paid per year, per term, or per month, and includes the full cost of two short study abroad programs as well as all required courses at Sepia. Students working toward the certificate will be required to complete work and demonstrate proficiency in each of their courses in order to apply it to their certificate and move on to the next level. Language Study Students will complete quarterly examinations, receive traditional grades on their work, and be given program-specific assignments in addition to their regular classes.
At Sepia, we hope to make high level language education accessible to everyone who has an interest in it. As our founder climbs the traditional ladder of academia herself, she continues to be appalled at how exclusive the club becomes at that level. Despite generous grants, scholarships, and extensive government financial aid, her education remains entirely dependent on significant familial financial assistance. What are students supposed to do who don’t have that?
Language Study Certificates are intended to be an accessible alternative to traditional university degrees - with flexible time commitments and lower tuition costs. We understand though that the cost of our program may still be too high for some. If you would like to donate to our Language Study Scholarship Fund, whatever funds accumulate will be made available to world language students in need of financial assistance. If you are interested in a certificate program but find it to be cost prohibitive, please apply for scholarship consideration. Funds will be dispersed as they become available.
Because we are not affiliated with an accredited institution, Language Study Certificates are not formally recognized by any university or government entity. They are, however, a credential that can be listed on a resume to attest to a high level of proficiency and formal training in a second language. Graduates, upon completion of their program, may also elect to take the B2 (DELE or DALF) exam in their target language to receive an additional certificate of fluency that is valid for life and universally recognized by employers and institutions across the globe. Students interested in this will complete specialized test prep at the end of their program as their final elective, and their exam costs will be covered by their tuition.
Spanish Study Certificates
2-Year Option
The 2-Year Spanish Study Certificate option is for students who already have experience in Spanish (through Sepia or elsewhere). Students must pass an oral and written exam in Spanish before being admitted.
Tuition for the 2-Year Certificate can be paid per year ($6000), per term ($1500), or per month ($500) for 24 months. This includes all required coursework (listed below), as well as one 8-day and one 12-day study abroad program. Students must participate in both an 8-day and 12-day study abroad program to receive their certificate.
Year 1
Intermediate 1 Spanish (Fall)
Study Abroad (8 days): Day of the Dead, Morelia, Michoacán, México (Fall)
Intermediate 2 Spanish (Winter)
Intermediate 3 Spanish (Spring)
Spanish Linguistics (Any Term)
Year 2
Advanced 1 Spanish (Fall)
Advanced 2 Spanish (Winter)
Advanced 3 Spanish (Spring)
Test Prep or Other Elective (Any Term)
Study Abroad (12 days):
Barcelona, Valencia, Malaga, and Seville, Spain (Summer), OR
Buenos Aires, Iguazú, and Ushuaia, Argentina (Spring)
3-Year Option
The 3-Year Spanish Study Certificate option is for students who are complete beginners in Spanish. No examinations are required for admission to this program, but students must demonstrate proficiency in each of their courses in order to remain enrolled.
Tuition for the 3-Year Certificate can be paid per year ($4500), per term ($1125), or per month ($375) for 36 months. This is cheaper than the 2-year program option because it spreads out the cost of the required study abroad trips over 3 years instead of 2.
Tuition includes all required coursework (listed below), as well as one 8-day and one 12-day study abroad program. Students must participate in both an 8-day and 12-day study abroad program to receive their certificate.
Year 1
Beginning 1 Spanish (Fall)
Beginning 2 Spanish (Winter)
Beginning 3 Spanish (Spring)
Year 2
Intermediate 1 Spanish (Fall)
Study Abroad (8 days): Day of the Dead, Morelia, Michoacán, México (Fall)
Intermediate 2 Spanish (Winter)
Intermediate 3 Spanish (Spring)
Spanish Linguistics (Any Term)
Year 3
Advanced 1 Spanish (Fall)
Advanced 2 Spanish (Winter)
Advanced 3 Spanish (Spring)
Test Prep or Other Elective (Any Term)
Study Abroad (12 days):
Barcelona, Valencia, Malaga, and Seville, Spain (Summer), OR
Buenos Aires, Iguazú, and Ushuaia, Argentina (Spring)
Spanish Study Certificate students also enjoy unlimited conversation classes at Sepia for the duration of their program.
Graduates may elect to have Sepia sponsor the DELE B2 exam (proctored in Seattle) upon completion of their certificate if they so wish. Passing the B2 exam awards a lifetime certificate that is internationally recognized by employers, universities, and other programs that require proof of fluency in Spanish. Students who would like to take this exam will be given specific B2 test-prep in their final term at Sepia.
French Study Certificates
2-Year Option
The 2-Year French Study Certificate option is for students who already have experience in French (through Sepia or elsewhere). Students must pass an oral and written exam in French before being admitted.
Tuition for the 2-Year Certificate can be paid per year ($6000), per term ($1500), or per month ($500) for 24 months. This includes all courses, materials, and study abroad programs listed below:
Year 1
Intermediate 1 French (Fall)
Intermediate 2 French (Winter)
Intermediate 3 French (Spring)
French Linguistics (Any Term)
Study Abroad (8 days): Paris + Marseille, France (Summer)
Year 2
Advanced 1 French (Fall)
Study Abroad (12 days): Paris, Grenoble + Strasbourg, France (Winter)
Advanced 2 French (Winter)
Advanced 3 French (Spring)
Test Prep or Other Elective (Any Term)
3-Year Option
The 3-Year French Study Certificate option is for students who are complete beginners in French. No examinations are required for admission to this program, but students must demonstrate proficiency in each of their courses in order to remain enrolled.
Tuition for the 3-Year Certificate can be paid per year ($4500), per term ($1125), or per month ($375) for 36 months. This is cheaper than the 2-year program option because it spreads out the cost of the study abroad trips over 3 years instead of 2.
Tuition includes all courses, materials, and study abroad programs listed below:
Year 1
Beginning 1 French (Fall)
Beginning 2 French (Winter)
Beginning 3 French (Spring
Year 2
Intermediate 1 French (Fall)
Intermediate 2 French (Winter)
Intermediate 3 French (Spring)
French Linguistics (Any Term)
Study Abroad (8 days): Paris + Marseille, France (Summer)
Year 3
Advanced 1 French (Fall)
Study Abroad (12 days): Paris, Grenoble + Strasbourg, France (Winter)
Advanced 2 French (Winter)
Advanced 3 French (Spring)
Test Prep or Other Elective (Any Term)
French Study students also enjoy unlimited conversation classes at Sepia for the duration of their program.
Graduates may elect to have Sepia sponsor the DALF B2 exam (proctored in Seattle) upon completion of their certificate if they so wish. Passing the B2 exam awards a lifetime certificate that is internationally recognized by employers, universities, and other programs that require proof of fluency in French. Students who would like to take this exam will be given specific B2 test-prep in their final term at Sepia.