Interlochen Online: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

At this time, we are not able to offer scholarships for private lessons, courses, or certificates through Interlochen Online.

To enroll in an Interlochen Online private lesson, course, or certificate program, visit our Education Community.

With private lessons, you may sign up for as many lessons as you like, up to 52 weeks.

If you wish to participate in a certificate program, you may enroll in the program directly for a discounted package rate, or enroll in courses on an a la carte basis and apply them towards the certificate program.
 

We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible learning environment for all students in our online programs. We believe that all students should have equal access to our learning materials and activities, and that an inclusive learning environment benefits everyone.

Here are some of the accessibility features that we have incorporated into our online courses:

• Our platform is compatible with screen readers and other assistive technologies.
• We use captioning for all videos.
• We use headings and other structural elements to help users navigate the course content more easily.
• We use color contrast in combination with other design elements to ensure that course content is easy to read and understand.
• We provide alternative text for images and graphics.
• We use plain language and avoid jargon or overly technical language wherever possible.

If you would like to request an accommodation for one of our courses or certificate programs, or would like to share any concerns or suggestions regarding accessibility, please contact online@interlochen.org so that we may assist you.

Once you have registered, Interlochen Online private lessons, courses, and certificates are not refundable, though in some cases we may be able to apply payment to another Interlochen program. Please see the Interlochen Online Enrollment Agreement for further information.

For general information, join our mailing list. For all specific questions or for further information, email online@interlochen.org or call 231.276.5990.

All Interlochen Online courses are currently $399, plus a $25 registration fee. However, courses will increase to $499, plus a $25 registration fee as of Oct. 26, 2026.

Interlochen Online courses are designed to be flexible, with weekly learning units that combine video segments and guided instruction that you can complete on your own schedule during the week. You can meet with your instructor and fellow students in a weekly one-hour class meeting, and you will have regular interaction with them throughout the week, including personalized feedback from your instructor on your assigned work. The goal is that you walk away not only with practical skills and friendships but that you are inspired and motivated to pursue your art and realize your potential.

Read more about the Interlochen Online Learning Experience.

As part of the course, you can participate in an optional weekly hour-long video class meeting, where you can learn from the instructor and interact with fellow students in real-time. At the beginning of the course, you will complete a survey indicating your preferred times for the class meeting. The instructor will make every effort to identify a meeting time that works for everyone. The instructor will also post recordings of the meetings and you can view them when it is convenient.

You will interact regularly with your instructor throughout the course. Within the learning environment, you can send messages and questions to your instructor and peers, and you will also receive and provide feedback in this same way.

Read more about the Interlochen Online Learning Experience.

No, course sections are designed for their respective age groups, either for adults (students 18 and older) or young people (students under 18).

Not every course or certificate program will be offered during every session. Courses with low enrollment may be canceled, and enrolled students will be contacted about options such as joining a similar course or transferring to a future session. Because certificate programs consist of three courses, changes to course availability may affect the order in which students take their courses or when they complete the program.

This approach helps create a more engaging learning experience by giving students greater opportunities to learn, share ideas, and connect with classmates. 

You can expect to spend about five hours per week on a course. Course weeks begin on Monday (except when Monday is a holiday) and end on Sunday. You can pace out your week in whatever way works best for you, but we recommend spending a bit of time each day on the course, much like you would practice an instrument. Typically, each week’s creative project is due by Sunday at 3 p.m. Eastern time.

Yes, students will receive letter grades for all Interlochen Online courses.

Instructors will provide each student with detailed, specific, and constructive feedback on their work. Each course successfully completed requires 20 hours of work over four weeks. You may request a letter that reflects this information by contacting online@interlochen.org.

Interlochen Online courses require a computer (preferred) or mobile device with internet access. Some courses may have additional requirements, which can be found in the “What you need to participate” section on each course page on the website. Basic system requirements include the following:

• Screen Size
  • Our learning platform is best viewed at a minimum screen size of 11+ inches. If you want to use a device with a smaller screen, we recommend using the mobile apps for Canvas to access your course (once in the app, select “Interlochen Online” as your school) and Zoom to participate in live class meetings.
• Operating Systems
  • macOS 10.13 or newer (Interlochen recommends Apple products)
  • Windows 10
  • chromeOS
  • Apple iOS or Android
• Computer Speed and Processor
  • Use a Mac or PC 5 years old or newer if possible. While it is possible to use an iPad or mobile device, the experience will be better for you on a laptop or desktop.
  • If using a laptop, it should have the following specifications:
    • At least 4GB of RAM
    • At least 2GHz processor
• Internet Speed
  • Minimum of 1.5Mbps download and 800Kbps upload

All Interlochen Online certificate programs are currently $999, plus a $75 registration fee. However, certificate programs will increase to $1,299, plus a $75 registration fee as of Oct. 26, 2026.

Students may also enroll in courses on an a la carte basis and apply them towards a certificate program later. In this scenario, students are not eligible for the discounted package rate, and the total cost of the certificate program will come to $1,197 before Oct. 26 and $1,497 after. Oct. 26.

Certificate programs offer a unique opportunity to dive deeper into a chosen artistic discipline while showcasing the student’s accomplishments with a credential from Interlochen. Each certificate program is consists of three four-week courses. Depending on the chosen program, courses may be taken sequentially, concurrently, or in a student-determined order.

Upon successful completion of a certificate program, students will receive a personalized certificate, both physical and digital, that can be shared on the student’s social media accounts, résumé, college applications, or LinkedIn profile.

In addition, certificate programs offer students the opportunity to earn college credit, high school credit, or both. 

Each certificate program consists of three four-week courses. Depending on the chosen program, courses may be taken sequentially, concurrently, or in a student-determined order.  There is no defined time frame in which a program must be completed, but for the best educational experience, we recommend that students not let too much time pass between courses.

Not every course or certificate program will be offered during every session. Courses with low enrollment may be canceled, and enrolled students will be contacted about options such as joining a similar course or transferring to a future session. Because certificate programs consist of three courses, changes to course availability may affect the order in which students take their courses or when they complete the program.

This approach helps create a more engaging learning experience by giving students greater opportunities to learn, share ideas, and connect with classmates. 

Students who have completed a course that is included in a certificate program may apply that course towards the certificate program.

Students are required to complete all three courses in a certificate program.

Yes, Interlochen Online certificate programs are accredited for both high school and college credit.

High school credit is available to teens and accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS).

College credit is available to adults and current high school students and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Accreditation from Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) are widely recognized and accepted by thousands of institutions across the country. However, we encourage students and families to consult with their school counselor or registrar in advance to determine how the credit may be applied toward graduation requirements.

All of the certificate programs currently offered by Interlochen Online are eligible for high school credit and college credit.

All adult students, as well as students who were enrolled in high school (or homeschool equivalent) at the time they took and completed all courses in the certificate program, are eligible to request college credit upon successful completion of their program.

All students who are currently enrolled in middle school or high school are eligible to enroll in certificate programs for high school credit.

Yes, students who are currently enrolled in high school (or homeschool equivalent) may request college credit upon completion of their certificate program, in addition to receiving high school credit.
 

Students who successfully complete a certificate program and request college credit may earn 3 college credits per certificate program. The maximum total credits that will be awarded to a student for Interlochen Online certificate programs is 6 credits, which is equivalent to two certificate programs.

Yes! Students who have already completed a certificate program are eligible to request college credit, provided they meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Student must have been an adult participant, or enrolled in high school (or homeschool equivalent) at the time they completed the certificate program
• Student must have successfully completed the certificate program, receiving credit from Interlochen for all courses.

Interlochen will soon send communication to all students who have already completed certificate programs with information on requesting college credit. Students seeking credit will be asked to provide us with their middle name and date of birth for identity verification purposes.
 

Interlochen Online will provide a link to the online request form to students upon successful completion of the program. There is a $75 processing fee for college credit requests.

If you have enrolled in a certificate program for high school credit, you will be sent an official Interlochen transcript upon successfully completing all three courses, no request required.

If you have enrolled in a certificate program and would like to receive college credit, you will need to submit a form to request your college transcript. Interlochen Online will provide a link to the online request form upon completion of the program.
 

College credit earned through Interlochen Online is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a regional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

As with any college coursework, the decision to accept transfer credit is made by the receiving college or university. However, credits from regionally accredited institutions are widely recognized, and many colleges consider them for transfer.

Students who hope to apply these credits toward a future degree are encouraged to check with their intended college or university to understand their specific transfer policies.

As with any college coursework, whether those credits apply toward a specific degree program is determined by the college or university the student ultimately attends.

Many institutions consider credits from regional accreditors for transfer. Students who plan to apply these credits toward a future degree are encouraged to check with their intended college or university to understand how the credits may fit within their program requirements.

Earning college credit ahead of the college application process can demonstrate academic initiative and a willingness to take on more advanced study. For many students, it signals to colleges and universities that they are motivated to challenge themselves and engage seriously with their academic interests.

Beyond the application itself, completing college-level coursework may help students arrive better prepared for future study and potentially allow them to place out of introductory courses or apply credits toward degree requirements.

As with any high school coursework, whether those credits apply towards graduation requirements is determined by the high school the student ultimately attends.

Many schools consider credits from regionally accredited schools for transfer. Students who plan to apply these credits towards graduation requirements are encouraged to check with their counselor to understand how the credits may fit within their school’s requirements.

Interlochen Arts Academy does accept credit awarded to successful Interlochen Online certificate program students. Arts Academy students may help reduce the cost of their annual tuition by supplementing their studies with Interlochen Online certificate programs.

All Interlochen Online private lessons are $100/lesson. 

Yes! Once you complete your private lesson registration, you will be given a link to a form to make your request to study with a specific instructor. While we cannot guarantee that the instructor will have compatible availability, we will do our best to honor your request. Current Interlochen Online instructors can be found here. If you do not have a specific instructor in mind, you will be assigned a private lesson instructor by the Interlochen Online team. All of our instructors are excellent and well-regarded, teaching with Interlochen Arts Academy, Interlochen Arts Camp, and/or institutions of higher education.