Professional Certificate

At Florence University of the Arts (FUA) and Apicius International School of Hospitality (AISH), SAI offers Professional Certificate Programs for students seeking to develop new skills and knowledge while building a body of work and professional experience in an international learning environment.

Certificate Programs may be taken from one semester to one or two years. Each year is comprised of two semesters, with pre-set “core classes” and weekend intensive seminars. All programs devote a portion of each term to the development of a professional portfolio. All students take a 3-week course of Italian Language before the courses begin.

Students receive US credit for Certificate Programs, and they are also available for Italian school credit only, with a fee reduction.

Certificate in Culinary Arts

Students will gain a solid foundation of Italian cuisine covering all aspects of professional culinary arts with an emphasis on Italian products, traditions, and regionality. The goal of the Culinary Arts Certificate is to impart Italian taste, refinement and the origins of a cuisine with ancient and multi-cultural roots. The tenets of professional cooking in the restaurant sector are taught as the basis from which students will then learn about Italian regional cuisine, wines, and Italian baking and pastry techniques.  The second semester offers courses focusing on creative approaches to Italian cuisine and the principles of restaurant management.

Certificate in Hospitality Management

The Apicius Professional Program in Hospitality Management offers international students a unique opportunity to specialize their studies in the field of hospitality, while studying in one of tourism’s most challenging and exciting cities in the world. The program is based not only on theory but also on practical experience consisting of site visits, guest lectures and internships organized to provide formative professional experiences for the students. The program is based in the heart of this unique and sophisticated city and is renowned for its expertise in teaching methods, ensuring a remarkable experience for each A.I.S.H. Hospitality student. Students enrolled in this program will take a pre-set block of courses.

Certificate in Italian Baking & Pastry

Italy has always been synonymous with great food and wine. The simplicity of the cuisine, especially of the sweets, breads and desserts is truly unique and cannot be paralleled by cuisines of other cultures. Regional differences and quality ingredients make it unequaled, along with the centuries of refining and perfecting the recipes of master bakers and pastry chefs. From rustic breads to festival sweets, Italian life is dominated by local specialties that mark each tradition: chocolate Easter eggs, Quaresimali cookies, zeppole, biscotti and gelato. The Baking and Pastry program is structured to give students an understanding of Italian Culture as well as the technical means to become professionals in the Baking and Pastry field. Students in this program will take a pre-set block of courses.

Certificate in Wine Studies & Enology

A wine expert is a qualified critic, salesman, and business manager. The professional sommelier possesses skills and knowledge on the subject of wine, and acknowledges the fundamental importance of wine to the culinary experience. The last decades have witnessed a substantial increase in career opportunities for professional wine experts: as sommeliers in the restaurant dining room, as chefs in the professional kitchen, as educators and writers, as winery representatives and winemakers, and as wine managers. The Apicius professional Wine Expertise curriculum is rigorous and offers students a wide range of future employment in the wine industry. A.I.S.H. is proudly partnered with internationally respected wine producers such as the Frescobaldi, Antinori, Guicciardini Strozzi, Cantine Leonardo da Vinci, Berlucchi and Distillerie Nardini. Students in this program will take a pre-set block of courses.

Certificate in Accessory Design and Technology

The Program in Accessory Design and Technology offers a technical study approach to the fashion accessory world and challenges students to develop their personal techniques, styles and ideas with an eco-sustainable preparation. Students will explore the “lost arts” of Florence’s local fashion economy, specifically straw and leather manufacturing in the case of accessory design; the aim is to provide a direct “hands on” experience through the construction of accessories and close contact with green-mapped fashion businesses and artisans.

Certificate in Eco-Sustainable Design

This unique program focuses on the philosophy of designing and adhering to the principles of economic, social and ecological sustainability.

Certificate in Fashion Design and Technology

The program in Fashion Design and Technology offers the unique opportunity for total immersion in the Florentine fashion world through direct experience and hands on experimentation combined with the a study of the contemporary and traditional innovations that continue to make fashion in Italy so dynamic. Students will explore the “lost arts”  of Florence’s local fashion economy, specifically leather and knitwear manufacturing in the case of fashion design; students will continuously experience hands on approaches to the technologies and the creative/marketing strategies behind the design and construction of fashion, supported by close contact with local and greenmapped designers based in and around Florence.

Certificate in Photography

Combines classical and digital approaches studies and skills training to provide students with a thorough understanding of Photography.

Certificate in Publishing

The certificate in Publishing unites the creative forces of Apicius, FUA, and FAST in a single program of study in the publishing field. The year long program begins with the fundamentals and proceeds with the advanced skills necessary to design, edit, produce, publish and market published media. Particular focus is given to the magazine and book forms of published media and the unique structuring of the course allows students to partake in ongoing publishing projects of Ingorda for Florence Campus Publishing. Students must choose one of three concentrations offered in this certificate: publishing in the art world, gastronomy, and fashion. The final project is a student and faculty produced book that will make its way into mainstream and specialized markets. A semesterly lifestyle magazine is also produced in house with the collaboration of students.

Certificate in Visual Communication

Assists students to develop proficiency in the use of visual design methods and technologies. Students will combine the development of design skills and experience with various forms of media and industry.