Professional Certificate in AR/VR Development and 3D Graphics

Build cutting-edge AR and VR experiences for long-term career success

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Course Dates

STARTS ON

May 8, 2024

Course Duration

DURATION

7 months, online
15-20 hours per week

Course Fee

PROGRAM FEE

US$7,400 US$6,290 and get US$740 off with a referral

Course Information Flexible payment available
Course Fee

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Emeritus is collaborating with NYU Tandon School of Engineering to help you build future-ready skills. Enroll before and get up to 15% tuition assistance to set yourself up for professional success.​

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program fee

US$7,400 US$6,290

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Why Take This Program?

The rapid growth in the development of commercial applications for extended reality (XR) has led companies from every industry to seek out experienced or trained developers and engineers with AR/VR experience and skills that they can bring into XR development.

Developed by a team of XR professionals associated with NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering, the seven-month Professional Certificate in AR/VR Development and 3D Graphics provides the skills and knowledge that companies such as Apple, Wayfair, Google, and Verizon value as they make the shift to XR development.

Traditional software engineers and developers (or those with computer science-related degrees) can learn the XR essentials needed to build experiences in a game engine, use scripting to create, navigate, and customize 3D graphic assets to construct virtual environments, and create a presentable prototype.

$1,09,334

The average salary of an AR/ VR developer as of 2023

Source: GLASSDOOR

74%

Of software engineers predict we will see the full impact of AR/VR within the next 5 years

SOURCE: 2020 HIRED STATE OF SOFTWARE ENGINEERS REPORT

$393 billion

The global XR market is expected to reach approximately $393 billion by 2025, a CAGR of 69.4% throughout the forecast period

SOURCE: Market Research Future

Who Should Attend

This comprehensive program is designed for professionals or students with a computer science degree or equivalent development background who want to learn XR essentials and fundamentals to build AR and VR experiences in Unity. It is also geared toward technical artists, who have created art in a tool like Maya but want to start making their own games and create animations and riggers. Participants in this program will have a foundational understanding of mathematics (i.e., Algebra I, at a minimum) and scripting language experience, so they can advance to the next level and sharpen their scripting skills to create, navigate, and customize 3D graphic assets to construct interactive, virtual environments.

It is ideal for:

  • Software Developers/Engineers looking to understand the working fundamentals of XR development using Unity (and the C# interactions that apply to it), learn how to create AR/VR prototypes, and develop the skills to build their career in XR.
  • UX/AR/VR/XR Developers seeking to gain a deeper understanding of XR technologies and how to use them, learn how to create a complete XR project pitch for their clients, and expand their technical knowledge of virtual reality development.
  • Game Developers who want to understand the game design principles that guide XR, gain mastery of the Unity editor and build end-to-end XR solutions for client organizations, learn how to construct a VR environment, and understand the functioning of computer graphics.
  • Creative Developers/Technologists seeking to understand what enhances the front-end user experience (and the tools to implement it), learn how to edit and optimize 3D assets, develop an understanding of the mathematics applications needed to create and customize 3D experiences as well as the ability to produce functional prototypes.
  • 3D Artists with prior knowledge of scripting and coding, who want to move into technical artistry and develop an understanding of how a game engine converts raw art assets into optimized, game-ready assets.
  • Aspiring Technical Artists working in large project development teams who serve as the integration point between artists who make the models, animation, textures, etc. and the development team who write the code for game play.

Key Takeaways

  • Build foundational skills and knowledge to develop XR experiences within Unity
  • Apply C# programming to customize Unity components
  • Apply AR and VR concepts and 3D graphics programming to develop XR applications
  • Understand the roles, interactions, and workflows within the XR development ecosystem
  • Apply 3D mathematical foundations to game engine development
  • Construct an interactive virtual environment
  • Utilize rendering pipelines to achieve realistic effects within a virtual environment
  • Create a portfolio with a variety of digital samples, including a final project that features a prototype, pitch, and documentation

Program Topics

The seven-month program is divided into five sections that explore the foundations of XR, 3D math and Unity development, construction of virtual environments, and high definition XR. It culminates in a project development phase and capstone project.

Week 1:

Introduction to Extended Reality

Get an overview of the past, present, and future of extended reality.

Week 2:

XR Design Principles

Explore the design principles essential for effective XR development, and consider the roles, interactions, and workflows within an XR project.

Week 3:

Developing with a Game Engine

Recognize the role that game engines play within XR architecture, and set up Unity for successful development.

Week 4:

Unity Basics and Vector Mathematics

Develop knowledge of the Unity GUI, learn how to import assets and GameObjects to utilize in project development, and create a Rube Goldberg machine. Explore the use of vector mathematics in Unity.

Week 5:

Scripting in Unity

Utilize C# to create custom Unity components. Apply the concepts of prefabs, transform API, materials, vector multiplication, and projection in Unity to create an obstacle in a third-person platformer scene.

Week 6:

Scripting for Interaction

Explore the Input System Package to create a character controller. Apply C# scripting, physics, rigidbodies, colliders, matrix mathematics, and Unity coroutines to GameObjects to create interactivity and to create your own roll-a-ball scene.

Week 7:

UI and Animation

Use tools within Unity to create a functioning UI with a scene. Add animations to and interactions between GameObjects, and apply matrix mathematics to Unity development.

Week 8:

Raycasting and Quaternions

Utilize Unity’s physics engine to apply raycasting to inform interactions, and explore how Unity employs quaternions and matrices to represent rotations in 3D space.

Week 9:

AR Development—Image Tracking

Get an overview of AR development frameworks and learn to develop image tracking-based AR using Vuforia with Unity.

Week 10:

AR Development—Object Tracking

Create AR experiences leveraging object-recognition techniques and interactions.

Week 11:

AR Development—Surface Tracking

Learn about SLAM and AR Foundation and use Unity's AR Foundation to detect surface types and create code to load on a mobile device.

Week 12:

Introduction to VR Prototyping in Unity

Explore Unity’s XR Interaction Toolkit with its powerful library that allows you to quickly prototype and build AR and VR experiences to improve user experiences. Use the XR toolkit, grey boxing, and 6 DoF room-scale VR to create an end-to-end XR experience.

Week 13:

Complex Interactions

Complex interactions between hand avatars and physical 3D interfaces create more immersive experiences for users. Create and customize interactive controls within a scene.

Week 14:

From Zero to Shaders

Get a crash course on computer graphics rendering and an introduction to writing shaders in Unity. Create a custom mesh and custom shader and apply these to objects in a scene. Apply matrix math and linear algebra to transform objects.

Week 15:

From Shaders to Shader Graphs

Explore scriptable rendering pipelines in Unity to create shaders using the shader graph. This graph-based approach is applicable to many tools in programming, 3D modeling, and more.

Week 16:

Lighting Virtual Worlds

Conceptualize and construct a virtual lobby to link your VR environments using ProBuilder and other tools in Unity. Explore and implement lighting technologies in Unity’s Universal Rendering Pipeline.

Week 17:

Managing Virtual Worlds

Diagnose and solve lightmapping issues within virtual environments. Build and implement a system to manage scene loading and transitions, and deploy an application to the Oculus Quest.

Week 18:

High-Definition Visualization with the HDRP

Utilize Unity's High-Definition Render Pipeline (HDRP) to kick technical artistry to the next level. Leverage the advanced materials and lighting workflows in the HDRP including probes, materials, lighting, textures, and more to create realistic scenes with stunning graphics.

Week 19:

Creating a Realistic Visualization

Achieve more realism through rendering visuals for XR environments. Add interactivity through teleportation, configure the occlusion culling system and dynamic resolution to improve performance.

Week 20:

Creating Realistic Interactions

Work with Unity’s animation rigging package to create custom, dynamic hand poses for your hand avatars to increase the realism and immersion of XR experiences.

Week 21:

Procedural Animation

Use the VFX Graph technology in Unity to create visual effects and procedural animation that will add rich visuals to XR experiences. Also delve into particle systems to simulate a variety of effects within a scene.

Week 22:

Project Planning, Scoping, and Designing for Documentation

Align your career and project production goals and think through your project in detail to build a production schedule. Practice trailer and documentation analysis, and learn to analyze and effectively communicate through documentation.

Week 23:

Styleframe and R&D

Explore project management tools to further organize your project plan. Apply lessons from case studies to your professional practice. Develop a styleframe, shot list, or storyboard as well as conduct a motion test to further define your project.

Week 24:

Designing UX and Getting User Feedback

Consider user onboarding and UX design for your prototype. Design your own user survey to elicit user feedback and determine how user feedback impacts your project development.

Week 25:

Strategic Project Development

Evaluate your project development schedule and dedicate time for development. Through case studies, consider how user experiences can shape project development.

Week 26:

Feedback

Use feedback and other tools to re-examine the goals for the final stretch of project development. Hear real-world stories about the complexities and factors that can impact project development.

Week 27:

Distribution

Identifying your target audience and what they care about impacts your communication and distribution decisions. Improve your project MVP and polish your curated assets and documentation for final project distribution.

Week 28:

Project Presentation

Present and share your capstone project.

Week 1:

Introduction to Extended Reality

Get an overview of the past, present, and future of extended reality.

Week 15:

From Shaders to Shader Graphs

Explore scriptable rendering pipelines in Unity to create shaders using the shader graph. This graph-based approach is applicable to many tools in programming, 3D modeling, and more.

Week 2:

XR Design Principles

Explore the design principles essential for effective XR development, and consider the roles, interactions, and workflows within an XR project.

Week 16:

Lighting Virtual Worlds

Conceptualize and construct a virtual lobby to link your VR environments using ProBuilder and other tools in Unity. Explore and implement lighting technologies in Unity’s Universal Rendering Pipeline.

Week 3:

Developing with a Game Engine

Recognize the role that game engines play within XR architecture, and set up Unity for successful development.

Week 17:

Managing Virtual Worlds

Diagnose and solve lightmapping issues within virtual environments. Build and implement a system to manage scene loading and transitions, and deploy an application to the Oculus Quest.

Week 4:

Unity Basics and Vector Mathematics

Develop knowledge of the Unity GUI, learn how to import assets and GameObjects to utilize in project development, and create a Rube Goldberg machine. Explore the use of vector mathematics in Unity.

Week 18:

High-Definition Visualization with the HDRP

Utilize Unity's High-Definition Render Pipeline (HDRP) to kick technical artistry to the next level. Leverage the advanced materials and lighting workflows in the HDRP including probes, materials, lighting, textures, and more to create realistic scenes with stunning graphics.

Week 5:

Scripting in Unity

Utilize C# to create custom Unity components. Apply the concepts of prefabs, transform API, materials, vector multiplication, and projection in Unity to create an obstacle in a third-person platformer scene.

Week 19:

Creating a Realistic Visualization

Achieve more realism through rendering visuals for XR environments. Add interactivity through teleportation, configure the occlusion culling system and dynamic resolution to improve performance.

Week 6:

Scripting for Interaction

Explore the Input System Package to create a character controller. Apply C# scripting, physics, rigidbodies, colliders, matrix mathematics, and Unity coroutines to GameObjects to create interactivity and to create your own roll-a-ball scene.

Week 20:

Creating Realistic Interactions

Work with Unity’s animation rigging package to create custom, dynamic hand poses for your hand avatars to increase the realism and immersion of XR experiences.

Week 7:

UI and Animation

Use tools within Unity to create a functioning UI with a scene. Add animations to and interactions between GameObjects, and apply matrix mathematics to Unity development.

Week 21:

Procedural Animation

Use the VFX Graph technology in Unity to create visual effects and procedural animation that will add rich visuals to XR experiences. Also delve into particle systems to simulate a variety of effects within a scene.

Week 8:

Raycasting and Quaternions

Utilize Unity’s physics engine to apply raycasting to inform interactions, and explore how Unity employs quaternions and matrices to represent rotations in 3D space.

Week 22:

Project Planning, Scoping, and Designing for Documentation

Align your career and project production goals and think through your project in detail to build a production schedule. Practice trailer and documentation analysis, and learn to analyze and effectively communicate through documentation.

Week 9:

AR Development—Image Tracking

Get an overview of AR development frameworks and learn to develop image tracking-based AR using Vuforia with Unity.

Week 23:

Styleframe and R&D

Explore project management tools to further organize your project plan. Apply lessons from case studies to your professional practice. Develop a styleframe, shot list, or storyboard as well as conduct a motion test to further define your project.

Week 10:

AR Development—Object Tracking

Create AR experiences leveraging object-recognition techniques and interactions.

Week 24:

Designing UX and Getting User Feedback

Consider user onboarding and UX design for your prototype. Design your own user survey to elicit user feedback and determine how user feedback impacts your project development.

Week 11:

AR Development—Surface Tracking

Learn about SLAM and AR Foundation and use Unity's AR Foundation to detect surface types and create code to load on a mobile device.

Week 25:

Strategic Project Development

Evaluate your project development schedule and dedicate time for development. Through case studies, consider how user experiences can shape project development.

Week 12:

Introduction to VR Prototyping in Unity

Explore Unity’s XR Interaction Toolkit with its powerful library that allows you to quickly prototype and build AR and VR experiences to improve user experiences. Use the XR toolkit, grey boxing, and 6 DoF room-scale VR to create an end-to-end XR experience.

Week 26:

Feedback

Use feedback and other tools to re-examine the goals for the final stretch of project development. Hear real-world stories about the complexities and factors that can impact project development.

Week 13:

Complex Interactions

Complex interactions between hand avatars and physical 3D interfaces create more immersive experiences for users. Create and customize interactive controls within a scene.

Week 27:

Distribution

Identifying your target audience and what they care about impacts your communication and distribution decisions. Improve your project MVP and polish your curated assets and documentation for final project distribution.

Week 14:

From Zero to Shaders

Get a crash course on computer graphics rendering and an introduction to writing shaders in Unity. Create a custom mesh and custom shader and apply these to objects in a scene. Apply matrix math and linear algebra to transform objects.

Week 28:

Project Presentation

Present and share your capstone project.

Capstone Project

For your capstone project, you will take an idea from pitch to prototype to presentation. While your project will be unique to your interests and professional needs, it will incorporate essential elements, skills, and principles of XR design and development.

Real-World Applications

Medivis

Hear from a Medivis developer as he discusses being on the cutting edge of bringing AR and AI into the medical industry.

Oculus Quest

Develop and try out interactive environments and tools with this VR headset.

workflows

Explore the roles and responsibilities of XR developers within workflow ecosystems, as well as essential skills.

pitch to prototype

Follow a process to develop an idea from pitch to prototype as part of the capstone project.

Industry Examples

Explore non-gaming industry XR applications.

Scatter

Hear from a Scatter developer as he discusses the product development pivots and experiences for a room-scale VR experience that premiered at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival.

Program Experience

Decorative image relating to Video Lectures

Video Lectures

Decorative image relating to Assignments

Assignments

Decorative image relating to Discussions

Discussions

Decorative image relating to Real-World Tools & Technology

Real-World Tools & Technology

Decorative image relating to Capstone Project

Capstone Project

Decorative image relating to Career Support & Mentoring

Career Support & Mentoring

Decorative image relating to Dedicated Program Support Team

Dedicated Program Support Team

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Mobile Learning App

Career Preparation and Guidance

Stepping into a career in XR development requires both hard and soft skills. The Professional Certificate in AR/VR Development and 3D Graphics program offers guidance for navigating a career path in XR development, including:

  • One-on-one and small group mentoring with industry experts
  • Best practices for developing and presenting technical content to lay non-technical audiences
  • Guidance in preparing and delivering a portfolio-ready final project
  • Support in navigating technical interviews and take-home challenges
  • Career coaching for resume building, presentation skills, interview preparation, and negotiation skills

These services are provided by Emeritus, our learning collaborator for this program. Our program support team includes course leaders to help you reach your learning goals. It is our primary goal to give you the skills needed to be prepared for a job in this field; however we do not guarantee job placement.

Program Faculty

Faculty Member Michael Allison

Michael Allison

Senior Software Engineer, Scatter

Michael Allison is an XR developer and enthusiast hailing from the world of creative technology. After receiving his master’s degree in interactive telecommunications from NYU, he spent a year as a research resident at the university to continue to work on his graduate thesis: experiments... More info

Faculty Member Alex Lotsos

Alex Lotsos

Co-Founder and Lead Developer, Unseen Media

Alexandros Lotsos is a Brooklyn-based creative technologist and STEAM educator with a background in mathematics, philosophy, and digital media. He is a co-founder and XR developer at Unseen Media and a former adjunct faculty member... More info

Faculty Member Rui Pereira

Rui Pereira

Creative Technology Lead and Spatial Computing Consultant, (IDEO, Havas, Google, Microsoft)

Rui P.G. Pereira is a Creative (and) Technologist passionate about (dis)embedding technology in people's lives to make them better and happier. Previously, Rui worked at Google where he collaborated strategically with brands like Coca-Cola, HBO, and Procter & Gamble... More info

Faculty Member David Lobser

David Lobser

Lead Creative Technologist, Luxury Escapism, Creator, Cosmic Sugar

David Lobser is a designer, animator and XR developer. His VR work includes multi-user, location-based experiences such as Flock, developed at NYU’s Future Reality Lab. He taught animation and creative code at Harvard, NYU, SVA, CU, and Parsons... More info

Guest Speaker

Faculty Member Wenbo Lan

Wenbo Lan

Full-stack AR/VR Engineer, Medivis

Wenbo Lan is a full-stack AR/VR engineer for Medivis, and its SurgicalAR platform, which is one of the only XR applications that has FDA clearance for clinical use in the U.S. Wenbo is a software engineer whose specialization in the XR field began with work as a researcher focusing Human-Computer Interaction in VR and AR environments under Professor Ken Perlin at NYU’s Future Reality Lab, obtaining his master’s degree in computer science. Prior to Medivis, he worked on various XR projects that featured in Future of StoryTelling, SXSW, SIGGRAPH, and the Sundance Film Festival.

Certificate

Certificate

Upon successful completion of the program, participants will be awarded a verified digital certificate by NYU Tandon.

Download Brochure

FAQs

  • How do I know whether this program is right for me?

    After reviewing the information on the program landing page, we recommend you submit the short form above to gain access to the program brochure, which includes more in-depth information. If you still have questions on whether this program is a good fit for you, please email learner.success@emeritus.org, and a dedicated program advisor will follow up with you very shortly.


    Are there any prerequisites for this program?

    Some programs do have prerequisites, particularly the more technical ones. This information will be noted on the program landing page and in the program brochure. If you are uncertain about program prerequisites and your capabilities, please email us at learner.success@emeritus.org for assistance.



    What are the requirements to earn a certificate?

    This is a graded program. You must complete a combination of individual assignments, quizzes, and a final project. Each component carries a certain number of points, and a cumulative score of 75 percent is required to pass and obtain your professional certificate.


    Will I be guaranteed a job upon completion of the program?

    The primary objective of this program is to give you the skills you need to be prepared for a job in this field. While eligible participants will receive career coaching and support and may receive introductions to our hiring partners, job placement is not guaranteed.

  • How much time will I be expected to devote to this program?

    Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week. This is referenced at the top of the program landing page under the Duration section and in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page.


    How will I spend my time in this program?

    You will divide your learning time between viewing recorded coding demos and video lectures; contributing to class discussions; completing assignments, projects, and knowledge checks; and attending optional live sessions with industry experts and program leaders.


    How is the program administered? Can the program be accessed at any time?

    The program is accessed through the custom learning portal. This portal will give you access to all program-related content such as video lectures, assignments, and discussions. Live office hours will be conducted using a webinar tool.



    The video lectures and assignments are accessible weekly throughout the program. In the event you miss a live session, recording will be made available.


    Do I need to attend live sessions every week?

    Faculty video lectures are recorded, allowing you to watch these on your own schedule. However, participation in optional live sessions and discussion boards is highly encouraged. Live sessions will give you the opportunity to draw on the coding experience of our industry-experienced program leaders to answer your questions and help reach your learning goals. The discussion boards are also an integral part of the learning experience, giving you and your peers the opportunity to learn together and receive guidance from the moderators.


    Can I download the program videos?

    You can download video transcripts, assignment templates, readings, etc. However, the video lectures are only available for streaming and require an internet connection.


    How do I interact with other program participants?

    You can communicate with other participants through our learning platform. You will be able to form groups based on your interests and location. A direct messaging feature is also available through the platform.


    What is it like to learn online with the learning collaborator, Emeritus?

    More than 300,000 learners across 200 countries have chosen to advance their skills with Emeritus and its educational learning partners. In fact, 90 percent of the respondents of a recent survey across all our programs said that their learning outcomes were met or exceeded.

    All the contents of the course would be made available to students at the commencement of the course. However, to ensure the program delivers the desired learning outcomes the students may appoint Emeritus to manage the delivery of the program in a cohort-based manner the cost of which is already included in the overall course fee of the course.

    A dedicated program support team is available 24/5 (Monday to Friday) to answer questions about the learning platform, technical issues, or anything else that may affect your learning experience.

  • What are the requirements to earn the certificate?

    Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week, so you can gauge what is required before you enroll. This is referenced at the top of the program landing page under the Duration section and in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page. All programs are designed to fit into your working life.

    This program is scored as a pass or no-pass; participants must complete the required activities to pass and obtain the certificate of completion. Some programs include a final project submission or other assignments to obtain passing status. This information will be noted in the program brochure. Please contact us at learner.success@emeritus.org if you need further clarification of any specific program requirements.


    What type of certificate will I receive?

    Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive a smart digital certificate. The smart digital certificate can be shared with friends, family, schools, or potential employers. You can use it on your cover letter, résumé, and/or display it on your LinkedIn profile.
    The digital certificate will be sent approximately two weeks after the program once grading is complete.


    Can I get the hard copy of the certificate?

    No, only verified digital certificates will be issued upon successful completion. This allows you to share your credentials on social platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.


    Do I receive alumni status after completing this program?

    No, there is no alumni status granted for this program. In some cases, there are credits that count toward a higher level of certification. This information will be clearly noted in the program brochure.


    How long will I have access to the learning materials?

    You will have access to the learning platform and all program materials (videos excluded) for one full year following the program start date. Access to the learning platform is restricted to registered participants per the terms of agreement.

  • What equipment is needed or the technical requirements for this program?

    To successfully complete this program online, you must have access to a device meeting the minimum requirements, found here. In addition, Microsoft Office or similar product and a PDF viewer are required to access documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDF files, and transcripts in all programs. Technical programs might have additional tech requirements. Please check the learning platform on the first day of class.


    Do I need to be online to access the program content?

    Yes, the learning platform is accessed via the internet and video content is not available for download. You can download files of video transcripts, assignment templates, readings, etc. Video lectures must be streamed via the internet and webinars and small group sessions will require an internet connection.

  • What is the program fee for the program, and what forms of payment do you accept?

    • The program fee is shown at the top of this page and payment must be made in US dollars only.
    • Flexible payment options, group enrollment benefits, and referral bonus are available.
    • Tuition assistance may be available for participants who qualify. Please contact your program advisor to discuss.

    What if I don’t have a credit card? Is there another mode of payment accepted?

    Yes, you can do the bank remittance in USD via wire transfer. Please contact your program advisor for more details.


    Is there an option to make flexible payments for this program?

    Yes, flexible payment options are available for this program. We partner with loan providers to offer you flexible and transparent loan options. More information about loan financing is available here. Installment payments are also available; you can find the options here.


    Does the program fee include taxes? Are there any additional fees?

    Yes, the program fee is inclusive of any taxes with the exception of GST for Singapore residents.


    Who will be collecting the payment for the program?

    Emeritus collects all program payments, provides learner enrollment and program support, and manages learning platform services.

  • What is the program refund and deferral policy?

    For the program refund and deferral policy, please click the here.

  • We regret to inform you that the Professional Certificate in UX Design for AR/VR program is currently not accepting applications. Given your interest in emerging technologies, we encourage you to explore this program as an alternative. We believe the Professional Certificate in AR/VR Development and 3D Graphics program will help you learn the XR essentials needed to build experiences in a game engine and construct virtual environments.

Financing Options

We offer flexible and transparent payment option through our partner—Climb Credit

US Residents (Deferred payment option available)

Climb Credit

Immediate repayment, interest-only repayment, and deferred payment options available. Click here to know more.

Flexible Financing Options For All

Flexible Payment Options – Monthly payments as low as US$ 2,940.
Choose to pay in two, or three monthly installments for higher flexibility Click here to know more.

You can opt for any one of the financing options to cover up to the full cost of the program tuition. If you are considering financing your program through one of our partners, the enrollment process can only be completed with the assistance of your program advisor.

Please note that loan applications should be submitted no later than four business days prior to the enrollment deadline due to processing time.

    What is Climb Credit?

    Climb Credit is a new kind of student lender.

    Climb believes education is an investment and should be treated that way — we partner with schools offering career-focused education, and then provide accessible and affordable loans to attend these schools.

    What is the process to apply for a loan?

    Simply type your school's name into the search bar after clicking "Apply now" to find a link to the application page. From there, you'll be able to complete our short online application.

    You may also have received a link to apply for a Climb loan from your school’s admissions team, or you can find the link on your school’s website or Climb's website. Apply using your laptop, tablet, or phone.

    You'll want to make sure you fill out an application for the specific school and program you'll be attending. We link our loans to each course, so your school will know you've been approved for a loan with us and that we'll be sending your tuition to them.

    How long will it take until I get a decision?

    On average, 4:01 minutes — and just applying will not impact your credit score. We know that your time is valuable, so we’ve kept our application as short as possible.

    Do I need a cosigner?

    No. Climb only fund loans for students who are attending the program. The program attendee should always be the primary borrower on the application.

    During your application, you will have the option to add a co-borrower. If you have a co-borrower with a better credit score that you, adding them to your loan application can potentially help you get approved and/or receive a lower interest rate offer.

    If my application is accepted, am I committed to using the financing?

    No. Applying for Climb financing is free and comes and carries no commitment until you accept and finalize the loan. The initial application will not affect your credit score, and you are free to decline your loan offer if you change your mind about financing.

    What are the terms of the loan?

    To view the equation used to calculate your interest and monthly payments, check out this article HERE!

    When does loan payback begin?

    Depending on your program, we may offer loans with either an initial interest-only period while in class and for a few months after, a full deferral period while in class and for a few months after, or immediate full repayment.

    For loans with an interest-only period or immediate full repayment, your first payment is due one month after your loan is funded.

    How long will I be making payments?

    Climb's standard loan tenor is 36 months, but you can pay any time before that, as there is no pre-payment penalty. You can repay your 3-year loan in 3 years or in 1 day.

    Climb's goal is to make sure that your monthly payments stay low and affordable, which is why we give you the option to choose your term length when you apply.

    Master’s students can choose between a 2-year or a 3-year repayment term.

    Doctoral students can choose between a 4-year or a 5-year repayment term.

    How do I find out how much my monthly payment is?

    This amount is mentioned in your loan agreement.

    Are there any circumstances that would allow me to put my loan payments on hold?

    In order not to fall behind on your Climb loan payments, you can request a deferral of payments on your loan. A deferment will allow you to temporarily reduce your monthly loan payment amount.

    Can I pay off my loan early?

    Absolutely! You can pre-pay your loan, in whole or in part, at any time with no penalties.

Didn't find what you were looking for? Write to us at learner.success@emeritus.org or Schedule a call with one of our Academic Advisors or call us at +1 315 81 86758 (U.S.) / +44 1416 736389 (UK) / +65 3138 6775 (SG)

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