Art Education - M.A. Download to print

Licensed art education teachers who complete the Master of Arts in Art Education develop a focused competence in the visual arts as well as an intellectual understanding of the history and current issues of the field of art education.

The Master of Arts in Art Education offers a Non-Thesis Option as well.

Official transcript(s); goal statement(s); a “philosophy of art education” statement; three letters of recommendation; curriculum vitae; and portfolio.

Transfer Students
Transfer students with more than two fine art or crafts courses should bring a portfolio of work for review in order to ensure proper placement. Transfer credits are evaluated consistent with the state Transfer Articulation Guidelines (TAG), although each student will be evaluated individually in terms of his or her ability to perform within the program. Transfer students should make every effort to complete admission requirements before the deadlines listed under Entering the University within the front section of this Catalog, and to see an advisor in the School of Art for an evaluation of the portfolio and for schedule planning before registration.

Please refer to the university policy for graduate admission.

Minimum 33 total credit hours for the Thesis Option and 35 total credit hours for the Non-Thesis option.

1. Graduate students in Art Education will understand the breadth of current theoretical, philosophical and practical issues in Art Education. Students will understand that many issues are inherent in the field and constructed within wider frameworks of culture and society. The Candidacy Review Exam completed after 20 hours of coursework has successfully been done will serve as an assessment of this goal, which includes three essay questions based on the MA candidate's knowledge and understanding of the history of and contemporary issues in Art Education as well as a research proposal for the candidate's Project or Thesis.
2. Students will understand and apply Art Education and Education research methodology, methods and procedures, including the construction of a related literature review, in the development of a culminating Thesis or Project. The Thesis track reflects in-depth engagement in a research project that adheres to rigorous and ethical standards, including when relevant Institutional Board Review when collecting data on human participants.  The Project track is appropriate for students in contexts in which action research can be completed on their own practice, in most cases in their own art classrooms or other educational venues. Each track will provide opportunities for rich expansion of knowledge, reflective practice including critical self-reflection, development of goals to improve practice or further understanding of phenomenon within the field of Art Education.  
3. Students will understand the historical underpinnings of Art Education to better comprehend current thinking about the purposes, functions, and value of teaching  art  in PreK-12 art and other educational contexts, making connections to their own personal teaching contexts, as demonstrated on the Candidacy Review Exam.
4. Students will demonstrate an advanced comprehension of a particular topic through a detailed research investigation culminating in a Thesis or Project. Students will work closely with a faculty advisor and work to complete and demonstrate in-depth engagement through the research.

The thesis is a significant project or body of work done independently of other coursework. Students are expected to demonstrate the ability to conduct research or produce a significant, original project in a discriminating and disciplined manner. The thesis topic should be one that will further the student’s knowledge and ability in the specialty by demonstrating skill as a researcher. The outcome should be an effort that serves as a foundation for the pursuit of independent work when the graduate program is completed. At this stage, students are expected to work in close consultation with their thesis advisor.

For graduate students in art education, ARTE 61191, 61291 and 61198, and 3 to 5 hours in other program requirements must be completed prior to scheduling the examination.

National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)