Master of Arts (MA) in Art Education

Our Master of Arts in Art Education degree will help you grow both as an artist and as an educator. You will study and explore art education programs in schools, communities, and museum settings by carefully examining theories and best practices through a global perspective lens. Your Capstone project will envision, create, implement, and document your vision of a successful education arts program.

The MA/Studio Emphasis program offers the same 36 units of courses covering the history, art, and science of teaching and learning with an additional 24 units of studio art and design. This program is designed for student who has a limited studio background. It is also great for the student looking to strengthen his or her visual art portfolio through the extensive, rigorous studio courses at the Academy of Art University.

Graduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:

Art and Design Skills

• Create a portfolio of work representing a broad range of visual art/design media.

Teaching and Communication Skills

• Design effective art education curricula targeted to an intended audience with consideration for the needs of diverse learners.
• Demonstrate an advanced level of knowledge of sound instructional strategies based on content standards in the visual arts, key contemporary art theories, and experiences in the field.
• Demonstrate an advanced level of knowledge for appropriate uses of technology in arts education settings.
• Articulate the importance of art in education based on advanced levels of research, observation, and experience.

Visual Literacy

• Articulate the formal and expressive properties of works of art/design as well as their content, meaning, and purpose at an advanced level.

Research and Conceptual Development

• Produce work that reveals advanced levels of analysis, insight, design, and methods based on the distinctive needs and characteristics of art education settings and audiences.

Knowledge of Human Development

• Demonstrate an advanced level of knowledge of human developmental stages and their application to learners’ cognitive, social, emotional and physical abilities in art education settings.
• Demonstrate an advanced level of knowledge of learners' diverse linguistic and cultural needs in art education settings.
• Demonstrate an advanced level of knowledge of accelerated learners and special needs learners (physical, cognitive, etc.) in art education settings.

Professional Readiness

• Demonstrate professional-level presentation skills appropriate to art education settings.
• Demonstrate breadth and depth of accomplishment as an artist and art educator through a professional portfolio at an advanced level.

Academy of Art University Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Academy of Art University will demonstrate the ability to:

• Produce a body of work suitable for seeking professional opportunities in their chosen field of art and design.
• Solve creative problems within their field of art and design, including research and synthesis of technical, aesthetic, and conceptual knowledge.
• Communicate their ideas professionally and connect with their intended audience using visual, oral, and written presentation skills relevant to their field.
• Execute technical, aesthetic, and conceptual decisions based on an understanding of art and design principles.
• Evaluate work in their field, including their own work, using professional terminology.
• Recognize the influence of major cultural and aesthetic trends, both historical and contemporary, on art and design products.
• Learn the professional skills and behaviors necessary to compete in the global marketplace for art and design.

Academy of Art University offers some of the best training and hands-on experience to help you excel in careers in art education. We pride ourselves on doing an exceptional job preparing you to excel as an art educator. Our degree programs are designed to equip aspiring art instructors with a comprehensive toolbox of marketable skills that will lead to success in their future careers.

Art Teacher

As an art teacher in a private, public, or charter school, you’ll help inspire the artists of tomorrow directly in the classroom. You’ll prepare and implement lesson plans, address various learning styles and needs, and analyze qualitative and quantitative student data.

Community Arts Leader

As an arts leader in community settings, you’ll plan, organize, and implement programs as well as activities for a wide range of audiences and settings. Help bring the arts to communities around the world or in your backyard and bring the joy of arts to everyone.

Instructor

As an art education instructor at a university, you’ll contribute to the higher education of tomorrow’s artists. Explore complex subjects, lead class discussions, and encourage critical thinking as you guide students through various subjects.

Museum Educator

Inspire the next generation of artists as museum educators. You’ll lead hands-on tours and activities for a range of audiences, as well as contribute to the educational growth of your community.

Teaching Artist

As a teaching artist, you’ll instruct artists of the future in a variety of settings. You’ll develop curriculum and syllabi with Program Directors, and coordinators, as well as lead teachers and establish lines of communication with students and their families.

Unit Requirements

Degree Requirements

MA in Art Education (36 units)

• Successful completion of Final Portfolio Review
• A minimum grade of C in all required 36 units
• Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and the following Academic Study requirements:
  • 1 Art Historical Awareness & Aesthetic course

This MA Program is designed for the student who already has a portfolio that demonstrates a breadth and depth of studio art and design knowledge and skills (in foundational drawing and at least two other media) and is ready to learn the art of teaching through our Pedagogy courses.

MA in Art Education with Studio Emphasis (63 units)

• Successful completion of Final Portfolio Review
• A minimum grade of C in all required 63 units
• Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and the following Academic Study requirements:
  • 1 Art Historical Awareness & Aesthetic course

This MA/Studio Emphasis program offers 36 units of Pedagogy courses with an additional 24 units of studio art and design. This program is designed for student who has a limited studio background. It is also great for the student looking to strengthen his or her studio experience through the extensive, rigorous studio courses at the Academy of Art University.

Track 1 Curriculum

Track 2 Curriculum