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Mar 15, 2026
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2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Art Education Major, B.A.
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About the Program
The BA in Art Education is a dynamic program that prepares future educators, artists, and cultural leaders to inspire creativity and foster critical engagement through the visual arts. Rooted in contemporary and innovative thinking, the program emphasizes the evolving role of art and pedagogy in the 21st century-where creativity, collaboration, and adaptability are essential skills across all disciplines.
Students explore a balance of studio practice, art history, theory, and education, while engaging with cutting-edge approaches to teaching and learning. Courses highlight the intersections of art, culture, technology, and social change, encouraging students to see art education as both a personal and civic practice. Through hands-on experiences, community partnerships, and teaching practicums, students learn to design inclusive, imaginative, and socially responsive learning environments for diverse learners.
Graduates emerge not only as skilled educators but also as innovative thinkers and advocates for the transformative power of art in society. The program equips students to navigate and shape the rapidly changing landscape of education, empowering them to cultivate creativity, critical thinking, and cultural understanding in the next generation.
Student Outcomes
- Create artworks across a range of media, with the ability to integrate traditional and contemporary art practices
- Apply innovative pedagogical strategies that promote creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving in diverse educational contexts.
- Design inclusive and culturally responsive curricula that reflect global perspectives and respect diverse identities, experiences, and abilities.
- Critically analyze art, culture, and society to inform meaningful, socially engaged art education.
- Demonstrate professional readiness by successfully teaching in an art classroom applying and testing principles and methods of diverse age-appropriate instruction that is aligned to National and State standards.
- Advocate for the value of the arts in schools and society as essential to human development, cultural understanding, and civic life.
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General Degree Requirements
To earn a degree, students must satisfy all requirements in each of the four areas below, in addition to their individual major requirements. Program Requirements
- A total of 120 semester hours are required for graduation.
- A grade of C- or better is required for each course in this program to count toward the bachelor’s degree. Students should note that programs differ in the minimum grade required.
- Art History, Theory and Criticism is a distinct academic discipline from Art, Art Education, or Communication Design, although all reside within the Department of Art and share common foundational requirements.
- Students pursuing the B.A. in Art Education must also achieve satisfactory scores on the state licensure examination. See your advisor for more information. Students seeking teacher licensure should read the teacher licensure sections of this Catalog.
- All teacher candidates must apply to the School of Education teacher preparation program to obtain provisional admission before they can register for their first field experience course(s).
General Studies Requirements: 33 credits
Students should consult the General Studies Requirements for a list of courses that fulfill the General Studies Requirements for degree completion. - Written Communication (6 credits)
- Oral Communication (3 credits)
- Quantitative Literacy (3 credits)
- Arts and Humanities (6 credits)
- Historical (3 credits)
- Natural and Physical Sciences (6 credits)
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 credits)
- Global Diversity (0 or 3 credits**)
** Students will fulfill the global diversity requirement by taking an approved course within one of the following categories: arts and humanities; historical; natural and physical sciences; or social and behavioral sciences. Ethnic Studies & Social Justice Requirement: 0 or 3 credits
Additional Requirement for Licensure: 3 credits
If EDS 3150 is not taken to fulfill the General Studies requirement in Social and Behavioral Sciences as recommended, it must be completed as an additional requirement for the major. Art Foundation Requirements: 18 credits
Post-foundation Courses Required for all B.A. in Art Education Majors: 44 credits
Studio Emphasis: 9 credits
Complete 9 credits in one of the studio areas listed below. Digital and Emerging Art Practices
The following courses are required for the emphasis (9 credits total). ART 3632 is repeatable and will be taken twice for a total of 6 credits. Students will learn new content each time they take ART 3632. Sculpture Emphasis
The following courses are required for the emphasis (9 credits total). ART 3692 is repeatable and will be taken twice for a total of 6 credits. Students will learn new content each time they take ART 3692. Jewelry Emphasis
The following courses are required for the emphasis (9 credits total). ART 3652 or ART 3654 are both options for the 6 credit intermediate studio requirement. Both are repeatable and can be taken twice for a total of 6 credits. Students will learn new content each time they take ART 3652 or ART 3654. Ceramics Emphasis
The following courses are required for the emphasis (9 credits total). ART 3612 or ART 3614 are both options for the 3 credit intermediate studio requirement. Printmaking Emphasis
ART 3682 is repeatable and will be taken twice for a total of 6 credits. Students will learn new content each time they take ART 3682. Painting Emphasis
The following courses are required for the emphasis (9 credits total). ART 3662 or ART 3664 are both options for the 6 credit intermediate studio requirement. Both are repeatable and can be taken twice for a total of 6 credits. Students will learn new content each time they take ART 3662 or ART 3664. Photography Emphasis
ART 3672 is repeatable and will be taken twice for a total of 6 credits. Students will learn new content each time they take ART 3672. Technology Requirement: 0 or 3 credits
A technology based studio course is required for licensure. This requirement may be applied to either emphasis or, where appropriate, to the electives. Electives in the Major: 1 to 10 credits
Students take up to 10 credit hours of ART, ARTH or CDES electives to complete the major. Senior Experience: 3 credits
Summary of Requirements
| General Studies Requirements | 33 credits | | ESSJ Requirement | 0-3 credits | | Additional Requirement for Licensure | 3 credits | | Art Foundation Requirement | 18 credits | | Post Foundation Courses | 44 credits | | Studio Emphasis | 9 credits | | Technology Requirement | 0-3 credits | | Electives | 1-10 credits | | Senior Experience | 3 credits | | Unrestricted Electives | 0-21 credits | | Total for the Art Education Major, B.F.A. | Minimum of 120 credits | Required courses for the major may also count for General Studies and ESSJ requirements, so the total credits listed may be greater than the number required to complete the degree. Therefore, it is important that you work with your advisor to make sure you are meeting requirements for your degree. |
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