Art Education Combined Degree Pathway
The BA (or BFA) in Art / MS in Art Education is a combined degree pathway that allows students to complete the requirements for the undergraduate and graduate degrees in just 5 years. Students completing this degree will be eligible to receive their professional teacher certification in art.
Our dedicated faculty members have a range of educational experience in visual and cultural literacies, covering elementary, secondary, museum, and informal learning environments. With over a 70-year history, we believe in the intrinsic value of art to transform lives. Intent on achieving our mission, we aim to educate aspiring and seasoned art educators to use art education as a platform for social change.
Program Overview
The primary mission of the combined pathway is to prepare art teachers for public and private school service, who possess knowledge and skills in the arts, advanced theoretical and practical knowledge in art education and understanding of the roles of education within wider contexts of culture and society. The degree provides comprehensive, field specific knowledge and is primarily focused on social justice art education.
The master’s degree is a state-approved, initial teacher preparation program. Requirements are incorporated into the program of study to make students eligible for K-12 certification in art.
Structure
- Undergraduate students declare a major in Art (BA or BFA) and work with their advisor to complete all degree requirements.
- In their junior year, students apply to the MS in Art Education. Upon acceptance, they begin working on the requirements for master’s degree while completing the undergraduate program. (Up to four classes double-count toward both degrees.)
- After completing the BA or BFA, students complete 3 semesters of graduate coursework (summer, fall, spring).
- The program culminates with 9 hours, or a full semester, of student teaching.
- While most students complete the residential option, the graduate component of this program may be completed as a partially online degree if a student is a Florida resident.
