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Students, inspired by their love and passion for art, who want to advance their skills in teaching creativity through art mediums may want to consider earning a graduate degree in Art Education.
With courses in art history, art education and literature, theory and development, and multimedia technologies, it enables prospective students to obtain a teaching certification or license or pursue various artistic professions, including in positions such as arts educators, art directors, and more, while allowing them to focus on art making as their own practice.
Overview
Many colleges and universities offer an online master’s in art education program, allowing working professionals with a passion for art education to acquire advanced concepts and immersive, hands-on experiences while exploring art education theory, contemporary art, and their own studio work.
Methodology
We’ve put together graduate schools that offer the best online Master’s in Art Education programs. Each graduate degree meets the following criteria:
- Offered as a master’s degree in a convenient online or hybrid distance education format,
- Features curricula that prepare students for teaching Art in a variety of settings, covering both theoretical and practical aspects of the field,
- Equips Art Education students for a doctorate program,
- Taught and developed by faculty who have extensive expertise in the Arts and Art Education fields,
- Feature competitive tuition rates and generous financial aid options,
- Hold the proper accreditation credentials, emphasizing adherence to high-quality standards of graduate instruction in a distance learning format,
- Recognized by the Art Education industry.
Visit our Methodology page for information.
Best Online Master’s in Art Education Programs
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida
Master of Arts in Art Education
Considered among the best public universities in the country, the University of Florida has been committed to providing quality higher education to students in Florida communities and beyond. It provides students with a collaborative learning environment, keeping the class size ratio to 17:1 and making it easier for the faculty to give each ample attention and guidance throughout their academic journey.
- The University of Florida offers a Master of Arts in Art Education degree program, designed to provide students with top-notch education and prepare them to thrive in various teaching and learning environments that enhance student engagement.
- Students can expect to explore art education theory and practice and contemporary art, equipping them with ample knowledge and skills in setting up their own studio work.
- The online program offers a dynamic online environment that cultivates meaningful interaction among students and faculty.
Standout Features:
This online master of arts in art education degree features a leading-edge curriculum. It allows students to learn innovative teaching methodologies and strategies as well as utilize digital media for impactful art education that can help form a student’s identity.
Did You Know?
Since its foundation in 1853, the University of Florida has been driving innovation. It has since grown into a higher learning institution that is chosen by students, scholars, and innovators. The research arm of the university aims to facilitate the success of faculty and students by providing them with funding opportunities. Its research expenditure has reached $1.085 billion.
Boston University
Boston, Massachusetts
Master of Arts in Art Education
Catering to more than 36,000 students from over 130 countries, Boston University is home to 17 schools and colleges. It is currently offering more than 300 online and in-person academic programs across three campuses.
- The online Master of Arts in Art Education, offered at Boston University, is specifically designed for working professionals and busy educators interested in making and teaching art.
- This online program helps students, like art educators or artists, to hone their practice and advance their careers through the tutelage of master teachers with years of experience.
- Offering a relevant curriculum, this master’s degree includes coursework such as Advocacy and Policy, Special Populations, and Contemporary Issues in Art Education.
Standout Features:
Students are given the opportunity to customize their learning according to their professional needs and goals. The concentrations include Contemporary Issues in Art Education, Special Populations, and Advocacy and Policy.
Did You Know?
Recognized for its commitment to engaging with the changing world, Boston University offers Global Programs, designed for students, faculty, and staff who want to pursue research and engage in service in locations around the globe. Global Programs at Boston University offers resources for those who want to start their own international activity.
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, Illinois
Master of Arts in Art Education
Considered one of the top Midwest universities, Eastern Illinois University was founded in 1895. It houses several colleges and schools, including Honors College, Graduate School, College of Education, and Lumpkin College of Business and Technology.
- Easter Illinois University offers a Master of Arts in Art Education program that equips students with novel approaches to designing the curriculum and methodically delivering educational instruction.
- The online program requires the completion of 32 to 33 credit hours, featuring a blend of online courses and intensive studio experiences.
- This program is ideal for those who want to pursue professional development and graduate studies that will enhance their portfolio and boost their earning potential.
Standout Features:
While most of this graduate program’s requirements can be completed online, this master’s degree requires eight days of campus visits during the summer for the studio components of the degree program.
Did You Know?
This university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparedness. The latter includes programs such as Elementary Education, School Psychology, and Foreign Language, among others.
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Pembroke, North Carolina
Master of Arts in Teaching – Art Specialization
The University of North Carolina at Pembroke houses more than 8,200 students from diverse backgrounds. From its humble beginnings in 1887, as the Croatian Normal School committed to educating American Indian teachers, this university has grown into one of the top public higher learning institutions.
- Designed for art education professionals, the Master of Arts in Teaching has an Art Specialization to equip students with skills and understanding to teach art in K-12 School settings.
- Students are expected to explore coursework in various aspects of art education, including theories, practice, research, and hands-on experiences in teaching.
- The online program requires students to complete a total of 30 credits, encompassing graduate education courses, internships, student teaching, and service-learning opportunities.
Standout Features:
With approval from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI) for art teacher certification, this program coincides with the DPI and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design NASAD) competencies. Practicing art teachers can also take advantage of North Carolina’s reciprocity agreements with 45 other states, which allows for easy transfer of teaching licenses.
Did You Know?
Founded by American Indians to serve and educate American Indians, the University of North Carolina at Pembroke holds a SACSCOC-Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges accreditation. It is composed of a number of schools and colleges, including the College of Health Sciences, Thomas School of Business, School of Education, and the Graduate School.
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Dartmouth, Massachusetts
Master of Arts in Education in Art Education
UMass Dartmouth is a public research university in Dartmouth. It became part of the University of Massachusetts system in 1991, and at present has a population of around 8,500 students.
- The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth’s Master of Arts in Art Education prepares both experienced professionals and novices to leverage 21st-century standards and technology to become effective teachers, thinkers, researchers, and creators.
- The program is offered in a blend of asynchronous and synchronous online courses, covering a range of topics which include creative expression, leadership, curriculum, and community partnerships.
- This program is intended primarily for those who hold an initial license and seek Professional Licensure in elementary or secondary education.
Standout Features:
The program curriculum features a wide range of customizability, letting students tailor the curriculum to their needs and interests, and for teaching in both public/private schools or community settings. The program also aligns with the National Core Standards for the Visual Arts set by the National Art Education Association (NAEA).
Did You Know?
UMass Dartmouth, in its current form, is young, having only come about in 1962 after its two parent institutions (both established in 1895) were merged.
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, Illinois
Master of Science in Art Education
Northern Illinois University (NIU) is a public research university in the city of DeKalb, Illinois. It was established in 1895, becoming a university in 1957. Composed of 7 colleges, it is classified among “R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity” and has over 15,600 students.
- Northern Illinois University’s Master of Science in Art Education prepares students to elevate their effectiveness as educators and practitioners.
- The program is aimed at K-12 teachers, museum educators, and community art leaders, and is designed to develop leadership skills in the field as well as specific skills in developing art education lesson plans and integrating various technologies into the art classroom.
- Students must have a bachelor’s degree in museum studies, art education, arts management, or a related field.
Standout Features:
This program is offered by one of the country’s top online colleges and features a research-based data curriculum that is designed to address both students’ teaching practice and their leadership skills. NIU also features a strong community of alumni and graduate students that students can call upon for support.
Did You Know?
Northern Illinois University began life as a normal school, an institution dedicated to teacher training. NIU grew out of the Northern Illinois State Normal School, which remained a Teacher’s College right up until it became a state college in 1955 to reflect its expanded range of academic offerings.
University of Central Florida
Orlando, Florida
Master of Arts in Teaching, Art Education
The University of Central Florida (UCF) is a public research university in Orlando, Florida. It was established in 1963 as a technological university, eventually expanding in scope and becoming a university in 1978. UCF is classified among “R1: Doctoral universities – Very high research activity” and has a population of over 68,400 students.
- The University of Central Florida’s Master of Arts in Teaching, Art Education program is designed to elevate students into effective and impactful art educators who apply cutting-edge instructional techniques.
- The program covers instructional design for K-12, research trends in art education, and classroom management, as well as art history, criticism, and aesthetics.
- The program is designed to help students prepare for the process of earning teaching certification. Students are provided ample support in terms of navigating the process, and in terms of internship and job placement opportunities.
Standout Features:
This is a state-approved program that qualifies students to obtain their teaching certification. The program is also primarily intended for students who do not have a bachelor’s degree in education or those who have a teaching certification in a non-art discipline.
Did You Know?
UCF is inextricably tied to space exploration. The university was initially established with the goal of providing a pool of experts that would support the then newly-established US Space Program.
SUNY New Paltz
New Paltz, New York
Master of Science in Education, Visual Arts Education
State University of New York at New Paltz is a public university in New Paltz, New York. It was originally founded in 1828 as a secondary school and became part of the State University of New York upon its establishment in 1948. It was recently officially reclassified as a university instead of a satellite campus. At present, SUNY New Paltz has a population of over 7,400 students.
- The Master of Science in Education, Visual Arts Education program offered by SUNY New Paltz prepares students to become art educators who facilitate self-reflective practice, and community engagement, and leverage cutting-edge practices in teaching and art.
- The program is fully online and spans 15 months, designed to let art teachers deepen and reinvigorate their teaching and studio practice.
- While the program does not lead to certification, it serves as a stepping stone for quality students to obtain teaching certifications, particularly for those who are working under initial art teacher certifications.
Standout Features:
Aside from preparing students to earn their teaching certifications, the program also serves as good preparation for those planning to pursue doctorate degrees later on. The program also actively encourages students to participate in state, regional, and national organizations, conferences, and workshops dedicated to art education.
Did You Know?
SUNY New Paltz was historically a campus dedicated to teaching and the liberal arts. Its art education program is particularly long-lived, having been established as far back as 1951.
Adelphi University
Garden City, New York
Master of Arts in Art Education
Adelphi University is a private university in Garden City, New York. It began life as the Adelphi Academy in 1863, a private preparatory school, and was granted university status in 1963. Adelphi University is composed of 8 colleges and schools and operates a number of joint degree programs with other universities in New York State. It has a population of over 7,800 students.
- Adelphi University’s Master of Arts in Art Education program prepares students to become successful educators who help unlock the creative potential of others.
- The program is offered in a unique hybrid format that consists of online coursework coupled with in-person fieldwork in K-12 classrooms within New York State. Fieldwork may also include museums, galleries, or community-based settings.
- The program serves as adequate preparation for earning a teaching certification for New York State.
Standout Features:
This program features a design that combines creative practice and interdisciplinary instructional approaches to prepare students for a variety of teaching environments both within and outside classroom environments. The program is also suitable for a wide variety of individuals, from fresh graduates to those planning to return to teaching or those who plan to enter art teaching careers.
Did You Know?
Adelphi University is home to one of the country’s first programs created for adults and nontraditional learners. The Adult Baccalaureate Learning Experience was launched in 1973 and is currently the College of Professional and Continuing Studies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common admission requirements for a graduate degree in Art Education?
Most online programs in art education welcome students with potential as artists and educators. Most students are often required to hold a Bachelor’s in Art Education or any related field from a regionally accredited educational institution.
Some universities may require them to have a minimum accumulative average of 3.0 in their undergraduate studies. Other requirements may include letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and a current resume.
How long does it take Art Education students to complete a master’s online program?
Generally, this graduate program can be completed in 1 to 2 years. However, this will largely depend on the degree requirements, like the coursework, internship, and capstone project. Some programs have accelerated options that allow students to finish the degree faster.
To be sure, art education students may check the program overview of the school of their choice, so they will know what to expect when it comes to the program duration.
Summary Points
- Master’s in Art Education programs are designed to prepare students with the skills necessary to teach the arts in a variety of settings, including classrooms, museums, community centers, and more.
- Master’s in Art Education students learn advanced concepts in art, coupled with various teaching strategies and technologies used in art education.
- Master’s in Art Education programs do not automatically lead to earning teaching certifications but rather serve to prepare students to achieve them.
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