Masters of Art in Education

The MA in Art Education program provides art educators with an opportunity to earn a graduate degree in a program that combines studio experience with art education theory and pedagogy. The program is practice-oriented with significant emphasis on specialized studio experiences. It builds on art content knowledge, skills and pedagogy essential to attain Highly Qualified Teacher (HQT) status. The curriculum emphasizes inquiry in personal studio production, art education theory and research, current issues in art education and classroom pedagogy to strengthen the capacities of teachers to create dynamic K-12 visual art program and to prepare those interested in pursuing future doctoral degree in art education.

With the current state requirements for renewable five-year teaching licensure, continuing contract is contingent on professional development, including the completion of master’s degree or 30 credits of graduate study within ten years of initial licensure in order to attain the HQT status. In the light of this, many art teachers in the region and beyond are seeking professional development opportunities to maintain their license and employment. The MA in Art Education program is a viable option for practicing art educators to enhance their professional, artistic, pedagogical, scholarly and research skills through advanced study.

Our principal mission is to assist students to realize their studio and academic potential through effective mentoring that nurtures professional, creative and intellectual growth. Through critical discourse and quality academic conversation in studio art and art education, we engender professional and critical attitudes among our teacher/students. Students are introduced to the culture of research and scholarship in art education. They collaborate with cohorts in investigating new ways to engage in knowledge construction and extend the boundaries of educational research. Critical tasks in studio curriculum include the exploration of personal, conceptual, and professional directions in studio practice. Students are exposed to educational research methods, historical foundations and current issues in art education through critical readings and presentations, to gain new understanding for constructing theories and knowledge about teaching and learning in the visual arts.

Art Education programs in the Department are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD).

Admission Requirements
In addition to the admission requirements of the School of Graduate Studies and Research, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• an undergraduate degree in art education and teacher certificate or professional teaching license;
• an unrecalculated cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale;
• a minimum of two years of teaching experience preferred;
• successful completion of the Praxis III (NTE) or equivalent;
• three original letters of recommendation;
• 10-12 color images of personal artwork;
• a statement of purpose of approximately 250 words indicating intent and proposed area of specialization within art studio and capstone project (studio project track or graduate thesis track);
• a personal interview with Program Director and the Graduate Program Committee in the Department of Art may be required.

In some cases, additional coursework in undergraduate studio art may be required by the Graduate Program Committee in the Department of Art before regular admission is granted. To obtain regular admission, the candidate must make up deficiencies by taking the appropriate undergraduate studio courses without graduate credit. 

Application Deadline
February 15 for Summer  admission; May 15 for Fall admission; and October 15 for Spring admission

Contact
Dr. Samuel Adu-Poku sadupoku@ysu.edu
Program Director, MA in Art Education
330-941-1866 (w) or 330-941-3627 (Art Department)

[ Click here for curriculum download in pdf format ]

[ Click here for a link to the graduate student bulletin ]