Art Teacher, M.A.

School of Education

Program Overview

The art education program prepares teachers who are skilled makers of art, insightful observers of developments in the arts, and advocates for art education in public and independent schools. Our graduate program will give you the skills and knowledge you need to become a certified teacher in New York State focusing on art education in grades pre-K through 12.

Art Teacher, M.A.

Where you'll go

Art education teachers will learn how to run a classroom where the imagination runs free but students are under control. You will learn about integrating multiple perspectives of teaching art by understanding human functioning and development across art education. For students who hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in either art or art education, we offer two paths to a Master of Arts degree in art education.

Program Details

The program information listed here reflects the approved curriculum for the 2023–24 academic year per the Brooklyn College Bulletin. Bulletins from past academic years can be found here.

Program Description

The art education program at Brooklyn College is committed to preparing quality art teachers (PK–12) who are skilled makers of art, insightful observers of contemporary developments in the arts, and articulate advocates for art education in public and independent schools. For students who hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in either art or art education, we offer two paths to a Master of Arts degree in art education. For students who already hold a master’s degree in art or related discipline, we offer an Advanced Certificate in teaching art (see Brooklyn College Bulletin). The curriculum consists of education courses, field experiences, and arts courses that are scheduled to accommodate students who have family and/or professional responsibilities. Most students complete the program in two years; however, individuals are free to set their own pace for progressing through the program.

The courses required by the program in art education vary depending on the entry qualifications of students. The profession of teacher education is licensed by the New York State Education Department. Therefore, program requirements are subject to change. All students should consult with the program coordinator of art education for current degree requirements.

Matriculation Requirements

Applicants must offer at least 30 credits in art and design courses, both two- and three-dimensional, and other advanced arts courses acceptable to the program in art education.

Applicants must offer (a) or (b):

  • (a) New York State Initial Certification in teaching art for all grades;
  • (b) an undergraduate degree with a major in art or appropriate course work in art. Applicants must have a minimum undergraduate scholastic index of 3.00.

A minimum average of 3.00 in graduate courses is required to maintain matriculation.

Applicants who have not completed all the specific course requirements are given individual consideration and may be admitted with conditions, with the approval of the program coordinator of art education and the chair of the Early Childhood and Art Education Department.

Applicants are required to demonstrate written proficiency in English. International applicants for whom English is a second language are required to pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of at least 575 on the paper-based test or 233 on the computer-based test or 79 on the internet-based test, before being considered for admission.

Applicants must submit a digital portfolio of their art work.

Applicants must consult matriculation requirements for the program in art education in the School of Education section of the Bulletin, and should see the program coordinator for art education for counseling.

General matriculation and admission requirements of Graduate Studies are in the section “Admission.”

Students who already have a master’s degree but wish Initial or Professional Certification in teaching art must take appropriate courses for the Advanced Certificate in art education as described in the Graduate Bulletin.

Students must obtain fingerprinting clearance. Fieldwork or student-teaching in an early childhood setting requires students to be fingerprinted by New York City Department of Investigation or Department of Health.

Fieldwork/student-teaching in a public school requires students to be fingerprinted by the New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE); see SOE website for more information.

Maintain matriculated status. Students must have passed the following New York State exams at the specified transition points:

  • CST-Visual Art section: prior to student teaching;
  • The Educating All Students (EAS) exam: prior to student-teaching or completing the degree program.
  • Throughout student-teaching, students complete the art education program-specific performance assessment, which involves submitting video clips of teaching and lesson plans along with commentaries on planning, instruction, and assessment.

A student must complete student-teaching with a B or higher. Students who receive a grade lower than a B must apply to the ECAE chair for permission to reregister to repeat student teaching. Students will be allowed to repeat an ECAE course (including student-teaching) only once.

Note: Students not seeking certification must schedule a meeting with the graduate art education program coordinator to set up an alternative transition point plan during their initial semester.

Program Requirements (33–45 Credits)

Students take different art and education courses depending on their previous course work, artistic experience, and the certificates they hold. The department chair may allow substitutions for one or more of these requirements consistent with the educational goals of the program.

Art

Students must complete 15 credits in content area (art) courses in consultation with their program adviser. Nine of these credits are mandatory in ARTD studio courses, of which three credits could be completed in art history. The remaining six content area credits (electives) can be completed in any of the following ARTD or ECAE courses, museum education courses, cross- and/or interdisciplinary arts courses, and/or media arts courses: ART 7003G, 7007G, 7011G, 7015G, 7019G, 7023G, 7026G, 7033G, 7036G, 7039G, 7043G, 7051G, 7056G, 7061G, 7064G, 7068G, 7072G, 7082G, 7086G , 7091G, 7097G, 7100G, 7135G, 7138G, 7142G, 7146G, 7150G, 7151G, 7154G, 7076G, 7078G, 7156G, 7157G, 7158G, 7159G, 7160G, 7165G, 7170G, 7175G, 7180G7183G, 7185G, 7190G, 7193G, 7194G, 7196G, 7198G, 7199G, 7210X, 7220X, 7250T, 7310X, 7311X, 7410, 7420X, 7421X, 7510T, 7520X7521X, 7550T, 7560X, 7610X, 7611X , 7710T, 7720X, 7730X, 7740X, 7810G, 7820G, 7821G7905G, 7970X, 6210T, ECAE 7540T, 7546X, 7539T, or another content area course selected in consultation with their adviser.

Education

Students must complete 18 to 30 credits in education courses in one of the options below.

Option A (18 credits)

Students who possess Initial Certification in teaching art must complete Early Childhood Education and Art Education 7506X, 7507T, 7526T, 7530T, 7533T, and one of the following: Childhood, Bilingual and Special Education 7671X, Secondary Education 7671X, 7527T, 7503X, 7549X,/Theater 7141X, Early Childhood and Art Education 7100T, 7101T, 7102T, 7104T, 7105T, 7106T, 7652T, 6002T, or another course selected in consultation with their adviser.

Option B (31 credits)

Students who wish to pursue teaching credentials but do not possess Initial Certification in teaching art or equivalent course work and teaching experience or who are teaching but do not possess Initial Certification in teaching art must have the appropriate course work and credits in the subject area and must complete Early Childhood Education and Art Education 7506X, 7507T, 7520T, 7526T, 7530T, 7533T, 7538T, 7542T, 7543T, Secondary Education 7503X, Teaching Writing Across the Curriculum; Childhood, Bilingual and Special Education 7671X, Children and Youth with Special Needs, or Secondary Education 7671X, Children and Youth with Special Needs, or Early Childhood Education and Art Education 7104T, Environments for Infants, Toddlers and Young Children with Special Developmental and Learning Needs, or Early Childhood Education and Art Education 7652T, Teaching Young Children with Special Needs through the Arts.

Student Learning Outcomes

The student learning outcomes for the art education programs are based on six National Art Education Association (NAEA) larger standards with 13 NAEA sub-standards embedded for Art Education Professional Preparation Programs. Upon completion of their program of study in art education, our art education candidates will understand and be able to:

1. Content of Art

Show thorough understanding of the visual arts through their own studio skills and art-making processes; their ability to create, design, and write art projects; and their ability to interpret and critically evaluate through oral and written means their own and others’ works of art while setting up safe, interesting, and psychologically positive environments that are conducive to creativity, expression, and making art (Standard 1).

2. Knowledge of Students as Learners

Show insightful understanding of students’ experiential and social characteristics, abilities, and learning styles. Respect and value all students’ unique backgrounds, abilities, and interests. (Standard 2).

3. Understanding Social and Cultural Diversity

Understand diverse social and cultural constructs of identity. Respect and value the diversity of people, philosophies, and cultural approaches in instruction (Standard 3).

4. Teaching and Learning

Make informed selections of art content and curriculum. Nurture and encourage approaches to artistic problems through thoughtfully prepared curriculum and instruction that makes accessible traditional, contemporary, and popular art worlds and the art from a wide range of cultures (Standard 4). Show knowledge of students as learners and plan appropriate instruction (Standard 5). Use contemporary technology to enhance teaching and learning (Standard 6).

5. Assessment, Evaluation, and Reflection

Construct meaningful and appropriate assessment of student learning (Standard 7). Reflect on own teaching practice (Standard 8). Assess program for its effectiveness (Standard 9).

6. Collaboration, Professional Engagement, and Leadership

Collaborate with other educators (Standard 10). Give service to schools and community (Standard 11). Participate in continued learning and professional development (Standard 12). Contribute to the growth of their profession (Standard 13).

Admissions Requirements

  • Fall Application Deadline: August 1; applications accepted on a rolling basis until all places are filled.
  • Spring Application Deadline: November 15; applications accepted on a rolling basis until all places are filled.

Supporting Documents for Matriculation

Submit the following documents to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

  • Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Applicants who earned a bachelor’s degree outside the United States need to submit a course-by-course international transcript evaluation. See Graduate Admissions for more information.
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Résumé
  • Personal statement explaining why you are choosing to become an art educator
  • A portfolio with images that demonstrate a working knowledge of a variety of media in addition to your specialty (10–15 images or a CD of art work).
  • Certified teachers applying for program option A: Submit a photocopy of your New York State or other state teaching certificate.

Required Tests

  • F-1 or J-1 international students must submit English Proficiency Exam. TOEFL—79, IELTS—6.5, PTE—58–63, Duolingo—105–160.

All students accepted in to the School of Education are required to submit fingerprint verification before signing up for most education classes. Fingerprint verification is required for work in New York City Department of Education schools if you already have fingerprint records or not. Follow these instructions.

Refer to the instructions at Graduate Admissions.

Contact

Herman Jiesamfoek, Program Coordinator

2307c James Hall
E: hjiesamfoek@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.5205

Or contact:

Office of Graduate Admissions

222 West Quad Center
2900 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11210
E: grads@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.4536

Office Hours

Mondays–Fridays, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

To make an appointment with a graduate admissions counselor, visit:

BC Admissions Appointment Tool

Internships and Employers

Students complete internships in public and private schools throughout the New York City region as well as across the United States. The internship is a supervised experience designed to hone the requisite skills and knowledge to work as an arts educator.

Learn More

Brooklyn. All in.

Brooklyn. All in.