Undergraduate Students

There are three possible options for undergraduate students interested in teaching in the arts depending on your career goals. To determine the best option for your career goals, consult with Dr. Dewhurst in Shepard 303D.

 

OPTION 1

Major in Art, Concentration in Teaching Art, Minor in Art Education via School of Education

 
Best for:

Students who are set on teaching in a traditional school setting (i.e. public, private, charter, etc.); students interested in teaching in alternative settings (i.e. museums, community center, etc.).

Requirements:

Students must complete all Art Major requirements with a Concentration in Teaching Art. In addition, when they have completed around 80 credits, they should apply to the School of Education for a Minor in Art Education.

Additional notes:
    • The only way a student can be certified via the state is if they have a Minor in Art Education through the School of Education.
    • Students must submit a formal School of Education Undergraduate Application.
    • This option includes student teaching and therefore may take longer than 4 years to complete.
    • The School of Education requires students to have a GPA of above 2.7.
    • Students must take and pass 3 state-mandated tests: the EAST (Educating All Students Test), the CST-Visual Arts (Content Specialty Test), and the EdTPA (Education Teaching Performance Assessment).
  
OPTION 2

Major in Art, Concentration in Teaching Art

 
Best for:

Students who are interested in teaching in non-school settings; students who are curious about education, but not totally sure they want to teach in a school.

Requirements:

Students must complete all Art Major requirements with a Concentration in Teaching Art.

Additional notes:
    • Students who select this option will not be certified by the state and therefore are not eligible to teach in a public school.
    • They may be able to teach in a charter/private school depending on the strength of their art, experience, other skills—but in the current climate, even this would be difficult.
    • Students would be eligible to teach in a museum, community center, or alternative learning space.
    • Students do not complete student teaching.
    • Students do not take the state-mandated tests.
 
OPTION 3

Major in Childhood or Bilingual Education, Co-Major in Art

 
Best for:

Students who want to specialize in teaching in grades 1-6 in a school setting; students whose primary interest is in education, particularly for younger students- with a side interest in the arts.

Requirements:

Students complete all Childhood or Bi-Lingual Education Major requirements that include selecting a “Co-Major” from a list of options provided by the School of Education. When Co-Majoring in Art, they must choose either Studio Art or Art History and then complete the 42 credits of Studio Art or Art History courses required of Art Majors.

Additional notes:
    • Students are advised primarily through the School of Education (for questions regarding state requirements, certification, and student teaching), but may seek secondary advisement from Art Department faculty related to their Art courses.