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College of the Arts | School of Art

Art Education

Course Delivery
100% online
Total Credits
30
Completion Time
Graduate in as few as 2 years
Accreditation
National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)

Kent State University’s Master of Arts in Art Education is a 100% online program designed for educators and artists seeking to enhance their teaching skills and artistic practice. This program blends art theory, pedagogy, and practical application, preparing you to inspire the next generation of artists. With a flexible format tailored for working professionals, you can earn your master’s degree while continuing to create and educate in your own artistic community.

Art Education Master’s Degree Program Overview

The Master of Arts degree in Art Education provides opportunities for those with a background in art education to develop a focused competence in the visual arts, as well as an intellectual understanding of the history and current issues of the field of art education. Students study quantitative and qualitative approaches to research.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Understand the breadth of theoretical, philosophical, historical and pedagogical issues in visual arts education instruction and curriculum.
  2. Articulate how issues that foster positive social change are inherent in the field and are constructed within wider frameworks of culture and society.
  3. Understand the purposes, functions and value of teaching art and design in PreK-12 educational settings.
  4. Understand and refine the application of art and general education research methodology, methods and procedures.
  5. Demonstrate advanced comprehension of self-identified topics through conducting detailed research investigation.

Program Structure

30 minimum total credit hours: 12 credits (4) ARTE major requirement courses, 3 credits of Art History elective, 3 credits (1) course Studio Art elective, 6 credits (2) courses Art History or Studio Art or Art Education electives, 6 credits of culminating requirement courses of either capstone and guided elective or thesis (2-6 credits)

Accreditation

National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)

Art Education Master’s Degree Program Admissions Requirements

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Applications to the M.A. in Art Education are not being accepted at this time.

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university1
  • Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Résumé or curriculum vitae
  • Goal statement that focuses on the philosophy of art education
  • Portfolio
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:2
    • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
    • Minimum 58 PTE score
    • Minimum 110 DET score

1Preference is given to the applicant holding a B.A., B.F.A. or B.S. degree in Art Education.

2International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Important Dates

Aug
19
Classes Begin
Fall 2024 Semester
Jan
13
Classes Begin
Spring 2025 Semester
May
12
Classes Begin
Summer 2025 Semester
Aug
18
Classes Begin
Fall 2025 Semester
Jan
12
Classes Begin
Spring 2026 Semester
May
11
Classes Begin
Summer 2026 Semester
Aug
24
Classes Begin
Fall 2026 Semester

Program Courses

Program Requirements

Major Requirements
Course List
Code Title Credit Hours
Major Requirements
ARTE 51004 PRE-KINDERGARTEN-12 DESIGN EDUCATION 1 3
ARTE 61101 RESEARCH SEMINAR IN ART EDUCATION 3
ARTE 61191 SEMINAR IN ART EDUCATION I 3
ARTE 61291 SEMINAR IN ART EDUCATION II 3
Art History (ARTH) Elective 2 3
Studio Art (ARTS) Elective 2 3
Art History (ARTH) or Studio Art (ARTS) or Art Education ( ARTE) Electives 2 6
Culminating Requirement
Thesis or Capstone, choose from the following: 6
ARTE 61399
ART EDUCATION: GRADUATE PROJECT CAPSTONE 3
and Guided Elective4
ART 67199
M.A.THESIS I 5
Minimum Total Credit Hours: 30

1Students who completed ARTE 41004 as an undergraduate will consult with their faculty advisor on the elective course to take as a replacement for this requirement.

2Students select elective courses in consultation with their program advisor based on research interests.

3ARTE 61399 is appropriate for students in contexts in which research can be completed as part of their own practice, in most cases in their own art classrooms or other educational venues. The course involves research, which focuses on participant/researcher studies in curriculum, classroom settings, grant implementation and/or community-based projects. Students articulate and refine knowledge, reflective practice (including critical self-reflection) and develop goals to improve practice or further understanding of phenomena within the field of art education.

4Students who select the project capstone as their culminating requirement will take an additional, guided elective, based on their research interest, to meet the 30 credit hours for the degree.

5The thesis is a significant project or body of work done independently of other coursework. Students are expected to demonstrate the ability to conduct research or produce a significant, original project in a discriminating and disciplined manner. The thesis topic should be one that will further the student’s knowledge and ability in the specialty by demonstrating skill as a researcher. The outcome should be an effort that serves as a foundation for the pursuit of independent work when the graduate program is completed. At this stage, students are expected to work in close consultation with their thesis advisor.

Graduation Requirements

Graduation Requirements
Graduation Requirements Summary
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
  • No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
  • Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.

Art Education Master’s Degree Program Tuition and Fees

Ohio Residents

Per Credit Hour Per 3-Credit Course Approximate Tuition Cost
$594.78 $1,784.34

$17,800 part-time1

$13,100 full-time2

Non-Ohio Residents

Per Credit Hour Per 3-Credit Course Approximate Tuition Cost
$604.78 $1,814.34

$18,100 part-time3

$13,400 full-time4

1The $594.78 per-credit-hour tuition rate applies to part-time Ohio resident graduate students taking fewer than 11 credit hours per semester.

2The flat-rate semester fee of $6,528.50 applies to full-time Ohio resident graduate students taking between 11-18 credit hours per semester.

3The $604.78 per-credit-hour tuition rate applies to part-time non-Ohio resident graduate students enrolled in a fully online degree program and taking fewer than 11 credit hours per semester, PLUS a surcharge of $10 per credit hour.

4The flat-rate semester fee of $6,528.50 applies to full-time non-Ohio resident graduate students enrolled in a fully online degree program and taking between 11-18 credit hours, PLUS a surcharge of $10 per credit hour of actual credits taken each semester (between 11-18 semester credits or $110-$180). This program was calculated at students taking 15 credits each semester ($150 x 2).

An additional Distance Learning fee for all students enrolled in a distance learning course is $15 per credit hour. Program tuition and costs are estimated and subject to change.

Actual tuition costs may vary based on a student’s chosen academic plan. For a complete listing of tuition rates for approved online programs, please contact Kent State’s Financial, Billing & Enrollment Center at 330-672-6000 or via our website Contact Us link.

The total program costs are estimates and are not final or binding. Program costs are based on standard fees, but fees may vary based on the actual classes taken.  Kent State University disclaims any liability arising from the use of or reliance upon these program cost estimates by any person.  Program costs are subject to change without notice.

Careers

Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
  • 5.6% faster than the average
  • 116,300 number of jobs
  • $69,690 potential earnings
Self-enrichment teachers
  • 10.3% much faster than the average
  • 386,200 number of jobs
  • $39,960 potential earnings
Additional Careers
  • Visual arts teachers
  • Preschool, elementary, middle school and high school teachers in traditional, special needs and technical schools, in addition to museums and community and enrichment programs

Notice: Career Information Source

* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

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