Art Education
Art Education Master’s Degree Program Overview
The online MA in Art Education provides the same rigorous curriculum as the campus-based program. This distance-learning program is designed for Pre-K-12 art educators in public and private schools, museums, and enrichment classes who wish to continue with graduate study in the field of art education.
Licensed art education teachers who complete an art education master’s degree at Kent State University 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 complete a course on quantitative and qualitative approaches to research and then select to do a research study with a thesis or a master’s project option.
Our program addresses all of the visual arts, as defined by the National Art Education Association, to include both contemporary art and design. Addressing both will prepare you to make a powerful contribution in guiding students in their cognitive, social, and emotional development as they prepare for college, careers and citizenry.
Graduates will 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. The program at Kent State provides coursework in studio practice and art history in conjunction with theoretical research in art education pedagogy. Once the candidacy exam is passed, students may choose a thesis or project option as a capstone experience. The thesis culminates in a document that is based on scholarly research on an art education-related topic. The master’s project involves research that focuses on participant/researcher studies in curriculum, classroom settings, grant implementation, and/or community-based projects.
Accreditation: An accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, the School of Art offers degree programs in Art Education that are approved.
Program Structure
- 30 minimum credits
- Most courses are 3 credits with 6 credits required for either the non-thesis option or the thesis option
- The non-thesis option is appropriate for students in contexts in which research can be completed on their own practice, in most cases in their own art classrooms or other educational venues
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Understand the breadth of theoretical, philosophical, historical and pedagogical issues in visual arts education instruction and curriculum.
- Articulate how issues that foster positive social change are inherent in the field and are constructed within wider frameworks of culture and society.
- Understand the purposes, functions and value of teaching art and design in PreK-12 educational settings.
- Understand and refine the application of art and general education research methodology, methods and procedures.
- Demonstrate advanced comprehension of self-identified topics through conducting detailed research investigation.
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
- 1
Preference is given to the applicant holding a B.A., B.F.A. or B.S. degree in Art Education.
- 2
International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.
Important Dates
Program Courses
Program Requirements
| 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 Elective 4 | ||
| 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
| Minimum Major GPA | Minimum Overall GPA |
|---|---|
| - | 3.000 |
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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