Art Education, M.A.T.

Program Coordinator: Dr. Christine Liao

The Master of Art in Teaching, Art Education specialization is a master degree combined with NC K-12 art teacher licensure certification. The one-year program is designed for candidates who already hold a bachelor’s degree in art or related fields and plan to obtain an art teaching licensure to teach art in K-12 public schools in North Carolina. The program combines online courses with in-person and hands-on field experience to provide maximum flexibility for working professionals.

Designed to align with the North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards and North Carolina Standards for Visual Arts Teacher Candidates, the course work includes essential art teacher preparation courses and graduate level theory and practice as well as field experience and student teaching. During the final semester, students will participate in full-time student teaching under the guidance of a mentor teacher and faculty supervisor. Successful completion of the program will prepare students for obtaining NC K-12 art teaching licensure.

Program Objectives

The program focuses on preparing art teachers to meet the standards of North Carolina art teachers. The program objectives are developed based on NC teaching standards.

Teachers demonstrate leadership:

• Develop critical knowledge and pedagogic skill to lead in the art classroom and demonstrate leadership in advancing and advocating art education in the school and the community.

• Actively involve in the profession through participation in the art communities and professional organizations.

Teachers establish a respectful environment for a diverse population of students:

• Establish a respectful and safe learning environment for diverse learners.

• Recognize the social context of art and art education and support diverse students acknowledging different perspectives.

Teachers know the content they teach:

• Demonstrate a depth and breadth of knowledge in visual art and apply research-based theory and pedagogy to develop curriculum and instruction.

• Consider art in multicultural and global context and develop culturally responsive and sensitive art curriculum.

• Analyze contemporary issues, theory, and research in the field of art education.

• Connect art to other disciplines and plan an curriculum.

Teachers facilitate learning for their students:

• Assess the different needs and learning styles of all students and provide appropriate instruction to facilitate student’s art learning and making.

• Adapt teaching for different learners and plan instructions base on student’s development in varies areas.

• Utilize different teaching approaches and integrate technology to support and enhance the learning experience.

• Conduct meaningful assessments to support the students’ learning and growth.

Teachers reflect on their practice:

• Develop a critical and reflective attitude to inquire about their own teaching practice.

• Pursue professional growth and contribute to research in art education and the advancement of the profession.

Admission Requirements

•An application for graduate admission

•A bachelor’s degree in art or similar fields from a regionally accredited college or university completed before graduate study begins.

•If the bachelor’s degree is not in a closely related art field, (such as studio art, art history, graphic design, photography, or digital/media art), the candidate must demonstrate at least 18 hours of course work in visual art at the undergraduate level or must take art classes at UNCW to meet the requirement. (minimum requirements)

•Official copies of transcripts of all college work (undergraduate and graduate)

•GPA of “B” (3.0) or better recommended in undergraduate work

•Three professional recommendations.

•Two to three-page typed letter of interest which includes a description of the applicant’s professional goals, educational interests in pursuing graduate study, and philosophy of teaching.

•Art portfolio: include 8-10 visual artworks with 100-word artist statement. Portfolio should be in PDF format in one document or website format. If the work is a digital work, the length should not exceed 10 minutes each. Please provide a link for viewing the work online.

Documents to be submitted for admission:

•Official copies of transcripts of all college work.
•Three professional recommendations.
•Statement of interest letter.
•Art portfolio PDF or website link

Degree Requirements (33 total credit hours)

AED 500 - Art Education Foundation and Curriculum Credit Hours: 3
AED 501 - Art Education Pedagogy and Assessment Credit Hours: 3
AED 502 - Media Arts, Media Literacy, and Technology in Art Education Credit Hours: 3
AED 503 - Art Education Issues, Research, and Practice Credit Hours: 3
AED 504 - Art Education Student Teaching Credit Hours: 9
AED 505 - Seminar on Teaching, Learning, and Leadership Credit Hours: 3
EDN 500 - Human Development and Learning Credit Hours: 3
EDN 509 - Education in a Multicultural Context Credit Hours: 3
EDN 520 - Instructional Development Credit Hours: 3

Exit Requirement

Action research project completed during the internship semester.