Art Education BFA Degree

BFA - 130 credit, four-year program of study

Challenged to be critical thinkers, students in CVPA's Art Education program develop visual, verbal, and written skills which serve them well professionally and personally as discerning individuals living in community with others.

The BFA in Art Education program offers a sequence of practical, theoretical, and studio-based experiences through which students can gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to become proficient arts educators. While at UMass Dartmouth, Art Education majors take courses in studio art, the social theory and philosophy of education, human development and learning in art, and teaching methodologies. Pre-practicum fieldwork and supervised teaching components are essential requirements of the program. Opportunities for fieldwork exist in public and private schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and community centers and public service agencies.

Teacher certification as an Art Specialist is granted upon satisfactory completion of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure. The program also emphasizes professional development and lifelong learning for teachers who already hold teaching certificates in the arts or related fields.

The program strives to honor how the arts are integrated into daily life, thereby adding depth and dimension to the environment we live in by shaping our daily experiences. As a community, the program conveys the idea that the arts are valuable vehicles that can engender compassionate views of how we can all become better citizens of the world.

Art Teacher Certificate Program

Certification is the goal of most students in the Art Education program. Certification can also be earned by students who already possess a bachelor's degree and are interested in earning their MAE (Masters in Art Education). This program has the approval of the Bureau of Teacher Certification, Massachusetts Department of Education, leading to a single-level professional certification in Massachusetts as an art teacher in grades N-9 or 5-12.

Requirements for Admission

All applicants must meet portfolio requirements as an element in the department's admission decision. Additional materials may be required. All applicants must also follow UMass Dartmouth's admissions procedures detailed in the University Catalogue.

Affiliations

The Art Education Department has a student chapter of the National Art Education Association. Its members are active and participate in community service programs.