Combine your passion for art with your dedication to teaching.
Centered on studio practice, UMass Dartmouth's BFA in Art Education is a professional degree that will prepare you for elementary or secondary school teaching and for careers in other learning environments.
The BFA is a professional degree with concentrated areas of specialization, so you will take more art courses than you would in a BA program. At UMass Dartmouth, you also have the advantages of a university education where you can diversify your studies and expand your career opportunities.
As a teacher of art, you will be able to:
- encourage reflection, compassion, and creativity
- shape the visual and aesthetic experiences of your students
- integrate the arts into the community: schools, healthcare facilities, neighborhoods, cities
The Art Education program leads to the Massachusetts initial license to teach in grades PreK-8 or 5-12.
Finding inspiration and encouragement as she grows as an artist and educator.
Student teaching
Practicum and pre-practicum sites include:
- Area public schools
- Nativity Preparatory School
- New Bedford Art Museum
Career Placements
- Area public schools
Your curriculum will balance course work in the arts with classes in human development and learning. You will select a studio arts concentration and follow a series of theoretical, practical, and studio-based experiences leading to proficiency in the teaching of art. Your supervised field experiences will culminate in a semester of student teaching.
For the BFA in Art Education, you'll complete 105 credits in courses related to your major, and 129 credits overall.
- Fieldwork: gain experience working in public and private schools, healthcare settings, community centers, and public agencies
- Facilities: state-of-the-art classroom and studio spaces provide a professional environment for your work
- Community: participate in the student chapter of the National Art Education Association
- Honors College: take advanced courses, pursue research, and be part of a community of scholars
- Study Abroad: earn academic credits and gain a global perspective on your field
- Undergraduate Research: faculty work with students on cutting-edge research projects
- University Studies: gain the benefit of a broad university education to enhance your knowledge and skills
Post-Baccalaureate Art Teacher Licensure: The post-baccalaureate program for art teacher licensure is designed for students with a bachelor's degree in studio art; it leads to initial licensure as an art teacher in grades PreK-8 or 5-12.
Master of Art Education: With an emphasis on how the arts are integrated into daily life, the MAE program leads to a single-level professional certification in Massachusetts as an art teacher in grades Pre K-8 or 5-12.