PSU offers three options for K-12 Certification as an Art Educator. These programs are for students who possess a baccalaureate degree in fine arts, visual arts, studio art, or graphic design.
This 36 credit program requires three art education courses to fulfill professional competencies: Elementary Methods and Materials in Art Education, Pedagogy and Planning in Secondary Level Art Education, and Curriculum Development and Assessment in the Arts. Individual cases will be reviewed to determine studio and art history preparation relevant to certification competencies. Additional coursework may be required.
The graduate program in Art Education offers three options leading to endorsement for K-12 Art Education Certification.
MAT in Art Education, K-12 Certification: for those who possess a baccalaureate degree in fine arts, visual arts, studio art, or graphic design. This 36 credit program requires three art education courses to fulfill professional competencies: Elementary Methods and Materials in Art Education, Pedagogy and Planning in Secondary Level Art Education, and Curriculum Development and Assessment in the Arts. Individual cases will be reviewed to determine studio and art history preparation relevant to certification competencies. Additional coursework may be required.
K–12 Art Education Certification-only: for those who possess a baccalaureate or master's degree in fine arts, visual arts, studio art, or graphic design. This 27 credit option requires three art education courses to fulfill professional competencies: Elementary Methods and Materials in Art Education, Pedagogy and Planning in Secondary Level Art Education, and Curriculum Development and Assessment in the Arts. Individual cases will be reviewed to determine studio and art history preparation relevant to certification competencies. Additional coursework may be required.
MAT in Art Education - Fifth Year Option: for PSU students in the BA or BFA programs in graphic design and studio art. This 36 credit program is based on students fulfilling nine credits of undergraduate art education courses within their BA or BFA degree: Foundations of Art Education, Methods and Materials for Art Education, Instructional Planning and Pedagogy for Art Education, and Curriculum and Assessment for Art Education. If not completed, additional graduate coursework in art education will be required to fulfill these equivalencies.
The MAT in Art Education and the K–12 Art Education Certification only require passing scores in both the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators and Praxis Art: Content Knowledge (0134) tests for endorsement for NH K–12 Art Education certification. Please see Teacher Certification section for additional information.
Program Objectives
The MAT in Art Education addresses the following art education competencies, which ensure that as a result of successfully completing the program, students will:
- acquire knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the visual arts in diverse contemporary and past cultures;
- have knowledge of and competence to teach a variety of studio art forms including drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, and crafts;
- develop a portfolio of personal art work and exhibit selected art works in accordance with professional artistic and technical standards;
- complete a supervised observation and internship with pupils of both elementary and secondary levels;
- have a knowledge of comprehensive programs of visual arts education; procedures for organizing, promoting, and managing a comprehensive visual arts education program; and the selection and organization of visual arts learning experiences and curriculum development in visual arts education;
- have a knowledge of diverse technical and skill-related aspects of visual arts education including diverse mediums and the related techniques for working with them; the elements and principles of the visual arts; display and exhibition design; tool appropriateness, function, and use; and visual arts vocabulary;
- develop an appreciation of the other arts including dance, film, music, literature, theatre, and practical arts;
- have awareness, comprehension, and ability to describe, analyze, interpret, and evaluate works of visual art;
- have knowledge and understanding of the technical and safety aspects of methods and materials used in visual arts instruction.
These objectives meet all of the New Hampshire state-mandated competencies in art education that address dispositions, pedagogy, curriculum and assessment, and art content.
Requirements for certification may change, subject to changes made by the New Hampshire Department of Education (NHDOE). Teacher candidates can find the latest NHDOE standards at education.nh.gov/index.htm.
Curriculum & Requirements
There are three different options in Art Education
- MAT in Art Education, K-12 Certification
- MAT in Art Education, K-12 Certification - Fifth Year Option*
- Art Education, K-12 Certification Only
*follows the MAT in Art Education, K-12 Certification requirements.
MAT in Art Education, K–12 Certification
Curriculum Requirements
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Master's Core Component | ||
| ED 5000 | Understanding Social Behaviors | 3 |
| ED 5010 | Philosophy, Ethics & Education | 3 |
| ED 5180 | 3 | |
| or ED 5030 | Research Design | |
| Learning Theory Component | ||
| ED 5060 | Exploring Learning Theories and Cognitive Growth | 3 |
| ED 5270 | Foundations of Teaching | 3 |
| SE 5400 | Classroom Interventions and Special Education Strategies | 3 |
| Content Area Component | ||
| Complete nine credits from the following: | 9 | |
AE 5560 | Special Topics in Art Education | |
AR 5300 | The Arts in Society | |
AR 5560 | Studio Topics in Art | |
AR 5910 | Independent Study | |
IN 5560 | Special Topics: Integrated Arts | |
IN 5970 | Integrating the Arts | |
IN 5400 | Imagination, Creativity and Innovation | |
| Professional Competencies (if not previously met) | ||
AE 5050 | Elementary Methods and Materials in Art Education | |
AE 5060 | Pedagogy and Planning in Secondary Level Art Education | |
AE 5700 | Curriculum Development and Assessment in the Arts | |
| Capstone Experience | ||
| AE 5410 | Art Education Internship in Teaching K-12 | 9 |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Art Education, K–12 Certification Only
Curriculum Requirements
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Learning Theory Component | ||
| ED 5060 | Exploring Learning Theories and Cognitive Growth | 3 |
| ED 5270 | Foundations of Teaching | 3 |
| SE 5400 | Classroom Interventions and Special Education Strategies | 3 |
| Content Area Component | ||
| Complete nine credits from the following: | 9 | |
AE 5560 | Special Topics in Art Education | |
AR 5300 | The Arts in Society | |
AR 5560 | Studio Topics in Art | |
AR 5910 | Independent Study | |
IN 5560 | Special Topics: Integrated Arts | |
IN 5970 | Integrating the Arts | |
IN 5400 | Imagination, Creativity and Innovation | |
| Professional Competencies (if not previously met) | ||
AE 5050 | Elementary Methods and Materials in Art Education | |
AE 5060 | Pedagogy and Planning in Secondary Level Art Education | |
AE 5700 | Curriculum Development and Assessment in the Arts | |
| Capstone Experience | ||
| AE 5410 | Art Education Internship in Teaching K-12 | 9 |
| Total Credits | 27 | |
Admission Information
Requirements
The MAT in Art Education requires the following materials to be submitted through our online application
- Recommended 3.0 or better GPA in undergraduate coursework in a BFA program
- Official transcripts from any/all college level work
- Three professional recommendations
- Current Resume
- Statement of interest
- Art Portfolio*
- NH Residency Verification form (NH residents only)
*Art Education applicants must upload a studio portfolio consisting of 20 representative works. This portfolio can be a Zip archive, PowerPoint presentation, or other single file. This will be reviewed by the Art Education program coordinator. portfolio guidelines
Deadlines
Students pursuing Art programs can apply for admission to any of the upcoming semesters. Here are the annual application deadlines:
- Fall semester - August 1
- Spring semester – December 1
- Summer semester – April 15
*We suggest submitting your documentation at least two weeks prior to the posted date to ensure your application is complete and can be reviewed by the deadline.
2024-25 Estimated Graduate Per Credit Tuition and Mandatory Fees
| New Hampshire Resident | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | Mandatory Fees | Per Credit Total | ||
| Master’s Degrees/Certificates | $584 | $43 | $627 | |
| CAGS | $625 | $43 | $668 | |
| EDD | $681 | $43 | $724 | |
| Out-of-State Resident | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | Mandatory Fees | Per Credit Total | ||
| Master’s Degrees/Certificates | $809 | $43 | $852 | |
| CAGS | $782 | $43 | $825 | |
| EDD | $866 | $43 | $909 | |
More information is available through the Student Financial Services Office.
Graduate students are eligible for financial aid in the form of student loans only. You will need to complete the FAFSA at least 30 days prior to the start of the semester you wish to begin taking classes. International students are not eligible for federal financial aid – please review our international admission requirements to learn more.
More information can be found on the Student Financial Services website.
Each year, Plymouth State offers a limited number of merit-based scholarships to admitted graduate students. Selection criteria include academic and professional achievements, commitment to graduate study, and achievement or pursuit of personal or professional goals. Visit the PSU Scholarship Opportunities webpage for additional information.
Explore Program Details
- Provide arts, pedagogical, curriculum, and assessment leadership and implement best practices in teaching, planning, and pedagogy in contemporary art education settings in a comprehensive art curriculum.
- Analyze the developmental learning needs of students and class communities and address these needs in planning and pedagogical practice.
- Participate in the school community, build on constructive criticism and self-reflection, advocate for arts education, develop team and community relationships, and work with curriculum and assessment at the program, school, district, and national levels.
- Develop confidence, a distinct teaching voice, professional identity as an artist-educator and the active engagement in lifelong learning and ongoing professional development in the arts and education.
- Demonstrate knowledge and ability in foundational to advanced studio processes, new media, tools, materials and safety, western and non-western art history, aesthetic theory, art criticism, the role of the arts in society and the development of a portfolio of personal artwork and recognition of exhibition/presentation opportunities.
Explore Today.
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