Art Education, BA
Program Details
- Location
- Akron Campus
- Level
- undergraduate
- Academic Pathway
- major
- Degree/Program Type
- Bachelor of Arts
- Format
- In-person
- Course Info
- Art Education, BA
- College
- Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences (BCAS)
- School/Department
- Mary Schiller Myers School of Art
Program Contact
- Elisa Gargarella
-
Associate Professor, Art Education Area Coordinator
330–972–8325
Overview
Art Education Fundamentals
The Art Education program in the Mary Schiller Myers School of Art consists of a core curriculum of theory and practice that prepares students to work in a variety of organizational settings, from museums to recreational centers.
Purpose
The purpose of this program is to enable students to develop the range of knowledge, skills, and competencies expected of those holding a liberal-arts baccalaureate degree in art and professional preparation in art education. P, K-12 licensed school art teachers who graduate from this program are expected to exhibit a high level of skills as artists, designers, and educators. Students benefit from excellent art, history, and theory instruction, and professionally equipped art and technology studios, while obtaining licensure from the School of Education through highly academic and interactive coursework.
Goals
The following basic goals/competencies are essential to all prospective art teachers:
- To foster competencies with the basic expressive, technical, procedural and organizational skills, and conceptual insights developed through studio art and design experiences.
- To facilitate an understanding of the major styles and periods of art history, analytical methods, and theories of criticism.
- To help students connect an understanding of educational processes and structures with an understanding of relationships among the arts, sciences, and humanities, in order to apply art competencies in teaching situations and to integrate art/design instruction into the total process of education.
- To assist teachers in developing the knowledge and skills to customize and differentiate learning for learners with a range of individual differences. To aid pre-service teachers in developing curricular, instructional, and assessment strategies for building 21st Century cross-disciplinary skills for K-12 students (communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and the use of technology).
- To help students develop effective assessment strategies for collecting data and using it to improve instruction and support learner success.
Admissions Requirements
Students must meet the general admissions requirements of The University of Akron.
Admission to the LeBron James Family Foundation School of Education is a prerequisite for any Professional Education course.
Career Outcomes
Graduates of the Art Education B.A. are prepared for:
Licensure and teaching in P–12 public and private schools
Museum or community-based art education
Arts integration in interdisciplinary learning environments
Graduate study in art education, curriculum, or leadership
Civic and cultural programming roles in nonprofits or public agencies
Prepare to Inspire the Next Generation
Build the knowledge, creative practice and classroom experience to become a licensed visual arts educator. The Myers School of Art prepares you to teach in PreK-12 schools, museums and community arts organizations through hands-on learning, professional connections and global experiences.
Clinical Experience
Learn Through Teaching
Gain hands-on experience in schools and community settings while working with learners from diverse backgrounds. You'll develop practical teaching skills long before your student teaching semester.
Creative Teaching
Create in Professional Studios
Create and teach in well-equipped studios while learning from practicing artists and experienced art educators who bring both creative expertise and classroom experience to every course.
Expand Your Perspective
Travel Opportunities
Join faculty-led study abroad experiences that explore art, culture and education while expanding your perspective as a future educator.
Myers Scholarships
Professional Growth
Connect with the Profession
Build relationships with practicing art educators through the Ohio Art Education Association and other professional opportunities that support your career development.
ARTS Lift
Supported by the Lola K. Isroff Arts Assistance Endowed Fund, the Arts LIFT apprenticeship program gives Myers School of Art students the opportunity to work alongside professional artists while partnering with urban high school students, educators and community organizations. Together, they create public art installations that strengthen neighborhoods, inspire civic engagement and demonstrate how art can contribute to community renewal.