MA in Art Education with Initial License

The MA in Art Education with Initial Licensure is a 40-unit blended program that requires an average of three terms to complete, with a summer term online or blended option followed by two terms on campus. Students may only enter in May.

Learning Outcomes

After the program, students are expected to demonstrate:

  • Integration of studio skills acquired in visual arts classes used in teaching a variety of media and strategies for embedding concepts.
  • Understanding of the methods and processes necessary to nurture artistic behaviors in students.
  • Ability to design a developmentally appropriate curriculum.
  • Ability to develop and implement classroom practices that align with the Massachusetts Professional Standards for Teachers, using the Massachusetts Curriculum Arts
  • Awareness and ability to integrate contemporary art and issues into community engagement and artistic or teaching practice with a global and cross-cultural lens.
  • Awareness of the broad needs of learners and being able to design classroom spaces, activities, and assessments that consider issues of disability, trauma, emotional and mental health, and English language proficiency.

Program of Study

(Minimum 40 units)

Summer Terms (students complete two courses, 8 units total)

  • CFA AR 630 DE S Child Growth and Development (Summer 1 online) (4 units)

Choice of one (1) Distance Education Online course:

  • CFA AR 620 DL S Art Curriculum Planning (Summer 1 online) (4 units)
  • Elective Studio or Education/Liberal Arts Course (500 level +) (Summer 1) (4 units)
  • CFA AR 670 Policy and Advocacy in Art Education (Summer 2, online) (4 units)
  • CFA AR 870 S Summer Studios (Summer 2 online with on-campus week-residency) (4 units)

Fall Term (16 units)

  • CFA AR 558 Contemporary Issues in Art Education (4 units)
  • CFA AR 560 Applied Studio (4 units)
  • CFA AR 590 Elementary and Secondary Methods in Art Education (4 units)
  • CFA AR 591 Curriculum Design + Pre-Practicum Seminar (2 units)
  • CFA AR 592 Pre-Practicum (2 units)

Spring Term (16 units)

  • CFA AR 554 Art Education Seminar: Curriculum and Instruction (4 units)
  • CFA AR 565 Art, Access, and Inclusion (4 units)
  • CFA AR 756 Practicum (8 units)

TOTAL: 40 units

The MA in Art Education with Initial Licensure program is highly structured, with required courses to prepare students to enter classroom teaching. However, as part of a vibrant art school, students in the MA can opt to take one or more on-campus studio courses during their first summer (summer) if they are in the Boston area. In some cases, a student may also require additional courses to address any deficiencies in undergraduate coursework in studio arts, art history, or psychology that may be necessary to satisfy minimum state or National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) requirements. These will be discussed on an individual basis before admission. The Applied Studio course will now address common deficiencies that we have noted within the curriculum (ceramics and printmaking, for example).