the program

The Art Education program is designed for students who wish to pursue graduate-level professional training as artist-teachers in public and private schools, museums, community-based programs, and other alternative educational sites. It also prepares students to be innovative researchers and strong advocates of the arts in schools. NYU’s program in art education combines a foundation in critical theory with a solid grounding in practice. With special focus on contemporary art and its social context, the program conceptualizes the artist-teacher as cultural producer, intellectual, and activist. Through a sequence of core courses that incorporate a multicultural approach, students examine the making and teaching of art as a social act, considering it within philosophical, historical, political, and sociological contexts. Students continue their work as artists in graduate-level studio courses, while developing a pedagogical foundation through courses in education, art education, critical theory in art, and research methodologies. Emphasizing the importance of theory and practice, the Art Education program utilizes the idea of praxis to support the critical, reflective, and practical application of theory in diverse educational contexts.

Personal attention is given to each student throughout the duration of program, from initial advisement through completion of the Masters final project. Classes are small in order to foster optimal exchange between faculty and students.

enrollment

Students come from a wide variety of backgrounds including studio art, graphic design, and education. Enrolled students are interested in working within the public sector as well as community-based, non-profit, and for-profit educational contexts. Graduates go on to serve as classroom teachers, museum educators, and educational consultants, as well as go on to pursue doctoral studies. The program enrolls 15-25 new students each year. Students may participate in the program on a full-time or part-time basis. Admission is for the fall semester only.

admission prerequisites

In order to be considered for admission, applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 27 credits in studio art and a minimum of 9 credits in art history, and a liberal arts/general education from an accredited 4-year college or university. For international applicants, a minimum TOEFL score of 650 (paper-based) is required.

If any of these are not fulfilled, students will be required to take the necessary courses in addition to the courses required for their Masters degree. Students should take these courses during the first year of study in the program. This prerequisite coursework does not count towards the M.A. degree. More information about certification and graduate degree program requirements is available from the Office of Graduate Admissions.

the curriculum

For students who have an undergraduate B.A., B.S., or B.F.A degree in studio art and who wish to acquire teacher certification, the M.A. program in Art Education offers a certification component. To fulfill New York State teacher certification requirements, the candidate must enroll in the 40-41 credit M.A. program. International students must be permanent residents or citizens of the United States in order to be certified to teach art in the public school system.

For students who already have an initial teaching art certificate or are interested in an academic degree without certificate, the 34 credit M.A. program includes the academic requirements for New York State professional certification. To fulfill the total requirements for professional certification, a candidate must in addition complete two years of school experience as a full-time paid teacher. This requirement can be fulfilled while taking courses towards the Masters degree.

In addition to the course requirements, students must write a substantial, well-researched master’s thesis on a particular interest or issue in art education. The master’s thesis is conducted in the last semester, after satisfactory completion of the research course in art education.

degree requirements

Masters in Art Education (ARTA), Certification in Art, K-12 (40-41 POINTS)

Art Education Course Descriptions

additional requirements

Students must successfully complete the New York State Teacher Certification Examination. Scores must be submitted to the State Education Department before it will consider issuing a certificate to teach in public schools in New York State.

Students admitted with an MA or MFA in Studio Art do not have to take studio credits. All other students will be required to take 6-9 credits in studio art.

Masters in Art Education (ARTA), Professional Certification, K-12 (34 POINTS)

Art Education Course Descriptions

the faculty

David Darts

application procedures

All applications for the art education program must be submitted to the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development Office of Graduate Admissions. For general information pertaining to admissions and financial aid, and/or to download an application (PDF file), visit the Office of Graduate Admissions. Follow the instructions outlined by Office of Graduate Admissions for filing your application form.

The following is a list of all items that must accompany the completed application form.

1. Transcripts: Must be obtained from all undergraduate and graduate institutions, if applicable.
2. Three Letters of Recommendation: Should be obtained from academic and professional sources related to your background in art and/or education and teaching.
3. Current résumé
4. Statement of Purpose (500-words): Must describe your interest in the field of art education and the direction you wish to pursue in the Master’s Program. This statement corresponds to the Personal Statement required on the application. We strongly encourage candidates to address their interest in the philosophy and focus of the NYU Art Education program as it relates to personal and professional goals.
   
5. Portfolio: All portfolios must be on a Mac OS-formatted CD-ROM (standard size, not 3”) or DVD and should include 20 images of recent work in jpeg format only, sized at 1280 x 1024 pixels for viewing on a Macintosh computer via video projection. Please do NOT submit PowerPoint or Keynote presentations.
   
   Each image must be numbered (corresponding to the order of viewing), and include title, if any, and your name. Quicktime or DVD-formatted videos can be submitted in addition to, but not in place of digital images. Videos can be a compilation of various works, but the total running time cannot exceed five minutes. Genres appropriate to video documentation include video art, performance, and kinetic art, NOT documentation of sculptures or exhibitions. We do not accept VHS-formatted videos.
   
   Submit a digital image inventory with your name in the top right hand corner. List the images in order of viewing, file name, dimensions of work, date of work, medium, and title, if any. Please do not submit text files with your images.
   
   Legibly print your name on all disks, sleeves, and/or cases and include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return of your portfolio.
   
6. Personal Interview: A personal interview by invitation only is required of those students in close proximity to NYU; for those who live outside the area, a phone interview is required. You will be notified by phone or email to schedule a personal or phone interview with the program faculty.
   
   Send application materials to the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development Office of Graduate Admissions.
   

application deadline

FALL SEMESTER
February 1: Deadline for all application materials AND deadline for Financial Aid. There is no Spring semester matriculation.

for further information

Please contact Professor David Darts for additional information or inquiries about the Masters of Arts in Art Education Program.

David Darts
Assistant Professor
Email: darts@nyu.edu
212.998.5719

Dipti Desai
Program Director
Email: dd25@nyu.edu
212.998.9022

Jessica Hamlin
Program Coordinator
Email: jch247@nyu.edu
212.998.9022