Art Education Programs

Study art education in New York City at Brooklyn College.

The Art Education Program is committed to preparing quality art teachers (PreK–12) who are skilled makers of art, insightful observers of contemporary developments in the arts, and articulate advocates for art education in public and independent schools.

For students who hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in either art or art education, we offer two paths (option A and option B) to a Master of Arts degree in art education. Additionally, for students who already hold a master’s degree in art or related discipline, we offer a path to an advanced certificate in teaching art.

The curriculum consists of education courses, field experiences, and arts courses that are scheduled to accommodate students who have family and/or professional responsibilities. Most students complete the program in two years, but individuals are free to set their own pace for progressing through the program.

The courses required by individual programs in art education can vary depending on the entry qualifications of students.

The profession of teacher education is licensed by the New York State Education and has reciprocal agreements with many other states.

Program Descriptions

The program in art education prepares candidates with varied educational and artistic experience to become art teachers for children and adolescents, and to earn an Initial Certificate in Teaching Art (PreK–12), a Professional Certificate, or both. The program addresses the needs of three distinct groups; students take different education courses and sequences of courses depending on their previous course work, teaching experience, and the certificates they hold.

M.A. Leading to Professional Certification (33 credits)

For students who hold a New York State Initial Certificate in Teaching Art, all grades, or equivalent course work and teaching experience, and who seek an M.A. in teaching art. This 33-credit program consists of 18 credits in education and 15 credits in art.

M.A. Leading to Initial and Professional Certification (46 credits)

For students who do not hold a New York State Initial Certificate in Teaching Art, all grades, or equivalent course work and teaching experience, and who seek an M.A. in teaching art and New York State Initial and Professional Certificates in Teaching Art, all grades. This 46-credit program consists of 31 credits in education and 15 credits in art; previous course work and teaching experience may be counted toward these credits.

Advanced Certificate Leading to Initial and Professional Certification (25 credits)

For students who already have an appropriate master’s degree in a related discipline, or an M.F.A, and wish to pursue the New York State Initial Certificate in Teaching Art, all grades. Depending on prior course work and teaching experience, students take up to 25 credits in education and may be required to take additional courses in art as a condition of admission.

Faculty

Adjunct Faculty

  • Toby Needler
  • Androneth Sieunarine

Courses

The courses required by the program in art education can vary depending on the entry qualifications of students.

Education Courses

First Semester (Fall)

ECAE 7506X Projects in Creative Art for the Classroom
ECAE 7507T Critical Issues in Education—Social Values and Individual Needs: Art

Second Semester (Spring)

ECAE 7530T Diverse Classrooms in a Visual Culture
ECAE 7533T Advanced Seminar in Pedagogy and Curriculum, Art Education: Art

Third Semester (Fall)

ECAE 7538T Seminar I in Pedagogy and Curriculum: Art
ECAE 7542T Art Education: Student Teaching Practicum I

Fourth Semester (Spring)

ECAE 7520T Seminar II in Pedagogy and Curriculum: Art
ECAE 7543T Art Education: Student Teaching Practicum II
ECAE 7526T Seminar in Educational Research: Art

Summer / Fall / Spring (Any Semester)

SEED 7503X Teaching Writing Across the Curriculum
ECAE 7104T, CBSE 7671, or SEED 7671X Children and Youth with Special Needs

Art Courses

Summer / Fall / Spring (Any Semester)

Five courses from any of the following:

Application

Applications are accepted once a year in the spring (deadline: March 15, but late applications are accepted).

To Apply

  • Visit Graduate Admissions online or call the Office of Graduate Admissions at 718.951.4536 and start the application process.
  • Applicants must submit:
    • a résumé and cover letter;
    • official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate degrees and course work (minimum GPA of 3.00);
    • a short statement explaining why the applicant is seeking a degree in art education;
    • two letters of recommendation; and
    • a digital portfolio of the applicant’s artwork. Keep in mind that art teachers need to be generalists, that is, fluent in a variety of media (painting, drawing, sculpture, digital, and printmaking), so the portfolio should include examples of the applicant’s best work but also images that demonstrate a working knowledge of media other than one’s specialty.
    • Applicants already certified to teach art in public schools should include a copy of their certification with their application information.
  • Prepare for a possible interview. The department will interview selected candidates after reviewing both their art portfolio and application folder. Depending on when these are received and processed, the earliest invitations for personal interviews for fall admission will be sent out around mid-March.

Admission Requirements

To be accepted into the graduate Art Education Program:

  • Applicants must have a minimum undergraduate scholastic index of B (GPA: 3.00) in degrees and required courses; 30 credits of studio art, including some art history. A psychology, sociology, or anthropology course is desirable. Additional New York State requirements are one semester of undergraduate math, and two semesters of a foreign language.
  • Foreign applicants for whom English is a second language are required to pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 550.
  • Applicants must submit a digital art portfolio for review with 15 to 20 images of their best work (varied disciplines).

Extra Information

Contact

Professor Herman Jiesamfoek
Art Education Program Coordinator and Graduate Deputy, ECAE Department

School of Education
Brooklyn College
2307 James Hall
Brooklyn, NY 11210

P: 718.951.5000, ext. 5205
E: hjiesamfoek@brooklyn.cuny.edu

Brooklyn. All in.