Art education students work towards K-12 certification with professors who have had many years of successful experience teaching art in elementary and secondary public schools. Art education courses give students extensive field-base experience through directed observations and practice teaching which provide substantive real-world contexts. Art education students are prepared to synthesize knowledge and skills learned in studio art and art history, as well as the sciences and humanities into their development of meaningful curriculum and teaching strategies. Art education faculty members are in close contact with students through all stages of the degree program and certification process. Ninety percent of our graduates have successfully secured teaching positions in Arkansas and other states.
Graduates of the Art Education program are expected to function as art educators who demonstrate competence in studio art, knowledge of art history, and effective teaching practices. They synthesize learning from the arts, sciences, and humanities to develop meaningful K–12 curricula and teaching strategies, supported by field experience and reflective practice.
The Art Education Program also offers students unique opportunities to experience art education conferences at the state and national level and to volunteer in community events such as Conway Artsfest and Baum Gallery tours and openings. Another important opportunity for Art Education students is the Art Education Club, which is the Student Chapter of the National Art Education Association (NAEA) and Arkansas Art Educators (AAE). See Student Organizations for more information.
Degree Requirements
Art Education Emphasis (45 hours of Art, 35-37 hours of Art Education and Education)
The program is 120 semester credit hours, including at least 40 upper-division credit hours. The degree requires 45 hours of art (including 12 hours of art history), 21 hours of art education, 14-16 hours of professional education, 35 hours of UCA Core courses (fine arts requirement is not required for art majors – completion of the major fulfills the requirement), and 3 hours of foreign language at the 2000 level. Art courses must follow a prerequisite structure.
In order to complete the state-mandated minimum number of hours for core requirements in general education, art majors are required to complete a Humanities course in either the Diversity category or in the Responsible Living category.
Students seeking teacher licensure must complete current UCA College of Education and state requirements. This emphasis and licensure requirements may require more than the normal eight semesters to complete. A minor is not required.
Note: For more details regarding requirements for a BA in Art with emphasis in Art Education, see the “notes” section on the second page of the Program Completion Form: BA/Art Education.
Links to Degree Planning
For additional information, including Sample Degree Plans and Check sheets for this and other of our degrees, please see Degree Check Sheets & Advising Tools
For more information on education requirements, see the College of Education’s Office of Candidate Services.