Undergraduate Art Education (BFA)

The Art Education program supports undergraduate students with a serious interest in art and a desire to share that interest with others, primarily in the K-12 educational setting. Students should be dedicated to helping young people develop their abilities to create and respond to art; exhibit adaptability to a variety of learning situations, student backgrounds, and personalities; demonstrate flexibility and imagination in using a range of art media, equipment, and facilities; and be resourceful in the development of instructional strategies relevant to contemporary students. The beginning teacher must possess knowledge of art and how it relates to other disciplines.

Opportunities for teaching art exist in a wide range of situations. Primarily, available positions are at the elementary, middle, and high school levels in both private and public schools. There is currently a shortage of qualified art teachers in Georgia. See current teaching opportunities by searching jobs at Teach Georgia (try searching by "Grades K–12 Combination", "Grades K–5 Combination", "Grades 6–8 Combination", and "Grades 9–12 Combination"). The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is a prerequisite for initial teacher certification. A Masters degree in Art Education is now commonly accepted as an entry-level degree in museum education. Find museum education job listings on the American Association of Museums site.

Learn more about BFA in Art Education degree requirements at the Lamar Dodd School of Art here.

Curriculum

Find information about the BFA in Art Education here. 

For current requirements, refer to the UGA online Bulletin.

Applying to the Art Education Major

Area Admission Requirements

• Completion of Area F/VI with a GPA of 3.00 or above in these courses,

• Completion of or enrollment in ARED 2110 Critical and Contemporary Issues in Education with a grade of 3.0 or higher. Review of application will also take into account attendance, professionalism, and initiative as assessed by your ARED 2110 instructor.

• An overall 2.5 G.P.A. is required for admission and must be maintained to remain in the major.

• Pass OR exempt the GACE Program Admission Tests I, II, & III  (Georgia Assessment for the Certification of Educators- $128). You can exempt with one of the following:

  • Combined minimum SAT score

    • For SAT score reports dated prior to July 1, 2019:

      1,000 on Verbal/Critical Reading and Math, OR

      1,000 on Evidence-based Reading/Writing and Math

    • For SAT score reports dated on or after July 1, 2019:

      1,080 on Evidence-based Reading/Writing AND Math

  • Combined minimum ACT score of 43 (English and Math scores)
  • Combined GRE Verbal and Quantitative minimum score:

    • Prior to Fall 2011 = 1030

    • Fall 2011 to present = 297

• 35 hours of early field experiences in schools or community settings to be recorded on Art Ed. Early Experience Form. NOTE: Observational and instructional experience that is gained as a part of UGA credited coursework may not be counted towards Early Experiences
• IMPORTANT: In order to be enrolled in courses reserved for Art Education majors, such as ARED 4350S and ARED 4360S, your Pre-Service Certificate through the College of Education and GaPSC must be processed. Without your Pre-Service Certificate, you may not take these courses.

When To Apply

Applications to the major are due on the following dates:

• September 15
• February 15

How to Apply

In order to apply, you will need digital files (pdf format) of the following documents:

1. Your typed and signed Art Ed Early Experience Form
2. Your most current degree audit (printable from Degree Works). When printing, choose the “What If” option on the left side of the screen and choose Art Education as your major. This will result in an audit that reflects your progress toward Art Education degree completion, including completion of Area F/VI.
3. Your 500 word statement outlining your reasons for majoring in art education
4. Evidence of EITHER
   • a combined minimum 1000 SAT: Verbal-Critical Reading and Mathematics/ 43 ACT (English + Math scores);
   • OR passing GACE scores for Program Admission Tests I, II, and III
5. Digital images of artwork created in university studio courses. Please label each file with course name (e.g. last name.studiowork.ARST2110.pdf).

Files must be pdf format and the file names should be as follows:
lastname.itemdescription.pdf
For example: smith.artedearlyexperienceform.pdf

Please send an email to the Program Coordinator for Art Education, Dr. Christina Hanawalt, indicating your intent to submit application materials and including the following information:

• Name
• UGA My ID
• Student ID number (9 digit number starting with 810 or 811)

Once your email is received, you will be added to an eLC site which will provide instructions for submitting your digital files.
Please note that all digital files must be uploaded to the eLC site by the application deadline.

COMPLETION OF THE MAJOR AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

66 hours of coursework in the major. Minimum grade of C required for all courses, with the exception of a grade of B or higher in SPED 4030/6030 or SPED 4020/6020.Passing scores on GACE Art Education Test I & II is required for Georgia Teacher Certification (Level 4).

Study Abroad

The Art Education program in Cortona, Italy is the product of a close collaboration with the Cortonese School District. It allows American students to teach in the Scuola Elementare di Cortona. Students also take courses in topics such as art criticism and art history, which are closely integrated with visits to renowned museums, churches, and historical sites. In addition to School of Art students, the Art Education program at Cortona is open to students from the University of Georgia College of Education and Honors Program, art education students from other colleges, and those with interest in working with children in an international setting. Learn more about the University of Georgia Studies Abroad Program in Cortona, Italy.

Add-On Certification

Individuals with an undergraduate degree from the Lamar Dodd School of Art or another four-year institution may request admission to Art Education for certification-only (non-degree).  This is an entry level certification that allows you to teach at the K-12 level. To apply, applicants must first be admitted as a graduate student by applying to graduate school at the University of Georgia and then must also apply for the certification-only program through the Lamar Dodd School of Art website via Slideroom where you will be directed to upload:

1. A resume or cv
2. College transcripts
3. Documentation showing that you have passed or exempted the GACE Program Admissions Test. To exempt the GACE Programs Admissions Test:  
   Combined minimum SAT score:
   For SAT score reports dated on or after July 1, 2019:
   1,080 on Evidence-based Reading/Writing AND Math
   Combined minimum ACT score of 43 (English and Math scores)
   Combined GRE Verbal and Quantitative minimum score
   (fall 2011 and beyond = 297). If you need to take the GACE please learn more here.
4. 10 images of your artwork

Once admitted, students must complete the following additional course work specific to teacher certification (Level 4):

Art Education Courses and School of Education Courses: 18 hrs

• ARED 2110: Investigating Critical and Contemporary Issues in Education (EDUC2110 may be substituted).
• ARED 6350S  Elementary Curriculum in Art Education
• ARED  6360S Secondary Curriculum in Art Education
•  SPED 4020/6020 or SPED 4030/6030
•  EDUC 2130: Exploring Learning & Teaching

Student Teaching & Seminar: 12 hrs

• ARED 5460 Student Teaching in Art Education (9 hrs) -Elementary and Secondary Placement in schools
• ARED 5470 Issues and Practices in Art Education (3 hrs) -Seminar on campus

The following studio courses are also required if not included within the applicant’s undergraduate degree program:

• ARST 2100 Painting -3 hrs
• ARST 2300 Printmaking -3 hrs
• ARST 2500 Ceramics-3 hrs
• ARST 2400 Sculpture -3 hrs