Art education

Master of education/initial licensure
(Minnesota state licensure in visual arts education)

The art education initial licensure program at the University of Minnesota is designed to help you become an inquiring, analytical, and reflective professional educator who can help all students understand and appreciate art. The program seeks to develop thoughtful practitioners who are enthusiastic about and prepared for leadership roles in the schools.

Program

Master of education (M.Ed.)/initial licensure programs are for individuals with bachelor’s degrees who want to become licensed teachers. These graduate-level programs provide rigorous, professional teacher preparation in accordance with Standards of Effective Practice for Teachers (SEPT) and content standards adopted in fall 1998 by the Minnesota Board of Teaching.

Art education students enter a 15-month program integrating educational theory with classroom practice. Included is preparation on understanding student learning, working with diverse learners, using a variety of instructional strategies, creating positive learning environments, communication, lesson planning, assessment, reflection and professional development, and collaboration, ethics, and relationships. Beginning teachers will be ready to implement a contemporary, comprehensive art education program based on current theory and practice in the field.

This program is offered through the Department of Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD). Fifteen weeks of practicum and 12 weeks of student teaching create a strong experience base in which to apply the principles and methods learned in University classes.

An important advantage of this program is its cohort nature. Students in each emphasis area begin classes together and continue through their course of study as a single group, building a valuable sense of community. Throughout their student teaching, prospective teachers work closely with experienced teachers, observing firsthand the daily rewards and challenges of the profession.

This program includes two components: initial licensure and M.Ed. degree. After successfully completing initial licensure requirements, students are recommended for state licensure to teach visual arts for grades K-12. Students earn the master of education (M.Ed.) degree in teaching after completing an additional six graduate-level credits. This requirement may be completed during the licensure program, or within the seven-year period for degree completion. With faculty adviser approval obtained before registration, students choose graduate-level courses from art education, studio art, art history, or general education courses as appropriate.

Students have seven years to complete their degree, beginning with the first course(s) used in the program, and must maintain a 2.80 grade point average (GPA) for M.Ed. courses.

Curriculum

Students must complete foundations, methods, and clinical experience coursework for licensure.

Note: Foundations of education coursework may be completed throughout the program, including summer, fall, or spring terms.

Foundations courses

EDHD 5001—Learning, Cognition, and Assessment (3 cr)
EDHD 5003—Developmental and Individual Differences in Educational Contexts (2 cr)
EDHD 5004—Teaching Students with Special Needs in Inclusive Settings (2 cr) (effective fall 2009)
EDHD 5005—School and Society (2 cr)
EDHD 5007—Technology for Teaching and Learning (1.5 cr)
EDHD 5009—Human Relations: Applied Skills for School and Society (1 cr)
PUBH 6003—Fundamentals of Alcohol and Drug Abuse (1 cr)

Note: PUBH-designated courses may not be applied toward the M.Ed. degree.

Throughout the program, students complete courses in foundations of education, including courses on psychological, sociological, philosophical, and theoretical foundations of education. These courses lay the foundation for developing a breadth and depth of knowledge and skills in the field. Inquiry, analysis, and reflection allows prospective teachers learn to examine educational issues from multiple perspectives.

Methods and clinical experience courses

First summer term

CI 5078—Application of Aesthetic Theory in Education (2 cr)

CI 5078 introduces students to contemporary theories of art, both psychological and philosophical. This theoretical foundation becomes the basis upon which students develop and refine their beliefs about art and art education. This course is required before enrolling in any other art education courses in the initial licensure program.

Fall term

CI 5069—Curriculum Innovations in Art Education (3 cr)
CI 5065—Improving Art Programs in the Schools (3 cr)
CI 5096—Art Education: Practicum (4 cr)
CI 5452—Reading in the Content Areas for Initial Licensure Candidates (1 cr)

In the fall, students are placed in elementary and secondary art classrooms, for the purpose of observing the practice of experienced art teachers. Students use that observation as a basis for reflection upon practice. They move from experiencing the art classroom from a student’s perspective to that of a teacher’s. They simultaneously study and analyze issues in curriculum development and evaluate materials for teaching art. They also investigate effective teaching methods: instructional strategies, classroom management, materials management, and assessment. They will become familiar with the institutional issues concerning art programs in the elementary and secondary schools.

Spring term

CI 5008—Theory and Practice of Teaching Art in Elementary Schools (2 cr)
CI 5097—Student Teaching in Art Education (8 cr) (does not count toward M.Ed.)
CI 5644—Working with Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Students in the Mainstream Classroom (1 cr)

In the elementary methods course exploring the essential art concepts, skills, and processes appropriate for elementary school children, students will study issues of children’s development in making and responding to art. Students also complete a 12-week student teaching experience, spending six weeks in an elementary environment and six weeks in a secondary environment. Students are placed in both an urban and a suburban/rural school. Student teachers are assigned a mentor teacher at each level who can help them assume the responsibilities of teaching art and critically analyze and reflect on their teaching practice.

May session

CI 5049—Art Media Techniques (2 cr)

This technology course teaches students to use various electronic hardware and software and to develop art instructional materials. Students also complete any outstanding foundations courses in the second summer session.

See course descriptions and course schedules.

M.Ed. completion

After teaching for at least one year, students earn the M.Ed. degree by completing six graduate-level credits. See M.Ed. completion details.

Admission criteria

Applicants are admitted to the program based on the following criteria:

Knowledge of content area—Applicants must have a fully developed knowledge base of the subject area (see Content Area). A transcript review should be completed by the Student Services program adviser before applying. These reviews may be done by mail or in person. Students completing degrees outside of the United States must arrange for a transcript evaluation (see #3 under the “Application materials” heading below).
Classroom experience with grades K-12—100 paid or unpaid hours (for more information about this requirement, see Classroom Experience).
Cultural and other diversity experience
Personal statement
Grade point average (GPA)—2.80 overall GPA and 3.00 GPA in major coursework at the time of application. Bachelor’s degree must be completed at the time of matriculation.

How to Apply

Application Materials

All applicants must submit the following items:

Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended or are currently attending, except the University of Minnesota. Transcripts must be received from the issuing school in a sealed and stamped envelope. Any student with a U.S. bachelor’s degree or a comparable foreign degree from an accredited college or university may apply to CEHD. Official transcripts of all previous post-secondary academic study must be submitted. If you completed coursework at a university outside of the United States, your transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation center. Request a “course-by-course” evaluation. This process can take four-six weeks, so please plan in advance. A suggested provider of this service is Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), P.O. Box 514070, Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470 (414-289-3400, fax: 414-289-3411).

All applicants must submit the following items with their online applications:

Résumé highlighting classroom experience, diversity experience, and other experiences relevant to your teaching field. The résumé must include the following details for each experience:
- Dates and total hours (e.g., October 2007-December 2007; two days/week to total 100 hours)
- Name and location of site
- Supervisor’s name and phone number
- Description of activities
- Description of the cultural background of the population with which you worked
Personal statement that discusses your experience working with children and/or youth and how it has affected your decision to become a teacher. Include cultural and other diverse experiences that have contributed to your development. Reflect on the innovative ways you have contributed or will contribute to the profession. Also, elaborate on your understanding of the process of effective teaching (e.g., classroom management, accommodating different learning styles). Limit your essay to two double-spaced pages, with size-12 font and one-inch margins.
Two letters of recommendation (submitted through the online application system) addressing your education-related experience, work style, and personal attributes. Include at least one letter from a K-12 site supervisor listed on your résumé.
Application fee charged when your online application is submitted. Fees must be paid with a credit card.

Note: An artwork portfolio may be requested by the admission committee, depending on the student’s undergraduate major and recency of studio courses.

Additional application materials are required for the following student groups:

Nonnative English speakers and/or international students

All nonnative English speakers must submit an official score report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). (Exceptions may be granted for applicants who will have completed 16 semester or 24 quarter credits within the past 24 months in residence as a full-time student at an accredited institution of higher learning in the United States before entering the University of Minnesota.)

Minimum TOEFL score requirements are listed below:

Internet-based test	79-80
Computer-based test	213
Paper-based test	550

Applicants may also be required to demonstrate spoken English proficiency in an Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and/or oral interview with faculty or staff. Contact Student Services for more information.

International applicants who will require an I-20 for a student visa must submit a Financial Certification Statement, which will be mailed to you upon admission to the program.

Apply Online

Apply Online
Be sure to save your PIN number and password, so that you can work on the application over time.
Take your time and follow instructions carefully, because once your application is submitted, you will no longer have access to add/change information or upload required supplemental material.
As your application is reviewed, you will receive e-mail notifications of your status.
Your application status and decision will also be posted in your application account.

Timeline

December 15—All application materials due.

February—Submit Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form for financial aid

February/March—Committee review of applications

Late March—Notification of admission decisions

May 1—Deadline for University of Minnesota application for summer financial aid (eligible if FAFSA has been submitted)

Mid-May—Orientation and summer registration

Early June—Summer term begins. To be eligible to start the program in June, the student’s official Praxis I test scores must be submitted to Student Services by June 1.

Before you begin the program

Testing

The Minnesota Board of Teaching requires licensure applicants to pass several standardized Praxis Series tests administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS). These tests are offered several times a year; students are responsible for registering for and taking Praxis Series tests by the required deadlines. Test information is available from The Praxis Series Information and Registration Bulletin, available at Student Services (612-625-6501) or the ETS Web site.

Students must pass the following tests to be recommended by CEHD for teaching licensure:

Praxis I: Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST). Students must take this test before starting the licensure program. Official Praxis I test scores must be submitted to Student Services before starting the program.

The following tests must be taken before licensure program completion:

Praxis II: Subject Assessments—Agriculture
Praxis II: Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) Tests

See more details at Praxis testing.

Criminal background check

Before starting student teaching or practicums, students are subject to a criminal background check required by the college. The investigation is conducted by a private agency contracted by the college and is designed to meet school district guidelines governing adults with responsibility for children. Decisions about candidate placement will be made by the district approving the assignment. For background check details and fees, contact Bob Utke at CEHD, 612-625-1084, e-mail: stuteach@umn.edu.