Art Education, Master of Arts in Education

Offered by Department of Art and Design

Program Information and Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

The Master of Art in Education - Art Education degree DOES NOT lead to certification or a field endorsement. 

Acceptance into the Graduate College does not assure acceptance into the Master of Arts in Education - Art Education degree program.

In addition to the general graduate application requirements of the Graduate College, admission to the Master of Arts in Education Degree program in Art Education is based upon consideration of the following:

  1. Candidates engaging in the Classroom Education Emphasis of our program need to have an appropriate K-12 Art Education Certification / State Teaching Licensure, prior to enrolling in this graduate program.

  2. Transcript for an accredited BA or BS degree in Art Education, or a BFA, BA or BS in a visual art degree program. These degrees must have a minimum of 24 semester credit hours of art/art history/art education courses. (Students with an undergraduate degree in a related discipline, such as Museum Studies or Art History, will be considered by the graduate committee based upon the relevancy of the student's transcript and the strength of the written statement).
  3. Submit contact information for 3 references (Preferred references could include:  Administrator [School or Museum] and Professional Colleague).
  4. Choose to submit one of the following:  (Additional information concerning the video and personal statement will be listed in the online application).
    1. A link to a 3-5 minute Exposition Video (Includes responses to specific prompts that are being developed to address the following information: Personal Introduction, Artwork, Resume Info/Teaching Credentials, Educational Goals)
    2. A Personal Statement that includes responses to specific prompts that address the following information: Personal Introduction, Teaching and Creative Practice, and Elaborate on the reasons for pursuing advanced studies in Art Education.  Statement should use standard margins and 12 point font. 

Application Deadlines are as Follows

  • Apply by July 10 to be admitted for the Fall semester.
  • Apply by November 10 to be admitted for the Spring semester.
  • Apply by April 10 to be admitted for the Summer semester.

Upon completion of six credit hours of course work the student's status will be evaluated and again at the completion of twelve credit hours. Based upon satisfactory performance at twelve credit hours the GPC will make recommendations for admission to candidacy. Thesis students will need to consult the Art Department's MAED in Art Education Graduate Program Digital Handbook for thesis committee requirements.

Technology Requirements

  1. Availability of a good quality digital camera.
  2. Students who are entering the program must determine if the computer system on which they intend to complete online course work meets the minimum necessary UNK requirements for delivery. Please check the UNK webpage for a complete description of required equipment.
  3. A strong working knowledge of Canvas. An on-line tutorial is available and should be completed prior to the beginning of any on-line courses. Check with individual professors for their requirements.

Program Information

All students are required to enroll in ART 803: Art Education Research Methods in their first semester. This introductory course provides basic research, writing, and programmatic expectations that will be crucial to successful completion of all courses in this program.

A maximum of 9 semester credit hours (by department approval) can be transferred in from another accredited institution.

Depending upon circumstances and approval of the GPC, a maximum of 6 semester credit hours can be completed through independent study.

The student must complete a "change of program" form because all transfer classes will require a review by the graduate office. Any studio courses which the student wishes to transfer to UNK for credit will have the same requirements as the review of the undergraduate studio work. Slides must represent only the work completed in those graduate studios. A copy of the course syllabus is recommended.

The Master of Art in Education - Art Education degree does not lead to certification or a field endorsement. Students who are seeking certification or a field endorsement must contact the Teacher Education Department. Certification and field endorsements require the student to meet all department, university, and state requirements.

Online Program: Art Education Research Requirement

Graduate level studies have a required research component. Students in the MAED in Art Education program have two options for engaging the program’s research requirement:

1. Option 1 is to engage in Art 895: Art Education Inquiry: Research Seminar. In this capstone course, students will engage in a small research project and write a formal research paper.

2. Option 2 is to engage in Art 896: Art Education Inquiry: Thesis. In this capstone course, students will engage in a larger research project that will span two semesters, work with a thesis committee, complete a formal research paper, as well as present and/or publish their work. This option is designed for individuals who are considering the pursuit of a doctoral degree, as well as engaging in teaching and research in higher education.

Both options are designed to meet the needs of those individuals who are remotely located and will be introduced in Art 803: Art Education Inquiry: Research Methods course. Specific details about these options will be discussed within advising sessions and these options fulfills UNK’s requirements for the comprehensive examination.

This program is offered online only.

All students are required to complete an exit survey during the semester of graduation or program completion.

Classroom Education Emphasis

Classroom Core Required Pedagogy & Research Courses
ART 803Art Education Inquiry: Research Methods3
ART 844History, Theories and Philosophies of Art Education3
ART 845Art & Culturally Responsive Teaching3
ART 848Differentiated Instruction in Art3
ART 890PK-12 Art Curriculum & Assessment Design3
ART 895Art Education Inquiry: Research Seminar3
Classroom Core Elective Courses
Select 15 credit hours from the following:15
Select at least 3 credit hours of Art History electives:
Graduate Art History Survey I for Art Educators
Art History Survey II for Art Educators
Non-Western Art History: Selected Topics
Art, Activism, & Social Movements
Women in Art
Modern Art History
Select any of the following Studio Art and/or Aesthetic Experience electives:
Drawing
Art Methods for Young Children
Intercultural Aesthetics & Pedagogical Practice
Creative Photography
Art Education & Social Emotional Learning
Art Across the Curriculum
Painting
Visual Culture & Studio Practice
Digital Art
Seminar in Art Criticism and Philosophy
Experimental Art Practices
Total Credit Hours33

Museum Education Emphasis

Museum Core Required Pedagogy & Research Courses
ART 803Art Education Inquiry: Research Methods3
ART 807PArt Methods for Young Children3
ART 849Art Across the Curriculum3
ART 856Visual Culture & Studio Practice3
ART 890PK-12 Art Curriculum & Assessment Design3
ART 895Art Education Inquiry: Research Seminar3
Museum Core Elective Courses
Select 15 credit hours of the following:15
Select at least 3 credit hours of Art History electives:
Graduate Art History Survey I for Art Educators
Art History Survey II for Art Educators
Non-Western Art History: Selected Topics
Art, Activism, & Social Movements
Women in Art
Modern Art History
Select any of the following Studio Art, Aesthetic Experience, or Pedagogy electives:
Drawing
Intercultural Aesthetics & Pedagogical Practice
Creative Photography
History, Theories and Philosophies of Art Education
Art & Culturally Responsive Teaching
Art Education & Social Emotional Learning
Differentiated Instruction in Art
Painting
Seminar in Art Criticism and Philosophy
Digital Art
Experimental Art Practices
Total Credit Hours33