Art Education graduates are prepared for careers in K-12 art education — provided with a strong foundation in art studio and art history, along with the theory and practices of art education.
The nationally accredited and state certified art education teacher licensure program in the School of Art & Visual Studies provides a unique four-year undergraduate program in which more than 65 percent of our students graduate with a dual degree in studio art and art education. Our program in art education prepares students in the liberal arts tradition with courses that encourage creative thinking, intellectual reasoning, and exploration of humanities, culture and global dynamics. These skills fuel a passion for helping students to achieve global competitiveness in collaboration, communication, creativity and critical thinking.
Graduates are licensed to teach K-12 Art Education in the state of Kentucky.
Students in our art education program spend their first two years studying the fundamentals of studio art. Before graduation, they’ll participate in a group exhibition. The final two years in the program will be spent grounded in art education theory and practice, including a classroom teaching practicum and courses in educational pedagogy. With leading-edge educator skills, mastery of art studio techniques and knowledge in visual studies, our students are on track to becoming artist educators that engage and prepare students for the challenges of the 21st century.
All incoming Art Education majors undertake a prescribed sequence of courses in our Foundations Program. Students will also complete 30 hours of UK Core. The College of Fine Arts additionally requires that all majors complete 6 hours of coursework outside their departments but within the College and at least 39 hours of courses at or above the 300-level.
This program consists in part of three studio courses, one each from three distinct media areas. Students also participate in a Freshman Exhibition (featuring work created in the two Freshman Foundation courses).
Foundations courses:
Students who desire to declare an Art Education major will demonstrate their progress in the Foundations Program and commitment to advanced undergraduate study through an application to the TEP. In this application, students must demonstrate that they have earned at least 60 credit hours and meet the criteria put forth by the College of Education by filling out the College of Education TEP application form. Upon meeting those criteria, applicants then have a portfolio review and interview with art education faculty to determine entry into the program.
The TEP criteria include:
While there are endless ways to create an unforgettable journey as a Wildcat, we can only think of one that gives you the chance to step outside the classroom and into exploring new parts of the world around you: participating in an Education Abroad opportunity! Whether it’s in a study, research, service, or internship program, taking your UK experience international with EA is the most hands-on way for you to expand your global perspective while making yourself a more well-rounded, marketable candidate to future employers no matter your field. As you take these first steps towards investing in your future, EA encourages you to take advantage of all the opportunities UK has to offer. Take a look at some of the many suggested opportunities UK Education Abroad & Exchanges has to complement your major! #ukyabroad
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College of Fine Arts
School of Art & Visual Studies
236 Bolivar Street
Lexington, KY 40508
859-257-8151
