Do you dream of making a difference in the lives of students? Do you want to inspire others to let their creativity shine? If so, then you might be cut out for a career as an art teacher. Of course, teaching art to K-12 students requires the right education, skills and experience.
To get the ball rolling on a career as an art teacher or similar role, there are some things you should know before applying to art school or art education programs.
Understanding the Art Education Degree
Before diving any further into what to look for in an art education program, it’s key to understand what exactly an art education degree entails and what a typical curriculum may look like. Keep in mind that different schools offer different degrees, meaning the specific curriculum can vary from one program to the next.
What Is an Art Education Degree?
An art education degree refers to a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in art education that is offered by many colleges and universities. In every state in America, a minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required in order to teach at the elementary level. For aspiring art teachers, a BFA in art education will specifically cover the kinds of topics and skills needed to effectively manage classrooms while inspiring and instructing students from all walks of life.
Core Components of the Curriculum
The exact curriculum of an art education program can vary from school to school. However, most BFA programs in art education consist of around 125 credit hours.
At Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, these credits are broken up into liberal arts credits, art education credits, foundations, fine arts and 15 credits in an emphasis of the student’s choice. Available emphases in the BFA in art education program include:
- Animation
- Fine arts
- Graphic design
- Illustration
As part of this program, students also participate in 200 hours of observation in the classroom of a licensed art teacher, which can help them get a better feel for what to expect in their own classrooms.
Choosing the Right Institution
If an art education program sounds like the right choice to embark on your career path as an art teacher or in a similar role, you might be wondering what to consider as you explore your options.
Key Factors in Selecting a School
First, it’s important to ensure that any program or school you choose to pursue your art education degree is reputable and accredited. Accreditation means that the school has undergone a rigorous review process by an external body to confirm that its programs meet established quality standards.
At Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, we have been institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and are a proud member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).
In addition to accreditation, it’s essential to consider the format and structure of the program. While some may appreciate the flexibility of online courses, remember that art education programs typically require observational hours in a classroom setting, giving you the opportunity to gain hands-on teaching experience. Balancing online coursework with in-person classroom requirements can help ensure you’re well-prepared for a career in art education.
Application Process
Once you’ve selected your ideal art education program, the next step is to submit your formal application for enrollment. Before you get started in completing your application, keep the following in mind:
Preparing Your Application
Be sure to make note of the application deadline for the specific semester or enrollment period in which you are interested. Some schools may require that you submit authorized copies of your high school or other transcripts, which can take some time to obtain. With this said, it’s always better to get started on your application sooner rather than waiting until the last minute so you can avoid missing deadlines.
As you prepare your application, be sure to review any requirements before you submit. This includes ensuring you have included any requested documentation, letters of recommendation and/or application fees that may apply. Only once you’ve double-checked your checklist of requirements should you submit your application for enrollment.
Navigating Admissions
The admissions process can be complex, especially for first-time students of a college. If you have any questions about the process, it’s generally best to reach out to an admissions counselor at the school who will be able to assist you with their particular process.
Financing Your Education
Another common question people have when applying to an art education program is how they will go about paying for their schooling. This is a fair question, especially considering that the average bachelor’s degree in the United States now costs around $10,740 per year or more (and that’s just for students paying in-state tuition).
The good news, however, is that there are ways to help finance your education and take some of the financial burden off your shoulders throughout college.
Understanding Tuition and Fees
Make sure you have a solid understanding of how tuition and other fees work at your college and program of choice. Many schools have a set price per credit hour, so estimating your cost for tuition is simply a matter of multiplying the number of credit hours required for your program by the cost per credit hour. Keep in mind, of course, that these costs can vary from one academic year to the next — so the price you pay for a credit hour during your first year in an art education program may not always be the same in subsequent years.
At Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, however, your tuition is locked in as long as you remain continuously enrolled in your program. This means you won’t experience unexpected increases in tuition, helping you better plan and manage your education costs.
In addition to tuition, you’ll need to understand any applicable fees you may have to pay during your time in an art education program. It is not uncommon, for example, for fees to be charged for the use of electronic library resources, tutoring, software licensing and the like. Being aware of your fees before you enroll can help you plan accordingly when it comes to paying for school.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Ideally, you’ll also want to explore and apply for as many applicable art education scholarships and other financial aid as possible. Scholarships and grants are the best way to pay for school because these funds do not need to be paid back. Scholarships and grants may be need-based or merit-based, so be sure to research your options and apply for as many as you can.
Other forms of financial aid, such as loans and even work-study programs, can help you pay for school more easily. The best way to cover your bases regarding federal financial aid is to fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the annual deadline. In some cases, schools may offer individual payment plans and other arrangements for making paying for school a little less of a burden.
Preparing for a Career in Art Education
Even once you have your art education degree or are nearing graduation, some additional steps can help you feel more ready to embark on this rewarding career path.
Gaining Relevant Experience
First, gain as much hands-on experience in the field as you can. This will help you get a better idea of what it’s like to manage your own classroom. Ideally, as part of your degree program, you’ll complete a certain amount of classroom observation hours, but this isn’t always the case.
Regardless, taking your time to participate as an art classroom volunteer or intern as a teacher’s assistant can be a great way to put into practice what you’ve learned in the classroom. This, in turn, could better qualify you for entry-level roles in the field.
Building a Professional Network
Advancing your career in art education is also (at least somewhat) about who you know, which is why putting in the effort to build your own professional network in the art education world is essential. This means taking time to attend professional development workshops, seminars and other industry events where you have the opportunity to network with other art educators. Additionally, maintaining an active presence on professional social media platforms (such as LinkedIn) can help you grow your network even larger.
The Future of Art Education
Only time will tell what the future holds for the world of art education. However, if the past few years are any indication of what’s to come, there are a few developments we can probably expect to see down the road.
Emerging Trends in Art Education
Perhaps the most welcome news in the field of art education is that art programs are expanding across the country as schools receive more funding. In fact, according to 2024 data, 39 states in the country have reported increases in legislative appropriations related to art funding—with a median increase of nearly 13%. With more funding going to these programs, there is the possibility that schools will need to hire more art educators as well.
Continuing Education and Professional Development
As the importance of the arts becomes more apparent in our school systems, so does the need for continuing education and professional development among art educators. In order to stay on top of the latest education trends and best practices, art teachers need to be prepared to complete continuous education credits on a regular basis. For those who have obtained art teacher certification, continuing education and professional development may also be a requirement for certification renewal. Typically, teachers need to complete a certain number of continuing education or professional development credits each calendar year to keep their certifications active—but these requirements and timelines vary from state to state.
Ready to Advance Your Education as an Educator?
Studying art education and pursuing your certification can be the most direct way to enter the exciting, fulfilling career path of an art teacher, art therapist, art director or beyond. Although there may be many undergraduate art programs to choose from, the key is knowing how to narrow down the best art education programs based on your specific needs and goals.
At Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, we’re proud to offer both on-campus and online art education degrees. Both of these programs cover foundations in classroom management, performance standards, the psychology of creativity and fine art. These degree programs prepare you for careers in art education with student teaching and internships for art students. Want to learn more about our art education programs? Get in touch to request more information and explore art student portfolio examples. You can also get started with your online application here.
