College of the Arts
School of Art
www.kent.edu/art

About This Program

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Art Education prepares students for pre-K–12 visual arts licensure. Graduates from this program are prepared to use learner-centered pedagogy using expressive, technical and organizational skills, with a basic understanding of the cultural and social foundations underlying art and design in education. Our graduates deeply immerse in and demonstrate strengths in diversity, equity and inclusion practices; principles of child development and the creative growth of learners; traditional and digital media; art history and aesthetic concepts; artistic studio practices; instructional strategies based on reflective practice; and inclusive, engaging and transformative learning environments. Read more...

Contact Information

• Program Coordinator: Linda Hoeptner-Poling | lhoeptne@kent.edu | 330-672-7895
• Speak with an Advisor
• Chat with an Admissions Counselor

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers

• High school teachers in traditional, special needs and technical schools, plus museums, community and enrichment programs
• Middle school teachers in traditional, special needs and technical schools, plus museums, community and enrichment programs
• Preschool and elementary teachers in traditional, special needs and technical schools, plus museums, community and enrichment programs

Accreditation

National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.

First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency unless they meet specific exceptions. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Transfer Students: Students who have attended any other educational institution after graduating from high school must apply as undergraduate transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.

Former Students: Former Kent State students or graduates who have not attended another college or university since Kent State may complete the reenrollment or reinstatement form on the University Registrar’s website.

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog.

Some programs may require that students meet certain requirements before progressing through the program. For programs with progression requirements, the information is shown on the Coursework tab.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

Progression Requirements

Students must meet all professional requirements for admission to advanced study.

• Upon entry to this program, student must make an appointment to see an academic advisor to discuss application for advanced study.
• Minimum 2.500 overall GPA and 2.500 major GPA are necessary for admission to advanced study, student teaching and graduation in this program.
• Successful completion of the Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) are not required for graduation, but are required for licensure.

Graduation Requirements

• Students must receive a rating of “satisfactory” on selected works exhibited during their portfolio review.
• ARTH 12001 is designed for non-art majors, and will not fulfill major requirements for art majors.

Licensure Information

Candidates seeking Ohio licensure are required to pass specific assessments in order to apply for licensure. See Ohio Department of Education-Educator Preparation website for more information on assessments specific to licensure type. Taking and passing the licensure tests prior to graduation is encouraged but not required.

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

University Requirements

All students in a bachelor's degree program at Kent State University must complete the following university requirements for graduation.

NOTE: University requirements may be fulfilled in this program by specific course requirements. Please see Program Requirements for details.

Kent Core Requirements

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Articulate their beliefs about art education and defend their position, as well as demonstrate in-depth engagement in issues of the field.
2. Research, plan, conduct and assess art experiences for pre K-12 grade students, grounded in the National and Ohio Visual Art standards.
3. Examine and learn from observed student and teacher behaviors to understand effective teaching practices.
4. Comprehend the visual stages of development as they relate to mental, social, emotional and physical development of children in order to plan appropriate lesson instruction.
5. Develop and articulate knowledge of various theories related to teaching, artmaking, art criticism, art history and aesthetics, as well as theories related to instructional and interdisciplinary practices.
6. Apply principles of classroom management, safety practices and motivational techniques in teaching.
7. Organize and manage the time, space and resources of an instructional setting for teaching art.
8. Learn to use community resources, such as museums and community artists, and make connections between communal needs, the learner and the art education curriculum.
9. Effectively plan and install art exhibits.
10. Competently use materials and media to communicate visually.
11. Effectively communicate verbally and through writing their ideas of art education in relation to contemporary art education theory and the application of those ideas in art classrooms.
12. Become advocates for the field of art education.
13. Develop an understanding of their communal, national and global identities, in the context of the personal as well as professional educators.
14. Create and teach appropriate art curricula that meet the cultural, emotional, academic, physical, sensory and behavioral needs of students.
15. Understand the significance of and apply curricula that promote appreciation and critical understanding of diversity, inclusivity and interdisciplinarity.
16. Learn about career planning and related professional issues, such as national assessments, unions, professional development possibilities, graduate studies and life-long learning.
17. Continue to reflect critically on their teaching practices.
18. Be prepared in professional responsibilities as a member of the art education community.
19. Adapt their curriculum accordingly.
20. Use technology in an ethical, critical and creative manner as a means to acquire, provide, organize and communicate knowledge.

Full Description

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Art Education prepares students to effectively teach visual art by applying a learner-centered pedagogy to embrace the many dimensions of human intelligence and aesthetic education.

Art educators understand child development to successfully engage learners in the complete artistic process of thinking—perceptual, imaginative, formative, expressive and communicative—by combining a range of subject matter, symbols and ideas. They organize and evaluate teaching activities for creating and analyzing works of art and design from contemporary and past cultures. This involves using a variety of media, technology and community resources, making connections between visual art and other disciplines, as well as assessing the learning outcomes of their students.

In addition, art educators are prepared to meet the needs of all students with an understanding of the value of diversity. They create safe and equitable learning environments in which to nurture life-long skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and constructing meaning.

Graduates of the degree program will be eligible to be certified for pre-K-12 visual art teacher licensure.

Study Abroad/Away Opportunities:

• Travel opportunities to New York, London, Paris and China
• Study abroad through Kent State's Florence program in Florence, Italy (full semester or summer art and design experience)
• Ohio Art Education Association and National Art Education Association Travel Studies

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.

Requirements for Admission to Advanced Study for Art Education and Music Education

Admission to advanced study is required of all art education and music education majors and minors prior to enrolling in upper-division education courses. Upon completion of coursework, as determined by program area, students should have satisfied the prerequisites for admission to advanced study. Students must submit an application for advanced study by the second Friday of the term during which all prerequisites for advanced study will be completed, and at least one semester prior to beginning any coursework for which "Admission to Advanced Study" is a prerequisite. Students at the Kent Campus apply for Advanced Study through the College of Education, Health and Human Services Student Portal, which can be accessed through the Vacca Office of Student Services web page. Students completing a licensure program at a regional campus should check with that campus for instructions on how to apply for "Advanced Study." Please note: Admission to advanced study is required for students pursuing an undergraduate major that leads to teacher licensure. Please be aware that reapplication may be necessary if postponing advanced study coursework or if withdrawn for one year or more.

Requirements for Admission to Advanced Study for Art Education and Music Education

• College Writing: Students are required to attain a minimum C grade in each writing courses (ENG 11011 and ENG 21011 or equivalent).
• Pre-Advanced Study Coursework: To be eligible for advanced study, students must earn a minimum C grade in CULT 29535 and a minimum C grade in one of the following courses (please note that a minimum C grade must be earned in all of the four courses for teacher licensure programs):
  • EPSY 29525
  • SPED 23000 
• Grade Point Average:
  • Art Education majors must have earned a minimum 2.500 cumulative GPA in order to be admitted to Advanced Study.
  • Music Education majors must have earned a minimum 2.500 cumulative GPA and a minimum 2.750 major GPA at the time of application in order to be admitted to Advanced Study.
• Disposition Assessment/Professional Disposition Plans (PDPs): Students are required to have completed all professional dispositions plan (PDPs) at the time of application to be eligible for advanced study.
• Advising Appointment: Art Education and Music Education students should make an advising appointment with a professional advisor in the Vacca Office of Student Services (or Regional Campus advising office if completing the program at that campus) for information about applying for Advanced Study and educator licensure. Advising appointments at the Kent Campus are made through the Vacca Office of Student Services' website at www.kent.edu/ehhs/services/voss.
• Teacher Candidate Acknowledgments and Legal Questions for Licensure: Candidates are required to electronically sign four statements acknowledging that they have read and understand the following areas: background check requirements; professional dispositions; licensure application information; legal questions asked on the licensure application. Statements can be found on the student portal.