This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2024-2025 VCU Bulletin. We may add courses that expose our students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning. We may also add content to the general education program that focuses on racial literacy and a racial literacy graduation requirement, and may receive notification of additional program approvals after the launch. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.

Program accreditation
National Association of Schools of Art and Design
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education

Program goal

Through engagement with theory, research and emerging technologies, the Master of Art Education program prepares art educators to be mindful professionals who are active in the field of art education.

The program offers two specific options:

  1. One option is for teachers who are already licensed and who wish to deepen their understanding of art education.
  2. The second is for people who hold baccalaureate degrees and wish to earn a master’s degree that may include a teaching license.

The program includes required and elective courses and allows students to pursue an area of interest. All students are expected to work at a high level of independence, be self-motivated, respect peers and instructors and participate in the opportunities that the Department of Art Education and the School of the Arts offer. With the assistance of the adviser, the student determines a viable structure for the content and sequence of a program of graduate study. Such a program can utilize the collective expertise of the art education faculty as well as appropriate community resources. Graduate course work, therefore, could include both on-campus and off-campus involvement.

Opportunities for personal growth through the M.A.E. program also include the rich resources of other graduate departments in the university in the visual and performing arts, education (including supervision, administration and specialty areas), the natural and social sciences and the humanities. Alternative approaches to traditional thesis methods are also encouraged within the program.

Student learning outcomes

  1. Theoretical foundations: Students will demonstrate an ability to analyze varying points of view regarding art education theories.
  2. Research competencies: Students will demonstrate the ability to apply research methods and methodologies to write a realistic proposal.
  3. Skills with and knowledge of emerging technologies: Students will demonstrate knowledge of emerging technologies for teaching, research or art-making.
  4. Command of literature and practice in art education: Students will demonstrate historical and current knowledge of theoretical and practical issues in art education.

VCU Graduate Bulletin, VCU Graduate School and general academic policies and regulations for all graduate students in all graduate programs

The VCU Graduate Bulletin website documents the official admission and academic rules and regulations that govern graduate education for all graduate programs at the university. These policies are established by the graduate faculty of the university through their elected representatives to the University Graduate Council.

It is the responsibility of all graduate students, both on- and off-campus, to be familiar with the VCU Graduate Bulletin as well as the Graduate School website and academic regulations in individual school and department publications and on program websites. However, in all cases, the official policies and procedures of the University Graduate Council, as published on the VCU Graduate Bulletin and Graduate School websites, take precedence over individual program policies and guidelines.

Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on academic regulations for graduate students.

Degree candidacy requirements

A graduate student admitted to a program or concentration requiring a final research project, work of art, thesis or dissertation, must qualify for continuing master’s or doctoral status according to the degree candidacy requirements of the student’s graduate program. Admission to degree candidacy, if applicable, is a formal statement by the graduate student’s faculty regarding the student’s academic achievements and the student’s readiness to proceed to the final research phase of the degree program.

Graduate students and program directors should refer to the following degree candidacy policy as published in the VCU Graduate Bulletin for complete information and instructions.

Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on degree candidacy requirements.

Graduation requirements

As graduate students approach the end of their academic programs and the final semester of matriculation, they must make formal application to graduate. No degrees will be conferred until the application to graduate has been finalized.

Graduate students and program directors should refer to the following graduation requirements as published in the Graduate Bulletin for a complete list of instructions and a graduation checklist.

Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on graduation requirements.