The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Arts with a concentration in art education is an approved teacher preparation program that complies with the professional standards of the Virginia Department of Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. It is further accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. All of these agencies assure the highest professional program standards. Graduates of the program are eligible for Virginia teacher licensure to teach art in pre-kindergarten through grade 12.

Student learning outcomes

Upon completing this program, students will know and know how to do the following:

  • Students will develop a professional philosophical position about the relevance and importance of art education.
  • Students will implement/acquire a variety of art instructional strategies that reflect an understanding of the artistic, cognitive, emotional and social development of children, as well as national, state and local curricular standards and assessment techniques, in order to meet the needs of diverse learners.
  • Students will be able to create and adapt learning environments that address the needs of all students.
  • Students will be able to design assessment methods to measure student knowledge and skills, improve student learning and further professional practice.
  • Students will teach art in ways that engage traditional and contemporary artists (diverse in regards to gender, ethnicity, sexual identity, social class and other dimensions of identity).
  • Students will seek internships, service-learning positions and local, national and international experiences that lead to research and deepen engagement with diverse communities.
 
 

Special requirements

Admission

Undergraduate students admitted to the School of the Arts who have successfully completed the Art Foundation Program (or the equivalent at another institution) are eligible to apply through the Department of Art Education to enter the program.

Students currently attending VCU must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 to be considered for departmental admission; however, there is a higher cumulative GPA requirement of 2.8 for departmental admission to teacher preparation (see below for more information).

Accepted students

Accepted students are required to attend an orientation session with an academic adviser from the Department of Art Education. Transfer students, second-degree-seeking students, double majors and change of major students are required to meet with the administrative director prior to beginning course work in the department. The name and contact information of academic advisers may be obtained from the Department of Art Education.

Art education policy of reasonable progress

A student seeking a B.F.A. in Arts with a concentration in art education who does not enroll in courses in the major for three or more consecutive semesters (not including summers) will be dismissed from the program. To continue in the program, students must reapply to the program, submitting a portfolio and undergoing a grade review. Declared double majors not enrolled in ARTE courses for three consecutive semesters (not including summers) are required to state their intention to continue the major in writing to the chair.

Course failures and withdrawals

All students must successfully complete the courses outlined in the curriculum. Students must earn a minimum grade of C in all ARTE courses. A student who earns a grade of D or F or withdraws from any required course may repeat the course once. If a grade of D or F is earned in the repeated course or if the student withdraws, the student will be terminated from the program. Students with special circumstances who wish to remain in the major must appeal to the chair and receive approval in writing to continue in the program.

Cautionary status

If a student’s GPA falls below a 2.8 or if a faculty member raises concerns about a student’s professional disposition at any point, the student will be put on cautionary status. The chair will review students designated with cautionary status each semester to determine continuation in the program. Students will be notified if they are placed on cautionary status.

Pre-teacher preparation

During the first two semesters in the Department of Art Education, students should complete ARTE 310 during the fall semester and ARTE 311 during the spring semester. Note: ARTE 310 is a prerequisite of ARTE 311.

Students will be required to register for and take the required Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment exam during ARTE 310. Students must successfully pass the VCLA exam in order to be eligible for departmental admission into teacher preparation (see below for further explanation). 

It is advised that students complete ARTE 250, EDUS 301 and SEDP 330 or ARTE 450 during their first year in the Department of Art Education.

Teacher Preparation Program

All students are required to apply for teacher preparation during ARTE 311. Students who do not have passing test scores at that time will be eligible to reapply in the fall for spring teacher prep admission. Students are granted provisional teacher prep acceptance pending successful second year review.

Applications are due to the administrative director by established deadlines of each semester. If students do not complete their applications on time with official copies of passing score reports, they will not be guaranteed enrollment in ARTE 401 the following semester.

Requirements for departmental admission to teacher preparation:

  • Submission of completed Application to Teacher Preparation form by established deadline
  • Minimum of 2.8 cumulative GPA
  • Successful completion of ARTE 310 and ARTE 311 (six credits)
  • Successful completion or enrollment in EDUS 301
  • Passing scores on required VCLA exam
  • Submission of SAT or ACT scores
  • No record of a felony conviction
  • Completion of the Dispositions Acknowledgement Form (included with departmental Application for Teacher Preparation)
  • Successful second-year review

Departmental admission to the Teacher Preparation Program is required for enrollment in practicum courses (ARTE 401 and ARTE 402) and clinical internship (ARTE 404, TEDU 485 and TEDU 486). Note: ARTE 401 is a prerequisite of ARTE 402. Enrollment is granted to practicum courses through an override from the Department of Art Education.

Second-year review

A review of student work, GPA and dispositions takes place at the completion of ARTE 311. Reviews are rated satisfactory unsatisfactory or provisional. The student must receive a satisfactory or provisional evaluation from the faculty to continue in the program. Students who receive provisional approval will be reviewed by the chair after each practicum to determine continuation in the program.

Students must register for and take the required Praxis II: Art Content Knowledge exam (www.ets.org) before they apply for clinical internship (student teaching).

During teacher preparation, students will continue to complete required art history, studio and general studies course work.

Clinical internship

All students are required to complete a full semester of clinical internship (student teaching). Students must complete and submit an application to clinical internship by the established deadline in order to be eligible. If students do not complete their applications on time with hard copies of passing score reports, they will not be guaranteed acceptance into clinical internship. Students are granted provisional student teaching acceptance pending successful faculty practicum review.

Requirements for clinical internship:

  • Departmental admission into the Teacher Preparation Program
  • Submission of completed departmental application for clinical internship by established deadline
  • Successful completion of all other required course work
  • Minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA
  • Passing scores on the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment
  • Passing scores on the Praxis II: Art Content Knowledge exam
  • Completion of the online Child Abuse Prevention training and certification of successful completion
  • Submission of a tuberculosis screening must accompany the application for clinical internship and must be dated no more than a year from the expected date of completion of clinical internship
  • Successful faculty practicum review

Degree requirements for Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) with a concentration in art education

Course Title Hours
General education
Select 30 credits of general education courses in consultation with an adviser.30
Major requirements
• Major core requirements
ARTE 250Computer Technology in Art Education3
ARTE 310Foundations of Art Education3
ARTE 311Art Education Curriculum and Instructional Procedures3
ARTE 401Art Education Elementary Materials and Practicum4
ARTE 402Art Education Secondary Materials and Practicum4
ARTE 404Clinical Internship Seminar1
TEDU 485Directed Student Teaching I6
TEDU 486Directed Student Teaching II6
• Additional major requirements
EDUS 301Human Development and Learning3
ARTE 450Art for the Exceptional Student3
or SEDP 330 Survey of Special Education
Ancillary requirements
Art Foundation Program
ARTF 131Drawing Studio3
ARTF 132Surface Research3
ARTF 133Space Research3
ARTF 134Time Studio3
ARTF 139Project Studio2
or ARTF 138 Project Seminar
ARTH 103
ARTH 104
Survey of Art I
and Survey of Art II
6
Additional requirements
PAPR 201Painting From Observation4
SCPT 211Basic Sculpture I4
Electives (see lists below)
2-dimensional elective3
3-dimensional elective3
Ceramics elective4
Contemporary art history3
Non-Western art history3
Photography elective3
Studio art or art history electives (any courses from ARTE, ARTH, COAR, CRAF, PAPR, PHTO, SCPT)7
Total Hours120

The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.

Electives

Course Title Hours
2-dimensional elective
ARTE 408Two-dimensional Art Experiences3
PAPR course numbered 200-499
PHTO course numbered 200-499
3-dimensional elective
ARTE 409Three-dimensional Art Experiences3
CRAF course numbered 200-499
SCPT course numbered 200-499
Ceramics elective
CRAF 240Introduction to Ceramics4
Contemporary art history
ARTH 302Introduction to Museums 3
ARTH 303History of Art Museums3
ARTH 333Modern Architecture3
ARTH 339Modern and Contemporary Art and Architecture of Latin America3
ARTH 342African-American Art3
ARTH 348Art of the African Diaspora3
ARTH 357Women, Art and Society3
ARTH 359Studies in Aesthetics, Theory and Criticism of Art3
ARTH 365Modern Art 3
ARTH 366Contemporary Art 3
ARTH 368Pop Art3
ARTH 372History of Photography3
ARTH 439Studies in 20th-century Art3
ARTH 440Modern and Contemporary Art and Architecture of Africa3
Literature
ENGL 201Western World Literature I3
ENGL 202Western World Literature II3
ENGL 203British Literature I3
ENGL 204British Literature II3
ENGL 205American Literature I3
ENGL 206American Literature II3
ENGL 215Reading Literature3
ENGL/GSWS 236Women in Literature3
ENGL/TEDU 386Children's Literature I3
Non-Western art history
ARTH 207Global Art History3
ARTH 245Survey of Asian Art3
ARTH 335Pre-Columbian Art and Architecture3
ARTH 338Colonial Art and Architecture of Latin America3
ARTH 347Studies in Asian Art3
ARTH 349Body Adornment, Masks and Masking in Africa3
ARTH 351Oceanic Art and Architecture3
ARTH/AFAM 358African Art and Architecture3
ARTH 449Studies in Asian Art3
ARTH 452Studies in Pre-Columbian Art and Architecture3
ARTH 454Studies in African Art3
ARTH course numbered 445-454
Photography elective
ARTE 407Photography in Art Education3
PHTO 243Darkroom3
PHTO 245Design Photography I3
PHTO 491Topics in Photography and Film1-4

What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.

 
Freshman year
Fall semesterHours
ARTF 131 Drawing Studio 3
ARTF 133 Space Research 3
ARTF 139
Project Studio
or Project Seminar
1
ARTH 103 Survey of Art I 3
UNIV 111 Play VideoPlay course video for Focused Inquiry I Focused Inquiry I (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 3
General education course 3
 Term Hours: 16
Spring semester
ARTF 132 Surface Research 3
ARTF 134 Time Studio 3
ARTF 139
Project Studio
or Project Seminar
1
ARTH 104 Survey of Art II 3
UNIV 112 Play VideoPlay course video for Focused Inquiry II Focused Inquiry II (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 3
General education course 3
 Term Hours: 16
Sophomore year
Fall semester
ARTE 250 Computer Technology in Art Education 3
ARTE 310 Foundations of Art Education 3
EDUS 301 Human Development and Learning 3
SCPT 211 Basic Sculpture I 4
General education course 3
 Term Hours: 16
Spring semester
ARTE 311 Art Education Curriculum and Instructional Procedures 3
PAPR 201 Painting From Observation 4
UNIV 200 Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 3
General education course 3
General education course 3
 Term Hours: 16
Junior year
Fall semester
ARTE 401 Art Education Elementary Materials and Practicum 4
General education course 3
General education course 3
Non-Western art history 3
Photography elective 3
 Term Hours: 16
Spring semester
ARTE 402 Art Education Secondary Materials and Practicum 4
CRAF 240 Introduction to Ceramics 4
2-dimensional studio elective 3
Contemporary art history 3
 Term Hours: 14
Senior year
Fall semester
ARTE 450 Art for the Exceptional Student 3
3-dimensional elective 3
Studio art/art history electives 7
 Term Hours: 13
Spring semester
ARTE 404 Clinical Internship Seminar 1
TEDU 485 Directed Student Teaching I 6
TEDU 486 Directed Student Teaching II 6
 Term Hours: 13
 Total Hours: 120

The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.