This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2024-2025 VCU Bulletin. Courses that expose students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning may be added and notification of additional program approvals may be received prior to finalization. General education program content is also subject to change. 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.
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 250 | Computer Technology in Art Education | 3 |
| ARTE 310 | Foundations of Art Education | 3 |
| ARTE 311 | Art Education Curriculum and Instructional Procedures | 3 |
| ARTE 401 | Art Education Elementary Materials and Practicum | 4 |
| ARTE 402 | Art Education Secondary Materials and Practicum | 4 |
| ARTE 404 | Clinical Internship Seminar | 1 |
| TEDU 485 | Directed Student Teaching I | 6 |
| TEDU 486 | Directed Student Teaching II | 6 |
| • Additional major requirements | ||
| EDUS 301 | Human Development and Learning | 3 |
| ARTE 450 | Art for the Exceptional Student | 3 |
| or SEDP 330 | Survey of Special Education | |
| Ancillary requirements | ||
| Art Foundation Program | ||
| ARTF 131 | Drawing Studio | 3 |
| ARTF 132 | Surface Research | 3 |
| ARTF 133 | Space Research | 3 |
| ARTF 134 | Time Studio | 3 |
| ARTF 139 | Project Studio | 2 |
| or ARTF 138 | Project Seminar | |
| ARTH 103 & ARTH 104 | Survey of Art I and Survey of Art II | 6 |
| Additional requirements | ||
| PAPR 201 | Painting From Observation | 4 |
| SCPT 211 | Basic Sculpture I | 4 |
| Electives (see lists below) | ||
| 2-dimensional elective | 3 | |
| 3-dimensional elective | 3 | |
| Ceramics elective | 4 | |
| Contemporary art history | 3 | |
| Non-Western art history | 3 | |
| Photography elective | 3 | |
| Studio art or art history electives (any courses from ARTE, ARTH, COAR, CRAF, PAPR, PHTO, SCPT) | 7 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.
Electives
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 2-dimensional elective | ||
| ARTE 408 | Two-dimensional Art Experiences | 3 |
| PAPR course numbered 200-499 | ||
| PHTO course numbered 200-499 | ||
| 3-dimensional elective | ||
| ARTE 409 | Three-dimensional Art Experiences | 3 |
| CRAF course numbered 200-499 | ||
| SCPT course numbered 200-499 | ||
| Ceramics elective | ||
| CRAF 240 | Introduction to Ceramics | 4 |
| Contemporary art history | ||
| ARTH 302 | Introduction to Museums | 3 |
| ARTH 303 | History of Art Museums | 3 |
| ARTH 333 | Modern Architecture | 3 |
| ARTH 339 | Modern and Contemporary Art and Architecture of Latin America | 3 |
| ARTH 342 | African-American Art | 3 |
| ARTH 348 | Art of the African Diaspora | 3 |
| ARTH 357 | Women, Art and Society | 3 |
| ARTH 359 | Studies in Aesthetics, Theory and Criticism of Art | 3 |
| ARTH 365 | Modern Art | 3 |
| ARTH 366 | Contemporary Art | 3 |
| ARTH 368 | Pop Art | 3 |
| ARTH 372 | History of Photography | 3 |
| ARTH 439 | Studies in 20th-century Art | 3 |
| ARTH 440 | Modern and Contemporary Art and Architecture of Africa | 3 |
| Literature | ||
| ENGL 201 | Western World Literature I | 3 |
| ENGL 202 | Western World Literature II | 3 |
| ENGL 203 | British Literature I | 3 |
| ENGL 204 | British Literature II | 3 |
| ENGL 205 | American Literature I | 3 |
| ENGL 206 | American Literature II | 3 |
| ENGL 215 | Reading Literature | 3 |
| ENGL/GSWS 236 | Women in Literature | 3 |
| ENGL/TEDU 386 | Children's Literature I | 3 |
| Non-Western art history | ||
| ARTH 207 | Global Art History | 3 |
| ARTH 245 | Survey of Asian Art | 3 |
| ARTH 335 | Pre-Columbian Art and Architecture | 3 |
| ARTH 338 | Colonial Art and Architecture of Latin America | 3 |
| ARTH 347 | Studies in Asian Art | 3 |
| ARTH 349 | Body Adornment, Masks and Masking in Africa | 3 |
| ARTH 351 | Oceanic Art and Architecture | 3 |
| ARTH/AFAM 358 | African Art and Architecture | 3 |
| ARTH 449 | Studies in Asian Art | 3 |
| ARTH 452 | Studies in Pre-Columbian Art and Architecture | 3 |
| ARTH 454 | Studies in African Art | 3 |
| ARTH course numbered 445-454 | ||
| Photography elective | ||
| ARTE 407 | Photography in Art Education | 3 |
| PHTO 243 | Darkroom | 3 |
| PHTO 245 | Design Photography I | 3 |
| PHTO 491 | Topics in Photography and Film | 1-4 |
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 semester | Hours | |
| ARTF 131 | Drawing Studio | 3 |
| ARTF 133 | Space Research | 3 |
| ARTF 139 or ARTF 138 | Project Studio or Project Seminar | 1 |
| ARTH 103 | Survey of Art I | 3 |
UNIV 111  Play 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 or ARTF 138 | Project Studio or Project Seminar | 1 |
| ARTH 104 | Survey of Art II | 3 |
| UNIV 112 Play 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.