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Home › Prospective Students › Degrees › M.A. – Art & Visual Culture Education

M.A. – Art & Visual Culture Education

The Master of Arts in Art & Visual Culture Education is intended to meet the needs of students who wish advanced professional understanding within the field of Art Education. You may pursue an MA or, if interested in certification to teach in public schools and not currently certified, the MA plus certification. If you already hold an MA or MFA degree, you may want to be a part of our Doctoral Studies program.

Please speak with an Art & Visual Culture Education faculty member or the Graduate Program Coordinator for more information.

AREAS OF EMPHASIS

  • Art & Visual Culture Studies
  • Community & Museums
  • Teaching Certification

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

30 credits are required to complete the Masters Degree (plus certification coursework, for those opting for the Teaching Certification track).

Please see the Graduate Advising page, and the Art & Visual Culture Education Graduate Handbook for specific program requirements.

Thesis Project Requirements

Accelerated Master’s degree (UA uNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS ONLY)

The Accelerated Master of Arts in Art & Visual Culture Education allows current University of Arizona undergraduate students in the BFA in Art Education, BFA in Studio Art, BA in Studio Art or BA in Art History to use 12 units of graduate coursework towards both their Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, giving students the possibility to receive both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in 5 year.

NON-DEGREE SEEKING GRADUATE STATUS

If you do not meet the admission deadlines for the semester in which you wish to enroll, you may apply to the Graduate College for admission as a non-degree seeking graduate student. You may apply a limited number of credits in the non-degree seeking status towards your MA or PhD degree.

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Master of Arts in Art Education Art & Visual Culture Studies

Offers the most flexibility to build expertise in an area of interest. You will take core art and visual culture education courses and use electives to build expertise.

Program RequirementDescriptionRequired Number of Units
Core CoursesARE 530 Research Methods in Art and Visual Culture Education
ARE 630 Theoretical and Historical Foundations of Art and Visual Culture Education
ARE 633 Issues and Recent Research in Art and Visual Culture Education
Choose One:
ARE 560 Curriculum Theory in Art and Visual Culture Education
ARE 531 Pedagogical Practices in Art and Visual Culture Education
12 units
ARE ElectivesARE 500 - ARE 6996 units
ElectivesChosen in conjunction with the student's art and visual culture education advisor. Please note: Students planning to do survey or statistical research are expected to take MUS 551, Behavioral Research in the Arts, as part of their elective credits9 units
Thesis or Master's ReportARE 910 or ARE 9093 units

Please see the Graduate Advising page, and the Studio Art Graduate Handbook for specific program requirements.

Master of Arts in Art Education Community & Museums

Students pursuing the Community emphasis of the AVCE program are given theoretical grounding in conjunction with practical experience. They learn about paradigms of practice such as Community-based Arts Education, Design Pedagogy, Civic Engagement and Social Practice.

Students interact with practitioners in the field through field trips and guest lecturers and get hands on experience through observations, internships, and real projects. Learning to design curriculum, facilitate arts programming, fundraising, and program management, our graduates can expect to get jobs as For-profit and Non-profit Arts and Education organizations; as Program Coordinators / Directors, Outreach Managers/ Coordinators, Teaching Artists; as Community Organizers and advocates in Education, Social Work or Activist organizations, as Gallery Managers, or freelance as Community Based Art Educators. Students choosing to focus on policy might also find employment in local or national Arts Councils and arts and culture branches of government.

The Museum emphasis graduates find employment in museum, galleries, or artist-run center settings. Positions may include museum education assistants/directors, museum education curators, school- museum partnership coordinators, community engagement specialists, arts administrators, visitor experience specialists, heritage interpreters, and gallery managers. Graduates also pursue jobs in local, national, or international museum education associations and governmental departments.

Program RequirementDescriptionRequired Number of Units
Core CoursesARE 530 Research Methods in Art and Visual Culture Education
ARE 630 Theoretical and Historical Foundations of Art and Visual Culture Education
ARE 633 Issues and Recent Research in Art and Visual Culture Education
Choose One:
ARE 560 Curriculum Theory in Art and Visual Culture Education
ARE 531 Pedagogical Practices in Art and Visual Culture Education
12 units
Community/Museums CoursesARE 520 Community, Culture, and Art Education
ARE 525 Theory and Practice in Art Museum Education
6 units
InternshipARE 5393-6 units
ElectivesChosen in conjunction with the student's art and visual culture education advisor. Please note: Students planning to do survey or statistical research are expected to take MUS 551, Behavioral Research in the Arts, as part of their elective credits.3-6 units
Thesis or Master's ReportARE 910 or ARE 9093 units

Please see the Graduate Advising page, and the Studio Art Graduate Handbook for specific program requirements.

Master of Arts in Art Education Certification

Provides coursework leading to certification to teach art at k-12 levels in the state of Arizona. The certification is transferable, with minor adaptations, in many other states in the US.

Program RequirementDescriptionRequired Number of Units
Core CoursesARE 530 Research Methods in Art and Visual Culture Education
ARE 630 Theoretical and Historical Foundations of Art and Visual Culture Education
ARE 633 Issues and Recent Research in Art and Visual Culture Education
Choose One:
ARE 560 Curriculum Theory in Art and Visual Culture Education
ARE 531 Pedagogical Practices in Art and Visual Culture Education
12 units
Art Education Certification CourseARE 538 Teaching Art and Visual Culture Education3 units
ARE ElectivesChosen from 520, 525, 534, 540, 569, 576, 596A, 631, 632 or other numbered courses at the 500 or 600 level, exclusive of 593, 594, 599, 693, 694, 699.9 units
ElectivesChosen in conjunction with the student's art and visual culture education advisor. Please note: Students planning to do survey or statistical research are expected to take MUS 551, Behavioral Research in the Arts, as part of their elective credits3 units
Thesis or Master's ReportARE 910 or ARE 9093 units

TEACHER CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Program RequirementDescriptionRequired Number of Units
Required CoursesARE 300, Learning Environments in Art and Visual Culture Education
EdP 310, Learning in Schools, or EdP 301, Child Development
SERP 301b, Inclusive Education for Secondary Students with Diverse Abilities (SERP 301a may be substituted)
LCEV 408 Methods of Teaching English to English Language Learners (taught on-line through UA South)
ARE OR AVCE 493B Student Teaching in the Secondary School (12 credits)
23 units
Non-Curricular Required Steps• Participation in and passing the AVCE Portfolio Review two semesters before you student teach.
• Meet the University of Arizona Teacher Preparation Programs Professional Standards.
• US & Arizona Constitution Exams. This requirement can be met by taking: POL 210 at the UA, POS 210 or a combination of POS 201 and 231 at Pima Community College, POS 220 or a combination of POS 221 and 222 at the Northland Pioneer College or a combination of HIS510 and 511 at the University of Phoenix, or by taking a test. Please contact an AVCE faculty member for information about the test.
• Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment (AEPA) and NES (National Evaluation Series) Assessment of Professional Knowledge tests. Students take the AEPA Assessment Exam in Art and the NES Professional Knowledge: Secondary. Please visit the AEPA test site for details and exam dates.
• Fingerprints are required for student teaching. All students must hold an identity verified fingerprint (IVP) clearance card in order to student teach in Arizona’s schools. This requirement should be met two semesters before student teaching. The best route to receiving a fingerprint card is to attend one of the College of Education’s fingerprinting sessions.
• Pursuant to University of Arizona teaching preparation agreements across campus, persons pursuing certification to teach art are evaluated in their coursework in part according to national InTASC standards. A link to the standards can be found on the College of Education’s Forms link. Certification students will be asked to sign the UA TPP Professional Standards Contract, found as a link on this page.
NA

Please see the Graduate Advising page, and the Studio Art Graduate Handbook for specific program requirements.

Degrees

  • B.A. – Art History
  • B.A. – Studio Art
  • B.A. – Design Arts & Practices
  • B.F.A. – Art & Visual Culture Education
  • B.F.A. – Studio Art
  • Minors in Art
  • M.A. – Art & Visual Culture Education
  • M.A. – Art History
  • Master of Fine Arts in Art
  • Ph.D. – Art & Visual Culture Education
  • Ph.D. – Art History
  • Museum Studies Certificate Program

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University of Arizona School of Art
4 weeks ago
University of Arizona School of Art

We are over the moon 🌙 to welcome Emily Miu as a first year student this fall!

At first, Emily's path to college was blocked by barriers that were steering her away from what she wants to explore and she considered not attending at all.

That changed after attending the Visions program offered by Scottsdale Arts. Through this program, Emily had the opportunity to work with professional artists and visited us for a workshop.

Through our partnership with Visions, we were able to offer Emily scholarships so she can start her journey as a Wildcat this August! Her parents were misty eyed at the Visions '22 opening reception, saying that she would likely not have attended college at all, if not for Visions and the School of Art!

"The scholarship opportunities I gained from this program made me change my major in college and goals for my academic future" - Emily Miu

Congratulations and welcome!
... See MoreSee Less

We are over the moon 🌙 to welcome Emily Miu as a first year student this fall!

At first, Emilys path to college was blocked by barriers that were steering her away from what she wants to explore and she considered not attending at all.

That changed after attending the Visions program offered by Scottsdale Arts. Through this program, Emily had the opportunity to work with professional artists and visited us for a workshop.

Through our partnership with Visions, we were able to offer Emily scholarships so she can start her journey as a Wildcat this August! Her parents were misty eyed at the Visions 22 opening reception, saying that she would likely not have attended college at all, if not for Visions and the School of Art!

The scholarship opportunities I gained from this program made me change my major in college and goals for my academic future - Emily Miu

Congratulations and welcome!
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University of Arizona School of Art
1 month ago
University of Arizona School of Art

We are looking for models for our fall courses!
arizona.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home/requisition/9951?c=arizona
... See MoreSee Less

Model (On Call) (Part Time)

arizona.csod.com

Model for Art classes as scheduled/needed involving drawing from the figure.Applicants must be willing to pose partially clothed and nude for the dura...
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University of Arizona School of Art with Arizona Arts at University of Arizona School of Art.
2 months ago
University of Arizona School of Art

We're so proud of all of our 2022 graduates! This one holds a special spot in our hearts. ❤️

Lauren Paun is graduating with her BFA in Art & Visual Culture Education (emphasis on Community and Museums) and 3D Art. She has been a student employee in the School of Art for two years, working with our social media accounts. You might have talked to her about being featured here! Lauren has been an integral part of our team, doing a lot of heavy lifting to find the fabulous work y'all are creating and sharing it here.

"I would just like to say how grateful I am for the opportunity to have had such an incredible position within the School of Art; I loved supporting and promoting the amazing artists that attend this school and feel so lucky to be able to learn and create beside them. I have loved every minute working here for the past two years and we'll miss it terribly-- but I am so excited to continue my journey and pursue my career in museums. A special thank you to my friends, family, professors, and supervisors for the constant love and support!!"

We could fill encyclopedias with praise for Lauren but hopefully this small note of gratitude can be enough. Good luck!! 🥺😭
... See MoreSee Less

Were so proud of all of our 2022 graduates! This one holds a special spot in our hearts. ❤️

Lauren Paun is graduating with her BFA in Art & Visual Culture Education (emphasis on Community and Museums) and 3D Art. She has been a student employee in the School of Art for two years, working with our social media accounts. You might have talked to her about being featured here! Lauren has been an integral part of our team, doing a lot of heavy lifting to find the fabulous work yall are creating and sharing it here. 

I would just like to say how grateful I am for the opportunity to have had such an incredible position within the School of Art; I loved supporting and promoting the amazing artists that attend this school and feel so lucky to be able to learn and create beside them. I have loved every minute working here for the past two years and well miss it terribly-- but I am so excited to continue my journey and pursue my career in museums. A special thank you to my friends, family, professors, and supervisors for the constant love and support!!

We could fill encyclopedias with praise for Lauren but hopefully this small note of gratitude can be enough. Good luck!! 🥺😭Image attachmentImage attachment+4Image attachment
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Congrats, Lauren!! 🙌💐

Congratulations on a job well done. 👏Very proud of you and your accomplishments.

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University of Arizona School of Art with Arizona Arts at University of Arizona School of Art.
2 months ago
University of Arizona School of Art

Graduation celebrations continue! Let's hear it for one of our newest PhDs, Kasey Stuart! 🎓

"I'm Kasey Stuart and I am graduating with my PhD in Art History and Education. My research explores and questions preservice teachers' reliance upon social media as a resource for lesson plans. Currently, I am developing a program to help art educators critically analyze and amend lesson plans found online before they have brought into K-12 classrooms."

Thank you for doing this critical work that keeps teachers relevant to their students, while also making sure they are intentional and accurate!
... See MoreSee Less

Graduation celebrations continue! Lets hear it for one of our newest PhDs, Kasey Stuart! 🎓

Im Kasey Stuart and I am graduating with my PhD in Art History and Education. My research explores and questions preservice teachers reliance upon social media as a resource for lesson plans. Currently, I am developing a program to help art educators critically analyze and amend lesson plans found online before they have brought into K-12 classrooms.

Thank you for doing this critical work that keeps teachers relevant to their students, while also making sure they are intentional and accurate!Image attachment
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Congrats to Kasey!

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University of Arizona School of Art is at University of Arizona School of Art.
2 months ago
University of Arizona School of Art

We are so glad to see everyone enjoying the incredible work done by our MFA graduates in the 2022 MFA Show! Featured in the @uazmuseumofart is Venessa Ball and her intricate project titled Crosscut: Mining and domesticity, creating a life in spite of and because of the mine.

“As a mining state, Arizona is among the leading producers of copper in the United States.
These large operations required an extensive workforce, from laborers, to geologists, engineers, and company representatives. The mine would often provide housing, schoolhouses and
gathering spaces in the surrounding area, creating an entire town owned by the company itself. Like so many other small communities in America these “boomtown” economies were built on what they believed to be stable and consistent growth. Should the ore deposit run out or the company no longer have the funds to dig any deeper, what then happens to the community? What should also happen if the very commodity the mine needs to keep going just happens to be right under the ground on which they built the town? If you ask the former townspeople of Ray-Sonora, AZ… there is no more town. In 1966, their town was demolished to continue the mine operations.
Thirty years after Ray-Sonora was removed from the map, in 1996, the Magma Copper mine where my father and grandfather worked for decades—and that had provided so much stability for my family—officially closed, because it was deemed too costly to continue operations.
The only way my father could continue his career in mining was to relocate his family to another mining town. This wouldn’t be the last time this happened in my childhood. Chasing the ore was my father’s way of ensuring our family always had a stable and comfortable life.
The delicate patterns cut from family and historical photographs highlight the tension often felt by my family and so many mining families as they attempted to build a life in the shadow of a brutal and unstable industry, dependent on an unsympathetic capitalist economy.” - @venessaball
... See MoreSee Less

We are so glad to see everyone enjoying the incredible work done by our MFA graduates in the 2022 MFA Show! Featured in the @uazmuseumofart is Venessa Ball and her intricate project titled Crosscut: Mining and domesticity, creating a life in spite of and because of the mine.

“As a mining state, Arizona is among the leading producers of copper in the United States. 
These large operations required an extensive workforce, from laborers, to geologists, engineers, and company representatives. The mine would often provide housing, schoolhouses and
gathering spaces in the surrounding area, creating an entire town owned by the company itself. Like so many other small communities in America these “boomtown” economies were built on what they believed to be stable and consistent growth. Should the ore deposit run out or the company no longer have the funds to dig any deeper, what then happens to the community? What should also happen if the very commodity the mine needs to keep going just happens to be right under the ground on which they built the town? If you ask the former townspeople of Ray-Sonora, AZ… there is no more town. In 1966, their town was demolished to continue the mine operations. 
Thirty years after Ray-Sonora was removed from the map, in 1996, the Magma Copper mine where my father and grandfather worked for decades—and that had provided so much stability for my family—officially closed, because it was deemed too costly to continue operations. 
The only way my father could continue his career in mining was to relocate his family to another mining town. This wouldn’t be the last time this happened in my childhood. Chasing the ore was my father’s way of ensuring our family always had a stable and comfortable life.
The delicate patterns cut from family and historical photographs highlight the tension often felt by my family and so many mining families as they attempted to build a life in the shadow of a brutal and unstable industry, dependent on an unsympathetic capitalist economy.” - @venessaballImage attachmentImage attachment+6Image attachment
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University of Arizona School of Art is at University of Arizona School of Art.
2 months ago
University of Arizona School of Art

“Small. Confused. And in Awe.”

In case you haven’t had the chance to see it yet, the 2022 MFA Exhibition is featuring this incredible body of work created by Florence Von Grote! The illustrations are based on treasured memories from the places Florence has lived. The little animals are stand-in protagonists inhabiting, exploring and experiencing dream-based worlds.

“Small. Confused. And in Awe. is based on memories of the places I have lived. Events, people, and places are contorted and blended together into a half-imagined/half-remembered architecture. The nod to children’s book illustration invites the viewer to blur the boundaries between animal and human, reality and imagination.” - @flovong

Featured images are:
Traveler
Progress photo
Cartographer
Gardener
Loiterer
Collector

We urge you to check out Florence’s amazing work in the @uazmuseumofart before the show ends on May 14!
... See MoreSee Less

“Small. Confused. And in Awe.” 

In case you haven’t had the chance to see it yet, the 2022 MFA Exhibition is featuring this incredible body of work created by Florence Von Grote! The illustrations are based on treasured memories from the places Florence has lived. The little animals are stand-in protagonists inhabiting, exploring and experiencing dream-based worlds. 

“Small. Confused. And in Awe. is based on memories of the places I have lived. Events, people, and places are contorted and blended together into a half-imagined/half-remembered architecture. The nod to children’s book illustration invites the viewer to blur the boundaries between animal and human, reality and imagination.” - @flovong 

Featured images are:
Traveler
Progress photo
Cartographer
Gardener
Loiterer
Collector

We urge you to check out Florence’s amazing work in the @uazmuseumofart before the show ends on May 14!Image attachmentImage attachment+3Image attachment
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