Art Education
Who is this program a good fit for?
The Art Education program is ideal for students who wish to pursue a career in teaching art from Early Childhood (EC) to 12th grade. The program is designed for those who want to develop their artistic skills while gaining the necessary certification requirements to become art educators in the State of Texas. The ideal candidate for the art education major is a creative, empathetic, and service-oriented individual with strong communication skills, patience, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
Curricular Highlights that benefit students:
- Studio art concentrations in painting, printmaking, photography, metals, ceramics, sculpture, and expanded media, with an emphasis on developing a personal artistic practice through hands-on 2D, 3D, and 4D coursework.
- Comprehensive curriculum covering contemporary art, art theory, and teaching methods.
- Focus on developing a personal artistic practice through hands-on studio courses in 2D, 3D, and 4D art.
- Courses in culturally relevant curriculum design and socially responsive pedagogy.
- Experience teaching in actual elementary and secondary classrooms, community, museums, and art centers.
- Preparation for All-Level Art (EC-12) Teacher Certification resulting in excellent career readiness and high rate of job attainment.
- Collaboration with experienced faculty and visiting artists.
- Integration of technology in art education.
- Nationally recognized university educator preparation program.
Beyond the Classroom: A Visit to the Blanton Museum
Alumni Success
- Art Education graduates enjoy a high employment rate, with many securing teaching positions either before or immediately after graduation, thanks to the program's strong reputation and comprehensive preparation.
- Diverse professional pathways in art education include roles in schools, museums, galleries, community art centers, cultural institutions, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies (e.g., Department of Defense Education Activity, Ministry of Education in Spain), as well as freelance and consulting opportunities.
- Graduates have earned advanced degrees in art education and related fields.
- Alumni have received awards, grants, and fellowships for their work in art education.
- Alumni continue to practice as professional artists engaging in entrepreneurship, studio commissions, and exhibitions.
Student Opportunities
Within your program
- Participation in the National Art Education Association (NAEA) Student Chapter at Texas State and attendance at regional and national art education conferences.
- Opportunities to exhibit work in student galleries.
- Engagement in community-based art education, including outreach projects, informal learning activities (e.g., public libraries, after-school clubs like Families Learning Together), and teaching experiences at local cultural centers such as Centro Cultural Hispano de San Marcos.
- Access to internships (internal and external) and teaching assistantships.
Within Art & Design, College or University that specifically benefit students in your program
- Scholarships and grants specifically for art education students.
- Opportunities to serve as student ambassadors for the School of Art & Design.
- Access to state-of-the-art facilities and creative technology resources at Alkek One in Immersion Studio, AR and VR, MakerSpace, GeoSpace, and DesignSpaces.
- Access to career services and professional development workshops.
- Collaborative and interdisciplinary learning, including partnerships with other departments, student-led clubs, and research or creative inquiry through Honors College initiatives.
Art Exhibition at Cephas House, San Marcos, Texas.
Meet the Faculty
View the Art Education faculty in the Art and Design faculty directory. There you can learn about their research, access links to their professional work, and find their contact information.
Degree Outline
Follow this link to learn more about the degree requirements and course progressions available within Art Education. You will be leaving the Art and Design webpages.